U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
News Release
Upon Receipt Scott Morlock 317-716-8412 smorlock@xxxxxxxx
January 11, 2008
USGS Sends Crews in Indiana to Measure Flooding
New Records Set at Tippecanoe and Kankakee River Gages
Reporters: Want to accompany a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) field crew as they measure flooding? Please contact Scott Morlock, 317-716-8412.
During January 7th and 8th, moderate to heavy rains fell on soils already saturated from snowmelt in northern Indiana, causing significant flooding on rivers and streams. By January 11, 38 Indiana streamgages had recorded water levels above flood stage. New record stages were measured on the Tippecanoe River in north-central Indiana and Kankakee River in northwest Indiana. The Tippecanoe River at Delphi Indiana streamflow-gaging station reached a record stage of 17.83 feet on January 8; the previous record stage was 13.72 feet set in 1994. The Kankakee River near Davis Indiana station reached a record stage of 13.59 feet on January 11; the previous record stage was 13.52 feet set in 1985.
Teams of USGS hydrographers have traveled to 40 streamflow-gaging stations to keep station instruments operating and to verify streamflow data needed for National Weather Service (NWS) flood forecasts. USGS personnel have worked closely with Federal, state, and local agencies during the flood to provide flood information for emergency managers, the media, and the public. The USGS is maintaining a Web page that provides flood updates, photographs, and links at http://in.water.usgs.gov/flood_new/
The USGS operates a network of more than 140 stream gages throughout Indiana and provides this real-time information to the NWS where it is used for flood forecasting and to notify emergency managers. Field personnel collect data, or the gages relay it through telephones or satellites to offices where it is processed automatically in near real time. In many cases, the data are available online within minutes.
For more information on USGS flood-related activities, please see: http://water.usgs.gov/osw/
USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state. They can provide more detailed information on stream conditions and on the USGS response to local events: http://water.usgs.gov/district_chief.html
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Diane Noserale
Media Relations, Eastern Region
U.S. Geological Survey
150 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
phone: 703-648-4333
fax: 703-648-4588
