WSP06341

• File Number: 8200.765
• Description: White River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 1/1/1985
• Author: USGS
• Title: Traveltime - Longitudinal-Dispersion - Reaeration and Basin Characteristics of the White River - Colorado and Utah
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

i i t ;.~;:.~.

002837

TRAVELTIME, LONGITUDINAL-DISPERSION, REAERATION, AND BASIN
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WHITE RIVER, COLORADO AND UTAH

I'

By Jeanne M. Boyle and No~man E. Spahr

ABSTRACT

The White River basin contains extensive energy resource developments
which might affect the quantity and quality of the basin's water resources.
The purpose of this study was to determine traveltime, longitudinal-
dispersion, reaeration, and basin characteristics of the White River which can
be used in making decisions concerning the energy developments.

Traveltime and longitudinal-dispersion characteristics were measured for
the White River using dye tracers. Discharges ranged from 281 to 1,840 cubic
feet per second and velocities ranged from 1.26 to 3.17 miles per hour.
Traveltimes were determined for discharges other than measured discharges by a
graphical method and a linear-regression method, Longitudinal-dispersion
coefficients ranged from 284 square feet per second at a discharge of
539 cubic feet per second to 3,560 square feet per second at a discharge of
1,580 cubic feet per second.

Reaeration was measured using a modified-tracer technique in four reaches
of the White River during a medium-flow period in August 1982. Reaeration
coefficients at 200 Celsius ranged from 5.3 to 25.3 per day, The results of a
comparison with measured reaeration coefficients and reaeration coefficients
predicted using empirical equations showed that the most accurate equations
were by Bennett and Rathbun (1972) and Isaacs and Gaudy (1968).

Basin ch~racteristics were determined using U.S. Geological Survey topo-
graphic maps, precipitation data from the National Weather Service, and aerial
photographs taken on September 11, 1981.

INTRODUCTION

The White River basin contains extensive energy resources consisting of
oil, natural gas, coal, and oil shale. Existing and planned energy develop-
ment might affect the quantity and quality of the basin's water resources.
This.report is part of a 4-year assessment of the White River basin from water
years 1981 through 1984. The objectives of the assessment were to describe
the existing hydrology of the basin and to evaluate some of the potential
environmental effects of energy-resource development on the quantity and
quality of the water resources in the basin.

1

~,