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Application of the U.S. Geological Survey's precipitation-runoff modeling system to the Prairie Dog Creek basin, southeastern Montana

Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4178
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844178

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey 's precipitation-runoff modeling system was tested using 2 year 's data for the daily mode and 17 storms for the storm mode from a basin in southeastern Montana. Two hydrologic response unit delineations were studied. The more complex delineation did not provide superior results. In this application, the optimum numbers of hydrologic response units were 16 and 18 for the two alternatives. The first alternative with 16 units was modified to facilitate interfacing with the storm mode. A parameter subset was defined for the daily mode using sensitivity analysis. Following optimization, the simulated hydrographs approximated the observed hydrograph during the first year, a year of large snowfall. More runoff was simulated than observed during the second year. There was reasonable correspondence between the observed snowpack and the simulated snowpack the first season but poor the second. More soil moisture was withdrawn than was indicated by soil moisture observations. Optimization of parameters in the storm mode resulted in much larger values than originally estimated, commonly larger than published values of the Green and Ampt parameters. Following optimization, variable results were obtained. The results obtained are probably related to inadequate representation of basin infiltration characteristics and to precipitation variability. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Cary, L.E., 1984, Application of the U.S. Geological Survey's precipitation-runoff modeling system to the Prairie Dog Creek basin, southeastern Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4178, vi, 95 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844178.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Application of the U.S. Geological Survey's precipitation-runoff modeling system to the Prairie Dog Creek basin, southeastern Montana
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 84-4178
DOI 10.3133/wri844178
Year Published 1984
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description vi, 95 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Additional publication details