Watershed Drainage

Based on a 1981 U.S. Water Resources Council study current methods to predict peak flows for small drainage watersheds are grossly inaccurate. When current methods were compared to actual gauged (true) flows errors ranging from 55% to 75% for underestimation and 105% to 310% overestimation were determined. Clearly this could lead to under- and over- sizing culverts. The costs associated with materials are significant. However, the cost associated with flood event damage can be enormous. This study will gage 15 diverse watersheds geographically spread across the state. Peak flow data will be compared to current prediction methods and results analyzed. This three-year study will provide an indication of the accuracy of the models.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $140000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  PIN 8950.05

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Maine Department of Transportation

  Research Division, Child Street, 16 State House Station
  Augusta, ME  United States  04333-0016
• Performing Organizations:

  Maine Department of Transportation

  Research Division, Child Street, 16 State House Station
  Augusta, ME  United States  04333-0016
• Start Date: 20020101
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• Source Data: RiP Project 9287

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Culverts; Drainage structures; Flood damage; Flow; Research projects; Watersheds
• Geographic Terms: Maine
• Subject Areas: Hydraulics and Hydrology; Research; I30: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01458889
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Maine Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: PIN 8950.05
• Files: RiP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 3 2013 12:52PM