BACKWATER AT BRIDGES AND DENSELY WOODED FLOOD PLAINS, WHITEWATER CREEK NEAR TARENTUM, ALABAMA
by C.O. Ming, B.E. Colson, and George J. ArcementNOTICE! Due to large file sizes, it is recommended that you right-click on the link for each sheet and select "Save Target As..." when trying to view atlases in order to save the MrSID file directly to your hard disk rather than trying to view it in your browser.
Atlas HA-611
Prepared in cooperation with the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and the Alabama State Highway Department 1979
Atlas HA-611, 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 Whitewater Creek near Tarentum, Alabama
Flood of March 2, 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 Whitewater Creek near Tarentum, Alabama
3. Aerial view looking downstream in the vicinity of the bridge on Pike County Road, Whitewater Creek near Tarentum, Alabama
4. Frequency of floods, Whitewater Creek near Tarentum, Alabama
TABLES
1. Valley cross section data for Whitewater Creek near Tarentum, Alabama. Zero station is at the left edge of the valley (facing downstream).
2. Discharge measurements March 2 and 3, 1972, Whitewater Creek near Tarentum, Alabama Zero station is at the edge of the left abutment (facing downstream).
Atlas HA-608, 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 March 2, 1972, flood boundaries are shown.
Atlas HA-608, Sheet 3
Velocity distributions and sounded cross sections obtained at the downstream side of the bridge during discharge measurements on March 2 and 3, 1972, are shown. Manning's roughness coefficient values and March 2, 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 Whitewater Creek near Tarentum, Alabama, one of the 22 sites.
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