Colorado Water Conservation Board initiatives such as Wildfire Ready Watersheds and the Colorado Water Plan have significantly increased the need for as well as the accessibility and availability of Fluvial Hazard Zone (FHZ) maps throughout Colorado. These maps, which delineate areas prone to fluvial geomorphic hazards, are now essential tools for local floodplain managers, consulting firms, and other stakeholders involved in hazard planning, river corridor planning, restoration, and development projects across the state. Approaches to translating FHZ maps into plans and actions as well as steps for effectively integrating them into local planning and development policy are continuously developing and evolving.
This workshop is targeted to a broad audience from watershed and local planners , to project sponsors, to consultants and practitioners. will provide an overview of the processes, components, and methods behind mapping and applying the FHZ in a wildfire prone watershed. It will feature interactive modules in which participants discuss and decide where to map the FHZ for a Wildfire Ready Action Plan (WRAP) and then use FHZ maps to inform hazard mitigation project identification. Participants will learn and discuss how FHZs can inform “Fluvial Opportunity Zones” (the FOZ) within a river corridor including applications for land use planning, conservation, and restoration. By completing this workshop, participants will gain knowledge of the fundamentals of the FHZ and also bridge the gap between completed FHZ maps, WRAPS, and other practical applications with guidance, case studies, and guided discussion.
No previous FHZ experience or specialized computer programs necessary—we just ask you bring curiosity, critical thinking, and questions about your own river systems!
Learn more about the SCW conference here: https://www.coloradowater.org/scw-conference-2025