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K. R. Thompson

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

6 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↗
USGS1985

Annual suspended-sediment loads in the Colorado River near Cisco, Utah, 1930-82

The Colorado River upstream of gaging station 09180500 near Cisco, Utah, drains about 24,100 square miles in Utah and Colorado. Altitudes in the basin range from 12,480 feet near the headwaters to 4,090 feet at station 09180500. The average annual precipitation for 1894-1982 near the station was 7.94 inches. The average annual precipitation near the headwaters often exceeds 50 inches. Rocks ranging in age from Precambrian to Holocene are exposed in the drainage basin upstream from station 09180500. Shale, limestone, siltstone, mudstone, and sandstone probably are the most easily eroded rocks in the basin, and they contribute large quantities of sediment to the Colorado River. During 1930-82, the U.S. Geological Survey collected records of fluvial sediment at station 09180500. Based on these records, the mean annual suspended-sediment load was 11,390,000 tone, ranging from 2,038,000 tons in water year 1981 to 35,700,000 tons in water year 1938. The minimum daily load of 14 tons was on August 22, 1960, and the maximum daily load of 2,790,000 tons was on October 14, 1941. (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↗
USGS1982

Characteristics of suspended sediment in the San Juan River near Bluff, Utah

Fluvial-sediment data were collected for the San Juan River near Bluff beginning in 1914 and terminating in 1980. A double-mass curve showed a change in relationship between annual suspended-sediment discharge and annual stream discharge between the water years 1941-44 and 73. Possible causes for these changes in laboratory procedures, and unusually large runoff that occurred in 1941 and 1972. An unknown or unidentified factor may also be involved. The actual reason for this change in relationship may never be fully understood. Navajo Dam apparently has had no significant effect on fluvial sediment at the sampling site. Mean annual suspended sediment discharge in the San Juan River near Bluff was about 25,410,000 tons ranging from 3,234,000 tons in 1978 to 112,400,000 tons in 1941. The use of annual stream discharge to predict annual suspended-sediment discharge at the site will produce poor results because of size and diversity of the basin and the quality of records available. A positive correlation exists between sand concentration and stream discharge at this site, however, considerable variability is evident. This relationship does not exist when stream discharge exceeds 6,000 cubic feet per second. It is recommended that if collection of suspended-sediment records be resumed in this reach of the river an alternative sampling site should be selected and the use of pumping samplers considered because of the remoteness of the area. (USGS)

Utah↗