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Montana StreamStats—A method for retrieving basin and streamflow characteristics in Montana: Chapter A in Montana StreamStats

Scientific Investigations Report 2015-5019-A
Prepared in cooperation with the Montana Department of Transportation, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20155019A

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides streamflow characteristics and other related information needed by water-resource managers to protect people and property from floods, plan and manage water-resource activities, and protect water quality. Streamflow characteristics provided by the USGS, such as peak-flow and low-flow frequencies for streamflow-gaging stations, are frequently used by engineers, flood forecasters, land managers, biologists, and others to guide their everyday decisions. In addition to providing streamflow characteristics at streamflow-gaging stations, the USGS also develops regional regression equations and drainage area-adjustment methods for estimating streamflow characteristics at locations on ungaged streams. Regional regression equations can be complex and often require users to determine several basin characteristics, which are physical and climatic characteristics of the stream and its drainage basin. Obtaining these basin characteristics for streamflow-gaging stations and ungaged sites traditionally has been time consuming and subjective, and led to inconsistent results.

StreamStats is a Web-based geographic information system application that was created by the USGS to provide users with access to an assortment of analytical tools that are useful for water-resource planning and management. StreamStats allows users to easily obtain streamflow and basin characteristics for USGS streamflow-gaging stations and user-selected locations on ungaged streams. The USGS, in cooperation with Montana Department of Transportation, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, completed a study to develop a StreamStats application for Montana, compute streamflow characteristics at streamflow-gaging stations, and develop regional regression equations to estimate streamflow characteristics at ungaged sites. Chapter A of this Scientific Investigations Report describes the Montana StreamStats application and the datasets, streamflow-gaging stations, streamflow characteristics, and regression equations (as described fully in Chapters B through G of this report) that are used for development of the StreamStats application for Montana.

Suggested Citation

McCarthy, P.M., Dutton, D.M., Sando, S.K., and Sando, Roy, 2016, Montana StreamStats—A method for retrieving basin and streamflow characteristics in Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015– 5019–A, 16 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20155019A.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Montana StreamStats
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Streamflow-Gaging Stations, Dams, and Major Regulation Structures Used in this Study
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Montana StreamStats—A method for retrieving basin and streamflow characteristics in Montana: Chapter A in Montana StreamStats
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2015-5019
Chapter A
DOI 10.3133/sir20155019A
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) WY-MT Water Science Center
Description Report: v, 16 p.; 4 Tables
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Larger Work Title Montana StreamStats (Scientific Investigations Report 2015-5019)
Country United States
State Montana
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details