Assignment 6: Flooding<\/p>\n
Name: FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002myUH ID# FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002In this assignment, you will investigate peak yearly discharges for Buffalo Bayou using data collected by a USGS stream gauge since 1949 (after construction of the Barker and Addicks reservoirs). Be sure to download the Excel file. You may need to get help from a TA in the GLC. Due Monday, May 2.<\/p>\n
Rules Acknowledgement:<\/p>\n
Before beginning the assignment, acknowledge that you know the rules of the assignment as listed above. Type \u201cI understand answers need to be written in my own words in full sentences with the exception of values in tables. I also know screenshots\/images need to be my own\u201d (5 pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Part 1: Basic analysis of peak yearly discharge data for Buffalo Bayou<\/p>\n
Using the Excel data on the \u201cBuffalo Bayou Discharge\u201d sheet, create a scatterplot with the dates on the x-axis and the peak discharge on the y-axis. Select the scatterplot option that only has points plotted, no lines. Copy and paste your graph below. (6pts)<\/p>\n
[Paste graph here]<\/p>\n
Describe what the graph is showing you (how would you explain this graph to someone else?). (4pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002You may be able to notice a trend or pattern in your graph. To more accurately determine that pattern, create a linear trendline and display the R-squared value.<\/p>\n
What is the R-squared value? (4pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Describe the trend in your data and what it means. (4pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Some people may be quick to blame climate change for this trend. The \u201cHouston Rainfall\u201d tab in the Excel document contains yearly rainfall totals for Houston since 2001. Create a scatterplot of the data with years on the x-axis and rainfall total on the y-axis. Paste your graph below. (5pts)<\/p>\n
[Paste graph here]<\/p>\n
Create a linear trendline for this data. Has there been any significant change in the amount of rainfall that Houston receives over the past 21 years? (4pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002What else do you think is responsible for the trend you described in part a? (5pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002READ CAREFULLY: There is a trend as to what month or months of the year Buffalo Bayou reaches its peak discharge, which indicates our rainy seasons. First, you\u2019ll need to determine what month each peak discharge occurs. Using the empty column to the left of the Date column, type =TEXT(A2,\u201dmmmm\u201d). Copy this formula down the rows. This will extract the name of the month from each date. Now, you need to figure out how many times each month had a peak discharge on the bayou. We are going to use a new function in Excel, the countif function. The names of the months are in column G. Go to cell H2 and type =COUNTIF($A$2:A$75, G2). This will look at all the names of the months in column A and tell you how many times January (which is the G2 value) appears. Copy that formula down to December to see the data for each month.<\/p>\n
Fill in the table: (6pts)<\/p>\n
Month Number of Peak Discharges<\/p>\n
January FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002February FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002March FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002April FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002May FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002June FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002July FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002August FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002September FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002October FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002November FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002December FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Now create a line graph of this data with months on the x-axis and the number of peak discharges on the y-axis. Use the \u201cLine with Markers\u201d. Be sure to use the line graph, not the scatter plot. Paste your graph below. (4pts)<\/p>\n
[Paste graph here]<\/p>\n
Interpret your graph and discuss what time or times during the year Buffalo Bayou is most likely to reach its peak discharge. Which time or times of the year is it least likely to reach peak discharge? What does this say about our seasonal weather? (7pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Part 2: In-depth analysis of flooding recurrence on Buffalo Bayou<\/p>\n
In the Excel file, complete the rank column on the \u201cBuffalo Bayou Discharge\u201d sheet by ranking all of the peak discharges from 1 to 74, with 1 being the highest discharge and 74 being the lowest discharge. What are the dates of the highest and lowest peak discharges? (6pts)<\/p>\n
Date of highest discharge (1): FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Date of lowest discharge (74): FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Now calculate the recurrence intervals for each discharge. N is the number of years on record (74) and m is the rank. What are the recurrence intervals (R) for the following peak discharges? (6pts)<\/p>\n
Date Discharge R<\/p>\n
5\/26\/15 17,400 FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u20029\/13\/08 10,100 FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u20023\/12\/97 7,650 FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Create a scatter plot with recurrence interval on the x-axis and discharge on the y-axis.<\/p>\n
Copy and paste your graph below. (6pts)<\/p>\n
[Paste graph here]<\/p>\n
Which type of trendline best fits this data? (3pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Add the trendline and show the line equation and R-squared value. What is the R-squared value for this data? (2pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002You\u2019ve probably heard that Hurricane Harvey was a 100+ year storm event. However, your current graph doesn\u2019t show that. In your data, what is the recurrence interval for the flooding from Hurricane Harvey and why isn\u2019t it over 100? (5pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002 <\/p>\n
Using your trendline equation, we can calculate what the discharge of a 100-year event should be. You know what m, x, and b are in the equation, just substitute the values. What is the discharge for the 100-year event based on the trendline? (5pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002The discharge in Buffalo Bayou for Hurricane Harvey was 32,600 cfs, which is very different from the 100-year discharge you calculated in question 10. So, what is the true recurrence interval for a discharge of 32,600 based on your equation? For this question, we\u2019ll need to solve for x in the line equation instead of y because now we know what y (32,600 cfs) is and need to figure out x. You can manipulate the line equation variables to isolate x; we\u2019ve done this on several previous assignments. Enter this equation in excel =exp((y-b)\/m) and substitute the values accordingly. What is the recurrence interval for the stream discharge associated with Hurricane Harvey? (5pts)<\/p>\n
FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002Complete this questionnaire about assignments and the use of Excel and Google Earth in this class. You\u2019ll need to be logged into your cougarnet account. (8pts)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Assignment 6: Flooding Name: FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002myUH ID# FORMTEXT \u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002In this assignment, you will investigate peak yearly discharges for Buffalo Bayou<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n