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HF021
Umatilla National Forest Southend Barometer (Skookum Creek) streamflow data

CREATOR(S): Steven M. Wondzell, Catherine F. Clifton
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S): Steven M. Wondzell
ORIGINATOR(S): Steven M. Wondzell, Catherine F. Clifton
OTHER RESEARCHER(S): Tom Fritz
DATA SET CONTACT PERSON: Steven M. Wondzell
METADATA CONTACT: Steven M. Wondzell, Robin M. Harris
DATA SET CREDIT:
Funding for data compilation and database setup was provided by a Joint Fire Science Program interagency agreement, project # 01-3-3-18. Additional support was provided by the Umatilla National Forest and the Pacific Northwest Research Station.
METADATA CREATION DATE:
31 Mar 2005
MOST RECENT METADATA REVIEW DATE:
19 Dec 2012
KEYWORDS:
streamflow, monitoring
PURPOSE:
Examine the streamflow patterns and background variability from the control and proposed treatment watersheds of Skookum Creek.
METHODS:
Experimental Design - HF021:
Description: Gage houses with stilling wells connected to the pool behind a 120 degree v-notch weir are located on a stream draining the proposed treatment watershed (Skookum #1) and a stream draining the control watershed (Skookum #2). The sample sites are just upstream of the confluence on both streams. Recorders log the stage height every 15 minutes.
Field Methods - HF021:
Description: Recorder is checked every 21-24 days (during water sample pickup) to ensure the recorder is logging the correct stage height. Notes about site conditions are recorded in the station log every site visit. The record is removed and brought to the office for processing every 3 months. Once a year around September 30, the stilling wells and connecting pipes are flushed to prevent clogging.
Instrumentation: 120 degree v-notch weir. The stilling well is connected to the weir pool by pipes. From 1992 – 11/15/2000, Fisher Porter paper punch tape recorder with float and pulley mechanism in stilling well. The recorder punches the stage height value every 15 minutes. From 11/16/2000 to present, Design Analysis H-510 digital recorder with float and pulley mechanism in stilling well. The batteries are charged with solar panels. Stage height values are recorded on flash cards every 15 minutes. For paper punch tapes (1992 – 11/15/2000), Mitron MSC 2000 8/16 channel paper tape reader and MSC 3000 Translator.
Processing Procedure - HF021:
Description:

Rating equations used for all discharge files: 120 degree V-notch weir equation.

SEBAR1 rating equation: 4.35*((GH-0.56)^2.5)

GH = Gage height, 0.56 = zero point

SEBAR2 rating equation: 4.35*((GH-0.76)^2.5)

GH = Gage height, 0.76 = zero point

The zero point was surveyed from the lowest point of the v-notch weir to the corresponding level on the staff gauge using an engineer’s level and rod.

Punchtape files: (10/1/1991 to 11/15/2001)

Punchtapes are processed with a paper tape reader using the DOS program hydro.exe (output = *.flo files). The *.flo files are reformatted using the DOS program IPPT1.exe (output = *.fmt). The *.fmt files are checked for jumps in the record using the DOS program checker.exe (output = *.chk). The *.chk files are summarized into daily and annual flow with a header file (*.hdr, includes rating equation and adjustment information) and the DOS program hydra.exe (output = *.out and *.dat).

Adjustments to the zero point/rating equation:

SEBAR1:

  • 10/1/1993 to 10/4/1993: subtract 0.04 from the zero point (0.56 – 0.04 = 0.52) equation = 4.35*((GH-0.52)^2.5)
  • 8/24/1995 to 9/11/1995: add 0.09 to the zero point (0.56 + 0.09 = 0.65) equation = 4.35*((GH-0.65)^2.5)
  • 8/16/1996 to 9/30/1996: subtract 0.20 from the zero point (0.56 – 0.20 = 0.36) equation = 4.35*((GH-0.36)^2.5)
  • 10/1/1996 to 9/30/1997: subtract 0.19 from the zero point (0.56 – 0.19 = 0.37) equation = 4.35*((GH-0.37)^2.5)
  • 10/1/1997 to 2/21/1999: subtract 0.18 from the zero point (0.56 – 0.18 = 0.38) equation = 4.35*((GH-0.38)^2.5)
SEBAR2: None

Digital Recorder files: (11/16/2001 to 9/30/2004)

Once downloaded, the digital recorder files are imported into Excel and summarized using pivot tables and the rating equations.

Adjustments to the zero point/rating equation:

SEBAR1:
  • 6/6/2001 to 6/27/2001: subtract 0.16 from the zero point (0.56 – 0.16 = 0.40) equation = 4.35*((GH-0.40)^2.5)
SEBAR2:
  • 3/15/2001 to 4/3/2001: subtract 0.15 from the zero point (0.76– 0.15 = 0.61) equation = 4.35*((GH-0.61)^2.5)
Quality Assurance - HF021:
Description: The recorder is checked every site visit to ensure it is logging the correct stage height. Adjustments to the recorder are made as needed and noted in the station notes. During file processing, the records are reviewed for stage height jumps which may be in error. The two gauging station records are compared against each other, along with the precipitation record, to determine if the questionable time period contains errors.
Data Entry Procedures - HF021 :
Description: Digital files are imported to Excel for data processing.
TAXONOMIC SYSTEM:
None
GEOGRAPHIC EXTENT:
Headwaters of Skookum Creek, North Fork John Day River drainage, Eastern Oregon.
ELEVATION_MINIMUM (meters):
1273
ELEVATION_MAXIMUM (meters):
1274
MEASUREMENT FREQUENCY:
15 min.
PROGRESS DESCRIPTION:
Active
UPDATE FREQUENCY DESCRIPTION:
annually
CURRENTNESS REFERENCE:
Ground condition
RELATED MATERIAL:

Rantz, SE and others. 1982. Measurement and computation of streamflow. U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 2175. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 631 p.

Harris, Robin M., Caty F. Clifton, and Steven M. Wondzell. In Review. Evaluating the Effects of Prescribed Fire and Fuels Treatment on Water Quality and Aquatic Habitat. In Proceedings, Advancing the Fundamental Sciences: A Conference for Forest Service Physical Scientists, October 18-21, 2004. San Diego, CA.