Stone Creek Floodplain Mapping Project

General

These are the general FAQs.

Q. What are FAQs

A. Frequently Asked Question.

Q. Why isn't there more information here?

A. Please send in your questions by filling in the feedback form, or contact Greg Schroeder at 970.328.3567 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your questions or comments.

Q. Help! I cannot login to the website.

A. Make sure that you register by filling in the appropriate information and provide a valid email address. You must click the link emailed to you to activate your account. You only need to activate once.

Q. I cannot download anything. I don't have a "download" menu choice.

A. You must register and login to access the download menu. Upon logging in, the menu will show a download choice. The login and registration is on the right hand side of the webpage.

Q. Where can I learn more about FEMA requirements and Floodplains?

A. See http://www.floodsmart.gov for more information about the National Flood Insurance Program.

Q. What is the latest version of the maps, stakeholder list, and mapping exhibits? 

A. The latest version of the maps, stakeholder list, and mapping exhibits can be found in the documents section of the site.

Final Draft Maps

These FAQs refer to the recently updated Final Draft Maps, Stakeholder List, and Mapping Exhibits.

Q. What is the Proposed Floodplain? What are the other names for it?

A. The proposed floodplain, for the purpose of this project, will also be known as Zone A (or Zone AE), and also referred to as the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This area represents the flooding risk if a 1% annual chance event (previously referred to as the "100 year floodplain") should occur.

Q. Why not just call it the "100-year floodplain?" Isn't that easier?

A.  The "100-year floodplain" terminology is misleading, as it suggests that an event should happen every 100 years. The proper terminology is a 1% annual chance event (which means for a given year, there is a 1/100 chance of the hydrology occuring to produce such a flooding event.) It is very possible that more than one - 1% annual chance event can occur within a 100 year timeframe; hence the discouragement for using the antiquated "100-year floodplain" language.

Q. What is the difference between Zone A and Zone X?

A. Zone A is considered within the regulatory floodplain, and is also considered the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Any structures within Zone A (or its derivatives such as Zone AE, AO, etc. starting with "A") are subject to mandatory floodplain insurance requirements by lenders. Zone X consists of areas that are not Zone A or its derivatives. Zone X is considered an area of minimal flooding risk. Zone X (including shaded Zone X) is not subject to mandatory floodplain insurance requirements.

Q. How can I tell if my house is in the proposed floodplain?

A. If there is a "Y" within Column G, "Proposed Floodplain - Parcel," then the structure on the parcel is within the proposed floodplain delineation. Additionally, the Mapping Exhibits are color coded to indicate if your structure is within the proposed floodplain.

Q. What is a Structure?

A. A structure is considered your habitable dwelling unit (house).

Q. If there is a flood, will the floodplain insurance fix my garden and landscaping?

A. No. Floodplain insurance is only for structures, and certain contents of structures.

Q. My parcel appears to be within the proposed floodplain. (Column F). What does that mean?

A. Regulatory floodplains and insurance requirements only affect structures. However, future building or expansion may need to consider the floodplain location.

Q. On my parcel, my structure is not in the floodplain, but it is within one of the "Structure - nn’ Offsets." (Columns I-N). What does this mean?

A.The data used to prepare and analyze the stakeholder list is from Eagle County’s GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and associated aerial maps. The accuracy of the data is not "field survey" grade, and therefore is subject to mapping inaccuracies. Columns I-N are used to identify structures that are "close to" the proposed floodplain so that they can be examined further.

Q. Are these the "final" maps and "final" floodplain delineations? Does FEMA use these maps right now to determine who is or is not within the floodplain?

A. No. The data on the Stakeholder list and accompanying Mapping Exhibits are draft floodplain delineations. They only become final after being submitted to FEMA in a LOMR, and going through the FEMA process for LOMR approval, which includes a mandatory public notice period. Prior to submission to FEMA, A Stakeholder Meeting will be held to gather the community’s input and decide upon the next steps of the project.

Q. My structure (house) is not shown within a proposed floodplain, but it is close. Do I have anything to be concerned about?

A. If your structure is near a proposed floodplain, a lender may require you to provide proof that your structures is not within any of the Zone A's. You will need to provide an elevation certificate or other suitable mapping as proof of your structure's zone rating. Please contact the County's Floodplain Administrators for assistance. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it are both Floodplain Administrators, and can be reached at 970.328.3560.

Q. My structure is within a Zone A on the mapping exhibits. Will I have to purchase floodplain insurance?

A. If you have a federally backed mortgage, or if your lending institution requires floodplain insurance, then you will be required to carry floodplain insurance. If you own your property and have no mortgages, you may not be required to carry floodplain insurance, but you should consider purchasing it due to grandfathering rules.

Q. My structure is within a Zone A on the mapping exhibits. I've heard that floodplain insurance can be several thousand dollars per year for a single family or duplex structure. Will I have to pay this amount?

A. It depends. FEMA does have "grandfathering" rules that allow property owners to purchase insurance at the "Preferred Risk Policy" rate based upon their rating under their "existing floodplain delineation" (ie, prior to a new floodplain delineation) provided that they maintain continuous insurance coverage prior to new floodplain mapping becoming effective. If the insurance coverage is not kept continuous, or is allowed to lapse, any subsequent policies will be rated against the "new floodplain mapping" and thus be subject to a greater premium rate. More information can be found here.

Q. I see a zone labeled "Shaded Zone X." What is this and what does it mean?

A. Shaded Zone X is considered the same as a Zone X, which is non-regulatory and is not considered in the floodplain.

Q. What are the insurance requirements for the "Shaded Zone X?"

A. Shaded Zone X is considered the same as a Zone X, and therefore has the same insurance requirements as Zone X. Since Zone X is not considered within the floodplain, most lenders will not require mandatory floodplain insurance.

Q. If "Shaded Zone X" is basically considered the same as "Zone X", why not just call it "Zone X?"

A. A Shaded Zone X represents an area that may have an increased risk of flooding; in the case here along the Stone Creek/Golf Club Creek corridor the hazard may be shallow (less than 1 foot in depth) flooding. However, any Zone X delineation does not trigger the mandatory floodplain insurance requirement that would occur in any Zone "A."

Q. My parcel and/or structure are within the proposed floodplain and I don’t like that. What can I do?

A. Your participation in the Stakeholder Meetings is vital to this entire process. You may also contact Greg Schroeder, project manager at any time with your questions, comments, or concerns at 970.328.3567 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Q. What are the next steps?

A. A steering committee meeting and Stakeholder Group Meeting will be held in the near future. Please check the project website at http://stonecreekfloodplain.gwsamd.com for meeting dates, times, and other pertinent information.