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The DNR selected eight projects for funding under the Flood Hazard Mitigation (FHM) Grant Assistance Program. Under this program, the state provides cost-share grants to local governments for capital improvement projects designed to mitigate flood risks and impacts.
The 2025 Legislature appropriated $9 million to the DNR to be allocated through the competitive grant program.
FHM grants awarded in this current funding round include:
- Cedar River Watershed District – Water Storage Project
- Middle Snake Tamarac Rivers Watershed District – Nelson Slough Improvement Project
- Roseau River Watershed District – Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project, Phase 5 of 6
- City of Silver Bay – Stormwater Diversion/Drainage Reclamation Project
- City of Ghent – Bluebird Addition Dike Improvements
- City of Austin – Acquisition of Flood-Prone Property
- City of Jackson – Acquisition of Flood-Prone Property
- Clay County – Acquisition of Flood-Prone Property
 The FHM program was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1987 to mitigate adverse impacts associated with severe flooding. The program is guided by Minnesota Statutes, Section 103F.161 and funded through legislative appropriations. Since the program’s inception, the DNR has granted more than $600 million in state funds, supporting approximately 400 flood hazard mitigation projects throughout the state.
For more information, see the Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Assistance Program webpage.
This is adapted from an October 2025 press release.
Back by popular demand!
A series of FREE one-hour virtual trainings on floodplain and shoreland management topics are being offered through March 2026. The timing will be similar to those offered in recent years, 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.
Note that each training is worth one Continuing Education Credit for Certified Floodplain Managers (CFMs).
You'll also be able to find the registration links and more details about each training on the DNR October 2025 to March 2026 Shoreland and Floodplain Upcoming Live Trainings page, or via the link at the top of the DNR Shoreland and Floodplain Education and Training Center.
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Upcoming dates and topics:
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2/4/2026 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Grading and Non-structural Development in the Floodplain Register
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2/11/2026 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: FEMA Letters of Map Change (LOMCs) Register
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2/23/2026 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Floodplain and Watershed Higher Standards Register
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3/4/2026 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Substantial Damage and Post-flood Responsibilities Register
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3/11/2026 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Wells and SSTS Regulations in the Floodplain Register
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3/23/2026 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Floodplain Violations and Enforcement 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.
Come learn in person and interact with other local officials and professionals involved in aspects of floodplain management (i.e., surveyors, consulting engineers/planners, Realtors, lenders/agents).
We plan to cover floodplain management basics and FEMA map basics, including a map reading and interpretation exercise. Other topics include floodplain administration basics, utilizing web-based flood maps and tools, dealing with nonconformities, making Substantial Improvement (SI)/Substantial Damage (SD) determinations, and community post-disaster responsibilities.
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These trainings are free.
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Registration information for both the virtual trainings and the one day in-person trainings is at our Shoreland and Floodplain Training registration page (or via a link at the top of our shoreland and floodplain training page.)
You may also use the direct registration links for the dates/locations below.
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Mankato: Feb. 3, 2026, (Tue); 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (8:30 registration): MnDOT District 7 Office, 2151 Bassett Drive, Mankato | Register
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Blaine: Feb. 5, 2026 (Thu); 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (8:30 registration): MN DPS - Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 3925 Pheasant Ridge Dr. NE, Blaine | Register
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Waite Park: March 10, 2026 (Tue); 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (8:30 registration): Stearns County Services Center, 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park | Register
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Rochester: March 12, 2026 (Thu); 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (8:30 registration): Rochester Fire Station #2, 2185 Wheelock Dr. NE, Rochester | Register
These trainings are in-person only. (There will not be a virtual option.)
Continuing Education Credits (CECs) may be obtained by Certified Floodplain Managers (CFM).
The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) is the premiere national association for all topics related to floodplain management, flood risk identification/mapping, flood risk reduction and community resilience.
The ASFPM annual conference will be relatively nearby in neighboring Wisconsin in spring 2026, so we hope to see many attendees from Minnesota.
The conference will be on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a landmark event—ASFPM’s 50th Annual National Conference, themed: “The Fresh Coast Legacy: 50 Years of Floodplain Management.” Taking place May 31 – June 4, 2026, this milestone event celebrates five decades of progress in flood risk reduction and community resilience across the nation.
For more information
See the ASFPM 2026 conference website for more details and to watch for updates.
Local Scholarships
Local floodplain administrators can apply for scholarships offered by the Minnesota Association of Floodplain Managers (MnAFPM) to help offset the costs to attend the ASFPM conference - watch for updates on the scholarships anticipated to be available in January 2026 at MnAFPM.org.
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Have a tricky floodplain management situation? Want to get the latest timing for FEMA map updates?
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 a.m. - 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 November 2025 Water Talk and upcoming in next couple months)
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Preliminary Maps
None
Local Officials Meetings and Open Houses
- Wadena Countywide Discovery Kickoff @ Wadena - January 27, 2026
- Anoka Countywide (outside Mississippi HUC8) Kickoff - Feb./March 2026
- Rock County Revised Prelims Flood Risk Review - March/April 2026
- Dodge County Better Data LOMR Flood Risk Review - Feb./March 2026
- Twin Cities HUC-8 Flood Risk Review (Capitol Region, Ramsey Washington, South Washington, and Vadnais Lakes) - Feb./March 2026
- Twin Cities HUC-8 Flood Risk Review (Coon Creek) - March/April 2026
- Twin Cities HUC-8 Flood Risk Review (Rice Creek) – March/April. 2026
90-Day Appeal Periods
None
Letters of Final Determination (LFDs)
- Olmsted Countywide (Rochester Levee) - Dec. 10, 2025
- Wabasha Countywide - Jan. 21, 2026
Effective (Six months after LFD date)
- Olmsted Countywide (Rochester Levee) - June 10, 2026
- Wabasha Countywide - July 21, 2026
Additional Map Update Information:
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