Flood Risk in Morgan County
Morgan County's primary flood risk comes from Wheeler Lake and the Tennessee River corridor along the northern edge of the county, and from creek systems including Flint Creek and Cotaco Creek that flow through the county toward the Tennessee River. FEMA has mapped flood zones along these waterways, designating properties in the immediate floodplain as Zone AE.
Wheeler Lake shoreline properties have a somewhat unique situation: the TVA manages the lake's water level, but FEMA independently maps the flood hazard based on standard hydrology. Properties near the lake can be in FEMA flood zones even with TVA operating the lake at a regulated pool elevation.
Who Needs an Elevation Certificate in Morgan County
If your Morgan County property is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is required and an elevation certificate is needed to accurately price the policy. This applies most often to properties directly adjacent to Wheeler Lake, along Flint Creek in the western part of the county, and along Cotaco Creek and its tributaries.
Properties in the developed portions of Decatur and Hartselle that are not adjacent to a mapped waterway are unlikely to be in a flood zone, but properties in lower-lying creek corridors within the urban area can still carry Zone AE designations.
Cost in Morgan County
Elevation certificates in Morgan County typically cost $350 to $650. Standard creek-adjacent properties are in the lower portion of that range. Lakefront properties on Wheeler Lake may cost more due to the additional step of referencing TVA benchmark data in addition to standard FEMA benchmark requirements. Turnaround is usually one to two weeks.
Find an Elevation Certificate Surveyor in Morgan County
Our Morgan County land surveyor directory lists licensed PLS professionals sourced from ALBPELS records. Search for firms in Decatur and Hartselle that handle elevation certificates and flood zone work, including firms with experience on Wheeler Lake properties.