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Prediction of velocities for a range of streamflow conditions in Pennsylvania

Water-Resources Investigations Report 2001-4214
Prepared in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri014214

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Abstract

A regression equation that is used nationwide to predict traveltime in streams during periods of low and moderate flow was developed by H.E. Jobson in 1996. Because none of the data used in the development of the equation were from streams in Pennsylvania, velocities for low and moderate flows predicted by the equation were compared to velocities measured during time-of-travel studies on the Susquehanna, Delaware, and Lehigh Rivers. Although these comparisons showed good agreement, a similar comparison using velocities for higher flows indicated an overestimate by this regression equation. Because of the need for a method of computing traveltimes for periods of high flows, a new regression equation was developed using data from three sources: (1) time-of-travel studies conducted at low and moderate flow, (2) slop-area measurements of flood flows, and (3) velocities of the 100-year floodway as reported in various flood-insurance studies.

The new regression equation can be used for predicting velocities associated with flows up to the 100-year flood for Pennsylvania streams. It has standard errors of estimate of 0.18 feet per second, 0.37 feet per second; and 0.31 feet per second, for time-of-travel studies in the Susquehanna, Delaware, and Lehigh Rivers, respectively. The standard error of estimate is 1.71 feet per second for velocities determined from the slope-area measurements and 1.22 feet per second for velocities determined from the flood-insurance studies.

Suggested Citation

Reed, L.A., and Stuckey, M.H., 2002, Prediction of velocities for a range of streamflow conditions in Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 2001–4214, 13 p., https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/wri014214.

Table of Contents

  • Abstract 
  • Introduction
  • Comparison of stream velocities computed using the Jobson equation with velocities determined from other sources
  • Prediction of velocities for a range of streamflow conditions in Pennsylvania 
  • Summary
  • References cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Prediction of velocities for a range of streamflow conditions in Pennsylvania
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 2001-4214
DOI 10.3133/wri014214
Year Published 2002
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Pennsylvania Water Science Center
Description iv, 13 p.
Scale 1
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details