Evolution of PMP Cooperative Studies

Abstract

A brief prospective of hydrologic analysis used for determination of spillway sizing is presented. The paepr describes the procedures for determining a reasonable upper limit of flood potential for a given drainage basin. In 1936, the National Weather Service and the Corps of Engineers reached a cooperative agreement whereby meteorologists of the Weather Service would use their professional capabilities to develop probable maximum precipitation estimates. In recent years the Bureau of Reclamation and the Soil Conservation Service have joined forces with the Weather Service and the Corps of Engineers in the preparation of hydrometeorological reports. The four agencies are presently engaged in a major study of probable maximum precipitation for the northwest United States. Information on major storms and floods is included that supports the hydrometeorological approach. The paper points out that the major federal dam construction agencies have been meeting regularly and are using the same basic hydrometeorological approach to size spillways.