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Simulated peak flows and water-surface profiles for Scott Creek near Sylva, North Carolina

Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4226
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri964226

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Abstract

Peak flows were simulated for Scott Creek, just upstream from Sylva, in Jackson County, North Carolina, in order to provide Jackson County officials with information that can be used to improve preparation for and response to flash floods along the reach of Scott Creek that flows through Sylva. A U.S. Geological Survey rainfall-runoff model was calibrated using observed rainfall and streamflow data collected from March 1994 through September 1995. Standard errors for calibration were 34 percent for runoff volumes and 21 percent for peak flows. The calibrated model was used to simulate peak flows resulting from syn- thetic rainfall amounts of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 inches in 24-hour periods. For each rainfall amount, peak flows were simulated under low-, moderate-, and high-antecedent soil-moisture conditions, represented by selected 3-month periods of daily rainfall and evaporation record from nearby climatic-data measuring stations. Simulated peak flows ranged from 89 to 10,100 cubic feet per second. Profiles of water-surface elevations for selected observed and simu- lated peak flows were computed for the reach of Scott Creek that flows through Sylva, North Carolina. The profiles were computed using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers HEC-2 Water Surface Profiles computer program and channel cross-section data collected by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The stage-discharge relation for Scott Creek at the simulation site has changed since the collection of the cross-section data. These changes, however, are such that the water-surface profiles presented in this report likely overestimate the true water-surface elevations at the simulation site for a given peak flow

Suggested Citation

Pope, B., 1996, Simulated peak flows and water-surface profiles for Scott Creek near Sylva, North Carolina: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4226, iv, 15 p. :ill., map ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri964226.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Simulated peak flows and water-surface profiles for Scott Creek near Sylva, North Carolina
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 96-4226
DOI 10.3133/wri964226
Year Published 1996
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey ; Information Services [distributor],
Contributing office(s) South Atlantic Water Science Center
Description iv, 15 p. :ill., map ;28 cm.
Country United States
State North Carolina
County Jackson County
City Sylva
Other Geospatial Scott Creek
Additional publication details