Climate Change

Flash Flood Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Pilot Project

MnDOT was one of 19 Climate Resilience Pilot projects selected by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as part of an effort to evaluate the FHWA Climate Change & Extreme Weather Vulnerability Assessment Framework. The project assessed vulnerability and risk of increased flooding to the trunk highway system in MnDOT District 1 (Northeastern MN) and District 6 (Southeastern MN). The project included a system-wide vulnerability assessment and a focused evaluation of adaptation options for at-risk facilities in each District.

The goals of the pilot project were to:

• Better understand the vulnerability of the state’s trunk highway system (interstates, US routes, and state roads) to flash flooding events
• Develop a process to identify cost-effective planning and design solutions to increase resiliency
• Support MnDOT’s asset management planning efforts
• Provide feedback to FHWA on the assessment process

Project Documents

• Executive Summary (PDF)
• District 1 Vulnerability Assessment (PDF)
• District 6 Vulnerability Assessment (PDF)
• District 1 Case Study - Culvert 5648 (PDF)
• District 6 Case Study - Culvert 5722 (PDF)
• MnDOT Flash Flood Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Pilot Project Final Report (PDF)

MnDOT - District 1 Flood Events (PowerPoint)

MnDOT - District 6 Flood Events (PowerPoint)