U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5137 

Prepared in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation; U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Federal Highway Administration; Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District; 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; and the City of Newark 

and Village of Granville, Ohio

Development of a Flood-Warning System and 

Flood-Inundation Mapping in Licking County, Ohio
Cover photograph: Flooding from the South Fork Licking River, January 21, 1959, looking east 

along Interstate Route 70 at the State Route 79 interchange. The Ohio Historical Society 

(reproduced with permission).
Development of a Flood-Warning System 

and Flood-Inundation Mapping in Licking 

County, Ohio

By Chad J. Ostheimer

Prepared in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation; 

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration; 

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District; U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Natural Resources Conservation Service; and the City of Newark and 

Village of Granville, Ohio

Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5137

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2012

The contents of this report reflect the views of the author who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the 

data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Ohio Department 

of Transportation or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or 

regulation. 

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Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials 

as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.

Suggested citation:

Suggested citation:

Ostheimer, C.J., 2012, Development of a flood-warning system and flood-inundation mapping in Licking County Ohio:

U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2012-5137, 13 p.
iii

1. Report No.

FHWA/OH-2012/4

2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No.

4. Title and subtitle

Development of a Flood-Warning System and Flood-Inundation 

Mapping in Licking County, Ohio

5. Report Date

April 2012

6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s)

Chad J. Ostheimer

8. Performing Organization Report No.

SIR 2012–5137

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

9. Performing Organization Name and Address

U.S. Dept. of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey

Water Resources Discipline

6480 Doubletree Avenue

Columbus, OH 43229–1111

11. Contract or Grant No.

134517

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

Draft Report

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

Ohio Department of Transportation

1980 West Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43223

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

16. Abstract

Digital flood-inundation maps for selected reaches of South Fork Licking River, Raccoon Creek, North Fork Licking River, and the Licking 

River in Licking County, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation; 

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration; Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District; U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; and the City of Newark and Village of Granville, Ohio. The inundation maps depict 

estimates of the areal extent of flooding corresponding to water levels (stages) at the following USGS streamgages: South Fork Licking River 

at Heath, Ohio (03145173); Raccoon Creek below Wilson Street at Newark, Ohio (03145534); North Fork Licking River at East Main Street 

at Newark, Ohio (03146402); and Licking River near Newark, Ohio (03146500). The maps were provided to the National Weather Service 

(NWS) for incorporation into a Web-based flood-warning system that can be used in conjunction with NWS flood-forecast data to show areas of 

predicted flood inundation associated with forecasted flood-peak stages. 

As part of the flood-warning streamflow network, the USGS re-installed one streamgage on North Fork Licking River, and added three 

new streamgages, one each on North Fork Licking River, South Fork Licking River, and Raccoon Creek. Additionally, the USGS upgraded 

a lake-level gage on Buckeye Lake. Data from the streamgages and lake-level gage can be used by emergency-management personnel, in 

conjunction with the flood-inundation maps, to help determine a course of action when flooding is imminent.

Flood profiles for selected reaches were prepared by calibrating steady-state step-backwater models to selected, established streamgage 

rating curves. The step-backwater models then were used to determine water-surface-elevation profiles for up to 10 flood stages at a 

streamgage with corresponding streamflows ranging from approximately the 50 to 0.2-percent chance annual-exceedance probabilities for 

each of the 4 streamgages that correspond to the flood-inundation maps. The computed flood profiles were used in combination with digital 

elevation data to delineate flood-inundation areas. Maps of Licking County showing flood-inundation areas overlain on digital orthophotographs 

are presented for the selected floods. 

The USGS also developed an unsteady-flow model for a reach of South Fork Licking River for use by the NWS to enhance their ability 

to provide advanced flood warning in the region north of Buckeye Lake, Ohio. The unsteady-flow model was calibrated based on data from 

four flooding events that occurred from June 2008 to December 2011. Model calibration was approximate due to the fact that there were 

unmeasured inflows to the river that were not able to be considered during the calibration. Information on unmeasured inflow derived from NWS 

hydrologic models and additional flood-event data could enable the NWS to further refine the unsteady-flow model.

17. Key Words

Flood-warning, Licking County, Buckeye Lake, flood 

profiles, inundation mapping

18. Distribution Statement

No restrictions. This document is available to the public 

through the National Technical Information Service, 

Springfield, Virginia 22161

19. Security Classif. (of this report)

Unclassified

20. Security Classif. (of this page)

Unclassified

21. No. of Pages

39

22. Price

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed pages authorized
iv

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges the many local, State, and Federal agencies that support the operation and maintenance of streamgages throughout the county. The author also acknowledges 

Jim Mickey, Licking County Planning Commission for his help with initial coordination of this 

study; and Roger Loomis, City of Newark and Boris Slogar, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy 

District for their early commitment and support of the project. Lastly, the author acknowledges 

Julie Gwinn and Bill Krouse, Ohio Department of Transportation for their technical support and 

guidance.
v

Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................1

Description of the Study Area ............................................................................................................3

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................3

Installation of Streamgages and Upgrade of a Lake-level Gage...........................................................3

Rating Selection and Development ............................................................................................................6

Hydraulic Modeling .......................................................................................................................................6

Previous Study.......................................................................................................................................6

Steady-State Modeling and Calibration............................................................................................7

Determination of Water-Surface Profiles................................................................................8

Alternate Flow Scenarios...........................................................................................................8

Development of Flood-Inundation Maps .................................................................................8

Unsteady-State Modeling and Calibration .....................................................................................10

Summary........................................................................................................................................................12

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................13

Plates

Seperate documents available on Web only

Flood-inundation maps for the indicated stages at the Licking River near Newark (03146500) 

streamgage

1. Stage 11.

2. Stage 12.

3. Stage 13.

4. Stage 14.

5. Stage 15.

6. Stage 16.

7. Stage 17.

8. Stage 18.

9. Stage 19.

10. Stage 20.

Flood-inundation maps for the indicated stages at the North Fork Licking River at East Main 

