Laserfiche WebLink
<br />The little Thompson River, a right-bank tributary of <br />the Big Thompson River, drains an area of about 200 square miles. <br />The river has Its source at the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain <br />National Park near Twin Sisters Peaks and flows easterly to join <br />the Big Thompson River about 1 mile north of Milliken. Eleva- <br />tions In the basin range from about 11,000 feet m.s.l. at the <br />headwaters to about 4725 feet m.s.l. at the Big Thompson River <br />confluence. <br /> <br />The reach of the little Thompson River studied In this <br />report begins approximately on the section line between Sections <br />2 and 3, T3N, R70W and ends about 10 miles downstream at the <br />larimer-Weld County line between Section 24, T4N, R69W and Sec- <br />tion 19, T4N, R68W. The little Thompson River throughout this <br />reach is characterized by a meandering channel flowing through a <br />"v "-shaped valley. Channel dimensions vary through the study <br />reach. From reference points I to 4~. ThA ~h~nnAI width varies <br />from 60 to 160 feet and averages 100 feet; the depth ranges from <br />7 to 9 feet. From reference points 46 to 79, the channel width <br />varies from 80 to 140 feet and averages 90 feet; the depth ranges <br />from 4 to 9 feet. From reference points 79 to 104, the channel <br />width varies from 60 to 130 feet and averages 90 feet; the depth <br />ranges from 4 to 8 feet. The streambed has an average slope of <br />37 feet per mile from reference points I to 46,25 feet per mile <br />from reference points 46 to 79, and 17 feet per mile from refer- <br />ence points 79 to 104. <br /> <br />Figures I through 4 show existing conditions along the <br />Big Thompson River study reach. Existing conditions along the <br />little Thompson River study reach are shown on figures 5 through <br />II. These photographs were taken In December 1976 by personnel <br />of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. <br /> <br />4 <br />