Flood Storage Basins

Flood Storage Basins

For temporarily storing flood water, Miami Conservancy District owns, controls, and maintains land in the land upstream of Germantown, Englewood, Lockington, Taylorsville, and Huffman dams. The Flood Storage Basins, previously referred to as retarding basins, total 35,650 acres. Rights on this land is granted to the Miami Conservancy District through deed restrictions, easements, and other legal document. 

For the flood protection system to work properly, the Miami Conservancy District has the right to restrict land use on these properties to ensure flood storage capacity, and to protect against the loss of life and property from flooding when the Flood Storage Basins store water. 

During periods of extreme high water, it can take up to a few weeks for the Flood Storage Basins to drain stored floodwaters.

During periods of normal flow, the river passes unimpeded through the concrete conduits at the base of the dams and the Flood Storage Basins do not store water.

Much of the Flood Storage Basin land is used for parks and agricultural activities.

Restrictions in the Flood Storage Basins

• A  Storage Basin Rules Fact Sheet provides guidance on restricted land uses. 
• A Flood Storage Basin Permit is required for any land use that affects Miami Conservancy District rights.
• Permits can be applied for online. 
• A permit is required for fill or earth moving work that reduces a basin’s storage capacity by an amount greater than the De-minimis Fill Volume of 100 cubic yards.
• A permit is required for construction of, or improvements to, non-habitable structures, and parking Recreational Vehicles.

View maps of the Flood Storage Basins on a new GIS web map application, called GeoPort. Property boundaries can be viewed in relation to the Flood Storage Basin boundaries.