Hydrologic terms

acre-feet: a measure of water volume, one acre-foot being the amount required to cover one acre to a depth of one foot

cfs: cubic feet per second, a common way of expressing river discharge

discharge: the rate of river flow, expressed as a volume of water per unit of time

hydrograph: a graph showing river stage or discharge over a certain period of time

hydrology: the scientific study of the distribution, circulation and properties of the waters of the earth

100-year flood: the flood expected to occur on average once every 100 years, or having a 1% chance of occurring any given year

peak discharge: the highest river level reached during a flood event

stage: the height of the river surface, usually express in feet above a reference elevation

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