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Flood-inundation maps for the Schoharie Creek at Prattsville, New York, 2014

Scientific Investigations Report 2015-5190
Prepared in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20155190

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Abstract

Digital flood-inundation maps for a 2.6-mile reach of the Schoharie Creek at Prattsville, New York, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The flood-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 Schoharie Creek at Prattsville (station number 01350000). Near-real-time stages at this streamgage may be obtained online from the USGS National Water Information System (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/) or the National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (http://water.weather.gov/ahps/), which also forecasts flood hydrographs at this site. National Weather Service-forecasted peak-stage information may be used in conjunction with the maps developed in this study to show predicted areas and depths of flood inundation.

Flood profiles were computed for the stream reach by means of a one-dimensional step-backwater model. The model was calibrated by using the stage-discharge relation (rating 82.0) at the Schoharie Creek at Prattsville streamgage (station 01350000) and high-water marks from the flood of August 28, 2011. The hydraulic model was then used to compute 17 water-surface profiles for flood stages at 1-foot intervals referenced to the streamgage datum and ranging from bankfull to greater than the highest recorded water level at the streamgage. The simulated water-surface profiles were then combined with a geographic information system digital elevation model, derived from light detection and ranging (lidar) data having a 0.61-foot vertical root-mean squared error and 6.6-foot horizontal resolution, in order to delineate the area flooded at each water level.

These flood-inundation maps, along with near-real-time stage data from USGS streamgages and forecasted stage data from the National Weather Service, can 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 postflood recovery efforts.

Suggested Citation

Nystrom, E.A., 2016, Flood-inundation maps for the Schoharie Creek at Prattsville, New York, 2014: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5190, 12 p., 17 sheets, https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20155190.

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 the Schoharie Creek at Prattsville, New York, 2014
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2015-5190
DOI 10.3133/sir20155190
Publication Date February 18, 2016
Year Published 2015
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) New York Water Science Center
Description Report: vii, 15 p.; 17 Sheets: 17.00 x 22.00 inches or smaller; Application Sites; Metadata
Country United States
State New York
Other Geospatial Prattsville
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details