Evolution of methods for evaluating the occurrence of floods
Water Supply Paper
1580-A
By: M. A. Benson
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Abstract
A brief summary is given of the history of methods of expressing flood potentialities, proceeding from simple flood formulas to statistical methods of flood-frequency analysis on a regional basis. Current techniques are described and evaluated. Long-term flood records in the United States show no justification for the adoption of a single type of theoretical distribution of floods. The significance and predictive values of flood-frequency relations are considered. Because of the length of flood records available and the interdependence of flood events within a region, the probable long-term average magnitudes of floods of a given recurrence interval are uncertain. However, if the magnitudes defined by the records available are accepted, the relative effects of drainage-basin characteristics and climatic variables can be determined with a reasonable degree of assurance.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Evolution of methods for evaluating the occurrence of floods |
| Series title | Water Supply Paper |
| Series number | 1580 |
| Chapter | A |
| DOI | 10.3133/wsp1580A |
| Edition | - |
| Year Published | 1962 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. G.P.O., |
| Description | iii, 30 p. ; 24 cm. |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |