THE HIGH WATER MARK
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
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THE HIGH WATER MARK
The Newsletter of the Floodplain Management Association March 2025 - Volume 35, Issue 1
Mission: To promote the common interest in reducing flood losses and to encourage the protection and enhancement of natural floodplain values.
Chair Brent Siemer City of Simi Valley 805.583.6805
Vice Chair Vince Geronimo Geronimo Engineering (916) 993-4606
Treasurer David Smith WEST Consulting (760)500-4145
Secretary Millicent Cowley-Crawford Woodard & Curran 415-321-3421
Past Chair Michael C. Nowlan Wood Rodgers, Inc. 916.326.5277
Director
Brittney Duncan Clark County RFCD 702-685-0000
Director John Moynier 626-440-2389
Director Debbie Neddenriep Carson Water Subconservancy District debbie@cwsd.org
Director Darren Suen San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency darren.suen@sjafca.org
Director Mary Keller Placer County mkeller@placer.ca.gov
Director Rohini Mustafa Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District romustaf@rivco.org
Director Remi Candaele Q3 Consulting rcandaele@q3consulting.net
Director Satish Kumar Wood Rodgers skumar@woodrodgers.com
Director Kayla Kelly-Slatten KSS Strategies, LLC.
Director Roger Leventhal Marin County DPW roger.leventhal@marincounty.gov
Director Clark Barlow AtkinsRealis clark.barlow@atkinsrealis.com
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Brent Siemer
The Floodplain Management Association (FMA) is dedicated to serving as the preeminent forum for advancing flood safety and sustainable floodplain practices in California, Nevada, and Hawaii. This mission underscores our strategic initiatives and policy advocacy, ensuring that our association remains at the forefront of progressive floodplain management.
Mission and Core Values
As a leading professional organization, FMA adheres to a set of guiding principles that inform our collaborative efforts:
• Commitment to Excellence: We actively disseminate, monitor, and advocate for floodplain best management methodologies, ensuring that professionals across disciplines have access to the latest research and best practices.
• Leadership Development: We cultivate emerging leaders and recognize outstanding contributions in floodplain management, fostering a culture of mentorship and professional growth.
• Ethical Stewardship: We uphold the highest standards of integrity, promoting responsible resource management and inclusivity while ensuring transparency and accountability in all our endeavors.
A Multidisciplinary Collaboration
FMA fosters an interdisciplinary approach by forming strategic relationships across governmental agencies and private industry. Our Board of Directors comprises professionals from diverse fields, including:
• Representatives from local, state, and federal regulatory bodies
• Private engineering firms, both large and small
• Engineers, environmental planners, and legal experts specializing in floodplain policy
• Leaders in academia and research institutions
• Elected officials and community advocates
• Seasoned floodplain managers and early-career professionals committed to resilience planning
By integrating expertise from these various sectors, FMA drives policy innovation, technological advancements, and sustainable flood mitigation efforts that enhance community resilience.
Recognizing Contributions: The FMA Awards
During our conference each year, FMA takes time to honor individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exemplary contributions to floodplain management. This awards program highlights achievements in research, design, innovation, and leadership.
This year, Mary Keller chairs the Awards Committee, supported by a dedicated team committed to identifying and celebrating excellence within our association. However, we rely on our members to nominate deserving candidates who embody the values and mission of FMA.
The Importance of Nominating
Submitting a nomination for an FMA award is more than an acknowledgment of an individual's or organization's accomplishments - it serves as an endorsement of their commitment to advancing the field. Key reasons to nominate include:
• Professional Recognition: Elevating the contributions of outstanding individuals enhances their visibility within the floodplain management community and beyond.
• Motivation and Encouragement: Recognition fosters continued excellence, inspiring award recipients and their peers to drive impactful change.
• Amplification of Achievements: An FMA award brings greater awareness to significant projects and policy initiatives, attracting further support and collaboration.
• Inspiration for Future Leaders: Showcasing exemplary contributions encourages the next generation of floodplain managers, policymakers, and researchers to engage with pressing challenges in the field.
Award Categories
Each award category is designed to acknowledge the unique ways in which individuals and organizations contribute to our community. Whether through volunteer work, advocacy, groundbreaking initiatives, or inspiring leadership, these awards aim to highlight the diverse and impactful efforts of those who are making a difference. FMA’s awards are structured to honor a diverse array of contributions, recognizing excellence across many categories. However, common threads that I find through each of our awards include:
• Volunteerism: Celebrating individuals dedicated to community-based flood mitigation and education efforts.