Street at Newark (03146402) streamgage

11. Stage 13.

12. Stage 14.

13. Stage 15.

14. Stage 16.

15. Stage 17.

16. Stage 18.

17. Stage 19.

18. Stage 20.

19. Stage 21.

20. Stage 22.
vi

Flood-inundation maps for the indicated stages at the South Fork Licking River at Heath 

(03145174) streamgage

21. Stage 14.

22. Stage 15.

23. Stage 16.

24. Stage 17.

25. Stage 18.

26. Stage 19.

27. Stage 20.

28. Stage 21.

29. Stage 22.

Flood-inundation maps for the indicated stages at the Raccoon Creek below Wilson Street at 

Newark (03145534) streamgage

30. Stage 13.

31. Stage 14.

32. Stage 15.

33. Stage 16.

34. Stage 17.

35. Stage 18.

36. Stage 19.

37. Stage 20.

38. Stage 21.

39. Stage 22.

Figures

1. Licking River and major tributary watersheds and selected corporate boundaries ........2

2. Locations of pre-existing and new U.S. Geological Survey streamgages, lake-level 

gage, and study reaches in Licking County, Ohio....................................................................4

3. Locations of primary and emergency spillways and stage sensors near 

Buckeye Lake, Ohio....................................................................................................................11

Tables

1. Study-reach limits for the Licking River and its major tributaries........................................5

2. Summary of streamgage and lake-level gage information in the Licking River 

Basin, Ohio.....................................................................................................................................6

 3. Summary of final Manning’s roughness coefficients for the steady-state models...........7

4. Summary of minimum and maximum differences in water-surface elevation 

comparing hydraulic-model results to streamgage rating curves.......................................7

5. Summary of modeled stages and elevations, and corresponding streamflows................9

6. Summary of type-B scenario modeled stages and elevations, and corresponding 

streamflows for the Licking River study reach ......................................................................10
vii

Conversion Factors, Vertical Datum, and 

Abbreviations

Multiply By To obtain

Length

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

meter (m) 3.281 foot (ft) 

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

kilometer (km) 0.6214 mile (mi)

Area

square mile (mi2

) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

square kilometer (km2

) 0.3861 square mile (mi2)

Flow rate

cubic foot per second (ft3

/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

cubic meter per second (m3

/s) 35.31 cubic foot per second (ft3/s)

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 

(NAVD 88).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 

(NAD 83).

Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum.

Abbreviations

ALERT Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

FIS Flood Insurance Study

GOES Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

HEC–RAS Hydrologic Engineering Center–River Analysis System

I–70 Interstate Route 70

NFIP National Flood Insurance Program

NWS National Weather Service

ODNR Ohio Department of Natural Resources

ODOT Ohio Department of Transportation

OEMA Ohio Emergency Management Agency

OGRIP Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program

OIT Ohio Office of Information Technology

OSIP Ohio Statewide Imagery Program

SR–79 State Route 79

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 

Development of a Flood-Warning System and 

Flood-Inundation Mapping in Licking County, Ohio

By Chad J. Ostheimer

Abstract

Digital flood-inundation maps for selected reaches of 

South Fork Licking River, Raccoon Creek, North Fork Licking 

River, and the Licking River in Licking County, Ohio, were 

created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation 

with the Ohio Department of Transportation; U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration; 

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; and the City of Newark and Village of Granville, Ohio. 

The inundation maps depict estimates of the areal extent of 

flooding corresponding to water levels (stages) at the following USGS streamgages: South Fork Licking River at Heath, 

Ohio (03145173); Raccoon Creek below Wilson Street at 

Newark, Ohio (03145534); North Fork Licking River at East 

Main Street at Newark, Ohio (03146402); and Licking River 

near Newark, Ohio (03146500). The maps were provided to 

the National Weather Service (NWS) for incorporation into a 

Web-based flood-warning system that can be used in conjunction with NWS flood-forecast data to show areas of predicted 

flood inundation associated with forecasted flood-peak stages. 

As part of the flood-warning streamflow network, the 

USGS re-installed one streamgage on North Fork Licking 

River, and added three new streamgages, one each on North 

Fork Licking River, South Fork Licking River, and Raccoon 

Creek. Additionally, the USGS upgraded a lake-level gage on 

Buckeye Lake. Data from the streamgages and lake-level gage 

can be used by emergency-management personnel, in conjunction with the flood-inundation maps, to help determine a 

course of action when flooding is imminent.

Flood profiles for selected reaches were prepared by calibrating steady-state step-backwater models to selected, established streamgage rating curves. The step-backwater models 

then were used to determine water-surface-elevation profiles 

for up to 10 flood stages at a streamgage with corresponding 

streamflows ranging from approximately the 50 to 0.2-percent chance annual-exceedance probabilities for each of the 4 

streamgages that correspond to the flood-inundation maps. The 

computed flood profiles were used in combination with digital 

elevation data to delineate flood-inundation areas. Maps of 

Licking County showing flood-inundation areas overlain on 

digital orthophotographs are presented for the selected floods. 

The USGS also developed an unsteady-flow model for 

a reach of South Fork Licking River for use by the NWS 

to enhance their ability to provide advanced flood warning 

in the region north of Buckeye Lake, Ohio. The unsteadyflow model was calibrated based on data from four flooding events that occurred from June 2008 to December 2011. 

Model calibration was approximate due to the fact that there 

were unmeasured inflows to the river that were not able to be 

considered during the calibration. Information on unmeasured 

inflow derived from NWS hydrologic models and additional 

flood-event data could enable the NWS to further refine the 

unsteady-flow model.

Introduction

Licking County, Ohio, has experienced numerous flood 

events with the majority of flood damage occurring in the central and south-central areas of the county along four streams: 

Licking River, North Fork Licking River, South Fork Licking 

River, and Raccoon Creek. Flooding from these four streams 

has affected communities including the Village of Granville, 

City of Newark, City of Heath, Village of Hebron, and Village 

of Buckeye Lake (fig. 1). Flooding also has resulted in the closure of Interstate Route 70 (I–70) in the vicinity of the Village 

of Buckeye Lake and the I–70 and State Route 79 (SR–79) 

interchange. Closure of I–70 has resulted in safety issues (such 

as the movement of hazardous materials and potential delays 

to emergency services), loss of commerce, and traffic congestion as commercial truck traffic is detoured onto smaller 

capacity State routes through nearby communities. Although 

flood-mitigation planning is ongoing, discussions between the 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and interested parties1 have 

identified the need for a flood-warning system in central and 

south-central Licking County.

