The Chaffee County Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning Study is underway across the county through the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
The Chaffee Risk MAP Study will collect data on field conditions in areas of the county believed to be at risk for impacts from future flooding, erosion, debris flow, or related hazard events. This information will be used to update flood risk information and floodplain mapping in certain watersheds and create tools that provide a data-driven framework for land use and other decision-making in affected areas. The study is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Floodplain survey activities are currently planned between March and June, focusing on several flooding sources in all of the incorporated communities and the unincorporated county areas. According to the CWCB, the survey crews will be collecting elevation and other basic information on the land around the waterways being studied, and will not dig around nor disturb the areas. The survey crews will make every effort to stay on public lands and public rights of way. Property owners in the vicinity of floodplain survey areas can expect to receive a letter from CWCB with additional information on the project scope, timeline, and any anticipated needs to access private property for purposes of data collection.
CWCB Flood Mapping Program Coordinator, Terri Fead, reinforces that the project is a collaboration with the community. She shares, “The floodplain mapping is really a combined effort between CWCB, FEMA, and residents of Chaffee County and the municipalities. Working together, we can gather good data that will be helpful for the community’s decision making, planning needs, and future flood-related safety considerations.”
The CWCB is an agency within the State of Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources. The agency oversees the state flood hazard mapping program, and is also responsible for approving and designating statewide floodplain studies prior to adoption by local governments. The CWCB coordinates floodplain mapping updates, and assists local communities in meeting the National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements. Wood and Merrick & Company are the floodplain mapping and field surveying contractors working with CWCB for Chaffee County’s study. Wood is also familiar with Chaffee County through their work with the 2021 update of Chaffee County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Based on assessments performed for the 2021 Chaffee County Hazard Mitigation Plan, overall flood risk is an important consideration due to precipitation and snowmelt runoff, and is categorized as medium to high risk in most populated areas of Chaffee County. Countywide, an estimated $34.5 million in property losses is at risk to a 1% annual chance flood hazard. The unincorporated areas of the county together make up the majority of this exposure, with an estimated $26.7 million in losses at risk. Of the municipalities in the County, Buena Vista is at the highest risk with $6.1 million in estimated losses in a 1% annual chance flood, followed by Poncha Springs and Salida with approximately $1.1 million and $460,000 in estimated losses respectively.
Information on the CWCB’s floodplain mapping projects can be found at https://coloradohazardmapping.com/.
