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. will create a positive control and stabilize the new slope that has been established. 3-24. Flood Warning Svstem. A flood warning system for the city of Pueblo is considered necessary since the proposed flood control plan consists of levees and channel improvements which are designed for less than the Standard Project Flood. The potential danger of flooding has been recognized by the city for many years. The development of Fountain Creek's flood emergency plan was directed towards safeguarding property and people of Pueblo from flooding. 3-25. The existing plan cons ists of "Critical Action Areas" and "Critical Watch Areas" which have been determined from past flooding as well as recent Flood Insurance Studies. Flood response strategies have been developed for these areas for a range of flows up to the 100-year flood (64,000 cfs). The proposed project will provide 200-year (85,000 cfs) protection to the city, which will necessitate making revisions of the city's flood response strategies. 3-26. The existing flood warning system consists of a sensor on the Pinon Plaza Bridge, approximately 10 miles upstream of Pueblo, which sounds alarms in the Civil Defense Office and Central Police Station st Pueblo when flows reach a stage of six feet (approximately 6,000 cfs). Over the last few years, it has become apparent this system does not provide enough information to the peop Ie of Pueblo. The main criticism is that a minimal six-foot stage sends the same warning as a flood with greater magnitude. . 3-27. When the city first implemented its flood warning system, they had two evacuation "dry runs" and an actual evacuation. According to city offic ia ls, all of these exercises were very successful. However, since 1980 there have not been any additional evacuations (dry runs or actual). Even without practice, the people of Pueblo have proven their ability to get to high ground. No deaths were attributed to the June 1965 flood which peaked at 47,000 cfs at about 9:00 PM, generating water depths of eight to twelve feet. The two major areas of potential flooding have adjacent high ground within a four- or five-block area. 3-28. The following table lists estimated travel times from the designated point on Fountain Creek to the confluence with the Arkansas River for representative flood peaks. Stream Est. Travel Est. Travel Point On Distance Time - Hrs. Time - Hrs. Fountain Creek (miles ) <15.000 cfs) <100.000 cfs) Pinon Plaza 12 4 1.5 Bridg e Wigwam 19 6 2 Fountain 32 10 3 . Colorado Springs 45 14 4.5 , - III-7 "