Community Information

Know Your Flood Hazard

Contact the Planning & Building Department to find out more about the risk of flooding to a property you own, are considering purchasing, or are selling. The Planning & Building Department is open during the hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday and can be contacted via phone at 208.726.7801 or in person at 191 5th Street West, Ketchum, Idaho.

Planning & Building Department staff is available to provide assistance with reading flood maps and determining flood zones, providing information needed for flood insurance policies, and providing copies of Elevation Certificates for specific properties. The City of Ketchum maintains elevation certificates for new and substantially improved structures in the SFHA since November 20, 1978. However, elevation certificates may not be available for buildings that were built prior to the certificate requirement.

You can also visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Map Service Center and search the address of your property to find out the flood map number covering your property and the effective date of the flood map. From the Map Service Center you can view a web version of the flood map and learn your flood zone. Flood Insurance Rate Map data is also available on the City’s online GIS map. Both sites are linked below.

Insure Your Property for Your Flood Hazard

Visit FloodSmart to find out more about flood insurance, why it is needed, how to purchase flood insurance, and more. The following documents also provide information on flood insurance available through the National Flood Insurance Program:

Protect People from the Hazard

Sign up for Blaine County’s Community Alert System (BCCAS), launched in 2015, to receive emergency communications via cell phone or landline telephone, text message, e-mail, and social media channels. When flood and other emergencies are imminent or ongoing you will receive real time updates about local hazards and how to stay safe. The emergency alert system is powered by Code RED. Visit the link below to sign up.
Visit the Blaine County Local Emergency Planning Committee’s website for additional updates about flood emergencies and how to protect yourself during floods and other hazard events.
Heed Flood Warnings. Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated flood information. A flood WATCH means flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area. A food WARNING means flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground immediately and stay there.
Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankle or if you come across a flooded road while driving, stop, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
Create and practice a Disaster Plan. Talk to everyone in your household about what to do if a flood occurs. Decide where you would meet and who you would contact in case of flooding. Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness kit. Be prepared to evacuate your family and pets at a moment’s notice.

Protect Your Property from the Hazard

Flooding in Ketchum commonly occurs when the winter snowpack begins to melt in the mountain ranges surrounding city limits. Basic steps you can take to prepare your property before a flood event include:

Identify flood risks when snow and ice begin to melt. Remember that ground frost or frozen soils prevent snow melt from seeping into the ground, increasing the risk of flooding.
Safely remove excess snow from your roof using a snow roof rake or hire a contractor. Safely clear drains and gutters, making sure snowmelt flows away from your home.
Bring in outdoor furniture and move important indoor items to the highest possible floor. This will help protect them from flood damage.
Disconnect electrical appliances and do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. You could be electrocuted.
If instructed, turn off your gas and electricity at the main switch or valve. This helps prevent fires and explosions.

If you do experience damage during a flood event, you can take steps to repair and rebuild that will mitigate risks during future flood events. In cases of substantial damage or substantial improvements certain mitigation steps may be required. See more in the Build Responsibly section.

Build Responsibly

The City of Ketchum Planning & Building Department administers the permit requirements for construction and development in the floodplain. Development is defined as “Any subdivision, construction activity, or alteration of the landscape (except routine maintenance), its terrain contour or vegetation, including any construction of structures, establishment of a land use, or alteration of an existing structure or land use.” This includes adding fill to the floodplain, grading in the floodplain, alteration of vegetation in the floodplain and/or the riparian setback adjacent to waterways, alteration of stream banks, and new construction and additions.

A Floodplain Overlay Application is required for all development proposed to occur on properties located within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or adjacent to the Big Wood River, Warm Springs Creek, Trail Creek, or any tributary or stream, even if only a portion of the property is within the SFHA or adjacent to a waterway.

Staff is also available to make site visits to provide one-on-one advice regarding floodplain issues and flooding and drainage problems. Retrofitting advice is also available. Please call 208.726.7801 to make an appointment or report a violation.

City of Ketchum regulations are viewable online. Refer to the following chapters of the City of Ketchum municipal code for the city's floodplain regulations.

The City of Ketchum's Floodplain Management Ordinance, Title 17: Zoning, Chapter 17.88, Floodplain Management Overlay
The City of Ketchum’s Building Ordinance, Title 15: Building and Construction
The City of Ketchum's Nuisance Ordinance, Title 8, Chapter 8.08, Nuisances Generally, which prohibits dumping and impeding waterways and drainage in City limits

The following manuals also provide guidance on building responsibly:

Protect Natural Floodplain Functions

The City values the natural function of floodplains and has standards for building in the floodplain and maintaining native, riparian vegetation in areas adjacent to waterways. The city also prohibits dumping or interference in any water or drainage course in the city.

The following manuals provide more information and guidance for protecting the natural function of floodplains:

Outreach

Each year the city mails a letter to all properties located within the 100-year floodplain.

Read a copy of the 2019 letter here.

Historic Flooding

Recent major flood events occurred in Ketchum and the Wood River Valley in 1983, 2006 and 2017.

Click here to see photos from the 2006 flood event.

To view areas flooded during the 2017 flood use the online Ketchum GIS map and select the Big Wood River Imagery from 5-11-2017 or 06-02-2017 as your basemap.