​The Natural Resources Conservation Service Emergency Watershed Protection (NRCS EWP) recovery project in the Big Cottonwood area in Coaldale wrapped up on July 16, 2019. The project was  sponsored by Fremont County with matching funds from the CO Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. Otak Engineering designed and implemented the project, with Frontier Environmental as the contractor, with support from the coalition's hydrology and hydraulics assessment of flooding in the drainage. The grant program helps communities address watershed impairments like floods that pose immediate threats to life and safety. The project focused on the upper private reach of Big Cottonwood, near the confluence of Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood and Bitter Creeks. Work included measures like grading, channel realignment, debris removal, revegetation and structures to divert water away from homes, reduce damage caused by flood-born debris, and encourage stabilization of soils and deposition of sediment in safer areas, increasing the overall resiliency of the channel to accommodate increased flows during the post-fire recovery period.

We would like to share some resources and helpful contacts as spring runoff is upon us and the monsoon season is approaching.

EWP is underway in Big Cottonwood. The work in this part of the drainage will help improve the resiliency of the drainage to improve its ability to contain and slow flows. It is not a fix-all, however, and we should all remain vigilant for ourselves and our neighbors. Please note that if you are driving along CR 40, please be aware of large equipment and trucks. Please check back here for updates.

Flood Insurance
Please note most flood insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect. Learn more at these sites, or call your insurance agent.

https://www.floodsmart.gov

https://www.fema.gov/flood-after-fire

Matt Buddie, FEMA Region VIII Floodplain Management/Community Resilience
303 235 4730
matthew.buddie@dhs.gov

Colorado Flood Threat Bulletin
A flood threat information resource from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Providing an overview of daily flood risk in Colorado from May through September.

http://www.coloradofloodthreat.com

National Weather Service Information & Alerts
It is recommended we layer multiple alert services to be sure we don't miss an alert. In areas such as ours with limited cell coverage, a weather radio is essential.

Weather Alert Options
https://www.weather.gov/subscribe/

Greg Heavener, Warning Coordination Meterologist
719 948 9429
greg.heavener@noaa.gov

Western Fremont County Fire Protection District
The local FPD would like to remind us all to be vigilant with increased chance of flooding during the runoff and rainy season. Please be sure his office has your updated contact information and changes in residents.

John Walker, Chief
719 942 3333
719 942 3687
13607 CR 45 Coaldale

Fremont County Emergency Management
Alert Fremont/911 Emergency Notifications
Be sure your cell phones are registered for emergency alerts. Even if you've registered before, check to make sure your information is accurate and up to date.

https://www.fremontco.com/alert-fremont

Mykel Kroll, Emergency Manager
719 276 7422
mykel.kroll@fremontco.com

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Fremont-County-Emergency-Management-392929138145266/

Fremont County Building Department Flood Damage Prevention Permits

To protect the floodplain and neighbor safety, the County has regulations for working in floodplains. To learn more, please visit the Building Department website where you can find the codes, applications and other permitting information:
  
https://www.fremontco.com/building/building-department

Michael Cox, Building Official
719 276 7460

Local Recovery Effort Website Resources
We are adding more resources for education, safety and recovery techniques regularly to our website. Please check in often for new materials and as always, let us know how we can help. Visit our page here.

Next Steps
We are working to plan volunteer workdays and additional projects at key locations in all fire-impacted drainages this spring and early summer as well as fall planting and seeding. We've met one on one with many of you on your properties and plans are underway. We've been presenting our community's effort to organizations around the state and have more support coming on board. Recovery and restoration will be a long term process and we will all do what we can one step at a time. Thank you for staying engaged!
 
FLOOD PREPAREDNESS MESSAGE FROM LOCAL FIRE CHIEF

Please see this important reminder from John Walker, Western Fremont County Fire Protection District Chief. A significant runoff is already underway. As we all know, being prepared for the upcoming flood season is critical. Please share this information with your neighbors, especially those who may not receive electronic communications:

Your fire department will continue the process of using telephones and cell phones to warn residents of witnessed flood events. If you have any new contact number or new household members, please update them by calling 719-942-3687.

Only emergency vehicles will be allowed into threatened areas since we have experienced traffic congestion during previous events that has blocked access for responders whose mission is the protection of lives.

A long and continuous siren means that homes are facing imminent danger and everyone within earshot should evaluate their situation immediately and be prepared to move to higher ground.  

Remember that evacuation may be necessary at night and in a pouring rain.  If your home is in a low-lying area, have appropriate clothes and a flashlight next to your emergency exit door.

Finally, it's not over until it's over, and flood events in the past have had several surges of high water that can trap the unwary.

Please contact the Western Fremont County Fire Protection District at 719-942-3687 with questions.