Green River FLO-2D Discharge Routing Model Flaming Gorge Dam to Colorado River Confluence
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Green River FLO-2D Discharge Routing Model Flaming Gorge Dam to Colorado River Confluence Prepared for: National Park Service Intermountain Support Office Denver, Colorado and US Fish and Wildlife Service Denver, Colorado Prepared by: FLO Engineering, Inc. Breckenridge, Colorado February, 1998 Executive Summary A two-dimensional flow hydrograph routing model was developed for the Green River system from Flaming Gorge to the Colorado River confluence, a distance of 412 miles. The model called FLO- 2D was designed and developed by FLO Engineering, Inc. FLO-2D is a two-dimensional, finite difference flood routing model which simulates a discharge hydrograph with very small timesteps on the order of 30 seconds to one minute. The model uses a digital map base to establish a flow domain system of uniform grid elements. Channel flow is simulated using a channel geometry relationships reflective of the natural channel shape. Overbank and return flow discharges are computed to assess floodplain inundation and floodwave attenuation. The model also simulates infiltration losses and conserves volume. There were three essential data components required to develop the FLO-2D simulation model for the Green River. These data bases included developing a digital topographic map of the river and floodplain, compiling all the cross section surveys and preparing the tributary and mainstem flow hydrograph data files. The Green River map resources were reviewed and the USGS 7.5 minute series of 40 maps was selected to create the base map. These maps proved to have the best topographic resolution of the entire river system. The base map was digitized in AutoCAD version 12. All the available cross section survey data was compiled from various river researchers. This data was organized by river reach and analyzed for channel geometry relationships as a function of flow depth. The data base was then used to assigned channel geometry to the FLO-2D channel grid elements which were not associated with a surveyed cross section. Finally, all the available USGS tributary inflow data was compiled as input to the model. This daily hydrograph data was supplemented with Flaming Gorge Dam releases and level logger discharge monitoring data at several locations in the Green River system. The FLO-2D grid system consisted of 2,482 - 2,000 ft square grid elements including 962 channel elements to simulate a discharge hydrograph every 2,000 ft of channel in the Green River system. The initial FLO-2D calibration run encompassed 100 days of the 1996 high flow season. Following calibration of the roughness values and infiltration parameters and some adjustment of floodplain elevations and channel geometry for 1996, the FLO-2D model and data base was used to simulate 100 days of the 1997 Green River hydrograph. The flood simulations included the prediction of overbank flood inundation. Based on the excellent correlation between the 1997 measured data and the FLO-2D predicted discharge hydrograph at the USGS Jensen and Green River gages, the Green River FLO-2D model was applied to the 1997 unregulated discharge Green River discharge at Greendale, Wyoming. FLO-2D hydrographs were predicted for flows without the storage effects of Flaming Gorge and Fontenelle Reservoirs in Wyoming and for the flow scenario where the Green River discharge was limited to the maximum Flaming Gorge jet tube release. The Green River routing model is now available to simulate any historical or predictive flow scenario. This tool can be used to evaluate the effects of Flaming Gorge releases on magnitude, timing, and duration of various discharges to benefit fish habitat and enhance floodplain inundation. The model can applied to evaluate Recovery Program flow recommendations for the Green River system and its tributaries. Table of Contents Page No. List of Key Words ...........................................................ii Project Funding and Support .................................................. iii Acknowledgments .......................................................... iii Introduction ...............................................................1 Project Goals and Objectives .................................................2 Green River Study Area .....................................................2 Overview of the FLO-2D Flood Routing Model ..................................3 FLO-2D Data File Development ..............................................3 FLO-2D Model Assumptions and Limitations ....................................6 Green River FLO-2D Model Calibration .......................................6 FLO-2D Green River Predicted Hydrograph Results .............................7 Conclusions ..............................................................10 Recommendations .........................................................11 References ..............................................................11 List of Key Words FLO-2D, Green River, flood routing, hydrograph simulation, two-dimensional flow routing, dynamic wave, floodwave attenuation, floodplain inundation, numerical modeling, discharge prediction, peak discharge, high flows Project Funding and Support The application of the FLO-2D model to simulate Green River discharge from Flaming Gorge Dam to the Colorado River confluence was funded by the National Park Service, Natural Resources and Technology, Intermountain Region, Intermountain Support Office, Denver, Colorado and by the Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Engineering Office in Denver, Colorado. The National Park Service funding was facilitated by the Civil Engineering Department at Colorado State University. The Recovery Implementation Program is a joint effort of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Western Area Power Administration, State of Colorado, State of Utah, and State of Wyoming, Upper Basin Water Users, environmental organizations and the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association. Acknowledgments This study was coordinated with the Channel Monitoring Project under the auspices of George Smith as part of the Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Ed Wick of the National Park Service in Fort Collins, Colorado provided support and guidance. Channel cross section survey data was provided by Joe Lyons, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; John Schmidt, Utah State University; and Robert Mussetter, Mussetter Engineering, Inc. Marshall Flug was contracting officer in charge of administering project funding at Colorado State University as liaison from the Biology Research Division at the US Geological Survey. Green River FLO-2D Discharge Routing Model Flaming Gorge Dam to Colorado River Confluence Introduction The National Park Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service supported the development of a discharge routing model for the Green River in Utah from Flaming Gorge Dam to the confluence of the Colorado River. A two-dimensional finite difference flow routing model FLO-2D was developed for the Green River for the 1996 and 1997 water years. FLO-2D is a multifaceted channel and overland flow routing model created by FLO Engineering. The model has channel-floodplain interface to compute overbank discharge. Unconfined overland flow is routed over complex topography and roughness in eight directions. Channel flow is routed through natural cross sections computing flow depths and velocities for relatively small timesteps. FLO-2D routes the Flaming Gorge Dam release hydrograph and all the tributary hydrographs with a full dynamic wave approximation to the momentum equation, conserving volume and predicting areas of overbank inundation. To develop the routing model application for the Green River a digitized map of the river and floodplain topography had to be prepared. After an extensive search of mapping resources, it was determined that the USGS 7.5 minute quad maps were best available maps that covered the entire river basin. The contour interval for the maps varied from 10 ft to 40 ft. After the base map was digitized in a computer-aided design and drafting software program (CADD), a survey grid system of uniform elements was overlaid on the digitized contours. To prepare the channel data base for the model, all available Green River channel cross section surveys were compiled and analyzed for channel geometry relationships. Cross section channel geometry were then assigned to each channel grid element. Discharge inflow for the FLO-2D Green River model is the USGS mean daily hydrograph data. River flow data includes Flaming Gorge Dam releases and discharge records at Jensen and Green River. Tributary inflow includes the Yampa, Duchesne, White, Price and San Rafael Rivers and Brush and Ashley Creeks. All other small tributary inflow was omitted because of the lack of discharge records. To further monitor the flows in the Green River and calibrate the FLO-2D model, a series of level logger stage recorders were installed throughout the middle and lower Green Rivers in both 1996 and 1997. These level loggers were erected in Echo Park, Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, below the White River, in Desolation Canyon at McPherson Ranch and in Canyonlands National Monument near Bonita Bend. Combined with the USGS Jensen and Green River gages, the level loggers provide estimates of the high flow discharge hydrograph throughout the Green River with the longest ungaged reach being less