This picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north from Grand Forks, ND. You can see flooded I-29 and the isolated town of Oslo, MN.
Robert Holmes, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, F.EWRI, D.WRE (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs)
Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network
USGS Flood Event Viewer: Providing Hurricane and Flood Response Data
Historical Flooding
South Carolina Flood Frequency Q&A
June 2014 floods in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa
Hurricane Sandy: Tracking Water Levels
Hurricane Matthew: Flood Resources and Tools
Floods and Recurrence Intervals
Dynamic stage to discharge rating model archive
Dynamic rating method for computing discharge from time series stage data-Site datasets
Multi-Agency Gage Height and Discharge Datasets for Selected Streamgages on the Missouri River from 10/01/1936 to 12/31/2018
Dynamic rating method for computing discharge from time-series stage data
Influence of hydropower outflow characteristics affecting riverbank stability: The lower Osage River case (Missouri, USA)
Riverbank stability assessment of lower Osage River during hydro-peak flow events: The lower Osage River case (Missouri, USA)
Flooding in the southern Midwestern United States, April–May 2017
River rating complexity
Streamflow data
Examination of flood characteristics at selected streamgages in the Meramec River Basin, eastern Missouri, December 2015–January 2016
Transport of atrazine versus bromide and δO18 in sand
Preliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages for flooding in the central and southeastern United States during December 2015 and January 2016
Map visualization of groundwater withdrawals at the sub-basin scale
Identifying and preserving high-water mark data
Streamflow data
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
This picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north from Grand Forks, ND. You can see flooded I-29 and the isolated town of Oslo, MN.
This picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north from Grand Forks, ND. You can see flooded I-29 and the isolated town of Oslo, MN.
This picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north from Grand Forks, ND. You can see flooded I-29 and the isolated town of Oslo, MN.
This picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north at Oslo, MN.
This picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north at Oslo, MN.
Overland flooding on Interstate 29 in North Dakota caused by the Red River of the North (nearest town Oslo, Minnesota). This photograph was taken by the USGS National Flood Hazard Coordinator in one of the last small vehicles to drive on this stretch of the Interstate. About 15 minutes later, the North Dakota State Highway Patrol closed a stretch of the
Overland flooding on Interstate 29 in North Dakota caused by the Red River of the North (nearest town Oslo, Minnesota). This photograph was taken by the USGS National Flood Hazard Coordinator in one of the last small vehicles to drive on this stretch of the Interstate. About 15 minutes later, the North Dakota State Highway Patrol closed a stretch of the
This picture was taken from the top of the Oslo, MN exit looking southwest, on April 13, 2011.
This picture was taken from the top of the Oslo, MN exit looking southwest, on April 13, 2011.
Looking at the Sorlie Bridge at Grand Forks, ND from downstream.
Looking at the Sorlie Bridge at Grand Forks, ND from downstream.
Science and Products
- Science
Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs)
Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs) are fully-functional streamgages designed to be deployed quickly and temporarily to measure and transmit stream stage data in emergency situations.Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network
During large coastal storms, the storm surge and waves are the main cause of destruction and landscape change, transporting saline water, sediment, and debris inland. The USGS, in collaboration with stakeholders, has constructed a national Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network for the Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Central Pacific. SWaTH monitors and documents the height, extent, and...USGS Flood Event Viewer: Providing Hurricane and Flood Response Data
During large, short-term floods, the USGS collects additional data to help document these high-water events. This data is uploaded to the USGS Short-Term Network (STN) for long-term archival, and served out to the public through the USGS Flood Event Viewer (FEV) which provides convenient, map-based access to storm-surge and other event-based data.Historical Flooding
The USGS provides practical, unbiased information about the Nation's rivers and streams that is crucial in mitigating hazards associated with floods. This site provides information about the USGS activities, data, and services provided during regional high-flow events, such as hurricanes or multi-state flooding events. The USGS response to these events is typically managed by the National Flood...South Carolina Flood Frequency Q&A
In 2015, Dr. Robert Holmes, USGS National Flood Hazard Coordinator, took time to discuss some issues related to the flooding in South Carolina following the Appalachian Floods and Hurricane Joaquin.June 2014 floods in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa
Learn more about USGS flood activities related to the June 2014 Floods in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.Hurricane Sandy: Tracking Water Levels
