1. Harris County Flood Control District Model and Map Maintenance Program
Ataul Hannan, P.E., CFM
Harris County Flood Control District
National Flood Workshop Houston, TX, October 24-26, 2010

2. Overview Harris County Overview Model Management
Mapping Activity Statement No. 14 (HCFCD Agreement with FEMA)
LOMR Delegation

3. Harris County

4. Tropical Storm Allison

5. HCFCD / FEMA CTP HISTORY
HCFCD becomes Cooperative Technical Partner (CTP) – 2000
Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project (TSARP) – June 18, 2007
New LiDAR topo, new models and maps
Total Project Cost = $32 Million
($16M – HCFCD and $16M – FEMA)
Stats
144 FIRM panels
1300 miles studied
22 watersheds
New Network of Benchmarks
New Topo
HMS
RAS
DFIRMs
We must protect the investment

6. LiDAR Elevation

7. Identified Flood Plains
The Scale of Our Work
Identified Flood Plains

8. MODEL MANAGEMENT

9. Why Model Management? Protect the investment
Current and accurate Information to local community & FEMA

10. Model Management Objectives
Continually manage and maintain the integrity of the effective model set
Foster a partnership between HCFCD and the Floodplain Administrators
Facilitate and expedite model and data distribution
Coordinate concurrent development activities in watersheds

11. Standards

12. Why Do We Need Standards?
Purpose
Maintain the integrity of the models and supporting data
Ensure model modifications are made in a consistent manor so others can easily understand changes

13. Model & Map Standards Channel Cross Sections tied to LiDAR HEC-HMS
HEC-RAS

14. Standards

15. Modeling Standards Highlights
Model Version (HEC-HMS/HEC-RAS)
HEC-HMS (v3.3.0)
HEC-RAS (v3.0.1)
No model truncation (Section 4.3.3)
Use current model set (Section 5.2)
Tracking number (Section 5.2)
New/modified cross sections (Section 3.4.4)
Nomenclature change (Section 3.2)
Version: The versions of HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS can always be found on the home page of the M3 website.
Truncation: Not a problem any more, look at the entire channel reach – Section 4.3.3
Current Model/Tracking Number: Ensures the user has the most current model – Section 5.2
Cross Section: New Cross Sections (Survey TOB to TOB / Lidar Overbanks) – Section 3.4.2
Nomenclature Change: The effective models are different than the Preliminary Models on the DVD. Preliminary Models are no longer valid. Must use effective models, Grand Father period is quickly approach (Work with HCFCD). – Section 3.2

16. Watershed Wide Updates
Model Management How ?
Model Management
Continuous Updates
Watershed Wide Updates
M3 is the Support System

17. Continuous Updates Objective:
Continually update the models and associated data sets due to changes in Floodplain and Floodways which require a LOMR
Challenges:
Many LOMRs throughout Harris County
Multiple LOMR projects – one stream
When FEMA approves the first LOMC project, they will issue a LOMC that will re-establish the model. However, FEMA may inadvertently supersede that model by approving the resultant second model. This issue above can be addressed through better coordination.
FEMA does not update model data set and the models quickly become out to date and there is no one model which represents all of the approved LOMCs for the stream. FEMA’s model maintenance procedures work for the flood insurance program, but fall short of HCFCD goal. If the project has “no rise”, FEMA is generally satisfied but does not update the model set.

18. Our Agreement with FEMA
Mapping Activity Statement (MAS)
Continuous Update Process (MAS No. 14
HCFCD Custodian models
MAS = MOA with FEMA

19. Continuous Update
LOMR

20. HCFCD and Local Community Agreement and Partnership
Continuous Update
HCFCD and Local Community Agreement and Partnership

21. Continuous Update Local Floodplain Administrators
35 Different Floodplain Administrators within Harris County
Our Agreement with FPM (Memorandum of Understanding) –mailed on Dec 17, 2009
Cursory review
Follow standards
Technical resource for communities
Yearly workshops
34 Floodplain Administrators, HCFCD would like to conduct a “concurrence review” of all CLOMRs and LOMRs. HCFCD job is not to complete a through technical review.
Ensure the standards are followed
No model truncation
Correct program version
Electronic submittal of models and report
MOA has been developed and distributed to the 34 Floodplain Administrators
Open communication with regard to submitted LOMRs and CLOMRs
HCFCD would like to review these LOMRs and CLOMRs
Adopt our standards

22. Continuous Update Proposed LOMR FEMA Approval Model to FEMA
Update Master
Model Set
Local Review

23. Memorandum of Understanding
HCFCD Responsibilities:
Provide current/accurate models from web
Provide technical resource
Provide training (yearly workshops)
Local Community Responsibilities:
Obtain models from HCFCD
Follow Standards
Provide HCFCD a copy of map revision submittal for review prior to signing Community Acknowledgement Form

24. What is M3?

25. M3 Functionality Model and Map Management (M3) System
Distribute models and supporting data
Track changes to models
Facilitate communication between projects
Assist HCFCD in the review process

26. M3 Workbench

27. M3 Model Check-Out Benefits
Receive the most current and accurate model
Current model versions
Modeling standards
Notifications of model changes

28. Average 30 to 40 LOMRs per year
Notifications
Average 30 to 40 LOMRs per year

29. Notifications
Various stages throughout the LOMR or CLOMR acceptance process
Regular updates of model and supporting data
Large projects in the same location
Watershed-wide public projects
Information will be available both on the website and through

30. M3 Checker

31. LOMR DELEGATION
LOMR
CLOMR

32. Continuous Updates with LOMR Delegation
Proposed LOMR
LOMR Delegation
FEMA Approval
Model to FEMA
Update Master
Model Set
Local Review

33. Advantages
Most current and accurate models and supporting data come directly from HCFCD – one source
HCFCD, FEMA and local communities are all in the same datum
Knowledge of local area and issues
Accessible during review process
Technical resource
Cut down review time

34. LOMR DELEGATION

35. LOMR DELEGATION

36. LOMR DELEGATION

37. LOMR DELEGATION

38. Reduce the risk and rediscover the beauty
QUESTIONS????
Reduce the risk and rediscover the beauty