Compilation of streamflow statistics calculated from daily mean streamflow data collected during water years 1901–2015 for selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages

Open-File Report 2017-1108
Prepared in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration Office of Project Development and Environmental Review
By: , and 

Links

  • Document: Report (5.88 MB pdf)
  • Figures:
    • Figure 3A (4.56 MB pdf) —Streamgages by record length [layered pdf; view in Adobe Reader or Microsoft Internet Explorer]
    • Figure 3B (4.44 MB pdf) —Streamgages by drainage area [layered pdf; view in Adobe Reader or Microsoft Internet Explorer]
    • Figure 3C (4.14 MB pdf) —Streamgages by percentage of zero-flow days [layered pdf; view in Adobe Reader or Microsoft Internet Explorer]
    • Figure 3D (4.18 MB pdf) —Streamgages by geometric mean of nonzero daily mean streamflow values [layered pdf; view in Adobe Reader or Microsoft Internet Explorer]
  • Data Release: USGS Data Release - Streamflow statistics calculated from daily mean streamflow data collected during water years 1901–2015 for selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

Streamflow statistics are needed by decision makers for many planning, management, and design activities. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) StreamStats Web application provides convenient access to streamflow statistics for many streamgages by accessing the underlying StreamStatsDB database. In 2016, non-interpretive streamflow statistics were compiled for streamgages located throughout the Nation and stored in StreamStatsDB for use with StreamStats and other applications. Two previously published USGS computer programs that were designed to help calculate streamflow statistics were updated to better support StreamStats as part of this effort. These programs are named “GNWISQ” (Get National Water Information System Streamflow (Q) files), updated to version 1.1.1, and “QSTATS” (Streamflow (Q) Statistics), updated to version 1.1.2.

Statistics for 20,438 streamgages that had 1 or more complete years of record during water years 1901 through 2015 were calculated from daily mean streamflow data; 19,415 of these streamgages were within the conterminous United States. About 89 percent of the 20,438 streamgages had 3 or more years of record, and about 65 percent had 10 or more years of record. Drainage areas of the 20,438 streamgages ranged from 0.01 to 1,144,500 square miles. The magnitude of annual average streamflow yields (streamflow per square mile) for these streamgages varied by almost six orders of magnitude, from 0.000029 to 34 cubic feet per second per square mile. About 64 percent of these streamgages did not have any zero-flow days during their available period of record. The 18,122 streamgages with 3 or more years of record were included in the StreamStatsDB compilation so they would be available via the StreamStats interface for user-selected streamgages. All the statistics are available in a USGS ScienceBase data release.

Suggested Citation

Granato G.E., Ries, K.G., III, and Steeves, P.A., 2017, Compilation of streamflow statistics calculated from daily mean streamflow data collected during water years 1901–2015 for selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017–1108, 17 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171108.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Computer-Program Updates
  • Station Selection and Attributes
  • Updating StreamStatsDB and Display of Statistics in StreamStats
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Compilation of streamflow statistics calculated from daily mean streamflow data collected during water years 1901–2015 for selected U.S. Geological Survey streamgages
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2017-1108
DOI 10.3133/ofr20171108
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Office of Surface Water
Description Report: vi, 17 p.; 4 Figures; Data Release
Public Comments Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program
Country United States
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details