Analysis of urban storm-runoff data and the effects on the South Platte River, Denver metropolitan area, Colorado

Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4159
By: , and 

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Abstract

Denver was selected for inclusion in the Nationwide Urban Runoff Program, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey. This report, prepared in cooperation with the Denver Regional council of governments, contains a synopsis of previous urban runoff studies in the Denver metropolitan area. The report includes a description of the monitored basins, a summary of storm runoff-to-rainfall ratios and estimates of impervious retention, and constituent loads and concentrations from seven small basins. The data from six small and five tributary basins to the South Platte River are analyzed using regression analysis, resulting in two sets of regression equations to predict storm runoff volume and selected constituent loads. The regression equations may be used to estimate storm-runoff volume and constituent loads from unmonitored basins from 15 to 16,000 acres with effective impervious areas of 15 to 90 percent. The effects of urban runoff on the South Platte River in the Denver area are described in three ways. The three methods indicated that storm runoff was a significant contributor of total suspended solids, total organic carbon, total lead, and total zinc to the South Platte River. 

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Analysis of urban storm-runoff data and the effects on the South Platte River, Denver metropolitan area, Colorado
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 84-4159
DOI 10.3133/wri844159
Year Published 1984
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description vi, 66 p.
Country U.S. Geological Survey
State Colorado
City Denver
Other Geospatial South Platte River
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