Historical Perspective of Statewide 

Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 

Droughts in Colorado

By Gerhard Kuhn

Prepared in cooperation with the

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Scientific Investigations Report 2005–5174

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2005

For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services

Box 25286, Denver Federal Center

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Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to 

reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.
iii

Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................2

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................3

Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................4

Methods of Study...........................................................................................................................................4

Computation of 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-Day Streamflows.................................................................14

Streamflow Trends Analysis .............................................................................................................15

Frequency Analysis ............................................................................................................................15

Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows .................................................................................19

Analysis of 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-Day Snowmelt Streamflows .....................................................19

Historical Ranking of Snowmelt Streamflows During 2002 and 1977................................19

Other Years with Drought-Diminished Snowmelt Streamflows.........................................20

Frequency Analysis of Snowmelt Streamflows....................................................................26

Analysis of 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-Day Winter Streamflows...........................................................26

Historical Ranking of Winter Streamflows During 2002 and 1977 .....................................29

Other Years with Drought-Diminished Winter Streamflows...............................................29

Frequency Analysis of Winter Streamflows..........................................................................34

Summary........................................................................................................................................................34

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................38

Appendixes ...................................................................................................................................................41

1. Five lowest historical 7-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September

 for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which

 the streamflows were recorded ..........................................................................................43

2. Five lowest historical 30-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September

 for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which

 the streamflows were recorded ..........................................................................................47

3. Five lowest historical 90-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September

 for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which

 the streamflows were recorded ..........................................................................................51

4. Five lowest historical 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September

 for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which

 the streamflows were recorded ..........................................................................................55

5. Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflow during April–September for selected

 nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on

 frequency analysis for 1973–2002; recorded 180-day snowmelt

 streamflows during April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

 intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations in

 Colorado..................................................................................................................................59

6. Five lowest historical 7-day winter streamflows during October–March

 for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which

 the streamflows were recorded ..........................................................................................64

7. Five lowest historical 30-day winter streamflows during October–March

 for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which

 the streamflows were recorded ..........................................................................................68
iv

8. Five lowest historical 90-day winter streamflows during October–March

 for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which

 the streamflows were recorded ..........................................................................................72

9. Five lowest historical 180-day winter streamflows during October–March

 for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which

 the streamflows were recorded ..........................................................................................76

 10. Estimated 180-day winter streamflows during October–March for 

 selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals

 based on frequency analysis for 1973–2002; recorded 180-day winter

 streamflows during October–March, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

 intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations

 in Colorado...............................................................................................................................80

Figures

1–3. Graphs showing:

 1. Percentage of Colorado in drought, 1890 through October 2005, on 

 basis of 48-month standardized precipitation index..........................................................2

 2. Statewide April 1 snowpack in Colorado during 1968–2002 as a

 percentage of long-term (1971–2000) average ...................................................................3

 3. Selected statistics of daily average streamflows for period of

 record and recorded daily average streamflows during April–March,

 2002–03 and 1977–78, for selected stations in Colorado...................................................5

4. Map showing major river basins in Colorado and location of streamflowgaging stations used in analysis of historical 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day

snowmelt and winter streamflows ..........................................................................................13

5–8. Graphs showing:

 5. Number of stations in Colorado that have historical streamflow record,

 1885–2002 ..............................................................................................................................14

6. LOWESS curves of annual 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt streamflows

 during April–September for selected stations in Colorado..........................................16

7. LOWESS curves of annual 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day winter streamflows

 during October–March for selected stations in Colorado............................................17

8. Frequency curve for the 30-day snowmelt streamflow during April–September

 for station 09361500 Animas River at Durango based on log-Pearson 

 type III frequency analysis for 1973–2002........................................................................18

 9–12. Maps showing:

9. Ranking of 30-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September 2002,

 relative to period of record for selected stations in Colorado....................................21

 10. Ranking of 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September 2002,

 relative to period of record for selected stations in Colorado....................................22

 11. Ranking of 30-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September 1977,

 relative to period of record for selected stations in Colorado....................................23

 12. Ranking of 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September 1977,

 relative to period of record for selected stations in Colorado....................................24
 13. Graph showing number of stations in Colorado in three selected station

 subsets with streamflow record during 1900–2002 and percentage of 

 those stations for which the 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

 April–September in any given year were ranked among the five lowest

 historical values........................................................................................................................25

14–19. Maps showing:

14. Recurrence interval of 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

 April–September 2002, for selected stations in Colorado based on

 log-Pearson type-III frequency analysis for 1973–2002 ..............................................27

	 	 	 15. Recurrence interval of 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

 April–September 1977, for selected stations in Colorado based on

 log-Pearson type-III frequency analysis for 1973–2002 ..............................................28

 16. Ranking of 30-day winter streamflows during October 2002–March 2003,

 relative to period of record for selected stations in Colorado..................................30

 17. Ranking of 180-day winter streamflows during October 2002–March 2003,

 relative to period of record for selected stations in Colorado..................................31

 18. Ranking of 30-day winter streamflows during October 1977–March 1978,

 relative to period of record for selected stations in Colorado..................................32

 19. Ranking of 180-day winter streamflows during October 1977–March 1978,

 relative to period of record for selected stations in Colorado..................................33

20. Graph showing number of stations in Colorado with streamflow record

 during 1900–2002 and percentage of those stations for which the 180-day

 winter streamflows during October–March in any given year were ranked

 among the five lowest historical values ................................................................................34

21. Map showing recurrence interval of 180-day winter streamflows during

 October 2002–March 2003, for selected stations in Colorado based on

 log-Pearson type III frequency analysis for 1973–2002.......................................................35

22. Map showing recurrence interval of 180-day winter streamflows during

 October 1977–March 1978, for selected stations in Colorado based on

 log-Pearson type III frequency analysis for 1973–2002.......................................................36

Tables

1. Periods of record for streamflow-gaging stations in Colorado used in

analysis of historical 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt (April–September)

and winter (October–March) streamflows...............................................................................6

2. Number and percentage of Colorado study stations for which the 7-,

30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 2002 and 1977

were ranked among the five lowest historical values..........................................................19

3. Number and percentage of Colorado study stations for which the 7-,

30-, 90-, and 180-day winter streamflows during 2002 and 1977

were ranked among the five lowest historical values..........................................................29
vi

Conversion Factors and Datums

 Multiply By To obtain

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer

acre-foot per year (acre-ft/yr) 1,233 cubic meter per year

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second

Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Definition of Terms

CWCB: Colorado Water Conservation Board

LOWESS: LOcally WEighted Scatterplot Smoothing

LP3: Log-Pearson type-III

N-day: Collectively refers to the 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt or winter streamflows

SPl: Standardized precipitation index

WY: Water year—A continuous 12-month period representing an annual hydrologic cycle

 selected to present data relative to hydrologic or meteorological phenomena. The water

 year used by the U.S. Geological Survey (and herein) runs from October 1 through 

 September 30 and is designated by the year in which it ends.

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 

(NAVD 88).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27).
Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows 

During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

By Gerhard Kuhn

Abstract

Since 1890, Colorado has experienced a number of 

widespread drought periods; the most recent statewide drought 

began during 1999 and includes 2002, a year characterized 

by precipitation, snowpack accumulation, and streamflows 

that were much lower than normal. Because the drought of 

2002 had a substantial effect on streamflows in Colorado, the 

U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado 

Water Conservation Board, began a study in 2004 to analyze 

statewide streamflows during 2002 and develop a historical 

perspective of those streamflows. The purpose of this report 

is to describe an analysis of streamflows recorded throughout 

Colorado during the drought of 2002, as well as other drought 

years such as 1977, and to provide some historical perspective 

of drought-diminished streamflows in Colorado.

Because most streamflows in Colorado are derived 

from melting of mountain snowpacks during April through 

July, streamflows primarily were analyzed for the snowmelt 

(high-flow) period, but streamflows also were analyzed for 

the winter (low-flow) period. The snowmelt period is defined 

as April 1 through September 30 and the winter period is 

defined as October 1 through March 31. Historical daily average streamflows were analyzed on the basis of 7, 30, 90, and 

180 consecutive-day periods (N-day) for 154 selected stations 

in Colorado. Methods used for analysis of the N-day snowmelt and winter streamflows include evaluation of trends in 

the historical streamflow records, computation of the rank of 

each annual N-day streamflow value for each station, analysis 

for years other than 2002 and 1977 with drought-diminished 

streamflows, and frequency analysis (on the basis of nonexceedance probability) of the 180-day streamflows.

Ranking analyses for the N-day snowmelt streamflows 

indicated that streamflows during 2002 were ranked as the 

lowest or second lowest historical values at 114–123 stations, 

or about 74–80 percent of the stations; by comparison, the 

N-day snowmelt streamflows during 1977 were ranked as the 

lowest or second lowest historical values at 69–87 stations, or 

about 47–59 percent of the stations. Many of the stations in the 

mountainous headwaters where snowmelt streamflows were 

ranked lowest during 2002 were ranked second lowest during 

1977. These results indicate that snowmelt streamflows during 

2002 were considerably more diminished than those during 

1977.

The 180-day snowmelt streamflows were ranked among 

the five lowest historical values at about 90 percent of the stations during 2002 and were ranked among the five lowest historical values at about 77 percent of the stations during 1977. 

Other years during which the 180-day snowmelt streamflows 

were ranked among the five lowest values at a substantial 

percentage of stations include 1934, 1954, 1963, and 1981, but 

the percentages of stations with 180-day snowmelt streamflows ranked among the five lowest values were smaller during 

those years than during 2002 and 1977.

Frequency analysis of snowmelt streamflows indicated 

that recurrence intervals for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 2002 were greater than 50 years for about 

57 percent of the stations and were more than 100 years for 

about 14 percent of the stations. By comparison, recurrence 

intervals for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 1977 

were greater than 50 years only for about 15 percent of the 

stations and were more than 100 years only for about 1 percent 

of the stations. Generally, snowmelt streamflows during 2002 

were more diminished and have higher recurrence intervals 

than snowmelt streamflows during 1977.

The N-day winter streamflows during 2002 and 1977 

were not ranked among the five lowest historical values at 

about 86–103 stations, or about 58–70 percent of the stations, 

compared to about 10–27 percent of the stations for the N-day 

snowmelt streamflows. These results indicate that winter 

streamflows during the 2002 and 1977 droughts were diminished to a lesser extent than the snowmelt streamflows. The 

reasons for this partly are the result of streamflow augmentation from reservoir releases, winter ground-water discharge 

resulting from irrigation during summer, and return flows from 

municipal water use; the effects of these factors likely have 

resulted in increasing winter streamflows during the past 

100 years.

The 180-day winter streamflows were ranked among 

the five lowest historical values only at about 39 percent of 

the stations during 2002 and only at about 37 percent of the 

stations during 1977, compared to about 90 percent of the stations during 2002 and about 77 percent of the stations during 

1977 for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows. The 180-day 

winter streamflows were ranked among the five lowest 
historical values at a larger percentage of the stations during 

1934, 1956, and 1963, which had the largest percentage, about 

63 percent.

Frequency analysis of winter streamflows indicated that 

recurrence intervals for the 180-day winter streamflows during 

2002 were greater than 50 years only for about 20 percent of 

the stations, were greater than 100 years only for about 

6 percent of the stations, and were less than or equal to 20 

years for about 66 percent of the stations. Thus, the 180-day 

winter streamflows recorded during 2002 were not exceptionally low compared to the 180-day snowmelt streamflows 

recorded during 2002; frequency analysis results for winter 

streamflows during 1977 were similar (less than 10 percent 

difference) to those for 2002. Winter streamflows in Colorado 

during 2002 and 1977 were not affected by lack of snowpack 

accumulation and melt to the same extent as snowmelt streamflows. Human activities probably have a greater effect on 

winter streamflows, and these effects probably have changed 

with the course of changes in water-resource management and 

infrastructure.

Introduction

Since 1890, Colorado has experienced a number of 

widespread drought periods that ranged from about 1 (1981) 

to 11 (1930–40) years in duration (Doesken, 2004; Doesken 

and McKee, 1999; McKee and others, 1999; McKee and others, 2000) (fig. 1); the standardized precipitation index (SPI) 

method used in figure 1 is described in McKee and others 

(1993). The most recent statewide drought period began during 1999 and includes 2002, a year characterized by precipitation, snowpack accumulation, and streamflows that were much 

lower than normal.

Accumulated precipitation during September 2001 

through August 2002 was the lowest on record for 9 of 16 

long-term precipitation stations analyzed (Pielke and others, 

2004). Statewide, mountain snowpack was about 52 percent 

of normal on April 1, 2002, the lowest since 1977, when the 

April 1 statewide snowpack was about 46 percent of normal 

(fig. 2). Warmer than normal temperatures and below-normal 

precipitation during April 2002 led to an early snowmelt of the 

already low snowpack (Doesken and Pielke, 2004), resulting 

in a statewide snowpack that was only 19 percent of normal on 

May 1 (Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2002), the 

lowest on record since 1968. The low snowpack and overall 

lack of precipitation resulted in very low streamflows throughout Colorado during 2002.

There are few previous analyses of drought-diminished 

streamflows in Colorado, including the individual drought 

years of 2002 and 1977. Several reports were published 

during the 1960s related to the general drought in the Southwest during 1942–56 (Gatewood and others, 1964; Thomas, 

1962, 1963; Thomas and others, 1963a, 1963b), and a report 

describing the 1977 drought also was published (Matthai, 

1979). These reports, however, generally present a regional 

perspective of the droughts and provide only limited analyses 

of streamflows at specific sites. A more detailed analysis of 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

YEAR

PERCENTAGE OF COLORADO IN DROUGHT

1890 1895 1900 1905 1910 1915 1920 1925 1930 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

Figure 1. Percentage of Colorado in drought, 1890 through October 2005, on basis of 48-month standardized 

precipitation index. [Source: Doesken, 2004.]

   Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
drought-diminished streamflows in Colorado was completed 

in 1991 as a part of a National Water Summary Report (Collins and others, 1991). The results, which were based on an 

analysis of annual departure from average annual streamflow 

for about 50 stations throughout Colorado, identified four 

periods of drought in Colorado: 1930–42, 1949–57, 1958–70, 

and 1976–82. More recently, an analysis of streamflow and 

water-quality data obtained at 146 stations during 1978–2002 

(after 1977, the last year of greatly diminished streamflows 

throughout Colorado) indicated that average summer streamflows (July–September) during 2002 were the lowest on 

record during that 25-year period at 116 (about 79 percent) 

of the stations (D.T. Chafin, U.S. Geological Survey, written 

commun., 2004). Although that analysis indicated streamflows 

throughout much of Colorado during 2002 were the lowest on 

record since at least 1977, a more detailed analysis of longterm streamflow records would provide a better perspective of 

streamflows during the droughts of 2002 and 1977 in relation 

to the historical record.

Additionally, the Colorado Water Conservation Board 

(CWCB) is responsible for the appropriation, acquisition, 

and protection of instream-flow and natural lake-level water 

rights in Colorado. Since creation of the State’s Instream 

Flow Program in 1973, the CWCB has appropriated instreamflow water rights on more than 8,000 miles of streams and 

475 natural lakes in the State (Colorado Water Conservation 

Board, 2004). Because the drought of 2002 had a substantial 

effect on minimum streamflows in Colorado, a better understanding of the magnitude and recurrence interval of minimum 

streamflows in Colorado during 2002 would help the CWCB 

to effectively manage the Instream Flow Program in the event 

of another severe drought. Therefore, the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the CWCB, began a study 

in 2004 to analyze statewide streamflows during 2002 and 

develop a historical perspective of those streamflows. This 

perspective will provide information to the CWCB, as well as 

other water-resource managers and planners, indicating the 

probability and recurrence intervals of similarly low streamflows; this information also may be useful in future watersupply planning for droughts in Colorado.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this report is to describe an analysis 

of streamflows recorded throughout Colorado during the 

drought year of 2002, as well as other drought years such 

as 1977, and to provide some historical perspective of 

drought-diminished streamflows in Colorado. Typically, in 

Figure 2. Statewide April 1 snowpack in Colorado during 1968–2002 as a percentage of long-term (1971–2000) average. [Source: Doesken and Pielke, 2004]

Introduction 

1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

YEAR

PERCENTAGE OF 1971–2000 AVERAGE STATEWIDE SNOWPACK

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175
considering drought-diminished streamflows, periods of 

low flow often come to mind. Because most streamflows 

(the major source of water supply) in Colorado are derived 

from melting of mountain snowpacks during April through 

July, streamflows primarily were analyzed for the snowmelt 

(high-flow) period, but streamflows also were analyzed for the 

winter (low-flow) period. For the study described herein, the 

snowmelt period is defined as the 183-day period from April 1 

through September 30 and the winter period is defined as the 

182-day period from October 1 through March 31 (leap-day 

[February 29]) data were not included (fig. 3).

Streamflows were analyzed for selected streamflowgaging stations throughout Colorado that (1) were operating 

both during 2002 and during 1977, (2) have about 25 years or 

more of record, and (3) are not immediately downstream from 

reservoirs. One hundred and fifty-four stations in Colorado 

meet these criteria (table 1; fig. 4). Some exceptions to the 

selection criteria were made: (1) Three of the stations listed in 

table 1 have less than 25 years of record (stations 06725450, 

06746905, and 07134100) but were included to increase spatial coverage; (2) records for two or more stations were combined in two cases (stations 06709530 and 07108900) because 

of similarity in drainage areas (Kuhn and Nickless, 1994); 

and (3) some stations only have seasonal records for some 

years (stations 07091200, 07094500, 09089500, 09143000, 

09143500, and 09241000). Some of the stations listed in 

exception 3 may have less than 25 years of record, especially 

during the winter period, but were included because the selection criteria generally were met for the snowmelt period. Daily 

average streamflow data for each station, from the beginning 

of the daily streamflow record through water year (WY) 2002, 

were used in the analyses; for the 2002 winter period, streamflow records for October 1 through March 31, 2003 (part of 

WY 2003), also were included. Analysis of data was limited to 

data stored in the USGS National Water Information System 

computer data base. [Note: See “Contents” for definition of 

water year.]

For the snowmelt and winter periods, streamflows for 7, 

30, 90, and 180 consecutive-day periods (hereinafter, N-day, 

for general discussions) were computed for each year of 

record and ranked. [The N-day streamflows are described in 

the “Computation of 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-Day Streamflows” 

section of this report.] Many of the analyses described in this 

report, however, will focus on the 30- and 180-day snowmelt 

and winter streamflows because (1) results of analyses of the 

four N-day streamflows always were very similar and (2) 

presentation of data (figures and tables) and discussion of 

results for each of the N-day streamflows would unnecessarily increase the report length without providing any additional 

benefit to the report findings.

Because periods of drought commonly are more than 1 

year in length (fig. 1), various multiyear methods for analysis of drought-diminished streamflows have been used. One 

such method (Paulson and others, 1991, p. 160) calculates the 

accumulated departure of monthly streamflow from the longterm monthly average streamflow and assigns a frequency to 

the drought on the basis of multiyear events (Furness, 1962; 

Carswell and Bond, 1980). However, for the study described 

herein, streamflows were analyzed strictly on an individual 

year basis because this approach provides a perspective of 

individual drought years, such as 2002 and 1977, which often 

are remembered for their exceptionally low streamflows.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank the following individuals for their assistance in preparation of this report: Jeffrey 

Baessler—Colorado Water Conservation Board (technical 

review); Kip Bossong, Harry Lins, and Bill Kirby—USGS 

(technical review); Mary Kidd—USGS (editorial review); 

Sharon Powers—USGS (preparation and layout of final manuscript); and John Evans—USGS (cover design).

Methods of Study

This section briefly illustrates the characteristics of 

streamflows in Colorado and defines the 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-

day streamflows. The section also describes how the N-day 

streamflows were computed, the methods used to evaluate 

trends in the historical streamflow records, and the methods 

used to perform frequency analysis.

The snowmelt period (April–September, fig. 3) consists 

of a spring snowmelt period and a summer recession period of 

lesser snowmelt when some streamflow also may be derived 

from rainfall. Snowmelt in Colorado usually begins during 

April or May and extends into June or July (fig. 3); typically, 

about 50 to 80 percent of the annual streamflow at a station 

results from snowmelt over a 3-month period, depending on 

proximity to the mountainous headwaters (Kuhn and Nickless, 

1994). The beginning and end of the snowmelt period depend 

on several factors, including range of elevation upstream from 

a station, distance downstream from mountainous headwaters, areal extent and water content of snowpack in the basin, 

precipitation and temperature patterns before and during 

snowmelt, and other factors. The summer recession period is 

characterized by daily average streamflows that are substantially smaller than those during snowmelt but usually larger 

than streamflows during the winter period (fig. 3). The winter 

period (October–March, fig. 3) is characterized by only small 

variations in streamflow that generally decrease during winter 

and increase with the onset of spring.

For the stations shown in figure 3, streamflows recorded 

during 2002 and 1977 generally were less than the daily 10thpercentile streamflows for the period of record. The statistically computed streamflows (90th percentile, median, and 

10th percentile; fig. 3) do not have much short-term variation 

because they are smoothed streamflow values, whereas the 

hydrographs for 2002 and 1977 represent actual streamflows 

that are subject to considerable variation over shorter time 

periods. Some of the abrupt increases in streamflow for station 

 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR

STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

10

100

1,000

10,000

100

1,000

10,000

100

1,000

10,000

100

1,000

10,000

100

1,000

10,000

50

50

Station 06754000 South Platte River at Kersey

Station 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City

Station 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte

Station 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs

Station 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs

Snowmelt period Winter period

90th percentile

Median

10th percentile

Recorded streamflow for April 2002–March 2003

Recorded streamflow for April 1977–March 1978

EXPLANATION

Figure 3. Selected statistics of daily average streamflows for period of record (table 1) and recorded daily 

average streamflows during April–March, 2002–03 and 1977–78, for selected stations in Colorado.

Methods of Study 
Table 1. Periods of record for streamflow-gaging stations in Colorado used in analysis of historical 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt 

(April–September) and winter (October–March) streamflows.

[--, not applicable; dg, degrees; mn, minutes; sc, seconds; map identification number in bold indicates station was used in LOWESS analysis]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number

Station name Latitude

dg mn sc

Longitude

dg mn sc

Drainage

area

(square

miles)

Periods 

of record1

(water

years)

Number

of years

in each 

period 

Cumulative

number

of

years in 

periods

1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 40 29 46 105 51 52 1.53 1974–2002 29 29

2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 40 56 15 106 20 16 1,431 1916–2002 87 87

3 06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 39 24 33 105 10 10 2,579 1896–1997;

1899–1900;

1902–1982;

2002

 2;

 2;

 81;

 1

 2;

 4;

 85;

 86

-- 206709500 Plum Creek near Louviers 39 29 04 105 00 07 302 1948–1991 44 44

4 206709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near 

Louviers

 39 30 27 105 01 26 315 1984–2002 19 19

5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 39 39 11 105 11 43 164 1920–2002 83 83

6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan 39 39 08 105 01 57 260 1927–2002 76 76

7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown 39 21 21 104 45 46 169 1940–2002 63 63

8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 39 45 35 105 00 10 3,861 1896–2002 107 107

9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 39 45 57 105 37 32 147 1946–1986;

1995–2002

41;

 8

41;

49

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 39 45 11 105 14 05 400 1975–2002 28 28

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 39 55 19 104 52 04 4,713 1927–2002 76 76

12 306725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 40 09 30 105 00 48 424 1977–1982;

1985–2002

 6;

18

 6;

24

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont 40 09 08 105 00 52 439 1927–1949;

1952–1955;

1979–1990;

1992–2002

23;

 4;

12;

11

23;

27;

39;

50

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of 

canyon near Drake

 40 25 18 105 13 34 305 1927–1928;

1930–1933;

1939–1949;

1951–2002

 2;

 4;

 11;

52

 2;

 6;

 17;

69

15 306746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright 

Reservoir

 40 32 24 105 52 56 3.01 1979–2002 24 24

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of 

canyon near Fort Collins

 40 39 52 105 13 26 1,056 1884–1903;

1905–1909;

1911–2002

20;

 5;

92

20;

25;

 117

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort 

Collins

 40 35 21 105 04 09 1,127 1975–2002 28 28

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 40 24 44 104 33 46 9,598 1902–1903;

1905–1912;

1914–2002

 2;

 8;

89

 2;

10;

99

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 40 19 19 103 55 17 13,245 1953–2002 50 50

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 40 58 46 102 15 15 23,193 1902–1906;

1908–1912;

1914–1922;

1925–2002

 5;

 5;

 9;

78

 5;

10;

19;

97

 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number

Station name Latitude

dg mn sc

Longitude

dg mn sc

Drainage

area

(square

miles)

Periods

of record1

(water

years)

Number

of years

in each

period

Cumlative

number

of 

years in 

periods

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 39 15 26 106 20 35 98.8 1968–1983;

1990–2002

16;

13

16;

29

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 39 10 20 106 23 19 23.6 1947–2002 56 56

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 39 02 34 106 15 55 427 1910–2002 93 93

24 407091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 38 39 08 106 03 02 1,060 1965–1982;

1989–2002

18;

14

18;

32

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 38 30 10 105 56 21 1,485 1961–2002 42 42

26 407094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 38 29 14 105 22 23 2,548 1946–1955;

1965–2002

10;

38

10;

48

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 38 26 02 105 15 24 3,117 1889–1994;

1896–2002

 6;

 107

 6;

 113

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 38 23 18 105 00 56 4,024 1940–1952;

1975–2002

13;

28

13;

41

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 38 51 17 104 52 39 103 1958–2002 45 45

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at U.S. Air 

Force Academy

 38 58 14 104 54 08 14.9 1971–2002 32 32

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 38 55 04 104 49 05 204 1939–1949;

1976–2002

11;

27

11;

38

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 38 48 59 104 49 20 392 1976–2002 27 27

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 38 43 46 104 44 00 495 1965–2002 38 38

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain 38 41 04 104 41 17 65.6 1976–2002 27 27

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon 38 26 23 104 35 35 849 1973–2002 30 30

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo 38 17 16 104 36 02 926 1922–1925;

1941–1965;

1971–2002

 4;

 25;

 32

 4;

 29;

 61

-- 507108500 St. Charles River near Pueblo 38 12 39 104 31 57 467 1941–1953 13 13

-- 507108800 St. Charles River near Vineland 38 13 37 104 29 54 473 1968–1974 7 7

37 507108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 38 14 44 104 29 09 474 1979–2002 24 24

-- 507109000 St. Charles River at mouth near 

Pueblo

 38 14 44 104 29 09 482 1922–1925 4 4

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 38 14 53 104 23 55 6,327 1940–1951;

1965–2002

12;

38

12;

50

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler 38 05 28 103 58 52 1,125 1922–1925;

1940–2002

 4;

 63

 4;

 67

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near 

Fowler

 38 07 33 103 54 41 10,847 1965–2002 38 38

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 38 00 11 103 39 20 496 1922–1925;

1968–2002

 4;

 35

 4;

 39

Table 1. Periods of record for streamflow-gaging stations in Colorado used in analysis of historical 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt 

(April–September) and winter (October–March) streamflows.—Continued

[--, not applicable; dg, degrees; mn, minutes; sc, seconds; map identification number in bold indicates station was used in LOWESS analysis]

Methods of Study   
Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number

Station name Latitude

dg mn sc

Longitude

dg mn sc

Drainage 

area 

(square 

miles)

Periods 

of record1

(water 

years)

Number

of years

in each

period

Cumulative

number

of 

years in 

periods

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 37 59 26 103 31 55 12,210 1912–2002 91 91

43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 38 04 51 103 13 09 13,976 1940–2002 63 63

44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 37 07 46 104 38 22 505 1972–2002 31 31

45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher 37 21 23 103 53 59 1,791 1967–2002 36 36

46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas 38 02 02 103 12 00 3,306 1922–1931;

1949–2002

10;

54`

10;

64

47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar 38 06 21 102 37 05 19,780 1914–1955;

1959–2002

42;

44

42;

86

48 307134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar 38 06 51 102 29 00 3,248 1968–1982;

1996–2002

15;

7

15;

22

49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 37 39 25 106 38 55 216 1911–1922;

1937–1995;

1999–2002

12;

59;

4

12;

71;

75

50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 37 41 22 106 27 38 1,320 1890–1996;

1904–1906;

1908–2002

7;

3;

95;

7;

10;

105

51 08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber 

Creek near Villa Grove

 38 13 13 106 05 21 45.4 1924–1926;

1937–1982;

1999–2002

3;

46;

4

3;

49;

53

52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 38 09 48 106 17 24 595 1911–1912;

1915–2002

2;

88

2;

90

53 08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita 37 48 48 106 19 05 61.0 1919–1922;

1924–1928;

1930–1981;

1999–2002

4;

5;

52;

4

4;

9;

61;

65

54 08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland 37 26 50 105 25 30 32.0 1924–1981;

1999–2002

58;

4

58;

62

55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 37 03 14 106 11 13 282 1903–1905;

1912–2002

3;

91

3;

94

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz 36 59 35 106 02 17 110 1920;

1925–1929;

1934–2002

1;

5;

69

1;

6;

75

57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 36 58 56 106 04 23 167 1915–1920;

1925–2002

6;

78

6;

84

58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses 37 18 01 105 44 47 887 1921–2002 82 82

59 08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 37 11 02 105 25 31 220 1927–1982;

1999–2002

56;

4

56;

60

60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 37 04 42 105 45 22 7,700 1900–2002 103 103

61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch 

near Grand Lake

 40 19 33 105 51 22 53.4 1954–2002 49 49

62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 39 54 00 105 46 34 27.6 1911–2002 92 92

Table 1. Periods of record for streamflow-gaging stations in Colorado used in analysis of historical 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt 

(April–September) and winter (October–March) streamflows.—Continued

[--, not applicable; dg, degrees; mn, minutes; sc, seconds; map identification number in bold indicates station was used in LOWESS analysis]

 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number

Station name Latitude

dg mn sc

Longitude

dg mn sc

Drainage

area

(square

miles)

Periods

of record1

(water

years)

Number

of years

in each 

period

Cumulative

number

of 

years in 

period

63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park 39 55 13 105 47 05 27.8 1935–2002 68 68

64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 39 54 36 105 52 40 32.9 1935–2002 68 68

65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser 39 57 00 105 45 54 19.9 1935–2002 68 68

66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass 39 45 37 105 54 21 5.49 1966–2002 37 37

67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek 39 46 44 105 55 40 16.3 1934–1941;

1966–2002

8;

37

8;

45

68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek 

near Leal

 39 47 50 106 01 32 35.0 1966–2002 37 37

69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 39 48 02 106 01 33 8.76 1966–2002 37 37

70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 39 47 45 106 01 48 27.3 1966–2002 37 37

71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 39 50 02 106 03 21 89.5 1934–2002 69 69

72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 40 00 01 106 10 45 184 1905–1924;

1934–2002

20;

69

20;

89

73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 39 34 00 106 02 56 121 1958–2002 45 45

74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 39 36 20 105 56 33 57.7 1943–1946;

