FLOOD02112

• County: Statewide
• Title: 1993 Colorado Flood Report
• Date: 6/1/1994
• Prepared For: CWCB
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

As Colorado approached the winter of 1992-93, early snows in November indicated that
if storm tracks remained constant, the central and southern mountains could receive the highest
snowpack in recent years. In January 1993, as storms continued to affect the southern half of the
state, snow readings began to climb. As usual, March was a snowy month and readings soared
throughout the southern half of the mountainous areas of Colorado.

Preparations to address concerns regarding Colorado's abnormally high winter snowpack
began in earnest during March 1993 with a mailing to nwnerous local officials from the CWCB
which provided guidance about preparations for flooding. Next, meetings with communities that
responded to the March letter were scheduled for late April 1994. Then, during the week of
April 19-24, 1993 representatives of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the State Engineer's
Office, the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
performed field inspections of selected west slope locations to determine what levels of flood
threat existed for various communities.

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Significant snowmelt runoff began in the second week of Mayas streams across western
Colorado swelled due to higher temperatures. Then, on the evening of May 15-16, 1993 a
thunderstorm centered over the Government Creek basin north of Rifle dwnped 2.5 inches of
water in a 4-hour period. The resulting flash flood damaged 12-13 homes and businesses in Rifle
causing an estimated $150,000 in losses. Additionally, vehicles were swept away from several
locations and estimates of losses totalled $50,000.

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On May 28, 1993, 1.5 inches of rain fell on melting snow above Paonia in a 5-hour period
causing the North Fork of the Gunnison River to approach 100-year flood levels. The high water
event precipitated bank erosion to agriculturaIland throughout this portion of Delta County. The
Town of Paonia's flood control facilities, comprised mostly of bank armoring, were severely
damaged.

This report provides an explanation and accounting of 1) the flood threat posed by the
heavy snowpack, 2) the actual flood events, and 3) the flood response by state and local officials
during the 1993 flood season.

The CWCB's flood response actions included 1) anticipation, 2) preparation, 3) response,
and 4) follow-up actions to mitigate future flooding impacts.

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