January-February 1959

Floods of

in Indiana

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

CIRCULAR 440

ARED IN COOPERATION WITH THE INDIANA FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION; THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION, 

>ION OF WATER RESOURCES; THE STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA; THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH; AND THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS,
Floods of January-February 1959

in Indiana

By Malcolm D. Hale and Richard E. Hoggatt

Prepared in cooperation with the Indiana flood Control and Water Resources Commission; the Indiana 

Department of Conservation, Division of Water Resources; the State Highway Department of 

Indiana; the State Board of Health; and the Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 440

Washington 

7967
United States Department of the Interior

STEWART L. UDALL, SECRETARY

Geological Survey

THOMAS B. NOLAN, DIRECTOR

Free on application to the U.S. Geological Survey, Washington 25, D. C.
CONTENTS

Page Page

Abstract___________________________ 1 Measurements of flood discharge ______ 6

Introduction_________________________ 1 Stages and discharges ________________ 6

Acknowledgements_______________ l Site descriptions __________________ 7

General features of the floods _________ 1 Discharge hydrographs _ _ ___________ 13

January floods __________________ l Maximum stages and discharges ____ 18

February floods ___________________ 5 Frequency of peak discharges.___ ___ 19

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page 

Figure 1. Map showing location of flood -determination points ___________________________ IV

2. Isohyetal map showing total precipitation, in inches, January 19-21, 1959 _______ 2

3. Isohyetal map showing total precipitation, in inches, February 8-11, 1959____ _ 3

4. Floating ice blocks in the Wabash River near Lagro __________________________ 4

5. Aerial photograph of south edge of Wabash __ ____________________ ________ 5

6. Breach in floodwall protecting southern part of Peru, February 12, 1959_ __ - 6

7. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations, January 20-27, 1959 _______________ 13

8. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations, January 20-27, 1959 _______________ 14

9. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations, February 9-21, 1959____ _ ______ 15

10. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations, February 9-21, 1959_______ ______ 16

11. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations on the Wabash River, January 21 to

February 20, 1959 ______________________ 16

12. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations on the Wabash River, February

9-21, 1959 __________________________________ ___ 17

13. Map showing flood-frequency regions and hydrologic areas__________________ 20

14. Relation of peak discharge to 10- and 50-year floods in region A, hydrologic

areas 1,2, and Big Indian Creek and Blue River main stems ________________ 21

15. Relation of peak discharge to 10- and 50-year floods in region A, hydrologic

areas 3-6, and Patoka River main stem ___________________________________ 22

16. Relation of peak discharge to 10- and 50-year floods in region A, Wabash

River main stem ____________________________________________________ 23

17. Relation of peak discharge to 10- and 50-year floods in region B, hydrologic

areas 6, 8,and Tippecanoe River main stem, below Mill Creek_______________ 23

TABLES

Page 

Table 1. Maximum stages and discharges of streams in Indiana ___ __________ _______ 18

HI
41

V* EXPLANATION

4 

Gaging station

o5 

Miscellaneous measurement site

Numbers correspond to 

those in table 1

.Figure 1. Map showing location of flood-determination points.

IV
Floods of January-February 1959 in Indiana

By Malcolm D. Hale and Richard £. Hoggatt

ABSTRACT

The floods of Januaiy-Februaiy 1959 in Indiana exceeded 

those previously known on many streams in the southeastern 

portion of the State in January and on several streams in the 

Wabash Valley during February. At least 3 lives were lost, 

more than 2,000 people were evacuated, and dozens of 

bridges were washed away.

Heavy rains falling on frozen ground caused unusually 

high runoff. Rainfall was greater in the January storm than 

in the February storm, but melting of snow that had accumulated before the February storm augmented the runoff in 

February.

Previous maximum stages during the period of record were 

exceeded at 26 gaging stations. The peak discharge of Big 

Indian Creek near Corydon, and peak stages of Laughery 

Creek near Farmers Retreat'and Vernan Fork at Vemon on 

January 21, were greater than any since at least 1897. The 

peak stage of Wabash River at Huntingdon on February 10 

exceeded that of the historical 1913 flood by 0.5 foot

INTRODUCTION

Record floods were produced by precipitation during the storms of January 19 21 and 

February 8-11. Although the upper Wabash 

River experienced flooding from both storms, 

in general the January storm produced maximum stages and discharges in streams in the 

southeastern portion of the State, and the February storm caused extensive flooding on the 

Wabash River and its headwater tributaries. 

In both storms, runoff was intense because 

precipitation fell on frozen ground. These 

storms extended eastward into Ohio and the 

floods caused there are reported in U.S. 

Geological Survey Circular 418.

This report presents discharge hydrographs, flood-period runoff, and maximum 

stages and discharges for 67 gaging stations; 

and maximum discharges at 30 miscellaneous 

sites including 2 discontinued gaging stations. 

The location of these points is shown on figure 

1. For purposes of identification the stations 

and sites are numbered in downstream order; 

these numbers are used throughout the report.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Basic records of discharge in the area 

covered by this report were collected in cooperation with the Indiana Flood Control and 

Water Resources Commission; the Indiana 

Department of Conservation, Division of Water 

Resources; the State Highway Department^ of 

Indiana; the State Board of Health; and the 

Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army. 

Assistance in collection of data was given by 

several Federal and State agencies, municipalities, corporations, and private individuals, 

credit for which is given in the annual series 

of water-supply papers of the U.S. Geological 

Survey. The isohyetal maps were furnished 

by the Indiana Flood Control and Water Resources Commission.

The records of discharge were collected 

and computed in the Indianapolis district office of the Surface Water Branch and the re - 

port was assembled by the staff of the Floods 

Section in Washington, D.C. Personnel of the 

Branch detailed from other states to the flood 

area following the storms materially assisted 

in the field and office work of determining 45 

peak discharges by indirect methods.

GENERAL FEATURES OF THE FLOODS

JANUARY FLOODS

Precipitation at Weather Bureau stations 

during January 19 21, 1959, ranged from 4 to 

7 inches over the affected area, with isolated 

unofficial reports of 10 inches (fig. 2). Many 

Weather Bureau stations reported more than 

3 inches of rain during a 24-hour period, and 

Batesville recorded 4.94 inches in 15 hours.

Extreme flooding resulted on streams tributary to the Miami, Ohio, and East Fork White
FIOCOS OF JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1959 IN INDIANA

Gaging station

Miscellaneous measurement site

Numbers correspond to 

those in table 1

Figure 2. Isohyetal map showing total precipitation, in inches, January 19-21, 1959.
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE FLOODS

Gaging station

o3 

Miscellaneous measurement site

Numbers correspond to 

those in table 1

Figure 3. Isohyetal map showing total precipitation, in inches, February 8-11, 1959.
FLOODS OF JANUARY FEBRUARY 1959 IN INDIANA

Rivers. The peak discharge of Whitewater 

River at Brookville, although not as great as 

that of the devastating flood of 1913, exceeded 

by 18 percent the previous maximum in 43 

year§ of record. The peak discharge of Big 

Indian Creek near Corydon and peak stages 

of Laughery Creeknear Farmers Retreat and 

Vernon Fork at Vernon were the maximum 

since at least 1897. The stage of Wabash 

River near New Corydon was maximum for a 

short period of record, but flooding of .the 

Wabash River below this point was moderate 

and had been exceeded by several floods during the past 25 years.

On January 21, 1959, the peak stage was 6.5 

ft greater than, and the peak discharge was 

twice that of, the previous maximums on

Vernon Fork at Vernon during the period of 

record going back to 1939. The peak discharge of Wilson Fork Creek near Canaan 

exceeded 770 cubic feet per secondper square 

mile from a drainage area of 17.0 square 

miles. Previous maximum stages during the 

period of record were exceeded at 18 gaging 

stations.

