Abstract: Flood studies include detailed engineering reports and flood maps. The engineering reports are typically technical in nature and document the data, assumptions, and results of the hydrologic and hydraulic analyses required to create flood maps. Flood maps are created by combining hydraulic model results for different sized floods with high-accuracy ground information. Flood maps identify where water will flow during a flood, and what land could be flooded during different sized floods. Most flood maps focus on floods caused by high river flows when water escapes the river channel, most often experienced in spring or following summer rainstorms, but they can also show areas at risk from ice jam floods or document the extent of historic floods.Flood inundation maps show areas at risk for different sized floods, including ice jam floods in some communities, and identify areas protected by flood berms. Because they map a wide range of floods, they are most often used for emergency response planning and to inform local infrastructure design. Flood hazard maps define floodway and flood fringe areas for the 1:100 design flood and are typically used by communities for planning or to help make local land use and development decisions. The floodway is the portion of the flood hazard area where flows are deepest, fastest and most destructive. The flood fringe is the portion of the flood hazard area outside of the floodway, where flood water is generally shallower and flows slower than in the floodway. High hazard flood fringe is the area within the flood fringe with deeper or faster moving water than the rest of the flood fringe. Protected flood fringe identifies areas that could be flooded if dedicated flood berms fail or do not work as designed during the 1:100 design flood. Flood hazard maps define floodway and flood fringe areas for the 1:100 design flood and are typically used by communities for planning or to help make local land use and development decisions. Flood hazard maps can also illustrate additional information for communities to consider, including incremental areas at risk for floods larger than the 1:100 design flood, such as the 1:200 and 1:500 floods.Visit www.floodhazard.alberta.ca for more information about the Flood Hazard Identification Program. The website includes different sections for final flood studies and for draft flood studies. Flood maps can be viewed directly using the Flood Awareness Map Application at https://floods.alberta.ca/. The Alberta Flood Mapping GIS dataset is updated when new information is available or existing information changes; therefore, the Government of Alberta assumes no responsibility for discrepancies at the time of use. Users should check https://geodiscover.alberta.ca/ to verify they have the most recent version of the Alberta Flood Mapping GIS dataset.
Metadata:
File identifier:
2AE32B0D-C6F9-4E1B-81AB-6FDECC728E28
Language:
Language Code:
eng
Character set:
Character set code:
utf8
Hierarchy level:
Scope code:
dataset
Metadata author:
Responsible party:
Organisation name:
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Government of Alberta
Position name:
River Engineering and Technical Services
Contact info:
Contact:
Phone:
Telephone:
Voice:
7804051388
Address:
Address:
Delivery point:
11th Floor, Oxbridge Place
Delivery point:
9820 - 106 Street NW
City:
Edmonton
Administrative area:
Alberta
Postal code:
T5K 2J6
Country:
Country:
CA
Electronic mail address:
epa.flood@gov.ab.ca
Hours of service:
08:15 to 16:30 Monday to Friday
Role:
Role code:
publisher
Date stamp:
2024-09-23
Metadata standard name:
NAP - Metadata
Metadata standard version:
1.2
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Vector spatial representation:
Topology level:
Topology level code:
geometryOnly
Geometric objects:
Geometric objects:
Geometric object type:
Geometric object type code:
composite
Geometric object count:
3584
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Reference system:
Reference system identifier:
RS Identifier:
Code:
3400
Code Space:
EPSG
Version:
6.11(9.3.0.0)
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Data identification:
Citation:
Citation:
Title:
Alberta Flood Hazard Identification Program Mapping
Alternate title:
AB FHIP
Date:
Date:
Date:
2020-10-21
Date type:
Date type code:
creation
Date:
Date:
Date:
2025-05-15
Date type:
Date type code:
publication
Date:
Date:
Date:
2025-05-15
Date type:
Date type code:
revision
Cited responsible party:
Responsible party:
Organisation name:
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Government of Alberta
Position name:
River Engineering and Technical Services
Contact info:
Contact:
Phone:
Telephone:
Voice:
7804051388
Address:
Address:
Delivery point:
11th Floor, Oxbridge Place
Delivery point:
9820 - 106 Street NW
City:
Edmonton
Administrative area:
Alberta
Postal code:
T5K 2J6
Country:
Country:
CA
Electronic mail address:
epa.flood@gov.ab.ca
Hours of service:
08:15 to 16:30 Monday to Friday
Role:
Role code:
originator
Abstract:
Flood studies include detailed engineering reports and flood maps. The engineering reports are typically
technical in nature and document the data, assumptions, and results of the hydrologic and hydraulic analyses
required to create flood maps. Flood maps are created by combining hydraulic model results for different
sized floods with high-accuracy ground information. Flood maps identify where water will flow during a
flood, and what land could be flooded during different sized floods. Most flood maps focus on floods caused
by high river flows when water escapes the river channel, most often experienced in spring or following
summer rainstorms, but they can also show areas at risk from ice jam floods or document the extent of
historic floods.Flood inundation maps show areas at risk for different sized floods, including ice jam
floods in some communities, and identify areas protected by flood berms. Because they map a wide range of
floods, they are most often used for emergency response planning and to inform local infrastructure design.
