43 points total

Laboratory 9: How are percentage of the ground is covered by

asphalt or concrete that doesn't allow for
Floods Studied? adequate drainage are prone to flood quicker
than more rural areas with soils and
Before Attending Lab This Week... vegetation that allow greater drainage.
...read this introductory material.
Flash Floods (Turn Around Don't Drown®)
Purpose of This Lab Flash floods are floods that occur extremely
Floods are the most common natural quickly, and are usually caused by a
disaster encountered around the world. combination of heavy rainfall and local
More people are killed in floods each year conditions. These floods are often life-
in the U.S than are killed in tornadoes, threatening, especially if people ignore
lightning, or hurricanes. What factors affect warnings from the National Weather Service
whether an area floods? Can they be and local officials.
predicted? How do you know if your area is
at risk? A Flood Watch is issued by the National
Weather Service (weather.gov) and means
Flooding is defined as water that flood conditions could occur. A Flash
overflowing land that is normally dry. It is Flood Warning means flooding is imminent
common along river valleys (such as the or occurring. In that case, immediate action
Brazos), but can occur from hurricane should be taken (e.g. moving to higher
landfall, excessive rain, or the breaking of a ground if you're in a low-lying area). Watches
dam or levee. Some of the worst flooding and warnings are not issued lightly, so please
in recent U.S. history occurred in 2017 in don't ignore them!
Houston, when Hurricane Harvey dumped
nearly 30 inches of rain in the Houston, TX Turn Around Don't Drown® is the
area over a 3 day period. The Mississippi phrase used by the National Weather Service
and Missouri Rivers and their tributaries to warn anyone of the dangers of flash floods.
experienced prolonged rainfall and
excessive snow in late 1992 into 1993, NEVER DRIVE ACROSS A FLOODED
leading to the worst river flooding in U.S. ROADWAY!
history to date.
If you cannot see the road, it is never safe to
Hydrologists are scientists who cross it. This can be especially challenging at
study the effects of water on Earth's night, when visibility is worse.
surface. Stream gauges help record river
levels and the volume of flow (discharge)
to establish historical records used in
predictions and monitoring. Meteorologists
use satellite and weather radar to monitor
the amount of rainfall an area is receiving.

Factors that effect Flooding

There are many factors that
influence whether an area will flood. The
amount of rain an area receives, proximity
to the coast or major river, slope of the
land (topography), soil type, vegetation,
nearby levees or dams, and features that
effect runoff (e.g. asphalt) are all factors
that must be considered. Areas with low Figure 9-1. Most vehicles can be swept
elevation where water can't drain easily are off the road by as little as 6 inches of
more susceptible than areas of higher swift-moving water (from https://nssl/
elevations. Urban areas where a high noaa.gov).

Lab 9: How are Floods Studied?

9-1
You may have heard forecasters or local
emergency officials referring to the 100-
year floodplain. A floodplain is the flat
surface adjacent to rivers where sediment
has accumulated landward of the river
banks. Floodplains may be narrow, only a
few feet in width, or significant (~ 3 miles on
the Mississippi River in Memphis, TN). This
lab will give you a chance to look at data
from multiple specific locations, calculate
the return interval for a 100-year flood, and
determine if any residence is on the 100-
year floodplain.

Important terms
Hydrologist
Stream gauge
Discharge
Topography
Flood Watch
Flash Flood
Flash Flood Warning
Turn Around Don't Drown®
floodplain

References
https://www.fema.gov/flood-zones
https://water.weather.gov/ahps/
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt

Lab 6: How are Floods Studied?

9-2
 Group Project 9-1: Flood plains and topography
You may have seen a topographic map when camping or hiking. These maps indicate
surface elevations and other features (buildings, rivers, and roads). Elevations are indicated by
contour lines, which connect points of equal elevation (brown lines on the map below). Notice
that every 5th line is labeled with the specific elevation (for example, 800 feet). The closer
together the contour lines are, the quicker the elevation is changing. Contour lines that are
further apart indicate a more gentle slope. The contour interval is the vertical elevation
change between each contour line (20 feet for the map below).

Step 1: Topographic map and floodplain of Clifton, Texas

At your station are two maps: a topographic map of Clifton, Texas and a floodplain map of
the same region. Zone A (indicated in blue) on the floodplain map indicates the boundaries of
the 100 year floodplain for the North Bosque River.

If you live in the 100 year flood plain, you are required to have federal flood
insurance. Note: by definition, the 100 year flood plain means in any given year, you have a
1% chance of seeing a flood like the one on the floodplain map.

