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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I VJ -5 New developments within the Clear Creek basin must provide on-site erosion and sediment control to 1 imit the amount of earth washed into the creek during frequently occurring runoff events. Forecasting and Warning Systems There is also a critical need to restrict the use of the floodplain for sani- tary landfill. These landfills pose leachate problems to the aquifer and may pollute local drainageways, as well as Clear Creek. Extreme care must be exercised by local entities when allowing floodplain fill as to the type of fill, fill compaction and elevations. Forecast and flood warning systems can be effective in the prevention of loss of life from a flood event. Sufficient warning can significantly reduce the tragedy of a flood. A flood forecasting system will reduce flood losses as it i niti ates appropri ate P.I1lergency actions before the floodwaters reach vulnerable areas. In essence, a disaster preparedness pl an should be developed to assure that the proper emergency measures are implemented in an effective and timely manner. Flood Insurance Flood warning systems, for those neighborhoods remalnlng within the 100-year floOdplain, should be developed and implemented by the appropriate governmen- tal jurisdictions. A flood warning system. geared to rain and streCJTI gauges in the Clear Creek basin could provide adequate advance warning of an impen- ding flood condition, thus allowing residents to evacuate flood hazard areas in advance. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides both incentives and minimum requirements for local governments to manage their floodplains in a safe and respons i b 1 e manner. The program was estab 1 j shed by Congress under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, and is administered by the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA). The flood insurance program makes available subsidized flood insurance to homeowners and businesses to cover flood damages to both structures and their contents. All occupants of structures in Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and Adams County within the 100-year floodplain may mitigate flood losses through the purchase of low cost flood insurance. Flood insurance is also recommended for those adjacent to the regulatory floodplain, since flood events greater than the 100-year flood may also, and in fact do, occur. The costs for a flood warning system were not included in the "Jurisdictional Cost 8reakdown Summary" since a warning system \<\Ould benefit the entire study area of lower Clear Creek and the appropriation of costs CJTIong the various juri sd ictional agenci es coul d not be determi ned in thi s study. However, a breakdown of the costs associated with a flood warning system for lower Clear Creek is presented here. Costs will vary according to the degree of sophis- tication and cOOlprehensiveness of the warning progran. A bare-bones system could probably be designed and implemented for $100,000. However, to provide cOO1prehensive detection and to have an effective warning plan, the initial costs \<\Ould range from $250,000 to $300,000. Were the warning plan to be impl ffilented bas inwi de, certai n equi pnent costs caul d be shared wi th other cOOlmunities. This might reduce initial costs by 20 to 30 percent. Operation and maintenance costs include equipnent and pl an maintenance. Annual operation and maintenance costs, including equipnent maintenance, salaries and pl an updating costs, have been estimated to be approximately $40,000. The Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UD&FCD) should continue to identify and annually contact floodplain property owners to inform them of the availability of flood insurance, and encourage its purchase. It is recommended that the UD&FCD annually publish and distribute an informational flood hazard brochure to those properties located within the regulatory floodplain.