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Oklahoma FloodWatch

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By Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center April 14, 2017

By combining the historical record, data from ongoing streamgage monitoring, and data on new events, the USGS is able to develop the expertise and tools that help Federal, State, and local community leaders not only to enhance short-term preparation, aid, and recovery efforts, but to better understand how their flood risk may be changing over time and how they can reduce their risk in future events. (Larson, 2009, USGS General Information Product 93)

Systematic collection of flood records (peak stage and discharge) began in Oklahoma between 1930 and 1940. During that period, many continuous-record gaging stations (streamgages) were installed to define the flow characteristics of streams in Oklahoma. Some streams have records prior to 1930, but these records are generally fragmentary and in most cases only stream stages are available. Generally, the records prior to 1930 are for large basins only.

The spring and early summer months, April through July, have the highest occurrence of annual floods. More than two-thirds of all annual floods occur during these four months. December is the least likely month to have an annual flood in Oklahoma. (Sauer, 1974, WRIR 73-52)

USGS streamgages transmit real-time data about the stage and discharge of rivers to the National Weather Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (among others), helping them to monitor, predict, and plan for approaching floods. Flood forecasts and warnings issued by those agencies allow responders to evacuate residents, prepare for disaster aid, and protect and save lives and property.

By combining the historical record, data from ongoing streamgage monitoring, and data on new events, the USGS is able to develop the expertise and tools that help Federal, State, and local community leaders not only to enhance short-term preparation, aid, and recovery efforts, but to better understand how their flood risk may be changing over time and how they can reduce their risk in future events. (Larson, 2009, USGS General Information Product 93)

Oklahoma FloodWatch

Oklahoma Flood Tools

  • Oklahoma Flood Information Database - A web-based GIS tool developed in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to collect and summarize historical flood information near roadways
  • Oklahoma StreamStats - A web-based GIS tool developed in partnership with the ODOT for estimating flood-frequency statistics at gaged and ungaged locations
  • Miami Flood Inundation Pilot - A web-based GIS tool developed in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for exploring real-time and near-future flooding hazards near Miami, Oklahoma

Flood Information

Flood Links

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
dbflood-image

Flood Database for Oklahoma

A web-mapping application for historical flood information organization and access.
By
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
link

Flood Database for Oklahoma

A web-mapping application for historical flood information organization and access.
Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

Recent flow and stage for Oklahoma

Access recent flood and stage data for streams and rivers throughout Oklahoma.

By
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Surface-water data for Oklahoma

Real-time and historical streamflow data collected throughout Oklahoma.

By
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 13

Dam-breach analysis and flood-inundation mapping for selected dams in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and near Atoka, Oklahoma

Dams provide beneficial functions such as flood control, recreation, and storage of water supplies, but they also entail risk; dam breaches and resultant floods can cause substantial property damage and loss of life. The State of Oklahoma requires each owner of a high-hazard dam, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency defines as dams for which failure or improper operation probably will cau
Authors
Molly J. Shivers, S. Jerrod Smith, Trevor S. Grout, Jason M. Lewis
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Dam-breach analysis and flood-inundation mapping for Lakes Ellsworth and Lawtonka near Lawton, Oklahoma

Dams provide beneficial functions such as flood control, recreation, and reliable water supplies, but they also entail risk: dam breaches and resultant floods can cause substantial property damage and loss of life. The State of Oklahoma requires each owner of a high-hazard dam, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency defines as dams for which failure or misoperation probably will cause loss
Authors
Samuel H. Rendon, Chad E. Ashworth, S. Jerrod Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Large floods in the United States: where they happen and why

The spatial distribution of large gaged floods throughout the United States shows that the locations of most of the largest flows are related to specific combinations of regional climatology, topography, and basin size. Key factors include the general northward trend of decreasing atmospheric moisture, proximity to oceanic moisture sources such as the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and orie
Authors
Jim E. O'Connor, John E. Costa
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center

Summary of floods in the United States, January 1992 through September 1993

This volume contains a summary of the flooding in the upper Mississippi River Basin during the spring and summer of 1993 and 36 articles describing severe, widespread, or unusual flooding in the United States from January 1, 1992, to the end of the 1993 water year, September 30, 1993. Each flood is described to an extent commensurate with its significance and the availability of data on the hydrol
Authors
Donald V. Arvin
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Estimated flood peak discharges on Twin, Brock, and Lightning creeks, Southwest Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, May 8, 1993

The flash flood in southwestern Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, May 8, 1993, was the result of an intense 3-hour rainfall on saturated ground or impervious surfaces. The total precipitation of 5.28 inches was close to the 3-hour, 100-year frequency and produced extensive flooding. The most serious flooding was on Twin, Brock, and Lightning Creeks. Four people died in this flood. Over 1,900 structures wer
Authors
R. L. Tortorelli

Summary of floods in the United States during 1990 and 1991

This volume contains 50 articles describing severe, widespread, or unusual flooding in 28 of the 50 States during 1990 and 1991. Each flood is described to an extent commensurate with its significance and the availability of data on the hydrology and the damages. Each article includes one or more maps showing the general area of flooding. Most articles include tables of data that allow comparison
Authors
Paul Robert Jordan, L. J. Combs
By
Kansas Water Science Center

National water summary 1988–89 — Hydrologic events and floods and droughts

National Water Summary 1988-89 - Hydrologic Events and Floods and Droughts documents the occurrence in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands of two types of extreme hydrologic events floods and droughts on the basis of analysis of stream-discharge data. This report details, for the first time, the areal extent of the most notable floods and droughts in each State, portrays th
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Flood of May 26-27, 1984 in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The greatest flood disaster in the history of Tulsa, Oklahoma occurred during 8 hours from 2030 hours May 26 to 0430 hours May 27, 1984, as a result of intense rainfall centered over the metropolitan area. Storms of the magnitude that caused this flood are not uncommon to the southern great plains. Such storms are seldom documented in large urban areas. Total rainfall depth and rainfall distributi
Authors
DeRoy L. Bergman, Robert L. Tortorelli

Flood of August 27-28, 1977, West Cache Creek and Blue Beaver Creek, southwestern Oklahoma

The storm of August 27-28, 1977, in southwestern Oklahoma, shown on the map in figure 1, resulted in extensive inundation of property and damages estimated at close to $1 million (National Weather Service, 1977). Major flooding occurred on Blue Beaver and West Cache Creeks and their tributaries in Comanche County near the communities of Cache and Faxon, Oklahoma. The area studied extends from the
Authors
Robert K. Corley, Thomas L. Huntzinger

Flood of October 1973 in Enid and vicinity, north-central Oklahoma

Heavy and intense rainfall of October 10 and 11, 1973, caused wide-spread flooding along many streams in north-central Oklahoma.  This report shows the distribution and amounts of rainfall, and the magnitude and frequency of flood discharges at several sites in the area (sheet 1) and the extent of flooding in the Enid area (sheet 2).
Authors
Roy H. Bingham, DeRoy L. Bergman, Wilbert O. Thomas

Floods of 1971 and 1972 on Glover Creek and Little River in southeastern Oklahoma

Heavy rains of December 9-10, 1971, and Oct. 30-31, 1972, caused outstanding floods on Glover Creek and Little River in McCurtain County in southeastern Oklahoma. This report presents hydrologic data that document the extent of flooding, flood profiles, and frequency of flooding on reaches of both streams. The data presented provide a technical basis for formulating effective flood-plain zoning th
Authors
Wilbert O. Thomas, Robert K. Corley

Floods of April-June 1957 in Oklahoma and western Arkansas

Floods of unusual magnitude in volume for the three-month period in Oklahoma and western Arkansas resulted from several heavy rains. In one storm period 20 inches of precipitation fell within 24 hours, on May 15, 16, near Hennessey, Okla., according to information obtained by a 'bucket survey.' Total precipitation for the three-month period at many points of observation equaled the normal yearly t
Authors
D.L. Weiss, C.W. Sullivan

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

StreamStats in Oklahoma

Delineate custom drainage basins, compute basin characteristics, and estimate streamflow statistics.

