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Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams

Scientific Investigations Report 2016-5140
Prepared in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20165140

Links

  • Document: Report (5.04 pdf)
  • Plate: Plate A1 (9.94 MB pdf)
  • Tables:
    • Table 2-1 (108 KB xls) - General characteristics of the unregulated streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network
    • Table 2-2 (81 KB xls) - Discharges for the 50-percent annual exceedance probability floods for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network
    • Table 2-3 (87 KB xls) - Discharges for the 20-percent annual exceedance probability floods for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network
    • Table 2-4 (81 KB xls) - Discharges for the 10-percent annual exceedance probability floods for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network
    • Table 2-5 (81 KB xls) - Discharges for the 4-percent annual exceedance probability floods for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network
    • Table 2-6 (81 KB xls) - Discharges for the 2-percent annual exceedance probability floods for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network
    • Table 2-7 (81 KB xls) - Discharges for the 1-percent annual exceedance probability floods for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network
    • Table 2-8 (81 KB xls) - Discharges for the 0.5-percent annual exceedance probability floods for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network
    • Table 2-9 (81 KB xls) - Discharges for the 0.2-percent annual exceedance probability floods for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network
    • Table 2-10 (41 KB xls) - Discharges for selected p-percent annual exceedance probability floods and Water Resources Council estimated statistics for regulated streamflow- gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network
    • Table 2-11 (306 KB xls) - Drainage-basin characteristics for rural streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin
  • Version History: Version History (1.06 kB txt)
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Abstract

Flood-frequency characteristics for 360 gaged sites on unregulated rural streams in Wisconsin are presented for percent annual exceedance probabilities ranging from 0.2 to 50 using a statewide skewness map developed for this report. Equations of the relations between flood-frequency and drainage-basin characteristics were developed by multiple-regression analyses. Flood-frequency characteristics for ungaged sites on unregulated, rural streams can be estimated by use of the equations presented in this report. The State was divided into eight areas of similar physiographic characteristics. The most significant basin characteristics are drainage area, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, main-channel slope, and several land-use variables. The standard error of prediction for the equation for the 1-percent annual exceedance probability flood ranges from 56 to 70 percent for Wisconsin Streams; these values are larger than results presented in previous reports. The increase in the standard error of prediction is likely due to increased variability of the annual-peak discharges, resulting in increased variability in the magnitude of flood peaks at higher frequencies. For regulated streams, a graphical method for estimating flood-frequency characteristics was developed from the relations of discharge and drainage area for selected annual exceedance probabilities. Graphs for the major regulated streams in Wisconsin are presented in the report.

Suggested Citation

Walker, J.F., Peppler, M.C., Danz, M.E., and Hubbard, L.E., 2017, Flood-frequency characteristics of Wisconsin streams (ver. 2.2, April 2020): Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5140, 33 p., 1 plate, 2 appendixes, https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20165140.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Data Collection Network
  • Flood-Frequency Analysis
  • Regression Analysis and Flood-Frequency Equations
  • Techniques for Estimating Flood-Peak Discharges
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Crest-Stage Gage Uncertainty Analysis
  • Appendix 2. Supporting Tables and Figures
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Flood-frequency characteristics of Wisconsin streams
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2016-5140
DOI 10.3133/sir20165140
Edition Version 1.0: May 22, 2017; Version 2.0: August 30, 2017; Version 2.1: December 26, 2017; Version 2.2: April 8, 2020
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Wisconsin Water Science Center
Description Report: vi, 33 p.; Plate: 24.0 x 35.0 inches; Appendixes
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details