Floodplain Management

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Gwinnett County is a leader in proactive floodplain management. Despite being one of the most heavily populated areas in Georgia, they have had an exceptionally low incidence of flood loss, even during several large storms that recently demonstrated the success of their program. Gwinnett County was the first community to meet Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District requirements to map and regulate both existing and future-conditions floodplains. They have also completed voluntary floodplain mapping of all streams up to the 100-acre drainage area which is beyond the square-mile requirement. Commissioners adopted regulations that not only require no adverse impacts in floodplains but also include stringent requirements that minimum building elevations be established to reduce future flood risks.