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Hydrodynamic Model of the Colorado River, Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona

Data Report 1197
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/dr1197

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey constructed a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model that was applied to a 15.8-mile tailwater reach of the Colorado River in Glen Canyon that begins 0.25 mile downstream from Glen Canyon Dam and extends to Lees Ferry in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona. The model used the Flow and Sediment Transport with Morphological Evolution of Channels (FaSTMECH) solver in the International River Interface Cooperative (iRIC) modeling interface. The model grid was developed from a full channel digital elevation model derived by combining bathymetric and topographic data collected from March 2013 to February 2016. The model was used to predict water-surface elevations, depths, depth-averaged flow velocities, and bed shear stresses for discharges ranging from 1,000 to 70,000 cubic feet per second. Modeled water-surface elevations matched well with measured values at cross sections throughout the reach, with a mean absolute error of 0.14 meter over the range of typical discharge releases from Glen Canyon Dam. The mean error on discharge, a measure of how well the model solution converged, averaged 0.6 percent and did not exceed 2 percent over the range of discharges modeled. These results indicate that model predictions of hydraulic parameters are reasonably accurate and suitable for use for a variety of purposes, such as ecological and geomorphic modeling.

Suggested Citation

Wright, S.A., Kaplinski, M.A., and Grams, P.E., 2024, Hydrodynamic model of the Colorado River, Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Data Report 1197, 9 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/dr1197.

ISSN: 2771-9448 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Model Development
  • Model Accuracy
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hydrodynamic model of the Colorado River, Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona
Series title Data Report
Series number 1197
DOI 10.3133/dr1197
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Southwest Biological Science Center
Description Report: v, 9 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Arizona
Other Geospatial Colorado River, Glen Canyon Dam, Lees Ferry
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details