• Advocacy: Acknowledging those who influence policy and legislative initiatives to enhance flood safety.
• Innovation: Honoring individuals or teams that introduce pioneering technologies, methodologies, or solutions to floodplain management.
• Leadership: Recognizing professionals who mentor, guide, and advance strategic initiatives that bolster flood resilience.
Through this awards program, FMA also seeks to reinforce the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and dedicated leadership in shaping sustainable floodplain policies.
Please read Mary Keller’s article later in this newsletter for more details, but here is the list of FMA awards.
• Floodplain Manager of the Year Award
• Award for Excellence
• Hogg-Owen Award for Meritorious Achievement in the Floodplain Management Association
• Karl Mohr Distinguished Service Award for National Activities
• Andy Lee Award for Extraordinary Public Service for State Activities
• Communications and Outreach Award
• Goddard Award for Outstanding Article in Floodplain Management
• Integrated Flood Management Award
• Mentorship Award
• Coastal Zone Management and Stewardship Award
• Emerging Professional of the Year Award
• Outstanding Public Official Award
For a full description of these awards, and a list of awardees from 2026 through 2024, go to our website at www.floodplain.org/page/awards. For any inquiries regarding the nomination process, please contact Mary Keller at MKeller@placer.ca.gov
Join Us in Recognizing Excellence
As an association committed to flood safety and sustainable floodplain management, we encourage our members to participate in the nomination process. Your engagement ensures that the most deserving professionals and organizations receive due recognition for their contributions.
We invite you to reflect on the individuals and teams who have made a substantial impact in our field and submit a nomination. Whether they are esteemed experts, innovative thinkers, or dedicated advocates, their work merits celebration.
Thank you for supporting our mission to honor excellence in floodplain management. We look forward to reviewing your nominations and recognizing the trailblazers who continue to drive progress in our field.
Brent Siemer
Chairman, Floodplain Management Association
Deputy Public Works Director (Development Services) Department of Public Works
City of Simi Valley bsiemer@simivalley.org
Tel: 805.583.6805
SAVE THE DATE
California Extreme Precipitation Symposium
July 17, 2025
UC Davis Campus, Davis, CA
Theme: “From Science to Solutions: Preparing for Extreme Weather Events in California”
Floodplain Management Association Annual Conference
September 2-5, 2025
Hyatt Regency, Sacramento, CA
Visit – www.floodplain.org
FEDERAL/NATIONAL NEWS
For an Update of the latest disaster declarations visit: www.fema.gov/disasters
Information on Flood Insurance Reform – Rates and Refunds: www.fema.gov/flood-insurance-reform-rates-and-refunds
ADVISOR UPDATE
FEMA Updates for FMA Board:
*** Due to ongoing government efficiency efforts with the new administration, the future projections for FEMA’s programs are highly uncertain and subject to change. A submitted summary from FEMA was provided in January to the FMA Board and it is already outdated. FMA is hopeful that FEMA’s support and contributions to the local floodplain management community within our association will continue and improve as soon as possible.
STATE NEWS
CALIFORNIA
GENERAL UPDATES
Construction Begins on Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility Project
Furthering efforts to modernize California’s water infrastructure and improve public safety, DWR started construction on the Lake Perris Emergency Release Facility project in December in Riverside County. The project will build new infrastructure to safely redirect water and protect the community should Lake Perris need to be lowered during an emergency event, like a major earthquake. Planned improvements will include new levees, bridges, and a local drainage system downstream of Perris Dam. With this additional infrastructure, water could be redirected from Lake Perris through levees into a drainage channel and ultimately into the Perris Valley Channel.
• More information: https://water.ca.gov/News/ News-Releases/2024/Dec-24/ConstructionBegins-on-Lake-Perris-Emergency-Release-FacilityProject
First Snow Survey of the Season Shows Snowpack Near Average for California
DWR conducted the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station on January 2. The manual survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 9 inches, which is 91 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 108 percent of average for this date.
Recent years in California have been marked by extremely hot and dry conditions broken up by periods of intense rain and snow. So far, this water year has been no different. A record-breaking hot and dry summer continued well into the fall, but a powerful atmospheric river in November broke several rainfall records in Northern California. A series of storms in late December provided another boost.
• More information: water.ca.gov/News/ News-Releases/2025/Jan-25/Snow-SurveyJanuary-2025
• CDEC Snow Information: cdec.water.ca.gov/snow.html
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM
Regional Meetings
This year, DWR is hosting full-day meetings around the state that offer valuable updates and insights on floodplain management, insurance policy updates, grant opportunities, and more. They are an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow floodplain management professionals and gain the latest information on NFIP updates. Attendees can earn up to 6 Continuing Education Credits (CECs).
