The height to which floodwater is anticipated to rise during a base flood, also known as a 1-percent-annual-chance flood, is a critical metric in floodplain management. This elevation, often expressed in feet relative to a specified vertical datum (such as NAVD88), represents the estimated peak of inundation during a flood event with a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. For example, if a property has a corresponding value established as 10 feet NAVD88, it suggests floodwaters are expected to reach that height during such an event.
This metric underpins community planning, building regulations, and insurance requirements within floodplains. Understanding it allows for the implementation of mitigation strategies such as elevating structures, designing flood-resistant construction, and developing evacuation plans. The data influences federal flood insurance rates, impacting property owners financially and incentivizing responsible development practices. Its historical context can be traced back to the development of floodplain mapping and risk assessment methodologies by governmental agencies, such as FEMA, in response to devastating floods throughout the 20th century.