Probability Distribution of Annual Maximum, Mean, and Minimum Streamflows in the United States

Abstract

L-moment diagrams are constructed for annual minimum, average, and maximum streamflows at more than 1,455 river basins in the United States. Goodness-of-fit comparisons reveal that the generalized extreme value (GEV), three-parameter lognormal (LN3) and the log Pearson Type III (LP3) distributions provide good approximations to the distribution of annual maximum flood flows. These results are consistent with other L-moment studies. A World Meteorological Organization survey of 54 agencies in 28 countries reveals that the LN3 distribution is not a standard in any country, GEV is a standard in one country, and LP3 is a standard in seven countries. The time is ripe for agencies and countries to reevaluate their standards with respect to the choice of a suitable model for flood frequency analysis. L-moment diagrams also reveal that among numerous alternatives, the Pearson Type III (P3) distribution provides the best fit to both annual minimum and annual average streamflows.