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Richard Lumia

Publications and source records attributed to Richard Lumia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2014

Floods of 2011 in New York

Record rainfall combined with above-average temperatures and substantial spring snowmelt resulted in record flooding throughout New York during 2011. Rainfall totals in eastern New York were the greatest since 1895 and as much as 60 percent above the long-term average within the Catskill Mountains area and the Susquehanna River Basin. This report documents the three largest storms and resultant flooding during the year: (1) spring storm during April and May, (2) Tropical Storm Irene during August, and (3) remnants of Tropical Storm Lee during September. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the cost of these three storms exceeded $1 billion in Federal disaster assistance. A warm and wet spring in northern New York resulted in record flooding at 21 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) active streamgages during late April to early May with the annual exceedance probabilities (AEPs) of 11 peak discharges equaling or exceeding 1 percent. Nearly 5 inches of rain during late April combined with a rapidly melting snowpack caused widespread flooding throughout northern New York, resulting in many road closures, millions of dollars in damages, and 23 counties declared disaster areas and eligible for public assistance. On May 6, Lake Champlain recorded its highest lake level in over 140 years. Hurricane Irene entered New York State on August 28 as a tropical storm and traveled up the eastern corridor of the State, leaving a path of destruction and damage never seen in many parts of New York. Thirty-one counties in New York were declared disaster areas with damages of over $1.3 billion dollars and 10 reported deaths. Storm rainfall exceeded 18 inches in the Catskill Mountains area of southeastern New York with many other areas of eastern New York receiving over 7 inches. Catastrophic flooding resulted from the extreme rainfall in many locations, including Schoharie Creek and its tributaries, the eastern Delaware River Basin, the Ausable and Bouquet River Basins in northeastern New York, and several other stream basins throughout southeastern New York. Downstream reaches of the Mohawk River also had substantial flooding. Sixty-two USGS streamgages throughout eastern New York documented record high stream flows and elevations with AEPs of 25 peak discharges equaling or exceeding 1 percent. The USGS streamgage for the Schoharie Creek at Prattsville recorded its greatest peak discharge in 109 years of record at 120,000 cubic feet per second (greater than the 0.2-percent AEP discharge) on August 28. The peak water-surface elevation at the streamgage in Prattsville was 5 feet higher than its previous record in 1996. USGS personnel surveyed 184 high-water marks (HWMs) at 30 locations along an 84-mile reach of Schoharie Creek and compared the elevations to those published by FEMA for the 10-, 2-, 1-, and 0.2-percent AEP floods. Elevations in the lower reaches of the basin exceeded published elevations for the 0.2-percent AEP flood. Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee brought a third major storm to New York in September 2011. Moisture from Lee began moving into New York on September 7 and intensified over the already saturated Susquehanna River Basin. Most of the rain fell on September 8 with storm totals nearing 13 inches in some areas (12.73 inches at Apalachin in Tioga County). Major disaster declarations were issued for 15 counties in and around central New York, making them eligible for individual or public assistance. Ten USGS streamgages within the Susquehanna River Basin documented record-high stream discharges and elevations on September 8, and all were greater than the 1-percent AEP discharge. USGS personnel surveyed 20 HWMs at 18 locations along a 114- mile reach of the Susquehanna River and compared the elevations to those published by FEMA for the 10-, 2-, 1-, and 0.2-percent AEP floods. Several of the surveyed HWMs exceeded published elevations for the 0.2-percent AEP flood.

New York↗
USGS2014

Maximum known stages and discharges of New York streams and their annual exceedance probabilities through September 2011

Maximum known stages and discharges at 1,400 sites on 796 streams within New York are tabulated. Stage data are reported in feet. Discharges are reported as cubic feet per second and in cubic feet per second per square mile. Drainage areas range from 0.03 to 298,800 square miles; excluding the three sites with larger drainage areas on the St. Lawrence and Niagara Rivers, which drain the Great Lakes, the maximum drainage area is 8,288 square miles (Hudson River at Albany). Most data were obtained from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) compilations and records, but some were provided by State, local, and other Federal agencies and by private organizations. The stage and discharge information is grouped by major drainage basins and U.S. Geological Survey site number, in downstream order. Site locations and their associated drainage area, period(s) of record, stage and discharge data, and flood-frequency statistics are compiled in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Flood frequencies were derived for 1,238 sites by using methods described in Bulletin 17B (Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1982), Ries and Crouse (2002), and Lumia and others (2006). Curves that “envelope” maximum discharges within their range of drainage areas were developed for each of six flood-frequency hydrologic regions and for sites on Long Island, as well as for the State of New York; the New York curve was compared with a curve derived from a plot of maximum known discharges throughout the United States. Discharges represented by the national curve range from at least 2.7 to 4.9 times greater than those represented by the New York curve for drainage areas of 1.0 and 1,000 square miles. The relative magnitudes of discharge and runoff in the six hydrologic regions of New York and Long Island suggest the largest known discharges per square mile are in the southern part of western New York and the Catskill Mountain area, and the smallest are on Long Island.

