Mean Annual Runoff in the Upper Ohio River Basin, 1941 - USGS

Mean Annual Runoff in the Upper Ohio River Basin, 1941-70, and its Historical Variation

By ROBERT M. BEALL

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY 2042

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1978

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

CECIL D. ANDRUS, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

V. E. McKelvey, Director

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication DataBeall, Robert M.Mean annual runoff in the upper Ohio River basin, 1941-70, and its historicalvariation. (Geological Survey water-supply paper; 2042)Bibliography: p.Supt. of Docs. no.: 119.13 :2042I. Runoff Ohio River watershed. I. Title.II. Series: United States. Geological Survey. Water-supply paper; 2042. GB991.03B4 551.4'98 76-608217

For sale by Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402

Stock Number 024-001-03032-2

CONTENTS

PageAbstract _________________ ___ _____________ 1Introduction _________________________________ 1

The problem _____________________________________ 2A preliminary solution _______________________ _ 2Area of interest and limits of definition ______________ 3Sources of data ________________________________ 5Acknowledgments ___________________ __ _ 5

Computations and analysis _______________ _ 6Long-term stations _______________ __ 6Short-term stations ________________________________ 19Data distribution _____________________________ 19Preparation of the map _______________________ _ 20

Mean annual runoff _________________________________ 22Upper Ohio River basin _______________________ 22Greater Pittsburgh region _______________________ _ 24

Yearly variations ___________________________________ 25References _______________________________________ 32

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page PLATE 1. Map of Ohio River basin above Muskingum River showing

mean annual runoff and location of gaging stations __ In pocket FIGURE 1. Map showing the upper Ohio River basin study area and the

Greater Pittsburgh region within it ______________ 32. Sample station compilation of mean annual discharges and

annual ratios ______________ ____ _ 73. Graph showing progressive variation in mean annual runoff

at main stream sites on the Allegheny and Tygart-Mononga- hela Rivers _______ ___ _ _ 24

4. Graphs showing historical variation in basin-wide average yearly discharge as indicated by long-term streamflow rec ords for the period 1910-74 _____________________ 27

5. Graphs showing subbasin variations in yearly discharge ____ 306. Diagram showing range of ratios of annual mean discharge _ 31

III

IV CONTEXTS

TABLES

PageTABLE 1. Summary of annual stream discharge and runoff data for the

period of record and for the .30-year reference period, 1041-70, for long-term gaging stations in the upper Ohio River basin _ S

2. Summary of runoff estimates for the 30-year reference period, 1941-70, for short-term gaging stations in the upper Ohio River basin ______________________________ 20

3. Ratio of mean annual discharge to the average for the 30-year reference period, 1941-70. for long-term stream-gaging sta tions in the upper Ohio River basin ___________. Tn pocket

4. Subbasin and basin averages of the ratios of mean animal dis charge to the average for the 30-year reference period, 1941- 70. for long-term stream-gaging stations in the upper Ohio River basin _______________________________ 28

CONVERSION FACTORS AND SYMBOLS

Factors for converting English units to the International System of Units (SI) are given below to four significant figures. However, in the text the metric equivalents are shown only to the number of significant figures consistent with the values for the English units.

English Multiply by Metric (SI)

inches (in.) miles (mi) square miles (mi2 ) cubic feet per second (ft3/s)

25.40 1.609 2.590

.02832

millimeters (mm; kilometers (km) square kilometers (km2 ) cubic meters per second

cubic feet per second per square cubic meters per second mile [(ftVs)mi2 ] .01093 per square kilometer

[(mVs)/km2 ]

QA Mean annual discharge, in ftVs,QA (30) Mean annual discharge, in ftVs, for the 30-year reference period

1941-70 (October 1940 through September 1970).QA (PR) Mean annual discharge, in ftVs, for the period of record. Qmed(30) Median annual discharge, in ft3 /s, for the 30-year reference period

1941-70. RA (30) Mean annual runoff, in inches, for the 30-year reference period

1941-70.

MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFF IN THE

UPPER OHIO RIVER BASIN, 1941-70,

AND ITS HISTORICAL VARIATION

By ROBERT M. BEALL

ABSTRACT

A map of the Ohio River basin above the Muskingum River shows patterns of mean annual runoff for the new climatologic and hydrologic reference period, 1941-70, and provides an up-to-dnte, consistent basis for consideration of this streamflow characteristic. The primary data base consisted of 98 long-term gaging-station records collected within this 27,300-square-mile (70,700-square- kilometer) headwater area of the Ohio River basin. Supplemental information was derived from 83 short-term records.

Mean annual runoff is at a regional minimum of less than 12 inches (300 mil limeters) in an area extending from the northern West Virginia panhandle to the headwaters of the Mahoning River in Ohio. Mean annual runoff of more than 32 inches (810 millimeters) occurs in parts of the upper Cheat River basin in West Virginia. The zone of high runoff trends northeastward along the west ern slopes of the Allegheny Mountains; magnitudes diminish to about 25 inches (630 millimeters) at the eastern basin boundary near Ebensburg, Pa. Runoff of this magnitude occurs also in a band across the upper Allegheny River basin in Pennsylvania.

Ratios of mean annual discharge to the 30-year reference-period average were computed for each year of record for all long-term gaging stations. Annual discharges have ranged from about 30 percent to 200 percent of the 30-year mean. Graphed summaries of the annual ratios document the relative duration and magnitude of wet and dry periods during the past 65 years in the upper Ohio River basin.

INTRODUCTION

Mean annual runoff is the average flow of a stream during a par-

NOTE. Throughout this report, years should be understood to mean water years (October 1 through September 30), the annual period for which gaging- station records are customarily published.

1

2 UPPER OHIO RIVER BASIN

ticular period of years; its long-term value closely approximates the amount of streamflow potentially available for development. As such, it is a useful quantitative measure of an indispensable, renew able resource. Unlike a static mineral resource, runoff is always in a state of flux, varying principally in response to temporal and areal changes in precipitation and temperature. Climatically induced variations are influenced by the effects of topography, geology, vege tation, and, to a lesser degree, man's modification of the land.

The mean annual runoff of an area is a common and fundamental numeric, descriptive; element. Xeecled values are generally extra polated from or referenced to published data for the period of record at some conveniently located gaging station; they may or may not include a specification of the period and the area of representation.

THE PROBLEM

Many streamflow records are available for the upper Ohio River basin, but their periods of record are largely noncoincident; further more, available information cannot always be applied readily to a particular site or area of interest. Existing maps showing patterns of runoff are too small in size and too large in runoff-value intervals to be of use except for determining gross estimates for large basins or areas.

The credibility of the quantification in all resource appraisals in creases with the number of data values used in the assessment, until some point of diminishing return is reached in terms of the value of or necessity for the improved information. The irregular, cyclic occurrence of wet and dry years is such that a specific time frame is desirable when considering this dynamic resource.

A PRELIMINARY SOLUTION

The principal purpose of this study is to produce a reasonably detailed but preliminary map of mean annual runoff for the upper Ohio River basin, representing conditions during an appropriate reference period 1941-70. This is the reference period presently used by the Environmental Data Service and National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for re porting of climatological-standard-normal temperature and precipi tation data, and by the U.S. Geological Survey in its monthly analy ses of nationwide streamflow and ground-water conditions. The 30- year reference period is a useful standard but has no particular hy-

INTRODUCTION 3

drologic significance, as it is representative of recent experience but does not necessarily occupy a significant position in some climatic cycle.

AREA OF INTEREST AND LIMITS OF DEFINITION

The initial area of interest for definition of mean-runoff character -

82'

42

l^iyr^'jf^^HL.o A^ ~ *i ^nv-w n H 1^*0 l -j"<;i J5 vy n I \-f _, Via.^^ \ s

.- Upper Ohio River basin___ (as defined herein)

' Greater Pittsburgh reoion

Base from U S Geological Survey Appalachian Region 1967

FIGURE 1. The upper Ohio River basin study area and the Greater Pittsburghregion within it.


istics was the Greater Pittsburgh region' for present purposes de fined as including the six southwestern Pennsylvania counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver. Butler, Washington, and Westmore- land an area of about 4.500 mi- (11,650 km 2 ). See figure 1.

The principal rivers of this region are Allegheny, Kiskiminetas, Monongahela, Youghiogheny, Beaver, and Ohio. All of these rivers have been gaged at sites within the region for many years, and documentation of the varying quantity of water available in these major arteries has been beneficial in innumerable ways. However, these large rivers are exlraregional in origin, and their records do not define the pattern of runoff originating within the Greater Pitts burgh region. Continuous daily discharge records of streams whose drainage are wholly within the region have been collected at 14 gage sites, half of which are no longer in operation or which have been established in recent 3^ears.

