Designation

Floodway and flood fringe areas are designated only after a detailed hydraulic study has been performed and a 100-year flood elevation has been determined. Due to the cost of these hydraulic studies, some floodplain areas are mapped as general floodplains. The general floodplain is also called an approximate study area or unnumbered A zone. Due to this lack of 100-year flood elevations and floodway / flood fringe determinations in a general floodplain area, it is the property owner's responsibility to pay for this hydraulic analysis before the community can authorize any development.

Flood Insurance Rate Maps

The related floodway, flood fringe and general floodplain areas are delineated on maps called Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) published by the National Flood Insurance Program. The related floodway, flood fringe and general floodplain are portrayed as shaded areas on the FIRM maps. The best way to find out if a home or property is located in the floodplain is by visiting the local Zoning Office.

The Sherburne County Zoning Office has copies of the FIRM for Sherburne County areas located outside of city limits. These are usually the official source of information about whether a structure is located in the regulatory floodplain. The FIRM maps will show if a home or property is located in the floodplain and, more specifically, if it is located in the floodway or flood fringe. Also, landowners should be aware that communities may contain substantial areas that are subject to flooding, but are not indicated as floodplain on the official maps.