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Streamflow Analysis. Module 8.7. Frequency Analysis – Why?. Common dialog to describe events Quantify extreme events Flood flow return periods Engineering design Watershed planning Zoning Geomorphic processes Water resources management
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Streamflow Analysis Module 8.7
Frequency Analysis – Why? • Common dialog to describe events • Quantify extreme events • Flood flow return periods • Engineering design • Watershed planning • Zoning • Geomorphic processes • Water resources management • What is the probability of a given flow being available?
How is Flow Variability Quantified? 2 Methods: • Recurrence interval / Flow probability • General technique to describe the probability of an event occurring • Frequently used for flood peaks • Just like we did for precipitation • Flow duration • Indicates the amount of time a given flow is equaled or exceeded • Describes availability of water resources
Frequency Analysis How’s it done? • Rank (sort) events • Calculate return interval (Tr) • Calculate probability (p) Example: Maximum hourly rainfall per year
Frequency Analysis How’s it done? • Rank (sort) events • Calculate return interval (Tr) • Calculate probability (p) • Plot event vs. recurrence interval 1. 2. 3.
Flood Frequency Plot Viessman Fig. 3.9 Source: Viessman & Lewis, Introduction to Hydrology
Flow Duration Analysis Variant of Flow Frequency Analysis • Probability presented as:percent of time a given flow is equaled or exceeded • Often constructed for a complete series of flows • e.g. daily average streamflow
Viessman Fig. 3.14 Flow Duration Curve James River at Cartersville, VA Source: Viessman & Lewis, Introduction to Hydrology
Discharge (cfs) 0 100 Percent of time flow exceededExceedance probability Conceptual Example Which system has greater flow variability?
Siletz River How do disturbance regimes differ?