An evaluation of some record reconstruction techniques

There are many methods available for reconstructing streamflow records for sites where no record or only a short record exists. The methods described and evaluated herein rely on transfer of information from nearby stream gages. The methods involve (1) the use of drainage area ratios, (2) the use of estimates of monthly means and standard deviations based on regional streamflow-basin characteristics models, and (3) two different methods of using the cross-correlation of flow records. The methods are evaluated in terms of their ability to estimate some statistics of the annual yields of a reservoir located at the site for which the record is reconstructed. The analysis indicates that useful estimates of flows and reservoir yields may be made without any at-site measurements provided that good regional information transfer models are available.