U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5121

Prepared in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, 

Division of Water and Waste Management

Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow Statistics 

Representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia

Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.

150

100

50

0

-50

Base flow, in percent of mean annual base flow -100

Month

Spring Summer Fall Winter
Cover. Mean seasonal and mean monthly base flows as percentage of mean annual base flows for 15 streamflow-gaging stations in West 

Virginia, 1930–2002. 
Comparison of Base Flows to Selected 

Streamflow Statistics Representative 

of 1930–2002 in West Virginia

By Jeffrey B. Wiley

Prepared in cooperation with 

the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, 

Division of Water and Waste Management

Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5121

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2012

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reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Wiley, J.B., 2012, Comparison of base flows to selected streamflow statistics representative of 1930–2002 in West 

Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5121, 18 p.
iii

Acknowledgments

The author thanks U.S. Geological Survey colleague Samuel H. Austin and U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service colleague Rachel A. Esralew for their technical reviews of this report. 

The technical assistance of colleagues Terence Messinger and Katherine S. Paybins and 

editorial assistance of Ruth Larkins also are appreciated.
iv

Contents

Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................................iii

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

Description of Study Area ...................................................................................................................2

Previous Studies ...................................................................................................................................2

Computation of Base Flows..........................................................................................................................4

Comparison of Base Flows to Streamflow Statistics...............................................................................4

Examples of Estimating Base Flows .................................................................................................8

Limitations of Base-Flow Estimates.................................................................................................11

Summary and Conclusions.........................................................................................................................12

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................12

Appendix 1. Annual and seasonal base flows at 15 streamflow-gaging stations 

in West Virginia, 1930–2002.......................................................................................................16

Figures

1. Map showing Appalachian Plateaus, Valley and Ridge, and Blue Ridge 

Physiographic Provinces, and Climatic Divide in West Virginia...........................................3

2. Map showing location of selected U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging 

stations in West Virginia..............................................................................................................5

3. Graph showing mean seasonal and mean monthly base flows as percentage 

of mean annual base flows for 15 streamflow-gaging stations in West Virginia, 

1930–2002 .......................................................................................................................................8

4. Graph showing mean annual base flows in relation to annual 50-percent duration 

flows for 15 streamflow-gaging stations in West Virginia, 1930–2002.................................8

5. Graphs showing mean seasonal and mean annual base flows in relation to selected 

duration flows for 15 streamflow-gaging stations during A, spring, B, summer, 

C, fall, and D, winter in West Virginia, 1930–2002....................................................................9

Tables

1. The streamflow-gaging stations used to compare base flows and selected 

streamflow statistics in West Virginia.......................................................................................6

2. Average, minimum, and maximum differences between mean annual base flows 

and selected annual statistics computed for 1930–2002, and those computed for 

the indicated record periods for 15 streamflow-gaging stations in West Virginia............6

3. Average differences between base flows and selected seasonal statistics 

computed for 1930–2002, and those computed for the indicated record periods 

for 15 streamflow-gaging stations in West Virginia................................................................7
v

Conversion Factors and Datums

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

acre 4,047 square meter (m2)

square foot (ft2) 0.09290 square meter (m2)

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Volume

cubic foot (ft3) 0.02832 cubic meter (m3) 

Flow rate

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 

(NAVD 88).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum.
vi
Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow 

Statistics Representative of 1930–2002 

in West Virginia

By Jeffrey B. Wiley

Abstract

Base flows were compared with published streamflow 

statistics to assess climate variability and to determine the 

published statistics that can be substituted for annual and seasonal base flows of unregulated streams in West Virginia. The 

comparison study was done by the U.S. Geological Survey, in 

cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water and Waste Management. 

The seasons were defined as winter (January 1–March 31), 

spring (April 1–June 30), summer (July 1–September 30), 

and fall (October 1–December 31). 

Differences in mean annual base flows for five record 

sub-periods (1930–42, 1943–62, 1963–69, 1970–79, and 

1980–2002) range from -14.9 to 14.6 percent when compared 

to the values for the period 1930–2002. Differences between 

mean seasonal base flows and values for the period 1930–

2002 are less variable for winter and spring, -11.2 to 11.0 percent, than for summer and fall, -47.0 to 43.6 percent. Mean 

summer base flows (July–September) and mean monthly base 

flows for July, August, September, and October are approximately equal, within 7.4 percentage points of mean annual 

base flow. The mean of each of annual, spring, summer, fall, 

and winter base flows are approximately equal to the annual 

50-percent (standard error of 10.3 percent), 45-percent (error 

of 14.6 percent), 75-percent (error of 11.8 percent), 55-percent (error of 11.2 percent), and 35-percent duration flows 

(error of 11.1 percent), respectively. The mean seasonal base 

flows for spring, summer, fall, and winter are approximately 

equal to the spring 50- to 55-percent (standard error of 

6.8 percent), summer 45- to 50-percent (error of 6.7 percent), 

fall 45-percent (error of 15.2 percent), and winter 60-percent 

duration flows (error of 8.5 percent), respectively.

Annual and seasonal base flows representative of 

the period 1930–2002 at unregulated streamflow-gaging 

stations and ungaged locations in West Virginia can be 

estimated using previously published values of statistics 

and procedures.

Introduction

Streamflow can be separated into discharge from overland runoff and discharge from groundwater. Base flow is the 

portion of streamflow contributed by groundwater discharge. 

Generally, base flows are greater in wetter seasons than in 

dryer seasons because more water accumulates and is released 

from groundwater. Knowledge of climatic, seasonal, and 

monthly differences in base flows can assist scientists and 

water-resource managers in understanding the capacity of 

groundwater storage in watersheds and the ability of a stream 

to maintain flows during droughts.

Streamflow statistics have been computed for streamflow-gaging stations, and equations have been determined to 

estimate streamflows at ungaged locations in West Virginia 

for the period 1930 to 2002 (Wiley, 2006, 2008; Wiley and 

Atkins, 2010a). Equations for estimating base flows could be 

determined using similar methods, but a simpler and lower 

cost method for estimating base flows is already available if 

published streamflow statistics can be used as surrogates for 

base flows. 

This study, conducted in cooperation with the West 

Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Division 

of Waste and Water Management, investigated the climatic, 

seasonal, and monthly variability of base flows at 15 selected 

long-term streamflow-gaging stations, documented the 

development of relations between base flows and published 

streamflow statistics, and determined surrogate statistics (the 

published statistics that can be substituted for base flows) 

to be used to estimate annual and seasonal base flows at 

other streamflow-gaging stations and at ungaged locations. 

The results of this study are representative of the period 

1930–2002 and are relevant only to West Virginia, but the 

procedures presented in this report can be used to determine 

substitute streamflow statistics that can be used to estimate 

base flows in other regions. 

