Open-File Report 2011–1278
Since the first edition of this report was published in 1996, continuous streamflow data have been recorded in the tri-state area of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, near Lake Seminole. Several notable floods and severe droughts have occurred during this additional 16-year period that have sparked the need to include these additional recorded data into a comprehensive report for use by local, State, and Federal agencies. Flow durations, low-flow, and mean-flow analyses of daily mean discharges were compiled and analyzed for 12 streamflow stations during three selected periods that included pre-Lake Seminole (1929–53), post-Lake Seminole and pre-irrigation (1958–70), and post-Lake Seminole and post-irrigation (1976–2010), as well as for specified partial periods. The analyses yielded information on the variability of inflow to and outflow from Lake Seminole and the variability of flows in area streams.
Streamflow characteristics for Ichawaynochaway Creek at Milford, Georgia, and Chipola River near Altha, Florida, varied similarly from 1944–53 to 1958–70, with mean annual flows decreasing by about 8 and 6 percent, respectively. This decreasing trend continued from 1958–70 to 1976–2010 by about 10 and 2 percent, respectively. The mean annual streamflow for Spring Creek near Iron City, Georgia, however, remained basically unchanged from 1944–53 to 1958–70, as well as from 1958–70 to 1976–2010.
Streamflow characteristics for inflow to and outflow from Lake Seminole varied similarly during 1929–53, 1958–70, and 1976–2010. Mean 30-day low flows for inflow and outflow at Lake Seminole increased by about 24 to 11 percent, respectively, from 1929–53 to 1958–70; the values for 1976–2010 returned to near, but less than, the low-flow values of 1929–53.
First posted December 5, 2011
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Stamey, T.C., 2011, 2010 update—Streamflow characteristics at selected sites in southwestern Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and northwestern Florida, near Lake Seminole: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1278, 10 p.
Purpose and Scope
Streamflow Station Numbering System
Streamflow Data Compilations
Comparison of Tributary Streamflow Characteristics
Comparison of Inflow to and Outflow from Lake Seminole