WSP10010

• File Number: 8449.700
• Description: Cherry Creek
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 9/1/1995
• Author: Halepaska & Assoc.
• Title: Phase 1 Baseline Water Quality Data Collection Study for the Upper Cherry Creek Basin - Final Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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FIaaI R.....t. PIwe I B........ Water 0uaJity Pm CoIIedioa Studv

50_be. 1995

addition, there are two locations where there is ground water monitoring, but no surface water
sampling was designated in the original proposal (CC-3 and CC-7).

The first year of the Phase I baseline study saw significant variations in the flow of water in the
Cherry Creek channel, both spatially and temporally. Figure 5 shows the range of flows that
were experienced at each of the surface water stations during the period August 1994 through
July 1995. As Figure 5 shows, several of the surface water stations were dry at some point
during the study period, while the maximum values recorded at all stations generally occurred
in May 1995 as a result of the very wet Spring 1995 weather. The peak recorded flow was at
station CC-8, with 34.2 cfs in May 1995.

Of particular note are the several areas of gains and losses in the Cherry Creek channel through
the reach from Castlewood Canyon to Cherry Creek Reservoir. Generally, from Castlewood
Canyon to CC-I, Cherry Creek channel was a losing reach, most probably related to the fact
that Cherry Creek channel flows on bedrock through Castlewood Canyon and, once the alluvial
aquifer is re-established north of Castlewood Canyon, surface flows decrease as the alluvium
assimilates some of the surface flows. However, during the high Spring flows, the reach from
Castlewood to CC-I was gaining, most likely due to additional contributions from tributary
drainages (McMurdo Gulch and Bayou Gulch)(Appendix D).

Through Parker, Cherry Creek was generally gaining under baseflow conditions, while, from
Station CC-5 to CC-8, it was generally a losing reach of stream. From CC-8 to CC-9, flows
were generally increasing.

During the high flow period in the Spring of 1995, gaining and losing reaches were sometimes
reversed due to input from tributary drainages. Of particular note, the highest recorded flow
was at CC-8, with 34.2 efs in May 1995, while CC-9 had a peak flow of 16.8 cfs in May 1995,
indicating a significant loss of flow over that reach during high flow periods.

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