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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I PROJECl'REPORT TO THE COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD FOR "THE STEWARDSHIP OF STREAM CORRIDORS IN COLORADO" January, 1998 PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to obtain input from local communities and stakeholders to guide the CWCB regarding the feasibility of developing a new or expanded comprehensive approach and provide financial resources for local governments and special districts to better manage and address flood-related and multi-objective river issues, Colorado has undergone a significant growth trend, which is expected to continue. The state has also experienced significant flooding in some of its more populated areas, The successes, shortcomings, and needs resulting from this combination of population growth and flood events are very valuable input to properly manage and deal with Colorado's watersheds, stream corridors and floodplains. LEGISLATIVE AUmORIZATION -STATE STRATEGY The Water Conservation Board, though the state wide needs assessment process is hereby responding to Senate Bill 97-008, Section 9 which states: "Statl!Wide river rehabilitation and floodplain management needs inventory. The Colorado water conservation board is hereby authorized to expend up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) from the Colorado water conservation board constroction fund to develop a scope of work and contract for services to conduct a statl!Wide inventory of river channel restoration andfloodplain management needs. The findings of the needs assessment will be the basis for a proposal to determine the economic feasibility of establishing a statl!Wide floodplain management and river channel rehabilitation program funded separately from the Colorado water conservation board construction fund The proposed program would represent a comprehensive approach and source of funds for local governments to better manage mitigation measures, streambanks and channel erosion, loss of channel conveyance capacity, and loss of wildlife habitat areas. COLORADO FLOOD mSTORY Between July 28 and August 17, 1997, extreme flooding impacted a thirteen-county area of Colorado as a result of a monsoonal stonn system which stalled over the front range area, Point rainfall amounts ofB,3 inches to 15 inches were recorded, An estimated $200 million in flood damages resulted in the Fort CollinsILarimer County area, and an additional $50 million in damages occurred in twelve other counties, Six deaths were attributed to the flooding and the thirteen-county area received a Presidential Disaster Declaration Stream and riverine flooding has always been, and remains to be, the greatest potential hazard to life and property in Colorado. Table 1 illustrates the most damaging floods that have occurred throughout the state since the turn of the century, Today, flood prone areas have been identified in 268 cities and towns and in all of the 63 counties in Colorado. According to CWCB staff, 250,000 people are estimated to now reside in Colorado's 100-year floodplains, with property valued at over $11 billion, There is a clear need for improved floodplain management efforts to I