Most streams began to rise on January 20 

with the crest occurring on January 21.

At least 3 persons were drowned in the 

swirling waters that damaged 849 dwellings, 

washed out dozens of highway and railroad 

bridges and their approaches, and caused 

more than $2 million damages.

Figure 4. Flood-borne ice blocks in the Wabash River sweep away State Highway 524 at Lagro. Photograph by Indianapolis Times.
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE FLOODS

Figure 5. Aerial photograph of south edge of Wabash, February 12, 1959. Photograph by Indianapolis News.

FEBRUARY FLOODS

Major floods were produced by precipitation on frozen ground covered by various 

amounts of snow (fig. 3). Ice jams still remained in channels from the January rise and 

were augmented by additional ice formed in 

very cold weather following the heavy rains 

of February 8-11 (fig. 4).

On Wabash River at Huntington the peak 

discharge of February 10,1959, exceeded any 

previously recorded for the short period of 

record. The crest stage was 0.5 foot higher 

than that of the historical flood of 1913. At 

several stations on the Wabash River where 

records go back to 1943 the crest stages exceeded those of the great flood of 1943, although, generally, the discharges were less. 

A notable peak stage was that of February 11, 

1959, at Delphi where due to an ice jam the 

stage was 1.9 feet higher than that of 1943.

On tributaries to the upper Wabash River, 

previously recorded maximum discharges 

were exceeded at several stations with short 

periods of record. In general, the peak discharges and crest stages of February 1959 

have been exceeded during long periods of 

record, but on Little Wabash River near 

Huntington the crest stage was 1.5 feet higher 

than any other since 1943 and on Tippecanoe 

River near Delphi both the stage and discharge exceeded any previously recorded.

Damage along the Wabash River amounted 

to several million dollars, and at least 1,500 

people were forced to flee before the iceladen flood waters. About 46 blocks of residential and factory areas in the city of Wabash 

were flooded (fig. 5), and the entire population 

of the small community of Georgetown was 

evacuated as 6 feet of water swirled through 

Main Street. Many people were forced to 

evacuate their houses in Peru when the
FLOODS OF JANUARY FEBRUARY 1959 IN INDIANA

Figure 6. ^Breach in floodwall protecting the southern part of Peru. February 12, 1959. Photograph by Wide World Photos.

floodwall protecting the southern part of Peru 

was breached in several places (fig. 6). Thousands of acres of farmland were flooded and 

major highways were closed along the lower 

Wabash River as levees were breached on 

both banks.

MEASUREMENT OF FLOOD DISCHARGE

A fundamental purpose of a stream-gaging 

station is to define a stage-discharge relation 

from which discharge can be determined, 

when the stage is known. The relation is determined by measurements at various stages 

over a sufficient range so that the curve of 

relation can be extended to maximum stage. 

The procedure followed in collecting the basic 

records of flow at Geological Survey gaging 

stations have been described in detail in many 

publications (for example,- U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 888).

Measurements of peak discharge by current 

meter during the January-February 1959 

floods were impossible to obtain at some

gaging stations owing to the swift velocities 

over road approaches and to other adverse 

conditions. Determinations of peak flow at 

such places and at miscellaneous sites, where 

runoff was excessive, were based on measurements of flow through contracted openings, 

through culverts, by slope-area method, by 

flow-over-embankment computation, or by a 

combination ^of these methods. A general 

description of these methods can be found in 

Water-Supply Paper 888, and more detailed 

information is available in other publications 

of the Geological Survey.

STAGES AND DISCHARGES

The data are presented in three sections: 

first, site descriptions; second, discharge hydrographs; and third, a table of maximum 

stages and discharges, and runoff for selected 

periods.

The condensed site descriptions give the 

reference number, location, and remarks, as 

needed, describing special features of each 

record.
STAGES AND DISCHARGES

Site Descriptions

1. Martindale Creek at Cambridge City - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 39°49', long 85°09', in NE^ sec. 26, T. 16 N., R. 12 E., at bridge on U. S. Highway 40, 

1 mile east of Cambridge City, and 1-3/4 miles upstream from mouth.

2. Whitewater River near Alpine - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 39°34'23 1', long 85°09'27", in sec. 14, T. 13 N., R. 12 E., on right bank 500 ft downstream from highway bridge, 0. 4 mile downstream from Wilson Creek, 1. 6 miles northeast of Alpine, 

and 4. 7 miles upstream from Bear Creek.

3. Salt Creek near Hamburg - Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 39°21'51 B, long 850 14'59«, in N£ sec. 36, T. 11 N., R. 11 E., at county bridge l£ miles 

downstream from Righthand Fork, 1. 3 miles south of Hamburg, and 2. 9 miles northwest of Oldenburg.

4. Middle Fork of East Fork Whitewater River at Middleboro - Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 39°54', long 84°50', on line between sees. 11 and 12, T. 14 N., R. 1 W., at bridge on 

State Highway 227 at Middleboro.

5. East Fork Whitewater River at Richmond - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 39°48'24", long 84°54'26", in SE| sec. 7, T. 13 N., R. 1 W., on left bank 50 ft downstream from highway bridge, three-quarters of a mile south of Richmond, and 2 miles upstream from 

Short Creek.

6. Hanna Creek near Liberty - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 390 34'59n, long 84°56'48 11 , in SWf sec. 25, T. UN., R. 2W., at bridge on State Highway 

101, 0. 4 mile south of Roseburg, 4 miles south of Liberty, and 4. 2 miles upstream from mouth.

7. East Fork Whitewater River at Brookville - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 39°26'00", long 85°v,0'll", in NEJ- NE{ sec. 20, T. 9 N., R. 2 W., on right bank 65 ft 

downstream from bridge on State Highway 101, 0. 9 mile northeast of Brookville, and 1. 8 miles upstream from mouth.

8. Whitewater River at Brookville - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 39°24'24", long 85°00'45", in NW^ sec. 32, T. 9 N., R. 2 W., on right bank at downstream 

side of highway bridge, 0. 3 mile downstream from East Fork, and 1. 1 miles south of Brookville.

9. North Hogan Creek near Moores Hill - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 39°08'03", long 85°04'22'1 , in SWi sec. 35, T. 6 N., R. 3 W., at bridge on county road, 

1. 4 miles downstream from Butternut Run, and 1^ miles north of Moores Hill.

10. South Hogan Creek near Dillsboro - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 39°02 f , long 85°02", in NW^ sec. 7, T. 4 N., R. 2 W., at bridge on county road, at 

Dillsboro Station, l| miles northeast of Dillsboro.

11. Laughery Creek at Versailles - Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 39°04'28", long I85°14'42 1' on line between sees. 1 and 12, T. 7 N., R. 11 E., at dam on 

Laughery Creek in Versailles State Park, at Versailles, and 1.4 miles upstream from U. S. Highway 

50.

12. Laughery Creek near Farmers Retreat - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 38°57'05", long 85°04'22 n , in sec. 2, T. 4 N., R. 3 W., on right bank 2 miles southeast 

of Farmers Retreat and 3-3/4 miles downstream from Bear Creek.

13. Wilson Fork Creek near Canaan - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 38°53', long 85°15', in N£ sec. 13, T. 5 N. , R. HE., at bridge on State Highway 250, 

3/8 mile upstream from mouth and 2^ miles east of Canaan.

