For the third year in a row the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland, Oregon office is sharing a 2025 calendar with giant cats - plus a version featuring giant dogs (for the second year in a row)!
Cat Calendar
Each month has a different photo of extra large cats on or near USACOE projects or equipment.
Link to 2025 USACOE cat calendar.
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Dog Calendar
Dog fans get equal time again this year with the 2025 Dog Calendar which also has monthly photos of giant dogs on or near USACOE projects or equipment.
Link to 2025 USACOE Dog Calendar.
To see past calendars:
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Back by popular demand!
A series of FREE one-hour virtual trainings on floodplain management topics are being offered January through March 2025. The timing will be similar to our Winter 2023 and 2024 series, with most trainings offered 1-2 p.m. on Mondays, and 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.
Use the "Register" link next to each training to sign up.
You'll also be able to find the registration links and more details about each training on the DNR 2025 Shoreland and Floodplain Upcoming Live Trainings page, or via the link at the top of the DNR Shoreland and Floodplain Education and Training Center.
Upcoming dates and topics:
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1/6/2025 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Floodplain Management Basics Register
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1/8/2025 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Floodplain Administration 101 Register
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1/13/2025 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: FEMA Map Basics (including Letters of Map Change) Register
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1/22/2025 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: *Accessory Structures in the Floodplain Register (*New topic)
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1/27/2025 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Floodplain Web-Based Maps and Tools Register
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2/3/2025 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Dealing with Zone A Floodplains Register
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2/5/2025 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: FEMA Flood Insurance Basics Register
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2/10/2025 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Floodplain Administration 201 (CUPs, floodproofing, etc.) Register
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2/12/2025 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Floodplain and Watershed Higher Standards Register
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2/24/2025 (Mon), 1-3 p.m.: Planning and Zoning 101 (*New topic) Register
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3/10/2024 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Post-flood Responsibilities and Substantial Damage Determinations Register
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Remember: Recordings of past virtual training available
To see recordings of the one-hour virtual trainings presented in recent years, and other newer on-demand virtual trainings, go to the Shoreland and river-related training page or Floodplain training page.
The University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership recently released regional climate summaries for each of nine geographic regions in Minnesota. Each summary includes information on projected temperature and precipitation changes, as well as key climate impacts to sectors such as agriculture and tourism.
 Example of maps showing changes in precipitation in north central Minnesota. The June-August summer season shows a mix of increases and decreases in precipitation while the December to February winter months show increases of up to one inch. See the report for more details and data sources.
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Check out the regional report for all our Minnesota regions.
- You can view the online versions of the full reports. Note there are some "+" symbols showing sections that expand.
- There is also a yellowish bar near the top of each regional report with the option to "Download this summary as a PDF."
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For more information about the Climate Adaptation Partnership:
The DNR and Dodge County will hold a public workshop on the findings in the DNR’s recently released Groundwater Atlas of Dodge County. The agenda also includes educational exercises on how to use the atlas to support real-world decisions.
Atlas content can help people assess pollution sensitivity, identify viable water sources, evaluate supply, understand recharge sources and flow, manage groundwater sustainability, guide well and septic system construction decisions and provide wellhead protection for public water supplies.
In eastern portions of Dodge County, the risk of groundwater contamination from surface pollutants is increased due to a distinctive type of terrain called karst (shown in dark red on the map), which allows for rapid water movement between the surface and underlying aquifers. Elsewhere in the county, thick layers of glacial deposits and bedrock help protect the underlying aquifers.
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Workshop details
The workshop will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the Government Service Building in Mantorville. Contact Melissa DeVetter, (507) 635-6253, Dodge County Environmental Services project manager, to register or learn more.
Copies of the atlas are available:
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Online: The report is provided in PDF format. Oversized PDFs of the water chemistry and hydrogeologic cross section maps (A–A′ through E–E′ and F–F′ through J–J′) are also offered. Geographic information system (GIS) files, including the associated metadata and an ArcMap file, can be downloaded for use.
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In print: Copies can be purchased online from OceanGrafix (1-877-562-4278).
DNR's County Groundwater Atlas program
For more about the DNR’s County Groundwater Atlas program, visit the group’s web page. A status map of published and planned atlases is also available.
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Partial funding for the groundwater atlas project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Clean Water Fund. |
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Article reprinted from Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) newsletter.
On November 18, FEMA released its Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) online quoting tool. Available on the FloodSmart.gov website, this tool allows you (e.g., property owners and floodplain managers) to create an NFIP flood insurance quote based on a home’s address and simple characteristics of the home. For homeowners and renters, the tool uses the same risk rating engine that insurance agents use; therefore, it should create the same quote as if an insurance agent created it.
The quoting tool uses defaults built into the rating system for variables like building replacement cost and First Floor Height (remember: the NFIP rating methodology no longer uses flood zones and Base Flood Elevation as rating variables!). It does allow you to add in mitigation activities (e.g., flood vents, elevating machinery and equipment) so you can see what discounts in insurance premium they could result in. Unfortunately, it does not allow you to change elevations; so, you (or a floodplain manager wanting to give advice) cannot see what the financial benefit would be to elevate your home X feet higher. We hope this feature is included in future iterations.
After entering about 10 pieces of information and the limits you want, you can generate a quote based on the deductibles you chose. This quote can be printed, emailed to your insurance agent (you provide the email address) or sent to one of three listed agents that service your area. These agents have signed up to receive quotes and have been verified by their Write Your Own insurance company. If you’re an agent, you can register here.
Although D2C tool generates a quote without using an insurance agent, you should always talk with an agent. This way you can confirm you have the best coverage for you and inputted the correct information to obtain your quote.
 Example input question seen after noting the building for your quote is your primary residence.
Note: State floodplain manager Ceil Strauss is in a work group giving input to FEMA on this tool (and other related topics). If you have comments or suggestions for the tool contact Ceil Strauss.
Got questions about the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard or some other state or federal requirement? Have a tricky floodplain management situation?
Talk with FEMA and DNR Floodplain Program representatives during monthly virtual Minnesota Floodplain Management Office Hours. Hours are 10-11 a.m., typically on the fourth Thursday of the month (but a few are adjusted to avoid holidays, etc.).
Upcoming monthly hours (Note: all are 10 - 11 a.m. Central Time)
Where: Teams. No registration is required. Select a date to see a Teams meeting and join us.
These office hour dates and links are also available on the DNR Floodplain Training and Education page.
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Important Dates to Note:
(since October 2024 Water Talk and upcoming in next couple months)
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Preliminary Maps
None
Local Officials Meetings and Open Houses
- Polk Countywide Local Officials Kickoff @ Crookston - 9-11 a.m., 12/19/2024
90-Day Appeal Periods
- Wabasha Countywide- 10/10/2024 to 1/8/2025 (For Zumbro Falls: 11/15/2024 to 2/13/2025)
Letters of Final Determination (LFDs)
None
Effective (Six months after LFD date)
- March 11, 2025 - Itasca Countywide
- March 25, 2025 - St. Louis Countywide
Additional Map Update Information:
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