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Floodplain Management
Overview
The City of Bulverde strives to be pro-active in management of the floodplains. The city utilizes several ordinances to achieve that end, including the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, and other policies.
Floodplain Construction
While building in the floodplain is permitted, it is strongly regulated to protect the health and safety of not only the property owners, but all of the citizens of Bulverde. Constructing improvements in the floodplain often requires preparation of an engineering report to certify that the activities will not increase the base flood elevation more than 1 foot at any point in the drainage basin. In addition, the lowest floor (not including storage and access like garages) must be elevated at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation. These buildings must also meet other special construction requirements.
As new subdivisions come in, construction in those floodplains will become increasingly difficult. In new subdivisions, all floodplains are placed either in drainage easements or dedicated rights-of-way, where they remain largely in their natural state. In addition, these subdivisions must mitigate the increased runoff created from development for the 5, 10, 25 and 100 year storm frequencies.
The Comprehensive Plan (PDF) will play a role in future floodplain management. It calls for development of a linear, interconnected park system utilizing the floodplains.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is working on new Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Comal County.
The City of Bulverde strives to be pro-active in management of the floodplains. The city utilizes several ordinances to achieve that end, including the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, and other policies.
Floodplain Construction
While building in the floodplain is permitted, it is strongly regulated to protect the health and safety of not only the property owners, but all of the citizens of Bulverde. Constructing improvements in the floodplain often requires preparation of an engineering report to certify that the activities will not increase the base flood elevation more than 1 foot at any point in the drainage basin. In addition, the lowest floor (not including storage and access like garages) must be elevated at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation. These buildings must also meet other special construction requirements.
As new subdivisions come in, construction in those floodplains will become increasingly difficult. In new subdivisions, all floodplains are placed either in drainage easements or dedicated rights-of-way, where they remain largely in their natural state. In addition, these subdivisions must mitigate the increased runoff created from development for the 5, 10, 25 and 100 year storm frequencies.
The Comprehensive Plan (PDF) will play a role in future floodplain management. It calls for development of a linear, interconnected park system utilizing the floodplains.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is working on new Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Comal County.