This report presents the procedures used to estimate base 

flows for 1930–2002. The climatic, seasonal, and monthly 
2 Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow Statistics Representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia

variability of base flows at 15 long-term streamflow-gaging 

stations is discussed. Relations between mean annual and 

mean seasonal base flows, and between mean annual and 

50-percent duration flows, are shown in illustrations. Relations between mean seasonal base flows and seasonal 

duration flows are also shown in illustrations. Differences 

between mean annual base flows and annual streamflow 

statistics are listed in tables. Base flows for the 15 long-term 

streamflow-gaging stations are provided in an Appendix as 

supplementary information.

Description of Study Area

West Virginia can be differentiated into three physiographic provinces (fig. 1), the Appalachian Plateaus, Valley 

and Ridge, and Blue Ridge (Fenneman, 1938). The movement of air masses across the State allows identification of 

two climatic regions (fig. 1), separated by a line defined as 

the Climatic Divide (Wiley and others, 2000; Wiley and 

Atkins, 2010b).

Generally, the part of the State west of the Climatic 

Divide is in the Appalachian Plateaus Physiographic Province; 

altitudes in the Appalachian Plateaus range from about 2,500 

to 4,861 ft (NAVD 88) at Spruce Knob along the Climatic 

Divide to about 550 to 650 ft along the Ohio River. The part of 

West Virginia east of the Climatic Divide is in the Valley and 

Ridge Physiographic Province, except for the extreme eastern 

tip of the State, which is in the Blue Ridge Physiographic 

Province. Altitudes decrease eastward from the Climatic 

Divide to 274 ft at Harpers Ferry in the Eastern Panhandle 

(U.S. Geological Survey, 1990, 2006; National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, 2006a).

The Appalachian Plateaus Physiographic Province consists of consolidated, mostly siliciclastic sedimentary rocks 

that have a gentle slope from southeast to northwest near the 

Climatic Divide and are nearly flat-lying along the Ohio River. 

One exception is in the northeastern area of the province (west 

of the Climatic Divide), where the rocks are gently folded and 

some carbonate rock crops out (Fenneman, 1938). The rocks 

in the Appalachian Plateaus Physiographic Province have been 

eroded to form steep hills and deeply incised valleys. Drainage 

patterns are dendritic.

The Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province in West 

Virginia consists of consolidated carbonate and siliciclastic 

sedimentary rocks that are folded sharply and extensively 

faulted (Fenneman, 1938). Northeast-trending valleys 

and ridges parallel the Climatic Divide. Drainage patterns 

are trellis.

The Blue Ridge Physiographic Province within West Virginia consists predominantly of metamorphosed sandstone and 

shale (Fenneman, 1938). The province has high relief between 

mountains and wide valleys that parallel the Climatic Divide. 

Drainage patterns are trellis.

The climate of West Virginia is primarily continental, 

with mild summers and cold winters. Major weather systems 

generally approach from the west and southwest, although 

polar continental air masses of cold, dry air that approach from 

the north and northwest are not unusual. Air masses from the 

Atlantic Ocean sometimes affect the area east of the Climatic 

Divide and less frequently affect the area west of the Climatic 

Divide. Generally, tropical continental masses of hot, dry air 

from the southwest affect the climate west of the Climatic 

Divide. Tropical maritime masses of warm, moist air from the 

Gulf of Mexico affect the climate east of the Climatic Divide 

more than west of the Climatic Divide. Evaporation from local 

and upwind land surfaces, lakes, and reservoirs also provides 

a source of moisture that affects the climate of the State (U.S. 

Geological Survey, 1991; National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 2006a).

Annual precipitation averages about 42 to 45 in. statewide with about 60 percent received from March through 

August. July is the wettest month, and September through 

November are the driest months. Annual average precipitation 

in the State generally decreases northwestward from about 50 

to 60 in. along the Climatic Divide to about 40 in. along the 

Ohio River; precipitation ranges from about 30 to 35 in. east 

of the Climatic Divide to about 40 in. in the extreme eastern 

tip of the State. Greater precipitation along and west of the 

Climatic Divide is a consequence of the higher elevations 

along the Divide and the orographic lifting of weather systems 

generally approaching from the west and southwest. Annual 

average snowfall follows the general pattern of annual average precipitation, decreasing northwestward from about 36 to 

100 in. along the Climatic Divide to about 20 to 30 in. along 

the Ohio River. East of the Climatic Divide, annual average 

snowfall ranges from 24 to 36 in. (U.S. Geological Survey, 

1991; Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2006; National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2006a, 2006b).

Previous Studies

Selected statistics for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 

streamflow-gaging stations representative of conditions during 

1930–2002 were determined by Wiley (2006). In that study, a 

criterion-based sample of the record period was used to determine statistics representative of 1930–2002 rather than using 

the entire record period and (or) using record-extension techniques. The selected statistics included annual and seasonal 

hydrologically and biologically based low-flow frequency 

values, harmonic means, and flow-duration values (including 

variability index). 

Wiley (2008) developed estimating procedures for the 

annual 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, and 30-day 2-year; 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, and 

30-day 5-year; and 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, and 30-day 10-year hydrologically based low-flow frequency values for unregulated 

streams in West Virginia. Equations and procedures for the 

annual 1-day 3-year and 4-day 3-year biologically based 

low-flow frequency values; the annual U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (USEPA) harmonic mean flows; and the 

annual 10-, 25-, 50-, 75-, and 90-percent flow-duration values 
Introduction 3

VALLEY AND RIDGE

A P P A L A C H I A N P L A T E A U S

BLUE

RIDGE Elkins

Beckley

Spruce

Knob

Wheeling

Morgantown

Huntington

Charleston

Harpers 

Ferry

Potomac River

OHIO

PENNSYLVANIA

MARYLAND

VIRGINIA

KENTUCKY

81°W 78°W

40°N

38°N

0 20 40 60 MILES

0 20 40 60 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

State boundary

Geographic location

C l i m a t i c D i v i d e

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:100,000 digital line graphics. 

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, zone 17, NAD 83.

Physiographic provinces from Fenneman, 1938

Ohio

River

Figure 1. Appalachian Plateaus, Valley and Ridge, and Blue Ridge Physiographic Provinces, and Climatic Divide in West Virginia. 

(From Wiley and Atkins, 2010b, figure 2)
4 Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow Statistics Representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia

also were developed. Regional equations were developed 

using ordinary least squares regression with flow statistics 

from USGS streamflow-gaging stations as dependent variables 

and basin characteristics for these streamflow-gaging stations 

as independent variables. 

