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Magnitude and frequency of flooding on small urban watersheds in the Tampa Bay area, west-central Florida

Water-Resources Investigations Report 82-42
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri8242

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Abstract

Hydrologic data collected on nine small urban watersheds in the Tampa Bay area of west-central Florida and a method for estimating peak discharges in the study area are described. The watersheds have mixed land use and range in size from 0.34 to 3.45 square miles. Watershed soils, land use, and storm-drainage system data are described. Urban development ranged from a sparsely populated area with open-ditch storm sewers and 19% impervious area to a completely sewered watershed with 61% impervious cover. The U.S. Geological Survey natural-basin and urban-watershed models were calibrated for the nine watersheds using 5-minute interval rainfall data from the Tampa, Florida, National Weather Service rain gage to simulate annual peak discharge for the period 1906-52. A log-Pearson Type III frequency analysis of the simulated annual maximum discharge was used to determine the 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-year flood discharges for each watershed. Flood discharges were related in a multiple-linear regression to drainage area, channel slope, detention storage area, and an urban-development factor determined by the extent of curb and gutter street drainage and storm-sewer system. The average standard error for the regional relations ranged from + or - 32 to + or - 42%. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Lopez, M.A., and Woodham, W.M., 1983, Magnitude and frequency of flooding on small urban watersheds in the Tampa Bay area, west-central Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 82-42, vi, 52 p. , https://doi.org/10.3133/wri8242.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Magnitude and frequency of flooding on small urban watersheds in the Tampa Bay area, west-central Florida
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 82-42
DOI 10.3133/wri8242
Year Published 1983
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description vi, 52 p.
Country United States
State Florida
City Tampa Bay
Additional publication details