Precipitation, streamflow, suspended-sediment, and water-quality data for the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado, 1966–2015

Open-File Report 2017-1072
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Army
By:

Links

Abstract

The U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson (AGFC) and the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS) are facilities operated by the U.S. Department of the Army in southern Colorado. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Army, established a hydrologic and water-quality data-collection network at the AGFC in June 1978 and at the PCMS in October 1982. The data-collection networks are designed to assess the quantity and quality of water resources and monitor the effects of military training activities on streamflow and water quality. Two preexisting U.S. Geological Survey streamgages at the PCMS were incorporated into the data-collection network at the time it was established, providing periods of record that begin as early as 1966. This report presents and summarizes precipitation, streamflow, suspended-sediment, and water-quality data from 34 U.S. Geological Survey sites on or near the AGFC and the PCMS for the period of record at each site. (Streamflow data are presented as discharge in cubic feet per second.)

At AGFC, daily sum precipitation ranged from 0 to 11.85 inches, daily mean discharge ranged from 0 to 836 cubic feet per second, and daily mean suspended-sediment discharge ranged from 0 to 39,900 tons per day. With the exception of total (unfiltered) mercury and filtered sulfate at two sites and filtered manganese at three sites, 95th percentile trace element concentrations and median total (unfiltered) metal concentrations were less than regulatory numeric standards for all samples. However, individual water-quality results occasionally exceeded respective regulatory numeric standards.

At the PCMS, daily sum precipitation ranged from 0 to 4.59 inches, daily mean discharge ranged from 0 to 4,190 cubic feet per second, and daily mean suspended-sediment discharge ranged from 0 to 21,100 tons per day. Water-quality results, 95th percentile trace element concentrations, and median total (unfiltered) metal concentrations were less than regulatory numeric standards for most properties and constituents except for filtered chloride at one site, filtered sulfate at six sites, filtered phosphorus at one site, filtered manganese at three sites, and total (unfiltered) iron at three sites. Individual water-quality values also occasionally exceeded respective regulatory numeric standards.

Suggested Citation

Arnold, L.R., 2017, Precipitation, streamflow, suspended-sediment, and water-quality data for the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado, 1966–2015: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017–1072, 130 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171072.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Hydrologic Data
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Daily Sum Precipitation for the Period of Record for Selected Sites at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado
  • Appendix 2. Daily Mean Discharge for the Period of Record for Selected Sites at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado
  • Appendix 3. Daily Mean Suspended-Sediment Discharge for the Period of Record for Selected Sites at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado
  • Appendix 4. Selected Water-Quality Data for the Period of Record for Selected Sites at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Precipitation, streamflow, suspended-sediment, and water-quality data for the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado, 1966–2015
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2017-1072
DOI 10.3133/ofr20171072
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Colorado Water Science Center
Description v, 129 p.
Country United States
State Colorado
Other Geospatial Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details