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USGS in Your State

USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state.

RECESS: A computer program for analysis of streamflow recession

This web site includes information about the use of the RECESS computer program for analyzing a streamflow record. The version at this site will read streamflow data in the format that is available from USGS web sites. This version is provided with a graphics application for viewing recession segments.

The RECESS program is used to determine the recession index and to define the master recession curve from analysis of streamflow records.

RECESS Downloads

• Download software executable files and sample data sets (920kb ZIP file, updated January 2007)
• Download fortran source code (16KB ZIP file)
• Download User Guide (65KB PDF file, updated January 2007)

Background Literature

• The User Guide 65KB PDF file, updated January 2007) does not include complete explanation of the computer program; the program user is referred to the following documentation:
  • Computer programs for describing the recession of ground-water discharge and for estimating mean ground-water recharge and discharge from streamflow records: USGS WRIR 98-4148.
• The RECESS program was developed as part of a regional aquifer study. Results are published in this report, which includes description of master recession curves:
  • Rutledge, A.T. and Mesko, 1996, Estimated hydrologic characteristics of shallow aquifer systems in the Valley and Ridge, the Blue Ridge, and the Piedmont physiographic provinces based on analysis of streamflow recession and base flow: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1422-B, 58 p.
• Obtaining streamflow data from a USGS web site.
• USGS Water Resources Applications Software
• USGS Ground-Water and Surface-Water Interactions web site.

Point of Contact

Comments about this site can be sent to Paul Barlow.