Farm Floodplain Planning

As storms become more intense and the frequency of flooding increases, more agricultural lands, especially those located on plains, are left at risk of degradation. Farmers cultivating near rivers often find themselves at the center of the consequences of flood plain farming.

Storms and hurricanes pose unique risks due to their high precipitation rates. For example, in 2011, Irene struck the US East Coast. Heavy rains flooded waterways in western Massachusetts, setting records. Storm damage was estimated at 15,400 acres of agricultural land in western Massachusetts and Vermont, costing the agriculture sector about $20 million.

Flooding may cause extensive agricultural damage. Invasive species spread, soil degradation, and crop loss are a few examples. Farms are vital to the economy and food supply of many countries. Fortunately, farmers may implement farm floodplain assessment planning to reduce the effect of rising flood danger due to climate change.

What Makes an Area Prone to Flooding?

Flooding occurs when severe or persistent rainfall exceeds soil absorption capacity and river, stream, and coastal flow capacity—overflowing watercourses into adjacent lands. Floodplains are areas close to rivers and streams that are prone to flooding. Therefore, floodplains are “flood-prone” and pose a risk to development operations if their vulnerability surpasses safe levels.

The following land-surface features linked to floods should be considered when implementing a flood risk assessment methodology:

• Land topography, particularly flatness;
• Geomorphology, type, and quality of soils, particularly unconsolidated river deposit base material; and
• Hydrology and the magnitude of recurrent floods

These qualities are often taken into account while evaluating natural resources.

Flood Hazard Assessment and Mapping

Flood Hazard Assessment and Mapping is a technique for identifying flood-prone regions and, as a result, improving flood risk management and disaster preparation. Flood risk assessments and maps usually include the anticipated extent and depth of flooding in a particular area based on various scenarios.

Changes in land-use planning, the installation of specialized flood-proofing measures, the development of emergency response plans, and other efforts may all help to enhance preparedness. In addition, flood hazard evaluations may be modified to evaluate particular hazards, taking into account the affected regions’ socioeconomic features such as industrial activity, population density, and land use.

Data for Digital Elevation Models and hydrological models are important components of flood hazard assessment and mapping. Land cover data, soil data, and other datasets may be used to augment the data in a flood risk assessment methodology. Additional software may be needed for the production of maps and visualization tools.

Hydrological data, historical data on flooding occurrences and rainfall patterns, as well as climatic data, are all required for flood modeling and scenario creation. These factors are used to determine the depth and extent of flooding in various situations.

As a result, high-risk flood zones may be identified, enabling planners to enhance preparation and devise solutions. Land use and development planners may utilize flood hazard assessments and associated maps as part of an integrated strategy to enhance flood preparation, improving future land projects, and boosting community awareness.

Benefits of Flood Hazard Assessment and Mapping

The following are benefits of a working flood risk assessment methodology:

• It identifies and preserves wetlands, woods, and other habitats that may be useful in flood mitigation.
• It provides the information needed to put flood protection measures in place at polluted locations (e.g., power plants, nuclear facilities, etc.).
• Provides critical data for assessing flood risk and susceptibility.
• It enhances flood control and preparedness (prioritization of interventions).
• Enhances land-use planning by restricting development in flood-prone regions.
• Provides a visual depiction of flood hazards to help local communities become more aware of the dangers.
• It strengthens the data foundation for property, crop, and infrastructure insurance.

How Professionals Can Help

Directly collecting hydrologic data from rivers and streams is a worthwhile but time-consuming endeavor. Models may be used to estimate the statistical frequency of particular flood occurrences, thereby estimating their likelihood if such dynamic data has been gathered for many years via stream gauging. However, such assessments are impossible to make without at least a twenty-years worth of data.

Luckily, your work will be easier if you work with a professional. Professional flood hazard evaluators will ensure you have adequate information to enable you to plan your land and prepare for flooding eventualities. At Access Environmental Planning, we are a premier environmental consultancy form in Australia serving residents, businesses, and local governments. If you need floor hazard assessment and planning services, reach out to us at 0429944430 or fill out our online form and leave us a message.

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