7199

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7199
• Author: O'Brien, J. S. and W. J. Miller.
• Title: Yampa and Green Rivers Water Temperature Simulation, Dinosaur National Monument.
• USFW Year: 1984.
• USFW - Doc Type: Fort Collins, Co.
• Copyright Material: NO

INTRODUCTION
Background
The U.S. National Park Service has del
hydrograph for the continued preservation
processes of the Yampa River in Dinosaur
related biological and channel morphologic
streamflow hydrograph was derived primarily
the sediment transport balance in the Yampa
simulated hydrograph is appropriate for th
aquatic species, a computer simulation of t
reduced discharges was conducted. The U.S
Flow Group (IFG) water temperature computer
to the Yampa River for six historical year
cold, average, and hot climatic years
compiled for input to the model. The r
temperature as a function of discharge.
eloped a minimum streamflow
of natural conditions and
National Monument and its
al resources. This minimum
on the basis of sustaining
Canyon. To ensure that this
biological functions of the
e water temperatures for the
Fish and Wildlife Instream
simulation model was applied
of flow record. Relatively
f meteorological data were
cults show the variation in
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to de
temperature of the Yampa River in Dinos
possible reduction in the water discharge
through an analysis of historical flows.
squawfish, which spawns in the Yampa Can
mately river mile 16.5 to 20.5, require
corresponding to certain discharges to enst
response. The National Park Service (NPS)
(O'Brien, 1984) was examined to determine
ing historical observed water 'temperatu
objectives were outlined to conduct the w
the Yampa and Green Rivers in Dinosaur Nat'
ermine the effects on water
ur National Monument from a
This study is accomplished
Specifically, the Colorado
ron in a reach from approxi-
s certain water temperatures
re a proper spawning behavior
minimum streamflow hydrograph
its suitability for duplicat-
es. The following specific
ter temperature simulation of
onal Monument.
1) Collect and prepare, as input o the model, meteorological,
topographical and channel geometry data f r the Yampa and Green Rivers
in the northwest Colorado area. ;Six years of data, representing a range
of relatively cold, average, and hot climatic years were chosen for
simulation of the period between March 1 nd August 15.
2) Construct and arrange data fi es in the proper format for
input to the IFG temperature model to si ulate water temperatures on a
weekly basis.
3) Calibrate the model for the
4) Simulate the water temperaturE
the NPS minimum streamflow hydrograph an
compare with the historical water tempera
storical water temperatures.
for composite hydrographs of
the historical discharges and
res.