Floodplain Administration

Streams and rivers are nature's way of collecting and carrying rainfall from higher grounds to lakes and oceans. When unusually large amounts of collected water build up along a watercourse, flooding occurs. The land areas adjacent to the streams, rivers, lakes and oceans that are inundated when flooding occurs are floodplains. Under purely natural conditions, this flooding causes little or no damage. Damage does occur, however, when man attempts to occupy the floodplain. The work we do ensures that Bosque County is compliant with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rules, protects lives and properties, and allows Bosque County residents access to more affordable, federally-backed flood insurance.

What Is a Floodplain?

A floodplain is a geographic area subject to flooding; land adjacent to a waterway necessary to contain a flood. The floodplain can be associated with rivers, lakes, streams, channels, and even small creeks that are normally dry most of the year. Floodplains are commonly found along low elevation points or low water crossings.

The 100-year floodplain is an area subject to flooding as a result of the occurrence of a 100-year storm event- a storm that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year.

Evaluating & Permitting Floodplains

The County Floodplain Office is the designated floodplain administrator for Bosque County. Official flood maps for the County are available for viewing in our office at 110 N Main Street, Meridian Texas. Floodplain permitting within the cities in Bosque County are handled by those cities directly.

Currently, residents can come to the County Floodplain Office for consultation to determine whether any specific location is within the floodplain. Alternatively, FEMA maintains a website where you can view the same maps we have.

Floodplain Regulations in Bosque County

Floodplain regulations are enforced to protect public safety and health. In addition, they encourage sound engineering practices and efficient floodplain management techniques. All construction in Bosque County must adhere to the Bosque County flood damage prevention order. The regulations in the order are established by the Federal Government and implemented by FEMA. The County Floodplain Office is responsible for examining construction for compliance with local and federal floodplain regulations.

FEMA Map Service Center & Flood Map Store

Digital versions and images of flood maps are now available for viewing and printing from the online FEMA Flood Map Store. This online store provides paper, scanned images on CD-ROM, and downloads of maps. The Flood Map Store allows users to create a FIRMette at no cost. A FIRMette is a section of the flood hazard map at 100% scale that can be printed on standard paper sizes (8.5 by 11 inches, 8.5 by 14 inches, and 11 by 17 inches).

Floodplain Development Permit

If you want to build a structure in or alter any land within the floodplain a permit will be required. To receive a permit, residents must obtain a permit application.

Included in the packet are instructions and the forms necessary for the floodplain development permit:

Here is the Floodplain Permitting Process for anyone requesting a Development Permit in rural areas in Bosque County:

1. Citizen completes and submits Floodplain Development Permit Application. - email completed permit to BosqueOEM@bosquecounty.gov
   
2. Bosque County Reviews Application
3. Bosque County Approves/Disapproves permit

Landowners may be required to have surveys completed to determine the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for their property. As a rule, if the floodplain is on the property, the entire property is in the floodplain. A certificate of elevation will be required for a permit to be issued for any activity that takes place within the floodplain.

Completion of the process qualifies the home for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Development within the floodway is prohibited except with extensive engineering and floodproofing. On December 13th, 2010, Bosque County Commissioners Court adopted the Bosque County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (PDF). The Bosque County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance contains the full text of regulations.