Delineation of Flood-Inundation Areas in Grapevine Canyon Near Scotty’s Castle, Death Valley National Park, California
Links
- Document: Report (4.8 MB pdf)
- Data Release: USGS data release — Geospatial Data: California, Tabular Data, and Surface-Water Model Archive for Delineation of Flood-Inundation Areas in Grapevine Canyon Near Scotty’s Castle, Death Valley National Park
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
On October 18, 2015, a large flood caused considerable damage in Grapevine Canyon near Death Valley Scotty Historic District, in Death Valley National Park, California. Significant channel changes had limited the applicability of previously created flood-inundation maps to current conditions. Predicted flood-inundation maps for Scotty’s Castle were updated using one-dimensional hydraulic models. A digital terrain model was created for the study area using a terrestrial laser scanner for use in the hydraulic models. Estimations of the 4, 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.2-percent annual exceedance probability flood streamflows (previously known as the 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500-year floods) were computed from regional flood regression equations. The estimated flood streamflows were used with the hydraulic models to compute water surface elevations that were mapped on the digital terrain model. The results indicate inundation of the visitor center and park offices occurs by the 4-percent annual exceedance probability flood. Bridge and embankment overtopping occurs by the 2-percent annual exceedance probability flood. Sections of Grapevine Canyon Road and the parking lot are inundated by the 4-percent annual exceedance probability flood and above streamflows. None of the computed streamflows reach Scotty’s Castle main building.
Suggested Citation
Morris, C.M., Welborn, T.L., and Minear, J.T., 2020, Delineation of flood-inundation areas in Grapevine Canyon near Scotty’s Castle, Death Valley National Park, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2020–5082, 27 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205082.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Data Acquisition and Processing
- Hydraulic Modeling
- Results
- Discussion
- Summary and Conclusions
- References Cited
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Delineation of flood-inundation areas in Grapevine Canyon near Scotty’s Castle, Death Valley National Park, California |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2020-5082 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20205082 |
| Year Published | 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Nevada Water Science Center |
| Description | Report: vi, 27 p.; Data Release |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Other Geospatial | Death Valley National Park |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |