Factors Affecting Accuracy of Slope-Area Discharge Determination of the September 1992 Flood in Raven Fork, Western North Carolina

by W. Harold Eddins, U.S. Geological Survey, Charlotte, United States,
Thomas J. Zembrzuski, Jr., U.S. Geological Survey, Charlotte, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

For the flood of September 10, 1992, in Raven Fork, Swain County, North Carolina, a peak discharge of 460 cubic meters per second was computed by using the slope-area method. Accuracy of this determination depends on suitability of the selected reach and, in particular, selection of Manning's roughness coefficients, interpretation of the high-water marks, number and placement of cross sections, presence of large expansions or contractions, state-of-flow transitions, and magnitude of the change in water-surface elevation. Some of these factors can contribute to greater uncertainties for measurements in steep mountain streams than for measurements in streams with flatter gradients.

Subject Headings: Floods | Water discharge measurement | Water discharge | Flow measurement | Slopes | Hydraulic roughness | Rivers and streams | North Carolina

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