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Flood-inundation maps for the Wabash River at Lafayette, Indiana

Scientific Investigations Report 2018-5017
Prepared in cooperation with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185017

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Abstract

Digital flood-inundation maps for an approximately 4.8-mile reach of the Wabash River at Lafayette, Indiana (Ind.) 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 https://water.usgs.gov/osw/flood_inundation/, depict estimates of the areal extent and depth of flooding corresponding to selected water levels (stages) at USGS streamgage 03335500, Wabash River at Lafayette, Ind. Current streamflow conditions for estimating near-real-time areas of inundation using USGS streamgage information may be obtained on the internet at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/in/nwis/uv?site_no=03335500. In addition, information has been provided to the National Weather Service (NWS) for incorporation into their Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) flood-warning system (https://water.weather.gov/ahps/). The NWS AHPS forecasts flood hydrographs at many places that are often colocated with USGS streamgages, including the Wabash River at Lafayette, Ind. NWS AHPS-forecast peak-stage information may be used with the maps developed in this study to show predicted areas of flood inundation.

For this study, flood profiles were computed for the Wabash River reach by means of a one-dimensional step-backwater model. The hydraulic model was calibrated by using the most current stage-discharge relations at USGS streamgage 03335500, Wabash River at Lafayette, Ind., and high-water marks from the flood of July 2003 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE], 2007). The calibrated hydraulic model was then used to determine 23 water-surface profiles for flood stages at 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 derived from light detection and ranging 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 03335500, Wabash River at Lafayette, Ind., and forecasted high-flow stages from the NWS AHPS, will provide emergency management personnel and residents with information that is critical for flood-response activities such as evacuations and road closures, and for postflood recovery efforts.

Suggested Citation

Kim, M.H., 2018, Flood-inundation maps for the Wabash River at Lafayette, Indiana: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2018–5017,
10 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185017.

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 Wabash River at Lafayette, Indiana
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2018-5017
DOI 10.3133/sir20185017
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center
Description Report: vi, 10 p.; Data release
Country United States
State Indiana
City Lafayette
Other Geospatial Wabash River
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details