Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a cooperative agreement with the U. S. Geological Survey, United States Department of Interior, for Scioto River Flood Inundation Mapping services for the Division of Water Reclamation. The contract amount is $224,000.00, with a contingency of $17,000.00, for a total of $241,000.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
Over its history, the City of Columbus has experienced substantial and widespread damage from flooding by the Scioto River. The Scioto River has experienced severe floods numerous times, notably in March of 1913, January of 1959, and January of 2005.
Limited tools exist to help Columbus floodplain managers and emergency responders prepare for and respond to floods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides Flood Insurance Rate Maps that show the limits of floods with a particular likelihood of recurring, specifically floods having a 1% chance in any given year or 0.2% chance of recurring in any given year (aka 100-yr and 500-yr floods). However, these maps do not give the picture of what land is expected to be inundated during flood events that don’t exactly match the severity of these floods.
The National Weather Service provides 48-hour predictions of flood stage at a U.S. Geological Survey stream gage on the Scioto River south of Frank Rd. This provides the recorded and predicted depth of flooding at that location; however, there is no information readily available that would translate that information into a prediction of what areas are expected to flood.
The agreement will provide surveys and develop simulated river models that will be used to develop digital flood maps that show the areas that would be inundated at different river stages (maps for 11-15 different stages will be produced). An online tool hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey will allow anyone with internet access to view the tool to better understand the flood risk as it relates to river level predictions by the National Weather Service. This will provide emergency responders, property owners, residents, business owners, etc., with better information to plan for floods and know what preparations to make based on predicted river levels.
This is a service that cannot be provided by existing city employees, as this is a cooperative program provided by the U.S. Geological Survey.
U.S. Geological Survey has considerable expertise in riverine flood modeling and already has the online tool framework that will be used to host the information. Following project delivery, there is no additional charge for continued hosting of the tool. U.S. Geological Survey is the best-qualified organization to perform the work.
The project will be completed in two phases over a three-year time period. The first phase will look at the upper reach of the Scioto River from Griggs Reservoir to just downstream of O’Shaughnessy Dam. The second phase will look at the lower reach of the Scioto River from the Pickaway/Franklin County line to Griggs Dam.
The Division of Water Reclamation solicited a quotation from the U.S. Geological Survey in accordance with Section 329.30. The agreement will be in effect from August 1, 2026, up to and including September 30, 2028. The expected costs for this agreement are as follows: $241,000.00 in 2026, $320,000.00 in 2027, and $310,200.00 in 2028, for a total expected contract cost of $871,200.00. In addition to the costs incurred by the City, U. S. Geological Survey will be providing a Federal cost share through in-kind services with a contribution of $31,000.00 in 2026, $56,000.00 in 2027, and $63,800.00 in 2028, for a total of $150,800.00.
For each year of the contract, funding is contingent on funding availability, mutual agreement between the parties, approval of City Council, and certification of funds by the City Auditor. The contract does not automatically renew. This ordinance authorizes the initial three-year term of the contract and is being submitted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code.
Principal Party
U.S. Geological Survey
United States Department of Interior
6460 Busch Boulevard, Suite 100
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Contract Compliance Number: 009151
Fiscal Impact: $241,000.00 is available from within the Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
$00.00 was spent in 2025
$00.00 was spent in 2024
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested as there are seasonal limitations to when the surveys can be performed due to the water levels in the Scioto River. It is desired to begin fieldwork on August 1, 2026.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey, United States Department of Interior, for Scioto River Flood Inundation Mapping services for the Division of Water Reclamation; to authorize the expenditure of $241,000.00 from the Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($241,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey, United States Department of Interior, for flood inundation mapping for the contract term of August 1, 2026, up to and including September 30, 2028; and
WHEREAS, this work provides valuable flood risk information to the City at a lower cost than providing such data by other means; and
WHEREAS, the data form the scientific basis for decision making related to improving public safety, the protection of life and property from flood-prone areas, and local economic well-being; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $241,000.00 from the Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a cooperative agreement for flood inundation mapping with U.S. Geological Survey, United States Department of Interior because of the seasonal limitations associated with when the surveys can be performed due to the water levels in the Scioto River, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey, United States Department of Interior for flood inundation mapping, as this project is intended to provide improved information to help understand the flooding risk of properties adjacent to the Scioto River, for the contract term of August 1, 2026, up to and including September 30, 2028.
SECTION 2. That this contract is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $241,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and is hereby authorized from Public Utilities in object class 03 Services, within the Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.