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Glossary
Terms, Abbreviations, Acronyms and Phrases
The terms and abbreviations listed in this section may appear in various communications regarding Project Brays.
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1% (100-year) Floodplain
The area of land that has a 1% chance of being inundated by flood waters from a bayou, stream or creek in a given year. It is commonly referred to as the 100-year floodplain. This is a regulatory standard used to administer floodplain management programs, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and to set building requirements for new construction. Statistically, the 1% (100-year) flood has a 26% chance of occurring during a 30-year period of time – the length of many mortgages.
The 1% (100-year) floodplain is the Base Flood or Special Flood Hazard Area. It is referred to as Zones AE, AO, A, or VE for insurance purposes on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Properties located in these mapped zones are required to have flood insurance if the owner has a federally backed mortgage on the property. See also Other Frequency Floods.
1% (100-year) Rainfall
An amount of rain having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For Harris County, this amount of rainfall is just over 13 inches in 24 hours or just under 11 inches in 12 hours.
0.2% (500-year) Floodplain
The area of land that has a 0.2% chance of being inundated by flood waters from a bayou, stream or creek in a given year. It is commonly referred to as the 500-year floodplain. This is a regulatory standard used to administer floodplain management programs and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Statistically, the 0.2% (500-year) flood has a 6% chance of occurring during a 30-year period of time – the length of many mortgages.
The 0.2% (500-year) floodplain is referred to as Zone X for insurance purposes on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). See also Other Frequency Floods.
0.2% (500-year) Rainfall
An amount of rain having a 0.2% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For Harris County, this amount of rainfall is just less than 19 inches in 24 hours.
10-Foot Contour
A contour line is a line on a map that joins points of equal elevation. Each 10-foot contour line will increase or decrease in increments of 10 feet to illustrate the identified land elevation.
2-Foot Contour
A contour line is a line on a map that joins points of equal elevation. Each 2-foot contour line will increase or decrease in increments of 2 feet to illustrate the identified land elevation.
> Floodplains interactive overview
Acre-Feet (AC-FT)
Used to express volume of storage usually in a detention basin. One Acre-Foot is equal to one acre times a one foot depth, or 43,560 cubic feet.
Alternatives
Combinations of one or more components that provide a complete plan to reduce flood damages. A number of alternatives may be formulated, and the preferred one is deemed the "recommended alternative."
Base Flood
A flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. This flood is sometimes called the 1% or 100-year flood.
Base Flood Elevation (BFE)
This is the elevation above the average sea level that waters from a 1% (100-year) flood will reach at a given point along a creek or bayou. These elevations are determined using hydrology and hydraulic computer models. The elevations are then mapped on the topographic data for the county to produce the 1% (100-year) floodplain.
Bridge Modification
The replacement, extension or reinforcement of a bridge in order to remove an impediment to flow or to accommodate a channel enlargement.
Buyout
The elimination of potential flood damages to houses or other types of structures by acquiring them and removing them.
Bypass Channel
The construction of a new channel in order to convey stormwater runoff around a high damage area.
CAC
Citizens Advisory Committee
Capacity
The measure of water flowing through a channel, measured in cubic feet of water per second (CFS). Also, the measure of how much water a stormwater detention facility holds, usually measured in acre-feet (AC-FT).
Cellular Concrete Mat (CCM)
A mat consisting of interlocking concrete "jigsaw puzzle-looking" blocks that is sometimes placed as a lining on the sides and bottom of a channel. These mats increase the efficiency of the flow of stormwater in the channel. Because the blocks have openings through them, grass and other vegetation can grow through them, minimizing the occurrence of erosion in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
Channel
A course or passage through which stormwater may move or be directed. It is a generic term used by the Harris County Flood Control District in reference to ditches, bayous, creeks or other smaller tributaries. A channel can vary in shape and size, and can be either natural or man-made.
Channel Flow
The amount of stormwater flowing through a channel, often measured in cubic feet (of stormwater) per second (or CFS).
Channel Modification
A man-made change to a channel's characteristics, typically for the purposes of reducing flood damages by increasing its overall conveyance. This can be accomplished by widening and/or deepening the channel, reducing the friction by removing woody vegetation or by adding concrete lining.
Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC)
A group of stakeholders that meet regularly to discuss ideas and gain consensus on items of importance relative to Harris County Flood Control District activities, such as a study, design, construction project or maintenance practice.
