Utah

Ephraim Flood Plain Management Services

The purpose of this project is to assist Ephraim City, Utah by developing a Floodplain Management Services Project which can then be used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in support of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMAR).

Ephraim City is located in Sanpete County, Utah and is approximately 100 miles south east of Salt Lake City, Utah. The population of Ephraim City is approximately 6,200 according to the 2011 census, and the Mayor of the City of Ephraim reported that the population doubles in size when the local community college is in session.

They City of Ephraim, Utah has experienced significant growth since the FEMA flood maps were last updated. This growth has physically transformed Ephraim on multiple levels, including changes to the flood channels and waterways through the city. The FEMA flood maps currently in effect for Ephraim are based on old paper maps from the 1980s and earlier and are missing critical information to support decision on where growth can safely occur. When this floodplain study is complete, it will be submitted to FEMA for their review and adoption and will be used to guide future decisions about development in and near the floodplain. The City of Ephraim also plans to use the study as a basis for the city's master plan for storm drainage and flooding facilities. The City of Ephraim is an economically disadvantaged community and had previously approached both FEMA and the State of Utah for MFIP mapping assistance, but neither was able to offer assistance due to limited funding and relatively small population of Ephraim.

(From Left to Right: Bryan Kimball P.E., MPA, AICP, Community Development Director/City Engineer, Sean McNabb, Risk MAP- Program Specialist, Rachael Orellana, Flood Risk Program Manager, Jamie Huff, Risk MAP Program Manager, Barb Fitzpatrick, Senior Floodplain Specialist, Region VIII, Kathy Holder, Utah Floodplain Coordinator)

UGS Wasatch

The Geologic Hazards Program of the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) helps protect Utah's public health and safety by investigating geologic hazards and environmental concerns involving geology; provides state and local governments and the public with information and technical services; develops small- and large-scale geologic hazard maps; and performs detailed studies of geologic hazards. Many areas within the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley, Utah are experiencing rapid growth extending into areas at increased risk for multiple geologic hazards. Flood risk in Utah communities has historically been one of the most damaging geologic hazards. The most serious floods in Utah have generally occurred in the Great Salt Lake Basin, particularly in the Weber River drainage on the western slopes of the Wasatch Mountains. During the past 100 years, approximately 300 flash floods resulting from high­ intensity rainfall that accompanied thunderstorms and 135 snowmelt floods have been recorded (Utah Division of Homeland Security, 2011). Numerous debris flows have also impacted communities along the Wasatch Front. This area includes the highest population density in the state, where the combined population along the Wasatch Front and Cache County is approximately 1.9 million (US Census Bureau, 2010).

In 2014, UGS sought technical assistance from USACE to expand mapping of flooding risk using a geologically-based approach at a scale of 1:24,000 to help improve effectiveness and efficiency in identifying flooding risk. These maps showed the mapped Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zones, along with geologically-based flood hazard zones that account for young geologic materials, such as alluvial fans, that are subject to potential debris flows and sheet flooding. These flood maps are intended to supplement the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to provide local governments and the public with additional flooding hazard information so they may make informed decisions, ultimately reducing the risk to life and property to flooding hazards.

UGS and USACE are entering into a new phase of the study in which a web viewer will be developed to ensure wide distribution of the maps. Additional public outreach is being conducted in this phase as well.

(Rachael Orellana- Flood Risk Program Manager, Jessica Castleton- Geologist,  Ben Erickson- UGS Hazard Mapper at Cache County RISK Map meeting March 2016)

Grand County Floodplain Management Plan

Grand County only recently joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Grand County is becoming one of the Nation's top destinations for tourism. Only 4% of the property in Grand County is privately owned land. This is placing tremendous pressure on Grand County to allow development in floodplains.

USACE and Silver Jackets is currently helping Grand County, Utah, home of Moab, to develop a Floodplain Management Plan to build a stronger, safer, and more flood resilient community.  This Floodplain Management Plan will reduce future risk of flooding to people living in or traveling around the Grand County Floodplain, inform local officials of flood risk management practices, and increase resiliency within the community in terms of decreasing future disaster expenditures and providing the community an understanding of where and how to build.

(Photo Courtesy of BLM)

Non-Structural Workshops

The Utah Division of Emergency Management (DEM) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered to conduct three flood risk management workshops.  These workshops covered nonstructural flood proofing techniques, also known as flood risk adaptive measures.   The USACE Nonstructural Flood Proofing Committee developed and led the workshops. Continuing education credits were available for attendees.

These workshops were held in the cities of Salt Lake City, Logan, and St. George.  Each of the sessions covered nonstructural techniques, federal grant programs like the Natural Resource Conservation Service's Emergency Watershed Protection program, USACE civil works authorities, and structural inventories.  Participants discussed what techniques have been used in their communities and asked how their agencies can partner with USACE. 

This project was completed in January 2016. 

Upcoming Meetings

• Utah All Hazards State Mitigation Team Meeting - Thursday, May 11, 2017

Past Meetings

• Utah All Hazards State Mitigation Team Meeting - Thursday, February 23, 2017
• Utah All Hazards State Mitigation Team Meeting - Thursday, August 18, 2016
• Utah All Hazards State Mitigation Team Meeting - Tuesday, May 24, 2016
• Utah All Hazards State Mitigation Team Meeting - Thursday, February 23, 2016

Utah Nonstructural Flood Proofing Workshops

• St George- Wednesday, March 25th, 2015 (9:00 AM to 2:30 PM)
• Salt Lake City- Thursday March 26th, 2015 (10:00 AM to 3:30 PM)
• Logan- Friday, March 27th, 2015 (9:00 AM to 2:30 PM)