1

 Interested parties included the Ohio Department of Transportation, Village 

of Granville, Granville Township, Denison University, City of Newark, 

Licking County, South Licking Watershed Conservancy District, Natural 

Resources Conservation Service, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy 

District, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the Wilmington National 

Weather Service forecast office and collocated Ohio River Forecast Center.
LICKING Newark Licking River Heath Granville Utica HebronBuckeye Lake KirkersvilleNorth Fork Licking River South Fork Licking River Raccoon Creek PERRY FAIRFIELD FRANKLIN DELAWARE MORROW KNOX

COSHOCTON

State Route 79

State Route 16

1,900,000 2,000,000 2,100,000

700,000 800,000

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, variously scaled, 2007State Plane Coordinate System (feet), Ohio South, NAD 83 datum

OHIO

Licking River

Watershed

Columbus

 EXP

CorBucCou

Drainage 

LicNoRaSo

StrRoa

0 5 0 5 

Figure 1. Licking River and major tributary watersheds and selected corporate boundaries.
Installation of Streamgages and Upgrade of a Lake-level Gage 3

Prior to this study, officials from Licking County and 

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) relied on 

information from several sources when making decisions 

on how to best alert the public and mitigate flood damage. 

One source is the Federal Emergency Management Agency 

(FEMA) Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Licking County, 

Ohio (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2007). A 

second source is the forecasts of peak stage from the National 

Weather Service (NWS). Other sources of information include 

USGS streamgages South Fork Licking River at Kirkersville (03144816); South Fork Licking River near Hebron 

(03145000); Raccoon Creek near Granville (03145483); North 

Fork Licking River at Newark (03146277); North Fork Licking River at Ohio Street, Newark (03146405); and Licking 

River near Newark (03146500) from which water-level (stage) 

and in some cases streamflow data can be accessed by use of 

the Web (fig. 2). 

The NWS has statutory responsibility for hydrologic 

forecasts throughout the Nation. Peak-stage forecasts are 

based partly on data from a network of precipitation gages 

and streamgages. In Ohio, the forecasts originate with the 

NWS Ohio River Forecast Center in Wilmington, Ohio, and 

warnings are issued to the public by regional NWS offices in 

Wilmington or Cleveland, Ohio. 

Although stage information previously could be obtained 

from USGS streamgages, upgrades and additions to the 

streamflow network as a result of this study are expected to 

enhance flood-forecasting capabilities of the NWS for the 

Licking River, North Fork Licking River, South Fork Licking 

River, and Raccoon Creek in Licking County (Julia DianReed, National Weather Service, oral commun., July 2010).

Description of the Study Area

Licking County, located in central Ohio approximately 

12 miles (mi) (19 kilometers (km)) east of Columbus, Ohio 

(fig. 1), covers approximately 688 square miles (mi2) (1,782 

square kilometers (km2)) and contains an estimated population of 158,000 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2009). Licking County 

straddles the Allegheny Escarpment, with the Till Plains physiographic region to the west and the Glaciated and Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau physiographic region to the east (Ohio 

Division of Geological Survey, 1998). The relief of Licking 

County varies with location (rolling to hilly in the eastern portion and nearly flat in the western portion), with altitudes ranging from about 750 to 1,360 feet (ft) (229 to 415 meters (m)). 

Licking County contains all or most of the headwaters for 

the Licking River including three major streams: North Fork 

Licking River, South Fork Licking River, and Raccoon Creek. 

These streams drain a basin with a predominantly rural headwater area that becomes more developed as it approaches the 

City of Newark. The streams eventually combine to form the 

Licking River in the City of Newark. Study-reach limits for 

the Licking River and its major tributaries are shown in table 1 

and figure 2. The Licking River itself discharges to the Muskingum River, which eventually drains to the Ohio River.

Purpose and Scope

Flood-warning systems typically involve major elements 

including streamflow, lake-level and precipitation networks, 

hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, flood-inundation mapping, and various means of disseminating the flood-warning 

information. This study addresses several of those elements 

including a streamflow and lake-level network, hydraulic 

modeling, flood-inundation mapping, and Web-based access to 

the project results. This report describes methods and results 

of hydrologic and hydraulic analyses of selected streams 

within Licking County, Ohio, and presents a series of floodinundation maps developed for selected stages of streamgages 

located at Licking River near Newark (03146500); North Fork 

Licking River at East Main Street, Newark (03146402); Raccoon Creek below Wilson Street at Newark (03145534); and 

South Fork Licking River at Heath (03145173).

Tasks specific to this study and discussed in this report 

are to (1) re-establish one previously discontinued streamgage, 

install three new streamgages, and upgrade one lake-level 

gage; (2) develop flood-inundation maps depicting the areal 

extent of flooding that may occur along each of the studied 

reaches within Licking County at selected stages and their 

corresponding streamgages based on steady-state2

 model 

estimates; and (3) develop a one-dimensional unsteady-flow 

model for a reach of the South Fork Licking River for use by 

the NWS.

Installation of Streamgages and 

Upgrade of a Lake-level Gage

As part of this study, the USGS re-installed one 

streamgage on North Fork Licking River; added three new 

streamgages, one each on the North Fork Licking River, South 

Fork Licking River, and Raccoon Creek; and upgraded one 

lake-level gage (fig. 2). The four streamgages installed were 

South Fork Licking River at Heath (03145173), Raccoon 

Creek below Wilson Street at Newark (03145534), North Fork 

Licking River at East Main Street at Newark (03146402), 

and North Fork Licking River at Utica (03146000) (reestablished). The upgraded lake-level gage was Buckeye 

Lake at Millersport (3954170832314200), located in Fairfield 

County. A summary of information about the existing and new 

streamgages and upgraded lake-level gage can be found in 

table 2. 

