FLOOD07806

• County: Larimer
• Community: Fort Collins
• Stream Name: South Platte Tributaries
• Basin: South Platte
• Title: Hazard Mitigation 404 Grant Application Early Warning System Expansion
• Date: 9/1/1999
• Prepared For: Larimer County
• Prepared By: Fort Collins
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Miscellaneous

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Part 4

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT

A. Detailed Description of the Project

The purpose of this report is to document the need for expanding the early warning system
for the City ofFt. Collins. The City ofFt. Collins has established a long-standing tradition of
progressive programs in the area of stormwater management and emergency response. In
support of this tradition, the need for continued development of a comprehensive early
warning system cannot be overstated.

The City proposes to utilize FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to fund the
expansion ofa flood warning program to benefit the entire City ofFt. Collins. The Poudre
Fire Authority and the City of Fort CoIlins Utilities are responsible for mitigating losses to
life and property due to flooding emergencies. There are thirteen stormwater basins within
the City that have the potential for flash flooding with typical lead times ofIess than I hour
before major damages are sustained. Most of the proposed streamflow and precipitation
monitoring locations are within the City of Fort Collins municipal boundary. The proposed
monitoring sites outside the City municipal boundary were identified to provide maximum
lead-time in the event of a flooding emergency.

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The Ft. Collins early warning system is a comprehensive plan that includes as an essential
component the reduction ofIoss of life and property. This is accomplished by increasing the
length of warning time in which the City can take protective measures. The elements of the
overall automated local flood warning system are:

. the hardware and software to assess the potential for flooding for each
stormwater basin within the City of Fort Collins
. a comprehensive flood warning notification system to tell people that a flood is
commg
. training and public awareness programs so that people know how to respond in a
flooding situation
. disaster drills and responder training
. long-term maintenance of the system

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This proposal is for expanding the number of stream and precipitation gages that are part of
the early warning system. After the 1997 Fort Collins flood the City received approval of an
HMGP application that included installation of twelve precipitation gages, ten stream flow
gages, a telephone auto dialer system, an AM radio station for Emergency Management, an
enhanced Cable TV over-ride system and a public education program. This HMGP proposal
would add an additional seven precipitation gages, seven streamflow gages, and one weather
station. This will give increased coverage across the City resulting in a more accurate
understanding of rainfall and streamflow conditions. which will allow for better notification
to the public and better emergency response. The location of the existing and proposed
gages are shown on Map 4 and listed in Table I.

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