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DATA SOURCES and METHODS <br />Analysis of Streamflow and Suspended Sediment <br />The USGS operates four streamflow gauging stations within the study area. These <br />stations are used for continuous monitoring of river stage and streamflow, and periodic sampling <br />of water quality. Stations on the main stem of the Colorado River include: the Colorado River <br />near Cameo (station no. 09095500, located in DeBeque Canyon); the Colorado River below <br />Grand Valley Diversion near Palisade (station no. 09106150, located at the head of the 15-mile <br />reach); and the Colorado River near the Colorado-Utah state line (station no. 09163500, located <br />near the downstream end of Ruby-Horsethief Canyon). One station on the Gunnison River is <br />also included in the analysis: Gunnison River near Grand Junction (station number 09152500). <br />Measurements of streamflow begin at the Cameo gauge in 1934; at the Palisade gauge in 1990; <br />at the state line gauge in 1952, and at the Gunnison River gauge in 1902. <br />Measurements of suspended sediment have been taken periodically at three of these four <br />locations. The record from the Cameo gauge is the most complete; this data set includes 576 <br />measurements of discharge and suspended sediment concentration between 1982 and 1998; 449 <br />of these samples were analyzed to determine the fraction of sediment finer than 0.0625 mm, <br />which is the break between silt and sand. The record from the Gunnison River gauge includes <br />306 measurements of discharge and suspended sediment concentration between 1959 and 1999; <br />120 of these samples were analyzed to determine the fraction of sediment finer than 0.0625 mm. <br />The record from the state line gauge includes 281 measurements of discharge and suspended <br />sediment concentration between 1976 and 1999; 150 of these samples were analyzed to <br />determine the fraction of sediment finer than 0.0625 mm. <br />10