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Planning Guidance: Flood Risk Management
 

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Engineer Circulars (ECs)

  • Engineer Circular 1110-2-6070: Comprehensive Evaluation of Project Datum (2009 Expiration: unlisted)
    This circular provides guidance for a comprehensive evaluation of vertical datum on flood control, shore protection, hurricane protection, and navigation projects.

    Engineering and Construction Bulletins

  • Engineering and Construction Bulletin 2017-15: Managed Overtopping of Levee Systems (2017)
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will use this directive and guidance for commands responsible for planning, design, construction, and operation and maintenance of civil works projects. The procedures are general in nature and can be applied to any phase of study, as directed by Engineer Regulation (ER) 1110-2-1150. The level of detail in the overtopping analysis will depend on the study phase. This document is applicable for all USACE riverine levee and floodwall systems. This Engineering and Construction Bulletin (ECB) provides an interim update to expired technical guidance Engineer Technical Letter (ETL) 1110-2-299 and provides a methodology for configuring the engineered capacity exceedance related to flood overtopping at a specific location or locations along the levee system. This guidance does not address overtopping of the entire system on those occasions when the overall system capacity is exceeded. This ECB has expired and was updated by ECB 2019-8.

    Economic Guidance Memoranda (EGMs)

  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 98-04: National Flood Insurance Program Operating Costs (1998)
    This memorandum provides FY 1998 NFIP operating costs. It also shows NFIP costs since 1972.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 99-04: National Flood Insurance Program Operating Costs (1999)
    This memorandum provides FY 1999 NFIP operating costs.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 00-03: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices (2000)
    This memorandum provides FY 2000 normalized prices.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 00-04: National Flood Insurance Program Operating Costs (2000)
    FY 2000 NFIP operating costs.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 01-04: National Flood Insurance Program Operating Costs, Fiscal Year 2001 (2001)
    Summary of NFIP operating costs from FY 1973 through FY 2001.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 01-05: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices, Fiscal Year 2000 (2001)
    Normalized prices for years 1995-2000, at state and national level.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 02-01: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices (2002)
    Provides data used in the economic evaluation of Corps of Engineers projects affecting agriculture.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 02-05: National Flood Insurance Program Operating Costs, Fiscal Year 2002 (2002)
    NFIP operating costs from FY 1973 to FY 2002.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 03-01: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices (2003)
    This memorandum provides normalized prices for years 1997-2002, at both state and national levels.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 03-03: National Flood Insurance Program Operating Costs, Fiscal Year 2003 (2003)
    This memorandum provides FY 2003 NFIP operating costs.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 04-04: National Flood Insurance Program Operating Costs, Fiscal Year 2004 (2004)
    This memorandum provides NFIP operating costs from FY 1973 to FY 2004.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 04-05: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices (2004)
    Notice of the availability of normalized agricultural prices from the USDA.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 05-02: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices (2005)
    This memorandum provides FY2005 normalized agricultural prices.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 05-07: National Flood Insurance Program Operating Costs, Fiscal Year 2005 (2005)
    FY 2005 NFIP operating costs.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 06-01: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices (2006)
    This memorandum provides FY2006 normalized agricultural prices.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 06-04: National Flood Insurance Program Operating Costs, Fiscal Year 2006 (2006)
    FY 2006 NFIP operating costs.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 07-02: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices (2007)
    This memorandum provides FY2007 normalized agricultural prices.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 08-03: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices (2008)
    This memorandum provides FY2008 normalized agricultural prices.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 09-02: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices, Fiscal Year 2009 (2009)
    This memorandum provides a data link used in the economic evaluation of Corps of Engineers projects affecting agriculture.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 09-04: Generic Depth-Damage Relationships for Vehicles (2009)
    Guidance for generic vehicle depth-damage curves for flood-risk management studies.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 10-02: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices (2010)
    This memorandum provides current (Oct 2009) normalized prices.
  • Economic Guidance Memorandum 11-02: Current Normalized Agricultural Prices (2011)
    This memorandum provides guidance on current (Nov 2010) normalized prices.

