WSP09829

• File Number: 8200.760
• Description: Yampa River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 1/1/1989
• Author: USGS
• Title: Simulation of Streamflow in Small Drainage Basins in the Southern Yampa River Basin - Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

0;:)2217

r
r'.':".,
".t'"

In region 1, the drainage basins were monitored by streamflow-gaging
stations (table 1): Middle Creek near Oak Creek (09243700), Foidel Creek
near Oak Creek (09243800), and Foidel Creek at mouth near Oak Creek
(09243900). Foidel and Middle Creeks are roughly parallel and contiguous
(fig. 1). The elevation of headwaters of both drainage basins are at or
above 8,000 ft. The predominant vegetative cover in the upper areas of both
drainage basins is aspen (table 1). No coal mining occurred in the drainage
basin upstream from Foidel Creek near Oak Creek (09243800) during the data-
collection period (1976-79), but mining commenced during 1980. Coal mining
was ongoing in the downstream part of the Foidel Creek drainage basin during
the total data-collection period, and may have affected flow at Foidel Creek
at mouth near Oak Creek (09243900). Virtually no coal mining occurred in the
Middle Creek drainage basin.

>-
f"'~
i~
'-Ii!
J;~

:~:':-:'

- :f~;;
fi~~~
~,~ :.

. ,',
.:.;..
f"'"

,,:...
e.~;d
;~;:~::

In region 1, the two streamflow-gaging stations used in calibration and
verification were Foidel Creek near Oak Creek (09243800) and Foidel Creek at
mouth near Oak Creek (09243900). The upstream gaging station monitors about
one-half the drainage area of Foidel Creek. The streamflow-gaging station,
Middle Creek near Oak Creek, was used to evaluate the transferability of the
model parameters within the region. Two precipitation stations were used to
provide additional data about the three drainage basins in region 1. One
precipitation station near the mouth of Foidel Creek was at 6,730 ft, and the
other station on the divide between Middle and Foidel Creeks was at 8,050 ft.

'-:.;,
,-'..;;;"!;

Region 2

.f,y:

~~
t~~
~~~~~,
~
t~ii

:;.:~'; '.'
~\>~;
~~:1:
~;~t~
~!

t9/:

Region 2 generally is located south of Hayden and west -to Craig (fig. l)
and includes Grassy, Sage, and Dry Creeks; the tributaries of Dry Creek, such
as Hubberson, Watering Trough, Stokes, and Dill Gulches; and the other small
tributaries that drain north directly to the Yampa River. These drainage
basins have headwaters in a series of low-lying hills, called the Williams
Fork Mountains, between the Yampa River and the Williams Fork. The elevation
of these hills ranges from about 7,000 to 7,600 ft, but some peaks are as high
as 8,000 ft. The precipitation map (U.S. Weather Bureau, 1985) indicates that
total annual precipitation in the Williams Fork Mountains is about 20 -in.
Drainage basins in region 2 have limited highlands, and descend rapidly to the
valley areas. The valleys have elevations between 6,480 and 6,800 ft. The
total annual precipitation in the lower elevations is about 16 in., and is
similar to that at Hayden. Because these drainage basins have large areas at
lower elevations, total annual precipitation generally is less than in
region 1. Region 2 has some dryland farming in the valleys.

In region 2, the drainage basins were monitored by streamflow-gaging
stations (table l): Watering Trough Gulch near Hayden (09244460), Hubberson
Gulch near Hayden (09244464), and Stokes Gulch near Hayden (09244470).
Hubberson and Watering Trough Gulches are contiguous and they are upstream
from Stokes Gulch on Dry Creek (fig. 1). The predominant vegetative cover
in these two drainage basins is oak and sage. Almost 60 percent of the land
use in Stokes Gulch drainage basin is dryland farming (table l).

r~};~

;'-.'-'"

....-:.
~:. :-~'.

;-;.'!-"
....'.

6