Geology topics
Roger P. Rumenik
Publications and source records attributed to Roger P. Rumenik.
Low-flow characteristics of Florida streams
Knowledge of the low-flow characteristics of Florida streams and rivers is essential in planning for the availability of adequate quantities of water for commercial- and public-water supply, agricultural irrigation, artificial recharge, and the dilution of waste discharge. This report provides low-flow characteristics for 216 continuous-record gaging stations using frequency analysis techniques. Included are low-flow frequency characteristics for 143 unregulated, gaging stations; and sample percentiles for 32 stations that were subject to regulation or diversion, and sample percentiles for 41 stations, regulated and unregulated, that exhibited significant trends in the annual low-flow time series. Estimates of low-flow frequency characteristics are provided for 242 partial-record stations and miscellaneous sites based on correlations with daily mean discharges at continuous-record stations. Low-flow measurement data are available at approximately 1,300 continuous-record gaging stations, partial- record stations and miscellaneous sites. Historic low-flow measurement data are accessible through the U.S. Geological Survey Automatic Data Processing System.
Methods for estimating low-flow characteristics of ungaged streams in selected areas, northern Florida
Methods for estimating low-flow frequency characteristics at ungaged sites were developed for two areas in northern Florida. In the Yellow, Blackwater, Escambia, and Perdido River Basins study area (northwestern Florida), regional regression equations were developed for estimating the 7- and 30-day, 2- and 10-year low-flow characteristic (Q7,2, Q7,10, Q30,2, and Q30,10) by determining values of basin characteristics from digital Geographical Information System (GIS) coverages or hardcopy maps. A GIS, ARC-INFO, was used to quantify basin characteristics that were used in regression equations. Sources of digital data used in this analysis are elevation data, from a digital elevation model, stream length and location data from a digital hydrography coverage, and watershed boundaries digitized from topographic maps. The most accurate regression equations employed a basin characteristic that was based on a simple conceptual model of one- dimensional ground-water flow using Darcy's law. Slightly less accurate equations were obtained using drainage area as the only explanatory variable. The standard error of prediction for the Darcy and drainage area equations of Q7,2 was 65 and 74 percent, respectively; Q7,10, 58 and 62 percent, respectively; Q30,2, 51 and, 54 percent, respectively; and Q30,10, 44 and 51 percent, respectively. In the Santa Fe River Basin study area (northeastern Florida), a flow-routing method was used to estimate low-flow characteristics at ungaged sites from low stream- flow analyses based on records at gaged sites. The use of the flow-routing method is suggested for areas where regression analysis proves unsuccessful, where low-flow characteristics have been defined at a significant number of sites, and where information about the basin characteristics has been thoroughly researched. Low-flow frequency characteristics determined at 40 sites and measurements made during five synoptic runs in 1989-91 were used to develop a flow-routing method. Low-flow frequency characteristics and drainage areas were used to define river profiles for major streams within the Santa Fe River Basin. These river profiles serve as indicators of changes in a stream's low-flow characteristics with respect to change in drainage area. Unit low flows were also determined for each site where low-flow characteristics were determined. Areas of zero flow were defined for Q7,2 and Q7,10 conditions based on measurements made during synoptic runs and from low-flow frequency analyses. The flow-routing method uses the drainage areas to interpolate low-flow values between or near gaged sites on the same stream. Low-flow values are transferred from a gaged site, either upstream or downstream, to the ungaged site. A step-by-step process for flow routing must be made when tributary or other inflow enter a stream. The strength of the flow-routing method is that the values at gaged sites reflect the overall basin characteristics in the vicinity of the gaged sites. However, the accuracy of low-flow estimates may be less in areas of decreasing and increasing flow if sufficient data are not available to assess changing hydraulic and hydrologic conditions.
Ground-water recharge from streamflow data, NW Florida
Annual base flows of streams draining Okaloosa County and adjacent areas in northwest Florida were determined through hydrograph separation and correlation techniques for purposes of evaluating variations in ground-water recharge rates. Base flows were least in the northern part of the county and greatest in the southern part. Topographic and soils data were then superimposed on the distribution of base flow by subbasin to produce a map showing distribution of ground-water recharge throughout the county. The highest recharge rate occurs in the southern part of the county where relatively flat upland areas underlain by excessively drained sandy soils result in minimal storm runoff and evapotranspiration.
Evaluation of the surface-water data network, Suwannee River basin, Florida, 1982
In the 9,950 square mile area of the Suwannee River basin in Florida and Georgia, a network of 33 surface-water gaging stations operated for different periods of time from 1927 to 1982 was evaluated for its capability to provide program information for floodplain mapping, floodplain management, forecasting of flow extremes, and defining the impact of changes in land use on surface-water quantity and quality. Gaging stations are classified based on the type of data and number of years record as current use, long-term trend, and planning and design. Goals are established for each classification. Suggestions for program revisions include establishing crest-stage gages for high-flow and flood-profile data, defining and establishing a low-flow network, and establishing two and discontinuing one daily discharge station. (USGS)
Flood-prone areas of Gadsden County, Florida
Gadsden County is an area of 508 square miles in northwest Florida. The topography of the county is diverse and ranges in altitude from about 50 to 300 feet above mean sea level. Well drained steep hillsides and narrow ridgetops give way to broad, nearly level, poorly drained plateaus which have steep sloping sides, In eastern and central Gadsden county, streams tributary to the Ochlockonee River flow southeastward through a moderately steep terrain. The western part of Gadsden County is an area of rugged and broken topography and deeply incised streams that are tributary to the Apalachicola River.