1952–2002

4;

51

4;

55

75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 39 35 40 105 58 19 9.10 1958–2002 45 45

76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile 

Creek at Frisco

 39 34 31 106 06 36 93.3 1958–2002 45 45

77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 40 02 12 106 26 22 2,382 1905–1918;

1962–1970;

1972–2002

14;

9;

31

14;

23;

54

78 09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail 39 42 14 106 27 25 3.41 1972–2002 31 31

79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn 39 41 54 106 26 42 2.94 1965–2002 38 38

80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn 39 43 54 106 25 34 3.61 1965–2002 38 38

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 39 48 00 106 35 00 86.2 1945–2002 58 58

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 39 30 30 106 21 58 70.0 1911–1925;

1945–2002

15;

58

15;

73

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff 39 31 20 106 19 23 9.53 1965–2002 38 38

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 39 31 22 106 20 08 23.8 1964–2002 39 39

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park 39 23 25 106 28 10 6.39 1973–2002 30 30

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 39 24 20 106 25 58 36.0 1948–1954;

1973–2002

7;

30

7;

37

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 39 28 24 106 22 02 58.2 1911–1918;

1945–2002

8;

58

8;

66

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn 39 34 05 106 24 43 34.2 1957–1963;

1968–2002

7;

35

7;

42

Table 1. Periods of record for streamflow-gaging stations in Colorado used in analysis of historical 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt 

(April–September) and winter (October–March) streamflows.—Continued

[--, not applicable; dg, degrees; mn, minutes; sc, seconds; map identification number in bold indicates station was used in LOWESS analysis]

Methods of Study   
Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number

Station name

Latitude

dg mn sc

Longitude

dg mn sc

Drainage area 

(square 

miles)

Periods 

of record1

(water 

years)

Number

of years

in each 

period

Cumlative

number

of 

years in 

periods

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near 

Minturn

 39 37 33 106 16 39 14.4 1948–1956;

1964–2002

 9;

39

 9;

48

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn 39 35 47 106 15 52 12.6 1948–1956;

1964–2002

 9;

39

 9;

48

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn 39 38 24 106 17 34 4.54 1964–2002 39 39

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn 39 38 37 106 18 07 5.32 1967–2002 36 36

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn 39 38 54 106 19 21 6.02 1965–2002 38 38

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn 39 38 45 106 22 54 5.94 1965–2002 38 38

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn 39 40 58 106 24 03 7.32 1964–2002 39 39

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 39 37 47 106 31 20 14.8 1975–1987;

1989–2002

13;

14

13;

27

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 39 38 58 106 57 11 944 1947–2002 56 56

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 39 38 38 107 04 38 4,394 1941–2002 62 62

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 39 10 48 106 48 05 108 1965–2002 38 38

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 39 12 21 106 47 49 41.1 1951–1956;

1970–2002

 6;

33

 6;

39

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek 

near Redstone

 39 13 56 107 13 36 167 1956–2002 47 47

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood 

Springs

 39 32 37 107 19 44 1,451 1906–1909;

1911–2002

 4;

92

 4;

96

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood 

Springs

 39 33 18 107 20 13 6,013 1967–2002 36 36

104 409089500 West Divide Creek near Raven 39 19 52 107 34 46 64.6 1956–2002 47 47

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 39 14 21 108 15 56 8,050 1934–2002 69 69

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 39 11 00 108 16 02 592 1937–1983;

1986–2002

47;

17

47;

64

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 38 39 52 106 50 41 477 1911–2002 92 92

108 09112500 East River at Almont 38 39 52 106 50 51 289 1911–1922;

1935–2002

12;

68

12;

80

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 38 32 31 106 56 57 1,012 1911–1928;

1945–2002

18;

58

18;

76

110 09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 38 24 42 106 25 20 149 1917–1922;

1938–1972;

1993–2002

 6;

35;

10

 6;

41;

51

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 38 31 18 106 56 25 1,061 1938–2002 65 65

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 38 17 56 107 13 46 334 1938–2002 65 65

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron 38 15 26 107 32 46 66.6 1955–2002 48 48

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near 

Somerset

 38 55 33 107 26 01 526 1934–2002 69 69

Table 1. Periods of record for streamflow-gaging stations in Colorado used in analysis of historical 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt 

(April–September) and winter (October–March) streamflows.—Continued

[--, not applicable; dg, degrees; mn, minutes; sc, seconds; map identification number in bold indicates station was used in LOWESS analysis]

10 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number

Station name Latitude

dg mn sc

Longitude

dg mn sc

Drainage

area

(square

miles)

Periods

of record1

(water

years)

Number

of years

in each

period

Cumulative

number

of 

years in 

periods

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 38 52 12 107 30 13 41.3 1937–1947;

1986–2002

11;

17

11;

28

116 409143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge 38 59 05 107 51 13 27.4 1940–2002 63 63

117 409143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge 38 54 06 107 55 14 39.0 1918–2002 85 85

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 38 45 11 108 04 40 5,628 1977–2002 26 26

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 38 11 02 107 44 43 149 1959–2002 44 44

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 38 10 40 107 45 28 97.2 1922–1927;

1956–1971;

1980–2002

 6;

16;

23

 6;

22;

45

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 38 19 53 107 46 44 448 1913–2002 90 90

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 38 44 31 108 04 49 1,115 1939–2002 64 64

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 38 59 00 108 27 00 7,928 1897–1999;

1902–1906;

1917–2002

 3;

 5;

86

 3;

 8;

94

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah 

State Line

39 07 58 109 01 35 17,843 1952–2002 51 51

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 37 38 20 108 03 35 105 1952–1996;

1999–2002

45;

 4

45;

49

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 37 28 21 108 29 49 504 1896–1903;

1911–1912;

1922–2002

 8;

 2;

81

 8;

10;

91

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 38 18 37 108 53 05 2,024 1918–1922;

1972–2002

 5;

31

 5;

36

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 38 21 25 108 49 58 2,145 1972–2002 31 31

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 38 02 33 108 07 54 310 1911–1912;

1931–1934;

1942–2002

 2;

 4;

61

 2;

 6;

67

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 38 21 26 108 42 44 1,499 1955–1962;

1974–1994;

1997–2002

 8;

21;

 6

 8;

29;

35

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 40 29 01 106 49 54 568 1905–1906;

1910–2002

 2;

93

 2;

95

132 409241000 Elk River at Clark 40 43 03 106 54 55 216 1911–1916;

1918;

1920;

1932–1991;

1999–2002

 6;

 1;

 1;

62;

 4

 6;

 7;

 8;

68;

72

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 40 30 10 108 01 45 3,410 1917–2002 86 86

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 40 59 58 107 08 34 285 1943–1947;

1951–1999;

2001–2002

 5;

49;

 2

 5;

54;

56

Table 1. Periods of record for streamflow-gaging stations in Colorado used in analysis of historical 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt 

(April–September) and winter (October–March) streamflows.—Continued

[--, not applicable; dg, degrees; mn, minutes; sc, seconds; map identification number in bold indicates station was used in LOWESS analysis]

Methods of Study 11
Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number

Station name Latitude

dg mn sc

Longitude

dg mn sc

Drainage

area

(square

miles)

Periods

of record1

(water

years)

Number

of years

in each

period

Cumulative

number

of 

years in 

periods

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 40 58 57 107 22 56 161 1932–2002 71 71

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily 40 32 50 108 25 25 3,730 1922–2002 81 81

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near 

Meeker

 40 00 18 107 49 29 648 1962–2002 41 41

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 40 02 01 107 51 42 755 1902–1906;

1910–2002

 5;

93

 5;

98

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 40 00 48 108 05 33 1,024 1962–2002 41 41

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch 

near Rio Blanco

 39 55 16 108 17 49 506 1965–1998;

2000–2002

34;

 3

34;

37

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River 40 04 39 108 14 07 652 1965–1966;

1971–2002

 2;

32

 2;

34

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely 39 55 13 108 28 20 31.6 1974–2002 29 29

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River 40 10 07 108 24 02 262 1973–1982;

1989–2002

10;

14

10;

24

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand 

Creek near Pagosa Springs

 37 23 23 106 50 26 64.1 1957–1996;

1999–2002

40;

 4

40;

44

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 37 15 58 107 00 37 298 1936–2002 67 67

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 37 00 49 107 18 42 1,230 1962–2002 41 41

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 37 05 18 107 23 50 629 1963–2002 40 40

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 37 28 39 107 32 35 72.5 1963–2002 40 40

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 37 00 34 107 35 56 520 1951–2002 52 52

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 37 16 45 107 52 47 692 1898;

1900;

1912–1925;

1928–2002

 1;

 1;

14;

75

 1;

 2;

16;

91

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 37 17 23 108 02 24 37 1918–2002 85 85

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New 

Mexico State Line

 36 59 59 108 11 17 331 1921–2002 82 82

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc 37 01 39 108 44 27 526 1921–1943;

1951–2002

23;

52

23;

75

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah 

State Line

 37 19 27 109 00 54 346 1951–2002 52 52

1

Periods of record are for daily streamflow; periods of only monthly streamflow record are not included. Records through March 31, 2003, were included for 

analysis of streamflows for winter period.

2

Data for the two Plum Creek stations were combined into one record; combined record length is 56 years.

3

Stations 06725450, 06746095, and 07134100 were included because no other stations are in the vicinity.

4

Indicates that station has seasonal record (only for snowmelt period) for some years.

5

Data for the four St. Charles River stations were combined into one record; combined record length is 48 years.

Table 1. Periods of record for streamflow-gaging stations in Colorado used in analysis of historical 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt 

(April–September) and winter (October–March) streamflows.—Continued

[--, not applicable; dg, degrees; mn, minutes; sc, seconds; map identification number in bold indicates station was used in LOWESS analysis]

12 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
Figure 4. Major river basins in Colorado and location of streamflow-gaging stations used in analysis of historical 7-, 30-, 90-, 

and 180-day snowmelt and winter streamflows. [Map identification number in bold indicates station was used in LOWESS 

analysis.]

Methods of Study 13

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

50 49

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69

68 67

66

93

89

70

52

107° 104°

38°

40°

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

23 to 29 years (14; 9.1 percent)

30 to 49 years (59; 38.3 percent)

50 to 69 years (39; 25.3 percent)

70 to 89 years (23; 14.9 percent)

90 to 117 years (19; 12.3 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates length

of record, in years; number and

percentage of stations in group 

in parentheses:

RIVER BASIN

MAP INSET
06754000 (fig. 3) during 2002 and 1977 likely are the result of 

precipitation runoff from the urban areas of metropolitan 

Denver, which are upstream from the station. A noticeable 

feature of the recorded streamflows for 2002 and 1977 (fig. 3, 

except for station 06754000) is that streamflows are especially 

poorly sustained during the recession just after the peak of 

snowmelt, probably owing to the very low snowpacks during 

drought years (fig. 2), which also may be accompanied by 

earlier than normal snowmelt.

Computation of 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-Day 

Streamflows

A clear understanding of an N-day streamflow as used 

in this report is essential to understanding the results of the 

analyses. An N-day streamflow value is computed from the 

daily average streamflows for a given station and essentially is 

a “moving average” streamflow value for the specified number 

of days. For the snowmelt and winter periods, there will be 

numerous “moving average” 7-day values, a lesser number of 

30- and 90-day values, and only 2 or 3 180-day values during 

any one year (fig. 3). For the snowmelt period, the largest 

N-day average streamflow value in each year is selected for 

analysis, whereas for the winter period, the smallest N-day 

average streamflow value in each year is selected for analysis. 

For each station, the number of N-day snowmelt and winter 

streamflow values actually used for analysis is equal to the 

number of years of record. Computations of the N-day snowmelt and winter streamflows were made using the SWSTAT 

computer program (U.S. Geological Survey, 2004); output 

from SWSTAT includes the historical rank and year of each 

N-day value for each station.

For the snowmelt period, the largest N-day streamflow 

for a station usually will occur near (for shorter N-day periods) 

or include (for longer N-day periods) the peak of snowmelt 

(fig. 3), even during a drought year. The annual N-day snowmelt streamflows were ranked from smallest to largest and 

are discussed herein in terms of being the lowest (or second 

lowest, and so on) during the historical record. When considering the discussions relating to N-day snowmelt streamflows, 

it is important to remember that the lowest historical N-day 

snowmelt streamflow at a station during the period of record 

is, in fact, the largest N-day snowmelt streamflow during 

that particular year of the historical record. The above logic 

does not need to be applied to the N-day winter streamflows 

because the lowest N-day winter streamflow at a station during 

the period of record also is the smallest N-day winter streamflow during that particular year of the historical record.

Although 154 stations were used for the analyses 

described in this report, not every station has record for each 

and every year (table 1). In subsequent sections of this report, 

parts of the discussions will make reference to the number and 

percentage of stations for which streamflows were droughtdiminished during various years. When considering these discussions, it will be important to have some idea of the number 

of stations that have streamflow record in any given year 

(fig. 5); the number of stations has been fairly constant for 

about the past 30 years. The use of percentages in the report 

discussions is preferred because it provides a better perspective of the extent of diminished streamflows during particular 

years than the actual numbers of stations, owing to the fewer 

Figure 5. Number of stations in Colorado (for a selected station subset, see table 1) that have historical streamflow record, 1885–2002.

YEAR

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

NUMBER OF STATIONS

1885 1895 1905 1915 1925 1935 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005

14  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
and fewer number of stations for the years prior to about 1975 

(fig. 5).

Streamflow Trends Analysis

Streamflows at most of the stations (table 1) were 

affected to some extent by diversions for agricultural, industrial, and municipal uses, return flows, reservoir regulation, 

and transmountain diversions; however, limiting the study only 

to stations where streamflows were not (or only minimally) 

affected by human activities would result in too few stations 

for analysis. The effects of human activities on streamflows 

throughout Colorado have changed over time because of 

development of new water-resource projects, changes in existing projects or water use, population growth, and other factors. 

Consideration of changes in streamflows related to human 

activities is especially important in the frequency analysis 

described later in this report. For example, results of frequency 

analysis might be different for the streamflow record at a station prior to and after construction of an upstream reservoir.

To evaluate long-term trends in streamflows, the 

N-day snowmelt and winter streamflows for selected stations 

were analyzed by using the LOWESS smoothing procedure. 

LOWESS, or LOcally WEighted Scatterplot Smoothing, is a 

flexible and useful, but robust, smoothing algorithm (Helsel 

and Hirsch, 1995). The smoothness of a LOWESS curve can 

be modified by the use of a smoothness factor that increases or 

decreases the size of the “data window” used to compute the 

smoothed value at each data point. A value of 0.30 was used 

for the LOWESS analyses described herein; the value for the 

smoothing factor is determined subjectively, depending on the 

purpose of the result. A complete description of the 

LOWESS smooth procedure is beyond the scope of this report 

and is available in Helsel and Hirsch (1995) and other references cited therein.

LOWESS smooth curves, for both the N-day snowmelt 

and N-day winter streamflows, were developed for 44 of the 

stations listed in table 1; the stations primarily were selected 

on the basis of length of record and absence of extensive 

breaks in the record. Generally, two to four stations on the 

main stream and three to five stations on tributary streams 

within each major river basin (fig. 4; except for the North 

Platte River basin) were included in the LOWESS analysis. 

Presentation of the LOWESS curves for all 44 stations is 

beyond the scope of this report; however, examples of the 

curves are shown in figures 6 and 7.

Visual analysis of the LOWESS curves (figs. 6–7) shows 

some interesting streamflow trends, such as a period of generally higher streamflows during the early 1900s, a period of 

lower streamflows from the 1930s through the 1950s, then 

higher streamflows through the 1980s, followed by lower 

streamflows again through 2002. There are exceptions to this 

general trend, such as the snowmelt streamflows for station 

09085000 (fig. 6) that seem to show a continuous downward 

trend. The downward trend in April–September streamflow 

at station 09085000 partly could be attributed to depletion of 

streamflow in the Roaring Fork River basin by transmountain 

diversions, especially the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project (Bureau 

of Reclamation, 1972) that was completed during the 1970s. A 

substantial part of the transmountain diversions in the Roaring Fork River basin are used to supplement streamflows in 

the Arkansas River basin; interestingly, however, snowmelt 

streamflows at station 07096000 do not seem to have an 

upward trend corresponding to the downward trend at station 

09085000 (fig. 6). On the other hand, there is a noticeable 

increase in winter streamflows at station 07096000 after about 

1965 (fig. 7). Some of the increase in winter streamflows 

at station 07096000 after about 1965 could be attributable 

to a general streamflow increase because of a generally wet 

period; however, the persistence of the upward trend at station 

07096000 after the 1980s, when many other streams have 

downward trends in streamflow (figs. 6–7), partly may be a 

result of the transmountain diversions.

Because streamflow records integrate all of the natural 

and human factors affecting streamflow at a station, it is not 

possible to precisely determine what factors are affecting the 

streamflow trends observed in the LOWESS curves. Certainly 

some of the factors are climate related, such as periods of low 

precipitation (droughts; fig. 1) and periods of high precipitation (the 1980s), and some of the factors are human related, 

such as development of reservoirs or transmountain diversion 

projects. To better understand the streamflow trends observed 

in the LOWESS curves, it could be possible to isolate, and 

perhaps remove, the effects of some of the factors from the 

streamflow records, or perform separate trend analyses of 

precipitation, snowpack, or diversion records. Such an analysis could help in understanding and management of water 

resources in Colorado, but such an analysis is beyond the 

scope of this report.

For purposes of this report, it was assumed that the 

effects of regulation were fairly uniform during the period 

of analysis. Most agricultural diversions have been in place 

and utilized uniformly for many years, commonly prior to 

the establishment of most streamflow-gaging stations; and, 

during most of the winter period, agricultural diversions were 

not in operation. In the case of reservoirs and transmountain 

water-diversion projects, effects of diversions or regulated 

streamflow usually began at a specific time, and the period of 

record most suitable to the analysis can be selected. Also, during snowmelt, when streamflows usually are largest, regulated 

streamflows are a smaller component of the total streamflow. 

The assumption of uniform regulation will not always be 

valid; however, the effects of nonuniform regulation likely will 

not influence the results substantially, and any observed effects 

can be considered in interpretation of the results.

Frequency Analysis

Frequency analysis is a method to relate the magnitude of 

a variable to frequency, or probability, of occurrence (Riggs, 

Methods of Study 15
0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

Station 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey

Station 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte

Station 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City

Station 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs

Station 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs

7-day snowmelt

30-day snowmelt

90-day snowmelt

180-day snowmelt

1895 1905 1915 1925 1935 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005

YEAR

EXPLANATION

Figure 6. LOWESS curves of annual 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 

April–September for selected stations in Colorado.

16  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
0

Station 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey

Station 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte

Station 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City

Station 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs

Station 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs

1895 1905 1915 1925 1935 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005

YEAR

STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

200

300

400

500

600

700

100

200

300

400

500

100

200

300

400

300

600

900

1,200

60

90

120

150

180-day winter

90-day winter

30-day winter

7-day winter

EXPLANATION

Figure 7. LOWESS curves of annual 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day winter streamflows during 

October–March for selected stations in Colorado.

Methods of Study 17
1968). A number of mathematical distributions have been used 

to describe hydrologic events; a commonly used distribution 

to analyze streamflow frequency, especially instantaneous 

peak streamflow, is the log-Pearson type-III (hereinafter, LP3) 

distribution (log implies that the data are log-transformed 

before analysis). The LP3 distribution and its application to 

peak-flow frequency is described in detail in a report (Bulletin 

17B) by the U.S. Interagency Advisory Committee on Water 

Data (1982). The capability to perform LP3 frequency analysis 

for N-day streamflows also is programed into the SWSTAT 

program (U.S. Geological Survey, 2004); however, some of 

the LP3 enhancements described in Bulletin 17B, such as 

weighting the skew (U.S. Interagency Advisory Committee on 

Water Data, 1982), are not used in the N-day frequency analysis within the SWSTAT program (U.S. Geological Survey, 

2004). The SWSTAT program was used to compute estimated 

snowmelt and winter streamflows at each study station for 

nonexceedance probabilities of 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.10, 

equal, respectively, to recurrence intervals of 100, 50, 20, and 

10 years; an example frequency curve is shown in figure 8.

Because streamflows throughout Colorado are affected to 

some degree by human activities, and because these activities 

and associated effects likely have changed during the past 

100 years, the time period used to define the frequency or 

recurrence interval for streamflows can have an effect on the 

result. On the basis of visual comparison of the LOWESS 

curves for 44 of the study stations (see “Streamflow Trends 

Analysis” section), the 30-year period from 1973 through 

2002 was selected for use in the frequency analysis; the number of stations during this time period also was fairly constant 

and near the maximum number (fig. 5).

Some stations (table 1) have substantial breaks in their 

record during the 1973–2002 period; therefore, in order to 

provide about 30 years of record for the frequency analysis, 

the 1955–2002 period was used for those stations. The stations 

included in the 1955–2002 period are 06707500, 07091200, 

08224500, 08231000, 08242500, 08250000, 09115500, and 

09241000. The use of a different time period for these few stations likely would not affect the results of the frequency analyses because there were no changes in diversion or modification 

of streamflow in the basins upstream from the stations during 

the longer time period. For most of the 154 stations (table 1), 

the length of record used for the frequency analyses ranged 

from 26 to 33 years, except that for 11 stations, the length of 

record used for the frequency analysis ranged from 17 to 

24 years.

10,000

0.01 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0..50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 0.95 0.98 0.99

300

500

700

1,000

2,000

3,000

5,000

7,000

100 50 20 10 5 3.33 2.5 2 1.67 1.43 1.25 1.11 1.05 1.02 1.01

PROBABILITY THAT 30-DAY SNOWMELT STREAMFLOW WILL BE LESS THAN OR 

EQUAL TO INDICATED VALUE IN ANY YEAR

RECURRENCE INTERVAL, IN YEARS

30-DAY SNOWMELT STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC 

FEET PER SECOND

Recorded 30-day snowmelt streamflow

Frequency curve

Figure 8. Frequency curve for the 30-day snowmelt streamflow during April–September for station 09361500 Animas 

River at Durango based on log-Pearson type-III frequency analysis for 1973–2002.

18  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
Historical Perspective of Statewide 

Streamflows 

Analysis of 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-Day Snowmelt 

Streamflows

This section describes results for analyzing the N-day 

snowmelt streamflows, which includes illustrating the ranks 

of statewide snowmelt streamflows during 2002 and 1977, 

analysis for other years with drought-diminished snowmelt 

streamflows, and frequency analysis. The frequency analysis 

included computation of estimated N-day snowmelt streamflows for selected nonexceedance probabilities and the 

associated recurrence intervals and assignment of recurrence 

intervals for the N-day snowmelt streamflows recorded during 

2002 and 1977.

Historical Ranking of Snowmelt Streamflows 

During 2002 and 1977

The N-day snowmelt streamflows during 2002 were 

ranked as the lowest or second lowest historical values at 

114–123 stations, or about 74–80 percent of the stations; by 

comparison, the N-day snowmelt streamflows during 1977 

were ranked as the lowest or second lowest historical values at 

69–87 stations, or about 47–59 percent of the stations 

(table 2). The numbers and percentages vary somewhat for 

the N-day values but generally increase as the number of days 

increases. During 2002, N-day snowmelt streamflows were 

not ranked among the five lowest values only at about 7–10 

percent of the stations, whereas during 1977, they were not 

ranked among the five lowest values at about 23–37 percent 

of the stations (table 2). These results indicate that snowmelt 

streamflows during 2002 were considerably smaller than those 

during 1977.

The 30- and 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 2002 

were the lowest or second lowest on record throughout most 

of Colorado (figs. 9–10). Snowmelt streamflows for stations 

in the mountainous headwaters (figs. 9–10; especially map 

inset and upper Arkansas River basin just to the south) almost 

always were ranked lowest or second lowest, a clear confirmation of the record low snowpack during 2002 (fig. 2). (Also, 

recall that statewide May 1 snowpack was only 19 percent 

of average in 2002; see “Introduction” section.) Snowmelt 

streamflows in the Rio Grande and San Juan and Dolores 

River basins also were always ranked as lowest or second lowest (with two exceptions), partly because of the low snowpack 

in 2002 but also because southwestern Colorado had been in 

an extended drought period for several years. Most of the stations for which snowmelt streamflows were ranked higher than 

second lowest are located in eastern Colorado in the Arkansas 

and South Platte River basins, where streamflows were augmented by reservoir releases for agricultural irrigation.

The 30- and 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 1977 

(figs. 11–12) show a pattern somewhat similar to that for 

2002 (figs. 9–10); however, the number of stations for which 

the snowmelt streamflows were ranked as the lowest or near 

the lowest is much fewer for 1977 than for 2002 (table 2). 

Snowmelt streamflows were ranked second lowest during 

Number of stations for which streamflow was ranked Percentage of stations for which streamflow was ranked

Snowmelt

streamflow Lowest

Second

lowest

Third

lowest

Fourth

lowest

Fifth

lowest

Not

ranked

among 

five

lowest

Lowest

Second

lowest

Third

lowest

Fourth

lowest

Fifth

lowest

Not

ranked

among 

five

lowest

2002 (153 stations with record)

7-day 83 31 13 7 4 15 54.2 20.3 8.5 4.6 2.6 9.8

30-day 82 39 11 7 3 11 63.6 25.5 7.1 4.6 1.9 7.2

90-day 86 36 9 8 2 12 56.2 23.5 5.9 5.2 1.3 7.9

180-day 95 28 10 6 0 14 62.1 18.3 6.5 3.9 0.0 9.2

1977 (148 stations with record)

7-day 26 43 7 10 7 55 17.6 29.0 4.7 6.8 4.7 37.2

30-day 33 44 16 6 8 41 22.3 29.7 10.8 4.1 5.4 27.7

90-day 33 55 12 4 10 34 22.3 37.1 8.1 2.7 6.8 23.0

180-day 29 58 11 9 7 34 19.6 39.2 7.4 6.1 4.7 23.0

Table 2. Number and percentage of Colorado study stations for which the 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 

2002 and 1977 were ranked among the five lowest historical values.

Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows 19
1977 (figs. 11–12) at many of the stations in the mountainous 

headwaters for which snowmelt streamflows were ranked lowest during 2002 (figs. 9–10).

Snowmelt streamflows in the Arkansas and South Platte 

River basins generally were ranked higher during 1977 than 

during 2002. This partly could be the result of (1) reservoir 

storage throughout Colorado that probably was larger at the 

beginning of snowmelt during 1977 than during 2002, owing 

to the above-average snowpack for 3 of the 4 years prior to 

1977, whereas 2002 was preceded by 4 years of below-average 

snowpack (fig. 2) and (2) above-average snowpacks prior to 

1977 (fig. 2) that probably resulted in a larger residual snowpack at the beginning of WY 1977 compared to the residual 

snowpack at the beginning of WY 2002. Other factors, however, could have contributed to the higher ranked streamflows 

during 1977 in comparison to the ranks of streamflow during 

2002.

Transmountain diversions of water from the headwaters of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers (western slope) to 

the Arkansas and South Platte Rivers (eastern slope; hence, 

across the Continental Divide) are a major component of 

Colorado’s water infrastructure and have a substantial effect 

on streamflows throughout the State. These transmountain 

diversions primarily are associated with the Denver Water 

Board, the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, the FryingpanArkansas Project, and several other smaller entities. During a 

10-year period (1973–82), these diversions exported an average of about 509,000 acre-ft/yr from the western slope of the 

Continental Divide to the eastern slope (Chaney and others, 

1987). Because of the structure of water rights in Colorado, 

the majority of these transmountain diversions take place during the snowmelt period. The transmountain diversions result 

in decreased snowmelt streamflows at some western slope 

stations, especially during the height of snowmelt. On the 

eastern slope, however, the transmountain diversions result in 

augmented (increased) snowmelt streamflows at some stations, 

but the timing of the augmentation may vary, depending on 

whether the transmountain diversions are used immediately or 

stored in reservoirs for later use. These transmountain diversions have had some effect on streamflows every year (at least 

since their implementation). Whether the effects were greater 

or less during 2002 and 1977 than during more average years 

was not determined; however, if the rates of transmountain 

diversion during 2002 and 1977 were somewhat near the 

average rate, the proportional effect on snowmelt streamflows 

at stations on the western slope during 2002 and 1977 would 

have been greater than during an average year.

Other Years with Drought-Diminished Snowmelt 

Streamflows

A general indication of how much and where snowmelt 

streamflows were diminished in Colorado during the droughts 

of 2002 and 1977 is provided in table 2 and figures 9–12; however, to place these streamflows in a more historical perspective, drought-diminished streamflows during other drought 

periods in Colorado (fig. 1) were analyzed. For each station 

(table 1), the five lowest N-day snowmelt streamflows and 

the corresponding year for those streamflows were tabulated 

(Appendixes 1–4). Data for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows 

(Appendix 4) then were used to determine other years during 

which streamflows were drought diminished by calculating 

the percentage of stations for which the 180-day snowmelt 

streamflows were ranked among the five lowest values during 

each year from 1900 through 2002 (fig. 13A). The 180-day 

snowmelt streamflows were ranked among the five lowest 

historical values at about 90 percent of the stations during 

2002 and were ranked among the five lowest historical values 

at about 77 percent of the stations during 1977 (fig. 13A). 

Other years during which the 180-day snowmelt streamflows 

were ranked among the five lowest values at a substantial 

percentage of stations include 1934 (about 60 percent), 1954 

(about 51 percent), 1963 (about 39 percent), and 1981 (about 

41 percent) (fig. 13A).

The number of stations with streamflow record was about 

the same during 1977, 1981, and 2002; however, for the years 

prior to about 1975, there generally were fewer and fewer 

stations with historical streamflow record (fig. 5). In order to 

determine if the higher percentages of stations with the five 

lowest 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 2002 and 1977 

were influenced in any way by the larger number of stations 

(fig. 5), the analysis shown in figure 13A was repeated using 

only the stations that were operating during 1934 and again 

using only the stations that were operating during 1954. When 

only the 47 stations that were operating in 1934 were used, 

the percentages of stations for which the 180-day snowmelt streamflows were ranked among the five lowest values 

(fig. 13B) were about the same for specific years as when all 

154 stations were used (fig. 13A). When only the 87 stations 

that were operating in 1954 were used, the percentages of 

stations for which the 180-day snowmelt streamflows were 

ranked among the five lowest values (fig. 13C) also were about 

the same for specific years as when all 154 stations were used 

(fig. 13A). The results shown in figure 13 provide additional 

confirmation that snowmelt streamflows during 2002 generally were the lowest on record since about 1900, followed by 

those during 1977, which generally were the second lowest 

on record. The pattern of years with low-ranking snowmelt 

streamflows (fig. 13) is somewhat similar to the pattern of 

drought years based on the 48-month SPI (fig. 1).

