8065

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8065
• Author: Vaill, J. E.
• Title: Computation of Selected Hydraulic Variables for the Lower Yampa River in Northwestern Colorado.
• USFW Year: 1997.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

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stream tube (shallowest depth or fastest velocity) for
the range of streamflows analyzed. The two outside
stream tubes were not considered as having the
minimum depth in the cross section. These stream
tubes typically represent wide, shallow parts of the
stream channel at the edges of the water.
Detailed output from each WSPRO
computation at the critical cross sections in the
three reaches is included in the appendixes. The
stream tube that contained the maximum velocity
did not always have the minimum depth. Graphs of the
computed data were prepared as an aid to the users in
determining the streamflows that would have the most
adverse effect (minimum depths or maximum veloci-
ties, or both) on migrating squawfish. Individual
stream-tube depths were plotted against the stream-
tube velocities for various streamflows at each
critical cross section. Relation of stream-tube depths

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9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2,5
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w
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0,5
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0,25
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to velocities are shown for the Patrick Sweeney
diversion structure in figure 6, for the Maybell Canal
diversion structure in figure 7, for the upstream reach
in Cross Mountain Canyon in figure 8, and for the
downstream reach in Cross Mountain Canyon in
figure 9.
The scope of the study did not provide
for field verification of the hydraulic conditions
determined by WSPRO computations. Field verifica-
tion of hydraulic conditions within the range of
streamflows studied would be beneficial to water
managers during the Colorado squawfish migration
seasons. A streamflow-duration analysis of the
lower Yampa River would provide biologists and
water managers with time frames and streamflow
magnitudes of depths and velocities that may impede
the squawfish migrations.

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. 150 cubic feet per second

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2

3 4 5
VELOCITY, IN FEET PER SECOND

6

7

8

Figure 6. Relation of stream-tube depths to velocities at the critical cross section at the Patrick Sweeney diversion structure.

MODEL DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATION 9