COH
City of Houston
Compartment
A section of a detention basin designed so that the excavation can be constructed separately, and potentially operated separately, from other sections of the same detention basin.
Components
Specific applications of flood damage reduction "tools," such as a detention basin or channel enlargement, at a particular location.
Confluence
The intersection of two or more streams, or where one channel flows into another.
Conveyance
The ability of a channel or other drainage element to move stormwater.
Corps
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also USACE. The federal agency authorized to partner with local governments (such as the District) to conduct major water resources projects. The Corps operates nationally and evaluates funding requirement for all projects. The Corps also supports U.S. military operations. The Corps office for this region is located in Galveston, Texas. For more info on this region's Corps, go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District's website at www.swg.usace.army.mil. For more general info on the Corps, go to www.usace.army.mil/.
Detention (Basin)
An excavated area of land, usually adjacent to a channel, that is designed to receive and hold above-normal stormwater volumes. The detained stormwater then slowly drains over time out of the detention basin as the peak flow in the channel and associated water surface elevations recede. (also Stormwater Detention)
Development
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings, roadways or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials. Fences or fence-type walls located within the floodplain are also included within this definition.
Desired Capacity
A measure of what area communities, in conjunction with the Harris County Flood Control District, determine is needed for a project to provide an acceptable level of flood damage reduction. This desired capacity is based on factors such as the extent of flooding, available land and available funding, sometimes through partnerships. See Capacity.
Disaster Area
When a disaster is beyond the capabilities of state and local government to respond, the Governor must make a formal request to the President to declare the affected region a "disaster area." When the presidential declaration is enacted, federal assistance is made available to public and certain non-profit entities, as well as to individuals who were adversely affected by the disaster. The assistance is available in many forms, including monetary, temporary housing, crisis counseling and even legal assistance. For more on the Disaster Declaration process, go to: http://www.fema.gov/library/dproc.shtm.
District
Harris County Flood Control District, also HCFCD
DOA
Department of the Army
D/S
Downstream (also discrete segment)
Easement
A limited interest in real property for a specific purpose, usually designated in the granting instrument or plat. Another entity or individual has fee title to the property.
Encroachment
Construction, such as a wall, fence, building, etc., on the property of another.
Element
A major subdivision of an overall flood damage reduction plan, divided based on scheduling, financial or geographic criteria.
Elevation
The vertical distance measured from a datum to a specific point of interest. Ground elevations in Harris County range from sea level in the southeast (by Galveston Bay) to over 300 feet above sea level in the Northwest corner of the county.
Elevation Certificate
An Elevation Certificate is a detailed survey of a structure’s elevation to see if it is above or below the base flood elevation. An Elevation Certificate can be used to reduce the cost of flood insurance or even remove a particular structure from the 1% (100-year) floodplain.
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
Existing Capacity
The measure of how much water a channel can currently carry, measured in cubic feet of water per second (CFS). Also the measure of how much water a stormwater detention facility can currently hold, usually measured in acre-feet (AC-FT) of volume.
Fair Market Value
The value of a property determined by an appraiser relying heavily on comparable sales of property in the same area.
FAQ
Frequently asked question
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The federal agency responsible for providing leadership and support to reduce loss of life and property and to protect our institutions from all types of hazards. This is accomplished through a comprehensive, risk based, all hazards emergency management program consisting of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. In relation to flooding hazards, FEMA is the federal agency responsible for administering the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Fee or Fee Simple
Full ownership of real property by an individual or entity.
FIRM Panel
FIRM stands for Flood Insurance Rate Map. In order to print the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps at a scale of 1-inch = 1,000-feet, the maps are broken out into over 150 FIRM panels that cover the entire Harris County area.
Flood
The inundation of normally dry land, streets and structures by stormwater.
Flood Bench
Typically, a design feature obtained by enlarging a channel's cross-sectional geometry so that it varies in width and steepness, creating flatter slopes and even plateaus, giving completed segments more of a naturalistic appearance.
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
Prepared by FEMA, Flood Insurance Rate Maps, or FIRMs, show areas that have the highest probability of flooding and illustrate the extent of flood hazards in a flood-prone community. These maps are used to determine flood insurance rates for communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Properties located in mapped zones AE, AO, A, or VE are required to have flood insurance if the owner has a federally backed mortgage on the property.
