Planning Department County Flood Services

The first thing you should do is check your flood hazard. Flood maps and flood protection references are available at the Bentonville Public Library. can also visit or call the Benton County Planning Office at 905 NW 8th Street in Bentonville (271-1003) to see if you are in a mapped floodplain. If so, they can give you more information, such as depth of flooding over a building’s first floor and past flood problems in the area. They also have a handout on selecting an architect, engineer, or contractor.

The first thing you should do is check your flood hazard. Flood maps and flood protection references are available at the Bentonville Public Library. You can also visit or call the Benton County Planning Office at 905 NW 8th Street in Bentonville (271-1003) to see if you are in a mapped floodplain.

What You Can Do : Several of the County’s efforts depend on your cooperation and assistance. Here is how you can help:

Drainage : Do not dump or throw anything into the ditches or streams. Dumping in our ditches and streams is a violation of Benton County Ordinance 0-91-29 Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug channels. A plugged channel cannot carry water and when it rains the water has to go somewhere. Every piece of trash contributes to flooding.

If your property is next to a ditch or stream, please do your part and keep the banks clear of brush and debris. The County has a stream maintenance program which can help remove major blockages such as downed trees.

If you see dumping or debris in ditches or streams, contact the Benton County Environmental Services Office at (479) 271-1083 or the Benton County Road Department at (479) 271-1052.

Permits : Always check with the Benton County Planning Office before you build on, alter, re-grade or fill on your property. A permit may be needed to ensure that projects do not cause problems on other properties.

If you see building or filling without a County permit sign posted, contact the Benton
County Planning Office at (479) 271-1003.