Gage Consistency

Estimating missing data is one problem that hydrologists need to address. A second problem occurs when the catch at rain gauges is inconsistent over a period of time and adjustment of the measured data is necessary to provide a consistent record. Double Mass Curve analysis is a technique commonly employed to detect changes in data-collection procedures or conditions at a given location. The changes may result from changes in instrumentation, changes in observation procedures or changes in gauge location or surrounding conditions. A double mass curve is a plot of the accumulation of the observed element over time for one location ( test station versus the accumulation over time for a reference location ( base station . The mass curve is appro!imately a straight line if the variations at both test and base stations are quite consistent. Any brea" point in the curve suggests a possible change at the test station in relation to the base station. #f a change in slope is evident, then the record needs to be adjusted, with either the early or later period of record adjusted. The first step is to form the double mass curve and compute the slopes are as follows$ i Add the annual precipitation of base stations. ii %ummulate the sums of &tep '. iii %ummulate the annual precipitation for station (. iv )lot graph accumulated annual precipitation Station X versus accumulated precipitation of Base stations and compute the slope *o and *a. *o + )o ) and *a + )a ) Adjust the measured precipitation of gauge ( using the general equation$ ) a + ) o *a *o where )a + adjusted precipitation value at station ( )o + original precipitation value at &tation ( *a + adjusted slope *o + original slope

Mo
Accumulated total precipitation at Station X

Pox Pax Ma

P
Accumulated precipitation of base stations

EXAMPLE 2.5
*easured annual precipitation gauge for five stations (A, ,, %, - and E from './0 until '.1/ are given below. After 2 years, gauge A was relocated at a new location due to changes in land use that ma"e it impractical to maintain the gauge at the old location. 3ou are required to adjust the record for the period from './0 to '.45 using the records at gauges ,, %, - and E. YEA Annual !reci!itation "##$ A 4/.. /7.' 44.2 /..0 /4.7 27.1 10.4 , 4..7 4..0 1/.5 1'.1 4'.0 20.2 17.' % 12.8 47.2 17.4 41.0 12.' 24.4 15.' 45.8 1'.5 15.1 4/.2 40.8 0/.1 18.. E 48.1 45.. 1/.5 4... 40.4 40.0 47.0 %otal ,6%6-6E '24.0 '25 '8/.8 '17.1 '1..8 /57.7 '81.8 Cu##ulative !reci!itation "##$ A ,6%6-6E 44 '21 0' 451 .2 180 '/1 0/2 '17 881 /50 .74 /24 ''27

'./0 './8 './7 './. '.45 '.4' '.4/

'.44 '.41 '.42 '.40 '.48 '.47 '.4. '.15 '.1' '.1/

45.7 10.7 47.' 15.7 48.. 25.8 10.. 25.2 41.1 18.0

4... 12.1 11.. 4/.0 12.. 10.' 1..7 18.4 48.' 12..

/..0 1'.8 17.' 4..2 11.' 47.. 1'.0 1..8 4'.. 47./

4/.8 40.' 45.8 42.1 4../ 14.4 1... 18.. 4/./ 2/.1

/0.. 4/.1 1'.0 4'.4 11.' 25.0 1'.' 4..5 41.2 18.4

'/..' '22.0 '02.4 '47.7 '84.4 '87.. '7/.1 '74.. '42.8 '74.7

/74 445 407 1'' 11. 1.. 210 2.8 04' 08.

'/78 '114 '057 '818 './5 /5.. //7' /102 /05' /872

) nb + ) ! *a *o i )'./0 + 4/.. 5./0 5.'. )'./0 + 4/.. ('.48 )'./0 + 12 mm iii )'./7 + (44.2 ('.48 )'./7 + 12..5 mm

ii

)'./8 + /7.' ('.48 )'./8 + 47.2 mm

iv )'./. + (/..0 ('.48 )'./. + 15.22 mm