Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.
Lake Monona is a valuable resource to the Monona community, but living along the lake also brings flooding risks. As the City experiences more frequent and severe rain events, it’s important for property owners to understand the policies that regulate areas that are prone to flooding, especially for water-front properties. Many of Monona’s waterfront properties fall within flood-hazard boundaries that are regulated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the City’s Floodplain and Shoreline Zoning Codes. It is crucial for property owners to understand regulations and permits that apply to them before beginning home-improvement and flood-proofing projects. This page is designed to guide residents through those regulations and provide resources for flood-proofing projects.
100 Year Flood/Regional Flood The regional flood for a community is a flood that has a 1% chance of happening each year. It is commonly referred to as a 100 year flood, even though they can happen more than once every 100 years. | Compensatory Storage Compensatory storage is an area created within the FSD that replaces floodwater storage that has been removed or filled in. Replacing floodwater storage is required for any fill placed within the FSD. |
Flood Storage District (FSD) The Flood Storage District (FSD) is the area of the floodplain designated as storage for flood water. Storing water in the FSD during a regional flood helps reduce flood elevations further downstream. To protect the storage capacity, development in the FSD is strictly regulated. | Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) The Ordinary High Water Mark is the line on the lake shore that divides public lake bed and private land. It is determined by the DNR. It is generally defined as the point on the shore where water typically leaves a distinctive mark, like erosion, lack of terrestrial plants, or presence of aquatic plants. Lake Monona’s OHWM is 845.82 feet above sea level. |
The strictest regulations apply to the Flood Storage District, where any development or construction that reduces the floodwater storage capacity must provide compensatory storage within the same Flood Storage District. Projects that fall below the Ordinary High Water Mark are under the jurisdiction of the DNR, and have separate regulations and permits. Before starting any construction, it’s important to determine if your property is part of the Flood Storage District, which you can do using the maps below.
City of Monona Floodplain Map | FEMA Flood Map Service Center |
Click Here for Interactive Map | Click Here for Interactive Map |
Here you can see what parts of Monona are considered part of the Flood Storage District. It’s possible that only part of a property is considered part of the Flood Storage District. In addition to checking these maps, you should contact City staff and check flood insurance requirements with an insurance agent, if you plan on making changes to your property.
For information about flood insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program and speak directly with an insurance agent.
Floodplain Regulations Flyer | Floodplain Development Application |
This document is designed to help homeowners determine what governing body to contact regarding their home improvement project. It also provides resources for various project types. | This is the official permit application for projects that require approval from the City regarding development within the floodplain. |
During the flooding in the summer of 2018, the City sent daily messages to residents regarding lake levels and forecasts, sandbagging efforts, etc. You can sign up to receive these kinds of messages via email or text message here by clicking on Emergency Alerts.
To view Monona’s full zoning code for the Flood Storage District, please click here.
To see the state of Wisconsin’s statutes regulating navigable waters, which include floodplain regulations, please click here.
Read over this helpful handout from the Department of Natural Resources for more general information about floodplain regulations.
This document, from the Department of Natural Resources, outlines information for anyone who currently lives in a floodplain, or is considering buying property in a floodplain.
This guide, from the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department, explain how lake levels within the Yahara river shed, including lake Monona, are managed.
There are many ways that you can protect your shoreline from flooding and erosion, including strategies that work to restore your shoreline to its natural state. Below are resources for homeowners who are interested in learning about more environmentally friendly strategies for improving their shores.
Rip rap is a common form of erosion control used along waterways. According to the Department of Natural Resources:
"Riprap is a blanket of appropriately sized stones, fitted to the slope and shape of the shoreline, extending from the toe of the slope to a height needed for long-term durability."The Department of Natural Resources requires a permit in order for property owners to install rip rap along their shoreline. If you are considering putting rip rap along your shoreline, please read the Rip Rap permit checklist linked below to see if your project will require a permit.
Wetlands, which are generally located close to the shore of lakes and streams, act as wildlife habitat, water purification systems and can store carbon. It’s possible that lake shore properties have shorelines designated as Wetlands. Please see the resources below for more information about wetland regulations and protection.