The North Fork Licking River at Utica (03146000) 

streamgage was re-established at a site approximately 

2

 Steady-state flow for this report refers to gradually varied steady-state 

flow in which there may be small variations in flow variables such as area 

and conveyance with respect to distance but for which all flow variables 

remain constant with respect to time. Unsteady-state flow refers to gradually 

varied unsteady-state flow in which there are not only small variations in 

flow variables with respect to distance but also changes in flow variables with 

respect to time (Franz and others, 1997).
4 Development of a Flood-Warning System and Flood-Inundation Mapping in Licking County, Ohio

U+

U+

U+

U+

U+ U+

U+

U+

U+

U+

U+

U+

U+

U+

U+

U+

03144816

03145000

03146500

03146000

03146277

03146402

03145173

03145534

03146405

3954170832314200

03145483

Hebron

Buckeye

Lake

Kirkersville

Heath

Granville Newark

Utica

State Route 79

State Route 13

Interstate Route 70

State Route 16

State Route 37

US Route 40

Millersport

LICKING

COUNTY

PERRY

COUNTY

FAIRFIELD

COUNTY

1,920,000 1,940,000 1,960,000 1,980,000 2,000,000 2,020,000 710,000 730,000 750,000 770,000 790,000 810,000

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, variously scaled, 2007

Orthophotography from Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program, 2007

State Plane Coordinate System (feet), Ohio South, NAD 83 datum

EXPLANATION

 County boundary

 Corporate limits

 Buckeye Lake

Drainage areas

 Licking River

 North Fork Licking River

 Raccoon Creek

 South Fork Licking River

Study reaches

 Steady-flow study reaches

 Unsteady-flow study reach

 Streams

 Roads

U+ New U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 

 streamgages and lake-level gage 

 and identifier

U+ Pre-existing USGS streamgages and 

 identifier

Raccoon Creek

03145173

03146500

South Fork

Licking River

Licking River

North Fork

Licking River

0 2 4 MILES

0 2 4 KILOMETERS

Study area

Figure 2. Locations of pre-existing and new U.S. Geological Survey streamgages, lake-level gage, and study reaches in 

Licking County, Ohio.
Installation of Streamgages and Upgrade of a Lake-level Gage 5

0.25 mi (0.40 km) upstream from its former location using the 

same site number and a new datum. This streamgage was reestablished to provide the NWS with streamflow information 

in the upper North Fork Licking River Basin, before streamflow arrives at the confluence with the South Fork Licking 

River. The streamgages on South Fork Licking River at Heath 

(03145173), Raccoon Creek below Wilson Street at Newark 

(03145534), and North Fork Licking River at East Main Street 

at Newark (03146402) were sited as close as possible to the 

mouths of their respective streams without being subject to 

any anticipated backwater3. The lake-level gage at Buckeye 

Lake near Millersport (3954170832314200) had been previously established and run by the Ohio Department of Natural 

Resources (ODNR). This gage was upgraded by installing 

telemetry equipment, which allowed lake-level information to 

be obtained in near real time.

The upgrade of the lake-level gage and siting of the 

newly installed streamgages were discussed and coordinated 

with the NWS and other interested parties with the goal of 

enhancing the ability of the NWS to predict peak stage for the 

four studied streams. The drainage areas for the re-established 

3

 Water backed up or retarded in its course as compared with its normal or 

natural condition of flow.

and installed streamgages ranged from 101 to 240 mi2 (262 to 

622 km2) (table 2).

The four streamgages were equipped with an Automated 

Local Evaluation in Real Time (ALERT) protocol-based radiofrequency transmitter. The ALERT radio network is operated 

by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) to 

facilitate the collection of real-time data pertaining to rainfall 

and water-level conditions. The NWS uses the ALERT data 

in the development of flood forecasts, which can result in 

the issuance of flood watches and warnings. Local officials 

also can access the ALERT data to independently monitor 

rainfall amounts and water-level conditions. Additionally, the 

lake-level gage and the four streamgages were equipped with 

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) 

transmitters. Data are transmitted hourly by use of GOES 

to facilitate computations of streamflow and near-real-time 

monitoring of equipment performance and water levels, and 

to provide back-up data to the ALERT data. Streamflow 

and stage data from these new streamgages as well as other 

streamgages can be found at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/oh/

nwis/current/?type=flow. Precipitation and lake-level data 

from the new lake-level gage as well as other rain gages can 

be found at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/oh/nwis/uv?cb_00045=o

n&cb_62614=on&format=gif_default&begin_date=2012-03-

22&end_date=2012-03-29&site_no=395417082314200.

Table 1. Study-reach limits for the Licking River and its major tributaries.

[mi, mile; km, kilometer]

Study reach Downstream limit Upstream limit(s) Reach length

(mi) (km)

Licking River 550 feet (170 meters) downstream 

from the Licking River near 

Newark streamgage (03146500)

Confluence of North and 

South Fork Licking Rivers

3.7 5.9

Licking River 

(extension into 

North Fork Licking River)

Confluence of North and 

South Fork Licking Rivers 

North Fork Licking River at 

East Main Street at Newark 

streamgage (03146402) 

.5 .8

Licking River 

(extension into 

Raccoon Creek)

Confluence of South Fork Licking 

River and Raccoon Creek 

Raccoon Creek below Wilson Street 

at Newark streamgage (03145534) 

.5 .8

Licking River 

(extension into 

South Fork Licking River) 

Confluence of North and 

South Fork Licking Rivers 

South Fork Licking River at 

Heath streamgage (03145173) 

1.8 2.9

North Fork Licking River North Fork Licking River at 

East Main Street at Newark

North Fork Licking River at 

Newark streamgage (03146277)

2.4 3.9

South Fork Licking River South Fork Licking River at 

Heath streamgage (03145173) 

Interstate Route 70 and 

State Route 79 interchange 

11.3 18.2

Raccoon Creek Raccoon Creek below Wilson Street 

at Newark streamgage (03145534) 

Raccoon Creek near 

Granville streamgage (03145483) 

10.2 16.4

South Fork Licking River 

(Buckeye Lake reach) 

South Fork Licking River at 

Hebron streamgage (03145000) 

