FLOOD02837

• County: Jefferson
• Stream Name: Buffalo Creek
• Basin: South Platte
• Title: Buffalo Creek Mitigation Plan Project Notebook
• Date: 6/11/1998
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Documentation Report

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Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
721 Centennial Building
131 3 Sherman Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

STATE OF COLORADO

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June 11, 1998

Buffalo Creek Weather Observers:

Roy Romer
Governor

James S. Lochhe<'ld
Executive Director, DNR

Oaries C Ule, PE.
Director, ewes

The time has come to think about the 1998 summer flood season. The Colorado Water
Conservation Board, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Weather
Service, Jefferson County, and others have continued their involvement in studies following the
1996 fire and flood disasters in the Buffalo Creek vicinity. A recent field investigation was
performed in order to assess this year's runoff potential from the burned watershed areas. Although
there is substantial growth of new vegetation in some of the burned areas, it is apparent that the
flash flood potential is still very high. 1 urge you and your family members to develop a household
emergency plan in the event of a future flood. I also urge you to notify your neighbors and visitors
of the continued flash flood hazards that exist.

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Nearly two years ago, a number of National Weather Service rain gages were distributed to certain
residents in and around the community of Buffalo Creek. These manual rain gages, if used and
recorded properly, can greatly assist us with analyzing the runoff characteristics for given rainfall
amounts, and will help weather experts to define thresholds for issuing flash flood watches and
. warnings in your area. The information that was obtained from the weather observers last year was
extremely helpful, and your diligence and cooperation was much appreciated.

At this time I am requesting your continued use and careful documentation of rainfall amounts that
may be collected from your rain gage. It is very helpful for us to know the amount of rain, the
duration of the storm, and the approximate starting time of the rainfall. For example, you may have
received 0.7" of rain in 45 minutes starting at 3 p.m. on June 17. A written record of the collected
data is necessary so that it can be referenced at a later time. The rain gage should be emptied after
the recordings are taken and after the storm passes.

A staff member from our office or other agency will phone you occasionally to inquire about
rainfall information that you have collected. In addition, all recorded information will be collected
from you at the end of the flood season. Please contact the National Weather Service immediately
at [phone] if you are experiencing a major rain event.

If you no longer desire to participate as a weather observer or if this letter has reached you in error,
please contact me at [phone]. Thank you again for your cooperation on this matter.

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~ Thomas . -;~~ning, P.E.
Flood Control and Floodplain Management Section