NOAA Atlas 14 Volume for Texas

The purpose of Atlas 14 is to determine annual exceedance probabilities (AEP) and average recurrence intervals (ARI) for precipitation durations ranging from 5 minutes to 60 days and for ARIs from 1 to 1,000 years. After researching historical precipitation data, point estimates of AEPs and ARIs will be developed and spatially interpolated to a spatial resolution of approximately 4km x 4 km. The study results will be published as a volume of NOAA Atlas 14, a wholly web based publication available online through NOAA. The NOAA Atlas 14 Volume for Texas will include the artifacts provided in previous Volumes, including access through the Precipitation Frequency Data Server, base grids in standard formats, electronic copies of maps, results of trend analyses, charts of seasonal distributions and probabilistic temporal distributions, and detailed documentation. NOAA Atlas 14 Volume for Texas will assist USACE in developing hydrologic studies with the best available precipitation frequency data and support USACE's Flood Risk Management mission. Various state agencies, such as TXDOT (Texas Department of Transportation), will use the precipitation frequency estimates acquired in this study to assist in the design of highways, culverts, bridges, and parking lots. The precipitation frequency data may also be used to design storm water-runoff facilities, to estimate the volume of detentions basins and size detention-basin outlet structures. The precipitation frequency data provided in Atlas 14 will provide a public benefit in the form of more accurately designed drainage for roads and highways, providing safety when travelling across the state. Increasing the accuracy of the design of flood-risk management structures and forecasts by USACE and other state agencies also provides safety benefits to the public. See full Funding Announcement attached for more details.