Funding partners: Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Water Resources Board

By
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

By combining the historical record, data from ongoing streamgage monitoring, and data on new events, the USGS is able to develop the expertise and tools that help Federal, State, and local community leaders not only to enhance short-term preparation, aid, and recovery efforts, but to better understand how their flood risk may be changing over time and how they can reduce their risk in future events. (Larson, 2009, USGS General Information Product 93)

Systematic collection of flood records (peak stage and discharge) began in Oklahoma between 1930 and 1940. During that period, many continuous-record gaging stations (streamgages) were installed to define the flow characteristics of streams in Oklahoma. Some streams have records prior to 1930, but these records are generally fragmentary and in most cases only stream stages are available. Generally, the records prior to 1930 are for large basins only.

The spring and early summer months, April through July, have the highest occurrence of annual floods. More than two-thirds of all annual floods occur during these four months. December is the least likely month to have an annual flood in Oklahoma. (Sauer, 1974, WRIR 73-52)

USGS streamgages transmit real-time data about the stage and discharge of rivers to the National Weather Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (among others), helping them to monitor, predict, and plan for approaching floods. Flood forecasts and warnings issued by those agencies allow responders to evacuate residents, prepare for disaster aid, and protect and save lives and property.

By combining the historical record, data from ongoing streamgage monitoring, and data on new events, the USGS is able to develop the expertise and tools that help Federal, State, and local community leaders not only to enhance short-term preparation, aid, and recovery efforts, but to better understand how their flood risk may be changing over time and how they can reduce their risk in future events. (Larson, 2009, USGS General Information Product 93)

Oklahoma FloodWatch

Oklahoma Flood Tools

  • Oklahoma Flood Information Database - A web-based GIS tool developed in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to collect and summarize historical flood information near roadways
  • Oklahoma StreamStats - A web-based GIS tool developed in partnership with the ODOT for estimating flood-frequency statistics at gaged and ungaged locations
  • Miami Flood Inundation Pilot - A web-based GIS tool developed in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for exploring real-time and near-future flooding hazards near Miami, Oklahoma

Flood Information

Flood Links

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
dbflood-image

Flood Database for Oklahoma

A web-mapping application for historical flood information organization and access.
By
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
link

Flood Database for Oklahoma

A web-mapping application for historical flood information organization and access.
Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

Recent flow and stage for Oklahoma

Access recent flood and stage data for streams and rivers throughout Oklahoma.

By
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Surface-water data for Oklahoma

Real-time and historical streamflow data collected throughout Oklahoma.

By
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 13

Dam-breach analysis and flood-inundation mapping for selected dams in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and near Atoka, Oklahoma

Dams provide beneficial functions such as flood control, recreation, and storage of water supplies, but they also entail risk; dam breaches and resultant floods can cause substantial property damage and loss of life. The State of Oklahoma requires each owner of a high-hazard dam, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency defines as dams for which failure or improper operation probably will cau
Authors
Molly J. Shivers, S. Jerrod Smith, Trevor S. Grout, Jason M. Lewis
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Dam-breach analysis and flood-inundation mapping for Lakes Ellsworth and Lawtonka near Lawton, Oklahoma

Dams provide beneficial functions such as flood control, recreation, and reliable water supplies, but they also entail risk: dam breaches and resultant floods can cause substantial property damage and loss of life. The State of Oklahoma requires each owner of a high-hazard dam, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency defines as dams for which failure or misoperation probably will cause loss
Authors
Samuel H. Rendon, Chad E. Ashworth, S. Jerrod Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Large floods in the United States: where they happen and why

The spatial distribution of large gaged floods throughout the United States shows that the locations of most of the largest flows are related to specific combinations of regional climatology, topography, and basin size. Key factors include the general northward trend of decreasing atmospheric moisture, proximity to oceanic moisture sources such as the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and orie
Authors
Jim E. O'Connor, John E. Costa
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Volcano Hazards Program, Volcano Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center

