Flood-inundation maps for White River at Petersburg, Indiana

Scientific Investigations Report 2015-5107
Prepared in cooperation with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
By:

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Abstract

Digital flood-inundation maps for a 7.7-mile reach of the White River at Petersburg, Indiana, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science Web site at http://water.usgs.gov/osw/flood_inundation/, depict estimates of the areal extent and depth of flooding corresponding to selected water levels (stages) at the USGS streamgage at White River at Petersburg, Ind. (03374000). Near-real-time stages at this streamgage may be obtained from the USGS National Water Information System at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ or the National Weather Service (NWS) Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service at http:/water.weather.gov/ahps/, which also forecasts flood hydrographs at this site (PTRI3).

Flood profiles were computed for the White River at Petersburg reach by means of a one-dimensional step-backwater model developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The hydraulic model was calibrated by using the most current stage-discharge relations at the White River at Petersburg, Ind., and the White River above Petersburg, Ind. (03373890), gages. The calibrated hydraulic model was then used to compute 18 water-surface profiles for flood stages at approximately 1-foot intervals referenced to the streamgage datum and ranging from bankfull to the highest stage of the current stage-discharge rating curve. The simulated water-surface profiles were then combined with a geographic information system digital elevation model 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 at White River at Petersburg, Ind., and forecasted stream stages from the NWS 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 post-flood recovery efforts.

Suggested Citation

Fowler, K.K., 2015, Flood-inundation maps for the White River at Petersburg, Indiana: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5107, 11 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20155107.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Creation of Flood-Inundation Map Library
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Flood-inundation maps for White River at Petersburg, Indiana
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2015-5107
DOI 10.3133/sir20155107
Year Published 2015
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Indiana Water Science Center
Description Report: iv, 11 p.: Metadata: Readme: Spatial Data
Country United States
State Indiana
City Petersburg
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details