Characterization of Hydrodynamic and Sediment Conditions in the Lower Yampa River at Deerlodge Park, 

East Entrance to Dinosaur National Monument, Northwest Colorado, 2011

By

Cory A. Williams

2013

Prepared in cooperation with the

Colorado Water Conservation Board

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Map 3273

108°30'00"

108°30'15"

108°30'30"

108°30'45"

108°31'00"

108°31'15"

108°31'30"

40°27'15"

40°27'00"

40°26'45"

Elevation—Elevation above North American 

Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88), in meters 

Hachuring indicates areas with poorly defined

elevations due to dynamic conditions and flow

depths at the time of the surveys

Edge of water—Surveyed edge of water locations

collected June 21–22, 2011, at 484 cubic meters per second

Grain-size samples—Location and identifier of grain-size samples

Rating locations—Locations and identifier of deployed water-surface

elevation data loggers (1–4) and streamlfow-gaging station (5) used to

create water-surface elevation to streamflow rating curves. Horizontal

reposition at base-flow conditions in August is indicated for individual

data loggers.

Cross section—Location and identifier of cross section used to

measure velocity and depth

EXPLANATION

1,720.0

1,701.5

0 0.25 0.5 MILE

0 0.25 0.5 KILOMETER

A

1

GS1

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 

2011 Universal Transverse Mercator projection, 

Zone 12 North

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to 

the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83)

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to 

the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88)

RTK-GPS surveyed areas

LiDAR surveyed areas

Multibeam echo sounder surveyed areas

EXPLANATION

1,707

1,708

1,709

1,710

1,711

1,712

0 200 400 600 800

Streamflow, in cubic meters per second

 Water-surface elevation above North American Vertical Datum of 1988, in meters

1,707

1,708

1,709

1,710

1,711

0 200 400 600 800 1,705

1,706

1,707

1,708

1,709

1,710

1,711

0 200 400 600 800 1,706

1,707

1,708

1,709

1,710

1,711

0 200 400 600 800 1,707

1,708

1,709

1,710

1,711

0 200 400 600 800

Rising limb

Rating curve 

Falling limb

EXPLANATION

USGS gage 09260050 rating

EXPLANATION

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Cumulative percent finer by mass

0.01 0.10 1.00 10.0 100

Sediment-grain diameter, in millimeters

GS1

GS2

GS3

GS4

GS5

GS6

GS7

GS8

GS9

GS10

GS11

GS12

GS13

EXPLANATION

Rating location 1 Rating location 2 Rating location 3 Rating location 4 Rating locaiton 5

1

2

3

4

U.S. Geological Survey streamflowgaging station 09260050

A

B

C

D

E

GS1

GS2

GS3

GS5 GS4

GS6

GS7

GS8

GS9

GS10

GS11 GS12

GS13 5

2a

Flow

Figure 2. Comparison of water-surface elevations to streamflow at five rating locations (rating locations 1–5 shown on fig. 1B) 

on the Yampa River in Deerlodge Park, April 21 through August 31, 2011.

Figure 3. Velocity profiles for five cross-section locations on the Yampa River in Deerlodge Park. Streamflow

is 484 cubic meters per second, June 22, 2011. Locations A–E shown on figure 1B.

Figure 4. Sediment-grain-diameter plots for 13 locations on the Yampa River in Deerlodge Park, June 20–23, 2011. Sample sites GS1–GS13

are shown on figure 1B.

Figure 1. Index maps showing A, Location of Dinosaur National Monument and Deerlodge Park, 

B, topographic surface and corresponding locations of U.S. Geological Survey data-collection

activities in 2011, C, enlarged view of topographic surface highlighting dune bedforms present 

along the streambed June 20–23, 2011, and D, graphic showing data-collection techniques by area.

C

D

B

A

COLORADO

Vernal Deerlodge Park

UTAH

MOFFAT COUNTY

UINTAH COUNTY

Dinosaur National Monument

Abstract

 The Yampa River in northwestern Colorado is the largest, relatively unregulated river system in the upper 

Colorado River Basin. Water from the Yampa River Basin continues to be sought for a number of municipal, industrial, 

and energy uses. It is anticipated that future water development within the Yampa River Basin above the amount of 

water development identified under the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Implementation Program and 

the Programmatic Biological Opinion may require additional analysis in order to understand the effects on habitat and 

river function. Water development in the Yampa River Basin could alter the streamflow regime and, consequently, 

could lead to changes in the transport and storage of sediment in the Yampa River at Deerlodge Park. These changes 

could affect the physical form of the reach and may impact aquatic and riparian habitat in and downstream from 

Deerlodge Park.

 The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, began a study in 

2011 to characterize the current hydrodynamic and sediment-transport conditions for a 2-kilometer reach of the Yampa 

River in Deerlodge Park. Characterization of channel conditions in the Deerlodge Park reach was completed through 

topographic surveying, grain-size analysis of streambed sediment, and characterization of streamflow properties. This 

characterization provides (1) a basis for comparisons of current stream functions (channel geometry, sediment 

transport, and stream hydraulics) to future conditions and (2) a dataset that can be used to assess channel response 

to streamflow alteration scenarios indicated from computer modeling of streamflow and sediment-transport conditions.

Introduction

 The Yampa River in northwestern Colorado is the largest, relatively unregulated river system in the upper 

Colorado River Basin. Water from the Yampa River Basin continues to be sought for a number of municipal, industrial, 

and energy uses. It is anticipated that future water development within the Yampa River Basin above the amount of 

water development identified under the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Implementation Program and 

the Programmatic Biological Opinion may require additional analysis in order to understand the effects on habitat and 

river function. Water development within the basin can alter the streamflow regime and, consequently, could lead to 

changes in the transport and storage of suspended and bedload sediments (Elliott and others, 1984; Elliott and Anders, 

2005). These changes could affect the physical form of the reach and may affect aquatic and riparian habitat in and 

downstream from Deerlodge Park, much like the changes observed in the Green River following construction and 

operation of Flaming Gorge Reservoir (Andrews, 1986). Knowledge of existing hydrodynamic and sediment-transport 

conditions in river reaches that support specific life-stages of endangered native fish, such as those that occur 

downstream from Deerlodge Park in the lower Yampa and Green Rivers, is critical to managing the effects of altered 

streamflow on endangered fish (Williams and others, 2012). 

Purpose and Scope

 The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, began a 

study in 2011 to characterize the current hydrodynamic and sediment-transport conditions for a 2-kilometer (km) reach 

of the Yampa River in Deerlodge Park. Characterization of channel conditions in the Deerlodge Park reach was 

completed through topographic surveying, grain-size analysis of streambed sediment, and characterization of streamflow properties. This characterization provides (1) a basis for comparisons of current stream functions (channel 

geometry, sediment transport, and stream hydraulics) to future conditions and (2) a dataset that can be used to assess 

channel response to streamflow alteration scenarios indicated from computer modeling of streamflow and sedimenttransport conditions. Channel response assessments can provide resource managers and planners with information to 

 determine how streamflow alterations can be managed to maintain fluvial processes in the Yampa River while minimizing the effect on the sediment budget and fluvial geomorphology in Deerlodge Park.

 This report presents the results of topographic surveying of a reach of the Yampa River in Dinosaur National 

Monument. The report contains a description of the data collection and analytical methods used to survey the reach 

and to develop datasets for water management. A bathymetric map of the reach is presented with plots of hydrodynamic conditions such as water-surface elevation to streamflow rating curves, streambed grain-size information, and 

velocity and stream depth during the time of the survey.

Description of Study Area

 Deerlodge Park is located in northwest Colorado along the eastern 

boundary of Dinosaur National Monument in western Moffat County, and it is 

an important source of sediment within Dinosaur National Monument as well 

as endangered razorback sucker spawning habitat downstream from the 

Yampa River confluence with the Green River (Mark Wondzell, National Park 

Service hydrologist, oral commun., January 6, 2011) (fig. 1). Deerlodge Park is 

a broad, alluvial valley. The reach is highly dynamic, and the stream channel 

is often braided and composed of multiple intertwining channels that change 

position season-to-season and year-to-year. At the downstream boundary of 

the study reach is a USGS streamflow-gaging station, 09260050–Yampa River, 

at Deerlodge Park, Colorado. The drainage area at the station is 20,541 km2

(U.S. Geological Survey, 2011).

Hydrodynamic and Sediment Characterization

 Data collection began in Deerlodge Park on April 21, 2011, with the 

deployment of water-surface elevation data loggers (Onset Hobo Water Level 

Data Logger-U20-001-01) at four rating locations along the riverbanks (rating 

locations 1–4, fig. 1) and a fifth location that is a U.S. Geological Survey 

streamflow-gaging station (rating location 5, fig.1). One additional water-level 

data logger was deployed June 21, 2011, along the east riverbank at rating 

location 2a (fig. 1). Data collection continued for these water-level data 

loggers until base-flow conditions in August. During this period, repositioning 

of the sensors occurred, as necessary, to maintain positions within the water 

column. Postprocessing of the elevation data was done to maintain a 

consistent vertical datum over the entire deployment period. At some 

locations this involved horizontal as well as vertical shifts in positioning, as 

shown in figure 1 where data loggers at the rating locations occupy multiple 

positions.

