Clearwater River Floodplain Maps

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Missoula County commissioners approved a resolution on Aug. 28 to amend the Floodplain Regulations that adopt the final flood hazard determination for the Clearwater River. The map will go into effect on Oct. 5, 2023.

CLICK HERE for information on the floodplain map update for the Clark Fork River, Bitterroot River and Rock Creek

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has finalized the flood hazard determination for the Clearwater River. The Flood Insurance Study Report and Flood Insurance Rate Map will go into effect on Oct. 5, 2023, for insurance rating purposes. As a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program, Missoula County is required to demonstrate evidence of the adoption of floodplain management regulations that incorporate flood hazard determinations and meet floodplain management regulation standards.

The Missoula County commissioners approved a resolution on Aug. 28 to amend the Floodplain Regulations that adopt the final flood hazard determination for the Clearwater River and reference the updated Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Map.

The Clearwater River regulatory floodplain extends from the outlet of Seeley Lake to the inlet of Salmon Lake. In Missoula County, floodplain maps, including the Clearwater River Flood Insurance Rate Map, were modernized through a Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map project completed in 2015. Essentially, the paper maps were converted from paper to digital maps without a new flood study conducted. The previous maps for the Clearwater River are based on data collected in the 1970s.

Missoula County and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation have partnered to update the study and maps. The new maps are intended to provide reliable and more detailed information guiding future development in flood-prone areas. Click here to see the updated Clearwater Floodplain Maps.

FEMA has finalized the study and maps and Missoula County must officially adopt the final maps as a condition of continued eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program. Comment or ask questions below.

CLICK HERE for information on the floodplain map update for the Clark Fork River, Bitterroot River and Rock Creek

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has finalized the flood hazard determination for the Clearwater River. The Flood Insurance Study Report and Flood Insurance Rate Map will go into effect on Oct. 5, 2023, for insurance rating purposes. As a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program, Missoula County is required to demonstrate evidence of the adoption of floodplain management regulations that incorporate flood hazard determinations and meet floodplain management regulation standards.

The Missoula County commissioners approved a resolution on Aug. 28 to amend the Floodplain Regulations that adopt the final flood hazard determination for the Clearwater River and reference the updated Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Map.

The Clearwater River regulatory floodplain extends from the outlet of Seeley Lake to the inlet of Salmon Lake. In Missoula County, floodplain maps, including the Clearwater River Flood Insurance Rate Map, were modernized through a Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map project completed in 2015. Essentially, the paper maps were converted from paper to digital maps without a new flood study conducted. The previous maps for the Clearwater River are based on data collected in the 1970s.

Missoula County and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation have partnered to update the study and maps. The new maps are intended to provide reliable and more detailed information guiding future development in flood-prone areas. Click here to see the updated Clearwater Floodplain Maps.

FEMA has finalized the study and maps and Missoula County must officially adopt the final maps as a condition of continued eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program. Comment or ask questions below.

Missoula County commissioners approved a resolution on Aug. 28 to amend the Floodplain Regulations that adopt the final flood hazard determination for the Clearwater River. The map will go into effect on Oct. 5, 2023.

  • What is floodplain management?

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    Floodplain management is the operation of a community program of preventive and corrective measures to reduce the risk of current and future flooding, resulting in a more resilient community. These measures take a variety of forms, are carried out by multiple stakeholders with a vested interest in responsible floodplain management, and generally include requirements for zoning, subdivision or building, building codes and special-purpose floodplain ordinances.

    State and federal agencies, local communities and property owners have a role in reducing flood risk and helping communities become more resilient. From states providing strong model ordinances, to communities adopting and enforcing higher-standard building practices, to property owners elevating their homes, everyone can play a part in making communities safer and more resistant to flood disasters.

    The NFIP provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses, and having coverage helps speed up recovery when floodwaters recede. Homes and businesses in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from government-backed lenders are required to have flood insurance. Most homeowner or renter insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building or both, so it is important to protect your most important financial assets - your home, your business and your possessions. Please visit https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance for more information about flood insurance.

    A floodplain development permit is required before construction or development begins within any FEMA-designated floodplain, or on any land that is below the base flood elevation. Please contact Missoula County Floodplain Administration for more information about floodplain development permitting by emailing floodplain@missoulacounty.us.

    Floodplain management is the operation of a community program of preventive and corrective measures to reduce the risk of current and future flooding, resulting in a more resilient community. These measures take a variety of forms, are carried out by multiple stakeholders with a vested interest in responsible floodplain management, and generally include requirements for zoning, subdivision or building, building codes and special-purpose floodplain ordinances.

    State and federal agencies, local communities and property owners have a role in reducing flood risk and helping communities become more resilient. From states providing strong model ordinances, to communities adopting and enforcing higher-standard building practices, to property owners elevating their homes, everyone can play a part in making communities safer and more resistant to flood disasters.

    The NFIP provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses, and having coverage helps speed up recovery when floodwaters recede. Homes and businesses in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from government-backed lenders are required to have flood insurance. Most homeowner or renter insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building or both, so it is important to protect your most important financial assets - your home, your business and your possessions. Please visit https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance for more information about flood insurance.

    A floodplain development permit is required before construction or development begins within any FEMA-designated floodplain, or on any land that is below the base flood elevation. Please contact Missoula County Floodplain Administration for more information about floodplain development permitting by emailing floodplain@missoulacounty.us.

    Missoula County commissioners approved a resolution on Aug. 28 to amend the Floodplain Regulations that adopt the final flood hazard determination for the Clearwater River. The map will go into effect on Oct. 5, 2023.

  • Project timeline, 1977 to present

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    • 1977: Data gathered for prior Clearwater River floodplain mapping
    • 2005-2015: Paper floodplain maps converted to digital floodplain maps without a new flood study
    • 2012-2019: Technical data collected and analyzed for updating the Clearwater River floodplain
    • 2020: Draft Clearwater River floodplain maps produced
    • January 2021: Preliminary Clearwater River FIRMs produced, public meeting held
    • Early 2021: Public open houses for preliminary maps
    • Jan. 6, 2022: Clearwater River revised FIS and FIRMs adopted as regulatory flood information until such time that better information is provided
    • April 5, 2023: End of statutory 90-day appeal period after FEMA published a notice of proposed flood hazard determinations in the local newspaper. FEMA did not receive any appeals of the proposed flood hazard determinations or submittals regarding the revised FIS report and FIRM during that time.
    • Oct. 5, 2023: Final revised FIS and FIRMs go into effect by FEMA
    • 1977: Data gathered for prior Clearwater River floodplain mapping
    • 2005-2015: Paper floodplain maps converted to digital floodplain maps without a new flood study
    • 2012-2019: Technical data collected and analyzed for updating the Clearwater River floodplain
    • 2020: Draft Clearwater River floodplain maps produced
    • January 2021: Preliminary Clearwater River FIRMs produced, public meeting held
    • Early 2021: Public open houses for preliminary maps
    • Jan. 6, 2022: Clearwater River revised FIS and FIRMs adopted as regulatory flood information until such time that better information is provided
    • April 5, 2023: End of statutory 90-day appeal period after FEMA published a notice of proposed flood hazard determinations in the local newspaper. FEMA did not receive any appeals of the proposed flood hazard determinations or submittals regarding the revised FIS report and FIRM during that time.
    • Oct. 5, 2023: Final revised FIS and FIRMs go into effect by FEMA

    Missoula County commissioners approved a resolution on Aug. 28 to amend the Floodplain Regulations that adopt the final flood hazard determination for the Clearwater River. The map will go into effect on Oct. 5, 2023.