This data is provided by Van Buren County or Municipalities therein.
This data was prepared from publicly available information and should be used
for reference purposes only. Any other use or recompilation of this information
is the sole responsibility of the user. This data cannot be used to establish
legal title, boundary lines, setback compliance, locations of improvements or utilities.
It will not be accepted as a substitute for ground site survey information
during the planning/engineering process of project development. Van Buren
County expressly disclaims all liability regarding accuracy or completeness of
this data.

About Flood Zones

This page provides detailed information about the FEMA flood zones represented in Van Buren County, MI. Understanding these zones is essential for property owners, developers, and planners to assess flood risks, comply with floodplain management regulations, and make informed decisions regarding flood insurance and property development.

Flood Zone Descriptions

Zone A

Areas with a 1-percent annual chance of flooding. No detailed hydraulic analyses are available, so no Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are provided.

Zone AE

High-risk areas determined by detailed hydraulic analyses. BFEs are provided, indicating the 1-percent annual chance flood.

AE - Coastal Floodplain

Identifies areas at risk from the 1-percent annual chance flood, including hazards from storm-induced waves in coastal regions.

AE - Floodway

Designated floodways within Zone AE, where development is highly regulated to ensure floodwaters can pass without increasing flood heights significantly.

AE - Riverine Floodway Shown in Coastal Zone

Riverine floodways mapped within coastal zones, indicating areas at risk from both riverine and coastal flooding.

VE - Coastal Floodplain

Areas with a 1-percent annual chance of flooding and high-velocity wave action from storms, requiring stringent building codes.

X - 0.2 Pct Annual Chance Flood Hazard

Shaded Zone X represents areas at risk from the 0.2-percent annual chance flood event. Flood insurance is not mandatory but recommended.

X - 0.2 Pct Annual Chance Flood Hazard in Coastal Zone

Shaded Zone X in coastal zones, highlighting the potential for rare but significant coastal flood events.

X - Area of Minimal Flood Hazard

Unshaded Zone X indicates minimal flood risk areas. Flood insurance is recommended for comprehensive protection.

For more detailed information on flood zones, insurance requirements, and floodplain management practices, please visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Please contact your local city, village, or township for specific restrictions in these areas.

About Wetlands

Welcome to our interactive map, a comprehensive tool designed to showcase parcels and detailed National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) data for Van Buren County, MI. This platform is dedicated to providing users with an in-depth understanding of local wetland ecosystems, leveraging the NWI's extensive classification system to offer insights into the ecological diversity and environmental significance of these areas.

Background on the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI)

The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), initiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is a vital program aimed at mapping and classifying the United States' wetlands and deepwater habitats. Through its detailed inventory, the NWI plays a crucial role in conservation efforts, land management planning, and environmental protection, offering valuable data on the characteristics, extent, and status of wetlands. The NWI's standardized classification system is essential for understanding the ecological functions, biodiversity, and conservation needs of wetland habitats.

NWI Classification System

Our interactive map utilizes the NWI's classification system to provide detailed information on the wetland and deepwater habitats in Van Buren County, MI. Below is an overview of the system's categories, offering definitions and insights into the diverse wetland types the can be found in our county and their characteristics.

Systems

• Lacustrine: Wetlands and deepwater habitats in lakes or reservoirs, typically larger than 20 acres.
• Palustrine: Nontidal wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs, and persistent emergents.
• Riverine: Wetlands and deepwater habitats within a channel, with flowing or standing water.

Subsystems

• Limnetic: Open water zone of lakes or reservoirs where sunlight does not reach the bottom.
• Littoral: Shallow zone of lakes or reservoirs with sunlight reaching the bottom, supporting aquatic plants.
• Lower Perennial: Areas with year-round water flow, where the water table is often below the bed.

Classes

• Aquatic Bed: Submerged or floating aquatic vegetation areas.
• Emergent: Wetlands with erect, rooted, herbaceous plants present for most of the growing season.
• Forested: Wetlands dominated by woody vegetation taller than 6 meters.
• Scrub-Shrub: Wetlands dominated by woody vegetation less than 6 meters tall.
• Unconsolidated Bottom: Areas with loose soil underwater, such as silt, sand, or mud.
• Unconsolidated Shore: Wetlands with mineral or organic soil material not consolidated into rock.

Subclasses

• Broad-Leaved Deciduous: Trees or shrubs with broad leaves shed annually.
• Broad-Leaved Evergreen: Trees or shrubs with broad leaves remaining green year-round.
• Dead: Vegetation that is no longer alive.
• Floating Vascular: Plants floating on the water surface with a vascular system.
• Indeterminate Deciduous: Trees or shrubs with mixed or uncertain leaf deciduousness.
• Needle-Leaved Deciduous: Trees with needle-like leaves shed annually.
• Needle-Leaved Evergreen: Trees with needle-like leaves remaining green and not shed annually.
• NonPersistent: Vegetation breaking down by the end of the growing season.
• Persistent: Vegetation remaining standing through most of the growing season and into the dormant season.
• Sand: Unconsolidated material with particle sizes between 0.05 to 2 mm.

Water Regimes

• Artificially Flooded: Areas flooded by artificial means.
• Intermittently Exposed: Land surface exposed at irregular intervals due to varying water levels.
• Intermittently Flooded: Areas flooded at irregular intervals.
• Permanently Flooded: Areas submerged all year in water.
• Saturated: Soil saturated to the surface for most of the growing season.
• Seasonally Flooded: Areas flooded seasonally, usually in the spring.
• Seasonally Flooded/Saturated: Areas either flooded or saturated seasonally.
• Seasonally Flooded/Well Drained: Areas flooded seasonally but drain well.
• Semipermanently Flooded: Areas flooded for extended periods but not year-round.
• Temporarily Flooded: Areas flooded for short periods.

Special Modifications

• Beaver: Areas affected by beaver activity.
• Diked/Impounded: Areas enclosed by dikes or barriers, with artificially controlled water levels.
• Excavated: Areas where soil has been removed, usually for water storage.
• Partially Drained/Ditched: Areas drained or ditched to lower water levels, not completely dry.

This interactive map and the accompanying NWI data serve as a resource for educators, conservationists, land managers, and the general public to explore and understand the complex wetland ecosystems of Van Buren County, MI. Through this platform, we aim to foster greater appreciation and advocacy for the conservation and sustainable management of these vital natural resources. For more details, be sure to visit the National Wetland Inventory home page.