Methods for estimating seasonal flow statistics at 

ungaged locations were developed by Wiley and Atkins 

(2010a) using data from Wiley (2006). The seasons were 

defined as winter (January 1–March 31), spring (April 1–

June 30), summer (July 1–September 30), and fall (October 

1–December 31). Regional equations for the seasonal 1-day 

10-year, 7-day 10-year, and 30-day 5-year hydrologically 

based low-flow frequency values; the seasonal USEPA harmonic mean flows; and the seasonal 50-percent flow-duration 

values were developed using the same methods and regional 

boundaries used by Wiley (2006). 

Computation of Base Flows

Base flow can be determined hydrographically using 

base-flow-recession methods (Olmsted and Hely, 1962; Riggs, 

1964; Rorabaugh, 1964), curve-fitting methods (Pettyjohn 

and Henning, 1979; Linsley and others, 1982), and computer 

methods (Sloto and Crouse, 1996; Rutledge, 1998). A computer method is desired because computation time is substantially reduced, and a method that excludes individual biases of 

manipulation allows for reproducible results.

Daily mean discharge records for 14 USGS streamflowgaging stations in West Virginia that have no more than 

4 years of missing record during 1930–2002 were used to 

compute base flows. A combination of two nearby stations 

was used to supplement the 14 stations and provide information near the southern border of the State, but no stations were 

available along the western border that met the record-length 

criterion. Fifteen stations (counting the combination of the two 

Tug Fork stations as one) are identical to those used by Wiley 

(2006) to study the variability of selected annual and seasonal 

flow statistics (fig. 2, table 1).

Base flows were computed for the 15 streamflow-gaging 

stations using the PART (streamflow PARTitioning) computer program developed by Rutledge (1998). Base flows for 

the 15 streamflow-gaging stations were computed annually, 

seasonally, and monthly for the period of record 1930 to 2002 

and annually for five periods of record found by Wiley (2006) 

to have similar characteristics in annual minimum daily mean 

flows: 1930–42, 1943–62, 1963–69, 1970–79, and 1980–2002. 

The period 1930 to 2002 includes periods of droughts during 

the 1930s and 1960s and a wet period during the 1970s. Base 

flows were computed for climatic years (April 1 to March 31 

of the indicated year) and for winter (January 1–March 31), 

spring (April 1–June 30), summer (July 1–September 30), and 

fall (October 1–December 31) for comparison with streamflow 

statistics computed by Wiley (2006). 

The combined stations are Tug Fork near Kermit (station 

number, 03214000; drainage area, 1,188 mi2) and Tug Fork at 

Kermit (03214500; 1,280 mi2). Most annual, and all seasonal 

and monthly, base-flow calculations were computed using 

records for Tug Fork near Kermit from 1936 to 1985 (climatic 

years). The record period 1936–85 was representative of the 

period 1930–2002 (Wiley, 2006, table 13, page 190). The 

annual base flows for the period 1980–2002 were computed 

for Tug Fork at Kermit (1986–2002) and were estimated for 

Tug Fork near Kermit by multiplying the base flows by the 

ratio of drainage areas (1,188 mi2/1,280 mi2). 

Comparison of Base Flows to 

Streamflow Statistics

Mean annual base flow was computed for each of the 

15 streamflow-gaging stations for the five characteristically 

similar record periods and for the period 1930–2002. The 

percent differences between mean annual base flow for the 

five record periods and the mean annual base flow for the 

period 1930–2002 were computed and compared to percent 

differences in streamflow statistics previously selected and 

computed by Wiley (2006, tables 2 and 3) to assess climate 

variability (table 2). The streamflow statistics previously 

selected by Wiley (2006) are the annual 1-day 10-year (1Q10), 

7-day 10-year (7Q10), and 30-day 5-year (30Q5) hydrologically based low-flow frequency values; the 1-day 3-year (1B3) 

and 4-day 3-year (4B3) biologically based low-flow frequency 

values; and the annual USEPA harmonic mean flow. Differences between mean annual base flows computed for the five 

record periods and the values computed for 1930–2002 vary 

from -14.9 to 14.6 percent. Generally, differences between 

mean annual base flows computed for the five periods and 

the values computed for the period 1930–2002 vary less than 

percent differences between the selected streamflow statistics 

computed for the five sub-periods and the values computed for 

the period 1930–2002, particularly for the wet period 1970–79 

when differences for mean annual base flow were 14.6 percent 

greater, and the differences between selected statistics were 

approximately 100 to 200 percent greater. The difference 

between mean annual base flow computed for the period 

1963–69 and the value computed for the period 1930–2002, 

-14.9 percent, is slightly greater than that for the period 

1930–42, -12.6 percent. 

Mean seasonal base flows computed for 1930–2002 and 

previously selected seasonal streamflow statistics (Wiley, 

2006, table 4) were compared to base flows for the five record 

periods to assess seasonal variability (table 3). Differences 

between base flows for the five record periods and mean seasonal base flows were less variable in the winter and spring, 

from -11.2 to 11.0 percent, than in summer and fall, from -47.0 

to 43.6 percent. The difference for base flows for the summer 

of 1963–69, -47.0 percent, was less than the difference for fall 

of 1930–42, -24.2 percent, and was the most negative seasonal 

percentage for all base flows, including those for all selected 

streamflow statistics for the five record periods. 
Comparison of Base Flows to Streamflow Statistics 5

OHIO

PENNSYLVANIA

MARYLAND

VIRGINIA

KENTUCKY

River

Potomac River

South Branch

North Branch

River

Oh io River

New

River

G u y andotte R iver

Tu g Fo r k

K a n awha R i ver

Elk Ri ver

Little K anaw h a River

Cheat R iver

Tygart Valle y River Monongahela

Gauley R iver

Big Sandy

03214500

03214000

03198500

03183500

03186500

03061500

03070500

03053500

03051000

03069500

01606500

03182500

01608500

01611500

01636500

03182500

Gre e n brier River

81°W 78°W

40°N

38°N

0 20 40 60 MILES

0 20 40 60 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

Base from U.S. Geological Survey 1:100,000 digital line graphics. 

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, zone 17, NAD 83.

State boundary

Major stream

Streamflow-gaging station 

and identifier

03069500

Figure 2. Location of selected U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations in West Virginia. 
6 Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow Statistics Representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia

Table 1. The streamflow-gaging stations used to compare base flows and 

selected streamflow statistics in West Virginia.

