Annual snowmelt and rainfall peak-flow data on selected foothills region streams, South Platte River, Arkansas River, and Colorado River basins, Colorado

Abstract

Peak flows in the foothills region of Colorado are attributable to two meteorologic sources--snowmel t and rainfall. As part of a study of the hydrology of foothills streams in Colorado, charts from streamflow gages on unregulated streams were examined to determine the source of peak-flow events. Snowmelt-runoff peaks were distinguished from rainfal1-runoff peaks on the basis of daily and seasonal occurrence, hydrograph shape, and local weather conditions. Peak-flow data for snowmelt runoff and rainfall runoff are presented for 69 streamflow-gaging stations in the South Platte River, the Arkansas River, and the Colorado River basins.