FLOOD01207

• Designation Number: 58
• County: Adams
• Community: Unincorporated Adams County
• Stream Name: Second Creek and Third Creek
• Title: Flood Hazard Area Delineation - Second Creek and Third Creek - Adams County
• Date: 2/1/1976
• Designation Date: 3/1/1976
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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6

flow area would see variable clogging and reduced efficiency

during a major flood event. The capacity for bridge structures

and box culverts was reduced by 25% to account for debris

accumulation at the inlet. Culvert structures greater than

36 inches in diameter were analyzed for blockage of 75%.

Culvert structures smaller than 36 inches in diameter were

considered to be totally blocked and ineffective.

Other factors which reduce the flood hazard are flood warnings

and emergency evacuation plans. The National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintains year-round surveil-

lance of weather and flood conditions. Although intense cloud-

burst activity in the general region can be forecast, such

storms and resultant flooding in specific small drainage areas

cannot be predicted accurately. Any warnings of severe thunder-

storm activity would necessarily be widespread and without

specifics.

Factors Which Reduce the Flood Hazard

Flood control improvements, including channel improvements,

reservoirs and bridge improvements, as well as good flood plain

management practices such as flood proofing and avoiding building

in flood plains, will reduce the potential hazards associated

with flood prone areas. For the undeveloped flood plains

delineated in this report, the enforcement of sound flood plain

regulations will best serve the needs of Adams County on Second

and Third Creeks.

Flood fighting and emergency evacuation plans are also factors

which can reduce the flood hazard. No formal plans for flood

fighting or emergency evacuation of people and personal property

from flood plain areas are known to have been prepared for the

two creeks. However, during times of flooding, agencies 'such

as the local police, the sheriff's office, the State Highway

Patrol, and road maintenance crews assist in flood fighting

and evacuating people from f~ooded areas.

No flood control reservoirs ex~st within the study areas. No

other major flood control imprOvements have been made on either

Second Creek or Third Creek. Some minor channelization has

been accomplished near certain road and irrigation canal crossings

to improve low flow hydraulics. These improvements, however, do

not significantly reduce the f~ood hazard for larger flood

events.

The most effective means to reduce flood hazards is to be aware
of such hazards and avoid them. Implementing flood plain regula-
tion practices will keep damageable land uses and improved
property out of the flood plain and out of danger. Flood proof-
ing will tend to reduce damage to the existing buildings and
structures within the flood plain.