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Determination of the 100-year flood plain on Upper Three Runs and selected tributaries, and the Savannah River at the Savannah River site, South Carolina, 1995

Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4014
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri964014

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Abstract

The 100-year flood plain was determined for Upper Three Runs, its tributaries, and the part of the Savannah River that borders the Savannah River Site. The results are provided in tabular and graphical formats. The 100-year flood-plain maps and flood profiles provide water-resource managers of the Savannah River Site with a technical basis for making flood-plain management decisions that could minimize future flood problems and provide a basis for designing and constructing drainage structures along roadways. A hydrologic analysis was made to estimate the 100-year recurrence- interval flow for Upper Three Runs and its tributaries. The analysis showed that the well-drained, sandy soils in the head waters of Upper Three Runs reduce the high flows in the stream; therefore, the South Carolina upper Coastal Plain regional-rural-regression equation does not apply for Upper Three Runs. Conse- quently, a relation was established for 100-year recurrence-interval flow and drainage area using streamflow data from U.S. Geological Survey gaging stations on Upper Three Runs. This relation was used to compute 100-year recurrence-interval flows at selected points along the stream. The regional regression equations were applicable for the tributaries to Upper Three Runs, because the soil types in the drainage basins of the tributaries resemble those normally occurring in upper Coastal Plain basins. This was verified by analysis of the flood-frequency data collected from U.S. Geological Survey gaging station 02197342 on Fourmile Branch. Cross sections were surveyed throughout each reach, and other pertinent data such as flow resistance and land-use were col- lected. The surveyed cross sections and computed 100-year recurrence-interval flows were used in a step-backwater model to compute the 100-year flood profile for Upper Three Runs and its tributaries. The profiles were used to delineate the 100-year flood plain on topographic maps. The Savannah River forms the southwestern border of the Savannah River Site. Data from previously published reports were used to delineate the 100-year flood plain for the Savannah River from the downstream site boundary at the mouth of Lower Three Runs at river mile 125 to the upstream site boundary at river mile 163.

Suggested Citation

Lanier, T.H., 1996, Determination of the 100-year flood plain on Upper Three Runs and selected tributaries, and the Savannah River at the Savannah River site, South Carolina, 1995: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4014, Report: v, 65 p.; 3 Plates: 41.59 x 34.10 inches or smaller, https://doi.org/10.3133/wri964014.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Determination of the 100-year flood plain on Upper Three Runs and selected tributaries, and the Savannah River at the Savannah River site, South Carolina, 1995
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 96-4014
DOI 10.3133/wri964014
Year Published 1996
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) South Atlantic Water Science Center
Description Report: v, 65 p.; 3 Plates: 41.59 x 34.10 inches or smaller
Country United States
State South Carolina
City Aiken
Other Geospatial Savannah River, Upper Three Runs
Additional publication details