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Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5170

Prepared in cooperation with the Lummi Nation

Estimating Low-Flow Frequency Statistics and Hydrologic Analysis of Selected Streamflow-Gaging Stations, Nooksack River Basin, Northwestern Washington and Canada

By Christopher A. Curran and Theresa D. Olsen

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (10.4 MB)Abstract

Low-flow frequency statistics were computed at 17 continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations and 8 miscellaneous measurement sites in and near the Nooksack River basin in northwestern Washington and Canada, including the 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 consecutive-day low flows with recurrence intervals of 2 and 10 years. Using these low-flow statistics, 12 regional regression equations were developed for estimating the same low-flow statistics at ungaged sites in the Nooksack River basin using a weighted-least-squares method. Adjusted R2 (coefficient of determination) values for the equations ranged from 0.79 to 0.93 and the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) expressed as a percentage ranged from 77 to 560 percent.

Streamflow records from six gaging stations located in mountain-stream or lowland-stream subbasins of the Nooksack River basin were analyzed to determine if any of the gaging stations could be removed from the network without significant loss of information. Using methods of hydrograph comparison, daily-value correlation, variable space, and flow-duration ratios, and other factors relating to individual subbasins, the six gaging stations were prioritized from most to least important as follows: Skookum Creek (12209490), Anderson Creek (12210900), Warm Creek (12207750), Fishtrap Creek (12212050), Racehorse Creek (12206900), and Clearwater Creek (12207850). The optimum streamflow-gaging station network would contain all gaging stations except Clearwater Creek, and the minimum network would include Skookum Creek and Anderson Creek.

For additional information contact:
Director, Washington Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
934 Broadway, Suite 300
Tacoma, Washington 98402
http://wa.water.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

Curran, C.A., and Olsen, T.D., 2009, Estimating low-flow frequency statistics and hydrologic analysis of selected streamflow-gaging stations, Nooksack River basin, northwestern Washington and Canada: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5170, 44 p.



Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Low-Flow Frequency Statistics at Continuous-Record Gaging Stations and Miscellaneous Measurement Sites

Estimating Low-Flow Frequency Statistics at Ungaged Sites Using Regional Regression Equations

Hydraulic Analysis of Selected Streamflow-Gaging Stations

Summary

Acknowledgments

References Cited

Appendix A. Regression Equations for Estimating Daily Mean Streamflow at Six Gaging Stations in the Nooksack River Basin


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