Search
Risk MAP/CTP
Cooperating Technical Partnership
DOTD Cooperating Technical Partnership
On March 11, 2015, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) signed a partnership agreement with FEMA Region VI to become a Cooperating Technical Partner in FEMA’s Risk MAP Program. Since becoming a CTP, LA DOTD has been diligently planning and working toward the release of updated flood risk information for Louisiana. The hope is that in the future, other stakeholders will become involved in the program to make good and efficient use of the data for floodplain management decisions and mitigation actions. This program is managed by Pam Lightfoot under the State NFIP Coordinator.
Program Vision
- Influence project selection statewide for all flood risk identification projects
- Work as a partner with FEMA and all mapping teams
- Update engineering analysis on 35% of streams in Louisiana by 2023
Completed Projects:
Amite Watershed Discovery
The Amite study area intersects both Louisiana and Mississippi and covers many communities including 19 municipalities (Baker, Baton Rouge, Central, Centreville, Clinton, Denham Springs, French Settlement, Gloster, Jackson, Killian, Liberty, Livingston, Norwood, Port Vincent, Slaughter, St. Gabriel, Walker, Wilson, and Zachary) and 10 counties/parishes (Amite, Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Franklin, Iberville, Livingston, St. Helena, and Wilkinson).The first FEMA flood maps for the Amite Watershed were released over 40 years ago. Since then, there have been several updates to these maps for each of the communities within Amite Watershed. The most recent update was in 2013. The watershed begins in the southern part of Mississippi and travels south through a series of streams and rivers into Lake Maurepas in Louisiana. In August of 2016, the watershed experienced catastrophic flooding when over 20 inches of rain fell in the area.
Bayou Cocodrie, Black, and Lower Red Watershed Discovery
The study area covers 7 parishes (Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, LaSalle, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, and Tensas) and 9 communities (Alexandria, Clayton, Ferriday, Jonesville, Mansura, Marksville, Pineville, Ridgecrest, and Vidalia). The first FEMA maps for the study area were released over 40 years ago. Since then, there have been a few updates to these maps. The most recent update was in 2005. The Bayou Cocodrie watershed is to the west of the Mississippi River and the Mississippi-Louisiana boarder. The Black watershed is sandwiched between the Lower Red and Bayou Cocodrie.
Bayou Sara Thompson Watershed Discovery
The Bayou Sara‐Thompson study area intersects both Louisiana and Mississippi and covers several communities including eight municipalities (Baker, Baton Rouge, Jackson, Norwood, Wilson, St. Francisville, Woodville, and Zachary) and four counties/parishes (East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, and Wilkinson). The first FEMA flood hazard mapping for the Bayou Sara‐Thompson Watershed was released over 40 years ago. Since that time, several communities in the watershed have received updating mapping, the most recent being in 2012.
Bayou Teche Watershed Discovery
The Bayou Teche study area is wholly within the State of Louisiana and covers eight Parishes including Allen, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Iberia, Rapides, St. Landry, St. Martin, and St. Mary including thirty four communities within those Parishes that intersects this watershed. Also it should be noted that the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana and Tunica-Biloxi Indians of Louisiana have jurisdiction of lands within the Bayou Teche Watershed. The first FEMA flood hazard mapping for the Bayou Teche Watershed was released over 40 years ago. Since that time, several communities in the watershed have received updating mapping, the most recent being in 2017.
Liberty Bayou Tchefuncte Watershed Discovery
The Liberty Bayou‐Tchefuncta Watershed is in Louisiaana and six municipalities (Abita Springs, Covington, Folsom, Madisonville, Mandeville, and Slidell) and three parishes (St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington). The first mapping for the Liberty Bayou‐Tchefuncta Watershed was released almost 50 years ago. Since that time, several communites in the watershed have received updated mapping, the most recent being in 2010. The Liberty Bayou‐ Tchefuncta Watershed was affected by the March 2016 flood. During the storm, rainfall ranged from 2 inches to 19 inches in the Tchefuncta River basin. Approximately 38 percent of the watershed falls within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Almost 20 percent of the regulatory SFHA in the watershed is Zone AE with the remaining SFHA falling into Zones A and VE.
Mermentau Headwaters Watershed Discovery
The Mermentau Headwaters study area is in Louisiana and covers many communities including 18 municipalities (Basile, Chataignier, Church Point, Crowley, Elton, Estherwood, Eunice, Iota, Jennings, Mamou, Oakdale, Oberlin, Opelousas, Pine Prairie, Rayne, Turkey Creek, and Ville Platte) and 5 parishes (Acadia, Allen, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, and St. Landry). The first FEMA flood maps for the Mermentau Headwaters were released over 40 years ago. Since then, there have been several updates to these maps fo each of the communities within Mermentau Headwaters Watershed. The most recent update was in 2011. The watershed begins in the northern part of Allen and Evangeline and travels south into Acadia through a series of bayous and streams.
Tickfaw Watershed Discovery
The Tickfaw study area intersects both Louisiana and Mississippi and covers several communities including twelve municipalities (Albany, Amite City, Greensburg, Hammond, Independence, Killian, Livingston, Montpelier, Ponchatoula, Roseland, Springfield, and Tickfaw) and four counties/parishes (Amite, Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa). The first FEMA flood hazard mapping for the watershed was released over 40 years ago. Since that time, the communities have received updated mapping, the most recent being in 2013. Catastrophic flooding occurred in August 2016, when over 20 inches of rain fell when the rivers and streams reached record levels.
LaSalle Parish Phase 2 Engineering Update
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), effective 02/23/2023
Click here for FEMA's Map Service Center to view all Products available
West Feliciana Parish Phase 2 Engineering Update
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), effective 07/31/2024
Click here for FEMA's Map Service Center to view all Products available.
Bayou Macon Watershed Discovery
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), a FEMA Cooperating Technical Partner since FY15, initiated a Risk MAP Discovery project in FY21 for the Louisiana portion of the Bayou Macon HUC-8 watershed, covering parts of Catahoula, East Carroll, Franklin, Madison, Richland, and West Carroll Parishes. While some upstream Arkansas data are incorporated for hydrologic context, the project scope is limited to Louisiana. Flood hazard mapping in the area date back to the 1970s, with most parishes updated through FEMA’s Map Modernization program, though East Carroll and Catahoula still rely on older paper maps. The watershed is predominantly undeveloped (about 94%), characterized by agricultural land and wetlands, with minimal developed areas and open water. It includes diverse hydraulic features such as dams and levees and has experienced recurring flooding, including significant agricultural losses from Hurricane Gustav in 2008. Using previously developed Base Level Engineering (BLE) data, the Discovery effort aims to engage communities, assess flood risk, and promote mitigation strategies to improve long-term resilience.
Lower Red-Lake Iatt Watershed Discovery
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), a FEMA Cooperating Technical Partner since FY15, conducted a Risk MAP Discovery project in FY20 for the Lower Red–Lake Iatt HUC-8 watershed, encompassing portions of Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, and Winn Parishes. Flood hazard mapping in the area date back to the 1980s, with most parishes updated through FEMA’s Map Modernization program, though Sabine and Rapides Parishes still rely on older paper maps. The watershed is predominantly undeveloped (about 91%), consisting largely of forests, wetlands, and agricultural land, with limited developed areas and open water. It includes diverse hydraulic features such as dams and levees and has experienced recurring flooding, including significant impacts from Hurricane Gustav in 2008, which produced over 20 inches of rainfall near Alexandria and led to more than 200 water rescues. Using previously developed Base Level Engineering (BLE) data, the Discovery effort aims to engage communities, better understand flood risk, and support mitigation strategies to enhance long-term resilience.
Lower Sabine Watershed Discovery
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), a FEMA Cooperating Technical Partner since FY15, conducted a Risk MAP Discovery project in 2021 for the Louisiana portion of the Lower Sabine HUC-8 watershed, including parts of Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Sabine, and Vernon Parishes, while incorporating select Texas data for broader hydrologic context. Flood hazard mapping in the area date back to the 1990s, with most parishes updated through FEMA’s Map Modernization program, though Sabine Parish still relies on legacy paper maps. The watershed is largely undeveloped (about 90%), dominated by forests, wetlands, and pastureland, with limited developed areas and open water, and has experienced slight population decline over the past decade. The Sabine River system includes key features such as dams and levees and has seen increased flash flooding in recent decades, including the significant March 2016 event that caused widespread damage due to extreme rainfall and reservoir releases. Utilizing previously developed Base Level Engineering (BLE) data, the Discovery effort focuses on engaging communities to better understand flood risk and advance mitigation strategies to improve long-term resilience.
