Title:
A Comparison of Precipitation Estimation Techniques over Lake Okeechobee, Florida
A Comparison of Precipitation Estimation Techniques over Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Author(s)
Dyer, Jamie L.
Garza, Reggina
Garza, Reggina
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
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Abstract
Lake Okeechobee is a vital component in the hydrologic system of southern Florida. Currently, the lake and its tributaries are being modeled to provide for predictive capabilities of water resources and water availability. In the modeling scheme, the most important component is the input of water from direct precipitation over the lake. Therefore, an accurate precipitation time series is needed for calibration and operational use. This study compared the National Weather Service (NWS) and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) gage networks with the NWS Stage III multisensor radar estimates over the lake in order to see which provided a better time series of precipitation. It was found that the SFWMD network provided the most consistent and believable mean areal precipitation (MAP) estimates over the surface of Lake Okeechobee, with the radar estimates slightly underestimating those values during the three-year (1997-1999) study period. Additionally, the NWS network around the lake was found to include noticeable bias towards high estimates due to specific gage locations, and was considered unusable.
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Date Issued
2003-04
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings