Flood plain: Handle with care!

P 1105-2-4 .~ ---.~-r,"";­? 9L.._--,;__----. • sumu OF REiiil=v 92008720 FLOOD ·. PLAIN- ll1INl)l~I~ l\Tl'l,11 (;Jilli~! Department of the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Directorate ----• ... -. ·-­t_--.--~-- ­1 · EP 1105-2-4 March 1974 Foreword Future flood problems can be successfully and significantly reduced through careful consider­ation of existing flood hazards in land-use planning. Through the Flood Plain Management Services Program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and from other Federal agencies, services are available nationwide to assist communities in flood-conscious planning. This booklet traces the experience of con­cerned citizens in one watershed who wanted to cope with the flood hazard. Their experience suggests how other communities can get started in this important element of planning. The Corps of Engineers is pleased to be of service with technical assistance and guidance to help communities prepare to help themselves. J. W. MORRIS Major General, USA Director of Civil Works 2 Introduction Almost everyone knows that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers builds dams, dikes and levees. The Corps is famous-or, in the opinion of some of its critics, infamous-for its public works projects designed to control floods. Not so well known, however, is a broader Corps approach to the problem of flooding: a "management" approach. The management approach to flood problems means identifying the nature of the flood hazard in a specific area. It means using that basic infor­mation and common sense to protect lives. And to prevent or minimize damage to land and buildings subject to flooding. In brief, the man­agement approach means wise use of flood plains. This booklet describes, in non-technical language, some of the fundamentals of w ise flood plain management. It stresses non-traditional aspects of flood plain management, those that can be undertaken by a community itself. A word of caution, however. This booklet is not a panacea. The Corps, through its F