    Engineer Pamphlets (EPs)

  • Engineer Pamphlet 1110-2-8: Explaining Flood Risk (1992)
    Engineer Pamphlet improves the technical expert's skills in communicating information about flood risk to local officials and the public.
  • Engineer Pamphlet 1110-2-9: Hydrologic Engineering Study Design (1994)
    Engineer Pamphlet describes activities necessary to design and prepare a Hydrologic Engineering Study for a Corps water resource investigation.
  • Engineer Pamphlet 1165-2-314: Flood Proofing (1995 Update needed)
    This EP identifies floodproofing measures and techniques that can be followed to regulate private and public building construction in riverine flood hazard areas, and provides for a diversity of floodproofing methods and techniques
  • Engineer Pamphlet 1165-2-1, Chapter 13: Flood Damage Reduction (1999)
    Engineer Pamphlet provides basic background on flood plain management, including structural and nonstructural measures. Digest of Water Resources Policies and Authorities
  • Engineer Pamphlet 1165-2-1, Chapter 17: Recreation (1999)
    Engineer Pamphlet discusses federal recreation policy and philosophy, different types of recreation projects, project evaluation, and project finance. Digest of Water Resources Policies and Authorities

    Engineer Regulations (ERs)

  • Engineer Regulation 1165-2-117: Water Resources Policies and Authorities - Responsibility for Costs of Improved Standards in Highway and Housing Relocations (1978)
    This regulation summarizes policy and procedures for identifying the costs of meeting improved standards when highways and housing are relocated due to construction of civil works projects.
  • Engineer Regulation 1165-2-21: Water Resources Policies and Authorities - Flood Damage Reduction Measures in Urban Areas (1980)
    This regulation provides policy and guidance for participation in urban flood damage reduction projects.
  • Engineer Regulation 1150-2-302: Local Cooperation - Annual Report on Local Cooperation Agreements (RCS: DAEN-CWO-44) (1981)
    This regulation states the procedure for reporting requirements of Section 221 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-611).
  • Engineer Regulation 1165-2-111: Water Resources Policies and Authorities - Corps of Engineers Activities Under the Small Reclamation Projects Act of 1956, As Amended (1982)
    This regulation provides guidance regarding Corps of Engineers assistance to applicants for loans of projects with a flood control potential.
  • Engineer Regulation 1165-2-26: Water Resources Policies and Authorities, Implementation of Executive Order 11988 on Flood Plain Management. (1984)
    This regulation sets guidance for USACE implementation of Order 11988, Floodplain Management, as it pertains to civil works projects in design and construction.
  • Engineer Regulation 1165-2-29: Water Resources Policies and Authorities - General Credit for Flood Control (1987)
    This regulation establishes guidelines and procedures for application of Section 104 of Public Law 99-662.
  • Engineer Regulation 1165-2-121: Water Resources Policies and Authorities - Flood Control Cost-Sharing Requirements Under the Ability-to-Pay Provision-Section 103(M) of PL 99-662 (1989)
    This regulation gives instruction on implementation of Section 103(M) as it applies to flood control projects.
  • Engineer Regulation 1165-2-27: Establishment of Wetland Areas in Connection with Dredging (1989)
    This regulation provides guidance for the establishment of wetland areas.
  • Engineer Regulation 1130-2-406: Project Operation - Shoreline Management at Civil Works Projects (1990)
    This regulation provides policy and guidance on management of shorelines of Civil Works projects where 36 CFR Part 327 is applicable.
  • Engineer Regulation 1110-8-2(FR): Inflow Design Floods for Dams and Reservoirs (1991)
    This regulation sets forth hydrologic engineering requirements for selecting and accommodating Inflow Design Floods (IDF) for dams and reservoirs.
  • Engineer Regulation 1165-2-123: Water Resources Policies and Authorities - Single-Owner Situations (1992)
    This regulation provides policy guidance regarding Corps interests in civil works projects that would directly serve a single entity.
  • Engineer Regulation 1130-2-530: Project Operation - Flood Control Operations and Maintenance Policies (1996)
    This regulation establishes the policy for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of USACE flood control and related structures at civil works water resource projects and of USACE-built flood protection projects operated and maintained by non-federal sponsors.
  • Engineer Regulation 1110-2-1403: Engineering and Design Studies By Coastal, Hydraulic, and Hydrologic Facilities and Others (1998)
    This regulation prescribes the policy and procedure for approval and technical supervision of coastal, hydraulic, and hydrologic studies related to planning, design, construction, and operation of projects.
  • Engineer Regulation 1105-2-100: Planning Guidance Notebook, Appendix E, Civil Works Mission and Evaluation Procedures (2000)
    This appendix provides policy and planning guidance for project purposes of navigation, flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction (shore protection), ecosystem restoration, hydroelectric power, recreation, water supply and multiple purpose projects.
  • Engineer Regulation 1110-2-8160: Policies for Referencing Project Elevation Grades to Nationwide Vertical Datum (2009)
    This regulation provides guidance for proper and accurately referenced materials for flood forecasting, inundation modeling, flood insurance rate maps, navigation charting, and topographic mapping. This ER was later supplemented by Engineer Manual 1110-2-6056: Standards and Procedures for Referencing Project Elevation Grades to Nationwide Vertical Datums (2010).

