Belfanti, Eric, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Susquehanna University, 576 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870, belfanti@susqu.edu; Ressler, Dan, , Earth and Environmental Sciences, Susquehanna University, 576 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870, resslerd@susqu.edu; Ashcraft, Sara, Susquehanna University Freshwater Research Institute 1250 W Sassafras St Selinsgrove PA, 17870, ashcraft@susqu.edu.
Flash flooding poses a danger to life and property, so knowing how to accurately calculate and notice trends can help predict areas at risk. To examine stream flashiness the Richards-Baker Index (RBI), metric of flashiness, was applied to small (<50 mi^2) drainage basins with a USGS gage across Pennsylvania, and factors contributing to stream flashiness were examined (i.e. land cover/use). R-code was used to gather USGS data and calculate annual RBI averages. Land cover/land use was calculated within each basin using ArcGIS. The results were then put through a linear regression model to test significance. It was found that increasing development and agriculture land in the state were the greatest drivers of flashiness. Since it is not feasible to place stream gages in every waterway, knowing what factors and how they affect stream flashiness can be an alternative way to predict which watersheds are more prone to flash flooding.
Flashiness , Streams , Land Development , Flood Risk