Characterization of streamflow and nutrient occurrence in the upper White River Basin, Colorado, 1980–2020

Abstract

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Investigation of potential factors controlling benthic algae in the upper White River Basin, Colorado, 2018–21

“…1). More information about the study area is available in Day (2023). The study area was divided into five subbasins for this analysis (fig.…”

“…This study aims to increase understanding of the biology of the upper White River Basin, identify potential factors promoting or limiting nuisance algal abundance, and outline information needs to aid in the understanding and protection of water resources. An accompanying report associated with this study presents seasonal and spatial patterns and describes long-term changes in streamflow and nutrient occurrence in the upper White River Basin (Day, 2023). Table 1 provides information on the water-quality and streamgage sites in the study area.…”

Potential factors controlling benthic algae in the upper White River Basin, Colorado, 2018–21

“…Algal biomass (chlorophyll-a) ranged between 0.7 and 309 milligrams per square meter (mg/m 2 ), and the greatest median concentrations were measured at North Fork White River at Buford (site 8; 51 mg/m 2 ) and at White River above Dry Creek (site 15; 50 mg/m 2 ) (figs. 2 and 3; refer to table 1 from Day [2023] and for list of USGS site names and abbreviated site names and numbers). In general, algal biomass was highest in 2018 (fig.…”

“…2). Decreases in May and June streamflows and corresponding increases in April may indicate a shift toward earlier snowmelt runoff (Day, 2023).…”

“…2) from 2018 through 2021. This fact sheet summarizes major findings of the study; detailed information is available in Day (2023) and . Data are available in a USGS data release (Day and others, 2023).…”