BACKWATER AT BRIDGES AND DENSELY WOODED FLOOD PLAINS, BUCKHORN CREEK NEAR SHILOH, ALABAMA

by C.O. Ming, B.E. Colson, and George J. Arcement

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Atlas HA-607

Prepared in cooperation with the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and the Alabama State Highway Department 1979

Atlas HA-607, Sheet 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Hydrologic Investigations Atlas Number
Description of Data
    Type of Data
High-water Marks
Bridge Geometry
Manning's Roughness Coefficient
Presentation of Data
Datum
Flood Frequency
International System of Units (SI)
Data for Buckhorn Creek near Shiloh, Alabama
Flood of March 2, 1972
Flood of December 21, 1972
Summary
Additional Information
Selected References

FIGURES

1. Index map of study sites in the bridge backwater investigation project, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
2. Index map showing study reach Buckhorn Creek near Shiloh, Alabama
3. Aerial view looking upstream at bridge on State Highway 130, Buckhorn Creek near Shiloh, Alabama
4. Frequency of floods, Buckhorn Creek near Shiloh, Alabama

TABLES

1. Valley cross section data for Buckhorn Creek near Shiloh, Alabama. Zero station is at the left edge of the valley (facing downstream).
2. Discharge measurements March 2, March 3, and December 21, 1972, Buckhorn Creek near Shiloh, Alabama Zero station is at the edge of the left abutment (facing downstream).

Atlas HA-607, Sheet 2

Locations of representative ground elevations are shown. These are points of significant changes in cross- section elevations and alignment of the axis. Plots of cross sections are graphic presentations of the tabular data. Bridge geometry and road embankments are also shown as they existed at the time of the floods. Manning's roughness coefficient values and December 21, 1972, flood boundaries are shown.

Atlas HA-607, Sheet 3

Atlas HA-607, Sheet 4

Velocity distributions and sounded cross sections obtained at the downstream side of the bridge during discharge measurements on March 2 and 3, 1972, and December 21, 1972, are shown. Manning's roughness coefficient values and December 21, 1972, flood boundaries are shown.

ABSTRACT

New techniques for predicting water-surface profiles, needed in the design of economical, structurally sound, and environmentally compatible stream crossings, are under investigation. The investigation has accelerated with the advent of digital computers capable of analyzing large quantities of data. Among the techniques is the development of two-dimensional (2-D) digital models. Field data are essential for development and evaluation of these techniques for predicting water-surface profiles. This atlas is one of a series that provides a wide range of field data.

Since 1969, the U.S. Geological Survey has been collecting backwater data where wide, densely vegetated flood plains are crossed by highway embankments and single-opening bridges. This work was done in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration Department of Transportation, the Alabama State Highway Department, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and the Mississippi State Highway Department. The objective of this cooperative project is to present the data in a format conducive to the development of improved models for predicting hydraulic responses of flow at highway crossings of streams in complex hydrologic and geographic settings.

Backwater data were obtained at 22 sites for 35 floods; that is, 11 sites had 1 flood each; 9 sites, 2 floods each; and 2 sites, 3 floods each. Analysis of data (Schneider and others, 1976) showed that backwater and discharge at these sites computed by methods presently in use, would be inaccurate. The floodflow data are unique in the range and detail in which information was collected and provide a base for evaluating digital models relating to open-channel flow. This atlas shows flood data obtained on Buckhorn Creek near Shiloh, Alabama, one of the 22 sites.


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