The Floodplain Mapping Program is responsible for implementing the Montana Floodplain and Floodway Management Act (MCA 76-5) and the 2005 Cooperating Technical Partner agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Department prioritizes and performs new floodplain studies and maintenance updates in collaboration with Counties, Cities, and Towns to assist communities in effectively managing the local floodplain program. We are an integral partner with FEMA in effectively delivering flood-risk information to local Montana communities and building local capacity to mitigate flood risk. To learn more about floodplain mapping for your community please look at our frequently asked questions.

Montana DNRC updates our business plan annually to reflect the needs of the communities and the state. 

2020 Montana DNRC Floodplain Mapping Program Business Plan 

In collaboration with communities across the state the floodplain mapping program has prioritized the mapping projects for the next 5 years. This plan is a fluid document and can be subject to change if a community would like to have updated floodplain mapping. To request floodplain mapping in your county please contact Nadene Wadsworth, Nadene.Wadsworth@mt.gov, (406) 444-6732; or Tiffany Lyden, TLyden@mt.gov, (406) 444-0599.  

To access the FEMA maps for your community please follow the links below. If you are unable to find floodplain maps please contact your local floodplain administrator. 

FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)

Viewing and Obtaining Flood Maps
FEMA Map Service Center
FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Viewer (where Digital Maps are available)
FEMA Flood Zones Defined

FEMA Products and Tools

Floodplain Maps - Overview and Helpful Links
Flood Risk Mapping, Analysis and Planning (RiskMAP)

Revising Maps / Requesting Flood Zone Determinations

How to Request a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F)
Letter of Map Amendment for Single Lot Only (LOMA): Use the MT-EZ Form or MT-1 Form 
Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F): Use the MT-1 Form
Letter of Map Revision (LOMR): Use the MT-2 Form
Paper Application Forms for a Letter of Map Change (LOMC)
Online Letter of Map Change (LOMC) Application 
Online LOMC tutorial
Letter of Map Amendment-Out As Shown Method (LOMA-OAS): Follow these instructions
FEMA's Technical Guidance for MT-1 determinations: MT-1 Technical Guidance  
Datum Conversion - Online Tool

Elevation Certificates

Elevation Certificate
Datum Conversion Online Tool
Instructions for Converting NGVD1929 to NAVD1988
Elevation Certificates, 2013 Presentation to Surveyors

Unmapped Areas or Approximate Zone A Areas

Guidelines for Water Course Surveys in Undesignated or FEMA Zone A Floodplains - Presentation
Obtaining and Developing BFEs in FEMA Zone A Floodplains

Engineering and Technical Resources

Floodway Encroachment “No-Rise Analysis" and LOMR Requirements - presentation 
Floodproofing Certificate
Flood Vents / Flood Openings (Wet Floodproofing) - FEMA Technical Bulletin 1
Flood Damage-Resistant Materials - FEMA Technical Bulletin 2
Non-Residential Floodproofing (Dry Floodproofing) - FEMA Technical Bulletin 3

Elevation Inventory / LiDAR

MT State Library - LiDAR inventory and requesting data 
DNRC - LiDAR information 
NOAA Interagency Elevation Inventory

Levees

So You Live Behind a Levee

Acronyms

Common Floodplain Acronyms

 

Agency/Organization Links
 

Federal

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA Map Service Center (FEMA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

State

Association of Montana Floodplain Managers (AMFM)
Montana Association of Counties (MACo)
Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD)
Montana Natural Resource Information System (NRIS)
Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Montana Watershed Coordination Council (MWCC)
Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (DES)
Montana Department of Transportation (MDT)

Other Organizations and Agencies

Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)
Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)