Regional flood relations for unregulated lakes in west-central Florida

Regional lake flood altitude in the Southwest Florida Water Management District for 2- to 500-year recurrence intervals was estimated by multiple linear-regression analysis. The average lake altitude was used as a reference above which flood volumes are related to lake geometry, watershed characteristics, and rainfall. Average altitude at surface-outflow lakes is related to the altitude of the lake surface shown on topographic maps, lake-outlet altitude, and annual rainfall. Average altitude at closed-basin lakes is related to the altitude of the lake surface shown on topographic maps. Flood volume above average altitude for surface-outflow lakes is related to lake geometry, watershed characteristics, and rainfall. The average standard error of estimate for regional relations of surface-outflow lakes ranges from 29 to 54 percent in the Central Lake District and from 50 to 58 percent in the Ocala Uplift District. The average standard error of estimate for regional relations of closed-basin lakes ranges from 22 to 40 percent. Regional relations for average altitude and flood volume above average altitude are used to weight station flood-altitude data. Tables comparing station, regional, and weighted lake flood altitudes are shown for 47 lakes used in the analysis. (USGS)