Project Purpose
The Deale-Shady Side Peninsula Flood Risk Reduction Feasibility Study, published September 8th, 2025, determines cost-effective, feasible mitigation strategies that enhance resilience of the Peninsula in the face of increasing flood inundation levels and storm event intensities/frequencies associated with a changing climate. The primary deliverable includes a comprehensive adaptation report that includes a menu of preferred, cost-effective, and feasible mitigation projects that will reduce risks to people and properties within the benefitting area. Preferred projects were determined based on vulnerability to the threats of compound flooding. Various desktop analyses, storm water and coastal modeling, and input from the community on climate related concerns were all used to prioritize areas for mitigation strategy implementation.
Project Documents
Access the final report and appendices below:
- Report - Deale-Shady Side Peninsula Flood Risk Reduction Study
- Appendices - Deale-Shady Side Peninsula Flood Risk Reduction Study
On July 22nd, 2025, the Bureau of Watershed Protection & Restoration, Office of Emergency Management, Office of Planning & Zoning, Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, and BayLand Consultants & Designers hosted a Public Meeting previewing the upcoming report for the Deale-Shady Side Flood Risk Reduction Study. View the slides here!
Frequently Asked Questions
coming soon!
Questions about the Report?
For questions or comments relating to this project, please contact either the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works at pwcust00@aacounty.org or 410-222-7500 or the Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County at resilienceauthority@aacounty.org.
Surveys and Flood Reporting
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Share your comments here!Please use this form to share your comments, questions, or concerns about the Deale-Shady Side Peninsula Flood Risk Reduction Feasibility Study. Your input will help guide future planning efforts and ensure the study reflects local priorities and experiences.
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Hazard Mitigation Plan Update SurveyAnne Arundel County is currently in the process of updating its 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is the lead agency for this planning process. Therefore, OEM is seeking input on stakeholder's concerns regarding hazards identified in the plan. This survey is being used to collect your insight and perspective on hazards identified in the plan.
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MyCoast: MarylandHelp us document flooding and storm damager using MyCoast. High tide flooding, precipitation-caused flood impacts, or coastal storm damage should also be reported on the Maryland MyCoast website of the free MyCoast Smartphone App.
The Deale-Shady Side Peninsula
The Deale-Shady Side Peninsula is the southeastern portion of the county along the Chesapeake Bay. The area includes all of Shady Side and Churchton along with parts of West River and Deale.
Project Background
The Shady Side Peninsula is the southeastern portion of the county along the Chesapeake Bay. The area includes all of Shady Side and Churchton along with parts of West River and Deale.
In 2023, Anne Arundel County conducted a study of risks related to sea level rise based on the latest projections from federal and State agencies and university researchers. The study assessed risks across the entire County and included a more detailed analysis of the Deale-Shady Side Peninsula. Please see the Office of Planning & Zoning's Sea Level Rise webpage for an overview of the findings of risk assessment and the full report.
The proposed area of interest is an approximately 13 square mile peninsula was specifically called out as a high-risk area for flooding in the County’s 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan. The mean elevation within the benefitting area is 7.68 feet above sea level and is fragmented by creeks and wetlands. The primary risk to residents and businesses within the benefitting area is life safety and property damages resulting from acute flooding. However, over time, floodwaters are expected to persist longer and threaten transportation between communities and essential community lifeline services.
On May 3, 2021, the Anne Arundel County Council adopted a set of climate change and sea level rise policies in the latest update of the County-wide General Development Plan, Plan2040. This project supports those efforts to incorporate considerations of vulnerability to sea level rise, coastal flooding, and nuisance flooding into community development plans. Concepts from various state and county sea level rise and mitigation plans will be integrated into the plan update for a consistent, data- driven approach to reduce sea level rise impacts to property, infrastructure, and cultural resources.