Flood hazard maps define floodway and flood fringe areas for the 1:100 design flood and are typically used
by communities for planning or to help make local land use and development decisions. The floodway is the
portion of the flood hazard area where flows are deepest, fastest and most destructive. The flood fringe is
the portion of the flood hazard area outside of the floodway, where flood water is generally shallower and
flows slower than in the floodway. High hazard flood fringe is the area within the flood fringe with deeper
or faster moving water than the rest of the flood fringe. Protected flood fringe identifies areas that could
be flooded if dedicated flood berms fail or do not work as designed during the 1:100 design flood. Flood
hazard maps define floodway and flood fringe areas for the 1:100 design flood and are typically used by
communities for planning or to help make local land use and development decisions. Flood hazard maps can
also illustrate additional information for communities to consider, including incremental areas at risk for
floods larger than the 1:100 design flood, such as the 1:200 and 1:500 floods.Visit
www.floodhazard.alberta.ca for more information about the Flood Hazard Identification Program. The website
includes different sections for final flood studies and for draft flood studies. Flood maps can be viewed
directly using the Flood Awareness Map Application at https://floods.alberta.ca/. The Alberta Flood Mapping
GIS dataset is updated when new information is available or existing information changes; therefore, the
Government of Alberta assumes no responsibility for discrepancies at the time of use. Users should check
https://geodiscover.alberta.ca/ to verify they have the most recent version of the Alberta Flood Mapping GIS
dataset.
Purpose:
The potential for flooding exists along all streams and lakes in Alberta. To assist communities in keeping
Albertans safe and protecting their properties from floods, the Government of Alberta manages the production
of flood studies under the provincial Flood Hazard Identification Program. Provincial flood maps are used by
all levels of government, consultants, industry, non-government organizations and the public. Flood maps can
inform local land use planning decisions, emergency management operations and sustainable floodplain
function initiatives. Flood maps are not available in all communities and flood risks exist in areas without
flood mapping.
Status:
Progress code:
completed
Point of contact:
Responsible party:
Organisation name:
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Government of Alberta
Position name:
River Engineering and Technical Services
Contact info:
Contact:
Phone:
Telephone:
Voice:
7804051388
Address:
Address:
Delivery point:
11th floor, Oxbridge Place
Delivery point:
9820 - 106 Street NW
City:
Edmonton
Administrative area:
Alberta
Postal code:
T5K 2J6
Country:
Country:
CA
Electronic mail address:
epa.flood@gov.ab.ca
Hours of service:
08:15 to 16:30 Monday to Friday
Role:
Role code:
pointOfContact
Resource maintenance:
Maintenance information:
Maintenance and update frequency:
Maintenance frequency code:
asNeeded
Descriptive keywords:
Keywords:
Keyword:
Alberta, Canada
Type:
Keyword type code:
place
Descriptive keywords:
Keywords:
Keyword:
Flood studies
Keyword:
Flood maps
Keyword:
Floodways
Keyword:
Flood Hazard Identification Program
Type:
Keyword type code:
theme
Resource constraints:
Legal constraints:
Access constraints:
Restriction code:
otherRestrictions
Other constraints:
To access the data you must agree to the terms of the Open Government Licence - Alberta found at
https://open.alberta.ca/licence
Resource constraints:
Legal constraints:
Use constraints:
Restriction code:
license
Other constraints:
Your use of this information will be governed by the terms of the Open Government Licence - Alberta, in
force as of the date you accessed the information, found at https://open.alberta.ca/licence
Resource constraints:
Legal constraints:
Use limitation:
Distribution Liability: Under the terms of the Open Government Licence - Alberta, the Information is
licensed as is, and the Information Provider excludes all representations, warranties, obligations, and
liabilities, whether express or implied, to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Information
Provider is not liable for any errors or omissions in the Information, and will not under any
circumstances be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or other loss,
injury or damage caused by its use or otherwise arising in connection with this licence or the
Information, even if specifically advised of the possibility of such loss, injury or damage.
