How Do You Identify A Flood Plain?
Identifying floodplains, low areas that are prone to flooding during rains or waterway changes, is far from an exact science. You can use several methods to determine the probability of flooding in low areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the United States, for instance, uses the 100-year-rain standard (the probability that land will flood determined by the highest rates of rain recorded in the past 100 years); other standards can be used. Consult flooding maps for the area. Many local and national government agencies keep detailed records on flooding and floodplain areas to organize land-use plans. In the United States, FEMA offers full maps of floodplains to determine eligibility for national flood insurance. Analyze plant life in the area. The species of plants that flourish in an area can be a good indication of the hydrological history and behavior of that area. Trees like silver maples and hackberry trees or shrubs like silky dogwood and buttonbush thrive in a