14. Crooked Creek at Madison - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 38°44'28", long 85°23'35", in SE^ sec. 34, T. 4 N., R. 10 E., at bridge on State Highway 

7 in Madison, 1. 7 miles upstream from mouth.

15. -West Fork Fourteenmile Creek near Nabb - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 38°36'21", long 85°35'23", on line between sees. 14 and 23, T. 2 N., R. 8E., at bridge 

on State Highway 362, on line between Scott and Clark Counties, 2. 3 miles east of Nabb, and 3. 3 miles 

upstream from confluence with East Fork.

16. Persimmon Run near Carwood - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 38°26'37», long 85°53'15», inNE^sec. 7, T. IS., R. 6 E., at bridge on State Highway 60, 

800 ft upstream from Muddy Fork, and 1. 3 miles west of Carwood.

17. Silver Creek near Sellersburg - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 38°22'15", long 85°43'35", in SW£, lot 68, Clark Military Grant, on upstream side of 

Straws Mill bridge on Watson Road, 0. 3 mile downstream from Pleasant Run, 2.4 miles southeast of 

Sellersburg, and 11.9 miles upstream from mouth.

18. Big Buck Creek near New Middletown - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 38°08'4511 , long 86°03'04I> , in SE{ sec. 22, T. 4 S., R. 4 E., at county highway bridge 

1, 800 ft downstream from Buck Creek, and 1. 2 miles south of New Middletown.
FLOODS OP JANUARY FEBRUARY 1959 IN INDIANA

Site Descriptions--Continued

19. Big Indian Creek near Corydon - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 38°16'35", long 86°06'35", in SE^ sec. 6, T. 3 S., R. 4 E., on upstream side of bridge 

on State Highway 335, 0. 6 mile upstream from Raccoon Branch, and 4£ miles north of Corydon.

20. Little Indian Creek near Corydon - Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 38°11'59", long 86°05'44", in NE£ sec. 5, T. 4 S., R. 4 E., at bridge on county road,

1-3/4 miles east of Corydon, and 2. 4 miles upstream from mouth. 

Remarks. --Gaging station operated 1948-50 by Corps of Engineers.

21. Middle Fork Blue River near Salem - Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 38°32»36", long B6°05 I 37", in NE^ sec. 8, T. IN., R. 4 E., at bridge on State Highway 

135, 1.7 miles upstream from confluence with West Fork Blue River and 4.4 miles south of Salem.

22. Mill Creek near Becks Mill - Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 38°34'44", long 86°09'53", in E£ sec. 27, T. 2 N., R. 3 E., at bridge on State Highway 

56, 3. 0 miles north of Becks Mill, 4. 2 miles upstream from mouth and 4. 3 miles southwest of Salem.

23. Blue River near White Cloud - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 38"14'15", long 86°13'50" ) in NW£SE| sec. 19, T. 3 S., R. 3E., on left bank 400 ft downstream from Spring Creek, 0. 2 mile upstream from bridge on State Highway 62, and three-quarters 

of a mile north of White Cloud.

24. Little Blue River at English - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 388 20'16", long 86°28'00", in N£ sec. 24, T. 2 S., R. 1 W., at bridge on State Highway 

64, at English, 300 ft downstream from confluence of Brownstown Creek at Bird Dog Creek, and 0.4 

mile upstream from Camp Fork Creek.

25. Anderson River near Siberia - Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 38°13'19", long 86°42'24", in S? sec. 26, T. 3 S. , R. 3 W., at bridge on U. S. Highway 

460 (Indiana 62),. 1, 000 ft downstream from Sigler Creek, 0. 5 mile west of Kitterman Corners, 1. 9 

miles southeast of Siberia, and 2. 5 miles west of Uniontown.

26. Middle Fork Anderson River near Uniontown - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 38°13'32", long 86°38'14", in SWf sec 28, T 3S , R 2 W., at bridge on U. S. Highway 

460 (Indiana 62), 1. 3 miles east of Uniontown, and 1. 2 miles upstream from Tige Creek.

27. Little Pigeon Creek near Tennyson - Former gaging station

Location. Lat 38°02'45", long 87°07'05", in NE£ sec; 31, T. 5 S., R. 6 W., at county highway bridge, 

If miles downstream from East Fork, and 2| miles south of Tennyson.

28. Little Pigeon Creek near Midway - Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 38°00'27", long 87°10'29", in SE£ sec. 10, T. 6 S., R. 7 W., at bridge on State Highway 

161, 1.3 miles downstream from Otter Creek, 2. 0 miles west of Midway, and 3. 4 miles south of 

Degonia Springs.

29. Pigeon Creek at Evansville - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 37°59'51", long 87°31'26", in SW^ sec. 15, T. 6S., R. 10 W., at bridge on Oak Hill Road 

at Evansville city limits, about 1, 500 ft north of U. S. .Highway 460 (State Highway 62), 2 miles upstream from Little Pigeon Creek, and 7 miles upstream from mouth.

30. Wabash River near New Corydon - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°33'50", long 84°48'10", in SEi sec. 3, T. 24 N., R. 15 E^. first principal meridian, 

on left bank 10 ft downstream from county bridge on Indiana-Ohio State line road, 2 miles east of New 

Corydon, and 2-3/4 miles downstream from Beaver Creek, and at mile 465. 6.

31. Wabash River at Bluffton - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°44', Iong85°ll', in sec. 4, T. 26 N., R. 12 E., on downstream side of left aoutment 

of Main Street Bridge in Bluffton, 2 miles downstream from Sixmile Creek.

32. Wabash River at Huntington - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°51'20", long 850 29 I 53", in SW^-NEJ sec. 27, T. 28 N., R. 9E.. on right bank at the 

Huntington Water and-Light Plant, 2 miles south of Huntington, 3£ miles upstream from Little Wabash 

River, and at mile 409.

33. Little Wabash River near Huntington - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 400 54'14", long 85°24'22", in NE^NW^ sec. 9, T. 28 N., R. 10 E., on right bank on upstream side of highway bridge 5 miles east of Huntington.

34. Salamonie River near Warren - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°22'45", long 85°27'13", in SE} sec. 12, T. 26 N., R. 9 E., near center of span on 

downstream side of county road bridge, 1, 700 ft downstream from unnamed tributaries entering from 

right and left, 4, 000 ft upstream from abandoned concrete and stone dam, and 2..4 miles northwest of 

Warren.
STAGES^&ND DISCHARGES 9

Site descriptions--Continued

35. Salamonie River at Dora - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°48'27W . long 85°40'47", in SE^NE^ sec. 12, T. 27 N., R. 7E., on left bank in 

Salamonie River State Forest, 1. 2 miles northwest of Dora, and 3 miles upstream from mouth.

36. Wabash River at Wabash - Gaging station

Location. ? -Lat 40°47'25", long 85°49'13", in sec. 14, T. 27 N., R. 6 E., on right bank on upstream side 

of Wabash Street Bridge in Wabash, 7 miles downstream from Salamonie River, and at mile 387. 2.

37. Mississinewa River near Ridgeville - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°17', long 85°00', in SW£ sec. 8, T. 19 N. , R. 14 E., on right bank 10 ft downstream 

from bridge, 0. 8 mile downstream from Mud Creek, and 2 miles east of Ridgeville.

38. Mississinewa River near Eaton - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°20', long 8 5° 19', in NE? sec. 31* T. 22 N.. R. 11 E., on right bank at downstream 

side of bridge, l| miles upstream from Estey Creek and 2| miles southeast of Eaton.

39. Mississinewa River at Marion - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°34", long 85°40', in sec. 31, T. 25 N., R. 8 E., on left bank 12 ft downstream from 

Highland Avenue Bridge in Marion, 1 mile upstream from Hummels Creek, and 4 miles downstream 

from Lugar Creek.

