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In order to examine seasonal patterns in flow and sediment transport more closely, synthetic <br />annual time series of discharge and sediment concentration were constructed for the three gauges <br />with the most complete records (Cameo, Whitewater and State Line). The time series were <br />formed by arranging all of the flow and sediment measurements in chronological order from <br />January 1 through December 31, regardless of the year in which they were taken. Figure 17 <br />shows the synthetic time series of discharge and suspended sediment concentration for the <br />Colorado River near Cameo, CO. The irregular patterns (noise) reflect the fact that the data are <br />arranged by the day of the year, independent of the year. The smooth curve running through the <br />data is fit using a locally weighted least squares method. The trends in this plot show that in <br />typical years the peak in suspended sediment concentration occurs 2-3 weeks prior to the peak in <br />water discharge (Fig. 17a). The distinct mode of high sediment concentration running from early <br />April to late June illustrates that sediment supply and transport are highest at this time. <br />Figure 17. Seasonal trends in discharge and suspended sediment concentration, (a) Colorado <br />River near Cameo, CO, (b) Gunnison River near Grand Junction, and (c) Colorado River <br />near Colorado-Utah state line. <br />38