Laserfiche WebLink
The staff gauge water-level changes were recorded on computer <br />spreadsheets. Daily streamflow data were obtained from USGS stream gauges <br />nearest the bottomland site for dates and times when stage elevations were <br />recorded. This information was used with BR flow models to determine a stage <br />vs. discharge relationship for each site. From several hundred possible <br />equations, this model provides the equation which best describes the stage vs. <br />discharge relationship and the regression correlation coefficient. The <br />information was used to estimate flows necessary to inundate each of the <br />bottomland sites. <br />Channel Cross Sections <br />To determine if channel configuration (depth and width) at each of these <br />bottomland sites would remain constant or change over time with various <br />discharges, it was necessary to obtain streambed profile information. If <br />there were a change, this might affect the amount of flow necessary to <br />inundate the site or the amount of fill material that would have to be removed <br />to allow water access to the bottomland site. Therefore, transects were <br />established at each bottomland site where staff gauges had previously been <br />located. Kevlar cable was stretched across the entire channel between two <br />steel fence posts. Channel cross sections usually encompassed the entire 10- <br />year floodplain. Transects were surveyed by BR personnel from high points <br />from the right shoreline to the left shoreline that crossed secondary and <br />tertiary channels, backwaters, and islands. All distance and elevation <br />measurements were obtained with an electronic distance meter (EDM), that <br />corrected for up- and downstream distances from the transect. Across the <br />transect, elevations were recorded at every 10-foot interval or at every <br />significant grade break. Bed width was plotted against either absolute (Green <br />River) or relative (Colorado and Gunnison rivers) elevations. <br />River Discharge <br />Mean daily streamflows were correlated with the dates when staff-gauge <br />data were obtained. Also, mean daily flows for pre- and post-water <br />development periods were obtained to generate flow exceedences. The period of <br />record at a stream gauging station that best represented present water <br />availability which would inundate a bottomland site was used. The Jensen, <br />Utah gauge was used for bottomland sites adjacent to the Green River. The <br />pre-water development period, 1947-1966, and post-water development period, <br />1966-1993, were analyzed at the Jensen gauge. For the two sites on the <br />Gunnison River, the Delta gauge (1977-1993) was used for the Confluence Park <br />bottomland site and the Whitewater gauge (1967-1993) near Grand Junction for <br />the Johnson Boy's Slough site. Stateline gauge (1952-1993) was used for the <br />Adobe Creek site along the Colorado River. The Cameo gauge (1952-1993) was <br />used for the two sites between Debeque and Rifle, Colorado. For the four <br />bottomland sites in the 15-mile reach, a different approach was used to <br />determine streamflows. Although there is a USGS stream gauge immediately <br />downstream of the Grand Valley Diversion, there are only three years of flow <br />data. Therefore, the mean daily flows at the Cameo and Plateau Creek (1970- <br />1993) stream gauges were summed and the water diversions at Government <br />13