What is a necessary process in creating a floodplain map?

Creating a floodplain map is a crucial aspect of floodplain management and involves several specific steps. Plotting flood elevations on maps is essential because it directly informs stakeholders, including residents, property developers, and emergency managers, about the risk of flooding in given areas. These elevations allow planners to delineate flood zones, which are critical for enforcing land-use regulations and informing the community about potential flood risks.

While analyzing flood insurance rates, conducting public awareness campaigns, and reviewing historical flood events can all contribute to understanding flood risk and enhancing community preparedness, they do not directly address the cartographic aspect of defining floodplain boundaries and elevations. Mapping flood elevations allows for clear communication of those risks and forms the basis for subsequent activities such as zoning laws and insurance requirements.