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Historical Flooding
The Big Thompson River begins around Estes Park in northern Colorado and flows south through the state into Big Thompson’s Canyon. On July 31st, 1976, meteorological conditions similar to what happened in September 2013 caused roughly 12 inches of water to fall within a span of 3 hours causing what is now called the Big Thompson Flood of 1976, 8 inches of which fell in the first hour of rainfall. The flash flooding killed 144 people and caused $35 million worth of damage in 1977 US dollar values, or roughly $140 million in 2013. Comparatively, the 2013 Flooding was caused by roughly 15 inches of rainfall over the span of a week (a majority of which fell in a matter of 24 hours) which killed 8 people and caused $2 billion in damage. (citation for dead/$ exists) The rainfall in 2013 was clearly more than that in 1976. However, the flooding was more intensive in 1976 because the rainfall that fell occurred in a much shorter time frame and caught many people off guard. In 2013, The Big Thompson River experienced peak flow rates near Loveland, CO of 4,500 CFS (127.43 cubic meters per second) before the measuring gauge was destroyed by floodwaters. In 1976, the same area of the river saw peak flow rates of 8,700 cubic feet per second (246.36 cubic meters per second). As a result, this is not the worst flooding Colorado has seen, but it is the heaviest rainfall Colorado has seen.



Hazardous Impacts
Structures located in high risk flood zones were soon inundated. Sewage treatment plants were affected by the flood waters and released 20 million gallons of raw sewage as well as 150-270 million gallons of partially treated sewage, as estimated by the State health department. What resulted is higher levels of E. Coli, some as high as 472-911 colonies per millimeter of water (126 colonies per millimeter of water is considered unsafe). The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) reports that oil lines and containment facilities failed and leaked a total of 1,027 barrels of 43,134 gallons of oil. The COGCC is monitoring 13 substantial leaks as of October 8th, 2013. The COGCC is also monitoring 17 substantial leaks of produced water, or water that is used in the refinement of oil products and is considered waste water. The COGCC reports that 26,385 gallons of such water has leaked into flood waters. Over 50,000 fracking wells - a mining process utilized in the extraction of oil form the Earth - operate in the state of Colorado and 1,900 fracking wells were flooded at the peak flood levels. This number has since been reduced to around 1,300 wells. Concerns have been raised about the safety of such wells in a flood situation. The produced water from these operations sit in open pits and easily mix with flood waters and deposit toxic substances like lead or other sediments across the state.

Ecological impacts
Scientific reports that show the ecological impacts of the flooding are not readily available because this is such a recent event. Past studies on the ecological impacts of flash flooding can give insight on what may happen. Temporal succession has been studied in areas that experience flash flooding regularly. In these instances, typical biological processes characteristic to the area pre-flood resume within 2-3 weeks. The 2013 Colorado flooding is a more complex case because of the close contact with human society. Contamination from sewage, oil, and waste water containing toxic substances can delay natural succession processes if not alter them entirely. For example, waste water from flooded fracking wells could introduce levels of lead into a freshwater system, keeping a particular strain of algae from developing in usual successional form. The hierarchy of development is now delayed or shifted into an entirely different direction. Pollution from the floodwaters could also affect species in ways not related to succession. For example, animals relying on natural freshwater systems as a source for water can contract fatal illnesses as a result of the higher levels of E. Coli bacteria in the water due to sewage leaks caused by the flooding.

AID

The shutdown of the United States federal government from October 1st-17th 2013 stopped federal relief aid funding going to recovery efforts in Colorado. The state of Colorado began paying the National Guard for continuing relief efforts until FEMA could reimburse the State government at the end of the shutdown. The state hopes to be reimbursed for at least 75% of the funds.

The shutdown compromise signed on October 17th, 2013 includes funding for Colorado relief efforts, specifically referincing Rep. Gardner's bill H.R. 3174; 113th Congress. The cap typically set at $100 million has been raised to $450 million in light of Colorado's current conditions. It is not uncommon for this cap to be raised for disaster struck areas such as those states hit by Hurricane Sandy or Hurricane Katrina.