Flood Insurance Study
A study FEMA initiates to undertake a new hydraulic and/or hydrologic analysis for streams within a community. Often, these studies incorporate the new information into the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
Floodplain
From time to time, bayous and creeks naturally come out of their banks due to heavy rainfall and inundate the adjacent land. This area that is inundated is referred to as a floodplain. Residences and businesses within the floodplain are considered to be at risk of being damaged by flooding. The floodplain is typically expressed by stating its frequency of occurrence. For example, the 1% (100-year) floodplain represents an area of inundation having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, whereas the 2% (50-year) floodplain has a 2% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) show the 1% (100-year) and 0.2% (500-year) floodplains.
Floodplain Administrator
Sometimes called a local floodplain manager, the Floodplain Administrator is the person identified within a local governmental jurisdiction to administer their community’s floodplain management and development regulations in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The Floodplain Administrator keeps the official FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that document flood hazard zones in their community. The Harris County Flood Control District is not a floodplain administrator. Check here for the floodplain administrator for your area.
Floodplain Management
In order for a community to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the community is required to enforce regulations on land development projects to avoid increasing flood levels or flood hazards and to avoid creating new flood hazards. This work is performed by the local communities' Floodplain Administrators. Most of the 35 communities in Harris County, including the City of Houston and Unincorporated Harris County, have regulations that exceed the NFIP minimum standards.
Floodway
The area along both sides of a river, bayou, creek or tributary channel, including the channel itself, that has the strictest regulations. It is the area that must be reserved to carry and discharge the 1% (100-year) flood.
Flowline
A line formed representing the lowest point in the bottom of and along a specified length of a channel.
FY
Fiscal year
Gabion
Rock-filled wire baskets either laid as mattresses or stacked in a manner that forms a retaining wall. Gabions are sometimes used to support the banks and sides of channels for structural reasons, as well as minimize the occurrence of erosion.
GIS (Geographic Information System)
A computer program or programs used to store a wide variety of types of information and link that information to a specific geographic location. Some examples of this information the District utilizes would be streets, bayous and channels, HCAD parcel data, contours, floodplains and all the data that supports this information such as names, location and much more.
GPS (Global Positioning System)
GPS is a system that uses satellites to accurately determine the location of any point on earth, and it helps to create the most accurate floodplain maps possible
Harris County Flood Control District (the District or HCFCD)
A special purpose district created by the State Legislature in 1937 in response to devastating floods which struck the region in 1929 and 1935. The District's boundaries are coincident with Harris County, and the Harris County Commissioners Court serves as the District's "board of directors" to provide elected representation. The District is responsible for devising flood damage reduction plans, implementing the plans, and maintaining the primary drainage infrastructure.
HCAD
Harris County Appraisal District
HCFCD
Harris County Flood Control District (also District)
Home Buyout (also Buyout)
The elimination of potential flood damages to houses by acquiring them and removing them.
Hwy
Highway
ID
Identification
Infrastructure
The land, buildings and other assorted structures that serve public use. For the Harris County Flood Control District, infrastructure typically refers to the primary drainage system, including channels and detention basins (not streets, storm sewers, and roadside ditches).
Impacts
The expected change in stormwater characteristics (i.e. stormwater flow), velocities and depths caused by proposed changes in the watershed.
Insufficient Capacity
Exists when the desired capacity of a channel or stormwater detention facility exceeds the existing capacity; that is, when a channel or a detention facility cannot carry or hold all of the stormwater that could flow to it.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)
LiDAR is a newly available commercial technology that uses lasers to measure the elevation of the ground. LiDAR provides a ground elevation point every 15 feet that is accurate to +/- 6 inches. More detailed information about LiDAR can be found at www.tsarp.org/tsarp_over/lidar.html.
Local Initiative
An added feature developed by HCFCD in partnership with another local organization and/or agency that's not part of the Brays Bayou Federal Flood Control Project. Examples may include certain environmental and recreational amenities and projects, such as the Freshwater Tidal Marsh at Mason Park.
