Hydrologic Technicians are the backbone of the USGS mission of collecting reliable water data. Chris is a senior technician providing guidance to the Moab Field Office. He developed the center's quality assurance plan and continues to be pro-active with continued development and oversight.
Science and Products
Methods for estimating monthly and annual streamflow statistics at ungaged sites in Utah
The monthly 80-, 50-, and 20-percent exceedance streamflows were calculated for 266 streamflow-gaging stations in Utah and the surrounding states. Using geographic information systems software, 24 physiographic and climatic basin characteristics were computed for each gaging station location. Using these data, regional regression equations were created to predict monthly 80-, 50-, and 20-percent s
Authors
Chris D. Wilkowske, Terry A. Kenney, Shane J. Wright
Utilizing geochemical, hydrologic, and boron isotopic data to assess the success of a salinity and selenium remediation project, Upper Colorado River Basin, Utah
Stream discharge and geochemical data were collected at two sites along lower Ashley Creek, Utah, from 1999 to 2003, to assess the success of a site specific salinity and Se remediation project. The remediation project involved the replacement of a leaking sewage lagoon system that was interacting with Mancos Shale and increasing the dissolved salinity and Se load in Ashley Creek. Regression model
Authors
D. L. Naftz, T.D. Bullen, Bernard J. Stolp, C.D. Wilkowske
Methods for estimating magnitude and frequency of peak flows for natural streams in Utah
Estimates of the magnitude and frequency of peak streamflows is critical for the safe and cost-effective design of hydraulic structures and stream crossings, and accurate delineation of flood plains. Engineers, planners, resource managers, and scientists need accurate estimates of peak-flow return frequencies for locations on streams with and without streamflow-gaging stations. The 2-, 5-, 10-, 25
Authors
Terry A. Kenney, Chris D. Wilkowske, Shane J. Wright
Hydrologic conditions and water-quality conditions following underground coal mining in the North Fork of the Right Fork of Miller Creek drainage basin, Carbon and Emery Counties, Utah, 2004-2005
In 2004 and 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, reassessed the hydrologic system in and around the drainage basin of the North Fork of the Right Fork (NFRF) of Miller Creek, in Carbon and Emery Counties, Utah. The reassessment occurred 13 years after cessation of underground coal mining that was performed beneath private land at shallow depths (30 t
Authors
C.D. Wilkowske, J.L. Cillessen, P.N. Brinton
Flooding and streamflow in Utah during water year 2005
The 2004 and 2005 water years illustrate why water managers in Utah generally describe the water supply as 'feast or famine.' In September 2004, Utah was finishing its sixth year of drought. Most reservoirs were substantially drained and the soil was parched. In contrast, in September 2005 Utah was finishing a water year that set new records for peak discharge and total annual streamflow.The 2004
Authors
C.D. Wilkowske, T.A. Kenney, T.S. McKinney
Seepage study of McLeod Creek and East Canyon Creek near Park City, Summit County, Utah, 2004
Seepage investigations on McLeod Creek downstream of U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station McLeod Creek near Park City, Utah, and its confluence with Kimball Creek during the summer of 2004 indicate that this section of the creek is a gaining reach. The total seepage gains ranged from 1.8 to 2.7 cubic feet per second, or a 32 to 55 percent gain. The apparent average total seepage gain w
Authors
C.D. Wilkowske
Seepage study of Mapleton Lateral Canal near Mapleton, Utah, 2003
A study was conducted during the summer of 2003 on Mapleton Lateral Canal near Mapleton, Utah, to determine gain or loss of flow in the canal from seepage. Measurements were made in May, June, July, and September of 2003. The uppermost reach of the canal had an apparent average loss of 2.6 cubic feet per second. The next reach downstream showed an apparent average gain of 1.4 cubic feet per second
Authors
Chris D. Wilkowske, Jeff V. Phillips
Climatic fluctuations, drought, and flow of the Colorado River
No abstract available.
