thumbnail

Magnitude and frequency of floods in Washington

Open-File Report 74-336
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr74336

Links

Abstract

Relations are provided to estimate the magnitude and frequency of floods on Washington streams. Annual-peak-flow data from stream gaging stations on unregulated streams having 1 years or more of record were used to determine a log-Pearson Type III frequency curve for each station. Flood magnitudes having recurrence intervals of 2, 5, i0, 25, 50, and 10years were then related to physical and climatic indices of the drainage basins by multiple-regression analysis using the Biomedical Computer Program BMDO2R. These regression relations are useful for estimating flood magnitudes of the specified recurrence intervals at ungaged or short-record sites. Separate sets of regression equations were defined for western and eastern parts of the State, and the State was further subdivided into 12 regions in which the annual floods exhibit similar flood characteristics. Peak flows are related most significantly in western Washington to drainage-area size and mean annual precipitation. In eastern Washington-they are related most significantly to drainage-area size, mean annual precipitation, and percentage of forest cover. Standard errors of estimate of the estimating relations range from 25 to 129 percent, and the smallest errors are generally associated with the more humid regions.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Magnitude and frequency of floods in Washington
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 74-336
DOI 10.3133/ofr74336
Edition -
Year Published 1975
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey [Water Resources Division],
Description v, 46 p. :maps ;27 cm.; (90 p. - PGS)
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details