V3.

0 OCTOBER 2017

DHS FEMA Region IV

HYDROLOGIC AND HYDRAULIC (H&H) STUDY QUICK GUIDE

DEFINITION
A Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) Study is the study of movement of water, including the volume and rate of flow
as it moves through a watershed, basin, channel, or man-made structure.

PURPOSE
H&H studies are completed to ensure structures are sized correctly to handle floodwaters, while not inadvertently
increasing flooding up or down stream. The studies are performed to quantify the volume flow rate of water
draining from a watershed (i.e., drainage area), and determine the depth and velocity of flow and forces from
flowing water on a surface or at hydraulic structures. H&H studies are essential to mitigate against flood loss in the
future.

AN H&H STUDY IS REQUIRED

For FEMA-funded projects involving:
• Projects occurring in watercourses1 with year-round or seasonal base flows2
• New construction or alterations of bridges and culverts, including changes to the length, diameter, material,
number of culverts, or modifications to inlets or outlets (e.g. head or wing walls, rounding, grouted rip rap)
• New construction or re-construction of levees riverward of existing alignment or higher than existing grades
• Channel modification or realignment
• Significant re-grading (raising or lowering levels of land), including adding fill material(s)

WHEN AN H&H STUDY IS NOT REQUIRED

• Project is a storm water drainage or conveyance structure, where water does not flow year-round or
seasonally
• Return back to exact pre-disaster condition (length, diameter, material, number of culverts, exit and
entrance conditions, and stream morphology has not changed, etc.)

! An H&H study may be only one of several requirements to ensure FEMA reimbursement. Permits may be
federally listed threatened or endangered species, critical habitat, or cultural resources are present in the
required under the Clean Water Act or other regulations. Additional requirements may exist if state or
project area. Always coordinate with your community floodplain manager prior to making modifications in a
mapped floodplain.

HOW TO OBTAIN AN H&H STUDY

For assistance, contact an agency or company that has licensed, professional civil, environmental, or hydrologic
engineers

CONTENTS OF AN H&H STUDY (Minimum requirements)

All H&H studies shall include:
• Identification of upstream and downstream impacts (e.g. stage, velocity, duration) of alterations to the floodplain,
including change to the extent or depth of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or changes to the Base Flood
Elevation (BFE)

1 Watercourse definition: a natural or artificial channel through which water flows

2 Base flow definition: natural or human-induced sustained flow of a watercourse in the absence of direct runoff
• General site description, including location, latitude and longitude, drainage basin, FIRM, regulatory mapped
flood zone (if applicable)
• Existing condition: pipe shape, material, length, inlet and outlet conditions, performance level
• Proposed condition: pipe shape, size, material, length, inlet and outlet conditions, performance level
• Will the proposed condition satisfy the local floodplain ordinance and local and state storm water management
requirements?
• Stamped certification by a professional engineer in the state where the facility is located and certification that the
calculations and drawings comply with 44 CFR 60.3
When an H&H Study is Required
Is the project a return back
to exact pre-disaster
condition? Yes
(length, diameter, material, number
of culverts, exit and entrance Is the community a
conditions, and stream morphology participant in NFIP Yes Local Floodplain
has not changed, etc.) No H&H and the project in a Manager must issue
required SHFA? a flood
(other
permits may
development
No be necessary) permit and any
other necessary
Is the project in a No permits (refer to 44
H&H
watercourse Study
CFR and community
No No ordinances)
with year-round required
or seasonal base Is the total (see Step 2)
flows? Yes project cost
(including non- No further
FEMA share) Yes action
greater than $5K? necessary

FEMA Responsibility State/ Local Responsibility