Flooding and sedimentation in Wheeling Creek basin, Belmont County, Ohio

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The Wheeling Creek basin, which is located primarily in Belmont County, Ohio, experienced three damaging floods and four less severe floods during the 29-month period from February 1979 through June 1981. Residents of the basin became concerned about factors that could have affected the severity and frequency of out-of-bank floods. In response to those concerns, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, undertook a study to estimate peak discharges and recurrence intervals for the seven floods of interest, provide information on current and historical mining-related streamchannel fill or scour, and examine storm-period subbasin contributions to the sediment load in Wheeling Creek. Streamflow data for adjacent basins, rainfall data, and, in two cases, flood-profile data were used in conjunction with streamflow data subsequently collected on Wheeling Creek to provide estimates of peak discharge for the seven floods that occurred from February 1979 through June 1981. Estimates of recurrence intervals were assigned to the peak discharges on the basis of regional regression equations that relate selected basin characteristics to peak discharges with fixed recurrence intervals. These estimates indicate that a statistically unusual number of floods with recurrence intervals of 2 years or more occurred within that time period. Three cross sections located on Wheeling Creek and four located on tributaries were established and surveyed quarterly for approximately 2 years. No evidence of appreciable stream-channel fill or scour was observed at any of the cross sections, although minor profile changes were apparent at some locations. Attempts were made to obtain historical cross-section profile data for comparison with current cross-section profiles; however, no usable data were found. Excavations of stream-bottom materials were made near the three main-stem cross-section locations and near the mouth of Jug Run. The bottom materials were examined for evidence of recently deposited sediments of mining-related origin. The only evidence of appreciable mining-related sediment deposition was found at Jug Run, and, to a lesser extent, at one main-stem site. Suspended-sediment samples, discharge measurements, and beciload samples were collected at four sites on Wheeling Creek during four separate storm events. Approximate incremental sediment yields were computed so that subbasin contributions of sediment could be compared. The event site located farthest downstream consistently displayed the highest incremental sediment yield, which indicates that the corresponding subbasin contributed the most sediment on an area-weighted basis. Particle analyses of bedload samples and consideration of current land use suggest that probable major sources of sediment in that area are waste piles (which border the stream) left over from former deep mining and coal processing. INTRODUCTION Background On February 26, 1979, August 11, 1980, and April 12, 1981, damaging floods occurred in the Wheeling Creek drainage basin, which is located primarily in Belmont County, Ohio (fig. 1). In addition, four less severe floods occurred in the basin during the 29 months from February 1979 through June 1981. Because of the recent frequency with which damaging floods have occurred, local residents and officials became concerned about factors that could have increased the frequency of out-of-bank flooding, as well as ways in which future flood damages might be alleviated. Some residents believe that the frequency of damaging floods has increased recently because of a decrease in stream conveyance caused by rapid deposition of sediments originating from abandoned surface mines in the basin. In response to these concerns, a study was undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the .Ohio Department of Natural Resources, to assess the flooding and sedimentation problems in the basin. Purpose and Scope The objectives of this report are to (1) discuss the estimation of peak discharges and recurrence intervals for the 1979-81 floods in the Wheeling Creek basin; (2) provide information on current and historical mining-related stream-channel fill or scour; and (3) describe storm-period subbasin contributions to the sediment load in Wheeling Creek. The operation of a streamflowgaging station located near the mouth of Wheeling Creek also is discussed. The data upon which this report is based consist of surveyed flood profiles for the two most severe floods; streamflow data collected from Captina and Short Creeks, two adjacent gaged streams; precipitation records for storms corresponding to each of the seven floods; and streamflow, sediment, bottom-material, and cross-section data collected on Wheeling Creek from November 1982 through July 1984.