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Characterization of peak streamflows and flood inundation of selected areas in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi from flood of March 2016

Scientific Investigations Report 2016-5162
Prepared in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Administration
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20165162

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Abstract

Heavy rainfall occurred across Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi in March 2016 as a result of a slow-moving southward dip in the jetstream, funneling tropical moisture into parts of the Gulf Coast States and the Mississippi River Valley. The storm caused major flooding in the northwestern and southeastern parts of Louisiana and in eastern Texas. Flooding also occurred in the Mississippi River Valley in Arkansas and Mississippi. Over 26 inches of rain were reported near Monroe, Louisiana, over the duration of the storm. In March 2016, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrographers made more than 500 streamflow measurements in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Many of those streamflow measurements were made to verify the accuracy of stage-streamflow relations at gaging stations operated by the USGS. Peak streamflows were the highest on record at 14 locations, and streamflows at 29 locations ranked in the top five for the period of record at USGS streamflow-gaging stations analyzed for this report. Following the storm, USGS hydrographers documented 451 high-water marks in Louisiana and on the western side of the Sabine River in Texas. Many of these high-water marks were used to create 19 flood-inundation maps for selected areas of Louisiana and Texas that experienced flooding in March 2016.

Suggested Citation

Breaker, B.K., Watson, K.M., Ensminger, P.A., Storm, J.B., and Rose, C.E., 2016,Characterization of peak streamflows and flood inundation of selected areas in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi from flood of March 2016: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5162, 33 p. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20165162.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Weather Conditions Prior to and During the Flood
  • Collection of High-Water Mark Data
  • Flood-Inundation Mapping
  • Probabilities of Peak Streamflows
  • Estimated Magnitudes and Flood Probabilities of Peak Streamflow
  • Flood-Inundation Maps
  • Summary
  • Selected References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Characterization of peak streamflows and flood inundation of selected areas in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi from flood of March 2016
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2016-5162
DOI 10.3133/sir20165162
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center
Description Report: vi, 33 p.; Data Release
First page 1
Last page 33
Country United States
State Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details