SAM 2.1—A computer program for plotting and formatting surveying data for estimating peak discharges by the slope-area method
Fact Sheet
2004-3028
By: J.E. Hortness
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Abstract
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measures discharge in streams using several methods. However, measurement of peak discharges is often impossible or impractical due to difficult access, inherent danger of making measurements during flood events, and timing often associated with flood events. Thus, many peak discharge values often are calculated after the fact by use of indirect methods. The most common indirect method for estimating peak dis- charges in streams is the slope-area method. This, like other indirect methods, requires measuring the flood profile through detailed surveys. Processing the survey data for efficient entry into computer streamflow models can be time demanding; SAM 2.1 is a program designed to expedite that process. The SAM 2.1 computer program is designed to be run in the field on a portable computer. The program processes digital surveying data obtained from an electronic surveying instrument during slope- area measurements. After all measurements have been completed, the program generates files to be input into the SAC (Slope-Area Computation program; Fulford, 1994) or HEC-RAS (Hydrologic Engineering Center-River Analysis System; Brunner, 2001) computer streamflow models so that an estimate of the peak discharge can be calculated.
Suggested Citation
Hortness, J., 2004, SAM 2.1—A computer program for plotting and formatting surveying data for estimating peak discharges by the slope-area method (Legacy Report): U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2004-3028, 6 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20043028.
ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | SAM 2.1—A computer program for plotting and formatting surveying data for estimating peak discharges by the slope-area method |
| Series title | Fact Sheet |
| Series number | 2004-3028 |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs20043028 |
| Edition | Legacy Report |
| Year Published | 2004 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Idaho Water Science Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| Country | United States |