Subcommittee on Hydrology
Minutes of Hydrologic Frequency Analysis Work Group
Alexandria, Virginia
July 24, 2003
The Hydrologic Analysis Frequency Work Group (HFAWG) met on July 24, 2003 at the office of Michael Baker, Jr. in Alexandria, VA. The meeting was conducted by Rocky Durrans, HFAWG Chairman. Eleven people attended in person and three people by conference call. Following is a brief summary of issues discussed and action items.
Rocky Durrans gave a status report on the regulated flood frequency report and passed out an outline of the report. The report will describe several methods for conducting regulated flood frequency analysis, the data requirements, the applicability and limitations of each method, and examples of each method.
Will Thomas discussed the need for new generalized skew estimation procedures in Bulletin 17B and made reference to the USGS proposal "Improving Flood Information Used for Flood Mapping in the United States" in which USGS discusses the need for new skew estimation procedures. After much discussion, a smaller Task Group was formed to document the benefits and effects of a national skew study on flood frequency studies and floodplain mapping.
Joe Krolak and Will Thomas discussed the need for the HFAWG to provide guidance on the estimation and interpretation of frequently occurring floods such as the 1-year event. The work group discussed the benefits and problems associated with using the partial duration series to estimate the frequently occurring floods. Will and Joe will compile additional information and more clearly define the issues relative to frequently occurring design floods that are used for regulatory purposes, stream restoration, stormwater management, etc. and present their findings to the work group at the next meeting.
Martin Becker expressed the need for a Code of Ethics relative to flood frequency analysis. After much discussion relative to value and purpose of the Code of Ethics, Martin Becker agreed to draft a document that others can review.
Based on an earlier recommendation of Gary Estes, the work group will locate and compile all the references given in Appendix 1 of Bulletin 17B and, where appropriate, find new references on the same topic. These references will be scanned or put into electronic form for posting on the HFAWG web site.
Next meeting of the HFAWG will be in January 2004 just prior to the SOH meeting.
August 6, 2003
|
