Sample Abstract

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
Eng 9100: Graduate Symposium 2012
November 30, 2012 [Arial 14 pt]

Low Flow Regional Frequency Analysis for Labrador, Canada

S. Mostofi Zadeh1
1. MEng Student in Civil Engineering [Arial 11 pt]

Abstract
This paper presents the results of a regional low flow frequency analysis for Labrador, Province
of Newfoundland and Labrador. Knowledge about magnitude and frequency of low flows in this
region is critical as it is needed for the planning and design of water resources projects. This
study is the first regional low flow frequency analysis conducted in this region. The regional
frequency analysis was based on the L-moments approach applied to annual minimum flows
from 12 stream flow gauging sites with more than 15 years of data. The discordancy indices and
homogeneity test show that all 12 stations can be considered as belonging to a homogeneous
region. By using L-moment ratio diagram, the Hosking and Wallis goodness-of-fit statistical
criterion and L-Kurtosis criterion, the three-parameter lognormal distribution was identified as
the most appropriate regional distribution for the region. The index flow procedure was then
used to obtain regional low flow estimates for any return period. In addition, a good fitting
regression equation was obtained between the mean annual low flows and the basin areas. The
regional approach was finally validated using data from rivers not used in the model
development. The results showed that the regional low flow frequency estimation procedure
was easy to implement and provided good results.
Keywords: regional low flow frequency analysis; L-Moments; Labrador; index-flow approach.
Word Count: 218
[Arial 14 pt] for title
[Arial 11 pt] for text