Overview
The mission of the Floodplain Management and Flood Warning programs is to reduce flood risk to life and property by assisting local floodplain management efforts. The Floodplain Management Program serves as a liaison between the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and local communities in Arizona, assists local communities participating in the NFIP through the implementation of the federally funded Community Assistance and Cooperating Technical Partners programs, and publishes State criteria for floodplain management at the local level. The Flood Warning Program coordinates with local communities, State and federal agencies for the planning, design, construction and operation of flood warning systems. The program also operates and maintains field equipment and hosts the statewide flood warning website.
Floodplain Management Program
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created by Congress in 1968 through the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-448). When local communities voluntarily join and participate in the NFIP, they agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations to reduce future flood risks in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). The NFIP is administered by FEMA and the Arizona Department of Water Resources is the State coordinating agency per A.R.S 48-3608.
ADWR assists local communities participating in the NFIP through the implementation of the federally-funded Community Assistance Program – State Support System Element (CAP-SSSE) and the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) grant.
In 1977, Governor Castro signed Executive Order No. 77-6 for Floodplain Management that documented the intent of the State of Arizona to comply with the floodplain management provisions contained in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Today, statutory authorities for the Floodplain Management Program activities are found in Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.).
For more information, please visit the links on the right side of this page.
Flood Warning Program
The Arizona Legislature in 1979 created the Arizona Flood Warning Office, motivated by statewide flooding events in 1978. A fund was established and used to support the Arizona offices of the US Geological Survey (USGS) in maintaining their streamflow gauges, and the National Weather Service (NWS) to improve flood prediction. ADWR’s role expanded in 1994 when the Legislature adopted Article 6, Flood Warning Systems, §45-1501 to 45-1506. This action was in response to serious, widespread flooding in 1993 when it became apparent that the State could benefit significantly from improved communication between government entities. The AFWS website is a tool that is used to enhance communication.
ADWR is the lead State agency involved in the Arizona Flood Warning System (AFWS). The AFWS is comprised of local, state and federal entities that collaborate on statewide strategies for flood management. AFWS disseminates real-time hydro-meteorological data and products for emergency managers, floodplain administrators, weather forecasters and the public. ADWR also co-chairs the AFWS Multi-Agency Task Force (MATF) workgroup. The primary goal of the MATF is to enhance communication between entities that own and operate their own flood prediction systems.