Flood Protection Information

Floodplain Management in Douglas County

Floodplain management remains a significant issue for residents and property owners in Douglas County. Floodplain Management is the responsibility of Douglas County Community Development Staff and includes:

  • Providing information about the flood threat caused by Carson River, creeks, ditches, and snow melt in Douglas County (Evacuation Routes); (Real-Time Streamflow Data for the Carson River);
  • Providing on-site assistance for drainage and property protection advice (contact Stormwater Program Manager at (775) 782-6215 to make an appointment); 
  • Providing copies of filed elevation certificates to requesting parties;
  • Providing flood map information related to the flood zones to the public;
  • Providing information on how property owners can protect themselves from flood hazards (Nevada Floods. Are You Prepared? - Tips for Douglas County Residents) and
  • Providing information on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and constructing in the Special Flood Hazard Areas or Floodplain.

National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System

Douglas County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) in order for property owners to acquire discounted flood insurance. This program is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. Through participation in this program, residents' flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from community actions based on:

  • Reducing flood damage to insurable properties
  • Strengthening and supporting the insurance aspects of the NFIP
  • Encouraging a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.

Currently, Douglas County is rated as a 6, which gives property owners required to obtain flood insurance a 20% discount. CRS classes are based on 18 creditable activities, organized under for categories: Public Information, Mapping and Regulations, Flood Damage Reduction, and Flood Preparedness.

Constructing in the Special Flood Hazard Areas or Floodplain

Douglas County has had floodplain regulations since 1974. Floodplain development permits, special requirements for land division in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and floodplain are all covered in Title 20.50 Floodplain Management of the Douglas County Consolidated Development Code.

SFHAs are defined as the area that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1% annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100 year flood. These FEMA flood zones are typically A, AO (with depth associated), AH, and AE. X-shaded is defined as the 500 year flood, with a 0.2% annual chance of flooding in a given year. For more information about flood zones in Douglas County, please go to the Douglas County GIS flood zone viewer.

Floodplains as Community Assets: Videos!

Conserving the Carson River Floodplain as a Community Asset PSA
Agriculture's a Good Fit for Conserving the Carson River Floodplain
A Case for Developers to Conserve the Carson River Floodplain
Our Officials in Conserving the Carson River Floodplain


Additional Information

Click here for information on the Johnson Lane Area Drainage Master Plan

Nevada Floods. Are You Prepared?
Floodsmart.gov
Is Your Property in a Flood Zone?
Carson River Watershed Floodplain Management Plan
Carson River Watershed Regional Floodplain Management Plan Supplemental Update, 2013
CRS 2016-17 Annual Report (prepared by CWSD)
CRS 2016-17 Annual Report on Douglas County's Hazard Mitigation Plan Activities Update

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