Development and evaluation of a stream temperature component within the PRMS watershed modeling program

Stream temperature is becoming a very important factor in water quality and the health of many aquatic ecosystems. Computer modeling software can help predict the response of watershed and stream systems to changes in climate or other conditions. This thesis project concerns the development of a new module for the deterministic prediction of stream temperature within the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) watershed surface hydrology model. This module is based on the solution found in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Stream Network Temperature model (SNTemp), coupled with PRMS meteorologic and hydrologic inputs. The module is called within PRMS to predict average daily stream temperature values. The model was validated in the Potato Creek watershed and matched all parameters of a regression curve fit of natural data to within 6 percent with a determination coefficient (R[superscript 2]) of .77. A sensitivity analysis run using the Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Testing (FAST) technique suggested that the most sensitive factors are solar radiation, air temperature, and rainfall amount. It was concluded that these will be the strongest factors in terms of propagation of errors in the model.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geology and Geological Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Sanders, Michael

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Benson, David A.
• Markstrom, Steven L.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Maxwell, Reed M.
• Hogue, Terri S.

• SNTemp
• PRMS
• stream temperature

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright of the original work is retained by the author.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier

T 7553

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.mines.edu:11124/469