FEMA is rolling out a new “audit” process that will replace the existing Community Assistance Visits/Contacts process. DWR and FEMA will share this new process during the regional meetings.
Upcoming meetings:
• January 29, 2025 – Fresno, CA
• February 26, 2025 – Alhambra, CA
• February 27, 2025 – San Diego, CA
Interested in attending a future meeting? Send an email to NFIP@water.ca.gov to ensure the team has your current contact information and to ask to be notified of future events.
Community Rating System Users Group Meetings
DWR hosts quarterly State CRS Users Group meetings that provide support and educational resources for communities that participate in the CRS, are interested in joining, or want to learn more about the program. During the meetings, attendees can share ideas, best practices, and hear from guest speakers about CRS-related topics. If you or your community are interested in attending a future meeting, please e-mail the State CRS Coordinator at Robert.Lampa@water.ca.gov. Program information is available on the Community Rating System webpage.
Upcoming meetings:
• Wednesday, April 16: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
• Wednesday, July 16: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
• Wednesday, October 15: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Continued on next page
STATE NEWS (Continued)
DWR’S MAILING LISTS
Interested in news about DWR’s programs, grants, and partnerships? DWR has fifteen mailing lists that provide updates on the work we do. Subscription page: public. govdelivery.com/accounts/CNRA/signup/31790
QUESTIONS?
Nikki Blomquist, Northern California Advisor California Department of Water Resources
Nikki.Blomquist@water.ca.gov | (916) 820-7749
Salomon Miranda, Southern California Advisor California Department of Water Resources
Salomon.Miranda@water.ca.gov | (818) 549-2347
HAWAII
See the latest news stories relating to Hawai’i’s floodplain management issues. For the transformed flood information platform from Hawai’i visit their exciting weekly blog at www.waihalana.hawaii.gov/
Some of the latest articles relate to the new FEMA tools and information pertinent to the people of Hawai’i in the aftermath of the April 2024 flooding and other natural disaster, and much more, provided by the DLNR Engineering Division, including a new face in their Dam Safety program.
NEVADA
Nevada Flood Awareness Week 2024
The Nevada Floodplain Management Program held our 11th annual Nevada Flood Awareness Week November 10-16. Nevada Flood Awareness Week was officially proclaimed by Governor Lombardo and some of our local communities including Douglas County, Storey County and Carson City. We participated in two high water mark unveiling ceremonies that saw press coverage from three news stations. We increased our social media presence for the month of November, sharing information about past flooding events in Nevada and flood preparation. Flood Awareness Week ads were placed in 5 newspapers, 3 billboards and 3 radio stations.
In-Person Outreach
On November 1, November 20 and December 6 of 2024, Nevada Flood Program staff participated in in-classroom outreach event with River Wranglers in local schools. This outreach entailed sharing outreach materials and doing live demonstrations with an interactive flood model.
On November 13, the Flood Program hosted an unveiling event for the Washoe Lake high water mark as a continuation of the Nevada Silver Jackets comprehensive high water mark campaign. The unveiling was followed by educational demonstrations and was attended by 65 students who learned about flood-risk, watersheds and emergency preparedness.
On November 14, the Flood Program attended a high water mark unveiling at the Morgan Mill River Access Area and ran live flood demonstrations for attendees. The event was well attended and featured talks from Carson City representatives including the Mayor.
Come visit Nevada’s website www.nevadafloods.org to find out what’s happening!
CALL FOR ARTICLES!
The FMA Newsletter welcomes the input of its members and now our extended family of readership to contribute to the conversation! Keep the great articles coming! We need to hear from all of you. There’s always room for more to join the ranks of published authors. Showcase your programs, projects, tools, policies, regulations or ideas to hundreds of floodplain management professionals throughout the U.S.! Articles must be submitted in Word format to fmaed@floodplain.org and may contain 2-3 small pictures. Preferred length is less than 850 words. For more details, call (916) 847-3778.
Strengthening Our Nation’s Levee System
At Forgen, we leave the planet better than we found it. Our geotechnical and specialty civil construction capabilities are applied each day to restore and strengthen our nation’s levee system for generations to come. forgen.com
IT'S AWARD SEASON!
