F-RAM

Criterion

Explanation

General Description

F-RAM is a model that provides a method for the rapid and consistent evaluation of floodplain management measures in a benefit-cost analysis framework. Two key concepts of the F–RAM are optimal knowledge and appropriate precision.

Model Domain

Levees along the San Joaquin River basin.

Developer

AECOM (formerly URS Corporation) for the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).

Hardware computing requirements

Excel software

Code language

N/A

Original application

The F-RAM was developed to determine levee rehabilitation priorities within the San Joaquin River Basin during a task order by URS Corporation for DWR.

Public/proprietary and cost

Available through DWR, not in public domain.

Physically or empirically based

Empirical

Mathematical methods used

Benefit Cost Analysis using engineering economics

Input data requirements

• Depth Damage Curves
• Damages to residential properties
• Damage to commercial and industrial properties
• Damage to agricultural Crops ($2006 estimates)
• Damage to various types of roads

Data provided through standard built-in model values from HEC-FIA. User defines:

• Probability of levee failure
• Average reccurrence interval
• Water surface elevation (above sea level)
• Flood warning time
• Flood experience (of the public)
• Period of inundation
• Agricultural production (acres)
• Roads (miles of each type)

Outputs

• Costs and benefits with and without a project
• Annual benefits
• Net Present Value (NPV) of the future stream of benefits
• Discount rate and length of time used to calculate the NPV and the benefit-cost ratio.
• Sensitivity analysis for changes in the discount rate.

Pre-processing and post-processing tools

N/A

Representation of uncertainty

None specified although probability distribution for events are considered

Prevalence

F-RAM is included in DWR's "toolkit" of benefit cost models (e.g. Hydrologic Engineering Center – Flood Damage Analysis [HEC -FIA], Hazard US [HAZUS] and Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] flood modules) for evaluating flood mitigation projects.

Ease of use for public entities

Easy to use, requires knowledge of how to use Excel.

User manual (DWR 2008) describes the process of updating Agricultural Damage Estimates to modern costs (requires some expertise).  

Ease of obtaining information and availability of technical support

Online resource guide available through DWR. Detailed use manual (DWR, 2008) and instructions included in Excel model.

Source code availability

N/A

Status of model development

Mature, no further development information available.

Challenges for integration

F-RAM is an economic model used to measure one component driving investment decisions. It does not capture aspects of public safety, equity, or political factors, which must also be integrated into any model that seeks to comprehensively understand related phenomenon.

F-RAM is a relative tool rather than absolute tool. It identifies relative priorities, but the absolute estimates of flood damages. As such, absolute estimates of flood damages should be treated with caution when negotiating investment cost sharing.