Bowling Green, KY Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Bowling Green's floodplain framework operates at three layers: federal (the FEMA NFIP and effective FIRM maps), state (KRS 151.250 and 401 KAR 4:060 administered by Kentucky Division of Water), and local (the joint Bowling Green-Warren County floodplain management ordinance enforced by the Warren County City County Planning Commission). The city participates in the CRS, which provides discounts on flood-insurance premiums for residents who buy NFIP policies — the discount level reflects the city's higher-than-minimum floodplain standards. Regulated areas include all FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) on the current effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the City of Bowling Green and Warren County. The Barren River runs along the western and northern edges of the city, with Drakes Creek (and its Gasper River and West Fork tributaries) joining from the north. In addition to riverine flooding, Bowling Green faces flash flooding from interior karst-fed streams that can rise dramatically during heavy rainfall and overflow sinkholes that have plugged with debris. Catastrophic flooding events have repeatedly affected the area, prompting the city to maintain CRS standards above the NFIP minimum. Under KRS 151.250, the Kentucky Division of Water requires a state Stream Construction Permit for any development in, along, or across a stream — this is in addition to any local floodplain development permit. KY DOW issues two permit types under 401 KAR 4:060: a General Permit (KY FPGP) for minor activities that do not alter the Base Flood Elevation, and an Individual Permit for projects that may alter BFE. Bowling Green's floodplain ordinance enforces local elevation requirements; substantial improvements and substantial damages (50% or more of the structure's market value) trigger full-compliance reconstruction at or above the regulatory flood elevation.