In March of 2007, Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced a partnership with the Water Resources Institute to coordinate the Alluvial Fan Task Force (Task Force). The Director of DWR appointed 33 members to the Task Force including county supervisors, local flood managers, developers, land use/environmental interests and representatives of state and federal agencies. The members were charged with developing a Model Ordinance and local planning tools that would provide a model for future land use decisions on alluvial fans that are non-prescriptive and flexible allowing local governments to adapt to their local conditions and each development. The Model Ordinance and local planning tools are aimed at ensuring public health, safety, and general welfare, minimizing public and private losses and damages that may result from the flood risks and related hazards posed by development located on alluvial fans and giving consideration to the beneficial floodplain and other values that enhance the sustainability of watersheds.
Alluvial fans
are created by the deposition of sediment moving from higher to lower
elevations and they are common throughout Southern California. Alluvial
fans tend to be popular places to build, but risks may be present including
alluvial fan flooding, landslides, fires and other hazards that have
long-ranging consequences for local governments.
This work was funded
by a pre-disaster mitigation grant from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA).
The FINAL documents may be accessed by clicking on the images immediately below.
Floodplain Management Association 2009 HOGG-OWEN AWARD
