FHZ Applications Presentation

October 7, 2020 1:30pm
Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Virtual Conference.

Planning for fluvial hazards is an essential component of stream corridor management and the prevention of future flood damages. As many of us have observed damage to structures located outside of FEMA floodplains has been a common occurrence due to fluvially-induced erosion and sedimentation – we need to challenge the status quo that using floodplain maps to plan for river processes and functions are the only tool we should be using. Our presentation will give you a rundown on the numerous proactive actions and best practices a watershed planner can implement in conjunction with Fluvial Hazard Zone mapping to reduce threats to life and property from fluvial hazards, as well as possibly reap numerous secondary benefits related to ecological and human health. This presentation seeks to challenge the watersheds community to rethink our typical business of planning with FEMA floodplain maps and setback buffers and transform our understanding of streams as living, dynamic corridors that provide a multitude of benefits to a community.