 Standard techniques, as described in Rantz and others (1982), were 

used to relate water-surface elevations to streamflow at the five rating 

locations along the longitudinal flow path of the reach (fig. 2). Rating 

locations 1–4 had the deployed data loggers, and rating location 5 was at the 

USGS streamflow-gaging station. Seasonal shifts in the relation are apparent 

within the reach following peak snowmelt-runoff conditions and are likely the 

result of topographic changes of the channel. These changes are most 

evident in rating locations 1–3 and show patterns where the water-surface 

elevations are lower on the rising limb than the recession limb of the 

snowmelt-runoff period for the same streamflows. The progression of 

water-surface elevations through time at each location produces a counterclockwise loop beginning at lower water-surface elevations at lower 

 streamflows climbing toward peak-streamflow conditions and then a positive

 shift in water-surface elevations along the recession limb returning to lower

 streamflows and water-surface elevations. These patterns of water-surface

 elevations are typical of scour and fill cycles in rivers and speak to the

 dynamic nature of these river systems from season to season.

Velocity data were collected on June 22, 2013, along cross sections 

A–E (fig. 1) using a boat-mounted Teledyne RD Instruments Rio Grande 

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP, 1,200 kilohertz (kHz)) and WinRiver II 

software (Teledyne RD Instruments, 2007). Multiple traverses along each 

cross section were combined using the USGS Velocity Mapping Toolbox 

(VMT) software (Jackson, 2013) to produce composite velocity profiles for a 

streamflow of 484 cubic meters per second (m3

/s) (fig. 3). 

 Streambed-sediment grain-size sites were sampled during the 

surveying effort (June 20–23, 2011) using a dredge sampler following 

standard collection techniques (Edwards and Glysson, 1999). Grain-size 

analysis was completed using dry-sieving techniques at the USGS Geomorphology and Sediment Transport Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, with 

cumulative-percent finer by mass presented in figure 4.

Topographical Surveying and Postprocessing

 Terrestrial and bathymetric surveying efforts were performed June 

20–23, 2011, while streamflow conditions within the study reach were near 

bankfull corresponding to a range of 420–520 m3/s (U.S. Geological Survey, 

2011). Overbank flooding precluded completion of surveying within some 

areas on the flood plain but facilitated data acquisition from the boatmounted equipment in the majority of the channel. Streamflow conditions 

 present the week of June 20 also limited some bathymetric mapping in a

 shallow subreach along the right bank near the upstream boundary

 (indicated by hachuring in fig. 1B).

 The USGS performed a topographical survey of Deerlodge Park on 

June 20–23, 2011, using a man-operated boat-mounted multibeam echo 

sounder integrated with a global positioning system (GPS) and a terrestrial 

real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS (fig. 1D). The multibeam echo sounder 

collected data at depths of approximately 1 meter (m) and greater. 

Topographic surveying was performed on foot with the RTK GPS in shallow 

areas near the shore not navigable by boat as well as in exposed fluvial 

surfaces such as alluvial bars and the flood plain.

 Bathymetric data from the multibeam echo sounder were collected 

June 21–22, 2011, using a Teledyne Odom Hydrographic ES3PT–M integrated 

multibeam echo sounder and motion sensor (Teledyne Odom Hydrographic, 

Inc., 2011) equipped with a Trimble SPS461 GPS receiver using procedures 

described in Wilson and Richards (2006). The vertical and horizontal precision 

of the multibeam echo sounder GPS, as rated by the manufacturer, are ±0.020 

m and ±0.010 m, respectively (Trimble Navigation Limited, 2009a). The 

multibeam echo sounder has a swath width of 120 degrees capable of 

collecting data to depths of 60 m. The echo sounder collects 240 data points at a 

sample frequency of 12 hertz (Hz); however, this varies with depth. The GPS generates 

position data at a rate of 5 Hz and navigational data at a rate of 1 Hz. A Teledyne Odom 

Hydrographic Real Time Appliance (RTA) was used for data synchronization of all 

aforementioned instruments resulting in a data string recorded at 1 Hz. The bathymetry 

data from the multibeam echo sounder were compiled and stored using the hydrographic survey software, HYPACK 2010 (HYPACK, Inc., 2010).