20 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

107° 104°

38°

40°

MAP INSET

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

50 49

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69

68 67

66

93

89

70

52

Lowest (82; 53.6 percent)

Second lowest (39; 25.5 percent)

Third lowest (11; 7.2 percent)

Fourth lowest (7; 4.6 percent)

Fifth lowest (3; 1.9 percent)

Not ranked in five lowest (11; 7.2 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates rank of

streamflows during 2002; number 

and percentage of stations 

in group in parentheses:

No data (1); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

Figure 9. Ranking of 30-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September 2002, relative to period of record for selected 

stations in Colorado.

Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows 21
EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

107° 104°

38°

40°

52

Lowest (95; 62.1 percent)

Second lowest (28; 18.3 percent)

Third lowest (10; 6.5 percent)

Fourth lowest (6; 3.9 percent)

Fifth lowest (0; 0.0 percent)

Not ranked in five lowest (14; 9.2 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates rank of

streamflows during 2002; number 

and percentage of stations 

in group in parentheses:

No data (1); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

MAP INSET

38°

40°

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

50 49

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

95 92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

6 9

68 67

66

93

89

70

96

Figure 10. Ranking of 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September 2002, relative to period of record for selected 

stations in Colorado.

22 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

107° 104°

38°

40°

Lowest (33; 22.3 percent)

Second lowest (44; 29.7 percent)

Third lowest (16; 10.8 percent)

Fourth lowest (6; 4.1 percent)

Fifth lowest (8; 5.4 percent)

Not ranked in five lowest (41; 27.7 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates rank of

streamflows during 1977; number 

and percentage of stations 

in group in parentheses:

No data (6); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

MAP INSET

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

50 49

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69

6 8 67

66

93

8 9

70

52

Figure 11. Ranking of 30-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September 1977, relative to period of record for selected 

stations in Colorado.

Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows 23
EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

107° 104°

38°

40°

Lowest (29; 19.6 percent)

Second lowest (58; 39.2 percent)

Third lowest (11; 7.4 percent)

Fourth lowest (9; 6.1 percent)

Fifth lowest (7; 4.7 percent)

Not ranked in five lowest (34; 23.0 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates rank of

streamflows during 1977; number 

and percentage of stations 

in group in parentheses:

No data (6); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

52

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

50 49

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69

68 67

66

93

89

70

MAP INSET

Figure 12. Ranking of 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September 1977, relative to period of record for 

selected stations in Colorado.

24  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
0

25

50

75

100

PERCENTAGE OF STATIONS

0

25

50

75

100

0

25

50

75

100

1900

A

C

B

0

50

100

150

200

NUMBER OF STATIONS 

0

50

100

150

200

0

50

100

150

200

Percentage of stations for which the 180-day 

 snowmelt streamflows were ranked among

 the five lowest historical values

Number of stations with streamflow record

Using all stations (154 stations)

Only using stations operating 

in 1934 (47 stations)

Only using stations operating 

in 1954 (87 stations)

1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

YEAR

Figure 13. Number of stations in Colorado in three selected station subsets with streamflow record 

during 1900–2002 and percentage of those stations for which the 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 

April–September in any given year were ranked among the five lowest historical values.

Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows 25
Frequency Analysis of Snowmelt Streamflows 

Although the previously described analyses have provided a historical perspective of snowmelt streamflows during 

2002 and 1977, those analyses do not provide an indication of 

the frequency, or recurrence interval, for streamflows similar to those during 2002 or 1977. Estimated streamflows for 

recurrence intervals of 100, 50, 20, and 10 years were computed for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows (Appendix 5) 

by using the previously described methods (see “Frequency 

Analysis” section). Recurrence intervals, based on nonexceedance probability (see fig. 8), then were assigned to the 180-day 

snowmelt streamflows recorded during 2002 and 1977 

(Appendix 5) by comparing the recorded streamflows during the 2 years to the estimated streamflows computed for the 

four recurrence intervals. The assigned recurrence intervals 

for the recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 2002 

and 1977 may be less than or greater than one of the four 

recurrence intervals used in the analysis, or between two of 

the recurrence intervals (Appendix 5). Although it would have 

been possible to estimate specific recurrence intervals for 

the snowmelt streamflows during 2002 and 1977 from each 

individual frequency curve, the resulting recurrence intervals 

likely would have had many values, ranging from about 10 

to 100 years. The many recurrence intervals would have been 

difficult to compare and evaluate, so the recurrence intervals 

were assigned on the basis of the four recurrence intervals 

used in the frequency analysis (Appendix 5). Frequency analysis results are presented only for the 180-day snowmelt (and 

winter) streamflows because (1) the largest number of stations indicated drought-diminshed streamflow for that period 

(table 2) and (2) results for the shorter N-day periods were 

similar.

Recurrence intervals for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 2002 (Appendix 5) were greater than 50 years 

for about 57 percent of the stations and greater than 100 years 

for about 14 percent of the stations (fig. 14). Thus, snowmelt 

streamflows as low as those recorded during 2002 would 

not be expected to occur more frequently than about every 

51–100 years at somewhat more than one-half of the stations 

considered in the analysis; at about an additional one-fourth of 

the stations, snowmelt streamflows as low as those recorded 

during 2002 would not be expected to occur more frequently 

than about every 21–50 years (fig. 14). By comparison, recurrence intervals for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 

1977 (Appendix 5) were greater than 50 years only for about 

16 percent of the stations and were more than 100 years only 

for about 1 percent of the stations (fig. 15). Also, recurrence 

intervals for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows were less than 

or equal to 20 years for about 42 percent of the stations during 

1977 compared to only about 15 percent of the stations during 

2002. Generally, snowmelt streamflows during 2002 were 

more drought-diminished and have higher recurrence intervals 

than snowmelt streamflows during 1977.

When considering the frequency analysis results discussed in the two previous paragraphs, it is important to keep 

the use of “recurrence interval” in proper context. The actual 

result of frequency analysis is probability of exceeding some 

specific value, or in the case of the analyses described herein, 

the probability of an N-day streamflow not exceeding (being 

less than or equal to) some specific value (fig. 8). Because 

annual data were used for analysis, the probabilities also are 

on an annual basis. For example, there is a 0.02 probability 

that the 30-day snowmelt streamflow for station 09361500 

Animas River at Durango will be less than or equal to about 

680 ft3/s in any given year (fig. 8). Recurrence interval (the 

reciprocal of probability) provides a convenient, and sometimes more easily understood, reinterpretation of probability. 

The recurrence interval for the 30-day streamflow just given 

for station 09361500 is 50 years (fig. 8); however, this does 

not mean that the 30-day snowmelt streamflow will be less 

than or equal to about 680 ft3/s only about every 50 years. 

Rather, it means that there is a 0.02 probability (or 2-percent 

chance) in any given year that the 30-day snowmelt streamflow will be less than or equal to about 680 ft3

/s. On average, 

the 30-day streamflow would be expected to be less than or 

equal to 680 ft3/s about once every 50 years, but the streamflow always has a 2-percent chance of occurring in any year.

Analysis of 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-Day Winter 

Streamflows

This section describes results for analyzing the N-day 

winter streamflows, which includes illustrating the ranks of 

statewide winter streamflows during 2002–03 and 1977–78, 

analysis for other years with drought-diminished winter 

streamflows, and frequency analysis. The frequency analysis 

included computation of estimated winter streamflows for 

selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals and assignment of recurrence intervals for N-day winter 

streamflows recorded during 2002–03 and 1977–78. Winter 

streamflows, which are for the October–March period, are 

partly in two adjacent years; however, when discussing results 

of winter streamflow analyses, the first year of the 2-year 

period, which corresponds to the months of October–

December, will be used (same year used for the snowmelt 

period). 

26  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
107° 104°

38°

40°

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

>100 years (22; 14.4 percent)

>50, but < 100 years (65; 42.5 percent)

>20, but < 50 years (42; 27.4 percent)

>10, but < 20 years (10; 6.5 percent)

<=10 years (14; 9.1 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates recurrence 

interval of streamflows during 2002; 

number and percentage of stations

in group in parentheses:

No data (1); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

MAP INSET

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

50 49

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

52

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69

68 67

66

93

89

70

Figure 14. Recurrence interval of 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September 2002, for selected stations in 

Colorado based on log-Pearson type-III frequency analysis for 1973–2002. [Also see Appendix 5.]

Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows 27
107° 104°

38°

40°

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

>100 years (1; 0.7 percent)

>50, but < 100 years (22; 14.9 percent)

>20, but < 50 years (63; 42.5 percent)

>10, but < 20 years (29; 19.6 percent)

<=10 years (33; 22.3 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates recurrence

interval of streamflows during 1977; 

number and percentage of stations

in group in parentheses:

No data (6); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

52

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

50 49

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69 68 67

66

93

89

70

MAP INSET

Figure 15. Recurrence interval of 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September 1977, for selected stations in 

Colorado based on log-Pearson type-III frequency analysis for 1973–2002. [Also see Appendix 5.]

28  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
Number of stations for which streamflow was ranked Percentage of stations for which streamflow was ranked

Winter

streamflowLowest

Second

lowest

Third

lowest

Fourth

lowest

Fifth

lowest

Not

ranked 

among 

five

lowest

Lowest

Second

lowest

Third

lowest

Fourth

lowest

Fifth

lowest

Not

ranked

among 

five

lowest

1

2002 (148 stations with record)

7-day 11 4 10 10 13 100 7.4 2.7 6.8 6.8 8.8 67.5

30-day 14 9 10 15 9 91 9.5 6.1 6.8 10.1 6.1 61.5

90-day 21 9 13 8 11 86 14.2 6.1 8.8 5.4 7.4 58.1

180-day 27 10 7 10 6 88 18.2 6.8 4.7 6.8 4.0 59.5

1

1977 (148 stations with record)

7-day 10 9 15 6 5 103 6.8 6.1 10.1 4.0 3.4 69.6

30-day 10 12 12 10 5 99 6.8 8.1 8.1 6.8 3.4 66.9

90-day 14 13 13 7 2 99 9.5 8.8 8.8 4.7 1.3 66.9

180-day 21 14 9 7 4 93 14.2 9.5 6.1 4.7 2.7 62.8

Table 3. Number and percentage of Colorado study stations for which the 7-, 30-, 90-, and 180-day winter streamflows during 2002 and 

1977 were ranked among the five lowest historical values.

Historical Ranking of Winter Streamflows During 

2002 and 1977

The N-day winter streamflows during 2002 and 1977 

were not ranked among the five lowest historical values at 86–

103 stations, or about 58–70 percent of the stations (table 3).

By comparison, the N-day snowmelt streamflows (table 2) 

were not ranked among the five lowest historical values for 

less than 10 percent of the stations during 2002 and only for 

about 23–37 percent of the stations during 1977. These results 

indicate that winter streamflows during the 2002 and 1977 

droughts were diminished to a lesser extent than the snowmelt 

streamflows. The reasons for this are not clear but partly are 

the result of streamflow augmentation from reservoir releases, 

winter ground-water discharge resulting from irrigation during summer, and return flows from municipal water use; the 

effects of these factors likely have resulted in increasing winter 

streamflows during the past 100 years.

The overall lack of low-ranked 30- and 180-day winter 

streamflows during 2002 and 1977 (table 3) is clearly evident 

in figures 16–19, especially when compared to figures 9–12, 

which show the ranking for the 30- and 180-day snowmelt 

streamflows. The higher ranking of 30- and 180-day winter 

streamflows during 2002 in the mountainous areas 

(figs. 16–17; inset area and some Gunnison River basin stations) is somewhat surprising based on the very low April 

1 and May 1 snowpack and the low ranking of the snowmelt streamflows during 2002 (figs. 9–10). This partly may 

be the result of increased precipitation during the October 

2002–March 2003 period. The pattern of ranking in the lower 

Arkansas River basin, where low-ranked stations seem to 

alternate with higher ranked stations probably results from 

some of the low-ranked stations (such as stations 39, 41, and 

48) being on tributary streams where streamflow is not augmented to the extent that it is on the main streams; this pattern 

also is evident along Fountain and Monument Creeks (stations 

30–36) (figs. 16–17). The distribution and pattern of the 30- 

and 180-day winter streamflows during 1977 (figs. 18–19) is 

not substantially different from that during 2002 (figs. 16–17) 

except that the winter streamflows at some stations in the 

mountainous areas (map inset area) were ranked lower during 

1977 than during 2002.

Other Years with Drought-Diminished Winter 

Streamflows

Because the N-day winter streamflows during 2002 and 

1977 were not ranked in the five lowest values for a large 

percentage of the stations (table 3; figs. 16–19), the question “When were winter streamflows most diminished by 

droughts?” comes to mind. For each station (table 1), the five 

lowest N-day winter streamflows and the corresponding year 

for those streamflows were tabulated (Appendixes 6–9). Data 

for the 180-day winter streamflows (Appendix 9) then were 

used to determine years during which winter streamflows were 

drought diminished by calculating the percentage of stations 

for which the 180-day winter streamflows were ranked as any 

of the five lowest values during each year from 1900 through 

2002 (fig. 20). The 180-day winter streamflows were ranked 

among the five lowest historical values only at about 

39 percent of the stations during 2002 and only at about 

37 percent of the stations during 1977 (fig. 20), compared to 

1

Years correspond to the October–December months of the winter period (October–March).

Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows 29
EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

107° 104°

38°

40°

Lowest (14; 9.5 percent)

Second lowest (9; 6.1 percent)

Third lowest (10; 6.8 percent)

Fourth lowest (15; 10.1 percent)

Fifth lowest (9; 6.1 percent)

Not ranked in five lowest (91; 61.5 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates rank 

of streamflows during 2002–03;

number and percentage of stations

in group in parentheses:

No data (6); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

49 50

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69

68 67

66

93

89

70 52

MAP INSET

Figure 16. Ranking of 30-day winter streamflows during October 2002–March 2003, relative to period of record for 

selected stations in Colorado.

30 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

107° 104°

38°

40°

Lowest (27; 18.2 percent)

Second lowest (10; 6.8 percent)

Third lowest (7; 4.7 percent)

Fourth lowest (10; 6.8 percent)

Fifth lowest (6; 4.0 percent)

Not ranked in five lowest (88; 59.5 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates rank 

of streamflows during 2002–03;

number and percentage of stations 

in group in parentheses:

No data (6); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

MAP INSET

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

49 50

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69

68 67

66

93

89

70

52

Figure 17. Ranking of 180-day winter streamflows during October 2002–March 2003, relative to period of record for 

selected stations in Colorado.

Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows   31
Figure 18. Ranking of 30-day winter streamflows during October 1977–March 1978, relative to period of record for 

selected stations in Colorado.

EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

107° 104°

38°

40°

Lowest (10; 6.8 percent)

Second lowest (12; 8.1 percent)

Third lowest (12; 8.1 percent)

Fourth lowest (10; 6.8 percent)

Fifth lowest (5; 3.4 percent)

Not ranked in five lowest (99; 66.9 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates rank 

of streamflows during 1977–78;

number and percentage of stations 

in group in parentheses:

No data (6); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

49 50

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69

68 67

66

93

89

70 52

MAP INSET

32 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

107° 104°

38°

40°

Lowest (21; 14.2 percent)

Second lowest (14; 9.5 percent)

Third lowest (9; 6.1 percent)

Fourth lowest (7; 4.7 percent)

Fifth lowest (4; 2.7 percent)

Not ranked in five lowest (93; 62.8 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

Color of symbol indicates rank 

of streamflows during 1977–78;

number and percentage of stations 

in group in parentheses:

No data (6); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

49 50

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69

68 67

66

93

89

70

52

MAP INSET

Figure 19. Ranking of 180-day winter streamflows during October 1977–March 1978, relative to period of record for 

selected stations in Colorado.

Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows   33
about 90 percent of the stations during 2002 and about 

77 percent of the stations during 1977 for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows (fig. 13). The 180-day winter streamflows 

were ranked among the five lowest historical values at a larger 

percentage of the stations during 1934 (about 47 percent), 

1956 (about 48 percent), and 1963, which had the largest percentage, about 63 percent (fig. 20). 

Winter streamflows in Colorado were not affected by 

lack of snowpack accumulation and melt to the extent that 

snowmelt streamflows were. Some of the human activities 

previously described in various sections of this report probably have a greater effect on winter streamflows, and these 

effects probably have changed with the course of changes in 

water-resource management and infrastructure. Because of 

this, winter streamflows likely were diminished to a greater 

degree during the earlier drought periods than during the later 

drought periods. The pattern of years with low-ranking winter 

streamflows (fig. 20) also is somewhat similar to the pattern of 

drought years based on the 48-month SPI (fig. 1).

Frequency Analysis of Winter Streamflows 

By using the previously described methods (see 

“Frequency Analysis” section), estimated streamflows 

for recurrence intervals of 100, 50, 20, and 10 years were 

computed for the 180-day winter streamflows (Appendix 10). 

Recurrence intervals, based on nonexceedance probability (see 

fig. 8), then were assigned to the 180-day winter streamflows 

recorded during 2002 and 1977 (Appendix 10) by comparing 

the recorded streamflows during the 2 years to the estimated 

streamflows computed for the four recurrence intervals. Exact 

recurrence intervals also were not computed for the winter 

streamflows during 2002 and 1977, so the recurrence intervals 

for the recorded 180-day winter streamflows may be less than 

or greater than a specific recurrence interval, or between two 

specific recurrence intervals (Appendix 10). (Also see p. 26.)

Recurrence intervals for the 180-day winter streamflows 

during 2002 (Appendix 10) were greater than 50 years only for 

about 20 percent of the stations, were greater than 100 years 

only for about 6 percent of the stations, and were less than or 

equal to 20 years for about 66 percent of the stations (fig. 26). 

This indicates that the 180-day winter streamflows recorded 

during 2002 were not exceptionally low compared to the 180-

day snowmelt streamflows (fig. 14). The percentages of stations in the various recurrence-interval periods for the 180-day 

winter streamflows during 1977 (fig. 22) are very similar (less 

than 10-percent difference) to the percentages during 2002 

(fig. 21), also indicating that 180-day winter streamflows 

recorded during 1977 were not exceptionally low compared to 

the 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 1977 (fig. 15).

Summary

Since 1890, Colorado has experienced a number of 

widespread drought periods that ranged from about 1 (1981) 

PERCENTAGE OF STATIONS

0

25

50

75

100

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

YEAR

NUMBER OF STATIONS 

0

50

100

150

200

Percentage of stations for which the 180-day 

 winter streamflows were ranked among 

 the five lowest historical values

Number of stations with streamflow record

Figure 20. Number of stations in Colorado (for a selected station subset, see table 1) with streamflow record during 

1900–2002 and percentage of those stations for which the 180-day winter streamflows during October–March in any 

given year were ranked among the five lowest historical values.

34  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
107° 104°

38°

40°

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

MAP INSET

>100 years (9; 6.1 percent)

>50, but < 100 years (20; 13.5 percent)

>20, but < 50 years (21; 14.2 percent)

>10, but < 20 years (21; 14.2 percent)

<=10 years (77; 52.0 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

52

Color of symbol indicates recurrence 

interval of streamflows during 2002–03; 

number and percentage of stations 

in group in parentheses:

No data (6); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59 58

56

57

54

53

52 51

50 49

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69 68 67

66

93

89

70

Figure 21. Recurrence interval of 180-day winter streamflows during October 2002–March 2003, for selected stations in 

Colorado based on log-Pearson type-III frequency analysis for 1973–2002. [Also see Appendix 10.]

Summary  35
2

9 8

7

5 6

4 3

1

99

98

97

77 72 65 64

61

60

59

58

56

57

54

53

52 51

50 49

48

47 46

45

44

43

42

41

40

39

38

37

36

35

34 33

32

31

30

29

28

27

25 26

24

23

22

21

20

19

18 17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

154

153 152

151

150

149

148

147

145 144

143

142

140

139

138

136

135 134

133

132

131

130

129

128

127

126

125

124

123

122

121

120

119

118 117

116

115

112

111

110

109

108 107

106

105 104

103

102

101 100

63

62

55 146

141

137

114

113

MAP INSET

>100 years (7; 4.7%)

>50, but < 100 years (8; 5.4 percent)

>20, but < 50 years (31; 20.9 percent)

>10, but < 20 years (22; 14.9 percent)

<=10 years (80; 54.1 percent)

Streamflow-gaging station and

map identification number (table 1).

52

Color of symbol indicates recurrence 

interval of streamflows during 1977-78; 

number and percentage of stations 

in group in parentheses:

No data (6); stations with no data not

included in above percentages

107° 104°

38°

40°

25 100 MILES

25 100 KILOMETERS

0 50

0 50

EXPLANATION

Arkansas River

Colorado River

Gunnison River

North Platte River

Rio Grande

San Juan and Dolores Rivers

South Platte River

White and Yampa Rivers

County boundary

RIVER BASIN

95

96 94

92

91 90 88

87

86 85

84

83

81

82

80

79

78

76 75 74

73

71

69

68 67

66

93

89

70

Figure 22. Recurrence interval of 180-day winter streamflows during October 1977–March 1978, for selected stations in 

Colorado based on log-Pearson type-III frequency analysis for 1973–2002. [Also see Appendix 10.]

36  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
to 11 (1930–40) years in duration. The most recent statewide 

drought began during 1999 and includes 2002, a year characterized by precipitation, snowpack accumulation, and streamflows that were much lower than normal. Because the drought 

of 2002 had a substantial effect on minimum streamflows in 

Colorado, a better understanding of the magnitude and recurrence interval of minimum streamflows in Colorado during 

2002 would help the Colorado Water Conservation Board to 

effectively manage the State’s Instream Flow Program in the 

event of another severe drought. Therefore, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, began a study in 2004 to analyze statewide streamflows during 2002 and develop a historical perspective of 

those streamflows. This perspective will provide information 

to the Colorado Water Conservation Board, as well as other 

water-resource managers and planners, indicating the probability and recurrence intervals of similarly low streamflows; 

this information also may be useful in future water-supply 

planning for droughts in Colorado.

The purpose of this report is to describe an analysis of 

streamflows recorded throughout Colorado during the drought 

of 2002, as well as other drought years such as 1977, and to 

provide some historical perspective of drought-diminished 

streamflows in Colorado. Because most streamflows (the 

major source of water supply) in Colorado are derived from 

melting of mountain snowpacks during April through July, 

streamflows primarily were analyzed for the snowmelt period, 

but streamflows also were analyzed for the winter period. The 

snowmelt period is defined as April 1 through September 30 

and the winter period is defined as October 1 through March 

31. The streamflow analyses were made for streamflow-gaging stations throughout Colorado that (1) were operating both 

during 2002 and during 1977, (2) have about 25 years or 

more of record, and (3) are not immediately downstream from 

reservoirs. One hundred and fifty-four stations in Colorado 

meet these criteria. Daily average streamflow data for each 

station, from the beginning of the daily average streamflow 

record through water year 2002 were used in the analyses; for 

the 2002 winter period, streamflow records through March 

31, 2003, also were included. For the snowmelt and winter 

periods, streamflows for 7, 30, 90, and 180 consecutive-day 

periods (N-day) were computed for each year and analyzed.

The methods used for analysis of the N-day snowmelt 

and winter streamflows include evaluation of trends in the 

historical streamflow records, computation of the rank of each 

annual N-day streamflow value for each station, and frequency 

analysis. To evaluate long-term trends in streamflow, the 

N-day snowmelt and winter streamflows at 44 stations were 

analyzed by using the LOWESS (LOcally WEighted Scatterplot Smoothing) procedure, a flexible and useful, but robust, 

smoothing algorithm. Log-Pearson type-III frequency analysis 

was used to compute estimated snowmelt and winter streamflows at each study station for nonexceedance probabilities of 

0.01, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.10, equal, respectively, to recurrence 

intervals of 100, 50, 20, and 10 years. On the basis of visual 

comparison of the LOWESS curves for 44 of the study stations, the 30-year period from 1973 through 2002 was selected 

for use in the frequency analysis. Eight stations have substantial breaks in their record during the 1973–2002 period, so the 

1955 through 2002 period was used for those stations in order 

to provide about 30 years of record for the frequency analysis.

Ranking analyses for the N-day snowmelt streamflows 

indicated that streamflows during 2002 were ranked as the 

lowest or second lowest historical values at 114–123 stations, 

or about 74–80 percent of the stations; by comparison, the 

N-day snowmelt streamflows during 1977 were ranked as the 

lowest or second lowest historical values at 69–87 stations, 

or about 47–59 percent of the stations. During 2002, N-day 

snowmelt streamflows were not ranked among the five lowest 

values only at about 7–10 percent of the stations, whereas during 1977, the N-day snowmelt streamflows were not ranked 

among the five lowest values at about 23–27 percent of the 

stations. Many of the stations in the mountainous headwaters 

where snowmelt streamflows were ranked lowest during 2002 

were ranked second lowest during 1977. These results indicate 

that snowmelt streamflows during 2002 were considerably 

more diminished than those during 1977.

Ranking of the 180-day snowmelt streamflows was used 

to evaluate other years during which streamflows were diminished by droughts. The results indicated that streamflows were 

ranked among the five lowest historical values at about 90 

percent of the stations during 2002 and were ranked among the 

five lowest historical values at about 77 percent of the stations 

during 1977. Other years during which the 180-day snowmelt 

streamflows were ranked among the five lowest values at a 

substantial percentage of stations include 1934, 1954, 1963, 

and 1981. By only using the 54 stations that were operating 

during 1934 and again by only using the 87 stations that were 

operating during 1954, the percentages of stations for which 

the 180-day snowmelt streamflows were ranked among the 

five lowest values were about the same for specific years as 

when all 154 stations were used. These results provide additional confirmation that snowmelt streamflows during 2002 

generally were the lowest on record since about 1900, followed by those during 1977, which generally were the second 

lowest on record.

Results for frequency analysis of snowmelt streamflows 

indicated that recurrence intervals for the 180-day snowmelt 

streamflows during 2002 were greater than 50 years for about 

57 percent of the stations and were more than 100 years for 

about 14 percent of the stations. By comparison, the recurrence intervals for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows during 

1977 were greater than 50 years only for about 16 percent 

of the stations and were more than 100 years only for about 

1 percent of the stations. Also, recurrence intervals for the 

180-day snowmelt streamflows were less than or equal to 

20 years for about 15 percent of the stations during 2002 

compared to about 42 percent of the stations during 1977. 

Generally, snowmelt streamflows during 2002 were more 

drought diminished and have higher recurrence intervals than 

snowmelt streamflows during 1977.

Summary  37
The N-day winter streamflows during 2002 and 1977 

were not ranked in the five lowest historical values at 86–103 

stations, or about 58–70 percent of the stations, compared to 

about 10–27 percent of the stations for the N-day snowmelt 

streamflows. These results indicate that winter streamflows 

during the 2002 and 1977 droughts were diminished to a lesser 

extent than the snowmelt streamflows. The reasons for this 

partly are the result of streamflow augmentation from reservoir releases, winter ground-water discharge resulting from 

irrigation during summer, and return flows from municipal 

water use; the effects of these factors likely have resulted in 

increasing winter streamflows during the past 100 years.

The 180-day winter streamflows were ranked among 

the five lowest historical values only at about 39 percent of 

the stations during 2002 and only at about 37 percent of the 

stations during 1977, compared to about 90 percent of the stations during 2002 and about 77 percent of the stations during 

1977 for the 180-day snowmelt streamflows. The 180-day 

winter streamflows were ranked among the five lowest historical values at a larger percentage of the stations during 1934, 

1956, and 1963, which had the largest percentage, about 

63 percent.

Results for frequency analysis of winter streamflows indicated that recurrence intervals for the 180-day winter streamflows during 2002 were greater than 50 years only for about 

20 percent of the stations, were greater than 100 years only for 

about 6 percent of the stations, and were less than or equal to 

20 years for about 66 percent of the stations. Thus, the 180-

day winter streamflows recorded during 2002 were not exceptionally low compared to the 180-day snowmelt streamflows. 

The percentages of stations in the various recurrence-interval 

periods during 1977 are very similar (less than 10-percent 

difference) to the percentages during 2002, also indicating that 

180-day winter streamflows during 1977 were not exceptionally low compared to the 180-day snowmelt streamflows 

during 1977. Winter streamflows in Colorado during 2002 and 

1977 were not affected by lack of snowpack accumulation and 

melt to the extent that snowmelt streamflows were. Human 

activities probably have a greater effect on winter streamflows, 

and these effects probably have changed with the course of 

changes in water-resource management and infrastructure.

References Cited

Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Missouri Region, 1972, Fryingpan-Arkansas project: [Denver], 22 p.

Carswell, W.J., and Bond, S.V., 1980, Multiyear low flow of 

streams in northeastern Kansas: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 80–734, 26 p.

Chaney, T.H., Kuhn, Gerhard, Brooks, Tom, and others, 1987, 

Hydrology of Area 58, Northern Great Plains and Rocky 

Mountain coal provinces, Colorado and Utah: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations/OpenFile Report 85–479, 103 p.

Collins, D.L., Doesken, N.J., and Stanton, W.P., 1991, 

Colorado floods and droughts, in Paulson, R.W., Chase, 

E.B., Roberts, R.S., and Moody, D.W., compilers, National 

water summary 1988–89—Hydrologic events and floods 

and droughts: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 

2375, p. 207–14.

Colorado Water Conservation Board, 2004, Colorado’s 

instream flow and natural lake level program—Program 

overview: Colorado Water Conservation Board, accessed 

December 16, 2004, at 

URL http://cwcb.state.co.us/isf/Programs/Instream.htm

Doesken, N.J., 2004, Drought update for October 2004: Fort 

Collins, Colorado State University, Colorado Climate Center, presented at the Water Availability Task Force meeting, 

November 23, 2004, accessed December 14, 2004, at URL 

http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/droughtpresentations.php

Doesken, N.J., and McKee, T.B., 1999, Drought in Colorado: 

Fort Collins, Colorado State University, Colorado Climate 

Center, Colorado Climate—Winter 1999/2000, v. 1, no. 1, 

p. 13–20.

Doesken, N.J., and Pielke, R.A., Sr., 2004, The drought of 

2002 in Colorado: Proceedings of the 84th Annual Meeting 

of the American Meteorological Society, January 10–15, 

2004, Seattle, Washington, accessed December 10, 2004, at 

URL http://ams.confex.com/ams/84Annual/techprogram/

paper_72906.htm, 6 p.

Furness, L.W., 1962, Kansas streamflow characteristics—Part 

4, Storage requirements to sustain gross reservoir outflow: 

Kansas Water Resources Board Technical Report 4, 177 p.

Gatewood, J.S., Wilson, Alfonso, Thomas, H.E., and Kister, 

L.R., 1964, Drought in the Southwest, 1942–56—General 

effects of drought on water resources of the Southwest: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 372–B, 

p. B1–B55.

Helsel, D.R., and Hirsch, R.M., 1995, Statistical methods in 

water resources, studies in environmental science 49, 3d ed.: 

New York, Elsevier, 529 p.

Kuhn, Gerhard, and Nickless, R.C., 1994, Use of frequency 

analysis and the extended streamflow prediction procedure 

to estimate evacuation dates for the joint-use pool of Pueblo 

Reservoir, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 94–4054, 46 p.

