thumbnail

Estimates of Median Flows for Streams on the Kansas Surface Water Register

Water-Resources Investigations Report 2002-4292
Prepared in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri20024292

Links

Abstract

The Kansas State Legislature, by enacting Kansas Statute KSA 82a-2001 et. seq., mandated the criteria for determining which Kansas stream segments would be subject to classification by the State. One criterion for the selection as a classified stream segment is based on the statistic of median flow being equal to or greater than 1 cubic foot per second. As specified by KSA 82a-2001 et. seq., median flows were determined from U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging-station data by using the most-recent 10-years of gaged data (KSA) for each streamflow-gaging station. Median flows also were determined by using gaged data from the entire period of record (all-available hydrology, AAH).

Least-squares multiple regression techniques were used, along with Tobit analyses, to develop equations for estimating median flows for uncontrolled stream segments. The drainage area of the uncontrolled gaging stations used in the regression analyses ranged from 2.06 to 12,004 square miles. A logarithmic transformation of the data was needed to develop the best linear relation for computing median flows. In the regression analyses, the significant climatic and basin characteristics, in order of importance, were drainage area, mean annual precipitation, mean basin permeability, and mean basin slope. Tobit analyses of KSA data yielded a root mean square error of 0.285 logarithmic units, and the best equations using Tobit analyses of AAH data had a root mean square error of 0.247 logarithmic units.

These equations and an interpolation procedure were used to compute median flows for the uncontrolled stream segments on the Kansas Surface Water Register. Measured median flows from gaging stations were incorporated into the regression-estimated median flows along the stream segments where available. The segments that were uncontrolled were interpolated using gaged data weighted according to the drainage area and the bias between the regression-estimated and gaged flow information. On controlled reaches of Kansas streams, the median flow information was interpolated between gaging stations using only gaged data weighted by drainage area.

Of the 2,232 total stream segments on the Kansas Surface Water Register, 30 percent of the segments had an estimated median streamflow of less than 1 cubic foot per second when the KSA analysis was used. When the AAH analysis was used, 40 percent of the segments had an estimated median streamflow of less than 1 cubic foot per second.

Suggested Citation

Perry, C.A., Wolock, D.M., and Artman, J.C., 2002, Estimates of median flows for streams on the Kansas surface water register: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 02–4292, 107 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri20024292.

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Factors Affecting Streamflow
  • Methods for Estimating Median Flows
  • Kansas Surface Water Register
  • Basin Characteristics for Stream Segments
  • Estimates of Median Flows for Stream Segments
  • Internet Dissemination of Results
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Appendix A. Kansas Statute KSA 82a–2001 et. seq.
  • Appendix B. Median flow information for streamflow-gaging stations used in the interpolation procedure
  • Appendix C. Estimated median flows at downstream end of stream segments on the Kansas Surface Water Register
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Estimates of median flows for streams on the Kansas surface water register
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 2002-4292
DOI 10.3133/wri20024292
Edition Superseded by SIR 2004-5032
Year Published 2002
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Kansas Water Science Center
Description vi, 107 p.
Country United States
State Kansas
Additional publication details