Maint
Maintenance
Mgmt
Management
Mitigation
To offset the impact of one action by implementing another. Examples of various forms of mitigation, as used by the Harris County Flood Control District, include:
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Offsetting the impacts from land development projects. This is usually in the form of a stormwater detention basin. The development area will drain into the stormwater detention basin, and ultimately, into a channel. |
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Offsetting the impacts of wetlands/habitat losses. State and Federal laws protect certain wetlands and habitat. Through a permit process, agencies require projects to "avoid, minimize and mitigate" any unavoidable losses. Mitigation is typically done through recreation of the affected wetlands or habitat areas. Certain wetlands losses can be mitigated with the District's wetlands mitigation banking. |
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Offsetting dollar losses from previous or expected flood damages. This can come in the form of buyout or even elevating a structure or dwelling. The Harris County Flood Control District may partner with FEMA or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in various buyout endeavors to eliminate the possibility of a structure flooding by purchasing it and demolishing it, thus removing it forever from a flood-prone area. A structure that no longer exists can no longer incur flood damages. |
An individual homeowner can also mitigate financial losses caused by flood damage by purchasing a flood insurance policy.
MPWP
Multi-Purpose Wetland Project
Multi-use
The ability to provide more than one use. This usually is in reference to drainage facilities or detention basins that not only provide for flood damage reduction, but can also accommodate other uses, such as hike-and-bike trails, sports fields, wildlife habitat, etc.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Created by Congress in 1968 to provide low cost flood insurance for property owners in flood-prone communities. In exchange for flood insurance eligibility, communities agree to implement and enforce floodplain management measures to reduce the possibilities of future damage. FEMA arranges for periodic community assistance visits with local officials to provide technical assistance regarding complying with NFIP floodplain management requirements. FEMA works with local officials to evaluate the FIRMs and associated Flood Insurance Study and conducts updates as needs and priorities dictate. Harris County and the incorporated cities within the county are participants in the NFIP, so flood insurance is available to all residents.
NOAA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System)
As authorized in 1990 by the Clean Water Act, NPDES is a federally mandated permit program intended to control water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Under the storm water component of the permit program, the federal government requires municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) serving a population of 100,000 or more to have a stormwater NPDES permit. For more information, go to www.cleanwaterclearchoice.org.
O&M
Operation and Maintenance
Other Frequency Floods
There are an infinite number of frequency floods that can occur. The 1% (100-year) flood is used by many as a standard for regulations, designs and National Flood Insurance Program purposes. Other floods often used consist of the 0.2% (500-year) flood, the 2% (50-year) flood, the 10% (10- year) flood and the 50% (2-year) flood.
Outfall
An outfall is simply the pipe, channel, or opening where water "falls out" and then into another body of water, typically a drainage channel. In a typical stormwater detention basin, the outfall is at or connected to the lowest point of the basin so that detained water drains completely.
Out-of-Bank
The condition in which the water level of a channel rises above the top of its banks and spills into the surrounding land area
Overland Flow (Sheet Flow) Flooding
Flooding that occurs when intense local rainfall flows overland to reach a channel. Frequently, this conditions exists when runoff exceeds storm sewer or roadside ditch capacity, and the water can "pond" in the streets deep enough to flood residences that are not even near a creek of bayou. The water will seek a path to the channel by flowing overland (Sheet Flow). When residences and other structures are in that path, flooding occurs and this type of flooding is not identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps. This is also known as the "Fifth Scenario" when discussing Harris County's four types of Floodplains.
Pct.
Precinct (also Percentage)
Peak Flow (or Channel Peak Flow)
The maximum flow of stormwater flowing through a channel at a given location, based on a certain amount of rainfall falling in that area
Physical Condition
A detailed listing of all of the physical aspects of a channel that can influence its effectiveness. Physical condition includes the bottom and sides of a channel, as well as the condition of structures, such as bridges.
PM
Project Management
Point Sources
Specific conveyances, such as pipes or man-made ditches that flow into, or are part of the overall drainage infrastructure (see Non-point Sources).
Ponding
The process, occurring after a rainfall, when water gathers in low lying areas throughout a watershed. Frequently referring to water standing in the streets when the capacity of the storm sewer is exceeded.
Pre-Flood Fair Market Value
"The most probable price which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller each acting prudently and knowledgeably, and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus" The value for District transactions is determined by an appraiser, licensed or certified by the State of Texas. "Pre-flood" is a term relating to the buyout program which establishes the value prior to recent flood damages.
Profile
A graph that shows the Base Flood Elevations along the entire length of bayou, stream or creek. See also Water Surface Elevation Profile.
Project Process
Project Process includes the Feasibility Stage, Development Stage, Property Acquisition and Utility Relocation Stage, Design Stage and Construction Stage. A funding allotment must be secured for each stage of the project process.
