Floodplain Management

Floodplain

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is nearing completion of updates to the floodplain maps, also known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). Preliminary FIRMs are under review for Wyandotte County. The new FIRMs reflect updates to Wolf Creek, Brenner Heights Creek, Little Turkey Creek, and Betts Creek. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS (UG) hosted a public information open house regarding the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps for residents of Wyandotte County and its communities. Beginning in 2023, the UG is updating the Hazard Mitigation Plan(PDF, 3MB), which also covers the Community Rating System (CRS) Activity 510.

Development in a floodplain may require a permit(DOC, 458KB). For floodplain determinations, please reference DotMaps or contact us at 913-573-5755.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture hosts floodplain management trainings on a host of topics. Upcoming classes or to watch recorded training videos are available here.

Flood Protection Information Directory

All floodplain development requires a local permit. For floodplain determinations and permitting information, please contact the Neighborhood Resources Center (NRC) at (913) 573-8600. Please contact the Floodplain Administrator at (913) 573-5200 for questions regarding permit applications and statuses.

Not sure if your property is in a floodplain? Check out the map below for more information:

Know Your Hazard

 Wyandotte County is subject to flooding from the Kansas River, Missouri River, Turkey Creek, Brenner Heights Creek, Jersey Creek, and other channels and streams. As a highly urbanized area, portion of the community may also experience flooding from storm water runoff.  The local floodplain administrator can tell you if you are in or near a regulated floodway, or in an area known for repetitive flooding.'

BUILD RESPONSIBLY

New construction, substantial improvement or substantial damage of structures requires the lowest floor, including basement, be elevated a minimum of 18 inches above base flood elevation. Substantial improvement or substantial damage is applied when the combined total of improvements or repairs made to the structure in the calendar year exceeds 50 percent of the structure’s market value.

View the Unified Government’s full Floodplain Ordinance for restrictions and requirements for building within the floodplain and floodway.

Protect Natural Floodplain Functions

 The preservation of open space is the most effective practice for avoiding flood damage. In Wyandotte County, preservation and restoration of natural banks along the Kansas River, Missouri River, Turkey Creek and smaller channels are key components of local floodplain management. Wyandotte County requires a floodplain development permit for all work to be done within the regulated Special Flood Hazard Area; A zones; and floodway. Private property owners can do their part to maintain natural floodplain functions by working to preserve drainage ways, natural channels, ditches and open space on their property. Additional information on the importance of maintaining floodplains can be found at:  Protecting Floodplain Resources.

Wyandotte County Lake is within a floodplain. The park and recreation use support the natural floodplain functions and provides sanction to wildlife. Lake regulations can be found at Fishing & Boating – Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City (wycokck.org). Canada Goose, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, American Coot, Osprey, Blue Jays, America Crow, and Dark-eyed Junco are some of the bird species that can be observed at Wyandotte County Lake. The Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagel Library and Environmental Learning Center at Wyandotte County Lake is a partnership between the Kansas City Public Library, USD 500, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County Parks and Recreation Department. 

Map Information Service

FEMA Map Service offers the most recent FIRM maps. The map associated with a property may be found using the Map Search.  If you need to access community wide maps, use the latest available flood maps search method in the Product Catalog.   

Certificate of elevations and Letter of Map Amendments are retained with our office and are available by request. Hard copies of the current FIRM maps are available by appointment at (913) 573-8664 and can be ordered through FEMA Map Service: 

  • Online 
    To order online use this website.  For assistance, select the help button above or call the MSC at: 1 (800) 480-2520
  • Phone 
    Call the Map Service Center toll-free Monday - Friday: 8:00AM - 6:00PM (Eastern Time) at: 1 (800) 480-2520
  • Fax 
    Print a copy of the MSC Order Form.  Complete and fax it to the MSC Fax order line: (800) 358-9620.
  • Mail 
    Print and mail the MSC Order Form to FEMA Map Service Center P.O. Box 1038 Jessup, MD 20794-1038

Real-Time Gauge Information Links

National Weather Service River Gauges This service provides river gauge flood monitoring for the Kansas River and Turkey Creek. Gauges are colored-coded to represent level of flooding, with green representing no flooding and purple representing major flooding.  https://water.weather.gov/ahps/region.php?state=ks

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service- Turkey Creek at Southwest Blvd This service provides observed water level monitoring for Turkey Creek at Southwest Boulevard. “Stage (ft)” is the water level in feet. “Flow (KCFS)” is the rate of streamflow of water along the channel, measured in kilo cubic feet per second. “Site Time (CST)” represents the time of day the data was captured, in Central Standard Time. http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=turk1&wfo=eax

Kansas City Area StormWatch This service is provided by the City of Overland Park and provides real-time regional rainfall, stream and weather data. Rainfall is measured at Lamar Avenue at Turkey Creek. To view rainfall levels, click on the green dot shown at this location on the homepage map.  https://www.stormwatch.com/home.php

Other services include:

 

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