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| *Release**\ | Harold Shindel, USGS         | * |    | 6           |   |
| September   | hshindel@usgs.gov            | P |    | 14-430-7777 |   |
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**Rains from Ivan lead to record flood levels in Ohio**

NOTE TO REPORTERS: If you would like to view a USGS field crew in
action, contact Harold Shindel at 614-430-7728 or through email at
<hshindel@usgs.gov>

Remnants of hurricane Ivan hit Ohio on Friday, September 17, 2004,
producing all-time record water levels and flows in parts of the state,
according to U.S. Geological Survey scientists. As much as 6 inches of
rain fell in and along the Ohio River, and many county and state roads
were closed due to high water and several landslides.

"The steady rains on Friday, September 17, fell on soil saturated from
hurricane Frances rains the previous week, causing substantial rises of
most streams in southern and eastern Ohio," said USGS scientist Jim
Mangus. "Although most of the peak \[maximum\] floodflows were of
magnitudes that recur from 2 to 10 years on average, record peaks
occurred on several streams. At three streams, the flood recurrence
interval was close to or exceeded 100 years," Mangus said.

The following USGS stream gages were among those where stage (water
level, also referred to as gage height) and/or flow peaked at record
levels. The reported stages, in feet (ft) above an arbitrary measurement
point, are maximums during September 17--20, and flows in cubic feet per
second (cfs) are estimated maximums for the same period:

-   Little Muskingum River at Bloomfield, OH (Washington County); stage
    31.10 ft, flow approximately 34,500 cfs. (Recurrence interval 500
    years.)

-   Short Creek at Dillonvale, OH (Jefferson County); stage 12.65 ft,
    flow approximately 9,110 cfs.\
    (Recurrence interval just under 500 years.)

-   Shade River near Chester, OH (Meigs County); 30.04 ft, flow
    approximately 11,100 cfs.\
    (Recurrence interval just under 100 years.)

Currently, USGS personnel are visiting gages in Lawrence, Hocking,
Athens, Gallia, and Jackson Counties to make measurements and assess any
damage. Many stream gages in east and southeast Ohio were inaccessible
this weekend.

Maps and real-time streamflow data for the United States are available
to the public on the USGS WaterWatch website, http://
water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/. Real-time river level and streamflow data
from USGS Ohio gaging stations are available at
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/oh/nwis/rt.

The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific information
to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property
from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral
resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

This news release can be viewed online at http://oh.water.usgs.gov/.

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