Flood mitigation progress in Manitou Springs

With Spring and Summer around the corner, Manitou Springs leaders are hopeful that flood mitigation efforts will curb flash flooding this year.

El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark, Public Services Executive Director Jim Reid and Waldo Canyon Fire recovery manager R.C. Smith discussed the progress of flood mitigation projects in Manitou Springs at a meeting Tuesday night.

Several structures, like rock walls, have already been built around Waldo Canyon to stop debris flow into Manitou Springs. Reid said the primary goals of the projects are to stop debris and to slow down water.

Reid also said that work has been done to terrace steep hills around Manitou Springs.

There are still many projects to be done, Reid said, including mitigation around Canon Avenue, Narrows and Williams Canyon.

“It’s certainly going to be a lot better than it was before,” Reid said. “How much of a difference that’s going to make, I don’t know.”

Mitigation efforts will be ongoing as crews continue to clear debris catchments and remove sediment.

The projects will cost more than $1 million. Much of that will be funded through FEMA and the city and county’s emergency management funds.