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.. '" .. \. ,- , c~, MEMORl\NDUM COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD J. William McDon.1ld Director July 21, 1982 TO: Monte Pascoe Bill McDonald PArD. FROM: SUBJECT: Board's Floodplain Management Authorities and Activities Floodplain Delineations and Designations 37-60-106(1) (c), C.R.S. 1973, as amended, specifies that the Colorado Water Conservation Board is to devise and formulate methods, means, and plans for preventing flood damages. In addition, 24-65.1- 403(3) (a) , C.R.S. 1973, as amended, requires the CWCB to prescribe the standards for and coordinate all floodplain analyses conducted in the state. Finally, 37-60-106(1) (c) , C.R.S. 1973, as amended, provides that floodplain designations must first be reviewed and approved by the Board before they can be used by local units of government. Such approved designations are required before local governments can exercise their zoning powers, which zoning in turn is required in order to qualify a community for federally subsidized flood insurance. It is important to note that the delineation of floodplains is based upon a lOO-year flood caused by runoff and/or precipitation. The extent of flooding which may be expected to occur below a reservoir as the result of a dam failure has not, with one or two exceptions, been included in our floodplain studies. Likewise, flood insurance rate maps, which are required for the federally subsidized flood insurance program, take into account only flooding from natural runoff and precipitation events. Technical Services to Local Governments 37-60-106(1) (d), C.R.S. 1973, as amended, and 24.65.1-302(2) (a), C.R.S. 1973, as amended, direct the CWCB to provide local jurisdictions with the technical assistance and floodplain information needed to make wise land-use decisions and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. The CWCB provides technical assistance to communities in floodplain management, mapping, flood control, and flood hazard evalu- ations at individual sites. In addition, the staff gathers data and information which will assist in preventing future flood damages and in improving the understanding of the characteristics of the state's streams at flood stage.