NRH Floodplain

There are several creeks within the City of North Richland Hills that create an increased risk for flooding in major rain events. The creeks in the City include: Little Bear Creek, Calloway Branch, Walker Branch, Big Fossil Creek, Mackey Creek, Mesquite Branch and Singing Hills Creek. Each of these creeks have areas known as "floodplains," where water collects, pools, and flows during the course of natural events.

A floodplain is defined as any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source. These areas are classified as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), and are located in a 100-year flood zone. The term "100-year flood" can be misleading. It does not mean that the flood will occur every 100 years; rather it is the flood elevation that has a 1- percent chance of being equaled or exceeded each year. The City of North Richland Hills has Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) that identify all floodplain areas within the city limits.

The City of North Richland Hills strives to protect the natural and beneficial functions of floodplain areas. In 1996, the City Council adopted the Little Bear Creek Corridor Ordinance which implemented strict development standards to protect and preserve the natural conditions and flood control functions of this corridor.