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Updated Annual and Semimonthly Streamflow Statistics for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, Southwestern Idaho, 2021

Scientific Investigations Report 2022-5095
Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225095

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), continued streamflow data collection in water years 2013–21 to update daily streamflow regressions and annual and semimonthly streamflow statistics initially developed in 2012 for streams designated as “wild,” “scenic,” or “recreational” under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness in southwestern Idaho. To sustain “outstanding remarkable values” in the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, BLM determined that maintaining specific streamflow conditions in rivers was important for sustaining ecological health, recreational opportunities, and water demands for stock water and irrigation in a region with increased pressure from upstream land development. Streamflow statistics previously developed using regional regressions based on limited number of streamgages and generalized basin characteristics were determined to inaccurately represent hydrologic characteristics in the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness.

In this study, updated streamflow regressions and statistics are provided for 11 partial-record sites in the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness using 311 additional streamflow measurements. A partial-record Maintenance of Variance Extension, Type 1 (MOVE.1) streamflow regression method was used to relate discrete streamflow measurements collected at partial-record sites with daily mean streamflow at nearby index sites. The updated regressions were used to estimate a synthetic daily mean streamflow record at each partial-record site for the period of record of the selected index site. The computed synthetic streamflow record was then used to determine annual and semimonthly streamflow statistics at each partial-record site. Annual bankfull streamflow statistics were calculated at each partial-record site using the computed bankfull streamflow at the selected index site and the updated streamflow regression.

Additional streamflow measurements representing a larger range of hydrologic conditions since 2012, reevaluation of index site selection, and updated regression techniques improved streamflow statistic estimates in the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness. Regression performance was evaluated based on the coefficient of determination (R2) between the partial-record and index sites, percent bias, and similarity of basin characteristics between the selected index site and the partial-record site. Generally, the updated regressions performed well for partial-record sites with an index site located upstream or downstream on the same stream. Regression performance was degraded and less robust for index sites located farther away from the corresponding partial-record site. Additional streamflow measurements at partial-record sites with few measurements over a small range in hydrologic conditions could improve regression performance and reduce prediction intervals. Furthermore, additional index sites in the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness could improve the updated streamflow regressions and statistics.

Suggested Citation

Dudunake, T.J., and Ducar, S.D., 2022, Updated annual and semimonthly streamflow statistics for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, southwestern Idaho, 2021: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2022–5095, 31 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225095.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Streamflow Regressions and Statistics at Partial-Record Sites
  • Quality Assurance and Quality Control
  • Index Site Selection
  • Comparison of Previous and Updated Streamflow Estimates
  • Limitations and Uncertainty
  • Suggestions for Further Work
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Updated annual and semimonthly streamflow statistics for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, southwestern Idaho, 2021
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2022-5095
DOI 10.3133/sir20225095
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Idaho Water Science Center
Description Report: viii, 31 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Idaho
Other Geospatial Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details