| 1. Flood Quiz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Test your knowledge about flooding right here! As a result of numerous recent floods, it seems everyone has an opinion on this subject. Yet flooding should be given its due, as it is more complex than just knowing a few facts. The goal is simple: provide as much information as possible in one place where people can go to find correct answers about various aspects related to flooding – while enjoying the process. To this end, examples were used wherever possible to accurately gauge respondents’ understanding of concepts rather than answering complicated equations. To provide immediate results of your survey and others, HRPC improved its website with a grant from The Community Foundation. Our quiz was developed to be a learning experience, not a lecture on what you don’t know. Flooding is a certainly a subject worth taking time to prepare a reliable source of information and supporting facts. A committee of engineers, planners, response agency, service providers, and others were assembled to prepare what we believe is a fair, balanced and correct quiz. HRPC is grateful for their time and expertise about a variety of subjects. The quiz takes 20 - 30 minutes but reflects many hours of research you would have to do otherwise. The fact of the matter is, however, we could only go so far in transforming a complicated, frustrating, and often aggravating subject into an online survey. The phenomena involves numerous natural and physical variables that compound upon each other. This helps explain why a particular area may flood or not after the same amount of rainfall. The properties of water, soil, terminology, abbreviations, and general characteristics of flood events are essential to an informed understanding. Physics and mathematics, along with a familiarity of general building, development and farming practices are also necessary. Government and non-profit, volunteer service organizations also play an integral role before, during and after a flood event. You can see your results at the end of the survey. Correct answers and their sources are provided, along with links to more information where available. You can print your results for future reference. Hopefully you will find the information useful in future discussions regarding flooding. Good Luck! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2. General Questions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: 1 cubic foot water = 7.5 gallons Water Conversion Table: click here
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: 1 gallon water = 8.34 lbs x 100 = 834lbs Water Facts Info: click here
The correct answer is "C". Explanation: Water expands when it freezes, however, it’s total weight will not change, because the number of molecules making up the water will not change. For more info: click here
The correct answer is "A". Explanation: For more info: click here
The correct answer is "True". Explanation: Generally speaking, the larger the soil particle size, the better the drainage will be. This is why golf greens and sports fields are ultimately designed with sand based soils. On the other hand, very fine particles (clay and silt) tend to drain poorly, but hold on to more water in the soil system. The distribution of soil particles (size and relative amounts) is used to determine the 'soil textural class'. There are basically twelve soil classes based on texture. From knowledge about the textural class of soil, information can be inferred about it's infiltration, water holding capacity, and how much water the turf can actually use. For more info: click here
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: Yes, frozen ground does affect percolation. Frozen soil acts as a barrier reducing the infiltration capacity significantly during the winter season causing surface runoff and soil erosion. For more info: click here Ice within the pore spaces of frozen soils typically reduces infiltration rates, but only soils that were saturated on freezing will completely prevent water from entering. For more info: click here
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: The saturation level of the soil will not change the percolation rate. The soil will drain the same RATE, but there is just more to drain. A practicle example is a bathtub, it drains at the same rate wether it is completely full or half full. For more info: click here
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: Groundwater is all water that is underground, as opposed to on the surface of the ground. The term usually refers to water in the saturated zone below the water table. This is water that supplies wells. Link explaining many facts about ground water. click here
The correct answer is "A". Explanation: The concept of a watershed is basic to all hydrologic designs. Since large watersheds are made up of many smaller watersheds, it is necessary to define the watershed in terms of a point. This point is usually the location at which the design is being made and is referred to as the watershed “outlet”. With respect to the outlet, the watershed consists of all land area that “sheds” water to the outlet during a rainstorm. Using the concept that “water runs downhill”, a watershed is defined by all points enclosed within an area from which rain falling at these points will contribute water to the outlet. Figure 1. depicts the delineation of a watershed boundary. For more information: click here
The correct answer is "True". Explanation: All land drains somewhere, and therefore part of a watershed. For more information: click here
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: CFM= Cubic Feet Per Minute Often used to measure the flow of water or air.
