Reports
Maryland streamflow characteristics
1962, Darling, J.M.
Bulletin 25
Abstract
This report presents data on the characteristics (flood frequency, low-flow frequency, and flow duration) of Maryland streams in a manner readily usable for planning and designing projects that depend on or are affected by surface water.
The section on magnitude and frequency of floods presents a guide for developing flood-frequency curves for any stream in Maryland. Composite frequency curves are shown that express the relation of mean annual floods to floods having recurrence intervals from 1.1 to 50 years. Other curves are shown that indicate the magnitude of the mean annual flood for each hydrologic area in the State. By combining these two types of curves, a flood-frequency relation may be obtained for any site in the State, within the range of drainage area delimited by the data.
The section on low-flow frequency includes the development of low-flow characteristics for each gaging station in Maryland. A method is presented, with an example, for developing low-flow frequency data for a site with a minimum of streamflow information. This information must include a number of discharge measurements made during periods of base flow.
The section on flow duration consists of the development of duration tables for each gaging station adjusted to a common reference period. The method used for developing low-flow characteristics for an ungaged site is used to develop duration data also.
The section on gaging station data contains a description and three sets of tables for the stations used in this study. The first table lists annual peaks; the second, low-flow frequency data; and the third, duration data.
