Suspended Sediment Data and Loads in the Fountain Creek Watershed, Colorado (ver. 3.0, September 2026)

This data release consists of daily mean streamflow, daily mean suspended sediment concentration (SSC), and daily mean suspended sediment load (SSL) data for selected U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgage sites within the Fountain Creek watershed, separated by water year. Each file also includes USGS approval levels and any associated qualifiers that were applied to the values. The daily mean SSC and daily mean SSL were calculated using the program, Graphical Constituent Loading Analysis System (GCLAS), and are publicly available in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) database. The datasets also are presented as monthly total streamflow and monthly total SSL for selected USGS streamgage sites within the Fountain Creek watershed. Seasonal totals of streamflow and SSL, ratio of SSL to streamflow, yields, and suspended sediment flux are also presented. Additionally, for each seasonal period from 1998 to 2024, there is a site comparison text file documenting net difference of streamflow and SSL between sites. This data release is intended to be updated annually as new data are collected and available. The final datasets include continuous turbidity data, which are presented from 2018 to 2024 for sites 07106500 and 07103700 and used exclusively to aid in the estimation of concentration curves within GCLAS. For water year 2025, the continuous turbidity data included in the dataset are not publicly available in the NWIS database and were processed generally following techniques and methods for continuous water-quality monitors. All records from previous versions are in version 3.0 and available from the author. First posted - April 26, 2024 Revised - June, 2025 (Version 2.0) Revised – September, 2026 (Version 3.0)
The final datasets, which are presented from 2018—2023 for sites 07106500 and 07103700, include previously unpublished continuous turbidity data that were used exclusively to aid in the estimation of concentration curves within GCLAS. These turbidity data are not publicly available in the NWIS database, but were processed generally following techniques and methods for continuous water-quality monitors.