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: Per Floodplain Management Study of Blanchard River and Riley Creek, Soil Conservation Service U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Revised July 1990. “The regulatory floodway is not an actual channel, rather, it is the equivalent area required to convey the 100-year flood without increasing the water surface elevation more than 1.0 foot. Federally, no fill is permitted within the floodway boundary. Another purpose of the floodway in to identify that part of the floodplain where potential damage is the greatest, i.e., the velocity and depth of flooding are greatest. Fema Floodway Information: click here
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: This question points out the importance of proper terminology. The term "100-year flood" is used in an attempt to simplify the definition of a flood that statistically has a 1-percent chance of occurring in any given year. Likewise, the term "100-year storm" is used to define a rainfall event that statistically has this same 1-percent chance of occurring. In other words, over the course of 1 million years, these events would be expected to occur 10,000 times. But, just because it rained 10 inches in one day last year doesn't mean it can't rain 10 inches in one day again this year. For more information: click here
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: Facts and Myths of Flood Insurance click here
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: A permit is not required by the EPA. Locally, permits are required by the City of Findlay or Hancock County, depending on location. The requirement is set forth in the Flood Damage Reduction Ordinance passed by each jurisdiction. Enforcing the regulations is required in order for the the communities and property owners to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Source: City of Findlay and Ohio EPA
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: Retention ponds are designed to hold water at all times. All of the required storage capacity is provided ABOVE the pond's normal water level. For more information click here
The correct answer is "A". Explanation: Retention ponds are designed to hold a pool of water at all times while detention ponds only hold water as needed to control runoff and are dry the rest of the time. Both ponds are used to control the rate of runoff from developed property, either residential or commercial. A retention pond is designed to hold some constant pool of water, often for aesthetic or water quality reasons, the required storage capacity needed to serve the development is provided above the normal water level. Excess water collected during rain events is released at a slow rate through a pipe or other outlet until the pond reaches its normal water level. In a detention pond, the outlet pipe is located at the bottom of the pond, not allowing water to remain in the pond during dry weather. The minimum size of the pond is determined only by the required storage capacity needed to serve the development during periodic rain events. During rain events, runoff is collected in the detention pond and is released at a slow rate through the outlet pipe until the pond is empty. It then remains empty until the next rain event. For more information click here Wikipedia Defenitions click here
The correct answer is "True". Explanation: Use of this data is vital to the expediency of response from State and Federal Agencies. Hancock EMA Emergency Response Plan: click here | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. Findlay and the Blanchard River | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The correct answer is "A". Explanation: 532 sq. miles = 340,480 acres For more information: click here
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: Hancock County occupies 532 square miles (340,480 acres) and the City of Findlay occupies 19.48 square miles (12,467 acres) Source: HRPC
The correct answer is "A". Explanation: The City of Findlay is 19.48 square miles (12,467.2 acres), with 2.88 square miles (1,843 acres) in the floodplain. This means 14.8% of the City of Findlay is located within the 100 year floodplain. Source: City of FIndlay
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: For more information click here Watershed Map click here
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: 346 square miles (221,440 acres) beginning at the north end of Kenton and encompassing the villages of Mt. Blanchard, Arlington, etc. Watershed Map click here
The correct answer is "A". Explanation: The Blanchard River originates in Hardin County, near Kenton, OH. Watershed Map click here Source: 1990 Flood Plain Management Study of the Blanchard River, Soil Conservation Sercive, U.S. Department of Agriculture
The correct answer is "A". Explanation: Findlay has 2200 structures in the 100 year floodplain, including primary and secondary structures such as detached garages. Accessory structures require a seperate flood insurance policy from the primary structure. Many people choose not to insure their accessory structures and only insure the primary structure. Source: City of Findlay Engineering Map showing parts of Findlay and the buildings in the floodplain: click here
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: 1200 insured properties. 1800 properties in the floodplain. Total of 2,200 structures. Source Findlay Engineering Deptment and ODNR This site provides the number of flood insured homes updated every month click here
The correct answer is "A". Explanation: For more information: click here
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: All official stream levels are reference to the Stream Gage located near CR 140 just west of Findlay. This gage and all records related to it are maintained by U.S. Geological Survey. Current gage information can be viewed on the USGS website, click here
The correct answer is "C". Explanation: All storm sewers, which collect storm water from catch basins and street curb drains, drain to a waterway such as the Blanchard River, Howard Run, Eagle Creek, Lye Creek, Dalzell Ditch, Jane Wolf Ditch, Rush Creek, or other waterway without treatment or removal of contaminants that might be present. Prior to reaching the waterway, water from newer developments may be detained/retained in a pond. Source: City of Findlay Engineering & Water Pollution Control Center.
