Estimating Flow-Duration Statistics and Low-Flow Frequencies for Selected Streams and the Implementation of a StreamStats Web-Based Tool in Puerto Rico

Scientific Investigations Report 2021-5054
Prepared in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board
By:

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Abstract

Daily mean streamflow data from 28 U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations in Puerto Rico with 10 or more years of unregulated or minimally affected flow record through water year 2018 were used to develop regression equations for flow duration and annual n-day low-flow statistics. Ordinary least-squares and generalized least-squares regression techniques were used to develop regional regression equations for flow-duration statistics at the 99th, 98th, 95th, 90th, 80th, 70th, 60th, and 50th percent exceedance probabilities and annual n-day low-flow frequency statistics for the 1-, 7-, 14-, and 30-day mean low flows with the 2-year (0.5 nonexceedance probability), 5-year (0.2 nonexceedance probability), and 10-year (0.1 nonexceedance probability) recurrence intervals. A StreamStats web application was developed to estimate basin and climatic characteristics for the regional regression equation analysis. Basin and climatic characteristics determined to be significant explanatory variables in one or more regression equations included drainage area, mean total annual reference evapotranspiration, and minimum basin elevation. The adjusted coefficient of determination for the flow-duration regression equations ranged from 57.7 to 81.4 percent. The pseudo coefficient of determination for the annual n-day low-flow regression equations ranged from 64.6 to 70.7 percent. The StreamStats web application incorporates the flow duration, and annual n-day low-flow regression equations and can provide streamflow estimates for most ungaged sites in the island.

Suggested Citation

Williams-Sether, T., 2021, Estimating flow-duration statistics and low-flow frequencies for selected streams and the implementation of a StreamStats web-based tool in Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2021–5054, 18 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20215054.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Statistical Methods
  • Development of Regional Regression Equations
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Estimating flow-duration statistics and low-flow frequencies for selected streams and the implementation of a StreamStats web-based tool in Puerto Rico
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2021-5054
DOI 10.3133/sir20215054
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Dakota Water Science Center
Description Report: v, 17 p.; Data Release; Dataset
Country United States
State Puerto Rico
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details