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K. R. Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to K. R. Thompson.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1989

Peak-flow characteristics of small urban drainages along the Wasatch Front, Utah

Designers and planners for local, State, and Federal agencies need up-to- date methods for determining peak-flow characteristics for urban drainages along the Wasatch Front, Utah. This report summarizes methods used to develop equations that estimate peak-flows for small urban drainages along the Wasatch Front. Mathematical equations were developed that estimate peak flows for recurrence intervals of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 years, for small urban drainages. Data entry to the equations requires measurements of basin slope, size and percent impervious area. Rainfall and runoff data collected from eight urban drainages along the Wasatch Front from 1984-86, were used to calibrate a rainfall-runoff model called DR3M-II. Rainfall data collected from 1948-83 at the National Weather Service Salt Lake City Airport station provided additional long-term data to the calibrated models. Log Pearson fits made to the peak flow data were used to estimate the recurrence interval peaks for each basin. Paired stations on Little Cottonwood Creek near Salt Lake City were used to help determine the effects of intervening urban drainage on peaks of larger streams. In general, peaks on larger streams caused by snowmelt and peaks caused by rainfall (where urban areas may have a significant effect) did not occur simultaneously. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1984

Sanitary quality of the Jordan River in Salt Lake County, Utah

This investigation of the sanitary quality of the Jordan River was conducted from July 1980 to October 1982 using indicator bacteria rather than specific pathogens. A serious sanitary problem was identified. Concentrations of total coliform bacteria often exceeded 5,000 colonies per 100 milliliters and concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria often exceeded 2,000 colonies per 100 milliliters in the lower reaches of the river. At times these levels were greatly exceeded. The most conspicuous aspect of the bacteriological data is its extreme variability. Seven waste-water treatment plants, seven major tributaries, numerous storm conduits, irrigation-return flow, and other sources all contribute to the dynamic system that determines the sanitary quality of the river. Because of this variability the sanitary quality of the river cannot be predicted at any one time. In general, concentrations of all three indicator bacteria increased in a downstream direction. Storm runoff from urban areas contributed large concentrations of indicator bacteria to the river. Regression analysis of 9 years of data collected at 1700 South Street showed a significant positive correlation between both fecal coliform and fecal streptococcal concentrations versus time. Concentrations of fecal coliform and fecal streptococci have both been increasing since 1974 at 1700 South Street. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1984

Annual suspended-sediment loads in the Green River at Green River, Utah, 1930-82

The Green River above gaging station 093150000 at Green River, Utah, drains about 44,850 square miles in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. The average annual precipitation near the station was 6.11 inches. Rocks ranging in age from Precambrian to Holocene are exposed in the Green River drainage basin above Green River, Utah. Shale, siltstone, and mudstone of Tertiary age probably are the most easily eroded rocks in the basin, and they contribute a large part of the sediment load in the Green River. During 1930-82, the U.S. Geological Survey collected records of fluvial sediment at station 093150000. Based on these records the mean annual suspended-sediment load was about 15,630,000 tons, ranging from 1,780,000 tons during 1934 to 43,400,000 tons during 1937. The minimum daily load of 54 tons was on September 27, 1956, and the maximum daily load of 2,230,000 tons was on July 11, 1936. Analysis of the suspended-sediment records collected from 1930-82 at station 093150000 indicated that the accuracy of the records is fair prior to 1945 and good for the remaining period of record. The records after 1945 reflect the use of improved sampling equipment. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