ABSTRACT
The process of delineating floodplains has implications far beyond the hydrologic risk they convey. The technical methods, focused on resolving probabilities of inundation, are often researched and communicated separately from the impacts. However, like any complex socioecological system, the hydrological drivers of flooding cannot be separated from the sociopolitical drivers. Recent evidence in the literature suggests that floodplain delineation often fails to encompass the extent of property damage that is reported or claimed postflood (Highfield et al. 2013; Blessing et al. 2017). A number of reasons can cause this mismatch, such as the dynamic nature of the natural floodplain itself, inaccurate topographic data, urbanization, and misperception of flood risk. The consequences for society are extensive. This chapter explores the fraught relationships between the hydrological, technical, and sociopolitical delineations of floodplains. We investigate these relationships through a case study of flooding in Warwick, Rhode Island. Based on 25 interviews, we reveal the failings of the technical model to capture and effectively deal with sociopolitical feedbacks. We offer insights into the current misalignment of delineation methods with human dimensions of risk. Building on the Water Diplomacy Framework (see Chapter 1 of this volume), we present suggestions for overcoming current limitations.
