Hydrology of Area 61, Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Coal Provinces, Colorado and New Mexico

• Description: Hydrology of Area 61, Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Coal Provinces, Colorado and New Mexico
• State: CO
• State: NM
• Author: Abbott, P. O.; Geldon, Arthur; Cain, Doug; Hall, Alan; Edelmann, Patrick
• Title: Hydrology of Area 61, Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Coal Provinces, Colorado and New Mexico
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

5.0 SURFACE WATER -- Continued
5.2 Low Flow, High Flow
A Frequency Curve Relates Magnitude of a Variable to the
Frequency of Occurrence
Frequency curves are used to estimate the probability that a particular minimum
or maximum streamflow will occur in any future year.
Frequency curves can be developed from availa-
ble recorded streamflow data. Low -flow frequency
information can be used to evaluate a stream's
adequacy to supply water for various uses such as
municipal supplies, industrial supplies, irrigation
supplies, waste dilution, and wildlife conservation.
Information on a stream's high -flow characteristics
is useful in the design of dams, reservoirs, and
flood- control and navigation channels.
Low -flow and high -flow frequency for the Pur-
gatoire River at Trinidad, Colo., for the period of
40
record, is illustrated in figure 5.2 -1. Families of
curves are shown for low flows of 3 -, 7 -, 14 -, and
30 -day mean discharges and for high flows of 3 -, 4 -,
15 -, and 30 -day means.
Low -flow frequencies and high -flow frequencies
for selected streamflow- gaging stations in Area 61
are listed in table 5.2 -1. Flows at these stations are
considered to be representative. of flows of perennial
streams in the area. Location of the streamflow gages
is shown on the accompanying map.