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<br />, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />1II-3 <br /> <br />Peak Flows <br />A majority of the precipitation which falls over the South Platte River <br />basin consists of snowfall in the mountainous region and thunderstorm <br />activity in the high plains and foothills portions of the basin. Snowfall <br />in the mountains and higher foothills results in runoff peaks in the late <br />spring, however, these peaks are reduced by Chatfield Dam. Snowmelt in the <br />lower foothills and high plains is not normally associated with sharp or <br />large flood peaks. Most major floods on the South Platte River have been <br />associated with thunderstorm activity. Recurrent major storm tracks have <br />been identified which cross the South Platte River watershed and generate <br />most flood flows. <br /> <br /> <br />Peak flows from South Platte tributaries in the study reach are shown in <br />Table III-3. These tributaries are shown on Figure III-I. The flood peak <br />flows presented in Table III-4 are based on future development conditions <br />and existing channel and floodplain conditions. The discharge profile <br />developed for the South Platte below Chatfield Reservoir is shown on Figure <br />III-2. A hydrograph near Sanderson Gulch is shown in Figure 1II-3. <br /> <br />Average River Discharge <br />The regime of the South Platte River can be characterized in terms of <br />average monthly flows at selected points. An analysis of the average <br />monthly flows over the period of record indicates that the flood control <br />reservoirs have modest effect on average monthly flows, but significant <br />effect on daily flows. <br />