Stream Hydrographs

Graphs of stream stage or flow over time are called stream hydrographs. Hydrographs show fluctuating water levels over differing time scales. Over a period of days, a storm hydrograph shows the stream's response to a rainfall event. Over a year, an annual hydrograph shows the seasonal fluctuations in stream flow. Over multiple years, annual variations in streamflow due to variations in rainfall patterns can be viewed.

 

Storm hydrograph at the San Diego River at Fashion Valley. 4-day discharge up to 340 cfs.

Annual Hydrograph from the San Diego River at Fashion Valley Mall for 1998.

Note the high flows in winter (up to 3250 cfs) and the low flows in summer (0 cfs)

Multiple year record at the San Diego River, Fashion Valley Mall.

Note wet years and dry years in record.

Play the Flood Movie below or step through each point in the hydrograph