[Records for stations 03214000 and 03214500 were combined and counted as one station]

Station 

number Station name Drainage area, in square miles

01606500 South Branch Potomac River near Petersburg 651

01608500 South Branch Potomac River near Springfield 1,461

01611500 Cacapon River near Great Cacapon 675

01636500 Shenandoah River at Millville 3,041

03051000 Tygart Valley River at Belington 406

03053500 Buckhannon River at Hall 277

03061500 Buffalo Creek at Barrackville 116

03066000 Blackwater River at Davis 85.9

03069500 Cheat River near Parsons 722

03070500 Big Sandy Creek at Rockville 200

03182500 Greenbrier River at Buckeye 540

03183500 Greenbrier River at Alderson 1,364

03186500 Williams River at Dyer 128

03198500 Big Coal River at Ashford 391

03214000 Tug Fork near Kermit 1,188

03214500 Tug Fork at Kermit 1,280

Table 2. Average, minimum, and maximum differences between mean annual base flows and selected annual statistics computed for 

1930–2002, and those computed for the indicated record periods for 15 streamflow-gaging stations in West Virginia.

[Modified from Wiley, 2006, tables 2 and 3. Top number in each group is the average difference. Minimum difference followed by maximum difference in 

parentheses. Station numbers are 01606500, 01608500, 01611500, 01636500, 03051000, 03053500, 03061500, 03066000, 03069500, 03070500, 03182500, 

03183500, 03186500, 03198500, and combined stations 03214000 and 03214500. A negative value means the average for the indicated record period is less 

than the average for 1930–2002; a positive value means the average for the indicated record period is greater than the average for 1930–2002. USEPA, U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency]

Streamflow statistic

Difference for the indicated period, in percent

1930–42 1943–62 1963–69 1970–79 1980–2002

Base flow -12.6 -1.1 -14.9 14.6 5.5

(-24.6, -4.3) (-5.8, 2.0) (-25.8, -4.3) (8.7, 24.5) (1.3, 10.3)

1-day 10-year hydrologically based low flow (1Q10) -23.7 -11.2 5.4 187.0 52.3

(-66.7, 4.6) (-56.3, 16.0) (-31.4, 74.6) (19.9, 524.4) (-6.3, 250.0)

7-day 10-year hydrologically based low flow (7Q10) -20.6 -13.6 2.4 182.8 47.7

(-59.0, 12.0) (-56.2, 14.0) (-29.4, 55.7) (14.0, 582.5) (-3.1, 217.5)

30-day 5-year hydrologically based low flow (30Q5) -9.8 -12.7 -19.2 115.1 24.1

(-50.6, 11.1) (-35.4, 6.9) (-37.2, 3.2) (13.9, 281.2) (-2.1, 97.3)

1-day 3-year biologically based low flow (1B3) -36.9 -10.7 9.2 200.7 67.4

(-93.9, 21.2) (-42.6, 21.4) (-30.0, 75.0) (18.6, 541.9) (-20.6, 367.6)

4-day 3-year biologically based low flow (4B3) -32.1 -13.5 8.9 190.3 58.9

(-91.3, 16.8) (-52.3, 17.2) (-35.1, 66.6) (13.4, 580.0) (-20.0, 305.7)

USEPA harmonic mean flow -21.0 -7.1 -15.2 90.7 31.6

(-62.3, 17.4) (-45.4, 16.4) (-30.1, 30.4) (22.3, 244.3) (3.5, 97.2)
Comparison of Base Flows to Streamflow Statistics 7

Table 3. Average differences between base flows and selected seasonal statistics computed for 

1930–2002, and those computed for the indicated record periods for 15 streamflow-gaging stations 

in West Virginia. (Modified from Wiley, 2006, table 4)

[Modified from Wiley, 2006, table 4. Winter, January 1–March 31; spring, April 1–June 30; summer, July 1–September 30; fall, October 1–December 31; station numbers are 01606500, 01608500, 01611500, 01636500, 03051000, 

03053500, 03061500, 03066000, 03069500, 03070500, 03182500, 03183500, 03186500, 03198500, and combined 

stations 03214000 and 03214500. A negative value means the average for the indicated record period is less than the 

average for 1930–2002; a positive value means the average for the indicated record period is greater than the average 

for 1930–2002]

Season

Difference for the indicated period, in percent

1930–42 1943–62 1963–69 1970–79 1980–2002

Base flow

Winter -11.0 3.5 -11.2 11.0 1.2

Spring -10.1 -0.9 -10.2 1.9 8.2

Summer -8.9 -2.7 -47.0 21.0 12.5

Fall -24.2 -11.7 -16.3 43.6 7.6

1-day 10-year hydrologically based low flow (1Q10)

Winter -9.7 6.0 -11.5 69.4 -2.6

Spring -12.5 35.7 -29.5 32.4 9.2

Summer -24.8 -6.5 -3.6 175.4 44.8

Fall -26.2 -18.8 6.3 167.2 62.2

7-day 10-year hydrologically based low flow (7Q10)

Winter -12.2 -4.4 -17.3 58.5 0.1

Spring -17.6 19.5 -29.2 27.1 3.4

Summer -21.8 -8.3 -6.0 176.2 39.2

Fall -25.6 -20.4 10.6 140.4 55.3

30-day 5-year hydrologically based low flow (30Q5)

Winter -19.2 2.3 -31.4 31.7 6.5

Spring -18.7 13.1 -34.3 5.1 6.8

Summer -12.5 -6.3 -29.2 85.4 20.0

Fall -25.6 -17.5 -16.5 104.6 22.9

1-day 3-year biologically based low flow (1B3)

Winter -11.4 -4.2 1.7 73.8 5.8

Spring -30.2 15.7 4.3 4.7 57.9

Summer -35.0 -5.4 0.8 170.2 50.8

Fall -35.7 -15.1 7.8 207.7 72.2

4-day 3-year biologically based low flow (4B3)

Winter -8.1 -4.4 -13.2 59.1 5.1

Spring -24.3 18.6 3.0 0.6 53.7

Summer -33.2 -5.8 -2.8 159.3 39.1

Fall -40.0 -20.3 7.3 170.2 54.1

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency harmonic-mean flow

Winter -5.7 5.5 -19.5 37.9 -1.9

Spring -25.3 4.0 -14.9 3.8 28.6

Summer -21.9 1.0 -27.9 86.3 31.8

Fall -18.3 -14.3 2.9 142.5 41.0
8 Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow Statistics Representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia

Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.

150

100

50

0

-50

Base flow, in percent of mean annual base flow -100

Month

Season

Spring Summer Fall Winter

Base flow

Mean seasonal

Mean monthly

EXPLANATION

Mean seasonal and mean monthly base flows as percentages of mean annual base flows for 1930–2002 were compared 

(fig. 3). Summer base flows and the monthly base flows for 

July, August, and September are approximately equal, within 

7.4 percentage points. Mean seasonal base flows for spring, 

fall, and winter show poor agreement with the mean monthly 

values, ranging from -35.4 percentage points between fall and 

the month of October to 58.3 percentage points between spring 

and the month of April. Base flows for the month of October 

are more similar to those of the summer season and summer 

months (within 7.4 percentage points) than to base flows for 

fall (35.4 percentage points less than fall base flows). Base 

flows for March were the highest at 84.0 percent of the mean 

annual base flow, and base flows for September were the lowest at -74.0 percent of the mean annual base flow.

