Floodplain Resources

Flood Safety and Tools

What is a flood? What causes flooding? How do you read a flood map? The FloodSmart.gov website is an official site of the National Flood Insurance Program that provides useful information for residential and commercial property owners including an interactive Risk Assessment Tool. Local river levels in Montana can be monitored through the USGS Stream Gauges website - and national conditions and resources can be viewed through the Department of Homeland Security.

Interested in ideas for reducing flood loss? Check out property owner resources, including building with flood resistant materials and preventing sewer back up.

Warning, Safety, & Evacuation Information

Local residents can sign up to receive Emergency Alerts, News Flashes, and other information using the Notify Me tool.

Additionally, Missoula County and the City of Missoula developed a multi-jurisdictional Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan (PDF) (PDM) designed to improve planning for, response to, and recovery from disasters - including flooding, dam failure, and more.

The PDM Plan was approved by City Resolution (PDF) in June 2017.

August 2022 Progress Report for the 2017 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan

Cover image of the 2017 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan
Clark Fork River along Higgins Avenue 1931

A floodplain is a generally flat area of land next to a river or stream.  A floodplain consists of the main channel of the river (floodway) and the area beyond (flood fringe).  

Floodplains are unique and provide a number of natural and beneficial functions. 

Riverine and shallow flooding can occur in Missoula.  Riverine flooding occurs when a channel receives too much water causing excess flow over its banks and into the adjacent floodplain.  Shallow flooding occurs when a lack of channel means water cannot drain away easily. Learn more about floods and floodplain management.

 Questions?  Contact City Zoning 406.552.6625