7372

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7372
• Author: Larson, G., J. Renne and G. Smith.
• Title: Colorado and Green River Temperature Data, 1985-1988.
• USFW Year: 1989.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

INTRODUCTION
' As part of a Research and Monitoring Inter-Agency Agreement between the Bureau
of Reclamation and the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Division of Water
Resources has been collecting temperature data at 10 locations on the Colorado
River and 7 locations on the Green River (see location map). This data has
recently been compiled into a database using Dbase III and is now available
for use.
' METHODS
Temperature
' The temperature data from Ryan thermograph strip charts was interpolated
manually. Six daily observations at 3:00, 6:00, 12:00, 14:00, 18:00, and
24:00 were transferred to a Dbase data file. A Dbase program was developed to
' manage the large amount of data collected and to provide a data set for
analysis by researchers and statisticians. The six daily observations are
converted into a daily minimum (Min), maximum (Max), and average (Avg) for
reporting purposes using the following protocol. The Min and Max values in
' the report represent the minimum and maximum temperature at the location for
that day regardless of the number of hourly temperatures available for that
day. The daily average is calculated by adding the number of temperature
' observations for the day and dividing by the number of observations.
Monthly values are also calculated for each month if there is data available
' for each day of the month. The monthly Min and Max represent the minimum and
maximum value observed each month. The monthly Avg was calculated by adding
all temperature values for the month and dividing by the number of days in the
month.
Flow
The report also contains data on flows recorded at the continuous flow
recorders which the Service installed and maintained at Mitten Park, Ouray
Refuge, and Tia Juana Bottom on the Green River. The flow measurements were
taken to calibrate the Flaming Gorge Peaking Power model and should be
considered provisional. The daily values were reduced from hourly strip chart
readings, converted to a gage height, and into flows based upon river
transects measured at each gage location.
Missing days and months in the flow record can be attributed to a number of
factors including malfunctioning equipment, poor location of equipment, ice,
and limited field visits due to limited budget.
' AVAILABILITY OF DATA
Copies of the Dbase III+ program and data are available from the Division of
Water Resources upon request. Documentation on operation of the program is
included in this report.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report was prepared with the assistance of Colorado River Fisheries
' Project staffs in Vernal and Grand Junction. Additional assistance was
provided by Keith Rose and Denise Hann in the Grand Junction office of the
Fish and Wildlife Service.
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