Summary of floods in the United States, January 1992 through September 1993

This volume contains a summary of the flooding in the upper Mississippi River Basin during the spring and summer of 1993 and 36 articles describing severe, widespread, or unusual flooding in the United States from January 1, 1992, to the end of the 1993 water year, September 30, 1993. Each flood is described to an extent commensurate with its significance and the availability of data on the hydrol
Authors
Donald V. Arvin
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Estimated flood peak discharges on Twin, Brock, and Lightning creeks, Southwest Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, May 8, 1993

The flash flood in southwestern Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, May 8, 1993, was the result of an intense 3-hour rainfall on saturated ground or impervious surfaces. The total precipitation of 5.28 inches was close to the 3-hour, 100-year frequency and produced extensive flooding. The most serious flooding was on Twin, Brock, and Lightning Creeks. Four people died in this flood. Over 1,900 structures wer
Authors
R. L. Tortorelli

Summary of floods in the United States during 1990 and 1991

This volume contains 50 articles describing severe, widespread, or unusual flooding in 28 of the 50 States during 1990 and 1991. Each flood is described to an extent commensurate with its significance and the availability of data on the hydrology and the damages. Each article includes one or more maps showing the general area of flooding. Most articles include tables of data that allow comparison
Authors
Paul Robert Jordan, L. J. Combs
By
Kansas Water Science Center

National water summary 1988–89 — Hydrologic events and floods and droughts

National Water Summary 1988-89 - Hydrologic Events and Floods and Droughts documents the occurrence in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands of two types of extreme hydrologic events floods and droughts on the basis of analysis of stream-discharge data. This report details, for the first time, the areal extent of the most notable floods and droughts in each State, portrays th
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Flood of May 26-27, 1984 in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The greatest flood disaster in the history of Tulsa, Oklahoma occurred during 8 hours from 2030 hours May 26 to 0430 hours May 27, 1984, as a result of intense rainfall centered over the metropolitan area. Storms of the magnitude that caused this flood are not uncommon to the southern great plains. Such storms are seldom documented in large urban areas. Total rainfall depth and rainfall distributi
Authors
DeRoy L. Bergman, Robert L. Tortorelli

Flood of August 27-28, 1977, West Cache Creek and Blue Beaver Creek, southwestern Oklahoma

The storm of August 27-28, 1977, in southwestern Oklahoma, shown on the map in figure 1, resulted in extensive inundation of property and damages estimated at close to $1 million (National Weather Service, 1977). Major flooding occurred on Blue Beaver and West Cache Creeks and their tributaries in Comanche County near the communities of Cache and Faxon, Oklahoma. The area studied extends from the
Authors
Robert K. Corley, Thomas L. Huntzinger

Flood of October 1973 in Enid and vicinity, north-central Oklahoma

Heavy and intense rainfall of October 10 and 11, 1973, caused wide-spread flooding along many streams in north-central Oklahoma.  This report shows the distribution and amounts of rainfall, and the magnitude and frequency of flood discharges at several sites in the area (sheet 1) and the extent of flooding in the Enid area (sheet 2).
Authors
Roy H. Bingham, DeRoy L. Bergman, Wilbert O. Thomas

Floods of 1971 and 1972 on Glover Creek and Little River in southeastern Oklahoma

Heavy rains of December 9-10, 1971, and Oct. 30-31, 1972, caused outstanding floods on Glover Creek and Little River in McCurtain County in southeastern Oklahoma. This report presents hydrologic data that document the extent of flooding, flood profiles, and frequency of flooding on reaches of both streams. The data presented provide a technical basis for formulating effective flood-plain zoning th
Authors
Wilbert O. Thomas, Robert K. Corley

Floods of April-June 1957 in Oklahoma and western Arkansas

Floods of unusual magnitude in volume for the three-month period in Oklahoma and western Arkansas resulted from several heavy rains. In one storm period 20 inches of precipitation fell within 24 hours, on May 15, 16, near Hennessey, Okla., according to information obtained by a 'bucket survey.' Total precipitation for the three-month period at many points of observation equaled the normal yearly t
Authors
D.L. Weiss, C.W. Sullivan

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

StreamStats in Oklahoma

Delineate custom drainage basins, compute basin characteristics, and estimate streamflow statistics.

Funding partners: Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Water Resources Board

By
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
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