Flood Hazard Map BC 2004

Flood hazard maps display flood hazard information and associated land development controls formerly applied under the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (MWLAP or the Ministry) BC Floodplain Development Control Program. The maps were prepared by MWLAP and the Fraser Basin Council (FBC) to provide information to assist local governments, land-use managers and approving officers in developing and implementing land-use management plans and in making subdivision approval decisions for flood prone areas. The maps and accompanying files provide information accumulated by MWLAP prior to the enactment of the Flood Hazard Statutes Amendment Act, 2003, which shifted responsibilities for flood hazard management by removing the Ministry from the subdivision and bylaw approval process. Effective November 2003, land use decisions are now made by local governments (including municipalities and regional districts), the BC Ministry of Transportation (MoT), and Land and Water British Columbia Inc. (LWBC) without referrals to MWLAP. The maps identify features and areas such as watercourses, lakes, ocean coastlines, alluvial fans and debris-flow impact areas where flood hazard information is available. Tables and files linked to the map features provide flood protection measures used by MWLAP staff when they were involved in land-use management decisions. Flood protection measures provided include setback distances (from a watercourse, lake or other feature) for buildings, elevation requirements for floor systems used for habitation, business or storage of goods damageable by floodwaters, the identification of high hazard areas where development was to be avoided, and the identification of areas where site specific engineering advice including possible protective works was to be used to guide development. The tables and files also refer to reports and other documents MWLAP staff have used to make floodplain management decisions. These documents may be useful when making future decisions on land development within flood hazard areas. View Flood Hazard Mapping User Guide