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Kriging analysis of mean annual precipitation, Powder River Basin, Montana and Wyoming

Water-Resources Investigations Report 80-50
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri8050

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Abstract

Kriging is a statistical estimation technique for regionalized variables which exhibit an autocorrelation structure. Such structure can be described by a semi-variogram of the observed data. The kriging estimate at any point is a weighted average of the data, where the weights are determined using the semi-variogram and an assumed drift, or lack of drift, in the data. Block, or areal, estimates can also be calculated. The kriging algorithm, based on unbiased and minimum-variance estimates, involves a linear system of equations to calculate the weights. Kriging variances can then be used to give confidence intervals of the resulting estimates. Mean annual precipitation in the Powder River basin, Montana and Wyoming, is an important variable when considering restoration of coal-strip-mining lands of the region. Two kriging analyses involving data at 60 stations were made--one assuming no drift in precipitation, and one a partial quadratic drift simulating orographic effects. Contour maps of estimates of mean annual precipitation were similar for both analyses, as were the corresponding contours of kriging variances. Block estimates of mean annual precipitation were made for two subbasins. Runoff estimates were 1-2 percent of the kriged block estimates. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Karlinger, M., Skrivan, J.A., 1981, Kriging analysis of mean annual precipitation, Powder River Basin, Montana and Wyoming: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 80-50, iv, 25 p. , https://doi.org/10.3133/wri8050.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Kriging analysis of mean annual precipitation, Powder River Basin, Montana and Wyoming
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 80-50
DOI 10.3133/wri8050
Year Published 1981
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description iv, 25 p.
Country United States
State Montana, Wyoming
Other Geospatial Powder River Basin
Additional publication details