Posted On: June 12, 2010
Storm Water Expert Witness On Floodplains
In THE PERFECT STORM: The Science Behind Subrogating Catastrophic Flood Losses, storm water expert witness Richard Van Bruggen writes:
In contrast to a “floodplain”, “floodways” are determined within the floodplain.
Any encroachment or development on floodplains reduces the flood carrying
capacity of a river, increasing flood heights in adjacent areas. In order to limit
floodplain development within a central channel area of a river where most of the
flood water conveyance occurs, floodways are established. Usually, there is no
development allowed in the floodway. Flood damage which occurs in a floodway
presents opportunities for subrogation. However, one example to the contrary is
in Sonoma County, California, where development in the floodway can exist but
must have any net hydraulic effect on the conveyance of the river and homes
must be on piers at a minimum level.
