Fourmile burn area has high flood risk

March 10, 2011 · Posted in Environment · Comments Off 

Reread that title again.

Last September's Fourmile Fire has left flood danger in its wake. Photo by Mark Leffingwell.

We’re in danger, folks, especially those living in the Fourmile Fire burn area.

Laura Snider reports that

If more than an inch of rain falls over the area burned by the Fourmile Fire in an hour — an event that happens, on average, every other year — between 20 and 40 homes would be at risk of flooding.

That’s scary stuff. Check out the rest of Laura’s article, “Heavy rain in Fourmile burn area could flood dozens of homes,” for more info about how to be prepared.

Move trees in order to build whatever? Tough sell.

April 30, 2010 · Posted in Building, Environment · Comments Off 

Boulder isn’t the only city that gets complaints and controversy when trees are in the way of city projects — at the moment, Longmont is going through some of that as they look at a plan to reduce Lefthand Creek’s flood risks:

Residents of the Southmoor Park neighborhood gathered Thursday night at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church to question the necessity of removing 169 trees around the creek in order to expand the channel and reduce the risk of area flooding, according to the city.

The approximately $5 million project, funded by the 2007 Storm Drainage Bond approved by Longmont voters, is intended to reduce destruction in the event of a 100-year flood, according to city officials.