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Data Series 851

Geospatial Database of Estimates of Groundwater Discharge to Streams in the Upper Colorado River Basin

By Adriana Garcia, Melissa D. Masbruch, and David D. Susong

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, as part of the Department of the Interior’s WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) initiative, compiled published estimates of groundwater discharge to streams in the Upper Colorado River Basin as a geospatial database. For the purpose of this report, groundwater discharge to streams is the baseflow portion of streamflow that includes contributions of groundwater from various flow paths. Reported estimates of groundwater discharge were assigned as attributes to stream reaches derived from the high-resolution National Hydrography Dataset. A total of 235 estimates of groundwater discharge to streams were compiled and included in the dataset. Feature class attributes of the geospatial database include groundwater discharge (acre-feet per year), method of estimation, citation abbreviation, defined reach, and 8-digit hydrologic unit code(s). Baseflow index (BFI) estimates of groundwater discharge were calculated using an existing streamflow characteristics dataset and were included as an attribute in the geospatial database. A comparison of the BFI estimates to the compiled estimates of groundwater discharge found that the BFI estimates were greater than the reported groundwater discharge estimates.

First posted July 18, 2014

For additional information, contact:
Director, Utah Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
2329 West Orton Circle
West Valley City, Utah 84119
http://ut.water.usgs.gov

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Suggested citation:

Garcia, A., Masbruch, M.D., and Susong, D.D., 2014, Geospatial database of estimates of groundwater discharge to streams in the Upper Colorado River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 851, 6 p., https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ds851.

ISSN 2327-638X (online)



Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Database Design

Data Display

Comparison of Baseflow Index Calculated and Reported Groundwater Discharge Estimates to Streams

Summary

References Cited