Floodplain Management

Floodplains 

The goal of floodplain ordinances are intended to minimize damage and losses due to flooding events.  Each Local Government Unit is delegated the authority to adopt flood regulations set in State Statute Chapter 103F and 394.  Flood hazards are identified as areas in the County that are subject to periodic inundation that results in potential loss of life, loss of property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety, and general welfare.  

The Le Sueur County Floodplain Overlay District was developed utilizing Minnesota Department of Natural Resources standards for determining flood hazards.  Furthermore, the Le Sueur County Floodplain Overlay District must be in compliance with Federal Standards for Flood Insurance Program Compliance 44 Code Federal Regulations parts 59-78 in order to continue to maintain eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Floodplains

Defined in the Le Sueur County Ordinance as "The beds, channel, and the areas adjoining a wetland, lake or watercourse which have been or hereafter may be covered by the base flood."  Within a floodplain there are floodways and flood fringes.

Floodway

Defined in the Le Sueur County Ordinance as, "The bed of a wetland or lake and the channel of the watercourse and those portions of the adjoining floodplain which are reasonably required to carry or store the base flood discharge without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one-half foot."

Flood Fringe

Defined in the Le Sueur County Ordinance as, "That portion of the one-percent (1%) annual chance floodplain located outside the floodway. Flood fringe is synonymous with the term "floodway fringe" used in the Flood Insurance Study for Le Sueur County."

Le Sueur County Floodplain Overlay District Ordinance Revision

Le Sueur County updated their Floodplain Overlay District Ordinance to incorporate the updated changes to the Flood Insurance Rate Map panels and due to the Flood Insurance Study.  This ordinance became effective on July 17, 2024.

Section 6.2 Floodplain Overlay District Ordinance

FEMA Flood Zone Designation

We often receive questions from landowners on how to change their FEMA Flood Zone Designation for their property or for a structure.  Le Sueur County cannot change Flood Zone Designations.  That is something that must be addressed with the Minnesota DNR and FEMA.  To learn more, please visit the following webpage: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/floodplain/map_appeals.html.