Description

1) Approaches to Driving Watershed Management Decisions for Decades: Lessons from the Louisiana Watershed Initiative
Sarada Kalikivaya, PE, CFM, PMP, Atkins North America, Sarada.kalikivaya@atkinsglobal.com
Co-presenters: Billy Williamson, P.E., billy.williamson@la.gov

Abstract: Floodplain issues are managed within political jurisdictions, often without the mechanisms to consider the effects on other jurisdictions or the watershed on the whole. Current development practices in many areas lead to drastically increased runoff. This can lead to increased flood risk, both in magnitude and extent of flooding, on adjacent properties and downstream of the development. Areas considered to have low flood risk in prior years can find themselves flooding frequently due to land use practices outside of their jurisdiction. This presentation will showcase a case study in Louisiana to examine consequences modeling approaches to assess the impacts of upstream development on downstream communities in a watershed. Louisiana has recently initiated a statewide flood risk assessment program called the Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI). This program will influence watershed management activities in Louisiana for decades along with supporting a long-term vision for statewide sustainability and resilience. The Louisiana Governor’s vision for LWI has established six strategic areas to guide planning, projects, and policies toward long-term intended outcomes. These include data, engagement, standards, funding, capability and capacity, and integrated planning. This presentation will first explore LWI’s goals and explain how they will direct watershed management in Louisiana. It will provide an overview of the state program and discuss the program goals, objectives, timelines, methodologies, and anticipated outcomes. It will then demonstrate that effective floodplain management requires a paradigm shift from independent jurisdictional boundaries to management within watershed boundaries.

2) A Texas Sized Planning Effort to Reduce the Risk and Impact of Existing and Future Condition Flooding
Reem Zoun, PE, CFM, ENV SP, Texas Water Development Board, reem.zoun@twdb.texas.gov
Co-presenters: Stephanie Griffin PE, CFM and Cindy Engelhardt PE, CFM, Halff Associates, Inc.

Abstract: In January of 2023, the fifteen river-basin based Regional Flood Planning Groups (RFPGs) in Texas generated the first sets of regional flood plans and delivered them to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). This is the first statewide comprehensive look at existing condition flood hazard, future condition flood hazard, exposure and vulnerabilities, how many buildings, people, critical facilities are at risk of flooding in a state the size of Texas. The plans identified and recommended needs for flood risk reduction solutions and potential costs for implementing them. Each recommended project required to demonstrate no negative impact and report associated benefit-cost. This presentation will provide an overview of the processes and findings from Texas’s first ever statewide regional flood planning efforts.

3) Before the Flood: A state policy framework to reduce flooding and flood risks
Will McDow, Environmental Defense Fund, wmcdow@edf.org
Co-presenters: None

Abstract: As storms intensify and floods become more frequent, state leaders recognize they must do more than coordinate response and recovery efforts. To mitigate flooding, state government must coordinate across executive agencies and with legislative leaders to provide 1) science-based information on risks and solutions; 2) local capacity to develop watershed-scale solutions; and 3) funding directed to the most effective projects. Several states have implemented aspects of this framework. North Carolina is developing a Flood Resilience Blueprint to create a consistent state-wide modeling approach to know how much water will flow, where it will flow, and which strategies will effectively mitigate flooding. Iowa has implemented Iowa Watershed Approaches to provide capacity and technical assistance to develop watershed-scale solutions. And local governments like Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NC have decision support tools to fund effective, locally prioritized projects. No state has brought these elements together into a coordinated framework. This presentation will review existing efforts in several states to implement state policies and programs for flood mitigation and risk reduction with a focus on the Louisiana Watershed Initiative as a possible national model. The presentation will present emerging research findings and outline a state policy framework to guide elected and agency officials interested in developing a coordinated approach to watershed-scale flood solutions.