Selected streamflow characteristics as related to channel geometry of perennial streams in Colorado

The mean annual runoff and peak discharges having selected recurrence intervals have been related to the width and average depth of cross sections between channel and point bars for 53 gaged sites on perennial streams in the mountain region of Colorado. These relations and measures of channel dimensions can be used to estimate streamflow characteristics for ungaged streams in the Colorado mountain region. The standard error of estimate is 18.3 percent for the relation with mean annual runoff, and ranges from about 30 percent to 45 percent for the relations with peak discharges having recurrence intervals of 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 years. The standard error of estimate generally increased with the recurrence interval for peak discharges.