While we appreciate the beauty and recreation of the Boise River as it meanders through Garden City, we can never ignore the potential damage the river could have on all of us. It is never too early to be thinking about how the seasonal events of the River affect our community. On average, the Boise River reaches 7,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), or flood stage at the Glenwood Bridge, once every 5 years. So far, this has resulted in some minor inconveniences and damage; however, future flooding may result in substantial expense to the community.
For more information related to permits needed to do work within the floodplain please refer to the Floodplain Development.
National Flood Insurance Program
Emergency Planning and Flood Safety
We can never ignore the potential damage the river could have on all of us. There are roughly 1,700 properties in the regulatory floodplain, with an estimate of 74% of properties in Garden City in the 100-year floodplain. It is sensible to be aware of how the seasonal events of the river affect our community.
On average, the Boise River reaches 7,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), or flood stage at the Glenwood Bridge, once every 5 years.
For purposes of the Garden City Code, the riparian area is considered the area between the ordinary high water mark of the Boise River including tributaries where water comes from and flows back into the Boise River and the greenbelt and/or nature path; or where there is no greenbelt and/or nature path adjacent to the river or tributary, the area measured twenty-five feet (25') in width from the riverbank. Before doing work or landscaping in the Riparian area find out the regulations and permits necessary. LINK
Please also review how you can enhance the river through appropriate plantings.
Flooding Emergency - CALL 911
If you wish to be notified by your local emergency response team in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts please sign up for Code Red. Examples include: evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, and missing child reports. Code Red link.
City of Garden City: floodplain@gardencityidaho.org (208) 472-2921, 6150 Glenwood Street
Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) DFIRM link Adopted 2003 maps
Boise River Flood Inundation Maps: These two interactive maps depict fifteen different flow rates of the Boise River from just below Lucky Peak Dam to the Ada/Canyon County border. The flow model used provides the best analysis of flooding and flood depths that it can.
Boise River Enhancement Network (BREN) BREN works to ecologically enhance the Boise River, and is a great resource for information, events, and activities
Floodsmart: http://ww38.floodsmart.org/
Silver Jackets Silver Jackets teams in states across the United States bring together multiple state, federal, and sometimes tribal and local agencies to learn from one another in reducing flood risk and other natural disasters. http://www.nfrmp.us/state/
FEMA: www.fema.gov
A new FEMA webpage is now available as a one-stop-shop to the public about how to protect themselves and their property from the nation’s number one disaster, flooding. The webpage includes free resources and information to learn about, understand, and take action to reduce flood risk.
The FEMA Map Service Center allows visitors to enter a street address to learn more about flood risks their community. Other information includes resources about flood maps, flood zones, flood risk and flood insurance.
In addition to learning about flood hazards, visitors may also explore the National Risk Index. The tool identifies communities nationwide most at risk to 18 natural hazards and shows how certain factors such as social vulnerability, expected annual losses and community resilience affect those risks.
Also, the Flood Risk and Endangered Species Habitat mapping tool provides the species range and Special Flood Hazard Area data needed to integrate wildlife conservation activities into your community's floodplain management program.
There are also multiple resources about how actions the public can take now to protect their property from hazards.
Learn more about other free resources online to become resilient from natural hazards at fema.gov.
Suzanne Sarpong, P.E., CFM
Floodplain Management Specialist
FEMA Region X
Floodplain Management and Insurance Branch
130 228th Street SW
Bothell, Washington 98021-9792
Phone: (425) 487-2023
Cell: (202) 655-8765
Idaho Department of Water Resources: www.idwr.idaho.gov
Ada City-County Emergency Management: www.accem.org
(A copy of the Ada County Flood Response Plan can be found at: http://www.accem.org/plans.html)
FEMA Revisions: Floodplain Maps
The FIRMs that were adopted in June 2020 show Garden City in ‘seclusion’. This means that FEMA has secluded Garden City from the changes to the floodplain identified in the model that is the basis for the map changes. This was done to provide additional time for Garden City to explore the feasibility of certifying existing levees or to identify other mitigating measures that the City can take to reduce the footprint of the anticipated floodplain. Therefore, for the time being, there will be no change to the regulatory maps that are currently in effect that determine how flood regulations are applied during construction and are utilized for flood insurance requirements. However, the City advises that you review the maps to see how the anticipated maps might affect your property and flood insurance. Garden City also advises you to speak to your insurance provider about potential changes to insurance rates.
PUBLIC NOTICE AND INVITATION OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS CITY OF GARDEN CITY, IDAHO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BOISE RIVER FLOOD MAP REVISION LOMR APPLICATION
The City of Garden City, Idaho, is requesting Statements of Qualifications from qualified professional engineering firms or individuals to provide professional engineering services for preparation and submittal of a Letter of Map Revision application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Boise River within Garden City limits. The project is intended to support revision of the current effective flood maps for the Boise River within Garden City limits to provide a more accurate representation of actual flood risk. The work will involve coordination with the City of Boise and Boise’s consultant, HDR Engineering, Inc., pursuant to intergovernmental coordination authorized by Idaho law. The selected Garden City consultant will review hydraulic modeling materials, coordinate with HDR, Boise, and Garden City, prepare FEMA MT-2 Forms, work maps, community acknowledgement letters, and other required digital documentation, and submit the LOMR application to FEMA after required review and concurrence. The anticipated maximum fee for the initial scope is $49,500 on a time-and-materials not-to-exceed basis, inclusive of expected reimbursable expenses and exclusive of FEMA application and review fees. Respondents shall be evaluated on demonstrated competence and qualifications. Fee information shall not be submitted with Statements of Qualifications.
Statements of Qualifications must be received by the City no later than October [14], 2026, at 5:00 PM M.T. at City of Garden City. RFQ documents may be obtained from City of Garden City 6015 Glenwood Street. Questions must be submitted in writing to Lisa Leiby at lleiby@gardencityidaho.org no later than October 7, 2026. The City reserves the right to reject any or all submittals, waive informalities, issue addenda, negotiate with the highest-ranked respondent, or cancel the procurement, all in accordance with applicable law and the City’s best interests.
Documents
RFQ Schedule. The City anticipates the following RFQ schedule, subject to modification by written addendum:
- RFQ Issued: September 26, 2026.
- Public Notice Published:
- First Publication: September 25, 2026.
- Second Publication: October 2, 2026.
- Deadline for Written Questions: October 7, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. M.T.
- City Responses or Addenda Issued: After October 7, 2026, but prior to the submission deadline of October 14, 2026.
- Statements of Qualifications Due: October 14, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. M.T.
- Evaluation Period: October 15, 2026, through October 28, 2026.
- Interviews, if conducted: Not applicable.
- Notice of Intent to Negotiate: Late October 2026.
- Council Approval of Agreement: November 2026.
- Notice to Proceed: November 2026.