c

DEPAETMENT OF THE INTEEIOK

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTI8 SMITH, DlBZCTOB

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 269

SURFACE WATER SUPPLY OF THE 

UNITED STATES

1909

PAET IX. COLORADO RIYER BASIN

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF M. 0. LEIGHTON

BY 

W. B. FREEMAN AND R. H. BOLSTER -

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1911
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 269

SURFACE WATER SUPPLY OF THE 

UNITED STATES

1909

PAET IX. COLORADO RIYER BASIN

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF M. 0. LEItfHTON

BY 

W. B. FREEMAN AND R. H. BOLSTER

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1911
CONTENTS.

Page.

Introduction............................................................... 7

Authority for investigations............................................ 7

 Scope of investigations................................................. 8

Purposes of the work................................................... 9

Publications........................................................... 10

Definition of terms.................................................... 13

Convenient equivalents............................................... 14

Explanation of tables.................................................. 15

Field methods of measuring stream flow................................ 16

Office methods of computing and studying discharge and run-off.......... 22

Accuracy and reliability of field data and comparative results............ 26

Use of the data....................................................... 28

Cooperative data..................................................... 28

Cooperation and acknowledgements..................................... 29

Division of work....................................................... 30

Gaging stations in Colorado River basin..................................... 30

General features of Colorado River basin .................................... 34

Green River and the main Colorado River..............".................... 35

Description........................................................... 35

Green River at Greenriver, Utah........................................ 39

Colorado River at Yuma, Ariz ....................*..................... 44

Salton Sink............................................................ 48

Salton Sea near Salton, Cal........................................ 48

' Alamo River near Brawley, Cal..................................... 50

New River near Brawley, Cal........................................ 51

Tributary basins........................................................... 52

Duchesne River basin.................................................. 52

Description....................................................... 52

Duchesne River at Myton, Utah.................................... 55

Strawberry River above mouth of Indian Croek, in Strawberry Valley,

Utah............................................................ 58

Strawberry River below mouth of Indian Creek in Strawberry Valley,

Utah............................................................ 59

Strawberry River at Theodore, Utah............................... 60

Indian Creek in Strawberry Valley.................................. 62

Trail Hollow Creek in Strawberry Valley, Utah...................... 64

Lake Fork below forks near Whiterocks, Utah....................... 65

Lake Fork near Myton, Utah...................................... 67

Uinta River near Whiterocks, Utah................................ 70

Uinta River at Fort Duchesne, Utah................................ 72

Whiterocks River near Whiterocks, Utah............................ 74

Price River basin..................................................... 77

Description....................................................... 77

Price River near Helper, Utah...................................... 77

3
CONTENTS.

Tributary basins Continued Page.

San Rafael River basin ................................................ 79

Description....................................................... 79

San Rafael River near Greenriver, Utah............................. 79

Cottonwood Creek near Orangeville, Utah........................... 81

Ferron Creek near Ferron, Utah.................................... 83

Huntington Creek near Huntington, Utah.......................... 85

Grand River basin...................................................... 87

Description....................................................... 87

North. Fork of Grand River near Grand Lake, Colo. ................. 90

Grand River near Granby, Colo..................................... 92

Grand River at Sulphur Springs, Colo.............................. 94

Grand River near Kremmling, Colo................................ 97

Grand River at Glenwood Springs, Colo............................. 100

Grand River near Palisades, Colo................................... 102

North Inlet to Grand Lake at Grand Lake, Colo..................... 105

Grand Lake outlet at Grand Lake, Colo.. T .......................... 105

! South Fork of Grand River near Lehman, Colo...................... 107

Fraser River basin ................................................. 110

Eraser River at Granby, Colo................................... 110

Cooperative data for stations in Fraser River basin............... 112

Description............................................... 112

Fraser River at upper station near Fraser, Colo.............. 113

Fraser River at lower station near Fraser, Colo.............. 115

Big (East) Jim Creek at mouth near Fraser, Colo............ 118

Little (West) Jim Creek at mouth near Fraser, Colo......... 121

Vasquez River at upper station near Fraser, Colo............ 124

Vasquez River at lower station near Fraser, Colo............ 126

Elk Creek at mouth near Fraser, Colo...................... 129

St. Louis Creek at upper station near Fraser, Colo........... 132

St. Louis Creek at lower station near Fraser, Colo............ 134

North Ranch Creek at upper station near Rollins Pass, Colo. 137

North Ranch Creek at lower station near Rollins Pass, Colo. 139

Middle Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo...... 142

Middle Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo....... 144

South Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo....... 147

South Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo....... 150

Williams Fork basin .............................................. 153

Williams Fork near Sulphur Springs, Colo....................... 153

Eagle River basin ................................................. 155

Eagle River at Gypsum, Colo.................................. 155

Roaring Fork basin................................................ 157

Description.................................................... 157

Roaring Fork near Emma, Colo................................ 157

Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs, Colo........................ 159

Frying Pan River at Basalt, Colo............................... 161

Crystal River near Carbondale, Colo. ...................\....... 163

Divide Creek basin................................................ 165

Description.................................................... 165

West Divide Creek at Hostutler's ranch, near Raven, Colo......... 166

West Divide Creek at Ra\en, Colo............................. 166

Mamm Creek basin............................................... 168

West Mamm Creek near Rifle, Colo.................,..,.,.,.,, 168
CONTENTS. 5

Tributary basins Continued.

Grand River basin Continued. Page

Gunnison River basin .............................................. 169

Description.................................................... 169

Gunnison River at River Portal, Colo............................ 172

Uncompahgre River at Fort Crawford, Colo..................... 174

Uncompahgre River at Montrose, Colo.......................... 176

Uncompahgre River near Delta, Colo ........................... 178

Fremont River basin .................................................. 179

Description........................................................ 179

Fremont River near Thurber, Utah ................................ 179

Muddy Creek near Emery, Utah..................................... 181

Escalante River basin ................................................. 183

Escalante Creek near Escalante, Utah ............................... 183

San Juan River basin ................................................. 185

Description........................................................ 185

Flood in San Juan Valley, September 5 and 6, 1909.................. 187

General features............................................... 187

Precipitation.................................................. 188

San Juan River proper........................................ 189

Animas River.................................................. 190

La Plata River......f .......................................... 190

Resume"...................................................... 190

San Juan River at Blanco, N. Mex................................. 191

Animas River at Aztec, N. Mex..................................... 194

La Plata River at La Plata, N. Mex................................ 196

Little Colorado River basin ............................................ 200

Description........................................................ 200

Little Colorado River at St. Johns, Ariz.............................. 200

Little Colorado River at Woodruff, Ariz.............................. 202

Little Colorado River at Holbrook, Ariz............................. 202

Evaporation at Holbrook, Ariz .................................... 203

Clear Creek near Winslow, Ariz ..................................... 205

Flood on Zuni River, Ariz., September 6, 1909 ...................... 206

Virgin River basin ..................................................... 210

Description........................................................ 210

Virgin River at Virgin, Utah....................................... .210

Santa Clara River near Central, Utah .............^................ 212

Santa Clara River near St. George, Utah ............................ 214

Muddy River near Moapa, Nev .................................... 216

Gila River basin ....................................................... 217

Description........................................................ 217

Gila River near Redrock, N. Mex.................................. 219

San Francisco River at Alma, N. Mex.............................. 222

Santa Cruz River near Nogales, Ariz............................... 224

Santa Cruz River and ditches at Tucson, Ariz........................ 225

Salt River Basin................................................... 227

Description.................................................... 227

Salt River at McDowell, Ariz.................................. 227

Verde River at McDowell, Ariz................................. 230

Miscellaneous measurements in Colorado River drainage basin................ 232

Index..................................................................... 237
ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page. 

PLATE I. Typical gaging stations: A, For bridge measurement; B, For wading

measurement.................................................... 18

II. Small Price current meters........................................ 20

III. Graphic method of determining daily discharge.................... 24

IV. A, Dam site for reservoir on Williams Fork, Grand River, Colo.; B,

Reservoir site in West Fork of Lake Fork above Forks, Utah...... 54

V. A, Power plant of Colorado Yule Marble* Co., on Crystal River, near 

Marble, Colo.; B, Middle Box Canyon of Gila River, near Redrock, 

N. Mex......................................................... 164

VI. Map of San Juan River drainage basin, showing rainfall and gaging

stations......................................................... 188

VII. Flood on Animas River, Sept. 6, 1909: A, View showing overflow of 

left bank in vicinity of gaging station at Aztec, N. Mex.; B, 

View at footbridge near Durango power plant, Durango, N. Mex... 190

VIII. Zuni dam failure: A, Spillway surface, looking downstream, showing 

depression cavity, wrecked spillway, and both wrecked walls; 

B, Lower toe of dam showing movement and break in masonry at 

spillway........................................................ 206

I.. Zuni dam failure: A, View of spillway, looking northeast; B, View of

intake, looking northeast....................................... 208

FIGURE 1. Map of Zuni River drainage basin, showing rainfall stations......... 207

6
SURFACE WATEB SUPPLY OF THE COLORADO RIVER

BASIH, 1909.

By W. B. FREEMAN and R. H. BOLSTER.

INTRODUCTION.

AUTHORITY FOR INVESTIGATIONS,

This volume contains results of flow measurements made on certain 

streams in the United States. The work was performed by the 

water-resources branch of the United States Geological Survey, 

either independently or in cooperation with organizations mentioned 

herein. These investigations are authorized by the organic law of 

the Geological Survey (Stat. L., vol. 20, p. 394), which provides, 

among other things, as follows:

Provided that this officer [the Director] ehall have the direction of the Geological 

Survey and the classification of public lands and examination of the geological structure, mineral resources, and products of the national domain.

Inasmuch' as water is the most abundant and most valuable 

mineral in nature, the investigation of water resources is included 

under the above provision for investigating mineral resources. The 

work has been supported since the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895, 

by appropriations in successive sundry civil bills passed by Congress 

under the following item:

For gaging the streams and determining the water supply of the United States, and 

for the investigation of underground currents and artesian wells, and for the preparation of reports Upon the best methods of utilizing the water resources.

The various appropriations that have been made for this purpose 

are as follows:

Annual appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30 

1895................................................................. $12,500

1896................................................................. 20,000

1897 to 1900, inclusive............................................... 50,000

1901 to 1902, inclusive............................................... 100,000

1903 to 1906, inclusive............................................... 200,000

1907................................................................. 150,000

1908 to 1910, inclusive............................................... 100,600

1911.................................................................. 150,000

7
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX. 

SCOPE OF INVESTIGATIONS.

These investigations of stream flow are not complete nor do they 

include all the river systems or parts thereof that might purposefully 

be studied. The scope of the work is limited by the appropriations 

available. The field covered is the widest and the character of the 

work is believed to be the best possible under the controlling conditions. The work would undoubtedly have greater scientific importance and ultimately be of more practical value if the money now 

expended for wide areas were concentrated on a few small drainage 

basins; but such a course is impossible because general appropriations made by Congress are applicable to all parts of the country. 

Each part demands its proportionate share of the benefits.

It is essential that records of stream flow shall be kept during a 

period of years long enough to determine within reasonable limits the 

entire range of flow from the absolute maximum to the absolute 

minimum. The length of such a period manifestly differs for different streams. Experience has shown that the records for some 

streams should cover from 5 to 10 years, and for other streams 20 

years or even more, the limit being determined by the relative 

importance of the stream and the interdependence of the results with 

other long-time records on adjacent streams.

In the performance of this work an effort is made to reach the highest degree of precision possible with a rational expenditure of time and 

a judicious expenditure of a small amount of money. In all engineering work there is a point beyond which refinement is needless and 

wasteful, and this statement applies with especial force to streamflow measurements. It is confidently believed that the stream-flow 

data presented in the publications of the Survey are in general sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes. Many of the records are, 

however, of insufficient length, owing to the unforeseen reduction of 

appropriations and consequent abandonment of stations. All persons are cautioned to exercise the greatest care in using such incomplete records.

Records have been obtained at more than 1,550 different points in 

the United States, and in addition the surface water supply of small 

areas in Seward Peninsula and the Yukon-Tanana region, Alaska, 

has been investigated. During 1909 regular gaging stations were 

maintained by the Survey and cooperating organizations at about 

850 points in the United States, arid many miscellaneous measurements were made at other points. Data were also obtained in regard 

to precipitation, evaporation, storage reservoirs, river profiles, and 

water power in many sections of the country and will be made available in the regular surface water-supply papers and in special papers 

from time to time.
COLORADO EIVER BASIN. 9 

PURPOSES OF THE WORK.

The results contained in this volume are requisite to meet the 

immediate demands of many public interests, including navigation, 

irrigation, domestic water supply, water power, swamp and overflow 

land drainage, and flood prevention.

Navigation. The Federal Government has expended more than 

$250,000,000 for the improvement of inland navigation, and prospective expenditures will approximate several times this amount. 

It is obvious that the determination of stream flow is necessary to 

the intelligent solution of the many problems involved.

Irrigation. The United States is now expending $51,000,000 on 

Federal irrigation systems, and this amount is far exceeded by the 

private expenditures of this nature in the arid West. The integrity 

of any irrigation system depends absolutely on the amount of water 

available. Therefore investigations of stream flow in that portion 

of the country are' not only of first importance in the redemption 

of the lands, but constitute an insurance of Federal and private 

investments.

Domestic water supply. The highest use of water is for domestic 

supply, and although this branch of the subject is of less direct 

Federal interest than the branches already named, it nevertheless 

has so broad a significance with respect to the general welfare that 

the Federal Government is ultimately and intimately concerned.

Water power. The development of the water power of the country 

is an economic necessity. Our stock of coal is being rapidly depleted, 

and the cost of steam power is increasing accordingly. Industrial 

growth and, as a .consequence, the progress of the United States as 

a nation will cease if cheap power is not available. Water power 

affords the only avenue now open. When the electric transmission 

of power was accomplished, the relation of our water powers to 

national economy changed entirely. Before the day of electric 

transmission water power was important only at the locality at 

which it was generated, but it has now become a public utility in 

which the individual citizen is vitally interested. Inasmuch as the 

amount of water power that may be made available depends on the 

flow of rivers, the investigation of flow becomes a prerequisite in the 

judicious management of this source of energy.

Drainage of swamp and overflowed lands. More than 70,000,000 

acres of the richest land in this country are now practically worthless 

or of precarious value by reason of overflow and swamp conditions. 

When this land is drained, it becomes exceedingly productive, and 

its value increases many fold. Such reclamation would add to the 

national assets at least $700,000,000. The study of run-off is the 

first consideration in connection with drainage projects. If by the
10 STJEFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

drainage of a large area into any particular channel that channel 

becomes so gorged with water which it had not hitherto been called 

upon to convey that overflow is caused in places where previously 

the land was not subject to inundation, then drainage results merely 

in an exchange of land values. This is not the purpose of drainage 

improvement.

Flood prevention. The damage from floods in the United States 

probably exceeds on the average $100,000,000 annually, and in the 

year 1908, according to estimates based on reliable data, the aggregate damage approximated $250,000,000. Such an annual tax on 

the property of great regions should be reduced in the orderly progress of government. It goes without saying that any consideration 

of flood prevention must be based on a thorough knowledge of stream 

flow, both in the contributing areas which furnish the water and 

along the great lowland rivers.

PUBLICATIONS.

The data on stream flow collected by the United States Geological 

Survey since its inception have appeared in the annual reports, 

bulletins, and water-supply papers. Owing to natural processes of 

evolution and to changes in governmental requirements, the character of the work and the territory covered by these different publications has varied greatly. For the purpose of uniformity in the 

presentation of reports a general plan has been agreed upon by the 

United States Reclamation Service, the United States Forest Service, 

the United States Weather Bureau, and the United States Geological 

Survey, according to which the area of the United States has been 

divided into 12 parts, whose boundaries coincide with certain natural 

drainage lines. The areas so described are indicated by the following list of papers on surface water supply for 1909. The dividing 

line between the North Atlantic and South Atlantic drainage areas 

lies ^between York and James rivers.

Papers on surface water supply of the United States, 1909.

Part.

I

II

III

IV

V

No.

261

262

363

264

265

Title.

North Atlantic coast.

South Atlantic coast and eastern Gulf

of Mexico.

Ohio River basin.

St. Lawrence River basin.

Upper Mississippi River and Hudson 

Bay basin.

Part.

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

XI

XII

No.

266

267

268

269

270

271 

272

Title.

Missouri River basin.

Lower Mississippi River basin.

Western Gulf of Mexico.

Colorado River basin.

Great Basin.

California. 

North Pacific coast.

The following table gives the character of data regarding stream 

flow at regular stations to be found in the various publications of the 

United States Geological Survey, exclusive of all special papers.
CODOBADO EIYER BASIN. 11

Numbers of reports .are inclusive, and dates also are inclusive, so far 

as the -data are available:

Stream-flow data in reports of the United States Geological Survey. 

[Ann.=Annual Report; B.=Bulletin; W. S.=Water-Supply Paper.]

Report.

10th Ann., pt. 2........

14th Ana., pt. Z. .......

B. 131..................

B. 140..................

W. S. 11...............

W. S. 15...............

W. S. 16...............

19th Ann., pt. 4. .......

W. S. 27... ............

W. S. 2&. ..............

W. S. 35 to 39. .........

W. S. 47 to 52..........

W. S 65,66............

W. S 75...............

W. S 82to85. .........

W. S 97 to 100.........

W. S 124 to 135........

W. S 165 to 178........

W. S 241 to 252........

W. S 261 to 272........

Character of data.

.....do.........................................................

Descriptions, measurements, gage heights, ratings, and

monthly discharge (also many data covering earlier years).

(also similar data for earlier years.) 

Descriptions, measurements, and gage heights, eastern United

States, eastern Mississippi River, and Missouri River above 

junction with Kansas.

sissippi River below junction of Missouri and Platte, and 

western United States.

(also some long-time records).

States, eastern Mississippi River, and Missouri River.

western United States.

.....do........................--.....---...--..-.----...----.-.

..... do..... ....................................................

..... do................................. ....................... .

..... do................................. ........................

Year.

1884 to Sept.,

1890. 

1884 to June 30,

1891. 

1884 to Dec. 31,

1892. 

1888 to Dec. 31,

1893. 

1893 and 1894.

1895.

1896.

1895 and 1896.

1897.

1897.

1897.

1898.

1898.

1898.

1899.

1899.

1900.

1900.

1901.

1901.

1902.

1903.

1904.

1905.

1906.

1907-8.

1909.

NOTE. No data regarding stream flow are given in the ISth and 17th annual reports.

The records at most of the stations discussed in these reports 

extend over a series of years. An index of the reports containing 

records prior to 1904 has been published in Water-Supply Paper 119. 

The first table which follows gives, by years and drainage basins, the 

numbers of the papers on surface water supply published from 1899 

to 1909. Wherever the data for a drainage basin appear in two 

papers the number of one is placed in parentheses and the portion of 

the basin covered by that paper is indicated in the second table. For 

example, in 1904 the data for Missouri River were published in WaterSupply Papers 130 and 131, and the portion of the records con tamed 

in Water-Supply Paper 131, as indicated by the second table, is that 

relating to Platte and Kansas rivers.
12 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Numbers of water-supply papers containing results of stream measurements, 1899-1909.

Atlantic coast and eastern Gulf of Mexico: 

New England rivers.. 

Hudson River to 

Delaware River,

Susquehanna River 

to York River, inJames River to Yadkin River, incluSantee River to Pearl 

River, inclusive. . . .

Mississippi River:

Upper Missis s i p p i

Lower Mississippi

Western Gulf of Mexico. . 

Pacific coast and Great 

Basin:

South Pacific coast to 

Ktamath River,

North Pacific coast...

1899o

35

35

35

(35),36

36 

36

36

| 36

(36),37

| 37

37 

(37),38

38, (39)

(38),39

38

19006

47 

47,(48)

48

48

48 

49

48,(49)

49

49,(50)

50

50 

50

51

51

51

1901

65,75 

65,75

65,75

65,75

65,75 

65,75

66,75

65,75

65,75

66,75

/ (65), 

\ 65,75

66,75 

66,75

66,75

66,75

66,75

1902

82 

82

82

(82),83

83 

(82),83

' 85

83

83

84

}(83),84

84 

85

85

85

85

1903

97 

97

97

(97),98

98 

97

100

98

98,(99)

99

(98),99

99 

100

100

100

100

1904

- 124 

125

126

126

127 

129

130

128

/ 128, 

I (130)

/ 130,

\ (131) 

I (128), 

\ 131

132 

/ 133,

I (134) 

f 133,

\ (134) 

134

135

1905

165 

166

167

167

168 

170

171

169 }».

| 172

(169), 

173

174 

175,

(177) 

176,

(177) 

177

/(177), 

1 178

1906

201 

202

203

203

204 

206

207

205

207

208

(205), 

209

210 

211,

(213) 

212,

(213) 

213

} 214

1907-8

241 

241

241

242

242 

244

245

243

245

246

} 247

248 

249.

(251) 

250,

(251) 

251

252

1909

261 

261

261

262

262 

264

265

263

265

266

267

268 

269.

(271) 

270.

(271) 

271

272

« Rating tables arid index to Water-Supply Papers 35-39 contained in Water-Supply Paper 39. 

6 Rating tables and index to Water-Supply Papers 47-52 and data on precipitation, wells, and irrigation 

in California and Utah contained in Water-Supply Paper 52.

Numbers of water-supply papers containing data covering portions of drainage basins.

No.

35 

36 

37 

38 

39 

48 

49 

50

65

82

83 

97 

98 

99 

128 

130 

131

134 

169

177

205 

213

251

271

River basin.

Ohio..............................

Tributaries included.

Gallatin. 

Green, Gunnison, Grand above junction with Gunnison. 

Except Kings and Kern. 

Mohave. 

Wissahickon and Schuylkill. 

Scioto. 

Loup and Platte near Columbus, Nebr. All tributaries below 

junction with Platte. 

Yazoo.

I Lake Ontario, tributaries to St. Lawrence River proper. 

Yazoo.

Do. 

Tributaries from the west. 

Yazoo. 

Tributaries from the west. 

Platte, Kansas. 

Data near Yuma, Ariz., repeated. 

Susan, Owens, Mohave. 

Yazoo. 

Below junction with Gila. 

Susan repeated, Owens, Mohave. 

Rogue, Umpqua, Siletz. 

Yazoo, Homochitto. 

Data at Hardyville repeated; at Yuma, Salton Sea. 

Owens, Mohave. 

Yuma and Salton Sea stations repeated. 

Owens River. Basin.
COLORADO RIVER BASIIST. 13

The order of treatment of stations in any basin in these papers is 

downstream. The main stem of any river is determined on the basis 

of drainage area, local changes in name and lake surface being disregarded. After all stations from the source to the mouth of the 

main stem of the river have been given, the tributaries are taken up 

in regular order from source to mouth. The tributaries are treated 

the same as the main stream, all stations in each tributary basin 

being given before taking up the next one below.

