1993 Ground-Water Flooding in the Havana Area

by Adrian P. Visocky, Illinois State Water Survey, Champaign, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

The Havana area in Mason County, west-central Illinois, experienced nearly continuous rises in the water table beginning in the fall of 1992 which created lakes in depressed areas. Water levels rose between 1.5 meters and 3.9 meters, causing serious local flooding. Excessive precipitation played a key role in the flooding. Between July 1992 and September 1993 rainfall at Havana was 157% of normal. A second factor was the Illinois River, which had been in flood stage for much of the summer, impeding ground-water drainage. Many of the conditions still persist, including ponded water and flooded basements. Lessons learned from the flooding can be grouped into the categories: infrastructure, emergency response and flood prevention, and the human element.

Subject Headings: Floods | Groundwater | Water table | Rivers and streams | Water resources | Water level | Soil classification | Cuba | Illinois | United States

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