Calculated hydrographs for unsteady research flows at selected sites along the Colorado River downstream from Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona, 1990 and 1991
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Abstract
A one-dimensional model of unsteady discharge waves was applied to research flowr that were released from Glen Canyon Dam in support of the Glen Canyon Environmental Studies. These research flows extended over periods of 11 days during which the discharge followed specific, regular patterns repeated on a daily cycle that were similar to the daily releases for power generation. The model was used to produce discharge hydrographs at 38 selected sites in Marble and Grand Canyons for each of nine unsteady flows released from the dam in 1990 and 1991. In each case, the discharge computed from stage measurements and the associated stage-discharge relation at the streamflow-gaging station just below the dam (09379910 Colorado River Hlow Glen Canyon Dam) was routed to Diamond Creek, which is 386 kilometers downstream. Steady and unsteady tributary inflows downstream from the dam were included in the model calculations.
Steady inflow to the river from tributaries downstream from the dam was determined for each case by comparing the steady base flow preceding and following the unsteady flow measured at six streamflow-gaging stations between Glen Canyon Dam and Diamond Creek. During three flow periods, significant unsteady inflow was received from the Paria River, or the Little Colorado River, or both. The amount and timing of unsteady inflow was determined using the discharge computed from records of streamflow-gaging stations on the tributaries. Unsteady flow then was added to the flow calculated by the model at the appropriate location.
Hydrographs were calculated using the model at 5 streamflow-gaging stations downstream from the dam and at 33 beach study sites. Accuracy of model results was evaluated by comparing the results to discharge hydrographs computed from the records of the five streamflow-gaging stations between Lees Ferry and Lake Mead. Results show that model predictions of wave speed and shape agree well with data from the five streamflow-gaging stations.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Calculated hydrographs for unsteady research flows at selected sites along the Colorado River downstream from Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona, 1990 and 1991 |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 95-4266 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri954266 |
| Year Published | 1996 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Description | iv, 30 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| Other Geospatial | Colorado River, Glen Canyon Dam, |
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