WSP03570

• File Number: 8240.200.33.K
• Description: 15-Mile Reach ‎(UCRBRIP)‎
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1995
• Author: Leonard Rice
• Title: Palisade/Grand Junciton Stream Flow Analyses Update for 1994 Data
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

',J

.

May 12, 1995

U.S..Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center
Denver, Colorado 80225

Attention:

Mr. George Smith

.

RE: Palisade/Grand Junction Stream Flow Analyses Update for 1994 Data

Gentlemen:

,In the last three years we have analyzed
stream gaging data collected near Grand
Junction to provide insight into the nature
of the tributary inflow into a 15 mile reach
of the Colorado River. This report
updates information provided a year ago
considering a reflection of 1991 through
1993 stream gaging data and analysis of
additional stream gaging data that has
been collected for July through-December
of 1994. In ~his year's report we have
expanded our discussion on the present
rating curve table for the 27,5 Road Gage,
and have summarized and provided
comments on the 1994 Ruedi Reservoir
Releases to supplement the critical reach
flows.

I SUMMARY

I
II
III
1II.1
111.2
111.3
IV
V
V,I
V.2
V.3
V.4
VI
VII
VllI
IX
X

Table of Contents

SUMMARY ................,......... 1
BACKGROUND ".........',.......... 4
GAGING STATION RECORDS.....".". 6
27.5 Road Gage ....................... 6

Palisade Gage ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . .. S
21.5 Road Gage Dail)' Flow Variation.. . . .. , 9
CALCULATED LOCAL INFLOW..",... 10
LOCAL INFLOW RELATIONSHIPS.. . ' .' 13
Irrigation Returns '.S Local Innows . ' . . . .. 13
Local Precipitation vs Local Inflow. . . , . . .. 16
Diversion Dam Operations vs Loeallnno\\' .. 17
River Inflo\vs \IS Local Innows . . . . . . . . . .. 19
MEASURED LOCAL INFLOWS ......". 19
BASE INFLOW ........".........'" 20
ANNUAL LOCAL INFLOWS ......,...,. 23
RUED! RESERVOIR RELEASES. . . , . . . .. 23
CONCLUSIONS I RECOMMENDATIONS .. 26

Streamflow measurements were collected at two locations in the 15 mile critical reach for
the months of August through November in 1991, August through December in 1992 and
1993, and July through December in 1994 to better understand local inflow to the reach,
Data collection at the downstream location (27.5 Rd Gage) was performed by Richard D.
Piland and Associates and at the upstream location (Palisade Gage) by the USGS,
Differencing of the data at the two stream gages yields the estimated local inflow accruing
to the critical reach. The observed period in the first three years contained above average