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<br />in western Colorado, is shown in Figure 4, The combined curve is seen to give <br />higher values than either of the separated curves. A discharge-frequency <br />curve based on a mixed population is also shown for comparison. It can be <br />seen from this example that the curve based on mixed events significantly <br />underestimates the flood discharge for events which occur at intervals less <br />frequent than about 20 years. All curves for the example station exhibit some <br />degree of positive skew. . <br /> <br />UNGAUGED SITES <br /> <br />One of the most reliable methods for determining flood flows at un gauged <br />sites, or sites where the gauge record is relatively short, is to derive a <br />series of regional regression equations which relate flood flows to measurable <br />basin and climatic parameters. <br />The definition of a homogeneous region is a critical element in the pro- <br />cedure. It is suggested from previous work that study regions should not <br />cross major river basin boundaries. Each subbasin selected for possible <br />inclusion in the study region must satisfy certain statistical tests until a <br />region is defined. <br />Each basin or climatic parameter such as drainage area, basin slope, <br />channel slope, mean watershed elevation, and annual precipitation should be <br />tested for their significance before inclusion in the regression equations. <br />Regression equations for the statistical parameters as functions of the <br />basin and climate variables are obtained from analyzing individual gauging <br />station records. <br />The three statistical parameters which usually define the log-Pearson <br />type III distribution include the mean, standard deviation, and skew of the <br />logarithms of the annual peak flows, The coefficient of variation, defined as <br />the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean, has been found to be a more <br />useful statistical parameter than the standard deviation alone in developing <br />the regional regression equations. <br />The degree of accuracy of the statistical parameter estimates increases <br />with the number of observations at each individual station, assuming all <br />other factors are equal. Statistical parameters for each individual gauging <br />station used to derive the regression equations are therefore assigned weights <br />equal to their length of record, <br />A brief outline of the steps recommended in regional analysis is pre- <br />sented below, Details of the procedure are included in the example which <br />follows the outline, <br /> <br />- On the basis of engineering judgement, select a trial region con- <br />sisting of small basins having similar watershed characteristics and <br />hydrometeorlogic conditions, <br /> <br />Inventory climatic or basin variables in all gauged basins in the <br />trial region including: <br /> <br />(a) period of record <br />(b) drainage area <br />(c) mean watershed evaluation <br />(d) other measurable variables <br /> <br />9 <br />