Information about FEMA's floodplain mapping activities currently underway in New Hampshire.
FEMA Risk MAP Program
FEMA’s current flood mapping program is called
Risk MAP (Mapping, Assessment and Planning). The goal of the Risk MAP program is to deliver quality flood hazard data and maps that increase public awareness about flooding and lead to action that reduces risk to life and property. To learn more about Risk MAP in New Hampshire, view the
2015 New Hampshire Risk MAP Business Plan.
View our
FEMA Risk MAP Program Bulletin to learn more about process and what communities can expect in each step.
The Risk MAP Discovery Process
The first step in a Risk MAP flood mapping project is called the Discovery process. Discovery is used to help determine whether a mapping project is actually needed, and if so, what the scope of the project will be. Several Discovery projects have recently been completed and the mapping projects listed in the section below are now underway in the state. For a list of all Discovery projects, including access to reports and meetings presentations, visit the
FEMA Discovery Projects in New Hampshire webpage.
Community Adoption of New or Revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps
Each time FEMA provides a community with new or revised flood hazard data, the community must adopt new floodplain management regulations to incorporate any new data into the community’s ordinance and amend the community’s existing ordinance to reference the new FIRM and FIS report. FEMA’s
Adoption of Flood Insurance Rate Maps by Participating Communities provides more information about this process.
RSA 674:57 allows NH municipalities to adopt the new FIRM and FIS report through a resolution by the local governing body. Following the resolution passing, the statute also allows the municipality to amend its floodplain ordinance by replacing the old FIRM and FIS study date with the new FIRM and FIS study date without further action by the local legislative body.
Risk MAP Flood Mapping Projects in New Hampshire
FEMA Risk MAP projects currently underway that affect communities in New Hampshire are listed below. Schedule information listed is provided courtesy of FEMA and is subject to change. To find out more about any of these projects, contact the NH
Floodplain Management Program team.
- Contoocook River Watershed - FEMA has completed a Discovery project to determine flood map update needs in the watershed.
- Pemigewasset River Watershed - FEMA has completed a Discovery project to determine flood map update needs in the watershed.
- Preliminary maps are available on the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer for Grafton County.
- A 90-day appeal period was held for Grafton County, ending on January 25, 2023. This was an opportunity for community officials and residents to submit scientific or technical information if they believe the preliminary maps are scientifically or technically incorrect.
- Merrimack River Watershed - FEMA has completed a Discovery project to determine flood map update needs in the watersheds.
- Preliminary maps are available on the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer for Merrimack, Hillsborough, and Rockingham Counties.
- A Consultation Coordination Officer (CCO) meeting was held by FEMA on December 13, 2022 for Merrimack and Hillsborough Counties. View the presentation slides.
- A Consultation Coordination Officer (CCO) meeting is schedule for Rockingham County for June 13, 2023 at 9:00AM
- Middle Connecticut Watershed – Updated flood hazard analyses are currently being performed based on recently completed field surveys . Updated flood maps will be prepared following completion of the surveys and the new analyses.
- Nashua River Watershed - FEMA has completed a Discovery project to determine flood map update needs in the watersheds.
- Millers Watershed - Updated flood hazard analyses are currently being performed. Updated flood maps will be prepared based on the analyses following completion. FEMA held a Flood Risk Review Meeting (Work Map Meeting) on February 15, 2023 to review and provide early feedback on the draft versions of the preliminary FIRM and FIS report and flood risk products.
- Rockingham County Coastal Study - FEMA issued a Letter of Final Determination for this project on July 29, 2020. The new maps are effective January 29, 2021.
- Saco River Watershed - FEMA has completed a Discovery project to determine flood map update needs in the watersheds. The Discovery Report was released in December 2022
- Salmon Falls—Piscataqua Rivers Watershed (Inland) - Preliminary flood maps showing revised flood hazard information are currently under development. This project is currently on hold pending funding.
- Town of Farmington Levee Mapping Project - A web-based meeting with community officials was held March 31, 2020 to kick off this Levee Analysis and Mapping Project. Initial re-mapping options of the project area were shared with community officials in 2020.
- Town of Lincoln Levee Mapping Project - A revised preliminary map will be prepared and issued following completion of levee reconstruction and levee accreditation.
- Upper Androscoggin River-Headwaters Connecticut River Watershed - FEMA has initiated a Discovery project to determine whether a flood map update project is needed for the area, and if so, what the scope of the project will be. A virtual Discovery Meeting was held November 17, 2020 to provide community officials with information about the project.
- Waits River-Connecticut River Watershed - FEMA has completed a Discovery project to determine flood map update needs in the watersheds. The Discovery Report was released in October 2022.
- Ammonoosuc River-Connecticut River Watershed - FEMA has completed a Discovery project to determine flood map update needs in the watersheds. The Discovery Report was released in October 2022.
- Winnipesaukee River Watershed - Updated flood analyses are currently being performed which, along with new topographic data, will be used to create digital flood maps.