U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4250

In cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams
Flood-Frequency Characteristics of 

Wisconsin Streams

By J.F. Walker and W.R. Krug

In cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Water-Resources Investigations Report 03–4250

U.S. Department of the Interior

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

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Charles G. Groat, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2003

For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services

Box 25286, Denver Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225

For more information about the USGS and its products:

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Cover and envelope photo: Wisconsin River at flood stage, Nekoosa, Wisconsin (date unknown); 

source: Bonnie Young postcard collection, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
iii

Contents

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

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

Previous Work .............................................................................................................................. 1

Purpose and Scope ..................................................................................................................... 1

Acknowledgments....................................................................................................................... 2

Flood-Peak Data-Collection Network................................................................................................ 2

Flood-Frequency Analysis................................................................................................................... 2

Regression Analysis and Flood-Frequency Equations ................................................................... 2

Drainage-Basin Characteristics................................................................................................ 3

Flood-Frequency Areas in Wisconsin ...................................................................................... 4

Flood-Frequency Equations and Accuracy Evaluation ......................................................... 4

Application of Estimation Techniques ............................................................................................... 8

Sites at Streamflow-Gaging Stations ....................................................................................... 8

Sites on Streams near Streamflow-Gaging Stations........................................................... 13

Sites on Streams Without Streamflow-Gaging Stations..................................................... 14

Sites on Regulated Streams..................................................................................................... 14

Summary and Conclusions................................................................................................................ 15

References Cited ................................................................................................................................ 15

Plates

 1. Map of Wisconsin showing location of streamflow-gaging stations, 

 crest-stage partial-record stations, and regulation stations ............................ in envelope

 2. Map of Wisconsin showing soil permeability...................................................... in envelope

Figures

 1-3. Maps showing:

 1. 25-year, 24-hour rainfall in Wisconsin by climatic section.................................... 5

 2. Mean annual snowfall from 1961 through 1990 in Wisconsin .............................. 6

 3. Flood-frequency areas in Wisconsin........................................................................ 7

 4-7. Graphs showing relation of discharge to drainage area for selected 

flood frequencies along the main stem of the:

 4. Menominee River, Wisconsin and Michigan......................................................... 12

 5. Wisconsin River, Wisconsin. .................................................................................... 12

 6. Chippewa River, Wisconsin. ..................................................................................... 12

 7. Flambeau River, Wisconsin....................................................................................... 12
iv

Tables

 1. Comparison of regression results for ordinary least squares (OLS) and 

generalized least squares (GLS) ....................................................................................... 9

 2. Flood-frequency equations for streams in Wisconsin ................................................ 10

 3. Ranges of basin characteristics used in regression analysis ................................... 11

Appendix

 A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for 

streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network ............... 18

 A-2. Drainage-basin characteristics for rural streamflow-gaging stations in 

 Wisconsin ......................................................................................................................... 30
Abstract

Flood-frequency characteristics for 312 gaged sites on 

Wisconsin streams are presented for recurrence intervals 

of 2 to 100 years using flood-peak data collected through 

water year 2000. Equations of the relations between floodfrequency and drainage-basin characteristics were developed by multiple-regression analyses. Flood-frequency 

characteristics for ungaged sites on unregulated, rural 

streams can be estimated by use of these equations. The 

state was divided into five areas with similar physiographic 

characteristics. The most significant basin characteristics 

are drainage area, main-channel slope, soil permeability, 

storage, rainfall intensity, and forest cover. The standard 

error of prediction for the equation for the 100-year flood 

discharge ranges from 22 to 44 percent in the state. A 

graphical method for estimating flood-frequency characteristics of regulated streams was developed from the relation of discharge and drainage area. Graphs for the major 

regulated streams are presented.

Introduction

Flood-frequency information is needed for the design 

of bridges, culverts, highways, flood-protection structures, 

and for effective flood-plain management. This study was 

done in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of 

Transportation. This report is the fifth within a long-term 

study of flood-frequency characteristics of Wisconsin 

streams. Collectively these studies make up what is referred 

to as the flood-frequency project. 

Previous Work

The first report in the series (Ericson, 1961) developed 

two sets of regression equations (with and without channel slope as a parameter) for several geographic areas in 

the state. The second report in the series (Conger, 1971) 

updated the original report by including additional floodpeak data, refining the geographic areas, and including 

snowfall as an independent variable. The next version of the 

report (Conger, 1981) included updated flood-peak data, 

refined the geographic areas, and added rainfall intensity 

as an independent variable. The fourth incarnation of the 

report (Krug and others, 1992) included updated flood-peak 

data, provided further refinement of the geographic areas, 

and included an evaluation of alternative land-use data 

and various regionalization techniques. Other reports that 

include methods for estimating flood-frequency characteristics of Wisconsin streams were done by Wiitala (1965) and 

Patterson and Gamble (1968). This report uses the same 

geographic areas as in the previous report (Krug and others, 

1992), includes additional flood-peak data, and updates 

the values for snowfall and rainfall intensity. Additional 

data used in this report increase the confidence in estimating techniques and supersede those published in previous 

reports.

Purpose and Scope

This report includes a description of flood-frequency 

characteristics of Wisconsin streams where annual peak 

streamflow data have been collected, presents equations for 

estimating flood-frequency characteristics at ungaged sites, 

and includes a discussion of the development of the equations. Additional flood-peak data were collected at the crestgage stations at most of the same sites as previous studies, 

with the data-collection period ending in 2000. These stations help provide a uniform distribution of sites throughout 

the state and a long-term record of flood-peak data.

Because operation of continuous-record streamflowgaging stations is not part of the flood-frequency project, the locations and lengths of record at these sites are 

controlled by other needs. Therefore, the distribution and 

lengths of record are not as uniform as at crest-gage sites. 

Continuous-record flood-peak data in this study were collected at 175 streamflow-gaging stations whereas the data 

used by Conger (1981) were collected at 78 stations.

Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams

By J.F. Walker and W.R. Krug
2 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams

Acknowledgments

Mari Dantz and Bernard Lenz of the Wisconsin 

District Office of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) were 

instrumental in updating rainfall and snowfall data and 

performing some of the preliminary regression analyses.

Flood-Peak Data-Collection Network

Flood-peak data used in this study were collected 

at 137 crest-gage stations and 175 continuous-record 

streamflow-gaging stations located throughout the state 

(plate 1). Only the peak stage of a flood is recorded at a 

crest-stage station. The recorded maximum stage for each 

year is converted to discharge by a stage-discharge relation 

for each station. At continuous-record streamflow-gaging 

stations, a continuous record of stream stage is recorded. 

The maximum stage for the year is selected and is converted to discharge by a stage-discharge relation. Stations 

with at least 10 years of record located on rural streams 

were included. On the basis of these criteria, 312 stations 

were included in the report. Flood-peak data are available 

for 104 crest-gage stations and for 108 streamflow-gaging stations now operated (2000) and from 33 crest-gage 

stations and 67 streamflow-gaging stations that have been 

discontinued. Of the continuous-record stations, 32 are on 

streams that are regulated. Sites were classified as regulated based on knowledge of the flow system and hydrologic judgement. The 104 crest-gage stations are operated 

as part of the flood-frequency project. Most of the crest 

gages have been operated since the late 1950’s or early 

1960’s. Several stations started to operate around 1970 in 

northeastern Wisconsin when the first analysis of the data 

showed the need for more data in this area. Data through 

the 2000 water year were used for the analysis in this 

report. Therefore, at least 28 years of flood-peak data 

were used for most stations; however, about 18 years of 

flood-peak data were used for some stations in the northeastern part of the state.

Annual peak stages and discharges for all crest-gage 

stations and streamflow-gaging stations used in the study 

are available by request from the Wisconsin District Office 

of USGS or from the world-wide-web on the internet via 

the following URL: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/

peak.

Flood-Frequency Analysis

Flood-frequency analyses define the relation of floodpeak magnitude to probability of exceedance or recurrence interval. Probability of exceedance is the percentage 

chance that a given flood magnitude will be exceeded in 

any year. Recurrence interval is the reciprocal of percent 

probability of exceedance divided by 100 and is the average number of years between exceedances. For example, 

a flood having a probability of exceedance of 1 percent 

has a recurrence interval of 100 years. Recurrence intervals imply no regularity of exceedance; a 100-year flood 

might be exceeded in consecutive years or it might not be 

exceeded in a 100-year period.

Flood-frequency analyses were performed at all rural 

streamflow-gaging stations with a period of record equal to 

or exceeding 10 years. Guidelines in Interagency Advisory 

Committee on Water Data (1982)(commonly referred to as 

Bulletin 17B) were used to fit logarithms of annual peak 

discharges to the Pearson Type III distribution. For stations 

on unregulated streams, the generalized skew from the 

map in Bulletin 17B was weighted with the station skew 

to give a weighted skew. Estimates of discharges at several 

recurrence intervals in the range from 2 to 100 years for 

each station were computed and are given in Appendix 

table A-1. 

Sites on the main stem of the Wisconsin River 

received additional analyses. Krug and House (1980) 

modeled the system of reservoirs and their operation to 

simulate the flood peaks on the Wisconsin River for water 

years 1915 through 1976. The flood frequencies given 

for the Wisconsin River in this study (Appendix table 

A-2) include the simulated peaks (Krug and House, 1980, 

Appendix B) and the observed peaks for water years 1977 

through 2000. These flood frequencies are considered 

the most up-to-date estimates of the flood potential of the 

existing system of reservoirs and their operating policies. 

Regression Analysis and FloodFrequency Equations

Multiple-regression analysis was used to estimate the 

relation between flood discharges for given frequencies 

and drainage-basin characteristics for 200 selected streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin. The sites selected, 

which were the same as those used by Krug and others 

(1992), were rural, unregulated sites with at least 10 years 

of record and known basin characteristics. The multiple 
Regression Analysis and Flood-Frequency Equations 3

regression technique is a means of transferring flood-peak 

characteristics from sites where observed data are available 

to ungaged locations. The relation is presented by floodfrequency equations.

The regression equations are used to relate the most 

significant drainage-basin characteristics (independent 

variables) to flood-peak characteristics (dependent variables; Q2

, Q5..., Q100). The multiple-regression model can 

be expressed in the following form:

 QT = α A

a

BbCc... Mm (1)

where

QT is flood magnitude, in cubic feet per

 second, having a T-year recurrence 

 interval; 

α is regression constant defined by 

 regression analysis; 

A, B, C, ... M are basin characteristics; and 

a, b, c, ... m are regression coefficients defined 

 by regression analysis. 

This form of the multiple-regression model is 

achieved by linear regression of the logarithms of the 

variables. 

The principal method of regression analysis used in 

the study is called generalized least squares (GLS) and 

was developed by Tasker and others (1986) and Stedinger 

and Tasker (1985). This method was used because of its 

theoretical advantages over the ordinary least squares 

(OLS) method and the conventional weighted least squares 

(WLS) method.

In the OLS method, all the estimates of T-year floods 

are implicitly assumed to have equal variance; that is, the 

T-year flood estimate at each streamflow-gaging station 

is assumed to be as accurate as the T-year flood estimates 

at all other stations used in the regression, regardless of 

record length and site variability. Furthermore, in the OLS 

method, the concurrent flood peaks at different sites are 

assumed to be uncorrelated or independently distributed. 

In general, these two conditions are not met by flood-peak 

records. The accuracy of the T-year flood estimates varies 

with the length of record and variability of the annual peak 

discharges at each site. Many concurrent annual floods in 

an area are cross-correlated because the stations in the area 

are subject to similar weather systems.

In the GLS method, the variable accuracy of the 

T-year flood estimates and the cross-correlation between 

stations are considered. With this method, information is 

provided for analyzing the network of streamflow-gaging 

stations and crest gages. This network analysis capability 

may prove to be useful in future studies.

Drainage-Basin Characteristics

The drainage-basin characteristics determined by 

the multiple-regression analyses to be significant were 

drainage area, main-channel slope, storage, forest cover, 

25-year precipitation index, mean annual snowfall, and 

soil permeability. The characteristics used in the regression 

equations are listed in Appendix table A-2 at the back of 

this report for each station. They are defined as follows:

 1. Drainage area (A), in square miles, is the area contributing directly to surface runoff. This area can be 

planimetered from topographic maps or can be taken 

directly for some sites from the report on drainage 

ares in Wisconsin by Henrich and Daniel (1983). 

If the drainage area is taken from the report by 

Henrich and Daniel, any area not contributing 

directly to surface runoff should be subtracted 

from the total drainage area.

 2. Main-channel slope (S), in feet per mile, is the slope 

of the stream between points that are 10 percent and 

85 percent of the distance along the channel from the 

streamflow-gaging station to the basin divide, determined from topographic maps.

 3. Storage (ST), expressed as a percentage of the 

drainage area, includes lakes, ponds, and wetlands 

determined from USGS maps and Soil Conservation 

Service data. A constant of 1 percent is added to storage to obtain ST (to avoid zero values in the regression equations).

 4. Forest cover (FOR) is expressed as a percentage of 

the drainage area shown on USGS maps, determined 

by the grid method, or is data from the Soil Conservation Service. A constant of 1 percent is added to 

forest cover to obtain FOR (to avoid zero values in 

the regression equations).

 5. The 25-year precipitation index (I25) is computed by 

subtracting 4.2 from the 25-year, 24-hour rainfall, 

expressed in inches (Huff and Angel, 1992). The 

maximum 25-year, 24-hour rainfall has a recurrence 

interval of 25 years. Precipitation indices were computed for recurrence intervals of 2-, 10-, 25-, 50- and 

100-years. The 25-year recurrence interval subsequently proved to be the best precipitation index 

for predicting the selected recurrence-interval flood 

discharges. The 25-year, 24-hour rainfall amounts for 
4 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams

the 9 climatic sections in Wisconsin (Huff and Angel, 

1992) are shown in figure 1. Values of I25 were determined at each streamflow-gaging station.

 6. Mean annual snowfall (SN) for 1961 through 1990, in 

inches, is determined from climate data processed by 

the Spatial Climate Analysis Service at Oregon State 

University (Daly and others, 2000) and is shown in 

figure 2. SN is interpolated from the contours for the 

location of the streamflow-gaging station.

 7. Soil permeability (SP), in inches per hour, is based on 

the least-permeable soil horizon in the soil column. 

The median rate is used for each range of soil permeability. Ranges of soil permeability were obtained 

from a soils table published by the U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service (1964) 

and overlaid on a soils map of Wisconsin (Hole and 

others, 1968). The weighted-average soil permeability (SP) is shown on plate 2. A grid is printed on the 

back of plate 2 to facilitate estimating the percent of 

the basin in each soil-permeability range. 

Flood-Frequency Areas in Wisconsin

The state was divided into five flood-frequency areas 

by Conger (1981). Several boundaries between areas were 

adjusted in north-central Wisconsin on the basis of physical characteristics (Krug and others, 1992) and residuals 

from the regression equations when applied to particular 

sites (fig. 3 and pl. 1).

The five-area arrangement of the state is useful in 

reducing the errors in the regression equations. Different 

basin characteristics are significant in estimating the flood 

frequency in the various areas. For example, soil permeability is not a significant variable in flood-frequency equations for the southern part of the state (areas 1 and 5), but 

it is significant in the central and northern parts of the state 

(areas 2, 3 and 4). Note that the driftless area is contained 

almost entirely in area 1 (plate 1 and fig. 3).

Flood-Frequency Equations and Accuracy 

Evaluation

For this study, a combination of OLS and GLS regressions was used to determine the best-fit regression equations for each flood-frequency area (fig. 3). A stepwise 

OLS procedure was used as a screening tool to determine 

the suite of variables that best predicted the T-year flood 

for each area. The stepwise procedure selects a subset of 

variables from a group of candidate basin characteristics 

(as described in the previous section) beginning with the 

variable that explains the most variability in the dependent 

variable, and continues with each successive variable that 

explains the most remaining variability given the effects of 

the variables already chosen. A variable was selected when 

its coefficient was determined to be significantly different 

from zero at the 5-percent level (significance level less 

than 0.05). 

To facilitate comparison of various regressions, the 

standard error of estimate was used (a measure of the 

error in the use of regression equations to predict T-year 

floods at sites used in the regression analysis). Because the 

regression equations were computed using a logarithmic 

transformation of the dependent and independent variables, 

the standard error in log space was used to determine 

confidence intervals for predictions of the logarithm of a 

particular T-year discharge. The true value of the log of 

the T-year flood will be within plus or minus one standard 

error of the regression estimate at about two-thirds of the 

sites. Because of the nonlinear nature of the logarithmic 

transformation, the resulting confidence intervals transformed to actual discharges are not symmetrical. For 

comparison purposes, an “equivalent” standard error as a 

percent of predicted discharge was computed as follows:

 (2)

where

ESE is the equivalent standard error in 

 percent of predicted discharge, and 

SE is the standard error of the logarithm of

 discharge. 

Note that the ESE essentially results in a confidence interval that has the same width as the true confidence interval 

for two-thirds of the predicted values; however, the upper 

and lower bounds computed with the ESE will not be correct because of the asymmetry of the confidence intervals.

For most areas, the stepwise procedure results in a 

slightly different set of independent variables for each 

of the T-year floods (2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50- and 100-year). 

To maintain consistency, a common set of variables was 

chosen to predict each of the T-year floods in a particular 

area; in general, the set of variables explaining the most 

variability of the higher recurrence interval floods (50- 

and 100-year) was chosen. This set of variables was then 

used to estimate the regressions using the GLS procedure. 

Selecting a set of variables that deviates from the stepwise 

results will produce a somewhat diminished accuracy of 

prediction for the regression. To illustrate the differences 

ESE = 10SE – 10-SE

 2
Regression Analysis and Flood-Frequency Equations 5

0

0

30 60 MILES

30 60 KILOMETERS

Base from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

1:100,000 digital data, 1998.

Wisconsin Transverse Mercator Projection

25-year, 24-hour precipitation

Climatic section boundary

EXPLANATION

Douglas Co.

Bayfield Co.

Ashland Co. Iron Co.

Vilas Co.

Forest Co.

Florence Co.

Marinette Co. Burnett Co. Washburn Co. Sawyer Co.

Price Co.

Oneida Co.

Polk Co. Barron Co.

Rusk Co.

Taylor Co.

Lincoln Co. Langlade Co.

Oconto Co.

Menominee Co.

St. Croix Co.

Dunn Co.

Chippewa Co.

Eau Claire Co.

Clark Co.

Marathon Co.

Shawano Co. Pierce Co.

Pepin Co.

Buffalo Co. Trempealeau Co.

Jackson Co.

Wood Co.

Portage Co. Waupaca Co. Outagamie Co.

Brown Co.

Door Co.

Kewaunee Co.

La Crosse Co.

Monroe Co.

Juneau Co.

Adams Co.

Waushara Co.

Winnebago Co.

Calumet Co.

Manitowoc Co.

Vernon Co.

Crawford Co.

Richland Co. Sauk Co.

Columbia Co.

Marquette Co.

Green Lake Co.

Fond du Lac Co.

Sheboygan Co.

Washington Co.

Ozaukee Co.

Milwaukee Co.

Waukesha Co.

Dodge Co.

Grant Co.

Iowa Co.

Lafayette Co.

Dane Co.

Green Co. Rock Co. Walworth Co.

Racine Co.

Kenosha Co.

Jefferson Co.

Flambeau R

Chippewa R

Mississippi R

Sa ni t Croix R

Blac k R

Fox R

Wiscons ni R

Kickapoo R

Plover R

Yellow R

Wolf R

Little Wolf R

Pe shtigo R

Menominee R

Fox R

Rock R

S ugar R

Pecatonica R

Tot agatic R

Apple R

Red Cedar R

White R

Fox R

Milw auk ee R

4.79

5.29

4.79

4.66

4.24

4.38 4.46

5.18

5.28

4.66

Figure 1. 25-year, 24-hour rainfall in Wisconsin by climatic section (rainfall data from Huff and Angel, 1992).
6 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams

0

0

30 60 MILES

30 60 KILOMETERS

Base from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

1:100,000 digital data, 1998.

Wisconsin Transverse Mercator Projection

Line of equal annual snowfall;

contour interval 10 inches

EXPLANATION

Douglas Co.

Bayfield Co.

Ashland Co. Iron Co.

Vilas Co.

Forest Co.

Florence Co.

Marinette Co. Burnett Co. Washburn Co. Sawyer Co.

Price Co.

Oneida Co.

Polk Co. Barron Co.

Rusk Co.

Taylor Co.

Lincoln Co. Langlade Co.

Oconto Co.

Menominee Co.

St. Croix Co.

Dunn Co.

Chippewa Co.

Eau Claire Co.

Clark Co.

Marathon Co.

Shawano Co. Pierce Co.

Pepin Co.

Buffalo Co. Trempealeau Co.

Jackson Co.

Wood Co.

Portage Co. Waupaca Co. Outagamie Co.

Brown Co.

Door Co.

Kewaunee Co.

La Crosse Co.

Monroe Co.

Juneau Co.

Adams Co.

Waushara Co.

Winnebago Co.

Calumet Co.

Manitowoc Co.

Vernon Co.

Crawford Co.

Richland Co. Sauk Co.

Columbia Co.

Marquette Co.

Green Lake Co.

Fond du Lac Co.

Sheboygan Co.

Washington Co.

Ozaukee Co.

Milwaukee Co.

Waukesha Co.

Dodge Co.

Grant Co.

Iowa Co.

Lafayette Co.

Dane Co.

Green Co. Rock Co. Walworth Co.

Racine Co.

Kenosha Co.

Jefferson Co.

Flambeau R

Chippewa R

Mississippi R

Sa ni t Croix R

Blac k R

Fox R

Wiscons ni R

Kickapoo R

Plover R

Yellow R

Wolf R

Little Wolf R

Pe shtigo R

Menominee R

Fox R

Rock R

S ugar R

Pecatonica R

Tot agatic R

Apple R

Red Cedar R

White R

Fox R

Milw auk ee R

60

50

40

60

50

40

60

Figure 2. Mean annual snowfall from 1961 through 1990, in inches, in Wisconsin (snowfall data from Daly and others, 2000). 

This map contains data from the Climate Source, and is used herein by permission. Copyright © 2000 The Climate Source, 

www.climatesource.com. All rights reserved.
Regression Analysis and Flood-Frequency Equations 7

0

0

30 60 MILES

30 60 KILOMETERS

Base from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

1:100,000 digital data, 1998.

Wisconsin Transverse Mercator Projection

Hydrologic area for which flood

frequency equations were developed

EXPLANATION

Douglas Co.

Bayfield Co.

Ashland Co. Iron Co.

Vilas Co.

Forest Co.

Florence Co.

Marinette Co. Burnett Co. Washburn Co. Sawyer Co.

Price Co.

Oneida Co.

Polk Co. Barron Co.

Rusk Co.

Taylor Co.

Lincoln Co. Langlade Co.

Oconto Co.

Menominee Co.

St. Croix Co.

Dunn Co.

Chippewa Co.

Eau Claire Co.

Clark Co.

Marathon Co.

Shawano Co. Pierce Co.

Pepin Co.

Buffalo Co. Trempealeau Co.

Jackson Co.

Wood Co.

Portage Co. Waupaca Co. Outagamie Co.

Brown Co.

Door Co.

Kewaunee Co.

La Crosse Co.

Monroe Co.

Juneau Co.

Adams Co.

Waushara Co.

Winnebago Co.

Calumet Co.

Manitowoc Co.

Vernon Co.

Crawford Co.

Richland Co. Sauk Co.

Columbia Co.

Marquette Co.

Green Lake Co.

Fond du Lac Co.

Sheboygan Co.

Washington Co.

Ozaukee Co.

Milwaukee Co.

Waukesha Co.

Dodge Co.

Grant Co.

Iowa Co.

Lafayette Co.

Dane Co.

Green Co. Rock Co. Walworth Co.

Racine Co.

Kenosha Co.

Jefferson Co.

Flambeau R

Chippewa R

Mississippi R

Sa ni t Croix R

Blac k R

Fox R

Wiscons ni R

Kickapoo R

Plover R

Yellow R

Wolf R

Little Wolf R

Pe shtigo R

Menominee R

Fox R

Rock R

S ugar R

Pecatonica R

Tot agatic R

Apple R

Red Cedar R

White R

Fox R

Milw auk

1 ee R

2

3

2 4

5

4

Figure 3. Flood-frequency areas in Wisconsin.
8 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams

in model accuracy, the estimated standard errors in log 

space (approximated by the model error) and an equivalent standard error of estimate in percent were determined 

for three separate regressions: (1) the best set of variables 

using OLS stepwise estimation, (2) a common set of variables using OLS regression; and (3) a common set of variables using GLS regression (table 1). For the most part, the 

increase in standard error for the common set of variables 

is relatively small, and in some cases is compensated for 

by the improvements afforded by the GLS procedure.

The flood-frequency equations developed for streams 

in Wisconsin, along with the standard error of estimate in 

log space and equivalent standard error of estimate in percent are presented in table 2. The equivalent standard error 

of estimate is shown for comparison with similar data published in previous reports (Conger, 1971 and 1981; Krug 

and others, 1992); however, it is computed differently 

in this study and the comparison is not exact. The standard error of estimate for the regression equations for the 

100-year flood in the Conger (1971) report ranged from 

37 to 41 percent. The comparable range of standard error 

of prediction was 35 to 40 percent in the Conger (1981) 

report. The range of standard error of prediction for the 

100-year flood was 22 to 33 percent in the Krug and others 

(1992) report. The range of standard error of prediction for 

the 100-year flood in table 3 is 22 to 44 percent. 

The biggest discrepancy between the equivalent 

standard errors in the previous report and this report occur 

for the most part in areas 1 and 5 (fig. 3), which constitute a large portion of the driftless area. Recent evidence 

indicates that floods in the driftless area of the state have 

been decreasing over time (Gebert and Krug, 1996). The 

issue of stationarity in the record is beyond the scope of 

this study; however, it is a likely topic to be considered in 

the next revision of the regression equations.

The regression equations are valid for streams without 

significant regulation. For the purposed of this report, a 

dam on a stream or river does not constitute regulation 

unless the dam is used to control the flow during a flood. 

The regression equations and the associated accuracy 

are considered valid only within the area for which they 

were developed and only for basin-characteristic values 

that are within the range used to calculate the regression 

equations. Flood estimates can be made using basin 

characteristics outside the range of values from which 

the equations were derived, but it is not possible to estimate the error in those values. The ranges of the basin 

characteristics of the streamflow-gaging stations used 

in the regression analysis are summarized in table 3.

Application of Estimation 

Techniques

The estimation techniques in this report can be 

applied to four types of rural sites. The first case is where 

the site is at a streamflow-gaging station; for this case, a 

weighted estimate is calculated based on the gaging record 

and the appropriate regression equation. The second case 

is where the site is near a streamflow-gaging station; for 

this case, the discharge from the appropriate regression 

equation is adjusted using information from the station. 

The third case is where there is no streamflow-gaging station on the stream; for this case, the appropriate regression 

equation is applied directly. The fourth case is where the 

site is on a regulated stream; for this case, the discharge 

is estimated based on drainage area and the appropriate 

relation for the particular regulated stream (figs. 4-7). A 

detailed description for applying each technique is given in 

the examples that follow. To estimate flood frequencies for 

urban streams, the reader is referred to Conger (1986).

Sites at Streamflow-Gaging Stations

Flood-frequency characteristics of sites at streamflow-gaging stations can be estimated from the station 

streamflow record and by the regression equations. The 

two methods can be considered independent when a large 

number of sites were used to develop the regression equations. This is because the influence of a given station on 

determining the regression equations is roughly inversely 

proportional to the number of stations used to determine 

the equations. When independent flood-frequency estimates are available, the Interagency Committee Advisory 

Committee on Water Data (1982, Appendix 8) recommends that the weighted average of the estimates be used 

as the best estimate of the flow frequency. If the estimates 

are weighted in inverse proportion to their variances, the 

variance of the weighted average will be less than the 

variance of either of the independent estimates. Flood-frequency characteristics estimated from flood-peak data are 

listed in Appendix table A-1.
Application of Estimating Techniques 9

Table 1. Comparison of regression results for ordinary least squares (OLS) and generalized least squares (GLS)

[SE, standard error of estimate in log units; ESE, equivalent standard error of estimate in percent; Best, results using stepwise OLS regression; Common, 

results using OLS and a common set of independent variables; Qn

, the n-year recurrence interval flood. Flood frequency areas are shown in figure 3.] 

Flood

discharge

OLS SE GLS SE OLS ESE GLS ESE

Best Common Common Best Common Common

Area 1

 Q2 0.1867 0.1867 0.1803 44 44 43

 Q5 .1692 .1787 .1709 40 42 40

 Q10 .1591 .1746 .1631 37 41 38

 Q25 .1852 .1852 .1691 44 44 40

 Q50 .1690 .1963 .1764 40 47 42

 Q100 .1777 .2090 .1855 42 50 44

Area 2

 Q2 .1123 .1182 .1091 26 28 25

 Q5 .1117 .1207 .1086 26 28 25

 Q10 .1157 .1253 .1086 27 29 25

 Q25 .1233 .1327 .1100 29 31 26

 Q50 .1300 .1387 .1118 30 32 26

 Q100 .1380 .1458 .1153 32 34 27

Area 3

 Q2 .1569 .1626 .1591 37 38 37

 Q5 .1489 .1518 .1470 35 36 34

 Q10 .1495 .1515 .1449 35 36 34

 Q25 .1522 .1525 .1439 36 36 34

 Q50 .1547 .1547 .1446 36 36 34

 Q100 .1580 .1581 .1466 37 37 34

Area 4

 Q2 .1305 .1305 .1233 31 31 29

 Q5 .1177 .1238 .1131 27 29 26

 Q10 .1153 .1213 .1063 27 28 25

 Q25 .1197 .1197 .0995 28 28 23

 Q50 .1203 .1203 .0964 28 28 22

 Q100 .1226 .1226 .0954 29 29 22

Area 5

 Q2 .1069 .1248 .1179 25 29 27

 Q5 .1113 .1214 .1127 26 28 26

 Q10 .1306 .1306 .1196 31 31 28

 Q25 .1494 .1494 .1349 35 35 32

 Q50 .1655 .1655 .1490 39 39 35

 Q100 .1821 .1821 .1637 43 43 39
10 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams

Table 2. Flood-frequency equations for streams in Wisconsin

[A, contributing drainage area in square miles; S, main-channel slope in feet per mile; I25 , 25-year, 24-hour precipitation intensity, in inches minus 4.2; 

ST, storage, in percent of basin area plus 1.0; SP, soil permeability of the least-permeable soil horizon in inches per hour; SN, mean annual snowfall for 

1961 through 1990 in inches; FOR, forest cover in percent of basin area plus 1; Qn, peak flood discharge in cubic feet per second, with an n-year recurrence interval; SE, standard error of estimate of regression, in log units; ESE, equivalent standard error of estimate, in percent. Flood frequency areas are 

shown in figure 3.]

Best-fit equation SE ESE Eq. no.

Area 1 (39 stations)

Q2 = 99.9 A0.652 FOR-0.254 I

25

7.52 0.1803 43 1-1

Q5 = 190.0 A0.634 FOR-0.260 I

25

8.45 .1709 40 1-2

Q10 = 35.0 A0.857 S 0.463 FOR-0.302 I

25

6.92 .1631 38 1-3

Q25 = 38.1 A0.876 S 0.518 FOR-0.308 I

25

7.16 .1691 40 1-4

Q50 = 41.4 A0.884 S 0.545 FOR-0.310 I

25

7.36 .1764 42 1-5

Q100 = 44.2 A0.893 S 0.571 FOR-0.312 I

25

7.56 .1855 44 1-6

Area 2 (36 stations)

Q2 = 13.0 A0.884 SP-0.630 S 0.382 .1091 25 2-1

Q5 = 15.4 A0.900 SP-0.682 S 0.486 .1086 25 2-2

Q10 = 16.3 A0.910 SP-0.710 S 0.541 .1086 25 2-3

Q25 = 17.3 A0.922 SP-0.740 S 0.600 .1100 26 2-4

Q50 = 17.9 A0.929 SP-0.758 S 0.636 .1118 26 2-5

Q100 = 18.3 A0.936 SP-0.775 S 0.669 .1153 27 2-6

Area 3 (57 stations)

Q2 = 36.5 A0.832 SP-0.614 ST -0.143 I

25

0.124 .1591 37 3-1

Q5 = 61.6 A0.827 SP-0.683 ST -0.169 I

25

0.133 .1470 34 3-2

Q10 = 80.6 A0.825 SP-0.713 ST -0.186 I

25

0.135 .1449 34 3-3

Q25 = 107.0 A0.821 SP-0.743 ST -0.204 I

25

0.136 .1439 34 3-4

Q50 = 127.0 A0.819 SP-0.761 ST -0.215 I

25

0.136 .1446 34 3-5

Q100 = 149.0 A0.818 SP-0.775 ST -0.227 I

25

0.136 .1466 34 3-6

Area 4 (40 stations)

Q2 = 2.69 A0.864 ST -0.296 S 0.279 SP-0.250 SN0.490 .1233 29 4-1

Q5 = 6.76 A0.858 ST -0.286 S 0.303 SP-0.259 SN0.370 .1131 26 4-2

Q10 = 9.74 A0.856 ST -0.286 S 0.321 SP-0.255 SN0.332 .1063 25 4-3

Q25 = 13.7 A0.856 ST -0.290 S 0.342 SP-0.246 SN0.299 .0995 23 4-4

Q50 = 16.6 A0.857 ST -0.293 S 0.357 SP-0.238 SN0.281 .0964 22 4-5

Q100 = 19.4 A0.857 ST -0.296 S 0.371 SP-0.229 SN0.269 .0954 22 4-6

Area 5 (28 stations)

Q2 = 9.58 A0.981 ST -0.293 S 0.416 .1179 27 5-1

Q5 = 15.1 A0.912 ST -0.358 S 0.438 .1127 26 5-2

Q10 = 18.9 A0.913 ST -0.385 S 0.447 .1196 28 5-3

Q25 = 23.6 A0.915 ST -0.408 S 0.457 .1349 32 5-4

Q50 = 27.0 A0.916 ST -0.420 S 0.463 .1490 35 5-5

Q100 = 30.6 A0.916 ST -0.430 S 0.467 .1637 39 5-6
Example 1: Determine the 100-year flood discharge for 

the Jump River at Sheldon (station number 05362000). 

 1. Locate the data in Appendix table A-1 by station 

number (05362000). 

 2. The 100-year flood discharge for Jump River is 

Q100 = 25,000 ft3

/s.

The flood- frequency estimates presented in this 

report were based on the common logarithms of discharge. Therefore the weighting should be done with the 

logarithms of the flood-frequency estimates, and the best 

estimate is the antilogarithm of the weighted average. The 

flood-frequency estimates in Appendix tables A-1 and 

A-2 are essentially independent and, therefore, could be 

combined by this procedure to get an improved estimate at 

each site. 

The appropriate equation (Interagency Committee 

Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1982) is

 (3)

where

x and y are two independent estimates of a

 flood-frequency characteristic,

Vx

 and Vy are their respective variances, and

z is the weighted estimate of the flood-

 frequency characteristic. 

In the example of the Jump River at Sheldon, 

 x = log (25,000) = 4.398 from table A-1 

 Vx = (0.0435)2 = 0.00189 from table A-1

 y = log(41,100) = 4.614 from table A-2

 Vy = (0.1153)2

 = 0.0133 from table 2, eq. 2-6.

 (4)

 (5)

 (6)

Application of Estimation Techniques 11

z = 

 xVy

 + yVx

 Vx + Vy

log(Q100) = (4.398)(0.0133) + (4.614)(0.00189)

 0.0133 + 0.00189

log(Q100) = 0.0585 + 0.00872

= 4.422 

 0.0152

Q100 = 26,400 ft3

/s

Table 3. Ranges of basin characteristics used in regression 

analysis

[mi2, square miles; ft/mi, feet per mile; in., inches; in/hr, inches per hour. 

Flood-frequency areas are shown in figure 3.]

Basin characteristic Minimum Median Maximum

Area 1 (39 stations)

Drainage area (mi2

) 0.28 25.0 2,120

Main-channel slope 

(ft/mi)

 2.27 27.3 270

Forested area (percent) .00 26.6 56.9

25-year, 24-hour 

precipitation (in.)

 5.18 5.28 5.29

Area 2 (36 stations)

Drainage area (mi2

) .56 27.4 1,760

Soil permeability 

(in/hr)

 .20 .91 2.88

Main-channel slope 

(ft/mi)

 3.65 15.56 96

Area 3 (57 stations)

Drainage area (mi2

) 1.00 22 2,240

Soil permeability 

(in/hr)

 .12 1.81 8.46

Storage (percent) .00 15.5 39.7

25-year, 24-hour 

precipitation (in.)

 4.24 4.38 5.29

Area 4 (40 stations)

Drainage area (mi2

) .66 35.0 696

Storage (percent) .00 9.40 52.4

Main-channel slope 

(ft/mi)

 1.08 11.6 204

Soil permeability 

(in/hr)

 .12 .82 4.68

Mean annual snowfall 

(in.)

 34.4 48.3 172

Area 5 (28 stations)

Drainage area (mi2

) 1.32 18.9 3,340

Storage (percent) .00 1.65 15.4

Main-channel slope 

(ft/mi)

 .74 12.85 74.2
12 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams

6,000

10,000

40,000

1,000 5,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

DRAINAGE AREA, IN SQUARE MILES

2-yr flood

5-yr flood

10-yr flood

25-yr flood

50-yr flood

100-yr flood

1,000

10,000

100,000

600 1,000 10,000 20,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

DRAINAGE AREA, IN SQUARE MILES

2-yr flood

5-yr flood

10-yr flood

25-yr flood

50-yr flood

100-yr flood

Figure 4. Relation of discharge to drainage area for selected 

flood frequencies along the main stem of the Menominee 

River, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Figure 5. Relation of discharge to drainage area for selected 

flood frequencies along the main stem of the Wisconsin River, 

Wisconsin.

2,000

10,000

100,000

200,000

500 1,000 10,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

DRAINAGE AREA, IN SQUARE MILES

2-yr flood

5-yr flood

10-yr flood

25-yr flood

50-yr flood

100-yr flood

1,000

10,000

30,000

500 1,000 2,000

DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

DRAINAGE AREA, IN SQUARE MILES

2-yr flood

5-yr flood

10-yr flood

25-yr flood

50-yr flood

100-yr flood

Figure 6. Relation of discharge to drainage area for selected 

flood frequencies along the main stem of the Chippewa River, 

Wisconsin.

Figure 7. Relation of discharge to drainage area for selected 

flood frequencies along the main stem of the Flambeau River, 

Wisconsin.
Sites on Streams near Streamflow-Gaging 

Stations

Flood-frequency characteristics at sites near a 

streamflow-gaging station on the same stream are determined using a combination of the station’s flood frequency 

characteristics and the characteristics determined by the 

regression equations. The procedure is applicable for sites 

that have a drainage area between 50 and 150 percent 

of the drainage area of the station. The suitability of the 

flood-frequency characteristics should be determined by 

comparing them with flood-frequency characteristics at 

the station. The following procedure was used by Curtis 

(1987) for streams in Illinois based on work by Sauer 

(1974). The procedure is as follows:

First, the ratio r ́ is defined by

 (7)

where

r ́ is the adjustment ratio,

Qg is a flood-frequency characteristic 

 determined at the station, 

is a flood-frequency characteristic 

 determined for the station by the 

 appropriate multiple-regression

 equation (table 2),

Ag

 is drainage area of the gaged site, and

Au

 is drainage area of the ungaged site.

The adjusted flood-frequency characteristic for the 

ungaged site (Qu ) is computed by the equation

 (8)

where

 is a flood-frequency characteristic 

 determined for the ungaged site by the

 appropriate multiple-regression equation.

If the difference in drainage area between the 

ungaged site and the gaged site is more than 50 percent, 

equations 7 and 8 should not be used. In this case, the 

appropriate multiple-regression equation from table 2 

should be used without adjustment but should be compared 

to the flood-frequency characteristic of the station on 

the stream for suitability. If the drainage area crosses the 

boundary of two flood-frequency areas, compute the flood 

frequency using equations from both areas. Compute the 

final flood-frequency estimates as the weighted average of 

the two estimates weighted by the proportion of drainage 

area in each of the flood-frequency areas.

Example 2: Determine the 100-year flood of Black 

Earth Creek at U.S. Highway 14, which is 2 miles downstream from the station Black Earth Creek at Black Earth 

(05406500). 

First, equation 1-6 from table 2 is used to determine 

the 100-year flood estimate at the gaged site:

 Q100 = 44.2 A0.893S0.571FOR -0.312I25

7.56 (1-6)

The drainage-basin characteristics at the gaged site are 

given in Appendix table A-2:

 A (contributing drainage area) = 42.8 mi2

,

 S (main channel slope) = 9.42 ft/mi, 

 FOR (forest cover in percent 

 of basin area plus 1) = 21.8 + 1 = 22.8, and

 I25 (25-year, 24-hour 

 precipitation index) = 5.18 – 4.2 = 0.98 inches.

Substituting into equation 1-6,

 = 44.2 (42.8)0.893 (9.42) 0.571(22.8)-0.312 (0.98) 7.56

 = 1,470 ft3

/s (9)

 at the Black Earth Creek at U.S. Highway 14 

can be determined at the ungaged site by use of the same 

eq. 1-6 and the procedure that was used to determine 

at the station, as follows:

 Q100 = 44.2 A0.893S0.571FOR -0.312I25

7.56 (1-6, table 2)

The drainage-basin characteristics at this site were determined to be:

 A = 45.0 mi2

 (2.8 mi2 non-contributing area),

 S = 8.81 ft/mi, 

 FOR = 21.9 + 1 = 22.9, and

 I25 = 5.18 – 4.2 = 0.98.

Substituting into equation 1-6,

 = 44.2 (45.0)0.893 (8.81) 0.571(22.9)-0.312 (0.98) 7.56

 = 1,480 ft3

/s (10)

Summary 13

Q Ôg

Q Ôu

Qu = r ́Q Ôu

r ́ = Qg – | Ag

 – Au | Qg – 1 0.5Ag Ô Q Ô g Q g ( )( )

Q Ôu

Q Ôu

QÔg

Q Ôu
14 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams

From Appendix table A-2, the 100-year flood at the 

gaging station (Qg) is 1,650 ft3/s. Next, Equation 7 is used 

to determine the adjustment factor (r ́):

 (7)

 (11)

Finally, Equation 8 is used to compute the adjusted 

discharge at the ungaged site, thus

 Qu

 = r ́ = 1.094 • 1,480 = 1,620 ft3/s (12)

If the drainage area crosses the boundary of two 

flood-frequency areas, compute the flood frequency using 

equations from both areas. Compute the final flood-frequency estimates as the weighted average of the two estimates weighted by the proportion of drainage area in each 

of the flood-frequency areas.

Sites on Streams Without Streamflow-Gaging 

Stations

Flood-frequency characteristics at sites on ungaged 

streams are calculated using equations 1-1 through 5-6 

from table 2.

Example 3: Determine the 100-year discharge for Tappen 

Coulee at Blair. This site is in area 1; therefore, use equation 1-6 from table 2:

 Q100 = 44.2 A0.893S0.571FOR -0.312I

25

7.56 (1-6)

 1. The drainage area A was determined to be 4.48 mi2

from Henrich and Daniel (1983).

 2. The main channel slope (S) was computed from U.S. 

Geological Survey topographic maps as follows: 

 (a) The river or coulee length was measured from the 

site to the basin divide. For forked streams, the fork 

with the larger drainage area is followed. 

 (b) The elevations at points that are 10 and 85 percent 

of the total stream length from the site are then determined. 

 (c) Next, the difference in elevation between the 

sites is determined and is divided by the distance, in 

miles, between the points. By use of the appropriate 

quadrangle maps (Blair, 1968, 1:24,000; Hegg, 1969, 

1:24,000), the total length of the stream for this site 

was determined to be 5.20 mi. The elevation at the 

10-percent point is 847.6 ft and at the 85-percent 

point is 963.0 ft. The main channel slope is

 (13)

 3. The percent forest cover was determined to be 

45.8 percent based on land use/land coverage in the 

WISCLAN database (Reese and others, 2002) and 

a digitized drainage-basin outline after Henrich and 

Daniel (1983).

 4. The precipitation intensity index (I25) was determined 

by locating the site in figure 1 and determining the 

25-year, 24-hour precipitation intensity, then subtracting 4.2. The 25-year precipitation intensity for 

climatic section 4 is 5.28; therefore I25

is 1.08. 

 5. Substituting these values into equation 1-6:

 Q100 = 44.2 (4.48)0.893(29.6)0.571(46.8)-0.312(1.08)7.56 

 = 629 (14)

If the drainage area crosses the boundary of two 

flood-frequency areas, compute the flood frequency using 

equations from both areas. Compute the final flood-frequency estimates as the weighted average of the two estimates weighted by the proportion of drainage area in each 

of the flood-frequency areas.

Sites on Regulated Streams

Flood-frequency characteristics at ungaged sites on 

regulated streams are estimated using the flood-frequency 

characteristics at streamflow-gaging stations on the 

regulated streams and adjusting the characteristics according to the relation of drainage area and discharge. Graphs 

showing the peak discharge of floods plotted at selected 

recurrence intervals against drainage area are presented in 

figures 4-7 for the following major regulated streams in 

Wisconsin:

 a. Menominee River between Wisconsin and Michigan 

(fig. 4), 

 b. Wisconsin River from the mouth to Rainbow 

Reservoir near Lake Tomahawk (fig. 5), 

 c. Chippewa River from the mouth to Lake Chippewa 

in Sawyer County (fig. 6), and 

Q Ôu

r ́ = Qg – | Ag

 – Au | Qg – 1 0.5Ag Ô Q Ô g Q g ( )( )

r ́ = 1,650 – | 42.8 – 47.8| 1,650 – 1 = 1.094

 1,470 0.5 ( )( ) • 42.8 1,470

S = 963.0 – 847.6 = 29.6 ft/mi

 5.20
Regression Analysis and Flood-Frequency Equations 15

 d. Flambeau River from its mouth to Flambeau Flowage 

northeast of Park Falls (fig. 7).

Storage reservoirs in these basins can significantly 

change the flood-frequency characteristics at streamflowgaging stations. Flood-frequency analyses were performed 

for stations along the main stems for the period of record 

beginning with the completion of the last large storage 

reservoir in each basin for the Menominee, Chippewa, 

and Flambeau Rivers. These analyses represent flood-frequency characteristics in 2000. Completion dates for the 

last large storage reservoir for each basin follow: 1941 for 

the Menominee River; 1926 for the Flambeau River; and 

1923 for the Chippewa River. For the Wisconsin River, 

flood peaks prior to 1976 were simulated using a model of 

the river system (Krug and House, 1980). Observed flood 

peaks were used after 1976.

Summary and Conclusions

Equations, tables, and graphs presented in this report 

provide a means for estimating flood-frequency characteristics for rural streams in Wisconsin. Flood-frequency 

characteristics were determined at 104 crest-stage stations, 

at 33 discontinued crest-stage stations, at 108 continuous streamflow-gaging stations, and at 67 discontinued 

streamflow-gaging stations using the log-Pearson Type III 

frequency distribution. The flood-frequency characteristics at 96 crest-gage stations, 29 discontinued crest-gage 

stations, 48 streamflow-gaging stations, and 27 discontinued streamflow-gaging stations, and their drainage-basin 

characteristics, were used in a multiple-regression analysis 

to derive equations for estimating flood-frequency characteristics. The generalized least-square procedure was used 

in the multiple-regression analyses. The state was divided 

into five areas with similar physiographic characteristics.

For the 100-year flood discharge, the standard 

errors of prediction in three of the five areas were relatively unchanged from those reported in Krug and others 

(1992). The most notable discrepancies were in areas 1 

and 5 (southwestern and south-central Wisconsin) where 

the standard error of estimate increased from 26 and 22 

percent to 44 and 39 percent, respectively, for the 100-year 

floods. This discrepancy may be due to nonstationarity 

in the discharge record coupled with the use of relatively 

recent snowfall and precipitation data. The standard 

error of estimate for the 100-year flood equation ranged 

statewide from 22 percent for streams in the eastern area to 

44 percent for streams in the southwestern area. Drainage area, channel slope, soil permeability, storage, rainfall 

intensity, and forest cover are the most significant drainage-basin characteristics for estimating flood-frequency 

characteristics.

Graphical relations of flood-frequency characteristics 

and drainage area are presented for the regulated Menominee, Flambeau, Chippewa, and Wisconsin Rivers. The relations were developed by use of data at stations for periods 

after the last large storage reservoir was constructed in 

each basin. For the Wisconsin River, the source of simulated flood discharges through 1976 was a report by Krug 

and House (1980). Observed flood discharges were used 

after 1976. 

References Cited

Conger, D.H., 1971, Estimating magnitude and frequency 

of floods in Wisconsin: Madison, Wis., U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report, 200 p.

___1981, Techniques for estimating magnitude and frequency of floods for Wisconsin streams: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 82−1214, 115 p.

___1986, Estimating magnitude and frequency of floods 

for Wisconsin urban streams: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 86−4005, 18 p.

Curtis, G.W., 1987, Technique for estimating flood-peak 

discharges and frequencies on rural streams: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 

87−4207, 79 p.

Daly, C., Gibson, W., and Taylor, G., 2000, United States 

mean monthly and annual snowfall: Spatial Climate 

Analysis Service, Oregon State University.

Ericson, D.W., 1961, Floods in Wisconsin, magnitude 

and frequency: Madison, Wis., U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report, 109 p.

Gebert, W.A., and Krug, W.R., 1996, Streamflow trends 

in Wisconsin’s driftless area: Journal of the American 

Water Resources Association, v. 32, no. 4, p. 733−744.

Henrich, E.W., and Daniel, D.N., 1983, Drainage area data 

for Wisconsin streams: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report 83−933, 322 p.

Hole, F.D., Beatty, M.T., Lee, G.B., and Klingelhoets, A.J., 

1968, Soil map of Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and 

Natural History Survey, scale 1:250,000, 11 sheets.

Huff, F.A., and Angel, J.R., 1992, Rainfall frequency atlas 

of the midwest: Illinois State Water Survey Bulletin 71.
16 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams

Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1982, 

Guidelines for determining flood flow frequency: 

Bulletin 17B of the Hydrology Subcommittee, U.S. 

Geological Survey, Office of Water Data Coordination, 

Reston, Va.

Krug, W.R., Conger, D.H., and Gebert, W.A., 1992, 

Flood-frequency characteristics of Wisconsin streams: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 91−4128, 185 p.

Krug, W.R., and House, L.B., l980, Streamflow model 

of Wisconsin River for estimating flood frequency and 

volume: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Open-File Report 80−1103, 44 p.

Patterson, J.L., and Gamble, C.R., 1968, Magnitude and 

frequency of floods in the United States, part 5, Hudson 

Bay and Upper Mississippi River basins: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1678, 546 p. 

Reese, H.M., Lillesand, T.M., Nagel, D.E., Stewart, J.S., 

Goldmann, R.A., Simmons, T.E., Chipman, J.W., and 

Tessar, P.A., 2002, Statewide land cover derived from 

multiseasonal Landsat TM data⎯A retrospective of the 

WISCLAND project: Remote Sensing of Environment, 

v. 82, no. 2−3, p. 224−237.

Sauer, V.B., 1974, Flood characteristics of Oklahoma 

streams: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations 52−73, 301 p.

Stedinger, J.R., and Tasker, G.D., 1985, Regional hydrologic analysis 1⎯Ordinary, weighted and generalized 

least squares compared: Water Resources Research, 

v. 21, no. 9, p. 1421−1432.

Tasker, G.D., Eychaner, J.H., and Stedinger, J.R., 1986, 

Application of generalized least squares in regional 

hydrologic regression analysis, in Subitzky, Seymour, 

ed., Selected papers in the hydrologic sciences 1986: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2310, 

p. 107−115.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1964, Engineering test data and interpretations for 

major soils of Wisconsin: table 11, p. 3−43.

Wiitala, S.W., 1965, Magnitude and frequency of floods in 

the United States, part 4, St. Lawrence River basin: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1677, 357 p.
Appendixes 17

Appendixes
18 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams Unregulated Stations 04024400 Stoney Brook near Superior, Wis. -0.457 182 312 402 516 599 681 0.07219 C 1959–2000 04024430 Nemadji River near South Superior, Wis. -.093 5,250 7,510 9,020 10,900 12,400 13,800 .06607 G 1974–2000 04025200 Pearson Creek near Maple, Wis. .415 350 609 834 1,190 1,510 1,890 .10020 C 1957–2000 04025500 Bois Brule River at Brule, Wis. .071 607 864 1,040 1,280 1,460 1,640 .04830 G 1943–2000 04026200 Sand River tributary near Red Cliff, Wis. .384 112 198 273 391 498 624 .10347 C 1959–2000 04026300 Sioux River near Washburn, Wis. .477 467 780 1,050 1,470 1,840 2,280 .09817 C 1959–2000 04026400 Spillerberg Creek near Cayuga, Wis. -.002 77 110 133 163 186 209 .07335 C 1958–1958 04026450 Bad River near Mellen, Wis. .091 915 1,340 1,650 2,050 2,370 2,700 .07463 C 1971–2000 04026700 Trout Brook tributary near Marengo, Wis. -.186 124 203 260 336 394 455 .09759 C 1960–1981 04027000 Bad River near Odanah, Wis. .317 7390 10,800 13,300 16,800 19,700 22,700 .05616 G 1915–2000

04027200 Pearl Creek at Grandview, Wis. .596 179 295 395 555 701 874 .10298 C 1960–2000

04027500 White River near Ashland, Wis. -.113 2,640 3,970 4,890 6,090 7,000 7,920 .05505 G 1949–2000

04028000 Montreal River at Ironwood, Mich. .239 1,080 1,650 2,090 2,700 3,200 3,750 .13014 G 1918–1962

04029000 West Branch Montreal River at Gile, Wis. -.684 924 1,200 1,350 1,500 1,600 1,690 .06013 G 1918–1947

04029700 Boomer Creek near Saxon, Wis. -.260 131 213 272 348 405 464 .09667 C 1958–1981

04029990 Montreal River at Saxon Falls near Saxon, Wis. -.172 3,200 4,720 5,740 7,040 8,000 8,960 .05343 G 1939–2000

04059900 Allen Creek tributary near Alvin, Wis. .200 13 20 26 34 40 47 .07502 C 1960–2000

04061000 Brule River near Florence, Wis. .149 1,447 2,052 2,479 3,044 3,485 3,942 .05185 G 1944–2000

04063640 North Branch Pine River at Windsor Dam near Alvin, Wis. -.118 73 95 109 126 139 150 .04758 C 1967–2000

04063688 South Branch Popple River near Newald, Wis. -.212 49 58 63 69 73 77 .03289 C 1970–2000

04063700 Popple River near Fence, Wis. .105 635 904 1,090 1,340 1,530 1,730 .06027 G 1964–2000

04063800 Woods Creek near Fence, Wis. .570 197 277 339 427 501 582 .07562 C 1958–2000

04064500 Pine River below Pine River Powerplant near Florence, Wis. -.028 2,000 2,730 3,200 3,800 4,250 4,690 .04076 G 1924–2000

04064800 Little Popple River near Aurora, Wis. -.285 355 467 534 612 666 717 .05022 C 1970–2000

04066300 Cole Creek near Dunbar, Wis. .145 21 29 34 41 47 53 .07286 C 1960–2000

04066500 Pike River at Amberg, Wis. .139 1,010 1,400 1,660 2,010 2,270 2,540 .04494 G 1914–2000

Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year 

discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage]

Station

number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100
Appendixes 19

Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year 

discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage]

Station

number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100

04066700 McCall Creek at Wausaukee, Wis. -.466 13 27 37 52 63 74 .12759 C 1959–1980

04066800 Menominee River at Koss, Mich. -.418 13,200 18,400 21,500 25,100 27,500 29,800 .03473 G 1908–2000

04067760 Peshtigo River near Cavour, Wis. -.143 778 1,090 1,300 1,560 1,740 1,930 .05755 C 1970–2000

04067800 Armstrong Creek near Armstrong Creek, Wis. .488 103 148 182 231 271 315 .07602 C 1958–1992

04068000 Peshtigo River at High Falls near Crivitz, Wis. -.083 2,000 2,600 2,980 3,440 3,770 4,080 .03818 G 1913–1956

04069500 Peshtigo River at Peshtigo, Wis. .013 4,300 5,680 6,580 7,690 8,510 9,330 .04118 G 1954–2000

04069700 North Branch Oconto River near Wabeno, Wis. .226 139 230 303 410 502 604 .09931 C 1970–2000

04071000 Oconto River near Gillett, Wis. -.038 2,430 3,440 4,120 4,990 5,650 6,310 .03600 G 1907–2000

04071700 North Branch Little River near Coleman, Wis. -.538 240 373 457 557 625 690 .05680 C 1958–2000

04071800 Pensaukee River near Pulaski, Wis. -.194 802 1,200 1,460 1,800 2,050 2,300 .05923 C 1961–2000

04071858 Pensaukee River near Pensaukee, Wis. -.359 1,600 2,710 3,490 4,510 5,270 6,030 .09460 G 1973–1996

04072150 Duck Creek near Howard, Wis. -.367 1,410 2,690 3,680 5,030 61,00 7,190 .16461 G 1989–2000

04073400 Bird Creek at Wautoma, Wis. -.008 81 113 135 162 183 204 .05106 C 1959–2000

04073462 White Creek at Spring Grove Road near Green Lake, Wis. .122 124 243 349 517 669 846 .21313 G 1982-2000

040734644 Silver Creek at South Koro Road near Ripon, Wis. .118 206 310 385 489 571 658 .13481 G 1987–1995

04073468 Green Lake inlet at County Highway A near Green Lake, Wis. .193 223 335 418 533 626 725 .11770 G 1987-2000

04073500 Fox River at Berlin, Wis. –.217 3,380 4,590 5,340 6,250 6,900 7,520 .02769 G 1898-2000

04074300 Mud Creek near Nashville, Wis. –.057 62 77 86 97 104 111 .04241 C 1970-2000

04074700 Hunting River near Elcho, Wis. .315 80 112 135 167 193 220 .06501 C 1958–2000

04074850 Lily River near Lily, Wis. -.268 81 127 158 198 228 257 .07377 C 1970–2000

04074950 Wolf River at Langlade, Wis. -.315 1,480 1,850 2,050 2,290 2,450 2,590 .03439 G 1968–2000

04075200 Evergreen Creek near Langlade, Wis. .282 43 55 62 72 80 87 .04365 G 1959–1997

04075500 Wolf River above West Branch Wolf River near Keshena, Wis. .319 1,740 2,120 2,360 2,670 2,890 3,120 .03784 G 1928–1962

04077400 Wolf River near Shawano, Wis. .263 2,500 3,190 3,650 4,240 4,680 5,130 .02900 G 1908–2000

0407809265 Middle Branch Embarrass River near Wittenberg, Wis. -.027 456 640 764 922 1,040 1,160 .10083 G 1990–2000

04078500 Embarrass River near Embarrass, Wis. -.038 2,320 3,440 4,230 5,250 6,030 6,830 .04512 G 1920–2000

04079000 Wolf River at New London, Wis. -.285 6,690 9,370 11,100 13,100 14,500 15,900 .03470 G 1896–2000
20 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage] Station number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100 04079700 Spaulding Creek near Big Falls, Wis. -.107 55 71 80 92 100 108 .03693 C 1959–2000 04080000 Little Wolf River at Royalton, Wis. -.522 3,200 4,850 5,880 7,100 7,930 8,710 .04555 G 1914–1984 04081000 Waupaca River near Waupaca, Wis. -.518 1060 1,540 1,840 2,180 2,410 2,620 .04226 G 1917–1985 04081010 Waupaca River tributary near Waupaca, Wis. -.489 41 69 88 112 129 145 .09376 C 1959–1981 04081900 Sawyer Creek at Oshkosh, Wis. -.234 554 1,030 1,400 1,920 2,330 2,770 .09267 C 1961–2000 04083000 West Branch Fond du Lac River at Fond du Lac, Wis. -.698 762 1,140 1,360 1,610 1,770 1,910 .08279 G 1939–1954 04083400 East Branch Fond du Lac River tributary near Eden, Wis. -.392 58 96 122 155 179 203 .09570 C 1961–1963 04083500 East Branch Fond du Lac River at Fond du Lac, Wis. -.708 910 1,540 1,950 2,420 2,740 3,030 .10851 G 1939–1954 04084445 Fox River at Appleton, Wis. -.316 12,600 15,100 16,500 18,000 19,000 19,900 .04130 G 1986–2000 04085030 Apple Creek near Kaukauna, Wis. -.721 828 1,260 1,510 1,790 1,980 2,140 .05885 C 1960–2000 04085100 East River tributary at Greenleaf, Wis. -.162 216 379 504 678 818 965 .11004 C 1958–1980

040851385 Fox River at Oil Tank Depot at Green Bay, Wis. .220 15,000 19,700 22,900 27,100 30,200 33,400 .08689 G 1989–2000

04085200 Kewaunee River near Kewaunee, Wis. -.221 2,650 4,450 5,760 7,510 8,860 10,300 .07333 G 1958–2000

04085281 East Twin River at Mishicot, Wis. -.130 1,170 1,990 2,620 3,480 4,160 4,880 .10540 G 1973–1996

04085300 Neshota River tributary near Denmark, Wis. -.101 191 342 460 629 767 915 .09511 C 1959–2000

04085400 Killsnake River near Chilton, Wis. -.667 612 1,040 1,320 1,650 1,880 2,080 .07025 C 1961–2000

04085427 Manitowoc River at Manitowoc, Wis. -.072 2220 3,670 4,760 6,250 7,440 8,700 .09349 G 1973–2000

04085700 Sheboygan River tributary near Plymouth, Wis. -.012 113 182 233 303 360 419 .10278 C 1959–1980

040857005 Otter Creek at Willow Road near Plymouth, Wis. -.559 137 243 315 405 470 532 .15115 G 1991–2000

04086000 Sheboygan River at Sheboygan, Wis. -.551 3,140 4,990 6,170 7,580 8,560 9,480 .05163 G 1917–2000

04086150 Milwaukee River at Kewaskum, Wis. -.049 901 1,450 1,850 2,410 2,840 3,300 .12381 G 1968–1981

04086200 East Branch Milwaukee River at New Fane, Wis. -.137 214 353 455 593 702 815 .13115 G 1969–1981

04086340 North Branch Milwaukee River near Fillmore, Wis. -.266 789 1,380 1,820 2,420 2,880 3,360 .14051 G 1969–1981

04086360 Milwaukee River at Waubeka, Wis. -.317 2,020 3,380 4,340 5,590 6,540 7,490 .11815 G 1968–1994

04086400 Milwaukee River tributary near Fredonia, Wis. -.576 55 105 140 185 218 251 .12300 C 1962–1980

04086500 Cedar Creek near Cedarburg, Wis. -.136 918 1,750 2,420 3,400 4,220 5,110 .07696 G 1931–2000

04086600 Milwaukee River near Cedarburg, Wis. -.217 2,940 3,980 4,630 5,410 5,960 6,490 .06379 G 1982–2000
Appendixes 21

Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year 

discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage]

Station

number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100

04087000 Milwaukee River at Milwaukee, Wis. .044 4,730 7,090 8,780 11,000 12,800 14,700 .04427 G 1915–2000

04087030 Menomonee River at Menomonee Falls, Wis. .073 590 888 1,100 1,390 1,620 1,860 .08530 G 1975–2000

04087050 Little Menomonee River near Freistadt, Wis. -.373 168 253 309 376 424 471 .05998 C 1958–1993

04087088 Underwood Creek at Wauwatosa, Wis. .156 952 2,020 3,020 4,700 6,280 8,190 .15610 G 1975–2000

04087100 Honey Creek at Milwaukee, Wis. .048 388 637 828 1,100 1,320 1,550 .07748 C 1959-2000

04087120 Menomonee River at Wauwatosa, Wis. .086 3,680 6,240 8,260 11,200 13,600 16,300 .08698 G 1962–2000

04087159 Kinnickinnic River at S. 11th St. at Milwaukee, Wis. -.059 3,840 5,380 6,410 7,700 8,670 9,640 .07739 G 1982–2000

04087200 Oak Creek near South Milwaukee, Wis. -.241 316 550 725 962 1,150 1,340 .07723 C 1958–2000

04087204 Oak Creek at South Milwaukee, Wis. .157 607 811 948 1,130 1,260 1,400 .05081 G 1964–2000

04087220 Root River near Franklin, Wis. .261 999 1710 2,310 3,210 3,990 4,880 .09745 G 1960–2000

04087230 West Branch Root River Canal tributary near North Cape, Wis. -.713 96 140 165 192 209 225 .05445 C 1962–1993

04087233 Root River Canal near Franklin, Wis. -.362 767 1,020 1,170 1,350 1,460 1,570 .04115 G 1964–2000

04087240 Root River at Racine, Wis. -.090 1,900 2,660 3,150 3,770 4,230 4,690 .05264 G 1964–2000

04087250 Pike Creek near Kenosha, Wis. -.528 92 149 186 230 261 291 .06323 C 1960–2000

04087257 Pike River near Racine, Wis. -.436 944 1,200 1,340 1,500 1,600 1,690 .03787 G 1972–2000

05332000 Namekagon River at Trego, Wis. .121 1,050 1,330 1,510 1,740 1,900 2,060 .06880 G 1915–1927

05332500 Namekagon River near Trego, Wis. .927 1,250 1,810 2,270 2,990 3,620 4,360 .07686 G 1928–2000

05333100 Little Frog Creek near Minong, Wis. -.324 200 357 473 628 747 870 .09064 C 1961–2000

05334100 Sawyer Creek near Shell Lake, Wis. -.144 44 68 84 105 121 138 .08758 C 1960–1980

05335380 Bashaw Brook near Shell Lake, Wis. .155 98 174 236 331 413 505 .10232 C 1959–1993

05339500 St. Croix River near Rush City, Minn. -.426 19,500 30,800 38,300 47,500 54,100 60,400 .06335 G 1923–1961

05340300 Trade River near Fredric, Wis. .447 121 220 309 455 592 757 .11123 C 1958–2000

05341500 Apple River near Somerset, Wis. -.299 1,180 1,650 1,930 2,280 2,520 2,760 .03314 G 1905–2000

05341700 Willow River tributary near New Richmond, Wis. -.776 59 109 142 181 208 233 .10752 C 1959–1980

05341900 Kinnickinnic River tributary at River Falls, Wis. -.381 789 2,060 3,250 5,140 6,800 8,660 .13070 C 1959–2000

05344500 Mississippi River at Prescott, Wis. -.190 62,200 95,600 119,000 14,8000 171,000 193,000 .04694 G 1929–2000

05346600 Little Trimbelle Creek near Bay City, Wis. .034 650 1,260 1,790 2,610 3,330 4,150 .14984 C 1961–1980
22 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage] Station number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100 05356200 Kenyon Creek near Radisson, Wis. -.340 167 254 312 383 434 484 .08118 C 1960–1980 05357360 Bear River near Powell, Wis. -.233 414 591 706 846 948 1,050 .05852 C 1970–2000 05357390 Weber Creek near Mercer, Wis. -.011 90 145 186 242 287 334 .09569 C 1970–2000 05358100 Smith Creek near Park Falls, Wis. -.217 166 229 269 318 352 386 .06055 C 1970–2000 05359200 South Fork Flambeau River tributary near Park Falls, Wis. -.399 30 56 76 103 124 145 .12375 C 1960–1980 05359500 South Fork Flambeau River near Phillips, Wis. -.378 4,290 5,880 6,850 7,980 8,750 9,480 .04089 G 1930–1975 05359600 PRICE Creek near Phillips, Wis. .456 145 212 264 339 402 470 .07159 C 1958–2000 05360200 Flambeau River tributary at Ladysmith, Wis. –.023 17 27 34 43 51 59 .09680 C 1960–1980 05361400 Hay Creek near Prentice, Wis. -.357 483 764 953 1,190 1,360 1,530 .06369 C 1961–2000 05361420 Douglas Creek near Prentice, Wis. .125 545 798 980 1,220 1,420 1,620 .07195 C 1970–2000 05361500 South Fork Jump River near Ogema, Wis. -.008 4,740 6,390 7,470 8,820 9,820 10,800 .08911 G 1944–1954

05361600 North Fork Jump River near Phillips, Wis. -.532 132 196 236 282 313 342 .06865 C 1970–2000

05362000 Jump River at Sheldon, Wis. -.051 8,130 12,300 15,200 19,000 22,000 25,000 .04348 G 1916–2000

05364000 Yellow River at Cadott, Wis. .270 4,590 7,140 9,120 12,000 14,300 16,900 .06554 C 1943–2000

05364100 Seth Creek near Cadott, Wis. –.344 247 410 524 670 780 889 .07158 C 1962–2000

05364500 Duncan Creek at Bloomer, Wis. .057 879 1,820 2,680 4,050 5,310 6,780 .10483 C 1945–2000

05365000 Duncan Creek at Chippewa Falls, Wis. -.176 1,940 2,770 3,310 3,990 4,480 4,970 .09169 G 1934–1954

05365700 Goggle-Eye Creek near Thorp, Wis. .151 437 896 1,320 2,020 2,660 3,430 .12687 C 1958–2000

05365707 North Fork Eau Claire River near Thorp, Wis. -.014 1,960 3,670 5,100 7,230 9,050 11,100 .16058 G 1986–2000

05366000 Eau Claire River near Augusta, Wis. -.189 5,750 7,110 7,910 8,830 9,460 10,100 .05710 G 1915–1926

05366500 Eau Claire River near Fall Creek, Wis. -.277 8,180 13,500 17,300 22,200 26,000 29,800 .06094 C 1943–2000

05367030 Willow Creek near Eau Claire, Wis. .002 138 205 252 314 362 412 .05979 C 1958–2000

05367480 East Branch Pine Creek tributary near Dallas, Wis. .161 137 226 296 398 484 578 .09158 C 1960–2000

05367500 Red Cedar River near Colfax, Wis. .400 5,800 8,740 11,000 14,300 17,100 20,200 .05985 C 1914–1990

05367700 Lightning Creek at Almena, Wis. -.416 471 781 993 1,260 1,460 1,650 .06759 C 1958–2000

05368000 Hay River at Wheeler, Wis. -.109 3,340 5,630 7,350 9,720 11,600 13,600 .07039 G 1934–2000

05369000 Red Cedar River at Menomonie, Wis. -.031 8,920 13,400 16,500 20,600 23,800 27,000 .04271 G 1908–2000
Appendixes 23

Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year 

discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage]

Station

number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100

05369800 Eau Galle River tributary near Hersey, Wis. .210 76 151 219 330 433 555 .16192 C 1960–1980

05369945 Eau Galle River at low-water bridge at Spring Valley, Wis. -.254 2,600 4,210 5,350 6,830 7,950 9,080 .12645 G 1982–1995

05370000 Eau Galle River at Spring Valley, Wis. -.608 1,390 2,290 2,870 3,550 4,030 4,470 .07449 G 1942–2000

05370500 Eau Galle River at Elmwood, Wis. .140 3,760 7,670 11,300 17,100 22,500 28,900 .21708 G 1942–1953

05370600 Arkansaw Creek tributary near Arkansaw, Wis. -.141 181 272 335 416 477 538 .06516 C 1959–1993

05370900 Spring Creek near Durand, Wis. -.304 171 311 416 560 673 789 .08562 C 1962–2000

05371300 By Golly Creek near Nelson, Wis. -.311 10 36 68 129 193 273 .27526 C 1962–1980

05371800 Buffalo River tributary near Osseo, Wis. -.234 67 101 124 153 175 196 .05853 C 1960–2000

05371920 Buffalo River near Mondovi, Wis. .063 1,450 2,490 3,300 4,490 5,480 6,560 .10734 C 1974–2000

05372000 Buffalo River near Tell, Wis. -.252 2,910 5,190 6,890 9,220 11,100 13,000 .12334 G 1933–1950

05378200 Eagle Creek near Fountain City, Wis. .342 891 1,530 2,080 2,920 3,670 4,530 .11289 C 1961–2000

05378500 Mississippi River at Winona, Minn. -.197 89,400 128,000 153,000 184,000 207,000 229,000 .03003 G 1879–2000

05379400 Trempealeau River at Arcadia, Wis. -.138 4,240 7,580 10,200 13,800 16,800 20,000 .17306 G 1968–2000

05379500 Trempealeau River at Dodge, Wis. -.162 3,920 6,610 8,610 11,300 13,500 15,700 .05763 G 1914–2000

05380800 Black River tributary near Whittlesey, Wis. -.233 114 168 203 248 281 313 .06181 C 1960–2000

05380900 Poplar River near Owen, Wis. -.037 4,610 7,140 8,960 11,400 13,300 15,300 .06617 C 1958–2000

05380970 Cawley Creek near Neillsville, Wis. -.189 2,020 3,740 5,090 7,010 8,570 10,200 .09001 C 1961–2000

05381000 Black River at Neillsville, Wis. -.271 12,900 19,800 24,500 30,300 34,700 39,000 .04130 G 1905–2000

05382000 Black River near Galesville, Wis. -.169 20,800 32,000 39,600 49,600 57,100 64,700 .04836 G 1932–2000

05382200 French Creek near Ettrick, Wis. -.297 818 1,460 1,940 2,590 3,100 3,620 .10613 C 1960–2000

05382300 Beaver Creek tributary near Sparta, Wis. .040 127 178 213 258 292 327 .07281 C 1959–1980

05382500 Little La Crosse River near Leon, Wis. –.237 999 1,700 2,210 2,890 3,420 3,960 .07038 C 1934–1981

05383000 La Crosse River near West Salem, Wis. -.117 2,470 3,820 4,770 6,030 6,990 7,980 .05457 G 1914–1978

05386300 Mormon Creek near La Crosse, Wis. -.292 788 2,020 3,190 5,090 6,800 8,760 .14656 C 1961–2000

05386500 Coon Creek at Coon Valley, Wis. -.183 2,180 3,900 5,230 7,070 8,560 10,100 .17065 G 1934–1981

05387100 North Fork Bad Axe River near Genoa, Wis. -.132 851 2,090 3,290 5,300 7,170 9,380 .13241 C 1959–2000

05388460 Du Charme Creek at Eastman, Wis. .018 70 131 183 261 329 405 .13863 C 1961–1981
24 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage] Station number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100 05389500 Mississippi River at McGregor, Ia. -.133 109,500 148,300 172,900 203,100 224,900 246,200 .03576 G 1880–2000 05390140 Muskrat Creek at Conover, Wis. -.131 62 85 99 117 130 143 .06163 C 1970–2000 05390240 Fourmile Creek near Three Lakes, Wis. -.105 80 98 108 120 128 136 .03814 C 1970–2000 05391260 Gudegast Creek near Starks, Wis. .175 68 88 101 117 130 143 .05001 C 1970–2000 05391950 Squaw Creek near Harrison, Wis. -.108 25 36 42 51 58 64 .05962 C 1970–2000 05392150 Mishonagon Creek near Woodruff, Wis. -.326 68 85 94 105 112 119 .02959 C 1958–2000 05392350 Bearskin Creek near Harshaw, Wis. .394 76 100 117 139 156 174 .05049 C 1959–2000 05393500 Spirit River at Spirit Falls, Wis. -.549 1,630 2,400 2,860 3,390 3,750 4,080 .04202 G 1942–2000 05393620 Skanawan Creek near Tomahawk, Wis. .263 75 123 160 216 263 316 .16362 C 1970–1981 05393640 Little Pine Creek near Irma, Wis. .014 126 178 214 259 294 328 .06279 C 1970–2000 05394000 New Wood River near Merrill, Wis. -.031 1,230 1,960 2,490 3,230 3,810 4,410 .08813 C 1953–1980

05394200 Devil Creek near Merrill, Wis. .452 290 442 563 741 893 1,060 .08165 C 1960–2000

05394500 Prairie River near Merrill, Wis. -.062 1,410 2,120 2,610 3,250 3,750 4,250 .04415 G 1914–2000

05395020 Lloyd Creek near Doering, Wis. -.170 296 449 554 689 790 892 .06970 C 1970–2000

05395100 Trappe River tributary near Merrill, Wis. -.181 133 233 308 413 497 585 .08058 C 1959–2000

05396000 Rib River at Rib Falls, Wis. -.480 6,950 11,800 15,200 19,400 22,400 25,400 .08037 G 1925–1957

05396100 Pet Brook near Edgar, Wis. -.009 717 1170 1,520 1,990 2,380 2,780 .08734 C 1962–2000

05396300 Wisconsin River tributary at Wausau, Wis. -.068 243 427 572 777 946 1130 .13267 C 1983–2000

05397500 Eau Claire River at Kelly, Wis. -.215 3,180 4,740 5,780 7,100 8,070 9,030 .04256 G 1914–2000

05397600 Big Sandy Creek near Wausau, Wis. .219 496 804 1,050 1,400 1,700 2,030 .08156 C 1959–2000

05399000 Big Eau Pleine River near Colby, Wis. -.132 2,640 4,530 5,970 7,950 9,530 11,200 .14161 G 1942–1954

05399200 Marsh Creek tributary near Abbotsford, Wis. -.313 124 223 296 395 471 550 .11085 C 1959–1980

05399500 Big Eau Pleine River near Stratford, Wis. -.192 7,890 13,200 17,100 22,300 26,400 30,600 .05463 G 1914–2000

05400025 Johnson Creek near Knowlton, Wis. .369 892 1,360 1,720 2,240 2,680 3,170 .09500 C 1973–2000

05400500 Plover River near Stevens Point, Wis. .052 738 1,040 1,250 1,520 1,720 1,930 .09319 G 1914–1951

05400600 Little Plover River near Arnott, Wis. -.473 41 61 73 88 98 108 .08562 G 1960–1975

05400650 Little Plover River at Plover, Wis. -.462 48 69 83 99 109 120 .06093 G 1960–1987
Appendixes 25

Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year 

discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage]

Station

number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100

05401050 Tenmile Creek near Nekoosa, Wis. -.268 191 261 304 356 392 427 .05763 G 1964–2000

05401100 Fourteenmile Creek near New Rome, Wis. .101 231 308 358 423 471 519 .06962 G 1961–1979

05401535 Big Roche A Cri Creek near Adams, Wis. .205 167 251 313 398 468 542 .11350 G 1964–1978

05401800 Yellow River tributary near Pittsville, Wis. -.346 388 551 653 774 860 941 .04770 C 1959–2000

05402000 Yellow River at Babcock, Wis. -.654 4,850 7,100 8,410 9,870 10,800 11,700 .04208 G 1944–2000

05402500 Yellow River at Sprague, Wis. -.521 3,520 5,430 6,630 8,060 9,050 9,980 .09808 G 1927–1940

05403000 Yellow River at Necedah, Wis. -.646 5,990 9,150 11,100 13,200 14,700 16,000 .08511 G 1941–1957

05403500 Lemonweir River at New Lisbon, Wis. -.695 2,860 4,290 5,130 6,070 6,680 7,220 .05027 G 1944–1994

05403520 Webster Creek at New Lisbon, Wis. -.710 196 328 410 506 571 630 .07333 C 1961–2000

05403550 Onemile Creek near Mauston, Wis. -.214 550 1,080 1,510 2,130 2,650 3,210 .10311 C 1958–2000

05403610 Wisconsin River tributary at Wisconsin Dells, Wis. -.501 10 20 27 37 45 53 .13681 C 1962–1980

05403630 Hulbert Creek near Wisconsin Dells, Wis. .269 97 162 216 297 366 445 .12340 C 1972–2000

05403700 Dell Creek near Lake Delton, Wis. .205 286 512 703 995 1,250 1,550 .09854 C 1958–2000

05404116 South Branch Baraboo River at Hillsboro, Wis. -.345 915 1,950 2,800 4,050 5,070 6,170 .18487 G 1988–2000

05404200 Narrows Creek at Loganville, Wis. -.566 1,730 3,130 4,110 5,340 6,230 7,090 .08325 C 1958–2000

05405000 Baraboo River near Baraboo, Wis. -.401 2,940 4,480 5,480 6,700 7,570 8,400 .04486 G 1914–2000

05405600 Rowan Creek at Poynette, Wis. -.059 265 558 820 1,230 1,600 2,020 .11453 C 1961–2000

05406470 Brewery Creek at Cross Plains, Wis. -.209 118 206 273 363 435 510 .14838 G 1985–2000

05406491 Garfoot Creek near Cross Plains, Wis. .102 87 122 146 179 203 229 .10722 G 1985–1998

05406500 Black Earth Creek at Black Earth, Wis. -.239 443 735 945 1,220 1,440 1,650 .06723 G 1954–2000

05406800 Rocky Branch near Richland Center, Wis. -.022 107 243 374 589 790 1,030 .13916 C 1960–2000

05407100 Richland Creek near Plugtown, Wis. -.003 687 1,410 2,050 3,060 3,970 5,010 .11895 C 1958–2000

05407200 Crooked Creek near Boscobel, Wis. .055 399 768 1,090 1,580 2,010 2,500 .10273 C 1959–2000

05407400 Morris Creek tributary near Norwalk, Wis. -.580 377 690 909 1,190 1,380 1,580 .11341 C 1959–1980

05408000 Kickapoo River at La Farge, Wis. .196 2,510 4,250 5,650 7,740 9,520 11,500 .07215 G 1939–2000

05408500 Knapp Creek near Bloomingdale, Wis. -.122 537 1,100 1,580 2,320 2,950 3,660 .17523 G 1954–1969

05408800 Bishops Branch near Viroqua, Wis. -.354 1,060 2,630 4,070 6,320 8,270 10,400 .24061 C 1959–1969
26 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage] Station number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100 05409830 North Fork Nederlo Creek near Gays Mills, Wis. .136 60 129 193 301 403 525 .23001 G 1968–1979 05409890 Nederlo Creek near Gays Mills, Wis. .122 324 1,060 2,000 3,990 6,270 9,460 .34378 G 1968–1980 05410000 Kickapoo River at Gays Mills, Wis. -.121 3,060 5,160 6,740 8,910 10,600 12,500 .08414 G 1913–1977 05410490 Kickapoo River at Steuben, Wis. .218 2,730 4,870 6,670 9,440 11,900 14,700 .07703 G 1982–2000 05413400 Piegon Creek near Lancaster, Wis. .111 406 838 1,240 1,880 2,480 3,180 .11778 C 1960–2000 05413449 Kickapoo Creek near North Andover, Wis. .074 900 2,150 3,420 5,620 7,780 10,400 .28172 G 1987–1996 05413500 Grant River at Burton, Wis. -.395 5,520 11,000 15,200 21,100 25,800 30,600 .07369 G 1935–2000 05414000 Platte River near Rockville, Wis. -.209 3,730 7,440 10,500 15,000 18,700 22,800 .07883 G 1935–2000 05414200 Bear Branch near Platteville, Wis. -.489 387 663 852 1,090 1,260 1,430 .07644 C 1958–2000 05414213 Little Platte River near Platteville, Wis. -.184 1,950 3,540 4,770 6,490 7,890 9,370 .15923 C 1988–2000 05414900 Pats Creek near Elk Grove, Wis. .422 481 1,150 1,890 3,320 4,850 6,910 .16637 C 1960–2000

05415000 Galena River at Buncombe, Wis. .137 4,310 7,390 9,880 13,500 16,700 20,100 .07721 G 1937–1992

05415500 East Fork Galena River at Council Hill, Illi. .051 1,980 4,180 6,190 9,450 12,400 16,000 .13815 G 1940–1969

05423000 West Branch Rock River near Waupun, Wis. -.626 323 670 931 1,270 1,530 1,770 .10544 G 1949–1981

05423300 South Branch Rock River tributary near Waupun, Wis. -.506 163 377 556 811 1,020 1,230 .15136 C 1959–1980

05423500 South Branch Rock River at Waupun, Wis. -.496 447 778 1,010 1,300 1,510 1,710 .08080 G 1949–2000

05423800 East Branch Rock River tributary near Slinger, Wis. -.085 164 222 260 307 341 374 .05026 C 1960–1993

05424000 East Branch Rock River near Mayville, Wis. -.249 1,060 1,990 2,720 3,740 4,570 5,440 .11921 G 1950–2000

05424300 Rock River tributary near Watertown, Wis. -.699 108 190 244 308 351 392 .09865 C 1959–1980

05425500 Rock River at Watertown, Wis. -.253 2,110 3,110 3,770 4,580 5,180 5,770 .04439 G 1932–2000

05425700 Robbins Creek near Columbus, Wis. -.753 151 253 316 389 437 480 .07576 C 1960–2000

05425827 Dup-Maunesha River near Sun Prairie, Wis. -.258 448 661 802 976 1,100 1,230 .08569 C 1973–2000

05426000 Crawfi sh River at Milford, Wis. -.476 2,280 3,290 3,910 4,630 5,120 5,580 .03772 G 1931–2000

05426031 Rock River at Jefferson, Wis. .077 4,620 6,440 7,680 9,280 10,500 11,800 .08277 G 1978–1994

05426100 Scuppernong Creek near Wales, Wis. .080 97 126 145 169 187 204 .06193 C 1962–1980

05426250 Bark River near Rome, Wis. -.297 290 364 408 456 490 521 .04965 G 1984–2000

05426500 Whitewater Creek near Whitewater, Wis. -.249 14 22 28 36 41 47 .24343 G 1926–1954
Appendixes 27

Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year 

discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage]

Station

number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100

05427000 Whitewater Creek at Willis Ray Road near Whitewater, Wis. -.062 185 306 398 524 625 732 .13602 G 1927–1981

05427200 Allen Creek near Fort Atkinson, Wis. -.108 101 161 204 262 306 353 .07360 C 1958–1993

05427570 Rock River at Indianford, Wis. -.110 5,650 7,600 8,850 10,400 11,500 12,500 .05515 G 1976–2000

05427718 Yahara River at Windsor, Wis. .199 405 667 874 1,180 1,430 1,720 .13485 G 1976–2000

05427800 Token Creek near Madison, Wis. -.351 232 406 532 698 825 954 .08741 C 1961–2000

05427948 Pheasant Branch at Middleton, Wis. -.546 324 564 727 930 1,080 1,220 .09161 G 1975–2000

05427965 Spring Harbor Storm Sewer at Madison, Wis. -.470 397 567 670 789 871 947 .06103 G 1976–2000

05429500 Yahara River near McFarland, Wis. .068 416 536 614 710 780 849 .03143 G 1930–2000

05430100 Badfi sh Creek near Stoughton, Wis. -.494 461 675 806 958 1,060 1,160 .10237 G 1957–1966

05430150 Badfi sh Creek near Cooksville, Wis. -.455 616 783 876 980 1,050 1,110 .05724 G 1978–2000

05430175 Yahara River near Fulton, Wis. .502 1,560 2,190 2,670 3,350 3,910 4,510 .08950 G 1978–2000

05430403 Fisher Creek tributary at Janesville, Wis. -.103 425 607 728 882 996 1,110 .08026 C 1982–2000

05430500 Rock River at Afton, Wis. -.374 6,350 8,730 10,200 11,900 13,000 14,100 .03043 G 1914–2000

05431014 Jackson Creek at Petrie Road near Elkhorn, Wis. -.134 177 287 367 473 557 643 .13122 G 1984–1995

054310157 Jackson Creek tributary near Elkhorn, Wis. -.636 126 167 189 212 228 241 .05609 G 1984–2000

05431017 Delavan Lake inlet at State Hwy. 50 at Lake Lawn, Wis. -.213 340 545 689 878 1,020 1,170 .10833 G 1984–2000

05431400 Little Turtle Creek at Allens Grove, Wis. .048 1,330 2,233 2,936 3,939 4,769 5,667 .08519 C 1961–2000

05431486 Turtle Creek at Carvers Rock Road near Clinton, Wis. -.123 1,810 3,400 4,690 6,560 8,120 9,820 .07659 G 1938–2000

05431500 Turtle Creek near Clinton, Wis. -.328 2,074 3,903 5,306 7,235 8,756 10,330 .08868 G 1940–1981

05432300 Rock Branch near Mineral Point, Wis. .363 277 574 865 1,370 1,870 2,490 .13182 C 1959–2000

05432500 Pecatonica River at Darlington, Wis. .077 3,100 6,220 9,020 13,400 17,500 22,100 .09161 G 1937–2000

05433000 East Branch Pecatonica River near Blanchardville, Wis. -.077 2,170 4,090 5,680 8,010 9,980 12,100 .08030 G 1940–2000

05433500 Yellowstone River near Blanchardville, Wis. -.642 1,430 3,210 4,620 6,510 7,950 9,370 .10016 C 1955–2000

05434200 Skinner Creek tributary near Monroe, Wis. -.463 42 75 98 129 151 173 .10576 C 1959–1980

05434500 Pecatonica River at Martintown, Wis. -.219 5,260 8,600 11,000 14,100 16,500 19,000 .05719 G 1916–2000

05435900 Sugar River tributary near Pine Bluff, Wis. -.056 153 287 398 561 699 851 .10646 C 1961–2000

05436000 Mount Vernnon Creek near Mount Vernon, Wis. -.135 280 504 679 926 1,130 1,340 .13829 G 1955–1980
28 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage] Station number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100 05436200 Gill Creek near Brooklyn, Wis. .344 106 187 258 369 469 585 .10446 C 1960–2000 05436500 Sugar River near Brodhead, Wis. -.177 3,340 5,990 8,030 10,900 13,200 15,600 .05817 G 1914–2000 05437200 East Fork Raccoon Creek tributary near Beloit, Wis. .052 139 320 498 801 1,090 1,440 .14133 C 1958–1993 05543830 Fox River at Waukesha, Wis. -.103 923 1,320 1,590 1,920 2,170 2,420 .05540 G 1960–2000 05544200 Mukwonago River at Mukwonago, Wis. -.501 214 254 274 296 310 322 .02865 G 1974–2000 05544300 Mukwonago River tributary near Mukwonago, Wis. -.553 30 50 64 80 92 103 .09608 C 1960–1981 05545100 Sugar Creek at Elkhorn, Wis. .166 127 215 286 391 481 580 .09021 C 1962–2000 05545200 White River tributary near Burlington, Wis. -.062 95 158 205 270 323 378 .07519 C 1958–2000 05545300 White River near Burlington, Wis. -.198 808 1,300 1,650 2,110 2,470 2,830 .08984 C 1959–1982 05545750 Fox River near New Munster, Wis. .543 2,660 4,310 5,710 7,880 9,830 12,100 .07927 G 1940–2000 05548150 North Branch Nippersink Creek near Genoa City, Wis. -.056 185 284 355 450 523 599 .06716 C 1962–2000

Regulated Stations

04062011 Brule River near Commonwealth, Wis. .180 3,153 4,889 6,203 8,050 9,561 11,190 .14200 G 1990–2000

04063000 Menominee River near Florence, Wis. -.132 7,473 10,800 13,010 15,820 17,900 19,980 .03813 G 1915–2000

04066000 Menominee River near Pembine, Wis. -.126 13,400 18,600 21,900 26,100 29,100 32,100 .05457 G 1950–1982

04067000 Menominee River near Koss, MI -.453 13,420 18,560 21,620 25,140 27,520 29,730 .03456 G 1908–1981

04067500 Menominee River near Mc Allister, Wis. .070 14,100 19,700 23,400 28,300 32,000 35,800 .04829 G 1945–2000

04084500 Fox River at Rapide Croche Dam near Wrightstown, Wis. -.819 12,800 16,800 18,800 20,900 22,100 23,200 .02402 G 1918–2000

05333500 St. Croix River near Danbury, Wis. -.130 4,700 6,400 7,490 8,830 9,800 10,700 .03180 G 1914–2000

05336000 St. Croix River near Grantsburg, Wis. -.121 10,300 14,400 17,100 20,400 22,900 25,300 .04641 G 1923–1970

05340500 St. Croix River at St. Croix Falls, Wis. -.509 22,300 32,800 39,200 46,700 51,800 56,500 .03364 G 1902–2000

05356000 Chippewa River at Bishops Bridge near Winter, Wis. -.565 2,980 4,640 5,680 6,900 7,740 8,520 .04317 G 1912–2000

05356500 Chippewa River near Bruce, Wis. -.237 9,510 13,700 16,500 19,900 22,300 24,700 .03888 G 1914–2000

05357500 Flambeau River at Flambeau Flowage, Wis. -.200 1,490 2,430 3,100 4,000 4,690 5,390 .07766 G 1928–1960

05358000 Flambeau River near Butternut, Wis. .184 1,410 2,380 3,160 4,310 5,300 6,390 .16259 G 1915–1938

05358500 Flambeau River at Babbs Island, Wis. -.576 4,190 6,100 7,250 8,550 9,420 10,200 .04650 G 1930–1975

05360000 Flambeau River near Ladysmith, Wis. .080 8,490 11,500 13,500 16,100 18,000 20,000 .03628 G 1903–1961
Appendixes 29

Table A-1. Flood discharges at selected recurrence intervals and WRC skew for streamflow-gaging stations in the Wisconsin flood-frequency network—Continued [WRC skew, skewness as defined in Bulletin 17B (nteragency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1981); recurrence intervals in years; discharge in cubic feet per second; SE100, standard error of 100-year 

discharge, in log units; C, crest-stage gage; G, continuous-record gage]

Station

number Station name WRC skew Discharge for indicated recurrence interval Type Period of record 2 5 10 25 50 100 SE100

05360500 Flambeau River near Bruce, Wis. -.305 10,500 14,120 16,310 18,880 20,660 22,360 .03734 G 1952–2000

05365500 Chippewa River at Chippewa Falls, Wis. -.357 38,400 53,200 62,300 72,900 80,300 87,400 .03411 G 1884–2000

05367000 Chippewa River at Eau Claire, Wis. .874 38,200 52,200 63,300 79,600 93,600 109,000 .14336 G 1903–1954

05369500 Chippewa River at Durand, Wis. .002 43,300 62,500 75,600 92,800 106,000 119,000 .04285 G 1880–2000

05391000 Wisconsin River at Rainbow Lake near Lake Tomahawk, Wis. -.636 1,870 2,410 2,710 3,020 3,210 3,380 .02282 G 1937–2000

05392000 Wisconsin River at Whirlpool Rapids near Rhinelander, Wis. -.520 3,000 3,930 4,450 5,010 5,390 5,720 .02443 G 1906–1961

05393000 Tomahawk River at Bradley, Wis. -.049 1,245 1,776 2,134 2,591 2,935 3,282 .05212 G 1930–1973

05395000 Wisconsin River at Merrill, Wis. -.403 13,600 18,800 21,900 25,500 28,000 30,400 .03038 G 1903–2000

05398000 Wisconsin River at Rothschild, Wis. -.624 27,900 38,300 44,200 50,500 54,700 58,400 .02830 G 1941–2000

05400000 Wisconsin River at Knowlton, Wis. -.703 36,210 47,490 53,520 59,830 63,770 67,190 .04751 G 1921–1942

05400760 Wisconsin River at Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. -.580 33,400 46,500 54,100 62,500 68,000 73,100 .02992 G 1982–2000

05401500 Wisconsin River near Necedah, Wis. -.621 32,400 45,700 53,300 61,700 67,200 72,200 .03070 G 1903–1950

05404000 Wisconsin River near Wisconsin Dells, Wis. -.764 34,200 47,200 54,300 61,700 66,400 70,400 .02845 G 1935–2000

05406000 Wisconsin River at Prairie du Sac, Wis. -.731 37,200 51,100 58,700 66,700 71,800 76,200 .02801 G 1944–1953

05407000 Wisconsin River at Muscoda, Wis. -.689 35,900 48,800 55,900 63,400 68,200 72,400 .02718 G 1881–2000

05425912 Beaver Dam River at Beaver Dam, Wis. -.283 495 625 701 787 846 901 .05405 G 1986–2000

05431022 Delavan Lake Outlet at Borg Road near Delavan, Wis. -.492 227 328 389 460 508 553 .08051 G 1984–2000
30 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams 04024400 Stony Brook near Superior, Wis. 1.86 56.3 0.00 51.8 4.79 52.9 0.12 698 4 04025200 Pearson Creek near Maple, Wis. 4.07 75.2 .00 39.6 4.79 63.1 .12 1,593 4 04025500 Bois Brule River near Brule, Wis. 118 3.60 15.4 85.0 4.79 74.9 2.98 2,021 4 04026200 Sand River tributary near Red Cliff, Wis. 1.09 204 1.75 98.0 4.79 81.5 .12 589 4 04026300 Sioux River near Washburn, Wis. 13.7 48.6 1.21 82.6 4.79 71.5 2.19 1,614 4 04026400 Spillerberg Creek near Cayuga, Wis. 6.59 11.5 39.4 81.4 4.66 88.1 1.65 240 4 04026450 Bad River near Mellen, Wis. 82.0 11.2 11.9 96.1 4.66 94.5 1.65 2,952 4 04026700 Trout Brook tributary near Marengo, Wis. .66 179 .00 24.2 4.66 91.5 .12 511 4 04027000 Bad River near Odanah, Wis. 597 18.8 9.70 80.0 4.66 96.0 1.51 21,243 4 04027200 Pearl Creek at Grandview, Wis. 13.7 30.6 6.38 93.1 4.79 74.8 1.65 1,025 4 04027500 White River near Ashland, Wis. 301 19.1 13.1 80.0 4.66 66.1 2.18 9,106 4

04028000 Montreal River at Ironwood, Mich 61.4 8.62 15.7 81.1 4.66 172 1.65 2,271 404029700 Boomer Creek near Saxon, Wis. 5.33 84.6 13.1 84.1 4.66 128 1.65 636 404029990 Montreal River at Saxon Falls near Saxon, Wis. 264 18.6 15.9 82.1 5.28 107 1.65 9,267 404059900 Allen Creek tributary near Alvin, Wis. 1.02 12.0 5.60 81.2 4.24 78.3 4.18 21.0 304063640 North Branch Pine River at Windsor Dam near Alvin, Wis. 27.8 4.49 22.6 80.0 4.24 80.0 3.71 257 304063688 South Branch Popple River near Newald, Wis. 9.47 18.5 18.5 93.8 4.24 59.4 2.93 134 304063700 Popple River near Fence, Wis. 131 6.24 22.8 94.5 4.24 61.7 1.40 1,943 304063800 Woods Creek near Fence, Wis. 41.4 14.8 24.0 79.4 4.24 62.1 1.65 659 304066300 Cole Creek near Dunbar, Wis. 3.20 27.4 19.1 85.30 4.24 56.1 2.93 51.91 304066500 Pike River at Amberg, Wis. 255 12.6 17.2 86.0 4.24 54.4 3.68 1,684 304066700 McCall Creek at Wausaukee, Wis. 1.33 19.2 20.3 35.3 4.24 53.3 .50 103.7 304067760 Peshtigo River near Cavour, Wis. 150 4.40 23.6 80.7 4.24 58.6 1.45 2,097 304067800 Armstrong Creek near Armstrong Creek, Wis. 23.1 7.52 36.5 61.5 4.24 58.9 2.04 317 304069500 Peshtigo River at Peshtigo, Wis. 1,120 6.21 18.4 72.0 4.24 51.2 2.41 7,727 304069700 North Branch Oconto River near Wabeno, Wis. 34.1 10.0 15.5 71.9 4.24 63.5 1.65 618 304071000 Oconto River near Gillett, Wis. 678 7.50 16.8 88.0 4.24 51.1 2.26 5,493 3

Table A-2. Drainage-basin characteristics for rural streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin [mi2, square miles; ft/mi, feet per mile; in/hr, inches per hour; in., inches; snowfall, mean annual snowfall; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; Q100, 100-year flood.]

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

area

(mi2)

Slope

(ft/mi)

Storage

(percent)

Forest

(percent)

25-yr, 24-hr

precipitation

(in.)

Snowfall

(in.)

Soil

permeability

(in./hr)

Q100 by

regression

(ft3/s)

Floodfrequency 

area
Appendixes 31

Table A-2. Drainage-basin characteristics for rural streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft/mi, feet per mile; in/hr, inches per hour; in., inches; snowfall, mean annual snowfall; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; Q100, 100-year flood.]

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

area

(mi2)

Slope

(ft/mi)

Storage

(percent)

Forest

(percent)

25-yr, 24-hr

precipitation

(in.)

Snowfall

(in.)

Soil

permeability

(in./hr)

Q100 by

regression

(ft3/s)

Floodfrequency 

area

04071700 North Branch Little River near Coleman, Wis. 23.3 10.6 15.8 26.2 4.24 50.0 .50 1,008 404071800 Pensaukee River near Pulaski, Wis. 48.8 11.0 6.53 3.50 4.24 49.9 .57 2,371 404073400 Bird Creek at Wautoma, Wis. 3.59 27.7 5.57 31.8 4.38 41.8 4.33 70.2 304073500 Fox River at Berlin, Wis. 1,430 .84 12.6 22.0 4.38 41.1 3.69 9,021 304074300 Mud Creek near Nashville, Wis. 9.05 6.87 37.9 90.1 4.24 66.5 2.91 111 304074700 Hunting River near Elcho, Wis. 9.00 6.09 29.2 80.1 4.24 64.7 1.48 197 304074850 Lily River near Lily, Wis. 45.6 10.1 16.8 85.1 4.24 61.8 2.50 559 304075200 Evergreen Creek near Langlade, Wis. 4.90 19.7 9.90 86.9 4.24 55.3 1.92 124 304075500 Wolf River above West Branch Wolf River near Keshena, Wis. 633 9.60 15.5 76.0 4.24 50.1 2.78 4,500 304077000 Wolf River at Keshena Falls near Keshena, Wis. 812 9.51 13.9 69.0 4.24 49.1 2.51 6,111 304078500 Embarrass River near Embarrass, Wis. 395 11.9 15.0 36.0 4.24 47.4 1.72 4,470 304079000 Wolf River at New London, Wis. 2,240 5.80 14.6 43.0 4.38 42.8 1.81 21,919 304079700 Spaulding Creek near Big Falls, Wis. 4.90 18.5 20.8 84.5 4.38 44.6 1.65 146 304080000 Little Wolf River at Royalton, Wis. 514 8.77 15.8 35.0 4.38 44.1 1.28 8,459 304081000 Waupaca River near Waupaca, Wis. 272 10.0 6.20 26.0 4.38 43.4 3.23 2,974 304081010 Waupaca River tributary near Waupaca, Wis. 1.00 30.4 1.00 4.00 4.38 43.4 .50 172 304081900 Sawyer Creek at Oshkosh, Wis. 12.0 11.0 .33 1.96 4.46 45.0 .12 4,607 304083000 West Branch Fond du Lac River at Fond du Lac, Wis. 83.1 6.86 9.20 6.44 4.46 34.7 .48 2,710 404083400 East Branch Fond du Lac River tributary near Eden, Wis. .99 70.0 1.68 3.36 4.46 35.5 1.25 172 404083500 East Branch Fond du Lac River at Fond du Lac, Wis. 78.4 3.85 7.30 6.00 4.46 34.4 .70 2,029 404085030 Apple Creek near Kaukauna, Wis. 15.2 11.8 .00 1.99 4.46 44.6 .12 2,256 404085100 East River tributary at Greenleaf, Wis. 7.18 40.9 12.5 13.0 4.46 44.8 .69 584 404085200 Kewaunee River near Kewaunee, Wis. 127 10.5 .43 8.92 4.46 38.2 .36 8,995 404085300 Neshota River tributary near Denmark, Wis. 4.31 22.9 .00 2.60 4.46 42.0 .12 964 404085400 Killsnake River near Chilton, Wis. 29.4 9.23 1.42 5.39 4.46 45.8 .22 2,448 404085700 Sheboygan River tributary near Plymouth, Wis. 6.51 21.0 2.54 12.5 4.46 43.9 .39 709 404086000 Sheboygan River at Sheboygan, Wis. 418 4.63 9.60 13.0 4.46 46.7 .68 9,202 4
32 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams Table A-2. Drainage-basin characteristics for rural streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft/mi, feet per mile; in/hr, inches per hour; in., inches; snowfall, mean annual snowfall; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; Q100, 100-year flood.] Station number Station name Contributing area (mi2) Slope (ft/mi) Storage (percent) Forest (percent) 25-yr, 24-hr precipitation (in.) Snowfall (in.) Soil permeability (in./hr) Q100 by regression (ft3/s) Flood- frequency area 04086150 Milwaukee River at Kewaskum, Wis. 138 4.70 12.1 13.1 4.66 40.6 .61 3,328 4 04086200 East Branch Milwaukee River near New Fane, Wis. 54.1 3.44 15.1 27.1 4.46 41.4 1.06 1,102 4 04086340 North Branch Milwaukee River near Fillmore, Wis. 148 4.10 6.50 14.1 4.66 42.6 .86 3,710 4 04086360 Milwaukee River at Waubeka, Wis. 432 5.89 8.86 14.6 4.66 42.2 .86 9,771 4 04086400 Milwaukee River tributary near Fredonia, Wis. .82 27.6 1.38 .19 4.66 39.0 .12 189 4 04086500 Cedar Creek near Cedarburg, Wis. 120 9.90 10.7 3.00 4.66 42.5 .64 4,031 4 04087000 Milwaukee River at Milwaukee, Wis. 696 5.32 9.90 12.0 4.66 40.6 .77 13,939 4 04087050 Little Menomonie River near Freistadt, Wis. 8.00 30.0 .75 7.16 4.66 39.5 .50 783 5 04087204 Oak Creek at South Milwaukee, Wis. 25.0 7.64 1.60 5.70 4.66 48.9 .50 999 5 04087230 West Branch Root River Canal tributary near North Cape, Wis. 3.19 21.4 2.04 2.55 4.66 40.1 .50 231 5 04087233 Root River Canal near Franklin, Wis. 57.0 6.58 1.20 1.90 4.66 41.1 .50 2,139 5

04087240 Root River at Racine, Wis. 183 2.16 1.70 3.50 4.66 44.1 .27 3,413 504087250 Pike Creek near Kenosha, Wis. 7.25 8.15 .97 .42 4.66 40.0 .80 373 505333100 Little Frog Creek near Minong, Wis. 13.0 28.5 27.7 92.3 4.79 60.5 1.77 593 405334100 Sawyer Creek near Shell Lake, Wis. 1.04 67.8 .96 16.8 4.79 43.7 1.65 193 405335380 Bashaw Brook near Shell Lake, Wis. 22.8 16.7 11.2 41.9 4.79 50.2 2.40 900 405340300 Trade River near Frederic, Wis. 6.34 53.8 11.2 44.2 4.79 57.2 1.65 1,003 205341700 Willow River tributary near New Richmond, Wis. 1.40 50.7 .00 7.14 5.28 45.7 1.65 235 205341900 Kinnickinnic River tributary at River Falls, Wis. 7.26 96.0 .00 3.17 5.28 46.1 .46 4,512 205346600 Little Trimbelle Creek near Bay City, Wis. 19.9 34.9 .00 17.6 5.28 42.5 1.24 2,732 205356200 Kenyon Creek near Radisson, Wis. 7.50 12.2 24.7 87.9 4.79 58.0 1.65 435 205357360 Bear River near Powell, Wis. 120 1.08 52.4 62.8 4.66 80.6 4.68 856 405357390 Weber Creek near Mercer, Wis. 7.10 14.6 10.8 90.3 4.66 87.4 1.65 402 405358100 Smith Creek near Park Falls, Wis. 9.46 12.8 20.3 63.9 4.66 74.1 .80 499 305359500 South Fork Flambeau River near Phillips, Wis. 615 3.69 33.3 72.6 4.66 59.7 2.02 6,645 305359600 Price Creek near Phillips, Wis. 16.9 5.14 39.7 95.3 4.66 59.7 1.74 380 305360200 Flambeau River tributary at Ladysmith, Wis. .80 15.2 28.8 48.7 4.79 56.6 1.41 70.1 2
Appendixes 33

Table A-2. Drainage-basin characteristics for rural streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft/mi, feet per mile; in/hr, inches per hour; in., inches; snowfall, mean annual snowfall; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; Q100, 100-year flood.]

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

area

(mi2)

Slope

(ft/mi)

Storage

(percent)

Forest

(percent)

25-yr, 24-hr

precipitation

(in.)

Snowfall

(in.)

Soil

permeability

(in./hr)

Q100 by

regression

(ft3/s)

Floodfrequency 

area

05361400 Hay Creek near Prentice, Wis. 21.9 15.6 24.8 61.6 4.66 53.3 .48 1,411 305361420 Douglas Creek near Prentice, Wis. 24.6 22.7 8.90 74.4 4.66 51.5 .80 1,301 305361600 North Fork Jump River near Phillips, Wis. 10.4 19.6 36.5 59.0 4.66 56.1 1.38 311 305362000 Jump River at Sheldon, Wis. 574 8.30 17.6 62.0 4.79 47.6 .63 41,052 205364000 Yellow River at Cadott, Wis. 351 5.96 14.1 63.0 4.79 44.0 .67 19,884 205364100 Seth Creek near Cadott, Wis. 3.04 43.8 .66 32.9 4.79 43.8 .50 1,108 205365000 Duncan Creek at Chippewa Falls, Wis. 114 6.75 1.60 11.0 4.79 46.2 2.01 3,223 205365700 Goggle-Eye Creek near Thorp, Wis. 6.70 20.0 6.42 16.9 4.66 45.3 .20 2,795 205366000 Eau Claire River near Augusta, Wis. 506 7.40 5.70 45.0 4.79 43.4 1.72 15,517 205366500 Eau Claire River near Fall Creek, Wis. 758 6.36 4.40 43.5 4.79 45.0 1.77 20,102 205367030 Willow Creek near Eau Claire, Wis. 4.38 57.1 .00 9.80 4.79 46.0 2.69 506 205367480 East Branch Pine Creek tributary near Dallas, Wis. 3.85 52.4 .00 12.2 4.79 45.3 1.34 726 205367500 Red Cedar River near Colfax, Wis. 1,100 4.17 7.80 38.7 5.28 44.4 2.02 19,398 205367700 Lightning Creek at Almena, Wis. 19.8 17.1 5.56 8.14 4.79 52.2 .79 2,393 205368000 Hay River at Wheeler, Wis. 426 6.12 3.20 32.4 5.28 44.4 2.12 9,872 205369000 Red Cedar River at Menomonie, Wis. 1,760 4.33 6.00 35.0 5.28 39.2 2.20 28,633 205369800 Eau Galle River tributary near Hersey, Wis. .65 68.2 .00 33.8 5.28 45.7 .63 294 205370600 Arkansaw Creek tributary near Arkansaw, Wis. 2.56 102 .00 27.3 5.28 43.1 1.32 903 105370900 Spring Creek near Durand, Wis. 6.49 79.6 .00 56.9 5.28 43.5 1.63 1,438 105371300 By Golly Creek near Nelson, Wis. .28 270 .00 50.0 5.28 42.2 1.65 182 105371800 Buffalo River tributary near Osseo, Wis. 1.44 67.1 .00 44.4 5.28 45.5 2.50 367 105371920 Buffalo River near Mondovi, Wis. 279 7.15 .41 24.9 5.28 44.7 2.39 13,473 105372000 Buffalo River near Tell, Wis. 406 6.30 2.10 28.6 5.28 41.9 2.36 16,738 105378200 Eagle Creek near Fountain City, Wis. 26.8 40.9 .00 47.6 5.28 41.8 1.65 3,684 105379500 Trempealeau River at Dodge, Wis. 643 3.64 1.40 25.8 5.28 45.4 1.77 18,913 105380800 Black River tributary near Whittlesey, Wis. 2.12 18.6 8.50 31.6 4.66 50.3 .93 276 205380900 Poplar River near Owen, Wis. 157 7.04 4.17 22.2 4.66 46.1 .50 13,027 2
34 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams Table A-2. Drainage-basin characteristics for rural streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft/mi, feet per mile; in/hr, inches per hour; in., inches; snowfall, mean annual snowfall; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; Q100, 100-year flood.] Station number Station name Contributing area (mi2) Slope (ft/mi) Storage (percent) Forest (percent) 25-yr, 24-hr precipitation (in.) Snowfall (in.) Soil permeability (in./hr) Q100 by regression (ft3/s) Flood- frequency area 05380970 Cawley Creek near Neillsville, Wis. 38.6 17.2 .08 20.3 4.66 43.0 .50 6,395 2 05381000 Black River at Neillsville, Wis. 756 5.81 7.30 30.8 4.66 41.6 .62 42,318 2 05382000 Black River near Galesville, Wis. 2,120 5.51 8.20 43.7 5.28 37.7 2.15 59,559 1 05382200 French Creek near Ettrick, Wis. 14.3 33.8 .00 26.6 5.28 41.2 1.65 2,250 1 05382300 Beaver Creek tributary near Sparta, Wis. 1.72 66.2 .00 39.0 5.28 42.0 4.22 444 1 05382500 Little La Crosse River near Leon, Wis. 77.1 20.0 2.60 30.4 5.28 41.1 1.68 7,210 1 05383000 La Crosse River near West Salem, Wis. 398 6.98 3.10 31.9 5.28 39.8 2.99 16,895 1 05386300 Mormon Creek near La Crosse, Wis. 25.0 60.6 .00 36.0 5.28 39.8 1.65 4,718 1 05387100 North Fork Bad Axe River near Genoa, Wis. 80.9 27.3 .00 28.0 5.29 35.5 1.65 9,878 1 05388460 Du Charme Creek at Eastman, Wis. .30 200 .00 30.0 5.29 37.3 1.65 204 1 05390140 Muskrat Creek at Conover, Wis. 10.2 8.45 4.47 92.3 4.66 79.7 3.37 237 3

05390240 Fourmile Creek near Three Lakes, Wis. 10.3 8.27 21.2 88.2 4.66 74.7 3.01 190 305391260 Gudegast Creek near Starks, Wis. 14.0 7.04 22.7 75.0 4.66 66.0 4.04 192 305391950 Squaw Creek near Harrison, Wis. 3.23 17.9 13.9 82.8 4.66 59.1 2.50 93 305392150 Mishonagon Creek near Woodruff, Wis. 13.9 6.77 26.2 82.4 4.66 83.5 6.22 132 305392350 Bearskin Creek near Harshaw, Wis. 19.6 6.48 28.7 69.3 4.66 57.6 6.27 170 305393500 Spirit River at Spirit Falls, Wis. 81.6 12.5 17.2 51.5 4.66 56.0 .85 2,877 305393640 Little Pine Creek near Irma, Wis. 22.0 24.0 9.55 79.9 4.66 55.7 3.30 389 305394000 New Wood River near Merrill, Wis. 82.2 14.7 14.5 84.2 4.66 53.7 .74 3,342 305394200 Devil Creek near Merrill, Wis. 9.58 10.5 2.48 26.4 4.66 52.9 .50 1,095 305394500 Prairie River near Merrill, Wis. 184 10.4 23.2 74.6 4.66 53.5 1.54 3,308 305395020 Lloyd Creek near Doering, Wis. 7.80 25.5 2.57 74.4 4.24 56.3 .71 503 305395100 Trappe River tributary near Merrill, Wis. 1.58 35.0 .00 34.5 4.66 53.7 .50 517 205396000 Rib River at Rib Falls, Wis. 303 11.8 6.80 55.4 4.66 51.4 .89 21,860 205396100 Pet Brook near Edgar, Wis. 6.86 54.5 .00 15.3 4.66 49.4 .42 3,144 205397500 Eau Claire River at Kelly, Wis. 375 8.28 11.4 45.2 4.66 50.9 1.28 7,955 305397600 Big Sandy Creek near Wausau, Wis. 11.5 20.3 .00 55.4 4.66 53.6 .47 1,772 3
Appendixes 35

Table A-2. Drainage-basin characteristics for rural streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft/mi, feet per mile; in/hr, inches per hour; in., inches; snowfall, mean annual snowfall; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; Q100, 100-year flood.]

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

area

(mi2)

Slope

(ft/mi)

Storage

(percent)

Forest

(percent)

25-yr, 24-hr

precipitation

(in.)

Snowfall

(in.)

Soil

permeability

(in./hr)

Q100 by

regression

(ft3/s)

Floodfrequency 

area

05399000 Big Eau Pleine River near Colby, Wis. 78.1 9.29 3.80 17.4 4.66 52.7 .25 14,023 205399200 Marsh Cr tributary near Abbotsford, Wis. .56 62.2 8.93 16.0 4.66 53.7 .25 492 205399500 Big Eau Pleine River near Stratford, Wis. 224 10.1 1.90 21.2 4.66 66.6 .31 33,619 205400025 Johnson Creek near Knowlton, Wis. 25.1 32.6 2.55 56.4 4.66 47.3 .41 2,788 305400500 Plover River near Stevens Point, Wis. 145 5.64 18.9 40.7 4.38 44.8 1.79 2,230 305400650 Little Plover River at Plover, Wis. 7.91 10.7 1.50 26.5 4.38 42.7 5.96 130 305401050 Tenmile Creek near Nekoosa, Wis. 55.8 6.54 8.00 22.7 4.38 43.8 8.46 367 305401535 Big Roche A Cri Creek near Adams, Wis. 52.8 4.83 1.50 38.7 4.38 41.7 7.28 527 305401800 Yellow River tributary near Pittsville, Wis. 7.23 20.1 .30 27.5 4.38 44.3 .57 866 305402000 Yellow River at Babcock, Wis. 215 7.63 4.90 39.2 4.38 43.5 .77 13,219 205403000 Yellow River at Necedah, Wis. 491 6.07 9.40 48.7 4.38 34.3 1.68 13,502 205403500 Lemonweir River at New Lisbon, Wis. 507 3.65 15.6 44.2 4.38 41.9 2.88 6,559 205403520 Webster Creek at New Lisbon, Wis. 11.8 19.3 .00 41.7 4.38 43.8 1.64 908 205403550 Onemile Creek near Mauston, Wis. 30.2 15.9 .50 28.3 4.38 47.7 1.26 2,357 205403630 Hulbert Creek near Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 11.2 29.8 .09 44.3 5.29 40.4 1.65 721 305403700 Dell Creek near Lake Delton, Wis. 44.9 11.6 .94 28.5 5.29 40.9 2.40 1,483 305404200 Narrows Creek at Loganville, Wis. 40.1 29.1 .00 13.0 5.29 43.6 1.59 4,350 505405000 Baraboo River near Baraboo, Wis. 609 2.02 .60 28.8 5.29 38.2 1.48 12,300 505405600 Rowan Creek at Poynette, Wis. 10.4 30.4 .30 8.90 5.18 33.9 1.42 1,152 505406500 Black Earth Creek at Black Earth, Wis. 42.8 9.42 .20 21.8 5.18 34.9 1.52 1,469 105406800 Rocky Branch near Richland Center, Wis. 1.68 100 .00 40.9 5.29 39.6 1.65 581 105407100 Richland Creek near Plugtown, Wis. 19.2 51.8 .00 35.9 5.29 36.1 1.65 3,657 105407200 Crooked Creek near Boscobel, Wis. 12.9 51.1 .00 35.1 5.29 35.3 1.65 2,562 105407400 Morris Creek tributary near Norwalk, Wis. 4.59 126 .00 29.9 5.28 43.2 1.65 1,669 105408000 Kickapoo River at La Farge, Wis. 266 9.13 .10 34.0 5.29 38.6 1.63 14,402 105410500 Kickapoo River at Steuben, Wis. 690 4.30 .30 37.2 5.29 35.4 1.51 21,397 105413400 Pigeon Creek near Lancaster, Wis. 6.93 49.8 .00 1.62 5.29 33.3 1.65 3,294 1
36 Flood-Frequency Characteristics of Wisconsin Streams Table A-2. Drainage-basin characteristics for rural streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft/mi, feet per mile; in/hr, inches per hour; in., inches; snowfall, mean annual snowfall; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; Q100, 100-year flood.] Station number Station name Contributing area (mi2) Slope (ft/mi) Storage (percent) Forest (percent) 25-yr, 24-hr precipitation (in.) Snowfall (in.) Soil permeability (in./hr) Q100 by regression (ft3/s) Flood- frequency area 05413500 Grant River at Burton, Wis. 269 9.73 .00 22.1 5.29 31.5 1.65 17,175 1 05414000 Platte River near Rockville, Wis. 142 11.5 .00 22.3 5.29 34.1 1.65 10,672 1 05414200 Bear Branch near Platteville, Wis. 2.72 60.2 .00 1.07 5.29 37.2 1.65 1,703 1 05414900 Pats Creek near Elk Grove, Wis. 8.50 26.9 .00 4.00 5.29 35.7 1.65 2,268 1 05415000 Galena River at Buncombe, Wis. 125 11.3 .00 4.10 5.29 33.2 1.62 15,145 1 05423000 West Branch Rock River near Waupun, Wis. 40.7 9.58 10.0 1.57 4.46 38.1 .96 1,422 4 05423300 South Branch Rock River tributary near Waupun, Wis. 12.6 13.8 14.5 1.18 4.46 38.2 1.00 528 3 05423500 South Branch Rock River at Waupun, Wis. 63.6 8.33 8.20 1.50 4.46 38.2 1.51 1,624 3 05423800 East Branch Rock River tributary near Slinger, Wis. 4.42 74.2 .99 7.56 4.66 39.0 .80 663 5 05424000 East Branch Rock River near Mayville, Wis. 181 3.21 3.80 10.6 5.18 37.1 .79 4,509 4 05424300 Rock River tributary near Watertown, Wis. 4.58 13.2 .00 4.58 5.18 38.2 .56 412 5

05425500 Rock River at Watertown, Wis. 969 1.38 12.1 9.10 5.18 39.5 .99 6,454 505425700 Robbins Creek at Columbus, Wis. 8.01 21.0 1.99 3.86 5.18 36.2 1.65 533 505425827 Maunesha River near Sun Prairie, Wis. 26.0 12.9 .87 3.45 5.18 34.6 1.47 1,518 505426000 Crawfi sh River at Milford, Wis. 762 2.50 11.1 7.40 5.18 37.2 1.18 7,026 505426100 Scuppernong Creek near Wales, Wis. 5.69 21.1 13.1 12.7 4.66 38.7 2.67 201 505427200 Allen Creek near Fort Atkinson, Wis. 10.2 15.5 4.11 3.24 5.18 37.1 2.98 459 505427800 Token Creek near Madison, Wis. 24.3 8.53 1.24 3.43 5.18 33.6 1.65 1,102 505430100 Badfi sh Creek near Stoughton, Wis. 39.8 8.01 1.78 4.40 5.18 32.4 1.92 1,518 505430500 Rock River at Afton, Wis. 3,340 .74 11.4 7.90 5.18 31.5 1.20 14,853 505432300 Rock Branch near Mineral Point, Wis. 4.83 80.1 .00 6.42 5.29 36.5 .98 2,259 105432500 Pecatonica River at Darlington, Wis. 273 8.25 .00 11.7 5.29 35.4 1.57 19,189 105433000 East Branch Pecatonica River near Blanchardville, Wis. 221 8.25 .10 17.2 5.29 30.0 .68 14,203 105433500 Yellowstone River near Blanchardville, Wis. 28.5 26.4 .00 7.00 5.29 35.1 .51 5,707 105434200 Skinner Creek tributary near Monroe, Wis. .48 136 .00 .00 5.18 37.9 .12 325 105434500 Pecatonica River at Martintown, Wis. 1,030 2.27 .30 11.5 5.18 29.6 1.08 13,577 105435900 Sugar River tributary near Pine Bluff, Wis. 7.42 43.9 .00 10.8 5.18 33.8 .42 910 1
Appendixes 37

Table A-2. Drainage-basin characteristics for rural streamflow-gaging stations in Wisconsin—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft/mi, feet per mile; in/hr, inches per hour; in., inches; snowfall, mean annual snowfall; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; Q100, 100-year flood.]

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

area

(mi2)

Slope

(ft/mi)

Storage

(percent)

Forest

(percent)

25-yr, 24-hr

precipitation

(in.)

Snowfall

(in.)

Soil

permeability

(in./hr)

Q100 by

regression

(ft3/s)

Floodfrequency 

area

05436000 Mount Vernon Creek near Mount Vernon, Wis. 16.4 25.0 .00 13.0 5.18 34.0 .36 1,270 105436200 Gill Creek near Brooklyn, Wis. 3.34 57.3 .00 5.69 5.18 33.5 1.65 620 105436500 Sugar River near Brodhead, Wis. 523 3.18 .90 12.0 5.18 31.9 1.08 8,843 105437200 East Fork Raccoon Creek tributary near Beloit, Wis. 4.64 24.3 .00 3.85 5.18 30.2 .78 554 505543830 Fox River at Waukesha, Wis. 126 6.73 5.20 6.70 4.66 39.3 .56 2,854 505544300 Mukwonago River tributary near Mukwonago, Wis. 1.32 21.1 .00 4.55 4.66 39.8 3.75 164 505545100 Sugar Creek at Elkhorn, Wis. 6.68 12.0 3.60 4.04 4.66 42.2 .36 289 505545200 White River tributary near Burlington, Wis. 2.42 34.8 .83 2.48 4.66 40.1 1.08 280 505545300 White River near Burlington, Wis. 97.5 15.1 15.4 13.3 4.66 37.8 .81 2,171 505546500 Fox River at Wilmot, Wis. 868 1.11 7.80 10.0 4.66 44.2 .74 6,185 505548150 North Branch Nippersink Creek near Genoa City, Wis. 13.5 12.8 3.80 1.67 4.66 42.8 2.75 557 5