INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR REAL-TIME FLOOD FORECASTING

ALDRIDGE CREEK WATERSHED

William Thomas, PE, CFMSeptember 9, 2016

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WHY FORECAST?

• Proactive instead of Reactive

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ALDRIDGE CREEK• Huntsville, AL• 23 square miles• Primarily Residential• USGS gages at 3 sites

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ALDRIDGE CREEK FLOODING

• June 28, 1999– 300 structures

flooded– $7 million in damage– 6+ inches

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WHAT MAKES THIS INNOVATIVE?

• Real-time• Usable• Inundation

Mapping• Notifications

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REAL-TIME• Continuous Model• Real-time Data

Acquisition• Current Output

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USABLE• Access from

Any Device• Presentation• Tailored to

the User

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HOW HIGH IS 500 CFS?

INUNDATION MAPPING• Easily Assess

Hazard• Translate the

Technical intoUsable

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NOTIFICATIONS• Automated• Based on Rainfall,

Stage, or Flow• Text or Email

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QUESTIONS• hsv.floodwarn.net

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CONTACT INFORMATION

• William Thomas, PE, CFM– Schoel Engineering– 205.313.1150– wthomas@schoel.com

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