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Time of travel and dispersion of solutes in a 36.4-mile reach of the North Platte River downstream from Casper, Wyoming

Water-Resources Investigations Report 82-4103
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri824103

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Abstract

Time-of-travel and dispersion measurements made during a dye study November 7-8, 1978, are presented for a reach of the North Platte River from Casper, Wyo., to a bridge 2 miles downstream from below the Dave Johnston Power Plant. Rhodamine WT dye was injected into the river at Casper, and the resultant dye cloud was traced by sampling as it moved downstream. Samples were taken in three equal-flow sections of the river 's lateral transect at three sites, then analyzed in a fluorometer. The flow in the river was 940 cubic feet per second. The data consist of measured stream mileages and time, distance, and concentration graphs of the dye cloud. The peak concentration traveled through the reach in 24 hours, averaging 1.5 miles per hour; the leading edge took about 22 hours, averaging 1.7 miles per hour; and the trailing edge took 35 hours, averaging 1.0 mile per hour. Data from this study were compared with methods for estimating time of travel for a range of stream discharges.

Suggested Citation

Armentrout, G., Larson, L.R., 1984, Time of travel and dispersion of solutes in a 36.4-mile reach of the North Platte River downstream from Casper, Wyoming: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 82-4103, Report: iv, 17 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri824103.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Time of travel and dispersion of solutes in a 36.4-mile reach of the North Platte River downstream from Casper, Wyoming
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 82-4103
DOI 10.3133/wri824103
Year Published 1984
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Cheyenne, WY
Contributing office(s) WY-MT Water Science Center
Description Report: iv, 17 p.
Country United States
State Wyoming
City Casper
Other Geospatial North Platte River
Additional publication details