Overview of Flood Control Systems

Summary

This training will explore the topic of flood control systems, such as levees, dams, pumping stations and floodways. In some situations, these systems are visibly aging and are facing an uncertain future. Some systems, such as levees, can also introduce uncertainty if their flood protection benefits aren’t fully understood. This lack of certainty can result in a kind of regulatory grey area for local government officials and for the purposes of purchasing flood insurance. Understanding how these systems work and how they fit in the current regulatory paradigm is an important component of community resilience. Session attendees will also learn about prior federal policies which led to the creation of modern-day flood control systems. Potential new solutions for retrofitting these systems and integrating them within the new paradigm of green infrastructure will briefly be explored.