    Fact Sheets

  • Section 8106(a) of WRDA 2022 Selection of Drivers and Cost Share Factsheet (2024)
    This factsheet provides information for study teams and non-federal sponsors about application of Section 8106(a) of the Water Development Resources Act (WRDA) of 2022, Scope of Feasibility Studies. In cases where a study is authorized under a single mission authority such as flood risk management or coastal storm risk management, the non-Federal sponsor may request pursuant to Section 8106(a) of WRDA 2022 that the Project Development Team (PDT) formulate additional measures and alternatives to address comprehensive flood risk within the geographic scope of the study from the isolated and compound effects of the ten drivers identified in the authorization language, beyond the required identification of residual risk by PDTs.

    Institute for Water Resources

  • Agricultural Flood Control Benefits and Land Values (1971)
    This report is designed to present in some detail the results of successfully applying a land value approach using a multiple linear regression technique to two study areas. The bulk of the monograph is not directed to analyzing the utility of the approach per se, although the strengths and weaknesses are reviewed. The main concern is with a rather detailed exposition of the statistical analysis of areas in the Wabash and Missouri River Basins. In this respect it is written primarily for use at the field levels of the Corps to serve as a guide to the use of the approach in terms of the types of data required, the form of the data for use in the regression model, and the interpretation of the estimated regression model.
  • Analysis of Alternative Procedures for the Evaluation of Agricultural Flood Control Benefits (1971)
    This report is devoted to evaluating alternative methodologies to the frequency damage procedure for estimating agricultural crop flood control benefits. The Economic Research Service Regional Linear Programming model has been extended to the case of project analysis. The RLP model operates in the same way as a basin-wide firm and estimates the change in production costs (out of pocket cost) as flood protection (and drainage) measures are provided. Efficiency benefits are equal to decreases in production costs, since output is held constant. Critical assumptions and several major empirical problems encountered during the study are discussed. Finally, Part IV is a synopsis of the utility of the land value approach, the regional linear programming approach, and the frequency-damage approach.
  • Assessment of the Economic Benefits from Flood Damage Mitigation by Relocation and Evacuation (1985)
    The object of this research was to assess the current Corps procedures used in the economic evaluation of flood plain relocation and evacuation plans for flood damage mitigation. Based on this assessment, the report offers a theoretically sound framework to evaluate the NED benefits from evacuation and relocation plans.

    IWR Reports

  • International Guidelines on Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management (2021)
    The International Guidelines on Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management (NNBF Guidelines) is a collaborative consolidated guide meant to advance and revolutionize sustainable infrastructure and flood risk management solutions.

