Natural Hazards Science:

Reducing America’s Risk from FloodsDavid Ford

David Ford Consulting Engineers

Keep people and property out of flood waters

Keep flood waters away from people and property

Start

Estimate flow consistent with risk

Compute water level for that flow

Map potentially

flooded area

Design & build or regulate

Superhighway

Compute water level for that flow

Map potentially

flooded area

Dirt road

Start

Estimate flow consistent with risk

•Record history

•Predict future

Driving directions

1997 Flood

New regulatory flood

Old regulatory flood

1900 2000

Pe

ak F

low

, CF

S

Consumnes River near Michigan Bar, CA

Start

Estimate flow consistent with risk

Simulate performance

Evaluate potential damage

Design & build or regulate

Bottom line…

USGS provides data and develops methods needed for wise water and land management

decisions.