The exceptions to this rule occur in the records for Mississippi 

River, which are given in four parts, as indicated above, and in the 

records for large lakes, where it is often clearer to take up the streams 

in regular order around the rim of the lake than to cross back and 

forth over the lake surface.

DEFINITION OF TERMS.

r The volume of water flowing in a stream the "run-off" or "discharge" is expressed in various terms, each of which has become 

associated with a certain class of work. These terms may,be divided 

into two groups: (1) Those which represent a rate of flow,«*as secondfeet, gallons per minute, miner's inches, and run-off in second-feet 

per square mile, and (2) those which represent the actual quantity 

of water, as run-off in depth in inches and acre-feet. They may be 

denned as follows:

"Second-foot" is an abbreviation for cubic foot per second and is 

the rate of discharge of water flowing in a stream 1 foot wide, 1 foot 

deep, at a rate of 1 foot per second. It is generally used as a fundamental unit from which others are computed by the use of the factors 

given in the following table of equivalents.

"Gallons per minute" is generally used in connection with pumping 

and city water supply.

The "miner's inch" is the rate of discharge of water that passes 

through an orifice 1 inch square under a head which varies locally. 

It is commonly used by miners and irrigators throughout the West, 

and is defined by statute in each State in which it is used.

"Second-feet per square mile" is the average number of cubic feet 

of water flowing per second from each square mile of area drained, 

on the assumption that the run-off is distributed uniformly both as 

regards time and area.

"Run-off in depth in inches on drainage area" is the depth to which 

the drainage area would be covered if all the water flowing from it in 

a given period were conserved and uniformly distributed on the surface. It is used for comparing run-off with rainfall, which is usually 

expressed in depth in inches.
14 SUEFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

"Acre-foot" is equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet, and is the quantity 

required to cover an acre to the depth of 1 foot. It is commonly 

used in connection with storage for irrigation work.

CONVENIENT EQUIVALENTS.

The following is a list of convenient equivalents for use in hydraulic 

computations:

1 second-foot equals 40 California miner's inches (law of March. 23, 1901). 

1 second-foot equals 38.4 Colorado miner's inches. 

1 second-foot equals 40 Arizona miner's inches.

1 second-foot equals 7.48 United States gallons per second; equals 448.8 gallons per 

minute; equals 646,272 gallons for-one day.

1 second-foot equals 6.23 British imperial gallons per second.

1 second-foot for one year covers 1 square mile 1.131 feet or 13.572 inches deep.

1 second-foot for one year equals 31,53&,000 cubic feet.

1 second-foot equals about 1 acre-inch per hour.

1 second-foot for one day covers 1 square mile 0.03719 inch deep.

1 second-foot for one 28-day month covers 1 square mile 1.041 inches deep,

1 second-foot for one 29-day month covers 1 square mile 1.079 inches deep.

1 second-foot for one 30-day month covers 1 square mile 1.116 inches deep\

1 second-foot for one 31-day month covers 1 square mile 1.153 inches deep.

1 second-foot for one day equals 1.983 acre-feet.

1 second-foot for one 28-day month equals 55.54 acre-feet.

1 second-foot for one 29-day month equals 57.52 acre-feet.

1 second-foot for one 30-day month equals 59.50 acre-feet.

1 second-foot for one 31-day month equals 61.49 acre-feet.

100 California miner's inches equals 18.7 United States gallons per second.

100 California miner's inches equals 96.0 Colorado miner's inches.

100 California miner's inches for one day equals 4.96 acre-feet.

100 Colorado miner's inches equals 2.60 second-feet.

100 Colorado miner's inches equals 19.5 United States gallons per second.

100 Colorado miner's inches equals 104 California miner's inches.

100 Colorado miner's inches for one day equals 5.17 acre-feet.

100 United States gallons per minute equals 0.223 second-foot.

100 United States gallons per minute for one day equals 0.442 acre-foot.

1,000,000 United States gallons per day equals 1.55 second-feet.

1,000,000 United States gallons equals 3.07 acre-feet.

1,000,000 cubic feet equals 22.95 acre-feet.

1 acre-foot equals 325,850 gallons.

1 inch deep on 1 square mile equals 2,323,200 cubic feet.

1 inch deep on 1 square mile equals 0.0737 second-foot per year.

1 foot equals 0.3048 meter.

1 mile equals 1.60935 kilometers.

1 mile equals 5,280 feet.

1 acre equals 0.4047 hectare.

1 acre equals 43,560 square feet.

1 acre equals' 209 feet square, nearly.

1 square mile equals 2.59 square kilometers.

1 cubic foot equals 0.0283 cubic meter.

1 cubic foot equals 7.48 gallons.

1 cubic foot of water weighs 62.5 pounds.
COLORADO EIVER, BASIN. 15

1 cubic meter per minute equals 0.5886 second-foot.

1 horsepower equals 550 foot-pounds per second.

1 horsepower equals 76.0 kilogram-meters per second.

1 horsepower equals 746 watts.

1 horsepower equals 1 second-foot falling 8.80 feet.

1J horsepower equals about 1 kilowatt.

To calculate water power quickly: Sec.-ft.XMl in feejL-net horsepower on water 

wheel realizing 80 per cent of theoretical power.

EXPLANATION OF TABLES.

For each drainage basin there is given a brief general description 

covering such features as area, source, tributaries, topography, geology, forestation, rainfall, ice conditions, irrigation, storage, power 

possibilities, and other special features of importance or interest.

For each regular current-meter gaging station are given in general, and so far as available, the following data: Description of station, list of discharge measurements, table of daily gage heights, 

table of daily discharges, table of monthly and yearly discharges, and 

ran-off. For stations located at weirs or dams the gage-height 

table is omitted.

In addition to statements regarding the location and installation 

of current-meter stations the descriptions give information in regard 

to any conditions which may affect the constancy of the relation of 

gage height to discharge, covering such points as ice, logging, shifting conditions of flow, and backwater; also information regarding 

diversions which decrease the total flow at the measuring section. 

Statements are also made regarding the accuracy and reliability of 

the data.

The discharge-measurement table gives the results of the discharge 

measurements made during the year, including the date, name of 

hydrographer, width and area of cross section, gage height, and discharge in second-feet.

The table of daily gage height gives the daily fluctuations of the 

surface of the river as found from the mean of the gage readings 

taken each day. At most stations the gage is read in the morning 

and in the evening. The gage height given in the table represents 

the elevation of the surface of the water above the zero of the gage. 

All gage heights during ice conditions, backwater from obstructions, 

etc., are published as recorded, with suitable footnotes. The rating 

is not applicable for such periods unless the proper correction to the 

gage heights is known and applied. Attention is called to the fact 

that the zero of the gage is placed at an arbitrary datum and has no 

relation to zero flow or the bottom of the river. In general, the zero 

is located somewhat below the lowest known flow, so that negative 

readings shall not occur.
16 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

The discharge measurements and gage heights are the base data 

from which rating tables, daily discharge tables, and monthly discharge tables are computed.

The rating table gives, either directly or by interpolation, the discharge in second-feet corresponding to every stage of the river recorded during the period for which it is applicable. It is not published 

in this report, but can be determined from the gage heights and 

discharges for the purposes of verifying the published results, as 

follows:

First plot the discharge measurements for the current and earlier 

years on cross-section paper with gage heights in feet as ordinates 

and discharges in second-feet as abscissas. Then tabulate a number 

of gage heights taken from the daily gage-height table for the 

complete range of stage given and the corresponding discharges for 

the days selected from the daily discharge table and plot the values 

on cross-section paper. The last points plotted will define the rating 

curve used and will lie among the plotted discharge measurements. 

After drawing the rating curve, a table can be developed by scaling 

off the discharge in second-feet for each tenth foot of gage height. 

These values should be so adjusted that the first differences shall 

always be increasing or constant, except for known backwater 

conditions.

The table of daily discharge gives the discharges in second-feet 

corresponding to the observed gage heights as determined from the 

rating tables.

In the table of monthly discharge the column headed "Maximum" 

gives the mean flow, as determined from the rating table, for the day 

when the mean gage height was highest. As the gage height is 

the mean for the day, it does not indicate correctly the stage when 

the water surface was at crest height and the corresponding discharge 

consequently larger than given in the maximum column. Likewise, 

in the column of "Minimum" the quantity given is the mean flow 

for the day when the mean gage height was lowest. The column 

headed "Mean" is the average flow in cubic feet for each second during the month. On this the computations for the remaining columns, 

which are defined on page 13, are based.

FIELD METHODS OF MEASURING STREAM FLOW.

There are three distinct methods of determining the flow of openchannel streams: (1) By measurements of slope and cross section and 

the use of Chezy's and Kutter's formulas; (2) by means of a weir or 

dam; (3) by measurements of the velocity of the current and of 

the area of the cross section. The method chosen depends on the 

local physical conditions, the degree of accuracy desired, the funds 

available, and the length of time that the record is to be continued.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 17

Slope method. Much information has been collected relative, to the 

coefficients to be used in the Chezy formula, v = c^/Rs. This has 

been utilized by Kutter, both in developing his formula for c and in 

determining the values of the coefficient n which appears therein. 

The results obtained by the slope method are in general only roughly 

approximate, owing to the difficulty in obtaining accurate data and 

the uncertainty of the value for n to be used in Kutter's formula. 

The most common use of this method is in estimating the flood discharge of a stream when the only data available are the cross section, the slope as shown by marks along the bank, and a knowledge 

of the general conditions. It is seldom used by the United States 

Geological Survey. 1

Weir method. Relatively few stations are maintained at weirs or 

dams by the United States Geological Survey. Standard types of 

sharp-crested and broad-crested weirs within the limits for which 

accurate coefficients have been experimentally obtained give very 

accurate records of discharge if properly maintained. At practically 

all broad-crested weirs, however, there is a diversion of water either 

through or around the dam, usually for the purpose of development 

of water power. The flow is often complicated and the records are 

subject to errors from such sources as leakage through the dam, 

backwater at high stages, uncertainty regarding coefficient, irregularity of crest, obstructions from logs or ice, use of flashboards, old 

turbines with imperfect ratings, and many others depending on the 

type of development and the uses of the diverted water.

In general records of discharge at dams are usually accurate 

enough for practical use if no others are available. It has been the 

general experience of the United States Geological Survey, however, 

that records at current-meter gaging stations under unobstructed 

channel conditions are more accurate than those collected at dams, 

and where the conditions are reasonably favorable are practically as 

good as those obtained at sharp-crested weirs. 2

Velocity method. Streams in general present throughout their 

courses to a greater or less extent all conditions of permanent, semipermanent, and varying conditions of flow. In accordance with the 

location of the measuring section with respect to these physical 

conditions, current-meter gaging stations may in general be divided 

into four classes (1) those with permanent conditions of flow;

1 Full information regarding this method is given in the various textbooks on hydraulics.

2 The determination of discharge over the different types of weirs and dams is treated fully in " Weir 

experiments, coefficients, and formulas" (Water-Supply Paper 200) and in the various text-books on 

hydraulics. "Turbine water-wheel tests and power tables" (Water-Supply Paper 180)'treats of the dis 

charge through turbines when used as meters. The edition of the latter water-supply paper is nearly 

exhausted. It can, however, be consulted at most of the larger libraries of the country or it can be obtained 

from the superintendent of documents, Washington, D. C., at a cost of 20 cents.

95620° WSP 269 11 2
18 SURFACE WAITER SUPPLY, 1909, PAST IX.

(2) those with beds which change only during extreme high water;

(3) those with beds which change frequently, but which do not cause 

a variation of more than about 5 per cent of the discharge curves 

from year to year; and (4) those with constantly shifting beds. 

In determining the daily flow different office methods are necessary 

for each class. The field data on which the determinations are 

based and the methods of collecting them are, however, in general 

the same.

Great care is taken in the selection and equipment of gaging 

stations for determining discharge by velocity measurements, in 

order that the data may have the required degree of accuracy. 

They are located, as far as possible, at such points that the relation 

between gage height and discharge will always remain constant 

for any given stage. The experience of engineers of the Geological 

Survey has been that permanency of conditions of flowjs the prime 

requisite of any current-meter gaging station when maintained for 

several years unless funds are available to cover all changes in conditions of flow. A straight, smooth section without cross currents, 

backwater, boils, etc., at any stage is highly desirable, but on most 

streams is not attainable except at the cost of a cable equipment. 

Rough, permanent sections, if measurements are properly made 

by experienced engineers, taking measuring points at a distance 

apart of 5 per cent or less of the total width, will, within reasonable 

limits, yield better results for a given outlay of money than semipermanent or shifting sections with smooth, uniform current. So 

far as possible stations are located where the banks are high and not 

subject to overflow at high stages and out of the influence of tributary 

streams, dams, or other artificial obstructions which might affect the 

relation between gage height and discharge.

A gaging station consists essentially of a gage for determining 

the daily fluctuations of stage of the river and some structure or 

apparatus from which discharge measurements are made, usually a 

bridge or cable.

The two factors required to determine the discharge of a stream 

past a section perpendicular to the mean direction of the current 

are the area of the cross section and the mean velocity of flow normal 

to tnat section.

In making a measurement with a current meter a number of points, 

called measuring points, are measured off above and in tlie plane 

of the measuring section at which observations of depth and velocity 

are taken. (See PL I, A.) These points are spaced equally for 

those parts of the section where the flow is uniform and smooth 

and are spaced unequally for other parts, according to the discretion 

and judgment of the engineer. In general the points should not be 

spaced farther apart than 5 per cent of the channel width, nor farther
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 269 PLATE I

A. FOR BRIDGE MEASUREMENT.

B. FOR WADING MEASUREMENT.

TYPICAL GAGING STATIONS.
COLOKAIK) EIVEE BASIN. 19

apart than the approximate mean depth of the section at the time of 

measurement.

The measuring points divide the total cross section into elementary 

strips at each end of which observations of depth and velocity are 

made. The discharge of any elementary strip is the product of the 

average of the depths at the two ends times the width of the strip 

times the average of the mean velocities at the two ends of the strip. 

The sum of the discharges of the elementary strips is the total discharge of the stream. 1

Depths for the determination of the area are usually obtained by 

sounding with the current meter and cable. In rough sections or 

swift currents an ordinary weight and cable are used, particular care 

being taken that all observations shall be in the plane of the cross 

section.

Two methods of determining the velocity of flow of a stream are 

in general use the float method and the current-meter method.

The float method, with its various modifications of surface, sub- 

.surface, and tube or rod floats, is now considered obsolete in the ordinary practice of the United States Geological Survey. The use of 

this method is limited to special conditions where it is impracticable 

to use the current meter, such as in places where large quantities of 

ice or debris which may damage the meter are flowing with the current, and for miscellaneous measurements or other work where a 

high degree of accuracy is not necessary. Tube floats are very satisfactory for use in canals with regular bottoms and even flow of current. Measurements by the float method are made as follows: 

The velocity of flow of the stream is obtained by observing the time 

which it takes floats set free at different points across the stream 

to pass between two range lines about 200 feet apart. The area 

used is the mean value obtained from several cross sections measured 

between the two range lines. The chief disadvantages of this method 

are difficulty in obtaining the correct value of mean area for the 

course used and uncertainty regarding the proper coefficient to 

apply to the observed velocity.2

The Price current meter is now used almost to the exclusion of 

other types of meters by the United States Geological Survey in the 

determination of the velocity of flow of water in open channels, a 

use for which it is adapted under practically all conditions.3

Plate II shows in the center the new type of penta-recording current 

meter equipped for measurements at bridge and cable stations; on the 

left the same type of meter is shown equipped for wading meas1 For a discussion of methods of computing the discharge of a stream see Engineering News, June 25,1908.

2 Further information regarding the float method is given in Water-Supply Paper 95 and the various 

text-books on stream flow.

a See Hoyt, J. C., and others, Use and care of the current meter as practiced by the U. S. Geological 

Survey: Trans. Am. Soc. Civil Eng., vol. «6,1910, p. 70.
20 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

urements, to record by the acoustic method; on the right the meter 

is shown equipped to record electrically. (See PL I, B.} Briefly, 

the meter consists of six cups attached to a vertical shaft which 

revolves on a conical hardened steel point when immersed in moving water. The revolutions are indicated electrically. The rating, 

or relation between the velocity of moving water and the revolutions 

of the wheel, is determined for each meter by drawing it through still 

water for a given distance at different speeds and noting the number 

of revolutions for each run. From these data a rating table is prepared which gives the velocity per second of moving water for any 

number of revolutions in a given time interval. The ratio of revolutions per second to velocity of flow in feet per second is very nearly a 

constant for all speeds and is approximately 0.45.

Three classes of methods of measuring velocity with current meters 

are in general use multiple-point, single-point, and integration.

The two principal multiple-point methods in general use are the 

vertical velocity curve and 0.2 and 0.8 depth.

In the vertical velocity curve method a series of velocity determinations are made in each vertical at regular intervals, usually abou£ 

10 to 20 per cent of the depth apart. By plotting these velocities as 

abscissas and their depths as ordinates and drawing a smooth curve 

among the resulting points, the vertical velocity curve is developed. 

This curve shows graphically the magnitude and changes in velocity 

from the surface to the bottom of the stream. The mean velocity 

in the vertical is then obtained by dividing the area bounded by 

this velocity curve and its axis by the depth. This method of obtaining the mean velocity in the vertical is probably the best known, 

but on account of the length of time required to make a complete 

measurement its use is largely limited to the determination of coefficients for purposes of comparison and to measurements under ice.

In the second multiple-point method the meter is held successively 

at 0.2 and 0.8 depth, and the mean of the velocities at these two points 

is taken as the mean velocity for that vertical. (See PL I, A.} On the 

assumption that the vertical velocity curve is a common parabola 

with horizontal axis, the mean of the velocities at 0.22 and 0.79 depth 

will give (closely) the mean velocity in the vertical. Actual observations under a wide range of conditions show that this multiple-point 

method gives the mean velocity very closely for open-water conditions and that a completed measurement seldom varies as much 

as 1 per cent from the value given by the vertical velocity curve 

method. Moreover, the indications are that it holds nearly as well 

for ice-covered rivers. It is very extensively used in the regular 

practice of the United States Geological Survey.

The single-point method consists in holding the meter either at 

the depth of the thread of mean velocity or at &n arbitrary depth
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 269 PLATE II

SMALL PRICE CURRENT METERS.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 21

for which the coefficient for reducing to mean velocity has been 

determined or must be assumed.

Extensive experiments by means of vertical velocity curves show 

that the thread of mean velocity generally occurs between 0.5 and 

0.7 total depth. In general practice the thread of mean velocity is 

considered to be at 0,6 depth, and at this point the meter is held in 

most of the measurements made by the single-point method. A 

large number of vertical velocity curve measurements, taken on 

many 'streams and under varying conditions, show that the average 

coefficient for reducing the velocity obtained at 0.6 depth to mean 

velocity is practically unity. The variation of the coefficient from 

unity in individual cases is, however, greater than in the 0.2 and 

0.8 method, and the general results are not as satisfactory.

In the other principal single-point method the meter is held near 

the surface, usually 1 foot below, or low enough to be out of the effect 

of the wind or other disturbing influences. This is known as the subsurface method. The coefficient for reducing the velocity taken at 

the subsurface to the mean has been found to be in general from 

about 0.85 to 0.95, depending on the stage, velocity, and channel 

conditions. The higher the stage the larger the coefficient. This 

method is especially adapted for flood measurements, or when the 

velocity is so great that the meter can not be kept in the correct 

position for the other methods.

The vertical integration method consists in moving the meter at a 

slow, uniform speed from the surface to the bottom and back again 

to the surface and noting the number of revolutions and the time 

taken in the operation. This method has the advantage that the 

velocity at each point of the vertical is measured twice. It is useful 

as a check on the point methods. In using the Price meter great 

care should be taken that the vertical movement of the meter is not 

rapid enough to vitiate the accuracy of the resulting velocity.

The determination of the flow of an ice-covered stream is difficult, 

owing to diversity and instability of conditions during the winter 

period and also to lack of definite information in regard to the laws of 

flow of water under ice. The method now employed is to make frequent discharge measurements during the frozen periods by the 0.2 

and 0.8 and the vertical velocity curve methods, and to keep an 

accurate record of the conditions, such as the gage height to the surface of the water as it rises in a hole cut in the ice and the thickness 

and character of the ice. From these data an approximate estimate 

of the daily flow can be made by constructing a rating curve (really 

a series of curves) similar to that used for open channels, but considering, in addition to gage heights and discharge, the varying thickness of ice.1

1 For information in regard to flow under ice cover see Water-Supply Paper U. S. Geol. Survey, No. 187.
22 SUfefACS WAffiH SUPPLY, 1909, PABT K.

OFFICE METHODS OF COMPUTING AND STUDYING DISCHARGE AND

RUN-OFF.

At the end of each year the field or base data for current-meter 

gaging stations, consisting of daily gage heights, discharge measurements, and full notes, are assembled. The measurements are plotted 

on cross-section paper and rating curves are drawn wherever feasible. 

The rating tables prepared from these curves are then applied to 

the tables of daily gage heights to obtain the daily discharges, and 

from these applications the tables of monthly discharge and run-off 

are computed.

Rating curves are drawn and studied with special reference to 

the class of channel conditions which they represent. (See p. 17.) 

The discharge measurements for all classes of stations when plotted 

with gage heights in feet as ordinates and discharges in second-feet 

as abscissas define rating curves which are more or less generally 

parabolic in form. In many cases curves of area in square feet 

and mean velocity in feet per second are also constructed to the 

same scale of ordinates as the discharge curve. These are used 

mainly to extend the discharge curves beyond the limits of the 

plotted discharge measurements, and for checking purposes to avoid 

errors in the form of the discharge curve and to determine and eliminate erroneous measurements.

For every rating table the following assumptions are made for 

the period of application of the table: (a) That the discharge is a 

function of and increases gradually with the stage; (&) that the discharge is the same whenever the stream is at a given stage, and 

hence such changes in conditions of flow as may have occurred 

during the period of application are either compensating or negligible, 

except that the rating is not applicable for known conditions of ice, 

log jams, or other similar obstructions; (c) that the increased and 

decreased discharge due to change of slope on rising and falling stages 

is either negligible or compensating.

As already stated, the gaging stations may be divided into several 

classes, as indicated in the following paragraphs:

The stations of class 1 represent the most favorable conditions for 

an accurate rating and are also the most economical to maintain. 

The bed of the stream is usually composed of rock and is not subject 

to the'deposit of sediment and loose material. This class includes 

also many stations located in a pool below which is a permanent 

rocky riffle that controls the flow like a weir. Provided the control 

is sufficiently high and close to the gage to prevent cut and fill at the 

gaging point from materially affecting the slope of the water surface, 

the gage height will for all practical purposes be a true index of the 

discharge. Discharge measurements made at such stations usually
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 23

plot within 2 or 3 per cent of the mean-discharge curve, and the rating 

developed from that curve represents a very high degree of accuracy. 

Stations of this type are found in the north Atlantic coast drainage 

basins.