Improved definition of runoff in the Greater Pittsburgh region can be achieved by using streamflow records for contiguous areas in the dala analysis. To this end. the upper Ohio River basin was adopted as the study area. The upper Ohio River basin referred to here includes all of the, basin area upstream from the Muskingum River basin in Ohio and the Little Kanawha River basin in West Virginia. This area is shown also in figure 1. This part of the Ohio River system comprises an area of about 27,300 mi 2 (70,700 km 2 ) in parts of Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The extension of the study area was considerably greater than that required for examination of the six-county region. However, the map and data are expected to be useful for other studies. The ex tended study area approximates the area of responsibility of the Pittsburgh District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and the Pitts burgh River Forecast Center, National Weather Service. The distri bution of drainage areas among the several states and principal subbasins is as follows:

Drainage-area subdivision

Ohio

ATew York

Total

Allegheny

!t.7G5

_ __ _ 1,983

11,748

, in square miles

Subbasin

Monongahela

2,654 " 4,305

-425

7,384

Ohio

3,023 2 1,620 ' 3,525

2 8,168

Upper Ohio River basin *

15,442 2 5,925 " 3,525

2 425 1,983

2 27,300

1 As defined in text above. - Approximate.

INTRODUCTION 5

The Ohio subbasin, as used herein, consists of all of the area tributary to the Ohio River from Pittsburgh. Pa., to Marietta, Ohio. The principal tributary within the subbasin is Beaver River.

SOURCES OF DATA

Annual discharge records were obtained from the following re ports :

F.S. Geological Survey, 1957. Compilation of records of surface waters of the United States through September 1950: part 3-A, Ohio River basin except Cumberland and Tennessee River basins: U.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 1305, 652 p.

, 1904, Compilation of records of surface waters of the United States, October 1950 to September 1960: part 3-A. Ohio River basin except Cumber land and Tennessee River basins: F.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 1725, 560 p.

-, 1971, Surface water supply of the United States 1961-05: part 3, volume1, Ohio River basin above Kanawha River: F.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 1907, 621 p.

-, 1966-7-1, Water resources data for (state), part 1, Surface water records : annual reports published for year indicated by district offices of the Water Resources Division in Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

These reports should be consulted to obtain detailed information about the gaging stations for which data have been used in this study. Such information includes location, drainage area, period of record, type and history of gages, extremes of discharge, general re marks, and notations of revisions of previously published records.

Additional records of stage and (or) discharge are collected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and by the National Weather Service at a few sites in the region. These unpublished records were not ob tained for the study, because most document the discharge of prin cipal streams at points intermediate to those published in the reports noted above. Most of these record sites have been catalogued by the U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Water Data Coordination (1973).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A study such as this is founded on the efforts of generations of hydrographers and hydraulic engineers who measured the streams, maintained the gaging stations, and prepared the data for publi cation. Many records were collected before 1932 by the (then) Penn sylvania Department of Forests and Waters. Similarly, a number of records were obtained between 1921 and 1942 b}7 the West Virginia


Power and Transmission Company. Most data-collection activity by the Geological Survey has been accomplished through financial co operation with state and local agencies and in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Reservoir records used to adjust annual-runoff data were provided by the Corps of Engineers, private companies, and public agencies that operate storage facilities.

The present study effort was made possible by the valued assist ance of Pauline F. Silsley, U.S. Geological Survey, who performed or checked many of the, data compilations and computations.

COMPUTATIONS AND ANALYSIS

LONG-TERM STATIONS

A few gaging stations in the upper Ohio region have been main tained continuously since the early 1900's. However, the 1030's and 1940's were periods of considerable expansion in the stream-gaging program here, as well as nationwide. Many of the stations established during that time are still in operation, because of the varied and continued use of the data. The resultant data accumulations are the primary source of information for preparation of the map of mean annual runoff for the 1041-70 reference period.

A sample compilation of annual discharge data for one station, taken from the reports previously listed, is shown in figure 2. Mean and median annual discharges for the 30-year reference period were computed from these data. The results of similar computations for 08 long-term stations are listed in table 1. To complete computations for the reference period, the mean annual discharge was divided by (he drainage area above the gaging station (column headed QA (3Q) (ftVs)/mi 2 ), and that unit discharge was multiplied by the factor 13.583* to obtain the equivalent runoff (7^30) in inches. The sum mary of station information in table 1 includes drainage area, period of record, and mean annual discharge for that period.

The natural flow regimen of many streams has been altered by con struction and operation of storage reservoirs and by diversion of water for various purposes. The six principal rivers in the Greater Pittsburgh region, as well as many tributaries throughout the upper Ohio River basin, are so altered. Reservoir operations usually follow an annual cycle such that year-to-year difference in year-end storages

Derivation of this factor is shown on the explanation for table 2.


UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GEOLOGICAL SURVEYMean annual discharges for period of record and annual ratios to the average for -....the 30-year reference period 1941-70: 03010500 Allegheny River at Eldredj pa.+

Water

Year

1921

1925

1930

1935

1940

QA (

Obs.

678

732

1010

1100

918

894

582

768

767

530

710

806

1031

894

668

913

it*/*)Adj.

for d.a.

705

761

1050

1144

955

930

605

799

798

551

738

838

1072

930

695

fetio to 1941-70 average

0.78

.84

1.16

1.26

1.05

1.03

.67

.88

.88

.61

.81

.92

1.18

1.03

.77

1.01

2Q

Water

Year

1941

1945

1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

A 4 1-70

QA

(ft3/s

634

1159

1361

713

1278

1101

1089

957

703

905

1298

1104

878

730

677

1284

822

812

906

978

789

631

683

852

669

768

651

959

704

916

27,211

907

Rado to 1941-70 average

0.70

1.28

1.50

.79

1.41

1.21

1.20

1.06

.78

1.00

1.43

1.22

.97

.80

.75

1.42

.91

.90

1.00

1.08

.87

.70

.75

.94

.74

.85

.94

1.06

.78

1.01

Water

Year

1971

1975

QA

ft3/s)

971

1475

1048

1150

tatLo to 1941-70 average

1.07

1.63

1.16

1.27

-

-

QAmed(30) 865

with "at Urabee" (03010000) prior to 1940; QA djuated by drainage area

FIGURE 2. Sample station compilation of mean annual discharges and annualratios.

TAB

LE 1

. Sum

mary

of

an

nu

al

stre

am

dis

char

ge a

nd r

unoff

data

for

the

peri

od o

f re

cord

an

d f

or

the

30-y

ear

refe

renc

e pe

riod

, 19

Jfl-

lU,

for

long

-ter

m g

agin

g st

ati

ons

in

the

uppe

r O

hio

Riv

er

basi

n (P

enn

sylv

an

ia,

New

Y

ork,

Ma

ryla

nd

, no

rthe

rn

Wes

t V

irg

inia

, an

d ea

ster

n O

hio)

US

GS

stat

ion

N

o.O

S-

0105

00

0110

20

0125

50

Gag

ing

stat

ion

nam

e

All

eghe

ny R

iver

at E

ldre

d, P

a.

All

eghe

ny R

iver

at S

alam

anca

, N

.Y.

All

eghe

ny R

iver

Dra

in

age

fl-TG

O.

(mi"

)

550

1,60

8

2,18

0

Per

iod

of r

<;co

rdth

rough 1

973

Fro

m

July

1939

Sep

t.19

03

Oct

.19

35

Yea

rs

34 70 38

Ref

eren

ce p

erio

d 1941 7

0

- (ftV

s)

Jfr

t/B

) V

A(

'M)

(ftV

s)

930

865

907

2,76

0 2,

592

2,61

7

3,75

8 3,

545

3,68

7

((ft

Vs)

K

A<<-

'°)

/mi2

) (i

nch

es)

1.64

9 22

.40

1.62

7 22

.10

1.69

1 22

.97

Rem

arks

Com

bine

d1

wit

h

"at

Lar

a-be

e"

(030

1000

0)

pri

or

to11

140:

ar

ea,

530

mi-

. Q

adju

sted

by

1.

04

for

an

nual

ra

tios

pri

or

to

1940

.

"At

Red

Hou

se"

(030

1150

0)pri

or

to 1

965

; ar

ea,

1,69

0m

i-.

Q .

adju

sted

by

0.95

for

annual

ra

tios

pri

or

toI!

)(i5

nn

d fo

r V

(::0

).<?

(PR

) unad

just

ed.

"Nea

r K

inzu

a"

(030

1250

0)at

Kin

zua

Dam

, P

a.

0130

00

0145

00

0150

00

0155

00

Con

ewan

go C

reek

at

Wat

erbo

ro,

N.Y

.

Cha

dako

in R

iver

at

Fal

cone

r, N

.Y.

Con

ewan

go C

reek

at

Rus

sell

, P

a.

Bro

ken

stra

w C

reek

at

You

ngsv

ille

, P

a.

290

194

816

321

Sept

. 1938

Nov.

1934

Oct.

19

39Oc

t.

