1004

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 1004
• Author: Boyle, J., K. Covay and D. Bauer.
• Title: Quantity and Quality of Streamflow in the White River Basin, Colorado and Utah.
• USFW Year: 1984.
• USFW - Doc Type: Lakewood, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

4.0 QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF STREAMFLOW--Continued
4.3 Flow Duration

FLOW DURATION DETERMINED FOR 10 SELECTED STREAMFLOW-GAGING STATIONS

Flow-duration curves for North Fork White River at Buford, Colo., and White
River at mouth near Ouray, Utah, indicate streamflow consists of snowmelt
runoff and substantial flow from alluvial and bedrock aquifers, whereas
flow-duration curves for Piceance Creek at White River, Colo., and Yellow
Creek near White River, Colo., indicate streamflow consists of snowmelt
runoff, thunderstorm runoff, and base flow from springs.

Flow-duration curves show the percentage of time that flow rates are
equaled or exceeded. Flow-duration data for 10 streamflow-gaging stations in
the White River basin are presented in table 4.3-1. Duration curves for four
of the gaging stations are shown in figure 4.3-1.

The shape of the flow-duration curve gives an indication of the nature of
the flow. A steeply sloping curve indicates variable flow mainly from surface
runoff. Agent ly s 1 opi ng curve i ndi cates contri but ions from ground-water or
surface-water storage. A steep slope at the lower end of the curve indicates
1 i tt 1 e ground-water contri but i on to base fl ow, whereas a fl at slope at the
lower end indicates substantial ground-water contribution to base flow.

The North Fork White River at Buford, Colo., and the White River at mouth
near Ouray, Utah, are approximately 212 river miles apart, yet the shapes of
the flow-duration curves are very similar. The steep slope of the curves at
the upper end is most likely the result of snowmelt runoff. The curves then
fl atten out, i ndi cat i ng sustai ned base fl ow probably from ground-water di s-
charge from the alluvial aquifer and bedrock aquifers.

The shapes of the flow-duration curves for Piceance Creek at White River,
Colo., and Yellow Creek near White River, Colo., tributaries to the White
Ri ver, are somewhat di fferent from the previ ous two curves di scussed. The
flatter shape of the upper end is probably due to some snowmelt and some
thunderstorm activity. The base flow, however, at these two stations is
primarily from springs. In the case of Piceance Creek, the slope of the curve
flattens slightly on the lower end, indicating a sustained base flow. In the
case of Yellow Creek, the curve steepens sharply on the lower end. This could
indicate that some of the springs cease flowing in late summer.

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