Lower Rock River Watershed
Post Date: February 14, 2012
Project OverviewThe Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has initiated a multi-year project to study the main stem of the Rock River in Illinois, from the confluence with the Mississippi River to the Wisconsin border. The project began in 2009 with the initiation of a hydrologic and hydraulic flood study of the Rock River in Henry, Lee, Ogle, Rock Island, and Whiteside Counties. In 2010 the scope of work was extended to include the Rock River watershed in Winnebago County. New study results will provide the counties, communities, and citizens of the watershed with up-to-date accurate information about flooding potential.
As part of FEMA's Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program, the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) will be working with communities to develop a more accurate understanding of their flood risk and help them plan for and communicate the risk. A series of FEMA outreach meetings have been conducted within the Lower Rock watershed and additional meeting will be held in the future. See Meetings
Participation is being sought from various stakeholders such as community officials and their staff, stormwater managers, floodplain and zoning administrators, engineers, GIS specialists, planners and economic development professionals, emergency responders, and natural resource experts.
Teamwork among FEMA, ISWS, and local stakeholders within the communities will be vital to the project's success in identifying, assessing, and communicating flood risks. New Flood Risk Products and Maps and Flood Insurance Rate Maps produced through this project will help protect lives and property within the Rock River watershed.
Updated: 10/14/2014
- Discovery Report for Lower Rock Watershed (PDF)
- Flood Insurance Rate Map Process Outline
- Lower Rock Watershed in Winnebago County Discovery
Contact us:
Mary Richardson mjr@illinois.edu