I think this might be my city! Need help with Dec visit/move.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by mortimer

I've always assumed that the main channels of the irrigation
arroyos function as levees. They are, of course, designed to
contain water inside the channel, but I would guess that they
also would prevent water from crossing them.

The big lumps of dirt, with a road on it which are about 15 feet above the normal water level, on the west side of the Rio Grande, starting at the south end of Corrales is a levee.


references:

Thursday, 12 February 2009
Levee failures in New Orleans during the Hurricane Katrina disaster have led to calls for strengthening the Corrales levee along the Rio Grande.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last month reported deficiencies in the levee built here in 1997 which will require remediation....
Corrales Comment - Local Village News, Issues, Events & Ads - Corrales Levee 'Unacceptable' for Flood Protection

Member: Jeff Bingaman
Project Name: Inspection of Completed Works, NM
Project Recipient Name, Phone Number, Address: ACOE Albuquerque District. 4101
Jefferson Plaza NE. 87109
Project Location (if different from above): Statewide
Project Purpose:_lnspection of completed works under this program includes flood
control projects transferred to local interests for operation and maintenance. This
program includes 1sl and 2nd periodic inspections of high hazard dams as well as
inspections and continuing evaluations of all other completed flood control projects.
There are six Unacceptable Ratings: Reserve-Starkweather Creek-Fairgrounds
Rehabilitated Levees (Reserve, NM); Corrales Levee Unit (Corrales, NM); Socorro
Diversion Channel (Socorro, NM); Abeytas to Bernardo; Albuquerque Middle Rio
Grande Levees

Page 12
http://bingaman.senate.gov/policy/EWD2.pdf

[movinon38]

I found the following URL where you can type in an address and it will tell you the associated flood risk. I am trying to figure out why an apartment I was reviewing, located in the area of 6200 Eubank Blvd NE, is rated "high" flood risk??
Pancho NM, Thanks for the references above.
Floodsmart.gov: Your premier resource for flood insurance information

[movinon38]

Sorry I meant Poncho NM....

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by movinon38

I found the following URL where you can type in an address and it will tell you the associated flood risk. I am trying to figure out why an apartment I was reviewing, located in the area of 6200 Eubank Blvd NE, is rated "high" flood risk??

I don't know. It does not seem to be a simple answer. There are flooding areas, if you haven't seen the giant ditches (arroyos).

That area is designated on Eubank is shown as "a Special Flood Hazard Area." A "High Risk area". I checked my house in Rio Rancho and it is "Moderate to low risk.

There is flooding in the area, you are adjacent to a mountain (Sandia Mountain" which funnels water and melting snow. The Rio Grande which looks small, in the past was a major flood creator (Thus the man made lakes, dams, levee's etc)

These pages may explain more:

Grading and Drainage Plans - City of Albuquerque

AMAFCA Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.amafca.org/faq.htm - broken link)

News Releases (http://www.bernco.gov/live/news.asp?news=202947 - broken link)


July 2009:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltfui_Hm83M



Rich

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by movinon38

... trying to figure out why an apartment I was reviewing, located
in the area of 6200 Eubank Blvd NE, is rated "high" flood risk??

This is just N. of the place where Eubank and Juan Tabo bend
and meet. ( Juan Tabo ends and Eubank continues North. )

If the apartment is lower than the areas to the North and South,
then the water coming down from the steep slope to the East
will concentrate at that apartment location during a heavy rain.

The flood level might only be two or three feet high, but it will
be flowing fast enough to knock a person off their feet and
damage pretty much any apartment and the belongings inside
in the path at ground level.

There was flooding in the late 1980's where boulders the size of
cars rolled across Tramway *and* Juan Tabo a mile downhill
(saw it on the news). Cars were buried there.

I wouldn't rent or buy in the steep parts of the NE Heights unless
I could locate substantial channels to the North or South below
my residence.

[movinon38]

thank you all so much for the very helpful info. I will be visiting before the end of this month and will keep all this info to help make a decision. And I have no plans to rent on the bottom floor, ever.