EDA

Project Impact

Grant

Number 06-86-04447

Final Report

of the

Ohio Valley Regional

Development Commission

9329 St Rt 220 E, Suite A

Waverly, OH 45690-9012

October 1, 2000 – September 30, 2003

Prepared under an award from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration

PROJECT IMPACT

A Flood Analysis and Educational Program Focus on Selected Sites in the OVRDC Region

By

Jason Gillow R/P Specialist

Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission

Funded by

Economic Development Administration

Abstract

This paper describes progress of Project Impact that was conducted by Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission. Project Impact was a grant that was awarded to Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to conduct a study on the economic impact on local communities from flash flooding and flood inundation. OVRDC focused on six counties in their region that experienced flooding and had been declared federal disaster areas between 1997-2000. These counties were Adams , Gallia , Jackson , Lawrence , Pike, and Scioto . Within these counties, OVRDC identified and mapped one to two sites per county that had experienced the greatest economic impact from flooding to conduct the research. Mapping was conducted by historical records and interviews that were processed using OVRDC’s GIS system and this data was compared with current FEMA flood maps. A hydrological and landcover time series detection analysis was conducted to determine watershed boundaries and landuse change to see if there was a correlation between flooding and landuse changes. Additionally, OVRDC provided educational workshops to the public and local officials. Plus, staff received training in flood and disaster mitigation. In the mapping of historical floods, there were comparative differences in the field results and the current FEMA flood maps. This project supports the issues of the needed change and updating of current flood maps and studies. The hydrological and landcover time series detection analysis results varied. Hydrological analysis had shown the current boundaries of the targeted sites. Depending on the age of the data, several sites experienced a wide range of landcover transformations during the focus span of time for each site. Variations in landcover have had some role in the increase of flooding in some communities, while other factors have had a greater impact on flooding itself. Education and training was an important role in disaster mitigation by assisting communities, local officials, and staff being prepared for certain future disaster events.

Introduction

Project Impact is a grant that was awarded by EDA to OVRDC to study the economic impacts on local communities affected by flash flooding and flood inundation. OVRDC has been focusing on six counties in the District that have experienced flooding and have been declared federal disaster areas from 1997-2000. The counties selected for Project Impact are Adams , Gallia , Jackson , Lawrence , Pike, and Scioto . Within these counties, OVRDC identified one to two sites per county that experienced the greatest economic impact from flooding to conduct the research. Within the 6 counties, 11 sites were selected to conduct the study. These target communities were:

	Village of Manchester ( Adams County )
	Gallipolis area ( Gallia County )
	Village of Vinton ( Gallia County )
	Village of Coalton ( Jackson County )
	City of Jackson ( Jackson County )
	Community of Aid on Symmes Creek ( Lawrence County )
	Village of Proctorville and Rome area ( Lawrence County )
	Community of Latham on Sunfish Creek ( Pike County )
	Green Acres Subdivision/City of Waverly ( Pike County )
	Village of New Boston ( Scioto County )
	Community of Garden City, near Wheelersburg on Pine Creek ( Scioto County )

OVRDC staff went to these sites; talked to local officials and to the general public; and recorded flood levels of the targeted sites. The information gathered was recorded and compared with current FEMA flood maps by using OVRDC’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS). After this work had been accomplished, staff carried out a spatial change detection analysis to search for a correlation between changes in landuse patterns and increases in flooding at the targeted watersheds by looking into historical records for the region.  Also, the project assisted in flood mitigation protection and education through the development of workshops and seminars aimed at elected officials and the general public.

For the future, this land use analysis will help OVRDC staff to aid local communities in efforts in shielding against future hazards.  Overall, this project will help OVRDC to provide assistance to local communities to develop flood mitigation plans; to evaluate project proposals; formation and enforcement of flood zone building codes; and encourage private flood-proofing investments. Compiling maps of storm-induced flood hazard areas and participating in mitigation education opportunities will aid OVRDC staff to evaluate project proposals and suggest opportunities for incorporating risk reduction strategies into future EDA project funding applications.

For copies of Project Impact Grant Final Report in digital format on CD or a printed hard copy (a minimum fee will be charged for  requested copies for the costs of reproduction) contact:

Jason Gillow

Research/Planning Specialist
Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission
9329 St Rt 220 E, Suite A
Waverly, OH 45690

Phone: 740-947-2853 or 800-223-7491 (In Ohio )

Fax: 740-947-3468

Email: jgillow@ovrdc.org

 For any questions or comments, please feel free to contact OVRDC.