CERTIFIED FLOODPLAIN
MANAGER EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Base Flood - ....ANSWER ...-The 1% chance/year flood. The
base or min. flood elevation standard that communities must adopt in
their local programs.
Floodplain - ....ANSWER ...-Floodway + floodway fringe; area
subject to 1% chance flood
floodway - ....ANSWER ...-Channel of river and the adjacent area
that must be reserved open space; an engineering construct; provides for
discharge of base flood
flood fringe - ....ANSWER ...-the fringe or backwater areas of a
flood that store nearly still water during a flood and gradually release it
downstream after the flood; development may be allowed here
...COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025... ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 1
,44 CFR - ....ANSWER ...-Parts 59, 60, 65, and 70 relate to the
NFIP. "Emergency Management & Assistance" Title 44 of the Code of
Federal Regulations.
alluvial fan (flooding) - ....ANSWER ...-A fan-shaped deposit of
sediment formed when a stream's slope is abruptly reduced (hence flow
path of stream becomes unpredictable, resulting in flooding
**characterized by:** 1) high velocity flows; 2) active erosion and
sedimentation; 3) unpredictable flow paths
FIS - ....ANSWER ...-Flood Insurance Study
FHBM - ....ANSWER ...-Flood Hazard Boundary Map. An
official map of a community published by FEMA that delineates the
approximate boundary of the floodplain. An FHBM is generally the
initial map provided the community and is eventually superceded by a
FIRM
FBFM - ....ANSWER ...-Flood Boundary Floodway Map. An
official map of a community, on which FEMA has delineated the
...COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025... ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 2
, regulatory floodway. Recent FISs show the floodway on the FIRM and
do not include an FBFM.
Levees - ....ANSWER ...-An embankment designed to manage a
certain amount of floodwater and can be overtopped or fail during flood
events exceeding the level for which they were designed; typically built
parallel to a waterway to reduce the risk of flooding on the landward
side.
Special Flood Hazards - ....ANSWER ...-Closed basin lakes,
uncertain flow paths, dam breaks, ice jams, and mudflows are the most
common types found in the US.
Closed basin lakes - ....ANSWER ...-Two types: no outlets like
Great Salt Lake, or irregular outlets like the Great Lakes; either way ==
large fluctuations in water surface elevation & low drainage rates. Septic
fields are unusable. Waves may be experienced. A type of special flood
hazard.
Uncertain flow paths - ....ANSWER ...-Ex: *alluvial fan* = a fan-
shaped area at the base of a valley where the slope of a mountain flattens
...COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025... ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 3
MANAGER EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Base Flood - ....ANSWER ...-The 1% chance/year flood. The
base or min. flood elevation standard that communities must adopt in
their local programs.
Floodplain - ....ANSWER ...-Floodway + floodway fringe; area
subject to 1% chance flood
floodway - ....ANSWER ...-Channel of river and the adjacent area
that must be reserved open space; an engineering construct; provides for
discharge of base flood
flood fringe - ....ANSWER ...-the fringe or backwater areas of a
flood that store nearly still water during a flood and gradually release it
downstream after the flood; development may be allowed here
...COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025... ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 1
,44 CFR - ....ANSWER ...-Parts 59, 60, 65, and 70 relate to the
NFIP. "Emergency Management & Assistance" Title 44 of the Code of
Federal Regulations.
alluvial fan (flooding) - ....ANSWER ...-A fan-shaped deposit of
sediment formed when a stream's slope is abruptly reduced (hence flow
path of stream becomes unpredictable, resulting in flooding
**characterized by:** 1) high velocity flows; 2) active erosion and
sedimentation; 3) unpredictable flow paths
FIS - ....ANSWER ...-Flood Insurance Study
FHBM - ....ANSWER ...-Flood Hazard Boundary Map. An
official map of a community published by FEMA that delineates the
approximate boundary of the floodplain. An FHBM is generally the
initial map provided the community and is eventually superceded by a
FIRM
FBFM - ....ANSWER ...-Flood Boundary Floodway Map. An
official map of a community, on which FEMA has delineated the
...COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025... ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 2
, regulatory floodway. Recent FISs show the floodway on the FIRM and
do not include an FBFM.
Levees - ....ANSWER ...-An embankment designed to manage a
certain amount of floodwater and can be overtopped or fail during flood
events exceeding the level for which they were designed; typically built
parallel to a waterway to reduce the risk of flooding on the landward
side.
Special Flood Hazards - ....ANSWER ...-Closed basin lakes,
uncertain flow paths, dam breaks, ice jams, and mudflows are the most
common types found in the US.
Closed basin lakes - ....ANSWER ...-Two types: no outlets like
Great Salt Lake, or irregular outlets like the Great Lakes; either way ==
large fluctuations in water surface elevation & low drainage rates. Septic
fields are unusable. Waves may be experienced. A type of special flood
hazard.
Uncertain flow paths - ....ANSWER ...-Ex: *alluvial fan* = a fan-
shaped area at the base of a valley where the slope of a mountain flattens
...COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025... ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 3