During and after Hurricane Sandy, the USGS monitored water levels, storm tide, wave height, and high-water marks at over 224 locations. This information helps the USGS and its partners track the storm and respond to the most-impacted areas.Hurricane Matthew: Flood Resources and Tools
During and after Hurricane Matthew, the USGS made flood-flow measurements, maintained streamgages, deployed over 390 instruments, and developed geospatial products to measure and communicate the extent of coastal and inland flooding.Floods and Recurrence Intervals
A major storm or hurricane hits your area and on the radio you hear reference to a "100-year flood". But what exactly is a "100-year flood"? The term "100-year flood" is often used to describe a flood of great magnitude, but there is a lot more to it. - Data
Dynamic stage to discharge rating model archive
Ratings are used for a variety of reasons in water-resources investigations. The simplest rating relates discharge to the stage of the river. From a pure hydrodynamics perspective, all rivers and streams have some form of hysteresis in the relation between stage and discharge because of unsteady flow as a flood wave passes. Simple ratings are unable to represent hysteresis in a stage/discharge relDynamic rating method for computing discharge from time series stage data-Site datasets
Ratings are used for a variety of reasons in water-resources investigations. The simplest rating relates discharge to the stage of the river. From a pure hydrodynamics perspective, all rivers and streams have some form of hysteresis in the relation between stage and discharge because of unsteady flow as a flood wave passes. Simple ratings are unable to represent hysteresis in a stage/discharge relMulti-Agency Gage Height and Discharge Datasets for Selected Streamgages on the Missouri River from 10/01/1936 to 12/31/2018
This dataset includes data for 12 selected streamgages on the Missouri River from 10/01/1936 through 12/31/2018. The data include time series of gage height at the following U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages: 06601200 Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska 06609100 Missouri River at Blair, Nebraska 06805600 Missouri River at Plattsmouth, Nebraska 06810070 Missouri River at Brownville, Nebrask - Publications
Filter Total Items: 101
Dynamic rating method for computing discharge from time-series stage data
Ratings are used for a variety of reasons in water-resources investigations. The simplest rating relates discharge to the stage of the river. From a pure hydrodynamics perspective, all rivers and streams have some form of hysteresis in the relation between stage and discharge because of unsteady flow as a flood wave passes. Simple ratings are unable to represent hysteresis in a stage/discharge relAuthorsMarian M. Domanski, Robert R. Holmes, Elizabeth N. HealInfluence of hydropower outflow characteristics affecting riverbank stability: The lower Osage River case (Missouri, USA)
This research examined the influences of outflow characteristics affecting riverbank stability. The 130 km stretch of the lower Osage River downstream from Bagnell Dam (Missouri, USA) provided an excellent case study for this purpose. The integrated BSTEM model with the HEC-RAS model was accurately calibrated and validated with data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Then, the outflow charactAuthorsWesam Mohammed-Ali, Cesar Mendoza, Robert R. HolmesRiverbank stability assessment of lower Osage River during hydro-peak flow events: The lower Osage River case (Missouri, USA)
The fluctuation of water level downstream from dams due to hydropower flow releases can negatively affect riverbank stability. This research aims to investigate riverbank instability resulting from the outflow variation of hydropower plants, using Bagnell Dam and the lower Osage River (Missouri, USA) as the basis of analysis. The effects of the water releases from the Bagnell Dam were investigatedAuthorsWesam Mohammed-Ali, Cesar Mendoza, Robert R. HolmesFlooding in the southern Midwestern United States, April–May 2017
Excessive rainfall resulted in flooding on numerous rivers throughout the southern Midwestern United States (southern Midwest) in late April and early May of 2017. The heaviest rainfall, between April 28 and 30, resulted in extensive flooding from eastern Oklahoma to southern Indiana including parts of Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.Peak-of-record streamflows were set at 21 U.S. Geological SurveAuthorsDavid C. Heimann, Robert R. Holmes, Thomas E. HarrisRiver rating complexity
Accuracy of streamflow data depends on the veracity of the rating model used to derive a continuous time series of discharge from the surrogate variables that can readily be collected autonomously at a streamgage. Ratings are typically represented as a simple monotonic increasing function (simple rating), meaning the discharge is a function of stage alone, however this is never truly the case unleAuthorsRobert R. HolmesStreamflow data
Streamflow data are vital for a variety of water-resources issues, from flood warning to water supply planning. The collection of streamflow data is usually an involved and complicated process. This chapter serves as an overview of the streamflow data collection process. Readers with the need for the detailed information on the streamflow data collection process are referred to the many referencesAuthorsGregg J. Wiche, Robert R. HolmesExamination of flood characteristics at selected streamgages in the Meramec River Basin, eastern Missouri, December 2015–January 2016