Mary Keller
It’s not too early to start preparing for the awards to be given at this year’s Floodplain Management Association (FMA) conference. The conference will be on Sept 2-5, 2025. Each year at the FMA conference, recognition is given to those who have made great achievements and provide excellent leadership in the world for floodplain management.
Awards recognize the outstanding contributions made by individuals, agencies, and organizations to keep communities safe from flood loss, promote resiliency, and advance the association’s mission.
As a member of FMA, you are invited to submit a nomination each spring. Awards will be presented at the 2025 Annual Conference in September. Nomination forms are available at https://floodplain.org/page/ awards. Necessary information includes name of proposed recipient, award category, and 500-word max of why the award is deserved.
Deadline for submissions is Friday, April 25, 2025. Submission detail and information available at https:// floodplain.org/page/awards. Submissions can be sent to Brittney Duncan at BDuncan@regionalflood.org
AWARD DESCRIPTIONS
Floodplain Manager of the Year Award recognizes outstanding team or individual efforts and contributions to floodplain management, such as development or implementation of a distinguished program or activity, or instrumental contributions in carrying forward goals and objectives of floodplain management.
Award for Excellence recognizes outstanding floodplain management projects, programs, activities, and individuals that epitomize the best in floodplain management.
Hogg-Owen Award for Meritorious Achievement in the Floodplain Management Association recognizes individuals who have achieved success in a significant activity that benefits the Floodplain Management Association, such as education, government, policy, research, litigation, outreach, implementation, etc.
Karl Mohr Distinguished Service Award for National Activities recognizes individuals who, through their long-term efforts, have clearly influenced the realm of national floodplain management policies or activities, such as education, government, research, litigation, outreach, implementation or other actions.
Andy Lee Award for Extraordinary Public Service for State Activities recognizes public-sector individuals who have made extraordinary proactive flood management contributions benefiting the public, especially in the area of encouraging multi-benefit projects and/or flood education.
Communications and Outreach Award recognizes exemplary team or individual efforts in communications and outreach on the part of communications media, the incorporation of new technologies, or the novel use of existing technologies to increase information and/or awareness of flood issues with the general public.
Goddard Award for Outstanding Article in Floodplain Management recognizes an individual or team with outstanding technical contributions to the FMA newsletter.
Integrated Flood Management Award recognizes teams or individuals who have prepared and/or implemented a locally-approved, state-approved, or federally-approved multi-objective flood management plan. Candidate projects should demonstrate innovative advancements in water management as well as collaborative partnerships with community groups and the general public. Project outcomes should benefit many stakeholder interests such as environmental, flood control, recreational, and emergency planning and responsiveness.
Mentorship Award recognizes individuals in Floodplain Management who substantially improved Floodplain Management through their professional commitment to sharing their wisdom and educating less experienced mentees.
Coastal Zone Management and Stewardship Award recognizes teams or individuals for their outstanding coastal project, program, or policy, encouraging resilient solutions that reduce coastal flood risks, increase stewardship of coastal resources, or educate coastal communities about coastal hazards.
Emerging Professional of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have contributed to the emerging professional community through outstanding leadership.
Outstanding Public Official Award recognizes a federal, state, or local public official that has demonstrated an exemplary focus on floodplain management issues, resulting in heightened community awareness or increased funding and support.
The Awards committee includes:
Nomination Coordinator – Brittney Duncan
Award Recipient Liaison - Rohini Mustafa
Award Plaque Coordinator – Roland Neufeld
Awards Program Editor – Stephanie Noegal
Content Developer & Social Media – Trishna Patel
Historian – Kathleen Schaefar
Conference Speaker – Kristyne Van Skike
Deadline for submissions is Friday, April 25, 2025
For any questions, contact the Awards Committee Chair, Mary Keller (mkeller@placer.ca.gov) or go to https://floodplain.org/page/awards.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR COMPLEX WATER ISSUES
• Floodplain Studies
• Hydrology
• Hydraulics
• Dam Safety
• Sediment & Scour
• Flood Forecasting/ Warning
WWW. WOODRODGERS .COM
BEYOND INSURANCE: A BOLD VISION TO FIX CALIFORNIA’S FLOOD PROTECTION GAP
Kathleen Schaefer
On December 13th, at 12:32 p.m., my six-and-a-halfyear journey exploring alternatives to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) abruptly ended with the press of a send button, uploading my dissertation into the UC Davis system. My research spanned probability theory, finance, insurance, economics, behavioral economics, public policy, and disaster studies, culminating in a case study of Isleton, a small, economically disadvantaged community in California’s Sacramento Delta. Three key findings emerged from my academic quest.
