Flood Plain Management Improves Man's Environment

The increase in flood damage potential, despite great expenditures on flood control projects, is a serious problem for engineers and public officials. The complexity of American society and the greater density of land occupance brought about by the increasing population make it impossible to deal with the underlying factors through traditional approach. Prevention through regulation of land use, as well as correction through flood control structures, must be utilized. There is a need for improved flood plain management that will lead to the best use of water resources and flood plain lands. Flood plain regulations and flood control are needed to reduce flood damage. Maximum benefits from reservoirs and their shorelines must be insured. Methods of evaluating and preserving future reservoir sites should be given greater attention. Experiences in the Tennessee Valley and elsewhere are used to illustrate how these and other elements are considered in comprehensive planning for the development of water resources and flood plain lands.