As both Municipalities and State databases expand, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has developed software to take advantage of the availability of data in electronic formats. G.I.S. is becoming increasingly crucial at the inception stage when data is being accumulated to provide certain terrain characteristics. Large information sources such as soil maps of the design watershed can now be downloaded in G.I.S. format in a manner of minutes.

Likewise, the results of floodplain determination are no longer simply lines sketched on a map and then digitized into an electronic version. Through the use of G.I.S. routines, electronic models of the terrain are created and used to precisely calculate the boundary. In addition, inundated areas are now visually identified and determination of the cost of the property through G.I.S. linkages can swiftly determine the impact of a design flood.

Commissioned by the City of Waco to prepare a comprehensive stormwater masterplan, The Wallace Group utilized the City’s existing G.I.S. databases to automate computation of soil classification, existing and future land uses, and delineation of watershed boundaries. Missing information was completed by use of State databases, analysis of “as-built” drawings, or field investigation. The deliverable to the City of Waco is not only volumes of a report, but the modified and updated G.I.S. data including the floodplains for design storms and the hydrologic and hydraulic drainage models for use by the City in analysis of future developments.

The future only looks brighter as further integration between G.I.S. and floodplain modeling evolves. G.I.S. applications are pushing the boundaries of not only floodplain delineation, but analysis, alternatives, and development of improvements as well.

Author: Webmaster