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Flood-Inundation Maps for the North Platte River at Scottsbluff and Gering, Nebraska, 2018

Scientific Investigations Report 2019-5099
Prepared in cooperation with the City of Scottsbluff and the City of Gering
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20195099

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Abstract

Digital flood-inundation maps for an 8.8-mile reach of the North Platte River, from 1.5 miles upstream from the Highway 92 bridge to 3 miles downstream from the Highway 71 bridge in Scottsbluff County, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Cities of Scottsbluff and Gering, Nebraska. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program website at https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/flood-inundation-mapping-fim-program?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects, depict estimates of the areal extent and depth of flooding corresponding to selected water levels (stages) at the USGS streamgage on the North Platte River at Scottsbluff, Nebr. (station number 06680500). Near-real-time stages at this streamgage may be obtained on the internet from the USGS National Water Information System at https://doi.org/10.5066/F7P55KJN or from the National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (site SBRN1) at https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=cys&gage=sbrn1.

Flood profiles were computed for the stream reach by means of a one-dimensional step-backwater model. The model was calibrated by using the current (2018) stage-discharge relation at the North Platte River at Scottsbluff, Nebr., streamgage.

The hydraulic model was then used to compute 10 water-surface profiles for flood stages at 1-foot (ft) intervals referenced to the streamgage datum and ranging from 9 ft, or near bankfull, to 18 ft, which exceeds the stage that corresponds to the estimated 1-percent annual exceedance probability flood (100-year recurrence interval flood). The simulated water-surface profiles were then combined with a geographic information system digital elevation model derived from light detection and ranging data having a 0.6-ft root mean square error and 2-ft horizontal resolution resampled to a 6-ft grid to delineate the area flooded at each water level. The availability of these maps, along with internet information regarding current stage from the USGS streamgage, may provide emergency management personnel and residents with information that is critical for flood response activities such as evacuations and road closures, as well as for postflood recovery efforts.

Suggested Citation

Strauch, K.R., 2019, Flood-inundation maps for the North Platte River at Scottsbluff and Gering, Nebraska, 2018: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2019–5099, 9 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20195099.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Creation of Flood-Inundation-Map Library
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Flood-inundation maps for the North Platte River at Scottsbluff and Gering, Nebraska, 2018
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2019-5099
DOI 10.3133/sir20195099
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Nebraska Water Science Center
Description Report: vi, 9 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Nebraska
City Scottsbluff, Gering
Other Geospatial North Platte River
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details