Natural Monthly Flow Estimates for the Conterminous United States, 1950-2015
This metadata record describes monthly estimates of natural stream flows for greater than 2.5 million stream reaches, defined by the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Version 2.0, in the conterminous United States for the period 1950-2015. A statistical machine learning technique - random forest modeling - was applied to estimate natural flows using 200 potential predictor variables. The dataset is organized by level 3 ecoregions, with each ecoregion having its own directory. Separate .csv files for each stream reach in the NHD network belonging to a given ecoregion are contained within the respective ecoregion directories. The stream reach .csv files are named as the NHD COMID corresponding to that stream reach. Methods used to calibrate the random forest models, and references to predictor data sources are detailed in the Journal of the American Water Resources Associate paper "A database of natural monthly flow estimates from 1950-2015 for the conterminous United States" by Miller and others (2018). See the discussion paper link in the "Related External Resources" section for access.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2018 |
---|---|
Title | Natural Monthly Flow Estimates for the Conterminous United States, 1950-2015 |
DOI | 10.5066/F7CC0ZMG |
Authors | David M Wolock, Micahel Wieczorek, Daren M Carlisle, Matthew P Miller |
Product Type | Data Release |
Record Source | USGS Digital Object Identifier Catalog |
USGS Organization | Water Resources Mission Area - Headquarters |
Related Content
A database of natural monthly streamflow estimates from 1950 to 2015 for the conterminous United States
Daren M Carlisle, Ph.D.
Manager, Ecological Flows Program
Daren M Carlisle, Ph.D.
Manager, Ecological Flows Program
Related Content
- Publications
A database of natural monthly streamflow estimates from 1950 to 2015 for the conterminous United States
Quantifying and understanding the natural streamflow regime, defined as expected streamflow that would occur in the absence of anthropogenic modification to the hydrologic system, is critically important for the development of management strategies aimed at protecting aquatic ecosystems. Water balance models have been applied frequently to estimate natural flows, but are limited in the number of pAuthorsMatthew P. Miller, Daren Carlisle, David M. Wolock, Michael Wieczorek - Connect
Daren M Carlisle, Ph.D.
Manager, Ecological Flows ProgramEmailPhone - Connect
Daren M Carlisle, Ph.D.
Manager, Ecological Flows ProgramEmailPhone