Events

Stay on top of conversation around critical water management issues.

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NAFSMA 2026 Annual Meeting

July 13-16, 2026 in Annapolis, Maryland

Grounded in Mission: Leading Through Complexity

The challenges facing water resource agencies have never been more complex—and the solutions have never been more inspiring. NAFSMA's 2026 Annual Meeting showcases agencies that are delivering extraordinary results by staying focused on what matters most: protecting communities.

Join professionals from local, regional, and state agencies to learn from peers who are getting it done.

Featured Presentations

Keynote: Accelerating USACE Projects—A New Federal-State-Local Partnership Model Drew Bartlett (South Florida Water Management District) and Major General Jason Kelly (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) will discuss the landmark July 2025 agreement between Florida and the Department of the Army to accelerate Everglades restoration. The agreement fast-tracks the EAA Reservoir by five years, authorizes Florida to construct key infrastructure, and establishes a framework for state-managed delivery through expedited permitting. They'll explore how this partnership model could reshape federal-state-local collaboration on large-scale water projects.

Fargo-Moorhead Flood Risk Management Project Learn how the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Authority is delivering one of the nation's largest flood risk reduction projects through innovative financing, real estate acquisition, and project delivery approaches.

California's Early Implementation and Urban Flood Risk Reduction Programs California DWR will share results from programs that advanced flood risk reduction ahead of USACE timelines: 108 miles of levees constructed, $2.15 billion invested, over 1 million people with reduced life safety risk, and $9.2 billion in avoided flood damage.

Building Public Confidence in Your Agency Effective communication, demonstrated results, and authentic community engagement build the public trust agencies need to advance projects and secure support.

Registration and More Information
Hotel Booking at the Graduate

Program Highlights

  • Direct engagement with USACE, FEMA, NOAA and EPA leadership

  • Committee meetings and policy development sessions

  • Peer networking with agency directors and senior staff

  • Technical sessions on emerging challenges and solutions

Welcome Dinner at the United States Naval Academy

Our opening reception will be hosted at one of America’s most storied institutions. The Naval Academy provides a memorable setting to reconnect with colleagues and begin our time together in historic Annapolis.

2025 Annual Meeting Presentations and Summaries

Leading Through Unprecedented Change: Strategies to Navigate Uncertainty in Water Resources

On behalf of NAFSMA, thank you for attending the 2025 Annual Meeting. Your engagement, expertise, and contributions helped make this year’s event a resounding success.

Together, we explored the future of flood risk reduction, innovative approaches to stormwater management, and strategies to adapt in an era of shrinking federal resources. Your thoughtful participation in these discussions reinforces the importance of collaboration in building safer, more resilient communities.

We’re grateful for your continued partnership and hope you left the meeting with new insights, stronger connections, and fresh energy for the vital work ahead.

2025 NAFSMA Annual Meeting Summary

A thank you message to sponsors of a flood control event. Logos of various organizations are displayed, including AECOM, Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Regional Flood Control District, Ecopia, Enchanted Rock, Freese and Nichols, H20 Partners, Harris County Flood Control District, King County Flood Control District, Man, Michael Baker, MHF, Moffatt & Nichol, Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, San Antonio River Authority, TRWD, and Valley Water.

2025 Mentoring Session –

Flood Evacuation and Real Time Forecasting

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Key Take Aways and Session Presentations

2025 NAFSMA Mentoring Session Key Take Aways

Kayley Danielle Estes, Postdoctoral Scholar, Psychological Science, UC Irvine: Effects of scare tactics, media/messaging guidance

Rachel Hogan Carr, Executive Director, Nature Nurture Center: Improving Forecasting Communication Tools

Paul Rush, Deputy Commissioner, NYC Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Supply: Evacuation planning and plan application

Helene Schneider, Sr. Regional Advisor, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, Research Associate, Natural Hazards Center: Social Considerations for Evacuation

Walter Rubalcava, Deputy Director, Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District

Mark Sloan, Coordinator, Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Houston, Texas  

Maria Cox Lamm, State NFIP Coordinator, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 

James Beller, Lieutenant, Butte County Sheriff’s Office 

Thomas Madigan, Asst. Chief Law Enforcement Coordinator, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Representative  

Jason Needham, Consequence Specialist, USACE 

Dr. David Novak, Director, NOAA, NWS Weather Prediction Center 

Chad Hecht, Meteorologist, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes 

Maria Cox Lamm, State NFIP Coordinator, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Jennifer Housman, Water Resources Engineering Manager, AECOM: SC Flood IMPACT Warning System 

Bruce Rindahl, P.E., Mile High Flood District: Real time flood forecasting and warning program

Ataul Hannan, Planning Division Director, Harris County Flood Control District, Houston, TX

April 29, 2024 Future Flood Risk Data Mentoring Session

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Highlights from 2023 Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA

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Five people standing indoors with large windows, holding fish-shaped objects and smiling, with a stage and musical equipment in the background.
People seated at round tables in a banquet hall, listening to a speaker playing guitar on a small stage, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
A conference room with a large presentation screen on the left, showing maps and text. There is a man standing at a podium giving a presentation, and four people seated at a long table on the right. The room has ornate decor, chandeliers, and large windows with curtains.
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Highlights from 2022 Annual Meeting in Park City, UT

Conference room with attendees watching presentation screens displaying awards for sustainable stormwater capture projects in Alhambra, California.
Group of six diverse adults sitting around a round table outdoors under a canopy during a formal event, with other tables and people in the background.
Group of ten people posing outdoors on a wooden deck with trees and hills in the background, during evening or late afternoon. Some individuals are standing, and one woman is seated, all dressed in business casual attire.
People dining at a large outdoor event under a tent with wooden chairs and tables, surrounded by trees.
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A young man wearing a gold medal around his neck and red athletic shoes stands with four women at an outdoor event, in front of a building with balcony, celebrating his achievement.