Mean annual base flows (fig. 4) and mean seasonal base 

flows (fig. 5) were compared to various annual and seasonal 

duration flows (Searcy, 1959; Wiley, 2006) to determine 

whether annual and seasonal duration flows can be used as 

surrogate statistics for estimating base flows. (A duration flow 

is a flow that is equaled or exceeded some percentage of the 

time; for example, the 50-percent duration flow is equaled or 

exceeded 50 percent of the time.) All possible comparisons 

between annual and seasonal base flows and various annual 

and seasonal duration flows were evaluated to determine the 

minimum standard error. The mean annual base flow was 

approximated by the annual 50-percent duration flow with a 

standard error of 10.3 percent (fig. 4). The mean spring base 

flow was approximated by the spring 50- and 55-percent 

duration flows with a 6.8 percent standard error and the 

annual 45-percent duration flow with a 14.6 percent standard 

error (fig. 5). Summer 45- to 50-percent duration flow with a 

6.7 percent standard error and annual 75-percent duration flow 

with a 11.8 percent standard error can be used as surrogates to 

estimate summer base flow. Fall 45-percent duration flow with 

15.2 percent error and annual 55-percent duration flow with 

11.2 percent error can be used to estimate fall base flow. Winter 60-percent duration flow with 8.5 percent error and annual 

35-percent duration flow with 11.1 percent error can be used to 

estimate winter base flow (fig. 5).

Examples of Estimating Base Flows 

Base flows at streamflow-gaging stations and ungaged 

locations can be estimated using the surrogate statistics, which 

can be determined using procedures described by Wiley 

(2008). Mean annual base flows at ungaged locations can be 

interpolated from duration flows determined from previously 

generated equations when equations for the desired duration 

flows are not available. Mean seasonal base flows can be 

determined only from flows at the streamflow-gaging stations 

because only equations for the seasonal 50-percent duration 

flows are available from Wiley and Atkins (2010a). Base-flow 

estimates determined using more than one surrogate statistic 

Figure 3. Mean seasonal and mean monthly base flows as 

percentage of mean annual base flows for 15 streamflow-gaging 

stations in West Virginia, 1930–2002. 

Figure 4. Mean annual base flows in relation to annual 

50-percent duration flows for 15 streamflow-gaging stations in 

West Virginia, 1930–2002. 

Mean annual base flow, in cubic feet per second

Annual 50-percent duration flow, in cubic feet per second

10 100 1,000 10,000

10

100

1,000

10,000

Standard error = 10.3 percent

EXPLANATION

Equal values
Comparison of Base Flows to Streamflow Statistics 9

Mean seasonal and mean annual base flow,

in cubic feet per second

Duration flow, in cubic feet per second

10 100 1,000 10,000

10

100

1,000

10,000

EXPLANATION

Equal values

Annual D45 (Standard error = 14.6 percent)

Spring D50 and D55 (Standard error = 6.8 percent)

A. Spring

Mean seasonal and mean annual base flow,

in cubic feet per second

Duration flow, in cubic feet per second

10 100 1,000 10,000

10

100

1,000

10,000

EXPLANATION

Equal values

Annual D75 (Standard error = 11.8 percent)

Summer D45 and D50 (Standard error = 6.7 percent)

B. Summer

Mean seasonal and mean annual base flow,

in cubic feet per second

Duration flow, in cubic feet per second

10 100 1,000 10,000

10

100

1,000

10,000

EXPLANATION

Equal values

Annual D55 (Standard error = 11.2 percent)

Fall D45 (Standard error = 15.2 percent)

C. Fall

Mean seasonal and mean annual base flow,

in cubic feet per second

Duration flow, in cubic feet per second

10 100 1,000 10,000

10

100

1,000

10,000

EXPLANATION

Equal values

Annual D35 (Standard error = 11.1 percent)

Winter D60 (Standard error = 8.5 percent)

D. Winter

Figure 5. Mean seasonal and mean annual base flows in relation to selected duration flows for 15 streamflow-gaging stations during 

A, spring, B, summer, C, fall, and D, winter in West Virginia, 1930–2002. (Dn, n-percent duration flow)
10 Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow Statistics Representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia

can be averaged. Errors for estimated base flows are a summation of the standard error of the surrogate relation and the error 

of any regression equation used. 

• Example 1—The mean annual base flow at the 

streamflow-gaging station Skin Creek at Brownsville 

(03057500) can be estimated by determining the 

annual 50-percent duration flow following procedures 

described by Wiley (2008, p. 12) in the section “At 

a Gaging Station.” The procedure for “At a Gaging 

Station” is to read the value for the statistics from table 

11 presented by Wiley (2006). The mean annual base 

flow is estimated from the surrogate statistic which is 

the 50-percent duration flow (fig. 4). The mean annual 

base flow is 13.4 ft3/s (the 50-percent duration flow 

presented by Wiley, 2006, p.89).

• Example 2—The mean summer base flow at the 

streamflow-gaging station Skin Creek at Brownsville 

(03057500) can be estimated by averaging the surrogate statistics (fig. 5). The mean summer base flow is 

an average of (1) the annual 75-percent duration flow 

and (2) the average of the summer 45- and 50-percent 

duration flows. The annual and seasonal duration flows 

are determined using procedures described by Wiley 

(2008, p. 12) in “At a Gaging Station,” which is to read 

values from table 11 presented by Wiley (2006). The 

mean summer base flow is 2.8 ft3/s (3.2 ft3/s + (2.8 ft3/s 

+ 2.2 ft3/s /2)/2) based on values for surrogate statistics 

from Wiley (2006, p. 89).

• Example 3—The mean fall base flow at an ungaged 

location with a drainage area (AU) of 84.2 mi2

upstream from the streamflow-gaging station South 

Fork South Branch Potomac River at Brandywine 

(01607500) can be estimated using equation 4 from 

Wiley (2008): 

QU = QK (RU/K)EX ,

where

QU is the value of the unknown streamflow 

statistic, in ft3/s;

QK is the value of the known streamflow statistic, 

in ft3/s;

RU/K is the ratio of the drainage area at the location 

of the unknown streamflow (AU) to the 

drainage area at the location of the known 

streamflow (AK), unitless; and

EX is the exponent for the particular statistic 

(Wiley, 2008, table 3), unitless.

