Floodplain Mapping

La Plata County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) so county residents can qualify for flood insurance underwritten by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  To remain part of the National Flood Insurance Program, local governments are required to adopt regulations that meet or exceed FEMA’s minimum requirements.  In addition to providing the minimum requirements, FEMA also assists local governments by promulgating Flood Insurance Studies and associated Flood Insurance Rate Maps for each participating local government. These maps assist local property owners, insurance agencies and financial institutions in determining flood hazard zones, and they provide technical, hydrological data that is used to administer floodplain management regulations and assure compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program.  La Plata County’s floodplain management regulations are in Chapter 78 of the La Plata County Land Use Code, "Floods." 

New technology and aerial mapping processes have created better accuracy in determining the limits and depths of flood waters in the study area.  The Letter of Final Determination was released by FEMA for La Plata County on October 25, 2023.  New floodplain maps will become effective on April 25, 2024.  The technical data submitted during the statutory 90-day appeal period has been evaluated and incorporated on the final copies of the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The flood hazard determinations for our community are considered final. The FIS and FIRM for our community will become effective on April 25, 2023, after the required 6 month statutory period following the issuance of the LFD.  Watch the presentation on floodplain mapping given to the Board of County Commissioners on October 4, 2023. 

Visit the FEMA website for guidance on flood insurance.  Visit FEMA's Map Service Center to view new or revised Flood Insurance Survey (FIS) reports, Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), and FIRM Databases.

La Plata County GIS updated our Flood Plain Mapping Application; view the floodplain from 2010 the new preliminary flood areas.

Colorado Hazard Mapping & RISK Map Portal is an additional wealth of information. 

For additional information, call the La Plata County Building Department at (970) 382-6250.

View Preliminary Flood Data View Web Mapping Application
Disclaimer: Preliminary Data are for review and guidance purposes only. By viewing Preliminary Data and maps, the user acknowledges that the information provided is preliminary and subject to change. Preliminary Data, including new or revised FIRMs, FIS reports, and FIRM Databases, are not final and are presented on the Flood Data Viewer for review only. Additionally, Preliminary Data cannot be used to rate flood insurance policies or enforce FEMA floodplain requirements.