Floods in the upper Des Moines River Basin, Iowa

Harlan H. Schwab

doi:10.3133/ofr70296

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Floods in the upper Des Moines River Basin, Iowa

Harlan H. Schwab

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Abstract

Data on flood stages, discharges, and frequency are used in the design of bridges and other structures and the conduct of various operations on the flood plains of streams. This report provides these data in the form of flood-peak records, gaging-station records, frequency curves, and flood profiles. Information is provided for 253 miles of streams from near Boone on the main stem to the Iowa-Minnesota state line on the East and West Forks of the Des Moines River. Flood profiles on the main stem include those for the notable flood of 1954, the lesser flood of 1947, and the computed 25- and 50-year floods. On the West Fork, profiles are shown for the outstanding flood of April 1969; lesser floods in April 1965, July 1964, and September 1964; and the computed 25- and 50-year floods. On the East Fork, profiles are shown for the April 1965 flood from the mouth to Algona and for the April 1969 flood from Algona to Tuttle Lake; for a lesser flood in October 1968; and for the computed 25- and 50-year floods. Low-water profiles are shown for all reaches. Tabulations of flood stages and discharges at gaging stations contained in this report can be used for volumetric studies. They can also be used to study the time distribution of stage and discharge above a selected level.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 42.58544425738491° to 44.05206384489493° latitude; -95.7568359375° to -94.053955078125° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Harlan H. Schwab. 1970. Floods in the upper Des Moines River Basin, Iowa. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr70296

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