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Gerald S. Runner

Publications and source records attributed to Gerald S. Runner.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Technique for estimating magnitude and frequency of floods in West Virginia

A technique is presented to provide a method of estimating the magnitude of peak discharges of T-year frequencies for unregulated, virtually natural streams in West Virginia. Multiple regression techniques were used to develop the relation between peak discharges and drainage area. Data collected at 170 stream gaging sites were used in the analyses. Analyses indicated that the best estimating equations could be derived by dividing the state into three regions, Regions 1 and 2 covering the Ohio River basin in West Virginia and Region 3 covering the Potomac River basin in West Virginia. The method is applicable for drainage areas between 0.3 and 2,000 square miles. Graphs are provided to estimate the 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, and 500-year flood peaks for drainage areas between 1 and 1,000 square miles. Peak discharges for drainage areas less than 1 or greater than 1,000 square miles can be estimated using the appropriate equations provided on each graph.

West Virginia↗

Hydrologic data for runoff studies on small drainage areas, West Virginia Department of Highways Research Project 16

Station listings, basin and flow characteristics tables, and annual maximum discharges are presented for stations in West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia that were used to develop flood-frequency relations for West Virginia. Also presented are figures showing approximate station location and areal coverage for both longterm and short-term stations that were used in the frequency analysis.

West Virginia↗

Flood of April 1977 in the Appalachian region of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia

Heavy rains fell over the Appalachian region of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia April 2-5, 1977, causing record flooding. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 15.5 inches were observed. The maximum amount of 15.5 inches occurred at Jolo, WV , in about 30 hours. This was more than twice the amount which would be expected for a 100-year recurrence-interval storm. Flood discharges along the upper Guyandotte River; Tug Fork and Levisa Fork in the Big Sandy River basin; Cumberland River; and Clinch River and Dowell River in the Tennessee River basin exceeded those previously known. Severe flooding also occurred along the Holston River and along the North Fork Kentucky River. Recurrence intervals of observed flood discharges were greater than 100-years at 29 streamflow measurement sites. Substantial reductions in peak stages and discharges on Levisa Fork, North Pound River, and Guyandotte River, attained as a result of reservoir storage, were reported by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Maximum daily suspended-sediment discharges on Guyandotte River near Baileysville, WV, and Tug Fork at Glenhayes, WV, were 54,800 tons/day and 290,000 tons/day, respectively, April 5, 1977. Twenty-two lives were lost and total property damage reportedly exceeded $400 million in the four-State area. (USGS)

Professional Paper↗