West End Flood Mitigation Projects

West End Flood Mitigation Projects

reWelcome, and thank you for visiting the official webpage for the West End Flood Mitigation Projects. Columbia County Commissioners, in coordination with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) and the engineering firm Verdantas (formerly Barton Lawson), are continuing long-term efforts to address recurring flooding in the West End of Bloomsburg.

These projects build on previous flood studies and earlier flood wall investments, representing the next phase of work to reduce flood risks, protect homes and businesses, and strengthen critical infrastructure. The focus remains on improving safety and resilience for the community while planning responsibly for future flood events.

Residents, property owners, and stakeholders are encouraged to use this page to stay informed about updates from the projects, such as key milestones, and upcoming activities.

For questions or additional information, please contact bloomsburgfloodproject@seda-cog.org

These images show prior flood mitigation work and studies completed in the West End of Bloomsburg, including photos from the historic 2011 flood caused by Tropical Storm Lee. The projects discussed on this page build on this earlier work.
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Goals of the Projects

  1. Reduce Flood Risk for West End Residents
    The County aims to significantly reduce the risk of repeated flooding for more than 350 homes in the West End of Bloomsburg by making targeted improvements that better manage floodwaters.

  2. Make Targeted Improvements to the Floodplain
    The County will carry out early improvements – such as clearing blockages, restoring streambanks, and improving how water moves through the area – to help lower flood levels and reduce flood impacts during major storm events.

  3. Prepare for Future Levee Improvements
    The County will complete the necessary steps to meet federal requirements for future levee construction by demonstrating meaningful reductions in flood levels.

  4. Position the Projects for Future Construction Funding
    The County will advance engineering, permitting, and planning work so the projects are ready to pursue future construction funding when opportunities become available.

  5. Strengthen Community Resilience and Emergency Preparedness
    The County will support long-term flood resilience while aligning this effort with broader emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation planning.

  6. Coordinate with Local, State, and Federal Partners
    The County will continue working closely with municipal, state, and federal partners to ensure the projects are transparent, well-coordinated, and responsibly managed. 

Timeline & Milestones

How The Project is Moving Forward

The Columbia County Commissioners are leading a series of coordinated flood mitigation projects in the West End of Bloomsburg. Rather than a single construction effort, this work is advancing through individual projects, each designed to reduce flood risk and prepare for future improvements.

Current Projects Underway

The County is currently focused on planning and design work that supports long-term flood protection, including:

  • Designing flood protection improvements in key areas of the West End
  • Completing required environmental reviews and permits
  • Coordinating with state and federal agencies to ensure all work meets applicable standards
  • Identifying property access needs, such as easements, to support future construction
  • Completing studies and testing needed to prepare projects for construction funding

Preparing for Future Flood Protection and Insurance Relief

In addition to current planning and design work, the County is preparing for future projects that could improve flood insurance outcomes for residents. This includes:

  • Evaluating existing flood protection systems to determine what improvements are needed to meet federal standards
  • Developing emergency response and operation plans to ensure systems can be safely maintained over time
  • Working with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support future updates to flood maps once requirements are met
  • Keeping residents informed about what these improvements could mean for flood risk and insurance requirements

If these future steps are completed and fully funded, they could reduce the number of properties required to carry flood insurance.


What This Means for Residents

At this time, the County is not beginning major floodwall or levee construction. The current focus is on careful planning, coordination, and preparation to ensure that future flood protection projects are effective, fundable, and aligned with community needs.

Project timelines will continue to be refined as each individual project moves forward.

Project Map

Image of Bloomsburg Floodwall Project Map
Bloomsburg Floodwall Project Map

Resident Quick Facts

  1. Who is leading the projects?
    The projects are led by Columbia County Commissioners, with support from SEDA-COG and engineering consultant Verdantas (formerly Barton Lawson). 

  2. Are these new projects?
    No. These projects continue earlier flood studies and past flood mitigation work in the West End of Bloomsburg. The current phase builds on that prior investment.

  3. What are the goals of the projects?
    The goal is to reduce flooding in the West End by improving how floodwaters move through the area and preparing for possible future levee or floodwall construction.

  4. How will this help Residents?
    These projects are expected to:

    • Lower flood levels during storm events
    •  Reduce flood damage to homes and infrastructure
    • Improve long-term safety and resilience for the community

  5. What is happening right now?

    The County is focused on:

    • Planning and engineering
    • Retaining Real Estate Professional Service Providers
    • Permitting
    • Early floodplain improvements

    This work helps reduce flood levels and prepares the projects for future construction funding.

  6. Is a levee or floodwall being built now?
    No. A levee or floodwall could be considered in a future phase, after required mitigation improvements are completed and additional funding is secured.

  7. Will properties be taken or residents displaced?
    Some temporary or permanent easements may be needed as the design progresses. Property owners who may be affected will be contacted directly by the projects’ retained real estate professionals.

  8. How are these projects being funded?
    Current funding (approximately $7 million) comes from state and federal sources. Additional funding (estimated at $30+ million) will be needed for future construction phases.

  9. Will flood insurance still be required if a levee is built?
    If a future levee or floodwall meets federal standards, flood insurance may no longer be required for federally backed mortgages. However, flood insurance is still recommended because some flood risk always remains.

  10. Who will maintain the system in the future?
    The Columbia County Water Mitigation Authority will be responsible for the long-term operation and maintenance of the system to ensure it continues to meet safety and performance standards.

  11. How can residents stay informed?
    Updates will be shared on this webpage and through public meetings as the projects move forward.

What These Project Are — and Are Not

✔ A continuation of past flood mitigation work
✔ Focused on long-term flood risk reduction
✔ Moving forward in phases
✖ Not immediate levee construction