1909

35 38 34 64

510

388

1,45

8

575

491

325

1,39

4

556

503

332

1,431

584

1.734

1.71

1

1.75

4

1.819

23.5

5

23.2

4

23.8

2

24,71

pri

or

to

1969

an

d "a

t W

arre

n"

1969

-72.

A

rea,

2,

179

mi=

p

rio

r to

19

65,

2,22

3 m

i-,

19G

5-72

. Q

adju

sted

by

0.

9S

for

an

nual

ra

tio

s 19

65-7

2 an

d fo

r Q

^ (3

0).

P4

(PR

) un

ad

just

ed

for

area

bu

t ad

ju

sted

fo

r st

orag

e si

nce

Oct

ober

19

65.

No

ne. ad

just

ed

for

stora

ge

1051

-66.

A

djus

ted

Q

(30)

=U

nad

just

ed Q

, (

30)

A

adju

sted

fo

r st

ora

ge

O

W CO I H

1

Non

e.


8 a£ 8 -g ,7g g g-S-êw £-*££ SBC«*i if si! K:S s&?.::::|§s ||«, sf a «^s^tg£g1%.°. I .11^1 1|SSS =0 |«r ^ 0> +o - H 2«- S =§ôE l-Cos'g - go g S-Sî 5 «^ c, | S r,S«2s|§ ^-^S3 SS ^cg5'5 |PS c7 So-* 7 ô_ ^ Pi ^ T, S-yo

ti-f t)M C-f SCOO05 OOi O> SC5V rH V rH l-j rH I- rH

gw SdiOJ5Ô cj O ed -H o3 a) : H H O £

Up OS* M £P

TAB

LE 1

. Sum

mary

of

annu

al s

trea

m d

isch

arge

and

runoff

da

ta f

or

the

peri

od o

f re

cord

and

fo

r th

e 30

-yea

r re

fere

nce

per

iod,

19

J^1-

10,

for

long

-ter

m g

agin

g st

ati

ons

in

the

uppe

r O

hio

Riv

er

basi

n (P

enn

sylv

an

ia,

New

Y

ork

, M

ary

lan

d,

no

rth

ern

W

est

Vir

gin

ia,

and

east

ern

Oh

io)

Con

tinu

ed

US

GS

stat

ion

No.

O

S-

025000

025500

028500

029500

030500

031500

032500

034000

034500

036000

Gag

ing

sta

tio

n n

ame

Sugar

Cre

ekat

Sugar

cree

k,

Pa.

All

egh

eny

Riv

erat

Fra

nkli

n,

Pa.

Cla

rio

n R

iver

at .

Toh

nson

burg

, P

a.

Cla

rio

n R

iver

at

Coo

ksbu

rg,

Pa.

Cla

rio

n R

iver

nea

r P

iney

, P

a.

All

eghen

y R

iver

at

Par

ker

, P

a.

Red

ban

k C

reek

at

St.

C

har

les,

P

a.

Mah

on

ing

Cre

ekat

Punxsu

taw

ney

, P

a.

Lit

tle M

ahonin

g C

reek

at

McC

orm

ick,

P

a.

Mah

on

ing

Cre

ek

Dra

in

age

area

-

(mi2

)

166

5,98

2

204

807

951

7,67

1

528

158

87.4

344

Per

iod

of

reco

rd

thro

ugh 1

973

QA

<PR

Fro

m

Aug

.19

32

Oct

.19

14

Oct

.19

45

Oct

.19

38

Oct

.19

44

Oct

.19

32

Oct

.19

18

Oct

.19

38

Oct

.19

39

Aug

. 19

38

Yea

rs

41 59 28 35 29 41 55 35 34 35

266

10

,28

0

371

1,41

4

1,7

09

13,0

50

847

265

148

577

Ref

eren

ce p

erio

d 1

941 7

0

> O

med

<3°)

Q

(30)

1

(£tV

S)

(fV

/s)

252

9,97

0

351

1,36

2

1,60

7

12,6

80

798

254

132

541

267

10,3

90 364

1,39

7

1,65

7

13,1

10

833

261

145

569

1 (ff

tvs)

-*V

3°)

/mi2

) (i

nch

es

1.60

8

1.73

7

1.78

4

1.73

1

1.74

2

1.70

9

1.57

8

1.65

2

1.65

9

1.65

4

21.8

4

23

.59

24.2

3

23.5

1

23

.66

23.2

1

21.4

3

22.4

4

22.5

3

22.4

7

Rem

arks

)

Non

e.

Q

adju

sted

fo

r st

ora

ge

aft

er

1940

.

Q

adju

sted

for

sto

rag

e si

nce

1952

. 19

41-4

5 es

t.

for

Q

(30

) fr

om

(0

3017500)

and

(03

029000).

Q

adju

sted

for

sto

rag

e si

nce

A 1952

.

Q

adju

sted

fo

r st

ora

ge.

19

41

-45

es

t.

for

6^(3

0)

from

(0

3029500)

and

(03031000).

Q

adju

sted

for

stora

ge

since

1941

.

Non

e.

Non

e.

Non

e.

Q

adju

sted

for

sto

rag

e si

nce

(^ *"d TJ M O ffi 0 5 .«.-< w ^ w C/2 2

19

41

.

COMPUTATIONS AND ANALYSIS 11

o bo jj J; o u a _g _g "O .9 ~

2 n a> « o>o o w« <H a -a

HI +J ~ C3 S CO 4J-S

a « «c CC - M-p £ C os.

s §i: I § Il fe o|| ! c _ a o . s s J if* s! !gi 1 § 1 1 1 I I g I2 5 5" S el" £ |? £ | £ c | £ £ ! S

fsfi|s fe îifl;^l ? sli i|i^rH ^^^ ^^ O- rtorH ^-00- _-O ,_ O - ^. ^ ,

OOO1 O» O-O'rnO'O'O'

03 o 05 2 < m S 05 S° C S °S °r

BS *a pf£ fco I* _ a

.1.1 £ si ^ ^ d ^ ÎI «S ^ * P S* M 5l og S|«S £ 0- 2§ ^^ go .g-g us ag 5^ 55>,3 °« ô gp g- "g ^ ^c c^ a^

IB H is ?l ?i II p is is |!Its §s | S ^ s^ |? js g- I- I-quo S SOMO^Î

TABL

E 1.

Sum

mar

y of

ann

ual

stre

am d

isch

arge

and

run

off

da

ta f

or

the

peri

od o

f re

cord

and

fo

r th

e 30

-yea

r re

fere

nce

peri

od,

1941

-70,

for

lon

g-te

rm g

agin

g st

atio

ns i

n th

e up

per

Ohi

o R

iver

bas

in

(Pen

nsyl

vani

a, N

ew Y

ork,

Mar

ylan

d, n

orth

ern

Wes

t V

irgi

nia,

and

eas

tern

Ohi

o) C

onti

nued

US

GS

st

ati

on

No.

0

3-

048500

049000

049500

050000

050500

051000

052000

053500

054500

056000

Gag

ing

sta

tio

n n

ame

Kis

kim

inet

as R

iver

at

Van

der

gri

ft,

Pa.

Buff

alo C

reek

nea

r F

reep

ort

, P

a.

All

eghen

y R

iver

at

Nat

rona,

Pa.

Tygar

t R

iver

nea

r D

aile

y,

W.

Va.

Ty

gar

t R

iver

nea

r JG

lkin

s, W

. V

a.

Ty

gart

Riv

erat

Bel

ing

ton

, W

. V

a.

Mid

dle

Fo

rk

at

Audra

, W

. V

a.

Buck

han

no

n R

iver

at

Hal

l,

W.

Va.

Tygar

t R

iver

at

Ph

ilip

pi,

W

. V

a.

Ty

gart

Riv

er

at

Tv

crar

t D

am n

ear

Dra

in

age

are

a -

(mi"

)

1,82

5

137

11

,41

0

187

272

408

149

277

916

1,18

4

Per

iod

o

f re

cord

thro

ugh 1

973

QA

(PR

.

Fro

m

Aug

.19

37

Oct

.19

40

Oct

.19

38

Ap

r.19

15

Oct

.19

44

June

1907

Feb

.19

42

Ap

r.19

15

Ap

r.19

40

June

1938

Ref

eren

ce p

erio

d 1

94

1-7

0

) Q

med

(30

Yea

rs

uw

s|

("/s

)

36 33 35 58 29 06 31 58 3.'!

