Processing Streamflow Data

The report recommends that the publication of the basic gaging station data be continued and that publication be extended to all gaging stations of hydrologic significance operated by any agency. It recommends that summaries of the annual low-and high-flows for selected numbers of consecutive days and flow-duration data be processed by computer by the United States Geological Survey and that the computer program be extended to all stations of hydrologic significance. It recommends the following statistics of the annual low- and high-flows be computed: Mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, skew coefficient; and mean, standard deviation, and skew coefficient of the logarithms. The same statistics plus the serial correlation coefficient should be computed for the annual mean flows. It recommends the publication of the processed summaries and of the statistical parameters. To meet the demand for rapid access to detailed data, it is suggested that the annual, monthly, daily, and storm-hydrograph discharge and the annual low- and high-flow summaries be arranged and stored on magnetic tape.