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Harmonic analyses of stream temperatures in the Upper Colorado River Basin

Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4290
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844290

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Abstract

Harmonic analyses were made for available daily water-temperature records for 36 measurement sites on major streams in the Upper Colorado River Basin and for 14 measurement sites on streams in the Piceance structural basin. Generally (88 percent of the station years analyzed), more than 80 percent of the annual variability of temperatures of streams in the Upper Colorado River Basin was explained by the simple-harmonic function. Significant trends were determined for 6 of the 26 site records having 8 years or more record. In most cases, these trends resulted from construction and operation of upstream surface-water impoundments occurring during the period of record. Regional analysis of water-temperature characteristics at the 14 streamflow sites in the Piceance structural basin indicated similarities in water-temperature characteristics for a small range of measurement-site elevations. Evaluation of information content of the daily records indicated that less-than-daily measurement intervals should be considered, resulting in substantial savings in measurement and data-processing costs. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Steele, T., 1985, Harmonic analyses of stream temperatures in the Upper Colorado River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4290, iv, 51 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844290.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Harmonic analyses of stream temperatures in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 84-4290
DOI 10.3133/wri844290
Year Published 1985
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description iv, 51 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Additional publication details