Application of the precipitation-runoff modeling system to the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wash watershed, San Juan County, New Mexico

Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4140
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Abstract

The precipitation-runoff modeling system was applied to the 8.21 sq-mi drainage area of the Ah-shi-sle-pah Wash watershed in northwestern New Mexico. The calibration periods were May to September of 1981 and 1982, and the verification period was May to September 1983. Twelve storms were available for calibration and 8 storms were available for verification. For calibration A (hydraulic conductivity estimated from onsite data and other storm-mode parameters optimized), the computed standard error of estimate was 50% for runoff volumes and 72% of peak discharges. Calibration B included hydraulic conductivity in the optimization, which reduced the standard error of estimate to 28 % for runoff volumes and 50% for peak discharges. Optimized values for hydraulic conductivity resulted in reductions from 1.00 to 0.26 in/h and 0.20 to 0.03 in/h for the 2 general soils groups in the calibrations. Simulated runoff volumes using 7 of 8 storms occurring during the verification period had a standard error of estimate of 40% for verification A and 38% for verification B. Simulated peak discharge had a standard error of estimate of 120% for verification A and 56% for verification B. Including the eighth storm which had a relatively small magnitude in the verification analysis more than doubled the standard error of estimating volumes and peaks. 

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Application of the precipitation-runoff modeling system to the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wash watershed, San Juan County, New Mexico
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 88-4140
DOI 10.3133/wri884140
Year Published 1989
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description iv, 36 p.
Country United States
State New Mexico
County San Juan County
Other Geospatial Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wash watershed
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