The return levels of the joint distribution of flood peak discharges and flood peak water levels were analyzed by Archimedean Gumbel-Hougaard copula and Kendall distribution function in this article. Using the annual maximum flood peak discharges and corresponding flood peak water levels between years 1951 to 2010 at Gaoyao hydrologic station in Xijiang River

the ‘OR’ return period

‘AND’ return period and Kendall return period with the most likely design quantiles were calculated. The main conclusions of this study can be summarized as follows:① The conditional probability of flood peak flow and flood water level shows various flood control design standards.② Compared with the “OR” return periods and “AND” return periods

Kendall return periods more accurately reflect the risk rate of the combination of flood elements. ③ Based on the principle of maximum probability

the calculated design quantiles of Kendall return periods under the different combination condition of flood peak flow and water level can provide more options for flood control standard selection and risk management.