Digital mapping project to chart flood plain changes

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Missouri-Columbia will update maps of flood plains in 10 Missouri counties under a federal grant.

Maps of Audrain, Boone, Franklin, Howard, Marion, McDonald, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls and Warren counties will be digitally upgraded under a $997,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The state hopes to make digital flood plain maps of all Missouri counties over the next five years, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Public Safety said.

Digital improvements will enable better coordination between flood plain maps and other maps and will help emergency management officials, developers, lenders and insurance agents.

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On the Net:

University of Missouri-Columbia: http://www.missouri.edu

U.S. Geological Survey: http://www.usgs.gov

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Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com