Temporal analysis of the frequency and duration of low and high streamflow: Years of record needed to characterize streamflow variability
Journal of Hydrology
By: S. Huh, D.A. Dickey, M. R. Meador, and K.E. Ruhl
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Abstract
A temporal analysis of the number and duration of exceedences of high- and low-flow thresholds was conducted to determine the number of years required to detect a level shift using data from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Two methods were used - ordinary least squares assuming a known error variance and generalized least squares without a known error variance. Using ordinary least squares, the mean number of years required to detect a one standard deviation level shift in measures of low-flow variability was 57.2 (28.6 on either side of the break), compared to 40.0 years for measures of high-flow variability. These means become 57.6 and 41.6 when generalized least squares is used. No significant relations between years and elevation or drainage area were detected (P>0.05). Cluster analysis did not suggest geographic patterns in years related to physiography or major hydrologic regions. Referring to the number of observations required to detect a one standard deviation shift as 'characterizing' the variability, it appears that at least 20 years of record on either side of a shift may be necessary to adequately characterize high-flow variability. A longer streamflow record (about 30 years on either side) may be required to characterize low-flow variability. ?? 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Temporal analysis of the frequency and duration of low and high streamflow: Years of record needed to characterize streamflow variability |
| Series title | Journal of Hydrology |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2004.12.008 |
| Volume | 310 |
| Issue | 1-4 |
| Year Published | 2005 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Hydrology |
| First page | 78 |
| Last page | 94 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |