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Harry F. Lins

Publications and source records attributed to Harry F. Lins.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS2010

Streamflow of 2009--Water year summary

The maps and graph in this summary describe streamflow conditions for water-year 2009 (October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009) in the context of the 80-year period 1930-2009, unless otherwise noted. The illustrations are based on observed data from the U.S. Geological Survey's National Streamflow Information Program. The period 1930-2009 was used because prior to 1930, the number of streamgages was too small to provide representative data for computing statistics for most regions of the country. In the summary, reference is made to the term "runoff," which is the depth to which a river basin, State, or other geographic area would be covered with water if all the streamflow within the area during a single year was uniformly distributed upon it. Runoff quantifies the magnitude of water flowing through the Nation's rivers and streams in measurement units that can be compared from one area to another. Each of the maps and graphs can be expanded to a larger view by clicking on the image. In all the graphics, a rank of 1 indicates the highest flow of all years analyzed.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2009

Streamflow of 2008--Water year summary

The maps and graphs appearing in this summary describe streamflow conditions for water-year 2008 (October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008) in the context of the 79-year period 1930-2008, unless otherwise noted. The illustrations are based on observed data from the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Streamflow Information Program. The period 1930-2008 was used because prior to 1930, the number of streamgages was too small to provide representative data for computing statistics for most regions of the country. In the summary, reference is made to the term "runoff," which is the depth to which a river basin, State, or other geographic area would be covered with water if all the streamflow within the area during a single year was uniformly distributed upon it. Runoff quantifies the magnitude of water flowing through the Nation's rivers and streams in measurement units that can be compared from one area to another. The runoff value for a geographic area is computed as the median runoff value for all streamgages in that geographic area. For example, the runoff value for a State is the median for all streamgages in that State, and the median for the Nation is the median value for all streamgages in the Nation. Each of the maps and graphs below can be expanded to a larger view by clicking on the image. In all the graphics, a rank of 1 indicates the highest flow of all years analyzed.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2008

Interannual streamflow variability in the United States based on principal components

Interannual modes of streamflow variation at 106 locations across the United States during the period 1931–1978 are defined by using principal components. Five statistically significant components are found to account for more than 56% of the total streamflow variance. The first principal component represents a nationwide tendency for either above- or below-mean streamflow. The second component represents a north-south opposition in departures from mean flow, and the third, an east-west opposition. Higher-order components (fourth and fifth) geographically depict regional patterns of opposition in the sign of streamflow departures between coastal-continental areas and between the northern and southern plains, respectively. Analyses using spatially and temporally modified data sets indicate that the first three components (which explain 45% of the variance) are quite stable spatially, while only the first component is stable temporally. Time series analysis of principal component scores indicates that all but the fourth component are first-order autoregressive processes, as is mean annual nationwide streamflow. The fourth component is an autoregressive (AR)(2) process. In general, the principal components of streamflow are found to exhibit more persistence over annual time scales than the mean annual flow data themselves.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS2008

WaterWatch — Maps, graphs, and tables of current, recent, and past streamflow conditions

WaterWatch (http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) World Wide Web site that dis­plays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and past streamflow conditions for the United States. The real-time information generally is updated on an hourly basis. WaterWatch provides streamgage-based maps that show the location of more than 3,000 long-term (30 years or more) USGS streamgages; use colors to represent streamflow conditions compared to historical streamflow; feature a point-and-click interface allowing users to retrieve graphs of stream stage (water elevation) and flow; and highlight locations where extreme hydrologic events, such as floods and droughts, are occurring. The streamgage-based maps show streamflow conditions for real-time, average daily, and 7-day average streamflow. The real-time streamflow maps highlight flood and high flow conditions. The 7-day average streamflow maps highlight below-normal and drought conditions. WaterWatch also provides hydrologic unit code (HUC) maps. HUC-based maps are derived from the streamgage-based maps and illustrate streamflow conditions in hydrologic regions. These maps show average streamflow conditions for 1-, 7-, 14-, and 28-day periods, and for monthly average streamflow; highlight regions of low flow or hydrologic drought; and provide historical runoff and streamflow conditions beginning in 1901. WaterWatch summarizes streamflow conditions in a region (state or hydrologic unit) in terms of the long-term typical condition at streamgages in the region. Summary tables are provided along with time-series plots that depict variations through time. WaterWatch also includes tables of current streamflow information and locations of flooding.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2008

