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<br />. Flo9d Control Systems <br /> <br />Fountain Creek and Tributaries Upstream of Pueblo: Other than the levees and channelization <br />work in Pueblo, there are no other significant flood control systems to evaluate along Fountain <br />Creek. The creek has extensive overflow areas between Manitou Springs (west of Colorado <br />Springs) and Pueblo. The floodplain between Colorado Springs and Pueblo consists of a narrow <br />agricultural strip that is highly susceptible to erosion. At Manitou Springs, the encroachment of <br />urban development on Fountain Creek has created a serious local flood concern. Due to the lack <br />of any mitigating flood control systems, Manitou Springs experienced significant damage as a <br />result of the April 29, 1999 flood. Somewhat similar circumstances in Colorado Springs resulted <br />in two mobile home parks being flooded. The creek crested on April 30, 1999 and reached the <br />confluence with the Arkansas River on May 1,1999. <br /> <br />Minor tributaries in the area also inundate and erode agricultural lands and wash out key farm-to- <br />market roads. During this flood event several roads and bridges in Manitou Springs and <br />Colorado Springs were damaged. Pinon Bridge between Manitou and Colorado Springs lost a <br />central span due to scour beneath supporting piers. The Corps constructed a streambank <br />protection project to protect both bridge abutments in 1989. Since completion of that project the <br />bridge abutments have survived floods that have now twice undermined and destroyed the <br />central span on the bridge. The Pinon Bridge staff gauge, which is a key part of the Pueblo early <br />flood warning and response system, was also lost. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Fountain Creek Levees and Channelization at Pueblo: The Corps constructed system performed <br />well and prevented flooding and property damage within the project limits. The east flood <br />control levee experienced some significant loss of riprap at 13th Street. An engineer team was <br />dispatched from the Albuquerque District to meet with local officials, visit the project and <br />recommend repairs at 13th Street. The City of Pueblo is the project sponsor. The Pueblo City <br />Director of Public Works submitted a request for rehabilitation of the Corps flood control <br />project. Repairs are scheduled to be made under the Corps of Engineers Public Law 84-99 <br />Emergency Levee Restoration and Repair program. Aggradation within this reach had <br />completely covered a grade control structure just upstream of the Missouri Pacific Railroad <br />bridge. <br /> <br />Pueblo Dam: The dam began storing all inflow on April 29, 1999. The Corps of Engineers has <br />flood control operation responsibility on this BUTeau of Reclamation project and took over flood <br />control operations by April 30, 1999. The dam was being operated under a deviation from <br />standard operations for about a year to accommodate work to construct a stabilizing berm on the <br />downstream toe of the dam. Under this deviation, the irrigation storage pool has been <br />maintained at lower levels than usual. During the flood event, inflow was approximately 4,000 <br />c.f.s. while the outflow was being restricted to just 100 c.f.s. The Arkansas River flows had <br />crested at Pueblo and Avondale on May I, 1999 without incident. <br /> <br />Pueblo Floodway and Levee Extension: The Corps constructed floodway and levee extension <br />. were subjected to non-damaging outflows from Pueblo Dam and performed without incident. <br /> <br />Post Flood Assessment Report <br /> <br />19 <br /> <br />Chapter 3 - Flood of April 29, 1999 <br />Draft Revised 09/09/99 <br />