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Scientific Investigations Map 3205

Prepared in Cooperation with the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana

Flood-Inundation Maps for the St. Marys River at Fort Wayne, Indiana

By Chad D. Menke, Moon H. Kim, and Kathleen K. Fowler

Thumbnail of and link to publication contentsAbstract

Digital flood-inundation maps for a 9-mile reach of the St. Marys River that extends from South Anthony Boulevard to Main Street at Fort Wayne, Indiana, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the City of Fort Wayne. The inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science Web site, depict estimates of the areal extent of flooding corresponding to selected water levels (stages) at the USGS streamgage 04182000 St. Marys River near Fort Wayne, Ind. Current conditions at the USGS streamgages in Indiana may be obtained from the National Water Information System: Web Interface. In addition, the information has been provided to the National Weather Service (NWS) for incorporation into their Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) flood warning system. The NWS forecasts flood hydrographs at many places that are often collocated at USGS streamgages. That forecasted peak-stage information, also available on the Internet, may be used in conjunction with the maps developed in this study to show predicted areas of flood inundation.

In this study, water-surface profiles were simulated for the stream reach by means of a hydraulic one-dimensional step-backwater model. The model was calibrated using the most current stage-discharge relation at the USGS streamgage 04182000 St. Marys River near Fort Wayne, Ind. The hydraulic model was then used to simulate 11 water-surface profiles for flood stages at 1-ft intervals referenced to the streamgage datum and ranging from bankfull to approximately 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) in order to delineate the area flooded at each water level. A flood inundation map was generated for each water-surface profile stage (11 maps in all) so that for any given flood stage users will be able to view the estimated area of inundation.

The availability of these maps along with current stage from USGS streamgages and forecasted stream stages from the NWS 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 post flood recovery efforts.


Flood-inundation maps for Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the USGS Streamgage 04182000 on the St. Marys River.
  • Stream stage (in feet):
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
Normal and low resolution PDFs are available for each stream stage.
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 1 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 1 PDF (1.4 MB)
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 2 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 2 PDF (1.4 MB)
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 3 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 3 PDF (1.4 MB)
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 4 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 4 PDF (1.4 MB)
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 5 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 5 PDF (1.4 MB)
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 6 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 6 PDF (1.4 MB)
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 7 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 7 PDF (1.4 MB)
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 8 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 8 PDF (1.4 MB)
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 9 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 9 PDF (1.4 MB)
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 10 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 10 PDF (1.4 MB)
Normal Resolution
Map sheet 11 PDF (16.0 MB)
Low Resolution
Map sheet 11 PDF (1.4 MB)

First posted June 22, 2012

  • Data Files

  • Contains related data, GIS, and map files.
  • Flood-inundation maps

  • For Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the USGS Streamgage 04182000 on the St. Marys River.
    Each sheet PDF is 16.0 MB

    Stream stage of 12 ft, Sheet 1

    Stream stage of 13 ft, Sheet 2

    Stream stage of 14 ft, Sheet 3

    Stream stage of 15 ft, Sheet 4

    Stream stage of 16 ft, Sheet 5

    Stream stage of 17 ft, Sheet 6

    Stream stage of 18 ft, Sheet 7

    Stream stage of 19 ft, Sheet 8

    Stream stage of 20 ft, Sheet 9

    Stream stage of 21 ft, Sheet 10

    Stream stage of 22 ft, Sheet 11

    All eleven map sheets ZIP (174 MB)

  • Low resolution flood-inundation maps
  • Each low-res. sheet PDF is 1.4 MB

    Stream stage of 12 ft, Sheet 1

    Stream stage of 13 ft, Sheet 2

    Stream stage of 14 ft, Sheet 3

    Stream stage of 15 ft, Sheet 4

    Stream stage of 16 ft, Sheet 5

    Stream stage of 17 ft, Sheet 6

    Stream stage of 18 ft, Sheet 7

    Stream stage of 19 ft, Sheet 8

    Stream stage of 20 ft, Sheet 9

    Stream stage of 21 ft, Sheet 10

    Stream stage of 22 ft, Sheet 11

    All low resolution map sheets ZIP (14 MB)

    For additional information contact:

    Director, Indiana Water Science Center
    U.S. Geological Survey
    5957 Lakeside Blvd.
    Indianapolis, IN 46278
    (317) 290-3333
    http://in.water.usgs.gov

    Part of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.


    Suggested citation:

    Menke, C.D., Kim, M.H., and Fowler, K.K., 2012, Flood-inundation maps for the St. Marys River at Fort Wayne, Indiana: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3205, 7 p. pamphlet, 11 sheets, scale 1:36,000.



    Pamphlet Contents

    Abstract

    Introduction

    Purpose and Scope

    Study Area Description

    Previous Studies

    Constructing Water-Surface Profiles

    Hydrologic and Steady Flow Data

    Topographic/Bathymetric Data

    Energy Loss Factors

    Model Calibration and Performance

    Development of Water-Surface Profiles

    Inundation Mapping

    St. Marys River, Indiana Flood-Inundation Maps on the Internet

    Disclaimer for Flood-Inundation Maps

    Uncertainties and Limitations for Use of Flood-Inundation Maps

    Acknowledgments

    Summary

    References Cited

    Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

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