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Introduction planning and disaster management. This planning and management can be applied not only to the 13 counties specifically addressed here, but to other regions throughout the state that may experience similar storm events in the future. Several of the significant storms specifically addressed in this document are shown in Table 1.2-1. This document will provide residents, others affected by flooding, and agencies and entities involved in post-flood study and mitigation with basic information about the flooding and its impacts. The weather patterns observed, the hydrology described, and the damage recorded will serve as a baseline for managing future flooding events, and will pinpoint problem areas deserving of preventive mitigation. In these ways, the information in the document will contribute to preliminary decisions about flood hazard mitigation. 1.3 Study Authorization It is the responsibility of the CWCB (Colorado Water Conservation Board) "...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..." To this end, work on this project was authorized and funded by the CWCB through an agreement dated March 13, 1998, with RTi (Riverside Technology, inc.). In consultation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board and a variety of federal, state, and local agencies, RTi conducted the study and produced the subsequent document, a related Internet web page, and an interactive compact disk as a set of diverse education and planning tools to be used statewide. 1.4 General Study Area The 13 counties that were subject to the most damage during the 1997 flood season are shown in Figure 1.1-1. All are located east of the Continental Divide, both in northeastern and southeastern Colorado. Most of the 13 counties are located on the plains east of Denver, where annual precipitation ranges from 7 to 15 inches, compared to several storms that produced more than 10 inches of total precipitation in July and August 1997 (Table 1.2-1). These counties are situated in four river basins within the state: the South Platte River, Arkansas River, Republican River, and Cirnmaron River basins. Larimer, Logan, Weld, Morgan, Clear Creek, and portions of Elbert and Lincoln counties all have drainage tributaries to the South Platte River. Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers counties have drainage tributaries touthe Arkansas River, and portions of Elbert, Lincoln, and Baca counties are within the Arkansas River basin. Phillips and parts of Lincoln and Elbert counties have drainage tributaries to the Republican River. And a small part of Baca County has drainage tributaries to the Cimmaron River (State of Colorado and FEMA 1997). d479/chapl.doc 08/12198 1-2 1