Residents near Boise River can use new flood maps to gauge risk

With spring melting season upon the Treasure Valley, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration unveiled a new tool that can help residents near the Boise River determine flood risk.

Federal river managers are working to minimize flood risk by increasing the flow from 250 cubic feet per second to 2,250 cfs by Friday at the Glenwood Bridge in Garden City. But, to further help people who live close to the river, the NOAA released information about a flood map that can show people where water would flow during a flooding.

The interactive map was created with help from the National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ada County Emergency Management and the U.S. Geological Survey.

“The Boise River poses a flood risk to Boise and the surrounding communities,” said Lt. Col. Tim Vail, Walla Walla District Commander for the Corps of Engineers. “These flood maps will provide technical information to help the community and its leaders better understand and prepare for that flood risk.”

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 9:36 AM with the headline "Residents near Boise River can use new flood maps to gauge risk."