First, the NFIP exacerbates existing inequalities. It disproportionately impacts low-income and minority households, hinders post-disaster recovery, and—until recently—funneled billions of dollars from California taxpayers to Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. 1 During the NFIP’s initial debates, Gilbert White noted that a flood insurance program “should be used expertly or not at all.”2 Although NFIP started with the best intentions, it has evolved into a program that intensifies many of the problems it intended to solve.
Second, like much of the nation, California’s households, businesses, and communities face significant financial protection gaps that undermine financial resilience—the ability to withstand financial shocks during periods of increased expenses or reduced income. As of 2018, a substantial portion of U.S. households lacked even $400 in emergency funds.3 Insurance is instrumental in creating financial resilience, but those most needing it—low-income households with limited savings—are often least able to afford it. The consequences extend beyond individuals; a FEMA study reveals that 25% of small businesses fail to reopen after a major weather disaster.4 When a significant portion of the community lacks insurance, the entire community has a financial protection gap.
This financial protection gap largely arises from the absence of a dedicated Protection Gap Entity (PGE). A PGE actively manages financial risk at the state or local level and facilitates the application of disaster risk financing (DRF) tools such as contingency budgets, reserve funds, contingent credit, and insurance purchases to bridge the financial protection gap. Importantly, government capital allows them to handle large claims.
This enables PGEs to tackle the inherent complexity of natural disaster risk pricing by removing uncertain extremes, thus allowing flood risk to be traded costeffectively on the private market.5
As illustrated in the figure below, a PGE actively manages the community’s financial flood risk through risk transfer, risk reduction, risk retention, and prudent risk-taking within a comprehensive financial risk management approach.6
A PGE can access innovative financial services that promote risk reduction and adaptation. These services include providing access to credit and savings to finance adaptation and risk reduction, as well as improving the use of insurance products to facilitate better risk reduction and adaptation outcomes. As climate change increases flood risks, PGEs enhance the community’s financial capacity to withstand these impacts. They ensure that insurance arrangements are sustainable and affordable. Lastly, they encourage prudent risk-taking by assisting households and communities in accessing credit and other forms of capital.
Figure 1: Climate risk management. Source: World Food Programme, Climate Risk Insurance Annual Report 2023, https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000158244/ download/?_ga=2.165960955.459543617.1738559227892610038.1738457906
While crucial for recovery, insurance is a “Goldilocks” arrangement: effective only when flood risks and losses fall within a manageable range of frequency and severity.7 A PGE acknowledges that risk transfer is just one tool for building financial resilience. Other strategies—risk reduction, risk retention, or calculated risk-taking—are also essential.
One key role of a PGE is actively managing different levels of risk. One management tool is adopting a risk-layering approach, which combines different riskfinancing tools according to the frequency and severity of the shocks.8 This approach can link disaster risk financing to social protection.
Figure 2: Risk layering approach. Source: World Food Programme, Linking disaster risk financing with social protection: An overview of concepts and considerations. Retrieved from: https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000150130/ download/?_ga=2.46244583.1125709430.1738457906892610038.1738457906
If California is to address the sins of the NFIP and overcome the financial protection gap, it will need to establish PGEs with the authority to (1) conduct comprehensive community-level financial protection gap analyses, (2) develop and implement a variety of financial strategies, including, but not limited to, insurance; (3) promote community preparedness and mitigation; and (4) continuously monitor and adapt strategies based on evolving flood risks. Only a proactive and holistic approach, moving beyond the limitations of the NFIP, will create a truly resilient, equitable, and future-focused flood risk management system for California.
Experience with the pilot program for Isleton revealed that a Geologic Hazard Abatement District has unique authorities that enable it to function as a PGE. With a grant from DWR, the team successfully negotiated a $2.5 million parametric insurance policy for two years. If a levee on Brannan-Andrus Island were to fail, $2.5 million would be available almost immediately after the disaster to distribute to households and the community. The program will provide essential liquidity, bridging the financial recovery gap left by state and federal sources. Parametric insurance—insurance that pays a predefined amount based on a predefined triggering event—has the potential for much broader applications.
References:
[1] Howell, J., & Elliot, J. R. (2019). Damages Done: The Longitudinal Impacts of Natural Hazards on Wealth Inequality in the United States. Social Problems, 66(3), 448-467; Wilson, B., Tate, E., & Emrich, C. T. (2021). Flood recovery outcomes and disaster assistance barriers for vulnerable populations. Frontiers in water, 3, 752307.; Ratcliffe, C., Congdon, W., Teles, D., Stanczyk, A., & Martín, C. (2020). From bad to worse: Natural disasters and financial health. Journal of Housing Research, 29(sup1), S25-S53.
