Water Balance Computation for River Flows and Gains

View Summary Table

See Summary page for current values used in Point Flow

NOTES:  The S. Platte River in steady state flow conditions is typically a gaining river due to groundwater inflows from the tributary alluvial aquifer.  With transient, non-steady state flow conditions as shown by upstream river gage flows increasing rapidly and before these flows reach the next downstream gage, a losing river (negative gain) will be graphed due to in-channel and bank storage.  To view daily flow graphs for rapidly changing river gage flows, on Summary page click on Structure Name in blue to view graphs at State website. During winter months, ice may effect measured flows and Point Flow graph below could be in error.

Current Point Flow Period

1/5/2009 23:52

NOTES:

If Gage is Not Available for the current period, then a predicted gage flow will be computed.

In PointFlow equation, measured diversions are positive, measured inflows are negative and a gaining river is positive cfs/mile.

The Point Flow automated function (1) computes a uniform river gain (cfs/mile or Ac-Ft/mile) from a water balance equation between river gages, (2) beginning upstream shifts enough river gain to satisfy a diversion which results in zero flow below a diversion, (3) recomputes river gain between a dry river point below a diversion and next downstream gage, and (4) repeats steps 2 and 3 until all zero flow points computed between gages.