New York↗
USGS2006

Magnitude and Frequency of Floods in New York

Techniques are presented for estimating the magnitude and frequency of flood discharges on rural, unregulated streams in New York, excluding Long Island. Peak-discharge-frequency data and basin characteristics from 388 streamflow-gaging stations in New York and adjacent states were used to develop multiple linear regression equations for flood discharges with recurrence intervals ranging from 1.25 to 500 years. A generalized least-squares (GLS) procedure was used to develop the regression equations. Separate sets of equations were developed for each of six hydrologic regions of New York; standard errors of prediction range from 14 to 43 percent. Statistically significant explanatory variables in the regression equations include drainage area, main-channel slope, percent basin storage, mean annual precipitation, percent forested area, a basin lag factor, a ratio of main-channel slope to basin slope, mean annual runoff, maximum snow depth, and percentage of basin above 1,200 feet. Drainage areas for the 388 sites used in the analyses ranged from 0.41 to 4,773 square miles. Methods of computing flood discharges from the regression equations differ, depending on whether the estimate is for a gaged or ungaged basin, and whether the basin crosses hydrologic-region or state boundaries. Examples of computations are included. Discharge-frequency estimates for an additional 122 streamflow-gaging stations with significant regulation or urbanization (including Long Island) are also included as at-site estimates. Basin characteristics, log-Pearson Type III statistics, and regression and weighted estimates of the discharge-frequency relations are tabulated for the streamflow-gaging stations used in the regression analyses. Sensitivity analyses showed that mean-annual precipitation, drainage area, mean annual runoff, and maximum snow depth are the variables to which computed discharges are most sensitive in the regression equations. Included with the report is a DVD that provides computation procedures and geographic information system spatial datasets to compute basin characteristics used in the regional regression equations and flood-frequency estimates at a specified location on a stream.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS1999

Water Resources Data, New York, Water Year; 1998. Volume 1. Eastern New York; Excluding Long Island

Water resources data for the 1998 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and ground-water levels. This volume contains records for water discharge at 127 gaging stations; stage only at 10 gaging stations; stage and contents at 4 gaging stations, and 18 other lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 32 gaging stations; and water levels at 4 observation wells. Also included are data for 36 crest-stage partial-record stations. Locations of all these sites are shown on figure 8. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data together with the data in volumes 2 and 3 represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with State, Municipal, and Federal agencies in New York.

New York↗
USGS1998

Water Resources Data, New York, Water Year 1997; Volume 1. Eastern New York; Excluding Long Island

Water resources data for the 1997 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; ground-water levels; and precipitation quality. This volume contains records for water discharge at 117 gaging stations; stage only at 9 gaging stations; stage and contents at 4 gaging stations, and 18 other lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 35 gaging stations and 1 precipitation-quality station; and water levels at 5 observation wells. Also included are data for 38 crest-stage partial-record stations. Locations of all these sites are shown on figure 8. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses.These data together with the data in volumes 2 and 3 represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with State, Municipal, and Federal agencies in New York.

New York↗
USGS1998

Flood of January 19-20, 1996 in New York State

Heavy rain during January 18-19, 1996, combined with unseasonably warm temperatures that caused rapid snowmelt, resulted in widespread flooding throughout New York State. Damages to highways, bridges, and private property exceeded $100 million. The storm and flooding claimed 10 lives, stranded hundreds of people, destroyed or damaged thousands of homes and businesses, and closed hundreds of roads. Forty-one counties in New York were declared federal disaster areas. The most severely affected region was within and surrounding the Catskill Mountains. Damages and losses within Delaware County alone exceeded $20 million.More than 4.5 inches of rain fell on at least 45 inches of melting snow in the Catskill Mountain region during January 18-19 and caused major flooding in the area. The most destructive flooding was along Schoharie Creek and the East and West Branches of the Delaware River. Record peak discharges occurred at 57 U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations throughout New York. Maximum discharges at 15 sites, mostly within the Schoharie Creek and Delaware River basins, had recurrence intervals equal to or greater than 100 years. The storage of significant amounts of floodwater in several reservoirs sharply reduced peak discharges downstream. This report presents a summary of peak stages and discharges, precipitation maps, floodflow hydrographs, inflow-outflow hydrographs for several reservoirs, and flood profiles along 83 miles of Schoharie Creek from its headwaters in the Catskill Mountains to its mouth at the Mohawk River.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1996

Water Resources Data, New York, Water Year 1995. Volume 1. Eastern New York, Excluding Long Island

Water resources data for the 1995 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, content, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and ground water levels. This volume contains records for water discharge at 119 gaging stations; stage only at 7 gaging stations; stage and contents at 4 gaging stations, and 19 other lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 34 gaging stations and 1 precipitation-quality station; and water levels at 22 observation wells. Also included are data for 31 crest-stage partial-record stations. Location of all these sites are shown on figure 8. Additional water data were collected at various sites not in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data, together with the data in volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with State, Municipal, and Federal agencies in New York.

