Trends in precipitation and streamflow and changes in stream morphology in the Fountain Creek watershed, Colorado, 1939-99

Elevation and elevation-change maps of Fountain Creek, southeastern Colorado, 2015–19

“…As a result of increases in sub-bankfull flows, the erosion potential downstream from Colorado Springs has increased four-to fivefold (Sanderson and others, 2011). Stogner (2000) studied flow patterns at USGS streamgages from 1976 to 1999 and similarly found significant increases in daily mean flow corresponding to the 0th, 10th, 40th, 70th, 90th, and 100th percentiles. Stogner (2000) also found significant increases in the 7-, 14-, and 30-day high daily mean flow durations and increases in the 7-, 14-, and 30-day low-flow durations.…”

“…Stogner (2000) studied flow patterns at USGS streamgages from 1976 to 1999 and similarly found significant increases in daily mean flow corresponding to the 0th, 10th, 40th, 70th, 90th, and 100th percentiles. Stogner (2000) also found significant increases in the 7-, 14-, and 30-day high daily mean flow durations and increases in the 7-, 14-, and 30-day low-flow durations. Stogner (2000) analyzed data from six USGS streamgages with complete flow records during the study period located within the Fountain Creek Basin between Colorado Springs and Pueblo (USGS streamgages 07104000, 07103700, 07105500, 07105800, 07106300, and 07106500) (Stogner, 2000).…”

“…Stogner (2000) analyzed data from six USGS streamgages with complete flow records during the study period located within the Fountain Creek Basin between Colorado Springs and Pueblo (USGS streamgages 07104000, 07103700, 07105500, 07105800, 07106300, and 07106500) (Stogner, 2000). Trends during the post-1976 period were roughly coincident with the timing of urbanization, population growth, and the implementation of water-supply projects marked by a shift in the relation between precipitation and flow from 1980 to 1982 based on a double mass curve analysis (Stogner, 2000).…”

“…Superimposed on more recent geomorphic changes to Fountain Creek are longer-term responses to catastrophic flooding. Results from a study of historical aerial photos (1947-99) indicate that peak flow events with a recurrence interval of once every 5 years based on the USGS streamgage record at Pueblo (streamgage site 07106500) (greater than 283 cubic meters per second [10,000 cubic feet per second]) caused substantial morphologic changes including channel widening, rapid lateral migration, loss of mature riparian vegetation, and sediment deposition on the floodplain (Stogner, 2000). In contrast, during quiescent periods when peak flows did not exceed 283 cubic meters per second, more muted changes were observed, such as vegetation regrowth and localized bank erosion (Stogner, 2000).…”

“…1). A combination of natural events and anthropogenic activities throughout the Fountain Creek Basin, including urbanization, wildfire, transmountain diversions that bring water from the West slope, and more recently, treated wastewater discharge, have led to alterations in its hydrologic conditions since the late 1970s (Stogner, 2000;Sanderson and others, 2011). To accommodate growing water demands caused by population growth in Colorado Springs, the Southern Delivery System (SDS) program was completed in 2016 after 20 years of planning (Water Technology, 2019).…”