Environmental Health Recommendations

• Clear all debris away from low-lying and flood-prone areas--especially hazardous chemicals, oil cans, trash, etc.  All household hazardous waste can be taken to the Adobe Butte Landfill and disposed of for free. 
• If you lose power, water, or gas. Call your service providers. 
• Opening vents in stem walls to remove any pressure from rising floodwaters
• Stock up on non perishable items.  
• If the power does go out, ensure that refrigerated food is kept below 41 degrees (get a reliable thermometer) to lessen the concern with spoilage before use.

For current information on the flooding threats throughout Colorado, visit the Colorado Flood Threat Bulletin web page.

Floodplain Permits

Delta County Environmental Health is where you can get a Floodplain Permit.  The County has areas that are prone to flooding, which can result in a loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce, and affect public health and safety.

If you plan on building in a designated floodplain or floodway in Delta County, you must have a Floodplain Development Permit. This includes any construction or activity that changes the land's basic character, use, or topography, such as building or substantial improvement of a structure, mining, filling, excavation, or drilling operations, and more. You need to apply for a Floodplain Permit Application and Application Checklist, even if you don't need flood insurance, to comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations and be eligible for flood insurance.

The Delta County Land Use Code has Floodplain Regulations as an annex. You also need a permit from the Delta County Environmental Health Division before installing any septic system if you plan to develop in a designated floodplain. It's your responsibility to ensure you get this determination. You can easily search for the floodplain status if you're planning to build in or near a floodplain.

Floodplain Maps

Maps are available on the Delta County GIS webpage.
More information can be found at the Colorado Hazard Mapping website.

The Floodplain Regulations are described in the Delta County Land Use Code, adopted on January 5th, 2021, and the Delta County Flood Damage Prevention Regulations (DCFDPR, an appendix of that code). 

The floodplain application fee is $250.00.

FEMA Elevation Certificate

Once a permit has been issued and construction has been completed, a certification of elevation is required. A Registered Professional Engineer or Registered Surveyor must certify the elevations of a structure and certify that the development is adequately floodproofed.  If a Map Amendment is needed, the property owner will need to complete a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) request.  Obtain more information on the  National Flood Insurance Program. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published maps designating floodplains, floodways, and insurance rate zones for the National Floodplain Insurance Program.  Visit the FEMA floodplain insurance program website for details.

If you are interested in determining if a property is within a flood zone, the Delta County Interactive Map has a FEMA Floodplain Map Layer that can be added to the base map by selecting the LEGEND folder and then selecting the “FEMA Flood Hazard areas."  You may also come to the Delta County Environmental Health Division's office to research and view the FEMA maps to make a flood zone determination. Maps may also be ordered by contacting the FEMA Map Center.