Residences
Any dwellings in which people live, including single-family houses, apartment units, mobile homes and travel trailers.
Relocation Assistance
Financial assistance and real estate guidance provided to the qualified owner of a primary residence to relocate and purchase a comparable, safe, and sanitary home.
Repetitive Loss Property
Homes that have received more than $1,000 of flood insured damage two or more times in the last ten years will appear on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) repetitive loss database and receive higher priority for certain types of buyout.
Right of Way (also right-of-way, ROW)
An interest in real property, either in fee or easement.
Riparian (Corridor or Zone)
The area of land along and adjacent to a waterway (river, bayou, creek, stream, etc.). Trees, plants and grasses along these waterways are called riparian vegetation. A riparian zone from an ecological perspective may occur in many forms including grassland, woodland, wetland or even non-vegetative. Riparian zones may be natural or engineered for soil stabilization or restoration. In some regions the terms riparian woodland, riparian forest, riparian buffer, or riparian corridor are used to characterize a riparian zone.
Riprap
Rocks or broken pieces of concrete often placed in areas where the flow of stormwater is expected to cause erosion. The riprap serves as "armor" for areas of channels and detention basins to minimize the occurrence of erosion.
ROW
Right of Way (also right-of-way)
RR
Railroad
Runoff
The stormwater from rainfall not absorbed by the ground that flows in to the local drainage system, and ultimately, streams and bayous.
Section 211 [or Section 211 (f)]:
A Section 211 project refers to the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (WRDA 1996). Section 211 gives authority to authorized non-federal agencies, such as the Harris County Flood Control District, to take the lead on planning studies and construction of major flood damage reduction projects. The District will be eligible for the same amount of federal dollars but will manage the projects with a higher degree of local control. The study process, requirements to achieve project approval and funding for construction are the same as those for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Reimbursement for the federal share of cost is possible after approved projects are completed. Also definition for Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (WRDA 1996).
SFHA (Special Flood Hazard Area)
An area defined on a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map with an associated risk of flooding
Stormwater Detention (Basin)
An area of land, usually adjacent to a channel, that is designed to receive and hold above-normal stormwater volumes. Most stormwater detention basins in Harris County are excavated. The detained stormwater then slowly drains, over time, out of the detention basin as the flow in the channel and associated water surface elevations recede. (also Detention)
Structure
A walled and/or roofed building, or a gas or liquid storage tank, which is principally above ground. A manufactured home on a permanent foundation is a structure. This term includes a building which is in the course of construction, alteration or repair.
Subsidence
In this region, subsidence - or the sinking of the land surface - has been caused primarily by the pumping of ground water. Beneath Harris County are a series of sand and clay beds that provide water (aquifers). As water is withdrawn from the aquifers, pressure decreases and the clay particles begin to compress. The ultimate effect of these layers compacting is subsidence.
Substantially Damaged Property
Flood damage to a structure where the cost to repair equals or exceeds 50% of the value of the structure, excluding the land value.
Subwatershed (also Tributary watershed)
The land area that drains to one of the smaller streams that flow to the main channel of a watershed (i.e. Faulkey Gulley's subwatershed is within the Cypress Creek watershed and ultimately drains into Cypress Creek in northwestern Harris County)
SWPPP
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
Tributary
A channel through which water may move or be directed that ultimately flows into a larger channel, usually bayous and creeks in Harris County
Topographic Data
Detailed information about the shape of the earth including ground elevations and ground contours.
Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project (TSARP)
The Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project is a joint-effort project between FEMA and the Harris County Flood Control District to gather information about Tropical Storm Allison and to create new flood hazard information for all of Harris County. It will result in the citizens of Harris County having more information about flooding and being better prepared for the next flood.
> More information about TSARP
TBD
To be determined
TPWD
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
TxDOT
Texas Department of Transportation
U/S
Upstream
Unincorporated Harris County
The area in Harris County, Texas, which is not within an incorporated area of a city, town, village, or within the jurisdiction of the Port of Houston Authority.
United States Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps or USACE)
The federal agency authorized to partner with local governments (such as the District) to conduct major water resources projects. The Corps operates nationally and evaluates funding requirement for all projects. The Corps also supports U.S. military operations. The Corps office for this region is located in Galveston, Texas. For more info on this region's Corps, go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District's website at www.swg.usace.army.mil. For more general info on the Corps, go to www.usace.army.mil/.