40. Mississinewa River at Peoria - Gaging station

Location. Lat 40°43', long 85°57", in sec. 10, T. 26 N., R. -5 E., on the right upstream abutment of 

highway bridge at Peoria, 6 miles upstream from mouth, and 6^ miles southeast of Peru.

41. Wabash River at Peru - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°44'35", long 86°05'45", in sec. 32, T. 27 N. , R. 4 E., near center of span on upstream side of bridge on U. S. Highway 31, half a mile southwest of Peru, 4. 3 miles downstream from 

Mississinewa River, and at mile 370. 5.

42. Eel River at North Manchester - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 40°59', long 85°46', in NE£ sec. 5, T. 29 N., R. 7 E., on right bank 200 ft downstream 

from Main Street Bridge at North Manchester and l£ miles upstream from Pony Creek. Records include flow of Pony Creek.

43. Eel River near Logansport - Gaging station

'Location. --Lat 40°46'5511 , long 86°15'50 n , in sec. 14, T. 27 N. , R. 2 E., on right bank at downstream 

side of county bridge on Adamsboro Road, 5| miles northeast of Logansport, and 6. 9 miles upstream 

from mouth.

44. Wabash River at Logansport - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°44'47", long 86°22'39", in NE^ sec. 35, T. 27 N., R. IE., on left bank 150 ft downstream from Cicott Street Bridge in Logansport, 1, 000 ft downstream from Eel River, and at mile 

353. 7.

45. Wabash River at Delphi - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°35'26", long 86°41'54'1 , in SE} sec. 24, T. 25 N., R. 3 W., on downstream side of 

second pier from left abutment of highway bridge, 1 mile west of Delphi, 1. 6 miles upstream from 

Deer Creek, 8. 6 miles upstream from Tippecanoe River, and at mile 330. 8.

46. Deer Creek near Delphi - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 40°36', long 86°37', on line between SE| sec. 22 and NE£ sec. 27, T. 25 N., R. 2 W., 

on downstream side of left wing wall of highway bridge, 3 miles northeast of Delphi and 4£ miles upstream from mouth.

47. Tippecanoe River at Oswego - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 410 19'14", long 85°47'2l", in NE|NE^ sec. 14, T. 33 N., R. 6 E., on left bank 10 ft 

downstream from dam at Tippecanoe Lake Outlet in Oswego, 3 miles east of Leesburg.

48. Tippecanoe River near Ora - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 41°10', long 86°34", in NE? sec. 7, T. 31 N., R. 1 W., on right bank at downstream side 

of highway bridge, 1. 3 miles southwest of Ora and 2. 0 miles downstream from Osborn ditch.

49. Tippecanoe River near Monticello - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°47', long 86°45', in sec. 21, T. 27 N., R. 3 W., at Norway plant of Northern Indiana

Public Service Company, 2 miles north of Monticello. 

Remarks. --Flow regulated by power plant.

50. Tippecanoe River near Delphi - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°37', long 86°45', in sec. 16, T. 25 N., R. 3 W., on right bank 2 miles northeast of 

Springboro, 2 miles, downstream from Big Creek, and 5 miles northwest of Delphi.

51. Wildcat Creek at Greentown - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 40°27'. long 85°57', on line between sees. 9 and 10, T. 23 N., R. 5 E., on left bank at 

downstream side of bridge on State Highway 213, 1. 5 miles south of Greentown.
10 FLOODS OF JANUARY FEBRUARY 1959 IN INDIANA

Site descriptions--Continued

52. Wildcat Creek at Kokomo - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 40°28', long 86°09', in NW^ sec. 2, T. 23 N.. R. 3 E., on right bank in Kokomo, 0. 3 

mile downstream from Kokomo Creek, 0.4 mile upstream from Dixon Road Bridge, and on property of 

Continental Steel Corporation.

53. Wildcat Creek at Owasco - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 40°28', long 86°38'. in SW| sec. 3, T. 23 N., R. 2 W., on left bank (revised) just downstream from highway bridge, half a mile northwest of Owasco, and 15 miles upstream from South Fork 

Wildcat Creek.

54. South Fork Wildcat Creek near Lafayette - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°24', long 86°47', in NW^ sec. 28, T. 23 N., R. 3 W., on right bank 40 ft upstream 

from bridge on State Highway 26, three-quarters of a mile upstream from Middle Fork, 4j miles upstream from mouth, and 5 miles east of Lafayette.

55. Wildcat Creek near Lafayette - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°27', long 86°50', in SE^NE^ sec. 14, T. 23 N.. R. 4 W., on downstream side of

county highway bridge, 2 miles east of eastern corporate limits of Lafayette, 2^ miles upstream from 

mouth, and 3 miles downstream from South Fork Wildcat Creek.

56. Wabash River at Lafayette - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 40°25»19°, long 86°53'49", in sec'. 20, T. 23 N., R. 4 W.. on right bank 20 ft downstream 

from Brown Street Bridge in Lafayette, 5. 1 miles downstream from Wildcat Creek, and at mile 311. 9.

57. Big Pine Creek near Williamsport - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40° 19', long 87°17', in SEi sec. 26, T. 22 N., R. 8 W.. on upstream side of highway 

bridge, 1. 6 miles north of the city limits of Williamsport, and 2. 5 miles upstream from mouth.

58. Wabash River at Covington - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 40°08'2411 , long 870 24'20", in sec. 35, T. 20 N., R. 9 W., near center of span on downstream side of highway bridge at Covington, 2. 9 miles downstream from Oppossum Run, 3. 6. miles 

upstream from Spring Creek, and a mile 271. 1.

59. Wabash River at Montezuma - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 390 47'33", long 87°22«26", in sec. 35, T. 16 N. , R. 9 W., in downstream side of first 

pier from left bank of bridge on U. S. Highway 36 at Montezuma, 2.0 miles upstream from Raccoon 

Creek, 4. 9 miles downstream from Sugar Creek, and a mile 240.

60. Wabash River at Terre Haute - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 39°28'00", long 87°25'08", in NWi sec. 21, T. 12 N., R. 9 W., on left bank at upstream 

side of Wabash Avenue Bridge at Terre Haute, 2. 2 miles upstream from Sugar Creek, 4 miles downstream from Lost Creek, and at mile 214. 4.

61. Wabash River at Riverton - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 390 01«13", long 87°34'07", in sec. 30, T. 7 N., R. 10 W., on left bank at downstream 

side of Illinois Central Railroad bridge at'Riverton, 0. 6 mile downstream from Turtle Creek, and at 

mile 162. 0.

62. Wabash River at Vincennes - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 38°40'52", long 87°32'04 11 , near center of span on downstream side of bridge on U. S. 

Highway 50 at Vincennes, Knox County, 4. 8 miles downstream from Maria Creek, 5. 8 miles upstream 

from Embarrass River, and at mile 127. 8.

63. Blue River at Carthage - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 39°46", long 85°34', in sec. 18, T. 15 N., R. 9 E., on right bank 500 ft upstream from 

highway bridge, half a mile west of Carthage, and 2^ miles downstream from Three Mile Creek.

64. Blue River at Shelbyville - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 39°31'45", long 85°46'55", in SE? sec. 31, T. 13 N., R. 7 E., on left bank a quarter of 

a mile downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 421 at Shelbyville, and 0. 6 mile downstream from 

Little Blue River.

65. Youngs Creek near Edinburg - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 39°25'08'', long 86°00'18", in SW| sec. 5, T. UN., R. 5 E., on left bank on upstream 

side of highway bridge, half a mile southwest of Amity, 2 miles upstream from mouth, and 5 miles 

northwest of Edinburg.

