Analysis of infrequent hydrologic events with regard to existing streamflow monitoring capabilities in White Oak Creek watershed [electronic resource]
Saved in:
| Online Access: |
Online Access (via OSTI) |
|---|---|
| Corporate Author: | |
| Format: | Government Document Electronic eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Oak Ridge, Tenn. :
Oak Ridge National Laboratory. ; distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Department of Energy,
1978.
|
| Subjects: |
| Abstract: | The quantity and concentration of radionuclides released to the environment by ORNL must be monitored continuously and accurately in order to ensure compliance with legal requirements established by Federal and state guidelines. Of the five streamflow monitoring stations located within White Oak Creek watershed, stations 3, 4, and 5 are of primary importance in quantifying the flux of water, sediment, and radionuclides through the drainage basin. Currently, the maximum measurable discharge at these three stations is 1.42 m/sup 3//sec (50 cfs), 0.54 m/sup 3//sec (19 cfs), and 4.25 m/sup 3//sec (150 cfs), respectively. Estimates of flood magnitude and frequency indicate that even small floods which are expected to recur often are significantly larger than the existing monitoring system can measure. Several independent studies have shown that most of the sediment transported from a watershed is carried by larger, less frequent streamflows which occur only a small percentage of the time. It also has been shown that certain radionuclides are transported in association with fluvial sediment. Thus, the flux of radionuclides, both in solution and associated with sediment, increases significantly during flood conditions. Estimates of peak discharges resulting from recent storms indicate that the drainage system has experienced variable flood conditions during the past few years for which no accurate and reliable records exist. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | Published through SciTech Connect. 10/01/1978. "ornl/tm-6542" Edgar, D.E. |
| Physical Description: | Pages: 52 : digital, PDF file. |