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: All sanitary sewage flows to the Findlay Water Pollution Control Center, located on River Road just west of Broad Avenue, where it is treated and tested according to strict EPA requirements, before being released back into the Blanchard River. One notable exception is the Spring Lake Subdivision, which uses a lagoon sewage collection system. Source: City of Findlay & Water Pollution Control Center
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: Neither a septic system or water well may be constructed in the 100 year floodplain. One exception to this rule is if the "cap" of the water well is elevated to a height that is over the 100 year flood level. Source: Hancock County Health Department
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: In 1997, according to USDA-NRCS National Resource Inventory (NRI), the watershed was: 80% cropland 1% pastureland 5% forest 4 percent minor cover/uses 2% rural transportation,br>1% water, 1% Conversation Reserve Program 6% urban/built up land. Source: January 2008 Rapid Watershed Assessment- Data Profile- Natural Resource Conversation Service (NRCS)
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: Source: 2000 Census Summary File 1 and 3
The correct answer is "True". Explanation: The northern boundary of the Blanchard River Watershed is near Van Buren. To view map click here Additional watershed map click here
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: The following Cities and Villages are situated entirely or partly in the Blanchard River Watershed: Arlington, Beaverdam, Benton Ridge, Bluffton, Columbus Grove, Continental, Dunkirk, Dupont, Findlay, Forest, Glandorf, Jenera, Kenton, Miller City, Mount Blanchard, Mount Cory, Ottawa, Pandora, Patterson, Rawson, Vanlue, and Wharton. Per Blanchard River Rapid Watershed Assessment, by NRCS, January 2008 Watershed Map click here
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: The Blanchard River does not cause flooding in Fostoria because the city is not in the Blanchard River Watershed. Runoff from Fostoria flows north to the Portage River, located in the Cedar-Portage Watershed. Watershed Map click here
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: The 100 year flood elevation on the east side of Ottawa is approximately 732 feet above sea level. The 100 year flood elevation at CR 140, just west of Findlay is approximately 772 feet above sea level. This means that Ottawa is located approximately 40 feet lower than Findlay and would have to have floodwaters more than 40 feet over the 100 year flood level in Ottawa to begin backing up into Findlay. Source: 1990 Flood Plain Management Study of the Blanchard River, Soil Conservation Sercive, U.S. Department of Agriculture
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: The highest point in the watershed is in northern Hardin County. The lowest point is in western Putnam County. Elevation map of the watershed: click here
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: On average, the river falls only 1 foot per mile between Riverbend Park and the Village of Ottawa, versus the 9 feet per mile that it falls between Hardin County and Riverbend. This means that the water flowing in the river slows down considerably on its way through Findlay. In order to continue carrying the same amount of water, but at a slower pace, the river must increase in width and/or depth. Add drawing. Source: 1990 Flood Plain Management Study of the Blanchard River, Soil Conservation Sercive, U.S. Department of Agriculture
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: Prior to historic settlement, wetlands were common in our area. Based on soil survey information, wetlands made up about 42 percent of the watershed. Due to clearing of swamp forest and the subsequent drainage of the land, most of the wetlands have been artificially drained. Wetlands occurring in cropland currently constitute less than 1 percent of the watershed and wooded wetlands constitute about 3.2 percent of the watershed. Source: Natural Resource Conservation Service - Rapid Watershed Assessment, Data Profile, January 2008.
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: There are 256 different soil types in the watershed, each with its separate soil management concerns, crop productivity, and land use capability. The soils are dominantly nearly level, very poorly drained to gently sloping, somewhat poorly drained mineral soils formed in the deposits of lacustrine material or glacial till, but also include small acreages of moderately well drained soils on sloping to very steep slopes, sandy soils on beach ridges or organic soils in depresional areas. Nearly level and gently sloping areas of somewhat poorly drained Blount soils comprise about 30 percent of the watershed. Occupying flats and low knolls on glacial till plains these soils need artificial drainage for crop production. Associated with Blount soils are very poorly drained Pewamo soils which compromise about 20 percent of the watershed and also need artificial drainage for farming. Soil management concerns for most of the soils of the Blanchard River Watershed include: a) seasonal wetness and the need for artificial drainage on about 366,000 acres of land b) a hazard of soil erosion by water on about 105,000 acres of land c) a hazard of soil erosion by wind on about 5,000 acres. Source: Natural Resource Conservation Service - Rapid Watershed Assessment, Data Profile, January 2008.
