No abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has been collecting topographic data at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, Colorado, annually since 2012. The 10 study areas are located between Colorado Springs and the terminus of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River in Pueblo. The purpose of this report is to present elevation maps based on topographic surveys collected in 2015 and 2019 and to present maps of elevation change that occurred between 2015 and 2019 at all 10 study areas. Elevation and elevation-change maps were developed in ArcGIS from topographic surveys collected at each study area using real-time kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems during the winter months (January through April) of 2015 and 2019. Elevation-change maps were created using statistically defined minimum levels of change detection associated with the 68-percent confidence limit and the 95-percent confidence limit. Study areas along Fountain Creek underwent a range of geomorphic responses between 2015 and 2019 that often depended on the dominant channel pattern of the study area. The results of this ongoing monitoring effort can be used to assess long-term changes in land-surface elevation and to advance understanding of the geomorphic response to possible alterations in flow conditions on Fountain Creek.

Wildfires pose a risk to water supplies in the western U.S. and many other parts of the world, due to the potential for degradation of water quality. However, a lack of adequate data hinders prediction and assessment of post-wildfire impacts and recovery. The dearth of such data is related to lack of funding for monitoring extreme events and the challenge of measuring the outsized hydrologic and erosive response after wildfire. Assessment and prediction of post-wildfire surface water quality would be strengthened by the strategic monitoring of key parameters, and the selection of sampling locations based on the following criteria: (1) streamgage with pre-wildfire data; (2) ability to install equipment that can measure water quality at high temporal resolution, with a focus on storm sampling; (3) minimum of 10% drainage area burned at moderate to high severity; (4) lack of major water management; (5) high-frequency precipitation; and (6) availability of pre-wildfire water-quality data and (or) water-quality data from a comparable unburned basin. Water-quality data focused on parameters that are critical to human and (or) ecosystem health, relevant to water-treatment processes and drinking-water quality, and (or) inform the role of precipitation and discharge on flow paths and water quality are most useful. We discuss strategic post-wildfire water-quality monitoring and identify opportunities for advancing assessment and prediction. Improved estimates of the magnitude, timing, and duration of post-wildfire effects on water quality would aid the water resources community prepare for and mitigate against impacts to water supplies.

No abstract

For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit https://store.usgs.gov.