Stantec selected for US$25M floodplain mapping, risk mitigation project in Kentucky

LEXINGTON, KY — TSX, NYSE:STN 

Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and innovative engineering, has been awarded a new US$25 million 5-year single-award, task-order master services agreement with the Kentucky Division of Water (DOW). Under this contract, the firm will provide flood risk mapping, assessment, and planning services. A portion of the first task order will focus on implementation of the Stantec.io product Flood Predictor. 

Flood Predictor is a cloud-based, decision-support technology that uses machine learning to provide advanced insights and predictions on when and where flooding is likely to happen. The technology will allow DOW and community officials to make more accurate, timely decisions and inform the public of imminent flood risk and the best evacuation routes.

“It’s an honor to continue our work in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Mike Greene, Stantec principal and project manager, Water. “We have several critical tasks ahead to influence mitigation of flood risk and ensure Kentucky is well equipped to prevent the loss of life and property, and our efforts will support the state as it continues to build more resilient communities.”

Additional services under this agreement include assisting with DOW’s goal of two-dimensional (2D) modeling of all the watersheds in the state, which includes hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and mapping. These 2D models will allow DOW to provide the most up-to-date conditions assessment and better support data management and regulatory processes. Stantec has already begun 2D analyses for DOW and will be able to cover the state under the new master services agreement.

“The work we’re doing with Stantec is imperative, especially amid unpredictable weather events,” said Carey Johnson, director of DOW. “This agreement comes at an opportune time with the development of new technologies that can help us better understand the Commonwealth’s flood risk and prepare accordingly.” 

Much of the work under the agreement will support DOW’s role as a Cooperating Technical Partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Under the agreement, Stantec will also assist DOW in its new role as a LOMR (Letter of Map Revision) Review Partner, supporting state officials in reviewing floodplain updates.

The agreement builds on Stantec’s long-standing relationship with DOW, which dates back to 2005. The firm’s project team for DOW consists largely of staff based in Kentucky, who are closely connected to its communities statewide. Last year, when heavy flooding hit Eastern Kentucky, the Stantec team participated in relief and recovery efforts and supported fundraising for hard-hit areas, raising more than US$40,000 from local offices and beyond.

Stantec’s Water practice has extensive experience working with flood mitigation, wet weather flow, and resiliency efforts. The firm is currently supporting the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on a similar project to deliver vital floodplain mapping data to the public, supporting risk mitigation for communities statewide. Last year, Stantec worked with the Tennessee Economic and Community Development Department to integrate Flood Predictor, which gave department officials advanced insights on the areas at highest risk and impacted infrastructure during heavy storms. Stantec is currently supporting the Texas Water Development Board on a statewide floodplain modeling and mapping project to help the board better understand and evaluate regional flood risks to drive statewide efforts to create effective flood mitigation strategies.