Author(s): Carrie M. Vuyovich; Meredith L. Carr; Cameron T. Ackerman
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Maps of flood inundation resulting from an ice jams can be a powerful decision-making and presentation tool. A new technology merges a Geographic Information System (GIS) with a1-D hydraulic model capable of modeling wide-river ice jams, and allows users to map the inundation resulting from ice jams and the ice thickness and extent. GIS plays two roles. First, the hydraulic model geometry is geo-referenced using high-resolution orthoimagery, and a 10m digital elevation model (DEM). Second, the model results are exported to GIS to produce the ice extent and flood inundation layers based on the 10m DEM. These layers are then combined with the orthoimagery and other GIS layers, such as roads, bridges buildings and critical facilities to produce the final maps. A recent effort to model the impact of ice control structures in Oil City, Pennsylvania provided an opportunity to test this new mapping capability. Oil City has a long history of frequent and severe ice jams and much effort has been made to alleviate ice jam flooding. Two ice control structures were installed in the1980s and minimal ice jam flooding has occurred since. For this study a 1-D hydraulic model of the Allegheny River and Oil Creek confluence was calibrated to historical ice jam events and then used to measure the effects of the modified channels. Several historical ice jamevents were modeled and calibrated to known river stages. Maps of the flood inundation and ice extent were developed and then compared to historical records of the event.
Year: 2010