The final report for the Two-Dimensional (2D) Hydraulic Modeling Analysis of the West End Flood Mitigation Study is now published. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners, working with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), engaged Borton-Lawson to develop the West End Flood Mitigation Study. This supplemental 2D report is an addendum to the Final Report for the West End Flood Mitigation Study published in June 2022.
The Final Report outlined the recommendations for a levee system to mitigate flooding risks from Fishing Creek and the Susquehanna River. The purpose of this supplemental 2D hydraulic study was to determine the impacts of a proposed levee more accurately during the Base Flood (100-Year flood flows) on Fishing Creek and the neighboring municipalities and residents. Based on the impacts determined in the 2D hydraulic modeling analyses, the viability of various proposed mitigation solutions was assessed to minimize or eliminate any induced flooding impacts.
In the initial phase of the West End Flood Study, it became evident that the complexity of the Fishing Creek hydraulics exceeded the capability of One-Dimensional (1D) analysis. Due to the size and breadth of the floodplain and floodway, multiple occurrences of split flow and flow junctions, density of development in the floodplain, and superelevated water surfaces around channel bends, a 2D hydraulic model was determined to be required for analysis of existing and proposed Fishing Creek hydraulic conditions related to the recommended flood mitigation project for the West End of the Town of Bloomsburg. Advanced hydraulic modeling with 2D software offers powerful computational methods to better understand the behavior of flows under existing conditions and to predict flows under the proposed conditions with a levee system.
SEDA-COG assisted Columbia County in the grant administration of the studies. The study was financed by grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority and the Department of Community and Economic Development.
The results of the study can be found on the Columbia County website (https://bit.ly/3DEBePK)
SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.
2D Hydraulic Modeling Analysis of the West End Flood Mitigation Study Final Report Published
