Water Commission announces flood data viewer

 

The State Water Commission is pleased to announce the upcoming release of its online flood map data viewer, North Dakota Risk Assessment Mapservice (NDRAM).

NDRAM, a tool designed by the Water Commission and located on the agency’s MapServices, provides a user-friendly format that combines new federal data along with the agency’s existing IT and GIS capabilities.

NDRAM is a collaborative effort with FEMA that utilizes the Water Commission’s existing robust technology and infrastructure. In 2018, FEMA completed a Base Level Engineering (BLE) effort for every county in North Dakota – the first state to do so. The BLE dataset is a quality flood risk assessment that can be enhanced to create engineering models and other flood hazard data.

NDRAM allows users to zoom in and visually display current flood risks, both approximate floodplains from BLE and effective regulatory floodplains from FEMA’s NFIP.  This new tool also provides users water surface elevations, flood depths, and the ability to download engineering model data and print customized maps.  Another exciting feature of the tool includes real-time weather warning displays across the state, making it especially useful for planning, mitigation, and disaster recovery actions.

“This innovative map viewer is an incredible asset for residents, emergency managers, and community leaders seeking flood risk information,” said State Engineer Garland Erbele. “NDRAM offers an invaluable service that will help generate informed decisions regarding flood preparedness and will increase public awareness.”

Demonstrations of the viewer will be provided by Water Commission staff at the agency’s booth on Wednesday, October 30 at the Main Street Initiative Summit at the Bismarck Event Center.

Please follow the link for more information and to access the viewer: https://ndram.swc.nd.gov.