New York↗
USGS1995

Water resources data, New York, water year 1994, volume 1, eastern New York, excluding Long Island

Water resources data for the 1994 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, content, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and ground water levels. This volume contains records for water discharge at 122 gaging stations; stage only at 4 gaging stations; stage and contents at 4 gaging stations, and 19 other lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 38 gaging stations; and water levels at 22 observation wells. Also included are data for 30 crest-stage partial-record stations. Location of all these sites are shown on figure 8. Additional water data were collected at various sites not in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data, together with the data in volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with State, Municipal, and Federal agencies in New York.

New York↗
USGS1994

Water Resources Data, New York, Water Year 1993; Volume 1. Eastern New York; Excluding Long Island

Water resources data for the 1993 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, content, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and ground water levels. This volume contains records for water discharge at 114 gaging stations; stage only at 4 gaging stations; stage and contents at 4 gaging stations, and 19 other lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 40 gaging stations; and water levels at 24 observation wells. Also included are data for 39 crest-stage partial-record stations. Locations of all these sites are shown on figures 8A and 8B. Additional water data were collected at various sites not in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data, together with the data in volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with State, Municipal and Federal agencies in New York.

New York↗
USGS1992

Water Resources Data, New York, Water Year 1991; Volume 1. Eastern New York; Excluding Long Island

Water resources data for the 1991 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage; contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and ground-water levels. This volume contains records for water discharge at 110 gaging stations; stage only at 4 gaging stations; stage and contents at 4 gaging stations, and 19 other lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 36 gaging stations; and water levels at 22 observations wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 8A and 8B. Also included are data for 37 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites not in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data, together with the the data in volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data system collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New York.

New York↗
USGS1991

Water Resources Data, New York, Water Year 1990; Volume 1. Eastern New York; Excluding Long Island

Water resources data for the 1990 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels in observation wells. This volume contains records of water discharge at 97 gaging stations; stage only at 4 gaging stations; and stage and contents at 4 gaging stations, and 19 other lakes and reservoirs. water quality at 35 gaging stations; and water levels at 23 observation wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 8A and 8B. Also included are data for 38 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites not in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data, together with the data in volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data system collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New York.

New York↗
USGS1990

Water Resources Data, New York, Water Year 1989. Volume 1. Eastern New York; Excluding Long Island

Water resources data for the 1989 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels in observation wells. This volume contains records if water discharge at 93 gaging stations; stage only at 4 gaging stations; and stage and contents at 4 gaging stations, and 19 other lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 38 gaging stations; and water levels at 25 observation wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 7A and 7B. Also included are data for 37 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites not in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data, together with the data in volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System collected collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New York.

New York↗
USGS1987

Water resources data, New York, water year 1986, volume 1, eastern New York, excluding Long Island

Water resources data for the 1986 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water- levels in observation wells. This volume contains records of water discharge at 97 gaging stations; stage only at 5 gaging stations; and stage and contents at 4 gaging stations and 19 lakes and reservoirs; water quality at 34 gaging stations; and water levels at 24 observation wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 7A and 7B. Also included are data for 45 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites not in the systematic data-collection program and are published as miscellaneous measurements and analyses. These data, together with the data in volumes 2 and 3, represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New York.

New York↗
USGS1984

Maximum known stages and discharges of New York streams through September 1983

This report lists the maximum known stages and discharges of New York streams through September 1981. The data represent 1,189 sites. Most data were obtained from files of the U.S. Geological Survey, but some were provided by other Federal, State, and private organizations. The information is grouped by major drainage basins and listed by U.S. Geological Survey station number in downstream order. Given are county names, drainage area (in square miles), period of record, type of site (continuous record, partial record, miscellaneous measurement), date of discharge, stage, elevation, discharge, and remarks. An envelope curve for the New York data was developed from a plot of maximum known discharge versus drainage area, and was compared with a like curve derived from maximum known discharge data gathered throughout the United States. The national curve ranges from about 3.0 times higher than the New York curve at a drainage area of 1.0 square mile to about 4.5 times higher at 1 ,000 square miles. The relative magnitude of flood discharges in four hydrologic regions of New York (west, north, southeast, Long Island) is shown in graphs relating maximum known discharge to drainage area. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