RAINFALL-RUNOFF MODELING AND PRELIMINARY REGIONAL FLOOD CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL RURAL WATERSHEDS IN THE ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN IN COLORADO
Both observed and synthetic rainfall-runoff and annual peak-discharge data for 17 rural watersheds were analyzed to evaluate the magnitude, frequency, and volume of floods in the plains region of the Arkansas River basin in Colorado. The results from analysis of observed data were weighted or averaged with results from analysis of synthetic data to provide improved estimates of selected flood characteristics. The 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-year peak discharges were regionalized using multiple-regression and station-year methods. Relations were developed to determine peak discharge from contributing drainage area (standard error of estimate 30 to 50 percent) and flood volume from peak discharge (standard error of estimate 62 percent) for ungaged basins between 0.5 and 15 square miles in size. Using these two flood characteristics, a dimensionless hydrography method provides synthetic hydrographs very similar in shape to observed flood hydrographs.
- Prepared in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Highways and the Federal Highway Administration.
U.S. Geological SurveyF Street Between 18th and 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20244
- Livingston, R K
- Publication Date: 1981
- Pagination: 49 p.
- TRT Terms: Floods; Hydrography; Mathematical models; Multiple regression analysis; Peak discharge; Precipitation (Meteorology); Rainfall; River basins; Runoff; Rural areas; Undrained strength; Watersheds
- Geographic Terms: Arkansas River basin; Colorado
- Old TRIS Terms: Multiple regression
- Subject Areas: Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; I26: Water Run-off - Freeze-thaw;
- Accession Number: 00343827
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
- Report/Paper Numbers: USGS/WRD/WRI/81-059, USGS/WRI-80-112
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Nov 23 1982 12:00AM