38  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
Matthai, H.F., 1979, Hydrologic and human aspects of the 

1976–77 drought: U.S. Geological Survey Professional 

Paper 1130, 84 p.

McKee, T.B., Doesken, N.J., and Kleist, John, 1993, The relationship of drought frequency and duration to time scales: 

Proceedings of the Eighth Conference on Applied Climatology, January 17–22, 1993, Anaheim, California, 6 p.

McKee, T.B., Doesken, N.J., and Kleist, John, 1999: Historical dry and wet periods in Colorado: Fort Collins, Colorado 

State University, Department of Atmospheric Science, 

Climatology Report 99–1, Part A; Technical Report, Part B; 

Appendixes.

McKee, T.B., Doesken, N.J., Kleist, John, Shrier, C.J., and 

Stanton, W.P., 2000, A history of drought in Colorado—

Lessons learned and what lies ahead: Fort Collins, Colorado 

Water Resources Research Institute, Water in the Balance, 

no. 9, 20 p.

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2002, Snow course 

data and basin snowpack summary, May 2002: National 

Water and Climate Center, Individual and Basin Summary 

report (BASS), accessed December 13, 2004, at URL ftp://

ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/data/snow/basin_reports/colorado/

wy2002/bassco5.txt

Paulson, R.W., Chase, E.B., Roberts, R.S., and Moody, D.W., 

compilers, 1991, National water summary 1988–89—

Hydrologic events and floods and droughts: U.S. Geological 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 2375, 591 p.

Pielke, R.A., Sr., Doesken, Nolan; Bliss, Odilia; Green, Tara, 

Chaffin, Clara, Salas, J.D.; Woodhouse, C.A., Lukas, J.J., 

and Wolter, Klaus, 2004, Drought 2002 in Colorado—An 

unprecedented drought or a routine drought?: Fort Collins, 

Colorado State University, Department of Atmospheric 

Science, Special in honor of Professor Singh of Pure 

and Applied Geophysics, accessed December 10, 2004, 

at URL http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/pdfs/PAGEOPH_

2002DroughtArticle.pdf, 42 p.

Riggs, H.C., 1968, Frequency curves: U.S. Geological Survey 

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 4, 

chap. A2, 15 p.

Thomas, H.E., 1962, Drought in the Southwest, 1942–56—

The meteorologic phenomenon of drought in the Southwest: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 372–A, 

p. A1–A43.

Thomas, H.E., 1963, Drought in the Southwest, 1942–56—

General summary of effects of the drought in the Southwest: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 372–H, 

p. H1–H22.

Thomas, H.E., and others, 1963a, Drought in the Southwest, 

1942–56—Effects of drought in the Rio Grande basin: U.S. 

Geological Survey Professional Paper 372–D, p. D1–D58.

Thomas, H.E., and others, 1963b, Drought in the Southwest, 

1942–56—Effects of drought in the Colorado River basin: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 372–F, 

p. F1–F51.

U.S. Geological Survey, 2004, SWSTAT—Surface-water 

statistics: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Applications Software, accessed June 13, 2004, at URL http://water.

usgs.gov/software/swstat.html

U.S. Interagency Advisory Committee on Water Data, 1982, 

Guidelines for determining flood flow frequency: Hydrology Subcommittee, Bulletin 17B, 28 p., 14 apps. [Available 

from the National Technical Information Service as report 

PB–86–157278/AS]

References Cited  39
40 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
Appendixes 1–10
42 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado
Appendixes  43

Appendix 1. Five lowest historical 7-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. 

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 7-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 7-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest

1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 13.9 14.4 17.6 17.7 17.9 1992 1989 2001 2002 1976

2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 460 466 581 596 643 2002 1934 1977 1954 1989

3 06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 437 482 489 528 545 1902 1908 1963 1954 1940

4 06709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near Louviers 8.27 14.3 19.0 24.1 25.7 1963 2002 1950 1996 1989

5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 25.0 37.0 42.4 53.1 54.0 2002 1954 1940 1963 1946

6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan 9.90 12.8 17.7 19.0 19.3 1954 1932 2002 1966 1940

7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown 9.94 10.5 10.8 13.2 13.4 1968 1994 1989 1991 1970

8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 95.0 202 271 331 407 1902 1908 2002 1954 1925

9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 223 273 288 292 431 2002 1966 1963 1954 1964

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 234 566 621 623 635 2002 1977 1989 1976 1994

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 367 516 572 577 635 1954 1966 1940 2002 1927

12 06725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 95.7 148 167 184 199 2002 1977 1981 2001 1988

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont 4.79 24.6 25.9 42.1 42.6 1954 2002 1946 1932 1940

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of canyon near Drake 144 170 173 176 180 1977 1966 2002 1981 1964

15 06746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright Reservoir 37.3 45.1 47.9 50.6 54.7 1989 1987 1979 2002 1984

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of canyon near Fort Collins 572 801 915 923 1087 2002 1954 1963 1966 1989

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins 330 349 359 381 401 2002 1977 1976 2001 1989

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 254 298 406 412 427 1954 1908 1940 1911 1934

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 273 317 353 358 413 1954 1955 1968 1966 2002

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 87.6 94.6 134 156 170 1956 1940 2002 1916 1911

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 113 181 205 269 272 2002 1977 1981 1992 1998

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 68.6 84.9 87.7 95.3 95.4 2002 1963 1954 1977 1966

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 350 757 809 845 950 2002 1931 1977 1934 1940

24 07091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 549 1,067 1,316 1,371 1,559 2002 1977 1992 1981 1966

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 497 990 1,434 1,496 1,500 2002 1977 1992 1981 1966

26 07094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 544 1,019 1,509 1,599 1,704 2002 1977 1966 1992 1989

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 396 895 1,107 1,204 1,249 2002 1977 1940 1902 1931

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 393 915 1214 1,457 1,577 2002 1977 1940 1981 1989

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 9.34 11.6 13.1 16 16.8 2002 1978 1989 1993 1972

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at Air Force Academy 0.46 1.25 1.29 1.77 1.81 2002 1993 1989 1978 1988

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 27.7 32.3 43.0 46.7 51.7 1943 1978 1946 1986 1940

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 104 109 139 154 175 1986 1989 1978 1988 1993

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 77.0 101 130 134 147 1966 1968 1974 1970 1978

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain 2.36 3.06 3.17 3.23 4.09 2002 1987 1978 1983 1992

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon 135 153 191 192 250 1974 1989 2002 1978 1986

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo 64.5 74.3 75.0 79.1 81.7 1962 1954 1953 1960 1943

37 07108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 24.1 24.3 29.0 36.3 40 2002 1971 1974 1922 1979

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 700 1,229 1,746 1,796 1,889 2002 1977 1940 1974 1966

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler 18.2 23.9 29.9 37.8 39.1 1974 1988 2001 1971 2000

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near Fowler 537 1,043 1,097 1,447 1,460 2002 1977 1974 1989 1988
44  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 37.6 52.7 54.9 118 122 2002 1974 1975 2000 1970

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 38 194 339 416 426 2002 1959 1931 1977 1988

43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 33.0 39.1 205 366 421 1959 2002 1988 1963 2000

44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 34.2 55.6 65.6 97.6 113 2002 1972 1974 1989 1996

45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher 28.7 72.5 77.2 109 118 1974 1971 1989 1975 1997

46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas 46.3 93.9 96.1 157 214 1975 1974 1989 1959 1992

47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar 46.1 138 213 255 273 1939 1917 1952 1918 1975

48 07134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar 10.0 21.0 22.1 26.7 30.2 1981 1974 1982 1972 2002

49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 160 306 476 489 513 2002 1977 1959 1940 1954

50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 613 1,500 1,604 2,236 2,400 2002 1977 1904 1931 1934

51 08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber Creek near Villa Grove 6.83 12.9 13.9 17.9 20.0 2002 1981 1967 1950 1963

52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 47.1 55.4 62.4 64.3 68.6 2002 1963 1940 1981 1955

53 08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita 11.0 11.2 14.3 14.9 14.9 1940 2002 1950 1951 1956

54 08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland 7.89 15.6 19.4 20.7 23.1 2002 1963 1972 2000 1956

55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 388 562 684 754 965 2002 1977 1904 1972 1934

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz 12.8 37.9 44.0 45.3 54.1 2002 1972 1981 1977 1934

57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 110 184 228 307 312 2002 1977 1972 2000 1963

58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses 1.97 26.3 28.3 31.6 31.7 2002 1934 1977 1954 1972

59 08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 55.6 80.9 85.0 87.3 89.0 1963 1946 1964 1967 1951

60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 78.4 153 158 170 170 1954 1959 1934 1951 2002

61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch near Grand Lake 140 173 173 207 213 1954 1955 2002 1966 1989

62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 10.6 12.9 12.9 13.1 15.0 1954 1963 1977 2002 1966

63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park 6.83 8.56 9.23 9.96 12.9 1963 2002 1954 1966 1977

64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 16.7 28.3 33.3 36.6 38.3 2002 1989 1981 1966 1963

65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser 5.90 7.36 8.23 13.1 14.6 2002 1963 1966 1989 1955

66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass 33.4 43.1 57.6 57.9 58 2002 1966 1989 1976 1987

67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek 10.2 34.6 36.6 45.4 50.9 2002 1940 1966 1976 1977

68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek near Leal 51.4 71.4 94.6 118 162 2002 1966 1976 1989 1981

69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 21.1 26.3 33.0 36.3 38.7 2002 1966 1989 1977 1992

70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 72.3 105 114 121 122 2002 1966 1977 1992 1998

71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 177 180 182 258 295 1963 1954 2002 1966 1955

72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 87.6 124 159 165 236 1963 1954 2002 1966 1977

73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 86.9 119 146 207 209 2002 1963 1966 1977 1967

74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 92.0 125 138 160 192 2002 1966 1963 1954 1977

75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 4.24 8.00 9.14 9.67 10.6 2002 1966 1963 1981 1977

76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile Creek at Frisco 244 245 299 332 400 2002 1963 1966 1977 1992

77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 859 942 958 1,034 1,093 2002 1963 1966 1981 1992

78 09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail 1.53 3.7 3.77 4.36 4.59 1977 1989 2002 1988 1981

79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn 2.47 3.43 3.90 5.27 6.43 1977 1981 2002 1990 1969

Appendix 1. Five lowest historical 7-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded.—Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 7-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 7-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes  45

80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn 11.8 15 18.9 19.1 19.6 2002 1977 1989 1992 1966

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 182 187 201 214 259 1977 2002 1954 1963 1955

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 43.4 78.0 81.4 82.1 83.3 2002 1963 1977 1955 1981

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff 18.9 25.4 25.6 32.7 34.0 2002 1977 1966 1998 1992

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 43.1 64.4 65 75.1 75.9 2002 1977 1966 1981 1989

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park 19.1 22.1 23.4 28.7 31.0 2002 2001 1992 1989 1998

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 59.3 66 68.6 71.1 79.1 1992 2002 1989 1974 1977

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 87.4 99.4 106 124 129 1977 2002 1989 1981 1992

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn 180 211 214 217 231 2002 1992 1963 1989 1998

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near Minturn 105 109 111 118 126 1966 1992 1955 2002 1964

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn 43.7 62.6 65.1 68.6 80.1 2002 1977 1954 1966 1987

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn 23.9 34.9 39.6 39.7 41.9 1966 2002 1964 1969 1967

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn 32.0 39.7 41.6 42.3 44.4 1989 1977 2002 1987 1990

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn 40.0 41.9 47.6 49.1 53.3 1966 2002 1992 1989 1987

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn 18.6 22.3 23.7 23.7 27.7 2002 1966 1989 1992 1987

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn 22.9 33.1 36.0 38.7 39.7 2002 1977 1966 1992 1987

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 30.3 35.1 43.7 46.3 58.3 2002 1992 1989 1977 1990

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 1,074 1,181 1,369 1,403 1,563 2002 1963 1954 1977 1966

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 1,677 2,346 2,987 3,036 3,239 2002 1977 1963 1954 1992

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 140 211 279 299 323 2002 1977 1966 2001 1992

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 58.0 124 154 158 205 2002 1992 1989 1982 2001

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek near Redstone 707 743 1036 1037 1089 1977 2002 1966 1992 1989

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs 1,777 1,901 2,350 2,631 2,661 2002 1977 1992 1954 1989

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood Springs 3,539 4,086 5,776 6,323 7,214 2002 1977 1992 1989 2001

104 09089500 West Divide Creek near Raven 31 56.6 79.1 112 117 1977 2002 1963 1990 1967

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 3,641 4,364 7,126 7,133 7,151 2002 1977 1963 1992 1954

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 95.1 114 138 225 236 1977 2002 1990 1963 1972

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 252 303 389 438 447 1977 2002 1981 1992 1989

108 09112500 East River at Almont 481 573 935 958 1,034 1977 2002 1992 1954 1940

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 606 690 1144 1291 1463 1977 2002 1954 1963 1981

110 09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 41.3 66.3 89.6 107 109 2002 1954 1967 1955 1946

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 134 135 142 183 183 2002 1977 1981 1940 1954

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 309 463 597 658 804 2002 1977 1954 1989 1992

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron 118 124 146 272 316 1977 2002 1981 1963 1972

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near Somerset 429 592 1,008 1,199 1,224 1977 2002 1954 1934 1990

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 20.6 41.1 41.1 45.0 45.1 2002 1990 2000 2001 1989

116 09143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge 35.3 94.9 99.14 106 108 1977 1981 1990 1963 1961

117 09143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge 36.7 45.3 59.0 68.3 69.3 1977 2002 1990 1946 1972

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 568 1,127 1,413 1,946 1,969 1977 2002 1990 1988 1981

Appendix 1. Five lowest historical 7-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded.—Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 7-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 7-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
46  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 240 252 374 413 521 2002 1977 1989 1963 1966

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 41.3 45.0 45.1 55.1 66.7 1989 1996 1990 1956 1966

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 239 289 292 374 405 2002 1989 1977 1988 1954

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 322 354 381 427 468 2002 1977 1989 1951 1950

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 877 1,457 2,413 2,483 2,680 1977 2002 1990 1981 1954

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah State Line 3,853 4,373 8,723 9,627 10,106 2002 1977 1989 1954 1963

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 135 144 385 476 506 2002 1977 1959 1972 1989

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 312 360 862 977 1,062 1977 2002 1934 1931 1959

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 115 131 144 382 440 1990 1996 2002 2001 1977

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 116 128 154 419 594 1990 2002 1996 2001 1972

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 242 326 461 485 536 2002 1977 1954 1931 1934

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 298 420 591 699 744 2002 1977 1989 1959 1981

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 868 901 1,122 1,479 1,519 1977 2002 1934 1954 1989

132 09241000 Elk River at Clark 855 868 954 1,053 1,144 1977 1989 1987 2002 1934

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 2,810 2,987 3,500 4,170 4,436 2002 1977 1934 1989 1992

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 444 504 612 753 768 2002 1977 1992 1954 1987

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 122 132 176 233 244 1934 1977 2002 1990 1992

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily 767 783 822 1,185 1,483 1977 2002 1934 1992 1954

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near Meeker 537 611 1,083 1,171 1,220 1977 2002 1994 1989 1992

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 640 700 968 1,196 1,221 1977 2002 1934 1994 1989

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 621 626 1,160 1,344 1,503 1977 2002 1994 1989 1966

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch near Rio Blanco 10.7 12.9 14.2 14.7 15.7 1966 2002 1972 1967 1990

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River 7.07 13.7 18.1 19.0 19.1 1972 1990 1966 1977 2002

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely .44 .58 .59 .70 .71 1991 1992 1990 2002 1994

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River 2.27 2.31 2.71 2.84 2.87 1976 1975 1981 1982 1980

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand Creek near Pagosa 

Springs

63.4 149 230 236 242 2002 1977 2000 1972 1959

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 199 606 874 980 1,024 2002 1977 1959 1972 1946

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 340 804 1,021 1,053 1,196 2002 1977 1972 1971 2000

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 177 369 697 744 816 2002 1977 1971 1972 1996

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 200 283 430 487 499 2002 1977 1974 1992 1991

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 77.9 132 158 163 175 2002 1951 1956 1959 1972

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 699 1,119 1,733 1,784 2,109 2002 1977 1931 1934 1939

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 33.1 35.3 56.7 93.6 98.0 1977 2002 1972 1934 1959

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New Mexico State Line 15.0 44.7 53.0 59.3 62.4 2002 1972 1934 1977 1971

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc 12.9 26.3 26.4 32.9 33.6 1972 1996 1951 1974 1956

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah State Line 30.9 35.0 60.6 75.0 80.3 1977 2002 1974 1959 1951

Appendix 1. Five lowest historical 7-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded.—Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 7-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 7-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes  47

Appendix 2. Five lowest historical 30-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. 

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 30-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 30-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest

 1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 11.1 11.2 11.4 12.1 12.5 1992 2002 1977 1981 1989

 2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 231 317 359 363 417 2002 1934 1977 1954 1966

 3 06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 260 395 395 420 447 1902 1908 1940 1963 1954

 4 06709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near Louviers 5.72 8.76 10.5 21.0 23.5 1963 2002 1950 1996 1989

 5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 18.1 26.0 35.5 39.5 41.8 2002 1954 1940 1966 1963

 6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan 4.86 8.50 8.93 10.5 10.9 1954 1932 2002 1963 1940

 7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown 6.45 6.85 7.58 7.66 8.01 1968 1978 1963 1953 1994

 8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 95.0 166 196 206 223 1902 1908 2002 1963 1954

 9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 184 233 234 256 304 2002 1963 1954 1966 1981

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 202 384 429 458 527 2002 1977 1981 1976 1994

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 219 298 339 395 448 1954 1963 2002 1966 1946

12 06725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 79.5 111 137 156 157 2002 1977 1981 2001 1988

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont 2.69 8.81 9.88 12.8 18.3 1954 2002 1946 1940 1955

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of canyon near Drake 112 123 125 138 151 2002 1977 1992 1981 1964

15 06746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright Reservoir 31.8 31.9 34.0 37.1 38.9 2002 1989 1987 1979 1985

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of canyon near Fort Collins 421 590 640 645 674 2002 1954 1966 1963 1977

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins 220 223 255 261 263 2002 1989 2001 2000 1976

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 171 202 231 258 261 1954 1908 1911 1932 2002

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 206 227 260 272 291 1954 1955 1966 1968 2002

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 51.7 59.8 66.0 73.4 79.2 1956 1911 1940 1936 1916

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 95.5 125 131 205 228 2002 1977 1981 1998 1992

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 49.8 62.6 67.7 72.7 85.8 2002 1977 1954 1963 1981

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 288 606 652 759 763 2002 1977 1931 1934 1954

24 07091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 483 746 960 1,095 1,327 2002 1977 1981 1992 1966

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 442 731 1,001 1,153 1,176 2002 1977 1981 1963 1992

26 07094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 476 717 1,115 1,180 1,318 2002 1977 1954 1981 1966

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 324 620 799 919 929 2002 1977 1902 1954 1940

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 329 591 914 1,000 1,304 2002 1977 1981 1940 1989

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 8.12 9.64 10.1 10.7 11.8 2002 1989 1978 1972 1963

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at Air Force Academy .40 .63 .83 .94 1.24 2002 1989 1993 1986 1972

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 20.9 21.9 23.5 27.0 27.1 1976 1946 1943 1978 2002

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 56 62.7 64.7 66.0 67.9 1986 1989 1978 2002 1976

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 61.1 77.0 93.3 96.3 97.7 1966 1968 1978 1970 1974

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain 2.22 2.23 2.42 2.44 2.62 1978 2002 1990 1992 1977

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon 66.4 86.8 89.0 93.4 94.7 1989 2002 1975 1974 1978

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo 18.8 22.0 22.5 22.6 26.4 1962 1950 1964 1953 1954

37 07108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 8.42 8.67 13.4 15.0 18.0 1974 2002 1971 1943 1922

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 483 656 1,197 1,234 1,368 2002 1977 1940 1981 1966

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler 10.1 15.6 16.8 18.8 19.8 1974 2002 1971 1959 1988

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near Fowler 345 652 842 1,078 1,078 2002 1977 1974 1981 1988
48  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 23.2 40.5 40.8 81.7 82.7 2002 1975 1974 1976 1991

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 25.9 152 187 205 236 2002 1959 2000 1977 1954

43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 18.7 25.1 150 152 152 1959 2002 1988 2000 1964

44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 17.9 37.4 38.8 70.5 71.7 2002 1974 1972 1989 1977

45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher 16.5 32.2 35.8 39.3 51.8 1974 1989 1971 1975 2001

46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas 20.5 22.3 32.6 78.4 86.3 1975 1974 1989 2001 1959

47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar 19.2 67.8 88.1 91.0 92.2 1939 1917 1931 1932 1940

48 07134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar 7.43 9.30 12.0 12.4 12.7 1981 1979 1975 2002 1974

49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 147 215 370 420 430 2002 1977 1946 1981 1959

50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 533 865 1,204 1,785 1,903 2002 1977 1904 1940 1931

51 08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber Creek near Villa Grove 5.82 10.3 11.8 15.9 17.3 2002 1981 1967 1950 1954

52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 38.3 43.7 45.3 55.6 56.7 2002 1963 1981 1940 1955

53 08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita 7.07 9.03 10.1 11.0 12.2 2002 1940 1963 1951 1950

54 08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland 6.82 11.5 14.3 17.1 17.7 2002 1963 1950 1972 2000

55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 304 356 525 655 732 2002 1977 1904 1972 2000

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz 8.15 22.2 24.9 32.5 33.9 2002 1972 1977 1981 1934

57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 82.2 148 182 241 242 2002 1977 1972 1981 1963

58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses 1.47 9.84 11.6 19.8 21.4 2002 1977 1972 1954 1934

59 08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 46.7 56.7 63.5 64.2 67.5 1963 1977 1964 1967 1946

60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 60.1 80.5 87.0 94.5 114 1954 2002 1964 1951 1959

61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch near Grand Lake 110 116 143 144 153 1954 2002 1981 1955 1977

62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 9.4 10.6 11.2 11.2 13.0 1954 1963 1977 2002 1966

63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park 6.15 6.71 7.6 8.19 8.88 1963 1954 1966 2002 1977

64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 14.6 25.6 25.6 29.9 31.7 2002 1989 2001 1981 1966

65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser 5.16 5.27 7.07 10.3 11.3 1963 2002 1966 1989 1964

66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass 24.3 32.7 37.8 38.6 42.8 2002 1966 1976 1977 1987

67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek 7.71 19.5 19.9 20.5 27.1 2002 1976 1966 1940 1981

68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek near Leal 36.3 64.9 69.6 83.1 87.3 2002 1966 1976 1989 1981

69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 16.0 22.9 23.2 27.3 31.1 2002 1966 1977 1989 1987

70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 53.3 82.5 88.2 96.0 98.6 2002 1977 1966 1987 1981

71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 134 144 151 219 242 2002 1954 1963 1966 1955

72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 66.3 76.2 102 104 123 1963 1954 1977 2002 1966

73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 72.2 89.9 128 141 146 2002 1963 1966 1977 1981

74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 70.1 108 122 123 135 2002 1966 1963 1954 1977

75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 3.92 7.35 7.51 7.52 9.13 2002 1981 1963 1966 1977

76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile Creek at Frisco 183 215 224 226 318 2002 1963 1977 1966 1998

77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 757 820 858 1,002 1,013 1963 2002 1966 1981 1992

 78 09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail 1.31 3.15 3.37 3.62 3.68 1977 1981 1989 2002 1987

Appendix 2. Five lowest historical 30-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 30-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 30-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes  49

79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn 1.68 2.21 2.63 3.64 4.72 1977 1981 2002 1990 1989

80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn 9.05 9.76 13.9 14.8 16.1 1977 2002 1981 1989 1994

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 115 143 145 166 232 1977 1954 2002 1963 1955

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 39.9 57.2 67.3 68.7 76.1 2002 1981 1977 1963 1954

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff 13.9 17.1 21.7 24.6 27.1 2002 1977 1966 1981 1992

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 36.1 44.4 55.5 58 65.7 2002 1977 1966 1981 1998

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park 11.3 17.0 17.3 19.7 19.7 2002 1992 1977 1976 2001

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 42.6 49.8 49.9 52.9 55.5 2002 1992 1977 1981 1989

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 60.3 70.3 78.3 89.1 100 1977 2002 1981 1989 1987

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn 124 138 158 167 169 2002 1977 1963 1992 1998

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near Minturn 76.3 86.6 91.1 93.2 94 2002 1966 1954 1992 1955

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn 37.0 46.7 47.5 55.4 57.3 2002 1954 1977 1966 1981

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn 20.6 23.2 30.4 30.5 33.0 1966 2002 1969 1977 1964

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn 27.7 28.6 31.4 31.9 34.9 2002 1989 1977 1987 1969

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn 31.7 34.1 38.0 39.2 43.6 2002 1966 1977 1992 1989

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn 13.3 17.9 18.0 19.8 21.2 2002 1977 1966 1989 1992

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn 18 23.2 29.5 31.6 32.2 2002 1977 1987 1966 1992

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 21.8 24.7 32.1 39.9 44.0 2002 1977 1992 1989 1990

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 802 848 983 1,038 1,304 2002 1977 1954 1963 1966

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 1,382 1,690 2,329 2,600 2,870 2002 1977 1954 1963 1966

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 116 140 220 262 264 2002 1977 1966 1992 1998

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 52.7 110 116 124 125 2002 1992 1989 1977 2001

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek near Redstone 418 569 830 871 919 1977 2002 1992 1966 1963

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs 1,167 1,318 1,845 1,937 2,362 1977 2002 1954 1992 1963

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood Springs 2,817 2,842 4,924 5,361 5,616 2002 1977 1992 1981 1989

104 09089500 West Divide Creek near Raven 23.6 47.2 57.2 87.1 91.2 1977 2002 1963 1967 1990

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 3,133 3,134 5,192 5,855 5,886 2002 1977 1954 1981 1963

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 75.2 95.6 96.9 117 187 1977 1990 2002 1963 1972

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 241 287 325 401 409 1977 2002 1981 1988 1989

108 09112500 East River at Almont 313 456 679 695 807 1977 2002 1954 1981 1992

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 430 558 797 1,013 1,109 1977 2002 1954 1981 1963

110 09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 27.9 51.6 70.9 87.5 92.6 2002 1954 1967 1946 1955

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 70.2 83 101 107 145 2002 1977 1981 1954 1940

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 268 288 444 563 576 2002 1977 1954 1981 1989

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron 114 121 128 199 226 1977 2002 1981 1972 1967

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near Somerset 327 506 827 859 928 1977 2002 1954 1981 1934

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 17.2 32.1 35.6 35.8 40.6 2002 1990 2001 2000 1989

116 09143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge 30.9 76 76.8 78.9 84.8 1977 1981 1946 1990 1963

117 09143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge 31.6 37.8 52.6 53 56.8 1977 2002 1990 1946 1989

Appendix 2. Five lowest historical 30-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 30-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 30-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
50 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 424 813 1,133 1,284 1,660 1977 2002 1990 1981 1988

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 180 201 339 350 394 1977 2002 1989 1963 1981

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 24.9 27.5 38.5 38.6 38.9 1989 1990 2002 1996 1967

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 193 204 245 264 332 1977 2002 1989 1954 1988

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 194 240 294 326 339 1977 2002 1989 1951 1939

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 729 1,165 1,677 1,818 1,904 1977 2002 1981 1954 1990

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah State Line 2,999 3,151 6,679 7,085 7,683 1977 2002 1954 1981 1989

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 102 119 323 367 393 1977 2002 1959 1981 1972

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 258 332 715 733 736 1977 2002 1934 1981 1959

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 45.8 63.1 81.1 179 240 2002 1990 1996 1977 2001

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 40.4 65.1 94.5 248 378 2002 1990 1996 2001 1972

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 211 232 360 398 441 2002 1977 1954 1934 1931

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 177 184 466 475 499 2002 1977 1989 1981 1959

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 742 782 828 1,118 1,213 1977 2002 1934 1954 1981

132 09241000 Elk River at Clark 522 738 762 812 836 1977 1987 2002 1989 1954

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 2,141 2,206 2,691 3,488 3,592 1977 2002 1934 1954 1989

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 387 439 547 589 661 2002 1977 1992 1954 1989

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 94.3 99.63 149 152 172 1977 1934 2002 1992 1990

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily 566 669 682 952 1,180 1977 2002 1934 1992 1989

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near Meeker 484 566 955 974 1,029 1977 2002 1981 1994 1990

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 538 616 772 1,039 1,046 1977 2002 1934 1981 1994

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 437 579 1,019 1,137 1,197 1977 2002 1994 1981 1966

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch near Rio Blanco 7.69 8.52 9.59 10.1 10.8 1972 1966 2002 1967 1990

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River 5.20 7.63 11.0 11.9 12.6 1972 1990 1966 2002 1977

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely .36 .43 .55 .55 .68 1991 1992 1977 1990 1994

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River 1.95 2.03 2.05 2.12 2.20 1975 1976 1977 1982 1981

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand Creek near Pagosa 

Springs

53.5 79.5 186 194 213 2002 1977 2000 1959 1972

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 163 293 631 730 821 2002 1977 1946 1959 2000

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 277 418 921 936 974 2002 1977 1972 2000 1971

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 142 189 619 625 638 2002 1977 1981 1974 1971

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 136 177 356 386 429 2002 1977 1974 1989 1972

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 67.0 101 110 119 139 2002 1951 1977 1959 1956

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 587 736 1,346 1,415 1,688 2002 1977 1934 1931 1954

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 22.9 24.1 51.9 77.7 78.2 1977 2002 1972 1959 1934

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New Mexico State Line 10.3 19.8 31.7 33.8 37.8 2002 1977 1934 1925 1972

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc 5.52 8.05 8.26 11.8 14.5 1972 1951 2002 1974 1959

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah State Line 13.3 14.3 25.8 41.6 43.5 2002 1977 1959 1978 1951

Appendix 2. Five lowest historical 30-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 30-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 30-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes  51

Appendix 3. Five lowest historical 90-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. 

