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County to seek lidar data after repeated storms to improve flood maps and warning systems
Summary
Grand County will post an RFP to acquire lidar data using state disaster-recovery funds to update topography and flood-risk mapping for Mill Creek and other watershed areas after large storm and flood events in 2022-2024.
Cora Phillips, Grand County's emergency management director, asked the commission to authorize a request for proposals (RFP) to acquire lidar data using Local Disaster Recovery restricted account funds from the state. Phillips said lidar (high-resolution topographic data collected by aircraft or drone) will show vertical and lateral changes in creeks and streams since the last mapping (2018) and will inform updates to stormwater master plans, flood mitigation priorities, and a planned comprehensive flood-warning system.
Phillips described multiple events (the 2022 regional flood, 2023 spring runoff and several 2024 storms) that altered watershed conditions. Commissioners noted lidar's high precision (inches) and the likely 25% local match requirement; they approved posting the RFP and public notice to procure lidar services. Supporters said the dataset will have multiple uses across county departments and increase the accuracy of targeted flood warnings, improving public safety and future grant-application competitiveness.