Class 2 is confined mainly to stations on rough, mountainous 

streams with steep slopes. The beds of such streams are as a rule 

comparatively permanent during low and medium stages and when 

the flow is sufficiently well defined by an adequate number of discharge 

measurements before and after each flood the stations of this class 

give nearly as good results as those of class 1. As it is seldom possible to make measurements covering the time of change at flood 

stage, the assumption is often made that the curves before and after 

the flood converged to a common point at the highest gage height 

recorded during the flood. Hence the only uncertain period occurs 

during the few days of highest gage heights covering the period 

of actual change in conditions of flow. Stations of this type are 

found in the upper Missouri River basin.

Class 3 includes most of the current-meter gaging stations maintained by the United States Geological Survey. If sufficient measurements could be made at stations of this class, results would be 

obtained nearly equaling those of class 1, but owing to the limited 

funds at the disposal of the Survey this is manifestly impossible, nor 

is it necessary for the uses to which discharge data are applied. The 

critical points are, as a rule, at relatively high or low stages. The 

percentage error, however, is greater at low stages. No absolute rule 

can be laid down for stations of this class. Each rating curve must 

be constructed mainly on the basis of the measurements of the current year, the engineer being guided largely by the past history of the 

station and the following general law: If all measurements ever made 

at a station of this class are plotted on cross-section paper they will 

define a mean curve which may be called a standard curve. It has 

been found in practice that if after a change caused by high stage a 

relatively constant condition of flow occurs at medium and low 

stages, all measurements made after the change will plot on a smooth 

curve which is practically parallel to the standard curve with respect 

to their ordinates or gage heights. This law of the parallelism of 

ratings is the fundamental basis of all ratings and estimates at stations with semipermanent and shifting channels. It is not absolutely 

correct but, with few exceptions, answers all the practical requirements of estimates made at low and medium stages after a change at 

a high stage. This law appears to hold equally true whether the 

change occurs at the measuring section or at some controlling point 

below. The change is, of course, fundamentally due to change in the 

channel caused by cut, or fill, or both, at or near the measuring section. 

For all except small streams the changes in section usually occur at
24 SURFACE WATEB SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

the bottom. The following simple but typical examples illustrate 

this law:

(a) If 0.5 foot of planking were to be nailed on the bottom of a wellrated wooden flume of rectangular section there would result, other 

conditions of flow being equal, new curves of discharge, area, and 

velocity, each plotting 0.5 foot above the original curves when 

referred to the original gage. In other words, this condition would 

be analogous to a uniform fill or cut in a river channel which either 

reduces or increases all three values of discharge, area, and velocity 

for any gage height. In practice, however, such ideal conditions 

rarely exist.

(&) In the case of a cut or fill at the measuring section there is a 

marked tendency toward decrease or increase, respectively, of the 

velocity. In other words, the velocity has a compensating effect and 

if the compensation is exact at all stages the discharge at a given 

stage will be the same under both the new and the old conditions.

(c) In the case of uniform change along the crest of a weir or rocky

control, the area curve will remain the same as before the change,

and it can be shown that here again the change in velocity curve is

'such that it will produce a new discharge curve essentially parallel

to the original discharge curve with respect to their ordinates.

Of course in actual practice such simple changes of section do not 

occur. The changes are complicated and lack uniformity, a cut at 

one place being largely offset by a fill at another .and vice versa. 

If these changes are very radical and involve large percentages of 

the total area as, for example, on small streams there may result 

a wide departure from the law of parallelism of ratings. In complicated changes of section the corresponding changes in velocity 

which tend to produce a new parallel discharge curve may interfere 

with each other materially, causing eddies, boils, backwater, and 

radical changes in slope. In such extreme conditions, however, the 

measuring section would more properly fall under class 4 and would 

require very frequent measurements of discharge. Special stress is 

laid on the fact that in the lack of other data to the contrary the 

utilization of this law will yield the most probable results.

Slight changes at low or medium stages of an oscillating character 

are usually averaged by a mean curve drawn among them parallel 

to the standard curve, and if the individual measurements do not 

vary more than 5 per cent from the rating curve the results are considered good for stations of this class. Stations of this type are found 

in the south Atlantic coast drainage basins.

Class 4 comprises stations that have soft, muddy, or sandy beds. 

Good results can be obtained from such sections only by frequent 

discharge measurements, the frequency varying from a measure-
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

4.00

3.00

;2JDO

1000 2000 3000 4000 

DISCHARGE IN SECOND-FEET

GRAPHIC METHOD OF DETERMINING DAILY DISCHARGE OF STRE
COLORADO BITER BASIK. 25

ment every two or three weeks to a measurement every day, according 

to the rate of diurnal change in conditions of flow.

The following method of determining the daily discharge of streams 

of this class is now used by the engineers of the United States Geological Survey almost exclusively, owing to the rapidity with which 

the necessary computations can be made, the clearness with which 

all changes in conditions of flow, so far as known, can be followed 

and the accuracy of the results obtained.

In the graphic method of determining the daily discharge of 

streams with changeable beds, which was devised by R. H. Bolster, 

the discharge measurements for the entire year are first plotted with 

discharges as abscissas and gage heights as ordinates. The points 

so plotted are considered chronologically and, even though scattered, 

will usually locate one or more fairly well-defined curves, called 

standard curves. (See PL III.) In general, the number and position of these standard curves are determined by the radical changes 

in the stream bed due to floods.

When stream beds change very rapidly it is necessary to change 

the position of the rating curve each day, making a new curve daily. 

This daily curve is of the same form as the standard curve and is 

parallel to'it with respect to ordinates. For a day when a measurement is made the rating curve passes through such plotted measurement, the discharge for the day being read off from the scale of 

discharge in second-feet at the point of intersection of the curve and 

the mean gage height for the day. In order to locate the rating 

curve for other days, curves are drawn connecting consecutive measurements. They are called correction curves and should have the 

same curvature as that portion of the standard curve which lies 

vertically above or below them. They are divided into as many 

equal parts as there are days intervening between the measurements, 

on the assumption that the change in conditions of flow between 

any two consecutive measurements is uniform from day to day. 

The daily rating curve will then pass through these points of division, 

and the discharge is read directly from these curves at the point of 

intersection with the observed daily gage height.

In order to facilitate the use of this method and obviate the drawing of daily rating curves, dividers are employed. Care is exercised 

to keep both points in the same vertical line of discharge, then with 

one point of the dividers coincident with the standard curve the 

other can be made to trace any daily rating curve desired.

In applying and modifying the indirect method for shifting channels as above outlined judgment must be used, especially for longtime intervals not covered by discharge measurements, or for radical 

changes in the stream bed caused by sudden floods. For illustrative
26 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1&09, PAET IX.

examples of stations of this type see Water-Supply Papers 247, 249, 

and 267.

The computations have, as a rule, been carried to three significant 

figures. Computation machines, Crelle's tables, and the 20-inch 

slide rule have been generally used. All computations are carefully 

checked.

After the computations have been completed they are entered in 

tables and carefully studied and intercompared to eliminate or 

account for all gross errors so far as possible. Missing periods are 

filled in, so far as feasible, by means of comparison with adjacent 

streams. The attempt is made to complete years or periods of discharge, thus eliminating fragmentary and disjointed records. Full 

notes accompanying such estimates follow the daily and monthly 

discharge tables.

For most of the northern stations estimates have been made of 

the monthly discharge during ice periods. These are based on measurements under ice conditions wherever available, on daily records 

of temperature and precipitation obtained from the United States 

Weather Bureau, on climate and crop reports, on observers' notes of 

conditions, and on a careful and thorough intercomparison of results 

with adjacent streams. Although every care possible is used in making these estimates they are often very rough, the data for some of 

them being so poor that the estimates are liable to as much as 25 to 

50 per cent error. It is believed, however, that estimates of this character are better than none at all, and serve the purpose of indicating in a relative way the proportionate amount of flow during the ice 

period. These estimates are, as a rule, included in the annual discharge. The large error of the individual months has a relatively 

small effect on the annual total, and it is for many purposes desirable to have the yearly discharge computed even though some error 

is involved in doing so.

ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY OF FIELD DATA AND COMPARATIVE

RESULTS.

- Practically all discharge measurements made under fair conditions 

are well within 5 per cent of the true discharge at the time of observation. Inasmuch as the errors of meter measurements are largely 

compensating, the mean rating curve, when well defined, is much 

more accurate than the individual measurements. Numerous tests 

and experiments have been made to test the accuracy of currentmeter work. These show that it compares very favorably with the 

results from standard weirs, and, owing to simplicity of methods, 

usually gives results that are much more reliable than those from
C6L6BAM &IvlB BASIN. 27

stations at dams, where uncertainty regarding the coefficient and 

complicated conditions of flow prevail.

The work is, of course, dependent on the reliability of the observers. 

With relatively few exceptions, the observers perform their work 

honestly. Care is taken, however, to watch them closely and to 

inquire into any discrepancies. It is, of course, obvious that one 

gage reading a day does not always give the mean height for that 

day. As an almost invariable rule, however, errors from this source 

are compensating and virtually negligible in a period of one month, 

although a single day's reading may, when taken by itself, be considerably in error.

The effort is made to visit every station at least once each year for 

the purpose of making a measurement to determine the constancy of 

conditions of flow since the last measurement made during the preceding year, and also to check the elevation of the gage. On account 

of lack of funds or for other causes, some stations were not visited 

during the current year. If conditions of flow have been reasonably 

permanent up to the time of the last preceding measurement, it is 

considered best to publish values of discharge on the basis of the 

latest verified rating curve rather than to omit them altogether, 

although it should be distinctly understood that such records are at 

times subject to considerable error. This is also true, although to a 

less degree, of the period of records since the date of the last measurement of the current year. As a rule the accuracy notes are based on 

the assumption that the rating curve used is strictly applicable to the 

current year.

In order to give engineers and others information regarding the 

probable accuracy of the computed results, footnotes are added to the 

daily discharge tables, stating the probable 'accuracy of the rating 

tables used, and an accuracy column is inserted in the monthly discharge table. For the rating.tables "well defined" indicates in general that the rating is probably accurate within 5 per cent; "fairly 

well defined," within 10 per cent; "poorly defined" or "approximate," within 15 to 25 per cent. These notes are very general and 

are based on the plotting of the individual measurements with reference to the mean rating curve.

The accuracy column in the monthly discharge table does not apply 

to the maximum or minimum nor to any individual day, but to the 

monthly mean. It is based on the accuracy of the rating, the probable reliability of the observer, and knowledge of local conditions. In 

this column, A indicates that the mean monthly flow is probably 

accurate within 5 per cent; B, within 10 per cent; C, within 15 per 

cent; D, within 25 per cent. Special conditions are covered by footnotes.
28 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART? IX.

USE OF THE DATA.

In general the policy is followed of making available for the public 

the base data which are collected in the field each year by the survey 

engineers. This is done to comply with the law, but also for tlie" 

express purpose of giving to any engineer the opportunity of examining the computed results and of changing and adjusting them as may 

seem best to him. Although it is believed that the rating tables and 

computed monthly discharges are as good as the base data up to and 

including the current year will warrant, it should always be borne 

in mind that the additional data collected at each station from year 

to year nearly always throw new light on data already collected and 

published, and hence allow more or less improvement in the computed results of earlier years. It is therefore expected that the 

engineer who makes serious use of the data given in these papers will 

verify all ratings and make such adjustments in earlier years as may 

seem necessary. The work of compiling, studying, revising, and 

republishing data for different drainage basins for 5 or 10 year 

periods or more is carried on by the United States Geological Survey 

so far as the funds for such work are available.

The valujp in the table of monthly discharge are so arranged as to 

give only a^eneral idea of the conditions of flow at the station, and it 

is not expected that they will be used for other than preliminary 

estimates. The daily discharges are published to allow a more 

detailed study of the variation in flow and to determine the periods 

of deficient flow.

COOPERATIVE DATA.

Cooperative data of various kinds and also data regarding-the 

run-off at many stations maintained wholly by private funds are 

incorporated in the surface water-supply reports of the United States 

Geological Survey.

Many stations throughout the country are maintained for specific 

purposes by private parties who supply the records gratuitously to 

the United States Geological Survey for publication. When such 

records are supplied by responsible parties and appear to be reasonably accurate they are verified, so far as possible, and estimated 

values of accuracy are given. Records clearly known to be worthless 

or misleading are not published. As it is, however, impossible to 

completely verify all such records furnished because of lack of funds 

or for other causes they are published for what they are worth, as 

they are of value as a matter of record and afford at least approximate information regarding stream flow at the particular localities. 

The Survey does not, however, assume any responsibility for inaccuracies found in such records, although most of them are believed 

to be reasonably good.
COLORADO BIVEE BASIN. 29 

COOPEEATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

Special acknowledgments are due for cooperative assistance asfollows:

The Uinta irrigation survey of the United States Indian Office 

paid the salary and expenses of a hydrographer, amounting to about 

$2,000, for the stations in the Uinta Reservation, Utah, and that 

vicinity.

The Central Colorado Power Co. paid the salary and expenses of a 

hydrographer on cooperative work in the Grand River drainage 

basin for several months during 1909 and has otherwise materially 

assisted in the work.

The 'United States Reclamation Service has furnished all the field 

data for the stations in the Gunnison drainage basin in Colorado, 

has paid the expense of maintaining the station on the Grand a& 

Palisades, Colo., and has paid the expense of all hydrometric wo skin the vicinity of the Strawberry Valley in the Duchesne Rive* 

drainage basin.

The Territorial engineer of New Mexico, Mr. Vernon L. Sulliva»f 

cooperated in the maintenance of all stations in the Colorado Rive* 

basin in New Mexico from the sum of $2,500 set aside annually for 

this work in the Territory by the Territorial legislature, the $1,000 

allotted by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Co. for the 

work in New Mexico, and from other funds pertaining to his office.

The State engineer of Colorado, Mr. Charles W. Comstock, has 

assisted materially in carrying on the work in this drainage basin.

Under the provisions of a formal contract between the Director of 

the United States Geological Survey and the State engineer of Utah, 

dated July 1, 1909, the sum of $2,000 was to be expended by each 

party for hydrometric work in the State of Utah during the fiscal 

year immediately following. The expenditure of this money was so 

divided as to cover the salary and expenses of hydrographers, the 

pay of gage readers, the cost of construction, and the cost of preparing the data in the manner most suitable to expedite the work.

The State engineer of Utah, Mr. Caleb Tanner, paid the salaries of 

the observers at five stations in the Duchesne River drainage in cooperation with the United States Indian Office and the United 

States Geological Survey.

Mr. Thomas Lyons, of Gila, N. Mex., paid the expenses of a hydrographer and the salary of the gage observer at the station on Gila 

River at Red Rock and has otherwise contributed to the work.

Mr. R. E. Vickery, of Grand Junction, Colo., has borne the larger 

part of the expense of maintaining the stations on West Divide and 

West Mamm creeks.
30 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Assistance was rendered or records furnished by the United States 

Weather Bureau, the Denver Reservoir & Irrigation Co., the DenVer Union Water Co., Prof. George J. Lyon, Mr. G. H. Matthes, Mr. 

E. C. Jansen, Mr. Stanley Krajicek, Mr. Jay Turley, Mr. M. C. Hinderlider, Mr. G. W. Vallery, Mr. H. F. Robinson, Mr. R. M. Jones, and 

others.

DIVISION OF WORK.

The field data in the Grand River drainage basin were collected 

under the direction of W. B. Freeman, district engineer, by J. B. 

Stewart, G. H. Russell, C. L. Chatfield, W. H. Snelson, the last 

two of whom are engineers of the Central Colorado Power Co. and 

the United States Reclamation Service, respectively.

The field data in the Duchesne River drainage basin in the Uinta 

Indian Reservation were collected under the direction of W. B. 

Freeman, district engineer, by R. H. Fletcher, who was under the 

more immediate supervision of H. C. Means, superintendent of irrigation, United States Indian Office.

All field data for the State of Utah, except in the Uinta Indian 

Reservation, were collected under the direction of E. C. LaRue, 

district engineer, by E. A. Porter.

The field data for the San Juan and Gila River drainage basins in 

New Mexico were collected under the general direction of W. B. 

Freeman, district engineer, by J. B. Stewart, but under the more 

immediate supervision of Vernon L. Sullivan, Territorial engineer, 

assisted by C. D. Miller.

The field data for all stations in Arizona, together with the estimates 

of discharge, except those for Little Colorado River at St. Johns, Ariz., 

have been furnished by the United States Reclamation Service.

The field data for stations in California have been collected under 

the direction of W. B. Clapp, district engineer for California, by W. V. 

Hardy, H. A. Jones, W. F. Martin, and A. H. Hoebig, jr.

The ratings, special estimates, and studies of the completed data 

were made by W. B. Freeman, R. H. Bolster, and E. S. Fuller. The 

computations were made and the completed data prepared for publication under the direction of R. H. Bolster, assistant engineer, by 

R. C. Rice, J. G. Mathers, H. D. Padgett, M. E. McChristie, J. J. 

Phelan, H. J. Jackson, J. B. Stewart, L. T. King, and M. I. Walters. 

The report has been edited by Mrs. B. D. Wood.

GAGING STATIONS IN COLORADO RIVER BASIN.

The following is a list of gaging stations maintained in Colorado 

River basin by the United States Geological Survey and cooperative 

parties. The stations are arranged by river basins, in downstream 

order, as explained on page 13, tributaries being indicated by inden-
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 31

tion. Data for these stations have been published in the reports 

listed in tables on page 11.

Green River (head of Colorado) at Green River, Wyo., 1895-1906. 

Green River at Jensen, Utah, 1903-1906. 

Green River at Ouray, Utah, 1904-5.

Green River at Greenriver, Utah, 1894-1899 and 1905-1909. 

Colorado River at Hardyville, Ariz., 1905-1907. 

Colorado River at Mohave City, Ariz., 1902-3. 

Colorado River at Yuma, Ariz., 1895-1909. 

Salton Sea near Sal ton, Cal., 1904-1909.

Alamo River near Brawley, Cal., 1908-9. 

New River near Brawley, Cal., 1908-9. 

Green River:

Newfork River at Cora, Wyo., 1905.

Pine Creek at Pinedale, Wyo., 1904-1906. 

Pole Creek at Fayette, Wyo., 1904-1906. 

Fall Creek at Fayette, Wyo., 1904-5. 

Boulder Creek at Boulder (Newfork), Wyo., 1904-1906. 

Eastfork River at Newfork, Wyo., 1905-6. 

Green River (Black Fork) at Granger, Wyo., 1896-1900. 

Yampa River at Steamboat Springs, Colo., 1904-1906. 

Yampa River at Craig, Colo., 1901-2, 1904-1906. 

Yampa River at Maybell, Colo., 1904-5. 

Elk River at Trull, Colo., 1904-1906. 

Elk Head Creek at Craig, Colo., 1906. 

Fortification Creek at Craig, Colo., 1905-6. 

Williams River at Hamilton, Colo., 1904-1906. 

Milk Creek at Axial, Colo., 1904-5. 

Little Snake River at Maybell, Colo., 1904. 

Ashley Creek at Vernal, Utah, 1900-1904.

Ashley Creek (Dry Fork) at Vernal, Utah., 1904. 

White River (North Fork) at Buford, Colo., 1903-1906. 

White River at Meeker, Colo., 1901-1906. 

White River at White River City. Colo., 1895. 

White River at Rangely, Colo., 1904-5. 

White River at Dragon, Utah, 1906. 

White River at Ouray, Utah, 1904.

Marvine Creek near Buford, Colo., 1903-1906. 

White River (South Fork) near Buford, Colo., 1903-1906. 

Duchesne River (North Fork) above Forks, Utah, 1904. 

Duchesne River at Myton, Utah, 1899-1909.

Duchesne River (West Fork) above Forks, Utah, 1904.

Rock Creek (East Creek) 10 miles above mouth. Utah, 1904.

Strawberry River, above mouth of Indian Creek, in Strawberry Valley, Utah,

1909. 

Strawberry River, below mouth of Indian Creek, in Strawberry Valley,

Utah, 1903-1906 and 1908-9. 

Strawberry River at Theodore, Utah, 1908-9.

Indian Creek in Strawberry Valley, Utah, 1905-6 and 1909.

Trail Hollow Creek in Strawberry Valley, Utah, 1909. 

Currant Creek, 13 miles above mouth, Utah, 1904. 

Currant Creek, 3 miles above mouth, Utah, 1904. 

Red Creek above Narrows, Utah, 1904.
32 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Green River Continued.

Duchesne River at My ton, Utah Continued.

Lake Fork (West Fork), 10 miles above Forks, Utah, 1904. 

Lake Fork below Forks, Utah, 1904, 1907-1909. 

Lake Fork near Myton. Utah, 1900-1904, 1907-1909.

Lake Fork (East Fork), 8 miles above Forks, Utah, 1904. 

Unita River near Whiterocks, Utah, 1899-1904, 1907-1909. 

Uinta River at Fork Duchesne, Utah, 1899-1904, 1906-1909. 

Uinta River at Ouray School, Utah, 1899-1904.

Whiterocks River near Whiterocks, Utah, 1899-1904, 1907-1909. 

Price River near Helper, Utah, 1904-1909. 

San Rafael River near Greenriver, Utah, 1909.

Cotton wood Creek near Orangeville, Utah, 1909.

Ferron Creek near Ferron, Utah, 1909. 

Huntington Creek near Huntington, Utah, 1909. 

Grand River (North Fork) near Grand Lake, Colo., 1904-1909. 

Grand River near Granby, Colo., 1908-9. 

Grand River at Sulphur Springs, Colo., 1904-1909. 

Grand River near Kremmling, Colo., 1904-1909. 

Grand River near Wolcott, Colo., 1906-1908. 

Grand River at Shoshone, Colo., 1897. 

Grand River at Glenwood Springs, Colo., 1899-1909. 

Grand River near Palisades, Colo., 1902-1909. 

Grand River near Grand Junction. Colo., 1895-1900.

North Inlet to Grand Lake at Grand Lake, Colo.. 1905-1909. 

Grand Lake Outlet at Grand Lake, Colo., 1904-1909. 

Grand River (South Fork) near Lehman, Colo., 1907-8. 

Fraser River at Granby (Coulter), Colo., 1904-1909. 

Fraser River at upper station near Frasei, Colo., 1908-9. 

Fraser River at lower station near Fraser, Colo., 1907-1909. 

Big Jim Creek near Fraser, Colo., 1907-1909.

Little Jim Creek near Fraser, Colo., 1907-1909. 

Vasquez Creek at upper station near Fraser, Colo., 1908-9. 

Vasquez Creek at lower station near Fraser, Colo., 3,907-1909. 

Elk Creek near Fraser, Colo., 1907-1909. 

St. Louis Creek at upper station near Fraser, Colo., 1908-9. 

St. Louis Creek at lower station near Fraser, Colo., 1908-9. 

North Ranch Creek at upper station near Rollins Pass, Colo., 1908-9. 

North Ranch Creek at lower station near Rollins Pass, Colo., 1907-1909. 

