Looking downstream (south) at USGS streamgage 08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO; non-contact radar suspended on the bank during gage installation next to the streamgage located on the bank on the left.
Michael S Kohn, P.E.
Mike is a licensed professional civil engineer in Colorado with the U.S. Geological Survey Colorado Water Science Center.
In 2023, Mike became the surface water specialist for the Colorado Water Science Center. Mike has nearly 15 years of experience in water resources engineering with an emphasis in surface water, applied research, and project management. His technical interests include hydrologic, hydraulic, and sediment transport analysis and modeling, flood-frequency analysis, low-streamflow analysis, bathymetric and terrestrial surveys, and post-flood indirect measurement of streamflow discharge and stage. Mike has successfully completed field-scale research and modeling for flood and sediment transport studies as well as flood inundation mapping and statistical hydrology studies. Mike has managed and/or been the technical lead for the USGS on a variety of surface water and geomorphology studies involving numerous Federal, State, and local partners.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Streamflows at Baca and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges using Non-Contact Technology
The goal of this study is to design, install, and operationalize non-contact radar monitoring to measure streamflow at two sites at National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Where traditional monitoring equipment in a stream channel is difficult to operate and maintain, non-contact radar technology is a solution that provides more cost-effective and accurate continuous...
Incipient Bed-Movement and Flood-Frequency Analysis Using Hydrophones to Estimate Flushing Flows on the Upper Colorado River, Colorado, 2019
In an effort to better understand sediment movement and its relation to flow regimes of the Upper Colorado River in Colorado, in 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group, studied the magnitude and recurrence interval of streamflow (discharge) needed to initiate bed movement of gravel-sized and finer sediment in a segment of...
Bathymetry of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, 2019
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), carried out bathymetric and topographic surveys to characterize the volume of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. The study is meant to improve reservoir regulation and operation during periods of drought or high...
Topographic Survey Data of Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities selected 10 reaches or study areas along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River for annual bed and bank characterization and topographic surveys.
Paleoflood Investigations to Improve Flood-Frequency Estimates for Eastern Colorado
The peak-streamflow regional-regression equations (PSRREs) in the Plains hydrologic region in eastern Colorado have the largest uncertainty of any hydrologic region in Colorado. Reliable peak-streamflow information is critical for the proper design of stream-related infrastructure, such as bridges and dams, and flood-plain inundation maps. In an effort to provide more reliable peak-streamflow...
Peak-streamflow , Mean-streamflow , and Low-streamflow Equations for Western Colorado
Reliable peak-streamflow data are critical to design transportation infrastructure, such as bridges, culverts, dams, and floodplain inundation maps. At gaged sites, where sufficient long-term streamflow data have been collected, statistics can be obtained from available publications, by an analysis of available data in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Information System (NWIS)...
Peak Discharge, Flood Frequency, and Peak Stage of Floods
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation, determined the peak discharge, annual exceedance probability (flood frequency), and peak stage of two floods that took place on Big Cottonwood Creek at U.S. Highway 50 near Coaldale, Colorado (hereafter referred to as “Big Cottonwood Creek site”), on August 23, 2016, and on Fountain Creek below U.S...
Fountain Creek Watershed Flood and Sediment Transport Study
The Fountain Creek watershed, Colorado, is characterized by steep channel slopes and varied land use. Spatially distributed precipitation events result in varying rates of direct runoff. These dynamics contribute to large streamflows and sediment transport, which has caused periodic flooding, and sediment aggradation and deposition in Fountain Creek and its tributary streams. The U.S. Geological...
Fort Morgan Flood Inundation Mapping Study
In 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), studied floods in the historic record to produce a library of flood-inundation maps for the South Platte River at Fort Morgan, Colorado.
Clear Creek Reservoir Bathymetry
To better characterize the water supply capacity of Clear Creek Reservoir, Chaffee County, Colorado, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Pueblo Board of Water Works and Colorado Mountain College, carried out a bathymetry survey of Clear Creek Reservoir. The equipment and methods used in this study allowed water-resource managers to maintain typical reservoir operations, eliminating...
Eastern Colorado Crest-Stage Gage Network
The U.S. Geological Survey StreamStats program can be used to estimate the magnitude of various annual exceedance probability floods such as the 50-year or 100-year floods at locations where no streamgage data are available. In eastern Colorado where few streamgages exist, the regional-flood equations used in StreamStats have large uncertainties. In order to reduce these uncertainties, the U.S...