 South Fork Licking River at 

Kirkersville streamgage (03144816) 

13.8 22.2
6 Development of a Flood-Warning System and Flood-Inundation Mapping in Licking County, Ohio

Rating Selection and Development

For this study, stage-streamflow relations, commonly 

referred to as rating curves, were available for six pre-existing 

streamgages (table 2). One of the rating curves was used to 

determine boundary conditions for the hydraulic analyses: 

South Fork Licking River near Hebron (03145000), rating 

curve number 26.0 (unsteady-state modeling). Beginning in 

2010, streamflow measurements were made at the one reestablished and three new streamgages (table 2) to facilitate 

the development of rating curves. From September 2010 to 

June 2012, a total of 73 streamflow measurements were made 

at the four streamgages. All rating curves were used to evaluate model outputs at their respective locations, with the exceptions of North Fork Licking River at Utica (03146000) (not 

located within a modeled reach) and North Fork Licking River 

at Ohio Street, Newark (03146405) (subject to backwater).

Hydraulic Modeling

The hydraulic analyses were done with U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineer Hydrologic Engineering Center–River Analysis 

System (HEC–RAS), version 4.1.0 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2010). HEC–RAS is a one-dimensional step-backwater 

model used to compute water-surface profiles with steadystate or unsteady-state flow computation options. HEC–RAS 

is accepted by FEMA for use in the National Flood Insurance 

Program (NFIP). All hydraulic analyses for this report were 

done with the steady-state flow computation option, with the 

exception of South Fork Licking River (Buckeye Lake reach), 

which was done with the unsteady-state flow computation 

option.

Previous Study

Prior to this study, a FEMA FIS was published in May 

2007 (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2007). The 

Table 2. Summary of streamgage and lake-level gage information in the Licking River Basin, Ohio.

[mi2, square mile; km2, square kilometer; NWS, National Weather Service; N/A, not applicable]

Streamgage name Streamgage

number

Drainage area Period of record NWS

forecast point Comment

(mi2

) (km2)

Licking River near 

Newark

03146500 537 1,391 Oct. 1939–Present Yes None

North Fork Licking River 

at Ohio Street, Newark

03146405 241 624 Oct. 2007 – Present Yes None

North Fork Licking River 

at East Main Street 

at Newark

03146402 240 240 Nov. 2010 – Present Yes New gage

North Fork Licking River 

at Newark

03146277 227 588 Oct. 2007 – Present No None

North Fork Licking River 

at Utica

03146000 116 300 Oct. 1939 – Oct. 1982

Nov. 2010 – Present

No Re-established 

gage

South Fork Licking River 

at Heath

03145173 181 469 Sept. 2010 – Present Yes New gage

South Fork Licking River 

near Hebron

03145000 133 344 Oct. 1939 – Sept. 1948

July 1968 – Present

Yes None

South Fork Licking River 

at Kirkersville

03144816 47.0 122 Oct. 2007 – Present No None

Raccoon Creek near 

Granville

03145483 78.2 203 Oct. 2007 – Present Yes None

Raccoon Creek below 

Wilson Street at 

Newark

03145534 101 262 Sept. 2010 – Present Yes New gage

Buckeye Lake near 

Millersport

3954170832314200 N/A N/A May 1993 – Present N/A Installed 

telemetry 

equipment
Hydraulic Modeling 7

supporting hydraulic modeling for South Fork Licking River 

and Raccoon Creek were completed in December 2002. The 

supporting hydraulic modeling for North Fork Licking River 

and Licking River were completed in October 1997 and sometime in the early 1980’s, respectively. Base maps for the four 

streams were either digital versions of USGS 7.5-minute series 

quadrangle maps or mapping developed by Licking County 

around the year 2000. From 2006 to 2008, the Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program (OGRIP)—a program 

of the Ohio Office of Information Technology (OIT)—developed detailed digital mapping and orthographic photography 

for the State of Ohio as part of the Ohio Statewide Imagery 

Program (OSIP) (Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program, 2007). The decision was made to develop new 

hydraulic models to reflect the best-available topography data 

and current hydraulic conditions, owing to the availability of 

these new digital mapping data.

Steady-State Modeling and Calibration

The starting boundary condition for each of the study 

reaches shown in table 1, with the exception of South Fork 

Licking River (Buckeye Lake reach), was stage determined 

from a slope-conveyance calculation. The energy slope was 

estimated from the average streambed slope as determined 

from field surveys. Modeling for each stream began downstream of the most downstream gage. Streamflows then were 

routed upstream to their respective modeled-reach upper 

limits. For North Fork Licking River, South Fork Licking 

River, and Raccoon Creek, modeling began at the stream 

mouth. For Licking River, modeling began approximately 550 

feet (170 m) downstream of the Licking River near Newark 

(03146500) streamgage. In order to account for any potential 

backwater conditions, streamflows for Licking River then 

were routed up each of the tributary extensions as shown in 

table 1. Each model was calibrated to the available rating 

curves (pre-existing streamgages) or streamflow measurements (new streamgages) for the streamgages associated with 

each respective study reach (table 1).

To calibrate the model, Manning’s roughness coefficients 

were adjusted from original field estimates until the results 

of the hydraulic computations closely agreed with the known 

flood-streamflow and stage values. Ranges of final Manning’s 

roughness coefficients are shown in table 3. After calibration, 

computed water-surface elevations for streamflows corresponding to the range of selected stages matched each rating 

curve within 0.06 foot (0.02 m). A summary of the differences between the rating curves and model outputs is shown 

in table 4.

Table 3. Summary of final Manning’s roughness coefficients for the steady-state models.

Study reach

Stream channel Overbanks

Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum

Licking River 0.035 0.046 0.012 0.100

North Fork Licking River .034 .046 .030 .200

South Fork Licking River .039 .062 .012 .200

Raccoon Creek .032 .048 .012 .100

Table 4. Summary of minimum and maximum differences in water-surface elevation comparing hydraulic-model results to 

streamgage rating curves.

