FLOOD08183

• County: Summit
• Community: Breckenridge
• Stream Name: Blue River
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Title: Floodplain Information Breckenridge
• Date: 9/1/1974
• Prepared For: Summit County
• Prepared By: Leonard Rice Consulting Water Engineers, Inc.
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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GLOSSARY

Backwater Effect. The rise in surface elevation of
flowing water upstream from andas a result of an obstruction
to flow.

Cloudburst. A sudden and extremely heavy downpour of
rain that is small in areal extent; of short duration; and
may be accompanied by lightning, thunder, and strong gusts
of wind.

Flood. An overflow of water onto lands used or usable
by man and not normally covered by water. Floods have two
essential characteristics; The inundation of land is tempr-
ary; and the land is adjacent to and inundated by overflow
from a river, stream, lake or ocean.

Normally, a "flood" is considered as any temporary rise
in streamflow or stage (but not the ponding of surface water)
that results in significant adverse effects in the vicinity.
Adverse effects may include damages from overflow of land
areas, temporary backwater effects in sewers and local drainage
channels, creation of unsanitary conditions or other unfavor-
able situations by deposition of materials coincident with
increased streamflow, and other problems.

Flood Peak. The maximum instantaneous discharge of a
flood at a given location. It usually occurs at or near the
time of the flood crest, the maximum stage or elevation reached
by the floodflow.

" ,
Flood Plain. The relatlvely flat area or lowlands

adjoining a river, stream, watercourse, ocean, or lake, which

have been or may be covered by floodwater.

Flood Profile. A graph showing the relationship of water
surface elevation to location, the latter generally expressed
as distance above mouth for a stream of water flowing in an
open channel. It is generally drawn to show surface elevation
for the crest of a specific flood, but may be prepared for
conditions at a given time or stage.