Offline Website BuilderRiver Discharge refers to the amount of water flowing past a specific point in a river at a given time. This measurement is typically expressed in cubic meters per second (m³/s) and is a crucial indicator of a river's water dynamics.
River discharge is especially important for understanding flood events, as it reveals how much water is flowing in a river and how this volume can change over time. Analyzing river discharge using various statistical metrics helps to better understand fluctuations in water volume and availability during flood events.
Maximum River Discharge
The maximum river discharge refers to the greatest amount of water that has flowed through the river at a specific point during the measured period. This figure is crucial for flood protection planning and understanding the risks associated with extreme water volumes. The maximum river discharge is the key value for assessing and preventing flooding. However, there are no universal thresholds, as these vary significantly depending on local conditions such as the riverbed's geography, surrounding land use, and climatic factors.
Mean River Discharge
The mean river discharge represents the average value of all recorded water volumes flowing through a specific point of the river over a given period. This figure provides a clear view of the typical amount of water flowing through the river and is particularly useful for understanding changes and trends in river flow over time.
Median River Discharge
The median river discharge represents the middle value of all recorded water volumes at a river. It divides all measurements such that half of the values are above and the other half are below this point. Since the median is less affected by extreme high or low values compared to the average, it often provides a more accurate picture of the typical amount of water flowing through the river.
Minimum River Discharge
The minimum river discharge is the smallest volume of water that has flowed through the river during the observation period. This information is crucial for responding to drought conditions and understanding how such low-flow situations impact the environment.
25th Percentile of River Discharge
This value indicates that 25% of all measured water quantities in the river do not exceed this level. It helps to understand how low the water levels often are and provides insight into the lower limits of water quantities in the river.
75th Percentile of River Discharge
The 75th percentile indicates that 75% of the measured water quantities in the river do not exceed this level. It helps to understand how high the water levels typically are and shows the upper limit of the frequently occurring water quantities.
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