    Guidance Memos

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Joint Actions on Planning for Flood risk Management Projects (2012)
    This memorandum addresses the requirement to perform mitigation when proposed USACE flood-risk reduction projects increase the Base (1-percent-annual-chance) Flood Elevation (BFE). National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations (44 C.F.R. 65.12) require revisions to flood insurance rate maps to reflect BFE and/or floodway changes caused by encroachments permitted by an NFIP participating community.
  • Civil Works Policy Memorandum (CWPM) 15-001: Policy for Cost Management for Coastal and Hurricane Storm Damage Reduction Projects Involving Sand Placement (2015)
    This policy memorandum establishes the criteria in determining maximum project cost limits for coastal and hurricane storm damage reduction projects involving the placement of sand, sometimes referred to as beach nourishment or shore protection projects.
  • Guidelines for Implementing Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, and Executive Order 13690, Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input (2015)
    These Guidelines were issued by the Water Resources Council (the same body that established the Principles and Guidelines for federal water resources investments) and describe various approaches for determining the higher vertical flood elevation and corresponding horizontal floodplain for federally funded projects. The Guidelines provide that all future actions where Federal funds are used for new construction, substantial improvement or to address substantial damage meet the level of resilience established by the Guidelines.
  • Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP) Nooksack River Delta Setback Levees - Policy Concurrence (2016)
    This memorandum from the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) (ASA(CW)) articulates Army policy: "It is the policy of the Army to encourage floodplain restoration, as it encourages community resilience and provides benefits to both the ecosystem and human wellbeing. The use of levee set-backs, along with other measures to increase and enhance floodplains, is encouraged in aquatic ecosystem restoration projects. It is also the policy of the Army not to increase flood risks or decrease life safety without sufficient justification. When formulating restoration projects that propose restoring floodplains, the Corps should use the existing level of flood risk as the formulation baseline. If any changes to the baseline are recommended, then the Corps should demonstrate the rationale for the increase or decrease in the level of flood risk management. If the level of flood risk associated with an ecosystem restoration project is decreased, then the risk reduction increment above the baseline must be cost effective and incrementally justified. If the level of flood risk is increased as a result of ecosystem restoration, then the Corps must mitigate any induced damages as part of the restoration project." In the memo, the ASA(CW) concurs with the recommendation that the implementation of setback levees are a necessary project feature of the recommended plan to mitigate for induced flooding, and without moving the levees, minimal to no restoration benefits are achievable that meet the planning objective.
  • Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Floodplain Determination Job Aid, Version 1.0 (2023)
    The White House Flood Resilience Interagency Working Group has developed this job aid to help agencies identify the floodplain using the three approaches described in Executive Order 13690 for riverine and coastal floodplains: the Freeboard Value Approach; the Climate Informed Science Approach, and the 0.2 percent-flood approach.
  • Resilience Integration in the USACE Flood Risk Management Mission (2023)
    This memo describes how USACE Flood Risk Management (FRM) activities, projects, and programs currently consider resilience. The memo highlights work already underway within USACE to identify ways to further actualize resilience throughout the FRM project life cycle and encourages resilience-focused thinking when discussing FRM-related community needs, while aligning with the USACE FRM mission of reducing the threat to life and property from flooding and coastal storms.

    Memorandums of Agreement and Understanding

  • Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of the Army regarding the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Corps of Engineers Flood Damage Reduction Projects (2000)
    This Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of the Army underscores the policy of both agencies to facilitate the use of non-structural approaches to reducing flood damages where practicable, and that the construction of levees on Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) lands is incompatible with open space uses and, therefore, will not be recommended for implementation. The restriction on levee construction generally does not apply to structures designed specifically for ecosystem preservation, restoration, or enhancement. Structures for these purposes are deemed consistent with the open space uses requirement of the HMGP.

    Planning Bulletins

  • Planning Bulletin 2019-04: Incorporating Life Safety into Flood and Coastal Storm Risk Management Studies (2019)
    This Planning Bulletin provides information on the use of life safety in the planning process. Risks to human life are a fundamental component of all facets of flood and coastal storm risk management and must receive explicit consideration throughout the planning process. The bulletin augments, but does not supersede, the procedures in Engineer Regulation 1105-2-100, Planning Guidance Notebook and Engineer Regulation 1105-2-101, Risk Assessment for Flood Risk Management Studies. This document applies to all flood and coastal storm risk management feasibility studies, including those conducted under the Continuing Authorities Program and studies conducted by non-federal interests under Section 203 of WRDA 1986, as amended. Note: the POC for the Dam and Levee Senior Oversight Groups is Brad Arcement, MVK.

