By Tara Williams-Sether
Water-Resources Investigations Report 92-4020
Prepared in cooperation with North Dakota Department of Transportation
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This report presents techniques for estimating peak-flow frequency relations for North Dakota streams. In addition, a generalized skew coefficient analysis was completed for North Dakota to test the validity of using the generalized skew coefficient map in Bulletin 17B of the Hydrology Subcommittee of the Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1982, "Guidelines for Determining Flood Flow Frequency." The analysis indicates that the generalized skew coefficient map in Bulletin 17B provides accurate estimates of generalized skew coefficient values for natural-flow streams in North Dakota.
Peak-flow records through 1988 for 192 continuous- and partial-record streamflow gaging stations that had 10 or more years of record were used in a generalized least-squares regression analysis that relates peak flows for selected recurrence intervals to selected basin characteristics. Peak-flow equations were developed for recurrence intervals of 2, 10, 15, 25, 50, 100, and 500 years for three hydrologic regions in North Dakota. The peak-flow equations are applicable to natural-flow streams that have drainage areas of less than or equal to 1,000 square miles. The standard error of estimate for the three hydrologic regions ranges from 60 to 70 percent for the 100-year peak-flow equations.
Methods are presented for transferring peak-flow data from gaging stations to ungaged sites on the same stream and for determining peak flows for ungaged sites on ungaged streams. Peak-flow relations, weighted estimates of peak flow, and selected basin characteristics are tabulated for the 192 gaging stations used in the generalized skew coefficient and regression analyses. Peak-flow relations also are provided for 63 additional gaging stations that were not used in the generalized skew coefficient and regression analyses. These 63 gaging stations generally represent streams that are significantly controlled by regulation and those that have drainage areas greater than 1,000 square miles.
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and scope
Previous studies
General physical and hydrologic description of study area
Basin and climatic characteristics considered in the generalized skew coefficient and regression analyses
Analysis of generalized skew coefficient
Peak-flow frequency relations for gaging stations
Peak-flow frequency relations for ungaged sites
Ungaged sites near a gaging station on the same stream
Ungaged sites on ungaged streams
Development of regression equations
Limitations on use of the regression equations
Examples of estimating peak-flow frequency data for gaging stations and for ungaged sites
Example for determining weighted peak-flow frequency data for gaging stations
Example for determining peak-flow frequency data for an ungaged site near a gaging station on the same stream
Examples for determining peak-flow frequency data for an ungaged site between two gaging stations on the same stream
Examples for using regression equations to compute peak-flow frequency data for ungaged sites on ungaged streams
Need for additional streamflow data and for updating the basin and climatic characteristics file
Summary
References cited
Illustrations
1. Map showing locations of gaging stations and regional hydrologic boundaries used in the regression analysis
2. Map showing main topographic areas in North Dakota
3. Map showing the locations of gaging stations not used in the regression analysis
Tables
1. Mean and variance of station skew data and mean squared error computed for the differences between station skew and the generalized skew coefficient map in Bulletin 17B
2. Selected basin characteristics, peak flow for selected recurrence intervals, and maximum peak flow of record for gaging stations used in the generalized skew coefficient and regression analyses
3. Drainage area and peak flow for selected recurrence intervals for gaging stations not used in the generalized skew coefficient and regression analyses
4. Regional regression equations that relate peak flow for selected recurrence intervals to selected basin characteristics
5. Range of basin characteristics used to develop the regression equations
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