Middle Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo., 1908-9. 

Middle Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo., 1907-1909. 

South Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo., 1908-9. 

South Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo., 1907-

1909.

Williams Fork near Sulphur Springs, Colo., 1904-1909. 

Troublesome River at Troublesome, Colo., 1904-5. 

Muddy River at Kremmling, Colo., 1904-5. 

Blue River near Kremmling, Colo., 1904-1908. 

Tenmile Creek near Kokomo, Colo., 1904. 

Tenmile Creek near Uneva Lake, Colo., 1903. 

Eagle River near Eagle, Colo., 1905-1907. 

Eagle River at Gypsum, Colo., 1907-1909. 

Roaring Fork near Emma, Colo., 1908-9.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 33

Green River Continued.

Grand River near Grand Junction, Colo. Continued. 

Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs. Colo., 1906-1909. 

Frying Pan River at Basalt, Colo., 1908-9. 

Crystal River near Carbondale (Sewell), Colo., 1908-9. 

West Divide Creek at Hostutler's ranch, near Raven, Colo., 1909. 

West Divide Creek near Raven, Colo., 1909. 

West Mamm Creek near Rifle, Colo., 1909. 

Gunnison River near lola, Colo., 1900-1903. 

Gunnison River near Cimarron, Colo., 1903-1905. 

Gunnison River at River Portal (east portal of Gunnison Tunnel), Colo.,

1905-1909.

Gunnison River near Gory, Colo., 1903-1905. 

Gunnison River at Roubideau, Colo., 1897. 

Gunnison River at Whitewater, Colo., 1897, 1901-1906. 

Gunnison River near Grand Junction, Colo., 1895, 1897-1899. 

Taylor River near Almont, Colo., 1905. 

East River at Almont, Colo.. 1905. 

Cimarron Creek at Cimarron, Colo.. 1903-1905. 

Gunnison River (North Fork) near Hotchkiss, Colo., 1903-1906. 

Uncompahgre River near Colona, Colo., 1903-1906. 

Uncompahgre River near Ouray, Colo., 1908. 

Uncompahgre River at Fort Crawford, Colo., 1895-1899, 1908. 

Uncompahgre River at Montrose, Colo., 1900, 1903-1909. 

Uncompahgre River at Delta, Colo., 1903-1909. 

Dolores River near Dolores, Colo., 1895-1903.

San Miguel River near Fall Creek, Colo., 1895-1899. 

Colorado River:

Fremont River near Thurber, Utah, 1909.

Muddy Creek near Emery, Utah, 1909. 

Escalante Creek near Escalante, Utah, 1909. 

San Juan River near Arboles, Colo., 1895-1899. 

San Juan River at Turley, N. Mex., 1907-8. 

San Juan River at Blanco, N. Mex., 1908-9. 

San Juan River near Bloomfield, N. Mex., 1909. 

San Juan River near Farmington, N. Mex., 1904-1906. 

Piedra River near Arboles, Colo., 1895-1899. 

Los Pinos River at Ignacio, Colo., 1899-1903. 

Animas River at Silverton, Colo., 1903. 

Animas River at Durango, Colo., 1895-1905. 

Animas River at Aztec, N. Mex., 1904, 1907-1909. 

Animas River near Farmington, N. Mex., 1904-5.

Florida River near Durango, Colo., 1899, 1901-1903. 

La Plata River at Hesperus, Colo., 1904-1906. 

La Plata River at La Plata, N. Mex.,'l905-1909. 

Mancos River at Mancos, Colo., 1898-1900. 

Little Colorado at St. Johns, Ariz., 1906-1909. 

Little Colorado at Woodruff, Ariz., 1905-1908. 

Little Colorado at Holbrook, Ariz., 1905-1909. 

Silver Creek at Snowflake, Ariz., 1906-1908. 

Silver Creek at Canyon Station, Ariz., 1906. 

Woodruff ditch at Woodruff, Ariz., 1906. 

95620° WSP 269 11 3
34 SUEFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Colorado River Continued.

Little Colorado at Holbrook, Ariz. Continued.

Chevelon Fork near Winslow, Ariz., 1906-1908.

Clear Creek near Winslow, Ariz., 1906-1909. 

Virgin River at Virgin, Utah, 1909.

Santa Clara River near Central, Utah, 1909.

Santa Clara River near St. George, Utah, 1909.

Muddy River near Moapa, Nev., 1904-1906, and 1909. 

Gila River near Cliff, N. Mex., 1904-1907. 

Gila River near Redrock, N. Mex., 1908-9. 

Gila River at San Carlos, Ariz., 1899-1905. 

Gila River near Buttes, Ariz., 1889-1890, and 1895-1899. 

Gila River at Dome (Gila City), Ariz., 1903-1906.

San Francisco River at Alma, N. Mex., 1904-1907, and 1909.

San Pedro River at Charleston, Ariz., 1904-1906.

San Pedro River near Dudleyville, Ariz., 1890.

Santa Cruz River near Nogales, Ariz., 1907-1909.

Santa Cruz River and ditches at Tucson, Ariz., 1905-1909. 

Queens Creek at Whitlow's, Ariz., 1896.

Salt River at Roosevelt, Ariz., 1901-1907.

Salt River below mouth of Cherry Creek, near Roosevelt, Ariz., 1906.

Salt River 50 miles above Phoenix, Ariz., 1890.

Salt River at Arizona dam, Ariz., 1888-1891.

Salt River at McDowell, Ariz., 1888-1909.

Tonto Creek at Roosevelt, Ariz., 1901-1904. 

Verde River at McDowell, Ariz., 1888-1909. 

Canal stations in Colorado River Basin:

Imperial Canal (main) near Calexico, Gal., 1904-5.

Boundary Canal near Calexico, Gal., 1905.

Wisteria Canal near Calexico, Cal., 1905.

Imperial Canal 10 miles below Yuma, Ariz., Mexican boundary line, 1903-1905.

Holt Canal at Calexico, Cal., 1904-5.

Hemlock Canal at Calexico, Cal., 1904-5.

Alamo Channel near Calexico, Cal., 1904.

Alamitos Canal near Calexico, Cal., 1904-5.

GENERAL FEATURES OF COLORADO RIVER BASIN.

Colorado River is formed in the southeastern part of Utah by the 

junction of Grand and Green rivers. The Green is larger than the 

Grand and is the upward continuation of the Colorado. Including 

the Green, the Colorado is about 2,000 miles long. The region drained 

is about 800 miles long, ranges in width from 300 to 500 miles, and 

contains about 300,000 square miles. It comprises the southwestern 

part of Wyoming, the western part of Colorado, the eastern half of 

Utah, practically all of Arizona, and small portions of California, 

Nevada, New Mexico, and old Mexico. Most of this area is arid, 

the mean annual rainfall being about 8J inches. The streams receive 

their supply from the melting snows on the high mountains of 

Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 35

The basin comprises two district portions. The lower third is but 

little above the level of the sea, though here and there ranges of mountains rise to elevations of 2,000 to 6,000 feet. This part of the valley 

is bounded on the north bv a line of cliffs which present a bold and in 

many places vertical step of hundreds or thousands of feet to the tableland above. The upper two-thirds of the basin stands from 4,000 

to 8,000 feet above sea level, and is bordered on the east, west, and 

north by ranges of snow-clad mountains, which attain altitudes ranging from 8,000 to 14,000 feet above sea level. Through this plateau 

the Colorado and its tributaries have cut narrow gorges or canyons 

in which they flow at almost inaccessible depths. At points where 

lateral streams enter, the canyons are broken by narrow transverse 

valleys, diversified by bordering willows, clumps of box elder, and 

small groves of cottonwood. The whole upper basin of the Colorado 

is traversed by a labyrinth of these canyons, most of which are dry 

during the greater portion of the year, and carry water only during 

the melting of the snow and the brief period of the autumnal and 

spring rains.

GREEN RIVER AND THE MAIN COLORADO RIVER. 

DESCRIPTION.

Green River and its tributaries 1 drain an area rudely triangular in 

outline, bounded on the north and east by the Wind River Mountains 

and the ranges forming the Continental Divide, on the south and east 

by the White River Plateau and the Roan or Book Cliffs, and on the 

north and west by the Gros Ventre and Wyoming mountains and the 

great Wasatch Range. The greatest length of the basin, north and 

south, is about 370 miles. In an east-west direction it measures at 

its widest part about 240 miles. The total drainage area is approximately 41,000 square miles, and altitudes range from 14,000 feet in 

the high mountains to about 3,800 feet at the mouth of the Grand.

The area includes a large part of western Wyoming, northwestern 

Colorado, and eastern Utah. The Uinta and Uncompahgre Indian 

reservations are located in this basin in northeastern Utah.

The river heads on the western slope of the Wind River Mountains 

in western Wyoming, its ultimate source being a number of small 

lakes fed by the glaciers and immense snow deposits always to be 

found on Fremont and neighboring peaks. For perhaps 25 miles the 

river flows northwestward through the mountains. It then turns 

abruptly and runs in a general southerly direction across western 

Wyoming into Utah. A few miles below the Wyoming-Utah boundary another sharp turn carries the river eastward near the east end

i The geology of this basin is described in the Eleventh Ann. Kept. U. S. Geol. and Geog. Survey Terr., 

for 1877, pp. 509-646. Information in regard to the hydrography is contained in the first to fourth annual 

reports of the Reclamation Service and in United States Geological Survey reports.
36 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909. PART IX.

of the range. It then flows southward in Colorado for about 25 

miles, turns back into Utah, and continues to flow in a southwesterly 

and southerly direction until it unites with the Grand to form the 

Colorado. Its length, measured roughly along the course, is approximately 425 miles.

The topography of the headwater region is rugged in the extreme. 

The Wind River Range on the east, and fhe Gros Ventre and Wyoming ranges on the southwest and west gradually close in as they 

extend southward, forming a basin approximately 7,450 square miles 

in extent above the discontinued gaging station at Green River, 

Wyo.

The upper part of this basin is very narrow, but southward the valley opens out; near Fontanelle, Wyo., it is several miles wide, and its 

benches and rolling table-lands extend westward to the foothills of 

the Wyoming Range and eastward to the bluffs which hug the east 

bank of the river. At Green River the valley is again narrow only 

a few hundred yards in width and for some distance southward the 

river runs between bluffs standing so close together that no flood 

plain is seen. Throughout much of its course in Utah the Green 

flows through a succession of long, deep, narrow canyons with walls 

ranging in height from a few hundred to as many thousand feet, separated by short valleys containing small tracts of arable lands.

In its upper course the Green receives as tributaries numerous 

streams heading in the Wind River, Gros Ventre, and Wyoming 

ranges of mountains, some of them extending so far back into the 

abrupt, ragged canyons that they dovetail with streams flowing in 

the opposite direction. The most important of these tributaries 

are New Fork River, Big Sandy Creek, Labarge Creek, Fontenelle 

Creek, Black Fork, and Henry Fork. South of the Uinta Mountains 

the first large stream flowing into the Green is the Yampa, which 

comes in from the east at the point where the Green turns westward 

to reenter Utah after its southward journey in Colorado. Farther 

south Ashley Creek and Duchesne and White rivers discharge their 

waters into the Green, Ashley Creek and the Duchesne from the 

west and the White from the east. Below this point the only tributaries of importance are Price, Minnie Maud, and San Rafael rivers, 

which enter from the west, the San Rafael at a point about 32 miles 

above the junction of the Green and the Grand.

In the 41,000 square miles which comprise the total drainage area 

of Green River there are considerably over 5,000 square miles of 

timbered land in addition to a considerable woodland area. The 

principal species of mountain timber are the Engelmann spruce and 

lodgepole pine.

Except for the timber in the high mountains at tne headwaters of 

Green River in Wyoming, the upper portion of the stream is not very
COLORADO KIVEE BASIN. 37

extensively forested. The timbered land in that section includes 

probably 1,500 square miles, with an average stand of about 4,000 

feet b. m. per acre. Numerous tracts of irrigated and cultivated 

land extend from the Wyoming line up the river to elevations of 

7,000 feet.1 In the Green River basin in Utah above the mouth of 

the Duchesne there are about 600 square miles of timbered land, 

with an average stand of nearly 3,000 feet b. m. per acre. In the 

drainage basins of the White and Yampa rivers in Colorado there 

are nearly 2,000 square miles of timbered area and woodland.

Over the plains portions of the basin, which includes considerably 

over half of it, the average annual precipitation is probably less than 

10 inches annually; over much of the remainder the rainfall averages 

between 10 and 15 inches; and in only a very small area in the high 

mountains does the annual precipitation exceed 20 inches.

Throughout this basin the winters are severe and most of the 

streams have a heavy ice cover for several months. There is usually 

an abundance of snow in the high mountains, but the winters on the 

plains are frequently open.

The oldest and most extensive irrigation development in this basin 

is on the upper Green River in Wyoming. Recently large irrigation 

systems have been constructed in the Duchesne River basin. Considerable irrigation is practiced around Vernal, Utah, and also in the 

vicinity of Greenriver, Utah, along the line of the Denver & Rio 

Grancle Railroad. Along White and Yampa rivers in Colorado 

meadow irrigation is extensively practiced, and projects are now on 

foot for the irrigation of 200,000 or 300,000 acres of land in that section.

Excellent reservoir sites are found on the headwaters of the Green 

River and its upper tributaries, and also along Yampa and White 

rivers on Ashley Creek, and other tributaries in the northwestern 

corner of Utah, and at the headwaters of Duchesne River. A very 

considerable portion of the flow could be equalized by storage.

The waters of this stream and its tributaries are practically unused 

except for irrigation. Not a water-power plant of any importance 

exists in the whole drainage area of Green River, though splendid 

opportunities are presented at the headwaters of many of the tributary streams above all irrigation diversions. Theoretically it would 

be possible at the present time, by utilizing known storage sites, to 

develop about 1,500,000 horsepower in the basin of the Green. From 

Wells, Wyo., to the Wyoming State line, a distance of 225 miles, the 

stream has an average fall of 11 feet per mile; and from the Wyoming 

State line to the mouth of Minnie Maud Creek, a distance of 200 miles 

the average fall is 7 feet to the mile.

i See also description of New Fork drainage basin in Water-Supply Paper 175, pp. 21-22.
38 SUKFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

From the junction of Green and Grand rivers the Colorado flows 

south westward, passes across the northwestern corner of Arizona, 

then turns to the south and for the remainder of its course forms a 

part of the southeastern boundary of Nevada and California and the 

western boundary of Arizona. It empties into the Gulf of California 

about 60 miles below Yuma, Ariz. The canyons through which it 

flows are world famed and need not here be described.

The Colorado has been called the Nile of America, and like the Nile 

it is subject to an annual summer rise which comes at the time 

when the water is most needed for irrigation. It is interesting to 

compare the Colorado with the Nile and the Susquehanna. The Nile 

is similar in type; the Susquehanna shows the difference in flow between arid and humid regions. In the comparison a normal year, 

based on a 10-year record for Colorado and Susquehanna rivers and 

such data as could be found in regard to the Nile, have been used. 

The Colorado has been taken as the standard of comparison.

The Nile has 5.7 times the drainage area and the Susquehanna 

about one-eighth the area of the Colorado.

The rainfall in the Nile basin is 3.8 times greater; that in the Susquehanna basin is 4.5 times greater. The run-off per square mile 

from the Nile basin is 1.9 times greater; that from the Susquehanna 

basin is 37 times greater. The ratio of run-off to rainfall in the Nile 

basin is 2 times smaller; that of the Susquehanna basin is 8.2 times 

greater.

The discharge of the Nile is 10.8 times greater; that of the Susquehanna is 4.5 times greater.

The maximum flow of the Colorado is from 70,000 to 110,000 secondfeet and occurs in May, June, or July; for the Nile it is about 353,000 

second-feet and occurs about the 1st of September; for the Susquehanna it is from 200,000 to 400,000 second-feet and occurs during 

March, April, and May.

The minimum flow of the Colorado is from 2,500 to 3,000 secondfeet and occurs during January and February; that of the Nile is 

about 14,500 second-feet and occurs about the end of May; for the" 

Susquehanna it is from 2,500 to 5,000 second-feet and occurs in 

September and October.

The mean flow of the Colorado is about 10,700 second-feet; for the 

Nile it is about 115,800 second-feet: for the Susquehanna it is about 

43,000 second-feet.

The water of the Colorado carries an immense amount of sediment, 

reaching as high as 2,000 parts of sediment to 100,000 parts of water. 

Prof. R. H. Forbes, in Bulletin 44 of the University of Arizona 

Agricultural Experiment Station, says:

On the basis of the profile, constructed from available data for the volume of flow 

of the Colorado and of the year's silt determinations made in the laboratory, it is esti-
COLOEADO EIVEK BASIN. 39

mated conservatively that the river during 1900 brought down about 61,000,000 tons 

of sedimentary material, which, condensed to the form of solid rock, is enough to 

cover 26.4 square miles 1 foot deep, or to make about 164 square miles of recently 

settled, submerged mud 1 foot deep, reckoning the whole amount of mud for the year 

to average 6.2 times the bulk of the solid sediment.

A comparatively small amount of land is irrigated by the waters of 

the Colorado'because the stream and its tributaries are situated so 

far below the level of the irrigable lands as to render their diversion 

extremely difficult or impracticable. Two pumping plants are in 

operation to lift water for irrigation at Yuma, and several at other 

points on the river above Yuma. The Imperial canal diverts water 

from the river at a point about 10 miles, by river, below Yuma.

The principal tributaries of the Colorado below the Grand and 

Green are San Juan, Little Colorado, Williams Fork, and Gila rivers, 

which enters from the east, and Virgin River, which enters from the 

west. With the exception of Williams Fork, these streams and 

their tributaries are described in other parts of this report.

GREEN RIVER AT GREENRIVER, UTAH.

This station, which is located at the Rio Grande Western Railway 

bridge, at Greenriver railroad station, near Elgin post office (originally 

called Blake), in latitude 39° N., longitude 110° 9' W., in the San 

Rafael quadrangle of the United States Geological Survey, was 

established October 21, 1894, discontinued in November, 1896, 

and reestablished in February, 1905.

Price River enters from the west about 16 miles above the station. 

Several irrigation projects are completed and being promoted in this 

drainage basin. The last diversion above the station is about 10 

miles upstream; no water is diverted below the station.

At low and medium stages measurements are made from a ferryboat, at a point about 450 feet above the bridge. At high stages 

measurements are made from the bridge.

The bed of the river at the bridge is mainly rock; but at low stages 

it is overlain in places with silt, which scours out and thus causes the 

changes in conditions of flow, necessitating new ratings at frequent 

intervals.

A new bridge was erected at this point between the periods of maintenance of the original station and the present one. The present 

datum, as near as can be learned, is 1.68 feet below the original 

datum; but owing to change in conditions of flow, due to the relocation of the bridge piers, it is impossible to utilize the early measurements in studies of new discharge curves. The datum of the present 

chain gage has remained the same since its establishment.

A careful determination, in 1909, of the angle, which the bridge 

makes with the main current, necessitated a correction of 15 per cent
40 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

in all discharge measurements made at the bridge from 1905 to 1909. 

The- daily and monthly estimates of discharge have been revised and 

supersede those previously published.

Ice usually exists at the station during December, January, and 

February. Conservative monthly estimates during these periods 

have been obtained by a consideration of the general behavior of the 

river at this station and by the aid of climatologic data.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Green River at Greenriver, Utah, for 1909. 

[L. H. Greene, observer.]

Day.

1... ...........

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20. .............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Jan.

4.3

4.5

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4 8

4.9

5.0

5.1

5.1

5.2

5.2

5.3

5.3

5.2

5.0

5.0

5.1

5.1

5.05

c 1

£l

5.35

5.4

5.15

5.35

5.6

5.75

5.8

5.7

Feb.

5.45

5.3

5.3

5.1

5.0

5.0

4. 9

4.8

48

4. 7

4.7

4.8

48

4.85

4.8

4 9

5.0

5.0

495

49

5.0

5.1

5.2

5.1

>; ft

49

49

485

Mar.

49

48

4. Q

5.0

5.3

5.2

K OK

5.55

5.75

K Q

6.0

6.1

ao

6.1

6.25

6.1

5.95

5.8

5" 95

6.05

6.75

7.7

9.1

11.15

9.2 as5

8.55

a 35

7.95

7.7

Apr.

7 f^

7.35

7 9

7.0

a 95

6.8

7 q

8.1

7.65

7.1

7.0

6.8

6.35

6.2

a q

6.55

6 95

7 ±^

8.65

Q a

8.3

ao

7.65

7.35

7.0

7.35

7 9^

7-0

May.

7 Q

8.3

8.35

Q OK

8.05

7 f\t\

7.7

8 AC

8.5

9 15

9 4

Q ^

10.05

9 95

10.2

9 %

9

QC

Q 7

9 ft

Q 7

9 7

Q Q

10.25

10.4

10.6

10.75

11.1

11.05

10.65

10.8

10 9

June.

11.2

11.4

11.3

11.15

11.1

11.45

12.05

12.85

13.65

143

15.15

14.9

14.25

iq Q

13.25

12.8

12.65

12.85

13.0

13.2

13.15

13.3

13. 55

13.5

13.5

12.9

12.75

July.

12.5

12.25

12.05

11.9

11.75

n

o

11.65

11.65

11.6

11.3

10.65

9.95

9.65

O J.t^

9 25

9.0

8 9

8.85

8.65

8

QK

8.4

8.55

Q qc

8.3

8.2

Q 9

8.1 ai

8 ft

Aug.

7.95

7.85

7.65

7.6

7.5

7.4

7.3

7.3

7.35

7.3

7.2

7.1

7.1

7.0

7-0

7 7^

8.25

8.05

ao

7 9

7.75

7.9

7.8

7.6

7.35

7.25

7.2

7.1

7.0

7.15

Sept.

8.8

8.9

8.45

7.8

7.65

7.85

Q 9

8.0

7.8

7.6

7.6

7.85

8.0

7.9

7.6

7.35

7.25

7.15

7.0

7.0

6.9

6.8

6.7

6.6

6.6

6.5

6.5

6 4

6.35

6.3

Oct.

6.2

6.2

6.2

6.15

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.0

6.0

6.0

5.95

5.95

5.8

5.9

5.95

6.0

6.1

6.05

c; Q

5.85

5.8

5.7

5.7

5.75

5.8

5.75

5.7

5.7

5.7

Nov.

f, 7

5.65

c; fi

5.65

5.7

5.7

K 7

5.7

5.7

c 7

5.7

5.7

5.65

5.6

c R

5.6

5.5

5.5

5

Afi

5.4

K A

5.5

5.55

c; fi

5.5

5.5

*; fi

5.6

5.8

Dec.

6.2

5.95

K 7K

5.6

5.2

4.85

4. 65

4.45

A q

4.%

4.45

4.55

4.75

5.0

c ft

5.7

6.0

6.1

6.2

6.3

6.35

6.45

6.5

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.6

NOTE. Gage heights affected by ice after December 11,1909.
COLOEADO EIVEE BASIN. 41 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Green River at Greenriver, Utah, for 1905-1909.

