Practice Test Geeks(CFS) Certified Floodplain Surveyor Practice Test
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Technology & Digital Tools Flashcards

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  1. A Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) is typically supported by which hydraulic modeling software outputs submitted to FEMA?

    Answer: HEC-RAS water surface profiles and cross-section geometry

    CLOMR packages submitted to FEMA require HEC-RAS (or equivalent) water surface profiles demonstrating how a proposed project will affect the BFE and floodway.

  2. The FEMA Coordinated Needs Management Strategy (CNMS) database tracks:

    Answer: Which FIRM panels need updating and their relative priority

    CNMS is FEMA's tool for identifying, prioritizing, and tracking needs for FIRM updates based on data quality, population exposure, and time since last revision.

  3. When using the USGS National Map to obtain elevation data for a floodplain study, the highest-resolution product typically available is:

    Answer: 1-meter 3DEP LiDAR-derived DEM

    Through the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), USGS distributes 1-meter resolution LiDAR-derived DEMs for areas where LiDAR collection is complete.

  4. In a 2D HEC-RAS simulation, a 'breakline' is used to:

    Answer: Force the computational mesh to align with linear features like levees and channel banks

    Breaklines in 2D HEC-RAS enforce mesh edge alignment along critical terrain features—levees, roads, channel banks—so hydraulic barriers are properly represented.

  5. A floodplain surveyor needs to verify that a structure's lowest floor elevation complies with local freeboard requirements above BFE. Which digital tool provides the official BFE at a specific address?

    Answer: FEMA's Flood Map Service Center address search or NFHL Web Map Service

    The FEMA MSC address search and the NFHL WMS provide official FIRM zone and BFE information for specific locations based on effective flood map data.

  6. Ground Control Points (GCPs) used to georeference UAV photogrammetric surveys for floodplain mapping should be established using:

    Answer: RTK or PPK GNSS with NAVD 88 elevations

    GCPs must be established with survey-grade RTK or Post-Processed Kinematic (PPK) GNSS referenced to NAVD 88 to meet FEMA mapping accuracy standards.

  7. The FEMA Elevation Certificate form field 'C2.e' specifically records:

    Answer: Lowest elevation of machinery or equipment servicing the building

    Section C2.e of the Elevation Certificate captures the lowest elevation of machinery or equipment servicing the building (e.g., HVAC, generators), which is critical for rating flood insurance premiums.