It DOES NOT MEAN you will only see a flood every 100 years. In addition, you MAY
ALSO see a 100 year flood multiple years in a row. The 100 year floodplain is an average
based on past precipitation records for a specific location. Different rivers or streams will have
different floodplains. You will look (or have looked) at how to calculate the recurrence of the
100 year flood in Group Project 3.

Zone X (indicated in yellow) on the floodplain map indicates locations that are outside the
100 year flood plain. Those locations still MAY flood, given enough precipitation.

The stream gauge is indicated by a star on both maps. This gauge records the stage, or
elevation, of the North Bosque River in feet as well as the discharge in cubic feet per second
(cfs). You will (or have) looked at discharge and river stage in Group Project 2.

Determine the elevation of the contour line adjacent to the North Bosque River and
describe the general topography near the river. Do not include smaller streams that flow
through the city of Clifton. Record your answer on the answer sheet.

Note: It is often challenging for students to understand

contours. See the plot at your table if you need help.

Lab 9: How are Floods Studied?

9-3
Step 2: Stream gauge and topography
The stream gauge for the North Bosque River is at an elevation of 605.43 feet above sea
level. This information is available from both the U.S. Geological Survey (https://
waterdata.usgs.gov/) and the National Weather Service (https://water.weather.gov/).

Initial flood stage for the river is 23 feet, while major flooding occurs at 31 feet. Determine
the elevations on the topographic map for both initial flood stage and major flooding and
indicate your responses on your answer sheet (HINT: remember the elevation of the contour line
you determined in Step 1.

Step 3: Community Implications of Major floods

The record flood for this location was 38.3 feet on December 20th, 1991. Determine
the elevation on the topographic map for a flood of that magnitude. Indicate whether
any community structures (post office, schools, railroad, bridges, or fire stations would
be affected. Answer the related questions on the answer sheet.

Lab 9: How are Floods Studied?

9-4
 7 points on this page
Name: ___________________________ Group No: _______Section: ______________

Answer Sheet 9-1: Flood plains and topography

Step 1:
Contour Line Elevation adjacent to 1 point per blank
North Bosque River

Step 2:
Elevation for initial Elevation for major 1 point per blank
flood stage (feet) flood stage (feet)

Step 3:

Elevation for record 1 point per blank

flood stage (feet)

Questions (1 point each)

1. Would any community structures be affected by record level floods? Include specifics in your answer.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Would you expect structures closer to the river to be impacted more quickly at any flood level that structures
further away? ____________________________________________________________________

3. Discuss any potential issues if community buildings (hospitals, schools, etc.) were located in the
floodplain. ________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Lab 9: How are Floods Studied?

9-5
 Group Project 9-2: River discharge

Step 1: Hydrograph readings

At this station you will find a plot displaying both the stage (elevation) of the
North Bosque River and river discharge in Clifton, TX. This type of plot is called a hydrograph.
As we mentioned in project 9-1, stream gauges are located at a specific elevation with
respect to the local topography and record the stage of a river at locations throughout the
country during both flood and non-flood periods.

The discharge, or flow, of a river measures the volume of water passing through a
channel. The volume of a channel is determined by multiplying the water depth (feet), the
velocity of the river (feet per second) and the width of the channel (feet). Discharge during flood
events will be higher during flood events as a result of changes in these parameters.

Notice on the plot below that the stage is on the left y axis and the flow (discharge) is the
on the 2nd y axis on the right. The local date and time is listed on the x axis.

Record the hydrograph data on your answer sheet from the plot at your table for 1PM
Wednesday, December 8th.

Lab 9: How are Floods Studied?

9-6
Step 2: River Discharge
We mentioned in step 1 the flow or discharge of a river is determined by the water depth, the
velocity of the river, and the width of the channel. We can also express this as the area of
the channel multiplied by the velocity of the river. These parameters change during flood
events and are measured at regular intervals by the U.S. Geologic Survey; they are different
for each river or stream.

Discharge is measure in units of ft3/second, or cubic feet per second (cfs). One cubic foot per
second is equivalent to 7 gallons of water flowing past a particular point in 1 second.

Calculate the discharge of each river in the table given and record your answer on the answer
sheet, then answer the questions. Discharge = area x velocity.

Lab 9: How are Floods Studied?

9-7
 13 points on this page

Name: ___________________________ Group No: _______Section: ______________

Answer Sheet 9-2: River Discharge

Steps 1 & 2:

Station River Stage (feet) River discharge (kcfs)

CTNT2 1 point
per blank

Questions: (2 points each)

1. From the table above, how much more was the discharge from the river with the highest flow to the
one with the lowest flow?

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Do you think the velocity of the river or the Channel width/Area of the river has a greater effect on
the discharge? Discuss your reasons_______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Lab 9: How are Floods Studied?

