Geology topics
Publications and source records attributed to R. J. Omang.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Hydrologic and hydraulic evaluations of Big Muddy Creek were made to determine the magnitude of the 100-year flood and the extent of flooding that would occur as the result of this flood. The magnitude of the 100-year flood was determined to range from 13,600 to 20,400 ft3/s, depending on location. Field surveys were made at 39 cross sections along a 41-mile reach of Big Muddy Creek. An additional two cross sections along the same reach were synthesized. Data from the surveys were used to calculate the water-surface elevation at each cross section using a computer program (WSPRO) developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The water-surface profile of the computed 100-year flood elevations was then drawn. The profile also shows the streambed elevation and the location of the bridges and cross sections. The computed 100-year flood elevation at each cross section was used to delineate the width of the flood plain at that section. Flood boundaries between cross sections were interpolated using contour lines on topographic maps.
Hydrologic and hydraulic evaluations of Rosebud Creek were made to determine the magnitude of the 100-year flood and the extent of flooding that would occur as the result of this flood. The magnitude of the 100-year flood was determined to range from 2,620 to 3,980 ft3/s, depending on location. Field surveys were made at 149 cross sections along a 39-mile reach of Rosebud Creek. An additional 33 cross sections along the same reach were synthesized. Data from the surveys were used to calculate the water-surface elevation at each cross section using a computer program (WSPRO) developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The water-surface profile of the computed 100-year flood elevations was then drawn. The profile also shows the streambed elevation and the location of the bridges and cross sections. The computed 100-year flood elevation at each cross section was used to delineate the width of the flood plain at that section. Flood boundaries between cross sections were interpolated using contour lines on topographic maps.
Hydrologic and hydraulic evaluations of Muddy Creek were made to determine the magnitude of the 100-year flood and the extent of flooding that would occur as the result of this flood. Forty-three cross sections were surveyed and 14 cross sections were synthesized along a 6.7-mile reach of Muddy Creek. Data from the surveys were used to calculate the water-surface flood elevation at each cross section using a computer program (WSPRO) developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The water-surface profile of the computed 100-year flood elevations was then drawn. The profile shows the streambed elevation and the location of one bridge, one culvert, and cross sections. The computed 100-year flood elevation at each cross section was used to delineate the width of the flood plain at that section. Flood boundaries between cross sections were interpolated using contour lines on topographic maps.
Hydrologic and hydraulic evaluations of Lame Deer Creek were made to determine the magnitude of the 100-year flood and the extent of flooding that would occur as the result of this flood. SixtY-six cross sections were Surveyed and 25 cross sections were synthesized along a 9.5-mile reach of Lame Deer Creek. Data from the surveys were used to calculate the water-surface elevation at each cross section using a computer program (WSPRO) developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The water-surface profile of the computed 100-year flood elevations was then drawn. The profile shows the streambed elevation and the location of the bridge, culverts, and cross sections. The computed 100-year flood elevation at each cross section was used to delineate the width of the flood plain at that section. Flood boundaries between cross sections were interpolated using contour lines on topographic maps.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Equations are presented for estimating flood magnitudes for ungaged sites in Montana based on data through 1983. The State was divided into eight regions based on hydrologic conditions, and separate multiple-regression equations were developed for each region. These equations relate annual flood magnitudes and frequencies to basin characteristics and are applicable only to natural-flow streams. In three of the regions, equations also were developed relating flood magnitudes and frequencies to basin characteristics and channel-geometry measurements. The standard errors of estimate for an exceedance probability of 1 percent ranged from 39 to 87 percent. Techniques are described for estimating annual flood-magnitude and flood-frequency information at ungaged sites based on data from gaged sites on the same stream. Included are curves relating flood-frequency information to drainage area for eight major streams in the State. Maximum known flood magnitudes in Montana are compared with estimated 1-percent-chance flood magnitudes and with maximum known floods in the United States. Values of flood magnitudes for selected exceedance probabilities and values of significant basin characteristics and channel-geometry measurements for all gaging stations used in the analysis are tabulated. Included are 375 stations in Montana and 28 nearby stations in Canada and adjoining States.
