IVb FEMA (Nusz) LAMP program 2-14-14Rick Nusz, FEMA-Kansas City
Levee Analysis and Mapping Procedures for Non-Accredited Levees… and Other Levee Related Topics
February 14, 2014
Rick Nusz, PH, PG, CFM
DHS/FEMA Region VII/Risk Analysis Branch
Work: (816) 283-7907
Cell: (816) 806-2572
e-mail: rick.nusz@fema.dhs.gov
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LAMP Defined and LAMP Eligibility
LAMP – FEMA’s analysis and mapping procedures for showing a non-accredited levee on
an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as providing residual protection from the 1-
percent annual chance (base) flood.
Analysis and Mapping Procedures for Non-Accredited Levee Systems
New Approach
July 2013
LAMP Eligibility – Structure meets FEMA definition of levee, has been operated and
maintained as a levee, and is hydraulically significant.
Levee – Man-made structure, usually an earthen embankment, designed and constructed in
accordance with sound engineering practices to contain, control, or divert the flow of water
so as to provide protection from temporary flooding (44 CFR 59.1).
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LAMP Procedures
The following suite of new LAMP procedures have undergone an extensive
process of scientific review and public input:
1.Natural Valley (always applied initially and for the entire system)
2.Sound Reach
3.Freeboard Deficient
4.Overtopping
5.Structural-Based Inundation
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LAMP Procedures
1.Natural Valley
2.Sound Reach
3.Freeboard Deficient
4.Overtopping
5.Structural-Based Inundation
Always applied initially and to the entire levee system. The mapped area behind the
levee system is based on allowing the discharge to flow freely either side of the
levee.
The mapped area is labeled Zone D (areas of undetermined, but possible flooding)
to define a base layer for overlaying any Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA),
including interior drainage. Zone D is not considered a SFHA; therefore, the Federal
mandatory flood insurance requirement does not apply.
The Natural Valley procedure is also applied to levees that do not hydraulically
impact the base flood. The area behind the levee is mapped as SFHA.
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LAMP Procedures
1.Natural Valley
2.Sound Reach
3.Freeboard Deficient
4.Overtopping
5.Structural-Based Inundation
The Sound Reach procedure only applies in situations where at least one
reach meets all 65.10, but the entire levee system does not. No
SFHA is added to the initial system-wide Natural Valley procedure.
If the levee system meets the definition of Sound Reach, then in fact the
levee system itself meets 65.10 and can be accredited on the FIRM.
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LAMP Procedures
1.Natural Valley
2.Sound Reach
3.Freeboard Deficient
4.Overtopping
5.Structural-Based Inundation
Levee system or associated reach does not overtop, does not meet the
65.10 minimum freeboard requirement, and meets all other 65.10
requirements. No SFHA is added to the initial system-wide Natural Valley
procedure.
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LAMP Procedures
1.Natural Valley
2.Sound Reach
3.Freeboard Deficient
4.Overtopping
5.Structural-Based Inundation
Levee system or associated reach is overtopped at least one or more
location, meets all other requirements of CFR 65.10, and is armored to
withstand overflows.
SFHA is added to the initial system-wide Natural Valley procedure based
on routing only the overtopped contribution.
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LAMP Procedures
1.Natural Valley
2.Sound Reach
3.Freeboard Deficient
4.Overtopping
5.Structural-Based Inundation
Levee system or associated reach may or may not be overtopped and does
not meet the requirements of 65.10. If overtopped, the levee is hydraulically
significant.
SFHA is added to the initial system-wide Natural Valley procedure based
on breaching the levee at more than one location.
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Other Levee Related Topics
25 ongoing LAMP pilot projects nationwide – Most are funded only to
the LAMP Plan milestone. Results will be used to evaluate LAMP.
Several flood hazard mapping projects are on hold awaiting LAMP –
Projects will be subject to LAMP in FY14 and beyond.
Seclusion Method – A mapping alternative for moving an on hold project
forward to an effective map. The relevant levee area is fenced off and
replaced with the current effective mapping . A note is added that states,
in part, “The levee, dike, or other structure inside this boundary has not
been shown to comply with Section 65.10 of the NFIP Regulations. As
such, this FIRM panel will be revised at a later date to update the flood
hazard information associated with this structure…..”
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