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Regression equations to estimate seasonal flow duration, n-day high-flow frequency, and n-day low-flow frequency at sites in North Dakota using data through water year 2009

Scientific Investigations Report 2015-5184
Prepared in cooperation with the North Dakota State Water Commission, North Dakota Department of Transportation, North Dakota Department of Health, Red River Joint Water Resources Board, and Devils Lake Basin Joint Water Resource Board
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20155184

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Abstract

Seasonal mean daily flow data from 119 U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations in North Dakota; the surrounding states of Montana, Minnesota, and South Dakota; and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan with 10 or more years of unregulated flow record were used to develop regression equations for flow duration, n-day high flow and n-day low flow using ordinary least-squares and Tobit regression techniques. Regression equations were developed for seasonal flow durations at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percent exceedances; the 1-, 7-, and 30-day seasonal mean high flows for the 10-, 25-, and 50-year recurrence intervals; and the 1-, 7-, and 30-day seasonal mean low flows for the 2-, 5-, and 10-year recurrence intervals. Basin and climatic characteristics determined to be significant explanatory variables in one or more regression equations included drainage area, percentage of basin drainage area that drains to isolated lakes and ponds, ruggedness number, stream length, basin compactness ratio, minimum basin elevation, precipitation, slope ratio, stream slope, and soil permeability. The adjusted coefficient of determination for the n-day high-flow regression equations ranged from 55.87 to 94.53 percent. The Chi2 values for the duration regression equations ranged from 13.49 to 117.94, whereas the Chi2 values for the n-day low-flow regression equations ranged from 4.20 to 49.68.

Suggested Citation

Williams-Sether, Tara, and Gross, T.A., 2016, Regression equations to estimate seasonal flow duration, n-day high-flow frequency, and n-day low-flow frequency at sites in North Dakota using data through water year 2009: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5184, 12 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20155184.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Calculation of Seasonal Flow-Duration, N-Day High-Flow, and N-Day Low-Flow Frequency
  • Development of Regression Equations
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Table 1
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Regression equations to estimate seasonal flow duration, n-day high-flow frequency, and n-day low-flow frequency at sites in North Dakota using data through water year 2009
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2015-5184
DOI 10.3133/sir20155184
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) North Dakota Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center
Description Report: iv, 12 p.; 1 Table
Country Canada, United States
State Manitoba, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Wyoming
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details