This equation can be used because there are no additional streamflow-gaging stations upstream on the 

same stream and the size of the drainage area is within 

the limits for which the estimate can be made using 

drainage-area ratios. The surrogate statistic (fig. 5), 

annual 55-percent duration flow, for the streamflowgaging station is 33.7 ft3

/s (QK) (Wiley, 2006, p. 73), 

and the drainage area at the streamflow-gaging stations 

is 103 mi2 (AK) (Paybins, 2008). The ratio of drainage 

areas (RU/K) is AU divided by AK, or 84.2 mi2 divided 

by 103 mi2, which is 0.817. The exponent (EX) for the 

annual 55-percent duration flow is interpolated from 

the value for D50, 0.96 (Wiley, 2008, table 3), and 

the value for D75, 1.01 (Wiley, 2008, table 3), as 0.97 

(0.96 + (55 – 50) (1.01 – 0.96) / (75 – 50)). Substituting into equation 4 from Wiley (2008), the mean fall 

base flow (annual 55-percent duration flow) at the 

ungaged location (QU) is 27.7 ft3/s. The value of RU/K

of 0.817 is greater than the upstream limit (RUS) of 0.21 

(Wiley, 2008, table 3), indicating the establishment 

of a partial-record station (Wiley, 2008, p. 12) at the 

ungaged location is not required to estimate the flow 

statistic at this location.

• Example 4—The mean winter base flow at an 

ungaged location with a drainage area of 1,450 mi2

(AU) located downstream from the streamflow-gaging 

station Greenbrier River at Alderson (03183500), and 

upstream from the streamflow-gaging station Greenbrier River at Hilldale (03184000) can be estimated 

using equation 6 from Wiley (2008):

QU = [QUS (ADS – AU) + QDS (AU – AUS)] / (ADS – AUS), 

when

RU/K < RDS at upstream location and RU/K > RUS at 

downstream location, 

or when 

RU/K ≥ RDS at upstream location and RU/K ≤ RUS at 

downstream location; and

QKE at the upstream location > QUS and QKE at the 

downstream location > QDS or

QKE at the upstream location < QUS and QKE at the 

downstream location < QDS; and

where

QU is the value of the unknown streamflow 

statistic, in ft3/s;

QUS is the value of the streamflow statistic at the 

upstream location, in ft3/s;

QDS is the value of the streamflow statistic at the 

downstream location, in ft3/s;

QKE is the regional equation evaluated at the 

location of the value of the known 

streamflow statistic, in ft3/s;

AU is the drainage area at the location of the 

unknown value of the streamflow statistic, 

in mi2;

AUS is the drainage area at the upstream location, 

in mi2;

ADS is the drainage area at the downstream 

location, in mi2; 
Comparison of Base Flows to Streamflow Statistics 11

RUS is the upstream limit of the ratio of drainage 

areas (Wiley, 2008, table 3), unitless; and

DS is the downstream limit of the ratio of 

drainage areas (Wiley, 2008, table 3), 

unitless.

The drainage area is 1,364 mi2 (AUS) for Greenbrier 

River at Alderson and 1,619 mi2 (ADS) for Greenbrier 

River at Hilldale (Paybins, 2008). This equation can 

be used because the ratio of drainage areas (RU/K, or 

AU divided by AK) is equal to 1,450 mi2 divided by 

1,364 mi2, or 1.06, which is less than the RDS of 2 

(Wiley, 2008, table 3) at the upstream location, and 

the RU/K (AU divided by AK, or 1,450 mi2 divided by 

1,619 mi2) of 0.896 is greater than the RUS of 0.21 

(Wiley, 2008, table 3) at the downstream location. The 

surrogate statistics (fig. 5), the annual 35-percent duration flow, at Alderson (QUS) is 1,540 ft3

/s (Wiley, 2006, 

p. 116) and at Hilldale (QDS) is 1,840 ft3/s (Wiley, 2006, 

p. 117). By substituting these values into equation 6, 

the mean winter base flow at the ungaged location (QU) 

is 1,641 ft3/s.

• Example 5—The mean spring base flow for Lunice 

Creek just downstream from the confluence of North 

and South Forks of Lunice Creek in Grant County (Rig 

71⁄2-minute USGS topographic map) can be calculated 

from regional equations. (There are no streamflowgaging stations on Lunice Creek or North Fork Lunice 

Creek.) The surrogate statistic (fig. 5), annual 45-percent duration flow, will be interpolated from available 

equations for the annual 25- and 50-percent duration flows. The streams are in the Eastern Panhandle 

Region (Wiley, 2008, fig. 3), and the drainage area is 

52.78 mi2 (Wiley and others, 2007, p. 26). The drainage area is within the limits of the regional equation 

from 8.83 to 3.41 mi2 (Wiley, 2008, table 1), indicating 

that the procedure is valid. Installation of a partialrecord station would not improve the estimate because 

the technique of transferring statistics from a streamflow-gaging station is limited to streamflows at and 

less than the 50-percent duration flow (Wiley, 2008, 

p.12). The annual 25- and 50-percent duration flows 

were calculated from the regression equations for the 

Eastern Panhandle Region (Wiley, 2008, table 1):

D25 = 1.70 DA0.937

and

D50 = 6.21 × 10-1 DA0.969 ,

where

DA is the drainage area, in mi2.

The annual 25- and 50-percent duration flows are 

calculated as 69.9 ft3/s and 29.0 ft3/s, respectively. The 

mean spring base flow is interpolated for the surrogate statistic, the annual 45-percent duration flow, as 

37.2 ft3/s (69.9 – (45 – 25) (69.9 – 29.0) / (50 – 25)).

Limitations of Base-Flow Estimates

Base-flow estimates are applicable only to unregulated 

streams in West Virginia because data used to develop methods were collected only from unregulated streams. All estimates are representative of the period 1930–2002. Estimates 

are best not made for streams regulated by large lakes, ponds, 

or navigation dams. 

A partial-record station (Wiley, 2008, p. 12) can be 

established where there is some measurable streamflow, but 

estimates for ungaged locations are best not made without 

first determining that the streams involved are not losing or 

gaining water to or from underground mines or karst geology. 

A partial-record station will not help in determining the annual 

surrogate statistic for spring and winter base flows, the 45- and 

35-percent duration flows, because the technique of transferring statistics from streamflow-gaging stations is limited to 

streamflows at and less than the 50-percent duration flow 

(Wiley, 2008, p.12).

