Water Control Map and County Flood Criteria Update

The Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) - Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) has released a proposed Water Control Map update and County Flood Criteria update, which revises the current maps and proposes new regulatory standards for managing stormwater risks.

The proposed recommendations are based on DERM’s completion of a comprehensive Miami-Dade County Stormwater Master Plan update, using current and future sea level rise scenarios for 2040, 2060, 2080 and 2100.

The Water Control Map is used to establish guidelines and requirements for designing water control facilities for land development, and to show the general locations of proposed canals, levees, dams, control structures, pump stations, drainage divides and other drainage features of the Miami-Dade County Water Control System.

The County Flood Criteria sets the minimum Flood Protection Level of Service for finished grade elevation of developed sites, secondary canal banks and crown/grade of roads except as subject to higher localized standards.

The Water Control Map and the County Flood Criteria are based on analysis of the flood conditions created by a 25-year/3-day and a 10-year/24-hour storm event, respectively, and a sea level rise forecast of 2 feet and above (expected to occur in year 2060). Further evaluation, as needed, will be based on public comments and suggestions received during the public comment period.

The public comment period on the proposed Water Control Map and County Flood Criteria update, which was previously set to end on December 22, 2021, has been extended upon request to January 31, 2022. The questions and answers (Q&A) received to date can be found here, under Maps and Information.

A final comprehensive Q&A document will be published at the completion of the public comment period. You may submit your comments and questions to [email protected].