American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What information does a floodplain map provide?

1. Vulnerability to flooding based on the 100-year flood

2. Soil types present in flood-prone areas

3. Historical data on flood occurrences

4. Infrastructure vulnerability assessments

The correct answer is: Vulnerability to flooding based on the 100-year flood

A floodplain map is primarily designed to show areas that are susceptible to flooding, specifically indicating the extent of flood risks associated with events like the 100-year flood, which represents a flood scenario that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. This information is crucial for land use planning, risk assessment, and emergency management, as it helps stakeholders understand zones where potential flood hazards are present. In contrast, while other options may provide valuable information related to floods or land use, they do not specifically define what a floodplain map is intended to convey. It does not detail soil types, as that is more suited to soil maps. Similarly, historical flood data or infrastructure vulnerability assessments would not be depicted on a floodplain map, as those would require different types of analyses and documentation. Thus, the correct choice emphasizes the map's role in identifying flooding vulnerability based on established flood risk scenarios.