Flood Zones: Rothschild vs Wausau

The Village of Rothschild regulates floodplain development through Chapter 572 (Floodplain Zoning) of the Village Code, adopted by the Village Board on January 13, 2025, pursuant to Wis. Stat. Sec. 61.35, Sec. 62.23, and the floodplain-zoning mandate of Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and Wis. Admin. Code Chapter NR 116. The chapter regulates all areas of special flood hazard identified as Zones A, AO, AH, A1-30, or AE on the Flood Insurance Rate Map. Marathon County's effective FEMA Flood Insurance Study and FIRMs took effect July 22, 2010 and are the maps referenced for flood hazard determinations. The Wisconsin River, including the reach at the Rothschild Dam, is the principal regulated waterway through the Village.

The City of Wausau participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates floodplain development under Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter NR 116, plus 44 CFR Parts 59-72. The Wisconsin River bisects Wausau and is the primary flood source through the city, with additional flood hazards along the Eau Claire River, Rib River, and tributaries. The currently effective FEMA Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) for Marathon County, including Wausau panels, became effective July 22, 2010. Floodplain zoning is implemented as an overlay within Title 23 (see Sec. 23.05.30(2)(c) treatment of floodplain overlay vs. nonconforming structures). Development in the regulatory floodway is prohibited or strictly limited; in the flood fringe, habitable space must be elevated to the flood protection elevation.