35

3,01

4

187

19,0

30

347

536

800

342

591

1,8

27

2,3

05

2,8

40

167

18

,12

0

321

480

749

323

546

1,73

4

2,1

62

(«V

s)

2,94

9

183

18,8

20 324

476

756

325

569

1,77

8

2,26

0

«?A

(30

)( (f

tVs)

/m

i*)

1.6

16

1.33

6

1.64

9

1.7

33

1.7

50

1.8

53

2.18

1

2.05

-1

1.9

41

1.90

9

RA

(3Q

) R

emar

ks

(inch

es)

21

.95

18

.15

22.4

X)

23

.53

23.7

7

25.1

7

29.6

3

27

.90

26.3

7

25

.93

Q

adju

sted

fo

r st

ora

ge

and

div

ersi

on

b

ut

not

for

cool

in

g-t

ow

er

loss

es

since

1909

. C

om

bin

ed

wit

h

"at

Av

on

mo

re"

(03

04

75

00

)pri

or

to

1938

, ar

ea,

1,7

23

mi-

. Q

ad

just

ed

by

1.05

for

annual

rati

os

1908-3

7.

Non

e.

Q

adju

sted

for

sto

rag

e si

nce

1940

.

Non

e.

1941-4

4

est.

fo

r 0

^(3

0)

fro

m

(03

051000).

Non

e.

1941

, 19

42

est.

fo

r Q

(3

0)

fro

m

(03

051500).

Non

e.

Non

e.

Q

adju

sted

fo

r st

ora

ge.

O p W VI

Gra

fto

n,

W.

Va.

§ §


- £

rH 00

o oi

2?M .K_ .O .N^'w w£ WrF* t-w

I O CM i 4-»O ^ rH OJ Oi gCO 4J®} rH Cl ^JO

^ W5 ££ QOS <J OS O . ^OS O^" ^ ' O^

^2 22 2c ^ 2.5'

ci

Fork River Butcherville. W.

*j . ,£ cs^

05 ^^

Fork River Clarksburg. W. T

*j j_.^ cj

^

ci

Fork River Enterprise, W. V

*j _^^ID a^

C3 ^> >

ilo Creek

Barrackville, W. ingahela River

Lock 15, Hoult, i

"+J °4J

's * o dK S

^

1^JQ

ci

Hendricks, W. Vswater River Davis, W. Va.

,_. "Pi -M a a a

S

ci

o C"

;H M Cj

^ 4-12 s33

ci

t River

ar Parsons. W. V

d 01a? £

O

>

t River

Rowlesburg. W.

rt -MA ""

O

Sandy Creek

Rockville. W. Va

^-CJDS

S

ci

|lc ?Jino;'§

i i _^j p^3 " ^

Q

>ngahela River Greensboro, Pa.

^H 4»i"

TABL

E 1.

Sum

mar

y of

ann

ual

stre

am

dis

char

ge a

nd r

unof

f 19

41-7

0, f

or

long

-ter

m g

agin

g st

atio

ns i

n t

he u

pper

Ohi

o V

irgi

nia,

and

eas

tern

Oh

io)

Con

tinu

ed

da

ta f

or

the

peri

od o

f re

cord

and

for

the

30-

year

ref

eren

ce p

erio

d,

Riv

er b

asin

(P

enns

ylva

nia,

New

Yor

k, M

aryl

and,

nor

ther

n W

est

US

GS

st

ati

on

No.

0

3-

073000

074500

075000

075500

076500

077500

078500

079000

080000

081000

082500

Gag

ing s

tati

on

nam

e

So

uth

Fork

Ten

mil

e C

reek

Jeff

erso

n,

Pa.

Red

stone

Cre

ekat

Wal

ters

burg

, P

a.

Monong

ahel

a R

iver

at

Char

lero

i, P

a.

Yo

ug

hio

ghen

y R

iver

nea

r O

akla

nd

, M

d.

Yo

ug

hio

ghen

y R

iver

at

Fri

end

svil

le,

Md.

Yo

ug

hio

ghen

y R

iver

at

Youghio

ghen

yR

iver

Dam

, P

a.

Big

Pin

ey R

un

nea

r S

alis

bury

, P

a.

Cas

selm

an R

iver

at

Mar

kle

ton,

Pa.

Lau

rel

Hil

l C

reek

at

Urs

ina,

Pa.

Yo

ug

hio

gh

eny

Riv

er

belo

w C

onfl

uenc

e, P

a.

Yo

ug

hio

ghen

y R

iver

at

Connel

lsvil

lp.

Pn.

Dra

in

age

area

(m

i")

180

73.7

5,21

3

134

295

436

24.5

382

121

1,02

9

1,32

6

Per

iod

of

reco

rd

thro

ugh 1

97?

Fro

m

Oct

.19

31

Oct

.19

42

Oct

.19

33

Aug

.19

41

189

8-1

904.

Oct

. 19

40

Oct

.19

39

June

19

32

-S

ept.

19

70

Oct

.19

20

Oct

.19

18

June

1940

July

1908

Yea

rs

42 31 40 32 39 34 38 53 55 33 65

Ref

eren

ce p

erio

d 1

94

1-7

0

5 C

^(P

R)

3 (f

t»/s

)

196

97.2

8,9

14

289

636

852

37.1

649

264

1,9

49

2,5

33

1 °<sC

174

88.2

8,48

4

282

594

811

35.3

648

260

1,80

7

2,4

76

0/3

0)

(ftV

s)

190

94.3

8,72

2

281

592

829

36.7

635

259

1,89

2

2,49

3

<?/3

0)

( (tm

i»S)

1.05

6

1.2

80

1.6

73

2.0

97

2.0

07

1.90

1

1.4

98

1.66

2

2.1

40

1.8

39

1.8

80

RA

(30

) R

emar

ks

(inch

es)

14.3

4

17.3

9

22

.72

28.4

8

27

.26

25

.82

20.3

5

22.5

7

29

.07

24.9

8

25

.54

Non

e.

1941

, 19

42

est.

fo

r Q

/30)

fro

m

(03

070500)

and

(0307200

0).

Q

adju

sted

fo

r st

ora

ge.

A

1941

es

t.

for

Q/3

0)

fro

m

(0307650

0).

Q

adju

sted

for

stora

ge

since

19

40.

Q

adju

sted

fo

r st

ora

ge.

Non

e.

Non

e.

Non

e.

Q

adju

sted

fo

r st

ora

ge.

Q ,

adju

sted

for

stora

ge

since

d 5 w 7s O 3 o ^ w w J> HH

2

1925

.


"~ S

* 00 !£> ttCOM ^ M

rH OO " O5

« Oo

ts ®s41 °6§ -o o

HIo'

£ M -8^

l«g»-

0>

« S

73 O KC'S fo«r ^

wli +J2 *55 *>£ Mhr3^^ CJ C^ PJ î t; M I5® O* O 05 O 05 Ô

*Hi-l r-l w r-l W r1 r-lrH °S <|S

! 2 4^°H" oCO « O 05; Q. ÎH 3 05 Q05

3 5O a

an

M «.^£ HOU ^_i2^ o

.c >

0 S

II

£5) 3 « .

££ >'? asS S 3 01 « _,~ O KM H -

^* d "^ rt 'Si

J| V,Coi>H a s H

TAB

LE 1

. N

um

ma

ry o

f a

nn

ua

l st

ream

dis

char

ge a

nd r

unoff

19

41-1

/0,

for

long

-ter

m g

affi

ng s

tati

ons

in t

he

uppe

r O

hio

Vir

gin

ia,

and

east

ern O

hio

) C

onti

nued

data

for

the

peri

od o

f re

cord

an

d f

or

the

30-y

ear

refe

rence

per

iod.

R

iver

bas

in

(Pen

nsy

lvania

, N

eiv

Yo

rk,

Ma

ryla

nd

, n

ort

her

n

Wes

t

US

GS

st

atio

n

No.

O

S-

0925

00

0930

00

0940

00

0955

00

0980

00

0995

00

1015

00

1025

00

Gag

ing

stat

ion

nam

e

Wes

t B

ranch

Mah

onin

g R

iver

near

New

ton

Fal

ls,

Ohi

o.

Eag

le C

reek

at

Ph

alan

x S

tati

on,

Ohi

o.

Mah

onin

g R

iver

at

Lea

vit

tsburg

, O

hio.

Mos

quit

o C

reek

bel

ow

Mos

quit

o C

reek

Dam

nea

rC

ortl

and,

Ohi

o.

Mah

onin

g R

iver

at

You

ngst

own,

O

hio.

Mah

onin

g R

iver

at

Low

ellv

ille

, O

hio.

She

nang

o R

iver

at

Pym

atum

ing D

am,

Pa.

Lit

tle

She

nang

o R

iver

Dra

in

age

area

-

(mi"

)

96.3

97.6

575

97.5

898

1,07

3

167

104

Per

iod

of r

ecor

d th

rough 1

973

Fro

m

Yea

rs

June

1926

1926

-34.

Oct

. 19

37

Oct

.19

40

1926

-29.

