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J. E. Cummans

Publications and source records attributed to J. E. Cummans.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1981

Low-flow characteristics of streams in the Deschutes River basin, Washington

The purpose of the study was to determine the magnitude and frequency of low flows of streams in the Deschutes River basin. The streams in the basin usually have their low flows in August and September. Seven-day low flows were smallest in 1952 when annual rainfall at the Olympia airport was also the least during the 1945-75 period of continuous gaging-station records in the basin. The magnitude and frequency of seven-day low flows were estimated for 23 streamflow sites, either from frequency analysis of data at long-term stations or from correlation of measured or computed discharges at a stream flow site with data at a long-term station. Seven-day low flows ranged from no-flow at one tributary of Deschutes River having a drainage area of 1.85 square miles to 98 cubic feet per second for Deschutes River near its mouth, where the drainage was 162 square miles. Mean monthly flows were determined for two long-term stations and estimated for the months of July to September for the other streamflow sites. Miscellaneous streamflow measurements made over the years by the U.S. Geological Survey are listed in the Appendix.

Washington↗
USGS1976

Low-flow characteristics of streams on the Kitsap Peninsula and selected adjacent islands, Washington

Low-flow-frequency data are tabulated for 90 streamflow sites on the Kitsap Peninsula and adjacent islands, Washington. Also listed are data for 56 additional sites which have insufficient measurements for frequency analysis but which have been observed having no flow at least once during the low-flow period. The streams drain relatively small basins; only three streams have drainage areas greater than 20.0 square miles, and only nine other streams have drainage areas greater than 10.0 square miles. Mean annual precipitation during the period 1931-60 ranged from about 25 inches near Hansville to about 70 inches near Tahuya. Low-flow-frequency curves plotted from records of streamflow at eight long-term gaging stations were used to determine data for low-flow durations of 7, 30, 60, 90, and 183 days. Regression techniques then were used to estimate low flows with frequencies up to 20 years for stations with less than 10 years of record and for miscellaneous sites where discharge measurements have been made. (Woodard-USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1975

Magnitude and frequency of floods in Washington

Relations are provided to estimate the magnitude and frequency of floods on Washington streams. Annual-peak-flow data from stream gaging stations on unregulated streams having 1 years or more of record were used to determine a log-Pearson Type III frequency curve for each station. Flood magnitudes having recurrence intervals of 2, 5, i0, 25, 50, and 10years were then related to physical and climatic indices of the drainage basins by multiple-regression analysis using the Biomedical Computer Program BMDO2R. These regression relations are useful for estimating flood magnitudes of the specified recurrence intervals at ungaged or short-record sites. Separate sets of regression equations were defined for western and eastern parts of the State, and the State was further subdivided into 12 regions in which the annual floods exhibit similar flood characteristics. Peak flows are related most significantly in western Washington to drainage-area size and mean annual precipitation. In eastern Washington-they are related most significantly to drainage-area size, mean annual precipitation, and percentage of forest cover. Standard errors of estimate of the estimating relations range from 25 to 129 percent, and the smallest errors are generally associated with the more humid regions.

Open-File Report↗
USGS1974

Flood profiles and inundated areas along the Lower Nisqually River, Washington

Nisqually River flood profiles, covering the reach from near the river mouth to river mile 6.4, were developed in a 2-year field study (1970-72) as part of a continuing program with the State of Washington Department of Ecology. The main channel of the reach will convey without overflow discharges as large as about 21,000 cubic feet per second, which have a 6-year recurrence interval. The banks in some areas will be overtopped at 25,500 cubic feet per second, which has a 13-year recurrence interval. The areas where overbank flooding will first occur, and water-surface profiles of a 3.4-year and 100-year flood were determined for six flood-profile stations. The largest flood for which data are available was that of December 1933; the approximate area that would be presently inundated by such a flood is shown. Alder and La Grande Reservoirs can reduce the magnitude of lower annual flood peaks downstream to some extent, but insufficient data are available to predict their effects on very large floods.

Washington↗
USGS1963

Magnitude and frequency of floods in the United States, part 13. Snake River basin

The magnitude of a flood of any selected frequency up to 50 years for any site on any stream in the Snake River basin can be determined by methods outlined in this report, with some limitations. The methods are not applicable for regulated streams, for drainage basins smaller than 10 or larger than 5,000 square miles, for streams fed by large springs, or for streams that have flow characteristics materially different from the regional pattern. The magnitude of a flood for a selected frequency at a given site is determined by using the appropriate composite frequency curve and the mean annual flood for the given site. The mean annual flood is computed from either a formula or a nomograph in which drainage area, mean annual precipitation, and a geographic factor are used as independent variables. The standard error of estimate for the computation of mean annual floods is plus 17 percent and minus 15 percent. Nine flood-frequency regions (A-I) are defined. In all except regions B and I, frequency relations vary with the mean altitude of the basin as well as with the geographic location; therefore, families of curves are required for 7 of the 9 flood-frequency regions. The report includes a brief description of the physiography and climate of the Snake River basin to explain the reason for the large variation in mean annual floods, which range from zero to about 27 cubic feet per second per square mile. Composite frequency curves and formulas for computing mean annual floods are based on all suitable flood data collected in the Snake River basin. Tables show the data used to derive the formula. Following the analysis of data are station descriptions and lists of peak stages and discharges for 295 gaging stations at which 5 or more years of annual flood records were collected pr'or to Sept. 30, 1957. Many flood peak data are not usable in defining the frequency curves and deriving the formula because of large diversions and regulation upstream from the gaging stations.

Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming↗