Final answer:
The base flood elevation could rise significantly if the flood fringe is completely filled, as the floodplain would lose its capacity to absorb and convey floodwaters, potentially leading to higher levels of flooding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the minimum National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) standard, if the flood fringe were completely filled in, the base flood elevation could increase significantly.
The base flood elevation is an essential measure used for floodplain management and insurance purposes, representing the water surface elevation resulting from a flood that has a 1 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, often referred to as the '100-year flood'. The actual rise in base flood elevation would depend on the specific hydrology and topography of the area in question.
However, when the flood fringe is completely filled, it reduces the capacity of the floodplain to store and convey floodwaters, potentially causing the waters to rise to higher levels than they would have if the flood fringe remained undeveloped and able to absorb and disperse floodwaters.