Observations show that peak flows in rainfall-runoff events, and the quantities of annual peak flows, have a power-law dependence on basin area. Physical basis of power laws in peak flows will be explained from mass and momentum conservation equations governing stream flows in self-similar channel networks. Potential engineering applications to predicting floods under a changing climate will be covered. Prereqs., CVEN 4333, 5454 and 5537. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.