Streamflow of 2007--Water year summary

The maps and graphs appearing in this summary describe streamflow conditions for water-year 2007 (October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007) in the context of the 78-year period 1930-2007, unless otherwise noted. The illustrations are based on observed data from the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Streamflow Information Program. The period 1930-2007 was used because prior to 1930, the number of streamgages was too small to provide representative data for computing statistics for most regions of the country. In the summary, reference is made to the term "runoff," which is the depth to which a river basin, State, or other geographic area would be covered with water if all the streamflow within the area during a single year was uniformly distributed upon it. Runoff quantifies the magnitude of water flowing through the Nation's rivers and streams in measurement units that can be compared from one area to another. The runoff value for a geographic area is computed as the median runoff value for all streamgages in that geographic area. For example, the runoff value for a State is the median for all streamgages in that State, and the median for the Nation is the median value for all streamgages in the Nation. Each of the maps and graphs below can be expanded to a larger view by clicking on the image. In all the graphics, a rank of 1 indicates the highest flow of all years analyzed.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2007

Streamflow of 2006 -- Water Year Summary

The maps and graphs appearing in this summary describe streamflow conditions for water-year 2006 (October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006) in the context of the 77-year period 1930-2006, unless otherwise noted. The illustrations are based on observed data from the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Streamflow Information Program. The period 1930-2006 was used because prior to 1930, the number of streamgages was too small to provide representative data for computing statistics for most regions of the country. In the summary, reference is made to the term 'runoff,' which is the depth to which a river basin, State, or other geographic area would be covered with water if all the streamflow within the area during a single year was uniformly distributed upon it. Runoff quantifies the magnitude of water flowing through the Nation's rivers and streams in measurement units that can be compared from one area to another. The runoff value for a geographic area is computed as the median runoff value for all streamgages in that geographic area. For example, the runoff value for a state is the median for all streamgages in that state, and the median for the Nation is the median value for all streamgages in the Nation. Each of the maps and graphs below can be expanded to a larger view by clicking on the image. In all the graphics, a rank of 1 indicates the highest flow of all years analyzed.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2005

Streamflow trends in the United States...from the National Streamflow Information Program

This Fact Sheet is one in a series that highlights information or recent research findings from the USGS National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP). The investigations and scientific results reported in this series require a nationally consistent streamgaging network with stable long-term monitoring sites and a rigorous program of data quality assurance, management, archiving, and synthesis. NSIP produces multi-purpose, unbiased surface water information that is readily accessible to all.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS1997

Regional streamflow regimes and hydroclimatology of the United States

The dominant regions of interannual streamflow variability in the United States are defined, and their seasonality and persistence characteristics identified, using an orthogonally rotated principal components analysis (RPCA) of a climatically sensitive network of 559 stream gages for the period 1941–1988. This classification of streamflow regimes is comprehensive and unique in that separate analyses of the streamflow record, for each month of the year, are carried out to detail the month-to-month changes in the dominant streamflow patterns. Streamflow variations, or anomalies, in the Upper Mississippi, South Atlantic/Gulf, Far West, Ohio Valley, Northeast, and Eastern/Mid- Atlantic regions, as well as a pattern of opposing streamflow anomalies in the West, are observed in all seasons of the year. Anomalies in the Southern Plains and New England regions are observed in autumn, winter, and spring; those in the Rocky Mountains and Middle Mississippi regions occur in late spring and summer.