OverviewHeavy rainfall resulted in major flooding in the Meramec River Basin in eastern Missouri during late December 2015 through early January 2016. Cumulative rainfall from December 14 to 29, 2015, ranged from 7.6 to 12.3 inches at selected precipitation stations in the basin with flooding driven by the heaviest precipitation (3.9–9.7 inches) between December 27 and 29, 2015. Financial losses fAuthorsRobert R. Holmes, Todd A. Koenig, Paul H. Rydlund, David C. HeimannTransport of atrazine versus bromide and δO18 in sand
The objective of this research was to determine the process of atrazine transport compared to bromide and δO18 transport in sands near Denver. Three 1.5 × 2 × 1.5-m plots were installed and allowed to equilibrate for 2 years before research initiation and were instrumented with 1.5 × 2-m zero-tension pan lysimeters installed at 1.5-m depths. Additionally, each plot was instrumented with suction lyAuthorsJames A. Tindall, Michael J. FriedelPreliminary peak stage and streamflow data at selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages for flooding in the central and southeastern United States during December 2015 and January 2016
Flooding occurred in the central and southeastern United States during December 2015 and January 2016. The flooding was the result of more than 20 inches of rain falling in a 19 day period from December 12 to December 31, 2015. U.S. Geological Survey streamgages recorded 23 peaks of record during the subsequent flooding, with a total of 172 streamgages recording peaks that ranked in the top 5 allAuthorsRobert R. Holmes, Kara M. Watson, Thomas E. HarrisMap visualization of groundwater withdrawals at the sub-basin scale
A simple method is proposed to visualize the magnitude of groundwater withdrawals from wells relative to user-defined water-resource metrics. The map is solely an illustration of the withdrawal magnitudes, spatially centered on wells—it is not capture zones or source areas contributing recharge to wells. Common practice is to scale the size (area) of withdrawal well symbols proportional to pumpingAuthorsDaniel J. GoodeIdentifying and preserving high-water mark data
High-water marks provide valuable data for understanding recent and historical flood events. The proper collection and recording of high-water mark data from perishable and preserved evidence informs flood assessments, research, and water resource management. Given the high cost of flooding in developed areas, experienced hydrographers, using the best available techniques, can contribute high-qualAuthorsTodd A. Koenig, Jennifer L. Bruce, Jim O'Connor, Benton D. McGee, Robert R. Holmes, Ryan Hollins, Brandon T. Forbes, Michael S. Kohn, Mathew Schellekens, Zachary W. Martin, Marie C. PepplerStreamflow data
The importance of streamflow data to the world’s economy, environmental health, and public safety continues to grow as the population increases. The collection of streamflow data is often an involved and complicated process. The quality of streamflow data hinges on such things as site selection, instrumentation selection, streamgage maintenance and quality assurance, proper discharge measurement tAuthorsRobert R. HolmesNon-USGS Publications**
Watson, Chester C., Holmes, Jr., R.R., and Biedenharn, D.S..,2013, Mississippi River Streamflow Measurement Techniques at St. Louis, Missouri, Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 139 (10), pp 1062-1070**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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Looking North of Grand Forks
This picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north from Grand Forks, ND. You can see flooded I-29 and the isolated town of Oslo, MN.
This picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north from Grand Forks, ND. You can see flooded I-29 and the isolated town of Oslo, MN.
Looking North of Grand ForksThis picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north from Grand Forks, ND. You can see flooded I-29 and the isolated town of Oslo, MN.
This picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north from Grand Forks, ND. You can see flooded I-29 and the isolated town of Oslo, MN.
Looking North at Olso, MNThis picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north at Oslo, MN.
This picture was taken from a airplane flying out of Grand Forks on April 14, 2011. Looking north at Oslo, MN.
2011 Interstate 29 Flooding in North DakotaOverland flooding on Interstate 29 in North Dakota caused by the Red River of the North (nearest town Oslo, Minnesota). This photograph was taken by the USGS National Flood Hazard Coordinator in one of the last small vehicles to drive on this stretch of the Interstate. About 15 minutes later, the North Dakota State Highway Patrol closed a stretch of the
Overland flooding on Interstate 29 in North Dakota caused by the Red River of the North (nearest town Oslo, Minnesota). This photograph was taken by the USGS National Flood Hazard Coordinator in one of the last small vehicles to drive on this stretch of the Interstate. About 15 minutes later, the North Dakota State Highway Patrol closed a stretch of the
Looking Southeast from OsloThis picture was taken from the top of the Oslo, MN exit looking southwest, on April 13, 2011.
This picture was taken from the top of the Oslo, MN exit looking southwest, on April 13, 2011.
Sorlie Bridge FloodedLooking at the Sorlie Bridge at Grand Forks, ND from downstream.
Looking at the Sorlie Bridge at Grand Forks, ND from downstream.