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Water resources of Upper Separation Creek Basin, south-central Wyoming

Water-Resources Investigations Report 80-85
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri8085

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Abstract

Expected development of coal in the 85-square-mile upper Separation Creek basin of south-central Wyoming will greatly increase the demands on water resources. Flows in Separation Creek are seasonal and highly variable. Streamflow is primarily caused by snowmelt. Very light snowpack in the spring of 1977 resulted in annual runoff being only 10 percent of that for the previous year. Surface-water quality is variable in both time and space. Dissolved-solids concentrations ranged from less than 100 to more than 1,500 milligrams per liter. Flushing of accumulated salts occurs during a rising stage. Ground water is obtainable from the Mesaverde Formation, the Lance and Fort Union Formations, and from alluvium. Yields from wells and springs are usually less than 10 gallons per minute, though some springs flow as much as 35 gallons per minute. Ground-water quality varies with the formation. Stream biota are governed by the intermittent nature of the stream and by habitat. Daily mean sediment concentrations ranged from 34 to 11,900 milligrams per liter. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Larson, L.R., Zimmerman, E.A., 1981, Water resources of Upper Separation Creek Basin, south-central Wyoming: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 80-85, v, 69 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri8085.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Water resources of Upper Separation Creek Basin, south-central Wyoming
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 80-85
DOI 10.3133/wri8085
Year Published 1981
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division,
Description v, 69 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Additional publication details