Authors
Robert H. Webb, Gregory J. McCabe, Richard Hereford, Christopher D. Wilkowske
Drought conditions in Utah during 1999-2002: A historical perspective
Utah’s weather is prone to extremes – from severe flooding to multiyear droughts. Five major floods occurred during 1952, 1965, 1966, 1983, and 1984, and six multiyear droughts occurred during 1896-1905, 1930-36, 1953-65, 1974-78 (U.S. Geological Survey, 1991), and more recently during 1988-93 and 1999-2002. The areal extent of floods generally is limited in size from one to several watersheds, wh
Authors
Chris D. Wilkowske, David V. Allen, Jeff V. Phillips
Selected hydrologic data for the field demonstration of three permeable reactive barriers near Fry Canyon, Utah, 1996-2000
Three permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) were installed near Fry Canyon, Utah, in August 1997 to demonstrate the use of PRBs to control the migration of uranium in ground water. Reactive material included (1) bone-char phosphate, (2) zero-valent iron pellets, and (3) amorphous ferric oxyhydroxide coated gravel. An extensive monitoring network was installed in and around each PRB for collection of
Authors
Chris D. Wilkowske, Ryan C. Rowland, David L. Naftz
Geohydrology and numerical simulation of groundwater flow in the central Virgin River Basin of Iron and Washington Counties, Utah
Because rapid growth of communities in Washington and Iron Counties, Utah, is expected to cause an increase in the future demand for water resources, a hydrologic investigation was done to better understand ground-water resources within the central Virgin River basin. This study focused on two of the principal ground-water reservoirs within the basin: the upper Ash Creek basin ground-water system
Authors
V.M. Heilweil, G. W. Freethey, C.D. Wilkowske, Bernard J. Stolp, Dale E. Wilberg
Selected hydrologic data for the central Virgin River basin area, Washington and Iron Counties, Utah, 1915-97
Hydrologic data were collected in Washington and Iron Counties, Utah, from 1995 to 1997 to better understand the hydrologic system. Data from earlier years also are presented. Data collected from wells include well-completion data, water-level measurements, and physical properties of the water. Data collected from springs and surface-water sites include discharge and physical properties of the wat
Authors
Christopher D. Wilkowske, Victor M. Heilweil, Dale E. Wilberg
Streamflow Information Program
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates and maintains a national network of about 8,000 streamgages (2018) to provide long-term, accurate, and unbiased streamflow information (often called discharge) to meet the multiple needs of many diverse users. Streamflow information is fundamental to national and local economic well-being, protection of life and property, and efficient and effective...
Upper Colorado River Streamflow and Reservoir Contents
These reports summarize monthly data for selected rivers and reservoirs in the the Upper Colorado River Basin.
Sediment Acoustics
The U.S. Geological Survey recognizes the need to provide sediment acoustic training and to develop standardized techniques and practices.
Science and Products
- Publications
Methods for estimating monthly and annual streamflow statistics at ungaged sites in Utah
The monthly 80-, 50-, and 20-percent exceedance streamflows were calculated for 266 streamflow-gaging stations in Utah and the surrounding states. Using geographic information systems software, 24 physiographic and climatic basin characteristics were computed for each gaging station location. Using these data, regional regression equations were created to predict monthly 80-, 50-, and 20-percent sAuthorsChris D. Wilkowske, Terry A. Kenney, Shane J. WrightUtilizing geochemical, hydrologic, and boron isotopic data to assess the success of a salinity and selenium remediation project, Upper Colorado River Basin, Utah
Stream discharge and geochemical data were collected at two sites along lower Ashley Creek, Utah, from 1999 to 2003, to assess the success of a site specific salinity and Se remediation project. The remediation project involved the replacement of a leaking sewage lagoon system that was interacting with Mancos Shale and increasing the dissolved salinity and Se load in Ashley Creek. Regression modelAuthorsD. L. Naftz, T.D. Bullen, Bernard J. Stolp, C.D. WilkowskeMethods for estimating magnitude and frequency of peak flows for natural streams in Utah
Estimates of the magnitude and frequency of peak streamflows is critical for the safe and cost-effective design of hydraulic structures and stream crossings, and accurate delineation of flood plains. Engineers, planners, resource managers, and scientists need accurate estimates of peak-flow return frequencies for locations on streams with and without streamflow-gaging stations. The 2-, 5-, 10-, 25AuthorsTerry A. Kenney, Chris D. Wilkowske, Shane J. WrightHydrologic conditions and water-quality conditions following underground coal mining in the North Fork of the Right Fork of Miller Creek drainage basin, Carbon and Emery Counties, Utah, 2004-2005