Day

1905. 

1..........

2..........

3.... ......

5...........

6..........

7..........

8.. ........

9........'..

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

16..........

17..........

18..........

19........ .

20..........

21..........

22..........

23. .........

24..........

25. .........

26..........

27. .........

on

29..........

30..........

31..........

Day.

1906. 

1..........

2..........

3. .........

4..........

5..........

6..........

7. .........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

16..........

17..........

18..........

19..........

20..........

21..........

22.......... <>o

24..........

25..........

26..........

27..........

28..........

29..........

30..........

01

Feb.

1,740

1,820

1,700

1,700

1,650

1,700

1,990

1,600

1,650

1,500

1 600

1,550

1,500

1,500

1,600

1,600

1,550

1,550

1,700

1,760

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,760

Mar.

1,760

1,870

1,870

2,050

2,120

2,120

2,340

2,720

2,900

3,500

3,840

3,720

3,390

3,180

3,080

3,080

3,080

3,080

3,080

3,280

3,180

3,610

3,720

3,500

3,280

3,280

3,280

3,280

3,080

3 080

Mar.

1,870

1,870

1,870

2,190

2,260

2,340

2,410

2,480

2; 640

2,640

2,640

3,180

3,950

5,250

5,550

5,400

4,970

4,430

4,180

3,720

2,990

3,390

4,060

4,970

6,030

9,620

14,800

21,800

20,400

18,800

16 ' 600

Apr.

2,900

3,180

3,280

2,900

2,720

2,720

2,720

2,720

2,900

' 2, 720

2,720

2,810

3,180

3,720

4,060

4,700

4,430

4,430

5,400

5,400

4,840

4,700

4,970

5,110

5,400

5,400

4,970

5,110

5,710

6,360

Apr.

12, 100

11,600

9,380

8,470

8,040

7,630

7,060

5,550

5,550

5,400

6,030

7,060

6,870

6,870

7,240

8,700

8,470

8,260

8,470

8,700

8,260

9,850

11,600

12,600

13,100

14,000

13,700

14,500

16,900

15,400

May.

6,360

6,870

8,920

10,100

11,600

12,400

12,100

10,800

9,380

8,920

8,040

8,040

8,920

10,600

9,620

8,700

8,040

8,040

8,040

8,920

10,800

13,700

16,000

18,100

20,100

21,800

23,100

24,200

23,100

23,100

22,800

May.

14,200

13,400

13,100

12,600

12,600

12,400

12,900

13,400

13,700

14,000.

17,800

20,100

21,700

25,200

30,200

32,000

31,300

30,600

31,300

30,600

31,000

31,700

32,400

33,100

33,100

33,100

32,400

33,100

34,200

34,400

June.

22,500

21,400

22,800

24,500

27,000

28,400

28,800

30,200

32,000

33,900

33,500

30,200

31, 300

31,300

29,500

28,800

24,200

24,500

23,800

23,100

21,800

20,400

19,700

18,800

18,400

17,200

16,600

14,800

14,000

June.

33,900

35,400

36,800

39,100

41,400

41,000

40,200

41,000

42,100

42,100

39,900

38,300

30,200

27,700

26,300

25,200

24,500

25,600

25,600

25,200

26,300

25,900

24,900

25,600

25,900

26,700

27,400

,25,900

24,500

25,600

July.

13,400

12,900

12,400

12,100

11,800

11,300

10,800

10,300

9,850

9,380

8,920

8,260

7,630

7,440

6,700

6,520

6,360

6,030

5,870

5,710

5,550

5,550

5,250

5,250

4,970

4,840

4,700

4,300

4,180

4,180

July.

14,200

14,800

15,400

15,700

15,700

15,700

15,700

15,700

15,100

15,100

15,700

15,700

15,400

15,100

15,100

14,800

14,500

14,000

14,200

13,700

12,900

12,100

10,800

10,300

10,300

9,620

9,380

8,920

8,260

8,040

Aug.

3,840

3,720

3,720

3,720

3,720

3,720

3,500

3,280

3,080

3,080

2,900

2,810

2,720

2,720

2,720

2,720

2,640

2,480

2,260

2,260

2,260

2,260

2,260

1,990

1,990

2,190

2,190

1,990

1,990

1,930

1,870

Aug.

7,840

8,260

7,840

8,040

7,240

7,060

6,870

6,520

6,190

6,030

5,710

5,250

5,250

5,250

5,400

4,970

4,970

4,840

4,430

4,430

4,700

5,550

6,700

7,440

6,360

5,870

5,710

6,360

6,520

7,060

6,700

Sept.

1,870

1,870

1,870

1,870

2,060

3,080

2,640

2,480

2,640

2,810

2,810

2,480

2,340

2,060

1,990

1,870

1,990

2,120

1,990

2,190

2,260

2,410

2,260

2,560

2,640

2,900

2,990

4,060

6,030

Sept.

6,700

7,440

6,870

6,360

6,360

6,520

6,520

6,030

5,550

5,250

5,110

4,700

4,430

4,180

4,060

4,560

4,300

4,700

5,250

4,560

4,560

5,400

4,700

4,430

4,430

4,180

3,950

3,840

3.720

3,720

Oct.

6,190

4,180

3,500

3,390

2,990

2,900

2,640

2,560

2,340

2,410

2,560

2,410

2,260

2,340

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,120

1,990

1,870

1,870

1,990

2,060

1,990

1,990

1,990

1,990

1,990

1,990

1,990

1,990

Oct.

3,720

3,500

3,500

3,500

3,500

3,280

3,280

3,180

3,080

3,080

3,080

3,080

3,080

2,900

2,900

2,900

2,900

2,900

2,720

2,720

2,720

2,900

2,900

2,900

2,900

2,900

2,810

2,720

2,560

2,720

2,900

NOT.

1,990

2,060

1,930

1,820

2,060

2,190

2,120

2,120

2,260

2,120

1,990

1,930

1,870

1,820

1,990

1,990

1,990

1,990

1,870

1,870

1,990

2,560

2,340

2,260

2,120

1,990

2,060

2,190

2,120

1,990

NOT.

3,080

5,870

4,700

4,970

4,970

4,560

4,060

3,720

3,720

3' 720

3,720

3,610

3,500

3,500

3,280

3,280

3,280

3,180

3,080

2,810

2,480

2,260

1,870

1,760

1,870

2,260

2,410

2,340

2,060

1,820

Dec.

1,870

1,760

1,550

1,370

1,370

1,290

1,290

1,220

1,220

1,220

1,290

1,330

1,370

1,370

1,370

1,290

1,370-

1,370

1,370

1,370

'Dec.

1,700

1,820

2,120

2,990

3,280

3,080

3,080

3,280

2,810

2,560

2,410

2,640

2,560

2,410

2,560

2,480

2,260

2,120

1,990

1,820

1,760

1,820

1,820

1,820

2,190

2,560

2,560

2,560

2,720

2,640

2,900
42 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IS.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Green River at Greennver, Utah, for 1905-1909 Con.

Day.

1907. 

1.........

2.........

3.........

4.........

5.........

6.........

7.........

8.........

9.........

10.........

11.........

12.........

13.........

14.........

15.........

16.........

 17.........

18.........

19.........

20. ........

21.........

22.........

23.........

24.........

25. ........

26.........

27.........

28.........

29.........

30.........

31.........

Jan.

2,900

2,810

2,720

2,640

2,560

2,560

2,340

2,120

2,340

2,560

2,560

2,560

2,410

2,410

2,410

2,560

2,480

2,410

2,340

2,480

2,640

2,260

2,120

1,990

1,820

2,060

2,260

2,480

2,560

2,720

Feb.

2,720

2 fi4.fl

2,560

2,560

2,720

2,990

3 080

3,720

4,300

5

Ocn

6,870

6,870

5,870

5,250

4,970

4,700

4,700

4 700

4,700

5,710

6,360

6,520

5 4.no

5,870

6,030

7,440

Mar.

8,040

7 4J.ft

7,440

6,700

6,030

5,110

5,250

4,840

4,180

4,180

4,300

4,430

4,180

4,180

4,180

3,950

3,720

3,720

3,720

6,520

4,180

7,240

12 900

13.400

12.900

12,100

11,100

10,100

Apr.

9,380

8,700

7,840

7,060

6,870

6,030

6,030

7,240

8,700

9 1 Flrt

10, 100

10 600

10 300

11,600

14,800

16,900

19 400

2l' 800

22,800

24 900

24,500

20,100

17,500

16,300

16,000

15,100

15,100

15,100

May.

15,100

15,700

16,600

16,600

16,000

15,100

14,800

14,000

1 ^ inn

13, 100

14,200

21,100

oo Cfin

24,900

24 900

22,800

22,800

26 700

30,900

38,400

41,000

49 *inn

41 800

42^900

40, 700

37,000

90 Sflfl

June.

31,600

30,200

29,800

29,800

33,000

36,600

40,700

42,500

44,800

46,600

48,100

47,700

46,600

44,800 AO oftfi

40,700

38,800

37, 700

07 7f|f|

38,100

37,700

37,700

37,000

37,000

37,300

38,400

38,400

July.

38,400

38,400

38,100

39,200

39,900

41,400

42, 100

42,900

42,900

42,100

42,100

41 400

40,300

38, 100

36,600

33,700

31,900

30,200

27,700

23,900

22,600

21,300

20,300

20,300

20,300

20,300

20,300

19,700

19,700

Aug.

19,300

18, 100

17,100

16,500

16,200

15,200

14,600

14,000

14,000

13,400

12,200

11,900

11,100

11,100

10,800

10,600

9,790

9.060

8,600

8,380

7,940

7,720

7,300

7,100

7,300

7,510

9,300

8,600

8,160

7,720

7,300

Sept.

6,900

6,900

6,900

6,900

7,940

6,500

6,310

6,120

6,120

5,760

5,420

5,100

4,780

4,630

4,480

4,480

4,200

3,820

3,690

3,690

3,450

3,450

3,450

3; 220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

Oct.

3,450

3,110

3,000

3,220

3,690

3,820

3,940

3,940

3,690

3,690

4,070

4,780

5,260

5,260

4,630

3,690

3,690

3,450

3,340

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,000

3,000

3,000

Nov.

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

2,790

2,790

2,790

2,790

2,790

2,590

2,590

2,500

2,400

2 400

2,400

2,220

2,220

2,220

2,050

2,050

1,890

1,890

1,890

1,890

Dec.

1,890

1,740

1,890

1,820

1,740

1,740

1,600

1,600

1,600

1 600

1,470

1,470

1,470

1,470

1,350

1,350

1,350

1,350

1,350

1,240

1,240

1,240

1,240

1,240

1,240

1,350

1,350

1,350

1,350

1,350

Day.

1908.

3..........

6..........

7..........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

16..........

17..........

18..........

19..........

20..........

21 ..........

22..........

23..........

24..........

25. .........

26..........

27..........

28..........

29..........

30..........

31..........

Feb.

1,740

1,740

1,740

1,890

1,890

1,740

1,740

Mar.

1,740

1 740

1,890

2,400

2,400

2,590

2,590

2,590

2,590

2 7QD

2 7QH

2,790

2 7on

3,000

3,000

3,450

4,630

4,780

4,200

3,940

4,340

5,100

5,420

5,100

5,100

4,780

4,340

4,070

3,940

3,940

Apr.

4,200

3 04/1

3,690

3,450

3 AK(\

3,450

3,450

3,450

3,450

3,450

3,450

3,450

3,820

5,120

5 O4.fl

6,700

7,510

8,830

10,300

12,500

12,800

12,800

11,400

10,800

9,800

May.

9 flfifi

S fiflfl

8,160

8,160

8,380

8,830

9,060

9 QflO

9,540

10 300

10 800

1 3 7flfi

14,600

12,200

11,700

11,100

11,1QO

11,700

12,500

13,400

14,300

12,800

19 Finn

14,300

14,000

June.

14 000

13,400

13,400

11,400

13,400

14,000

13,400

14 000

13,400

16,200

99 Qfifl

23,600

94. ^inn

24 300

OK ftflA

21,800

22,800

21,800

20,800

19 200

18,600

17,100

July.

12,800

12,800

12,800

12,800

13,300

13,300

12,800

12,800

12,500

1 0 Fiflfl

11,000

10 800 io!soo

in ^inn

9,820

9,350

8,890

8,440

8,000

8,000

7,560

6,510

6,120

5

KAf]

4,820

5,730

4,820

Aug.

5,730

6,510

7,540

8,220

8,890

5,5iO

5,000

4,820

6,710

4,820

5 OCA

7,340

7,340

7,560

7 ^fifl

7,130

7,130

7,560

7,560

7 flfifl

7,130

6,920

6,710

6,710

6,310

5,920

5,360

Sept.

4,820

4,320

4,150

3,660

3,080

2,950

2 7flfl

2,470

2,470

2 260

2,260

2,260

2,070

2,070

2,070

2,070

5,170

3,820

3,510

4,820

4,150

3,680

3,820

5,300

Oct.

6,120

5,000

4,480

4,150

3,820

3,660

3,220

3,220

2

Q en

2

QKn

2,950

2,950

2 7HO

S flftft

4,650

4 650

4,150

3,820

3,510

3,510

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

Nov.

3,220

3,220

2,950

2,950

2,950

2 700

2,700

2,470

2,470

2,260

2 260

2 9fifi

2,260

2,070

1 980

l'900

i 7f;n

i 7Fin

i finn

1,460

1,460

1,600

1 600

1,900

2,070

2,070

1,900

830

Dec.

800

800

800

800

750

895
COLORADO RIVEE BASIN. 43 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Green River at Greenriver, Utah, for 1905-1909 Con.

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2. ......

3.......

4.......

5. ......

6.......

7. ......

8.......

9. ......

10.-..-..

11.......

12.......

13.......

14. ......

15.......

16. ......

17.......

18. ......

19.......

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24. ......

25.......

26.......

27.......

28. ......

29.......

30

31.......

Jan.

930

1,100

1,210

1,210

1,210

1,210

1,460

1,600

1,750

1,900

1,900

2,070

2,260

2

9/«n.

2,070 i 7t;n

1,750

1,900

1,900

1,820

1,900

1,900

2,360

2,470

1,980

2,360

2 OCA

3,360

3,510

3,220

Feb.

2,580

2,260

2,260

1,900

1 7^

1,750

1 600

1,460

1 4fiA

1 330

1,330

1,460

1 4fifl

1,530

1 460

1,600

1 7^

1,750

1,680

1 600

1,750

1,900

2,070

1,750

1 600

1,600

1,530

Mar.

1,600

1,460

1,600

1,750

2,260

2,070

2,360

2,820

3

q«A

3,820

4,150

4,480

4

1 CA

4,480

5,000

4 480

q Qoft

3,510

3,980

4,320

6,920

11 300

19,200

23,800

19,900

17,700

15,900

14,700

12,500

11,300

Apr.

10,500

9,580

8,890

8,000

7,780

7,130

9,350

12,800

11^000

8,440

8,000

7,130

5,360

4,820

5,170

5,730

6,120

7,780

10,100

13,100

16,200

14,400

12,800

11,000

9,580

8,000

9 580

9^120

8,000

May.

12,300

14,400

14,700

14,200

13,100

11,000

13, 100

15,600

19,500

21,200

22,100

24,800

26 400

24,800

94 1fift

22,400

23,100

26,800

29,200

30,200

32,700

29,600

QA AAA

June.

34,800

34 100

33,000

32,700

35,200

on Ann

42,600

45,200

51,100

55,900

62,200

55,600

52,200

48 200

44 800

4.C on/1

4.7 ftftft.

47,400

AQ Cflfl

50 400

50 000

50^000

45,600

44 

' 400

July.

42,600

40,800

40 100

39,400

38,300

37,200

37,600

36,600

34,100

31,000

on Ann

24 800

99 ftftO

21,500

20,200

18,600

18,000

17,700

16,500

14 700

15,000

i P» onn

13,900

10 onn

iq qnn

12,800

Aug.

12,500

12,000

11,000

10,800

10,300

9,820

9 OCA

9 350

9' wn

9 350

8,890

8,440

8

AAf\

8,000

8,000

11,500

14,100

12,800

19 QAft

11,500

12,300

11,800

1ft ftftft

9,580

9 120

8,890

8 440 s'ooo

8,660

9,820

Sept.

17,400

18,000

15,300

11,800

11,000

12,000

12,800

11 800

10,800

10,800

12,000

12,300

10 800

9 530

9 120 s'eeo

8,000

8,000

7,560

7,130

6,710

6,310

5,920

5,920

5,540

5,360

5,170

Oct.

4,820

4,820

4,820

4,650

4,480

4,480

4,480

4,150

i 1W

4,150

3,980

3,980

3,510

3,820

3

OQA

4,150

4

1 Crt

4 480

4,320

3,820

3,660

3,510

3,220

3,220

3,360

3,510

3,360

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

Nov.

3,220

3,080

2,950

3,080

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,220

3,080

2 950

2,950

2,950

2,700

2,700

2,580

2,470

2,470

2,700

2,820

2,950

2,700

2,700

2,950

2,950

3,510

Dec.

4,820

3,980

3,360

2,950

2,070

1,530

1,270

1,160

1,060

930

895

NOTE. These daily discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows (except as noted): Feb. 

16, 1905, to May 21,1907, well denned between 2,000 and 37,000 second-feet; May 22,1907, to June 21,1908, 

fairly well denned between 5,000 and 39,000 second-feet; June 22, 1908, to Dec. 31, 1909, well defined 

between 2,500 and 39,000 second-feet.

Discharge estimated for ice periods as follows: Dec. 21 to 30, 1905, 1,200 second-feet per day; Jan. 1 to 

31, 1906. 1,400 second-feet per day; Feb. 1 to 12, 1906, 1,500 second-feet per day; Jan. 1 to 31, 1908, 1,300 

second-feet per day; Feb. 1 to 10,1908,1,400 second-feet per day; Feb. 11 to 22,1908,1,500 second-feet per 

dav; Dec. 8 to 31,1908, 800 second-feet per day; Dec. 12 to 31,1909, 800 second-feet per day.

These estimates for ice periods are based on the observers' notes and the climatological data of the United 

States Weather Bureau.

Monthly discharge of Green River at Greenriver, Utah, for 1905-1909. 

[Drainage area, 38,200 square miles.]

Month.

1905.

April.......................

July........................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3,840 

6,360 

24,200 

33,900 

13,400 

3,840 

6,030 

6,190 

2,560 

1 870

Minimum.

1,760 

2,720 

6,360 

14,000 

4,180 

1,870 

1,870 

1,870 

1,820

Mean.

2,990 

4,070 

12,900 

24,300 

7,640 

2,730 

2,510 

2,480 

2,050 

1,320

Per 

square 

mile.

0.078 

.106 

.338 

.636 

.200 

.071 

.066 

.065 

.054 

.035

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.09 

.12 

.39 

.71 

.23 

.08 

.07 

.07 

.06 

.04

Total in 

acre-feet.

184,000 

242,000 

793,000 

1,450,000 

470,000 

168,000 

149,000 

152,000 

122,000 

81,200

3,810,000

Accuracy.

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

C.
44 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Monthly discharge of Green River at Greenriver, Utah, for 1905-1909 Continued.

Month.

1906.

April.......................

May........................

June .......................

July........................

November. ..............

1907.

May........................

July........................

October....................

1908.

March................. . ..

May..............

July........................

The year.............

1909. 

January. ...................

April.......................

July........................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

21,800 

16,900 

36,500 

42,100 

15, 700 

8,260 

7,440 

3,720 

5,870 

3,280

42,100

2,900 

7,840 

13,400 

24,900 

42,900 

48, 100 

42,900 

19,300 

7,940 

5,260 

3,000 

1,890

48,100

1,820 

1,890 

5,940 

12,800 

14,600 

25,000 

14,400 

8,890 

5,300 

6,120 

3,220 

1,460

25,000

3,510 

2,580 

33,000 

16,200 

32,700 

62,200 

42,600 

14, 100 

18,000 

4,820 

3,510 

4,820

62, 400

Minimum.

1,870 

5,400 

12,400 

24,500 

8,040 

4,430 

3,720 

2,560 

1,760 

1,700

1,820 

2,560 

3,720 

6,030 

13, 100 

29,800 

19,000 

7,100 

3,220 

3,000 

1,890 

1,240

1,240

1,350 

1,600 

1,740 

3,450 

8,160 

11,400 

4,820 

4,820 

1,900 

2,700 

830 

750

750

930 

1,330 

1,460 

4,820 

11,000 

32,700 

12,800 

8,000 

5,170 

3,220 

2,470 

«800

«800

Mean.

ol,400 

61,620 

6,110 

9,580 

24,800 

31,300 

13,400 

6,170 

5,080 

3,020 

3,260 

2,430

9,050

2,440 

4,910 

6,760 

14,000 

24, 700 

38,800 

31,600 

11,200 

4,820 

3,670 

2,560 

1,470

12, 300

1,300 

1,530 

3,570 

6,590 

11,600 

18, 100 

10,300 

6,810 

3,380 

3,580 

2,160 

801

5,810

1,980 

1,720 

8,120 

9,290 

22,400 

46, 300 

25, 200 

10, 300 

9,960 

3,930 

2,980 

1,290

12,000

Per 

square 

mile.

0.037 

.042 

.160 

.251 

.649 

.819 

.351 

.162 

.133 

.079 

.085 

.064

.237

.064 

.129 

.177 

.367 

.647 

1.02 

.828 

.293 

.126 

.096 

.067 

.038

.322

.034 

.040 

.093 

.172 

.304 

.474 

.270 

.179 

.088 

.094 

.057 

.021

.152

.052 

.045 

.213 

.243 

.586 

1.21 

.660 

.270 

.261 

.103 

.078 

.034

.314

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.04 

.04 

.18 

.28 

.75 

.91 

.40 

.19 

.15 

.09 

.09 

.07

3.19

.07 

.13 

.20 

.41 

.75 

1.17 

.95 

.34 

.14 

.11 

.07 

.04

4.38

.04 

.05 

.11 

.19 

.35 

.53 

.31 

.21 

.10 

.11 

.06 

.02

2.08

.06 

.05 

.25 

.27 

.68 

1.35 

.76 

.31 

.29 

.12 

.09 

.04

4.27

Total in 

acre-feet.

86,100 

90,000 

376,000 

570,000 

1,520,000 

1,860,000 

824,000 

379,000 

302,000 

186,000 

194,000 

149,000

6,540,000

150,000 

273,000 

416,000 

833,000 

1,520,000 

2,310,000 

1,940,000 

689,000 

287,000 

226,000 

152,000 

90,400

8,890,400

79,900 

88,000 

220,000 

392,000 

713,000 

1,080,000 

633,000 

419,000 

201,000 

220,000 

129,000 

49,300

4,220,000

122,000 

95,500 

499,000 

553,000 

1,380,000 

2,760,000 

1,550,000 

633,000 

593,000 

242,000 

177,000 

79,300

8,680,000

Accuracy.

