Athens County, Ohio; Climate Smart Communities Initiative; Rural Action, Inc. Athens County, OH

Watershed-Scale Inundation and Sediment Transport Modeling

BSC worked with Athens County, Ohio and watershed partner Rural Action, Inc. to secure Climate Smart Communities Initiative funding for a county-wide hydrologic and sediment transport study. The effort advances understanding of flood risk, erosion, and sedimentation while addressing critical mapping gaps, as much of the county lacks FEMA floodplain mapping and existing data do not account for future precipitation scenarios or sedimentation impacts. The team is collaborating with local floodplain managers, planners, and environmental stakeholders to refine modeling and ensure alignment with community needs.

The study is developing high-resolution flood inundation models for existing and future conditions, incorporating projected precipitation to simulate more frequent and intense storm events. Detailed HEC-RAS mapping will support hazard mitigation and climate adaptation planning, inform infrastructure and land-use decisions, and strengthen communication of flood and erosion risks to property owners.

Equity is central to the work. Many communities experience disproportionate impacts to property, transportation access, and water quality. The project prioritizes engagement in vulnerable areas and integrates residents’ on-the-ground knowledge through crowdsourced mapping tools. By combining advanced hydrologic modeling, stakeholder collaboration, and community-informed data collection, the study equips Athens County with the technical foundation to reduce risk and support long-term, sustainable watershed management.