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<br />Stream Rehabilitation Needs <br /> <br /> <br />Over 1,200 miles of Colorado streams were estimated to have erosion-related problems as a result <br /> <br /> <br />of natural processes and human activities and practices. Stream bank erosion and channel aggradation and <br /> <br /> <br />degradation can harm fish habitat, destroy agricultural land and damage pl~vate property. Rehabilitation <br /> <br /> <br />measures are needed to stabilize threatened stream corridors, preserve the natural resources and functions <br /> <br /> <br />of floodplain areas and increase flood capacity. Such measures can include: <br />. Channel Stabilization Measures; <br /> <br /> <br />. Riparian Habitat Improvements; <br /> <br /> <br />. Wetland Area Enhancement; <br /> <br /> <br />. Eroded Stream Bank Repair; and <br /> <br /> <br />. Open Space Preservation and Conservation Buffers. <br />Flood Protection Needs <br /> <br />Stream flooding remains the greatest hazard to life and property in Colorado. Today, flood-prone <br /> <br />areas have been identified in 268 cities and towns, and in all of the 63 counties in Colorado. As many as <br /> <br />250,000 people are estimated to reside in the 1 OO-year floodplain area, with prtlperty valued at more than $11 <br /> <br />billion. <br /> <br />There is a clear need for improved floodplain management to reduce the at-risk human population's <br /> <br />vulnerability to flooding and prevent further encroachment into flood hazard ZIJnes. In Colorado, over 2,000 <br /> <br />miles of streams were estimated to require floodplain mapping, and numerous miles of mapped floodplains <br /> <br />are not current and require updating. In the area of flood mitigation, the survey enabled the project team to <br /> <br />estimate a need for over $1 billion throughout Colorado for flood control or flood mitigation projects. <br /> <br />The survey responses also indicated needs in the following areas; <br /> <br />1. Planning Assistance. A significant percentage of the respondents expressed support for watershed- <br /> <br /> <br />based master plans which can provide comprehensive, multi-objective solutions for urbanizing <br /> <br />watersheds. Most respondents recognize that watershed plans can provide a broader perspective <br /> <br />to issues of aquatic and riparian habitat, flood conveyance, groundwater discharge/recharge, water <br /> <br />supply, land use activities, agricultural uses, and recreational, open !;pace and aesthetic values of <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br />