Client
Southwest Florida Water Management District
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Location
Sarasota County, Florida
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Project Costs
$1.5 million
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Start Date
2004
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Completion Date
Ongoing

Sarasota County Topographic Updates / FEMA Scoping / Hydrologic Model Updates

Scope

BCI was retained by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to modernize the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for unincorporated Sarasota County. BCI provided detailed flood mapping so that new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMS) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports could be developed in a countywide format. An additional requirement of this project was to provide new or updated flood hazard data, and to update hydrologic modeling for the watershed.

Tasks completed for the SWFWMD include generation of a Digital Terrain Model and Triangular Irregular Network from digital topographic information, comprehensive watershed evaluation, and aerial topographic mapping.

Included in this project was a requirement to perform Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) scoping services. This required meetings with all agencies involved including SWFWMD, Pasco-Sarasota County, and FEMA. Community outreach was also a vital component. BCI’s successful completion of this portion of the project was dependent upon complete familiarity with FEMA guidelines as it relates to flood hazard mapping and flood control.