Construction of Cochiti Dam may have altered flood dynamics on ...

[s.tung]

Construction of Cochiti Dam may have altered flood dynamics on the Rio Grande. Therefore, it may be more reasonable to evaluate the recurrence interval of the flood you identified in question 3, by only considering the flood record from 1974 to 1999.
 
  Recalculate the recurrence interval of the flood you identified in question 3, using only this shorter record. Show your calculations.
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Define discharge. How is discharge measured?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[macybarnes]

Answer to Question 1

There are 26 records from 1974 to 1999.
R = (26 + 1) 1 = 27

Answer to Question 2

Discharge is the measurement of the volume of water per interval of time (m3/s) that passes through that part of the channel. Stream gages measure water level, and require knowledge of the channel cross-section. Discharge varies with time, increasing due to higher runoff. A flood occurs when the discharge is unusually high, and the banks of the stream cannot contain the discharge.