Flood Plain Management, Executive Summary, June 1978

(1978) Flood Plain Management, Executive Summary, June 1978. Natural Resources, Department of

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Abstract

The concept of flood plain management is based on the public policy that seeks the minimization of flood water damages. Some of Iowa's flood plains, which comprise about 8 percent of the total area of the state or about 2.7 million acres, are presently occupied by uses much more intensive than agriculture or open-space uses--industrial, commercial, transportation, and residential. These latter uses are not compatible with the goal of reducing flood damages. Recognizing that continued use for agricultural crop production (pasture, hay, and row crops) may be economically justified, the other uses more compatible with the goal of reducing flood damages are open spaces, woodlands, wildlife habitat, recreation, and sand and gravel quarry operations. Floods constitute an immeasurable threat to human life, particularly from flash floods occurring in small area watersheds. These problems make it imperative that Iowa continue to strengthen its flood plain management program.