Flood-depth frequency relations for rural streams in Alabama, 2003

Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5066
Prepared in cooperation with the Alabama Department of Transportation
By:  and 

Links

Abstract

Equations have been defined for estimating the depth of water for floods having a 67-, 50-, 20-, 10-, 4-, 2-, and 1-percent chance exceedance on rural streams in Alabama. Multiple regression analyses of streamgage data were used to define the equations. Eight basin and climatic characteristics that were computed by using a geographical information system were evaluated as independent variables to determine their statistical significance for the dependent variable, flood depth. Drainage area was the most statistically significant independent variable tested. Addition of other significant variables did not decrease the standard error of prediction by more than 2 percent. Regression relations, for four different hydrologic regions, were developed to estimate flood depth for rural, ungaged streams as a function of the basin drainage area. These relations are based on computed depths that correspond to the flood magnitude and frequency for 164 streamgages in Alabama and 42 streamgages in adjacent States having at least 10 years of consecutive record. These relations utilize observed flood data collected through 2003. The geologic, physiographic, and climatic variability affecting flood depth is reflected in the constant (intercept) and exponent (slope) for each regional regression equation. Average standard errors of prediction for these regression equations range from 18 to 38 percent.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Flood-depth frequency relations for rural streams in Alabama, 2003
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2010-5066
DOI 10.3133/sir20105066
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Alabama Water Science Center
Description iv, 25 p.
State Alabama
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details