66. Sugar Creek near Edinburg - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 39°21'39", long 85°59'51 B , on line between sees. 29 and 32, T. 11 N. , R. 5 E., on left 

bank 50 ft upstream from highway bridge in Camp Atterbury, \\ miles upstream from Blue River, and 

li miles northwest of Edinburg.

67. Driftwood River near Edinburg - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 39°20'21 11 , long 85°59'11 11 , in sec. 4, T. ION., R. 5 E. , on left bank just downstream 

from highway bridge, 0. 8 mile downstream from confluence of Blue River and Sugar Creek, and 1^ 

miles southwest of Edinburg.
STAGES AND DISCHARGES 11

Site descriptions--Continued

68. Flatrock Creek at St. Paul - Gaging station

Location. Lat 39°25'03lt . long 85°38'03". in NE£ sec. 9,- TV 11 N.. R. 8 E., on right bank 500 ft downstream from highway bridge. 0. 8 mile southwest of St. Paul, and 1? miles downstream from Mill 

Creek.

69. Conns Creek at Homer - Miscellaneous site

Location. Lat 39°35', long 85°35', in NE| sec. 13, T. 13 N., R. 8 E.. at Pennsylvania Railroad bridge 

at Homer, 300 ft upstream from bridge on State Highway 44. and 65 miles west of Rushville.

70. East Fork White River at Columbus - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 39°12', long 85°56', in NW| sec. 25, T. 9 N., R. 5 E., on left bank at abandoned bridge 

abutment at west end of Second Street in Columbus, 0. 6 mile downstream from confluence of Driftwood 

River and Flatrock Creek, and 1. 4 miles upstream from Haw Creek.

71. Clifty Creek at Hartsville - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 390 16'25", long 850 42'10», in NW^ sec. 36, T. ION., R. 7 E., at downstream side of 

left abutment of highway bridge, a quarter of a mile north of Hartsville, and 5 miles upstream from 

Duck Creek.

72. Sand Creek at Greensburg - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 39°20'08", long 85°27'53", in SE| sec. 1, T. ION., R. 9 E., at bridge on State Highway 

46 at Greensburg.

73. Sand Creek near Brewersville - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 39°05'05", long 85°39'30", in NW^ sec. 5, T. 7 N., R. 8 E., on left bank at downstream 

side of county highway bridge, 2| miles west of Brewersville, and 5. 2 miles upstream from Bear 

Creek.

74. East Fork White River at Seymour - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 38°58'51n , long 850 53'57», in NW| sec. 7, T. 6 N., R. 6 E., on left bank 1, 700 ft downstream from highway bridge, 1 mile north of Seymour, 9. 6 miles downstream from Sand Creek, and 

at mile 219. 2.

75. Graham Creek near Vernon - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 38°56', long 85°34', in SE{ sec. 30, T. 6 N., R. 9 E., on right bank 10 ft upstream from 

State Highway 7, 4. 7 miles southeast of Vernon, and 8. 0 miles downstream from Little Graham Creek.

76. Middle Fork Creek at Lancaster - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 38°49«57", long 85°31'10", in Ej sec. 33, T. 5 N., R. 9 E., at bridge on State Highway 

250 at Lancaster, and 1, 400 ft upstream from mouth.

77. Muscatatuck River near Deputy - Gaging station

Location.--Lat SSMS'IO". long 85°40'10", in NE^ sec. 7, T. 4 N., R. 8 E., on right bank at downstream 

side of highway bridge, l| miles northwest of Deputy, 1-3/4 miles upstream from Coffee Creek, and 

2. 4 miles downstream from confluence of Graham Creek and Big Creek.

78. Muscatatuck River near Austin - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 38°46', long 85°49', in sec. 23, T. 4 N., R. 6 E., on right bank 15 ft downstream from 

bridge on U. S. Highway 31, 2 miles north of Austin, and 4 miles upstream from Stucker Fork .

79. Stucker Fork near Scottsburg - Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 38°41'10", long 85°41'48", at bridge on State Highways 56 and 203, at confluence of Hog 

Creek and Woods Fork, 2. 8 miles upstream from Kimberlin Creek and 4. 0 miles east of Scottsburg.

80. Honey Creek near Millhousen - 'Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 39°11 1 34", long 85°25'13 tt , in SW| sec. 28, T. 9 N., R. 10 E., at bridge on county highway, 2, 000 ft upstream from mouth, and 1. 4 miles southeast of Millhousen.

81. Brush Creek near Nebraska - Gaging station

Location.'--Lat 39°04', long 85°29', in NEj sec. 11, T. 7 N., R. 9 E., on righ* bank at downstream side 

of county road bridge, 1. 5 miles northwest of Nebraska, 2. 9 miles northeast of Butlerville, and 3. 6 

miles upstream from Brush Creelc Dam.

82. North Fork of Vernon Fork near Butlerville - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 39°02'5511 , long 85°32'40", in SE^ sec. 17, T. 7 N., R. 9 E., on left bank 0. 3 mile

downstream from Muscatatuck State Schoot dam, lj miles downstream from Brush Creek, and 2 miles 

northwest of Butlerville.

83. Vernon Fork at Vernon - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 38°57', long 85°37', in sec. 10, T. 6 N., R. 8 E., on right bank just downstream from 

highway bridge, 1 mile southwest of Vernon, and 2 miles downstream from confluence of North and 

South Forks.
12 FLOODS OF JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1959 IN INDIANA

Site descriptions--Continued

84. Sixmile Creek at Hayden - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 38°59', long 85°44'. in w£ sec. 10, T. 6 N., R. 7 E., at bridge on U. S. Highway 50, \ 

mile south of Hayden, and 65 miles upstream from mouth.

85. Manning ditch at Dudleytown - Miscellaneous site

Location. --Lat 38°51', long 85°55', on line between sees. 24 and 25, T. 5 N., R. 5 E.. at bridge on State 

Highway 250, 3/4 mile upstream from Horse Lick Creek, and 3/4 mile west of Dudleytown.

86. East Fork White River near Bedford - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 38°46'10", long 86°24'30", in NE| sec^ 21, T. 4 N., R. IE., at downstream side of center 

pier of bridge on county road, 0. 4 mile upstream from Mill Creek, 2. 9 miles downstream from Sugar 

Creek, 3. 9 miles northeast of Mitchell, and 7. 8 miles southeast of Bedford. Auxiliary gage located at 

site 9. 7 miles downstream at downstream side of U. S. Highway 50 bridge.

87. North Fork Salt Creek near Belmont - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 39°09'00", long 86°20'14", in NW| sec. 5, T. 8 N. , R. 2 E., on right bank 15 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 46, 100 ft upstream from Schooner Creek, 0. 7 mile northeast of 

Belmont, 6^ miles upstream from Brummett Creek, and 20 miles upstream from mouth.

88. Salt Creek near Harrodsburg - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 39°QQ'4Q n , long 86°31'05", in SE| sec. 28, T. 7 N., R. 1 W., 30 ft right of left abutment 

on downstream side of county road bridge, 1. 5 miles upstream from Clear Creek, and 1. 6 miles east 

of Harrodsburg.

89. Salt Creek near Peerless - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 38°56'35", long 86°30'40 II J in NW| sec. 22, T. 6 N., R. 1 W. , on downstream side near 

center of Monon Railroad bridge, 3, 400 ft downstream from Little Salt Creek, 1. 5 miles north of 

Peerless, and 18. 6 miles upstream from mouth.

