Runoff for selected sites in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, July 18, 1981, through July 17, 1982

Open-File Report 88-98
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Research Laboratory Corvalis, Oregon
By: , and 

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Abstract

Estimates of runoff for 56 sites within the Shenandoah National Park were made by the U.S. Geological Survey for the Direct/Delayed Response Project that is being conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The purpose of that project is to determine the long-term effects of acidic deposition on surface-water chemistry. Runoff was estimated for the period July 18,1981, through July 17,1982 during which periodic water-quality samples were collected for a study by the U.S. Geological Survey to determine the sensitivity of the area to the current input of acid deposition. The runoff values and waterquality samples will be used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine chemical budgets for 56 watersheds in the Park.

The runoff estimates were determined by a graphical-correlation procedure. Six discharge measurements at each site were made when waterquality samples were collected; these were then correlated with the concurrent recorded discharges at one of 13 nearby streamflow-gaging stations. The mean discharge at the gaging station for the subject period was transferred through the relation line to estimate the mean discharge and runoff at the waterquality sampling site. The runoff estimates during the study period ranged from 10.9 to 38.7 inches.

The accuracy of the method was evaluated by treating 13 nearby gaging stations as if they were water-quality sampling sites. A comparison of estimated and recorded runoff for the same period showed differences ranging from 28.2 to 49.5 percent, with an absolute average of 14.7 percent.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Runoff for selected sites in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, July 18, 1981, through July 17, 1982
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 88-98
DOI 10.3133/ofr8898
Year Published 1988
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Wisconsin Water Science Center
Description iv, 13 p.
Country United States
State Virginia
Other Geospatial Shenandoah National Park
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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