Watershed
A geographical region of land or "drainage area" that drains to a common channel or outlet, mostly creeks and bayous in Harris County. Drainage of the land can occur directly into a bayou or creek, or through a series of systems that may include storm sewers, roadside ditches, and/or tributary channels.
Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (WRDA 1996):
A Section 211 project refers to the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (WRDA 1996). Section 211 gives authority to authorized non-federal agencies, such as the Harris County Flood Control District, to take the lead on planning studies and construction of major flood damage reduction projects. The District will be eligible for the same amount of federal dollars but will manage the projects with a higher degree of local control. The study process, requirements to achieve project approval and funding for construction are the same as those for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Reimbursement for the federal share of cost is possible after approved projects are completed. Also definition for Section 211 [or Section 211 (f)].
Water Surface Elevation Profile
Shows the elevation above mean sea level of the 1% (100-year) or 0.2% (500-year) floodplain along all the studied stream miles in a particular watershed. See also Profile.
Weir
A structure typically constructed to control the timing and amount of stormwater flowing into an adjacent detention basin. As the stormwater level in the channel increases, water flows into the basin over the weir. The lower a weir, the sooner the rising stormwater enters the basin. The longer a weir, the greater the flow of stormwater entering the basin.
Working Day
A calendar day, not including Saturdays, Sundays and County holidays, in which weather or other conditions not under the control of the Contractor allow performance of work on a project for a continuous period of not less than 7 hours between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The contractor cannot perform any work on non-work days without the District's approval.
WRDA: What is it?
Water Resources Development Act (Federal)
Water Surface Elevation [WSE(L)]
The distance the water surface in a creek or bayou is above mean sea level, measured at a given location along a creek or bayou
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1% (100-year) Floodplain
1% (100-year) Rainfall
0.2% (500-year) Floodplain
0.2% (500-year) Rainfall
10-Foot Contour
2-Foot Contour
- A -
Acre-Feet (AC-FT)
Alternatives
- B -
Base Flood
Base Flood Elevation (BFE)
Bridge Modification
Buyout
Bypass Channel
- C -
CAC
Capacity
Cellular Concrete Mat (CCM)
Channel
Channel Flow
Channel Modification
Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC)
COH
Compartment
Components
Confluence
Conveyance
Corps
- D -
Detention (Basin)
Development
Desired Capacity
Disaster Area
District
DOA
D/S
- E -
Easement
Element
Elevation
Elevation Certificate
Encroachment
EPA
Existing Capacity
- F -
Fair Market Value
FAQ
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Fee or Fee Simple
FIRM Panel
Flood
Flood Bench
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
Flood Insurance Study
Floodplain
Floodplain Administrator
Floodplain Management
Floodway
Flowline
FY
- G -
Gabion
GIS (Geographic Information System)
GPS (Global Positioning System)
- H -
Harris County Flood Control District (the District or HCFCD)
HCAD
HCFCD
Home Buyout (also Buyout)
Hwy
- I -
ID
Infrastructure
Impacts
Insufficient Capacity
- J -
- K -
- L -
Levee
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)
- M -
Maint
Mgmt
Mitigation
MPWP
Multi-use
- N -
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
NOAA
NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System)
- O -
O&M
Other Frequency Floods
Outfall
Out-of-Bank
Overland Flow (Sheet Flow) Flooding
- P -
Pct.
Peak Flow (or Channel Peak Flow)
Physical Condition
PM
Point Sources
Pre-Flood Fair Market Value
Profile
Ponding
- Q -
- R -
Residences
Relocation Assistance
Repetitive Loss Property
Right of Way
Riprap
ROW
RR
Runoff
- S -
Section 211 [or Section 211 (f)]
SFHA (Special Flood Hazard Area)
Stormwater Detention (Basin)
Structure
Subsidence
Substantially Damaged Property
Subwatershed (also Tributary watershed)
SWPPP
- T -
Tributary
Topographic Data
Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project (TSARP)
TBD
TPWD
TxDOT
- U -
U/S
Unincorporated Harris County
United States Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps or USACE)
- V -
- W -
Watershed
Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (WRDA 1996)
Water Surface Elevation Profile
Weir
Working Day
WRDA: What is it?
Water Surface Elevation [WSE(L)]
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