Floodplain
Floodplain Management in Benton County
Benton County has approximately 57,000 acres of land located within its floodplains and nearly 3,200 individual parcels that are partially or entirely located within a floodplain. This page contains information and links about floodplain development, local requirements as well as flood hazard and safety information, real-time river gage information, and more.
As a result of Benton County’s efforts, county property owners have been receiving a discounted rate on their flood insurance premiums for the past 20 years.
Benton County Floodplain Program
Benton County’s floodplain program is designed to help ensure decreased flood hazard risk to county residents and structures, improved communication regarding flood risks and natural beneficial floodplain functions, and continued provision of flood data and records that document the county’s commitment to responsible floodplain management.
Benton County’s Role in Floodplain Records and Information
Provide floodplain and flood hazard related information
- The location of a property in relation to the floodplain shown on the current and historic Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for the county;
- Additional flood insurance data for a site, such as the flood zone designation shown on the FIRM panel and, if available, an approximate base flood elevation;
- Land use and building code regulations that apply to properties in a floodplain;
- A copy of FIRMs showing flood hazard boundaries and, when available, mapped floodway locations;
Provide outreach information to property owners whose land is in or near a floodplain
The county sends out a yearly Flood Facts mailing identifying high flood risk areas and providing reminders about development requirements in floodplains, information about how to prepare for and respond to flood events, helpful contact information, significant flood events that have occurred in the past, benefits of floodplain functions, and actions that help reduce damage caused by flooding.
Maintain a record of all elevation certificates submitted to the Community Development office
Elevation certificates are required for all new construction and are typically available for structures constructed or improved since 2002. Additional floodplain worksheets are sometimes available for structures constructed as early as the late 1980s.
Provide information regarding flood mitigation options throughout the county.
The county Floodplain Manager can provide information about possible retrofitting options that can be helpful to reduce the risk of structural damage from flood events and potentially reduce flood insurance premiums.
Community Rating System & Flood Insurance Discount
Learn about Benton County activities that lower your flood insurance costs.
Learn More
CRS communities receive credit towards premium reductions for floodplain management programs that:
- Protect public health and safety;
- Reduce the risk of flood-related hazards, damage, and erosion;
- Prevent increases in flood damage due to new construction;
- Encourage and incorporate measures that protect natural and beneficial floodplain functions;
- Preserve open space areas in and around floodplains;
- Inform community residents and agencies of floodplain hazards and benefits;
- Encourage acquisition of flood-prone properties and relocation of structures to reduce the risk of flooding;
- Facilitate accurate insurance rating; and
- Promote the awareness of flood insurance.
Flood Insurance Discount
Benton County is one of only seven communities to maintain a CRS Class 7 designation in Oregon. Rural Benton County residents have enjoyed a discount on their flood insurance premiums for the past 20 years due to the county’s continued floodplain program implementation. Statewide only eight government agencies – including the cities of Albany, Central Point, Corvallis, Cottage Grove, Medford, Portland, and Salem, as well as Marion County – have lower ratings (ranging from Class 5 to Class 6).
Benton County’s current Class 7 designation authorizes an automatic 15% discount for flood insurance premiums for Benton County property owners. Visit floodsmart.gov for additional flood insurance information and contact your insurance agent today to make sure your flood insurance policy is current. Remember to ask your agent about FEMA’s redesigned flood insurance program Risk Rating 2.0.
General Floodplain Resources
National Flood Insurance Program
Learn about flood insurance benefits, options, and resources.
Local Floodplain Resources
We’re remodeling! Please excuse our mess and our apologies for any inconvenience. This page is being moved and will be updated soon. For now, please use the search icon at the top right side of this page (the magnifying glass) to find the information you need. If you need further assistance please call us at 541.766.6819 or email us at permitcheck@bentoncountyor.gov.
Thank you!
Subsection Title
Description
Link/Document If Applicable
Subsection Title
Description
Link/Document If Applicable
Subsection Title
Description
Link/Document If Applicable
Subsection Title
Description
Link/Document If Applicable
Local Flood Hazard & Preparedness Information
We’re remodeling! Please excuse our mess and our apologies for any inconvenience. This page is being moved and will be updated soon. For now, please use the search icon at the top right side of this page (the magnifying glass) to find the information you need. If you need further assistance please call us at 541.766.6819 or email us at permitcheck@bentoncountyor.gov.
Thank you!
Subsection Title
Description
Link/Document If Applicable
Subsection Title
Description
Link/Document If Applicable
Subsection Title
Description
Link/Document If Applicable
Subsection Title
Description
Link/Document If Applicable