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Basin Characteristics for Selected Streamflow-Gaging Stations In and Near West Virginia

Open-File Report 2008-1087
Prepared in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water and Waste Management and the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways
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https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20081087

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Abstract

Basin characteristics have long been used to develop equations describing streamflow. In the past, flow equations used in West Virginia were based on a few hand-calculated basin characteristics. More recently, the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to generate basin characteristics from existing datasets has refined the process for developing equations to describe flow values in the Mountain State. These basin characteristics are described in this document for streamflow-gaging stations in and near West Virginia. The GIS program developed in ArcGIS Workstation by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI?) used data that included National Elevation Dataset (NED) at 1:24,000 scale, climate data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA), streamlines from the National Hydrologic Dataset (NHD), and LandSat-based land-cover data (NLCD) for the period 1999-2003. Full automation of data generation was not achieved due to some inaccuracies in the elevation dataset, as well as inaccuracies in the streamflow-gage locations retrieved from the National Water Information System (NWIS). A Pearson?s correlation examination of the data indicates that several of the basin characteristics are correlated with drainage area. However, the GIS-generated data provide a consistent and documented set of basin characteristics for resource managers and researchers to use.

Suggested Citation

Paybins, K.S., 2008, Basin characteristics for selected streamflow-gaging stations in and near West Virginia (Version 1.1: July 2021; Version 1.0: 2008): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1087, Report: iv, 9 p.; 1 Table; Version History; HTML Document, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20081087.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Basin Characteristics
  • Uses and Limitations of the Basin Characteristics Data
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Basin characteristics for selected streamflow-gaging stations in and near West Virginia
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2008-1087
DOI 10.3133/ofr20081087
Edition Version 1.1: July 2021; Version 1.0: 2008
Year Published 2008
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Description Report: iv, 9 p.; 1 Table; Version History; HTML Document
Time Range Start 2000-01-01
Time Range End 2007-12-31
Country United States
State West Virginia
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details