Contact: Scott Morlock, 317-290-3333, ext. 153
Wabash River at Mt. Carmel Real-Time Data:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/in/nwis/uv/?site_no=03377500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010
Indiana Real-Time Data: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/in/nwis/rt
Indiana Flood Page: http://in.water.usgs.gov/flood/
Tuesday, January 11, 2005: Automated equipment at the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) streamflow-gaging station Wabash at Mt. Carmel today recorded a historic
river level of 33.38 feet--the highest river level measured since the 1913 flood
peak of 33.00 feet. The 33.08 level was recorded at 3:00 am on January 11 and
the river was still rising. This level is the highest in the history of this
station (records date back to 1875). The Wabash River at the Mt. Carmel station
has a drainage area of more than 28,000 square miles that drains a significant
part of Indiana.
The historic flood level is the culmination of a week of flooding caused by
heavy rains during the first 5 days of the new year. This round of flooding
resulted in and resulted in major flooding on the Big Blue River, East Fork White River, and lower White River.
While flood levels have been near historic levels, streamflows or discharges
during this flood have been significantly less than the 1913 flood. For example,
today for the Wabash at Mt. Carmel station, the streamflow associated with a
level of 33.00 feet is 250,000 cubic feet per second--while in 1913, the
streamflow associated with a level of 33.00 feet was about 428,000 cubic feet
per second. This means that it takes less water today to produce 1913 flood
levels, mostly because levees built since 1913 constrict the flow and cause
higher levels. This is true for other rivers, such as the lower White River and
East Fork White River.
While the floods ravage Indiana communities, USGS hydrographers race to document
the flood-water levels. The hydrographers measure the river stage and flow to
provide data for river forecasters, engineers, and emergency managers who rely
on the USGS Indiana data network of 163 streamflow-gaging stations. The network
is funded in a cooperative program of federal, State, and local agencies.
Many of those 163 stations are equipped to transmit real-time stage and
streamflow data. Transmitted data are received by National Weather Service
personnel who use the data to prepare forecasts and warnings--a key element in
protecting lives and property.
During times of high water, USGS hydrographers verify the streamflow-gaging data
that is collected electronically and transmitted by the gaging station.
Hydrographers verify the data by making stream measurements on site--thus, the
race to document high water. USGS streamflow-measurement teams are using
state-of-the-art acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) to make accurate
streamflow measurements quickly and safely. The ADCPs are deployed from unmanned
tethered boats and transmit data to hydrologists using radio modems on shore.
This technology is described online at: http://in.water.usgs.gov/hydroacoustics/adcpuses.shtml
The streamflow-gaging-station network makes it possible for government agencies,
private industry, and the general public to monitor streamflow conditions across
Indiana during all types of weather. Some of the USGS gaging stations provide
information needed in the design of dams, bridges, and water- and
wastewater-treatment plants.
The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to
describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from
natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and
enhance and protect our quality of life. To receive USGS news releases go to
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