Written by: Daniel Fife, Lead Hydraulic Designer
I kicked off the 2025 Association of State Floodplain Managers conference on Sunday with the “Workshop: The Proper Way to Complete & Review FEMA’s Elevation Certificate for Floodplain Management & CRS.” The instructor provided a thorough walkthrough of each section of the form, explaining why every data point matters, common errors to avoid, and best practices for photo documentation. Key takeaways included verifying vertical datums and double-checking spot elevations—small details that make a big difference in accuracy.
Later that afternoon, I had the opportunity to go kayaking near local oyster reefs and newly restored marshlands. It was a firsthand look at how nature-based solutions help buffer storm surge. Watching sediment being trapped and waves dissipated reinforced how effective living systems can be as flood mitigation strategies, sometimes even more so than traditional infrastructure.
That evening’s Welcome Fest at Jackson Square was quintessential New Orleans. I explored exhibits on Hurricane Katrina’s impact, enjoyed appetizers under The Cabildo’s Spanish Colonial arches, and connected with peers from across the country.
Monday started early with national policy updates, followed by a FEMA Region 8 session, where regional experts shared key changes in program deadlines and new grant funding opportunities.
On Tuesday, I began with a Session based on Floodplain Management and Policy. Case studies showcased how local and state governments are modernizing ordinances to keep pace with evolving flood hazards. The emphasis on syncing plans with FEMA’s latest guidance was a helpful primer ahead of more technical sessions.
That afternoon, I split my time between Hydrography Data and Mapping, where I learned about cutting-edge hydrography collection methods like UAV topobathymetric LiDAR, and Modeling for Design, where experts demonstrated the step-by-step process of building 2D floodplain models—from mesh creation to boundary condition calibration.
Wednesday focused on infrastructure and stormwater. The morning’s Local Challenges and Initiatives with Dams and Levees session provided valuable insight into inspection findings and the environmental tradeoffs of structural rehab projects. In the afternoon, I attended Stormwater Management and Urban Development Impacts, followed by Modeling Unique Conditions & Problems, which addressed unconventional hydraulic scenarios like canal overtopping and urban backwater issues—showcasing how flexible tools like HEC-RAS and InfoWorks ICM are applied.
Thursday wrapped up the week with a session on Levee Safety: Lessons Learned and Advancements, featuring updates from USACE and state officials on how real-time monitoring is being integrated into inspections. In the afternoon, Modeling for Updating Mapping explored techniques for keeping floodplain maps current in rapidly urbanizing areas, a key concern for accurate risk management. I concluded with Coastal Resilience Land Use Study: Flood Risk & Sustainable Land Development Patterns in St. Tammany Parish, where researchers presented how detailed land-use analyses are supporting smarter, more resilient growth in coastal zones.
By the end of the week, I left with fresh insights and a clear action plan to apply these strategies locally—from policy alignment and infrastructure upgrades to ecosystem-based approaches and data-driven mapping.