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The U.S. Geological Survey Peak-Flow File Data Verification Project, 2008–16

Scientific Investigations Report 2017-5119
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175119

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Abstract

Annual peak streamflow (peak flow) at a streamgage is defined as the maximum instantaneous flow in a water year. A water year begins on October 1 and continues through September 30 of the following year; for example, water year 2015 extends from October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015. The accuracy, characterization, and completeness of the peak streamflow data are critical in determining flood-frequency estimates that are used daily to design water and transportation infrastructure, delineate flood-plain boundaries, and regulate development and utilization of lands throughout the United States and are essential to understanding the implications of climate and land-use change on flooding and high-flow conditions.

As of November 14, 2016, peak-flow data existed for 27,240 unique streamgages in the United States and its territories. The data, collectively referred to as the “peak-flow file,” are available as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) public web interface, the National Water Information System, at https://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/peak. Although the data have been routinely subjected to periodic review by the USGS Office of Surface Water and screening at the USGS Water Science Center level, these data were not reviewed in a national, systematic manner until 2008 when automated scripts were developed and applied to detect potential errors in peak-flow values and their associated dates, gage heights, and peak-flow qualification codes, as well as qualification codes associated with the gage heights. USGS scientists and hydrographers studied the resulting output, accessed basic records and field notes, and corrected observed errors or, more commonly, confirmed existing data as correct.

This report summarizes the changes in peak-flow file data at a national level, illustrates their nature and causation, and identifies the streamgages affected by these changes. Specifically, the peak-flow data were compared for streamgages with peak flow measured as of November 19, 2008 (before the automated scripts were widely applied) and on November 14, 2016 (after several rounds of corrections). There were 659,332 peak-flow values in the 2008 dataset and 731,965 peak-flow values in the 2016 dataset. When compared to the 2016 dataset, 5,179 (0.79 percent) peak-flow values had changed; 36,506 (5.54 percent) of the peak-flow qualification codes had changed; 1,938 (0.29 percent) peak-flow dates had changed; 18,599 (2.82 percent) of the peak-flow gage heights had changed; and 20,683 (3.14 percent) of the gage-height qualification codes had changed—most as a direct result of the peak-flow file data verification effort led by USGS personnel. The various types of changes are summarized and mapped in this report. In addition to this report, a corresponding USGS data release is provided to identify changes in peak flows at individual streamgages. The data release and the procedures to access the data release are described in this report.

Suggested Citation

Ryberg, K.R., Goree, B.B., Williams-Sether, Tara, and Mason, R.R., Jr., 2017, The U.S. Geological Survey Peak-Flow File Data Verification Project, 2008–16: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5119, 61 p., https://doi.org/10.31333/sir20175119.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Data Representing Peak-Flow File Changes
  • Types of Errors in the Peak-Flow File
  • Checks Done on Peak-Flow Values
  • Checks Done on Gage-Height Values
  • Peak-Flow File Qualification Codes
  • Limitations of Peak-Flow File Checks
  • Comparison Methods
  • Results of 2008 to 2016 Comparison
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. U.S. Geological Survey Surface Water Branch Technical Memorandum 69.11—Storage and Retrieval System for Annual Peak Discharges
  • Appendix 2. Code that Produced the Results
  • Reference Cited



Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The U.S. Geological Survey Peak-Flow File Data Verification Project, 2008–16
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2017-5119
DOI 10.3133/sir20175119
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Office of Surface Water
Description Report: vii, 63 p.; Appendixes 1-2; Data Release
Country United States
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details