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9 v. COMPARISONS TO OTHER LARGE FLOOD EVENTS In 1984, Colorado also experienced flooding as a result of an abnormally high snowpack. During the fourth week of May that year, temperatures approached 90 degrees in Gunnison, Colorado for seven (7) days in a row. Record streamflows were recorded on May 25 and 26 over much of western Colorado. In addition, nighttime temperatures did not drop below freezing at the higher altitudes. This combination caused snowmelt flooding which resulted in a Presidential Declaration totalling 31 - million dollars. Seventeen counties and their associated municipalities were declared disaster areas. The 1993 snowmelt runoff flood season does not approach the magnitude of the 1984 flood event in most basins. However, some parallels can be drawn. Both years had abnormally high snowpacks. In many areas, the snow water content in 1993 exceeded that of 1984. Yet warm temperatures in 1993 did not materialize like they did in 1984. Warm/cool, warm/cool, etc. weather cycles were the rule in 1993 and as a result flood levels for the most part did not reach the levels of 1984 on as many streams. However in at least one community, flood levels exceeded 1984 levels. Paonia experienced a flood event on May 28, 1993 that approached the 100-year recurrence interval. It resulted from rain on snowmelt when 1.5" of rain fell in five (5) hours above Paonia but below Paonia Reservoir. However, post-flood mitigation actions following the 1984 flood event prevented excessive damage to the streambanks of the North Fork of the Gunnison River at Paonia. Post-flood mitigation techniques also prevented excessive damage to levees on the Colorado River at Grand Junction. For the most part, post-flood mitigation actions that were implemented following the 1984 flood event prevented significant damage during the 1993 flood season. These actions from 1984 guided state agencies as they prepared and responded to the flood threat in 1993. There now exist opportunities for further post-flood mitigation activities on streams impacted during 1993. Hopefully these actions will reduce damages even further when the next flood occurs. VI. IMPACTED AREAS The southern half of the mountainous areas of Colorado, the mountain valleys of the Western Slope and the San Luis Valley all experienced varying degrees of flood damage during the spring 1993 flood season. The following tabulation lists the communities and associated strearncourses which experienced high water.