Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Magnitude and frequency of high flows of unregulated streams in Kansas

January 1, 1984

Information on high-flow magnitude and frequency is needed for hydro-logic evaluation of such factors as flood-control storage and dam safety. High-flow information given in this report is for streamflows unaffected by major regulation, such as by large reservoirs. High-flow magnitude and frequency data are given for 91 streamflow-gaging stations through-out Kansas. Results of frequency calculations are given for durations of high flow of 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 183 consecutive days. Accuracy of the magnitude-frequency values is influenced by the variability of flow, the number of years of flow record, and the recurrence interval calculated.

High-flow magnitude and frequency for ungaged sites can be estimated from regression equations using significant drainage-basin characteristics of contributing-drainage area; 50-year, 24-hour rainfall; and free-water-surface evaporation. Standard errors of estimate for ungaged sites on ungaged streams range from 31 to 49 percent, generally increasing with recurrence interval. If an ungaged site is near a gaging station having 10 or more years of record on the same stream, the data for the gaging station may be used to improve the regression estimates.

Publication Year 1984
Title Magnitude and frequency of high flows of unregulated streams in Kansas
DOI 10.3133/ofr84453
Authors P. R. Jordan
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 84-453
Index ID ofr84453
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Kansas Water Science Center