River Flood Extent Manual

Background

The Great Flood of 1993 threatened many of Missouri's public water systems (PWS). A river flood extent manual showing flood extents, PWSs, and other geographic features is needed to better equip field staff in the Public Drinking Water Program (PDWP), Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR), for future flood events.

Objectives

1. Gather existing digital data layers from potential sources
2. Compile a river flood extent manual which provides detailed geographic information on flood extents, public water systems, chemical contamination sites, road networks and municipal boundaries for most major rivers in Missouri

Methods

• Identify rivers to be mapped. The rivers mapped for this manual included the Mississippi, Missouri, Grand, Chariton, Tarkio, Hundred and Two, Platte, Nodaway, Fishing and Meramec.
• Identify information to be mapped. The information shown on the maps included the 1993 flood extent, the 100- and 500-year floodplains, rivers, lakes, stream networks, levees, highways, roads, railroads, public wells, surface water networks, entry points, contamination sites, pesticide dealerships, stream networks, incorporated areas, unincorporated towns and state and county boundaries.
• Collect data. The data were collected from various sources including MoDNR, USGS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and others. The source data were originally compiled from 1:24,000 or 1:100,000 scale base maps.
• Determine mapping scales. The maps were generated at the scale 1:60,000. An inset map at scale 1:30,000 was provided to show the detailed information for those PWS community wells and surface water intakes that are located within the 1993 flood extent.
• Produce the maps

Major Products

• A River Flood Extent Manual consisting of 124 maps at scale 1:60,000 and 76 inset maps at scale 1:30,000 were generated in both digital and hardcopy formats. Three original copies of the manual were delivered to MoDNR together with a copy of the digital graphic files ready for reprinting.

It is expected that the manual will be utilized by field staff to:

• Help the PWSs determine where emergency shut-off valves should be placed
• Alert various PWSs of oncoming river pollution hazards and plan PWS source protection and future well siting.

The manual will also be used in other MoDNR programs to locate and manage other regulated facilities. These programs include the Environmental Services Program, Solid Waste Management Program, Hazardous Waste Program and Water Pollution Control Program.

Investigators: Yan Z. Barnett and Chris Barnett

Funding Amount: $4,800

Funding Source: Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Project Duration: May 1995 - August 1995