Duration and Frequency Analysis of Lowland Flooding in Western Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, 1998-2000 By George S. Law U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 02-4266 Prepared in cooperation with the City of Murfreesboro Nashville, Tennessee 2002 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GALE A. NORTON, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Charles G. Groat, Director Any use of trade, product, or firm name in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. For additional information write to: Copies of this report may be purchased from: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services 640 Grassmere Park, Suite 100 Box 25286 Nashville, Tennessee 37211 Denver, Colorado 80225-0286 CONTENTS Abstract.................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose and scope ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Description of study area............................................................................................................................................. 3 Previous studies ........................................................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Study approach and data descriptions ................................................................................................................................... 4 Hydrologic monitoring ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Streamflow estimation................................................................................................................................................. 12 Hydrologic setting ................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Streamflow characteristics........................................................................................................................................... 14 Lowland flooding......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Hydrologic simulation ........................................................................................................................................................... 18 Duration and frequency analysis of lowland flooding in western Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee................ 22 Duration analysis ......................................................................................................................................................... 22 Frequency analysis ...................................................................................................................................................... 25 Summary................................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Selected references ................................................................................................................................................................ 29 FIGURES 1-2. Maps showing: 1. Study area and continuous-record stream-gaging stations on West Fork Stones River, Rutherford County, Tennessee ............................................................................................................... 2 2. Monitoring-station locations in the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, study area.......................................................5 3-6. Graphs showing: 3. Average daily rainfall for the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, area, October 1998 through September 2000 ......... 7 4. Daily maximum water levels at monitoring wells in the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, study area, December 1998 through September 2000 ........................................................................................................ 8 5. Daily maximum water levels at lowlands and caves in the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, study area, December 1998 through September 2000...................................................................................... 8 6. Daily maximum river stage for West Fork Stones River upstream and downstream of the old milldam at Manson Pike, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, December 1998 through September 2000................................... 9 7-8. Photographs of: 7. Golf range near Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, showing typical off-river lowland flooding in the study area for February 2, 1999, and approximately 1 week later ......................................................... 11 8. West Fork Stones River at old milldam at Manson Pike, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, showing high-water mark for January 23-24, 1999 flood; high flow on May 6, 1999; and low flow on August 20, 1999..................................................................................................................... 13 9. Graph showing estimated daily mean discharge for West Fork Stones River at old milldam at Manson Pike, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, October 1998 through September 2000 .............................................. 14 10. Map showing flood-prone areas, western Murfreesboro, Tennessee ....................................................................... 17 11-12. Graphs showing: 11. Observed and simulated daily maximum water levels for Manson Pike well, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, October 1998 to July 2000 ..................................................................................... 20 12. Observed and simulated daily maximum water levels for Nickens Lane lowland, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, October 1998 to July 2000 ..................................................................................... 20 Contents iii 13-17. Graphs showing daily maximum water-level duration curves for Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at: 13. Manson Pike well............................................................................................................................................. 23 14. Thompson Lane cave ....................................................................................................................................... 23 15. Harding Place lowland ..................................................................................................................................... 24 16. Nickens Lane lowland...................................................................................................................................... 24 17. Stoneman quarry well...................................................................................................................................... 25 18-22. Graphs showing daily maximum water-level frequency curves for Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at: 18. Manson Pike well............................................................................................................................................. 26 19. Thompson Lane cave ....................................................................................................................................... 27 20. Harding Place lowland ..................................................................................................................................... 27 21. Nickens Lane lowland...................................................................................................................................... 28 22. Stoneman quarry well ...................................................................................................................................... 28 TABLES 1. Hydrologic monitoring stations in the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, study area.......................................................... 6 2. Continuous-record stream-gaging stations on West Fork Stones River, Rutherford County, Tennessee ................ 6 3. Water levels measured at crest-stage gages, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, December 1998 through September 2000.......................................................................................................................................... 9 4. Water levels measured at lowlands and wells, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, October 1998 through September 2000.......................................................................................................................................... 10 5. Results of comparison of daily mean discharge for continuous-record stream-gaging stations on West Fork Stones River, Rutherford County, Tennessee .................................................................................... 12 6. Streamflow characteristics for West Fork Stones River at old milldam at Manson Pike, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 1932-99.........................................................................................................................