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 90-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 90-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest

 1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 5.09 5.91 6.86 7.12 7.41 2002 1977 1981 2001 1989

 2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 164 233 243 283 348 2002 1934 1977 1954 1981

 3 06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 190 311 320 371 393 1902 1908 1940 1963 1934

 4 06709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near Louviers 2.48 6.83 6.98 9.25 14.4 1963 1950 2002 1956 1989

 5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 13.7 17.5 25.2 28.0 28.4 2002 1954 1963 1940 1966

 6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan 3.94 5.33 6.58 7.16 7.22 1954 1963 1932 1966 1940

 7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown 3.80 4.00 4.50 4.97 4.97 1968 1963 1955 1978 1970

 8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 84.5 133 140 146 156 1902 2002 1963 1908 1954

 9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 120 173 179 191 192 2002 1963 1954 1966 1981

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 141 247 260 335 346 2002 1977 1981 1976 1994

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 177 216 274 280 285 1954 1963 2002 1966 1934

12 06725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 69.5 96.3 103 131 142 2002 1977 1981 1988 2001

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont 1.66 5.92 7.73 8.02 8.40 1954 2002 1946 1940 1955

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of canyon near Drake 81.8 98.5 110 115 119 2002 1977 1992 1981 2001

15 06746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright Reservoir 13.7 17.7 19.1 20.9 22.2 2002 1989 1981 1985 1979

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of canyon near Fort Collins 243 359 408 421 438 2002 1977 1966 1954 1963

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins 102 146 152 154 168 2002 1977 2001 1989 1976

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 131 146 149 159 176 1954 1940 1908 1911 2002

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 183 193 199 212 223 1954 1955 2002 1977 1956

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 28.3 42.2 51.1 56.7 58.5 1911 1956 1940 2002 1936

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 65.6 78.3 81.9 168 168 2002 1981 1977 1976 1998

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 29.4 37.0 53.5 53.9 54.1 2002 1977 1981 1963 1954

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 223 399 454 477 578 2002 1977 1934 1931 1940

24 07091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 367 478 785 935 1,140 2002 1977 1981 1992 1966

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 360 482 762 888 994 2002 1977 1981 1963 1992

26 07094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 387 490 843 890 1,106 2002 1977 1981 1954 1955

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 267 375 515 648 675 2002 1977 1902 1934 1940

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 260 357 704 713 1,078 2002 1977 1981 1940 1988

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 6.31 8.06 8.82 8.86 9.95 2002 1989 1978 1972 1963

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at Air Force Academy .37 .37 .38 .58 .78 2002 1993 1989 1986 1978

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 10.5 10.6 16.1 17.1 21.0 1946 1976 1978 1943 2002

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 34.8 39.4 44.3 45.5 49.4 1976 2002 1986 1978 1989

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 45.1 45.8 56.8 68.6 72.9 1966 1968 1978 1974 1972

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain 1.66 1.71 1.73 1.76 1.82 1978 1977 2002 1990 1989

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon 42.2 43.0 50.6 55.8 59.1 1974 1978 1975 1989 1977

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo 9.67 10.2 10.7 12.6 14.0 1962 1953 1964 1952 1950

37 07108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 3.98 5.80 8.38 8.50 13.7 2002 1974 1943 1971 1922

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 418 582 772 1,041 1,168 2002 1977 1940 1981 1966

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler 5.99 7.51 8.89 11.1 11.3 1974 2002 1964 1971 1959

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near Fowler 242 423 643 757 774 2002 1977 1974 1981 1966
52 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 20.5 33.2 36.9 49.5 49.7 2002 1975 1974 1981 1976

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 22.2 114 116 129 131 2002 1959 2000 1977 1934

43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 15.5 20.7 91.4 101 105 1959 2002 1988 1963 1967

44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 12.9 28.3 34.3 53.5 58.2 2002 1972 1974 1989 1977

45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher 10.1 20.8 25.9 26.1 26.4 1974 1989 1976 1971 1975

46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas 9.91 13.1 23.8 41.6 44.7 1975 1974 1989 2002 2001

47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar 12.7 36.1 44.7 46.6 51.7 1939 1917 1940 1932 1922

48 07134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar 4.64 5.06 5.52 7.12 8.56 1979 1981 1975 2002 1974

49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 107 148 266 268 269 2002 1977 2000 1959 1940

50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 391 639 867 1,029 1,114 2002 1977 1904 1940 1934

51 08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber Creek near Villa Grove 4.61 8.28 8.30 10.9 12.3 2002 1967 1981 1954 1963

52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 27.3 33.1 40.3 40.4 44.6 2002 1963 1981 1940 1977

53 08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita 4.53 6.29 7.01 7.97 8.11 2002 1963 1940 1954 1951

54 08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland 4.36 8.98 10.9 11.4 11.9 2002 1963 1956 1950 1964

55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 202 245 379 412 443 2002 1977 1904 1934 1972

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz 3.03 9.52 9.54 12.9 14.3 2002 1972 1977 1934 1981

57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 41.8 79.5 122 131 132 2002 1977 1972 1934 2000

58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses .58 3.91 4.88 11.6 11.8 2002 1977 1972 1954 1934

59 08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 38.9 40.8 49.6 54.1 55.1 1963 1977 1951 1976 1964

60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 44.4 44.7 61.0 64.2 66.3 1954 2002 1951 1964 1977

61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch near Grand Lake 67.5 72.9 88.7 96.3 106 2002 1954 1981 1977 1955

62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 7.45 9.06 10.3 10.3 10.6 1954 1963 1977 2002 1966

63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park 3.37 3.93 4.38 4.93 5.96 1954 1963 1940 1966 1964

64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 13.1 20.3 21.3 24.1 26.3 2002 2001 1989 1981 1990

65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser 4.27 4.32 5.05 6.27 6.5 1963 2002 1966 1954 1964

66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass 13.3 19.9 22.9 24.4 25.2 2002 1977 1966 1976 1987

67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek 4.53 13.3 13.6 14.0 15.1 2002 1976 1981 1940 1966

68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek near Leal 22.0 46.0 49.3 50.0 53.2 2002 1966 1976 1981 1977

69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 9.6.0 14.0 15.2 16.6 16.9 2002 1977 1966 1989 1981

70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 32.1 49.8 54.4 56.4 65.3 2002 1977 1966 1981 1987

71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 79.6 105 106 144 144 2002 1963 1954 1966 1977

72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 45.6 56.8 63.0 64.5 83.9 1963 1954 1977 2002 1966

73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 56.9 75.5 100 103 110 2002 1963 1966 1981 1977

74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 46.5 80.8 88.5 89.9 90.4 2002 1966 1981 1954 1977

75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 3.14 5.22 5.50 5.78 6.55 2002 1963 1981 1966 1977

76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile Creek at Frisco 118 135 139 151 175 2002 1977 1963 1966 1981

77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 648 719 789 803 809 1963 2002 1992 1964 1966

78 09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail 1.02 2.05 2.23 2.34 2.62 1977 1981 1989 1987 1988

79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn .84 1.15 1.40 1.88 2.19 1977 1981 2002 1990 1987

Appendix 3. Five lowest historical 90-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 90-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 90-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes  53

80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn 5.27 5.30 7.91 8.13 8.18 1977 2002 1981 1989 1994

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 79.7 86.7 102 105 142 1977 1954 2002 1963 1981

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 31.4 37.5 46.4 46.8 47.6 2002 1981 1977 1954 1963

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff 8.11 9.5.0 13.3 14.0 15.5 2002 1977 1981 1966 1990

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 24.2 26.6 31 34.3 41.1 2002 1977 1981 1966 1998

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park 9.6.0 12.4 13.7 14.5 14.6 2002 1977 2001 1994 1981

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 34.6 37.3 39.9 42.7 43.1 2002 1977 1981 1992 1976

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 50.7 51.0 61.3 63.5 71.7 1977 2002 1981 1990 1967

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn 74.8 81.8 112 118 120 2002 1977 1963 1961 1989

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near Minturn 41.8 55.0 55.1 55.5 65.6 2002 1954 1977 1966 1981

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn 22.6 25.6 27.2 29.9 31.2 2002 1954 1977 1966 1981

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn 13.9 15.0 17.8 21.4 22.7 2002 1966 1977 1969 1972

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn 16.2 19.4 20.0 22.9 24.4 2002 1989 1977 1987 1990

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn 18.8 21.5 22.4 26.5 26.8 2002 1966 1977 1989 1994

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn 7.26 8.77 10.3 10.6 11.8 2002 1977 1989 1966 1990

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn 10.9 14.2 17.3 17.9 19.5 2002 1977 1987 1966 1989

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 13.1 14.0 24.1 24.4 25 1977 2002 1981 1990 1992

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 529 539 671 734 786 2002 1977 1954 1963 1981

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 1,254 1,468 1,693 1,910 1,979 2002 1977 1954 1963 1966

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 83.5 96.3 147 157 157 2002 1977 1966 1981 2001

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 39.0 69.8 69.9 78.0 83.1 2002 1977 2001 1989 1992

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek near Redstone 264 370 537 560 575 1977 2002 1981 1963 1990

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs 721 883 1,378 1,490 1,569 1977 2002 1954 1981 1963

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood Springs 2,217 2,241 3,556 3,948 4,094 2002 1977 1981 1990 1992

104 09089500 West Divide Creek near Raven 12.9 29.7 33.2 51.8 54.0 1977 2002 1963 1990 1967

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 2,481 2,512 3,616 3,806 3,868 1977 2002 1954 1981 1963

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 42.3 49.4 71.6 87.7 138 1977 2002 1990 1963 1981

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 233 270 299 312 333 1977 2002 1931 1981 1934

108 09112500 East River at Almont 233 322 393 448 510 1977 2002 1981 1954 1990

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 346 442 631 651 910 1977 2002 1954 1981 1990

110 09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 22.6 37.3 49.7 64.3 67.7 2002 1954 1967 1955 1940

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 34.8 52.1 70.7 89.4 103 2002 1977 1954 1981 1940

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 171 191 328 359 380 2002 1977 1981 1954 1989

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron 97.5 100 105 135 139 1977 2002 1981 1972 1967

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near Somerset 271 409 522 554 583 1977 2002 1934 1954 1990

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 13.5 21.2 25.6 26.7 32.6 2002 1990 2000 2001 1999

116 09143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge 22.0 57.2 58.0 63.1 64.0 1977 1963 1990 1981 1959

117 09143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge 18.7 27.7 31.5 37.9 40.7 1977 2002 1934 1990 1946

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 371 643 800 1,007 1,372 1977 2002 1990 1981 1989

Appendix 3. Five lowest historical 90-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 90-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 90-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
54  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 129 140 234 258 261 1977 2002 1989 1963 1972

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 14.4 17.9 19.6 25.8 28.5 2002 1989 1990 1996 1967

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 154 180 220 224 235 1977 2002 1989 1954 1988

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 144 158 220 226 233 2002 1977 1951 1989 1988

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 644 1,008 1,224 1,350 1,417 1977 2002 1954 1981 1990

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah State Line 2,218 2,613 4,301 4,836 4,853 1977 2002 1954 1981 1990

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 78.6 85.9 181 227 241 1977 2002 1959 1967 1954

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 183 220 388 435 525 1977 2002 1934 1959 1931

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 17.6 50.4 67.9 82.0 132 2002 1990 1996 1977 2001

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 16.6 50.4 72.1 132 167 2002 1990 1996 2001 1977

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 158 158 259 294 295 2002 1977 1934 1954 1931

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 127 140 339 364 379 2002 1977 1981 1959 1989

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 456 476 479 623 734 1934 1977 2002 1954 1966

132 09241000 Elk River at Clark 339 454 529 561 565 1977 2002 1987 1981 1934

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 1,431 1,534 1,548 2,225 2,409 1977 2002 1934 1954 1992

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 272 277 344 347 380 2002 1977 1954 1992 1987

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 54.4 56.6 86.0 93.1 106 1977 1934 2002 1992 1961

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily 332 413 466 658 721 1934 1977 2002 1992 1961

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near Meeker 326 362 559 579 651 1977 2002 1990 1994 1981

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 415 451 514 642 648 1977 2002 1934 1994 1990

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 353 435 656 708 740 1977 2002 1994 1990 1966

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch near Rio Blanco 6.50 6.71 7.50 7.79 8.81 1972 1967 1966 2002 1990

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River 3.68 5.02 5.40 6.53 6.71 1972 1966 1990 2002 1971

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely .31 .32 .42 .42 0.46 1992 1991 1977 2002 1990

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River 1.32 1.55 1.58 1.62 1.84 1977 1976 1982 1975 1981

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand Creek near Pagosa 

Springs

39.5 57.3 119 120 138 2002 1977 1959 2000 1996

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 124 188 439 469 519 2002 1977 1959 1946 2000

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 198 296 638 649 663 2002 1977 2000 1996 1972

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 87.2 139 358 395 476 2002 1977 1996 1974 1967

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 96.4 128 233 263 264 2002 1977 1974 1963 1996

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 42.2 89.0 89.5 105 128 2002 1977 1951 1959 1972

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 412 504 789 940 1,058 2002 1977 1934 1931 1959

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 17.6 18.1 39.8 44.6 48.9 1977 2002 1972 1934 1959

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New Mexico State Line 6.9 10.1 13.4 21.6 22.1 2002 1977 1934 1925 1959

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc 2.57 3.11 4.03 4.86 4.91 1972 2002 1974 1959 1951

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah State Line 6.67 7.94 15.6 23.8 31.2 2002 1977 1959 1951 1974

Appendix 3. Five lowest historical 90-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 90-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 90-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes  55

Appendix 4. Five lowest historical 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. 

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 180-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest

 1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 2.87 3.64 4.07 4.10 4.12 2002 1977 2001 1981 1989

 2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 105 131 176 192 230 2002 1934 1977 1954 1981

 3 06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 137 255 261 323 327 1902 1908 1940 1896 1934

 4 06709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near Louviers 1.52 3.61 3.74 5.88 7.47 1963 1950 2002 1956 1996

 5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 9.75 16.2 19.8 22.7 25.2 2002 1954 1963 1978 1940

 6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan 3.13 4.90 4.95 5.61 6.00 1954 2002 1963 1932 1956

 7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown 2.81 3.07 3.23 3.25 3.49 1963 1968 1994 1970 1978

 8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 62.5 111 113 117 121 1902 2002 1954 1963 1908

 9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 83.7 116 125 127 128 2002 1954 1966 1981 1963

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 99.6 167 172 218 220 2002 1977 1981 1994 1976

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 138 178 200 235 235 1954 1963 1934 2002 1966

12 06725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 58.8 70.1 75.7 102 111 2002 1977 1981 1988 1989

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont 1.20 4.45 5.11 5.44 5.82 1954 2002 1955 1940 1946

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of canyon near Drake 59.2 65.9 90.3 90.6 97.7 1977 2002 1981 1992 1964

15 06746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright Reservoir 7.27 10.6 10.8 11.1 12.4 2002 1981 1989 1985 1979

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of canyon near Fort Collins 146 232 245 245 281 2002 1977 1954 1966 1963

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins 56.2 81.5 85.2 88.3 93.3 2002 1977 2001 1989 1976

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 107 130 139 140 141 1954 1911 1934 1940 1908

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 150 159 179 181 190 2002 1954 1955 1966 1977

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 24.3 32.8 35.4 39.1 44.5 1911 1956 1940 2002 1954

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 41.3 52.2 56.4 99.67 105 2002 1977 1981 1974 1994

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 18.6 24.1 33.8 35.1 36 2002 1977 1954 1981 1963

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 178 281 306 315 381 2002 1977 1934 1931 1940

24 07091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 300 365 589 676 784 2002 1977 1981 1992 2001

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 305 369 563 675 717 2002 1977 1981 1963 1988

26 07094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 327 393 615 629 766 2002 1977 1954 1981 1955

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 220 289 384 450 452 2002 1977 1902 1940 1934

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 207 277 486 493 734 2002 1977 1940 1981 1988

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 5.00 7.63 7.95 8.36 8.42 2002 1989 1978 1972 1963

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at Air Force Academy .19 .25 .33 .41 0.47 1993 1989 2002 1986 1978

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 10.1 10.4 10.5 11.1 16.3 1976 1978 1946 1943 1940

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 26.9 28.3 30.2 38.1 38.3 1976 2002 1978 1986 1989

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 35.3 35.9 48.3 52.7 54.5 1966 1968 1978 1974 1972

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain 1.15 1.23 1.35 1.38 1.63 2002 1990 1978 1989 1983

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon 23.7 26.0 29.0 40.5 44.8 1974 1975 1978 1976 1977

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo 6.21 7.12 7.44 7.65 8.91 1953 1964 1950 1962 1943

37 07108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 3.66 4.3 6.43 6.78 10.1 2002 1974 1971 1943 1922

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 306 478 535 775 823 2002 1977 1940 1981 1974

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler 3.77 5.24 5.34 6.84 8.53 1974 1964 2002 1971 1959

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near Fowler 159 343 406 508 567 2002 1977 1974 1981 1966
56  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 15.9 26.2 26.7 34.2 38.0 2002 1975 1974 1981 1976

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 18.4 81.5 87.2 97.6 98.3 2002 1959 2000 1977 1934

43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 12.0 17.1 59.6 65.1 71.3 1959 2002 1967 1964 1988

44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 12.3 23.1 25.6 41.7 44.1 2002 1972 1974 1977 1989

45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher 6.79 15.3 15.9 17.0 17.9 1974 1975 1976 1989 1971

46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas 5.75 9.31 15.9 25.1 26.6 1975 1974 1989 2002 1964

47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar 9.59 22.1 24.8 29.5 30.3 1939 1917 1932 1931 1940

48 07134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar 3.10 3.42 3.76 4.76 4.91 1979 1981 1975 1978 1974

49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 67.0 110 154 163 167 2002 1977 2000 1940 1963

50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 268 456 643 688 703 2002 1977 1940 1934 1951

51 08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber Creek near Villa Grove 2.72 6.15 7.15 7.36 7.39 2002 1981 1967 1950 1954

52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 21.1 30.6 30.9 35.3 38.4 2002 1963 1940 1977 1981

53 08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita 3.24 4.71 4.82 5.32 5.80 2002 1940 1963 1951 1956

54 08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland 2.68 6.02 7.94 8.16 8.92 2002 1956 1950 1963 2000

55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 115 170 240 253 271 2002 1977 1934 1972 1963

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz 1.71 4.77 5.18 6.98 8.03 2002 1972 1977 1934 1981

57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 23.8 46.4 68.3 72.4 72.9 2002 1977 1972 2000 1934

58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses .29 1.98 2.45 6.19 7.39 2002 1977 1972 1954 1934

59 08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 29.2 29.5 29.8 35.0 36.5 1977 1963 1951 1976 1972

60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 27.3 32.3 36.1 38.2 42.3 2002 1954 1951 1964 1977

61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch near Grand Lake 42.3 45.7 53.9 61.6 63.6 2002 1954 1981 1977 1989

62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 5.68 7.56 8.30 8.51 8.89 1954 1963 2002 1966 1955

63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park 2.22 3.01 3.05 3.17 3.40 1954 1963 1966 1940 1964

64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 9.88 15.2 16.3 17.0 17.2 2002 2001 1989 1963 1981

65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser 2.93 3.46 3.99 4.08 4.70 2002 1966 1963 1964 1954

66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass 8.13 11.6 13.5 13.6 14.5 2002 1977 1966 1976 1987

67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek 2.67 7.45 7.49 8.48 9.76 2002 1981 1976 1966 1977

68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek near Leal 14.2 28.0 30.0 30.0 31.4 2002 1966 1976 1981 1977

69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 6.03 8.62 9.54 10.2 10.5 2002 1977 1966 1981 1989

70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 20.9 31.5 32.6 36.3 40.0 2002 1977 1966 1981 1987

71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 50.4 68.5 70.5 88.8 88.8 2002 1954 1963 1977 1966

72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 38.9 39.7 44.9 50.7 53.1 1963 2002 1954 1977 1966

73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 45.5 65 73.9 79.9 80.3 2002 1963 1966 1977 1981

74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 33.6 55.1 55.8 57.0 60.2 2002 1966 1977 1954 1981

75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 2.28 3.92 4.02 4.17 4.39 2002 1963 1981 1966 1977

76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile Creek at Frisco 73.4 78.9 90.0 95.1 111 2002 1977 1966 1963 1981

77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 575 612 689 706 758 2002 1963 1966 1981 1977

78 09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail .87 1.39 1.57 1.7 1.71 1977 1989 1981 1988 1987

79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn .47 .62 .75 1.03 1.20 1977 1981 2002 1990 1987

Appendix 4. Five lowest historical 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded.—Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 180-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes  57

80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn 3.02 3.02 4.61 4.63 4.81 1977 2002 1994 1981 1989

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 44.0 49.5 57.9 62.9 81.1 1977 1954 2002 1963 1981

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 20.2 25.2 29.2 30.2 37.3 2002 1981 1977 1954 1963

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff 5.08 5.87 8.11 8.47 9.34 2002 1977 1981 1966 1988

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 15.3 15.9 18.8 20.7 23.7 2002 1977 1981 1966 1994

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park 6.69 7.94 9.03 9.15 9.37 2002 1977 1994 1987 2001

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 23.3 24.9 27.4 29.6 29.7 2002 1977 1981 1974 1988

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 31.6 33.9 38.8 39.7 48.9 2002 1977 1990 1981 1989

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn 45.4 48.4 70.8 74.1 74.3 2002 1977 1963 1989 1990

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near Minturn 24.3 31.8 32.0 32.0 39.3 2002 1977 1966 1954 1981

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn 12.8 14.4 15.9 16.9 18 2002 1954 1977 1966 1981

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn 8.31 9.00 10.5 12.5 12.8 2002 1966 1977 1969 1964

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn 9.81 12.3 12.7 13.5 14.6 2002 1989 1977 1987 1994

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn 10.3 12.1 12.3 14.2 15.0 2002 1966 1977 1994 1989

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn 3.97 4.69 5.75 5.83 6.36 2002 1977 1989 1966 1990

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn 6.10 7.95 9.39 9.97 11.1 2002 1977 1987 1966 1989

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 7.70 8.94 14.3 14.8 15.6 1977 2002 1981 1990 1992

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 341 355 433 506 512 2002 1977 1954 1981 1963

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 1,073 1,361 1,390 1,529 1,614 2002 1977 1954 1963 1966

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 57.3 62.9 96.9 97.1 98.4 2002 1977 1981 1966 1976

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 23.9 40.7 45.1 47.0 49.5 2002 1977 2001 1994 1989

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek near Redstone 169 224 321 336 340 1977 2002 1981 1963 1990

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs 533 676 936 1,005 1,008 1977 2002 1954 1934 1981

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood Springs 1,830 1,941 2,677 2,970 3,177 2002 1977 1981 1990 1992

104 09089500 West Divide Creek near Raven 6.46 14.9 17.1 27.0 29.2 1977 2002 1963 1990 1967

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 2,013 2,120 2,748 2,796 2,867 2002 1977 1954 1981 1963

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 29.0 34.3 51.8 69.8 99.2 1977 2002 1990 1963 1989

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 210 212 216 247 252 1977 1931 2002 1934 1981

108 09112500 East River at Almont 155 201 253 285 315 1977 2002 1981 1954 1990

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 309 358 490 587 616 1977 2002 1981 1954 1990

110 09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 16.7 28.2 37.0 43.0 43.5 2002 1954 1967 1940 1955

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 30.2 49.6 61.8 68.4 77.5 2002 1977 1954 1981 1940

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 117 139 217 232 237 2002 1977 1981 1954 1967

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron 68.6 74.7 77.3 86.9 100 1977 2002 1981 1967 1963

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near Somerset 174 269 290 333 383 1977 2002 1934 1954 1990

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 8.40 13.2 16.8 17.6 21.8 2002 1990 2001 2000 1989

116 09143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge 17.2 42.9 43.1 45.1 45.3 1977 1990 1963 1981 2001

117 09143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge 12.5 18.4 19.3 26.0 27.1 1977 2002 1934 1990 1946

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 331 628 639 739 962 1977 2002 1990 1981 1989

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 102 103 167 173 178 2002 1977 1989 1972 1981

Appendix 4. Five lowest historical 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 180-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
58  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 9.76 13.2 13.4 17.8 20.0 2002 1990 1989 1967 1963

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 114 150 165 170 170 1977 2002 1954 1989 1988

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 115 143 170 177 178 2002 1977 1956 1951 1954

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 619 834 948 983 1,078 1977 1934 1954 2002 1931

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah State Line 1,955 2,190 3,203 3,730 3,750 1977 2002 1954 1990 1981

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 53.7 60.5 110 143 145 2002 1977 1959 1974 1972

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 132 153 219 276 307 1977 2002 1934 1959 1931

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 17.1 37.5 43.1 63.9 100 2002 1990 1977 1996 2001

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 15.5 37.5 67.4 87.0 97.1 2002 1990 1996 1977 2001

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 120 126 184 204 209 2002 1977 1934 1931 1951

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 82.7 112 224 232 238 2002 1977 1990 1959 1989

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 243 265 268 343 407 1934 2002 1977 1954 1966

132 09241000 Elk River at Clark 200 253 306 314 326 1977 2002 1934 1981 1987

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 756 779 786 1,207 1,320 1977 2002 1934 1954 1981

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 145 151 185 195 205 2002 1977 1954 1992 1987

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 29.1 30.5 44.5 50.0 58.1 1977 1934 2002 1992 1961

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily 166 223 234 346 371 1934 1977 2002 1992 1961

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near Meeker 192 193 329 343 415 1977 2002 1994 1990 1981

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 277 291 353 418 439 1977 2002 1934 1994 1990

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 275 301 446 473 487 1977 2002 1994 1990 1966

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch near Rio Blanco 5.03 5.33 6.43 7.55 7.91 1967 1972 1966 2002 1990

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River 3.26 3.78 4.54 5.69 6.04 1972 1966 1990 2002 1971

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely .23 .31 .37 .38 .40 1992 1991 2002 1977 1990

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River 1.12 1.17 1.37 1.38 1.58 1976 1977 1975 1981 1982

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand Creek near Pagosa 

Springs

24.8 52.7 69.4 73.2 80.8 2002 1977 2000 1959 1972

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 72.5 176 263 280 287 2002 1977 1959 2000 1946

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 116 285 364 385 404 2002 1977 2000 1972 1996

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 57.6 129 226 236 283 2002 1977 1996 1974 1972

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 70.7 105 149 162 164 2002 1977 1974 2000 1996

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 32.4 65.0 68.7 86 99.6 2002 1951 1977 1959 1953

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 305 422 501 629 681 2002 1977 1934 1931 1959

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 12.2 14.1 24.7 27.3 29.7 2002 1977 1972 1934 1959

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New Mexico State Line 4.12 6.38 10.5 13.0 13.4 2002 1977 1934 1972 1974

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc 1.75 2.38 2.48 3.32 3.41 2002 1972 1959 1974 1951

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah State Line 5.34 5.80 12.8 18.1 24.0 2002 1977 1959 1951 1974

Appendix 4. Five lowest historical 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows 

were recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through September 30, 2002; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 180-day snowmelt

streamflows listed to the left were recorded

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes  59

Appendix 5. Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on frequency analysis for 

1973–2002; recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations in 

Colorado. 

