Types of Floodplains

The Poudre River

Mountain Avenue

For regulations purposes, floodplains are divided into three categories: Poudre River, FEMA Basins and City Basins.

• FEMA Basins
  The FEMA floodplains cover only the major drainages.
  
  The Poudre River is an example of a FEMA designated floodplain with a relatively natural channel.
• City Basins
  The City of Fort Collins has adopted additional City-designated floodplains which further identify the flood hazard. Some of the flooding in the City-designated floodplains of Old Town and Canal Importation is due to spills from irrigation canals or undersized storm sewers resulting in overland flooding. Just because a property it is not in a FEMA-designated floodplain or is not near a creek does not mean there is less chance of flooding.
  
  Mountain Avenue is an example of a City-designated floodplain. The streets carry the floodwater but when there is too much water, the water flows across yards and sometimes into homes or businesses.