West End Flood Mitigation Project

Welcome, and thank you for visiting the official page for the West End Flood Mitigation Project. Columbia County, in partnership with SEDA-COG and Verdantas, is committed to addressing long-standing flooding challenges in the West End of Bloomsburg. This multi-phase initiative is designed to reduce flood risks, protect homes and infrastructure, and improve long-term community resilience.

We invite residents, stakeholders, and partners to explore this site for updates, project milestones, and ways to stay engaged as we work together toward a safer, more resilient future.

For more information or questions, please email bloomsburgfloodproject@seda-cog.org.

Fav_Town Levee Railroad Street Closure 11

Goals

Reduce Flood Risk for West End Residents
Significantly lower the risk of recurring flood damage to over 350 residential structures in the West End of Bloomsburg through strategic flood mitigation and infrastructure improvements.
Implement Targeted Floodplain Improvements
Carry out early-stage interventions – such as removal of obstructions, streambank restoration, and increased channel conveyance – to lower floodwater elevations and reduce water surface impact by up to four inches.
Achieve FEMA Authorization for Future Levee Construction
Complete critical improvements necessary to obtain FEMA approval for a future levee system by demonstrating a measurable reduction in base flood elevations.
Position the Project for Full Construction Readiness
Advance the project through engineering, permitting, and pre-construction activities, creating a shovel-ready package to pursue an estimated $23+ million in future legislative funding.
Strengthen Regional Resiliency and Emergency Preparedness
Support long-term community resiliency and align with Columbia County’s broader hazard mitigation and emergency response strategies.
Coordinate Across Local, State, and Federal Partners
Foster collaboration between Columbia County, SEDA-COG, Verdantas, DCED, FEMA, and other stakeholders to ensure transparent, well-managed project delivery.

Timeline & Milestones

Phase 1: Engineering & Design for Upper Basin Floodwall

This phase focuses on detailed engineering and environmental permitting for a new floodwall system that will protect the upper basin of the West End neighborhood. The key elements of Phase 1 include:

Design and permitting of a new floodwall structure, stormwater pump station, and associated drainage improvements.
Coordination with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with environmental and floodplain standards.
Right-of-way and easement support.
Preparation for future construction, including geotechnical investigations and hydrologic modeling updates.

Phase 1 is fully funded and is essential to lay the groundwork for construction.

Phase 2: Levee Certification and FEMA Map Revision

Phase 2 expands the project’s impact beyond local protections to regional flood insurance relief by pursuing federal certification. Key activities include:

Analysis and upgrades to the existing levee system, to meet FEMA’s accreditation standards.
Development of a Flood Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) in partnership with local emergency management.
FEMA coordination to revise local Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) once the levee system is accredited.
Community engagement to inform property owners of timeline, impacts, and potential flood insurance benefits.

By pursuing FEMA certification, the County aims to reduce the number of properties in the mandatory flood insurance zone.

Project Map

Map of Bloomsburg West End Flood Map — West End Flood Mitigation Project Map

Public Meeting Materials

PR Public Meeting Flood Mitigation Abridged Version

Community FAQ

What is the West End Flood Mitigation Project?
The West End Flood Mitigation Project is a county-led initiative to address persistent flood risks in the West End of Bloomsburg. The goal is to reduce the flood impact on residents, businesses, and infrastructure through a multi-phase engineering and mitigation strategy.
What is induced flooding?
Induced flooding occurs what human actions, such as the construction of dams, levels, or other infrastructure, lead to changes in water flow and drainage patterns, resulting in flooding in areas that may not have been prone to it before
Who is leading the project?
• Columbia County is the project sponsor.
• SEDA-COG is serving as the project administrator.
• Verdantas is the engineering consultant developing the design and technical aspects.
Why is this project needed?
The West End area has historically experienced frequent flooding from Fishing Creek. The project aims to reduce flood depth, improve stormwater capacity, and protect nearly 350 residential structures.
What types of solutions are being considered?
The project proposes a combination of:
1. Floodplain improvements (e.g., removing fill, increasing conveyance).
2. Streambank restoration and channel modifications.
3. Future levee system construction, contingent on FEMA authorization and funding.
Will a levee be built immediately?
Not yet. FEMA requires floodplain improvements to occur before levee construction can be considered. The current phase focuses on preliminary work to reduce water levels and create eligibility for levee design.
How is the project being funded?
Funding has been secured through:
1. PA DCED (Keystone Communities Program, and Economic Development and Community Development Initiative – EDCDI)
2. FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Earmark
3. Future phases will require legislative earmarks and additional grant support.
What is the timeline?
The current phase focuses on permitting, engineering, and early improvements. Construction of a levee system could begin in future phases, once FEMA approvals and full funding are secured.
How can residents stay informed?
Project updates, timelines, meeting announcements, and resources will be shared through this dedicated project webpage and through public meetings.
Will any properties be acquired as part of this project?
While it is still early in the design process to definitively identify all impacted properties, it is anticipated that the project will require numerous temporary and permanent easements to support construction and long-term operation of critical flood mitigation infrastructure. At this time, there is no expectation of residential displacement or relocation. Property owners potentially affected will be contacted shortly after the New Year. The majority of project work is expected to occur within existing rights-of-way or County-owned parcels, minimizing the overall impact on private property.
When the county builds the levee/floodwall, will I be required to carry flood insurance?
If the levee or floodwall meets FEMA’s accreditation standards (providing protection against the 1%-annual-chance flood), properties behind it are generally removed from the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) on FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Map. This means the mandatory purchase requirement for federally backed mortgages is lifted.
Does that mean I no longer need flood insurance?
No levee or floodwall eliminates flood risk entirely. These structures reduce risk but can fail or be overtopped during larger floods. FEMA strongly recommends maintaining flood insurance even if it’s no longer required, because residual risk remains.
Will my flood insurance cost change after accreditation?
Yes. Properties behind accredited levees are typically mapped into moderate-risk zones (e.g., Zone X) instead of high-risk SFHAs. Premiums in these zones are much lower than in high-risk areas.
Who will maintain the floodwall and levee system?
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.
How will maintenance costs be covered?
While the exact long-term cost has not yet been determined, the Authority is committed to managing the system efficiently. The goal is to keep costs reasonable and transparent for the community.
Why is this approach better than paying for flood damage or high insurance premiums?
By maintaining the system, the community dramatically lowers flood risk, which reduces potential property damage and insurance costs. This proactive investment is expected to save property owners significantly over time compared to reactive costs after flooding events.