Floodplain Administration

DNRC Project Page for Powell County

Powell County has been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to update and produce new floodplain maps for the Clark Fork River, Blackfoot River, Little Blackfoot River, Cottonwood Creek, and tributaries. Many of the existing floodplain maps are based on data from the late 1970s. Updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) will provide more accurate, current, and mapping of flood risk areas. If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department.
The link at the top of the page will take you to www.floodplain.mt.gov/powell

The Floodplain Administration section provides information to the public about flood hazards in Powell County, guidance on floodplain management and flood hazard mitigation, and facts and information regarding flood insurance.

This office is the primary Powell County liaison to FEMA for matters relating to floodplain development.  Staff uses the Powell County Floodplain and Floodway Management Ordinance for Communities with Designated Floodways to manage all new projects or expansion of existing projects within the county through issuance of a Floodplain Development Permit.

The Powell County Zoning & Development Regulations contain the following Overlay Districts to manage land uses adjacent to water resources.

Use this Map Index to find out if your project is in a floodplain.  For a more specific delineation of the floodplain, use one of two convenient ways to access an actual Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM):  Type in the panel number or type in your address.

The Planning Department is the Official Community Repository for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels for the County, depicting FEMA defined Special Flood Hazard Areas. 

If you are a property owner or consultant planning a project within a floodplain in Powell County, please contact the Planning Department for local permitting requirements.

CITY of DEER LODGE

The City of Deer Lodge has the authority of permitting within its jurisdiction.  Please contact the Powell County Planning Department at 846-9729, or e-mail planning@powellcountymt.gov for permitting requirements.

The following Flood Zone Map is provided as an informal reference approximate home locations near the floodzones in the City of Deer Lodge. An informal interactive floodplain map of Powell County can be found here. Please access Current FEMA Issued Flood Maps for official floodplain delineation.

2011 FEMA Flood Assessment Map for Cottonwood Creek

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STATE of MONTANA

The Joint Application was developed to facilitate processing of several different permits required by conservation districts and state agencies for work on or near Montana waterways.

Joint Application
Joint Application Instructions

This form is intended to increase coordination and streamline the permitting process.  Please refer to A Guide to Stream Permitting in Montana to determine any additional required permits for projects.

Access additional information on the State Floodplain Management site.

409 Missouri Ave., Suite 114
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
(406) 846-9795
email  planning@powellcountymt.gov

Amanda Cooley – Planning Director and Floodplain Administrator
phone:  406-846-9729
e-mail:   acooley@powellcountymt.com

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