Estimates for ungaged locations are best made only for 

perennial streams because data used to develop methods were 

collected only from perennial streams. The median drainage area upstream from the location where an intermittent 

stream becomes perennial was determined by Paybins (2003) 

to be 40.8 acres (0.064 mi2). This value ranged from 10.2 to 

150.1 acres (0.016 to 0.235 mi2) in a limited study of 36 sites 

conducted in the southern coal fields of West Virginia and 

differed by region, with a median of 66.1 acres (0.103 mi2) in 

the northeastern part of the southern coal fields and 34.8 acres 

(0.054 mi2) in the southwestern part (Paybins, 2003). The procedures are not intended for use with drainage areas less than 

0.05 mi2 because the streams are likely not perennial; base 

flows for drainage areas less than 0.25 mi2 can be estimated 

with some certainty only when there is some determination 

(such as a field observation at low streamflow) that the stream 

is perennial.

Estimates are not conservative at the confluence of 

streams. The value for base flow downstream from the confluence of two streams will not equal the summation of the 

values estimated upstream from the confluence. 

Caution is called for when making estimates for areas 

with underground mining and karst terrain. Base flows may be 

reduced in streams that are “dewatered” by underlying underground mines or can be increased in streams that are downdip 

(where the elevation is lower and where the rock strata slope 

toward the stream) from flooded underground mines. Water 

also can be transferred between basins by drainage through 

coal mines and in karst terrain. Base flows at outflow points 

of large basins that are stratigraphically below mined coal 

beds likely would be increased from the pre-mining condition, 

except where large interbasin transfer of water occurs. 
12 Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow Statistics Representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia

Summary and Conclusions

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the West 

Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Division 

of Water and Waste Management, compared base flows with 

published statistics at 15 streamflow-gaging stations to assess 

climate variability and determine surrogate statistics for estimating annual and seasonal base flows on unregulated streams 

in West Virginia. The seasons were defined as winter (January 1–March 31), spring (April 1–June 30), summer (July 1–

September 30), and fall (October 1–December 31). 

Mean annual and seasonal base flows representing the 

period 1930–2002 were compared to base flows and selected 

statistics computed for five sub-periods with similar characteristics in annual-minimum daily mean flows (1930–42, 

1943–62, 1963–69, 1970–79, and 1980–2002) to assess 

climate variability. The differences in mean annual base flows 

range from -14.9 to 14.6 percent for the five sub-periods compared to the values for the period 1930–2002. The differences 

between mean seasonal base flows and base flows for the 

period 1930–2002 are less variable in the winter and spring, 

-11.2 to 11.0 percent, and more variable in the summer and 

fall, -47.0 to 43.6 percent.

Mean summer base flow (July–September) and mean 

monthly base flows for July, August, September, and October are approximately equal, within 7.4 percentage points 

of mean-annual base flow. The mean annual base flow is 

approximately equal, with a standard error of 10.3 percent, 

to the annual 50-percent duration flow. The mean spring base 

flow is approximately equal to the annual 45-percent duration 

flow with a standard error of 14.6 percent and the spring 50- to 

55-percent duration flow with a standard error of 6.8 percent. The mean summer base flow is approximately equal to 

the annual 75-percent duration flow with a standard error of 

11.8 percent and the summer 45- to 50-percent duration flow 

with a standard error of 6.7 percent. The mean fall base flow 

is approximately equal to the annual 55-percent duration flow 

with a standard error of 11.2 percent and the fall 45-percent 

duration flow with a standard error of 15.2 percent. The mean 

winter base flow is approximately equal to the annual 35-percent duration flow with a standard error of 11.1 percent and 

the winter 60-percent duration flow with a standard error of 

8.5 percent.

Annual and seasonal base flows representative of the 

period 1930–2002 at unregulated streamflow-gaging stations 

and ungaged locations in West Virginia can be estimated 

using previously published values of surrogate statistics and 

procedures. Procedures that establish a partial-record station 

will not help to determine the spring and winter base flows 

because the technique of transferring statistics from a streamflow-gaging station is limited to streamflows at and less than 

the 50-percent duration flow. Estimates are best not made for 

streams regulated by large lakes, ponds, or navigation dams. 

Caution is called for when making estimates in areas of underground mining and karst terrain. 

References Cited

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New York, McGraw-Hill, 714 p.

Linsley, R.K., Jr., Kohler, M.A., and Paulhus, J.L.H., 1982, 

Hydrology for engineers (3d ed.): New York, McGraw-Hill, 

508 p. 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2006a, 

Climate of West Virginia, accessed September 30, 2006, 

at http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim60/states/

Clim_WV_01.pdf.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2006b, 

Total precipitation in inches by month for climate divisions, 

accessed September 30, 2006, at http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/

USclimate/pcp.state.19712000.climo.html.

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2006, West Virginia 

precipitation data/maps, accessed September 30, 2006, at 

http://www.ncgc.nrcs.usda.gov/products/datasets/climate/

data/precipitation-state/wv.html. 

Olmsted, F.H., and Hely, A.G., 1962, Relation between ground 

water and surface water in Brandywine Creek basin Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 417–A, 

21 p.

Paybins, K.S., 2003, Flow origin, drainage area, and hydrologic 

characteristics for headwater streams in the mountaintop 

coal-mining region of southern West Virginia, 2000-01: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 

02–4300, 20 p.

Paybins, K.S., 2008, Basin characteristics for selected gaging 

stations in and near West Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey 

Scientific Investigations Report 2008–1087, 9 p.

Pettyjohn, W.A., and Henning, Roger, 1979, Preliminary estimate of ground-water recharge rates, related streamflow and 

water quality in Ohio: Columbus, Ohio, Ohio State University Water Resources Center, Project Completion Report 

552, 323 p.

Riggs, H.C., 1964, The base-flow recession curve as an indicator of ground water: International Association of Scientific 

Hydrology, Publication 63, p. 352–363.

Rorabaugh, M.I., 1964, Estimating changes in bank storage and 

groundwater contribution to streamflow: International Association of Scientific Hydrology, Publication 63, p. 432–441.

Rutledge, A.T., 1998, Computer programs for describing the 

recession of groundwater discharge and for estimating mean 

ground-water recharge and discharge from streamflow 

records—update: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 98–4148, p. 43.
References Cited 13

Searcy, J.K., 1959, Flow-duration curves—Manual of hydrol-

ogy—part 2, Low-flow techniques: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 1542–A, 33 p.

Sloto, R.A. and Crouse, M.Y., 1996, HYSEP: A computer 

program for streamflow hydrograph separation and analysis: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 96–4040, 46 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1990, National water summary 

1987—Hydrologic events and water supply and use: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2350, 553 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1991, National water summary 

1988–89—Hydrologic events and floods and droughts: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2375, 591 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, 2006, The National Map, accessed 

September 30, 2006, at http://nationalmap.gov.

