FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

HydroCycle has extensive experience in floodplain management and flood risk analysis, including hydrologic and hydraulic computer modeling, FEMA floodplain analysis and permitting, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers protocols, as well as specialized economic evaluation and modeling expertise.  The following project example describes some of HydroCycle's floodplain management capabilities.

Swannanoa River Flood Risk Management Project, Buncombe County, NC

The Swannanoa River watershed encompasses approximately 132 square miles within Buncombe County. The Towns of Black Mountain and Montreat are both located entirely within the Swannanoa River watershed, as is the eastern portion of the City of Asheville, including the neighborhood of Biltmore Village. Severe flooding in the Swannanoa River watershed occurred in 2004 during hurricanes Frances and Ivan resulting in significant economic damages. The Hurricane Recovery Act of 2005 (Senate Bill 7) allocated funds for planning and implementing projects to aid in flood-damage reduction for North Carolina communities hardest hit by the 2004 hurricane season.

HydroCycle provided engineering, modeling, and economic evaluation services on the Swannanoa Flood Risk Management Project, sponsored by the City of Asheville, Buncombe County and the Town of Black Mountain.  Tim Ormond, P.E. was the project manager and lead engineer for a portion of the Swannanoa River Flood Risk Management Project which included GIS analysis of the floodplain, geodatabase development, and evaluation of floodplain assets, including over 1,000 structures and other critical community infrastructure.  Tim developed the field protocols, managed the field survey teams, and provided support to the hydrologic, hydraulic, and economic modeling team.  HydroCycle also led the development of the flood damage estimate and risk analysis protocols to satisfy USACE criteria as well as developed the approach for quantifying damages for the soccer field complex at Azalea Park/Lake Craig and agricultural assets.  Tim was also selected to serve on the technical advisory committee for the project and provided substantial coordination with the project team and the USACE Nashville District.​