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A.O. Westfall

Publications and source records attributed to A.O. Westfall.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1964

Floods in Oklahoma: magnitude and frequency

This report presents methods by which the magnitude and frequency of expected floods for most streams in Oklahoma can be determined. Flood data were used to define flood-frequency curves applicable to the State. Composite frequency curves were drawn showing the relation of mean annual floods to floods having recurrence intervals from 1.2 to 50 years. In some areas, it was found that the slope of the composite frequency curve varies with the drainage area. An adjustment curve was defined for use in conjunction with the composite curve for these areas. Other curves express the relation of the mean annual flood to drainage basin characteristics. By combining data from the composite and mean annual flood curves, flood-frequency curves can be drawn for streams in Oklahoma not materially affected by the works of man. Neither of the above two types of curves should be extrapolated beyond the range defined by base data. Frequency curves presented in this report were based on analysis of flood records collected at gaging stations having 5 or more years of record not materially affected by regulation or diversion.

Oklahoma↗
USGS1963

Surface waters of Elk Creek basin in southwestern Oklahoma

The purpose of this study is to (1) determine the average discharge during a period that is representative of average streamflow conditions, (2) determine the range of discharge, and (3) determine the storage required to supplement natural flows during drought periods. Elk Creek drains 587 square miles of the North Fork Red River basin. The climate is subhumid, and precipitation averages about 23 inches per year. The average discharge at the gaging station near Hobart is 50 cfs (cubic feet per second) or 36,200 acre-feet per year during a 19-year base period, water years 1938-56. The yearly average discharge ranged from 4.6 cfs in 1940 to 146 cfs in 1957. Maximum runoff generally occurs during May and June. The maximum monthly runoff was 64,520 acre-feet in May 1957. The maximum yearly runoff was 105,500 acre-feet in 1957. There is no sustained base flow in the basin. Severe droughts occurred in 1938-40 and 1952-56. The most extended drought occurred from June 1951 to March 1957, during which time there was a prolonged period of no flow of 182 days in 1954-55. A usable storage of 28,000 acre-feet would have been required to provide a regulated discharge of 1,500 acre-feet per month throughout these drought periods. (available as photostat copy only)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1963

Surface water of Muddy Boggy River basin in south-central Oklahoma

This report summarizes basic hydrologic data of the surface water resources of Muddy Boggy River basin, and by analysis and interpretation, presents certain streamflow characteristics at specified points in the basin. Muddy Boggy River has a drainage area of 2,429 square miles. The climate is moist subhumid and the annual precipitation averages about 39 inches. Gross annual lake evaporation averages 54 inches. The average annual discharge at the gaging stations for the period 1938-62 was 24,000 acre-feet for Chickasaw Creek near Stringtown; 72,000 acre-feet for McGee Creek near Stringtown; 671,800 acre-feet for Muddy Boggy Creek near Farris; and 358,200 acre-feet for Clear Boggy Creek near Caney. Flow-duration curves of daily discharge have been developed to show the percentage of time various rates of discharge have been equaled or exceeded. Procedures for determining the frequency of annual floods at any point in the basin are given. Low-flow frequency curves that define the recurrence intervals of 7, 14, 30, 60, and 120 day mean flows have been prepared for two gaging stations. Curves showing the relation of measured discharge at the low-flow partial-record stations to the daily mean discharge at a base gaging station are presented. Discharge measurements made in February 1963 at selected sites show the areal distribution of low flow. The storage requirements to supplement natural flows have been prepared for two gaging-stations sites. The chemical quality of surface water of Muddy Boggy River basin varies from place-to-place during base flow periods. Limestone and dolomite outcrops and oilfield brines affect water quality in some areas. Water of North Boggy Creek, McGee Creek, and their tributaries contains less than 100 ppm (parts per million) dissolved solids. Water of other streams in Muddy Boggy River basin has a higher dissolved-solids content, but the content does not exceed 500 ppm. Water of Muddy Boggy River basin is usable for domestic, irrigation, and most industrial purposes. Softening of water from some streams may be desirable, however.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1963

Surface water of Little River basin in southeastern Oklahoma (with a section on quality of water by R. P. Orth)

This report summarizes basic hydrologic data of the surface water resources of Little River basin above the Oklahoma-Arkansas state line near Cerrogordo, Okla., and by analysis and interpretation, presents certain streamflow characteristics at specified points in the basin. Little River basin above the state line includes 2,269 square miles, of which about 250 square miles of the Mountain Fork River is in Arkansas. The climate is humid and the annual precipitation averages about 46 inches. Gross annual lake evaporation averages 49 inches per year. There are three reservoirs totaling 2,831,800 acre-feet of storage, either authorized or under construction in the basin. The average annual discharge at the gaging stations for the period 1930-61 is 674,900 acre-feet for Little River near Wright City; 1,273,000 acre-feet for Little River below Lukfata Creek, near Idabel; and 989,000 acre-feet for Mountain Fork River near Eagletown. The average annual discharge of Little River at the Oklahoma-Arkansas state line near Cerrogordo is 2,401,000 acre-feet. Flow-duration curves have been developed from daily records for the gaging stations. These curves show the percentage of time various rates of discharge have been equaled or exceeded. Procedures for defining the frequency of annual floods at any point in the basin are given. Low-flow frequency curves for the gaging stations defining the recurrence intervals of 7, 14 or 15, 30, 60, and 120 day mean flows have been prepared. Curves showing the relation of instantaneous discharge at specified upstream points to the daily mean discharge at two gaging stations are presented. The storage requirements for suplementing natural flows have been prepared for the gaging-station sites. Chemical analyses show that the surface water in the basin is suitable for domestic and industrial uses.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1962

Surface waters of Otter Creek basin in southwestern Oklahoma

Otter Creek had an average annual discharge at the gaging station of 22 cfs (cubic feet per second) or 15,900 acre-feet per year from a drainage area of 132 square miles during a selected 19-year base period, water-years 1938-56. The maximum yearly runoff was 43,410 acre-feet for water-year 1957. The maximum monthly runoff was 24,090 acre-feet in May 1957. Otter Creek has extended periods of no flow except for about the last 5 miles near the mouth. The most severe droughts occurred in 1938-41 and 1952-56. Periods of no flow have extended as long as 363 days and have exceeded 300 days many times. The usable storage required to provide a regulated discharge equal to about half the average discharge at the gaging station at Snyder Lake during the most deficient period was determined to be 18,000 acre-feet. Miscellaneous measurements made at selected sites show that there is no sustained base flow in any of the tributaries and none in the mainstem except for about the last 5 miles near the mouth. A group of measurements made in September 1961, when there was ground-water outflow in all of the main tributaries except Horse Creek, shows that most of the ground-water outflow in the upper part of the basin comes from the tributaries that originate in the Wichita Mountains. Considerable base runoff occurs in the lower part of the basin from large alluvial and terrace deposits. (available as photostat copy only)

Open-File Report↗