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Characteristics of peak streamflows and extent of inundation in areas of West Virginia and southwestern Virginia affected by flooding, June 2016

Open-File Report 2017-1140
Prepared in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency
By: , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171140

Links

  • Document: Report (117 MB pdf)
  • Appendixes:
    • Appendix 1 (179 KB pdf) - Graphs Showing Selected Annual Exceedance Probabilities in Relation to Streamflow Using the Expected Moments Algorithm Method for Selected Streamflow-Gaging Stations in West Virginia for the Period of Record through 1990, 2015, and 2016
    • Appendix 2 (12.9 MB pdf) - Graphs Showing Annual Exceedance Probabilities in Relation to Annual Peak Streamflow, Determined Using the Expected Moments Algorithm and Bulletin 17B Methods, for Selected Streamflow-Gaging Stations for the Period of Record through 1990, 2015, and 2016 and Annual Peak Streamflow, by Water Year 1900–2016
    • Appendix 3 (Table 3-1) (36.3 KB xlsx) - Site description exceedance probabilities, equivalent recurrence intervals and summary statistics for 18 streamflow-gaging stations associated with June 2016 Flooding in West Virginia and southwestern Virginia
    • Appendix 3 (Table 3-2) (168 KB xlsx) - Summary from six analyses estimating peak-flow exceedance probabilities at 18 streamflow-gaging stations associated with June 2016 flooding in West Virginia and southwestern Virginia.
    • Appendix 3 (Table 3-3) (46.1 KB xlsx) - Expanded summary of percent changes since 1990 in estimated peak-flow annual exceedance probabilities from six analyses using two methods for 18 streamflow-gaging stations associated with June 2016 flooding in West Virginia and southwestern Virginia using data for the period of record through 1990, 2015, and 2016
  • Data Release: USGS data release - Flood Inundation, Flood Depth, and High-Water Marks for Selected Areas in West Virginia from the June 2016 Flood
  • Version History: Version History (1 KB txt)
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

Heavy rainfall occurred across central and southern West
Virginia in June 2016 as a result of repeated rounds of torrential
thunderstorms. The storms caused major flooding and flash
flooding in central and southern West Virginia with Kanawha,
Fayette, Nicholas, and Greenbrier Counties among the hardest
hit. Over the duration of the storms, from 8 to 9.37 inches of
rain was reported in areas in Greenbrier County. Peak streamflows
were the highest on record at 7 locations, and streamflows
at 18 locations ranked in the top five for the period of
record at U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations
used in this study. Following the storms, U.S. Geological Survey
hydrographers identified and documented 422 high-water
marks in West Virginia, noting location and height of the water
above land surface. Many of these high-water marks were
used to create flood-inundation maps for selected communities
of West Virginia that experienced flooding in June 2016.
Digital datasets of the inundation areas, mapping boundaries,
and water depth rasters are available online.

Suggested Citation

Austin, S.H., Watson, K.M., Lotspeich, R.R., Cauller, S.J., White, J.S., and Wicklein, S.M., 2018, Characteristics of peak streamflows and extent of inundation in areas of West Virginia and southwestern Virginia affected by flooding, June 2016 (ver. 1.1, September 2018): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017–1140, 35 p., https://doi. org/10.3133/ofr20171140.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract 
  • Introduction
  • Weather Conditions Before and During the Flood
  • Methods
  • Estimated Magnitudes and Flood Probabilities for Peak Streamflows
  • Flood-Inundation Maps 
  • Flood Damages
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Graphs Showing Selected Annual Exceedance Probabilities in Relation to Streamflow Using the Expected Moments Algorithm Method for Selected Streamflow-Gaging Stations in West Virginia for the Period of Record through 1990, 2015, and 2016 
  • Appendix 2. Graphs Showing Annual Exceedance Probabilities in Relation to Annual Peak Streamflow, Determined Using the Expected Moments Algorithm and Bulletin 17B Methods, for Selected Streamflow-Gaging Stations for the Period of Record  through 1990, 2015, and 2016 and Annual Peak Streamflow, by Water Year 1900–2016
  • Appendix 3. Three Tables Listing Expanded Summaries of Site Descriptions, Exceedance Probabilities, Equivalent Recurrence Intervals, Statistics, and Percent Change Since 1990 in Estimated Peak-Flow Annual Exceedance Probabilities for 18 Streamflow-Gaging Stations Associated with June 2016 Flooding in West Virginia and Southwestern Virginia Using Data for the Period of Record through 1990, 2015, and 2016 
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Characteristics of peak streamflows and extent of inundation in areas of West Virginia and southwestern Virginia affected by flooding, June 2016
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2017-1140
DOI 10.3133/ofr20171140
Edition Version 1.1: September 2018; Version 1.0: November 2017
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Virginia Water Science Center, West Virginia Water Science Center
Description Report: vi, 35 p.; Appendixes 1-3; Data Release
Country United States
State Virginia, West Virginia
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details