Northwest LA Watersheds (Cross Bayou, Bayou Pierre, Middle Red-Coushatta, Red Chute, Bodcau Bayou, Loggy Bayou, Black Lake Bayou, & Saline Bayou)
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), a FEMA Cooperating Technical Partner since FY15, conducted a 2023 Risk MAP Discovery project for multiple Northwest Louisiana HUC-8 watersheds, including Bayou Pierre, Black Lake Bayou, Bodcau Bayou, Cross Bayou, Loggy Bayou, Middle Red–Coushatta, Red Chute, and Saline Bayou, covering portions of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Webster, and Winn Parishes. While select hydrologic data from Arkansas and Texas were incorporated for context, the project scope is limited to Louisiana. Flood hazard mapping in the region date back to the 1970s, with most parishes updated through FEMA’s Map Modernization program, though Claiborne, Red River, and Sabine Parishes still rely on legacy paper maps. The watersheds are predominantly undeveloped (about 89%), characterized by forests, wetlands, and pastureland, with limited developed areas and open water, and have seen slight population decline over the past decade. The Red River system includes key infrastructure such as dams and levees and has experienced increased flash flooding in recent decades, including the March 2016 event that caused nearly $14 million in damages. Using previously developed Base Level Engineering (BLE) data, the Discovery effort focuses on engaging communities to better understand flood risk and support mitigation strategies to enhance long-term resilience.
Tensas Watershed Discovery
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), a FEMA Cooperating Technical Partner since FY15, conducted a 2020 Risk MAP Discovery project for the Tensas HUC-8 watershed, covering portions of Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Madison, and Tensas Parishes. Flood hazard mapping in the watershed date back to the 1970s, with limited updates and only Franklin and Madison Parishes currently having modern DFIRMs, while others rely on older or legacy mapping. The watershed is largely rural and undeveloped (about 68% cropland/pasture and 25% woody wetlands), with minimal development and some open water, and has experienced slight population decline. It includes diverse hydraulic conditions such as dams and rural communities and has a history of significant flooding, including over $186 million in damages from Hurricane Gustav in 2008. Using previously developed Base Level Engineering (BLE) data, the Discovery effort focuses on engaging communities to assess flood risk, evaluate mitigation needs, and support watershed-wide resilience planning.
Toledo Bend Reservoir Watershed Discovery
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), a FEMA Cooperating Technical Partner since FY15, conducted a 2021 Risk MAP Discovery project for the Louisiana portion of the Toledo Bend Reservoir HUC-8 watershed, covering parts of Sabine, Caddo, Natchitoches, and DeSoto Parishes. While select hydrologic and hydraulic data from Texas were incorporated for context, the project scope is limited to Louisiana. Flood hazard mapping in the watershed date back to the 1970s, with most parishes updated through FEMA’s Map Modernization program, though Sabine Parish still relies on legacy paper maps from the 1990s. The watershed is largely undeveloped (about 81%), consisting of forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands, with moderate open water and limited development, and has experienced a slight long-term population decline. It includes major infrastructure such as the Toledo Bend Reservoir Dam and has seen increased flash flooding in recent decades, including impacts associated with Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which contributed to widespread regional flooding. Using previously developed Base Level Engineering (BLE) data, the Discovery effort focuses on engaging communities to assess flood risk and promote mitigation strategies to enhance watershed resilience.
Upper Calcasieu Watershed Discovery
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), a FEMA Cooperating Technical Partner since FY15, conducted a 2020 Risk MAP Discovery project for the Upper Calcasieu HUC-8 watershed, covering portions of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Natchitoches, Rapides, and Vernon Parishes. Flood hazard mapping in the watershed date back to the 1970s, with most parishes updated through FEMA’s Map Modernization program, though Rapides Parish still relies on older paper maps from the 1980s and 1990s. The watershed is predominantly undeveloped (about 93%), consisting mainly of grasslands, cropland, wetlands, and forest, with limited development and open water, and has experienced slight population growth over time. It includes a mix of rural and urban areas, hydraulic features such as dams, and has experienced frequent flash flooding in recent decades, including multiple high-impact events in Jefferson Davis and Calcasieu Parishes that resulted in millions of dollars in damages. Using previously developed Base Level Engineering (BLE) data, the Discovery effort focused on engaging communities to assess flood risk and support resilience and mitigation planning across the watershed.
Whisky Chitto Watershed Discovery
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), a FEMA Cooperating Technical Partner since FY15, conducted a 2021 Risk MAP Discovery project for the Whisky Chitto HUC-8 watershed, covering portions of Allen, Beauregard, Rapides, and Vernon Parishes. Flood hazard mapping in the watershed date back to the 1980s, with most parishes updated through FEMA’s Map Modernization program, though Rapides Parish still relies on legacy paper maps from the 1980s and 1990s. The watershed is predominantly undeveloped (about 93%), consisting of cropland, wetlands, and forested areas, with minimal development and very limited open water. Using previously developed Base Level Engineering (BLE) data, the Discovery effort focused on engaging communities to better understand flood risk, identify mitigation opportunities, and support watershed-wide resilience planning.
Planned Projects
Click here for a list of LADOTD's FY26-29 Mapping Project Prioritization