
Photo credit: Chris Boyer, 2011
The Musselshell River communities have been working with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update floodplain maps for the Musselshell River and some of its tributary streams. Many of the existing floodplain maps are based on data from the 1970's. New floodplain maps will depict the latest, most accurate flood risk data, allowing property owners and communities to better understand their flood risk and to protect themselves against flooding.
New floodplain maps for Musselshell, Rosebud, and Petroleum Counties became effective 11/15/19. Maps for Golden Valley and Wheatland Counties are still going through public review.
There can be insurance and development regulation implications for structures going into and coming out of the 100-Year Floodplain when new floodplain maps become effective. Property owners can educate themselves and prepare for the adoption of the new floodplain maps by taking the steps below.
Are you Newly Mapped in a 100-Year Floodplain? Click here for Cost-Saving Insurance Options
Golden Valley County
Click the floodplain map viewer box below to view proposed map changes in Golden Valley County:
Individual preliminary floodplain maps and studies can be viewed here: Preliminary Maps and Studies
Appeal and Comment Period - September 3 - December 2, 2020
The 90-Day Appeal and Comment Period for Golden Valley's preliminary maps and study will be open until December 2, 2020. Input on the preliminary maps and study are encouraged and welcome. To submit comments or appeals see: Golden Valley Comment/Appeal Form
When finalized, new maps could have effects on some property owners in mapped floodplains. If you are currently or will be mapped into a 100-Year Floodplain, view these links about your flood risk areas: 100-Year Floodplain Floodway (within 100-Year Floodplain) 500-Year Floodplain
Mapping Status by County:
Petroleum County
New maps for the Petroleum County side of the Musselshell River went into effect on 11/15/19. Maps can be viewed using FEMA's Map Service Center:
https://msc.fema.gov For more information contact Petroleum County or Tiffany Lyden with Montana DNRC.
Musselshell County
Rosebud County
New maps for the Musselshell River in Rosebud County went into effect on 11/15/19. Maps can be viewed using FEMA's Map Service Center:
https://msc.fema.gov For more information contact the Rosebud County Commissioners or Tiffany Lyden with Montana DNRC.
Wheatland County
Wheatland County has preliminary maps that have not yet gone through an Appeal and Comment period.
More information will be posted here when it is available. Wheatland County, Harlowton and Montana DNRC hosted two public open houses in Harlowton on 10/25/17.
View the meeting materials: Presentation 100-Year Floodplain Floodway 500-Year Floodplain
Golden Valley County
Golden Valley has preliminary maps. An official comment and appeal period will open sometime in 2020. More information will be posted here as it is available. Golden Valley County, Ryegate, Lavina, and Montana DNRC hosted two public open houses on 9/12/17. View the meeting materials:
Presentation 100-Year Floodplain Floodway 500-Year Floodplain
Know your Property's Flood Risk
When finalized, new maps could have effects on some property owners in mapped floodplains. If you are currently or will be mapped into a 100-Year Floodplain, view these links about your flood risk areas: 100-Year Floodplain Floodway (within 100-Year Floodplain) 500-Year Floodplain
Appeal and Comment Periods
Before being finalized, floodplain maps and studies go through a lengthy technical and public review process, including a 90-Day Appeal and Comment Period. Musselshell, Rosebud and Petroleum Counties completed their 90-Day Appeal and Comment period in January 2019. The Appeal and Comment Period for Golden Valley County is September 2 - December 3, 2020. The Appeal and Comment Period for Wheatland County has not yet been scheduled. Input on the preliminary maps and reports are encouraged and welcome.
Come back for more information
We will update this website with new, relevant information as the Musselshell River Flood Maps Update project moves forward. For more information about this project, contact Tiffany Lyden with Montana DNRC.