 The multibeam echo sounder emits a pulse at a frequency of 240 kHz, which is 

reflected off the streambed and detected by the receiver. The velocity of the pulse is 

affected by the water temperature and salinity. For the Yampa River, the effect of 

salinity was assumed to be negligible (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2002). Velocity 

profiles of the river were recorded using a Teledyne Odom Hydrographic Digibar-Pro 

velocity meter throughout the study and were used to correct the data during postprocessing (Teledyne Odom Hydrographic, Inc., 2001). Calibration points were obtained 

with the RTK GPS while the multibeam echo sounder was simultaneously recording for 

confirmation of the results.

 The exposed stream channel and flood plain were surveyed using the RTK 

GPS. This survey was performed June 20–23, 2011, using Trimble R8 GNSS RTK GPS 

receivers, a Trimble HPB450 radio modem, and a Trimble TSC2 controller. The vertical 

and horizontal precision of the RTK GPS, as rated by the manufacturer, are ±0.020 m 

and ±0.010 m, respectively (Trimble Navigation Limited, 2009b). The RTK GPS setup 

consisted of a base station, which included a receiver and radio, and a with the boat’s main axis (HYPACK, Inc., 2011). From the patch test, the pitch offset angle was determined to be 10 degrees and the 

roll 0.40 degree. The yaw offset angle was not corrected, because no consistent value could be determined from the patch test. 

During data collection, instrument malfunction resulted in horizontal positions and corresponding depths instead of streambed 

elevations. This error required correction of elevation from corresponding water-surface elevations measured along the channel 

banks from the terrestrial survey (edge of water, fig. 1).

 The postprocessing of the multibeam echo sounder bathymetry data was performed using HYPACK 2011 (HYPACK, Inc., 

2011). All the data were filtered using the automated search and filter tool to remove spikes and inconsistencies. Manual filtering 

was then performed on the multibeam echo sounder bathymetry data to edit any spikes or inconsistencies that the automated 

filter overlooked. Once all the data were filtered, the data were separated by day of observation. The multibeam echo sounder 

bathymetry data were interpolated onto a 0.5- by 0.5-m grid by computing the average depth in each cell and positioning the mean 

at the cell center. 

 The RTK GPS dataset was filtered manually to remove errant or poor data. The water-surface elevations along the reach 

were then assembled from the edited dataset and extrapolated along cross sections that were oriented perpendicular to the 

primary flow direction along the reach. This produced a grid of water-surface elevations along the study reach for each day of the 

survey corresponding to streamflows between 487 m3

/s on June 21 and 445 m3/s on June 22. The multibeam echo sounder 

bathymetry data, which initially used the water-surface elevation as a datum, were converted to elevation (NAVD 88) using these 

water-surface elevations. The result was one multibeam echo sounder dataset with a common horizontal and vertical datum 

(NAD 83 and NAVD 88) that could be merged with the RTK GPS survey points.

 Available Light Distance and Ranging (LiDAR) data from Utah State University provided detailed elevation and positions 

information of the flood plain and the vegetated islands. These data were collected September 14, 20, and 21, 2011, throughout the 

reach for areas above water. The LiDAR data vertical datum was adjusted down by 0.180 m to account for observed differences in 

elevations between the LiDAR and RTK GPS elevations at stable locations within the reach producing a consistent vertical datum 

between all datasets. LiDAR data were used in areas from the channel margin to an elevation of 1,720 m (NAVD 88) and in the 

active channel along exposed channel bars to increase the resolution of these features (fig. 1D).

 The survey datasets (multibeam echo sounder, RTK GPS, and LiDAR) were imported into Environmental Systems 

Research Institute (ESRI) ArcMap 9.3.1 (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., 2010) so that a continuous elevations 

dataset could be generated using a triangulated irregular network (TIN) from all datasets. The TIN was then converted to a 

horizontal grid using the Spatial Analyst tool in ArcMap to produce the final topographic surface (fig. 1).

rover, which consisted of a receiver and controller. The base station 

was located at a fixed position on the west end of the reach along a 

rock outcrop. It receives information from satellites and transmits data 

to the rover’s receiver via the radio. The base station also continuously 

records its position. The rover communicates with the base station 

and is used to collect and record individual data points throughout the 

study area based on the position of the base station. The watersurface elevation was determined from the RTK GPS survey-data 

 points on June 21–22, 2011.

All survey data were collected with a common coordinate 

system, geoid, ellipsoid, and datum. The coordinate system used was 

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), zone 12 north; the horizontal 

datum was North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83), and the vertical 

datum was North American Vertical Datum 1988 (NAVD 88), Geoid 03, 

ellipsoid World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84). Data from the base 

station, collected throughout the study, were submitted to the National 

Geodetic Survey’s Online Positioning User Service (OPUS) Web site for

processing (http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/OPUS/, accessed July 21, 2011). 

