Fluvial Hazard Zone Program Selected for National Award

The Fluvial Hazard Program and the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) was selected for Tom Lee State Award for Excellence in Floodplain Management by the American Society of Floodplain Managers (ASFPM).

This award is given annually to recognize an outstanding floodplain management program or activity at the state level.

The Colorado Fluvial Hazard Zone (FHZ) Program, developed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), is a significant step forward in illuminating these hazards and provides a resource to floodplain managers, planners, engineers, river scientists, and communities to identify, map, and plan for the hazards associated with dynamic river processes. The Colorado FHZ Program represents a new strategy in adaptively managing stream corridors, preparing for and mitigating flood impacts, and making informed land-use decisions based on an awareness of fluvial processes.

“The 2013 floods perfectly illustrated the inherent shortcomings of static floodplain maps during certain events. The creation and implementation of the FHZ program goes a long way to increasing resilience in dynamic stream systems. I'm certain lives will be saved and infrastructure will be protected when  land use managers adopt this important tool.”

The CWCB Fluvial Hazard Zone Program was developed in partnership with the Colorado Geologic Survey, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the US Bureau of Reclamation, the Mile High Flood District, Watershed Science and Design, Round River Design, and the Colorado Watershed Assembly.