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Estimation of Baseflow and Flooding Characteristics for East Canyon Creek, Summit and Morgan Counties, Utah

Scientific Investigations Report 2025-5003
Prepared in cooperation with Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255003

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Abstract

An improved understanding of hydrologic responses to changing climatic conditions is needed to better inform water management practices. East Canyon Creek, a perennial, snowmelt-dominated stream in the Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah, is subjected to increasing development and demands on water in the Snyderville Basin and adjacent areas. In this study, streamflow and specific conductance measured at three U.S. Geological Survey streamgages on East Canyon Creek were used to estimate daily baseflow for water years 2011–22. Trends in these estimates and correlations with climate data from two Natural Resource Conservation Service snow telemetry (SNOTEL) stations within the Snyderville Basin above East Canyon Reservoir, were quantified and reported. Peak annual streamflow also was assessed for flood potential on the study reach of East Canyon Creek. The hydrograph separations showed consistent baseflow indices among all sites, with a larger baseflow component during the fall–spring period (September–April; baseflow indices approximately equal to [≈] 0.751–0.835) and smaller component during the summer period (May–August; baseflow indices ≈ 0.428–0.532). In-stream specific conductance during spring (February–April) was influenced by road salt application, limiting the utility of the hydrograph separation approach. Annual streamflow and climate data were evaluated for trends using the nonparametric Mann–Kendall test, with inconclusive results. Related tests for trends, the Seasonal and Regional Kendall tests, were used to evaluate data at monthly timesteps and indicated a decreasing trend in total streamflow and baseflow at all streamgages. The rank-based Kendall’s tau test for correlation was used to measure the ordinal association with climatic data at co-located SNOTEL stations. Total streamflow and baseflow were strongly correlated with precipitation and snow-water equivalent. By incorporating a predictive regression model, the nonparametric Theil–Sen line, these correlations could support the development of streamflow forecast models using climate data from SNOTEL stations. Such models would provide water managers with tools to help make proactive decisions, such as reservoir or water reclamation releases and curtailment of withdrawals, in response to regional drought or varying snowpack and spring runoff in a given year.

Suggested Citation

Root, J.C., and Rumsey, C.A., 2025, Estimation of baseflow and flooding characteristics for East Canyon Creek, Summit and Morgan Counties, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5003, 29 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255003.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Purpose and Scope
  • Study Area
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion on Baseflow Estimation, Trend and Correlation Analysis, and Forecasting Streamflow
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Glossary
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Estimation of baseflow and flooding characteristics for East Canyon Creek, Summit and Morgan Counties, Utah
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2025-5003
DOI 10.3133/sir20255003
Publication Date April 16, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Utah Water Science Center
Description Report: viii, 29 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Utah
County Morgan County, Summit County
Other Geospatial East Canyon Creek
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details