Impact of the FbD Grant Program

Reducing Risk, Restoring Rivers

Since 2013, the Washington State Legislature has appropriated $216 million to support large-scale, multiple-benefit projects across the state through the Floodplains by Design grant program. These investments have reduced flood risk for 63 communities across the state while restoring over 70-miles of salmon habitat, increasing agricultural viability, and improving local economies. For every $1 invested in flood mitigation, communities save $7 in damages avoided.*

In addition to the outcomes highlighted in the infographics below, FbD investments are also economic drivers. For every $1 million invested in integrated floodplain management, $2.2 – $2.5 million in total economic activity is generated with roughly 80% of it staying in the county that the project is based. The State’s FbD investments are leveraged roughly 3:1 with local and federal investments, creating thousands of jobs across Washington while reducing flood risk and restoring rivers.

* Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves, National Institute of Building Sciences (fbd_communities_impact_NIBS Factsheet)

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FBD Spotlight
Joe Peone
Methow River

“The Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation supports projects with primary benefits to ESA listed spring chinook, summer steelhead, and bull trout. This effort to reduce the effects of human infrastructure in channel migration zones and restore floodplain processes aligns well with tribal interests in the region.”

Where FbD Has Funded Projects

Since 2013, Floodplains by Design has funded projects in 18 counties across the state of Washington. Many projects are watershed scale approaches that require sustained funding over time and have received multiple rounds of funding. The pins in the map below are color coated by the funding round years, click on a pin to learn more about the projects in your community.
Map Key
Funded in 2013

Funded in 2019

Funded in 2014
Funded in 2021
Funded in 2015
Funded in 2023
Funded in 2017

Impacts of Integrated Floodplain Management

Washington State’s investments in Floodplains by Design are helping local partners build integrated floodplain management approaches that have profound impacts on making communities safer and healthier. In addition to reducing flood risk, restoring salmon habitat, and increasing agricultural viability, FbD helps create thousands of jobs and stimulate local economies.

Accomplishments to Date

This infographic highlights the outcomes from FbD investment from 2013 through the 2021 funding cycle. Click on the graphic above to see how FbD funding has created jobs, restored rivers, improved working lands and more for over 60 communities across the state.

Program Fact Sheet

In the 2023 – 2025 funding round, the Department of Ecology has requested $70.4M to support 11 projects across the state. Click on this fact sheet to see how these projects leverage over $100M in other funding to bring significant impacts for communities, salmon, and our economy.