FLOOD OF AUGUST 1953 IN THE VICINITY OF TYLERTOWN, MISSISSIPPI by Jackson District Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey Jackson, MS August 1954 Open File Release TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction General features of August 1953 storm Damage Meteorologic conditions Discharge Previous floods Figures Tables INTRODUCTION The United States Geological Survey in cooperation with the Mississippi Highway Department has been studying the surface-water resources and problems of Mississippi as they affect the highway program. One phase of this program is the determination of flood runoff from small drainage areas. This is the final of two reports on the August 1953 flood; the first or preliminary report was released to the Highway Department as an administrative report in November 1953. Nearly every year some part of Mississippi experiences a flood of exceptional magnitude that usually results from an intense rainfall over a relatively small area. These storms are difficult to describe satisfactorily, for often there are no official rainfall stations within the region of most intense precipitation, and supplementary rainfall information must be obtained from local residents. Owing to the flashy nature of the floods there is rarely an opportunity for direct measurements of stage or discharge. Discharge rates must frequently be computed by indirect methods, the most common of which are open-channel slope formulas and flow through contracted openings. Although reports dealing with cloudburst floods may be inadequate in many respects, any available information on such floods is valuable. A record of magnitude of these floods and a study of the history of previous floods is of value in designing engineering structures such as bridges, levees, dams, and oter controlling works, and in planning the complete utilization of the water resources of the region. Field investigations incident to this report were conducted by members of the staff of the District Office, U.S. Geological Survey, Jackson, Mississippi under the direction of William H. Goines, Hydraulic Engineer. This report was prepared jointly by Mr. Goines and Harry H. Barnes, Jr., Hydraulic Engineer. LizardTech's Djvu plug-in is needed to view these reports. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ENTIRE REPORT For questions or comments, contact K. Van Wilson.