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is here to proceed with the development of plans that will effectively deal

with the threat. Equally important is the follow-through on those plans.

I would at this time like to introduce two members of our City Staff

who will provide more specific detail on problems encountered to date and

associated cost. First, Mr. Larry Hunt of our Public Services Department.

(STATEMENT OF LARRY HUNT)

Next I'd like to introduce Mr. Benny Gonzales of our Department of

Development Services.

(STATEMENT OF BENNY GONZALES)

Lastly, I wish to thank you, Honorable Chairman, and your committee

for your time and effort in pursuing this matter and assure you the

wholehearted support of our citizens in your endeavor.

September 1, 1983

STATEMENT OF LARRY E. HUNT, PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR, CITY OF YUMA, BEFORE THE HOUSE INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SEPTEMBER 7, 1983, YUMA, ARIZONA, ON RECENT COLORADO RIVER FLOODING IMPACTS ON THE CITY OF YUMA

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee:

The high water level of the Colorado River has impacted the City of Yuma facilities in the following areas:

1. Water Plant

2. Wastewater Plant

3. Sanitary Sewer System

4. Storm Sewer System

5. Riverside Park

6. Streets

The City's Water Treatment Plant was impacted because along the edge of the river below the Water Treatment Plant the City had to build a 10 to 12 foot levee over the top of the previously exposed City's 30 inch raw water intake line to insure that it was not undercut or damaged by the river currents.

At the Wastewater Plant the river level rose higher than the City's gravity effluent outfall line. The City began pumping treated effluent into the river in late June and now must continue to pump until the river drops from its present level approximately two feet. At times four large portable centrifugal pumps

have been used to provide necessary pumping capacity. In the last three weeks the City has installed a permanent electric driven pump and associated pipeline to pump the treated effluent into the river when the gravity outfall line is blocked.

Yuma's sanitary sewer collection system has been impacted by the rising groundwater in several locations. There has been settlement of the ground adjacent to a principal sewage lift station at Avenue C and Riverside Drive. Pipe joints have separated allowing soil to be carried by the groundwater into connecting pipes and then into the lift station. This in turn caused cavities to be formed along side and underneath the station which has resulted in the settlement of the lift station and the adjacent manhole. Failure of this lift station would affect a large portion of Yuma including the Marine Corps Air Station.

At 12th Avenue and Colorado Street, a 20 inch trunk sanitary sewer collapsed. Again the high groundwater and failing pipe joints have caused cavities around the pipe, the pipe collapsed and sink holes developed. To date the City has had to replace some 440 feet of the sewer line on 12th Avenue and at this time is proceeding to place a liner in 550 feet of the line to stop further collapse. Within the last two weeks another 110 foot portion of the 12th Avenue trunk sewer passing under the river levee has collapsed due to heavy USBR truck traffic on the levee road. The City plans to bore a new sewer line under the levee to reconnect the 12th Avenue trunk sewer to the Colorado sewer interceptor on the river side of the levee. There is also suspected damage to the Colorado interceptor and that is presently under investigation.

In regard to the City's storm sewer system, storm sewer outflows to the river have been plugged at four locations. The elevation of the land along most of the north end of Yuma is below the present elevation of the river surface. Had the City not plugged the outlets these portions of Yuma would have flooded. The plugged storm sewer outlets necessitate the pumping of these four collection systems anytime it rains. During July and August the City has been pumping these areas almost daily and on several occasions around the clock at a

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large cost in dollars and manpower. The City will have to continue pumping at these locations until the present river level drops another nine feet. Additional storm pumps have been purchased by the City because of the four new pumping requirements and to replace pumps used continuously to bypass sewage at the Wastewater Plant and on 12th Avenue when the trunk sewer collapsed.

The City's Riverside Park is also under water. All of the improved grounds have been damaged. All planted vegetation has died and will have to be replaced. Damage to any structures (shade covers, BBQ pits) cannot be assessed until the water level recedes.

Finally, there is some indication of accelerated street failure due to rising groundwater. If the Bureau of Reclamation's projection of rising groundwater proves to be correct and present river levels continue, the City is facing the possibility of severe street damage in the coming months in the Yuma Valley and along the north end of Yuma. An example of this type of damage can be seen on Giss Parkway where it passes under Interstate 8 on the east side of the City.

The projected high river level and sustained high levels of groundwater will continue to affect the City's public work facilities adversely and will

increase the potential for significant damage to facilities increased costs for operation and maintenance.

LEH:TAL:rs

SEPTEMBER 1, 1983

STATEMENT OF BENNY GONZALES, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES, CITY OF YUMA, BEFORE THE HOUSE INTERIOR AND
INSULAR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SEPTEMBER 7, 1983, YUMA,
ARIZONA, ON RECENT COLORADO RIVER FLOODING IMPACTS ON
THE CITY OF YUMA.

THE CITY HAS BEEN MEETING AND WORKING WITH THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION AND THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) FOR FIVE YEARS IN DELINEATING THE FLOOD PLAIN AREAS. WHEN THE CITY RECEIVED THE FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS (FIRM) IN JANUARY,

1983, WE WERE NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH SAID MAPS BECAUSE ALL THE

WORK DONE BY THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION IN UPGRADING THE LEVEE

SYSTEM WAS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

THE DEADLINE FOR THE CITY OF YUMA TO PASS AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS AND FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS (FIRM) WAS JULY 5, 1983, OR BE SUSPENDED FROM THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, EFFECTIVE THAT DATE. THE CITY AVOIDED SUSPENSION FROM THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM BY ADOPTING

A RESOLUTION IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAND

WITHIN THE FLOOD PLAIN AREA AS DESIGNATED ON THE FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS (FIRM), DATED JULY 5, 1983. THIS MORATORIUM WAS TO BE EFFECTIVE UNTIL AUGUST 17, 1983, WHEN THE ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATION BECAME EFFECTIVE.

26-099 0-83--23

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