    Policy and Special Studies Program

  • Empirical Studies of the Effect of Flood Risk on Housing Prices (1998)

    Webinars

      2024
    • An Overview of our Flood Risk Management and Coastal Storm Risk Management PCXs (22 February)
      This webinar provided an overview of the Flood Risk Management Planning Center of Expertise (FRM-PCX) and the Coastal Storm Risk Management Planning Center of Expertise (PCX-CSRM). Ms. Michelle Kniep, Plan Formulation National Technical Specialist for the FRM-PCX, and Mr. Larry Cocchieri, Deputy Director for National Operations of the PCX-CSRM, presented on the current activities of the two PCXs, including staff, roles and responsibilities related to USACE planning studies, and how they can assist teams.

      2023
    • National Shoreline Management Study National Assessment (21 September)
      This webinar featured a preliminary look at the National Shoreline Management Study (NSMS) National Assessment Report and companion Summary. This National Assessment highlights the economic, social, and environmental importance of the nation’s shorelines, and the changes that result from natural and human-induced influences on coastal processes. It has been developed based on existing and available information and input from a variety of federal agencies, Tribal Nations, representative groups, national coastal interests, state and regional representatives, and researchers. Presenters Marriah Abellera (Institute for Water Resources Coastal Program Manager) and Dr. Denise Reed (Research Professor Gratis at the University of New Orleans Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences) provided background on the NSMS Program and a detailed overview of the National Assessment Report.
    • The Big U - Concept to Realization (24 August)
      This webinar provided an overview of the "Big U" Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) project in Manhattan that was part of the post-Hurricane Sandy "Rebuild-by-Design" initiative. Edgar Westerhof (Arcadis Climate Adaptation Solution Lead, North America) along with others from the "Big U" team discussed the Rebuild-by-Design initiative, which began in response to Hurricane Sandy’s devastating impact on the eastern U.S. and became a model to help governments create research-based, collaborative processes that prepare communities and regions for future challenges. The presenters addressed the challenges and opportunities that the "Big U" team experienced while developing and implementing this project for New York City as well as lessons and best practices that can be applied to the USACE CSRM program, and especially to projects located within our highly urbanized and diverse coastal communities.
    • National Structure Inventory (26 January)
      This webinar provided an overview of the National Structure Inventory (NSI) and its potential application in supporting flood risk management studies. The 2022 version of the NSI uses a variety of new data inputs in order to obtain improved nationwide estimates of structure locations, structure characteristics, and population at risk estimates. This data is often necessary for economic and life safety studies, but the NSI may also be useful for other planning efforts. Presenters Nick Lutz (Economist, HEC) and Alex Ryan (Economist, PCX-IN) covered ways to use the NSI, its limitations, and methods to improve the NSI for planning efforts through the newly developed NSI Survey Tool.

      2018
    • Inland Flood Risk Management Studies: Risk-Informed Business Line Introduction (16 August)
      Mr. Nick Applegate, Economic and Risk Analysis Section Chief, Sacramento District; Mr. Peter Blodgett, PE, Senior Hydraulic Engineer, Sacramento District; Ms. Sara Schultz, Senior Water Resources Planner, Sacramento District; and Mr. Eric Thaut, Deputy Director, FRM-PCX provided an overview of the Flood Risk Management business line. The presenters discussed specific policies and guidance relevant to flood risk management studies, as well as common challenges and risks in flood risk management. The presentation addressed conducting iterations of risk informed planning in a flood risk management feasibility study, including practical examples. This webinar was the second in a series of seven business line webinars presented in the PCoP webinar series.

      2016
    • Nonstructural Policy Clarification (PB 2016-01) (17 March)
      Mr. Jeremy LaDart, Office of Water Project Review, and Ms. Maria Wegner, Senior Policy Advisor, provided a review of the policy clarifications regarding nonstructural activities in flood risk management and coastal storm risk management feasibility studies/project planning, including special considerations during formulation, evaluation, and when recommending buyouts.

      2014
    • Utilizing Risk Assessment Methodologies for Public Safety and Flood Risk Management (15 May)
      An overview of life-safety risk assessments and how they are incorporated into flood risk management studies, particularly in the dam and levee safety programs. The presentation describes tools and procedures for assessing safety risks and shows example results.

      2012
    • Nonstructural / Flood Proofing Webinar (12 June)  Corps Castle
      NFPC Committee

  •  Corps Castle Item is restricted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CAC required. Document will open in a new window.