Streamgage name Streamgage

number

Rating curve

number

Hydraulic model output difference 

from rating curve, in feet (meters)

Minimum Maximum

Licking River near Newark 03146500 47.0 − 0.01 (−0.003) 0.00 (0.000)

North Fork Licking River 

at Newark

03146277 3.0 −.01 (−.003) .03 (.009)

South Fork Licking River 

near Hebron

03145000 26.0 −.01 (−.003) .01 (.003)

Raccoon Creek near 

Granville

03145483 3.0 −.06 (−.018) .02 (0.006)
8 Development of a Flood-Warning System and Flood-Inundation Mapping in Licking County, Ohio

Determination of Water-Surface Profiles

Water-surface profiles were computed for each steadystate study reach at selected even-foot stages at the objective 

streamgages for each steady-state study reach. The objective 

streamgages for this study were Licking River near Newark 

(03146500), North Fork Licking River at East Main Street at 

Newark (03146402), Raccoon Creek below Wilson Street at 

Newark (03145534), and South Fork Licking River at Heath 

(03145173). Ten water-surface profiles were determined for 

each stream, with the exception of South Fork Licking River, 

which had nine profiles. A tenth water-surface profile for 

South Fork Licking River would have represented an event 

less than that of a 50-percent chance annual-exceedance probability flood (with almost all water contained in the channel) 

or an event well in excess of a 0.2-percent chance annualexceedance probability flood. After each HEC–RAS steadystate model was calibrated, streamflows corresponding to the 

desired even-foot stage values were determined by use of an 

iterative process. The process consisted of routing streamflows 

from the downstream-model limit upstream to their respective 

objective streamgage until the target even-foot stage values 

were obtained. The modeled flows for each steady-state study 

reach range from approximately the 50 to 0.2-percent annual 

exceedance probabilities. A summary of the modeled stages 

and corresponding streamflows for each study reach is shown 

in table 5.

Alternate Flow Scenarios

Main stem and tributary streamflow for profiles at major 

tributary confluences, upstream from their respective starting 

streamgages, were computed with the assumption that streamflows are proportional to contributing drainage areas. For this 

report, this type of flow-distribution scenario is referred to as 

the “type-A” scenario. This scenario was modeled for each 

of the stream reaches shown in table 1, with the exception of 

South Fork Licking River (Buckeye Lake reach).

The percentage of streamflow contributed by South Fork 

Licking River, Raccoon Creek, and North Fork Licking River 

to the main stem of the Licking River is variable from storm 

to storm. Tributary streamflow contributions are affected by 

antecedent conditions and the areal distribution of rainfall 

(and possibly snowpack) for a given storm event. As a result, 

for a given streamflow at the Licking River near Newark 

(03146500) streamgage, the amount of streamflow in the main 

stem above a tributary theoretically can vary from zero (if all 

streamflow at the confluence of the tributary and main stem 

comes from the tributary) to the approximate streamflow at the 

streamgage (if no streamflow is contributed by the tributary). 

In order to account for the uncertainty in the distribution 

of flow between the Licking River and its tributaries, an alternate-flow-scenario model was developed for the Licking River 

study reach (as shown in table 1) for each modeled stage. This 

alternate flow scenario, referred to as the “type-B” scenario, 

is based on the initial assumption that each tributary supplies 

the full main-stem streamflow at its confluence with the main 

stem. Although this flow-distribution scenario is unlikely, it 

results in a consistent and conservative estimate of the maximum flooding that likely would occur for a given stage.

The type-B scenario model for each stage was initially 

developed by assuming that all of the flow in the main stem 

below the confluence with a tributary was discharged from the 

tributary. However, maximum tributary inputs were limited 

to the upper 95-percent confidence limit for their respective 

0.2 percent chance annual-exceedance probability floods 

as estimated from methods described in Koltun and others 

(2006). This upper limit on streamflow in a tributary was 

imposed so as to minimize the likelihood of modeling unreasonably large flows in the tributaries. A summary of the type-B 

scenario modeled stages and corresponding streamflows for 

each study reach is shown in table 6.

Development of Flood-Inundation Maps

Flood-inundation areal boundaries were initially mapped 

with HEC–GeoRAS software (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

2002). USGS personnel modified the HEC–GeoRAS results 

to ensure a logical transition of the flood-inundation boundary 

between modeled cross sections based on elevation contour 

data for the land surface. The flood-inundation boundaries then 

were overlain onto digital orthophotos from OSIP (Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program, 2007). The 

resulting estimated flood-inundation boundaries can be found 

at http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/
Hydraulic Modeling 9

Table 5. Summary of modeled stages and elevations, and corresponding streamflows.

[ft, foot; m, meter; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; m3/s, cubic meter per second; N/A, not applicable]

Licking River near Newark (03146500)

Stage

(ft) 11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.0 17.0 18.0 19.0 20.0

(m) 3.35 3.66 3.96 4.27 4.57 4.88 5.18 5.49 5.79 6.10

Elevation

(ft) 789.28 790.28 791.28 792.28 793.28 794.28 795.28 796.28 797.28 798.28

(m) 240.57 240.88 241.18 241.49 241.79 242.10 242.40 242.71 243.01 243.32

Streamflow

(ft3/s) 9,180 11,400 13,910 16,690 19,800 23,900 28,330 33,300 38,720 44,600

(m3

/s) 259 323 394 473 561 677 802 943 1,100 1,260

North Fork Licking River at East Main Street at Newark (03146402)

Stage

(ft) 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.0 17.0 18.0 19.0 20.0 21.0 22.0

(m) 3.96 4.27 4.57 4.88 5.18 5.49 5.79 6.10 6.40 6.71

Elevation

(ft) 807.69 808.69 809.69 810.69 811.69 812.69 813.69 814.69 815.69 816.69

(m) 246.18 246.49 246.79 247.10 247.40 247.71 248.01 248.32 248.62 248.93

Streamflow

(ft3/s) 7,610 8,840 10,200 11,700 13,300 15,100 17,100 19,200 21,400 23,700

(m3

/s) 216 250 289 331 377 428 484 544 606 671

South Fork Licking River at Heath (03145173)