May

194

3

Oct

.19

21

Oct

.19

42

.Tun

e19

34

Oct

.19

13

47 44 33 33 52 31 39 60

Ref

eren

ce p

erio

d 19

41-7

0

Q

(PR

)(ft'/ 8

)

95.2

104

538

86.2

829

1,02

6

197

139

<?m

ed<

30>

(ft

3/ 8

)

88.8

97.1

485

83.2

746

883

184

134

(ft3

/a)

96.8

104

527

94.9

814

994

199

140

((ft

Vs)

/m

i*)

1.00

5

1.06

6

.916

.973

.906

.926

1.19

2

1.34

6

R

( 30

) (i

nche

s)

13.6

5

14.4

7

12.4

5

13.2

2

12.3

1

12.5

8

16.1

9

18.2

8

Rem

arks

Flo

w

regula

ted

sinc

e D

ec.

1966

; Q

(P

R)

not

ad-

Aju

sted

Q

(30)

pr

ovis

ion

ally

ad

just

ed.2

Non

e.

Flo

w

reg

ula

ted

an

d div

erte

d

but

Q

no

t ad

just

ed.

-i

1941

-43

est.

fo

r Q

,(3

0)

from

(0

3103

000)

. F

low

reg

ula

ted

an

d d

iver

ted

;f,

(30)

pro

vis

ional

ly

ad

just

ed.2

Flo

w

regula

ted

and

div

erte

dbu

t Q

. no

t ad

just

ed.

Flo

w

regula

ted ;

QA

no

t ad

- iu

sted

. 19

41-1

942

pst

for

<?,

(30)

from

(0

3098

000)

4

Q ,

adju

sted

fo

r st

ora

ge.

A

Non

e.at

Gre

envi

lle,

Pa.

1030

00

Py

mat

um

ing C

reek

at O

rang

evil

le,

Pa.

169

1913

-63

5020

319

64-7

0 es

t.

for

6^(

from

(0

3101

500)

an

d

(031

0250

0).

W


a>Mdt-iOX

1*O

da>cc S dej

*! O

CMtoOrH

0rHNrH

0I-lt-

I-lww

OSrHt-

IO OS

00 CO

S

3!00to

Shenango River

at Sharpsville, Pa.

o§COo

a> o.S'co

a>Mei1*Occ>HO

da>cc

JrH"d coeS Ci^ rt

0

CO * *rH

CMWq i-i

*t-coN"

*00rHof

toCCCO

N

in *

_-N00 coV 05 .«~ )rH yj C

*3toCONN

Beaver River

at Wampum, Pa.

0o inin0

a>

o fc

t~00<PrH

N *Ni-i

N * *

ceo *

CO<£>Tt*

Tt*IA

;oi.irH>2

<0to05

Connoquenessing Creek near Zelienople, Pa.

oo otoo

a> oS'S

a>Mdt-iO

ho<H

da>cc

r-l O5"d oei O5

O

o05oo'TH

Nto05 rH

00OSto

CM0to

atoto

N<£>

jJrH w rH0«

00OSOS

Slippery Rock Creek at Wurtemburg, Pa.

^totoo

a -a g0 8) »t, eS

<H

S O~ S °0 B Bco ^

TJ <So -or Mh

0 X U, <H 0 O

0 <Hjj 1Oca « -d a> g a>

« "SrH O r-cs -r^rH

rH00COrH

l~i-l

qrH

rH00rH

rHl-i-l

1O00rH

NCO

i%Q)O3

02 "-1

00t-rH

Raccoon Creek

at Moffatts Mill. Pa.

o

00o

S o'cobO)

- § irl CV 0

fc

OCNCO

0t-01

Tt*00Tt*

OSCOTt*

tooin

00to

lltoO5Tt*

Little Beaver Creek

0otoOS0

d

at East Liverpool, Oh

o> sofc

Tt*

q *

Tt*COqrH

NinrH

*Tt*rH

-ftorH

OS 05

tj® H0* C

t- *TH

_O

3o

Yellow Creek

near Hammondsville, <

o§orH

So h<H

0CO

"«0h *-*o o

<H O. o

M 0

« sOS

rH O

OrH

NO5oi

rHin°?

t-rHrH

OrHi-l

ONrH

NOS

Ji-lJ S^2

CONi-l

Short Creek

near Dillonvale, Ohio

otorHI-l

a>ao fc

COq *

OSOSqrH

0I-lOS

0OSN

OrHCO

OS OS

"£ *°2

N00N

Wheeling Creek

at Elm Grove, W. Va

o

NrH

a> So»

i~O5l>

OSNCO rH

toOce

o00IA

t-rHto

toTt*

.00CONrHOJi".

SI00toTt*

^ .a> r-2^o . d^ e d a>

I-H-M

*3 -d+j"2==!

§oo toTt*I-l

a_O

«"3Aes+J

S3A

So£

ea> d>o>

?fHCJ

dhou a> t-i

<M O

CC"Oo

1h o'E

CH

CO

a>Sd

*i^2o A co"Aan-> o

|s« >>11g-d

<4-i"ti °aag0 0+3 w«* ..g-sS ACO

rds combined only for c( sted discharge not publi

o sf '!->D-d«<)r( c-j


are small in comparison with total annual flows. Monthly and annual streamflow-data summaries for most stations significantly affected by storage or diversion are adjusted for those effects. Adjusted rather than observed annual data were used where available and have been noted under Remarks in table 1. No adjustments were made for evaporation from reservoirs or other losses.

Reference-period data were complete for 80 of the 98 listed stations. The remainder had records beginning in the 1940's or were discon tinued prior to 1970 after a long period of operation. Annual dis charges for the missing years were estimated from logarithmic re gressions with concurrent annual data from nearby stations. The estimated periods, most of which were less than 5 years, are noted in station remarks.

The long-term stations are identified on plate 1. Detailed location descriptions are in the reports previously listed in the section on "Sources of Data." For illustrative convenience and for conforma tion with a subbasion designation system adopted by the Common wealth of Pennsylvania, subdivisions of the Allegheny River basin are shown on plate 1 and limits of the Pennsylvania subbasins are noted.

Parts of plate 1 of Water-Supply Paper 1907 were used, after some modification, as the base for location of gaging stations. A few erroneously drawn stream segments and mislocated station symbols were corrected, and some station symbols were added. The map scale of 1:1,000,000 appears to be appropriate in relation to the density of data available for analysis.

Many of the larger streams of the area are gaged at two or more sites. The primary data selected for map preparation were the run off values calculated for the gaged sites farthest upstream. A total of 53 of the 98 long-term records met this requirement. Because the basins represented occupy 40 percent of the study area, this data base was considered more than adequate for defining lines of equal annual runoff.

Data summaries for the remaining 45 long-term stations provided a secondary data base. After subtracting the flow at one or more up stream stations from that at a downstream station, runoff for inter vening areas was computed. These data are subject to considerable error because they commonly represent a difference between com paratively large quantities that inherently are subject to some errors of measurement; consequently, they were not included in this report. However, the information was useful in developing or confirming the runoff patterns in ungaged tributary areas, particularly in the main stream valleys.


SHORT-TERM STATIONS

Streamflow records have been collected at many sites for relatively short periods where stations are no longer operated. Many other sta tions have been established relatively recently. Records for a total of 83 such stations were used in this study. They are identified on plate 1 and are considered to be a tertiary data source. Because many of these records are for gages on small drainages, they are useful in defining the areal variation in runoff within the long-term-staiion basins, most of which are of comparatively large areas. A few rec ords of significant length, not coincident with the present reference period, were analysed in the same manner as short-term stations.

Runoff values for the period of record at the short-term stations were adjusted to represent the 1941-70 reference period by means of a factor expressing the ratio of reference-period discharge to short- term-period discharge at a nearby long-term station. The computa tion procedure is detailed at the head of table 2, which shows the summary results of calculations for the 83 short-term stations. This adjustment to the 30-year reference period should not be confused with the adjustment for storage or diversion described earlier.

A few intervening-area runoff computations were made from the adjusted short-term-station data or from a combination of long- and short-term data. Including those mentioned previously, a total of 48 such computations were made, providing supplemental information for a total area of about 11,700 mi 2 (30,300 km 2 ), or 43 percent of the upper Ohio River basin.

DATA DISTRIBUTION

A summary of the numbers of available records by drainage-area category and by major subbasins of the study area is given in the following table:

Distribution of records

Subbasin

Long term > 1000 mi2 (2590 kma ) __ Long term 500-1000 mi2 _____Long term < 500 mi2 (1295 kma ) ___

Total long term

Short term > 1000 mi2 __ ____Short term 500-1000 mi2 _____ __Short term < 500 mi2 __ _

Total records _ _

Allegheny

10 6

20

36

2 1

28

31

67

Monongahela

9 4

23

36

1 0

29

30

66

Ohio

3 3

20

26

0 1

21

22

48

Upper Ohio River basin

22 13 63

98

3 2

78

83

181


Considering only those records for stations having drainage areas of less than 500 mi 2 , the overall data density is 1 record per 194 mi 2 (502km 2 ).

