The consequence of the 1996 Buffalo Creek wildfire disturbance and a subsequent high-intensity summer convective rain storm (~100 mm h-1) was the deposition of a sediment superslug in the Spring Creek basin (26.8 km2) of the Front Range Mountains in Colorado. Changes in the superslug near the confluence of Spring Creek with the South Platte River were monitored by cross-section surveys at 18 nearly equally-spaced cross sections along a 1500 m study reach for 18 years (1996-2014) to understand the evolution and internal stratigraphy of this type of disturbance in response to different geomorphic processes. These data consist of 18 Excel files (one for each cross section) containing worksheets corresponding to each channel cross-section survey (about 25-31). Worksheets contain the basic survey information (dates, instruments, reference pin elevations, foresight, distances from reference pins, and elevations).

In 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities selected 10 study reaches along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs, Colorado and the confluence of Fountain Creek with the Arkansas River for annual bed and bank characterization and topographic surveys. The 10 study reaches are approximately 5 to 20 bank-full channel widths in length. Data were collected in 2018 that are similar in method and scope as data collected from 2012 to 2017.Topographic survey points were collected using real-time kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems (RTK-GNSS). Pebble-count data were collected at all 10 study reaches and included 4 measurements of grain size at each of 25 equally spaced stations along 4 separate transects across the active channel of each study reach. If 10 percent or more of the samples measured along the pebble-count transect were fine sand or silt (less than 2 millimeters), a streambed-sediment sample was collected for sieve-size analysis at the USGS Iowa Water Science Center Sediment Lab In Iowa City, Iowa.

In 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities selected 10 study reaches along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs, Colorado and the confluence of Fountain Creek with the Arkansas River for annual bed and bank characterization and topographic surveys. The 10 study reaches are approximately 5 to 20 bank-full channel widths in length. Data were collected in 2018 that are similar in method and scope as data collected from 2012 to 2017.Topographic survey points were collected using real-time kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems (RTK-GNSS). Pebble-count data were collected at all 10 study reaches and included 4 measurements of grain size at each of 25 equally spaced stations along 4 separate transects across the active channel of each study reach. If 10 percent or more of the samples measured along the pebble-count transect were fine sand or silt (less than 2 millimeters), a streambed-sediment sample was collected for sieve-size analysis at the USGS Iowa Water Science Center Sediment Lab In Iowa City, Iowa.

These datasets describe channel adjustments over a 60-year period to dams in the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR), South Dakota and Nebraska. Datasets include a channel geometry analysis from cross-sections, banklines digitized and interpreted to predict future bank erosion sites from aerial photography, and models of floodplain inundation over a range of discharges. There are two MNRR segments, a 39-mile segment downstream from Fort Randall Dam, and a 59-mile segment downstream from Gavins Point Dam. Similar datasets were analyzed for each MNRR segment using similar methods.

These datasets describe channel adjustments over a 60-year period to dams in the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR), South Dakota and Nebraska. Datasets include a channel geometry analysis from cross-sections, banklines digitized and interpreted to predict future bank erosion sites from aerial photography, and models of floodplain inundation over a range of discharges. There are two MNRR segments, a 39-mile segment downstream from Fort Randall Dam, and a 59-mile segment downstream from Gavins Point Dam. Similar datasets were analyzed for each MNRR segment using similar methods.