Validation of Monthly-Mean Streamflow Equations
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, evaluated the predictive uncertainty of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations representative of natural streamflow conditions in Colorado. This study evaluates the predictive uncertainty of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations developed in a 2009 U.S. Geological Survey study using streamflow data...
08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO - 1
Looking downstream (south) at USGS streamgage 08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO; non-contact radar suspended on the bank during gage installation next to the streamgage located on the bank on the left.
08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO - 2
Looking across the stream (southwest) at USGS streamgage 08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the stream with the streamgage located on the bank on the left just out of view.
Looking across the stream (southwest) at USGS streamgage 08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the stream with the streamgage located on the bank on the left just out of view.
08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO - 1
Looking downstream (west) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the creek with data logger and antennas on the bank on the right.
Looking downstream (west) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the creek with data logger and antennas on the bank on the right.
08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO - 2
Looking upstream (east) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; USGS hydrologist is servicing the streamgage.
Looking upstream (east) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; USGS hydrologist is servicing the streamgage.
08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO - 3
Looking upstream (east) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the creek with USGS hydrologist servicing the streamgage on the bank on the left.
Looking upstream (east) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the creek with USGS hydrologist servicing the streamgage on the bank on the left.
GNSS Surveying Equipment near Non-Potable Reservoir 1
Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) surveying equipment near Non-Potable Reservoir 1
Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) surveying equipment near Non-Potable Reservoir 1
Research vessel on Kettle Lake 3
Research vessel with bathymetric surveying equipment andU.S. Geological Survey hydrologist on Kettle Lake 3.
Research vessel with bathymetric surveying equipment andU.S. Geological Survey hydrologist on Kettle Lake 3.
USGS personnel collecting bathymetry data.
USGS research vessel with Teledyne Odom Hydrographic ES3PT–M integrated multibeam echo sounder and motion sensor submerged on the port side, and Trimble SPS461 GPS receivers mounted on each side of vessel.
USGS research vessel with Teledyne Odom Hydrographic ES3PT–M integrated multibeam echo sounder and motion sensor submerged on the port side, and Trimble SPS461 GPS receivers mounted on each side of vessel.
CWSC Bathymetry at Clear Creek Reservoir
USGS research vessel collecting bathymetry data at Clear Creek Reservoir.
USGS research vessel collecting bathymetry data at Clear Creek Reservoir.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Streamflows at Baca and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges using Non-Contact Technology
The goal of this study is to design, install, and operationalize non-contact radar monitoring to measure streamflow at two sites at National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Where traditional monitoring equipment in a stream channel is difficult to operate and maintain, non-contact radar technology is a solution that provides more cost-effective and accurate continuous...
Incipient Bed-Movement and Flood-Frequency Analysis Using Hydrophones to Estimate Flushing Flows on the Upper Colorado River, Colorado, 2019
In an effort to better understand sediment movement and its relation to flow regimes of the Upper Colorado River in Colorado, in 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group, studied the magnitude and recurrence interval of streamflow (discharge) needed to initiate bed movement of gravel-sized and finer sediment in a segment of...
Bathymetry of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, 2019
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), carried out bathymetric and topographic surveys to characterize the volume of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. The study is meant to improve reservoir regulation and operation during periods of drought or high...
Topographic Survey Data of Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities selected 10 reaches or study areas along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River for annual bed and bank characterization and topographic surveys.
Paleoflood Investigations to Improve Flood-Frequency Estimates for Eastern Colorado
The peak-streamflow regional-regression equations (PSRREs) in the Plains hydrologic region in eastern Colorado have the largest uncertainty of any hydrologic region in Colorado. Reliable peak-streamflow information is critical for the proper design of stream-related infrastructure, such as bridges and dams, and flood-plain inundation maps. In an effort to provide more reliable peak-streamflow...
Peak-streamflow , Mean-streamflow , and Low-streamflow Equations for Western Colorado
Reliable peak-streamflow data are critical to design transportation infrastructure, such as bridges, culverts, dams, and floodplain inundation maps. At gaged sites, where sufficient long-term streamflow data have been collected, statistics can be obtained from available publications, by an analysis of available data in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Information System (NWIS)...