90. East Fork White River at Shoals - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 380 40'02«, long 86°47'32 11 , in sec. 30, T. 3 N., R. 3 W. , in first pier from left bank of 

highway bridge at Shoals, 400 ft upstream from Baltimore and Ohio Railroad bridge, 1 mile upstream 

from Beaver Creek, and at mile 107. 6.

91. Lick Creek near Paoli - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 38°34'22", long 86°32'30", in SE| sec. 29, T. 2 N. , R. 1 W., at bridge on State Highway 

56, 4. 0 miles west of Paoli, and 7. 3 miles upstream from mouth.

92. Patoka River at Jasper - Gaging station

Location (revised). --Lat 38°24'49 n , long 86°52'36", in SE^ sec. 20, T. IS-, R- 4 W., on left bank 0. 3 

mile upstream from unnamed outlet of Jasper Lake, 1. 0 mile downstream from Coon Seitz bridge, 

1. 2 miles downstream from Beaver Creek, and 3. 3 miles northeast of Jasper.

Supplementary gage for high-water periods at former site 5. 6 miles downstream.

93. Straight River at Maltersville - Miscellaneous site

Location.--Lat 38°21'20 11 , long 86°53'34", in SE^ sec. 7, T. 2S., R. 4 W. , at bridge on State Highway 

162, 700 ft below confluence of Hall Creek and Flat Creek, 0. 6 mile north of Maltersville, and 3. 5 

miles upstream from mouth.

94. Patoka River near Princeton - Gaging station

Location.--Lat 38°23«30", long 87°32'55", in NE^NW^ sec. 32, T. IS., R. 10 W., on left bank 75 ft upstream from dam of Princeton Water and Lighting Company, 270 ft upstream from bridge on State 

Highway 65, half a mile downstream from Indian Creek, and 2 miles northeast of Princeton.

95. St. Marys River at Decatur - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 40°51', long 84°56', in SW£ sec. 27, T. 28 N., R. 14 E. , on right bank 10 ft downstream

from bridge on U. S. Highway 27, half a mile north of city limits of Decatur, and half a mile upstream

from Holthouse ditch. 

Remarks. --Flow regulated by Grand Lake. Some diversion from or into Wabash River and into Miami

and Erie Canal.

96. St. Marys River near Fort Wayne - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 41°00', long 85°07', in NE^ sec. 12, T. 29 N. , R. 12 E. , on left bank 130 ft downstream

from highway bridge, 4 miles south of Fort Wayne, and 12 miles upstream from mouth. 

Remarks. --Flow regulated by Grand Lake. Some diversion from or into Wabash River and into Miami

and Erie Canal.

97. Maumee River at New Haven - Gaging station

Location. --Lat 41°05', long 85°01', in SW? sec. 1, T. 30 N. , R. 13 E., in center of span on downstream 

side of county road bridge, a quarter of a mile upstream from Wabash Railroad bridge, half a mile 

north of New Haven, and 6 miles downstream from confluence of St. Marys and St. Joseph Rivers.
STAGES AND DISCHARGES 13

Previous maximum'

East Fork Whitewater River 

at Brookville

100

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

n

,J

I

II

l\

1 \

'

** >»

Laug 

Fa

\

1 

hery( 

mers

2

>eek 

Retr

near 

eat

Previous maximum 13,900 cfs

__>

I7"

i

\

s

Miss

nt

3

iissin 

>ar Ri

7

ewa F 

dgevi

tiver le 

.Previous maximum

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Previous maximum 27,600 cfs ,

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

n

Previous maximum 37,500 cfs

-

/

/

jf i- *-NS Vr

\n.

6

iftwcx 

ear E

N

7 

od RK 

dinbu

*^ 

__ 

«r

rg

 -

Previous maximum 18,500 cfs

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

JANUARY 1959

I I 70 I 

East Fork White River 

at Columbus

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Figure 7. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations, January 20-27, 1959.
14 FLOODS OF JANUARY FEBRUARY 1959 IN INDIANA

40

O 10

~ 30

10

2.5

2.0

78

Muscatatuck River 

near Austin 

r Previous maximum

I 81 t 

Brush Creek near 

__ Nebraska

-Previous maximum

77

Muscatatuck River 

near Deputy

28

24

20

16

12

82

North Fork of Vernon Fork 

near Butlerville 

Previous maximum

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Previous maximum 160,000 cfs

/O 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20

10

ft

-

-

-

-

-

-

_

/

f Ea

JS

stFor

at

/

90 

kWh 

Shoe

s

te Ri

Is

N

-

-

ver

-

-

-

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

JANUARY 1959

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Figure 8. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations, January 20-27, 1959.
STAGES AND DISCHARGES 15

/Previous maximum

J

r^

AH

-x->

s

\ """^ s/~KX^^.

Littk 

ne

3

sWat 

arHu

>. ,

3

ashF 

nting

iiver 

on -

14 

12" 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

n

previous maximum

/

-Z-

/

ft

l\

1 \

I

1

V

\"+S^

 ~>v

*-. 

Sa

^

3

arhor 

earV

4

lie Ri 

/arre

>rer

Previous maximum

N THOUSANDS OF C OJ {* OlCTi(S3 p -sj

& o

oc

?16

W 14 

Q 

12

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

n

Previous maximum 19,400 cfs

>

i

*\

\

^

\

\

\

Mote:

 =1

Pe

OC(

akdi: 

;urrec

Mis

chart 

i Jan

3

sissin 

near

:e, 12 

jary 2

8

ewa F 

Eaton

,000

2

liver

-

cfs

 ^^4^

Previous maximum 25,000 cfs

^

/-

4

w

\

4^, / Nv. 

Miss

 ^^^

3

issin 

atM

~~ .

=)

3wa R 

arion

iver

22 

20 

18 

16 

14 

12 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

n

Previous maximum 28,000 cfs

f

=)

i

Jl

^ ^

\

^s^L -s;

5^

Miss

 ^=

1

40

issinewa F

at Peoria

~ - -

iver

_

/Previous maximum

 ^ 1

/>

/

1

u

|

J

 '1

V^. ~*s f "^ /

^j \

^

^ ^>

Eel

in fa.^

4?

River at N 

Mancheste

 ^- .

 >^

orth

14 

12 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

n

Previous maximum 18,000 cfs

J

t

\vA

L^^_

 

 /"~>». ^M^H ~ --

46

Deer Creek 

near Delph

^S^s^ " __ _ "_ - - 

24 previous maximum

_50_

Tippecanoe River_ 

near Delphi

. Previous maximum

17

P

t

!^=

 =7" ==;

V

a

.

B 1

/ildcat Cre< 

t Greentow

^

3k

n

Previous maximum

. Previous maximum

.53.

Wildcat Creek 

- at Owasco -

FEBRUARY 1959

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

FEBRUARY 1959

Figure 9. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations, February 9-21, 1959.
FLOODS OF JANUARY FEBRUARY 1959 IN INDIANA

Previous maximum 17,900 cfs

54

-South Fork Wildcat Creek 

near Lafayette

Previous maximum 25,000 cfs

, A

UJ

O 

a:

<

I

Q

.Previous maximum

57-

Big Pine Creek near 

Williamsport

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

FEBRUARY 1959

Previous maximum 12,500 cfs

95

St. Marys River 

at Decatur

Previous maximum

96

- St. Marys River 

. near Ft. Wayne

20 

18 

16 

14 

12 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

n

/Previous maximum

-^-

/

k

?dsS*

s

-%

N^S"^

^

M

N a

\

97

aumee Riv 

t New Have

X

K

er

jn

K.

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

FEBRUARY 1959

Figure 10. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations, February 9-21, 1959.

