thumbnail

Use of Low-Flow Trend and Transfer-Function Models to Determine Relation of Low Flows to Regional Urbanization and Precipitation, Rahway River Basin, New Jersey, 1940-91

Open-File Report 99-257
Prepared in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr99257

Links

Abstract

The Rahway River Basin in northern New Jersey has become heavily urbanized. The importance of the Rahway River as a water-supply source for the region led to an investigation of trends in the river's low-flow characteristics over time and their relation to regional urbanization and precipitation. Since 1950, low flows at a stream-gaging station near Springfield, N.J., increasingly have tended to exceed those at a station at Rahway. Polynomial-trend models for three measures of low-flow difference between the two stations during 1940-91 show trends in all three measures, indicating that they have changed significantly in level during the study period. Transfer-function models indicate that differences in low flows between the two gaging stations are significantly related to measures of basin urbanization and regional precipitation. A rough water budget for the inter-gage part of the basin confirms these results.

Suggested Citation

Barringer, T.H., Reiser, R.G., Price, C.V., 2000, Use of Low-Flow Trend and Transfer-Function Models to Determine Relation of Low Flows to Regional Urbanization and Precipitation, Rahway River Basin, New Jersey, 1940-91: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-257, v, 24 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr99257.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Use of Low-Flow Trend and Transfer-Function Models to Determine Relation of Low Flows to Regional Urbanization and Precipitation, Rahway River Basin, New Jersey, 1940-91
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 99-257
DOI 10.3133/ofr99257
Year Published 2000
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) New Jersey Water Science Center
Description v, 24 p.
Time Range Start 1940-01-01
Time Range End 1991-12-31
Additional publication details