Resources
- County Permit Contacts
- Floodplain Mapping
- Flood Insurance
- Floodplain Mitigation
- Model Ordinances and Other Community Info
- Consultant Information
- Lake Delton 2008 Flooding Event Records
- 2008 Nemahbin Roller Mill Dam Records
- Staff - Flood
Related Programs
- Dam Safety
- Shoreland Management
- Waterway and Wetland Permits
- Runoff Management
- Watershed Management
- Drinking Water/Groundwater
Other Goverment Contacts [exit DNR]
Floodplain Mapping
Floodplain Zoning, Insurance, Mitigation, and Comprehensive Plans all require Floodplain Maps. In the past, these maps were produced by FEMA and distributed on paper. In 2003, FEMA implemented the Map Modernization Initiative to upgrade the map development process so that the maps would be created and distributed in a GIS format rather than on paper. In addition, the best available terrain data were used in the mapping process, which results in higher quality mapping products than were previously available.
The new digital product is called a Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) and, where available, is displayed on our interactive mapping application on the web. Where DFIRMs are not yet available, we have scanned the effective paper FIRMs and geo-registered them. All of this information can be overlayed on top of Air Photos or USGS Topographic Map Images.
In addition, Engineering Input Models and Flood Insurance Study text can be downloaded by identifying a reach in the Analysis Lines layer.
Map Modernization and Risk MAP Information
Click here to see a detailed flow chart that outlines the mapping process, including a timeline. (pdf,232kb)
Public Open House Schedule
In cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the DNR hosts Flood Risk Information Open Houses on a countywide basis. The main purpose of the open houses are to display large, paper preliminary maps (DFIRMs) and give the public an opportunity to review them before finalized. If unable to attend, the preliminary maps can be viewed at local city, village or county (includes towns) zoning offices.
A formal presentation will not be given at the open houses; however, DNR and/or FEMA employees will be available to help interpret the maps and answer questions. General information and resources about flood risks, insurance, development regulations and the floodplain mapping process will also be available. Open Houses are of particular interest to owners of property in or near special flood hazards, realtors, insurance agents, developers and representatives of lending institutions. Members of the media and elected officials are also encouraged to attend. Doors open at 6 p.m. for all Open Houses and will stay open until all questions are answered.
- Baraboo River: There will be an Open House for the Baraboo River in Sauk County. This will be held Tuesday, November 8, 2011, starting at 6:00pm. It will be at the Clarion Hotel, Circus and Crane Rooms, 626 West Pine Street, Baraboo, WI.
- Washburn County: There will be an Open House for Washburn County. This will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2011, starting at 6:00pm. It will be at the Elliot Building, County Board Room, 110 Fourth Avenue, Shell Lake, WI.
- Waushara County: There will be an Open House for Waushara County. This will be held Thursday, December 8, 2011, starting at 6:00pm. It will be at the Wautoma World War II Memorial Building, 440 West Main Street, Wautoma, WI.
90-Day Appeal and Comment Period
Shortly after the Open House, the 90-day appeal and comment period will begin. At this time community officials or property owners may supply comments or appeals to correct errors shown on the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report.
What is an Appeal?
It is an objection to a newly established or revised BFE on the preliminary DFIRM. An appeal is only valid if it is based on a hydrologic or hydraulic engineering study that meets all state and federal standards. Appeals must follow the process outlined in 44 CFR 67
What is a Comment?
An objection to the Preliminary DFIRM and FIS report that does not involve the proposed BFEs. Comments will generally involve changes to floodplain boundary delineations, corporate limits, and roads.
Appeals and Comments can be referenced in Part 67 of the NFIP Regulations.
How do I submit one of these?
Submittals received during the 90-day appeal period will be reviewed to determine if they are appeals or comments. All appeals and comments should come through the community first and the community should review each one to determine if they support the information being submitted. The community should then forward all appeals and comments to WDNR, Floodplain Management Program, c/o Chris Olds, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921. All letters should specifically state whether you are submitting an appeal or a comment, clearly detail the issue, and state how you would like it resolved. In addition, appeals must follow the process outlined in 44 CFR 67
At the end of the 90 day period, all requests will be evaluated and responded to. Map changes will be reflected in the final maps.
For more information on appeals and comments, see:
Letter of Final Determination (LFD)
After all appeals and comments are resolved and changes are made to maps and/or the FIS, a Letter of Final Determination is sent to each community. This letter will notify CEOs and Zoning Officials that the maps are final and that they have 6 months to adopt the maps and FIS into their local zoning ordinance in order to maintain participation in or join the National Flood Insurance Program. The DNR will send a separate letter assigning a DNR floodplain specialist to each community. The specialist will help municipalities meet the timeline for ordinance adoption and approval required by FEMA and the DNR prior to the effective date. Communities may begin using these maps for local zoning decisions as soon as they are adopted into their zoning ordinance.
Effective Date
The final map products (FIRMs and FIS) will go into effect 6 months after the Letter of Final Determination is sent. It is not until this effective date that the maps may be able to be used to make determinations for Flood Insurance purposes.
Wisconsin Counties Project Status
View a table showing the Wisconsin Counties Project Status [PDF 10KB].
Floodplain FTP Access
Follow this link for information on how to access our Floodplain FTP portal.
Other Information
- WDNR Survey Specifications [DNR, September 2009, PDF 472KB]
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Map Modernization Process [DNR, Nov 2008, PDF 21.5KB]
- Information about Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) [exit DNR]
- Presentation from Local Officials Open House Meeting at Outagamie County [DNR/FEMA,Feb 2008, PDF 1MB]
- Wisconsin Map Modernization Business Plan for FY10 [DNR, Oct 2010, PDF 58KB]
- The Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan [exit DNR]
- FEMA Map Service Center [exit DNR]
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Height Modernization Project [WiDOT, PDF 537KB] is an initiative to update benchmarks throughout the state. Vertical control is important to the Flood Map Modernization Initiative.
- Map Modernization Information from FEMA [exit DNR]
- Draft information from FEMA on Risk MAP [exit DNR]
- The Association of State Flooplain Managers (ASFPM) [exit DNR]
- Elevation Data Task Force, Part 1, April 2003
- Elevation Data Task Force, Part 2, April 2003
- Wisconsin Elevations Data Status
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