Year End Summary for 2010
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MPCA/DNR Cooperative Stream Gaging Year End Summary Report
Station: H03001001 - Miller Creek at Duluth, 26th Ave W & W Michigan
Year: 2010
Station Manager: JJASPER1
Data Manager: JJASPER1
Prepared By:
Jenny Jasperson (jjasper1)
1-218-723-4652 (JENNY.JASPERSON@STATE.MN.US)
Approved By:
Jenny Jasperson (jjasper1)
1-218-723-4652 (JENNY.JASPERSON@STATE.MN.US)
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Climate Summary
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Data is collected year round at this site.
The ice out date was 03/10/2010. Ice out occurred in the evening of 3/10/2010.
Snowmelt conditions: Snowmelt occurred early in 2010 in NE Minnesota. Early year
Snow depths in the region ranged from eight inches in the east to twenty four
inches in the central part of the region. By March 25th snow depth maps showed
the area to be void of snow cover.
The stream was in its banks during the entire year.
Periods of low or no flow: Flows were especially low (below 2 cfs) during
periods of July, September, and October.
Significant climatic events: North East Minnesota
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Dept. Dept.
Avg. from Avg. from
Temp. Norm. Prec. Norm.
January 12.9
3.7 .84 -.04
February 17.0 1.7 .20 -.46
March 36.5 10.6
.91 -.36
April 44.9 5.9 .86 -.78
May 51.5 .9 3.29 .60
June 58.0
-.1 4.29 .29
July 67.1 3.1 3.75 -.35
August 65.8
2.5 5.08 1.46
September 51.6 -2.9 3.54 -.02
October 46.0 2.6 3.18
.67
November 31.4 3.0 1.97 .22
December
2010 was warmer than average
for most of the year in northeastern Minnesota. September was the only month
significantly below average temperatures at near three degrees below normal. The
warmest months compared to averages were March and April with almost eleven and
six degrees above normal respectively. January, July, August, October and
November were all between two and a half and four degrees above average as well.
Early year Snow depths in the region ranged from eight inches in the east to
twenty four inches in the central part of the region. By March 25th snow depth
maps showed the area to be void of snow cover. The first third of the year saw
less than an inch per month of precipitation and the only monthly average over an
inch from normal occurred in August. Notable precipitation events included a May
late-spring snowfall on May 7 and 8 with snowfall totals of two to four inches
falling in the region. Mid-March through May precipitation totals rank below the
10th percentile when compared to previous years for the same period. The U. S.
Drought Monitor released on May 27, depicted Cook and Lake Counties as undergoing
severe drought conditions. A continuous lack of precipitation helped contribute
to persisting severe drought conditions through the rest of the year for much of
the region. Late October precipitation and November snowfall has left eight to
twenty four inches of snow on the ground for most of the region with slightly
less along the far northern shore. The bulk of October's precipitation was
produced by a massive storm that plowed through Minnesota on October 26-27. The
storm dropped two to four inches of precipitation, produced three to nine inches
of snow across much of the northern one-third of the state, spun up damaging
winds, and included areas where heavy rains fell such as the 3.92 inches reported
in three days at Wolf Ridge in Lake County. An early-winter storm dropped six
to ten inches of wet snow on November 13-14 along a narrow band that extended
from south central Minnesota, through the Twin Cities, through Duluth, and along
the North Shore. The month concluded with another major winter storm dumping up
to 10 or more inches of snow primarily in St. Louis County from November 29
through December 1. Ice-in around the state occurred in early December.
[source: State Climatology Office ?DNR Waters]
Flow Data Summary
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Site vists to determine if the logger was tracking stage correctly were done at a
frequency of 8 weeks or less.
The stage record tracked correctly and was complete for the entire monitoring
season.
Other stage data collection factors: The equipment functioned properly.
Eight (8) flow measurements were taken during the monitoring season.
Some recorded stage values were above the rating by a value greater than 1 foot,
or less than 1 foot with a change in channel control. Highest recorded stage
values (13.51 feet) were reported in the evening of 3/10/2010, maximum peak
snowmelt. The highest measured flow of 2010 was 205cfs at 12.49 feet.
The present rating cannot be accurately extrapolated or modeled to the highest
recorded stage values.
Less than 15% of the seasonal flow occurred during the period when the rating
curve was exceeded.
Flow measurements were taken this year with a maximum frequency of 4-5 weeks or
with a frequency that accurately reflects seasonal conditions.
Flow measurements cover less than 70% of the highest recorded seasonal/annual
discharge. Maximum recorded discharge was 427cfs. Maximum gaged discharge was
205 cfs.
Flow measurements cover up to or above 40% of the highest recorded season/annual
discharge.
This is a stable site.
The rating is not well developed when considering quality and quantity of
measurements. The rating is not well developed above 205 cfs.
The rating has at least five measurements over the full range of flows.
Site vists to determine if the physical characteristics of the control changed
during the monitoring season were done at a frequency of 5 weeks or less.
No change in the physical characteristics of the control occurred during the
monitoring season.
Precipitation Data Summary
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No precipitation data was not collected at this site for the season.
Water Quality Data Summary
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No water quality samples were collected at this site during the monitoring
season.
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Data Quality for Calendar Year 2010
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Flow = Poor Archived Daily Value (QQC=32)
Precip = NA (PQC=0)
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