Columbus Destroyed…1913 and what has changed

Julie Dian-ReedNWS Weather Forecast Office

Wilmington, OH

julia.dian-reed@noaa.gov

OSU and Stream Gauging

In November of 1892, Ohio State University (OSU) students established the first known stream-gaging station in Ohio on the Olentangy River near the Columbus campus. Using instruments furnished by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), students installed a temporary gage and made the first current meter measurements in Ohio. Although the station was operated only until June 1893, it provided computations of daily discharge and was the first standardized approach in Ohio to stream gaging.

Historic Marker Near King Avenue Bridge

No Stranger to flooding…

1898 Columbus flood…

Drainage affecting Columbus

Franklinton

Columbus (1913)

Scioto River Upstream of Columbus

~27,000 cfs2.5 times all subsequent floods

Scioto River Volumenear Columbus

Scioto upstream of confluenceCalculated volume ~92,000CFS(increase of 85 KCFS in 24 hours)

Julian Griggs, 1913

But What about the Olentangy?

Railroad Bridge Remains of Tracks Temporary bridge erected

Flood aftermath in Delaware, OH

Olentangy River high water (before and after Delaware Lake)

• 1913 flood volume was roughly 3 TIMES more than any other flood

• 1922 and 1927 crests partially flooded Ohio Stadium

• Delaware Lake completed in 1951

1913 Crest

The ‘Official’ Columbus River Observations

17’ in 24 hours

1913 flood stage

A city in ruins…

Perspective

• Franklinton Railway station, now historic Fire Fighters Union

After Water Receded

COSI

Veteran’sMemorial

Batelle ParkSanta Maria

• Caption:

“Science must not overlook the great need of preventing great floods that destroy life and property”

Several proposed changes to the river…

Change…Broad St. Looking West Again…

River Channel Improvement Plan, 1919City of Columbus Public Works

Present Day Columbus (near/below confluence)

• 1993-2000Franklinton Floodwall Completed

OSU Campus?From OSU Online History

• Out of boundsIn April 1913, rivers throughout Ohio overflowed their banks after long and heavy rains. Nearly 200 acres of campus was flooded as the Olentangy rose almost to Townshend Hall, on Neil Avenue just off the Oval. Students pitched in to help in the aftermath, rescuing people from their houses and doing other relief work. The flood, which caused hundreds of deaths and massive destruction statewide, is still considered Ohio's greatest natural disaster.

Ohio State Effects…

FEMA 1% Flood Today

Moving a River“…Nature bats last” -Robert Pyle

Photo Courtesy OSU Libraries