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., . . , " reached Weldona. Only in rare events do the ditches spill or break out. In the 90-year history of the Riverside Ditch, 1997 was the fIrst time that the ditch had actually breached above Weldona, according to a ditch company representative. Several spills may have previously occurred, including some in 1995 and 1996. Floodinl!: Problems and F100dinl!: Historv Flooding problems in Weldona are caused by inadequate storm drainage systems, flat topography, and man-made flow obstructions that block the natural drainage courses (i.e. railroad embankment, highway embankment, county roads, etc.). Two irrigation canals above Weldona complicate the hydrology and hydraulics of the lower Schaefer Draw basin. According to a floodplain information report produced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, Weldona is located outside of the IOO-year floodplain of the South Platte River. The Morgan County Flood Insurance Rate Map shows Weldona outside of any 100-year floodplain area. Floods on the tributaries in Morgan County, including Schaefer Draw, normally occur during the spring and surruner months from May through September as a result of intense thunderstorms or large general rainstorms. 1997 Flood Event Reports of flooding in Weldona were broadcast by a local television station on the morning of July 30, 1997. On that same morning, CWCB staff performed fIeld investigations in the Weldona area to view the flooded areas and to begin flood documentation efforts. An intense rainstorm had occurred north and east of Weldona late in the evening of July 29 and into the early morning of July 30. The storm produced flood flows in Schaefer Draw above Weldona, which caused two irrigation canals to breach. Storm runoff from Schaefer Draw combined with spilled flows from the irrigation canals inundated nearly the entire corrununity. Residents were evacuated from their homes due to flood hazards and potential health hazards. Flood depths were generally from I to 3 feet. The U.S. Army National Guard was called in to assist with the evacuations, to perform rescue operations, and to secure the area. Morgan County, among other Colorado Counties, offIcially received a federal disaster declaration on August 1, 1997 based on severe flooding conditions. The disaster declaration made it possible for Morgan County to be eligible to receive federal funding (disaster relief) which includes individual assistance, public assistance, and mitigation assistance. Morgan County offIcials made written and verbal requests to the CWCB for technical assistance with developing a flood hazard mitigation feasibility study to address drainage and flooding problems in Weldona. Obiective The Project objective is to develop a flood hazard mitigation feasibility study and prepare portions of a fInal report to assist the local government (Morgan County) with the preparation of a full application for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The completed application with included technical information must satisfy all of the FEMA requirements in order for the community to be eligible to receive federal grant money for project implementation. For the purposes of this Project, Weldona flood issues will be addressed as two distinct components. The first component is local storm drainage within the urbanized part of the corrununity. The second component is major drainageway work related to Schaefer Draw and the irrigation canals. 2