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selected to provide the ~ost effecient use of the land for farming. Now, the ditch is being increas1nglyusedaSd flood ehaMel. Because the bends dnd extremely fla t gradi ent cons iderab ly 1 imi tits eapdci ty, o~erfl ow and backwater flooding even during ~inor floods dre a persistent problem. Enlargement of the drainage structures previously discussed at the Burlington Northern tracks and at Highway 14 and minor ditch improvements would considerably reduce flooding in this area. Realignment of the ditch between Highway 14 and Division Avenue would reduce bend losses. shorten the ditch by approximately 25 percent. and increase the gradient. These improvements wou1d considerably increase ditch efficiency. Because the relocated ditch segment would conform more closely to the natural flood plain. it would be easier to maintain a floodway area. The floodway could serve a dual purpuse. as for example. a transportation link around the City between Highway 14 and Highway 138. In the lOwer reach of Pioneer Ditch (North 7th Avenue and Franklin to Highway 138) we recommend that the ditch be relocated where necessary and enlarged. ~e also recommend that detention storage ~e provided. The storage facility Should be located on the north side of the ditch just east of the intersection of ~orth Di~ision Avenue and Pioneer Road. The capacity of this s~all reservoir should be a least 15D acre-feet. Such a facility could be de~e1oped into an attractive public recreaticn area. Juring high flow perio~s, water could spill into the reservoir. With ditch improvements and detention storage, the backwater flooding that now occurs in the Whitcomb Addition dnd surrounding area would be eliminated. The total cost fer replacing inddequate structures. ditch improvement. ditch relocation, and detention storage is estimated to be $ 4.601,835 .OQ. 8asicoptions are available to the City as follows: 1. Do nothing and mdnage the area within the city limits west and ~orth of town as a flOOd plain. Participate in the National FloOd Insurance Program. Future policy would be not to annex any developments outside the City that lie in the flOOd plain unless such development is consistent with criteria set forth in the Federal Emergency Manager.:ent Agency's regular program (see ,~ational Flood lnsurance Prograr.1 Regulations). 2. Make drainage a short-term priority and make needed Pioneer Ditch improvements consitentwith NFIP Regulations. Improvements to the Ditch would also be compatible with future needs (and opportunities) for regional f1oodcontrol.andal1owadditional development in the fiood plain west and north of town. 3. Make regional flood control a short-term priority and inte9rate needed drainage il1l?rover:e~ts into the flood control plan, Option 1 would do nothirlJ to mitigate existing problerns; whereas cption 2 would be a phasing in Of the structureal elements as opportunities and funds become available. Short-term priorities would be to upgrade the ~ioneer Ditch System. Upgrading the ~itch would result in necessary drainage improvement and reduce damages from regional floods. Ultimate development would eliminate the Pawnee Overflow Jnd control flooding from Sand Creek. Option 3 would i~vcl ve near-si;:ul ~ainccus developmentofal1 thestructurJlele,"entsnecessdryfordrainage improvement and regional flOOd control. Options For Regional FloOd Control and Drainage Imorovement The Pioneer Oitch is a key element in ~roviding adequate drainage and ~":;i0n~1 ~100d c0ntr~1. T~c d~tc~ ~~~ :cr~o~; dcf4ci~r,c;,,; j'~t v:~vrt~"iti~:; exist for imprOving drainage and essentially eliminating serious flooding. ~he miti9ation measures we propose will require co~operation between the railroads, ditch companies, ColoradO Division of Highways, logan County, and ~he Ci ty of Sterl ing. Because these solutions are costly, comp,ex and lon<;-terrr:. ~hc CHy basically mus~ decide on short-term priorities between drainage and f'OOd control. , ,j