(peak flow, flood peak) the maximum instantaneous discharge during a specified time interval. The series of annual peak discharges at a gaging station is used to determine the recurrence interval (frequency) and exceedance probability of floods.

in a river, the maximum volume of water passing a certain point per unit of time.

The greatest volume of stream flow occurring during a storm event.

Large daily fluctuations in the amount of water being released by the dam.