PREPARATION OF THE MAP

Plate 1 shows the mean annual runoff for the upper Ohio River basin for the 30-year reference period, 1941-70.

The base for plate 1 is a part of the station-location map base used in U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1907.

Three overlays to this base map were prepared showing areas of:1. Drainage basins above long-term, upstream gaged sites.2. Intervening drainage between gaged sites.3. Drainage basins above short-term gaged sites. Values of average runoff for the reference period were entered near the centroid of the described basins. Three overlays were used so that different weights could be given, subjectively, to the three data sources while drawing the lines of equal runoff. The objective was to draw the lines so that the average runoff in each basin or inter-

TABLE 2. Summary of runoff estimates for the 30-year reference period, 70, for short-term gaging stations in the upper Ohio River basin

Explanation of computation procedure STS Short-term station.LTS Long-term station used in ratio computation. N Number of water years of short-term record used in computation Q (N)S or Mean annual discharge in cubic feet per second, for indicated period of

Q (N)'L N concurrent years at the STS or the LTS.

Q (30)L Mean annual discharge, in cubic feet per second, for the period 1941-70

at the LTS. Q (30)S Computed mean annual discharge, in cubic feet per second, for the period

1941-70 at the STS ; averaged if two or more computations made; anestimate.

cfsm(30)S Computed mean annual discharge, in cubic feet per second per square mile,for the period 1941-70 at the STS ; an estimate.

R (30) S Computed mean annual runoff, in inches, for the period 1941-70 at the

STS ; an estimate.

X<? A (30)S <M30)L

86,400 ft" X 12 in./ft 1 ft3/s for 1 day == r= 0.03719 inch depth on 1 mi*

27,878,400 ft?/mi« Reference period 1941-70 = 7 years at 366 days + 23 years at 365 days = 10957 days

average of 365.233 days per year. R (30)S in inches per year = cfsm(30)S X 365.233 X 0.03719

= cfsm(30)S X 13.583,


TABLE 2. Nummary of runoff estimates for the 30-year reference period, 1941- 70, for short-term gaaing stations in the upper Ohio River basin Continued

usesStationNo.03-

Drainagearea(mi*)

Numberof yearsrecord

RA (3Q)(inches)

Allegheny

008000011000011800012000015280

016500017000021700022000023000

025200026500027500028000029400

031000031950032000033000033500

037000037500039200039500042000

042200042250042280042500044500049800

7.7913746.4

17112.8

12885.33.60

59790.2

5.697.84

73.263.012.6

1,2467.38

4588,389

22.1

67.630.03.68

244192

7.3650.459.5

17113.05.78

81787

11

55

138

28

922252014

1210274

4593

21

1346

222

11

21.323.220.825.724.1

24.423.128.425.621.0

19.924.324.526.220.5

24.321.120.823.028.2

20.320.021.219.924.1

23.423.621.521.326.215.1

USGSStationNo.03-

Drainagearea(mi*)

Numberof yearsrecord

#A (30)(inches)

Monongahela

050800050900051500052500054000

057500058000059500000000060100

060500062400062500063500063600

064000064500065500066500067000

069880071000072590072840074000

074300076600078000OS2200084500

29.22.86

12214.56.19

25.710284.6

.29

.92

8.3210.963.2

366.57

46.34158.717.9140

12.21,354

16.313333.1

3.8048.962.59.27

55.9

55

27274

15272775

188

2324

22223

6311059

79

231232

26.837.730.423.619.4

20.921.218.818.521.1

18.620.921.525.518.1

25.028.829.439.931.2

30.829.614.712.315.3

22.321.724.426.916.8

Ohio

086100087000088000088500092090

093500096000097500098500101000

102950

15.617.433.2

17521.8

32.313884.366.39.34

96.7

69

1088

814192821

8

14.013.312.212.314.8

10.811.511.611.814.9

15.7

104500104580104760105000

106300109000111150113700114000

114650115400

79213.02.26

228

51.26.19

10.34.97

134

4.21210

22755

1016134

15

415

14.718.218.817.4

17.911.611.914.915.2

16.216.0

vening area would conform to the plotted value. Full weight was given to data for the long-term sites. In some cases, little or no weight could be given to anomalous values for intervening areas or for runoff estimates for very short-term stations. These amounted to about 25 percent of the data points of these two source classes.

Major topographic features of the region were given some weight in shaping the general pattern of runoff interpreted from the plotted


values. Runoff patterns are tenuously denned at the boundary of the upper Ohio River basin, because records beyond that boundary were not used in the analysis.

A map of a dynamic resource is subject to revision. The present map for the 1941-70 reference period should be expected to be dif ferent in detail, if not in general pattern, from maps for earlier reference periods, such as 1921-45 (Langbein and others, 1949) or 1931-60 (Busby, 1966). However, the present definition did not exist for earlier periods when significantly fewer long-term records were available for analysis. Mean annual runoff for the 1941-70 reference period, as defined by plate 1, conforms to recorded or computed run off data within 1 inch (25 mm) at more than 80 percent of the data points used.

This map is considered a preliminary version owing to the fact that it is subject to modification when additional factors are con sidered. A more detailed method of analysis was used by Rantz (1974) in constructing a map of mean annual runoff in the San Francisco Bay region.

MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFF

UPPER OHIO RIVER BASIN

The distribution of runoff depicted on plate 1 is primarily a func tion of the pattern of long-term precipitation distribution, although that is but one of several influential factors. The effects of climate, geology, topography, size of area, and vegetation were discussed by Langbein and others (1949) in a report accompanying a map of annual runoff in the United States for the 1921-45 reference period. Langbein's map was updated by Busby (1966) to the reference period 1931-60.

The combined effects of topography and prevailing storm direc tion are evident in the runoff gradients found along the southeastern side of the basin, which includes the upper reaches of the Kiskimi- nclas. Ymighioghony. ("heal, and Tygart Rivers. Here both the mean and variability of annual runoff are at their regional maxima. Mean annual runoff exceeds 32 inches (810 mm) in parts of the upper Cheat River basin, but it decreases to about 18 inches (460 mm) in lower tributary basins.

The effects of topography are reflected also by a gradual increase in mean annual runoff in a northeastward direction across the north-

MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFF 23

west side of the basin. From a regional minimum of less than 12 inches (300 mm) in an area extending from the northern West Vir ginia panhandle to the headwaters of the Mahoning River basin, runoff increases in a northeasterly direction, to about 25 inches (630 mm) across the upper Allegheny River basin from French Creek to East Branch Clarion River. The character of bedrock and regolith changes also in this direction; the changes in properties may have a significant bearing on the distribution of runoff.

Mean annual runoff at sites on the larger rivers can be determined best bty reference to data in table 1 if the site or reach wliere infor mation is required is reasonably close to a gage location. If inter polation or extrapolation is required, appropriate weighted allow ance must be made for the effect of intervening areas where runoff may differ markedly from that of the basin upstream. For example, mean annual runoff at the mouth of the Allegheny River at Pitts burgh might be estimated at about 0.2 inch (5 mm) less than that at Natrona (22.4 inches, 569 mm) on the basis of about 16 inches (410 mm) of runoff produced from 338 mi 2 (875 km 2 ) of tributary area downstream from Natrona.

The cumulative and progressive effect of changes caused by the relative influence of tributary runoff is illustrated in figure 3, which shows an average annual runoff at successive long-term gaged sites on the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers.

To estimate the mean annual runoff from smaller rivers or streams, sketch the basin in question on plate 1. If coincident long-term run off data are available, use the information from table 1, modified as described above for disparity in areas between the gaged basin and the basin in question. If short-term runoff data or no information are available for a basin of interest, sketch the basin on plate 1 and approximate the runoff value by areal weighting with respect to the lines of equal mean annual runoff.

County boundaries or geographic locations can be sketched on plate 1 by light-table transfer of that information from the 1:1,000,- 000 version of the U.S. Geological Survey state base map.

An estimate of the annual runoff for a particular geographic area, when determined from a generalized map such as that presented in plate 1, should not be used with greater precision than the nearest inch (25 mm). The nearest 2 inches (50 mm) probably is a more realistic limit in the southeastern part of the basin, where areal variability is greatest. As will be shown later, the runoff during individual years in any long period for which a mean is determined may range from as little as 30 percent of the mean to as much as 200 percent of the mean.


MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFF, IN INCHES

O3)

>3J

COD

> 3)m

mCO

l_>

roo8

£k

80

0>

o

CD

8o

_ fco

8o

ro "o _

| «JMear Dailey, I Nea r ElkinsAt Eldred . ~V At Belington

T f T *At Philippi . ^ _ : x At Tygart Dam ! \ / AtCorfax z

* * At Salamanca 1 / 3-0

f £ I AtKinzuaDam \ /X * " ~ = a c *1 At Lock 1 5, Hoult ? , § 3 3- \ 5. <<° 3( 5 1 0- .5- <' * f § 2-CD ® 3D b « 6'b7 < p At West Hickory \\ = =

- 3( 3- ® \ & o- "I5' * \ O CD Q. 1> At Greensboro 3 <

~* s. ] / ^ *2 f At Charleroi - 3 o I 2,-a3 09 O

§ At Franklin f £ 2."(Q CD (A09 'I nSi ; I;00 So3» J At Braddock » -*S At Parker I ° i - / ? ° / c CB/ 3 in

1 O 0)

At Kittanning g1 ^« _

3^ CB

|?

