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J. E. Kircher

Publications and source records attributed to J. E. Kircher.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1985

Estimation of natural streamflow characteristics in western Colorado

Regression relations were determined for estimating mean annual discharge, mean monthly discharge, minimum and maximum 7-day discharge, flow duration series, and peak discharge for natural streams in western Colorado. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the best predictive relations for each of the streamflow characteristic; separate relations were developed for each of four hydrologically distinct regions in the study area. The standard errors associated with the regression relations generally were less than 100 percent, except for the low-flow relations which had standard errors ranging from 62 to greater than 200 percent. Basin drainage area, mean annual precipitation , mean basin elevation, and mean basin slope are used in the regression relations to estimate the flow characteristics of streams in the study area. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1984

The Stream-gaging program in Colorado

This report documents the results of a study of the streamflow information program in Colorado. Presently (1983), 353 continuous surface-water stations are operated in Colorado on a budget of $2,005,786. Data uses and funding sources are identified for each of the 353 stations. Data from most stations have multiple uses. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1984

Trend analysis of salt load and evaluation of the frequency of water-quality measurements for the Gunnison, the Colorado, and the Dolores rivers in Colorado and Utah

Monthly values were computed for water-quality constituents at four streamflow gaging stations in the Upper Colorado River basin for the determination of trends. Seasonal regression and seasonal Kendall trend analysis techniques were applied to two monthly data sets at each station site for four different time periods. A recently developed method for determining optimal water-discharge data-collection frequency was also applied to the monthly water-quality data. Trend analysis results varied with each monthly load computational method, period of record, and trend detection model used. No conclusions could be reached regarding which computational method was best to use in trend analysis. Time-period selection for analysis was found to be important with regard to intended use of the results. Seasonal Kendall procedures were found to be applicable to most data sets. Seasonal regression models were more difficult to apply and were sometimes of questionable validity; however, those results were more informative than seasonal Kendall results. The best model to use depends upon the characteristics of the data and the amount of trend information needed. The measurement-frequency optimization method had potential for application to water-quality data, but refinements are needed. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1982

Evaluation of sediment yield and sediment data-collection network in the Piceance basin, northwestern Colorado

Statistical relationships were developed between suspended-sediment discharge and several regional factors of climate, physiography, and land use in the Piceance basin, northwestern Colorado. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the existing sediment collection network, especially in regard to detecting changes in suspended-sediment discharge due to the development in the basin. Spatial- and time variability were examined using multiple linear regression techniques. Because of the short period of record, monthly mean sediment loads were used to determine shifts or changes in trends due to mining and related activities in the basin. Dummy variable analysis was used to detect these premining and postmining differences in the regression lines and also to detect seasonal differences in the sediment discharge. Differences did exist in the sediment discharge from season to season and before and after mining; however, due to the variability and short period of record the cause of these differences could not be adequately determined. Part of the high variability in sediment discharge was due to variability in the water discharge. Therefore, if the network is to be improved, the emphasis needs to be on improvement of the water-discharge. The results of the monthly mean regression analysis were used in the mean monthly and mean annual analysis for determination of initial network design equations. These were only preliminary in nature and could be improved with additional data. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1981

Sediment analyses for selected sites on the South Platte River in Colorado and Nebraska, and the North Platte and Platte rivers in Nebraska; suspended sediment, bedload, and bed material

Sediment samples were collected on the South Platte, North Platte, and Platte Rivers in Colorado and Nebraska during the 1979 and 1980 runoff seasons. Suspended-sediment concentrations ranged from 62 to 3,705 milligrams per liter and the maximum load was 45,547 metric tons per day. The percentage of suspended sediment samller than sand (less than 0.062 millimeter) was as follows: 23 to 78 percent for the South Platte River, 9 to 30 percent for the North Platte River, and 2 to 89 percent for the Platte River. Bedload-transport rates ranged from 0.0085 to 0.67 kilogram per second per meter of channel width for the entire study area. The median grain size of bedload ranged from 0.6 to 2.6 millimeters for the South Platte River, 0.5 to 0.8 millimeter for the North Platte River, and 0.6 to 1.2 millimeters for th Platte River. The median grain size of bed material for the South Platte River ranged from 0.3 to 2.4 millimeters, compared to 0.5 to 0.9 millimeter for the North Platte River, and 0.4 to 3.1 millimeters for the Platte River. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗
USGS1981

Sediment transport and effective discharge of the North Platte, South Platte, and Platte Rivers in Nebraska

Sediment discharge was computed for four locations along the North Platte, South Platte, and the Platte Rivers between North Platte and Grand Island, Nebraska in order to determine the effective discharge. The total-sediment discharge was computed by the Colby method and modified Einstein method so that comparisons could be made with the measured total-sediment discharge. The results agreed closely. The Colby method is the simplest and most convenient to use. The mean annual total-sediment discharge for the four sites investigated ranged from 150 tons per day for the South Platte River at North Platte to 1,260 tons per day for the Platte River near Grand Island. The effective discharge at the sites ranged from 41 to 158 cubic meters per second. The probability of the effective discharge being equaled or exceeded ranged from 1 to 30 percent for the four sites. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