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: The total amount of silt for the watershed is from the 1997 study. “Average soil erosion rates by water on all cropland in the Blanchard River Watershed has declined from about 2.8 T/Ac/Year (Tons per acre per year) to about 2.0 T/Ac/Year in 1997. Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service – Rapid Watershed Assessment – Data Profile Corrected from 837,900,000 to the correct answer of 837,800 tons
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: All of the above. In general, the Blanchard River flows on bedrock through the City of Findlay. There is very little sediment in the river in comparison to other river beds in the country. If the river was dredged, it would only remove a couple of feet of sediment in the narrowest portion of the river channel – the river bottom. The river bottom in Findlay is most places is about 150 feet wide. When water rises during flooding, the river channel grows to over a mile wide in some locations. Therefore, the additional volume capacity you would create by dredging the river bottom and removing two feet of silt at the rivers narrowest point is a very small amount in comparison to the total volume of water in the river at flood stage. As a result, dredging will not reduce the overall flood level by 2 feet. In fact, it may have very little benefit at all. The amount of money spent and the amount of silt (sediment) that would have to be removed in a dredging project would offer minimal benefit to the floodplain area. Dredging is also a temporary solution. Sediment removed will redevelop in a relatively short period of time. Remember that 837,900,000 tons of silt enters the watershed each year. Source: Norwest Ohio Flood Mitigation Partnership
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: The reservoirs hold enough water when at 100% capacity to provide about 980 days, or two and a half years, of drinking water for the City of Findlay at our current usage rate, without requiring water restrictions. Source: Findlay Water Department
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: In 1967, it cost $2.52 million to construct Reservoir 2. In 2007 it would have cost about $22 million(according to the Turner Building Cost Index, which uses the year 1967 as the base year for its cost index. The construction would have cost about 8.76 times the original construction cost to build it in late 2007.) For method for calculating today's estimated cost click here
The correct answer is "C". Explanation: This demonstrates the possible size and storage capacity that might be needed to control a flood similar to the August 2007 flood. A detention basin would have to be constructed, along with the necessary pumps and structures, to handle this as the actual Findlay Reservoirs could not be used for several reasons, some of which are noted below. Note that the reservoirs are NEVER empty and it would be foolish to empty them in preparation for a flood. The Reservoirs provide drinking water to the City of Findlay that is of a good quality due to the quality of water pumped in and the amount of time it is allowed to settle in the reservoirs before being treated at the treatment plant. If the reservoirs were emptied, it would cause several problems: 1. Water would have to be pumped into the reservoirs. The pumps currently used for this would pick up water as it flowed past the reservoir, before it got to Findlay. This would not eliminate flooding of Lye Creek, Eagle Creek, or Howard Run. Also, the amount of floating debris contained in floodwaters could damage the existing pumps. 2. Potential for the dikes surrounding the reservoirs to collapse given a sudden change in pressure due to emptying and refilling the reservoirs. 3. Filling the reservoirs with very low-quality flood waters that the City would be forced to treat and use as drinking water. 4. Treatment at the Water Treatment Plant would have to change in order to make the water safe for drinking. As it takes time and testing to ensure that the water would be safe, boil advisories would be in affect each time it flooded. Also, there would be no guarantee that the water would be safe until testing was completed, several days later. This greatly increases the potential for the drinking water to be harmful to citizens. Source: USGS Data, HRPC, City of Findlay Engineering
The correct answer is "D". Explanation: Soure: Ohio Department of Natural Resources & City of Findlay
The correct answer is "True". Explanation: True. Actually, this applies to any “substantial improvement” being made to the structure, including remodeling that will cost 50% or more of the current value, building addition, repair of damage due to natural disaster such as flood, fire, tornado, high winds, etc. Per City of Findlay Codified Ordinances 1351.04,Flood Damage Reduction Ordinance Findlay Flood Prevention Ordinance 1351: click here
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: Under certain circumstances, crawl spaces and lower level garages may be permitted. Precautions must be taken to protect the area and the structure and these are called out in the City's Flood Damage Reduction Ordinance, 1351.04. In no circumstances is a basement allowed. Source: City of Findlay Flood Damage Reduction Ordinance Findlay Flood Prevention Ordinance 1351: click here