D. 

C. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

B.

B.

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

C.

C. 

C. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

B. 

C.

B. 

B. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

C. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

C.

o Estimated. & One-half month estimated. 

NOTE. See notes under 1909 daily discharge table for estimates during ice periods, 1905 to 1909.

COLORADO RIVER AT YUMA, ARIZ.

This station, which is located in the town of Yuma, Ariz., 1J miles 

below the mouth of Gila River and 10 miles by river above the Mexican border, furnishes information concerning the amount of water
COLOKADO RIVER BASIN. 45

available for irrigation along the lower Colorado River. Records of 

river height have been kept by the Southern Pacific Co. since April 1, 

1878.

The records given herewith are furnished by the United States 

Reclamation Service, through F. L. Sellew, project engineer, Yuma, 

Ariz.

As the bed of the stream is composed of Silt and sand and is very 

unstable frequent measurements are necessary to properly determine 

the daily discharge. Neither bank is subject to overflow. Previous 

to May 31, 1903, discharge measurements were made from the railroad bridge. On that date a cable station was established at a point 

600 feet below the bridge, and all measurements are now made from 

a car, except during highest floods, when a boat is used. At flood 

stages a large part of the water flows through an old channel and does 

not pass under the cable. At such times this overflow water is 

measured at the point where it passes under the railway trestle, onethird mile north of the main channel.

The staff gage is in two sections, the upper section reading above 

24 feet being the original gage established in 1876. It is located at 

the railroad bridge, 600 feet above the cable station. The elevation 

of the zero of the gage is 137.4 feet above sea level.

Discharge measurements of Colorado River at Yuma, Ariz., in 1909. 

[By R. L. North and N. B. Conway.]

Date.

4.......................

6.......................

8.......................

12.......................

15....................... -10

22.......................

OC

27.......................

30..--.....-----....-..-.

Feb. l....... ................

3.......................

9.......................

11.......................

1 fi

17..--.......---.....-.-.

19

23.......................

97

3.......................

5. ......................

10.......................

13.......................

15.......................

19

23.......................

27.......................

29.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

18.70

18.40

18.60

18.30

18.80

19 40

19.20

20.40

20.90

20.50

21.80

20.70

20.10

19.70

19.70

20.00

20.30

20.20

20.90

19 90

20.20

20.30

20.20

20.30

20.75

20.90

21.10

20.80

20.80

21.50

21.50

21.50

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

6,000

6,800

6,100

5 son

6,200

7 400

9 900

17,600

25,100

18, 100

12,300

12,000

11,800

12,200

19 nofl

11,400

12,000

12,900

11,100

11,600

15, 700

17,500

18,700

16, 100

14,600

17,700

16,900

Date.

Apr. 1.......................

3.......................

5. ......................

8....................... 10.......................

12.......................

15. ......................

17..-----..---...-..-...-

20..----.-....--...-.....

22.......................

24.....---......--....-..

26.......................

28....... ................

30...-...-.--...--.....-.

May 3.......................

7.....--.....-....--....

10.......................

12.......................

14.. .....................

17.......................

19. .................... ..

21.......................

24.......................

26.......................

29.......................

3...... .................

7.......................

9.......................

12.......................

16.......................

18.......................

20.......................

22.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

24.90

23.40

22.60

21.40

21.20

21.80

21.95

21.50

21.30

21.20

22.65

24.20

24.65

23.90

22.70

23.20

23.40

23.00

23. 50

24.20

25.20

25.70

26.20

25.95

25.50

25.80

26.50

26.90

27.10

27.05

26.45

26.80

27.60

28.80

29.60

30.30

Discharge.

Se».-ft. 

43,800

33,500

29,100

24,100

21,600

25,600

22,500

22,000

21,300

32,900

43,700

46,100

41,900

32,400

38,600

40,400

37,300

42,500

49,000

60,400

65,400

68,500

64.700

65,400

71,400

74,600

76,700

78,700

79,000

77,100

80,400

90,700

114,900

126,000

139,500
46 SURFACE WATEB SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

Discharge measurements of Colorado River at Yuma, Ariz., in 1909 Continued.

Date.

July 1...... .................

3.......................

10.......................

13o......................

15o......................

17o......................

22o.. ....................

31«... ...................

7o... ...................

14a......................

17a......................

31o.... ................. .

?«.... ..................

llo... ...................

15o......................

18«..... .................

01

23........ ...............

28.......................

30.......................

Oct. 2.. .....................

5.......................

7.... ...................

9.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

30.75

qn fie

29 40

on An

oc on

97 fin

oc en

94. fift

00 QA

99 9fi

20 00

19 40

1 s on

1 Q OK

1 Q on

10 QA

1 S fifi

18.40

1C on

19 80

1Q 7fi

91 9A

19.80

21.10

99 lift

in on

18.40

17.60

17.40

17.10

16.80

16.70

16.50

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

149 500

145,000

132,400

132,000

102,900

86 300

68 400

62 600

42 900

35,600

34 400

46,500

51,900

44 300

38^700

36, 100

28 400

30,400

28,500

42,500

42,300

39,400

53,800

50,600

47 200

42,400

39,000

50,400

76 000

79,900

40 000

33,600

29,400

22,600

21,300

19,200

17,200

16, 100

14,500

Date.

Oct. 12.......................

12.......................

14.......................

14.......................

16.......................

16.......................

19.......................

21.......................

21.......................

23....-----.......--.....

23.......................

26.......................

26.......................

28.......................

30.......................

30.......................

Nov. 1.......................

4.......................

6.......................

9.......................

11.......................

13.......................

16.......................

18.......................

20.......................

23.......................

27.......................

30.......................

Dec. 2.......................

4.......................

7.......................

9.......................

11.......................

14.......................

16.......................

18.......................

21 .......................

23.......................

25.......................

28.......................

30.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

16.30

16.30

16.30

16.50

16.50

16.40

16.40

16.40

16.40

16.40

16.30

16.30

16.00

16.00

16.00

15.90

15.80

15.80

15.80

15.90

15.90

15.90

15.90

16.00

15.85

15.90

16.00

16.10

16.10

16.00

15.70

15.35

15.10

15.20

15.00

14.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

13,500

13,300

12,700

12,900

13,700 10 700

13,100

i ^ ^nn

12,900

12,900

19 7OO

12,600

12,000

12 000

11,400

11,100

9,600

9,300

8,700

9,100

9 000

9,100

9 4fift

9,300

9,500

9,000

9,600

9 800

10,800

11,600

10,900

10,200

9,300

7,600

6,600

6.600

5i 700

4,800

« Acoustic meter used and the coefficient of reduction was taken as 90 per cent.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Colorado River, at Yuma, Ariz., for 1909. 

[R. Li. North and N. B. Conway, observers.]

Day.

1...............

2. ..............

3..-...-.--.-..-

6...............

7. ..............

9.. .............

10.. ....... ------

11...............

12. ..............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18. ..............

19...............

20...............

Jan.

18.65

18.6

18.45

18.35

18.55

18.6

18.4

18.25

18.3

18.3

18.35

18.3

18.45

18.7

18.8

18.9

19.05

19.6

19.75

19.6

Feb.

21.7

21.1

20.6

20.2

20.1

20.05

19.85

19.75

19.7

19.65

19.7

19.7

19.9

20.1

20.05

20.5

20.35

20.3

Mar.

19.9

20.2

20.25

20.55

20.3

20.3

20.35

20.15

20.25

20.35

20.35

20.5

20.75

20.9

20.8

20.85

Apr.

24.8

24.1

23.5

23.05

22.65

22.15

22.0

21.55

21.65

21.3

21.75

21.8

22.0

21.85

21.45

21.25

21.35

21.35

May.

23.45

23.0

22.7

22.85

23.25

23.45

23.35

Oq AC

23.0

23.0

23.15

23. 55 .

oc o

OK K

25.8

26.2

June.

26.6

26.7

26.9

27.0

27.0

27.1

27.15

26.65

26.4

9fi A*\

26.6

27.25

27.6

OQ OK

OQ 0

29.3

29.7

Jnly.

29.4

29.45

29.4

29.35

29.15

29.05

28.6

28.1

27.6

26.95

26.1

25.6

25.05

24.65

24.2

23.65

22.05

21.35

Aug.

20.0

19.8

19.4

19.05

18.9

18.85

18.5

18.45

18.3

18.05

18.05

18.35

18.35

18.85

20.4

in oe

19.85

19.95

Sept.

19.5

19.5

19.6

21.25

21.75

21.05

20.9

20.35

21.65

22.45

23.3

23.7

OQ C

99 3

21.2

on qe

in oc

in EC

19.2

Oct.

17.35

17.1

17.05

16.9

16.8

16.8

16.7

Ifi Q

16.3

16.35

16.35

16.5

16.45

16.4

Nov.

16.0

16.0

15.9

15.85

15.8

15.8

15.8

 1C C

-1C C

1* 0

15.75

1 c 7K

15.8

ice

1*1 c

15.95

1 C Q

IP; Q

15.9

Dec.

Ti S

15.95

16.0

16.05

16.1

16.2

16.1

16.0

16.0

16.0

16.0

m 7

15 5

1 C n

1 c oe

15.2
COLOKADO BIVEE BASIN. 47

Daily gage height, in feet, of Colorado River, at Yuma, Ariz.,for 1909 Continued.

Day.

21...............

22.. .............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26. ..............

27...............

28...............

29............... 

30...............

31...............

Jan.

19.35

19.2

19.1

19.25

20.4

20.35

20.85

20.55

20.55 

20.5

22.0

Feb.

20.15

20.2

20.3

20.45

20.75

20.25

20.0

19.9

Mar.

20.65

20.65

21.0

21.3

21.55

21.6

21.5

21.5

21.55 

22.15

24.3

Apr.

21.25

21.25

21.55

22.8

23-7

243

24.65

24.65

24.15 

23.85

May.

26.2

26.3

26.2

25.95

25.75

25.5

25. 55

25.75

25.85 

26.0

26.35

Jane.

30.05

30.25

30.5

30.75

30.75

30.65

30.45

30.1

29.85 

29.65

July.

20.7

20.05

19.8

19.45

19.1

18.9

19.1

18. 95

19.35 

19.75

19.85

Aug.

19.8

20.65

20.45

21.0

21.1

21.15

20.5

20.1

19.35 

19.45

19.9

Sept.

18.85

18.6

18.35

18.2

18.05

17.8

17.7

17.55 

17.4

Oct.

16.4

16.4

16.4

16.3

16.3

16.3

16.3

16.25

16.1 

16.0

16.0

Nov.

15.95

15.9

15.9

15.95

16.05

16.0

16.0

15.95

15.95 

15.85

Dec.

15.15

15.2

15.25

15.3

15.3

15.3

15.15

15.0

14.9 

14.75

14.6

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Colorado River at Yuma, Ariz., for 1909.

Day.

1....

2....

3....

4....

5....

6....

7....

8....

9....

10. ...

11....

12....

13....

14....

15....

16. ...

17....

18....

19....

20....

21....

22. ...

23....

24....

25....

26....

27....

28....

29....

30

31....

Jan.

7,800

7,100

6,100

6,000

6,900

6,800

6,000

6,100

6,100

6,100

6,200

5,800

5,900

6,100

6,200

6,300

6,400

7,400

8,100

11,900

10,600

9,900

9,400

10, 200

15,300

15, 100

21,300

17,100

17,100

17 600

31.500

Feb.

25,100

21, 100

18,100

14,900

15,500

15,300

14,400

14, 000

12, 300

11, 900

12,000

12,000

13,800

11,400

11,400

12,000

11,800

13,500

12,800

12,800

12, 300

12,500

12,200

13,700

16,800

12,500

12,000

11,500

Mar.

11,400

13,200

12,000

12,700

12,900

12,900

13,400

11,100

12,000

11,600

11,800

12,600

15,700

16, 600

17,500

17,500

18,700

17, 200

16, 100

16,500

14,800

14,800

14,600

17,200

18,200

18,700

17,700

17,700

16,900

21,700

35.900

Apr.

43,800

37,600

33,500

31,100

29,400

26,600

25,800

24,700

25,100

22,800

28,500

25,600

25,600

26,600

26,700

25,900

22, 100

20,300

21,200

22,100

21,900

21,600

23,800

34, 100

41,300

44,400

46,800

46,100

43,400

41,600

May.

39,400

36,900

32,400

33,600

39,200

41,700

40,000

37,200

36,800

37,400

38,500

43,000

47,200

49,000

51,800

55,500

61,500

65,000

66, 400

70,400

68,500

69,100

68,500

64,700

61,700

65,400

66,400

70, 400

72,400

72, 300

73.900

June.

75,100

75,600

76,700

77,200

77,200

78,700

79,200

79,200

78,700

77,700

76,900

77, 100

78,500

81,300

86,200

90,700

103, 700

114,900

124,900

127,500

134,500

138, 700

144,200

149,500

148,000

145,000

142,700

138,300

135,200

133, 100

July.

130,200

133,000

132, 400

133,700

132, 300

133,000

124,700

115,400

110,000

102,000

98,500

93,500

88, 100

80,800

76,200

71,700

66,300

62,700

60,200

54,500

48,700

43,500

40,300

36,000

34,500

34,400

39,200

40,700

47,700

51,800

52.800

Aug.

51,600

48,500

43,300

39, 200

38,700

39,500

33,000

34, 200

32, 300

29,300

25,000

29,500

29,600

29,600

34,900

47,400

42,800

39,500

42,700

42,300

40,200

47,700

48,500

54,100

52,400

50,200

47,600

46,500

40,800

40,800

43. 100

Sept.

39,800

39,300

47,800

66,200

65,700

56,200

51,000

52,000

55,200

67,300

77,500

87, 700

93,200

91,500

77,800

63,700

50, 700

39,600

37,800

35,500

33,300

31,100

28,000

27,700

26,500

24,400

23,600

22,600

22,300

21,300

Oct.

20,700

19,200

18,800

17,800

17,200

17,000

16,100

15,300

14,500

13,900

13,600

13,500

13,100

13,100

12,800

13,700

13,300

13,000

13,600

13,200

12,900

12,800

12,700

12,200

12,100

12,000

11,700

11,200

11,000

11,000

11.000

Nov.

10,900

10,900

10, 100

9,800

9,600

9,600

9,500

9,400

9,300

9,000

8,300

8,300

9,100

8,800

8,400

9,000

9,700

9,100

9,200

9,400

9,900

9,400

9,300

9,600

10,500

9,800

9,500

9,400

9,500

9,000

Dec.

8,800

9,800

9,900

10,100

9,900

10,000

10,800

11,900

11,600

10,900

10,900

10,700

10,400

10,200

9,900

9,300

8,400

7,300

7,000

6,800

6,500

6,700

6,800

6,800

6,600

6,800

6,200

5,700

5, 300

4 600

4! 100

NOTE. These discharges were obtained by the indirect method for shifting channels.

Monthly discharge of Colorado River at Yuma, Ariz., for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 225,000 square miles.]

Month.

April..............................

May..............................

July..............................

The vear ....................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

31,500 

25,100 

35,900 

46,800 

73,900 

149,500 

133,700 

54,100 

93,200 

20,700 

10,900 

11,900

149.500

Minimum.

5,800 

11,400 

11,100 

20,300 

32,400 

75,100 

34,400 

25,000 

21,300 

11,000 

8,300 

4,100

4.100

Mean.

10,000 

13,900 

15,900 

30,300 

54,100 

105,000 

79,600 

40,800 

48,500 

14,000 

9,440 

8,410

35.800

Per

square 

mile.

0.044 

.062 

.071 

.135 

.240 

.467 

.354 

.181 

.216 

.062 

.042 

.037

.159

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.05 

.06 

.08 

.15 

.28 

.52 

.41 

.21 

.24 

.07 

.05 

.04

2.16

Total in 

acre-feet.

615,000 

772,000 

978,000 

1,800,000 

3,330,000 

6,250,000 

4,890,000 

2,510,000 

2,890,000 

861,000 

562,000 

517,000

26.000.000
48 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

SALTON SINK. 

SALTON SEA NEAR SALTON, CAL.

Salton Sink originally formed a part of the Colorado Desert, which 

extends northwestward almost 100 miles from the California-Mexico 

boundary line and comprises an area of nearly 2,000 square miles. 

This desert comprises two fertile valleys, one to the northwest of the 

sink, in Riverside County, known as the Coachella Valley, and the 

other to the southeast of the sink, in Imperial County, called the 

Imperial Valley. Salton Sea, which now partly fills the sink, lies 

between the two valleys, being partly in Riverside County and partly 

in Imperial County. It is about 160 miles southeast of Los Angeles, 

90 miles northwest of Yuma, and 50 miles north of Calexico. The 

longer diameter of the sea trends northwest and southeast. On 

December 31, 1908, its surface was 206 feet below mean sea level, its 

length was nearly 45 miles, its maximum width about 15 miles, its 

minimum width 9.5 miles, its maximum depth 67.5 feet, and its superficial area about 443 square miles.

During the high water of the summer of 1891 the Colorado overflowed into Salton Sink to such an extent as to endanger the Southern 

Pacific Railroad at its lowest point. In the summer of 1905, after a 

succession of winter and spring floods in Gila River followed by an 

exceptionally heavy summer flow in the Colorado, the flood into the 

sink was repeated on a much larger scale. The old river channel occupied by Alamo River was transformed into a deep wide gorge, and 

another channel, now called New River, was formed. The flood did 

great damage to the tracks of the Southern Pacific Railroad, to the 

plant of the New Liverpool Salt Co. below Mecca, and to the ranches 

in the vicinity.

Gage-height records kept by the New Liverpool Salt Co. from 

November, 1904, to February 26, 1906, show the actual depth of the 

water above the lowest portion of the sink. February 23, 1906, the 

Government installed a gage at the same datum, about half a mile 

west of Salton railroad station and 3 miles southeast of the old Salton 

station. This gage was destroyed by waves. The Southern Pacific 

Co. had graduated a trestle bent across Salt Creek about 2^ miles east 

of Salton, using the company's datum; the zero of this gage is 273.5 

feet below mean sea level as determined from United States Geological 

Survey bench marks, or at an elevation of 280.3 feet below sea level 

according to the Southern Pacific Co.

Practically all the water received by Salton Sea enters through 

Alamo and New rivers, but chiefly through the former. These rivers 

run through Imperial Valley and are the drainage channels for the 

excess and waste water from the irrigation system and from the 

power plants.
COLOEADO EIVEK BASIN. 49

The following tables show the fluctuation of the surface of Salton 

Sea:

Daily gage height, in feet, of Salton Sea near Salton, Cal.,for 1909.

(J. A. Jeffreys and Benj. C. Kedel, observers.]

Day.

1.... ...........

2...............

3...............

4. ..............

6...............

7. ..............

8...............

9. ..............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14. ..............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29. ..............

30. .............. 

31...............

Jan.

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.45

67.45

67. 45

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.4 

67.4

Feb.

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.4

67.35

67.35

67.35

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.3

67.25

67.25

67.25

Mar.

67.25

67.25

67.25

67.25

67.2

67.2

67.2

67.2

67.2

67.15

67.15

67.15

67.1

67.1

67.1

67.1

67.1

67.1

67.05

67.05

67.05

67.05

67.05

67.05

67.05

67.05

67.05

67.05

67.0 

67.0

Apr.

67.0

67.0

67.0

67.0

66.95

66.95

66.95

66.9

66.9

66.9

66.9

66.9

fifi Q

66.85

66.85

66.85

66.8

66.8

66.8

66.8

66.75

66.75

66.7

May.

66.7

66.7

66 7

66.7

66.7

66.7

66.7

66.65

66.65

66.65

66.65

66.65

66.6

66.6

66.6

66.6

66.5

66.45

66 4

66.3 

66.3

June.

66.25

66.2

66. 2

66.15

66.1

66.1

66.15

66.15

66.15

66.15

66.1

66.1

66.1

66.05

66.0

66.0

66.0

66.0

65.95

AC QK

65.95

65.9

65.9

July.

65.9

65.95

65.85

65.8

65.8

65.75

65.75

65.75

65.7

65.7

65 7

65.7

65.65

65.65

65.6

65.55

65.55

65.55

65.55

65.5

65.45

65 4

65.35

65.35 

65.3

Aug.

65.3

65.25

65.2

65.2

65.2

65.15

65.35

65.3

65.3

65.25

65.25

65.2

65.2

65.2

65.25

65.15

65.2

65.2

65.15

65.2

65.15

65.15

65.1

65.1

65.1

65.15 

65.25

Sept.

65.35

65.3

65.25

65.3

65.25

65.25

65.3

65.25

65.25

65.25

65.15

65.1

65.05

65.05

65.0

65.0

65.0

649

64. 9

649

ft. A Q

64.85

6485

648

648

6475

6475

Oct.

647

6465

646

646

6455

6455

645

645

64.5

6445

6445

644

644

6435

6435

643

643

643

643

6425

6425

6425

6425

642

642

642

642

642 

64.2

Nov.

641

641

641

6405

6405

6405

640

640

63.95

63.95

63.9

63.9

63.9

63.85

63.8

63.8

63.75

63.75

63.75

63.75

63.7

63.7

63.75

63.75

63.75

63.7

63.7

63.7

63.65

Dec.

63.65

63.65

63.65

63.65

63.6

63.6

63.55

63.55

63.6

63.55

63.55

63.55

63.55

63.55

63.55

63.5

63.5

63.5

63.5

63.5

63.45

63.45

63.45

63.45

63.4

63.4

63.4

63.4

63.4

63.4 

63.4

Monthly rise of Salton Sea near Salton, Cal.,for 1904-1909.

' Month.

1904.

1905.

January .

July.............

October

1906.

April............

Monthly rise.

Feet. 

0.6

.2

1.4

1.6

.8

1.2

1.0

2.2

4 4

2.2

1.2

1.6

2.9

1.1

1.8

2.7

5.6

8.7

15.4

Total 

rise.

Feet.

0.8

2.2

3.8

4 6

5.8

6.8

9.0

13.4

16.8

18.2

19.8

22.7

23.8

25.6

28.3

33.9

42.5

57.9

Month.

1906. 

July.............

1907

April............

May.............

July.............

1908

Monthly rise.

Feet. 

8.6

O Q

1.2

9

1.2

2.8

.7

.1

- .3

- .5

- .2

- -a

- .¥

- .4

- .5

- .3

.0

- .1

Total 

rise.

Feet. 

66.5

fiQ A.

70.3

71.5

71 o

72.5

7c o

76.0

7C Q

75.6

75.1

74 7

74.5

74.2

73.5

73.1

72.6

72.3

72.3

72.2

Month.

1908.

May.............

July.............

1QOQ

May.............

July.............

Monthly rise.

Feet. -0.2

- .4

- .6

- .5

__ , C

- .6

- .8

- .7

- .3

- .2

.0

- .15

- .25

- .3

- .4

- .4

- .6

- .05

- .5

- .55

- .25

Total 

rise.

Feet. 

