Fire and Watershed Recovery

Be Flood Ready

As of April 29, 2021, Grand County is officially enrolled into the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The sale of flood insurance through NFIP is now available to all residents, renters, and business owners in unincorporated Grand County, Colorado. Additionally, coverage through NFIP is available in the Towns of Fraser, Granby, Grand Lake, and Winter Park. Typically, there is a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase until a flood insurance policy goes into effect. Contact your insurance agent to get a flood insurance policy today.

Did you know that flooding is the number one hazard in the U.S. today?

Did you know that flood risk downslope and downstream of a burn scar is significantly higher for several years following a wildfire?

Did you know that most homeowners, renters, and business insurance policies do not cover flood damage?

Did you know the NFIP covers flood and mudflow events and can help protect the life you built?

Check out Grand County's "Flood Ready" program. It is a vital emergency preparedness guide that will help us take steps toward ensuring that flood after fire is not the second disaster we face.

Flash flooding and debris flows are a VERY serious safety threat post fire - for YEARS to come.  That is why Grand County and Northern Water are focused on watershed assessment, recovery, and early warning systems.  For example, the pictures below depict how one house was moved off its foundation two years after the 2016 Hayden Pass fire near Coaldale, CO.

Hayden Pass Post Fire #1

Hayden Pass Post Fire #2

Hayden Pass Post Fire #3

Hayden Pass Post Fire #4


National Weather Service Flash Flood Threat Within Fire Burn Scar

The National Weather Service provides essential information regarding flash floods and debris flow events post fire. They state that a good rule of thumb is, "If you can look uphill from where you are and see a burnt-out area, you are at risk."


Colorado Geological Survey Debris and Mud Flows

Colorado Geological Survey explains debris and mud flows and how to stay safe post-fire.  Click here or the link above for more information and watch the video below.

Watershed Recovery

Comprehensive Post-Fire Recovery Resources

Grand County Watershed Recovery

-Following the 2020 East Troublesome Fire, a multi-agency collaborative effort began to restore the region's watersheds and protect local residents and property from future disasters. Northern Water and Grand County immediately began working with partners on watershed restoration and planning of projects to mitigate threats to life and property due to post-fire flood, sediment, and debris.

Middle Park Conservation District Fire Recovery Page

-Middle Park Conservation District is the local soil conservation district that works with private landowners on conservation of land, water, and related natural resources in Grand and Summit Counties.

USDA's Emergency Watershed Protection Program

-Grand County has applied for assistance through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP).  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service created this program to allow communities to quickly address serious and long-lasting damages to infrastructure and to the land.

USGS East Troublesome Fire Debris Flow Map

-The United States Geological Survey (USGS) created a map depicting the likelihood of debris-flow generation and the estimates of flow magnitude in locations where debris flows initiate.  This is vitally important to assess for community safety.

USGS Williams Fork Fire Debris Flow Map

-The United States Geological Survey (USGS) created a map depicting the likelihood of debris-flow generation and the estimates of flow magnitude in locations where debris flow initiate. This is vitally important to assess for community safety.

Coalitions and Collaboratives Post Fire Resources

-A comprehensive page of website links that are valuable to post-fire recovery and restoration information.  Coalitions and Collaboratives says, "After a catastrophic wildfire, quick action must be taken to minimize social, environmental, and economic devastation.  Responsive action requires navigating a complex maze of diverse landowners, community organizations, and numerous local and federal requirements."

Colorado Forest Restoration Institute

Colorado Forest Restoration Institute (CFRI) is science-based outreach and engagement organization hosted by the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship and the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University.  They lead collaborations between researchers, managers, and stakeholders to generate forest conditions assessments, management goals and objectives, monitoring plans, and adaptive management processes.