Reservoir evaporation in central Colorado
Water-Resources Investigations Report
83-4103
By: N.E. Spahr and B. C. Ruddy
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Abstract
Evaporation losses from seven reservoirs operated by the Denver Water Department in central Colorado were determined during various periods from 1974 to 1980. The reservoirs studies were Ralston, Cheesman, Antero, Williams Fork, Elevenmile Canyon, Dillon, and Gross. Energy-budget and mass-transfer methods were used to determine evaporation. Class-A pan data also were collected at each reservoir. The energy-budget method was the most accurate of the methods used to determine evaporation. At Ralston, Cheesman, Antero, and Williams Fork Reservoirs the energy-budget method was used to calibrate the mass-transfer coefficients. Calibrated coefficients already were available for Elevenmile Canyon, Dillon, and Gross Reservoirs. Using the calibrated coefficients, long-term mass-transfer evaporation rates were determined. Annual evaporation values were not determined because the instrumentation was not operated for the entire open-water season. Class-A pan data were used to determine pan coefficients for each season at each reservoir. The coefficients varied from season to season and between reservoirs, and the seasonal values ranged from 0.29 to 1.05. (USGS)
Suggested Citation
Spahr, N., and Ruddy, B.C., 1983, Reservoir evaporation in central Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4103, viii, 232 p. :ill., map ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri834103.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Reservoir evaporation in central Colorado |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 83-4103 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri834103 |
| Year Published | 1983 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey, |
| Description | viii, 232 p. :ill., map ;28 cm. |