Elevation Certificates in Fond du Lac County
An elevation certificate documents your building's elevation relative to FEMA's Base Flood Elevation and is required by lenders for federally backed mortgages on properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas. In Fond du Lac County, flood risk is most concentrated near Lake Winnebago's southern tip and the Fond du Lac River corridor that drains into it.
Fond du Lac County Flood Risk Areas
The Fond du Lac River flows north through the city of Fond du Lac before entering Lake Winnebago. Low-lying properties along the river corridor in the city carry FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area designations in sections where the floodplain is broad. When Lake Winnebago is near its high-water level, the river's outlet area can back up and extend flood risk further south into the city.
Lake Winnebago itself is Wisconsin's largest inland lake, and properties along its southern shoreline in Fond du Lac County may carry flood zone designations based on high lake level scenarios and wave action. These properties are more commonly affected than typical inland residential lots and may require an elevation certificate for lender compliance.
What the Certificate Documents
A licensed surveyor measures the elevation of your building's lowest floor and other required reference points using established survey benchmarks, then completes the official FEMA elevation certificate form. The form documents whether your building is above or below the Base Flood Elevation, which determines your National Flood Insurance Program premium class.
Using a Certificate to Manage Your Premium
If your Fond du Lac County building is elevated above the Base Flood Elevation, documenting that with a certificate can qualify you for a lower NFIP premium. Given that NFIP premiums in higher-risk zones can run $1,000 or more per year, the cost of a $400 to $650 elevation certificate is often recovered within one to two years of insurance savings.
Find licensed surveyors who handle elevation certificates in Fond du Lac, Ripon, and throughout Fond du Lac County through our Fond du Lac County land surveyor directory.