Flood Insurance Study Scope of Work
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW) and the City of Santa Clarita, is preparing to conduct a study of flood hazards in the vicinity of Santa Clarita. The study, which will be conducted to assess flood hazards associated with Mint and Sand canyons, will be used to update the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and the City Santa Clarita. The current FIRMs for the county and city, dated July 6, 1998, and September 29, 1989, respectively, reflect previous studies for these canyons that were conducted using approximate methods. The new study will allow FEMA to republish the FIRM with more accurate flood hazard information.
Scope of the Study
In coordination with the DPW and the City of Santa Clarita, FEMA has determined that the flood study will be conducted in the following areas:
Mint Canyon - from its mouth at the Santa Clara River to Rocking Horse Road, approximately 13 miles upstream. This portion of the study will also include the tributary referred to as Spade Spring Canyon.
Sand Canyon - from its mouth at the Santa Clara River to Placerita Canyon Road, approximately 3.5 miles upstream. This portion of the study will also include the tributary referred to as Iron Canyon.
Purpose of the Study
The primary purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of the flood having a 1-percent chance of occurrence in any given year. This event is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood. The expected height of the water during this flood is referred to as the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Additionally, the study will result in the development of a floodway for each canyon. The floodway is the area of the floodplain that must be kept free of development so that floodwaters can be discharged and is the area in which the flood hazard is most severe.