Georgia Water Science Center

USGS Open-File Report 96-228

SUMMARY OF DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITIES AND EFFECTS OF FLOODING FROM TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO IN PARTS OF GEORGIA, ALABAMA, AND FLORIDA, JULY 1994

This report is available online in pdf format (1 MB): USGS OFR 96-228 (Opens the PDF file in a new window. )

Timothy C. Stamey

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 96-228, 23 pages (Published 1996)

ABSTRACT

Parts of central and southwestern Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and the western panhandle of Florida were devastated by floods resulting from rainfall produced by Tropical Storm Alberto in July 1994. As tributary floodwaters combined and moved downstream in the Flint, Ocmulgee, and Choctawhatchee Rivers, peak discharges exceeded the 100-year flood discharges along most stream reaches. Along the Flint River, the 100-year flood stage was exceeded at Montezuma by 3.7 ft; at Albany, by 5.1 ft; at Newton, by 3.9 ft; and at Bainbridge by 2.2 ft. Along the Ocmulgee River, the 100-year flood was exceeded at Juliette, by 5.4 ft; at Macon, by 2.2 ft; and at Hawkinsville by 3.9 ft. Peak discharges exceeded the 100-year flood discharges along the Choctawhatchee River from Newton, Ala., to Bruce, Fla.

Discharge measurements were made at many gaging stations throughout the area of flooding. Streamflow velocities are obtained during the process of making the discharge measurement. Velocity data are given for selected gaging stations on two streams in Georgia. Scour around pier and abutment foundations caused settling or washout at most bridge failures. Scour mechanisms at these bridges include local scour, contraction scour, and scour plus bank instability of the general stream reach where the bridge is located. Eighteen feet of predominantly contraction scour was measured during the flood at the U.S. Highway 82 crossing of Flint River at Albany, Ga.


CONTENTS

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose and scope

Acknowledgments

Tropical Storm Alberto

Data collection

Peak stage

Indirect measurements

Streamflow velocity

Bridge scour

Aerial photography

Hydrologic effects of flooding

Tributary flooding

Mainstem flooding

Other flood documentation

General water-quality information

Summary

References

 


REPORT AVAILABILITY

This report is available online in pdf format (1 MB): USGS OFR 96-228 (Opens the PDF file in a new window. )
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