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: The requirement of an engineering analysis to prove no detrimental impacts of changes in the floodway is NOT a new requirement. New or modified requirements include: 1. Development activities located in areas that are designated as floodplain areas will require an approval from the City Floodplain Administrator and follow all requirements set forth in Chapter 1351 of City of Findlay Codified Ordinances. All engineering analysis shall be conducted by a state registered professional engineer. (previously, only the City Engineer had to approve engineering analysis) 2. No encroachments by fill material or structures will be allowed in floodway. Modification of floodway will only be permitted if meet requirements of Section 60.3 of National Flood Insurance Program regulations and Chapter 1351 of City Ordinances. Modifications shall not result in any increase in base flood elevation. Engineering analysis used to prove such shall extend a distance of one mile upstream and downstream of development site. (This requirement was present previously, but has been reworded for emphasis. Also, this requirement is called out in Section 1351 of City Ordinances.) 3. Basis for determining storm water conveyance (storm sewer size) shall be a 10-year storm. Storm water discharged from platted area to be detained based on 100-year storm volume. Discharge rate for retention/detention areas shall not exceed pre-developed runoff rate from site. Basis for determining discharge shall be 5-year storm. (Previously, retention/detention storage capacity and discharge were both determined by the 5-year storm, so the new requirement is much more stringent.) 4. Provisions shall be made for an emergency overflow route from detention areas to the point of discharge in the event a storm exceeds the 100-year detention capacity. (This is a new requirement.) 5. Subdivider shall be required to post a performance bond to guarantee execution of the detention/retention area plan. Bond shall not be released until actual conditions are verified by Chief Engineer. (previously, the subdivider was required only to post a bond guaranteeing the execution of the grading plan, not the retention/detention areas specifically.) Copy of ordinance: click here ODNR Flood Info: click here Findlay Flood Prevention Ordinance 1351: click here
The correct answer is "True". Explanation: City and County regulations require developers to at least maintain the current flood storage volume in the floodplain. This can be done by balancing, or moving soil around within the floodplain to serve the necessary purpose but not change the volume. Developers are required to have the site designed by a licensed professional engineer to determine the flood storage capacity below base flood elevation (100 year flood elevation) prior to construction, and following construction. The developer may only begin work once the plan and proposed flood storage capacity calculations have been approved by the City's Chief Engineer. Following construction and before the City issues the Certificate of Compliance, the developer again must have a licensed professional engineer survey the area and determine the actual change in flood storage capacity. If the flood storage volume has decreased, the developer must correct the issue or risk losing occupancy of the building/development. Drawing illustrating the cut/fill procedure: click here
The correct answer is "True". Explanation: For a list of all required permits: click here
The correct answer is "False". Explanation: The City of Findlay is NOT responsible for maintenance of retention/detention ponds located within subdivisions. At the time the subdivision is platted and recorded, the developer is required to sumbit restrictive covenants that control the subdivision and use of the private property contained therein to the County Recorder. City Code requires that the restrictive covenants place maintenance responsibility for detention/retention ponds with the property owners within the subdivision. Usually this is done by requiring the formation of a homeowners association, which can maintain the ponds as necessary and assess the property owners for the cost. Included in the City of Findlay Codified Ordinances 1111.06(c), "Where a subdivision includes a pond, lake, basin or other physical facilities for stormwater management, the restrictive covenants filed with the plat shall include measures to assure the continued maintenance of the facilities, placing the responsibility for maintenance with the owners of property in such subdivision." Findlay Flood Prevention Ordinance 1111: click here
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: For More Information: click here
The correct answer is "A". Explanation: Goal is to make homes safe, secure and sanitary. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4. Flood History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The correct answer is "B". Explanation: City of Findlay Flood Information Page: click here
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