Mean annual, seasonal, and monthly precipitation and runoff in Arkansas, 1951-2011
Scientific Investigations Report
2014-5006
Prepared in cooperation with the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission
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Abstract
This report describes long-term annual, seasonal, and monthly means for precipitation and runoff in Arkansas for the period from 1951 through 2011. Precipitation means were estimated using data from the Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model database; while total runoff, groundwater runoff, and surface runoff means were estimated using data from 123 active and inactive U.S. Geological Survey continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations located in Arkansas and surrounding States. Annual precipitation in Arkansas for the period from 1951 through 2011 had a mean of 49.8 inches. Of the six physiographic sections in Arkansas, the Ouachita Mountains had the largest mean annual precipitation at 53.0 inches, while the Springfield-Salem plateaus had the smallest mean annual precipitation at 45.5 inches. The mean annual total runoff for Arkansas was 17.8 inches. The Ouachita Mountains had the largest mean annual total runoff at 20.4 inches, while the Springfield-Salem plateaus had the smallest mean annual total runoff at 15.0 inches. Runoff is diminished during the dry season, which is attributed to increased losses from evapotranspiration, consumptive uses including irrigation, and increased withdrawals for public and private water supplies. The decline in runoff during the dry season is observed across the State in all physiographic sections. Spatial results for precipitation and runoff are presented in a series of maps that are available for download from the publication Web page in georeferenced raster formats.
Suggested Citation
Pugh, A., Westerman, D.A., 2014, Mean annual, seasonal, and monthly precipitation and runoff in Arkansas, 1951-2011: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5006, Report: v, 40 p.; Downloads Directory: Appendixes 1-3, https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20145006.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Mean annual, seasonal, and monthly precipitation and runoff in Arkansas, 1951-2011 |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2014-5006 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20145006 |
| Year Published | 2014 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Arkansas Water Science Center |
| Description | Report: v, 40 p.; Downloads Directory: Appendixes 1-3 |
| Time Range Start | 1951-01-01 |
| Time Range End | 2011-12-31 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| Other Geospatial | Ouachita Mountains;Springfield-salem Plateaus |
| Datum | North American Datum 1983 |
| Projection | USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic USGS version |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | Y |