BANKFULL: An established river stage/elevation at a
given location along a river which is intended to represent the maximum safe water level
that will not overflow the river banks or cause any significant damage within the river
reach. BASIN: Whole geographic area having a common outlet (such as a
river, stream, or lake) for its surface runoff. Also known as drainage area or watershed.
CREST: The highest stage or level of water at a
specific point before the water begins to recede.
FLOOD FREQUENCY: The chances that a particular flood event
will occur during any given year. The greater the flood, the higher the "Year
Flood" Value, but the less chance of occurrence. (i.e. a "100 Year Flood"
has a 1% chance of occuring each year).
FLOOD STAGE: The elevation at which overflow of the
natural banks of a waterway begins to cause damage or presents a flood-damage hazard near
the gage where the elevation is measured (can also be expressed in terms of flood flow).
FLOW: The volume of water that passes through a
point of a river during a given time. Usually expressed in cubic feet per second (cfs).
HYDROGRAPH: A graph showing stage, discharge, or other
property of a river with respect to time.
REACH: The length of area between two specific
points (usually between 2 gages) along a river, stream, or channel.
RUNOFF: The part of precipitation that flows toward
a river or stream on the surface of the ground, or through the soil before returning to
the surface.
STAGE: The level of the surface of a river or lake
above a predetermined base elevation (or "datum").
WATER YEAR: October 1 through September 30.
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