Missoula and Granite Counties are working with the Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and FEMA to update and produce new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) for the Clark Fork River, Bitterroot River, Rock Creek, and Rock Creek Tributaries. Updated floodplain maps will depict the latest, most accurate flood risk data, and will eventually replace the existing floodplain maps that are based on data from the 1970s.
Clark Fork River, Bitterroot River, Rock Creek
Missoula County is currently working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC) to update floodplain maps for the Clark Fork River, Bitterroot River, and Rock Creek. The new maps are intended to provide more reliable and detailed information about flood-prone areas along the river. Additional information about the mapping update can be found on the DNRC website.
Visit the project website above to access the Draft Map Viewer.
Clearwater River
The Clearwater River regulatory floodplain extends from the outlet of Seeley Lake to the inlet of Salmon Lake. In Missoula County, floodplain maps were modernized through a Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) project initiated in 2005 and completed in 2015. Final floodplain maps went into effect on Oct. 5, 2023.
Included with the digital conversion effort was the Clearwater River Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Essentially, the paper maps were converted from paper to digital maps without a new flood study conducted. The maps that were previously in place for the Clearwater River are based on data that was collected back in the 1970s.
Missoula County and the Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation have partnered to update the study and update the maps. The new maps are intended to provide reliable and more detailed information guiding future development in flood-prone areas.
