Hydrologic data for urban studies in the Houston, Texas, metropolitan area, 1980

Hydrologic investigations of urban watersheds in Texas were begun by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1954. Studies are now in progress in Austin, and Houston. Studies have been completed in the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio areas.

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the city of Houston, began studies in the Houston metropolitan area in 1964. The program was expanded in 1968 to include collection of water-quality data. The objectives of the Houston urban-hydrology study are as follows:

1. To determine, on the basis of historical data and hydro!ogic analyses, the magnitude and frequency of flood peaks and flood volumes.
2. To determine the effect of urban development on flood peaks and volumes.
3. To ascertain the variation in water quality for different flow conditions and different seasons.

This report, the seventeenth in a series of reports to be published annually, is primarily applicable to objective 2. The report presents hydrologic data collected in the Houston urban area for the 1980 water year (October 1, 1979 to September 30, 1980).