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Geology topics

B.L. Neely

Publications and source records attributed to B.L. Neely.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1986

Investigation of the need for discharge adjustments for unsteady flow at selected gaging stations on streams in Tennessee

Measured discharges made during rising or falling stages generally require adjustments to refine constant-stage rating curves (stage-discharge relations) for gaged sites. Measurements at 42 gaging stations on Tennessee streams were selected for adjustment. Two methods, generally accepted by the U.S. Geological Survey, were tested: (1) the slope method adjusts the discharge for changing slope during the measurement, and (2) the storage method adjusts for change in channel storage. Both methods are related to the rate of change in stage. The initial results of the storage method of adjustments were unsatisfactory because of uncertainty in determining channel storage at each site, and a specific trend in the results could not be defined. Consequently, the storage method of adjustment was deleted from successive analyses. Maximum adjustments in measured discharge using the slope method were less than 5 percent at 28 of the 42 stations and less than 10 percent at 39 of the 42 stations used in the analyses. The adjustments were small because most of the measurements were made during nearly stable stage. Adjustments of measurements made during stage changes of several feet per hour could be considerably larger than 10 percent. Stage records at 10 stations showed that maximum change in stage during rises were considerably higher than the change in stage observed during the measurements. Large adjustments are usually required for a short period of time on the rising side of a hydrograph and smaller adjustments are required for a longer period of time on the falling side. Maximum adjustments in discharge using the slope method were less than 5 percent at three of the 10 stations and less than 30 percent at eight of the 10 stations used in the analyses. The mean discharge for the adjusted and unadjusted hydrographs are about the same.

Tennessee↗
USGS1985

The flood of December 1982 and the 100- and 500-year flood on the Buffalo River, Arkansas

Flood profiles, peak discharges, and stages were determined for the December 1982, the 100-year, and the 500-year floods at 17 sites along the Buffalo River, Arkansas. Typical synthetic stage hydrographs for the 100- and 500-year floods were determined for each site. Flow duration data for gaging stations at St. Joe and Rush are shown. The average velocity of the water for the 100- and 500-year floods is shown for each site. Approximate flood boundaries delineating the 100- and 500-year floods are shown for Ponca, Steel Creek, Pruitt, St. Joe, and Buffalo Point. (Author 's abstract)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1984

Flood frequency and storm runoff of urban areas of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee

Techniques are presented for estimating the magnitude and frequency of peak discharges and storm runoff on stream in urban areas of Memphis, Tennessee. Comprehensive analyses were made in which physical characteristics of streams are related to snythetic flood characteristics at gaging stations. Equations derived from analyses provide estimates of peak discharges with recurrence intervals of 2 to 100 years on streams that have drainage areas less than 20 square miles. The regression analyses indicated that size of drainage area and condition of channel (paved or unpaved) are the most significant basin characteristics affecting the magnitude and frequency of floods in urban streams. Data from 27 gaging stations with 8 years of record were used in the analyses. Flood frequency at each gaging station was computed from calibrated parameters in a rainfall-runoff model. Techniques are also presented for estimating discharge hydrographs for individual floods by using the unit hydrograph, lag time, and rainfall excess. (USGS)

Tennessee↗