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The Flood Threat in Colorado

By Kevin Houck, P.E., CFM

Colorado Water Conservation Board

September 21, 2011

Cherry Creek, Denver 1864

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South Platte River, Denver, 1965

Ouray

Big Thompson River, Larimer County, 1976

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Lawn Lake Dam Failure, Estes Park, 1982

Buffalo Creek, Jefferson County, 1996

Pawnee Creek, Sterling, 1997

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Spring Creek, Fort Collins, 1997

Arkansas River, La Junta, 1999

What do these have in common?

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Examples of Colorado Flood Events10’s – Cherry Creek in Denver ($161 million, 2 deaths)20’s – Arkansas River at Pueblo ($1.02 billion, 78 deaths)30’s – Monument Creek ($69 million, 18 deaths)50’s – Purgatoire River at Trinidad ($48 million, 2 deaths)60’s – South Platte River in Denver ($2.95 billion, 8 deaths)70’s – Big Thompson Canyon ($114 million 144 deaths)70 s – Big Thompson Canyon ($114 million, 144 deaths)80’s – Heavy Snowmelt Runoff 1984 ($63 million, 2 deaths)90’s – Fort Collins, Sterling, Lower Arkansas River ($518 million, 6 deaths)00’s – No major disasters, but damages occurred

All values are in 2010 dollars

Since 1900, the AVERAGE annual flood losses in Colorado is over $57 million. 363 lives have been lost.

Examples of Colorado Flood EventsSince Implementation of Floodplain

Management Standards1969 South Platte River Basin ($29 million)**1970 Southwest Colorado ($18 million)**1973 South Platte River in Denver ($531 million)** #31976 Big Thompson Canyon ($116 million, 144 deaths)** #71982 Fall River/Estes Park ($67 million)**1982 Fall River/Estes Park ($67 million)1983 North Central Counties ($36 million, 10 deaths)1984 West/Northwest Counties ($64 million)**1995 Western Slope/South Platte ($72 million, 21 deaths)1997 Fort Collins/Eastern Counties ($427 million)** #41999 Colorado Springs/Eastern Counties ($137 million)** #6

Notes: All values are in 2010 dollars**Denotes Presidential Disaster Declaration

Examples of Recent Colorado Flood Events – Since Floodplain Management Implemented

Since 1910, the AVERAGE annual flood losses in Colorado is about $57 million (2010 $) . 363 lives have been lost.

Since floodplain management implemented (1968):Since floodplain management implemented (1968):- 4 of 7 costliest floods in Colorado history occurred- 8 Flood Disasters (Presidential Declarations)

Source: Colorado Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2010

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Colorado has gone 12 years without a Presidential Flood Disaster.

Nonetheless estimated flood damages for 2000-10 Nonetheless, estimated flood damages for 2000 10 is $136 million.

San Juan River, Pagosa Springs, 2005

West Creek, Douglas County, 2006

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Fountain Creek, Pueblo, 2007

Flooding can be caused or exacerbated by…

Heavy rainSudden snowmeltRain on snowRain on snowFailed leveesMalfunctioning stormwater systemsBreaks in canals or damsRain on burn scarsDebris flowsEtc.

Colorado Average Annual Precipitation

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CWCB Monitors Snowpack by Basin

Status of El Nino/La Nina can produce predictable results

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NWS March and Seasonal Forecast

Yampa River, Steamboat Springs, 2011

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Elk River, Routt County, 2011

Four Mile Burn Scar, Boulder County, 2011

Some Key Flood Points to RememberReally big floods are not that uncommon (usually at least once per decade). Most would not have been anticipated 1-2 weeks in advance even with today's forecasting skill.

Colorado snowmelt is usually well behaved.y

Snowmelt floods usually require prolonged very warm temperatures and/or widespread late season snowpack including snow on south facing slopes.

Most of Colorado’s worst floods are rainfall floods.

Floods and drought are not mutually exclusive.

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Thank you!

For more information, please contact:

Kevin HouckKevin Houck

Colorado Water Conservation Board

(303)866-3441

Kevin.houck@state.co.us

www.cwcb.state.co.us

**Daily Flood Threat Bulletin Runs May 1 – Sept 30

9/22/2011

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APWA CERTIFICATIONCertified Public Fleet Professional

(113 CPFPs)

Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector (190 CPIIs)

Certified Stormwater Manager (52 CSMs)

CERTIFICATION vs.

CERTIFICATE

Certification Training Certificate

Focus • Assessing current

knowledge and skills –

usually broad in scope

• Training individuals to achieve

knowledge and skills (usually

focused in scope) and assessing

attainment of them

Components • Eligibility requirements

• Assessment

• Ongoing Requirements

• Course/s based on a defined

curriculum

• Assessment

Attributes • Can be revoked

• Results in a designation

• Cannot be revoked

• No designation

9/22/2011

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How Can Chapters Get Involved?

• Certification Presentation• Chapter Library• Study Groups• Scholarships• Awards/Recognition Program

CSM Target Audience

Stormwater Managers coordinate and implement stormwater management programs for city, county, state, provincial, and federal agencies.

These individuals assist in administering drainage, flood

control, and water quality programs.

Eligibility Requirements• Completion of one of the following education and work experience

pathways:

– High school graduation or equivalent and 7 years of relevant work

experience*

– Associate’s degree or equivalent trade school certificate and 5

years of relevant work experience*

– Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of relevant work experience*

– Master’s degree and 2 years of relevant work experience*

– Doctoral degree and 1 year of relevant work experience*

• Agreement in writing to adhere to the APWA Standards of

Professional Conduct and affirming no history of felony convictions.

• Payment of the current application fee.

Certification Fees

Application Fee:

– APWA Member – $195 USD– Nonmember – $245 USD

Examination Fee – $550 USD

Recertification Fee:

– APWA Member – $195 USD– Nonmember – $245 USD

Exam Preparation

• Content Outline

• Recommended Reading List

9/22/2011

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CSM Major Content Areas

• Program Management

• Water Quality & Quantity

• Operations & Maintenance

Program Management – 45%

• Overall Stormwater Management

• Program Administration

• Communication/Education

• Planning and Design

Water Quality & Quantity – 45%

• Regulatory Programs

• Structural Best Management Practices

• Hydrology and Hydraulics

Operations & Maintenance –

10%

Recertification Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 100 professional development hours or successful completion of the examination for recertification during the five-year period.

• Continued agreement in writing to adhere to the APWA Standards of Professional Conduct and affirming no history of felony convictions.

• Payment of the current recertification application fee.

• Four years of continued employment as a stormwater manager within the five year recertification period.

9/22/2011

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Tools for CSMs

• Recertification Tracking Sheet

• Publishing & Speaking Opportunities

• CSM InfoNOW Community

Top 5 Reasons to Be Certified1. It highlights your leadership as a

professional and demonstrates your expertise.

2. It provides increased hiring potential on a national level.

3. It advances public works in your community. 4. It offers exclusive networking opportunities. 5. It continues your professional development,

making you the best public works employee possible!

QUESTIONS?Additional Information:

www.apwa.net/certification

Becky Stein Jill Bolandbstein@apwa.net jboland@apwa.net