FLOOD08871

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Mitigation Success Stories in the United States
• Date: 1/1/2002
• Prepared By: FEMA
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Mitigation/Flood Warning/Watershed Restoration

Location: Otero County, Colorado

Project: Otero County Acquisitions

Techniques: Acquisitions and Demolitions

Contact: Mark Matulll<, Colorado Water
Conservation Board,
[e-mail]
or 303-866-3441 x30l

Floocled res1denNal area in nor1t1la Junta. May 1999.

~,

levee break on the east bank of ttJe Fort Lyon
51uiceway. May 1999.

BCJekqround
In late April 1999, heavy rains in the southern froot range of Colorado
caused significant and sometimes catastrophic fiooding "iUlin the
Fountaio Creek watershed. Fountain Creek is a trihut:lry of the Arkansas River Ilith its
confluence at Pueblo, Colorado. In late April, a flood crest on Fountain Creek began
building. It joined the main stem of the Arkansas River at Pueblo and flowed toward the
City of La Juota, Colorado, sLxty miles east of Pueblo. In I.a Junt:l and adjoining Otero
County, residents initially felt lucky since the majority of the flooding was occurring in El
Paso County over 60 miles to the northwest. But such comfort was short lived when the
flood crest reached the levee on the north side of the Arkansas River at La Junt:l. A
severely aggraded channel resulted in a reduced carrying capacity of the river and the
north Arkansas River levee was breached during the early morning hours of May 2, I
1999. Floodwaters of up to four feet in depth inundated the unincorporated arC'A of t
Otero County known as north I.a Junt:l. The area contains over 400 residences and very ,
few were spared the effects of floodwaters. Significant damage occurred to at least 200
residences.

..

'Jr0J8< I I} '2' 'Il ti()f
The project consisted of Ule acquisition and removal of 53 houses damaged by flooding.
This project has eliminated repetitive damage and significant risks to public health and
safety issues for this area in the future. The success of the project was totaily dependent
on the professional expertise and abilities of Tri-County Housing, Inc. which work, ,"ith
residents in Otero County. They accomplished the acquisition program with efficiency
and effectiveness - under budget.

Benetit
All of the purchased properties have been dedicated as open space, thus increasing the
amount of area for the retention of future floodwaters. Future considerations for parts
of the area include a park.

Cost and F-uf1cllno Sources
,.
Total Project Cost = $2,800,000
Funding Sources included FE~l.o\ HMGP, Unmet Needs, FEMA FMA Progranl and the SL1te of Colorado's CDBG

Colorado / Mitigation Success Stories / 13