Summary for surface-water hydrologic data for the Houston metropolitan area, Texas, water years 1964-89

Date

1997

Authors

Liscum, Fred, Dexter W. Brown, and Mark C. Kasmarek

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

U.S. Geological Survey

Abstract

The study area, a metropolitan area in southeast Texas about 45 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, has been undergoing extensive urban development since the 1950s. The Houston Urban Runoff Program was begun by the U.S. Geological Survey in water year 1964 to define the magnitude and frequency of flood peaks, to determine the impact of continuing urban development on surface-water hydrologic responses, and to determine variations in stream water quality for different flow conditions, seasons, and urban development. An extensive database has been developed. During water years, 1964-89, the Houston Urban Runoff Program collected information from a total of 54 U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations, 30 U.S. Geological Survey water-quality sampling sites, and 102 rain gages (operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Weather Service, and local agencies). In addition, basin characteristics were developed to aid in understanding the effects of urban development on surface-water hydrologic responses. Surface-water hydrologic data on diskettes described the 54 U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations, list annual peaks (and where available, peaks above an arbitrary base) for 50 streamflow sites, tabulate 1,125 storm hydrographs from 43 sites, and document 102 water-quality parameters determined from 3,242 available samples.

Description

1 volume, 2 computer disks

Keywords

hydrology, water years, water quality, data collection, urban development, water supply

Citation