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<br />Floodflow frequency data for the Rio Grande was based on statistical <br />analyses of stage-discharge records covering a 73-year period of <br />gaging stations operated by the U. S. Geological Survey (Reference <br />2). These analyses followed the standard log-Pearson Type III method <br />(Reference 3). Discharge for the 50Q-year flo~d was determined by <br />straight-line extrapolation of a single-log graph of flood discharges <br />computed for frequencies up to 100 years. <br /> <br />Flow frequency parameters for Rock Creek were developed from pro- <br />cedures outlined in a u.s. Geological Survey manual (Reference 4). <br /> <br />A regional frequency study was used to develop basic discharge- <br />frequency relationships for North and South Zapata Creeks. Sixteen <br />stream gaging stations with similar characteristics were selected for <br />frequency analyses. Discharge-frequency relationships for each <br />station were computed by methods outlined by the Water Resources <br />Council (Reference 3). <br /> <br />Frequency-Discharge, Drainage Area Curves for the Rio Grande, Rock <br />Creek, North Zapata Creek, and South Zapata Creek are shown in Figure <br />4. <br /> <br />3.2 Hydraulic Analyses <br /> <br />Analyses of the hydraulic characteristics of streams in the unincor- <br />porated areas of Alarnosa County were carried out to provide estimates <br />of the elevations of floods of the selected recurrence intervals <br />along the stream segment studied in detail. <br /> <br />Cross section data for the Rio Grande was obtained from aerial sur- <br />veys and aerial photography (Reference 5). All bridges and culverts <br />in the study areas were surveyed to obtain elevation data and <br />structural geometry. Locations of selected cross sections used in <br />the hydraulic analyses are shown on the Flood Profiles (Exhibit 1). <br />For stream segments for which a floodway is computed (Section 4.2) , <br />selected cross section locations are also shown on the Floodway Map <br />(Exhibit 2). <br /> <br />Channel and overbank roughness coefficients (Manning's IIn") for the <br />Rio Grande were assigned on the basis of field inspections. Rough- <br />ness values vary from 0.035 to,O.04Q for the channel, and 0.08 for <br />the overbanks. <br /> <br />Water-surface elevations for the Rio Grande were developed using the <br />U.S~ Army Corps of Engineers HEC-2 step-backwater computer model <br />(Reference 6). Flood profiles were drawn showing computed water- <br />surface elevations to an accuracy of 0.5 foot for floods of the <br />selected recurrence intervals (Exhibit 1). Starting elevations for <br />the Rio Grande were determined by the slope-area method. <br /> <br />8 <br />