The Kansas Department of Agriculture–Division of Water Resources (KDA–DWR) is working with Barton County communities in the Cow Creek watershed to update FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps in that area. The draft FEMA floodplain maps can be reviewed and commented on by the public. A public review web map is available at gis2.kda.ks.gov/gis/cow/ and can also be accessed through the KDA–DWR website.
Updated mapping has been in development since the fall of 2015 and has been reviewed by communities that are located in both Barton County and the Cow Creek watershed. Areas in Barton County outside the Cow Creek watershed are not affected by the mapping update.
KDA–DWR and Barton County encourage the public to take the time to review the draft mapping by accessing the review web page. Users of the website can search the map by address. Comments may be left on the web map and KDA–DWR will review serious comments and provide responses. Comments left on the web map will be public facing and viewable by the public. Public review will be open through April 21.
A Public Open House for the floodplain mapping project will be held from 2-8 p.m. on April 5, at the Hoisington Recreation Center at 1200 Susank Road in Hoisington. Representatives from KDA–DWR, project engineers and community officials will be on hand to look at draft floodplains with property owners and to discuss the engineering used, flood insurance, and ways to reduce flood risk. The event is open to the public. KDA–DWR advises the public to check the review website prior to attending the Public Open House to see whether the new draft floodplains affect them.
Draft floodplain maps for the Cow Creek watershed in Barton County are expected to take effect in the second half of 2018. For more information, visit the Cow Creek Risk MAP project webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/floodplain-mapping.
KDA is committed to protecting natural resources and promoting public health and safety, and through DWR works to coordinate the national flood insurance program in Kansas. Follow KDA on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about flood safety this week. For more flood safety resources from KDA–DWR, go to agriculture.ks.gov/flood-safety.