Flood Plains and Water Constraints on North Georgia land and North Carolina land

Flood Plains and Water Constraints on North Georgia land and North Carolina land

Annual precipitation in portions of western North Carolina is the highest in the United States. The steep, mountain slopes permit rapid storm water runoff. Considering these two facts, it is not surprising that floods are a frequent, natural occurrence in our region.

When people build house and businesses on the land that is periodically flooded, human suffering and economic loss inevitably result. These areas are called flood plains. The best farm land in western North Carolina and North Georgia is generally located in flood plains. The floods in eastern North Carolina that resulted from Hurricane Floyd contributed to the loss of human life, homes, and communities. Homes built in the mountains of North Carolina are not immune to similar circumstances. The mountains of North Carolina and north Georgia receive the highest amount of rainfall east of the Mississippi River.

Building a house on a flood plain not only endangers your life and property, but also removes another piece of land from agricultural production in a region where there is very little land remaining that is suitable for farming. Per the U.S. Census, over 72 percent of farms have been converted, between the years of 1949 and 1992, to other uses such as residential development.

Small creeks are as susceptible to flooding as large rivers. before buying or building a house, check to see how close the site is to any creek or river.ask residents of the area how high flood waters have risen on the property in the past. Communities that belong to the National Flood Insurance Program
in North Carolina have maps that show the flood-prone areas within their community. these maps can be found in the county court house or city hall.

A large number of building sites have wetlands or streams on the property that need to be considered in any home construction that would affect wetland area or stream(including but not limited to road crossings, stream enclosures, stream bank stabilization or stream maintenance) requires approval from the United States Army Corps of Engineers prior to beginning any construction activity.

Private water systems in Western North Carolina and North Georgia Mountains

Municipal water systems