Channel Improvements, Farm Creek, Illinois: Hydraulic Model Investigation
Abstract
Farm Creek, a small stream having a total drainage area of 61 .1 square miles, rises in eastern Tazewell County in central Illinois, and flows in a generally westerly direction for a distance of some 19 miles to its junction with the Illinois River near the city of Peoria (see figure 2) . The upper reaches of Farm Creek and its tributaries are characterized by narrow floodplains and rolling hills predominantly undeveloped or devoted to agriculture. The lower reaches of the creek, where its wide floodplain merges into that of the Illinois River, are bordered by the highly industrialized city of East Peoria (figure 1). On either side of the floodplain are steep abutting hills. The topographical characteristics of the Farm Creek basin are conducive to flash floods of short duration and high rates of discharge. Damage in the upper basin from such floods is minor. However, some 1200 acres in t he lower basin, consisting of residential and business districts as well as intensively industrialized sections, are subject to potentially disastrous floods. 2. The creek has five principal tributaries, three of which (Dempsey, Kerfoot, and Cole Creeks) enter Farm Creek within the corporate limits of East Peoria. A man-made diversion channel flows in a northerly direction from the left bank of Farm Creek, in the heart of the industrialized area, to the Illinois River. 3. The flood hazard within the corporate limits of the city of East Peoria and vicinity results from the extremely limited channel capacity of lower Farm Creek and is greatly increased by confining railroad tracks and restricting bridge openings which entrap portions of the large debris load carried by the creeks during flood flows. This debris load further reduces channel capacities and increases flood heights.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1953
- Accession Number
- ADA637742