Updating PMP Analysis Through Collaboration-The Colorado-New Mexico Regional Extreme Precipitation Analysis, Setting a new Standard of Practice

摘要

The states of Colorado and New Mexico sponsored a regional extreme precipitation analysis to update Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP), while incorporating updated precipitation frequency climatologies and applying state-of-the-science modeling output. The study included representation from both state's dam safety offices and a review board that included 19 members from all Federal agencies involved in dam safety and precipitation frequency development. Applied Weather Associates (AWA) completed Task 1 of this analysis that involved updating PMP values using deterministic processes. AWA followed standard procedures in most aspects of PMP development, with enhancements applied to address the unique and complex meteorology and topography of the region. Extensive collaboration between Task 2 (precipitation frequency) and Task 3 (modeling) resulted in significant improvements in the standard PMP development processes and allowed many of the complexities of the analysis to be addressed in more accurate ways than was previously possible. This presentation will discuss AWA's development of the PMP values over the region and detail how collaboration between tasks resulted in significant improvements, which can be applied in other similar studies.