Floodplain Management

Flooding in San Joaquin

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States, affecting all 50 states. Flooding typically occurs when there is a failure of water control structure, such as a levee, or when water due to rain and/or snowmelt accumulates faster than it can be absorbed or carried away by a river. San Joaquin County faces flooding risk from both of these causes.

In the early 1900s, many natural wetlands in the San Joaquin Valley were drained for agricultural use. A system of levees was introduced to prevent water from flooding the natural wetlands, which are still monitored and maintained by reclamation districts today. These districts have elected officials who patrol the levees to ensure their safety and upkeep.

In the San Joaquin Valley, there are four major rivers (the Stanislaus River, Tuolumne River, Merced River, and Mokelumne River) as well as smaller tributaries, that flow into the San Joaquin River. Melting snowpack from the Sierra Nevada as well as rainwater is carried through these rivers until they drain into the San Joaquin Delta. In a normal year, reservoirs hold the water until it can be released in a controlled manner downstream, but high precipitation can fill the reservoirs. Even on clear days, solar radiation can melt the snowpack, potentially overwhelming the reservoirs.

Top: The San Joaquin Delta, lined with levees. Image Courtesy of St. Mary's College of California. Bottom: Levee Breach along the San Joaquin River. The breach resulted in the evacuation of 500 people in Manteca. Image courtesy of the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services

Floodplain Management

San Joaquin County’s Floodplain Management Program, administered through the Department of Public Works, is:

  • A collaborative effort of a community program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage to properties
  • Intended to protect public health and safety; reduce flood damage to buildings and contents; prevent increases in flood damage from new construction; and to reduce the risk of erosion damage
  • To protect the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain
  • Administered in accordance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's policies
  • An opportunity for homeowners, renters, and business owners in our community to purchase federally-backed flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program
  • Through the County’s participation in the NFIP Community Rating System, residents of San Joaquin County’s unincorporated areas qualify for a flood insurance premium rate reductions
The San Joaquin Delta, lined with levees.
The San Joaquin Delta, lined with levees. Image Courtesy of St. Mary's College of California.
Levee Breach along the San Joaquin River. The breach resulted in the evacuation of 500 people in Manteca.
Levee Breach along the San Joaquin River. The breach resulted in the evacuation of 500 people in Manteca. Image courtesy of the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services

San Joaquin County is dedicated to reducing flooding risks and participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). This program rewards communities that take steps that go beyond minimum NFIP floodplain management requirements to reduce the risk from flooding. The County has a CRS classification of 7 which means that County residents with properties in areas with a high level of flood risk receive a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums each year.

The County's Water Resources staff is available to perform site visits for existing structures, proposed new structures, and expansions of existing structures, to assist County residents in reducing their exposure to flood damage. Please call the Public Works Water Resources Division at (209) 468-9596 for additional information.
You are encouraged to learn about flood risks, flood zones and how to protect you and your property in the event of a flood. Below is more on this subject as well as additional resources:

Know Your Risk

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assesses flood risk using mapping and elevation data, among other data, to categorize floodplains according to their likelihood of flooding. The areas deemed at-risk are mapped as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). These areas require flood insurance if they are secured by a federally backed mortgage due to their elevated risk. Always check with County Planning and Public WorksOpens in new window departments before you build, fill, alter, or grade on your property; in addition to regular building permits, special regulations apply to construction in flood prone areas.

Be aware: SFHAs can and do change, largely due to development in an area. Impervious surfaces such as parking lots change draining patterns and can increase risk of flooding in some areas.

Flood Zones

Find your FEMA flood zone and other locally determined flood hazard areas by calling the San Joaquin Department of Public Works Water Resources Division at (209) 468-3605 or by clicking on the following link: http://www.sjmap.org/floodzoneviewer/Viewer.aspOpens in new window

FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which map SFHAs, are also available through FEMA’s website at https://msc.fema.gov/Opens in new window. Paper copies of FIRMs, along with other flood awareness publications, are available for review at:

  • Cesar Chavez Central Library, 605 North El Dorado Street, Stockton, California
  • San County Department of Public Works, 1810 East Hazelton Avenue, Stockton, California

It doesn’t end with the FEMA flood zones. Other critical habitat and areas of risk are featured in the following map resources:

FEMA Elevation Certificates are used to accurately rate flood insurance policies. Elevation Certificate information about structures built or substantially improved in SFHAs since 1992 are available to the public by contacting San Joaquin County Public Works Department at (209) 468-3089.

Protect Yourself

Interactive Flood Zone Viewer

In the event of a flood it is important to protect yourself and your loved ones. Avoid walking or driving through flood water; just six inches of moving water can knock down an adult, and a car can be swept away in as little as one foot of water. Have an emergency kit prepared. This should include a battery or crank powered AM/FM radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, water (one gallon per person per day), and copies of important family documents such as prescriptions, proof of address, and passports. For a complete list, visit the Ready.govOpens in new window website.

Pay attention to emergency alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, and evacuation orders. Flood warnings are disseminated by the Emergency Alert System through local radio and television stations and by NOAA Weather radio at 162.55 MHz. Follow the San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services on TwitterOpens in new window, FacebookOpens in new window, and YoutubeOpens in new window for up-to-date local emergency information. You can also check out the county flood ALERT siteOpens in new window to for forecasts, gage maps, and flood guidance.

After a flood, avoid contact with floodwater, which may contain contaminants. If there are power lines down around your home, report them immediately to the electrical company and do not step in puddles or standing water. If any gas or electrical appliances were flooded, don’t use them until they have been checked for safety.

Find your evacuation route: http://www.sjmap.org/evacmaps/Opens in new window Find a shelter: https://www.sjgov.org/department/oes/care-shelterOpens in new window

Protect Your Home

Damage from just one inch of water can cost more than $20,000. There are floodproofing improvements that can be done to your structure that may reduce the damage caused by flooding. If you are at risk to flooding you should consider the feasibility of floodproofing your facility like elevating your building or wet floodproofing.
The most reliable way to protect your property from flood damage is to build outside of a flood hazard area. If you are located in a flood hazard area, you can minimize likelihood of damage through low cost measures including:

  • Raise your furnace, water heater, and electric panel to higher floors or the attic if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded.
  • Install check valves in plumbing to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.
  • Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage through cracks.
  • Move furniture and any other valuables to higher floors.
  • Keep materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber handy for emergency waterproofing.
  • Clearing brush and debris away from storm drains and ditches so water can drain away from the structure.

More ideas and information on forms of financial assistance to mitigate the negative effects of flooding can be found in the Flood Protection for your Home or BusinessOpens in new window factsheet.

Upon request, San Joaquin County Public Works staff are available for site visits to review flood, drainage, and sewer issues and provide information on mitigation and retrofitting options. They can also answer site-specific questions about historic flooding and flood insurance claims. Questions and requests can be directed through GORequestOpens in new window.

If your home or business is in or located near a flood hazard area, you should have flood insurance. You can purchase flood insurance even if you are not located in a FEMA SFHA. Remember: homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage.

FEMA Elevation Certificates are used to accurately rate flood insurance policies.  Elevation certificates for structures built or substantially improved in SFHAs since 1992 are available to the public by calling (209) 468-9596.

SFHA Construction Booklet
Elevation Certificate and Instructions

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