Frequently Flooded Area

Floodplains and other areas subject to flooding perform important hydrologic functions and may present a risk to persons and property.  Classifications of frequently flooded areas should include, at a minimum, the 100-year floodplain designations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Flood Insurance Program.

Historic losses to salmon habitat have occurred as a result of development encroaching into floodplains.  In addition to minimizing adverse effects to human health, safety and infrastructure, floodplains are ideal locations for salmon habitat restoration.
 
Counties and cities should consider the following when designating and classifying frequently flooded areas:
  • Effects of flooding on human health and safety, and to public facilities and services.
  • Available documentation including federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and programs, local studies and maps, and federal flood insurance programs.
  • The future flow floodplain, defined as the channel of the stream and that portion of the adjoining  floodplain that is necessary to contain and discharge the base flood flow at build out without any  measurable increase in flood heights.
The potential effects of tsunami, high tides with strong winds, sea level rise resulting from global climate change, and greater surface runoff caused by increasing impervious surfaces.

Department of Ecology Flood website - Link to Ecology program

The Association of State Floodplain Managers
The Association of State Floodplain Managers is an organization of professionals involved in floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, the National Flood Insurance Program, and flood preparedness, warning and recovery. ASFPM has become a respected voice in floodplain management practice and policy in the United States because it represents the flood hazard specialists of local, state and federal government, the research community, the insurance industry, and the fields of engineering, hydrologic forecasting, emergency response, water resources, and others.
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