Stage

(ft) 14.0 15.0 16.0 17.0 18.0 19.0 20.0 21.0 22.0 N/A

(m) 4.27 4.57 4.88 5.18 5.49 5.79 6.10 6.40 6.71 N/A

Elevation

(ft) 814.0 815.0 816.0 817.0 818.0 819.0 820.0 821.0 822.0 N/A

(m) 248.1 248.4 248.7 249.0 249.3 249.6 249.9 250.2 250.5 N/A

Streamflow

(ft3/s) 4,670 5,600 6,590 7,680 8,930 10,500 12,300 14,300 16,220 N/A

(m3

/s) 132 159 187 217 253 297 348 405 459 N/A

Raccoon Creek below Wilson Street at Newark (03145534)

Stage

(ft) 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.0 17.0 18.0 19.0 20.0 21.0 22.0

(m) 3.96 4.27 4.57 4.88 5.18 5.49 5.79 6.10 6.40 6.71

Elevation

(ft) 813.0 814.0 815.0 816.0 817.0 818.0 819.0 820.0 821.0 822.0

(m) 247.8 248.1 248.4 248.7 249.0 249.3 249.6 249.9 250.2 250.5

Streamflow

(ft3/s) 4,330 5,160 6,080 7,080 8,140 9,250 10,400 11,700 13,000 14,300

(m3

/s) 123 146 172 201 231 262 295 331 368 405
10 Development of a Flood-Warning System and Flood-Inundation Mapping in Licking County, Ohio

Unsteady-State Modeling and Calibration

Flooding conditions in the Buckeye Lake region are 

complex and best modeled as two- or three-dimensional 

unsteady-flow processes. The complexities include overbank 

flow disconnected from the main channel, overbank flow not 

parallel to the main-channel flow, and uncertainty in the timing 

of tributary inputs/ lake outflows. While capable of handling 

multidimensional-flow processes, two- and three-dimensional 

unsteady-flow modeling is computationally intensive and 

can result in model-run times approaching the simulated time 

period. One-dimensional unsteady-flow modeling is more 

computationally efficient but may not accurately simulate twoor three-dimensional hydraulics. Using a one-dimensional 

unsteady-flow model can result in model-run times measured 

in minutes for a simulated period of several days. Since the 

unsteady-flow model will be used by the NWS to provide 

advanced flood warning in the Buckeye Lake region, long 

simulation times are not an option for operational-forecasting 

purposes. Consequently, the NWS requested the USGS to 

develop a one-dimensional unsteady-flow model. 

For the unsteady-flow modeling effort, the downstreamboundary condition was determined based on the rating curve 

Table 6. Summary of type-B scenario modeled stages and elevations, and corresponding streamflows for the Licking River study 

reach.

[ft, foot; m, meter; ft3/s, cubic foot per second; m3/s, cubic meter per second; bolded values indicate tributary streamflows that were truncated from the full mainstem flow (station 03146500) at the upper 95-percent confidence limit of the estimated 0.2 percent chance annual-exceedance probability flood magnitude]

Licking River near Newark (03146500)

Stage

(ft) 11.00 12.00 13.00 14.00 15.00 16.00 17.00 18.00 19.00 20.00

(m) 3.35 3.66 3.96 4.27 4.57 4.88 51.8 5.49 5.79 6.10

Streamflow

(ft3

/s) 9,180 11,400 13,910 16,690 19,800 23,900 28,330 33,300 38,720 44,600

(m3

/s) 260 323 394 473 561 677 802 943 1,097 1,263

Maximum percentage of the Licking River near Newark (03146500) streamflow supplied by the indicated stream

North Fork Licking River at the mouth

Percentage 100 100 10 100 100 100 100 100 91 79

South Fork Licking River at the mouth

Percentage 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 86 74

South Fork Licking River above Raccoon Creek

Percentage 100 100 100 100 100 93 78 67 57 50

Raccoon Creek at the mouth 

Percentage 100 100 100 100 100 83 70 59 51 44

for the South Fork Licking River near Hebron (03145000) 

streamgage. Streamflow inputs to the unsteady-flow model 

were limited to the streamflows determined from stage-streamflow ratings and lake outflows determined from measured lake 

levels. The model inputs were the South Fork Licking River 

at Kirkersville (03144816) streamgage and outflows from 

Buckeye Lake (fig. 3) from the primary spillway (Amil gate) 

and the emergency spillway (horseshoe weir). Outflows from 

Buckeye Lake were estimated by using information from the 

Buckeye Lake near Millersport (3954170832314200) lakelevel gage to compute streamflows based on a stage-outflow 

rating curve obtained from ODNR.

Additional information on flood hydrograph timing and 

magnitude was obtained by installing stage sensors in October 2011 at five locations along the modeled reach (fig. 3). 

Surveys were conducted to tie the stage data into a common 

vertical datum. Locations were selected based upon areas of 

interest such as upstream and downstream from tributaries and 

in the area near the I-70 and SR-79 interchange. 

While the South Fork Licking River near Hebron 

(03145000) streamgage (downstream-boundary condition) has 

54 years of record, the South Fork Living River at Kirkersville 

(03144816) streamgage (upstream-flow input site) has only 
Figure 3. Locations of primary and emergency spillways and stage sensors near Buckeye Lake, Ohio.

0#

0#

#0 #0

#0

U+

U+

U+

Hebron

Buckeye

Lake

Kirkersville

South Fork

Licking River

State Route 79

Interstate Route 70

State Route 37

U.S. Route 40

Heath

Buckeye Lake

State Route 204

State Route 158

03144816

03145000

3954170832314200

PRIMARY

SPILLWAY

EMERGENCY

SPILLWAY

State Route 360

1,950,000 1,975,000

700,000 725,000

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, variously scaled, 2007State Plane Coordinate System (feet), Ohio South, NAD 83 datum

 EXPLANAT

 Corporate l Buckeye La Streams Buckeye La Roads

#0 Stage sensor

U+ New U.S. Ge

 (USGS) lake identifier

U+ Pre-existing 

 gages and i

0 1 2 

0 1 2 3 KILO

Buckeye

Lake

03145173

03146500
12 Development of a Flood-Warning System and Flood-Inundation Mapping in Licking County, Ohio

4 years of record. Daily lake-level information for Buckeye 

Lake has been collected since October 16, 1979; however, 

continuous hourly lake-level information (data of sufficient 

detail for unsteady-flow modeling) was not collected until 

May 13, 1993. Calibration of the unsteady-flow model was 

limited to four well-documented flood events because of these 

constraints: June 2008, May 2011, October 2011, and December 2011. 

