Much of a year's streamflow can occur in only a few days.

Comparison of streamflow before and during the flood of Dec. 24, 2002, Peachtree Creet at Atlanta, Georgia. Data shows the huge extent that so much more water can fall during a big storm in a short time.

The instantaneous streamflow at 10:00 was about 154 times greater than it was at midnight. Almost 50,000 gallons of water per second was flowing during the peak streamflow period.