Bluffdale Inundation Mapping
The project will assist the City of Bluffdale to identify and understand its flood risks. Bluffdale is nestled in the southern end of the Salt Lake Valley. The Jordan River, the primary watercourse in the drainage basin, flows north through the city, eventually emptying into the Great Salt Lake. The dramatic scenery, rural feel, and proximity to amenities in Salt Lake City and the Provo Metropolitan Area have contributed to exponential growth in Bluffdale; it is currently home to over 14,000 people, a more than 900% increase in population from 1980. The Salt Lake Valley has an extensive canal system that is used for the transportation of water to sustain crops and for flood control. Along the Jordan River, there are eight major diversions and seven canals on both the east and west side of the river.
Two of the main flood risks for the area come from the Jordan River and from localized flooding from the canals. The City has experienced flooding from the canals and would like to have some maps developed to help them better understand and manage their flood risk.