Equations using channel-geometry measurements were developed for estimating mean runoff and peak flows of ungaged streams in southeastern Montana. Two separate sets of esitmating equations were developed for determining mean annual runoff: one for perennial streams and one for ephemeral and intermittent streams. Data from 29 gaged sites on perennial streams and 21 gaged sites on ephemeral and intermittent streams were used in these analyses. Data from 78 gaged sites were used in the peak-flow analyses. Southeastern Montana was divided into three regions and separate multiple-regression equations for each region were developed that relate channel dimensions to peak discharge having recurrence intervals of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years. Channel-geometery relations were developed using measurements of the active-channel width and bankfull width. Active-channel width and bankfull width were the most significant channel features for estimating mean annual runoff for al types of streams. Use of this method requires that onsite measurements be made of channel width. The standard error of estimate for predicting mean annual runoff ranged from about 38 to 79 percent. The standard error of estimate relating active-channel width or bankfull width to peak flow ranged from about 37 to 115 percent. (USGS)
Equations for estimating mean annual runoff and peak discharge from measurements of channel geometry were developed for western and northeastern Montana. The study area was divided into two regions for the mean annual runoff analysis, and separate multiple-regression equations were developed for each region. The active-channel width was determined to be the most important independent variable in each region. The standard error of estimate for the estimating equation using active-channel width was 61 percent in the Northeast Region and 38 percent in the West region. The study area was divided into six regions for the peak discharge analysis, and multiple regression equations relating channel geometry and basin characteristics to peak discharges having recurrence intervals of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 years were developed for each region. The standard errors of estimate for the regression equations using only channel width as an independent variable ranged from 35 to 105 percent. The standard errors improved in four regions as basin characteristics were added to the estimating equations. (USGS)
Estimates of 100-year discharges were made at 59 sites in Glacier National Park and 21 sites in Yellowstone National Park to assist the National Park Services in quantifying stream inflow and outflow in the Parks. The estimates were made using regression equations previously developed for Montana. The resulting 100-year discharges are listed in tables; the discharges ranged from 260 to 53,200 cu ft/s in Glacier National Park and from 110 to 27,900 cu ft/s in Yellowstone National Park. (USGS)
Annual peak stage and discharge data have been collected and tabulated for crest-stage gaging sites in Montana. The crest-stage program was begun in July 1955 to investigate the magnitude and frequency of floods from small drainage areas. The program has expanded from 45 crest-stage gaging stations initially to 172 stations maintained in 1981. Data in the report are tabulated for the period of record. (USGS)
Extensive flooding occurred in west-central Montana during May 22-23, 1981, as a result of a series of rainstorms. Flooding was particularly severe in the communities of East Helena, Belt, and Deer Lodge. Although no lives were lost, total flood damages were estimated by the Montana Disaster Emergency Services Division to be in excess of $30 million. Peak discharges were determined at 75 sites in the flooded area. At 25 sites the May 1981 peak discharge exceeded the computed 100-year frequency flood, and at 29 sites, where previous flow records are available, the May 1981 peak discharge exceeded the previous peak of record. (USGS)
Relations for estimating the flood magnitudes for ungaged sites in Montana have been updated. The State was divided into eight regions and separate multiple-regression equations for each region were developed that relate logarithms of annual flood magnitude to logarithms of basin characteristics for exceedance probabilities of 50, 20, 10, 4, 2, and 1 percent. The standard errors of estimate for an exceedance probability of 1 percent ranged from 39 to 58 percent in the western and central parts of the State and from 47 to 83 percent in the eastern part. The standard errors of estimate indicate a substantial improvement over previous studies. Techniques for transferring annual flood-frequency information at gaged sites to ungaged sites on the same stream have been updated. Included are curves relating flood-frequency information to drainage area for eight major streams in the State. Maximum known flood peaks in Montana are compared with estimated 1-percent-chance flood peaks and with national maximum known flood peaks. Values of flood discharges for selected exceedance probabilities and values of significant basin characteristics for all gaging stations used in the analysis are tabulated. Included are data for 339 stations in Montana and 34 nearby stations in Canada and adjoining States. (USGS)
Annual peak stage and discharge data have been collected and tabulated for crest-stage gaging sites in Montana. The crest-stage program was begun in July 1955 to investigate the magnitude and frequency of floods from small drainage areas. The program has expanded from 45 crest-stage gaging stations initially to 173 stations maintained in 1978. Data are tabulated for the period of record. (Woodard-USGS)
Annual peak discharge from small drainage areas is tabulated for 336 sites in Montana. The 1976 additions included data collected at 206 sites. The program which investigates the magnitude and frequency of floods from small drainage areas in Montana, was begun July 1, 1955. Originally 45 crest-stage gaging stations were established. The purpose of the program is to collect sufficient peak-flow data, which through analysis could provide methods for estimating the magnitude and frequency of floods at any point in Montana. The ultimate objective is to provide methods for estimating the 100-year flood with the reliability needed for road design. (Woodard-USGS)
This report provides methods for estimating flood characteristics at most natural flow sites on rural streams in Montana. It also contains significant flood data and related information for many gaged sites on Montana streams. Frequency curves are provided for 442 gaged sites as defined by log-Pearson Type III analysis. To allow estimates at ungaged sites, mathematical equations relate the 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-year flood magnitudes to basin characteristics. Drainage area, main channel slope, and mean annual precipitation were found to be the most significant estimating variables. Equations presented are limited to use on streams with drainage areas from about 0.1 to 2,600 square miles (0.3 to 6,700 square kilometres), with slope from about 5 to 1,200 feet per mile (1.5 to 366 metres per kilometre), and with precipitation from 10 to 100 inches (250 to 2,500 millimetres). Nomographs provide a simple graphical means of solving the estimating relations, and illustrative examples are presented.