72.0

71.6

71.0

70.5

70.0

69.4

68.6

67.9

67.6

67.4

67.4

67.25

67.0

66.7

66.3

65.9

65.3

65.25

64.75

642

63.65

63.4

95620° WSP 269 11-
50 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

ALAMO RIVER NEAR BRAWLEY, CAL.

During 1908 discharge nieasu^ementg^^g£e^made on Alamo River 

at a highway bridge 3^ miles east of clrs^^j^H^if^ HWR/ Edwards, 

engineer for the New Liverpool Salt Co. 1 During 1909 measurements were made by engineers of the United States Geological Survey. On June 24, 1909, a continuous record of gage heights was 

commenced at this point. The staff gage is spiked vertically to 

a pile in the left abutment of the bridge. The datum of the gage 

has remained the same during the maintenance of the station. All 

discharge measurements are made from the bridge.

The data obtained at this station, together with those obtained 

on New River, show the amount of waste water reaching Salton Sea 

and are of value in connection with experiments being made by the 

United States Weather Bureau for determining the evaporation from 

Salton Sea.

Conditions for obtaining accurate discharge data are poor. The 

channel is constantly scouring or filling as the stage fluctuates. 

Both banks are high and well above overflow.

Discharge measurements of Alamo River near Brawley, Cal., in 1909.

Date.

Jan. 14

July 30

Sept. 12

Dec. 31

Hydrographer.

W. F. Martin.. . ...........................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

55

55

56

60

55

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

91

128

120

175

82

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.01

5.40

5.26

6.00

4.70

Discharge.

Sec -ft. 

213

401

290

675

164

Daily gage height, in feet, of Alamo River near Brawley, Cal., for 1909. 

[Mrs. Flora Helmar, observer.]

Day.

'2.'... 

3,1 . .

 5 :=:'..

«....

<l.:..

8....

9....

10....

11....

12....

13....

14.... 

15....

June. July.

5.8

5.85

e n

5.7

C K

5.35

5.4

5.65

5.6

5.45

5.15 

4.8

Aug.

5.45 

5.3

5.35

^ 9

5.3

C 0

5.4

5.15

5.05

5.3

Sept.

8.0

7.6

6

0

6.3

C 1

P; cc

6.3

6.2

6.0

6.0

6.4

5.85

5

0

Oct.

C Q

5.75

5 45

5.75

5.55

5.6

5.65

K qc

K OC

K O

5.1 

5.05

Nov.

5.35

5.45

5.3

5.3

5.25

5.15

t; 9

K O

5.35

K QC

Dec.

5.45 

5.4

5 4

5 45

5.4

5.4

5.8

5.8

6.1

6.1

5.8

C 0

Day.

16....

17..-, 

18..-.

in

20. ...

21....

23....

24....

25. ...

26. ...

27....

28....

29....

on

31....

June.

5.5

5.65

5.8

5.65

5.9

5.95

July.

4.8

5.05

4.85

4.8

4.95

4.65

5.45

4.9

4.85

4.95

5 9

5.3

Aug.

5.95

7.65

Q q

7.9

8 A

8.35

8.4

8 A

8.5

8.4

7.8

5.95

5

QK

7.15

Sept.

5.4

5.2

c n

5.7

5

C

5.35

5.4

5 45

5.55

K CK

C Q

5.85 

6.2

Oct.

5.0

5.05

5 2

5 9

5.25

5.2

5.2

5 15

K 9

5.2

K q

Nov.

5.4

5.35 

5.35

5

K

5 65

5.45

5.6

c or

5.3

5 4

5.6

5

7C

5.8 

5.8

Dec.

5.55

5

qc

c 9

5 15

c q

5 2

5.21

5.55

5.55

5.65

5.35

5.0 

4 85

These measurements were published in Water-Supply Paper 249, p. 52.
COLORADO KIVEE BASIN. 51 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Alamo River near Brawley, Cal.,for 1909.

Day.

1....

2....

3....

4....

5....

6....

7....

8-...

9....

10-...

11....

12....

13-...

14....

15....

June. July.

604

539

582

582

496

410

368

348

368

474

453

389

194

Aug.

389

328

348

293

qoo

348

368

348

278

937

328

Sept.

1,480

1,310

1,100

754

432

754

711

625

797

Cfifl

Oct.

539

518

474

389

518

453

474

474

310

310

293

250

Nov.

368

348

389

389

328

328

310

348

278

293

310

293

310

348

Dec.

474

389

368

368

389

389

368

368

410

539

539

668

668

539

539

Day.

16....

17....

18.---

20....

21....

22....

23....

24..

25..

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31....

June.

410

474

539

474

582

604

604

July.

176

194

226

250

204

194

226

185

168

389

389

214

204

293

328

Aug.

604

1,330

1,330

1,610

1,530

1,660

1,640

1,660

1,660

1,700

1,660

1,400

604

604

1,120

Sept.

368

293

278

237

310

496

453

348

368

389

432

474

539

560

711

Oct.

237

250

278

293

293

310

310

293

293

278

278

293

263

293

328

328

Nov.

368

348

348

410

474

389

453

348

328

368

432

453

518

539

539

Dec.

560

432

389

348

293

278

328

293

310

432

432

474

348

237

204

153

NOTE. These discharges are based on a rating curve that is fairly well defined between discharges of 

100 and 1,050 second-feet.

Monthly discharge of Alamo River near Brawley, Cat., for 1909.

Month.

June 24-30. ........................................

July...............................................

November. ........ ......... ..............

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

604 

604 

1,700 

1,480 

539 

539 

668

Minimum.

410 

168 

237 

226 

237 

278 

153

Mean.

529 

339 

856 

580 

344 

377 

404

Run-ofl 

(total in 

acre-feet).

7,340 

20,800 

52,600 

34,500 

21,200 

22,400 

24,.800

184,000

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B.

NEW RIVER NEAR BRAWLEY, CAL.

During 1908 discharge measurements were made at a wagon bridge 

over New River, 1^ miles west of Brawley, Cal., by H. R. Edwards, 

engineer for the New Liverpool Salt Co. 1 During 1909 measurements 

were made by engineers of the United States Geological Survey. 

On June 24, 1909, a continuous record of gage heights was begun at 

this point. The staff gage is spiked vertically to the third bridge 

pile from the right bank. The datum of the gage has remained 

the same during the maintenance of the station. At high stages 

discharge measurements are made from the bridge, but at medium 

and low stages measurements are made by wading near the bridge.

The data obtained at this station, together with those obtained 

on Alamo River, show the amount of waste water reaching Salton 

Sea and are of value in connection with experiments being made by the 

United States Weather Bureau to determine the evaporation from 

Salton Sea.

1 These measurements were published in Water-Supply Paper 249, p. 52.
52 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Conditions for obtaining accurate discharge data are exceedingly 

poor. The great amount of fine silt carried by this stream causes 

continual changes in the channel. The current is light at low stages. 

Floods occur at long intervals and are extremely torrential.

Conditions at this station during 1909 were fairly good up to the 

middle of August, when heavy rains fell in the Imperial Valley and 

surrounding country. A considerable flood occurred on New River, 

washing out the earth approaches to the bridge, and changing the 

channel so completely that measurements made prior to August are 

not comparable with those that will be made later. Probably the 

channel was- fairly stable after October 1, 1909, but sufficient discharge measurements have not been made to define the new rating 

curve. Estimates of flow are, therefore, withheld.

Discharge measurements of New River near Brawley, Cal., in 1909.

Date.

Jan 14

Hydrographer.

W. F. Martin. .............................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

23

58

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

33

66

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.00

6.31

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

46

89

63

NOTE. All measurements were made from downstream side of wagon bridge.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of New River near Brawley, Cal., for 1909. 

[Herschell Darnell, observer.]

Day.

2....

4....

5...

6....

7....

8....

9....

19. ...

12....

13. . . . 

14....

June. July.

6.15

6.1

6.1

6.15

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.15

6.2

6.2

6.2

6.2

6.2 

6.2

6.2

Aug.

6.2

6.2

6.25

6.25

6.25

5.9

5.9

5.9

5.9

5.9

5.9

6-2

7.15 

7.0

6 9

Sept.

6.8

6.15

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.6

5.6

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.2

5.1

5-0 

5.1

Oct.

5.0

4.9

4 95

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7 

4.7

4.7

Nov.

4.9

4.85

4 85

4.9

4 9

4.9

4.9

4.85

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8 

4.8

4.9

Dec.

4.8

4.9

4.8

4.85

4.9

4.85

4.8

4.9

4 9

4.9

4.9

4.8

4.8 

4.8

4.8

Day.

16....

17. ...

18. ...

19. ...

21....

-22. ...

23....

27 ..

28.... 

29. ...

on

31....

June.

6

9

6 25

6.3

6.2

July.

6.2

6.25

6.25

6.0

5.9

5.8

5.8

6.05

6.1

6.15 

6.2

6.2

6.2

Aug.

6.85

6.8

6.8

7.1

6.75

6.6

6.3

5.95

o9.2

8.75

Sept.

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.05 

5.0

4.9

Oct.

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4,7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.5

4.5

Nov.

4 9

4.9

4 9

4 85

4 9

4.9

4 9

4 9

4.85

4 9

4 9

4.8

4.9 

4.9

4.8

Dec.

4.8

4.8

4 95

4.85

4.9

5.15

5

fk

5.0

4 9

5 n

4 9

4 9

5.0

5.0

5.1

5.1

" Estimated. Maximum gage height was 12.5 feet.

TRIBUTARY BASINS.

DTTCHESNE RIVER BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

Duchesne River rises in the high peaks of the Uinta and Wasatch 

mountains in northeastern Utah, flows for about 100 miles in a 

general southeasterly direction, and enters Green River at Ouray,
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 53

Utah, about 3 miles above the mouth of White River. The stream 

has a total drainage area of 4,000 square miles. Altitudes range 

from. 4,700 feet at the mouth of the river to more than 13,000 feet at 

the summits of the highest peaks.

The principal tributaries of the Duchesne are Rock (East) Creek, 

Strawberry River, Lake Fork, and Uinta River.

The drainage basin of the tipper Duchesne proper is mountainous. 

The stream emerges from the mountains at the mouth of Rock 

Creek, at an elevation of about 6,000 feet. From the mouth of 

Strawberry River down to Lake Fork the valley of the Duchesne 

is about 2 miles in average width, and is bordered by sandstone bluffs 

approximately 200 feet high. The bluffs on the northern side of 

the river are capped by heavy deposits of coarse gravel and cobblestones. The general course of the stream throughout this stretch 

and on down to the mouth of the Uinta is easterly. Along the lower 

course of the stream the plateaus on each side of the stream valley 

are comparatively low and can be easily reached by irrigation canals 

from the main stream.

Strawberry River, the main upper tributary of the Duchesne, 

drains an area of about 1,200 square miles. The stream rises in the 

Uinta Mountains, and enters the Duchesne at Theodore. Its flow 

is derived chiefly from melting snow, except during the late summer, 

when the flow comes from small springs well distributed over the 

entire drainage basin. The upper stream basin has numerous tributaries, particularly from the north and west. Among the most 

important may be mentioned Indian Creek, Bryant's Fork, Mud 

Creek, Horse Creek, Sugar Springs, and Co-op Creek. They are all 

short and fall rapidly until they reach Strawberry Valley, through 

which they flow sluggishly in well-defined channels. The main 

stream traverses the valley from north to south and is very sluggish. 

Indian Creek drains a small portion of the southern slopes of the 

Uinta Mountains. Its basin comprises smooth, rolling hills, fairly well 

timbered with pine and aspen. The normal flow is derived chiefly 

from springs. The greater part of the precipitation is in the form of 

snow, which covers the ground for six or eight months of each year. 

As its average elevation is 7,500 feet above sea level, Strawberry 

Valley is not well suited for agricultural development, but is excellently adapted to grazing. At the mouth of the river, about 35 miles 

below Strawberry Valley, the elevation is about 5,500 feet, and the 

fall in that distance is, therefore, nearly 2,000 feet.

Rock Creek, Lake Fork, the Uinta, and its most important tributary, 

the Whiterocks, head in a series of small lakes in the Uinta Mountains. 

These lakes are fed by snow that exists the year round in the canyons 

and on the high slopes. All these streams drain areas mountainous
54 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

and difficult of access in their upper portions, and all of them emerge 

from their canyons at an elevation of about 7,000 feet. Rock Creek 

continues its course in a narrow valley, but the others spread out so 

that their valleys are comparatively wide, and the adjoining benches 

relatively low.

The drainage area of the Duchesne includes about 1,400 square 

miles of forest reserve, of which about 1,000 square miles may be 

classed as timbered land with an average stand of over 3,000 feet 

b. m. to the acre. The principal species of timber are Engelmann 

spruce and lodgepole pine. The timbered land is distributed through 

the areas of the various tributaries about as follows: Upper Duchesne, 

120 square miles; Rock Creek, 130 square miles; Strawberry River, 

380 square miles; Lake Fork, 190 square miles; Uinta (above Whiterocks), 120 square miles; Whiterocks, 70 square miles.

Little information is available as to the precipitation in this basin. 

In the plains portion of the area the average rainfall is probably less 

than 10 inches; in the middle portion, comprising considerably over 

half the area, it probably averages between 10 and 15 inches; in only 

a small part in the high mountains is there an annual precipitation in 

excess of 20 inches, and at Fort Duchesne, at an elevation of 5,000 

feet, a record extending over several years shows a mean annual rainfall of only 7 inches.

The winters are very severe throughout this basin. In the high 

mountains the snowfall is heavy, and in many places the snow lies 

through the whole year. In the hills above an elevation of 7,000 feet 

there is very considerable snowfall, which usually forms in drifts in 

canyons, and not infrequently the snow lies for extended periods in 

the valleys and plateaus of the more open country. All the streams 

in this region are usually covered with thick ice from about December 

1 to April 1 of each year.

At the present time the water in these streams is unused except for 

irrigation. The United States Indian Service has constructed a series 

of canals diverting water for irrigation from Lake Fork, the Uinta, 

and Whiterocks, and the Duchesne proper. The private canal systems now in operation are small, but eventually several hundred 

thousand acres of land below an elevation of 6,500 feet will be brought 

under irrigation. Practically no storage is used in connection with 

any of the irrigation systems now in operation or under construction. 

As the mountain drainage areas of all the main tributaries are studded 

with lakes, reservoir sites can easily be found where water can be stored 

for the irrigation of the valley lands (PI. IV, B). It is believed that 

the entire flow from the drainage basin can be equalized by storage.

The United States Reclamation Service is constructing a tunnel, 

with a capacity of 500 second-feet, which will divert water from a
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 268 PLATE IV

A. DAM SITE FOR RESERVOIR ON WILLIAMS FORK, GRAND RIVER, COLO.

£. RESERVOIR SITE ON WEST FORK OF LAKE FORK ABOVE FORKS, UTAH.
COLOKADO EIVEK BASIN. 55

100,000-acre reservoir on the upper Strawberry across the divide to 

the headwaters of the Spanish Fork, there to be used for irrigation.

At the present time there are no water-power plants in this drainage basin, though with proper storage 200,000 horsepower could be 

developed. Very little water will be diverted for irrigation above an 

elevation of 6,500 feet, and as most of the reservoir sites are at an elevation of 8,000 feet or more, good opportunities for power development exist above irrigation diversions. Some of the streams have 

falls of 100 to 150 feet or more to the mile along these stretches.

None of the records of stream flow in this basin extend back of 

1899, and they are not continuous since that time. The driest year 

for which records are available was 1900, although 1902 was almost 

as low. The year of greatest average run-off was 1907.

DUCHESNE RIVER AT MYTON/ UTAH.

This station, which is located at the highway bridge at Myton, 

Utah, about 3 miles below the mouth of Lake Fork and about 15 

miles above the mouth of the Uinta River, was established October 

26, 1899, to determine the amount of water available for storage and 

irrigation. The records show practically the entire run-off of the 

Duchesne Basin above the mouth of Uinta River.

Ditches built by the United States Indian Office divert water from 

this stream and its tributaries for irrigation on the Uinta Reservation. 

Water is also diverted by private enterprise for irrigation outside the 

limits of the reservation.

Results at this station are affected by ice for about four months 

each year, and during this period it is usually impossible to apply 

open-channel ratings. The discharge has also been more or less 

affected by eddies about the wooden crib piers and by drift lodged 

against them.

The datum of the gage remained practically constant from the 

establishment of the station until June 6, 1909, when the river cut 

a new channel around the bridge and the bridge station was abandoned. A new chain gage was established July 9, 1909, about onefourth of a mile upstream from the bridge and at a different datum. 

This gage was replaced on August 9, 1909, by another chain gage, 

100 feet upstream on right bank, at the same datum.

There was no bridge or cable from which discharge measurements 

could be made during the latter part of 1909.

i Described in the earlier reports as the Price Road Bridge station.
56 SUKFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Discharge measurements of Duchesne River at My ton, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

19 a

Feb. 15 o

25a

Mar. 15 o

29

Apr. 14

27

May 12

26 Dec.22«>

Hydrographer.

R. H. Fletcher............................................

.....do....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

100

114

105

105

100

100

100

102

108

108

110

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

274

313

265

267

276

598

583

639

847

872

362

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

6.44

6.62

6.72

6.61

6.62

5.78

5.69

6.68

8.44

8.50

6.00

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

460

574

483

396

462

664

558

1,240

3.340

3,380

630

» Made through ice. 

6 Made through ice. Gage height refers to different datum.

NOTE. On Jan. 5 ice was 1.6 feet thick under gage; Jan. 19 it was 1.8 feet thick; Feb. 25, 2 feet thick; 

Mar. 15, 2.8 feet thick; Mar. 29, ice on edges and floating. Dec. 22, about 1 foot thick, with slush and 

anchor ice.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Duchesne River at My ton, Utah, for 1909. 

[Alice Todd, observer.]

Day.

1. ..........................

2...........................

3...........................

4. ..........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

1 f\

16...........................

17...........................

10

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30

31...........................

Apr.

5.75

5.85

6.05

6.25

6.0

5.8

5.8

5.7

5.65

5 7

5.7

5.7

5.65

5.75

5.8

5.9

6.05

6.3

6.45

6.4

6.3

6.3

6.25

6.35

6.4

6.7

6.9

7.0

6.8

May.

6.65

6.50

6.65

6.8

7.1

7 45

7.55

7.7

7.95

8 1 PI

8.3

8.4

o qe

8.1

8 A

8 1

8

1

8

f\

8.0

8.2

8.4

8 7

8.8

O O

o 7

8.6

8.6

8.8

9 0

8 OK

8.6

June.

8.55

8.8

9.3

9.8

10.1

10.35

July.

7.15

7.0

6 9

6.8

6.7

6.6

6.6

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.6

6.55

6.4

6.4

6.45

6.4

6 45

6.6

6.6

6.5

6.45

Aug.

6.3

6.2

6.1

6.0

5.9

5.9

5 9

5.9

5.9

5.85

5.85

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.85

5.9

6.05

6.1

6.2

6.25

6.1

6.0

r~> 9

5.85

5.8

5.7

5.7

6.05

Sept.

7.15

7.0

6.4

6.2

6.2

6.3

6.4

6.4

6.15

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.0

5.9

5 9

5.8

5.7

5.65

5.65

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.55

5.55

5.55

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.45

Oct.

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.5

5.5

5.5 5.4-

5.4

5.4

5.4 '

5.45

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.35

5.35

5.35

5.35

5.35

5.35

5.35 5*35

5.3

5.3

Nov.

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.2

5.2

5.15

5.1

5.1

5.25

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.25

5.2

5.2

5.15

5.15

5.15

Dec.

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.15

NOTE. Ice conditions during January, February, March, and from about Dec. 8 to 31; gage washed 

out June 6. New gage referred to new datum, installed on July 10.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 57

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Duchesne River at Myton, Utah, for 1909. 

[Alice Todd, observer.]

Day.

1...........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20.....................:.....

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Apr.

610

662

780

908

750

635

635

585

585

KOC

COC

562

610

690

780

908

940

1 040

1,010

940

940

908

Q7>;

1,010

1 OOft

1 390

1,480

1,310

May.

1,190

1,080

1,190

1,310

1,560

1,920

2,020

2,200

2

KQf|

2,820

3 A Cft

3,220

3,140

2,740

2,600

2,740

2

74ft

2,600

2,600

2

QQA

3,220

4,000

4,000

3,790

3,590

S

can

4,000

4,430

3,590

June.

3,500

4,000

5,130

6,430

7,310

8,080

July.

3,270

3,020

2,860

2,700

2,550

2,400

2,400

2,240

2,240

2,240

2,320

2,100

2,100

2,170

2,100

2,170

2,400

2,170

Aug.

1,960

1,820

1,700

1,570

1,440

1,440

1,440

1,440

1,440

1,380

1,380

1,320

1,320

1,320

1,320

1,320

1,320

1,380

1,440

1,700

1,820

1,890

1,700

1,440

1,380

1,320

1,200

1,200

1,630

Sept.

3,270

3,020

2,100

1,820

1,820

1,960

2,100

2,100

1,760

1,700

1,700

1,700

1,570

1,440

1,440

1,320

1,200

1,150

1,150

1,090

1,090

1,090

1,040

1,040

1,040

980

980

980

980

928

Oct.

875

875

875

980

980

980.

875

875

875

875

928

875

875

875

875

875

875

875

875

825

825

825

825

825

825

825

825

825

775

Nov.

775

775

775

775

775

775

775

775

775

775

775

775

775

775

685

685

645

605

605

730

775

775

775

775

730

685

685

645

645

645

Dec.

645

645

645

645

645

645

645

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating tables applicable as follows: Apr. 1 to June 6, fairly well 

3fined between 500 and 4,400 second-feet; July 10 to Dec. 1, defined by 1910 measurements between 300

 \i\ 1 OAA aftf*f\nrl-fr,n1-

defined _..._ _ , 

and 1,200 second-feet.

Monthly discharge of Duchesne River at Myton, Utah, for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 2,750 square miles.]

Month.

April.......................

May........................

July 10-31..................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,480 

4,430

3,270 

1,960 

3,270 

980 

775

Minimum.

562 

1,080

2,100 

1,200 

928 

775 

605

Mean.

841 

2,850 

5,740 

2,410 

1,490 

1,520 

866 

731 »637

Per 

square 

mile.

0.306 

1.04 

2.09 

.876 

.542 

.553 

.315 

.266 

.232

Kun-ofl.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.34 

1.20 

.47 

.72 

.62 

.62 

.36 

.30 

.27

Total in 

acre-feet.

50,000 

175,000 

68,300 

105,000 

91,600 

90,400 

53,200 

43,500 

39,200

716,000

Accuracy.

A. 

A. 

B. 

D. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

D.

<» Discharge estimated from Dec. 8 to 31 on basis of ice measurement made Dec. 22.
58 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

STRAWBERRY RIVER ABOVE MOUTH OF INDIAN CREEK IN STRAWBERRY

VALLEY, UTAH.