Water Resources Research↗
USGS1986

The Outer Banks of North Carolina

Understanding the natural dynamics of barrier islands in the key to recognizing and estimation both the short-term and the long-term hazards of living on them. This report summarizes how the barrier islands were created, how they have changed, and why they will continue to change in spite of efforts to halt the natural processes. The Outer Banks of North Carolina are used as an example in this report, but the principles outlined are applicable to other barrier islands on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Professional Paper↗
USGS1984

Storm-generated variations in nearshore beach topography

A series of nearshore beach profile measurements from the Outer Banks of North Carolina spanning a four-month period have been examined for temporal variations in nearshore topography. Principal component analysis of the profile data indicates that most of the variation in nearshore topography occurs in four principal modes, two quasiseasonal and two subseasonal. The first principal component, or eigenvector, corresponds to a bar-berm function. The second, to a terrace function. Combined, the first two vectors explain 76.3% of the total variance. The third and fourth components, representing subseasonal modes, are a ridge and runnel and a storm bar function, respectively. Both occur in direct response to storm wave activity. Although the bar-berm and terrace modes of profile variation have been previously identified using principal component analysis techniques, the subsequent modes have not. The ridge and runnel function accounts for 10.6% of total profile variability and the storm bar function accounts for 5.0%.

North Carolina↗
USGS1975

Norfolk and environs: A land use perspective

The Norfolk-Portsmouth Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) in southeastern Virginia was the site of intensive testing of a number of land resources assessment methods, built around the availability of remotely sensed data from the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-I), later renamed LANDSAT I. The Norfolk tests were part of a larger experiment known as the Central Atlantic Regional Ecological Test Site (CARETS), designed to test the extent to which LANDSAT and associated high-altitude aircraft data could be used as cost-effective inputs to a regional land use information system. The Norfolk SMSA contains a variety of land uses typical of the urbanized eastern seaboard, along with typical associated problems: rapid urbanization; heavy recreational, commercial, and residential demands on fragile beaches and coastal marsh environments; industrial, transportation, and governmental land and water uses impacting on residential and agricultural areas; drainage and land stability difficulties affecting construction and other uses; and increasing difficulties in maintaining satisfactory air and water quality.

Delaware;Maryl;New Jersey;North Carolina;Pennsylva↗
USGS1975

Norfolk and environs: A land use perspective

The Norfolk-Portsmouth Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) in southeastern Virginia was the site of intensive testing of a number of land resources assessment methods, built around the availability of remotely sensed data from the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-I), later renamed LANDSAT I. The Norfolk tests were part of a larger experiment known as the Central Atlantic Regional Ecological Test Site (CARETS), designed to test the extent to which LANDSAT and associated high-altitude aircraft data could be used as cost-effective inputs to a regional land use information system. The Norfolk SMSA contains a variety of land uses typical of the urbanized eastern seaboard, along with typical associated problems: rapid urbanization; heavy recreational, commercial, and residential demands on fragile beaches and coastal marsh environments; industrial, transportation, and governmental land and water uses impacting on residential and agricultural areas; drainage and land stability difficulties affecting construction and other uses; and increasing difficulties in maintaining satisfactory air and water quality.

Delaware;Maryl;New Jersey;North Carolina;Pennsylva↗
USGS1975

Interpretation, compilation and field verification procedures in the CARETS project

The production of the CARETS map data base involved the development of a series of procedures for interpreting, compiling, and verifying data obtained from remote sensor sources. Level II land use mapping from high-altitude aircraft photography at a scale of 1:100,000 required production of a photomosaic mapping base for each of the 48, 50 x 50 km sheets, and the interpretation and coding of land use polygons on drafting film overlays. CARETS researchers also produced a series of 1970 to 1972 land use change overlays, using the 1970 land use maps and 1972 high-altitude aircraft photography. To enhance the value of the land use sheets, researchers compiled series of overlays showing cultural features, county boundaries and census tracts, surface geology, and drainage basins. In producing Level I land use maps from Landsat imagery, at a scale of 1:250,000, interpreters overlaid drafting film directly on Landsat color composite transparencies and interpreted on the film. They found that such interpretation involves pattern and spectral signature recognition. In studies using Landsat imagery, interpreters identified numerous areas of change but also identified extensive areas of "false change," where Landsat spectral signatures but not land use had changed.

Delaware;Maryl;New Jersey;North Carolina;Pennsylva↗