Peak Discharge, Flood Frequency, and Peak Stage of Floods
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation, determined the peak discharge, annual exceedance probability (flood frequency), and peak stage of two floods that took place on Big Cottonwood Creek at U.S. Highway 50 near Coaldale, Colorado (hereafter referred to as “Big Cottonwood Creek site”), on August 23, 2016, and on Fountain Creek below U.S...
Fountain Creek Watershed Flood and Sediment Transport Study
The Fountain Creek watershed, Colorado, is characterized by steep channel slopes and varied land use. Spatially distributed precipitation events result in varying rates of direct runoff. These dynamics contribute to large streamflows and sediment transport, which has caused periodic flooding, and sediment aggradation and deposition in Fountain Creek and its tributary streams. The U.S. Geological...
Fort Morgan Flood Inundation Mapping Study
In 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), studied floods in the historic record to produce a library of flood-inundation maps for the South Platte River at Fort Morgan, Colorado.
Clear Creek Reservoir Bathymetry
To better characterize the water supply capacity of Clear Creek Reservoir, Chaffee County, Colorado, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Pueblo Board of Water Works and Colorado Mountain College, carried out a bathymetry survey of Clear Creek Reservoir. The equipment and methods used in this study allowed water-resource managers to maintain typical reservoir operations, eliminating...
Eastern Colorado Crest-Stage Gage Network
The U.S. Geological Survey StreamStats program can be used to estimate the magnitude of various annual exceedance probability floods such as the 50-year or 100-year floods at locations where no streamgage data are available. In eastern Colorado where few streamgages exist, the regional-flood equations used in StreamStats have large uncertainties. In order to reduce these uncertainties, the U.S...
Validation of Monthly-Mean Streamflow Equations
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, evaluated the predictive uncertainty of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations representative of natural streamflow conditions in Colorado. This study evaluates the predictive uncertainty of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations developed in a 2009 U.S. Geological Survey study using streamflow data...
08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO - 1
Looking downstream (south) at USGS streamgage 08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO; non-contact radar suspended on the bank during gage installation next to the streamgage located on the bank on the left.
Looking downstream (south) at USGS streamgage 08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO; non-contact radar suspended on the bank during gage installation next to the streamgage located on the bank on the left.
08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO - 2
Looking across the stream (southwest) at USGS streamgage 08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the stream with the streamgage located on the bank on the left just out of view.
Looking across the stream (southwest) at USGS streamgage 08223400 Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR near Alamosa, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the stream with the streamgage located on the bank on the left just out of view.
08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO - 1
Looking downstream (west) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the creek with data logger and antennas on the bank on the right.
Looking downstream (west) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the creek with data logger and antennas on the bank on the right.
08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO - 2
Looking upstream (east) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; USGS hydrologist is servicing the streamgage.
Looking upstream (east) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; USGS hydrologist is servicing the streamgage.
08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO - 3
Looking upstream (east) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the creek with USGS hydrologist servicing the streamgage on the bank on the left.
Looking upstream (east) at USGS streamgage 08227510 North Crestone Creek at Baca NWR near Crestone, CO; non-contact radar suspended above the creek with USGS hydrologist servicing the streamgage on the bank on the left.
GNSS Surveying Equipment near Non-Potable Reservoir 1
Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) surveying equipment near Non-Potable Reservoir 1
Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) surveying equipment near Non-Potable Reservoir 1
Research vessel on Kettle Lake 3
Research vessel with bathymetric surveying equipment andU.S. Geological Survey hydrologist on Kettle Lake 3.
Research vessel with bathymetric surveying equipment andU.S. Geological Survey hydrologist on Kettle Lake 3.
USGS personnel collecting bathymetry data.
USGS research vessel with Teledyne Odom Hydrographic ES3PT–M integrated multibeam echo sounder and motion sensor submerged on the port side, and Trimble SPS461 GPS receivers mounted on each side of vessel.
USGS research vessel with Teledyne Odom Hydrographic ES3PT–M integrated multibeam echo sounder and motion sensor submerged on the port side, and Trimble SPS461 GPS receivers mounted on each side of vessel.
CWSC Bathymetry at Clear Creek Reservoir
USGS research vessel collecting bathymetry data at Clear Creek Reservoir.
USGS research vessel collecting bathymetry data at Clear Creek Reservoir.