Washington State Department of Ecology

Publication Summary

Title

Walla Walla Watershed Planning Area: Prediction of Gaged Streamflows by Modeling

Month-Year Published

January 2011

Online Availability

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Short Description

Since 2002, the Washington State Department of Ecology has operated 14 flow gaging stations in WRIA 32, the Walla Walla River watershed planning area. This report presents:

Regressions that predict flows for these stations, using the hydrograph separation method based on flow data from other flow monitoring stations.

A quality assessment of the regressions.

Recommendations for the retention of flow gaging stations.

The needs of state and of local partners for flow information should be evaluated and be compared to the quality of the regressions to determine whether regressions or direct flow measurements meet those needs.

(Also see abstract below)

Publication Number

11-03-002

Author(s)

Pickett, P.

Print Availability

Request from the program.

Number of pages

Keywords

creek, flow, model, river, stream, streamflow, water, Water Resource Inventory Area, watershed planning

Subject Waterbodies

Walla Walla River,
Touchet River,
Coppei Creek,
Touchet River,
S.F.,
Touchet River,
N.F.,
Wolf Creek,
Robinson Creek,
Dry Creek,
Mill Creek

Related Publications

Title

Relationship

Quality Assurance Project Plan: Walla Walla Watershed Planning Area Prediction of Gaged Streamflows by Modeling

supporting publication

Abstract

Long Description

The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has operated 14 flow gaging stations in Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 32. WRIA 32 includes the Walla Walla River watershed in Washington State.

This study developed regression tools for the Ecology gages based on other Ecology and United States Geological Survey (USGS) gages using power or linear relationships and a hydrograph separation method. The quality of these regressions was assessed using statistical tools. Regression quality was varied between stations, with good quality fits (median percent relative standard deviation less than 15%) at six telemetry stations, and poor fits (greater than 15%) at the other four telemetry stations. Staff gages stations generally had poor fits.

Recommendations were made regarding the discontinuation or retention of the gages based on study results.

The best regressions were found between Ecology and USGS gages at the three regulatory control stations (Walla Walla River at East Detour Road, North Fork Touchet River above Dayton, and Touchet River at Bolles), but because of their legal status may not be appropriate to discontinue.

The other two stations in the Walla Walla River mainstem (at Beet Road and at Pepper Bridge) and the Touchet River station at Cummins road have good to poor regressions but could be candidates for decommissioning.

The Coppei Creek station has a poor regression but could be decommissioned if the quality of the regression tool meets the data needs for this station.

The needs of the state and of local partners for this flow information should be evaluated and be compared to the quality of the regression to determine whether direct flow measurements or the regression are adequate to meet those needs.

This page last updated August 17, 2011