FLOODS OF DECEMBER 1982 AND JANUARY 1983 IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN by Vernon B. Sauer and Janice M. Fulford Prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 83-213 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract Introduction     Purpose and scope     Acknowledgments Storm characteristics Floods     Peak stages and discharges     Flood hydrographs     Additional information Selected references FIGURES 1. Map showing area affected by the floods of December 1982 and January 1983 2. Graphs showing daily discharge hydrographs for:     a. 05543500 Illinois River at Marseilles, Ill.     b. 05583000 Sangamon River near Oakford, Ill.     c. 07013000 Meramec River near Steelville, Mo.     d. 07056000 Buffalo River near St. Joe, Ark.     e. 07067000 Current River at Van Buren, Mo.     f. 07283000 Skuna River at Bruce, Miss.     g. 07289350 Big Black River at West, Miss.     h. 07356000 Ouachita River near Mount Ida, Ark.     i. 07362500 Moro Creek near Fordyce, ARk.     j. 07371500 Dugdemona River near Jonesboro, La.     k. 08015500 Calcasieu River near Kinder, La. PLATES 1. Map of study area showing location of flood data sites for the floods of December 1982 and January 1983 TABLES 1. Cumulative rainfall for December 2-7, 1982, and December 24-29, 1982, for selected stations in the study area 2. Summary of peak stages and discharges ABSTRACT Widespread flooding occurred in December 1982 and early January 1983 through a large part of the central and southern Mississippi River basin. The states affected the most by these floods were Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The flooding was the result of two major storms; one in early December and the other in late December. The early December storm resulted in outstanding floods mainly in Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. The late December storm produced major flooding mainly in southeastern Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Western Tennessee was on the fringes of both storms. Throughout the affected area for both storms, many streams exceeded previously known flood heights and discharges, and in many cases the recurrence interval of peak discharges exceeded 100 years. 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.