All survey data were recomputed to reflect the OPUS solution correction.

 The motion sensor in the multibeam sonar records the 

instrument’s pitch, roll, heave, and yaw. Pitch is the alternating rise 

and fall of the boat’s bow and stern; roll is rotation of the boat about its 

main horizontal axis; heave is the vertical rise and fall of the entire 

vessel; and yaw is the rotation of the sonar from the boat’s main 

direction of motion. The ambient offsets of pitch, roll, and yaw were 

corrected using a calibration test, otherwise known as a patch test, 

because the instrument was not installed exactly vertical and in-line 

Summary

 The Yampa River in northwestern Colorado is the largest, relatively unregulated river system in the upper Colorado River 

Basin. Water from the Yampa River Basin continues to be sought for a number of municipal, industrial, and energy uses. It is 

anticipated that future water development within the Yampa River Basin above the amount of water development covered under 

the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Implementation Program and the Programmatic Biological Opinion may 

require additional analysis in order to understand the effects on habitat and river function. Water development in the Yampa River 

Basin could alter the streamflow regime and, consequently, could lead to changes in the transport and storage of sediment in the 

Yampa River at Deerlodge Park. These changes could affect the physical form of the reach and may impact aquatic and riparian 

habitat in and downstream from Deerlodge Park.

 The USGS, in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, began a study in 2011 to characterize the 

current hydrodynamic and sediment-transport conditions for a 2-kilometer reach of the Yampa River in Deerlodge Park. Characterization of channel conditions in the Deerlodge Park reach was completed through topographic surveying, grain-size analysis of 

streambed sediment, and characterization of streamflow properties. This characterization provides (1) a basis for comparisons of 

current stream functions (channel geometry, sediment transport, and stream hydraulics) to future conditions and (2) a dataset that 

can be used to assess channel response to streamflow alteration scenarios indicated from computer modeling of streamflow and 

sediment-transport conditions.

 This report presents the results of topographic surveying of a reach of the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument. 

The report contains a description of the data collection and analytical methods used to survey the reach and to develop datasets 

for water management. A bathymetric map of the reach is presented with plots of hydrodynamic conditions such as the stagedischarge relations, streambed grain-size information, and velocity and stream depth during the time of the survey. Data 

 collection began in Deerlodge Park on April 21, 2011, with characterization of water-surface elevations at multiple locations within

 the reach. Additional channel characterization occurred June 20–23, 2011, including (1) an assessment of velocity profiles along

 five cross sections for a streamflow of 484 cubic meters per second, (2) collection of sediment grain-size samples, and (3)

 topographic surveying of exposed stream channel and flood plain.

References Cited

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Utah: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 97, p. 1012–1023.

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anual .

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Instruments.

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Navigation Limited, 2 p., accessed Nov. 4, 2011, at 

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Dayton, Ohio, Trimble Navigation Limited, 50 p., accessed Nov. 4, 2011, at http://www.altop.com/sites/default/files/0Trimble_R8-R6-R4-5800M3_ENG.pdf

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Geological Survey Water-Data Report WDR–US–2011, http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2011/search.jsp.

Williams, C.A., Schaffrath, K.R., Elliott, J.G., Richards, R.J., and Moore, J.L., 2012, Application of 

sediment characteristics and transport conditions to resource management in selected main-stem 

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Investigations Report 2012–5195, 82 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2012/5195/.

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Investigations Report 2006–5208, 24 p. plus oversize figures.

Publishing support provided by: 

Denver Publishing Service Center

Manuscript approved for publication September 20, 2013. 

Any use of trade, product or firm names is for descriptive 

purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. 

Government.

Although this information product, for the most part, is in 

the public domain, it also contains copyrighted materials as 

noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted 

items for other than personal use must be secured from the 

copyright owner.

Suggested citation:

Williams, C.A., 2013, Characterization of hydrodynamic and 

sediment conditions in the lower Yampa River at Deerlodge 

Park, east entrance to Dinosaur National Monument, 

northwest Colorado, 2011: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific 

Investigations Map 3273, 1 sheet, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sim3273. 

This and other USGS information products are available at

http://store.usgs.gov/. 

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For more information concerning this publication, contact:

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Or visit Colorado Water Science Center Web site at:

http://co.water.usgs.gov/ ISSN 2329-132X (online)

http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sim3273

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