Low-Flow Characteristics and Profiles for the Rocky River in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin, North Carolina, Through 2002
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Low-Flow Characteristics and Profiles for the Rocky River in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin, North Carolina, through 2002 By J. Curtis Weaver and Jason M. Fine U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 03–4147 Prepared in cooperation with the Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities, and Union County Raleigh, North Carolina 2003 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GALE A. NORTON, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CHARLES G. GROAT, Director The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Government. For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services 3916 Sunset Ridge Road Box 25286, Federal Center Raleigh, NC 27607 Denver, CO 80225 email: [email protected] 1-888-ASK-USGS (275-8747) Information about U.S. Geological Survey programs in North Carolina can be obtained on the World Wide Web at http://nc.water.usgs.gov. CONTENTS Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose and scope ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 Previous low-flow studies ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Acknowledgments....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Description of the Rocky River basin ................................................................................................................................... 5 Drainage system .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Major rivers and tributaries ............................................................................................................................... 6 Major flow modifications.................................................................................................................................. 6 Impoundments......................................................................................................................................... 6 Diversions................................................................................................................................................ 9 Climate ........................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Geology and soils........................................................................................................................................................ 12 Land Use ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Low-flow characteristics in the Rocky River basin............................................................................................................... 16 Continuous-record stations.......................................................................................................................................... 16 Partial-record sites....................................................................................................................................................... 20 Occurrence of zero or minimal 7Q10 discharges........................................................................................................ 26 Low-flow discharge profiles for the Rocky River................................................................................................................. 27 Summary ............................................................................................................................................................................... 36 Selected references................................................................................................................................................................ 38 Glossary............................................................................................................................................................Inside front cover PLATES 1. Map showing continuous-record gaging stations and partial-record measuring sites, profiled reach of the Rocky River, and generalized area of zero or minimal 7Q10 discharges in the Rocky River basin, North Carolina ................................................................................................................................................... In pocket FIGURES 1–3. Maps showing: 1. Locations of major river basins, the Rocky River basin, and physiographic provinces in North Carolina ........................................................................................................................................... 2 2. Hydrologic areas of similar potential to sustain low flows in North Carolina................................................. 6 3. Hydrogeologic units in the Rocky River basin, North Carolina ...................................................................... 15 4–10. Graphs showing: 4. Low-flow frequency curve of annual minimum 7-day average discharges using log-Pearson Type III frequency distribution at Rocky River near Norwood, North Carolina (site 169) ........................... 18 5. Correlation of concurrent discharge at the partial-record site at Clarke Creek near Harrisburg (site 12) and at the index station at Long Creek near Paw Creek (Catawba River basin) ........... 24 6. Relation of river miles to drainage area for the Rocky River in North Carolina ............................................. 28 7. Relation of river miles to annual 7-day, 10-year (7Q10) low-flow discharge for the Rocky River in North Carolina ........................................................................................................................................... 29 8. Relation of river miles to annual 30-day, 2-year (30Q2) low-flow discharge for the Rocky River in North Carolina ........................................................................................................................................... 30 9. Relation of river miles to winter 7-day, 10-year (W7Q10) low-flow discharge for the Rocky River in North Carolina ........................................................................................................................................... 31 10. Relation of river miles to annual 7-day, 2-year (7Q2) low-flow discharge for the Rocky River in North Carolina ........................................................................................................................................... 32 11. Relation of river miles to synoptic discharge measurements made on November 7–8, 2001, at selected sites on the Rocky River, North Carolina ............................................................................................ 33 Contents III TABLES 1. Summary of selected impoundments and minimum-flow releases in the Rocky River basin in North Carolina................................................................................................................................................... 8 2. Summary of selected surface-water withdrawals and return point-source discharges to streams in the Rocky River basin, North Carolina, 2001 ....................................................................................................... 10 3. Land use in the Rocky River basin in North Carolina ............................................................................................. 14 4. Summary of continuous-record gaging stations and partial-record sites in the Rocky River basin in North Carolina where records of gage height and streamflow were collected ..................................................... 41 5. Magnitude and frequency of annual low-flow characteristics at selected continuous-record gaging 1 stations in the Rocky River basin in North Carolina............................................................................................. 17 6. Magnitude and frequency of annual low-flow characteristics at selected partial-record measuring sites in the Rocky River basin in North Carolina.................................................................................................. 21 7. Low-flow characteristics for selected partial-record measuring sites and regional equations in hydrologic area 9 (HA9) in the Rocky River basin in North Carolina ............................................................. 25 8. Summary of synoptic discharge measurements obtained at selected sites in the Rocky River basin in North Carolina, November 7–8, 2001..................................................................................................... 34 Contents IV CONVERSION FACTORS, TEMPERATURE, DATUMS, AND ACRONYMS Multiply By To obtain Length inch (in.) 25.4