The Delaware River Basin Streamflow Estimator Tool (DRB-SET) uses historical records of streamflow to estimate daily mean streamflow at any stream location within the Delaware River Basin for the period 1960-2010, incorporating basin characteristics such as drainage size, soil, geology, and seasonal precipitation.
National Water Census • Delaware River Basin • Process-Based Streamflow • Statistical Streamflow • Water Use • Ecological Flow
The Delaware River Basin Streamflow Estimator Tool (DRB-SET) is a statistical model that uses historical streamflow information to estimate daily mean streamflow at any stream location within the Delaware River Basin. The ability to characterize baseline streamflow conditions, compare them with current conditions, and assess effects of human activities on streamflow is fundamental to water-management programs addressing water allocation, human-health issues, recreation needs, and establishment of ecological flow criteria. Daily mean baseline streamflow is estimated by equating streamflow expressed as a percentile from the flow-duration curve for a particular day at an ungaged stream location with the percentile from a flow-duration curve for the same day at a hydrologically similar gaged location where streamflow is measured. These estimates are then adjusted by water use found within the watershed. The estimated daily streamflows for the ungaged location can be exported to a text file that can be used as input into a statistical software package to determine additional streamflow statistics, such as low-flow frequencies or monthly flow-duration exceedance probabilities. The Delaware River Basin Commission and County Offices, including the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District, are using DRB-SET for water supply planning.
Key Findings and Results
- Parameter-based regression equations were developed for 22 exceedance probabilities from the flow-duration curve for ungaged streams in the Delaware River Basin, relating streamflow to drainage size, soil characteristics, and precipitation.
- DRB-SET estimates baseline and altered daily mean streamflow for the period 1960-2010 for any stream location in the Delaware River Basin. This data can be used by water-resource managers and policy makers to address water allocation, human-health issues, recreation needs, and ecological flow criteria.
- Read the report
National Water Census • Delaware River Basin • Process-Based Streamflow • Statistical Streamflow • Water Use • Ecological Flow
Below are other science components of the Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Process-Based Streamflow Modeling
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Water Use
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Ecological Flow Science
- Overview
The Delaware River Basin Streamflow Estimator Tool (DRB-SET) uses historical records of streamflow to estimate daily mean streamflow at any stream location within the Delaware River Basin for the period 1960-2010, incorporating basin characteristics such as drainage size, soil, geology, and seasonal precipitation.
National Water Census • Delaware River Basin • Process-Based Streamflow • Statistical Streamflow • Water Use • Ecological Flow
The Delaware River Basin Streamflow Estimator Tool (DRB-SET) is a statistical model that uses historical streamflow information to estimate daily mean streamflow at any stream location within the Delaware River Basin. The ability to characterize baseline streamflow conditions, compare them with current conditions, and assess effects of human activities on streamflow is fundamental to water-management programs addressing water allocation, human-health issues, recreation needs, and establishment of ecological flow criteria. Daily mean baseline streamflow is estimated by equating streamflow expressed as a percentile from the flow-duration curve for a particular day at an ungaged stream location with the percentile from a flow-duration curve for the same day at a hydrologically similar gaged location where streamflow is measured. These estimates are then adjusted by water use found within the watershed. The estimated daily streamflows for the ungaged location can be exported to a text file that can be used as input into a statistical software package to determine additional streamflow statistics, such as low-flow frequencies or monthly flow-duration exceedance probabilities. The Delaware River Basin Commission and County Offices, including the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District, are using DRB-SET for water supply planning.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Graphical representation of the QPPQ methodology, showing A, observed daily mean streamflow at a reference streamgage, B, flow-duration curve at the reference streamgage, C, constructed flow-duration curve at the ungaged stream location, and D, estimated daily mean streamflow at the ungaged stream location. Key Findings and Results
- Parameter-based regression equations were developed for 22 exceedance probabilities from the flow-duration curve for ungaged streams in the Delaware River Basin, relating streamflow to drainage size, soil characteristics, and precipitation.
- DRB-SET estimates baseline and altered daily mean streamflow for the period 1960-2010 for any stream location in the Delaware River Basin. This data can be used by water-resource managers and policy makers to address water allocation, human-health issues, recreation needs, and ecological flow criteria.
- Read the report
National Water Census • Delaware River Basin • Process-Based Streamflow • Statistical Streamflow • Water Use • Ecological Flow
- Science
Below are other science components of the Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study.
Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study
As one of several National Focus Area Studies within the USGS National Water Census (NWC), the USGS completed a 3-year study of water availability and use in the Delaware River Basin.Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Process-Based Streamflow Modeling
The Water Availability Tool for Environmental Resources provides a decision support system to examine different land-cover forecasts and climate projections using physical aspects of the basin that will remain unchanged, like topography and soil properties, to estimate streamflow for ungaged streams.Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Water Use
Water-use data were compiled or estimated for 8-digit and 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code watersheds for 2010. Water withdrawal, interbasin transfers, return flow, and hydroelectric power generation release data were compiled for 11 water-use categories.Delaware River Basin Focus Area Study: Ecological Flow Science
The Riverine Environmental Flow Decision Support System (REFDSS), models of river temperature, and evaluation of methods of determining Habitat Suitability Criteria were all products of the ecological-flow science component of the Delaware Focus Area Study. - Publications