For this study, calibration was approximate and focused 

on the stage sensor located approximately 250 ft (76 m) 

upstream from I-70 and the South Fork Licking River near 

Hebron (03145000) streamgage. Only an approximate model 

calibration was performed due to the fact that all sources 

of streamflow to the river are not considered in the present 

model. Of the 133 mi2 (344.5 km2) of drainage to the South 

Fork Licking River near Hebron (03145000) streamgage, total 

model inputs accounted for only 69 percent. Similar circumstances apply to the stage sensor located just upstream from 

I-70. The drainage area at this location is 70.7 mi2

 (183.1 km2), 

while the model accounted for only 66 percent. No streamflow 

data were available for the intervening drainage areas.

Approximate calibration was performed by adjusting 

Manning’s roughness coefficients, ineffective flow areas4, 

and definition of levees. Levees, in this case, are not FEMA 

accredited levees but modeling techniques used to prevent 

flow from moving into areas that are physically separated from 

the main-channel flow by features such as raised roadways, 

effectively preventing inundation at levels below the elevation 

of the separating feature.

It is anticipated that model calibration and refinement 

will be continued by the NWS. Additional refinement could 

be achieved by the inclusion of unaccounted for tributary 

streamflows. Data for tributary streamflows could be estimated 

by use of a hydrologic model for the South Fork Licking River 

that the NWS has already developed and may refine as part of 

its flood-forecasting process. 

Summary

A flood-warning network was developed for Licking County, Ohio, by the upgrade of a lake-level gage, the 

re-establishment and addition of streamgages to the existing 

4

 An ineffective-flow area is an area where water is present but is not 

actively conveyed. Examples include areas such as side channels, pockets 

of water, and areas upstream and downstream of obstructions such as bridge 

abutments. 

network, delineation of flood-inundation boundaries that correspond to selected flood stages, and the development of an 

unsteady-flow model for use by the National Weather Service 

(NWS).

The existing streamgage network was enhanced by the reestablishment of one streamgage on North Fork Licking River 

and the establishment of three new streamgages, one each on 

Raccoon Creek and the North and South Forks of Licking 

River. A lake-level gage was upgraded to provide near-realtime data including Web access. Data from the lake-level gage 

and streamgages could be used by the NWS to improve peakstage predictions for Raccoon Creek, Licking River, and the 

North and South Forks of Licking River.

Water-surface profiles were estimated by use of a 

steady-state step-backwater model, and corresponding floodinundation areal boundaries were delineated within Licking 

County for up to 10 stages at the following U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) streamgages: Licking River near Newark, 

Ohio (03146500), North Fork Licking River at East Main 

Street at Newark, Ohio (03146402), Raccoon Creek below 

Wilson Street at Newark, Ohio (03145534), and South Fork 

Licking River at Heath, Ohio (03145173). The flood-inundation boundaries were overlain on digital orthophotos, and the 

profiles correspond to streamflows with recurrence intervals 

ranging from approximately the 50 to 0.2 percent chance 

annual-exceedance probability floods. 

The NWS flood-forecast capability in the Buckeye Lake 

region was enhanced by the creation of an unsteady-flow 

model for a reach of the South Fork Licking River. Model 

calibration, primarily based on four flooding events that 

occurred from June 2008 to December 2011, was approximate 

due to the fact that all sources of streamflow to the river were 

not considered in the present model. Further calibration may 

be performed by the NWS, as previously unaccounted for 

streamflow inputs are estimated as part of its flood-forecasting 

process. Together, the hydrologic and hydraulic models could 

enable the NWS to provide advanced flood-warning data for 

the Buckeye Lake region.

Real-time streamgage and lake-level gage information, 

flood-forecast predictions, and flood-inundation mapping 

corresponding to flood forecasts can be accessed on Web 

sites hosted by the USGS and the NWS. It is anticipated that 

the increased amount and availability of publically accessible streamflow data, along with enhanced flood-prediction 

capability, will improve the ability of public and emergencymanagement officials to assess flood conditions, take appropriate steps to protect life and property, and reduce flood damage. 
References Cited 13

References Cited

Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2007, Flood insurance study, Licking County, Ohio and unincorporated areas: 

Flood Insurance Study Number 39089CV000A, May 2, 

2007 [variously paged].

Franz, D.D., Melching, C.S., 1997, Full Equations (FEQ) 

model for the solution of the full, dynamic equations of 

motion for one-dimensional unsteady flow in open channels and through control structures: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 96–4240, 258 p.

Koltun, G.F, Kula, S.P., and Puskas, B.M., 2006, A Streamflow Statistics (StreamStats) Web Application for Ohio: 

U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 

2006–5312, 62 p.

Ohio Division of Geological Survey, 1998, Physiographic 

Regions of Ohio: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 

Division of Geological Survey, page-size map with text, 

2 p., scale 1:2,100,000.

Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program, 2007, 

Ohio Statewide Imagery Program, Licking County, accessed 

May 29, 2012, at http://gis3.oit.ohio.gov/geodata/. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers–Hydrologic Engineering 

Center, 2002, HEC–GeoRAS, accessed July 29, 2011, at 

URL http://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/hec-ras/hecgeoras.html.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers–Hydrologic Engineering Center, 2010, HEC–RAS River Analysis System, user’s manual, 

ver. 4.1 [variously paged].

U.S. Census Bureau, 2009, Vintage 2009 incorporated place 

and minor civil division population dataset—Individual 

States–Ohio (SUB_EST2009_39.csv), accessed May 29, 

2012, at http://www.census.gov/popest/data/datasets.html.


Ostheimer—Development of a Flood-Warning System and Flood-Inundation Mapping in Licking County, Ohio—Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5137