[All streamflow values are in cubic feet per second; NonexP, nonexceedance probability; RI, recurrence interval; >, greater than; <=, less than or equal to; --, no data]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September for indicated nonexceedance 

probability and the associated recurrence interval

Recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

intervals for those recorded streamflows based

on frequency analysis results shown to the left

0.01

NonexP;

100-year RI

0.02

NonexP;

50-year RI

0.05

NonexP;

20-year RI

0.10

NonexP;

10-year RI

2002 1977

StreamflowRI, 

in years

StreamflowRI, 

in years

1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 2.82 3.1 3.47 3.87 2.87 >50, but <=100 3.64 >10, but <=20

2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 88.9 124 178 247 105 >50, but <=100 176 >20, but <=50

3 1

06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 302 314 336 360 529 <=10 437 <=10

4 06709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near Louviers 3.08 4.49 6.58 9.82 3.74 >50, but <=100 34.9 <=10

5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 10.4 14 19.4 26.6 9.75 >100 41.3 <=10

6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan 4.29 6.35 10.4 16.2 4.9 >50, but <=100 22.8 <=10

7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown 2.76 2.99 3.44 4 6.74 <=10 4.87 <=10

8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 106 123 156 194 111 >50, but <=100 211 <=10

9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 72.7 91.1 117 145 83.7 >50, but <=100 131 >10, but <=20

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 103 124 150 181 99.63 >100 167 >10, but <=20

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 202 226 268 317 235 >20, but <=50 303 >10, but <=20

12 06725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 50.6 57.4 69.5 82.8 58.8 >20, but <=50 70.1 >10, but <=20

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont 4.29 7.1 11.9 19.4 4.45 >50, but <=100 -- --

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of canyon near Drake 55.4 62 73.3 85.4 65.9 >20, but <=50 59.2 >50, but <=100

15 06746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright Reservoir 6.85 7.79 9.11 10.5 7.27 >50, but <=100 -- --

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of canyon near Fort 

Collins

151 182 233 290 146 >100 232 >20, but <=50

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins 41.9 48.3 60.9 76.3 56.2 >20, but <=50 81.5 <=10

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 151 189 266 361 146 >100 299 >10, but <=20

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 124 148 196 257 150 >20, but <=50 190 >20, but <=50

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 23.2 32.5 54.3 85.7 39.1 >20, but <=50 131 <=10

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 32.6 41.4 54.2 68.6 41.3 >50, but <=100 52.2 >20, but <=50

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 18.8 22.3 26.9 31.9 18.6 >100 24.1 >20, but <=50

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 180 230 300 380 178 >100 281 >20, but <=50

24 1

07091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 250 315 416 525 300 >50, but <=100 365 >20, but <=50

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 274 339 451 568 305 >50, but <=100 369 >20, but <=50

26 07094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 299 379 495 625 327 >50, but <=100 393 >20, but <=50

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 200 269 375 501 220 >50, but <=100 289 >20, but <=50

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 178 249 362 500 207 >50, but <=100 277 >20, but <=50

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 4.13 4.81 6.14 7.72 5.00 >20, but <=50 10.3 <=10

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at Air Force Academy .15 .19 .27 .38 .33 >10, but <=20 1.22 <=10

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 8.22 9.65 12.4 15.5 16.4 <=10 19.4 <=10

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 18.8 21.5 26.9 33.1 28.3 >10, but <=20 42.1 <=10

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 37.3 42.6 52.4 63.5 98.6 <=10 60.4 >10, but <=20

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain .87 .97 1.15 1.35 1.15 >10, but <=20 1.69 <=10

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon 15.9 19.9 27.9 37.8 60.8 <=10 44.8 <=10
60 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo 15.3 19.3 27.4 37.6 57.8 <=10 47.3 <=10

37 07108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 2.10 3.56 6.63 11.4 3.66 >20, but <=50 -- --

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 300 395 533 696 306 >50, but <=100 478 >20, but <=50

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler 3.03 4.35 6.39 9.09 5.34 >20, but <=50 30.1 <=10

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near Fowler 161 220 324 448 159 >100 343 >10, but <=20

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 14.0 18.1 25.7 34.1 15.9 >50, but <=100 43.3 <=10

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 22.9 34.0 58.4 91.4 18.4 >100 97.6 <=10

43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 19.4 29.6 46.8 72.4 17.1 >100 73.9 <=10

44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 11.3 16.6 25.7 37.6 12.3 >50, but <=100 41.7 <=10

45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher 5.75 8.77 13.1 19.7 21.2 <=10 69.9 <=10

46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas 4.67 7.43 12.1 19.0 25.1 <=10 95.1 <=10

47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar 34.1 40.1 51.7 65.6 78.4 <=10 90.6 <=10

48 07134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar 1.52 1.88 2.60 3.51 5.71 <=10 7.29 <=10

49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 57.2 77.0 114 157 67.0 >50, but <=100 110 >20, but <=50

50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 258 353 502 681 268 >50, but <=100 456 >20, but <=50

51 1

08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber Creek near Villa Grove 2.96 4.02 5.47 7.36 2.72 >100 9.72 <=10

52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 17.2 22.2 30.0 38.9 21.1 >50, but <=100 35.3 >10, but <=20

53 1

08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita 2.46 3.30 4.34 5.82 3.24 >50, but <=100 6.80 <=10

54 1

08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland 2.37 3.44 5.47 8.10 2.68 >50, but <=100 11.5 <=10

55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 107 144 203 271 115 >50, but <=100 170 >20, but <=50

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz 1.47 2.58 5.19 9.21 1.71 >50, but <=100 5.18 >20, but <=50

57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 21.7 31.7 51.5 76.0 23.8 >50, but <=100 46.4 >20, but <=50

58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses .20 .67 3.16 10.7 .29 >50, but <=100 1.98 >20, but <=50

59 1

08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 25.6 29.2 33.5 38.3 55.8 <=10 29.2 >20, but <=50

60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 15.7 26.7 52.8 94.1 27.3 >20, but <=50 42.3 >20, but <=50

61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch near Grand Lake 38.1 44.3 53.5 63.5 42.3 >50, but <=100 61.6 >10, but <=20

62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 5.84 6.96 9.07 11.5 8.30 >20, but <=50 8.94 >20, but <=50

63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park 4.54 5.20 6.46 7.92 6.74 >10, but <=20 6.35 >20, but <=50

64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 9.72 10.8 13.6 16.4 9.88 >50, but <=100 19.8 <=10

65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser 2.42 3.16 4.53 6.24 2.93 >50, but <=100 6.94 <=10

66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass 8.46 9.61 11.5 13.2 8.13 >100 11.6 >10, but <=20

67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek 2.32 3.76 7.08 11.6 2.67 >50, but <=100 9.76 >10, but <=20

68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek near Leal 14.3 18.8 25.5 33.4 14.2 >100 31.4 >10, but <=20

69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 6.43 7.29 8.42 9.69 6.03 >100 8.62 >10, but <=20

70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 22.1 25.7 30.5 35.7 20.9 >100 31.5 >10, but <=20

Appendix 5. Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on frequency analysis for 

1973–2002; recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations in 

Colorado. —Continued

[All streamflow values are in cubic feet per second; NonexP, nonexceedance probability; RI, recurrence interval; >, greater than; <=, less than or equal to; --, no data]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September for indicated nonexceedance 

probability and the associated recurrence interval

Recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

intervals for those recorded streamflows based

on frequency analysis results shown to the left

0.01

NonexP;

100-year RI

0.02

NonexP;

50-year RI

0.05

NonexP;

20-year RI

0.10

NonexP;

10-year RI

2002 1977

StreamflowRI, 

in years

StreamflowRI, 

in years
Appendixes  61

71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 53.8 64.3 81.4 99.16 50.4 >100 88.0 >10, but <=20

72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 36.0 44.2 58.9 75.5 39.7 >50, but <=100 50.7 >20, but <=50

73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 48.5 58.3 73.2 89.2 45.5 >100 79.9 >10, but <=20

74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 34.6 42.4 54.3 66.7 33.6 >100 55.8 >10, but <=20

75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 2.39 3.02 3.89 4.92 2.28 >100 4.39 >10, but <=20

76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile Creek at Frisco 67.4 79.9 95.3 113 73.4 >50, but <=100 78.9 >50, but <=100

77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 505 556 644 742 575 >20, but <=50 758 <=10

78 09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail .75 .97 1.29 1.69 1.88 <=10 .87 >50, but <=100

79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn .38 .50 .70 .95 .75 >10, but <=20 .47 >50, but <=100

80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn 2.54 2.99 3.62 4.32 3.02 >20, but <=50 3.02 >20, but <=50

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 40.8 49.4 62.0 75.9 57.9 >20, but <=50 44.0 >50, but <=100

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 18.0 22.4 27.9 34.6 20.2 >50, but <=100 29.2 >10, but <=20

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff 4.60 5.40 6.67 8.04 5.08 >50, but <=100 5.87 >20, but <=50

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 12.7 14.9 17.9 21.3 15.3 >20, but <=50 15.9 >20, but <=50

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park 7.50 7.69 8.09 8.58 6.69 >100 7.94 >20, but <=50

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 22.7 23.5 25.2 27.1 23.3 >50, but <=100 24.9 >20, but <=50

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 28.7 31.2 35.7 40.5 31.6 >20, but <=50 33.9 >20, but <=50

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn 41.8 47.8 56.0 64.6 45.4 >50, but <=100 48.4 >20, but <=50

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near Minturn 24.5 27.6 32.4 37.2 24.3 >100 31.8 >20, but <=50

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn 11.4 13.1 15.7 18.4 12.8 >50, but <=100 15.9 >10, but <=20

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn 8.64 9.71 11.1 12.5 8.31 >100 10.5 >20, but <=50

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn 9.10 10.0 11.5 13.1 9.81 >50, but <=100 12.7 >10, but <=20

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn 9.79 11.2 12.8 14.6 10.3 >50, but <=100 12.3 >20, but <=50

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn 3.38 4.02 4.89 5.88 3.97 >50, but <=100 4.69 >20, but <=50

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn 5.61 6.76 8.23 9.89 6.10 >50, but <=100 7.95 >20, but <=50

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 6.84 8.17 10.4 12.7 8.94 >20, but <=50 7.70 >50, but <=100

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 296 351 431 518 341 >50, but <=100 355 >20, but <=50

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 990 1,163 1,379 1,638 1,073 >50, but <=100 1,361 >20, but <=50

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 54.8 61.3 72.8 85.0 57.3 >50, but <=100 62.9 >20, but <=50

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 23.8 29.1 35.5 43.1 23.9 >50, but <=100 40.7 >10, but <=20

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek near Redstone 162 200 247 302 224 >20, but <=50 169 >50, but <=100

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs 488 605 761 945 676 >20, but <=50 533 >50, but <=100

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood Springs 1,555 1,880 2,245 2,699 1,830 >50, but <=100 1,941 >20, but <=50

104 09089500 West Divide Creek near Raven 6.41 9.77 16.1 24.5 14.9 >20, but <=50 6.46 >50, but <=100

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 1,679 2,002 2,422 2,921 2,013 >20, but <=50 2,120 >20, but <=50

Appendix 5. Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on frequency analysis for 

1973–2002; recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations in 

Colorado. —Continued

[All streamflow values are in cubic feet per second; NonexP, nonexceedance probability; RI, recurrence interval; >, greater than; <=, less than or equal to; --, no data]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September for indicated nonexceedance 

probability and the associated recurrence interval

Recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

intervals for those recorded streamflows based

on frequency analysis results shown to the left

0.01

NonexP;

100-year RI

0.02

NonexP;

50-year RI

0.05

NonexP;

20-year RI

0.10

NonexP;

10-year RI

2002 1977

StreamflowRI, 

in years

StreamflowRI, 

in years
62 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 19.7 29.4 44.3 66.3 34.3 >20, but <=50 29.0 >50, but <=100

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 184 204 236 270 216 >20, but <=50 210 >20, but <=50

108 09112500 East River at Almont 137 174 227 288 201 >20, but <=50 155 >50, but <=100

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 267 336 438 556 358 >20, but <=50 309 >50, but <=100

110 1

09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 17.5 23.3 30.9 40.6 16.7 >100 -- --

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 27.5 38.1 59.2 85.1 30.2 >50, but <=100 49.6 >20, but <=50

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 105 132 172 216 117 >50, but <=100 139 >20, but <=50

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron 56.3 67.9 80.7 96.49 74.7 >20, but <=50 68.6 >20, but <=50

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near Somerset 162 213 289 381 269 >20, but <=50 174 >50, but <=100

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 6.41 8.27 10.3 13.2 8.40 >20, but <=50 -- --

116 09143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge 18.2 23.7 31.8 41.2 -- -- 17.2 >100

117 09143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge 11.8 15.0 18.9 23.9 18.4 >20, but <=50 12.5 >50, but <=100

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 254 348 518 735 628 >10, but <=20 331 >50, but <=100

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 87.1 105 131 159 102 >50, but <=100 103 >50, but <=100

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 6.38 8.37 12.3 17.1 9.76 >20, but <=50 -- --

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 94.5 117 151 192 150 >20, but <=50 114 >50, but <=100

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 105 126 155 190 115 >50, but <=100 143 >20, but <=50

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 544 706 945 1,244 983 >10, but <=20 619 >50, but <=100

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah State Line 1,598 2,002 2,739 3,576 2,190 >20, but <=50 1,955 >50, but <=100

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 43.1 58.3 82.9 112 53.7 >50, but <=100 60.5 >20, but <=50

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 104 147 226 321 153 >20, but <=50 132 >50, but <=100

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 9.53 17.8 39.2 76.3 17.1 >50, but <=100 43.1 >10, but <=20

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 10.3 19.7 42.2 81.7 15.5 >50, but <=100 87.0 <=10

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 96.7 125 162 208 120 >50, but <=100 126 >20, but <=50

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 63.0 88.3 139 201 82.7 >50, but <=100 112 >20, but <=50

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 209 262 326 405 265 >20, but <=50 268 >20, but <=50

132 1

09241000 Elk River at Clark 165 199 247 301 253 >10, but <=20 200 >20, but <=50

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 572 726 968 1,247 779 >20, but <=50 756 >20, but <=50

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 102 130 166 210 145 >20, but <=50 151 >20, but <=50

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 23.7 31.5 44.9 60.6 44.5 >20, but <=50 29.1 >50, but <=100

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily 155 212 285 383 234 >20, but <=50 223 >20, but <=50

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near Meeker 139 184 262 351 193 >20, but <=50 192 >20, but <=50

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 215 266 353 446 291 >20, but <=50 277 >20, but <=50

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 224 288 372 473 301 >20, but <=50 275 >50, but <=100

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch near Rio Blanco 3.54 4.34 5.97 8.04 7.55 >10, but <=20 7.93 >10, but <=20

Appendix 5. Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on frequency analysis for 

1973–2002; recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations in 

Colorado. —Continued

[All streamflow values are in cubic feet per second; NonexP, nonexceedance probability; RI, recurrence interval; >, greater than; <=, less than or equal to; --, no data]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September for indicated nonexceedance 

probability and the associated recurrence interval

Recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

intervals for those recorded streamflows based

on frequency analysis results shown to the left

0.01

NonexP;

100-year RI

0.02

NonexP;

50-year RI

0.05

NonexP;

20-year RI

0.10

NonexP;

10-year RI

2002 1977

StreamflowRI, 

in years

StreamflowRI, 

in years
Appendixes  63

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River 2.35 3.10 4.74 6.95 5.69 >10, but <=20 7.20 <=10

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely .11 .15 .24 .36 .37 <=10 .38 <=10

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River .99 1.05 1.18 1.33 2.18 <=10 1.17 >20, but <=50

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand Creek near Pagosa 

Springs

23.3 32.1 49.1 68.7 24.8 >50, but <=100 52.7 >10, but <=20

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 71.5 111 178 267 72.5 >50, but <=100 176 >20, but <=50

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 114 164 258 373 116 >50, but <=100 285 >10, but <=20

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 53.3 86.0 147 231 57.6 >50, but <=100 129 >20, but <=50

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 67.9 84.9 114 144 70.7 >50, but <=100 105 >20, but <=50

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 29.7 44.5 67.3 99.9 32.4 >50, but <=100 68.7 >10, but <=20

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 276 361 506 668 305 >50, but <=100 422 >20, but <=50

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 9.60 13.6 20.4 28.9 12.2 >50, but <=100 14.1 >20, but <=50

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New Mexico State Line 3.51 5.18 8.28 12.6 4.12 >50, but <=100 6.38 >20, but <=50

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc .86 1.78 4.06 8.39 1.75 >50, but <=100 4.16 >10, but <=20

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah State Line 3.74 6.42 12.7 21.1 5.34 >50, but <=100 5.80 >50, but <=100

1

Data for 1955–2002 were used for the frequency analysis because of missing record during 1973–2002.

Appendix 5. Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September for selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on frequency analysis for 

1973–2002; recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations in 

Colorado. —Continued

[All streamflow values are in cubic feet per second; NonexP, nonexceedance probability; RI, recurrence interval; >, greater than; <=, less than or equal to; --, no data]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Estimated 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September for indicated nonexceedance 

probability and the associated recurrence interval

Recorded 180-day snowmelt streamflows during

April–September, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

intervals for those recorded streamflows based

on frequency analysis results shown to the left

0.01

NonexP;

100-year RI

0.02

NonexP;

50-year RI

0.05

NonexP;

20-year RI

0.10

NonexP;

10-year RI

2002 1977

StreamflowRI, 

in years

StreamflowRI, 

in years
64  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

Appendix 6. Five lowest historical 7-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. 

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 7-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 7-day winter 

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest

 1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.16 0.16 1978 1976 1980 1990 1973

 2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 24.1 28.1 28.6 30.0 33.4 1976 1941 1934 1932 1963

 3 06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 28.3 35.1 35.9 35.9 37.3 1932 1959 1935 1939 1954

 4 06709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near Louviers .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1958 1991 1993 1994 1996

 5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 2.91 3.00 3.04 4.00 4.11 2002 1932 1980 1939 1949

 6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan .96 1.37 2.31 2.50 2.57 1954 1956 2002 1962 1944

 7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown .76 .80 .83 .86 .86 1950 1953 1952 1954 1978

 8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 14.3 21.6 27.3 27.7 28.1 1956 1902 1955 1934 1950

 9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 15.0 16.4 16.4 16.7 17.4 1954 1950 1962 2002 1948

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 18.6 24.0 24.0 24.6 26.4 2002 1985 1994 1975 1977

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 9.93 11.7 11.8 12.6 13.3 1956 1948 1962 1949 1954

12 06725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 22.0 24.0 25.4 26.3 29.0 1990 1977 1981 2002 1978

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont .29 .39 .39 .44 .47 1934 1952 1954 1939 1953

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of canyon near Drake .20 5.57 8.00 9.86 9.86 1969 1978 1932 1939 1975

15 06746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright Reservoir .20 .20 .27 .30 .35 1978 1980 1981 1988 1979

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of canyon near Fort Collins 3.90 5.89 6.57 6.86 8.00 1938 1962 1934 1959 1981

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins .00 .78 .98 1.23 1.30 1987 1995 2002 1986 1988

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 70.9 71.1 91.4 101 108 1954 1934 1956 1911 1939

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 55.9 57.9 59.0 63.1 63.6 1964 1963 1989 1954 1955

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 4.20 10.3 14.0 17.1 20.6 1903 1911 2002 1956 1964

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 7.00 8.50 9.0 10.1 10.1 1977 1973 1976 1975 1981

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 1.20 1.40 1.50 1.50 1.60 1947 1952 1948 1976 1975

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 30.6 33.3 38.0 43.3 44.0 1917 1976 1918 2002 1911

24 07091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 104 120 126 140 153 1976 1972 1977 1978 1980

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 147 164 166 178 187 1962 1988 1977 1976 2002

26 07094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 204 223 244 245 245 1977 1976 1970 1953 1951

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 104 118 119 120 121 1934 2002 1977 1939 1903

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 76.1 120 127 131 148 1977 1944 2002 1976 1939

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 2.99 3.13 3.24 3.26 3.29 1964 1972 1970 1975 1989

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at Air Force Academy .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1975 1990 1991 1992 1993

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 1.27 1.30 1.41 2.40 2.46 1939 1978 1938 1944 1976

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 3.33 7.54 8.00 8.09 10.9 1978 1977 1979 1993 1989

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 4.24 7.67 9.11 10.1 11.3 1964 1971 1975 1978 1976

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain .22 .51 .60 .63 .73 1989 1984 1977 1990 1987

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1974 1975 1977 1978 1979

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo .34 .36 .40 .40 .46 1975 1979 1951 1978 1949

37 07108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.57 0.64 1943 1951 1952 1944 1945

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 118 133 140 144 150 1978 1939 2002 1940 1950

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler .16 .60 .77 .80 .96 1950 1939 1964 1956 1954

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near Fowler 24.4 39.6 46.4 53.9 66.0 2002 2001 1978 1966 1990
Appendixes  65

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 5.73 6.00 6.89 7.13 9.44 1978 1974 2002 1979 1988

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 1.20 2.51 2.99 3.56 4.37 1964 1950 1978 1939 1963

43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 2.84 3.34 4.24 4.43 4.44 1956 1963 1977 1964 1974

44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 3.00 5.93 6.29 7.00 8.14 1976 1972 1977 1982 1978

45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher .00 .10 .10 .16 .25 1972 1975 1974 1978 2002

46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas .36 .69 .97 1.00 1.24 1974 1975 1964 1924 2002

47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar .00 .21 .24 .31 1.00 1913 1964 1977 1978 1926

48 07134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar .00 .00 .34 .43 .54 1977 1978 1975 1974 1979

49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 11.0 15.7 16.1 16.9 17.7 1976 1960 2002 1954 1963

50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 76.4 87.0 88.6 89.3 93.6 1976 1950 1963 1956 2002

51 08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber Creek near Villa Grove .00 .00 .44 1.00 1.20 1976 2002 1971 1959 1963

52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 8.29 11.0 11.3 11.7 12.9 1976 1950 1977 1965 1978

53 08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita .50 .59 .77 1.10 1.14 1963 1976 1956 1950 2002

54 08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland .10 .16 1.30 1.37 1.50 1956 1951 1963 1953 1950

55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 17.4 20.0 20.4 21.1 22.3 1956 1917 1976 1939 1963

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1949 1951 1953 1954 1955

57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 4.43 5.00 5.93 6.00 6.50 1989 1917 1976 1956 1963

58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1956 1963 1966 1977 1989

59 08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 5.00 5.70 6.74 7.09 7.49 1950 1951 1945 1956 1954

60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 5.14 9.66 10.4 10.8 15.3 1956 1964 1963 1955 1977

61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch near Grand Lake 3.20 3.50 3.57 3.80 3.86 2002 1976 1962 1956 1980

62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 2.10 2.54 2.67 2.80 2.80 1956 1964 1968 1963 1966

63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park .26 .30 .49 .60 .79 1966 1964 1962 1954 1958

64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 1.83 2.00 2.00 2.23 2.29 1967 1959 1960 2002 1962

65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser .53 .55 .60 .61 .80 1960 1988 1963 1991 1964

66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass .46 .50 .50 .51 .57 1971 1968 1978 1992 1988

67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek .27 .29 .32 .33 .33 1970 1977 1981 1966 1969

68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek near Leal 3.00 3.13 3.17 3.50 3.56 1979 1976 1974 1978 1989

69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 1.10 1.17 1.29 1.30 1.39 1974 1975 1973 1988 1981

70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 2.76 3.09 4.40 4.50 5.49 1966 1967 1978 1968 1969

71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 13.7 13.7 13.7 13.9 14.1 1939 1963 1966 2002 2001

72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 10.8 11.6 12.4 14.4 15.7 1966 1955 1964 2002 1956

73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 16.0 16.6 17.0 17.6 17.9 1994 1992 1991 1977 1960

74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 6.00 6.29 6.77 6.91 7.00 1962 1963 1977 1954 1945

75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 1.27 1.39 1.39 1.39 1.40 1963 1972 1991 1966 1960

76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile Creek at Frisco 7.86 8.83 8.93 9.43 9.50 1959 1977 1975 1976 1963

77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 208 220 240 264 265 1914 1907 1905 1963 2001

78 09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail .00 .00 .02 .22 .24 1983 1989 1972 1976 1988

79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1964 1965 1966 1967 1970

Appendix 6. Five lowest historical 7-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 7-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 7-day winter 

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
66  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn .33 .36 .39 .40 .41 1978 1977 2000 1964 1999

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 2.93 4.13 5.37 5.54 5.69 1956 1955 1977 1978 1950

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 3.77 4.14 4.86 4.86 5.57 1988 1914 1917 1961 1980

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff .40 .76 .79 .80 .85 1966 1967 1991 1964 2002

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 1.00 1.50 1.84 1.90 1.93 1963 1986 1977 2001 1976

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park .25 .26 .27 .32 .32 1976 1988 1975 1973 1978

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 1.89 2.40 2.80 2.90 2.96 1975 1948 1989 1997 1953

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 1.00 2.50 2.74 2.97 2.99 1914 1986 1958 1960 1946

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn .13 .13 .60 .80 .81 1962 1976 1969 1960 1968

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near Minturn 1.29 1.40 1.50 1.50 1.64 1976 1965 1963 1988 1997

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn .90 .99 1.00 1.07 1.10 1978 1967 1969 1980 1970

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn .20 .25 .26 .30 .30 1980 1978 1966 1963 1965

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn .26 .41 .43 .46 .76 1972 1966 1983 1980 1970

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn .33 .33 .34 .37 .37 1966 1976 1980 1969 1970

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn .00 .00 .00 .03 .04 1964 1966 1967 1969 1977

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn .34 .40 .44 .50 .55 1969 1986 1976 1966 1978

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 1.26 1.33 1.37 1.46 1.54 1976 1980 1981 1994 1977

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 117 118 119 121 125 2002 1956 1991 1994 1989

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 417 465 509 523 527 1943 1942 1963 2002 1954

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 15.0 16.0 16.4 17.6 18.1 1976 1977 1972 2002 1978

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 1.91 1.96 2.63 2.76 2.93 1980 1976 2001 1989 2000

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek near Redstone 27.0 27.0 28.7 32.1 32.1 1963 2001 1977 1976 2002

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs 229 234 248 278 279 1934 2002 1963 1954 1939

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood Springs 820 923 978 988 1,031 2002 2001 1976 1980 1994

104 09089500 West Divide Creek near Raven .00 .00 .00 .04 .16 1956 1960 1976 1955 1977

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 852 856 857 927 970 1939 1934 1963 1940 2002

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 20.9 22.7 31.3 35.7 36.0 1977 1956 1990 1950 1959

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 27.1 29.1 31.4 37.7 38.0 1940 1937 1962 1939 1959

108 09112500 East River at Almont 20.9 30.0 32.4 35.3 36.6 1939 1934 1974 1975 1976

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 95.0 103 109 111 112 1962 1954 1960 1963 1955

110 09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 8.50 9.00 11.4 11.7 12.4 2001 1966 1996 2002 1946

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 13.6 14.4 21.0 25.6 26.6 1977 1963 1950 1955 2002

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 23.1 25.6 28.1 29.7 29.7 1975 2001 1989 1976 1980

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron .00 5.19 6.24 6.46 7.46 1970 1976 1989 1977 1974

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near Somerset 25.3 26.1 27.0 27.7 32.3 1977 1989 1976 1978 1963

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 1.40 1.44 1.46 1.56 1.57 1998 1989 2002 1999 1936

116 09143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge .89 1.30 1.31 1.41 1.86 1976 1975 1977 1989 1974

117 09143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge .11 .24 .27 .27 .34 1953 1921 1956 1959 1939

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 362 374 380 416 436 2002 1990 1977 1976 1989

Appendix 6. Five lowest historical 7-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded.— Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 7-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 7-day winter 

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes  67

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 30.0 31.0 31.1 31.4 31.7 1989 1980 1976 1978 1962

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 1.11 1.31 2.56 2.71 4.00 1955 1956 1963 1967 1980

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 18.0 18.6 27.6 28.7 29.7 1953 1955 1960 1963 2002

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 42.0 44.7 44.9 47.3 47.9 1958 1950 1962 1969 1946

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 197 326 427 475 482 1934 1898 1902 1922 1956

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah State Line 1,616 1,634 1,671 1,721 1,783 1963 2002 1990 1976 1956

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 6.29 7.07 7.57 8.64 8.89 1989 1993 1960 1990 2002

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 15.9 17.9 19.1 19.9 21.0 1989 1898 1939 1901 1976

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 3.86 4.70 5.44 5.44 5.94 1978 1979 1974 1980 1975

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 5.26 6.07 6.51 7.70 7.84 1978 1979 1974 1977 1980

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 31.1 34.9 34.9 38.9 39.0 1976 1956 1989 1988 1959

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 20.0 27.6 27.6 31.0 32.9 1956 1978 2001 1989 1955

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 43.4 45.0 47.1 47.7 48.0 1934 1915 1919 1955 1986

132 09241000 Elk River at Clark 24.6 27.7 28.0 28.0 29.3 1963 1933 1936 1952 1953

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 55.7 75.9 78.1 79.4 80.1 1944 1979 1994 1956 1963

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 8.31 11.0 11.8 12.1 12.6 2002 1976 1987 1956 1960

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 3.93 4.31 4.57 5.33 5.86 1991 1960 1962 1956 1931

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily .00 .00 .00 .00 .03 1934 1942 1956 1960 1953

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near Meeker 70.4 153 175 177 177 1977 1976 1963 1992 1994

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 165 195 201 209 209 1977 1980 1989 1963 1976

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 213 213 215 220 222 1977 1975 2001 1976 2002

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch near Rio Blanco 1.60 3.30 3.83 3.87 4.84 1964 1967 2000 1971 2002

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River .86 2.33 4.41 5.87 5.94 1964 1991 2002 2000 1994

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely .14 .18 .23 .23 .24 2002 1977 1976 1992 1991

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River .00 .06 .41 .48 .85 1978 1972 1976 1977 1979

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand Creek near Pagosa 

Springs

3.69 4.51 5.36 5.57 5.59 1958 1989 1960 1976 2000

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 11.5 13.1 20.9 23.7 23.9 1956 1953 1989 1950 1955

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 60.1 61.0 62.9 64.4 72.3 1989 1976 1963 2002 1967

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 18.0 25.7 27.1 29.4 34.7 2002 1989 1963 2001 1976

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 7.36 7.74 10.2 10.3 11.1 1976 2001 2002 1973 1989

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 15.0 17.9 24.1 29.6 29.7 2002 1959 2001 1963 1951

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 100 103 110 114 120 1917 1932 1912 1989 1950

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 1.90 1.99 2.11 2.37 2.49 1917 1937 1964 1938 1989

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New Mexico State Line .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1934 1950 1956 1977 1978

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1922 1924 1934 1956 1960

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah State Line .56 .95 1.91 2.53 4.26 1956 1977 1960 1951 1953

1

Listed years are for the year corresponding to October–December of the October–March period.

Appendix 6. Five lowest historical 7-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded.— Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 7-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 7-day winter 

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
68  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

Appendix 7. Five lowest historical 30-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. 

