Coastal and Floodplain Construction Inspector's Practice Exam

What does the Base Flood Elevation reference?

1. The average ground elevation

2. The height of the building

3. The elevation relative to a specified datum

4. The volume of floodwaters expected

The correct answer is: The elevation relative to a specified datum

Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is a critical concept in floodplain management and coastal construction, as it represents the elevation to which floodwaters are expected to rise during a base flood, which is typically defined as a flood event with a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. The BFE is established relative to a specified datum, often referred to as the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) or another similar reference point. This elevation serves several important functions in floodplain management, such as determining the minimum elevation for construction and ensuring that structures are built above the risk of flooding. It helps community planners, developers, and builders comply with floodplain regulations and make informed decisions about land use and development. Other options do not accurately describe the BFE. The average ground elevation relates to the contours of the land and does not take into account the specific flood risk. The height of the building does not directly correlate with BFE, which is focused on flood risk rather than structural height. Lastly, the volume of floodwaters expected is a separate consideration that pertains to flood hazard assessments but does not define BFE. Thus, referring to BFE as the elevation relative to a specified datum is the correct interpretation.