Wiley, J.B., 2006, Low flow analysis and selected flow statis-

tics representative of the period 1930–2002 for streamflowgaging stations in or near West Virginia: U.S. Geological 

Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5002, 190 p.

Wiley, J.B., 2008, Estimating selected streamflow statistics 

representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia: U.S. Geo-

logical Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5105, 

24 p.

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seasonal streamflow statistics representative of 1930–2002 

in West Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investi-

gations Report 2010–5185, 20 p.

Wiley, J.B., and Atkins, J.T., Jr., 2010b, Estimation of floodfrequency discharges for rural, unregulated streams in West 

Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations 

Report 2010–5033, 78 p.

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ing magnitude and frequency of peak discharges for rural, 

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areas of the Potomac River Basin, West Virginia (3d ed.): 

U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 95–292, 63 p.

Appendix 1

Annual and seasonal base flows at 15 streamflow-gaging stations in West Virginia for the 

period 1930–2002. Two stations are combined and counted as one. Period 1930–2002 consists 

of five sub-periods—1930–42, 1943–62, 1963–69, 1970–79, and 1980–2002.
16 Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow Statistics Representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia

Appendix 1. Annual and seasonal base flows at 15 streamflow-gaging stations in West Virginia, 1930–2002.—Continued

[Winter, January 1–March 31; spring, April 1–June 30; summer, July 1–September 30; fall, October 1–December 31]

Season

Base flow for the indicated period, in cubic feet per second

1930–2002 1930–42 1943–62 1963–69 1970–79 1980–2002

01606500 South Branch Potomac River near Petersburg

Annual 452 411 451 361 510 480

Winter 724 647 735 610 815 753

Spring 619 587 636 518 600 661

Summer 170 173 170 92 182 185

Fall 297 235 262 224 442 321

01608500 South Branch Potomac River near Springfield

Annual 763 696 757 612 864 807

Winter 1,230 1,080 1,270 1,080 1,380 1,260

Spring 1,050 1,020 1,060 860 1,020 1,110

Summer 283 285 270 141 317 321

Fall 492 393 426 370 741 534

01611500 Cacapon River near Great Cacapon

Annual 329 286 325 275 401 343

Winter 528 442 542 484 626 536

Spring 462 431 468 386 479 490

Summer 113 102 112 73 162 112

Fall 214 168 179 155 339 236

01636500 Shenandoah River at Millville

Annual 1,750 1,580 1,680 1,320 2,050 1,900

Winter 2,520 2,190 2,400 2,230 2,980 2,700

Spring 2,230 2,050 2,220 1,670 2,260 2,500

Summer 922 904 914 533 1,110 977

Fall 1,320 1,170 1,190 837 1,840 1,440

03051000 Tygart Valley River at Belington

Annual 355 323 351 310 400 369

Winter 612 582 642 555 649 605

Spring 423 399 412 391 433 452

Summer 105 87 112 43 118 122

Fall 278 223 239 252 401 299

03053500 Buckhannon River at Hall

Annual 290 256 292 250 319 308

Winter 506 463 542 436 528 510

Spring 319 302 303 298 314 352

Summer 88.2 69.1 95.3 40.9 104 100

Fall 248 188 230 224 330 270
Appendix 1 17

Appendix 1. Annual and seasonal base flows at 15 streamflow-gaging stations in West Virginia, 1930–2002.—Continued

[Winter, January 1–March 31; spring, April 1–June 30; summer, July 1–September 30; fall, October 1–December 31]

Season

Base flow for the indicated period, in cubic feet per second

1930–2002 1930–42 1943–62 1963–69 1970–79 1980–2002

03061500 Buffalo Creek at Barrackville

Annual 67 56 63 50 83 73

Winter 128 124 126 92 147 134

Spring 78 61 68 79 89 88

Summer 16 9.1 16 5.4 25 18

Fall 45 29 42 22 72 51

03066000 Blackwater River at Davis

Annual 111 95 109 106 120 118

Winter 179 148 189 186 190 180

Spring 131 119 131 125 126 141

Summer 40 39 37 25 43 48

Fall 92 76 79 87 121 102

03069500 Cheat River near Parsons

Annual 811 709 825 727 882 851

Winter 1,230 1,070 1,340 1,130 1,290 1,240

Spring 1,020 934 1,050 950 1,040 1,070

Summer 319 289 322 188 344 361

Fall 670 540 586 641 859 743

03070500 Big Sandy Creek at Rockville

Annual 214 187 213 186 249 224

Winter 367 336 379 340 401 367

Spring 258 230 257 253 269 273

Summer 56 48 58 14 81 60

Fall 175 133 157 135 246 196

03182500 Greenbrier River at Buckeye

Annual 432 402 440 374 479 437

Winter 754 733 788 672 823 732

Spring 537 484 561 511 523 558

Summer 123 127 127 53 136 132

Fall 312 264 284 260 433 326

03183500 Greenbrier River at Alderson

Annual 919 818 922 781 1,017 974

Winter 1,590 1,400 1,650 1,370 1,710 1,660

Spring 1,190 1,080 1,200 1,080 1,150 1,280

Summer 284 320 277 138 330 295

Fall 616 471 560 530 880 660
18 Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow Statistics Representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia

Appendix 1. Annual and seasonal base flows at 15 streamflow-gaging stations in West Virginia, 1930–2002.—Continued

[Winter, January 1–March 31; spring, April 1–June 30; summer, July 1–September 30; fall, October 1–December 31]

Season

Base flow for the indicated period, in cubic feet per second

1930–2002 1930–42 1943–62 1963–69 1970–79 1980–2002

03186500 Williams River at Dyer

Annual 173 165 171 153 190 176

Winter 284 295 293 255 297 272

Spring 201 173 207 184 204 214

Summer 57 56 55 29 66 65

Fall 149 136 130 144 192 155

03198500 Big Coal River at Ashford

Annual 278 211 274 240 325 306

Winter 530 430 561 461 610 540

Spring 349 275 334 287 358 415

Summer 77 62 57 56 94 101

Fall 155 77 143 156 238 170

03214000 Tug Fork near Kermit and 03214500 Tug Fork at Kermit

Annual 744 561 719 679 923 814

Winter 1,350 977 1,400 1,220 1,640 1,420

Spring 248 211 236 218 281 1,140

Summer 246 223 211 208 299 318

Fall 98 50 81 105 156 380
For additional information call or write to:

Director, U.S. Geological Survey

West Virginia Water Science Center

11 Dunbar Street, 

Charleston, WV 25301

http://wv.usgs.gov

Document prepared by the West Trenton Publishing Service Center
Wiley—Comparison of Base Flows to Selected Streamflow Statistics Representative of 1930–2002 in West Virginia—Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5121