Flood frequency in Wisconsin Active
Flood-frequency estimates are required at many sites for bridge and culvert design, as well as for flood-plain management and flood-insurance studies. To estimate flood frequency at ungaged locations, a network of approximately 90 crest-stage gages and more than 200 past and current continuous-record gages are used to compute regional flood-frequency equations to estimate floods at ungaged sites.
Flood-frequency estimates are required at many sites for bridge and culvert design, as well as for flood-plain management and flood-insurance studies. However, most sites for which such estimates are required do not have records of flood peaks. This effort seeks to create flood frequency estimates for ungaged streams based on regional algorithms developed from a state-wide monitoring network.
The objectives of this study are to:
- Operate a state-wide network of crest gages to obtain ongoing information on flood peaks
- Develop improved regression equations for the state of Wisconsin
- Analyze and improve the network of crest-stage gages to obtain better data for developing improved regression equations.
A network of approximately 90 crest-stage gages will be maintained to gather flood peak information, especially on streams with small drainage areas. A crest-stage gage consists of equipment designed to capture maximum gage-heights between visits. The equipment is inexpensive and the gages can be operated at a much lower cost than continuous-record gaging stations. Crest-stage gages can only be used to determine the annual maximum gage height and discharge at a site. The information on annual flood peaks will be used to compute flood-frequency at these sites. Periodically, the expanded information on flood frequency at streams throughout the state will be used to compute regional flood frequency equations to estimate flood-frequency at ungaged sites.
The results and data from the most recent flood-frequency estimates are available online and through a publication.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Bridge scour monitoring methods at three sites in Wisconsin
Simulation of temporal changes in rainfall-runoff characteristics, Coon Creek basin, Wisconsin
Techniques for estimating magnitude and frequency of floods for Wisconsin streams
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Flood-frequency estimates are required at many sites for bridge and culvert design, as well as for flood-plain management and flood-insurance studies. To estimate flood frequency at ungaged locations, a network of approximately 90 crest-stage gages and more than 200 past and current continuous-record gages are used to compute regional flood-frequency equations to estimate floods at ungaged sites.
Flood-frequency estimates are required at many sites for bridge and culvert design, as well as for flood-plain management and flood-insurance studies. However, most sites for which such estimates are required do not have records of flood peaks. This effort seeks to create flood frequency estimates for ungaged streams based on regional algorithms developed from a state-wide monitoring network.
The objectives of this study are to:
- Operate a state-wide network of crest gages to obtain ongoing information on flood peaks
- Develop improved regression equations for the state of Wisconsin
- Analyze and improve the network of crest-stage gages to obtain better data for developing improved regression equations.
A network of approximately 90 crest-stage gages will be maintained to gather flood peak information, especially on streams with small drainage areas. A crest-stage gage consists of equipment designed to capture maximum gage-heights between visits. The equipment is inexpensive and the gages can be operated at a much lower cost than continuous-record gaging stations. Crest-stage gages can only be used to determine the annual maximum gage height and discharge at a site. The information on annual flood peaks will be used to compute flood-frequency at these sites. Periodically, the expanded information on flood frequency at streams throughout the state will be used to compute regional flood frequency equations to estimate flood-frequency at ungaged sites.
The results and data from the most recent flood-frequency estimates are available online and through a publication.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Bridge scour monitoring methods at three sites in Wisconsin
Of the nearly 11,500 bridges in Wisconsin, 89 have been assessed with critical scour conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Marathon County Highway Department, and the Jefferson County Highway Department, performed routine monitoring of streambed elevations for three bridges. Two monitoring approaches were employed: (1) manual moAuthorsJohn F. Walker, Peter E. HughesSimulation of temporal changes in rainfall-runoff characteristics, Coon Creek basin, Wisconsin
Stream flow for 67 years was simulated for Coon Creek at Coon Valley, Wisconsin, for three conditions in the drainage basin: (1) conditions in the 1930s; (2) conditions in the 1970s, excluding flood-detention reservoirs; and (3) conditions in the 1970s, including flood-detention reservoirs. These simulations showed that the changes in agricultural practices over 40 years (1940-80) reduced the 100-AuthorsW. R. KrugTechniques for estimating magnitude and frequency of floods for Wisconsin streams
This report provides improved methods for estimating the magnitude and frequency of floods for Wisconsin streams. Proper design of hydraulic structures and adequate flood-plain management depend on this information. Multiple-regression techniques were used to develop equations for estimating flood frequencies at ungaged sites. The State is divided into five areas and has equations developed for eaAuthorsDuane H. Conger - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.