PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (NE) South Platte and Platte River Flooding in Nebraska

Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 15:44:14 EDT

Summary: USGS NEWSC South Platte River and Platte River Flood Response.

Western Nebraska (South Platte River Basin and Platte River Basin)

The peak flow pulse continues to surge down the Platte River causing Moderate and Minor Flood conditions at all streamgages.

The South Platte River at Roscoe has gone below flood stage, thus for purposes of these Project Alerts, focus will be on the Platte River.

USGS Nebraska WSC crews continue to make discharge measurements on the rise, peak, and recession at all USGS Platte River streamgages, as well as at two Nebraska DNR streamgages, and at a Platte River Recovery Implementation Program site. Because the streambed along the Platte River is generally fine sands, measurements have shown channel scour throughout the rise, peak, and recessions. Additional streamflow measurements are required to verify the rated discharges. All measurements have been relayed to the NWS, River Forecast Center, USACE, State of Nebraska DNR, Nebraska Emergency Management, and other local and State agencies via email, phone, and NWS Chat.

Because the flood is confined to the Platte River, only two USGS crews per day are needed to adequately collect the information. Thus far 32 high flow and peak flow measurements have been collected along the South Platte and Platte River of Nebraska.

High flow water quality samples have been collected at 10 sites and sediment samples have been collected at three sites (with additional sediment samples to be collected next week).

Six South Platte and Platte River stage-discharge ratings were extended to assist the National Weather Service.