Kansas Water Science Center
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A Step Increase in Streamflow in the Conterminous United StatesBy Gregory J. McCabe, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado and AbstractAnnual minimum, median, and maximum daily streamflow for 400 sites in the conterminous United States (U.S.), measured during 1941-1999, were examined to identify the temporal and spatial character of changes in streamflow statistics. Results indicate a noticeable increase in annual minimum and median daily streamflow around 1970, and a less significant mixed pattern of increases and decreases in annual maximum daily streamflow. These changes in annual streamflow statistics primarily occurred in the eastern U.S. In addition, the streamflow increases appear as a step change rather than as a gradual trend and coincide with an increase in precipitation. Additional information on U.S. Geological Survey watershed processes and modeling can be found at: http://ks.water.usgs.gov/studies/watershed/. McCabe, G.J., and Wolock, D.M., 2002, A Step Increase in Streamflow in the Conterminous United States: Geophysical Research Letters,, v.29, no. 24, p. 2185-. To request a paper copy of this journal article, email: dwolock@usgs.gov For additional information contact: David M. Wolock |
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: /pubs/abstracts/dmw.grl.v29.html
Page Contact Information: GS-W-KS_info@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified:Thursday, 05-Jan-2012 16:11:38 CST
The USGS has collected hydrologic information in Kansas since 1895 with the first USGS Cooperative
Water Program funding agreement for 6 streamflow gages with the Kansas Water Board. USGS collects streamflow
and gage-height data; reservoir content; water-quality and water-quantity data; suspended-sediment data;
and groundwater levels. Hydrologic studies are conducted on national, regional, statewide, and local levels.
The USGS in Kansas works cooperatively with 31 Federal, State, and local agencies, such as the Kansas Water Office, the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Wichita