Sensitivity to Probable Maximum Flood
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 121, Issue 5
Abstract
The probable maximum flood (PMF) is a function of numerous factors, both meteorological and hydrologic. An accurate estimate of the PMF, required for high-hazard design problems, requires finding the optimum combination of factors. The PMP/UH (probable maximum precipitation/unit hydrograph) method is the currently accepted method to estimate the PMF. Difficulties with the current trial-and-error process used to estimate the PMF include: (1) Finding the optimum combination of factors; and (2) assessing the relative effect and precision of the underlying assumptions. The first difficulty may lead to an inadequate design, and the second difficulty may result in an inaccurate estimate of the risk involved in the design. An experiment was designed to perform a sensitivity analysis of the PMF to its contributing factors. A set of guidelines were developed for assessing the effects of causative factors on the PMF, so that: (1) The optimum value of the PMF is more likely to be computed; and (2) the effort to find the optimum PMF is reduced. Preliminary verification of the results was conducted using Seneca Creek, Maryland, as a case study.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 121 • Issue 5 • September 1995
Pages: 327 - 337
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Sep 1, 1995
Published in print: Sep 1995
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