Comparison of Stream Flow Rating Curve Methodologies in Iowa
Sponsor:
Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Team:
Witold Krajewski, Nathan Young, Marcela Rojas Oliveros, Dan Gilles, and Tony Loeser
Award:
$60,000
Project Period:
October 1, 2016—September 30, 2017
Location:
Seven U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauge sites in Iowa:
- Boone River near Goldfield
- Cedar River near Osage
- Little Sioux River near Spencer
- Shell Rock River near Rockford
- Skunk River at Merrimac
- Wapsipinicon River at Oxford Mills, and
- West Nishnabotna River near Riverton
Services Provided by IFC:
Rating curves (the relationships between water surface elevation and stream flow) are important for consistent and accurate flood forecasting. IFC researchers are evaluating USGS rating curve records at seven locations and comparing them to available rating curve data. They will also evaluate of the capacity of one- and two-dimensional numerical simulations to estimate stage-discharge relationships.