Flood of July 21, 1975 in Mercer County, New Jersey
Water-Resources Investigations Report
51-75
Prepared in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
By: Stephen J. Stankowski, Robert D. Schopp, and Anthony J. Velnich
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Abstract
Intense rainfall during the evening of July 20 and early morning hours of July 21, 1975 caused flooding of unprecedented magnitude in highly urbanized Mercer County, New Jersey. Over 6 inches (152 millimetres) of rainfall was recorded during a 10-hour period at Trenton, the capital of New Jersey. No lives were lost but damages to highways and bridges, to industrial, business, and residential buildings, to farmlands and crops, and to water supply systems were severe. This report illustrates the magnitude of the flood and provides hydrologic data needed for planning and design to control or lessen damages from future floods. It includes discussions of the antecedent conditions and meteorological aspects of the storm; a description of the flood and comparison to previous floods; a summary of flood stages and discharges; a discussion of flood frequency; and photomosaics which show inundated areas. More than 200 high-water marks are described as to location and elevation above mean sea level.
Suggested Citation
Stankowski, S.J., Schopp, R.D., Velnich, A.J., 1975, Flood of July 21, 1975 in Mercer County, New Jersey: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 51-75, vi, 69 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri5175.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Flood of July 21, 1975 in Mercer County, New Jersey |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 51-75 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri5175 |
| Year Published | 1975 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | New Jersey Water Science Center |
| Description | vi, 69 p. |
| Time Range Start | 1975-07-20 |
| Time Range End | 1975-07-21 |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Mercer |
| City | Trenton |
| Other Geospatial | Delaware River;Assunpink Creek |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |