TECHNICAL PAPERS
Oct 1, 1984

Estimation of Probable Maximum Precipitation: Case Studies

Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 110, Issue 10

Abstract

Depending on the type, scope and location of the project, availability of data, stage of the study and other considerations, the probable maximum precipitation (PMP) used in the probable maximum flood (PMF) analysis may be a generalized estimate taken from publications such as: Hydrometeorological Reports 49 (9) and 51 (10) published by the U.S. National Weather Service. It also may be estimated based on a site specific study by a hydrometeorological analysis, application of hurricane model or a statistical method. A number of case studies, each for a project of different nature and scope located in an area of different physiographic and climatic conditions, is presented. The amount and quality of data available for each project are also different. By presenting these case studies, the writer wishes to share his experience on application of available techniques for the estimates of PMP which is often required in the selection of design flood for major dams and spillways.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

1.
“Application of Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimates—United States East of the 105th Meridian,” Hydrometeorological Report No. 52, National Weather Service, Silver Spring, Md., Aug., 1982.
2.
“Generalized Estimates of Probable Maximum Precipitation and Rainfall Frequency for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands,” Technical Paper No. 42, U.S. Weather Bureau, Washington D.C., 1961.
3.
“Glossary of Meteorology,” American Meteorological Society, Boston, Mass., 1959.
4.
“Hop Brook Dam and Reservoir, Hop Brook, Housatonic River Basin, Connecticut,” Design Memorandum No. 1—Hydrology, Office of the Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington D.C., Apr., 10, 1964.
5.
“Manual for Estimation of Probable Maximum Precipitation,” Operational Hydrology Report No. 1, WMO—No. 332, World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 1973.
6.
Mantellini, P. T., Wang, B. H., and Jawed, K., “Re‐evaluation of Design Flood for Guri Dam,” presented at the Apr., 1982, ASCE National Convention, held at Las Vegas, Nev.
7.
“Precipitation‐Frequency Atlas of the Western United States,” Vol. 1: Montana, and Vol. III: Colorado, Atlas 2, National Weather Service, Silver Spring, Md., 1973.
8.
Preliminary Memorandum HUR 7‐97 and Memorandum HUR 7‐79A, Table 2, by the National Weather Service, Silver Spring, Md., 1968, p. 15.
9.
“Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimates, Colorado River and Great Basin Drainages,” Hydrometeorological Report No. 49, National Weather Service, Silver Spring, Md., 1977.
10.
“Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimates, United States, East of the 105th Meridian,” Hydrometeorological Report No. 51, National Weather Service, Silver Spring, Md., 1978.
11.
Riedel, J. T., Wang, B. H., and Diebel, J. L., “Site Specific Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimates, Upper South Platte River Basin, Colorado,” presented at the June, 1982, American Water Resources Association, International Symposium on Hydrometeorology.
12.
“Seasonal Variation of the Probable Maximum Precipitation East of the 105th Meridian for Areas from 10 to 1,000 Square Miles and Duration of 6, 12, 24 and 48 Hours,” Hydrometeorology Report No. 33, U.S. Weather Bureau, Washington, D.C., 1956.
13.
“Standards for Determining Design Basis Flooding at Power Reactor Sites,” ANS‐2.8, American National Standard, ANSIN 170‐1976, American Nuclear Society, 1977.
14.
Wang, B. H., and Revell, R. W., “Conservatism of Probable Maximum Flood Estimates,” Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 109, No. 3, Mar., 1983.
15.
“World Atlas of Sea Surface Temperature,” U.S. Navy, Washington D.C., 1954.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 110Issue 10October 1984
Pages: 1457 - 1472

History

Published online: Oct 1, 1984
Published in print: Oct 1984

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Bi‐Huei Wang, M. ASCE
Sr. Assoc., and Chf. Hydro., Harza Engrg. Co., Chicago, Ill.

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share