Resource constraints:
Security constraints:
Classification:
Classification code:
unclassified
User note:
Public/Unrestricted
Classification system:
Government of Alberta Data and Information Security Classification
Handling description:
https://imtpolicy.sp.alberta.ca/standards/Pages/Data-and-Information-Security-Classification.aspx
Spatial representation type:
Spatial representation type code:
vector
Language:
Language Code:
eng
Character set:
Character set code:
utf8
Topic category:
Topic category code:
environment
Topic category:
Topic category code:
inlandWaters
Environment description:
ArcGIS Pro 3.0.3
Extent:
Extent:
Geographic element:
Geographic bounding box:
Extent type code:
true
West bound longitude:
-120
East bound longitude:
-110
South bound latitude:
49
North bound latitude:
60
Extent:
Extent:
Description:
Studies span from 1983 to 2023. See Studies table in the spatial data package for specific dates for each
study.
Temporal element:
Temporal extent:
Extent:
Time period:
Begin date:
1983-01-01T00:00:00
End date:
2023-12-31T00:00:00
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Distribution:
Distribution format:
Format:
Name:
File Geodatabase
Version:
3.0.3
Specification:
FGDB
File decompression technique:
ZIP
Distributor:
Distributor:
Distributor contact:
Responsible party:
Organisation name:
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Government of Alberta
Position name:
Provincial Geospatial Centre
Contact info:
Contact:
Phone:
Telephone:
Voice:
7804277374
Facsimile:
7804220712
Address:
Address:
Delivery point:
14th Floor, Oxbridge Place
Delivery point:
9820 - 106 Street NW
City:
Edmonton
Administrative area:
Alberta
Postal code:
T5K 2J6
Country:
Country:
CA
Electronic mail address:
PGC.Data@gov.ab.ca
Role:
Role code:
distributor
Transfer options:
Digital transfer options:
Units of distribution:
MB
Transfer size:
25
Online:
Online Resource:
Linkage:
URL:
https://extranet.gov.ab.ca/srd/geodiscover/srd_pub/inlandWaters/ABFloodMapping.zip
Protocol:
FTP
Name:
Alberta Flood Mapping (FGDB)
Description:
FGDB containing Alberta Flood Mapping dataset (ZIP)
Function:
Online function code:
download
Transfer options:
Digital transfer options:
Online:
Online Resource:
Linkage:
URL:
https://floods.alberta.ca/
Protocol:
HTTPS
Name:
Flood Awareness Map Application
Description:
Web viewer for final and draft flood maps
Function:
Online function code:
webService
Transfer options:
Digital transfer options:
Online:
Online Resource:
Linkage:
URL:
https://www.alberta.ca/flood-hazard-identification-program
Protocol:
HTTPS
Name:
Flood Hazard Identification Program
Description:
Web page with information on Flood Hazard Identification Program
Function:
Online function code:
information
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Data quality:
Scope:
Scope:
Hierarchy level:
Scope code:
dataset
Lineage:
Lineage:
Statement:
Flood maps are created by combining hydraulic model results with high-accuracy ground information. Older
flood studies include maps for as many as three flood scenarios, including the 1:100 flood. Newer
studies include maps for as many as thirteen scenarios, from the 1:2 flood to the 1:1000 flood. Flood
hazards have not been identified along all rivers or through all communities, and it is important to
remember that risk exists in areas without provincial flood maps. Historically, the Flood Hazard
Identification Program focused on specific communities and densely populated areas, where the risk to
safety and potential for significant flood damage is typically highest. New flood studies can include
longer lengths of river and less populated areas, where appropriate.
Process step:
Process step:
Description:
Field surveys and LiDAR remote sensing are used to collect river and floodplain elevations, channel
cross section data, bridge and culvert information, and flood berm details. A hydrology assessment
using recorded and historic flow measurements is typically used to estimate river flows for a wide
range of possible open water floods with different chances of occurring each year. When appropriate,
an ice jam frequency analysis is undertaken. All this information is used to build a hydraulic model
of a river system, which is calibrated using highwater marks and aerial imagery from past floods to
ensure that results for the different flood flows being mapped are reasonable.
Date and time:
2024-09-23T00:00:00
Processor:
Responsible party:
Organisation name:
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Government of Alberta
Position name:
River Engineering and Technical Services
Contact info:
Contact:
Phone:
Telephone:
Voice:
7804051388
Address:
Address:
Delivery point:
11th floor, Oxbridge Place, 9820 - 106 Street NW
City:
Edmonton
Administrative area:
Alberta
Postal code:
T5K 2J6
Electronic mail address:
epa.flood@gov.ab.ca
Hours of service:
08:15 to 16:30 Monday to Friday
Role:
Role code:
processor
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Maintenance information:
Maintenance and update frequency:
Maintenance frequency code:
asNeeded
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