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 30-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 30-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest

 1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 0.15 0.16 0.17 0.17 0.19 1976 1980 1973 1990 1978

 2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 27.4 30.7 31.4 35.8 37.2 1976 1941 1934 1932 1963

 3 06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 36.9 43.9 45.9 47.2 49.0 1932 1939 1904 1935 1958

 4 06709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near Louviers .00 .00 .10 .13 .15 1994 1996 1963 1964 1952

 5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 3.37 5.10 5.25 5.44 6.00 1932 1949 1978 2002 1935

 6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan 1.48 3.34 3.50 3.58 4.16 1954 1944 2002 1956 1962

 7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown 0.96 1.06 1.08 1.13 1.14 1952 1978 1954 1953 1955

 8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 25.4 32.2 33.5 33.6 36.9 1956 1934 1902 1955 1932

 9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 17.0 17.4 17.6 18.7 19.2 1954 1950 2002 1948 1962

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 23.9 25.7 28.0 30.0 30.5 2002 1994 1991 1977 1978

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 21.7 23.6 28.3 28.4 30.0 1962 1948 1956 1933 1954

12 06725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 25.6 27.2 29.0 29.6 29.9 1977 2002 1981 1990 1978

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont .46 .62 .68 .84 1.13 1954 1953 1952 1939 1934

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of canyon near Drake .45 6.30 8.33 12.3 13.0 1969 1978 1932 1944 1975

15 06746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright Reservoir .20 .20 .30 .33 .37 1978 1980 1981 1988 1986

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of canyon near Fort Collins 7.36 9.00 10.2 10.5 11.1 1938 1929 1966 1962 1969

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins 1.10 1.31 1.73 1.75 1.75 1995 1986 1987 2001 1977

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 79.7 118 126 145 147 1934 1939 1954 1922 1956

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 58.4 77.3 83.2 89.1 89.5 1964 1976 1955 2002 1963

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 5.40 14.8 18.7 23.0 24.1 1903 2002 1911 1910 1964

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 7.60 8.82 9.13 11.2 11.3 1977 1973 1976 1968 1974

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 1.20 1.40 1.50 1.63 1.76 1947 1952 1948 1976 1975

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 38.3 39.1 44.8 45.0 48.5 1917 1976 1911 1918 2002

24 07091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 127 131 148 153 167 1976 1972 1977 1978 1980

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 195 199 205 224 224 2002 1977 1976 1966 1968

26 07094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 225 263 267 269 271 1977 1953 1954 1976 1951

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 152 153 166 167 175 2002 1977 1939 1963 1903

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 122 161 167 183 185 1977 1950 2002 1976 1951

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 3.85 3.88 4.02 4.32 4.36 1993 2002 1989 1971 1975

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at Air Force Academy .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1975 1992 1993 1990 1991

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 1.88 2.13 3.21 3.40 3.57 1939 1978 1944 1977 1948

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 5.14 10.2 10.7 14.0 14.4 1978 1993 1977 1976 1989

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 11.4 11.6 11.7 15.2 15.4 1964 1971 1975 1977 1968

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain .67 .79 .83 .89 .93 1989 1987 1984 1990 2002

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon .77 4.21 5.09 9.02 9.63 1975 1974 1978 1979 1977

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo .60 .61 .64 .80 .83 1962 1975 1951 1953 1952

37 07108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 0.23 0.26 0.29 0.90 1.00 1943 1952 1951 1944 1950

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 151 163 167 168 178 2002 1939 1950 1978 1940

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler .83 1.06 1.08 1.23 1.76 1939 1964 1956 1954 1952

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near Fowler 34.1 72.6 90.4 106 117 2002 2001 1978 1977 1990
Appendixes  69

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 7.11 7.68 8.10 8.45 11.4 1974 1978 1979 2002 1975

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 3.88 6.34 6.53 6.83 7.45 1978 1975 1934 1924 1963

43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 4.05 5.12 5.13 5.41 5.53 1956 1977 1964 1963 1974

44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 5.15 7.30 8.96 9.88 10.0 1976 1972 1978 1974 2002

45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher .37 .44 .70 1.31 1.31 1972 2002 1978 1977 1975

46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas .72 1.17 1.19 1.27 1.47 1974 1964 1975 2002 1977

47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar .37 .45 .49 .67 1.07 1977 1964 1978 1913 1934

48 07134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar .07 .27 .57 .69 1.00 1978 1977 1974 1975 1979

49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 12.8 17.5 18.0 18.8 18.9 1976 1960 1954 1963 2002

50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 84.7 98.4 101 105 105 1976 2002 1956 1963 1989

51 08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber Creek near Villa Grove .00 .05 .86 1.00 1.20 1976 2002 1971 1959 1963

52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 10.8 12.0 12.6 12.9 13.0 1976 1977 1950 1965 1963

53 08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita 0.50 0.66 1.10 1.29 1.36 1963 1976 1950 2002 1940

54 08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland .37 .71 1.40 1.80 2.03 1956 1951 1963 1950 1955

55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 22.2 23.1 24.9 26.5 26.8 1917 1976 2002 1934 1963

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz .00 .00 .00 .00 .10 1951 1955 1976 1989 1956

57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 5.00 5.13 6.50 6.87 7.00 1917 1989 1963 1976 1934

58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses .00 .03 .11 .13 .18 2002 2000 1977 1963 1989

59 08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 5.51 6.17 7.81 7.91 8.76 1950 1951 1956 1954 1945

60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 12.5 17.7 18.1 19.7 25.5 1956 1977 1902 2002 1964

61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch near Grand Lake 3.42 3.78 3.90 3.97 4.12 2002 1976 1956 1980 1962

62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 2.65 2.66 2.88 2.94 2.97 1964 1956 1966 1968 1963

63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park .62 .67 .81 .94 .95 1964 1962 1959 1958 1960

64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 2.00 2.01 2.33 2.33 2.46 1960 1967 1959 2002 1968

65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser .65 .86 .91 1.00 1.02 1963 1964 1968 1966 1962

66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass .48 .52 .53 .53 .60 1971 1978 1992 1968 1972

67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek .30 .35 .35 .39 .40 1977 1975 1986 1966 1969

68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek near Leal 3.13 3.38 3.50 3.54 3.69 1979 1974 1978 1976 1989

69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 1.10 1.19 1.33 1.43 1.45 1974 1975 1973 1988 1989

70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 2.85 3.30 4.40 4.71 5.57 1966 1967 1978 1968 1972

71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 14.0 14.0 14.2 14.7 14.8 1963 2002 1966 2000 2001

72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 16.5 19.0 21.7 21.7 21.8 1955 1970 1976 1963 1980

73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 16.7 17.0 17.2 17.9 18.0 1994 1992 1991 1977 2002

74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 6.70 6.95 7.03 7.07 7.37 1962 1977 1963 1945 1972

75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 1.34 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.41 1963 1966 1972 1991 1960

76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile Creek at Frisco 8.98 9.06 9.82 10.0 10.0 1977 1975 1976 1959 1963

77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 235 256 271 283 303 1914 1907 1963 1905 1908

78 09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail .00 .04 .06 .24 .27 1983 1989 1972 1976 1988

79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn .00 .00 .00 .00 .01 1964 1967 1990 1991 1966

80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn .35 .40 .40 .41 .43 1978 1964 1977 1999 1975

Appendix 7. Five lowest historical 30-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 30-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 30-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
70 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 6.42 6.65 6.75 6.80 7.38 1977 1956 1979 1978 1963

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 4.53 4.58 5.67 6.27 6.60 1914 1988 1980 1968 1987

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff .45 .80 .81 .86 .89 1966 1964 1991 2002 1967

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 1.00 1.92 2.02 2.03 2.11 1963 1986 1980 1977 2002

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park .27 .28 .28 .36 .37 1976 1988 1975 1973 1978

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 1.97 2.41 2.80 3.09 3.29 1975 1948 1989 2002 1997

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 1.00 2.93 3.00 3.00 3.08 1914 1986 1946 1962 1960

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn .16 .19 .85 .93 1.05 1962 1976 1969 1968 1960

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near Minturn 1.37 1.49 1.56 1.78 1.79 1976 1965 1963 1975 1988

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn .90 1.03 1.10 1.20 1.40 1978 1969 1967 1970 1980

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn .29 .30 .32 .35 .40 1978 1963 1980 1966 1965

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn .56 .72 .72 .78 .84 1966 1983 1980 1991 1969

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn .37 .37 .39 .48 .50 1966 1976 1980 1969 1970

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn .00 .00 .04 .07 .10 1964 1967 1977 1966 1980

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn .46 .48 .50 .56 .56 1986 1969 1976 1966 1978

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 1.41 1.46 1.48 1.49 1.60 1980 1981 1976 1994 1977

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 124 125 128 130 137 1991 2002 1956 1989 1963

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 507 533 545 548 556 1942 1943 1963 2001 2002

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 15.4 17.2 17.7 18.6 19.2 1976 1977 1972 1978 1975

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 2.02 2.16 2.90 2.90 3.02 1976 1980 2001 1989 2000

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek near Redstone 28.2 31.0 32.7 33.0 34.2 1963 2001 1977 1976 1960

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs 250 259 260 292 293 1934 1963 2002 1954 1939

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood Springs 900 987 1,007 1,024 1,088 2002 2001 1976 1980 1994

104 09089500 West Divide Creek near Raven .00 .09 .14 .23 .41 1976 1956 1955 1977 1960

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 931 935 991 1,046 1,046 1934 1963 1939 2002 1940

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 24.8 29.2 40.6 40.9 41.8 1977 1956 1959 1960 1990

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 34.4 34.7 38.7 42.6 42.9 1940 1937 1962 1954 1959

108 09112500 East River at Almont 22.5 31.0 35.9 37.7 41.3 1939 1934 1974 1976 1975

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 108 115 116 119 122 1954 1960 1963 1944 1955

110 09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 10.4 10.7 12.0 13.5 13.9 1966 2001 1996 2002 1946

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 32.1 34.7 34.8 37.0 37.7 1963 1955 1978 2002 1966

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 27.8 29.4 30.2 30.3 30.5 1975 2001 1976 1989 1980

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron 1.45 6.41 6.77 7.86 7.97 1970 1989 1977 1974 1990

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near Somerset 29.2 30.6 33.0 34.7 35.1 1989 1977 1978 1976 1963

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 1.57 1.64 1.70 1.89 1.95 1989 2002 1999 1998 1937

116 09143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge .91 1.37 1.49 1.62 2.05 1976 1975 1977 1989 1978

117 09143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge .26 .39 .50 .65 .77 1953 1939 1933 1959 1955

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 376 399 443 479 512 2002 1977 1990 1989 1988

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 31.2 32.3 33.4 34.1 35.4 1989 1976 1980 1974 1963

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 2.02 2.53 6.27 7.47 8.41 1956 1955 1967 1922 1980

Appendix 7. Five lowest historical 30-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 30-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 30-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes 71

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 31.4 31.8 40.0 40.0 40.0 2002 1955 1914 1930 1934

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 65.7 68.6 69.6 70.5 71.0 1942 1946 1945 1961 1950

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 268 437 486 537 550 1934 1898 1902 1950 1956

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah State Line 1,805 1,814 1,899 1,923 2,014 2002 1963 1956 1955 1954

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 7.08 7.45 8.05 9.52 9.68 1989 1993 1960 2002 1990

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 17.7 20.0 21.5 22.1 23.7 1989 1901 1939 1898 1976

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 6.10 6.24 6.70 7.27 7.61 1979 1978 1975 1974 1977

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 8.11 8.24 8.84 11.7 12.5 1979 1978 1974 1977 1975

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 34.9 36.7 43.4 43.7 43.8 1976 1989 1974 1988 2002

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 29.0 45.0 48.9 49.5 52.3 1956 1976 1955 1989 2002

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 45.0 49.5 52.6 54.8 56.1 1915 1934 1986 1988 1980

132 09241000 Elk River at Clark 27.2 28.5 30.0 30.6 31.7 1963 1936 1934 1952 1960

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 115 116 120 123 130 1933 1963 1934 1956 1955

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 13.6 15.5 15.9 16.0 17.3 1976 1962 1944 2002 1943

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 4.40 6.95 7.20 7.40 8.27 1991 1931 1933 1962 1960

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily .00 1.00 1.83 2.80 4.78 1934 1933 1935 1955 1964

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near Meeker 137 176 208 209 218 1977 1976 1963 1990 1991

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 210 213 225 226 229 1980 1977 2002 1976 1934

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 228 242 251 254 256 1975 1990 1976 1963 2001

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch near Rio Blanco 2.68 4.24 5.10 6.18 6.48 1964 1967 2002 1966 1972

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River 1.57 4.16 4.74 6.46 8.00 1964 1991 2002 2000 1972

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely .24 .27 .27 .29 .30 1992 1991 1977 1976 1990

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River .00 .07 .52 .60 1.08 1978 1972 1977 1976 1979

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand Creek near Pagosa 

Springs

4.21 4.85 5.73 6.40 6.43 1958 1989 1960 2000 1976

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 22.8 23.8 28.9 29.7 30.8 1956 1989 1963 1955 1976

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 66.5 67.2 69.5 70.2 82.2 1989 1963 2002 1976 1967

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 19.6 28.2 31.5 33.9 37.5 2002 1989 1963 2001 1976

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 8.06 9.43 11.2 11.6 12.2 1976 2001 2002 1963 1975

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 15.6 26.5 31.5 33.0 33.1 2002 1959 2001 1963 1999

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 103 121 135 135 135 1932 1989 1930 2001 1899

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 2.09 2.64 2.87 3.23 3.36 1937 1917 1989 1956 1964

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New Mexico State Line .00 .12 .12 .47 .60 1934 1939 1977 1978 1976

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc .01 .07 .10 .20 .20 2002 1924 1977 1959 1956

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah State Line 1.44 2.52 8.92 10.5 14.7 1956 1977 1955 2002 1951

1

Listed years are for the year corresponding to October–December of the October–March period.

Appendix 7. Five lowest historical 30-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 30-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 30-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
72 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

Appendix 8. Five lowest historical 90-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. 

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 90-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 90-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest

 1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 0.18 0.19 0.21 0.21 0.24 1976 1980 1978 2001 1990

 2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 33.8 40.5 44.7 45.4 46.4 1976 1963 1944 1941 1934

 3 06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 47.8 49.9 50.6 53.2 54.0 1932 1939 1904 1935 1903

 4 06709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near Louviers .25 .74 .76 .90 1.37 1956 1954 1963 1978 1952

 5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 4.61 6.51 7.16 7.36 7.92 1932 1978 2002 1977 1931

 6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan 4.03 5.08 5.58 7.43 7.55 2002 1944 1954 1934 1939

 7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown 1.28 1.35 1.42 1.45 1.61 1954 1952 1955 1953 1963

 8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 35.7 37.6 41.3 41.4 44.6 1956 1934 1955 1932 1954

 9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 18.1 19.4 19.5 20.6 22.0 1954 2002 1950 1948 1962

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 26.4 30.5 31.9 32.3 33.1 2002 1994 1989 1977 1991

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 39.3 44.6 44.7 45.6 45.7 1954 1956 1934 1952 1948

12 06725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 27.5 28.4 30.9 33.3 33.7 1977 2002 1981 1976 1998

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont .71 1.48 1.65 1.69 2.23 1954 1953 1939 1934 1932

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of canyon near Drake 7.62 11.9 14.4 14.8 15.1 1978 1932 1939 1944 1964

15 06746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright Reservoir .22 .23 .34 .42 .42 1980 1978 1981 1988 1986

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of canyon near Fort Collins 11.5 11.7 12.3 13.6 13.6 1929 1966 1969 1938 1964

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins 1.87 2.27 3.16 3.19 3.28 1977 1976 1978 1987 1975

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 138 213 216 286 295 1934 1939 1954 1956 1955

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 89.3 97.1 110 116 121 1964 1955 1963 1960 1968

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 20.2 22.0 49.1 55.4 62.1 2002 1911 1964 1939 1940

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 9.17 9.35 10.0 11.8 12.5 1973 1976 1977 1968 2002

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 1.77 1.78 2.00 2.13 2.21 1952 1947 1948 1976 1975

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 46.4 47.2 47.7 54.6 56.1 1918 1911 1976 1944 1933

24 07091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 143 151 161 178 188 1976 1972 1977 1978 1968

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 207 213 232 236 247 2002 1976 1977 1968 1963

26 07094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 260 274 288 300 300 1977 1976 1954 1978 1972

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 182 191 201 211 217 1939 2002 1977 1963 1934

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 171 201 203 209 211 1977 2002 1976 1950 1978

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 4.19 4.41 4.90 4.93 5.03 2002 1989 1993 1978 1963

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at Air Force Academy .00 .00 .04 .04 .05 1993 1992 1991 1975 1989

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 3.46 4.17 4.90 5.62 5.90 1978 1939 1977 1976 1948

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 6.41 13.3 14.9 15.7 16.2 1978 1977 1976 1993 2002

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 16.7 17.5 18.0 19.7 21.9 1964 1971 1975 1968 1967

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain 0.96 1.00 1.09 1.11 1.13 1989 2002 1990 1984 1987

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon 16.7 20.6 24.8 27.4 28.3 1978 1975 1977 1974 1976

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo .96 1.09 1.59 1.75 2.22 1954 1953 1956 1964 1951

37 07108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 0.97 1.10 2.30 2.35 2.63 1952 1950 1948 1972 1951

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 171 185 193 246 254 2002 1978 1939 1977 1950

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler 1.51 1.60 1.68 2.26 2.28 1956 1954 1939 1978 2002

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near Fowler 44.2 145 178 185 195 2002 1978 2001 1964 1977
Appendixes 73

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 12.2 13.5 13.8 13.9 14.4 1974 2002 1989 1978 1987

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 9.59 13.8 15.3 15.3 15.6 1975 1924 1978 1963 1934

43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 5.68 6.69 7.43 7.56 7.66 1956 1977 1954 1974 1964

44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 7.39 8.05 11.0 11.1 11.7 1976 1972 2002 1978 1980

45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher 3.66 5.12 5.49 6.76 7.59 2002 1974 1978 1975 1972

46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas 1.77 2.00 2.04 2.52 2.78 2002 1978 1964 1975 1956

47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar 0.66 0.91 1.30 2.03 2.19 1964 1977 1978 1934 1963

48 07134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar 0.37 0.43 1.04 2.41 2.41 1977 1978 1975 2002 1976

49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 16.7 19.4 20.7 21.3 21.4 1976 1960 1954 1963 2002

50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 103 107 108 117 118 1976 1956 2002 1964 1989

51 08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber Creek near Villa Grove .74 .83 1.23 1.60 1.78 2002 1976 1963 2001 1956

52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 13.6 14.3 15.6 16.5 16.8 1977 1963 1976 1980 1950

53 08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita .57 1.43 1.57 1.72 1.97 1963 1976 2002 1940 1950

54 08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland .95 1.00 1.63 2.10 2.33 1956 1951 1963 1950 2002

55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 28.5 28.7 29.8 30.8 30.9 1917 1976 2002 1930 1963

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz .27 .31 .50 .89 .95 1976 1989 1945 1963 1956

57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 6.56 6.81 7.81 8.12 8.88 1917 1963 1989 1976 1934

58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses 5.73 8.38 9.94 12.8 14.6 2002 1977 2000 1956 1976

59 08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 6.35 7.19 8.89 9.54 9.81 1950 1951 1954 1956 1974

60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 22.4 45.6 53.4 59.9 70.8 1902 1956 1963 1977 2002

61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch near Grand Lake 3.67 4.13 4.15 4.67 4.70 2002 1976 1956 1962 1958

62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 2.83 2.93 3.08 3.17 3.53 1964 1966 1963 1968 1969

63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park 1.09 1.45 1.50 1.50 1.51 1964 1960 1959 1986 1962

64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 2.12 2.47 2.54 2.70 2.74 1967 2002 1960 1964 1966

65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser .76 .94 1.04 1.08 1.13 1963 1964 1968 1966 1967

66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass .52 .58 .59 .65 .68 1971 1968 1978 1992 1990

67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek .32 .35 .37 .42 .43 1977 1986 1975 1966 1976

68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek near Leal 3.59 3.80 3.86 3.90 3.98 1974 1979 1976 1989 1990

69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 1.21 1.23 1.51 1.52 1.54 1974 1975 1973 1989 1988

70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 2.98 4.27 4.71 4.81 5.81 1966 1967 1978 1968 1972

71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 14.0 14.8 15.5 15.5 15.6 1963 1966 1976 1990 1988

72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 23.0 23.9 24.8 25.0 25.7 1963 1970 1956 1976 1980

73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 17.3 18.2 18.5 18.8 18.8 1994 1991 1992 1977 2002

74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 8.14 8.23 8.35 8.38 8.43 1977 1963 1954 1945 1962

75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 1.39 1.44 1.48 1.57 1.57 1963 1991 1966 1960 1972

76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile Creek at Frisco 10.2 10.4 10.7 10.8 11.2 1977 1975 1960 1963 1976

77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 257 283 289 314 323 1914 1963 1907 1904 1905

78 09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail .00 .10 .25 .39 .41 1983 1972 1976 1988 1989

79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn .00 .01 .02 .02 .04 1964 1990 1991 1967 1970

80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn .40 .42 .43 .43 .47 1978 1977 1964 1999 1975

Appendix 8. Five lowest historical 90-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 90-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 90-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
74  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 7.38 9.02 9.24 9.30 9.47 1979 1978 1962 1977 1976

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 5.04 6.34 6.93 7.32 7.37 1988 1980 1914 1974 1954

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff .82 .86 .92 .94 .96 1966 1991 2002 1964 1988

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 1.69 2.19 2.28 2.31 2.32 1963 1977 2002 1986 1980

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park .31 .31 .43 .43 .44 1976 1975 1988 1979 1989

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 2.18 2.68 3.04 3.54 3.56 1975 1948 1989 1953 2002

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 1.34 3.41 3.46 3.48 3.57 1914 1960 1980 1962 1958

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn .48 .65 1.24 1.34 1.37 1976 1962 1968 1969 1978

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near Minturn 1.67 1.71 1.92 1.94 2.08 1976 1963 1965 1975 1990

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn 1.15 1.20 1.33 1.62 1.65 1978 1969 1970 1967 1963

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn .40 .40 .40 .44 .47 1978 1963 1980 1966 1976

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn .75 .84 .87 .99 .99 1966 1991 1980 1970 1990

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn .50 .53 .57 .57 .58 1976 1966 1970 1980 1974

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn .00 .06 .11 .12 .14 1964 1977 1967 1966 1980

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn .49 .53 .64 .65 .65 1986 1976 1978 1966 1969

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 1.53 1.61 1.68 1.83 1.84 1980 1976 1977 1975 1994

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 133 134 137 143 145 2002 1991 1989 1963 1976

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 521 563 566 580 587 1942 1963 2001 1954 2002

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 16.3 18.2 18.6 19.4 19.8 1976 1977 1972 1978 1975

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 2.53 2.77 3.06 3.14 3.33 1976 1980 2001 1989 2000

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek near Redstone 31.5 32.9 34.5 35.0 37.8 1963 2001 1977 1976 1960

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs 277 288 289 304 316 1934 1963 2002 1939 1954

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood Springs 936 1,035 1,086 1,113 1,142 2002 2001 1980 1976 1994

104 09089500 West Divide Creek near Raven .00 .26 .29 .56 .61 1976 1956 1977 1960 1955

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 974 977 1,030 1,074 1,125 1934 1963 1939 2002 1940

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 37.0 39.5 43.7 45.9 47.0 1977 1956 2002 1963 1959

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 38.3 40.0 44.2 46.0 46.3 1940 1962 1954 1959 1963

108 09112500 East River at Almont 32.1 40.0 41.2 44.2 46.6 1939 1976 1974 1934 1963

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 119 119 122 127 133 1963 1954 1960 1955 1944

110 09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 11.6 11.9 14.1 15.5 15.6 1966 2001 1996 2002 1994

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 41.0 48.1 48.4 48.4 49.8 1978 2002 1963 1937 1954

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 31.0 31.4 32.8 32.9 34.4 2001 1976 1989 1980 1955

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron 2.61 7.10 7.13 8.27 9.13 1970 1989 1977 1990 1980

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near Somerset 31.8 32.1 37.7 42.3 42.4 1989 1977 1963 1974 1976

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 1.73 1.89 1.92 2.01 2.16 1999 1989 2002 1998 1940

116 09143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge 1.05 1.68 1.74 2.52 2.55 1976 1975 1977 1978 1992

117 09143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge .53 .66 .76 .94 .96 1939 1933 1953 1921 1959

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 389 434 488 515 552 2002 1977 1989 1990 1988

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 34.1 35.3 37.9 38.5 38.5 1976 1989 1974 1978 1980

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 10.6 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.7 1956 1955 1959 1980 1979

Appendix 8. Five lowest historical 90-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 90-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 90-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes 75

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 32.3 41.4 46.6 48.1 48.3 2002 1914 1934 1930 1932

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 74.9 85.1 86.0 92.2 97.1 1942 1940 1946 1950 1989

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 479 495 520 625 657 1898 1902 1934 2002 1904

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah State Line 1,859 1,881 2,112 2,157 2,178 2002 1963 1954 1989 1956

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 7.78 8.77 9.86 10.2 11.0 1989 1993 1960 2002 1963

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 19.7 20.0 27.5 28.0 29.9 1989 1901 1976 1956 1939

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 9.54 14.5 15.7 18.1 18.7 1976 1975 1979 1974 1977

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 14.5 20.1 21.0 21.7 21.8 1976 1974 1979 1975 2002

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 40.5 41.4 46.3 47.2 48.3 1976 1989 1974 2002 1991

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 50.3 50.8 54.0 59.5 60.7 1956 1976 1989 2002 1955

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 50.5 59.9 61.2 62.5 63.2 1915 1986 1976 1934 1963

132 09241000 Elk River at Clark 30.1 31.6 33.3 33.3 37.3 1963 1934 1960 1952 1964

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 144 151 165 166 172 1963 1976 1934 1933 1980

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 17.7 18.9 19.2 19.5 20.0 1944 1962 1952 1958 1943

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 7.43 7.52 7.63 8.66 10.2 1933 1991 1931 1962 1960

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily 10.6 31.7 32.0 32.5 32.6 1934 1939 1963 1930 1933

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near Meeker 191 205 231 232 235 1976 1977 1990 2002 1963

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 234 239 242 246 247 1977 1976 2002 1934 1963

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 260 269 271 271 274 1990 1963 1975 1977 1976

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch near Rio Blanco 5.49 6.79 9.09 9.61 11.3 2002 1967 1964 1966 1990

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River 5.37 9.22 13.1 13.6 15.2 2002 1964 1990 1972 1991

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely .28 .28 0.30 .31 .31 1977 1992 1991 1976 1990

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River .11 .50 .77 .97 1.26 1978 1972 1977 1976 1975

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand Creek near Pagosa 

Springs

5.46 5.53 6.47 6.99 7.04 1958 1989 1960 1976 2000

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 27.5 32.0 32.0 34.3 35.3 1989 1963 1956 1945 1976

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 72.2 74.9 78.6 82.9 90.4 1963 1989 2002 1976 1967

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 26.2 31.6 34.0 39.0 40.1 2002 1989 1963 1976 2001

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 8.60 12.2 12.7 13.2 13.5 1976 2001 1963 1999 2002

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 17.7 36.1 36.7 37.8 37.8 2002 1977 1963 1989 1999

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 125 126 144 145 145 1989 1932 1976 1930 1953

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 2.85 3.21 3.22 3.61 3.62 1937 1917 1989 1956 1964

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New Mexico State Line 1.04 1.38 1.79 1.86 2.15 1977 1956 1939 1955 1976

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc .38 .40 .77 .86 2.78 1959 2002 1977 1934 1956

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah State Line 10.1 10.2 14.1 18.4 18.6 1977 1956 2002 1963 2001

1

Listed years are for the year corresponding to October–December of the October–March period.

Appendix 8. Five lowest historical 90-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 90-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 90-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
76  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

Appendix 9. Five lowest historical 180-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. 

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 180-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 180-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest

 1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 0.25 0.29 0.30 0.30 0.31 1978 1980 1975 1991 1994

 2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 55.5 58.9 59.3 63.9 71.6 1963 1934 1976 1944 1956

 3 06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 58.7 74.4 74.8 83.3 87.1 1902 1958 1956 1939 1908

 4 06709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near Louviers 2.06 2.08 3.15 3.67 4.16 1956 1954 1950 1952 1964

 5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 9.08 9.46 10.1 10.3 10.6 1978 1934 1977 1962 1956

 6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan 6.41 7.72 7.86 7.87 8.65 2002 1954 1934 1944 1940

 7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown 1.88 2.18 2.20 2.30 2.59 1955 1953 1954 1971 1968

 8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 41.0 50.4 53.4 55.4 58.4 1956 1955 1954 1934 1964

 9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 24.2 26.1 26.8 27.2 27.6 2002 1950 1954 1960 1962

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 34.4 39.7 39.9 41.0 41.2 2002 1994 1989 1977 1981

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 45.6 49.0 54.2 54.6 64.4 1954 1934 1952 1955 1962

12 06725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 32.9 34.9 37.8 39.8 41.0 1977 2002 1981 1976 1990

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont 2.23 3.47 5.24 6.70 7.22 1934 1939 1932 1953 1931

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of canyon near Drake 17.4 19.3 20.9 21.2 21.9 1978 1964 1932 1944 1939

15 06746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright Reservoir .33 .35 .54 .65 .69 1980 1978 1979 1988 1981

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of canyon near Fort Collins 17.1 20.2 24.2 24.6 25.6 1964 1966 1994 1956 1988

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins 2.35 3.07 3.55 3.87 4.07 1977 1976 1978 1987 1975

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 165 269 311 337 350 1934 1954 1955 1956 1932

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 121 123 143 144 158 1963 1955 1964 1953 1956

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 34.0 84.3 96.8 97.5 102 2002 1964 1934 1940 1956

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 12.1 12.7 13.0 14.1 14.8 1977 1973 1976 1974 2002

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 3.63 3.80 3.94 4.15 4.22 1948 1975 1974 1991 1956

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 65.9 69.1 71.9 72.0 75.0 1944 1931 1933 2002 1930

24 07091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 177 204 208 221 221 1977 1978 1972 1974 1968

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 213 241 265 280 282 2002 1977 1963 1978 1968

26 07094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 269 305 310 324 328 1977 1954 1978 1950 1974

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 209 214 215 220 224 2002 1939 1977 1934 1963

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 175 202 215 229 241 1977 2002 1950 1978 1944

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 4.80 5.38 5.50 5.53 5.60 2002 1978 1964 1963 1974

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at Air Force Academy .01 .06 .09 .10 .10 1992 1993 1988 1991 1989

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 6.16 6.78 7.19 7.43 7.58 1977 1939 1978 1948 1976

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 12.0 16.5 18.2 20.3 21.4 1978 1977 1976 2002 1979

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 18.9 24.3 27.3 28.5 30.8 1964 1968 1967 1975 1966

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain 1.13 1.18 1.26 1.39 1.40 2002 1989 1990 1987 1995

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon 30.5 36.0 38.9 40.3 45.5 1977 1975 1974 1978 1976

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo 1.27 1.41 1.81 2.72 3.89 1953 1954 1956 1952 1964

37 07108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 2.04 2.28 2.70 2.93 3.52 1950 1952 1948 1951 1971

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 208 235 261 267 303 2002 1978 1939 1977 1950

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler 2.36 2.49 2.93 3.02 3.07 1956 1954 2002 1978 1939

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near Fowler 84.3 202 226 227 255 2002 1978 1977 1964 2001
Appendixes 77

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 15.3 24.0 24.1 26.5 27.9 2002 1978 1974 1975 1991

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 21.1 23.3 24.9 25.8 26.3 1934 1956 1972 1950 1963

 43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 6.94 10.3 11.9 12.0 12.6 1956 1977 1974 1964 1963

 44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 9.97 11.3 13.0 13.0 13.7 1972 1976 1978 2002 2001

 45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher 8.32 8.92 9.31 9.61 10.7 1974 1975 1977 1978 1972

 46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas 2.66 3.49 3.71 4.13 4.75 1975 1956 1978 1964 1976

 47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar 2.34 2.42 2.44 2.45 3.08 1964 1934 1978 1977 1963

 48 07134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar 1.12 1.38 2.07 2.49 2.50 1977 1978 1975 2002 1976

 49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 27.4 28.0 28.9 29.4 30.0 1963 1954 1976 1960 1958

 50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 130 138 147 151 153 1956 2002 1964 1977 1963

 51 08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber Creek near Villa Grove 1.54 1.85 2.16 2.22 2.26 2002 1963 1950 2001 1956

 52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 18.7 18.7 20.4 20.8 20.8 1977 1963 1950 1980 1956

 53 08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita 1.28 2.29 2.48 2.67 2.80 1963 1940 2002 1978 1951

 54 08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland 1.72 2.08 2.09 2.85 2.93 1956 1951 1963 2002 1950

 55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 38.0 39.1 39.6 42.8 43.7 2002 1951 1930 1917 1950

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz 1.51 1.81 2.15 2.32 2.47 1976 1963 1947 1945 1989

 57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 9.99 11.4 11.5 11.7 12.0 1963 1976 1917 1951 2001

 58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses 12.2 22.4 23.9 26.1 27.7 2002 1977 1956 1954 1963

 59 08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 6.71 8.52 10.7 11.0 11.1 1950 1951 1956 1954 1972

 60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 23.9 63.3 102 111 121 1902 1956 1963 1903 2002

 61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch near Grand Lake 5.59 5.79 6.48 7.29 7.47 2002 1956 1958 1964 1953

 62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 3.11 3.28 3.41 3.51 4.03 1966 1963 1964 1968 1969

 63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park 1.19 1.61 2.00 2.05 2.15 1964 1962 1963 1960 1986

 64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 2.89 3.17 3.18 3.18 3.27 1964 1963 1967 1962 2002

 65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser 1.07 1.08 1.17 1.27 1.28 1968 1963 1964 1966 1962

 66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass .91 1.01 1.02 1.07 1.07 1978 1979 1975 1973 1991

 67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek .55 .60 .63 .66 .68 1986 1977 1966 1976 1974

 68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek near Leal 4.61 4.78 5.09 5.12 5.24 1979 1989 1974 1976 1966

 69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 1.61 1.87 1.96 2.10 2.17 1975 1974 1989 1981 1980

 70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 4.31 6.05 6.24 6.48 7.03 1966 1967 1968 1978 1969

 71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 15.6 18.0 18.1 18.1 18.3 1963 2002 1966 1977 1964

 72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 26.9 30.1 30.7 31.0 31.6 1963 1956 1989 1964 2002

 73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 22.0 25.0 25.0 25.7 25.8 1977 1992 1994 1966 1964

 74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 10.6 11.4 12.0 12.3 12.3 1977 1944 1964 1966 1962

 75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 1.57 1.81 1.81 1.90 1.94 1963 1966 1977 1960 1975

 76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile Creek at Frisco 10.9 14.3 14.6 14.6 14.7 1977 1963 1960 1966 1975

