What is the difference between a special flood hazard area and a floodway?
All of the floodplain areas in Lyon County are flood hazard areas. Some of the areas closer to larger streams and rivers are classified as floodways. Floodways usually have greater volume of water moving at a greater velocity. During a flood, the water in the floodway carries more debris. This is a more dangerous area and it is more heavily regulated. Any thing that impedes flow of water in a floodway can slow it down. By slowing down floodwaters, the floods will remain longer. This can also cause a rise in floodwaters upstream. The state allows the county some flexibility to issue permits on our own in some flood areas but not in floodways.