These datasets describe channel adjustments over a 60-year period to dams in the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR), South Dakota and Nebraska. Datasets include a channel geometry analysis from cross-sections, banklines digitized and interpreted to predict future bank erosion sites from aerial photography, and models of floodplain inundation over a range of discharges. There are two MNRR segments, a 39-mile segment downstream from Fort Randall Dam, and a 59-mile segment downstream from Gavins Point Dam. Similar datasets were analyzed for each MNRR segment using similar methods.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) installed and operated several flood and debris flow warning gages within or downstream from the Spring Creek burn scar, Colorado, U.S.A. The warning gages were operated during several years post fire (2019-21) in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The USGS warning gages were part of a larger post-wildfire hydrometeorological observatory, comprised of both remote-sensing and in-situ instrumentation. In-situ measurements of precipitation, river surface velocity, and river stage measurements collected at USGS warning gages during select storms in 2019 and 2021 are presented in this data release. These data were used to validate estimates of rainfall accumulation from the National Severe Storms Laboratory’s mobile, X-band weather radar (NOXP) and to evaluate lag times between high intensity precipitation and peak flooding. Gages were designed to provide advanced warning of hydrologic hazards at key points that could affect CDOT infrastructure (particularly where roads crossed over rivers). USGS warning gages also provided advanced warning of hydrologic hazards to the Pueblo Weather Forecast Office, local Emergency Managers (Huerfano County, CO), and residents in the immediate area.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) installed and operated several flood and debris flow warning gages within or downstream from the Spring Creek burn scar, Colorado, U.S.A. The warning gages were operated during several years post fire (2019-21) in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The USGS warning gages were part of a larger post-wildfire hydrometeorological observatory, comprised of both remote-sensing and in-situ instrumentation. In-situ measurements of precipitation, river surface velocity, and river stage measurements collected at USGS warning gages during select storms in 2019 and 2021 are presented in this data release. These data were used to validate estimates of rainfall accumulation from the National Severe Storms Laboratory’s mobile, X-band weather radar (NOXP) and to evaluate lag times between high intensity precipitation and peak flooding. Gages were designed to provide advanced warning of hydrologic hazards at key points that could affect CDOT infrastructure (particularly where roads crossed over rivers). USGS warning gages also provided advanced warning of hydrologic hazards to the Pueblo Weather Forecast Office, local Emergency Managers (Huerfano County, CO), and residents in the immediate area.

In 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities selected 10 study areas along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs, Colorado and the confluence of Fountain Creek with the Arkansas River for annual geomorphic monitoring. The purpose of this data release is to present topographic survey data, rasters , and sediment size data collected in 2019 as part of that monitoring effort. Topographic survey points were collected using real-time kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems (RTK-GNSS). These point data were interpolated in ArcGIS to generate digital elevation maps (2015 and 2019) and elevation-change maps (from 2015 to 2019) at each study area . In 2019, two types of Unmanned Aerial Survey (UAS) datasets were also collected and processed at one of the study areas (study area three): (1) a UAS Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point cloud collected using the Yellowscan Surveyor payload (Velodyne VLP16 puck and Applanix Inertial Measurement Unit [IMU]) flown at 150 feet (ft) above ground level using the DJI Matrice 600 UAS aircraft, and (2) a photogrammetric survey taken with the Sony a6000 camera at 200 ft above ground level with the DJI Matrice 600 UAS aircraft, which produced an ortho image, a point cloud, and raster surface model (DSM). The USGS is investigating the use of UAS for traditional river surveys of topography. Traditionally, ground-surveying procedures are required to get the level of accuracy and data needed for the annual reporting. The use of UAS could have substantial time and cost savings to supplement the procedures currently used to complete the monitoring. In addition to topographic surveys, pebble-count data were collected in the Spring of 2019 to characterize the size of streambed sediment. Pebble-count surveys included four measurements of grain size at each of 25 equally spaced sampling stations along four separate cross sections across the active channel of each study area. Annual topographic and sediment size data are used to asses geomorphic changes at each study area.

In 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities selected 10 study areas along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs, Colorado and the confluence of Fountain Creek with the Arkansas River for annual geomorphic monitoring. The purpose of this data release is to present topographic survey data, rasters , and sediment size data collected in 2019 as part of that monitoring effort. Topographic survey points were collected using real-time kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems (RTK-GNSS). These point data were interpolated in ArcGIS to generate digital elevation maps (2015 and 2019) and elevation-change maps (from 2015 to 2019) at each study area . In 2019, two types of Unmanned Aerial Survey (UAS) datasets were also collected and processed at one of the study areas (study area three): (1) a UAS Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point cloud collected using the Yellowscan Surveyor payload (Velodyne VLP16 puck and Applanix Inertial Measurement Unit [IMU]) flown at 150 feet (ft) above ground level using the DJI Matrice 600 UAS aircraft, and (2) a photogrammetric survey taken with the Sony a6000 camera at 200 ft above ground level with the DJI Matrice 600 UAS aircraft, which produced an ortho image, a point cloud, and raster surface model (DSM). The USGS is investigating the use of UAS for traditional river surveys of topography. Traditionally, ground-surveying procedures are required to get the level of accuracy and data needed for the annual reporting. The use of UAS could have substantial time and cost savings to supplement the procedures currently used to complete the monitoring. In addition to topographic surveys, pebble-count data were collected in the Spring of 2019 to characterize the size of streambed sediment. Pebble-count surveys included four measurements of grain size at each of 25 equally spaced sampling stations along four separate cross sections across the active channel of each study area. Annual topographic and sediment size data are used to asses geomorphic changes at each study area.