ENVS 5280 & GEOG 4280

ENVIRONMENTAL HYDROLOGY
6 April 2023

Lab Exercise 7
Due: (extended due date r/t exam on 4/12)
Credit: 20 Points

Streamflow Analysis

For this exercise you will be furnished a data set which consists of a) two months of daily
streamflow records for Monument Creek, Colorado; b) rainfall records for the same period of
time.
Search “USGS 07103970” which is the gaging station identification. The new waterdata site
is filled with information, scroll to the bottom and under location metadata find the “drainage
area” for this station (fyi: its 180 mi^2) but knowing where these resources are can be helpful.

I. Monthly Hydrograph

A. On the furnished annotated graph paper, graph the daily flow including storm peaks (for
two months). Draw histograms first, and then use the mass rate budgeting technique to
construct hydrographs. Use one sheet of graph paper for each month.

B. Separate baseflow from stormflow by sketching an arbitrary line. Label each flow.
Notes:
i. Baseflow usually increases somewhat during a storm, depending on infiltration
and storm duration.
ii. Baseflow varies from day to day even when there is no precipitation. This is
possibly attributable to a) ET conditions (especially important in the case of
riparian phreatophytes); b) barometric pressure fluctuations; c) upstream water
withdrawals; d) measurement errors. But despite these fluctuations, can you
detect a baseflow recession curve (line on this log paper) after precipitation
events?

C. On the same graphs, construct hyetographs to accompany the hydrographs. Use the
precipitation data provided and take an arithmetic average for the three stations. The
hyetograph bars should extend downward from the top. Since the 24-hour precipitation
period ends at 8 a.m. of the noted day, the bar should be centered over 8 p.m. of the
previous day. If the average is less than 0.01", put "T" for trace.

II. Individual Events

From the monthly hydrographs, select two storm events including the biggest one. Do the
following for each event:
A. Construct storm hydrographs at a large arithmetic scale of your choice. Use the mass
rate budgeting technique again to construct hydrographs.

B. Separate baseflow from stormflow.

Note: "Stormflow" includes overland flow, throughflow, and direct channel
precipitation, probably in different proportions in different storms. There is no
reliable method of separating the hydrograph into all four of the runoff
components: overland flow, throughflow, direct channel precipitation, and
baseflow.

C. Measure the total stormflow volume. Do so by determining the area under the
hydrograph above baseflow. The area can be measured with a planimeter or by counting
squares. Or if you want to derive the appropriate equations, integral calculus would also
yield area.

Note: The units on your graph, cubic feet per second (cfs) represent discharge. Volume
is measured in cubic feet.

D. Determine the average stormflow depth for your basin:

Stormflow depth = stormflow volume / basin area

E. Calculate the approximate soil moisture recharge:

SM recharge = precipitation depth - stormflow depth

F. Determine stream response:

Stream response = stormflow depth / precipitation depth

G. Compare the stream responses to the two selected storms. (For example, how do they
vary and what is the likely cause for the differences?) Refer to your monthly
hydrographs and see how the responses to these storms compare with other storms (i.e.
are they representative). A short paragraph will suffice.

Notes:
i. Stream response varies within a basin depending on a) precipitation amount; b)
precipitation intensity; c) antecedent soil moisture; d) infiltration changes,
especially from varying land use. Between basins, the list is much longer. Some
important factors are a) geology and soils; b) slope; c) drainage density; d)
infiltration, especially regarding land use.
ii. In examining the variation in stream response to your storms, antecedent soil
moisture and rainfall intensity are probably most important. Additional factors to
consider for Winter and Spring data sets are ground frost and snowmelt, the
effects of which are often combined. This is especially important in March and
April.
iii. According to Hewlett, the average response for all storms in the eastern U.S. is
about 10-20%. However, there is much variation (2-40%) according to
physiographic province.