9-8
 Group Project 9-3: How is Flood Recurrence Calculated?
In Group Project 9-1 you looked at (or will look at) the 100 year flood plain of the North
Bosque River in Clifton, TX. We mentioned that if you live in the 100 year flood plain, you are
required to have federal flood insurance. By definition, the 100 year flood plain means in any
given year, you have a 1% chance of seeing a flood like the one on the floodplain map.

It DOES NOT MEAN you will only see a flood every 100 years. In addition, you MAY
ALSO see a 100 year flood multiple years in a row.

The 100 year floodplain is an average based on past precipitation records for a specific
location.

Different rivers or streams will have different floodplains.

How is the flood interval for a specific river determined? How do you know if your house,
either the one you live in or one you are looking at moving to, is in a floodplain?

Step 1: Peak Flow Readings

Peak flow is the highest level of discharge (in cfs) that occurs in any given year FOR A
SPECIFIC LOCATION. This data is recorded by and available from the U.S. Geological Survey
and the National Weather Service.

These peak flows are ranked in order of decreasing flow, where a rank of 1 indicates the
highest level of flow a river has experienced on record. The recurrence interval (how often a
flood of that magnitude occurs) and the percent chance of that flood occurring in a given year can
then be calculated according to the following formula:

Recurrence interval = (n+1)/rank where n is the total number of years of record

Percent chance = 1/recurrence interval

Calculate the recurrence interval and the percent chance for the data from the North Bosque River in
Clifton and answer the questions. The Clifton location has 94 years of record of peak flow events.

Step 2: Flood zone for BSB and McClane Stadium

Floodplain maps are available from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and
indicate areas that are in the 100 year flood plain (Special Flood Hazard Areas - SFHA). These areas
are generally indicated by blue colors, or you may see a letter indication (zone A or V). Base Flood
Elevation (BFE) indicates the water elevation (usually in feet) above the ground surface for a 100-year
flood.

FEMA's website allows a search by specific address, place, or latitude/longitude coordinates to

determine if an area is in an SFHA as part of the Flood Map Service Center (https://msc.fema.gov/
portal/home). The map service center supports the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and is
the best public source for determining flood risk.

For step 2: Look at the two floodplain maps at your table for the BSB and McClane Stadium
and answer the questions on your answer sheet.

The 100 year flood plain is indicated by a blue color, or you may see a letter indication (zone A,
AE, or V). Zone V indicates areas prone to coastal flooding. Regulatory floodways (e.g. managed
rivers or other bodies of water) are indicated by striped areas.

The 500 year flood plain (0.2% chance for an annual flood) is indicated in brown.

Lab 9: How are Floods Studied?

9-9
 15 points on this page

Name: ___________________________ Group No: _______Section: ______________

Answer Sheet 9-3: How is Flood Recurrence Calculated?

Step 1: 1 point per line

Step 2: 1 point per blank

Flood zone for

Flood zone for BSB
McLane Stadium

Questions: (1 point each)

1. If a river had a short record of peak flow events (e.g. less than 20 years), would that be a reliable
indicator of future flood events? Discuss your reasons.

_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Discuss whether the flood zone for the BSB surprised you in terms of proximity from the Brazos
River. ________________________________________________________________________

3. Does it seem reasonable that larger floods tend to occur less frequently and smaller floods occur
more often? Discuss your reasons. __________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Lab 9: How are Floods Studied?

9-10
 Name: ___________________________ Group No: _______Section: ______________

Answer Sheet 9-4: Stream Table

In project 2 you looked at (or will look at) the concept of discharge. Discharge of a
river is determined by the water depth, the velocity of the river, and the width of the channel.

Discharge is measure in units of ft3/second, or cubic feet per second (cfs). One cubic
foot per second is equivalent to 7 gallons of water flowing past a particular point in 1 second.

In this project, you will have a chance to interact with a stream table and investigate
changes to stream flow with increasing discharge, where erosion and deposition occur, and
the development of meander bends.

This model contains plastic sediment which is all the same size and density.

9-11
 8 points on this page
Name: ___________________________ Group No: _______Section: ______________

Answer Sheet 9-4: Stream Table

Watch the stream table model after your TA sets it up and answer the
following questions: 2 points per question

1) Describe what happens to the sediment as the model is turned on. Do you see any
meander bends developing? ____________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2) Once a meander bend develops, where is the erosion (inside or outside of the bend)?
Where is the deposition occurring? _______________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

3) Describe what is happening at the base of the model.

4) Discuss the possible issues with building a house close to the edge of the stream banks.

9-12