A new procedure for estimating the 7-day, 2-year and the 7-day, 10-year low flow of ungaged Alabama streams is based on geology, drainage area, and mean annual precipitation. One equation for each of the two low-flow frequencies applies statewide to all natural flow streams; the equations do not apply to streams where flow is significantly altered by activities of man. The standard error of estimate of each equation based on map values is 40 percent for 7-day, 2-year low flow and 44 percent for 7-day, 10-year low flow. The rate of streamflow recession is used to account for the effects of geology on low flow. Streamflow recession rate depends primarily on transmissivity and storage characteristics of the aquifers, and average distance from stream channels to divides. Relations of low-flow discharge to geology, drainage area, and mean annual precipitation were analyzed by multiple regression techniques.
Widespread flooding occurred in December 1982 and in spring 1983 in the central and southern Mississippi River basin. The first series of storms, December 2-7, caused severe flooding along many streams in Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. Much of the three-State area experienced recordbreaking 24-hour rainfall amounts that caused some streams to exceed previously known flood heights and discharges; in many cases the recurrence interval of peak discharges exceeded 100 years. The second series of storms, December 24-29, caused severe flooding in Louisiana and moderate flooding in Mississippi. Peak discharges on some streams exceeded the 100-year recurrence interval. Damages exceeded $200 million and 25 persons died as a result of the December storms. Western Tennessee was on the fringes of both storms and received only minor flooding. During April 4-8, 1983, as much as 17 inches of rain fell in parts of southern Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana. In some areas, 24-hour amounts exceeded 5 inches, causing peak discharges to exceed the recurrence interval of 100 years at 20 streamflow gaging stations. In May 1983 heavy and intense rains caused major flooding in the Big Black River and Pearl River basins in Mississippi.
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