Region I - Mitigation Highlight of the Quarter - Spring, 2008
Conway, New Hampshire
The Town of Conway is located in the northwestern portion of Carroll County, in the North County of New Hampshire. The town's estimated 2006 population is 9,202.
The Saco River flows through Conway from the north to the east and is joined by the Swift River in the Village of Conway.
Conway joined the NFIP almost 30 years ago on April 16, 1979. Currently, there are 76 flood insurance policies in Conway. There have been 45 paid losses totaling $172,331 in Conway.
Flooding, whether from heavy rains, ice jams or snowmelt from the mountains, carries the greatest risk for Conway. Seasonal flooding of the Saco River and Swift River as well as other small streams has been recorded. The major impacts of flooding in Conway are road closures, which isolate the western part of Town during significant events.
Conway is being recognized because it currently enforces floodplain management regulations that prohibit building of new construction in the floodplain areas, thereby reducing the potential impact of flooding on structures. The town created a Floodplain Conservation Overlay District, which is defined as the special flood hazard areas on FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Conway.
Only certain land uses are allowed by special exception in the floodplain areas. Examples of such uses include: uses compatible to open space, limited agricultural extraction of certain materials, and railroads, streets, driveways, bridges, utility, transmission lines, and pipelines.
Special provisions state that there be no expansion of present nonconforming buildings or pre-existing septic systems in the floodplain. Also, existing nonconforming buildings within the district, which have been substantially damaged, may be repaired within one year provided that they comply with the minimum standards of the NFIP regulations.
Since the adoption of the floodplain management ordinance in 1986, no building permits have been issued for development in the floodplain. All buildings that are currently located in the floodplain were built prior to the town’s adoption of regulations.
To view Conway’s floodplain regulations, please see Chapter 147.13.14—Floodplain Conservation Overlay District at the following: Conway floodplain regulations
Last Modified: Thursday, 24-Jul-2008 09:30:53 EDT