Flood Maps in the Czech Republic: Content, Perception and Information value

Masaryk University, Department of Geography, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno Czech Republic

^a Corresponding author: kamilak@mail.muni.cz

Abstract

Floods are one of the most important environmental hazards in the Czech Republic. At present, flood management is more focused on non-structural flood preventive measures, which also include flood mapping. The paper analyses selected publicly available flood maps. Flood risk maps, floodplain maps and insurance maps are analysed. These maps are mainly evaluated in terms of technical performance, potential problems with maps perception by the public and enshrinement in the legislation of the Czech Republic. Results of the analysis indicate several essential problems. In the Czech Republic, floodplain maps are only based on the extent of inundation for a given scenario. Primarily, these maps are a legal construct working only with the aspect of water extent. Flood risk maps allow multi-criteria evaluation of flood risk. The imperfections of these maps are particularly of technical nature which is why it is more difficult for the public to interpret them. Insurance maps clearly define the inclusion of the place in the flood zone, but these maps shouldn´t be used for other purposes of risk assessment. Examples of selected maps are demonstrated on examples of Troubky municipality (central Moravia). Despite the imperfections mentioned above, flood maps are an important part of the flood management in the Czech Republic.