09 §>

"^ 0)

5J oAt Natrona < £ $

0) 3

(Jlo o o

.^

po oo

Ol

8o

rop oo o

ro01oo0

COo8̂̂

O Ul O) vjo o o o

o o o

O3»

^Z

0m

3)m

ZCODC

31m^FO

mm31CO

MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFF, IN MILLIMETERS

FIGURE 3. Progressive variation in mean annual runoff at main stream sites on the Allegheny and Tygart-Monongahela Rivers.

GREATER PITTSBURGH REGION

Within the confines of the six-county Greater Pittsburgh region, mean annual runoff for the 1941-70 reference period ranges from a low of about 12 inches (300 mm) in northwestern Washington County, to a high of about 25 inches (630 mm) along Laurel Hill, on the eastern boundary of Westmoreland County.

County runoff approximations derived from plate 1 are as follows:

MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFF 25

Mean annual runoff, in inches

County Allegheny

ButlerWashingtonWestmoreland

Range 14-18

. _ _ 17.5-20.5__ -_ _ 12.5-16.5

15.5-10.512-1515-28

A verage 15.5191417.513.519.5

Runoff from the Greater Pittsburgh region averages IT inches (430 mm) annually and is produced by an average annual precipi tation of about ;>9 inches (990 mm). The latter value is an arith metic average of normal (19-11-70 average) annual precipitation for 22 stations in or immediately adjacent to the Greater Pittsburgh region as computed from data reported by the Xational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (1975).

The runoff produced within the region, on the average is consider ably less than that available to the region, which enters by way of the Monongahela. Youghiogheny, Conemaugh. Clarion, Allegheny, and Beaver Rivers, and other smaller extraregional tributaries. Mean annual runoff of the Monongahola River at Braddock (11 miles up stream from the mouth) is calculated as 22.12 inches (5G2 mm, table 1). whereas the mean annual runoff of small streams in the vicinity of the gage site (as shown on plate 1) is only 15 to 16 inches (380 to 410mm).

Comparison of runoff estimates for the Greater Pittsburgh region to mean annual precipitation for the 1941-70 reference period, sug gests that mean annual evapotranspiration losses are in the range of 22 to 26 inches (560 to 660 mm). Evapotranspiration losses are a function of temperature, wind, pressure, vegetal cover, availability of moisture, and other factors, and have less annual variability than precipitation or runoff. One aspect of the geographic variation in evapotranspiration across the Greater Pittsburgh region is shown in a map of mean-annual lake evaporation by Rahn (1973), wherein the highest values are shown for Washington County and the lowest are for Butler, Armstrong, and Westmoreland Counties.

YEARLY VARIATIONS

There is a propensity to place extremes of natural phenomena in some frame of reference. To some, the drought period of the 19.30's is a climatological landmark. To a succeeding generation, and in


some areas, the dry mid-1960's is a more clearly remembered time. Wet years generally result from the accumulated effect of many individual storm events that are less well remembered.

To place each water year in perspective for the upper Ohio River basin, ratios of annual mean discharge to the average for the 30- year reference period (1941-70) were computed as illustrated in figure "2. These ratios have been compiled in table 3 (in pocket) for each year of record for all long-term stations. They might be termed modular or normalized values of discharge or annual runoff, for they are percentages of average divided by 100. For example, the 1.19 ratio for the 1973 water year at station 1145 means that the dis charge for that year was 119 percent of the 1941-70 average.

In order to extend the series of annual ratios, annual mean dis charges for former gage sites on some streams were adjusted by a drainage-area ratio to approximate discharge of the drainage area at the current site. Eecords thus combined were noted in remarks on table 1.

The ratios for many individual years, particularly the drier years, are remarkably consistent over a considerable part of the basin, Avhich gives evidence to the relative climatic homogeneity of the region.

Observations of stage and discharge were made at a few sites in the basin before the turn of the century. Systematic and continuous collection of records having some semblance of basin wide coverage began in about 1910. Figure 4J shows the historic variation in number of stations in operation, considering only those stations which were continued in operation for more than about 25 years.

The basinwide average of the annual ratios for all stations in oper ation after 1910 is shown in figure 4/7. The sequence of average yearly ratios for the four principal subdivisions of the upper Ohio River basin is illustrated in figure 5 by plotting data given in table 4. Busby (1963) showed similar graphs of yearly variations in run off for nine regions of the conterminous United States for the period 1931-60.

Two drought periods are evident in the record since 1910, that of the early 1930's and that of the mid-1960's. The duration and in tensity of the deviation from average during those periods is demon strated in figure \C by 3- and 5-year moving averages of the data shown in figure 47?. The parly 1010's. late 192ffs, and early 1950's show up here as sustained wet periods. The 1950's would have been a prominent wet period were it not for much-below-average runoff in 1954. After beginning near average, the 1970's have been years of

YEARLY VARIATIONS 27

YEARS

1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1975

A. Number of long-term gaging stations in operation in the upper Ohio River basin

2.0

1.5

1.0'

0.5

B. Yearly ratios of annual mean discharge for the 30-year reference period, 1941-70. Ratios shown are the basin-wide average for the number of stations shown in A above

DC LLJ

$

O

i Po

1.4

1.0

0.6

1.0

0.6

_ l l I i I I _

3-Year ^^

^_ , y~\ _ _^/^,^ X "5-Year

^ i i i i i iC. Moving averages (plotted at midpoint) of the yearly ratios shown in B

above

FIGURE 4. Historical variation in basinwide average yearly discharge as indi cated by long-term streamflow records for the period 1910-74.

TABL

E 4

. Su

bbas

in a

nd

basi

n av

erag

es

of t

he r

atio

s of

mea

n an

nual

dis

char

ge

to

the

aver

age

for

the

30-y

ear

refe

renc

e pe

riod

19

^1-1

0 fo

r lo

ng-t

erm

str

eam

-gag

ing

stat

ions

in

the

uppe

r O

hio

Riv

er b

asin

(P

enns

ylva

nia,

New

Yor

k, M

aryl

and,

nor

ther

n W

est

Vir

gini

a, a

nd e

aste

rn O

hio)

[Num

bers

se

t in

ita

lic

indic

ate

num

ber

of r

ecor

ds u

sed

to

deri

ve

the

subb

asin

av

erag

e (A

v).

UA

: U

pper

All

eghe

ny R

iver

sub

basl

n ;

CL

A:

Cen

tral

an

d

Low

er

All

eghe

ny

Riv

er

sub

bas

ins;

M

on.:

M

onon

gahe

la

Riv

er

subb

asin

; O

hio:

O

hio

Riv

er

trib

uta

ry

area

fr

om

Pit

tsburg

h

to

Mar

iett

a;

Ba

si

n :

The

27,

300

mi2

upp

er

Ohi

o R

iver

bas

in

up

stre

am

from

M

uski

ngum

R

iver

]

UA j

CLA

Ohio

UA

CLA

Mon.

Ohio

Basin

*Av

#Av

#Av Av

1 f

Av

Av

#Av

*Av

#Av

lv

1899,

1900,

1901

1,1, 1

1.55

, .97,

1.35

___ 1.

55,

.97,

1.35 1920

___

6 ___

0.78

6

___

1.16

___

10

___

1.27

___

6 ___

1.03

___

28

___

1.09

1902

I 1.35

1 1.35

1921

7 0.84

6 .92

12 .8

4 6 .94

31 .8

7

1903

1 1.78

1 1.78

1922

6 0.89

6 1.03

H 1.18

7 1.07

S3 1.08

1904

1 1.28

1.96

2 1.12

1923

6 0.69

6 .7

9 Ik .8

7 7 .70

SS .7

9

1905

1 0.86

2 1.00

3.95

1924

~ 0.94

6 1.34

15 1.38

7 1.

45

35 1.30

1906

0.82

1.88

2.85

1925

7 0.70

6 .64

15 .7

2 7 .76

55 .7

1

1907

1 1.09

1 1.12

2 1.10

1926

0.96

6 .99

15 1.18

7 1.

20

55 1.10

1908

i in

3 1.39

3 1.39

7 1.38

1927

1.25

6 1.38

IS 1.45

10

1.50

56 1.41

1909

2 1.01

5.92

S.7

4

8.87

1928

1.28

6 1.57

IS 1.23

10 1.58

56 1.40

1910

6 n 09

4.86

*.93

n.91

1929

1.14

5 .93

IS .9

2 11

1.32

56 1.09

1911

1.16

4 1.01

5 1.13

15 1.

