[mescalimick]

Why can't the Ark flow be regulated so that more water is released during the day and or weekend, and substantially less at night?

Mike

 

[Lil Casey]

evaporation coefficient.

 

[KSC]

How does the formula work? Coefficient is higher half the day and lower half the day, it doesn't average out?

 

[Andy H.]

Don't forget to include the albedo, dry adiabatic rate, losses to bank storage, phase of the moon, tidal surges, barometric pressure and spilled beer into the calculations...

But seriously, if they increased the flow in the morning, then it may be fine for the Numbers but by the time it got to Parkdale, it may not be until late afternoon or night. Thinking about it, there's probably a surface water model that will tell how long it takes for a hypothetical molecule of water (or a spilled tanker of gasoline) to go from any one point to another along the river. They need to know that kind of thing so that water suppliers along the river know when to shut their intakes in the event of spills (Golden has one for Clear Creek).

--Andy

 

[Mike Harvey]

The reason they do not release on this kind of schedule is because the fishing community was heavily involved in the flow augmentation agreement. Trout are displaced by rapid surges either up or down on the river, so the BOR operates the river being careful about how they stage up or down so that you do not blow trout out and disrupt feeding patterns.

On a related note. I called AHRA this AM and got the straight scoop on the water on the Ark for the rest of the season. They met with the BOR last week and were told that there was no way to maintain the customary 700 for the rest of the season so they targeted 600 cfs (in Wellesville) through August 15th however that depends on a number of factors including rain and water availibilty. So, the Ark should be good for a while.

 

[Geezer]

Again with the thanks to Mike! 8)