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Floods

Monitoring Potential Flood Hazards

To help emergency managers and others prepare for floods, the USGS delivers a continuous source of streamflow information that provides the scientific basis for decision-making related to protection of life and property from water hazards. The USGS California Water Science Center maintains a network of nearly 500 streamgages that monitor hydrologic conditions throughout the State. Core data collected at streamgages are surface water levels that are used to determine the amount of water flowing in a river or stream. The USGS uses streamgage data to provide flood-warning alerts when surface water levels change rapidly, or reach flood-stage levels, which can signify potential hazardous conditions for downstream locations.

Winter Weather: La Nina

La Nina (translated from Spanish as "little girl") is a natural ocean-atmospheric phenomenon marked by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean near the equator. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a wintertime La Nina climate pattern is in place for Winter 2017/2018, and there is a 50-percent chance it will affect the United States well into Spring 2018. Typically, La Nina climatic patterns include cooler, wetter weather in the northern United States, and warmer, drier weather in the southern states.

In California, La Nina usually brings drier and warmer conditions to Southern California. For Winter 2017/2017, NOAA's temperature and precipitation outlooks suggest climate patterns resembling those of a weaker La Nina. Less-than-normal precipitation over an extended period of time can contribute to water-supply problems and potential drought.

Related

Winter Weather in California Keeps CAWSC Field Crews Busy
Stormy weather: How the USGS goes to work monitoring its effects
Overview of the ARkStorm scenario
Anticipating the Environmental and Environmental-Health Implications of Extreme Storms: ARkStorm Scenario

Filter Total Items: 9

Basin Characterization Model - Simulating Effects of Iowa Soil Management on Water Availability

As a result of climate change, heavy rainfall, as well as extended dry periods, are becoming more common in the Midwestern United States. These trends are only expected to continue. So, increasing the capacity of soil to store water has become more critical. Storing water increases availability in dry conditions. And the absorption of additional water in wet conditions reduces potential flooding...
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Basin Characterization Model - Simulating Effects of Iowa Soil Management on Water Availability

As a result of climate change, heavy rainfall, as well as extended dry periods, are becoming more common in the Midwestern United States. These trends are only expected to continue. So, increasing the capacity of soil to store water has become more critical. Storing water increases availability in dry conditions. And the absorption of additional water in wet conditions reduces potential flooding...
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Soil Stratigraphy and Erosion Potential on the American and Sacramento Rivers

Much of the Sacramento region is protected from flooding by levees constructed on the American and Sacramento Rivers, which join near downtown Sacramento before flowing to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
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Soil Stratigraphy and Erosion Potential on the American and Sacramento Rivers

Much of the Sacramento region is protected from flooding by levees constructed on the American and Sacramento Rivers, which join near downtown Sacramento before flowing to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
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Climate Ready Vulnerability Assessment

To create a framework for adapting to climate change, decision makers need to understand specific threats to our water supply, land use suitability, hazard risks, ecosystems and quality of life. A vulnerability assessment that defines the projected degree to which an ecosystem, landscape, or watershed is vulnerable to change will help to create this framework. Presently those who are open to...
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Climate Ready Vulnerability Assessment

To create a framework for adapting to climate change, decision makers need to understand specific threats to our water supply, land use suitability, hazard risks, ecosystems and quality of life. A vulnerability assessment that defines the projected degree to which an ecosystem, landscape, or watershed is vulnerable to change will help to create this framework. Presently those who are open to...
Learn More

California Streamgage Information

To help emergency managers and others protect life and property due to floods and other water-related hazards, the USGS delivers a continuous source of streamflow information. The U.S. Geological Survey has been measuring streamflow in the U.S. for over 120 years. We operate more than 7,500 streamgages in the U.S. and nearly 500 in California that collect data to determine the amount of water...
link

California Streamgage Information

To help emergency managers and others protect life and property due to floods and other water-related hazards, the USGS delivers a continuous source of streamflow information. The U.S. Geological Survey has been measuring streamflow in the U.S. for over 120 years. We operate more than 7,500 streamgages in the U.S. and nearly 500 in California that collect data to determine the amount of water...
Learn More

California Flood Science

To help emergency managers and others protect life and property due to floods and other water-related hazards, the USGS delivers a continuous source of streamflow information. The USGS California Water Science Center maintains nearly 500 streamgages that collect data to determine the amount of water flowing in rivers and streams in California. Automatic alerts are transmitted when water levels...
link

California Flood Science

To help emergency managers and others protect life and property due to floods and other water-related hazards, the USGS delivers a continuous source of streamflow information. The USGS California Water Science Center maintains nearly 500 streamgages that collect data to determine the amount of water flowing in rivers and streams in California. Automatic alerts are transmitted when water levels...
Learn More

San Joaquin-Sacramento Basin Rain Flood Duration Skew Study

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is conducting a hydrologic analysis of floodplain areas protected by the federal-state levee system within the San Joaquin-Sacramento drainage basins.
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San Joaquin-Sacramento Basin Rain Flood Duration Skew Study

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is conducting a hydrologic analysis of floodplain areas protected by the federal-state levee system within the San Joaquin-Sacramento drainage basins.
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Sedimentation in the Lower Laguna-Mark West Drainage

The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) and the San Francisco District office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CORPS) have identified issues associated with sedimentation in the lower Laguna de Santa Rosa and Mark West Creek in Sonoma County. Human activities in the watershed over the last 200 years have accelerated erosion and sediment delivery to the Laguna reducing the water storage capacity...
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Sedimentation in the Lower Laguna-Mark West Drainage

The Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) and the San Francisco District office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CORPS) have identified issues associated with sedimentation in the lower Laguna de Santa Rosa and Mark West Creek in Sonoma County. Human activities in the watershed over the last 200 years have accelerated erosion and sediment delivery to the Laguna reducing the water storage capacity...
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Post-Fire Flooding and Debris Flow

Fast-moving, highly destructive debris flows triggered by intense rainfall are one of the most dangerous post-fire hazards. The risk of floods and debris flows after fires increases due to vegetation loss and soil exposure. Cases of sudden and deadly debris flow are well documented along the western United States, particularly in Southern California. These flows are a risk to life and property...
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Post-Fire Flooding and Debris Flow

Fast-moving, highly destructive debris flows triggered by intense rainfall are one of the most dangerous post-fire hazards. The risk of floods and debris flows after fires increases due to vegetation loss and soil exposure. Cases of sudden and deadly debris flow are well documented along the western United States, particularly in Southern California. These flows are a risk to life and property...
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Assessing Deposit Build-up in Corte Madera Flood Control Channel

The Corte Madera Flood Control Channel was designed to prevent waters from overflowing Corte Madera Creek in a highly populated area of Marin County. Since the channel was last dredged in 1990 approximately 5,400 cubic feet of sediment has accumulated. The accumulation of sediment is of concern because the sediment may reduce the effectiveness of the channel, posing a flooding threat to...
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Assessing Deposit Build-up in Corte Madera Flood Control Channel

The Corte Madera Flood Control Channel was designed to prevent waters from overflowing Corte Madera Creek in a highly populated area of Marin County. Since the channel was last dredged in 1990 approximately 5,400 cubic feet of sediment has accumulated. The accumulation of sediment is of concern because the sediment may reduce the effectiveness of the channel, posing a flooding threat to...
Learn More