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<br /> <br />one degree or another. Pre-disaster mitigation activities served to lessen impocts <br />in those communities that had taken action. <br /> <br />In 1995, snowpack development came very late in the season (April through <br />early June). However, in many locations it was equal to or exceeded the record <br />snowpack of 1993. The State's Flood Task Force was convened again and <br />provided valuable data for flood preparedness and mitigation. Many of the <br />permonent mitigation measures which were enacted during the 1993 Rood <br />event prevented damages. Many other mitigation measures put into place just <br />prior to the flood event worked admirably as well. <br /> <br />In 1996, the Flood Task Force was called into action again because of a high <br />snowpack. In the end much of the snow melted without causing substantial prob- <br />lems, but the Task Force was able to provide assistance to local officials con- <br />cerned about flooding in their jurisdictions. <br /> <br />Prior to the 1997 flooding, mitigation activities were undertaken by the City of <br />Fort Collins, which reduced flood damages on Spring Creek. Some buildings in <br />the 1 OO-year floodplain had been previously acquired and the land converted <br />to parks or open space. Several bridges and culverts had been enlorged to <br />increase flow capacity. The result was that substantially fewer buildings remained <br />in the 1 OO-year floodplain of Spring Creek. <br /> <br />During these two decades state agencies have worked actively with local gov- <br />ernments that have requested assistance with their specific problems. Mapping <br />of floodplain areas has identified the mitigation needs of some communities. <br />Planning and engineering assistance hove been provided for developing and <br />designing structural and non-structural proiects to address flood problems. State <br />funding has assisted many communities implement projects. Two slide shows <br />documenting mitigation efforts statewide and encouraging more mitigation have <br />been developed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and shown to <br />various audiences. In response to the 1997 floods, the Water Conservation <br />Board, in cooperation with local agencies, is preparing Flood Documentation <br />Reports for all the 13 counties included in the Presidential Declaration. Then the <br />Water Conservation Board is preparing Flood Mitigation Feasibility Reports for <br />selected communities to include with their Hazard Mitigation Grant applica- <br />tions, to provide technical support for those grant applications. The State is con- <br />tinuing to work cooperatively with as many entities as possible to reduce <br />Colorado's flood hazard vulnerability. <br />