11

1930

0.96

5 .8

3 IS

.78

11 1.05

36 .93

1912

1.33

4 1.60

5 1.55

1 1.64

15 1.50

1931

0.61

5 .58

IS .6

9 J2

.46

37 .58

1913

5 1.31

4 1.22

5 1.06

1 1.36

15 1.20

1932

0.86

5 .7

6 14

.92

J2.88

38 .87

1914

5 1.04

5 1.11

6 1.14

5 1.22

19 1.12

1933

9 0.73

6 .96

16 1.14

IS .9

0 44

.96

1915

6 0.87

5.88

6.82

4 .94

2J.87

1934

9 0.63

6 .69

18 .7

4 IS

.45

46 .63

1916

6 1 21

5 1.35

111.26

6 1.24

281.27

1935

9 0.75

7 .98

J8 1.12

IS

.83

47 .95

1917

6 1.06

5 1.00

101.11

5.9

2261.

04

1936

11 0.91

6 1.06

18 1.13

IS .9

7 48 1.02

1918

6 0.93

5.9

39 1.04

5 .98

25.9

8

1937

11 1.23

6 1.41

J8 1.19

IS 1.44

48 1.30

1919

6 0.92

6.9

610

.90

*«,

26.92

1938

It 1.06

7 1.06

18 1.08

14 1.16

51 1.09

HU s~ 0 HH O & N-l < w & g c/a HH 2

UA #

Av ___

CLA #

Av

Mon. #

____

Av ___

Ohio #

___

Av ____

Basin # ___

Av ___

UA #

Av ____

CLA #

Av ___

Mon. #

____

Av ___

Ohio #

____

Av ___

Basin # ___

Av __

__

1939

IS0.82

IS.79

22.9

815

.94

63.90

1958

150.92

20.9

8361.19

26 1.08

971.08

1940

Ik 1.02

18.93

24.99

15.98

71.98

1959

151.

0720

.92

36.75

26 1.19

97.95

1941

Ik 0.74

19.79

SO.82

20.76

83.7

8

1960

151.

13201.

11361.

0126 1.

14971.08

1942

15 0.98

19.88

32.86

24.94

90.90

1961

150.83

20.98

36 1.18

26.90

971.

01

1943

151.

42191.

32341.

29251.

3693 1.

34

1962

150.69

20.83

36.99

26.70

97.83

1944

15 0.83

19.82

34.88

26.71

94.81

1963

150.

7320

.78

361.

0526

.68

97.85

1945

15 1.13

201.

25351.32

26 1.07

96 1.21

1964

150.89

20.94

36.88

25.85

96.88

1946

151.07

21 1.09

35.96

26 1.08

97 1.04

1965

150.90

20.85

S6.87

25.84

96.86

1947

151.

2521

.97

35.76

26 1.19

971.00

1966

150.93

20.86

36.67

25.77

96.78

1948

15 0.97

SI 1.02

351.12

26.88

971.01

1967

15 1.02

20.98

361.08

25.92

9,6 1.01

1949

15 0.81

21.90

361.09

26.90

98.96

1968

151.

0220

.90

55.90

25.88

95.91

1950

15 1.14

SI 1.12

36 1.29

26 1.26

981.22

1969

15 1.08

20.76

35.74

25.88

95.84

1951

15 1.32

Zl1.48

S6 1.31

261.50

98 1.40

1970

15 0.98

201.

10351.

0025

.92

95.99

1952

151.15

201.20

361.05

26 1.38

971.

19

1971

151.12

201.26

341.20

25 1.11

941.

18

1953

15 0.90

20.95

36.84

26 . .74

97.85

1972

151.36

201.43

341.40

24 1.21

931.35

1954

15 0.79

20.70

36.63

26.62

97.67

1973

151.13

201.22

341.26

24 1.36

931.25

1955

15 0.95

201.14

361.19

26 1.20

971.14

1974

15 1.10

201.

26341.

28241.

35931.

26

1956

1957

15

151.

46

0.94

20

201.50

.89

36

361.33

.95

26

261.

67

.96

97

971.48

.94

1975

___

___

___

__ _

___

M H w t* M .^ hf. s 0 CO


Reference period

1.7

1.4

1.0

- UPPER ALLEGHENY RIVER SUBBASIN (Upstream from Clarion River)

A/\ r\ A A^A A /\

60.4L

14 15 15 15

CENTRAL AND LOWER ALLEGHENY RIVER SUBBASINS

21 20 20

- MONONGAHELA RIVER SUBBASIN

OHIO SUBBASIN (Tributary area from Pittsburgh to Marietta)

1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1975

NOTE Numbers at decade points are the number oflong-term gaging station records used.

FIGURE 5. Subbasin variations in yearly discharge.

YEARLY VARIATIONS 31

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.4-

5 1.2

1.0

Maximum/minimum ratio for the period of record at a gaging station

1 Ohio Subbasin station

Example. During the period 1908-73 the mean annual discharge of Youghiogheny River at Connellsville has varied from 0.48 to 1.45 when expressed as a ratio to the average (1.00) for the period 1941-70

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 MINIMUM STATION RATIO FOR THE PERIOD OF RECORD

1.0

FIGURE 6. Range of ratios of annual mean discharge to the average for the 1941-70 reference period for 98 long-term gaging stations in the upper Ohio River basin.


above-normal runoff in the upper Ohio River basin (fig. 4Z?). The sequence of basimvide averages shows that 107'J was a moderately high runoff year; partly the result of "extra" runoff generated by Tropical Storm Agnes in June. Records for selected index stations indicate that above-normal runoff has persisted through the 1975 water year (U.S. Geological Survey and others, 1975, p. 20).

The cyclic trends of moving averages (fig. 46/ ) are interesting, but the^ ,-lould not be considered as a forecasting mechanism.

Annual mean discharge differs considerably from year to year, as amply demonstrated by data for individual stations. Within table 3, ratios indicate a total range from about 30 percent of average (sta tion 0980 in 1934) to 200 percent of average (station 0855 in 1928). Distribution of the range in ratios for individual stations is sum marized in figure 6.

In general, total annual variability is greatest in Ohio River tributary basins below Pittsburgh, but there is no evident correlative characteristic. The range in ratios is least among some sites that seem to reflect attenuating effects of reservoir storage or large drain age area, but this observation is not consistently demonstrable.

REFERENCES

Busby, M. W., 1963 Yearly variations in runoff for the conterminous United States, 1931-60: U.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 1G69-S, 49 p.

, 1966, Annual runoff in the conterminous United States: U.S. Geol. Sur vey Hydrol. Inv. Atlas HA-212.

Langbein, W. B. and other, 1949, Annual runoff in the United States: U.S. Geol. Survey Circ. 52, 14 p.

Rahn, J. J., 1973, Pan and lake evaporation in Pennsylvania: Institute for Re search on Land and Water Resources Inf. Rept. 69, The Pennsylvania State University, 23 p.

Rantz, S. E., 1974, Mean annual runoff in the San Francisco Bay region, Cali fornia, 1931-70: U.S. Geol. Survey Misc. Field Studies Map MF-613, 2 sheets, 24 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1973, Catalog of information on water data, Water Re sources Region 05 (Ohio), edition 1972: Office of Water Data Coordination rept, 213 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, and Canada Dept. of the Environment, 1975, Water re sources review, September 1975: U.S. Geol. Survey monthly release, 20 p.

(U.S.) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1975, Climatological data, Pennsylvania, annual summary 1974: Environmental Data Service, Asheville, N.C., v. 79, no. 13, 15 p.

&U.S. Government Printing Office: 1977 240-961/160

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 2042 PLATE 1

78C

41

/PENNSYLVANIA

39°

79C

20 30 40 50 MILES

1 I I I 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

A0145 Long-term station

^0960 Short-term station

^1005 Other stations for which data are given in WSP 1305 or 1907

0485 Stations for which records have been combined

Lines of equal mean annual runoff, in inches, for ref- 26 26 erence period 1941-70. Interval 2 inches. (1 inch=

25.4 millimeters).

" " ̂ Upper Ohio River basin boundary

Greater Pittsburgh region boundary

~" Subbasin boundary

1 £ Pennsylvania subbasin number; applies only to part within state

Abbreviated station numbers are shown; Part prefix (03) and suffix zeros omitted. Complete form: 03010500.

Base compiled, with some modification, from River Basin Maps, IACWR. Subcommittee on Hydrology

INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. RESIGN. VA. 1977-G76312

MAP OF OHIO RIVER BASIN ABOVE MUSKINGUM RIVER SHOWING MEAN ANNUAL RUNOFFAND LOCATION OF GAGING STATIONS

Mean Annual Runoff in the Upper Ohio River Basin, 1941 - USGS

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