Floodplain Management

National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System

The City of Steamboat Springs participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS). Participation in the NFIP allows City property owners to secure flood insurance, and by participating in the CRS, our property owners receive lower annual rates than those in non CRS-participating communities.

A basic premise of the NFIP is to minimize property damage from flood-related events. The City seeks to meet this goal by requiring new construction and any substantial improvement within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or floodplain/floodway to obtain a Floodplain Development Permit.

Generally, all new construction and substantial improvements are required to be elevated to a certain height above existing grade as specified by the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and the related Flood Insurance Study (FIS). Development within a floodway is regulated to a higher standard due to the sensitivity of those areas.

View of the Yampa River Flooding Effects From Above

Resources

  • Know Your Flood Hazard - Find out if your property is located within or near a Special Flood Hazard Area and view a list of properties with Elevation Certificates on file.
  • Be Prepared - Find information on flood insurance, high water preparedness, building responsibly, and floodplain protection.
  • Floodplain Development Permit - Find the adopted Flood Damage Prevention ordinance and Floodplain Development Permit application and required forms.
  • Current River and Stream Conditions - Find real time river and stream flow and surface height data.
  • Flood Protection Resources - Find links to federal, state, and local agencies and resources.

Questions

For floodplain and/or floodway related inquiries, please email Bob Keenan or call 970-871-8260.