ITEM TITLE:
Levee Certification and LAMP (Levee Analysis and Mapping Approach)
SUBMITTED BY: AnnMarie Lain, CFM
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Report Only.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The City of Valdez submitted to FEMA for levee certification/accreditation for the Lowe River levee system on October 31st, 2016. We are expecting a response from FEMA in 4-6 weeks. Per Council’s approval, FEMA is funding the Valdez Levee Analysis and Mapping Approach study which was contracted to Compass on October 1st, 2016. The LAMP study will be done on the Lowe River in the 4 mile stream reach that is impacted by the levees. The LAMP study will build off of the analysis that was done for the original flood mapping update effort. The analysis will include a natural valley run as well as other runs necessary for the LAMP analysis. It will also include a 2D analysis to determine water flow between the levee segments. The LAMP study, which is entirely funded thru FEMA, will begin work in 2017.
City Council approved the FEMA Levee Seclusion Map study for the Alpine Woods/Nordic Subdivision area on March 1st, 2016. Showing floodplain on the backside of levees has been a challenging area for FEMA. FEMA is currently reevaluating how this is done nationally under what is called a Levee Analysis Mapping Procedure (LAMP). The levee area is secluded from FEMA map updates to allow FEMA time to perform the hydraulic analysis in more detail utilizing the LAMP. The floodplain within the designated secluded area will revert to the effective floodplain and be updated when the analysis map is completed. This allows FEMA map updates for the remainder of the City to be updated, as a more detailed analysis is pursued for floodplains protected by the levees.