|
<br />
<br />The aear Creek flood of 2 September 1938 is typical of the flash.type
<br />flooda that occur in the Bear and Clear Creek basins. This flood resulted
<br />from a severe stono centered in the upper MolUlt Vernon Creek drainage baain.
<br />Six persons drowned vhen trapped in their automobile on tbe higbvay between
<br />Morriaon and Kittredge. Dovnstream frOIl1 Cold Spring Gulch damages Vere
<br />estimated at $451,700. Losa of life vo~ld probably have been greater had
<br />not the t~n of Morrison been alerted. A repeat of this flood today
<br />vould cause a lI1uch greater dOllar da~age becauae of the increased urban
<br />development and the riae in price levela aince 1938.
<br />
<br />
<br />Flood Damllge on Bear Creek
<br />at Morrison, September 1938
<br />
<br />..
<br />
<br />GUIDELINES FOR USE OF FLOOD PLAIN AREAS
<br />
<br />When flooding occurs, nat\lre delllSnds its right to the use of tbe
<br />overbank areas for the passsge of flood vaters and these rights cannot
<br />be ignored by the occu~nts of the flood plain.
<br />
<br />Thefrequ.entbutmod.eratef'loodcoversallWl1,lOVlyingareas,vbile
<br />t_"., 1n!'rc'l."-cnt :'-.:t sc':cre flco,:: COVer" th~ lvw lylug ..roas ~o a greater
<br />depth and also spreads to higher elevations in the flood plain. It ia
<br />evident, therefore, that the flood risk in th~ low lying areas is greeter
<br />than the risk in the higher portions of the flood plain.
<br />
<br />
<br />The effects of flooding are not confined to the flood stricken area.
<br />Persons vho have property within the flooded ares s~ffer direct loss or
<br />damage, vhereaa persona vith property located o~tside the flooded area.
<br />suffer ind1rect loss in the fOrM of increased taxes for repa1r of damaged
<br />p~blic property aDd ~tilitiea, loss of 1neo~e if business is diar~pted,
<br />plus the cost of aiding flood victi~s. Moreover, nO one is completely
<br />exempt from the possibility of losing his or her life or the life of some
<br />relative or friend during a flood. It 1a i~portaDt to kn~ that the coat
<br />of insurance against flood damage is far beyond the financial reach of
<br />1ll0St people.
<br />
<br />
<br />.
<br />',,'
<br />
<br />:'''.,
<br />- ,
<br />'. '.
<br />,;''''''''. ..,....
<br />......'....~~, "
<br />.....'. ..~.~',.. ;::". ~
<br />'-0. ',., '...".~,,~ ,';:.'.~.
<br />"" '~,
<br />i~'~~, "'.
<br />~~':."'"
<br />;-.;,...' .'.~.:
<br />- -."
<br />. '" .."".,.,",:". ; ~
<br />- -~~ "."
<br />..... ','.,...,,
<br />~._ "' k'.".,
<br />
<br />, '
<br />"
<br />-
<br />
<br />-
<br />."
<br />
<br />,.
<br />
<br />']
<br />~ "
<br />
<br />, .
<br />,
<br />
<br />".,
<br />
<br />-
<br />
<br />~
<br />""~;
<br />" "<~
<br />
<br />\.",..
<br />".
<br />
<br />, i
<br />
<br />,.,
<br />
<br />,
<br />
<br />Road damage along Bear Creek
<br />September 1938
<br />
<br />In viev of the videspresd effects of flOOding, it is 1n the p~blic
<br />interest to enact and enforce lavs and regulations prohibiting encroachment
<br />on stream channels and reqUiring the j~dicio~a ~ae of flood plain areas.
<br />The application of la.vs and regulations depends ~pon the characteristics
<br />of the area. Control CaD be exercised thro~gh proper ~oning, b\lilding codes,
<br />SUbdivision regulations, evacuation, floodproofing, flood control vorks,
<br />an<l other PleaSures. These are d1acussed in the follovingparagraphs:
<br />
<br />..
<br />
<br />,
<br />
<br />FLOOD PLAIN ZONING
<br />
<br />Devclnprnent in the floodplain can be controlled best throughzonlng
<br />or~inaue<;s. Po Hat "f :!,ublieliti"i:is c'u thh ~"vj"ct .i.~ ~vu4i""J. ill 'the Sy-
<br />pendix. This type Of control recognizes flood frequency, that is, the-
<br />nua:t>er of flOOds that may occ~r over a period of tillle, and provides for
<br />appropriate land use. AreBs subject to fr~q~ent flooding csn be used for
<br />
|