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Wapnings in effect, the ongoing flooding along the Arkansas and the Purgatoire Rivers in Otero, Crowley, Bent and Las Animas Counties, and the potential for flooding downstream of John Martin Reservoir. That day, SignifIcant Weatber Outlooks addressing the flooding were issued at 7 AM and noon. By the aftemoon of May 5, 1999 all points along the Arkansas and Purgatoire Rivers had dropped below flood stage and no further flooding was occurring. At that time, a fInal statement was issued canceling the Flood Warning for the: Arkansas and Purgatoire Rivers. No further statements were issued for the Arkansas River downstream of John Martin Reservoir since no flooding problems were occurring. In addition to the aforementioned reports and advisories, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a number of Short Term Forecasts addressing the heavy rain and flooding that occurred in southeast Colorado in late April and early May. It also participated in numerous coordination calls with Emergency Managers, local law enforcement agencies, the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the Corps of Engineers Albuquerque District and the: Arkansas-Red River Basin River Forecast Center. These coordination calls were vital for maximum distribution of timely flood and weather information to Federal and local emergency management personnel. The coordination calls allowed all parties to participate in a direct exchange of information in a highly effIcient manner. Emergency Managers and law enforcement personnel provided the NWS with valuable flood damage information while recdving the latest rainfall and stage forecasts. The Colorado Division of Water Resources provided the NWS with timely and regular stage data at several points along the Arkansas where critical river gag(~s had been damaged or destroyed. This data was essential to the integrity of the river stage forecasts issued by the River Forecast Center. In return, the NWS provided the Colorado State Division of Water Resources with their latest forecast considerations regarding the heavy rain and flooding. The Albuquerque Corps of Engineers provided the NWS with important information regarding necessary releases from John Martin Reservoir. In exchange, the NWS provided the Corps with the latest synopsis and forecast information that they needed. Finally, coordination with the Arkansas-Red River Basin River Forecast Center played an extremely vital role: in the quality of service provided by the NWS to the emergency management community. The Forecast Center provided valuable river stage forecasts and expertise that allowed NWS to issue accurate forecast information. The NWS was able to assist the Forecast Center by providing river stage data obtained from the Colorado State Division of Water Resources and reservoir release infoDllation received from the Corps of Engineers. All information exchanges during the event were mutual and benefIted the entire emergency management community. OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS AND DEPENDENCIES There are unique aspects about the watershed that create constraints and dependencies on and between local flood management systems. Some ofthese aspects constrain the alternatives for local flood control improvements without a comprehensive basin wide study approach. The following paragraphs provide some understanding of the complex issues that must be considered for any improvement to the flood management system. Appendix B and C provide information on environmental and cultural resources that exist within the watershed which can also influence Post Flood Assessment Report 27 Chapter 3 - Flood of April 29, 1999 D,aft Revised 09/09/99