10

0 a

Z 8

O

O

Previous maximum

30

Wabash River near 

- New Corydon

\

O 2

m

1) 

O _

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 45 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

JANUARY 1959 FEBRUARY 1959

Figure 11. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations on the Wabash River, January 21 to February 20, 1959.
STAGES AND DISCHARGES 17

20

16

12

8

4

0

50

40

30

20

10

50

40

30J"

20

Previous maximum 90,000 cfs

8

co 

ir 

a!

tDUJ

u_

a 

m3 

o

u- 10 

O

Previous maximum 115,000 cfs

r

Previous maximum 140,000 cfs

80 

60 

40 

20 

n

Previous maximum 145,000 cfs

-

-

-

Lj

/

/

/-\

s

\

^> . . *».

X,

.

Wabash River 

at Delphi

--*.

 . 

 -

-

- 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

n

Previous maximum 190,000 cfs

-

-

-

-

-

y

/

/

f

 « .

\

\

\

^

^^

**~^, ^

.

Wabash River 

at Lafayette

X^^"^*» -^.

_

-

-

1UU 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0

120 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

120 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

120 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

n

-

-

-

-

-^

/

/

r

1 s

\

\

s"X ^

5R

Wabash River 

at Covington

v^

X^v

-

-

,_

Previous maximum 230,000 cfs

-

-

-

-

/

J

/

/

/

/

f/

s*

S

"*X

\V

\

X

s<»

/Vabash River a 

Montezuma

X^s

^

-

_

-

-

^

-

Previous maximum 245,000 cfs

-

-

_

£.

/

/

/

j

(

~s*-x

V

s

k

fiO

/Vabash River a 

Terre Haute

X

X

^>s

-

*<

-

-

Previous maximum 250,000 cfs

-

-

-

-

-

-

S

fti

Wabash River 

at Riverton

^-- *^^ /

/

/

S" ~ -. \

s

x

x

-

-

X

-

-

-

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

n

Previous maximum 189,000 cfs

-

-

-

-

 ~^.^

L-fi9

Vabash River at 

Vincennes

^- -- 

^-" /

/

/

/\

^ ~~^

-

\

-

-

-

FEBRUARY 1959 FEBRUARY 1959

Figure 12. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations on the Wabash River, February 9-21, 1959.
18

Table 1.--Maximum stages and discharges of streams in Indiana

 No.

1 

2 

3 

4 

5

6

7 

8 

9 

10

11 

12 

13 

14 

,15

116 

17 

18 

19 

20

21 

22 

23 

24 

25

26 

27 

28 

29 

30

31 

32

33 

34 

35

36 

37 

38 

39 

40

41 

42 

43 

44 

45

46 

47 

4849 ' 

50

51 

52 

53 

54 

55

56 

57 

58 

59 

60

61 

62 

63 

64 

65

66 

67 

68 

69 

70

71 

72 

73 

74 

75

76 

77 

78 

79 

an

Stream and Location

M.F. of E.F. Whitewater-Middleboroi

llppecanoe Oswego

Drainage 

area 

(sq mi)

58.5 

539 

41.0 

35.9 

123

22.1 

382 

1,239 

23.2 

36.6

167 

248 

17.0 

8.01 

14.0

3.23 

188 

27.4 

129 

32.5

38.4 

8.04 

461 

16.8 

44.8

7.42 

150 

268 

321 

258

506 

710 

266 

422 

553

1,733 

130 

304 

677 

809

2,655 

416 

791 

3,751 

4,032

278 

115 

839 

1,710 

1,857

162 

245 

390 

246 

791

7,247 

329 

8,208 

11,100 

12,200

13,100 

13,700 

187 

425 

109

462 

1,054 

'298 

31.0 

1,692

88.8 

10.7 

156 

2,333 

77.6

16.0 

296 

365 

44.7 - * in"

Maximum 

previously

Since

1928

1913

1954 

1813

1897

1957

1954

1943

1930

1951

1837 

1913 

1943 

1957 

1913

1883 

1913 

1952 

1913 

1943

1883 

1929 

1943 

1883

1913

1943 

1949 

1943 

1931 

1939

1944 

1955 

1943 

1943 

1954

1858

1955 

1913 

1913 

1828

1913 

1867 

1950 

1897 

1942

1942 

1913 

1948

1913 

1897

1948 

1897 

1955

1947 

1932

Discharge 

(cfs)

35,000

Vl"is!o

14,100 

*39.0

M 18" 

2,580

8,520

11,100

26,000

6,390

25,000 

* f 22.7 

5,990 

11,300 

*19.5

90,000 

13,900 

19,400 

-*19.2 

28,000

115,000 

7,500 

17,000 

140,000 

145,000

18,000 

700 

7,800 

16,800 

21,400

6,320 

6,920 

*14.0 

17,900 

25,000

190,000 

9,260 

200,000 

230,000 

245,000

250,000 

255,000 

7,020 

*20.2 

10,700

27,600 

*20.3

20.5

100,000 

" 25.1

12,400 

120,000 

8,800

28,000 

26,000

-

Maximum, 1959

Day

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21

Jan. 21 

Jan. 22 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

-Jan. 21

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 22 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 22

Feb. 10 

Feb. 10 

Feb. 11 

Feb. 10 

Feb. 10

Feb. 11 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 22 

Feb. 10 

Feb. 10

Feb. 11 

Feb. 10 

Feb. 11 

Feb. 11 

Feb. 11

Feb. 10 

Feb. 18 

Feb. 15 

Feb. 10 

Feb. 10

Feb. 10 

Feb. 10 

Feb. 11 

Feb. 10 

Feb. 10

Feb. 11 

Feb. 10- 

Feb. 13 

Feb. 14 

Feb. ,15

Feb. 17 

Feb. 17 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 22 

Jan. 21

Jan. 22 

Jan. 23 

i Jan. 22 

| Jan. 21 

Jan. 22

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 22 

Jan. 21

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 22 

Jan. 21

.Tan. 5>1

Gage 

height 

(feet)

16.14

12.44

16.50 

27.96

36.43 

21.13

30.89

22.22 

9.32

23.07

24.19

20.47

14.95 

23.20 

18.43 

17.05 

14.08

24.44 

14.70 

16.8 

12.73 

17.17

22.60 

13.32 

11.50 

19.69 

*27.48

16.72 

8.48 

14.06

15.10

12.74 

10.83 

11.74 

*14.69 

19.36

25.30 

16.0 

28.41 

29.31 

26.90

23.78 

2 5.. 65 

13.28 

16/50 

11.48

14.59 

15.55 

11.34

13.40 

14.29

21.70 

19.39 

19.13

33.1 

29.20

Discharge 

(of s)

4,240 

31,600 

10,200 

3,260 

14,100

4,770 

36,100 

81,800 

7,040 

16,300

17,000 

47,800 

13,100 

4,200 

5,770

874 

19,600 

8,830 

23,800 

9,440

11,400 

2,740 

28,500 

6,920 

11,800

6,270 

3,620 

5,900 

4,680 

8,720

9,820 

19,800 

4,710 

13,200 

15,600

45,300 

9,120 

12,800 

14,500 

21,000

48,000 

7,050 

12,300 

69,000 

71,500

12,100 

548 

7,120 

'16,300 

22,600

5,390' ' 

8,100 

9,880 

8,400 

18,400

89,000 

12,600 

98,100 

105,000 

109,000

108,000 

97,000 

8,340 

10,300 

6,270

11,400 

21,800 

14,500 

; 2,490 

32,500

11,300 

3,260 

19,900 

62,100 

15,700

4,780 

52,200 

53,900. 

