Stream Crossings, Wetlands and Flood Planning Tool Webinar

January 5, 2026
Natural Resources, Transportation

Municipal officials and local partners across New Hampshire that are interested in stream crossings are invited to a statewide webinar introducing a new Flood Planning Tool designed to help communities make informed decisions about stream crossings, wetlands, and flood resilience.

The Stream Crossings, Wetlands and Flood Planning Tool Webinar will take place Wednesday, February 18, from 10:00–11:30 a.m., via Microsoft Teams. The session will walk participants through how to access and understand free stream crossing assessment data, new ratings to support prioritization, and practical examples of how municipalities can use the tool to support planning, capital budgeting, and grant readiness.

New Hampshire has assessed more than 70 percent of its road–stream crossings over the past 15 years, creating a unique statewide dataset now housed in the Statewide Asset Data Exchange System (SADES). As extreme rainfall events become more frequent and culvert failures increase, the Flood Planning Tool and other resources support prioritization of replacements while protecting wetlands that provide critical flood storage and ecosystem services.

Developed by the New Hampshire Geological Survey at NHDES with input from Southwest Region Planning Commission and the towns of Winchester and Marlborough, the Flood Planning Tool features ratings to balance flood risk reduction, aquatic habitat needs, and wetland conservation. The webinar will also highlight how municipalities can play a growing role in maintaining stream crossing data and incorporate it into their decision-making process and asset management activities.

The webinar will conclude with next steps, resources, and information on accessing the tools and a recording of the session.