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R. L. Knutilla

Publications and source records attributed to R. L. Knutilla.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1994

Computer simulation of storm runoff for three watersheds in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Rainfall-runoff data from three watersheds were selected for calibration and verification of the U.S. Geological Survey's Distributed Routing Rainfall-Runoff Model. The watersheds chosen are residentially developed. The conceptually based model uses an optimization process that adjusts selected parameters to achieve the best fit between measured and simulated runoff volumes and peak discharges. Three of these optimization parameters represent soil-moisture conditions, three represent infiltration, and one accounts for effective impervious area. Each watershed modeled was divided into overland-flow segments and channel segments. The overland-flow segments were further subdivided to reflect pervious and impervious areas. Each overland-flow and channel segment was assigned representative values of area, slope, percentage of imperviousness, and roughness coefficients. Rainfall-runoff data for each watershed were separated into two sets for use in calibration and verification. For model calibration, seven input parameters were optimized to attain a best fit of the data. For model verification, parameter values were set using values from model calibration. The standard error of estimate for calibration of runoff volumes ranged from 19 to 34 percent, and for peak discharge calibration ranged from 27 to 44 percent. The standard error of estimate for verification of runoff volumes ranged from 26 to 31 percent, and for peak discharge verification ranged from 31 to 43 percent.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1984

Impacts of the Tampa Bypass Canal system on the areal hydrology, Hillsborough County, Florida

Construction of the Tampa Bypass Canal, Florida has resulted in an increase in streamflow from the canal area. Base-flow discharge is more than twice preconstruction amounts. Discharge from springs has decreased by one half or more. Ground-water levels show an increase of up to 4 feet near structure S-160 due to impoundment of water. Elsewhere, levels have generally decreased by 2 to 4 feet. Some minor changes in water quality have occurred. Some of the changes, however, may be attributed to factors other than canal construction. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1975

Water resources of the River Raisin basin, southeastern Michigan

This hydrologic atlas represents a part of a comprehensive study of the water resources of southeastern Michigan. Its purpose is to provide information on (1) the physical features of the River Raisin and its tributaries, (2) the characteristics of streamflow, (3) the quality of surface and ground water, and (4) the availability of ground water. The atlas is one in a series on the several river basins in southeastern Michigan.

Michigan↗
USGS1975

Water resources of basins for minor streams draining into St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, and Lake Erie, southeastern Michigan

This hydrologic atlas represents a part of a comprehensive study of the water resources of southeastern Michigan. Its purpose is the provide information on (1) the physical features of basins for minor streams draining into St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, and Lake Erie, (2) the characteristics of streamflow, (3) the quality of surface water and ground water, and (4) the availability of ground water. The atlas is one in a series on the river basins in southeastern Michigan.

Michigan↗
USGS1975

Flood of April 1975 at East Lansing, Michigan

On April 18 between 5 p.m. and 12 p.m. the city of East Lansing experienced an intense rainstorm that caused the Red Cedar River to overflow its banks, resulting in the most devastating flood since 1904. During the period of flooding the U.S. Geological Survey obtained aerial photography of the East Lansing area to document the disaster. The photography has been used to show the extent of flooding on a photomosaic base map. Data on streamflow, collected at the station on the Michigan State University campus, are given. Suspended sediment data collected at the gaging station have been used to estimate sediment transport during the period of the flood. Information on the magnitude of the flood is useful in make decisions regarding the use of flood plains in the area. The report is one of a series of reports on the April 1975 flood in the Lansing metropolitan area.

Michigan↗
USGS1975

Flood of April 1975 at Meridian Township, Michigan

On April 18 between 5 p.m. and 12 p.m. Meridian Township experienced an intense rain storm that caused the Red Cedar River to overflow its banks resulting in extensive flooding. The Federal Disaster Assistance Administration report that five homes were destroyed, and 332 homes and 10 businesses damaged. Early estimates indicated that damages may be as high as $6.25 million. During the flood the U.S. Geological Survey obtained aerial photography and streamflow data to document the disaster. This report shows, on photomosaic base maps, the extent of flooding along the Red Cedar River and the lower reach of Pine Lake Outlet. Streamflow data obtained at the gaging station on the Red Cedar River at East Lansing, about 3/4 mile (1.2 km) downstream from the western margin of the report area, are given. Information provided within the report is useful in making decisions regarding use of flood plains in the area. It is one of a series of reports on the April 1975 flood in the Lansing metropolitan area.

Michigan↗
USGS1974

Hydrology and trout populations of cold-water rivers of Michigan and Wisconsin

Statistical multiple-regression analyses showed significant relationships between trout populations and hydrologic parameters. Parameters showing the higher levels of significance were temperature, hardness of water, percentage of gravel bottom, percentage of bottom vegetation, variability of streamflow, and discharge per unit drainage area. Trout populations increase with lower levels of annual maximum water temperatures, with increase in water hardness, and with increase in percentage of gravel and bottom vegetation. Trout populations also increase with decrease in variability of streamflow, and with increase in discharge per unit drainage area. Most hydrologic parameters were significant when evaluated collectively, but no parameter, by itself, showed a high degree of correlation with trout populations in regression analyses that included all the streams sampled. Regression analyses of stream segments that were restricted to certain limits of hardness, temperature, or percentage of gravel bottom showed improvements in correlation. Analyses of trout populations, in pounds per acre and pounds per mile and hydrologic parameters resulted in regression equations from which trout populations could be estimated with standard errors of 89 and 84 per cent, respectively.

Michigan, Wisconsin↗
USGS1972

Water for a rapidly growing urban community — Oakland County, Michigan

Oakland County, an area of 899 square miles, is in southeastern Michigan. The southern part of the county is overlapped by the suburbs of the city of Detroit. In 1970, about 850,000 people were living in the county and using about 100 million gallons of water a day. More than 80 percent of the water used for large industrial and municipal supplies came from Detroit's water system. The average annual rate of streamflow from the county is about 370 million gallons per day (575 cubic feet per second). Median annual 7-day low flows range from 0 to 0.25 cfs per square mile. Low flows can be augmented by more than 60,000 acre-feet of water captured during high streamflow by construction of small reservoirs at 21 inventoried sites. Glacial deposits and the Marshall Sandstone are the prime sources of ground water. Most wells that penetrate the full thickness of glacial deposits in the northwestern part of the county will yield at least 50 gpm (gallons per minute), and many will yield more than 400 gpm. The Marshall Sandstone, which occurs only in the Holly area, is capable of yielding more than 1,000 gpm. The chemical quality of both surface and ground water is relatively good throughout the county. Only in the southern part of the county is the dissolved solids above the acceptable standard of 500 milligrams per liter.

Michigan↗
USGS1970

Water resources of the Black River basin, southeastern Michigan

The Black River basin is characterized by flat topography in its central part and by more hilly areas located principally along its boundary. Stream gradients are flat, having slopes of less than 10 feet per mile, except in areas near the basin divide and in isolated areas within the basin.

Michigan↗
USGS1970

Water resources of the River Rouge basin, southeastern Michigan

The River Rouge basin is characterized by moderately hilly topography to the northwest graduating to a relatively level land surface to the south east. Stream gradients near the northwestern basin divide are relatively steep; but many become more steep in reaches where they cross beach lines of former glacial lakes. In the lower reaches of the River Rouge gradients lessen.

Michigan↗