12,100 

988

Runoff

Jan. ' 

20-27 

(in)

3.06 

3.66

3.73 

3.43

5.29

5". 62 

6.13

5.26

"*6.

**6.

3.98 

2.97 

2.02

- I ...

2.62 

2.28 

2.67

2.91 

2.53 

3.13

2.43 

3.98

4.94 

2.81 

5.73

6.66 

7.20

, 1959

Feb. 

9-21 

(in)

....

 

39

32 

3.59 

3.48 

3.24 

3.20

3.71 

2.77 

2.30 

2.66 

2.86

3.27 

3.18 

2.97 

3.39 

3.37

3.24

2.25

2.82 

3.19 

3.47 

3.14 

3.19

2.87

3.10 

2.71 

2.71

2.47 

2.06

See footnotes at end of table
STAGES AND DISCHARGES 19

Table 1. Maximum stages and discharges of streams In Indiana Continued

No.

.81 

82 

.83 

84 

85

86 

87 

88 

89

90

91 

92 

93 

94 

95

96 

97

Stream and Location

Drainage 

area 

(sq ml)

11.7 

87.3 

201 

20.8 

12.5

3,870 

120 

441 

582 

4,954

45.2 

257 

62.4 

815 

615

753 

1,940

previously 

known

Since

1955 

1942 

<*1939

1913 

1913 

1913 

1937 

1897

1913

1934 

1946

1930 

1946

Discharge 

(cfs)

2,360 

10,900 

27,700

155]000 

12,200 

J*48.1 

*34.30 

160,000

16,000

18,700 

 12,500

13,400 

19,100

Maximum, 1959

Day

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 21

Jan. 25 

Jan. 21 

Jan . 23 

Jan. 23 

Jan. 27

Jan. 21 

Jan. 24 

Jan. 21 

Jan. 29 

Feb. 10

Feb. 11 

Feb. 12

Gage 

height 

(feet)

10.30 

25.41 

32.83

34.87 

21.85 

31.88 

31.62 

32.07

19.04

18.71 

24.22 ,

19.42 

21.3

Dls 

charge 

(cfsj

2,730 

26,200 

56,800 

6,080 

2,350

cc i fin

10^,600 

17,900 

"14,100 

68,200

8,160 

9,150 

11,100 

9,490 

11,300

13,600 

18,900

Runoff, 1959

Jan. 

20-27 

(in) '

5.43 

6.73 

7.20

2,80

3.59 

2.49

5.62 

""« .

Feb. 

9-21 

(In)

78 

3.27

3.53 

2.93

1 Stage

2 Flood of 1959 greatest since 1897.

3 Stage of 1959 greatest since 1910.

*For period Jan. 21 to Feb. 20.

*Stage 1.3 miles upstream at different datum^ frpjo Information by Corps of Engineers. 

'Stage determined by Indiana Flood Control and Water Resources Commission. 

7Affected by backwater.

*bally mean discharge.

'Stage from Information by Corps of Engineers.

The periods selected for the discharge hydrographs (figs. 7 12) are: (a) January 20 27, 

for the southeastern portion of the State, (b) 

February 9 21, for the Wabash River and 

tributaries and, (c) January 21 to February 

20 for Wabash River near New Corydon and 

at Bluff ton.

Each hydrograph shows a short horizontal 

line preceding the peak at the level of the 

maximum discharge previously known. When 

the discharge is much greater than the extent 

of the scale, the discharge, in cubic feet per 

second, is indicated.

Details of stage, discharge, and runoff are 

presented intable 1. Data shown for each site 

are: drainage area; maximum discharge (or 

stage) previously known and since what year; 

the date, gage height, and discharge of the 

maximum during January-February 1959; and 

runoff for the flood periods selected for the 

discharge hydrographs.

FREQUENCY OF PEAK DISCHARGES

In a state-wide flood-frequency open-file 

report1 the State has been divided into two 

regions and several hydrologic areas (fig. 13)

for comparison of data. All streams in each 

region have similar flood-frequency characteristics while those in each area have similar relations between mean annual flood and 

size of contributing drainage area. This re - 

port has given separate treatment to the 

main stems of Big Indian Creek, Blue River 

(tributary to the Ohio River), Wabash River, 

Tippecanoe River, and Patoka River. Peak 

discharges, in cubic feet per second, for each 

hydrologic area are plotted against the drainage area, in square miles, while those for the 

Wabash River are plotted against miles above 

the mouth (figs. 14-17). These graphs provide a means of comparing the discharges of 

the 1959 floods to those of the 10- and the 50- 

year floods. Although the curves may be 

used with a fair degree of confidence, no attempt should be made to estimate the recurrence intervals of points which are plotted 

an appreciable distance above the 50-year 

recurrence-interval curve. The reference 

numbers used throughout the report are 

shown alongside the peak discharge points 

for identity. The solid circles represent 

gaging stations and the open circles represent miscellaneous sites.

1Green, Rice A., and Hoggat Richard E., 1960, Floods in Indiana, magnitude and frequency.
20 FLOODS OF JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1959 IN INDIANA

87°

Gating station

Miscellaneous measurement site

Numbers correspond to 

those in table 1

Figure 13. Map showing flood-frequency regions and hydrologic areas.
FREQUENCY OF PEAK DISCHARGES 21

100

50

20

10

O O

iLi

co 2

_ 80.

O 0.8,,

CD

^ 

O

76' 

 81

82.

I I I I I I

AREA 1

I__I

10 20 50 100 

DRAINAGE AREA, IN SQUARE MILES

200 500

Big Indian Creek

and Blue River,

main stems

70 100 200 400 600

DISCHARGE, IN THOUSANDS 

8 So.jr>** o Mw

_ 1

-

_

-

I16

i

1 1 IF

26 ' 

22.

1 1 1 1

".

24«

.72

1 1

.10 

2U9%2

18, |Q^ 

»84

 6

I 1

1 1 1 1

/

1 1 1 1

j&f

i 1

.78

*12 ^ 

^^^7

AREA 2

1 1

1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1

j^ I

-

-

-

_

) 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 1000 2(X

DRAINAGE AREA, IN SQUARE MILES

Figure 14. Relation of peak discharge to 10- and 50-year floods in region A, hydrologic areas 1, 2, and Big Indian Creek and Blue River

main stems.
22 FLOODS OF JANUARY FEBRUARY 1959 IN INDIANA

200

100

I

2 ____ ,s!_-_

10 20

500

50 100 200 500 1000 2000 4000 6000 

DRAINAGE AREA, IN SQUARE MILES

100 200 500 1000

50

20

10

X

AREA 4

40,

<35 39

100 200 500 1000 

DRAINAGE AREA, IN SQUARE MILES

50

20

10

AREA 6

100 200 500 1000

Figure 15. Relation of peak discharge to 10- and 50-year floods in region A, hydrologic areas 3-6, and Patoka River main stem.
FREQUENCY OF PEAK DISCHARGES 23

500 

Q -

100 150 200 250 300 350 

DISTANCE, IN MILES ABOVE MOUTH

400 450 500

Figure 16. Relation of.peak discharge to 10- and 50-year floods in region A, Wabash River main stem.

30

8

*

10

CJ'

I 1

50

 Tippecanoe River, main stem 

below Mill Creek

2\ I I

400 700 1000 3006 400 700 1000 3000 

DRAINAGE AREA, IN SQUARE MILES

0.5

0.2 1 1 1 1

AREA 8

50 100 300

' Figure 17. Relation of peak discharge to 10- and 50-year floods in region B, hydrologic areas 6, 8, and Tippecanoe River main stem,

below Mill Creek.

INT.DUP..D.C.61-90 S9U