Arid Regions Committee

Bob Davies, P.E., PH, CFM
AMEC Infrastructure
4435 E. Holmes Ave.
Mesa, AZ 85206
480-648-5316 / Fax 480-830-3903
robert.l.davies@amec.com

Jeanne Ruefer, CFM
Washoe County Dept. of Water Resources
4930 Energy Way
Reno, NV 89502
775-954-4764 / Fax: -4695
jruefer@washoecounty.us

Kevin Houck, P.E., CFM
CO Water Conservation Board
1313 Sherman St., Rm. 721
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-4805 / Fax -4474
kevin.houck@state.co.us

1) Arid Regions Conference

a) Continue planning of conference including the technical development

2) Drought-Fire Flood Studies

a) Continue to gather post fire flood studies
b) Investigate the possibility of posting these studies to a website

3) Existing Papers/Reports which ASFPM has Published Over the Years

a) Work with ASFPM staff to identify and post existing papers/reports

4) Alluvial Fan

a) Continue to follow and investigate alluvial fan projects and studies

5) Erosion Boundary Studies

a) Continue to gather information and studies regarding Erosion Boundary Studies

6) Develop White Papers

a) Western Water Laws

7) Develop Guidelines and Procedures for River and Watershed Projects

8) Develop a List of References Regarding Cloud Seeding and Weather Modifications

9) Develop Regulations for Hazard Zones that are not Strictly Riverine Flooding

10) Advocate for some kind of Temporary Post-Wildfire Flood Hazards to be Shown on Maps

11) Investigate if Arid Regions are Prepared to Deal with Hurricane Impact

12) Investigate how we Deal with Levees in a Geomorphologic Setting

2006 - 2007 Status Report

The following is a list of Goals and Objectives which were identified at the Albuquerque meeting and a brief summary of progress. Through active participation by those present, the following issues/Goals/Objectives were identified and agreed to be worthy of working on this year. Feedback provided from attendees is included in red.

1) Next Arid Regions Tri-ennial Conference. The Colorado FMA is hosting the next Arid Regions Conference in 2007. It will be held on September 11-14, 2007 at Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, CO. Conference information may be found at http://www.casfm.org/ Final activities planning and technical program development for the meeting is occurring.

2) Drought-fire-flood studies. There have been several significant post fire flood studies done in recent years. Some of these fires, to name a few include: the Hayman Fire Durango, Glenwood Springs Douglas County and studies which URS has done in California. John Liou forwarded a link to me for the completed report entitled Analysis and mapping of Post-Fire Hydrologic Hazards for the 2002 Hayman, Coal Seam, and Missionary Ridge Wildfires, Co. http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2004/5300/

It was suggested that we investigate whether we can post these studies to a web site, and then provide a link to key sites. Tom Loomis suggested FCDMC staff may be able to help with linking up to the AFMA web site. The committee is in the process of gather additional links to completed studies of this nature to post on a web site. This is an ongoing goal.

3) Existing papers/reports which ASFPM has published over the years. Arid Regions participants have inquired what has been done by ASFPM to publish all papers/reports which ASFPM has completed over the years so that interested parties can benefit from these previous efforts. Bob said he would check with ASFPM staff to see what is available on the web site now. This is an ongoing task and will be further discussed with the ASFPM staff in Albuquerque.

Pam recommended contacting George Riedel to see how to best get this accomplished. Pam agreed with the group that this is a worthy goal. Bob Will follow up with George Riedel (June 2007 at Norfolk meeting) to discuss how ASFPM staff can help to get this accomplished and set up a timeline.

4) Alluvial Fan. FCDMC is conducting planning projects in alluvial fan laden areas west of Phoenix. Valerie pointed out that one significant challenge is “How local governments regulate development in alluvial fan zones?” One means that Maricopa County is using to regulate is use of a “buyout program”. Valerie updated me in May 07 on the FCDMC status on these projects. The District is taking a corridor wide approach for these areas. Draft development guidelines have not been officially formulated yet. The District is trying to implement a more “natural’ approach for flood control measures needed where mitigation is required at the fan apexes. The Sun Valley Area Area Drainage Master Plan has been completed now for the FCDMC.

Valerie shared progress of the White Tanks alluvial fan projects. The FCDMC prefers taking a “Whole Fan Solution” then decide how to develop an Implementation Plan. Some documented case studies for developing on alluvial fans is documented in the Piedmont Assessment Manual.

John Lieu pointed out that the country of Taiwan is a leader in flood control on Alluvial Flooding systems. They utilize flood warning systems. The FCDMC is also developing warning systems on many of its flood control projects. Kevin Houck is in the process of contacting John to get an update on whether John has contacted Taiwan.

It was suggested that the Arid Regions Committee prepare a letter requesting Alluvial Fan efforts per ASFPM. This position should be drafted for review consideration by ASFPM.

It was also suggested that the Arid Regions Conference consider having a session involving international lessons learned and viewpoints.

5) Erosion boundary studies. John said there are several erosion boundary studies which have been, or soon will be completed which may benefit the Arid Regions Committee membership. Some of these included: St. George (DFIRM, Post-Disaster, and Erosion), Clark County, and Virgin River (NRCS).
John provided an update on studies completed or soon to be completed. These included:

St. George, Utah
FEMA – HMTAP
FEMA – Erosion boundary
Roaring Fork – USGS
Fountain Creek - USACE

Kevin Houck will correspond with John in upcoming months to see when these studies are completed and how we can acquire copies or PDFs.

In addition to the continuation the goals and objectives listed above the following new goals were discussed for consideration by the committee (special thanks to Kevin Houck for compiling these) These are still under consideration and are ongoing.:

• Develop white papers

o Western water law. Erin had a particular interest in the area of ‘Effect of changes in water rights and related effects on flooding”.
o Colorado

• Develop guidelines and procedures for river and watershed restoration projects
• Develop a list of references regarding cloud seeding and weather modification
• Establish regulations for hazard zones that are not strictly riverine flooding. The FCDMC has separate classification for this type of flooding. Bob will discuss these classifications with Valerie and share with the committee.
• Advocate for some kind of temporary post-wildfire flood hazards to be shown on maps. USGS – San Juan
• Establish what the state of practice is for climate change analysis.
• Are the Arid Regions prepared to deal with hurricane impacts?
• Scour/deposition and how we deal with levees in geomorphologic settings.

New goals discussed from members present:

• Effect of climate change resulting in runoff impacts to existing irrigation distribution systems
• Flash floods (John Liou)

o Where do they occur?
o How do they occur?
o What are the meteorological factors? (NOAA)
o What is the state of the art?

Through a significant effort on Kevin Houck’s part, an Arid Regions section was included in the National Flood Policies in Review. Small victory for Arid Regions!! Thanks Kevin!!!