[2] Task Force on Federal Flood Control Policy. (1966). A Unified National Program for Managing Flood Losses. House Document Number 465, 89th Congress, 2nd Session. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 17.
[3] Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (2018). Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2017 Washington, DC: Federal Reserve Board.
[4] FEMA. (2018). Stay in Business After a Disaster by Planning Ahead. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/pressrelease/20230502/stay-business-after-disaster-planning-ahead.
[5] Jarzabkowski, P., Chalkias, K., Cacciatori, E., & Bednarek, R. (2023). Disaster insurance reimagined: protection in a time of increasing risk. Oxford University Press
[6] World Food Programme. (2024). Climate Risk Insurance; Annual Report 2023. Rome: World Food Programme. https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000158244/ download/?_ga=2.165960955.459543617.1738559227892610038.1738457906
[7] Kousky, C. (2022) Understanding Disaster Insurance: New Tools for a More Resilient Future. Island Press.
TRAINING, EDUCATION AND ASSOCIATING
George Booth, Executive Director FMA
Professional Development Committee
We had a great fourth quarter of 2024. The FMA Annual Conference in Henderson, Nevada was very good and in a beautiful location. Soon after the conference the professional development committee launched several trainings including Geotechnical for non-geotechnical engineers in West Sacramento and again in San Diego (thank you Bob Lokteff, Blackburn Consulting and Becky Money, MBK Engineers), Basic HEC-RAS Hydraulic Modeling in Las Vegas (thank you to Erik McCarthy, West Consultants), Streambed Restoration in San Diego (thank you Brent Travis, West Consultants), and HEC-RAS 2d Hydraulic Modeling and Mapping, virtual (thank you Keelan Jensen, West Consultants).
Stay tuned for upcoming training and education opportunities in 2025.
Post Wildfire Watershed Mitigation Symposium, April 22-23, 2025, in Chico, CA
Many drainage engineers, floodplain managers, public works employees and emergency managers who associate with FMA are in areas where wildfire is a very real concern. Sadly, there have been too many horrific wildfire events. What would you do if the hillside in your watershed burns? What do you do next considering the urgency that storm season follows ‘fire season’. At this symposium, you will meet local, state and federal employees with a great deal of experience dealing with flood after fire.
Extreme Precipitation Symposium, July 17, 2025, in Davis, CA
This will be the 31st annual symposium on this subject and we will likely never run out of interest. This year we will look at statistically improbable events such as what happened in North Carolina, then focus in on the central valley of CA and consider what has been done and what more can be done to mitigate extreme flooding.
Local Seminars
There are seminars monthly (3rd Thursdays) in Sacramento, quarterly in northern Nevada, periodically in southern California, and March 11, 2025, at Port of Oakland.
Virtual seminars
Stay tuned, we are working on some ideas. Annual FMA Conference first week of September 2025
We are in Sacramento this year and it is going to be great! Call for abstracts for technical sessions will be outreached early March. We greatly appreciate our exhibitors and sponsors.
Feel free to contact George Booth at fmaed@floodplain.org
FMA EMERGING PROFESSIONALS KICKING OFF 2025
Katie Howes
With fresh leadership at the helm, a robust lineup of upcoming events, and a slate of impactful programs, this year promises to be one of progress and innovation. Here’s what to expect in the months ahead.
Leadership & Vision
Our leadership team is comprised of members from across California, and we have restructured our group to enhance regional participation and cultivate a more dynamic and influential presence statewide.
To further strengthen engagement, we will be hosting hybrid lunch-and-learn sessions, with the in-person component rotating across different regions each month. Additionally, social gatherings will be held throughout the year in various locations to strengthen networking opportunities, foster lasting professional relationships, and enhance member retention within FMA.
Upcoming Events
We kicked off the year with a Leadership Management Lunch and Learn on February 3rd focusing on what to know before managing technical employees. Thank you to all our panelists for sharing their experiences and providing guidance as the emerging professionals grow in their careers.
With a strong leadership team, and a diverse lineup of events, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with the Emerging Professionals!
to our Chair and Vice Chair!
Katie Howes, KHowes@woodardcurran.com Vice Chair, Rianne Okamoto, rokamoto@pacewater.com Or, at FMAEmergingProfessionals@gmail.com
geiconsultants.com
THE HIGH WATER MARK
The Newsletter of the Floodplain Management Association
