During a flood, water levels rise, inundating areas not normally covered by water. This could be due to land elevation, jams of ice and debris, and built development features such as pavement and houses. Floodplain maps use data and technical models to predict the path of floodwaters – the area known as the floodplain. It is important to remember that a floodplain map does not create a flooding hazard; it simply shows where the flooding hazard is.

The new floodplain maps are used by Otonabee Conservation and our partner municipalities to help direct future development outside the floodplain. The maps will also be integrated into municipal Official Plans. This will help mitigate the risks of developing inside areas that are prone to flooding, which may cause loss of life, personal injury, and damage to property.

Floodplain mapping is a tool to protect and respect the floodplain. Flooding poses dangers to people and property. Knowing the extent of the floodplain is critical to reducing potential property damage and risks to public safety, environmental protection, and emergency management. 

The process for mapping floodplain hazards is set out in federal and provincial guidelines. Technical studies of the area are conducted which help experts create models mapping the size and shape of the floodplain. View our Floodplain Mapping Story Map to gain a greater understanding about how floodplain maps are created.

Otonabee Conservation experts in water resources engineering and geographic information systems perform the necessary studies. Once they have all the information they need and have created hydrologic models, they create the floodplain map.

Otonabee Conservation works closely with local municipalities and other partners throughout the mapping process.

Communities are informed in every step of the process. For example, we will notify property owners when the project begins and let them know that we may need to access their property.

Floodplain maps help protect property and human life. They are planning documents that are used to guide decisions about land use and development. The floodplain map helps to determine where new buildings may be located, if the property in question is at risk during a flood or a storm event. In some cases, it may be necessary for property owners to take measures to protect existing buildings from flooding.

If your property is located within one of our floodplain mapping study areas and it is outside the red floodplain lines, then it is located outside the floodplain.

OR

If your property is located outside one of our floodplain mapping study areas, you may still be located in a floodplain that is not covered by the new mapping.

Potentially. Otonabee Conservation regulates the area that extends a further 15 metres from the edge of the floodplain, therefore the regulated area may still impact a property that is immediately adjacent to a floodplain.

ORCA also regulates natural hazards including wetlands and erosion hazards (steep slopes), Wetland boundaries, steep slopes, and their associated regulated areas are not present on the floodplain mapping. Therefore, a property may still be within a regulated feature and require a permit from Otonabee Conservation. Please search your property on the Regulated Areas Mapping.

NOTE: A regulated area is an area within Otonabee Conservations jurisdiction, as defined in Ontario Regulation 41/24

For example, Otonabee Conservation regulates 30 metres from wetlands and 15 metres from the floodplain. The extent of Otonabee Conservation’s regulated area is dependent upon the feature that is present. If you’re unsure if you require a permit, please fill out a Property Inquiry Form.

Floodplain maps don’t ‘put’ a property in the floodplain; they simply show where the floodplain is due to natural flooding impacts during large storm events.

The rules around developing in a flooding hazard area have not changed; the maps are new tools that help us determine up-front if proposed development is at risk for flooding

These maps were previously subject to public consultation and this information has already been incorporated into the Peterborough County Official Plan.

Otonabee Conservation regulations do not apply on lands that are set aside as reserves for First Nations people under Federal legislation.

Knowing that your property is within the floodplain will help you better understand your risk and prepare for any future flooding. Knowing where the floodplain is on your property can help you determine where you can safely construct a new building or addition early in your planning process, without having to pay for a surveyor.

Basemaps for our Floodplain Mapping projects are provided to us through our mapping software, ArcGIS Online and ESRI Canada. These topographic basemaps include highways, major roads, minor roads, railways, water features, cities, parks, landmarks, building footprints, and administrative boundaries. Basemaps are created on a Canada-wide or Global scale. When the boundaries for these features are defined, the presentation of a feature may not be accurate based on the methods used to create the representation. Also, depending on the date of data collection for the basemap, some features may be outdated.

 Otonabee Conservation overlays a ‘floodplain layer’ onto the existing topographic basemaps to provide a visual representation of the extent of floodplain and unfortunately we are unable to make changes or corrections to the ArcGIS/ESRI basemaps.

If you are concerned about current flooding conditions, please check our website for flood messages.