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Flood-Inundation Maps for the North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, Kentucky

Scientific Investigations Report 2018-5122
Prepared in cooperation with the Kentucky Silver Jackets and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185122

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Abstract

Digital flood-inundation maps for a 7.1-mile reach of the North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, Kentucky (Ky.), were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Kentucky Silver Jackets and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science website 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 the USGS streamgage on the North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, Ky. (USGS station number 03277500). Near-real-time stages at this streamgage may be obtained on the internet from the USGS National Water Information System at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ or the National Weather Service (NWS) Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) at https://water.weather.gov/ahps/, which also forecasts flood hydrographs at this site (NWS AHPS site HAZK2). NWS AHPS forecast peak stage information may be used in conjunction with the maps developed in this study to show predicted areas of flood inundation.

Flood profiles were computed for the North Fork Kentucky River reach by means of a one-dimensional, step-backwater model developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The hydraulic model was calibrated by using the current stage-discharge relation (USGS rating no. 24.0) at USGS streamgage 03277500, North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, Ky. The calibrated hydraulic model was then used to compute 26 water-surface profiles for flood stages at 1-foot (ft) intervals referenced to the streamgage datum and ranging from approximately bankfull (14 ft) to the highest even-foot increment stage (39 ft) 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 data, to delineate the area flooded at each water level.

The availability of these maps, along with information on the internet regarding current stage from the USGS streamgage at North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, Ky., and forecasted stream stages from the NWS AHPS, provides 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

Boldt, J.A., Lant, J.G., and Kolarik, N.E., 2018, Flood-inundation maps for the North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2018-5122, 12 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185122.

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 North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, Kentucky
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2018-5122
DOI 10.3133/sir20185122
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, 12 p.; Data release
Country United States
State Kentucky
City Hazard
Other Geospatial North Fork Kentucky River
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details