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Bathymetric Contour Map, Surface Area and Capacity Table, and Bathymetric Change Map for Sugar Creek Lake near Moberly, Missouri, 2018

Scientific Investigations Map 3431
Prepared in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the City of Moberly, Missouri
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3431

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Abstract

Managers of water-supply lakes need an accurate estimate of the lake capacity to ensure that enough water is available for uses such as: providing consistent recreation pool levels, preserving downstream aquatic habitat, flood abatement, water supply, and power generation. Lake capacity is particularly important for managers of water-supply lakes during periods of drought, unexpected population growth, or exceptionally high water use in the area supplied by the lake. Sedimentation, primarily from runoff into the lake, will cause a loss of storage capacity as a lake ages; as a result, the capacity table for the lake (if one exists) will overestimate the actual capacity. Lake bathymetric changes can be demonstrated through periodic surveying, and rates of sediment accumulation can be calculated so that managers can better regulate the water supply.

The U. S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, completed a bathymetric survey of Sugar Creek Lake in December 2003.  Sugar Creek Lake, constructed in 1922, is about 4 miles northwest of Moberly, Missouri, in Randolph County and has a surface area of about 330 acres at the spillway elevation of 746.8 feet. The lake primarily is used for recreation and drinking-water supply for the town of Moberly,  Missouri.

In September 2018, the  U. S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the City of Moberly,  Missouri, surveyed the bathymetry of Sugar Creek Lake to prepare an updated bathymetric map and a surface area and capacity table. The 2003 survey was compared with the 2018 survey to document the changes in the bathymetric surface. The comparison found that in the 14.7 years between the two surveys the lake had lost 230 acre-feet of capacity and had an average sediment accumulation of 0.96 feet.

Suggested Citation

Richards, J.M., Huizinga, R.J., and Ellis, J.T., 2019, Bathymetric contour map, surface area and capacity table, and bathymetric change map for Sugar Creek Lake near Moberly, Missouri, 2018: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3431, 1 sheet, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3431.

ISSN: 2329-132X (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Bathymetric Data Collection Quality Assurance
  • Bathymetric Surface, Contour, and Bathymetric Change Quality Assurance
  • Bathymetry, Capacity, and Bathymetric Change
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Bathymetric contour map, surface area and capacity table, and bathymetric change map for Sugar Creek Lake near Moberly, Missouri, 2018
Series title Scientific Investigations Map
Series number 3431
DOI 10.3133/sim3431
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Central Midwest Water Science Center
Description Sheet: 36.0 x 36.0 inches; Data Release
Country United States
State Missouri
Other Geospatial Sugar Creek Lake
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details