FLOOD05423 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

V. DESCRIPTION OF FLOOD HAZARD MITIGATION STUDY A. PROBLEM DESCRIPTION AND DISCUSSION Overview Reports of flooding in Weldona were broadcast by a local television station on the morning of July 30, i997. On that same morning, CWCB staff performed field investigations in the Weldona area of Morgan County to view the flooded areas and to begin flood documentation efforts. An intense rainstorm had occurred north of Weldona late in the evening of July 29 and into the early morning of July 30, The storm produced flood flows in Schaefer Draw and adjacent tributaries which caused two irrigation ditches to breach. Storm runoff from Schaefer Draw and other adjacent tributaries ,combined with spilled flows from the irrigation ditches, inundated nearly the entire community. Residents were evacuated from their homes due to hazardous conditions and public health issues. The U.S. Army National Guard was called in to assist with the evacuations, perform rescue operations, and secure the area, Morgan County, among other Colorado Counties, officially received a federal disaster declaration on August 1, 1997 based on severe flooding conditions. The disaster declaration made it possible for Morgan County to be eligible for federal funding for disaster relief which includes individual assistance, public assistance, and mitigation assistance. Morgan County officials made written and verbal requests to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) for technical assistance with developing an engineering feasibility study to address drainage and flooding problems in Weldona. The initial request was made prior to the 1997 declared disaster event due to previous, recurring flooding problems, Subsequent to the July 1997 flood dis,aster, Morgan County officials renewed their request to the CWCB for technical mitigation assistance. Authority According to Section 37-60.106(1)(c) of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the Colorado Water Conservation Board has the power and duty: "... to devise and formulate methods, means and plans for bringing about the greater utilization of the waters of the state and the prevention of flood damages therefrom and to designate and approve storm or floodway runoff channels or basins, and to make such designations available to legislative bodies of cities a.nd unincorporated towns; to county planning commissions; and to boards of adjustments of cities; incorporated towns; and counties of this state..." Community Description Morgan County is located in eastern Colorado within the South Platte River valley. The community of Weldona is located in the northwest quadrant of the county approximately 12 miles northwest of Fort Morgan, (Fort Morgan is the county seat of Morgan County, and it is located approximately 70 air miles northeast of Denver, and approximately 50 air miles southeast of Greeley). Interstate Highway 76 is the major east-west highway that serves the county, however Weldona is located near Colorado State Highway 144 which is just on the north side of the South Platte River. Elevations in the county range from about 4,000 feet to over 5,000 feet. Weldona sits at an elevation of about 4,350 feet. There are approximately 50 structures in the study areas which include residential, commercial, church, and school uses. The land uses surrounding the community predominantly consist of agricultural, ranching, and open range land. The resident population of Weldon a is approximately ISO persons, -12-