Coastal Hazard Regulations in Great Lakes States

Coastal Hazard Regulations in Great Lakes States

A review of Great Lakes coastal regulations   Coastal Hazard Regulations in Great Lakes States A Summary Analysis Full Report Overview The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Flood Science Center has released a summary analysis of coastal hazard regulations across seven of the Great Lakes states. The report, funded by the Federal Emergency Management…
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New FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas for Lake Michigan Coastal Communities

Updated flood risk maps for the Great Lakes coasts. New FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas for Lake Michigan Coastal Communities  Overview Severe flood events can happen along the Lake Michigan coast when strong winds drive Lake water and waves on shore. FEMA has been rolling out new floodplain maps for several counties along the Lake…
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Lake Michigan Water Levels (1920-2023)

Winter 2024 Water Level Update

Through the late fall (November) and winter (December, January and February), Lake Michigan water levels continued their seasonal decline. Water levels are expected to begin their seasonal rise in late March or early April. Over the past year, Lake Michigan experienced below average precipitation. Warm early winter temperatures have led to below average evaporation and…
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Wisconsin Culvert Inventory

Wisconsin Culvert Inventory Database and Online Mapping App

An inventory of culvert infrastructure across Wisconsin.   Wisconsin Culvert Inventory Database and Online Mapping App  Visit Culvert Inventory  Overview The Wisconsin Coastal-Management Data Infrastructure (WICDI) Project provided data, tools and training to coastal communities in Wisconsin. Increased frequency and intensity of rain events can cause damage to infrastructure including culverts. Culverts were inventoried and…
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WI Climate Table Toolkit

Wisconsin Climate Table

A tool kit for communities looking to center equity in climate planning and policy.   Wisconsin Climate Table: Tool Kit for Equity & Justice in Local Climate Action Planning Visit Tool Kit   Overview The Wisconsin Climate Table Local Climate Action Planning Tool Kit is a resource for Wisconsin communities that are looking to center…
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Lake Michigan Water Levels (1920-2023)

Fall 2023 Water Level Update

Through the late summer (August) and early fall (September and October), Lake Michigan water levels began their seasonal decline. From July to October, water levels on Lake Michigan fell approximately 7 inches. Over the past year, Lake Michigan experienced below average precipitation. Despite water levels now being approximately 37 inches below the highest monthly water…
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Aerial photo of Racine Harbor

City of Racine Coastal Resiliency Assessment

The City of Racine Public Health Department undertook a project to better understand coastal hazard impacts through local ordinance review, parcel mapping, shoreline classification, and public outreach. City of Racine Coastal Resiliency Assessment Overview Like many areas along the Great Lakes Coast, public and private properties in Racine are experiencing increased erosion and flooding due…
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beach with volleyball nets

Creating a Coastline Management Policy for Milwaukee County

There was a need to establish coastal management guidelines to protect Milwaukee County’s coastal land and assets. Creating a Coastline Management Policy for Milwaukee County Overview Milwaukee County (County) wanted to establish coastline management guidelines based upon best practices to protect County lakefront property from future impacts of coastal hazards. The guidelines would offer a…
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USACE Beneficial Uses of Dredged Sediment Website

A website supporting the beneficial use of dredged sediment in coastal habitat and construction projects.     USACE Beneficial Uses of Dredged Sediment Website   Visit Website  Overview The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) hosts a website about the beneficial use of dredged sediment. The USACE defines beneficial uses as “productive and positive uses…
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July 2023 Water Level Update

Lake Michigan water levels rose two inches from June to July. Though Lake Michigan is now about 29 inches below the highest monthly water level recorded in July 2020, the Lake is still about 5 inches higher than the long-term average water level for the month. Water levels are expected to remain stable over the…
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