 77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 369 386 395 396 403 1963 1908 1905 1907 1904

 78 09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail .00 .13 .30 .48 .54 1983 1972 1976 1988 1989

 79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn .04 .04 .05 .06 .06 1964 1990 1992 1967 1977

 80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn .51 .55 .55 .57 .58 1977 1978 1964 1999 1990

Appendix 9. Five lowest historical 180-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 180-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 180-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
78  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 8.24 9.66 10.0 10.8 11.3 1979 1978 1963 1976 1977

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 7.69 7.99 8.70 8.75 8.92 1988 1980 2002 1954 1976

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff 1.11 1.17 1.18 1.20 1.34 2002 1991 1988 1966 1964

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 2.70 2.76 2.82 3.04 3.17 1977 2002 1963 1994 1976

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park .54 .55 .63 .72 .75 1975 1979 1978 1988 1989

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 3.86 3.98 3.98 4.10 4.22 1953 1948 1975 1989 1952

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 4.02 4.84 4.86 5.35 5.43 1958 1960 1956 1944 1962

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn 2.16 2.24 2.33 2.78 2.79 1956 1962 1968 1978 1974

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near Minturn 2.24 2.28 2.60 2.69 2.91 1975 1963 1964 1988 1948

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn 1.76 2.00 2.06 2.08 2.09 1963 1966 1967 1969 1980

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn .63 .71 .81 .84 .87 1963 1979 1974 1978 1966

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn 1.00 1.39 1.39 1.39 1.50 1966 1975 1991 1988 1974

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn .67 .72 .79 .87 .91 1974 1964 1975 1967 1973

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn .06 .21 .28 .29 .29 1964 1977 1966 1975 1967

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn .75 .76 .80 .83 .84 1988 1976 1987 1978 1989

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 1.82 2.00 2.24 2.35 2.37 1980 1977 1976 1975 1991

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 148 150 154 162 163 2002 1989 1963 1991 1964

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 609 664 680 684 724 1942 2002 1954 1963 2001

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 20.3 21.1 21.6 21.7 21.8 1977 1978 1976 2002 1972

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 3.63 4.01 4.62 4.86 5.02 1989 1980 2001 2000 1976

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek near Redstone 39.2 40.9 41.6 45.4 45.7 1963 1977 2001 1976 1974

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs 322 335 346 367 371 1934 1963 2002 1955 1939

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood Springs 1,083 1,217 1,282 1,339 1,342 2002 2001 1977 1976 1966

104 09089500 West Divide Creek near Raven .37 .66 .76 .79 1.07 1976 1956 1977 1960 1955

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 1,011 1,196 1,204 1,213 1,343 1934 1963 1939 2002 1935

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 43.3 49.5 50.4 56.3 56.7 1977 2002 1956 1990 1955

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 47.8 50.7 53.1 55.8 62.3 1940 1937 1962 1954 1959

108 09112500 East River at Almont 51.2 53.8 54.5 54.7 56.3 1977 1939 1963 1976 1934

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 158 158 158 170 172 1962 1944 1954 1963 1955

110 09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 16.4 17.5 18.1 19.3 19.6 1966 2002 1954 1963 1955

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 52.6 53.4 56.5 58.3 61.4 2002 1963 1954 1937 1950

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 39.2 40.4 41.0 41.4 42.0 1976 1956 1955 1980 1989

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron 11.6 12.2 12.7 13.0 13.3 1990 1977 1976 1956 1989

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near Somerset 39.6 43.1 48.6 52.0 52.2 1989 1977 1963 1974 2001

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 2.03 2.62 2.77 2.80 2.84 1999 1998 2000 2002 1989

116 09143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge 2.87 3.78 4.04 4.06 4.12 1977 1974 1989 1975 1963

117 09143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge 1.42 1.74 1.78 1.95 2.37 1919 1933 1921 1918 1939

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 422 519 563 637 640 2002 1977 1989 1990 1988

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 42.9 43.7 45.9 46.3 46.8 1976 1989 1974 1980 1978

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 13.4 14.2 14.2 14.5 14.5 1956 1980 1967 1979 1989

Appendix 9. Five lowest historical 180-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded.—Continued 

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 180-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 180-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
Appendixes 79

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 45.8 52.6 56.9 61.8 64.2 2002 1989 1934 1932 1914

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 132 139 150 153 157 1950 1977 1939 1966 1940

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 501 553 618 768 781 1902 1898 1934 2002 1903

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah State Line 2,126 2,136 2,302 2,362 2,437 2002 1963 1956 1977 1955

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 12.8 14.7 14.8 16.0 16.1 1989 1951 1963 1956 1968

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 24.3 34.2 37.0 39.8 39.9 1901 1989 1934 1963 1956

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 14.7 25.9 31.3 35.5 35.8 1976 1980 2002 1975 1974

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 19.3 29.9 35.3 38.1 40.4 1976 2002 1980 2001 1974

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 49.9 52.7 52.8 54.2 56.0 1989 1976 1956 1974 1980

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 59.4 67.1 67.6 70.5 73.4 1989 1976 1955 1956 2001

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 67.5 72.3 79.0 81.5 83.3 1963 1976 2002 1934 1977

132 09241000 Elk River at Clark 33.6 39.0 39.7 41.1 41.5 1963 1952 1964 1960 1956

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 160 203 205 226 226 1963 1976 1943 1980 1944

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 20.1 22.1 23.8 24.0 24.2 1944 1963 1958 1952 1954

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 10.4 10.7 11.5 11.8 12.4 1933 1931 1960 1932 1963

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily 46.2 51.3 54.9 62.7 64.7 1963 1934 1933 1939 1976

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near Meeker 220 225 240 241 242 1977 1976 2002 1990 1963

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 245 255 259 260 264 1977 2002 1967 1934 1963

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 283 290 298 303 304 1963 1977 1967 1990 2002

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch near Rio Blanco 7.79 9.40 11.4 11.7 13.6 2002 1967 1964 1966 2000

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River 8.51 13.4 16.2 16.4 18.5 2002 1964 1990 1972 2001

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely .30 .32 .35 .36 .43 1992 1991 1976 1990 1994

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River .78 1.08 1.28 1.38 1.8 1978 1977 1972 1976 1974

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand Creek near Pagosa 

Springs

8.98 9.10 9.94 10.6 10.7 1958 1960 1963 1976 1956

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 40.0 45.0 45.7 47.0 48.2 1963 2001 1950 1956 1945

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 98.0 108 116 120 121 1963 2001 1976 1989 1967

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 46.4 48.8 58.5 59.6 61.9 1963 2001 1976 1967 2002

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 16.8 18.8 19.0 19.7 19.8 2001 1979 1975 1967 1963

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 30.0 51.8 53.3 56.0 63.2 2002 1963 1989 2001 1967

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 160 166 172 173 177 1989 1934 2001 1950 1953

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 4.20 4.36 4.38 4.42 4.97 1956 1917 1937 1989 1977

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New Mexico State Line 2.59 3.24 3.29 3.44 3.98 1976 1956 1977 2002 1950

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc 4.25 5.61 6.18 6.74 7.89 2002 1934 1958 1924 2001

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah State Line 16.1 22.8 24.0 24.0 25.9 2002 1963 1956 1977 1960

1

Listed years are for the year corresponding to October–December of the October–March period.

Appendix 9. Five lowest historical 180-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected stations in Colorado and the corresponding years in which the streamflows were 

recorded. —Continued

[Listed data are from beginning of record through March 31, 2003; see table 1 for exact periods of record]

Map

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Five lowest 180-day winter streamflows during

October–March, in cubic feet per second

Years in which the 180-day winter

streamflows listed to the left were recorded1

Lowest Second 

lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth

lowest Lowest Second lowest

Third 

lowest

Fourth 

lowest

Fifth 

lowest
80 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

Appendix 10. Estimated 180-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on frequency analysis for 

1973–2002; recorded 180-day winter streamflows during October–March, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations in Colorado. 

[All streamflow values are in cubic feet per second; NonexP, nonexceedance probability; RI, recurrence interval; >, greater than; <=, less than or equal to; =, equal to; --, no data]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Estimated 180-day winter streamflows

during October–March for indicated

nonexceedance probability and

the associated recurrence interval

Recorded 180-day winter streamflows during

October–March 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

intervals for those recorded streamflows based

on frequency analysis results shown to the left

0.01

NonexP;

100-year RI

0.02

NonexP;

50-year RI

0.05

NonexP;

20-year RI

0.10

NonexP;

10-year RI

1

2002 11977

StreamflowRI, 

in years

StreamflowRI, 

in years

1 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass 0.22 0.24 0.27 0.30 0.41 <10 0.54 <10

2 06620000 North Platte River near Northgate 55.7 59.6 66.4 73.9 81.0 <10 92.8 <10

3 2

06707500 South Platte River at South Platte 56.4 64.9 79.6 94.5 248 <10 231 <10

4 06709530 Plum Creek at Titan Road near Louviers 3.99 4.48 5.37 6.39 6.29 >10, but <=20 6.24 >10, but <=20

5 06710500 Bear Creek at Morrison 8.76 9.58 11.0 12.4 11.2 >10, but <=20 10.1 >20, but <=50

6 06711500 Bear Creek at mouth at Sheridan 6.22 7.47 9.72 12.1 6.41 >50, but <=100 15.9 <10

7 06712000 Cherry Creek near Franktown 3.14 3.40 3.88 4.40 4.03 >10, but <=20 3.66 >20, but <=50

8 06714000 South Platte River at Denver 93.2 94.9 98.6 103 97.2 >20, but <=50 87.2 >100

9 06716500 Clear Creek near Lawson 23.6 25.0 27.2 29.4 24.2 >50, but <=100 30.8 <10

10 06719505 Clear Creek at Golden 33.7 35.2 37.7 40.2 34.4 >50, but <=100 41.0 <10

11 06720500 South Platte River at Henderson 163 172 187 204 267 <10 183 >20, but <=50

12 06725450 St. Vrain Creek below Longmont 32.5 33.4 35.1 37.0 34.9 >20, but <=50 32.9 >50, but <=100

13 06730500 Boulder Creek at mouth near Longmont 24.7 28.7 35.2 41.5 25.7 >50, but <=100 -- --

14 06738000 Big Thompson River at mouth of canyon near Drake 11.1 13.6 17.6 21.6 31.1 <10 10.5 >100

15 06746095 Joe Wright Creek above Joe Wright Reservoir .26 .31 .41 .51 .93 <10 -- --

16 06752000 Cache La Poudre River at mouth of canyon near 

Fort Collins

19.2 20.3 22.4 24.8 25.7 <10 29.4 <10

17 06752260 Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins 1.18 1.57 2.43 3.61 7.28 <10 2.35 >20, but <=50

18 06754000 South Platte River near Kersey 475 499 541 585 526 >20, but <=50 520 >20, but <=50

19 06758500 South Platte River near Weldona 151 175 219 265 214 >20, but <=50 195 >20, but <=50

20 06764000 South Platte River at Julesburg 36.5 55.7 99.26 157 34.0 >100 131 >10, but <=20

21 07081200 Arkansas River near Leadville 10.8 11.5 12.6 13.7 14.8 <10 12.1 >20, but <=50

22 07083000 Halfmoon Creek near Malta 3.38 3.55 3.85 4.15 4.25 <10 4.33 <10

23 07086000 Arkansas River at Granite 67.9 75.4 88.2 101 72.0 >50, but <=100 110 <10

24 2

07091200 Arkansas River near Nathrop 165 175 190 204 -- -- 177 >20, but <=50

25 07093700 Arkansas River near Wellsville 209 227 254 281 213 >50, but <=100 241 >20, but <=50

26 07094500 Arkansas River at Parkdale 256 274 301 327 -- -- 269 >50, but <=100

27 07096000 Arkansas River at Canon City 184 204 237 269 209 >20, but <=50 215 >20, but <=50

28 07097000 Arkansas River at Portland 159 181 218 253 202 >20, but <=50 175 >50, but <=100

29 07103700 Fountain Creek near Colorado Springs 3.98 4.36 5.00 5.69 4.80 >20, but <=50 6.71 <10

30 07103800 West Monument Creek at Air Force Academy .01 .02 .04 .07 .32 <10 .18 <10

31 07104000 Monument Creek at Pikeview 4.80 5.75 7.45 9.28 13.8 <10 6.16 >20, but <=50

32 07105500 Fountain Creek at Colorado Springs 12.0 13.2 15.4 17.7 20.3 <10 16.5 >10, but <=20

33 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security 21.4 25.5 32.8 40.7 80.9 <10 33.2 >10, but <=20

34 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain 1.00 1.08 1.20 1.32 1.13 >20, but <=50 1.78 <10

35 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon 23.4 27.8 35.9 44.7 86.6 <10 30.5 >20, but <=50

36 07106500 Fountain Creek at Pueblo 25.4 30.3 39.2 48.8 97.3 <10 41.4 >10, but <=20
Appendixes  81

37 07108900 St. Charles River at Vineland 4.19 4.71 5.64 6.64 5.29 >20, but <=50 -- --

38 07109500 Arkansas River near Avondale 214 230 256 283 208 >100 267 >10, but <=20

39 07119500 Apishapa River near Fowler 2.41 2.71 3.26 3.85 2.93 >20, but <=50 5.95 <10

40 07119700 Arkansas River at Catlin Dam near Fowler 103 125 163 203 84.3 >100 226 <10

41 07121500 Timpas Creek at mouth near Swink 15.5 17.8 21.6 25.5 15.3 >100 35.2 <10

42 07123000 Arkansas River at La Junta 17.8 21.9 29.9 39.3 42.0 <10 29.7 >20, but <=50

43 07124000 Arkansas River at Las Animas 7.03 10.7 19.3 31.2 53.7 <10 10.3 >50, but <=100

44 07124200 Purgatoire River at Madrid 8.68 9.74 11.5 13.3 13.0 >10, but <=20 14.2 <10

45 07126300 Purgatoire River near Thatcher 5.03 6.31 8.72 11.4 11.3 >10, but <=20 9.31 >10, but <=20

46 07128500 Purgatoire River near Las Animas 1.60 2.48 4.52 7.32 6.61 >10, but <=20 8.67 <10

47 07133000 Arkansas River at Lamar 1.80 2.43 3.78 5.59 4.23 >10, but <=20 2.45 >20, but <=50

48 07134100 Big Sandy Creek near Lamar 0.39 0.59 1.10 1.86 2.49 <10 1.12 >10, but <=20

49 08219500 South Fork Rio Grande at South Fork 24.4 26.4 29.7 33.1 30.3 >10, but <=20 38.8 <10

50 08220000 Rio Grande near Del Norte 130 138 152 166 138 =50 151 >20, but <=50

51 2

08224500 Kerber Creek above Little Kerber Creek near 

Villa Grove

1.59 1.73 1.96 2.20 1.54 >100 2.95 <10

52 08227000 Saguache Creek near Saguache 16.8 18.0 19.9 21.7 21.0 >10, but <=20 18.7 >20, but <=50

53 2

08231000 La Garita Creek near La Garita 1.48 1.70 2.08 2.48 2.48 =10 3.19 <10

54 2

08242500 Ute Creek near Fort Garland 1.62 1.97 2.58 3.21 2.85 >10, but <=20 4.23 <10

55 08246500 Conejos River near Mogote 34.2 36.8 41.3 45.9 38.0 >20, but <=50 51.7 <10

56 08247500 San Antonio River at Ortiz 1.45 1.65 2.03 2.46 6.83 <10 3.62 <10

57 08248000 Los Pinos River near Ortiz 10.1 10.8 12.1 13.4 14.6 <10 12.6 >10, but <=20

58 08249000 Conejos River near Lasauses 11.9 15.2 21.4 28.4 12.2 >50, but <=100 22.4 >10, but <=20

59 2

08250000 Culebra Creek at San Luis 8.75 9.30 10.3 11.2 11.3 <10 12.6 <10

60 08251500 Rio Grande near Lobatos 107 120 143 167 121 >20, but <=50 127 >20, but <=50

61 09010500 Colorado River below Baker Gulch near Grand Lake 5.51 5.93 6.65 7.39 5.59 >50, but <=100 11.1 <10

62 09024000 Fraser River at Winter Park 3.86 3.94 4.11 4.29 4.92 <10 5.48 <10

63 09025000 Vasquez Creek at Winter Park 1.81 2.04 2.43 2.83 5.40 <10 2.87 <10

64 09026500 St. Louis Creek near Fraser 3.96 4.18 4.54 4.90 3.27 >100 5.19 <10

65 09032000 Ranch Creek near Fraser 1.89 1.96 2.07 2.18 2.38 <10 2.77 <10

66 09034900 Bobtail Creek near Jones Pass .89 .92 .98 1.04 1.23 <10 1.16 <10

67 09035500 Williams Fork below Steelman Creek .27 .34 .49 .67 .73 <10 .60 >10, but <=20

68 09035700 Williams Fork above Darling Creek near Leal 4.00 4.21 4.58 5.00 5.27 <10 5.80 <10

69 09035800 Darling Creek near Leal 1.66 1.73 1.85 1.97 2.20 <10 2.26 <10

70 09035900 South Fork Williams Fork near Leal 6.40 6.68 7.14 7.58 7.62 <10 8.91 <10

Appendix 10. Estimated 180-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on frequency analysis for 

1973–2002; recorded 180-day winter streamflows during October–March, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations 

in Colorado.—Continued 

[All streamflow values are in cubic feet per second; NonexP, nonexceedance probability; RI, recurrence interval; >, greater than; <=, less than or equal to; =, equal to; --, no data]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Estimated 180-day winter streamflows

during October–March for indicated

nonexceedance probability and

the associated recurrence interval

Recorded 180-day winter streamflows during

October–March 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

intervals for those recorded streamflows based

on frequency analysis results shown to the left

0.01

NonexP;

100-year RI

0.02

NonexP;

50-year RI

0.05

NonexP;

20-year RI

0.10

NonexP;

10-year RI

1

2002 11977

StreamflowRI, 

in years

StreamflowRI, 

in years
82 Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

71 09036000 Williams Fork near Leal 16.6 17.2 18.3 19.3 18.0 >20, but <=50 18.1 >20, but <=50

72 09037500 Williams Fork near Parshall 29.2 29.8 31.0 32.2 31.6 >10, but <=20 34.1 <10

73 09046600 Blue River near Dillon 22.2 22.8 24.0 25.2 26.0 <10 22.0 >100

74 09047500 Snake River near Montezuma 11.5 11.9 12.5 13.1 16.7 <10 10.6 >100

75 09047700 Keystone Gulch near Dillon 1.67 1.76 1.91 2.05 2.06 <10 1.81 >20, but <=50

76 09050100 Tenmile Creek below North Tenmile Creek at Frisco 11.2 12.2 13.8 15.4 23.4 <10 10.9 >100

77 09058000 Colorado River near Kremmling 352 372 405 438 429 >10, but <=20 431 >10, but <=20

78 3

09058610 Dickson Creek near Vail -- -- -- -- 0.80 -- 0.56 --

79 09058700 Freeman Creek near Minturn .04 .04 .06 .07 .08 <10 0.06 =20

80 09058800 East Meadow Creek near Minturn .47 .50 .54 .59 .70 <10 0.51 >20, but <=50

81 09059500 Piney River near State Bridge 8.00 8.61 9.62 10.6 14.5 <10 11.3 <10

82 09063000 Eagle River at Red Cliff 7.79 7.99 8.34 8.71 8.70 >10, but <=20 9.26 <10

83 09063200 Wearyman Creek near Red Cliff 1.08 1.14 1.24 1.34 1.11 >50, but <=100 1.57 <10

84 09063400 Turkey Creek near Red Cliff 2.68 2.77 2.93 3.09 2.76 >50, but <=100 2.70 >50, but <=100

85 09063900 Missouri Creek near Gold Park .40 .46 .57 .69 1.68 <10 1.13 <10

86 09064000 Homestake Creek at Gold Park 3.54 3.88 4.44 5.01 8.14 <10 7.33 <10

87 09064500 Homestake Creek near Red Cliff 5.18 5.56 6.21 6.89 11.6 <10 10.0 <10

88 09065100 Cross Creek near Minturn 2.03 2.33 2.85 3.38 7.69 <10 5.84 <10

89 09065500 Gore Creek at upper station near Minturn 2.51 2.57 2.69 2.85 4.73 <10 4.80 <10

90 09066000 Black Gore Creek near Minturn 1.99 2.01 2.06 2.14 2.77 <10 2.13 >10, but <=20

91 09066100 Bighorn Creek near Minturn .72 .75 .81 .87 1.49 <10 1.20 <10

92 09066150 Pitkin Creek near Minturn 1.21 1.28 1.40 1.51 2.59 <10 2.37 <10

93 09066200 Booth Creek near Minturn .71 .74 .81 .89 1.57 <10 1.51 <10

94 09066300 Middle Creek near Minturn .23 .24 .26 .29 0.40 <10 0.21 >100

95 09066400 Red Sandstone Creek near Minturn .66 .70 .78 .86 1.03 <10 1.01 <10

96 09067000 Beaver Creek at Avon 1.68 1.80 1.99 2.18 2.75 <10 2.00 >10, but <=20

97 09070000 Eagle River below Gypsum 140 145 154 162 148 >20, but <=50 171 <10

98 09070500 Colorado River near Dotsero 615 653 714 773 664 >20, but <=50 776 <10

99 09073400 Roaring Fork River near Aspen 17.3 18.4 20.2 22.0 21.7 >10, but <=20 20.3 >10, but <=20

100 09074000 Hunter Creek near Aspen 3.29 3.63 4.20 4.79 6.17 <10 7.10 <10

101 09081600 Crystal River above Avalanche Creek near Redstone 36.7 38.2 41.1 44.1 50.4 <10 40.9 >20, but <=50

102 09085000 Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs 342 362 395 426 346 >50, but <=100 416 >10, but <=20

103 09085100 Colorado River below Glenwood Springs 1,034 1,093 1,188 1,279 1,083 >50, but <=100 1,282 <10

104 09089500 West Divide Creek near Raven .34 .47 .74 1.09 -- -- .76 >10, but <=20

105 09095500 Colorado River near Cameo 1,167 1,231 1,337 1,440 1,213 >50, but <=100 1,426 >10, but <=20

Appendix 10. Estimated 180-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on frequency analysis for 

1973–2002; recorded 180-day winter streamflows during October–March, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations 

in Colorado.—Continued 

[All streamflow values are in cubic feet per second; NonexP, nonexceedance probability; RI, recurrence interval; >, greater than; <=, less than or equal to; =, equal to; --, no data]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Estimated 180-day winter streamflows

during October–March for indicated

nonexceedance probability and

the associated recurrence interval

Recorded 180-day winter streamflows during

October–March 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

intervals for those recorded streamflows based

on frequency analysis results shown to the left

0.01

NonexP;

100-year RI

0.02

NonexP;

50-year RI

0.05

NonexP;

20-year RI

0.10

NonexP;

10-year RI

1

2002 11977

StreamflowRI, 

in years

StreamflowRI, 

in years
Appendixes  83

106 09105000 Plateau Creek near Cameo 38.0 43.2 51.9 60.5 49.5 >20, but <=50 43.3 >20, but <=50

107 09110000 Taylor River at Almont 94.3 101 111 121 92.7 >100 133 <10

108 09112500 East River at Almont 51.3 52.8 55.5 58.5 63.0 <10 51.2 >100

109 09114500 Gunnison River near Gunnison 190 197 208 219 195 >50, but <=100 226 <10

110 2

09115500 Tomichi Creek at Sargents 15.1 16.0 17.3 18.7 17.5 >10, but <=20 -- --

111 09119000 Tomichi Creek at Gunnison 51.3 54.4 59.5 64.4 52.6 >50, but <=100 70.3 <10

112 09124500 Lake Fork at Gateview 33.9 36.0 39.5 42.9 49.2 <10 44.3 <10

113 09126000 Cimarron River near Cimarron 10.4 11.1 12.4 13.6 15.2 <10 12.2 >20, but <=50

114 09132500 North Fork Gunnison River near Somerset 34.0 37.4 43.5 50.1 62.2 <10 43.1 >20, but <=50

115 09134000 Minnesota Creek near Paonia 1.68 1.85 2.14 2.45 2.80 <10 -- --

116 09143000 Surface Creek near Cedaredge 2.84 3.09 3.52 3.97 -- -- 2.87 >50, but <=100

117 09143500 Surface Creek at Cedaredge 2.90 3.04 3.31 3.61 -- -- 3.02 >50, but <=100

118 09144250 Gunnison River at Delta 314 378 495 625 422 >20, but <=50 519 >10, but <=20

119 09146200 Uncompahgre River near Ridgway 39.5 41.1 43.7 46.3 51.7 <10 49.8 <10

120 09147000 Dallas Creek near Ridgway 12.5 13.2 14.5 15.7 19.4 <10 -- --

121 09147500 Uncompahgre River at Colona 43.4 48.6 57.0 65.0 45.8 >50, but <=100 70.6 <10

122 09149500 Uncompahgre River at Delta 135 143 155 168 194 <10 139 >50, but <=100

123 09152500 Gunnison River near Grand Junction 622 721 890 1,063 768 >20, but <=50 801 >20, but <=50

124 09163500 Colorado River near Colorado-Utah State Line 1,930 2,099 2,377 2,653 2,126 >20, but <=50 2,362 >20, but <=50

125 09165000 Dolores River below Rico 12.0 12.9 14.5 16.1 18.6 <10 20.9 <10

126 09166500 Dolores River at Dolores 31.1 34.2 39.7 45.6 53.4 <10 56.0 <10

127 09169500 Dolores River at Bedrock 15.3 18.0 23.1 29.0 31.3 <10 42.5 <10

128 09171100 Dolores River near Bedrock 18.9 21.9 27.6 34.1 29.9 >10, but <=20 54.0 <10

129 09172500 San Miguel River near Placerville 42.6 45.3 49.8 54.3 60.5 <10 56.3 <10

130 09177000 San Miguel River at Uravan 51.6 55.6 62.5 70.0 82.1 <10 73.5 <10

131 09239500 Yampa River at Steamboat Springs 69.8 72.2 76.5 81.3 79.0 >10, but <=20 83.3 <10

132 2

09241000 Elk River at Clark 32.0 34.1 37.8 41.5 -- -- 48.3 <10

133 09251000 Yampa River near Maybell 188 198 216 236 283 <10 256 <10

134 09253000 Little Snake River near Slater 21.2 22.3 24.2 26.2 29.2 <10 34.7 <10

135 09255000 Slater Fork near Slater 12.2 12.7 13.7 14.8 15.9 <10 14.8 =10

136 09260000 Little Snake River near Lily 55.9 62.4 73.6 85.4 120 <10 160 <10

137 09304200 White River above Coal Creek near Meeker 203 213 228 243 240 >10, but <=20 220 >20, but <=50

138 09304500 White River near Meeker 231 241 256 272 255 >20, but <=50 245 >20, but <=50

139 09304800 White River below Meeker 271 278 291 305 304 >10, but <=20 290 >20, but <=50

140 09306200 Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch near Rio Blanco 8.21 9.28 11.2 13.2 7.79 >100 16.6 <10

Appendix 10. Estimated 180-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on frequency analysis for 

1973–2002; recorded 180-day winter streamflows during October–March, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations 

in Colorado.—Continued 

[All streamflow values are in cubic feet per second; NonexP, nonexceedance probability; RI, recurrence interval; >, greater than; <=, less than or equal to; =, equal to; --, no data]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Estimated 180-day winter streamflows

during October–March for indicated

nonexceedance probability and

the associated recurrence interval

Recorded 180-day winter streamflows during

October–March 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

intervals for those recorded streamflows based

on frequency analysis results shown to the left

0.01

NonexP;

100-year RI

0.02

NonexP;

50-year RI

0.05

NonexP;

20-year RI

0.10

NonexP;

10-year RI

1

2002 11977

StreamflowRI, 

in years

StreamflowRI, 

in years
84  Historical Perspective of Statewide Streamflows During the 2002 and 1977 Droughts in Colorado

141 09306222 Piceance Creek at White River 9.19 10.7 13.3 16.1 8.51 >100 20.4 <10

142 09306242 Corral Gulch near Rangely .22 .25 .31 .37 .45 <10 .47 <10

143 09306255 Yellow Creek near White River .66 .79 1.04 1.31 3.25 <10 1.08 >10, but <=20

144 09339900 East Fork San Juan River above Sand Creek near Pagosa 

Springs

8.28 8.93 10.1 11.3 14.1 <10 16.9 <10

145 09342500 San Juan River at Pagosa Springs 36.4 40.1 46.6 53.6 56.3 <10 80.3 <10

146 09346400 San Juan River near Carracas 80.9 91.8 111 132 126 >10, but <=20 174 <10

147 09349800 Piedra River near Arboles 37.2 43.1 53.6 65.2 61.9 >10, but <=20 74.6 <10

148 09352900 Vallecito Creek near Bayfield 13.6 15.0 17.5 20.1 30.5 <10 23.6 <10

149 09354500 Los Pinos River at La Boca 29.3 35.8 47.9 61.4 30.0 >50, but <=100 65.3 <10

150 09361500 Animas River at Durango 142 150 164 179 201 <10 191 <10

151 09365500 La Plata River at Hesperus 3.93 4.27 4.88 5.55 8.25 <10 4.97 >10, but <=20

152 09366500 La Plata River at Colorado-New Mexico State Line 1.83 2.44 3.69 5.24 3.44 >20, but <=50 3.29 >20, but <=50

153 09371000 Mancos River near Towaoc 3.73 4.85 7.03 9.60 4.25 >50, but <=100 14.4 <10

154 09372000 McElmo Creek near Colorado-Utah State Line 15.4 18.2 23.0 28.0 16.1 >50, but <=100 24.0 >10, but <=20

 12002 and 1977 are the years corresponding to October–December of the October–March period (January–March are in subsequent year).

 2Data for 1955–2002 were used for the frequency analysis because of missing record during 1973–2002.

 3Frequency computation not made because skew coefficient was outside of acceptable range.

Appendix 10. Estimated 180-day winter streamflows during October–March for selected nonexceedance probabilities and recurrence intervals based on frequency analysis for 

1973–2002; recorded 180-day winter streamflows during October–March, 2002 and 1977; and recurrence intervals for those recorded streamflows for selected stations 

in Colorado.—Continued 

[All streamflow values are in cubic feet per second; NonexP, nonexceedance probability; RI, recurrence interval; >, greater than; <=, less than or equal to; =, equal to; --, no data]

Map 

identification 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Estimated 180-day winter streamflows

during October–March for indicated

nonexceedance probability and

the associated recurrence interval

Recorded 180-day winter streamflows during

October–March 2002 and 1977; and recurrence

intervals for those recorded streamflows based

on frequency analysis results shown to the left

0.01

NonexP;

100-year RI

0.02

NonexP;

50-year RI

0.05

NonexP;

20-year RI

0.10

NonexP;

10-year RI

1

2002 11977

StreamflowRI, 

in years

StreamflowRI, 

in years