In 2004 and 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, reassessed the hydrologic system in and around the drainage basin of the North Fork of the Right Fork (NFRF) of Miller Creek, in Carbon and Emery Counties, Utah. The reassessment occurred 13 years after cessation of underground coal mining that was performed beneath private land at shallow depths (30 tAuthorsC.D. Wilkowske, J.L. Cillessen, P.N. BrintonFlooding and streamflow in Utah during water year 2005
The 2004 and 2005 water years illustrate why water managers in Utah generally describe the water supply as 'feast or famine.' In September 2004, Utah was finishing its sixth year of drought. Most reservoirs were substantially drained and the soil was parched. In contrast, in September 2005 Utah was finishing a water year that set new records for peak discharge and total annual streamflow.The 2004AuthorsC.D. Wilkowske, T.A. Kenney, T.S. McKinneySeepage study of McLeod Creek and East Canyon Creek near Park City, Summit County, Utah, 2004
Seepage investigations on McLeod Creek downstream of U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station McLeod Creek near Park City, Utah, and its confluence with Kimball Creek during the summer of 2004 indicate that this section of the creek is a gaining reach. The total seepage gains ranged from 1.8 to 2.7 cubic feet per second, or a 32 to 55 percent gain. The apparent average total seepage gain wAuthorsC.D. WilkowskeSeepage study of Mapleton Lateral Canal near Mapleton, Utah, 2003
A study was conducted during the summer of 2003 on Mapleton Lateral Canal near Mapleton, Utah, to determine gain or loss of flow in the canal from seepage. Measurements were made in May, June, July, and September of 2003. The uppermost reach of the canal had an apparent average loss of 2.6 cubic feet per second. The next reach downstream showed an apparent average gain of 1.4 cubic feet per secondAuthorsChris D. Wilkowske, Jeff V. PhillipsClimatic fluctuations, drought, and flow of the Colorado River
No abstract available.AuthorsRobert H. Webb, Gregory J. McCabe, Richard Hereford, Christopher D. WilkowskeDrought conditions in Utah during 1999-2002: A historical perspective
Utah’s weather is prone to extremes – from severe flooding to multiyear droughts. Five major floods occurred during 1952, 1965, 1966, 1983, and 1984, and six multiyear droughts occurred during 1896-1905, 1930-36, 1953-65, 1974-78 (U.S. Geological Survey, 1991), and more recently during 1988-93 and 1999-2002. The areal extent of floods generally is limited in size from one to several watersheds, whAuthorsChris D. Wilkowske, David V. Allen, Jeff V. PhillipsSelected hydrologic data for the field demonstration of three permeable reactive barriers near Fry Canyon, Utah, 1996-2000
Three permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) were installed near Fry Canyon, Utah, in August 1997 to demonstrate the use of PRBs to control the migration of uranium in ground water. Reactive material included (1) bone-char phosphate, (2) zero-valent iron pellets, and (3) amorphous ferric oxyhydroxide coated gravel. An extensive monitoring network was installed in and around each PRB for collection ofAuthorsChris D. Wilkowske, Ryan C. Rowland, David L. NaftzGeohydrology and numerical simulation of groundwater flow in the central Virgin River Basin of Iron and Washington Counties, Utah
Because rapid growth of communities in Washington and Iron Counties, Utah, is expected to cause an increase in the future demand for water resources, a hydrologic investigation was done to better understand ground-water resources within the central Virgin River basin. This study focused on two of the principal ground-water reservoirs within the basin: the upper Ash Creek basin ground-water systemAuthorsV.M. Heilweil, G. W. Freethey, C.D. Wilkowske, Bernard J. Stolp, Dale E. WilbergSelected hydrologic data for the central Virgin River basin area, Washington and Iron Counties, Utah, 1915-97
Hydrologic data were collected in Washington and Iron Counties, Utah, from 1995 to 1997 to better understand the hydrologic system. Data from earlier years also are presented. Data collected from wells include well-completion data, water-level measurements, and physical properties of the water. Data collected from springs and surface-water sites include discharge and physical properties of the watAuthorsChristopher D. Wilkowske, Victor M. Heilweil, Dale E. Wilberg - Science
Streamflow Information Program
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates and maintains a national network of about 8,000 streamgages (2018) to provide long-term, accurate, and unbiased streamflow information (often called discharge) to meet the multiple needs of many diverse users. Streamflow information is fundamental to national and local economic well-being, protection of life and property, and efficient and effective...Upper Colorado River Streamflow and Reservoir Contents
These reports summarize monthly data for selected rivers and reservoirs in the the Upper Colorado River Basin.Sediment Acoustics
The U.S. Geological Survey recognizes the need to provide sediment acoustic training and to develop standardized techniques and practices. - Multimedia
- News