DEVELOPMENT OF FLOOD PROFILES AND FLOOD-INUNDATION MAPPING FOR THE VILLAGE OF KILLBUCK, OHIO By Chad J. Ostheimer 2013 Scientific Investigations Report 2013-1032 ABSTRACT: Digital flood-inundation maps of Killbuck Creek near Killbuck, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with Holmes County, Ohio. The maps, which correspond to water levels (stages) at USGS streamgage Killbuck Creek near Killbuck, Ohio (03139000) were provided to the National Weather Service (NWS) for incorporation into a Web-based flood-warning Network that can be used in conjunction with NWS flood-forecast data to show areas of predicted flood inundation associated with forecasted flood-peak stages. Flood profiles were computed by means of a step-backwater model calibrated to recent field measurements of streamflow. The step-backwater model was then used to determine water-surface-elevation profiles for 10 flood stages on Killbuck Creek with corresponding streamflows ranging from the 2-year up to the 500-year recurrence-interval flood. The computed flood profiles were used in combination with digital elevation data to delineate flood-inundation areas. Maps of areas near the Village of Killbuck showing flood-inundation areas overlain on digital orthophotographs are presented for the selected floods. Data from the streamgage serves as a flood warning that emergency management personnel can use in conjunction with the flood-inundation maps by to determine a course of action when flooding is imminent. DISCLAIMERS: Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also contains copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items for other than personal use must be secured from the copyright owner. Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system, or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. The U.S. Geological Survey shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. Purpose and Scope The purpose of this report is to describe the development of a series of estimated flood-inundation maps for Killbuck Creek near Killbuck, Ohio. The maps and other useful flood information are available on the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science Web site (http://wim.usgs.gov/FIMI/) and the NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service Web site (http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=cle&gage=kilo1). Internet users can select estimated inundation maps that correspond to (1) current stages at the USGS streamgage, (2) the NWS forecasted peak stage, or (3) other desired stream stages. If this series of flood inundation maps will be used in conjunction with National Weather Service (NWS) river forecasts, the user should be aware of additional uncertainties which may be inherent or factored into NWS forecast procedures. The NWS uses river forecast models to estimate the quantity and timing of water flowing through selected river reaches in the United States. These forecast models (1) estimate the amount of runoff generated by a precipitation event, (2) compute how the water will move downstream, and (3) predict the flow and stage (water-surface elevation) for the river at a given location (AHPS forecast point) throughout the forecast period (every six hours over 3 to 5 days). For more information on AHPS forecasts, please see: http://water.weather.gov/ahps/pcpn_and_river_forecasting.pdf A brief description of the contents: readme.txt - this readme document polygons.zip - - a zip file with 10 shapefiles, one for each flood profile with file extensions: .dbf/.prj/.sbn/.bsx/.shp/.shp.xml/.shx KC_Killbuck_OH.kmz - kmz file for all flood profiles of the Licking River with turn on/off capability using Google Earth software grids.zip - a zip file with 10 grids, one for each flood profile To access the data: The data files can be downloaded via the web from http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2012/5137/.The Report and Plates are in Portable Document Format (.pdf) which requires Adobe Acrobat for viewing. Acrobat software runs on a variety of systems, and is available for download free of charge from Adobe at http://www.adobe.com. To access the .kmz files in this report, download and install Google Earth at http;//www.google.com/earth/index.htm. Launch Google Earth, click the file menu and choose open. Locate and select the .kmz file on your computer. Software Required: Adobe Acrobat (6.x, 7.x, or 8.x), or Adobe Acrobat Pro (6.x, 7.x, or 8.x), or the free Adobe Reader (6.x, 7.x, or 8.x), 8.x is preferred. ArcGIS 9.3 preferred, older versions may also work. Any questions regarding this report may be directed to: Chad Ostheimer US Geological Survey, Ohio Water Science Center 6480 Doubletree Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43229 or via e-mail at ostheime@usgs.gov