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Streamflows in Wyoming

Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4045
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri884045

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Abstract

A description of the occurrence and availability of surface waters in Wyoming is presented along with explanations of both streamflow-data collection and methods for estimating streamflow characteristics at gaged and ungaged sites. Mountain ranges separate the major drainage basins and have a significant effect on the quantity of precipitation and the volume of runoff that occurs in Wyoming. Perennial streams that originate in the mountains provide the most dependable source of runoff; streams that originate in the plains and deserts generally are intermittent or ephemeral and have extended periods of no flow. Streamflow data for several hundred gaged sites in the State are available for engineering and management purposes. When gaged data are not available, methods for estimating streamflow characteristics are needed. Methods presented in this report for estimating streamflow characteristics have been improved over previous methods through the use of refined analytical techniques and an updated data base. Peak-flow characteristics and mean annual runoff at ungaged sites can be estimated by using regression equations, with either basin characteristics or channel width being independent variables. Log-linear regression equations are used for estimating streamflow characteristics in the mountains; whereas, curvilinear equations of double-exponential form were determined to be more appropriate than log-linear relations for depicting peak flows in the plains and deserts. (USGS)
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Streamflows in Wyoming
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 88-4045
DOI 10.3133/wri884045
Edition -
Year Published 1988
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description vi, 84 p. :ill., maps (some col.) ;28 cm.
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