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<br />. <br /> <br />CHAPTER II <br /> <br />IDENTIFICATION OF THE FLOODPLAIN <br /> <br />The starting point of any floodplain management program is <br />identification of the flood hazard areas--floodplains. This <br /> <br />chapter will discuss the reasons for identifying floodplain <br /> <br />areas, the engineering methods used for delineating the flood- <br /> <br />plain, and the Colorado Water Conservation Board's designation <br /> <br />process for floodplain studies performed in the State. The mate- <br /> <br />rial contained in this chapter was written for the administrator <br /> <br />with the idea that he/she will need to become familiar with the <br /> <br />processes and language of those professionals who will be <br /> <br />assisting or actually performing the technical work associated <br />. with identifying the floodplain. <br /> <br />THE ROLE OF FLOODPLAIN IDENTIFICATION IN A LOCAL FLOODPLAIN <br />MANAGEMENT PROGRAM <br /> <br />Most of the 328 counties and incorporated municipalities in <br /> <br />Colorado have some kind of stream, lake, pond, or other within <br /> <br />their boundaries. Flood hazard problems can be identified <br /> <br />through a floodplain study based on observation of an actual <br /> <br />flood event or on the projection of such an event. In a semi- <br /> <br />arid region like Colorado, floods do not occur at a scheduled <br /> <br />rate; the probability of their occurrence, however, can be quan- <br /> <br />tified through statistical methods. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />-7- <br />