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Computed roughness coefficients for Skunk Creek above Interstate 17, Maricopa County, Arizona

Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4248
Prepared in cooperation with the Flood Control District of Maricopa County
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri994248

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Abstract

In the winter of 1997-98, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, made six verification measurements for Manning's roughness coefficients at Skunk Creek above Interstate 17. Data from four floodflows were recorded and analyzed, three of these flows occurred in February 1998 when Arizona received precipitation from the El Nino weather phenomenon. Discharges ranged from 187 to 760 cubic feet per second and resultant verified values for Manning's roughness coefficient, n, ranged from 0.056 to 0.039. Skunk Creek above Interstate 17 - an ephemeral wash within a flood-control structure - is overgrown with desert brush throughout the main channel and the presence of the vegetation has a significant effect on n values throughout the reach. The results of this study are verified roughness coefficients that can be transferred to similarly vegetated channels in Maricopa County and other arid and semiarid environments where roughness factors must be assessed for flood management or other purposes.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Computed roughness coefficients for Skunk Creek above Interstate 17, Maricopa County, Arizona
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 99-4248
DOI 10.3133/wri994248
Year Published 2000
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Tucson, AZ
Description i, 19 p.
Country United States
State Arizona
County Maricopa County
Other Geospatial Skunk Creek
Projection Universal Transverse Mercator projection
Scale 24000
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details