A station was established on Strawberry River September 15, 1909, 

in the narrows below Strawberry Valley, about 3 miles above the 

mouth of Indian Creek and about half a mile below the dam site of the 

Strawberry Valley project, to determine the amount of water available 

for storage from Strawberry River for the Strawberry Valley project 

of the United States Reclamation Service. The station takes the 

place of the one previously maintained below Indian Creek. The new 

station is about 35 miles northeast of Thistle, Utah, the nearest railroad point.

The vertical staff gage is on the right bank directly underneath 

the cable from which discharge measurements are made.

Neither bank is liable to overflow except in extreme high water. 

The stream bed consists of coarse gravel and although rough is 

believed to be fairly permanent. The measuring conditions during 

the open-water season are good.

As to the lower station the river is frozen and deeply covered with 

snow about five months of the year. The flow during the winter is, 

however, fairly constant and a fair estimate of it may be made.

The following discharge measurement was made by E. S. Fuller:

September 15, 1909: Width, 44.5 feet; area, 54.4 square feet; gage height, 2.70 feet; 

discharge, 41.0 second-feet. Made by wading.

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Strawberry River above mouth 

of Indian Creek in Strawberry Valley, Utah, for 1909.

[J. C. Warfleld, observer.]

Day.

1... ............

2...............

5...............

7......-------..

8...............

9...............

10...............

12...............

13...............

15...............

October.

Gage 

height.

2.65

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.65

Discharge.

37 

38 

39 

40 

41

41 

41 

41 

41 

41

41 

40 

39 

39 

38

November,

Gage 

height.

2.75

2.7

2.7

Discharge.

43 

43 

42 

42 

41

41 

41 

41 

41 

41

41 

41 

41 

41 

41

Day.

16....... .. ......

17...............

18...............

19. .......... ....

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31 ...............

October.

Gage 

height.

2.G

2,65

2.65

2.7

Discharge.

37 

37 

37 

38 

38

39 

39 

39 

39 

39

39 

40 

40 

41 

41 

42

November.

Gage 

height.

3.1

Discharge.

41 

41 

41 

41 

41

41 

41 

41 

41 

41

41 

41 

41 

41 

41

NOTE. The daily discharges are based on a rating curve that is not well defined. Ice after Nov. 15.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 59

Monthly discharge of Strawberry River in Strawberry Valley, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

November ............... ..................... ....

Discharge hi second-feet.

Maximum.

42 

43

Minimum.

37 

41

Mean.

39.4 

41.2 

40.0

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

2,420 

2,450 

2,460

NOTE. These estimates are approximate.

STRAWBERRY RIVER BELOW MOUTH OF INDIAN CREEK IN STRAWBERRY

VALLEY, UTAH. 1

/

This station was originally located above the junction of Indian 

Creek and Strawberry River, where it was maintained from May 12, 

1903, to July 12, 1906. On October 14, 1908, the station was reestablished at a point about 200 feet below the mouth of Indian Creek, 

where it was maintained until September 30,1909, when it was discontinued and separate-records were started on Indian Creek and Strawberry River. All of these stations are located at the lower end of 

Strawberry Valley, about 25 miles northeast of Thistle, the nearest 

railway point.

The records show the amount of water available for storage in the 

Strawberry Valley reservoir. Winters in this region are very severe, 

the river being frozen and covered deeply with snow about five months. 

The flow during this period, however, is fairly constant and a fair 

estimate of the winter flow may be made. Conditions during the 

open-water season are favorable for accurate measurements.

The gage is a vertical staff located 20 feet downstream from the 

cable and on the right bank. Discharge measurements are made 

from a car and cable.

Discharge measurements of Strawberry River below mouth of Indian Creek in Strawberry

Valley, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

July 7

 Sept. 12

Hydrographer.

E. S. Fuller. ......:.......................................

.... .do.. ...................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

64

39.5

39

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

273

58.8

37.6

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

11.2

6.61

6.1

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,380

196

80.6

1 This station was called " Strawberry River in Strawberry Valley, Utah," in previous reports.
60 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Strawberry River below mouth of Indian Creek in Strawberry Valley, Utah, for 1909. 

[J. C. Warfield, observer.]

Day.

1.......

2. ......

4. ......

6. ......

7.......

8. ......

9.......

10.......

n.......

12. ......

13.......

14.......

15.......

May.

11.6

10.8

June.

9 a

10.7

11.0

11.2

11.0

10.1

9.2

8 9

July.

6.8

fi Q

6.65

6.6

6.5

fi AK

6.4

Aug.

6.2

6 9

fi 9

fi 9

6.2

6.15

Sept.

6.2

6.15

6.2

6.1

"6.1

6.1

Day.

16. ......

17. ......

18.......

19.......

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24. ......

25.......

26. ......

27.......

25.......

29

30

31.......

May.

10.6

10.0

June.

8.3

8.0

7.65

7.4

7.2

7.0

6.9

July.

6.35

6.4

6.45

6.4

6.3

6.3

6.25

6.2

Aug.

6.2

6.3

6.15

6.2

6.1

6.05

Sept.

6.05

6.05

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

NOTE. Ice in January, February, March, and April.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Strawberry River below mouth of Indian Creek in Strawberry Valley, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

 6.......

8.......

9.......

10. ......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14. ......

15.......

May.

20

20

205

575

760

QA&

1,130

1,320

1,580

1 660

1 7CA

1,510

1,270

June.

1,020

i 9^n

1,290

1,330

1,360

1,330

1,200

1,080

960

803

764

712

July.

251

OOQ

251

193

188

182

176

170

164

1 CO

152

147

Aug.

101

101

101

101

101

101

101

101

101

101

101

101

98

94

90

Sept.

182

149

101

Qfi

QA

Qfi

101

Qfi

90

QA

78

70

70

78

70

Day.

16.......

17.......

1 C

in

20.......

21.......

99

23.......

24. ......

25.......

26.......

97

28.......

29.......

OA

^1

May.

],260

1 9^rt

1 240

1,220

1.190

1,170

1,160

1 140

1,120

1,110

1,300

1 080

1^070

1,050

June.

660

635

610

C79

448

385

360

335

01 I

9Q7

275

July.

142

1 Ofi

142

147

152

152

147

136

124

124

1 94.

112

106

101

Aug.

96

101

112

124

107

90

Qfi

101

96

90

84

78

71

67

124

Sept.

72

67

67

67

62

56

56

56

56

56

56

Cfi

56

56

58

NOTE. These discharges are based on a rating curve that is fairly well defined. Discharge interpolated 

for days when gage was not read.

Monthly discharge of Strawberry River below mouth of Indian Creek in Strawberry Valley,

Utah, for 1909.

Month.

May...............................................

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,750 

1,390 

263 

124 

182

Minimum.

20 

263 

101 

67 

56

Mean.

1,070 

768 

164 

97.0

78.8

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

65,800 

45,700 

10,100 

5,960 

4.690

Accuracy.

D. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

C.

STRAWBERRY RIVER AT THEODORE, UTAH.

This station, which is located at the west boundary of the Theodore 

town site, along the wagon road to Heber, about 1} miles above the 

junction of the Strawberry with Duchesne River, about half a mile
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 61

upstream from the mouth of Indian Canyon and about 18 miles 

below the mouth of Currant Creek, was established June 10, 1908, to 

determine the run-off of the lower Strawberry and the amount of 

water available for irrigation in that section. The drainage area 

above the station is nearly 1,200 square miles.

The chain gage is located about 50 feet downstream from cable 

from which discharge measurements are made. The datum of the 

gage has remained constant since the station was established.

Very good results should be obtained at this station except at 

extremely high stages, when the stream overflows the leffi bank, 

rendering it impossible to make gagings.

Discharge measurements of Strawberry River at Theodore, Utah, in 1909. 

[By R. H. Fletcher.l

Date.

Mar. 30.......

Apr. 13.......

28

July 11.......

99

Width.

Feet. 

55

52

60

58

66

128

63

63

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

60

94

90

99 <;

189

169

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.40 A no

2.65

2.65

A QA

7 80

4.15

3.76

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

116

147

217

208

QSQ

o3,920

540

440

Date.

Aug. 10.......

26.......

26.......

25.......

Nov. 13.......

23.......

Width.

Feet. 

62

61

62

61

62

61

61

61

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

149

136

14fl

119

113

104

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3 50

3 40

3

00

3.06

9 Q7

2 91

2.75

3 99

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

341

267

325

242

OOQ

209

'267

<* Discharge estimated from extension of area and velocity curves.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Strawberry River at Theodore, Utah, for 1909. 

[E. S. Winslow and M. M. Smith, observers.]

Day.

1. .............. ............

2.......-...-.....-...-.-.-.

3. ....-..-..-.-.....-..- ....

6. .....----... ......... -....

1......... ..................

9... ........................

10...........................

11 ...........................

12...........................

13. ........... ...............

14...........................

15......-..-......-----......

16......-.--.......--.---....

17...........-..........-..'...

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

99

OQ

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28... ........................

29...........................

30

ql

Apr.

2.7

2.9

3.1

3.3

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.65

2.7

2.7

2.65

2.65

2.8

2.85

2.9

3.15

3.4

3.55

3.7

3.6

3.55

q cc

3.75

3.9

4.4

4.9

4.95

4.55

May.

4.35

' 4.3

4.35

4.8

5.5

6.2

6.55

6.9

7.2

7.5

7.7

7.9

7.65

7.4

7.3

7 45

7.4

7.25

7.3

7.45

7.6

7.8

7.95

7.95

7 71

7.5

7.55

7.75

7.9

7.8

7.5

June.

7.4

7.5

7.8

8.0

8.15

8.25

8.3

8.3

8.1

7.8

7.55

7.4

7.25

7.15

7.05

6.85

6.7

6.6

6.45

6.35

6.1

5 9

E 7C

1 fi

5.5

5.4

5.2

5.05

4.95

4.9

July.

4.8

4.65

4.6

4.7

4.6

4.5

4.4

4.3

4.2

4.15

4.25

4.0

3.95

3.9

3.9

3.8

3.75

3.7

3.8

4.1

3.85

3.75

3

ff

3.85

3

7C

3.7

3 7

3

C

3.6

3.55

3

K

Aug.

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

3? 5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.7

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.5

3.55

3.85

3 Q

3.95

3.65

3.6

3.8

3.6

3 EC

0 K

3.4

3 A

3

oe

3

0

3

KK

Sept.

6.1

4.05

3.65

3.55

3.6

3.55

4.0

3.6

3.35

3.3

3.2

3.25

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.15

i 1

3.1

3.2

3.05

3

f\K

3

f\K

3

(\K

3

AK

3.05

0 fl

3 A

3.0

3.0

Oct.

2.95

2.95

2.95

3.05

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.95

2.95

2.95

2.95

2.95

2.95

2.95

2 95

9 Q1

2.95

9 QP*

2

QK

2.9

2 Q

2 9

2 9

2 Q

2.9

9 Q

2.85

2.85

2.85

2 85

2.85

Nov.

2.85

2.85

2.85

2.85

2.85

2.85

2.85

2.8

2.8

2.85

2.85

2.8

9 Q

2.85

2 OK

2

OC

3.15

3

-1

3.0

3.0

3.05

3.15

O -I

3 1

3.1

9 1

2 95

2.65

9 Q^

Dec.

3.0

2.95

3.05

3.2

3

ft

3.3

3

Q

3 7

4.0

3.85

3.8

3.35

3.6

3 7

1 1

3.85

3 A

3 7

3.8

3 71

3.65

3 71

3.6

Q 7

3.75

3.6

3

(1

3.65

3.85

4.0

NOTE. Ice in January, February, March, and from December 4 to 31.
62 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Strawberry River at Theodore, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1. ..........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9

10...........................

11...........................

12......... ...................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

2T... ........................

28.........................

29 ...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Apr.

220

290

453

290

253

220

205

220

220

205

OAK

272

OQA

OQQ

497

CftJ.

634

CQ7

CftJ.

Cf\A

658

700

840

Q7A

780

May.

670

880

1,570

1,760

1,950

2 120

9 Q3n

2 440

2 190

2,260

2,190

9 °.AA

2 400

2,550

2

OfLf\

2

ftCn

2,510

2 qqn

2,510

2

ftOA

2,550

2, 330

June.

2,260

2

0QA

2,550

2,700

2 C9A

2 910

2 OCA

2 950

2 7QA

2,550

9 3fifl

2 260

2,090

2 030

1,780

1 700

1,340

1,260

1,160

1,060

989

941

917

July.

800

776

7 on

fiSfi

611

602

CQO

£oQ

cno

484

484

448

431

cftO

431

448

466

431

qoo

382

°.fV7

352

Aug.

352

352

9CO

316

01 ft

oca

'414

367

367

oco

0£7

Afifi

484 f»A°.

000

448

QCO

01 ft

316

Of)1)

367

Sept.

542

398

382

367

522

382

9AQ

290

265

278

265

265

265

oaq

263

251

251

265

240

240

240

240

99O

228

228

Oct.

216

216

99S

228

216

216

216

91 fi

216

216

216

205

205

205

205

205

194

194

194

194

194

Nov.

194

194

194

194

1QJ.

194

183

1 S0.

194

183

194

194

194

263

OKI

228

240

OKI

251

154

Dec.

228

216

240

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: April 1 to April 26, well defined 

between 100 and 410 second-feet; April 27 to May 5, indirect method for shifting channels used; May 6 to 

Dec. 3,1909, well defined between 160 and 960 second-feet.

Monthly discharge of Strawberry River at Theodore, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

April ..............................................

July......................... . . . ....... .

September. .......................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

970 

2,660 

2,950 

870 

503 

1,520 

240 

263

Minimum.

205 

660 

917 

352 

290 

228 

194 

154

Mean.

451 

2,080 

1,950 

541 

365 

335 

212 

214

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

26,800 

128,000 

116,000 

33,300 

22,400 

19,900 

13,000 

12, 700

372,000

Accuracy.

C. 

D. 

D. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B.

INDIAN CREEK IN STRAWBERRY VALLEY, UTAH.

This station, which was established April 5, 1905, discontinued 

July 12, 1906, and reestablished October 1, 1909, is located just 

above the mouth of the creek. The station was originally located 

about 250 feet above the mouth of the creek, but was reestablished 

in 1909, about half a mile farther upstream, in T. 4 S. 5 R. 11 W. It 

is about 25 miles northeast of Thistle, Utah.

This point is below all tributaries, Trail Hollow Creek entering a 

few hundred feet above the new station. No water is diverted above 

the station. The records are of value to the United States Recla-
COLOKADO KIVER BASIN.

mation Service in connection with the Strawberry Valley project, 

which proposes to divert the waters of Indian Creek across a low 

pass into the Strawberry Valley reservoir.

The staff gage is driven vertically into the bed of the creek and 

braced to the right bank about 10 feet above a new footbridge from 

which measurements are made.

The river is frozen over and covered with a deep layer of snow 

during about five months of the year. The winter flow, however, 

is fairly constant and a fair estimate may be made. The openwater measuring conditions are excellent.

Discharge measurements of Indian Creek in Strawberry Valley, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

Sept. 12

15

Hydrographer.

E . S. Fuller ...............................................

.....do................................ . ........

Width.

Feet. 

22

21.5

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

20.7

18.5

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.60

1.55

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

31.3

29.7

Daily gage height, in feet, and discharge, in second-feet, of Indian Creek in Strawberry

Valley, Utah, for 1909. 

[J. C. Warfleld, observer.]

Day.

1. ..............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9.....--......-.

10...............

11 ...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

October.

Gage 

height.

1.45

1.45

1.5

1.5

1.45

1.45

Discharge.

23 

24 

25 

25 

25

26

27 

27 

27 

26

25 

25 

25 

25

24

November.

Gage 

height.

1.4

1.4

1.4

Discharge.

23 

23 

23 

23 

23

23 

23 

23 

23 

23

23 

23 

23 

23 

23

Day.

16...............

18...............

19...............

21 ...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

October.

Gage 

height.

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

Discharge.

23 

23 

23 

23 

23

23 

23 

23 

23 

23

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23

November.

Gage 

height.

1.48

Discharge.

23 

23 

23 

23 

23

23 

23 

23 

23 

23

23 

23 

23 

23 

23

NOTE. The daily discharges are based on a rating curve that is not well defined. Discharge interpolated 

for days when gage was not read. Ice conditions after Nov. 15.

Monthly discharge of Indian Creek in Strawberry Valley, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

27 

23

Minimum.

23 

23

Mean.

24.1 

23.0 

o20.0

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

1,480 

1,370 

1,230

NOTE. These estimates are approximate,

a Estimated.
64 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

TEAIL HOLLOW CREEK IN STRAWBERRY VALLEY, UTAH.

This station, which was established Oc.tober 1, 1909, to determine 

the amount of water entering Indian Creek below the proposed point 

of diversion, is located just above the mouth of the stream. No 

water is at present diverted above the station. The records are of 

value to the United States Reclamation Service in that they show 

the portion of the flow of Indian Creek which can not be diverted 

into Strawberry Valley in connection with the Strawberry Valley 

project.

The staff gage is driven vertically into the bed of the stream and 

braced to the left bank. Discharge measurements can best be made 

by wading at ordinary stages, but during high water they can be 

made from a bridge made of two logs that is about 15 feet above the 

gauge.

The stream is frozen over and deeply covered with snow during 

about five months of the year.

The following discharge measurement was made by E. S. Fuller:

September 12,1909: Width, 5.5 feet; area, 5.75 square feet; gage height, 3.40 feet; 

discharge, 4.84 second-feet. Made by wading.

Daily gage height, in feet and discharge, in second-feet, of Trail Hollow Creek in Strawberry Valley, Utah, for 1909. 

[J. C. Warfleld, observer.]

Day.

1. ..............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7. ..............

8...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

October.

Gage 

height.

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

Discharge.

3.6 

3.6 

3.6 

3.6

3.6

3.6 

3.6 

3.6

3.6 

3.6

3-6 

3.6 

3.6 

3.6

3.6

November.

Gage 

height.

3.15

3.15

3.15

Discharge.

3.4 

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4 

3.4 

3.4

3 A

3.4

3.4

3 A

3.4 

3.4

Day.

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20............... 

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31 ...............

October.

Gage 

height.

3.2

' 3.15

3.15

3.15

Discharge.

3.6

3.6 

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.4 

3.4 

3.4

3.4

3.4 

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4 

3.4

November.

Gage 

height.

--------

3.7

Discharge.

........

NOTE. These discharges are based on a curve that is not well defined. Discharges interpolated for days 

when gage was not read. Ice conditions after Nov. 15.

Monthly discharge of Trail Hollow Creek in Strawberry Valley, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3.6

Minimum.

3.4

Mean.

3.52 

«3.40 

«3.40

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

216 

202 

209

NOTE. These estimates are approximate.

« Estimated.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 65

LAKE FORK BELOW FORKS NEAR WHITEROCKS, UTAH.

This station, which, is located about 500 feet downstream from the 

junction of the East and West forks, on the old Indian trail from 

Spanish Fork to Whiterocks, Utah, about 30 miles west of Whiterocks, was established on May 10, 1907, but a fragmentary record was 

maintained at the same place during 1904.

The station is above all present diversions and furnishes valuable 

data for determining the run-off and showing the amount of water 

available for irrigation below and storage above.

No important tributaries enter between this station and the mouth 

of the stream, and none on either branch for some distance above. 

The drainage area above the station is about 300 square miles.

The flow of this stream could doubtless be equalized at comparatively small expense by utilizing the storage facilities afforded by a 

number of the small lakes and reservoir sites found on both branches 

of the stream above the station. As both of the main tributaries 

have rapid fall, opportunities for power development are presented 

above all irrigation diversions.

The stream is icebound for several months each year.

The chain gage established May 10, 1907, has no relation whatever 

to the 1904 gage. Still another chain gage and datum have been 

used since September 1, 1907. This gage is located about 100 feet 

upstream from the cable from which discharge measurements are 

made.

As the stream bed is rough and the current is swift at high and 

moderate stages, the results obtained at this station can be considered 

only fair or approximate except at low stages, when they are fairly 

good.

Discharge measurements of Lake Fork below forks near Whiterocks, Utah, in 1909.

[By R. H. Fletcher.]

Date.

Jan. 13 a..

May 3 ...

24...

June 16...

July 6 ...

21...

Aug. 11 ...

Width.

Feet.

48

54

70

107

100

84

68

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

75

79

118

308

216

144

121

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.56

1.75

2.42

4.80

3.80

2.75

2.65

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

185

243

547

2,850

1,530

768

632

Date.

Aug. 27..

Sept. 9..

25..

Oct. 7..

26..

Nov. 15,.

24..

Width.

Feet.

67

74

62

61

58

57

57

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

122

138

96

92

75

76

74

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.54

2.88

2.18

2.06

1.78

1.64

1.66

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

612

777

333

326

257

224

226

a Ice conditions. Measurement made partly from cable and partly from ice surface. 

95620° WSP 269 11 5
66 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Lake Fork below forks near Whiterocks, Utah, for 1909. 

[Charles and Paul J. Elllott, observers.]

Day.

1. ..........................

2...........................

3...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

10...........................

11...........................

13

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Apr.

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.45

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.35

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

1 7>;

1 O

1.8

1.85

1 1C.

May.

1.7

1.7

1 75

1 O

2.0

2.0

2.05

2

1

2.2

2.2

2.2

2

1

2.05

2.0

2.0

O A

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

9 t\

O K

2.4

2.3

O O

2.6

2.5

2

AK

2.4

June.

2.5

2.85

3.55

4.75

4.85

4 9

4.5

4.15

4.2

4 35

4.55

4.5

4.6

4.7

4 9

4 95

4 Q

4.2

4.35

4.6

4.6

4 4

A C

4.5

4.55

4.3

July.

4.25

4.2

4.2

4 1

4.0

3

QC

3 4

3.4

3 9

3 9

3 1

3 A

2.9

2.8

9 S

2.65

2.7

2 g

9 Q

2

CC

2.6

2.9

3.0

2.5

2.4

2.3

Aug.

2.3

2.55

2

y|C

2.3

2.3

2.35

2.4

2.4

2.45

2.45

2 fi

^ n^

3 1

9 Q^

3.0

3.25

3 A

3.0

2.75

2.6

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.65

Sept.

3.9

3.6

3

Q

3.1

3.1

3.2

3

1

3 A

2.9

2.9

2.8

2 7

2.7

2.6

2.5

2

C

2.4

2.4

2.35

2.3

2.25

2.2

2 2

2.2

2.15

2.1

2.1

2.05

2.05

2.05

Oct.

2.0

2.0

2.05

2.1

2.1

2.1

9 °.

9 n

2.0

i o<;

1 o<;

1 O

1 9

1 Q

1 9

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

Nov.

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.55

1.6

1.65

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.65

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.65

1.65

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

Dec.

1.6

1.65

1.55

1.5

1.3

1.3

1.5

1 f»

2.6

2.8

2.8

2.7

NOTE. Ice during January, February, and March, and from Dec. 9 to 31. 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Lake Fork below forks near Whiterocks, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1...............

2...............

3.-.........--..

4...............

g

6...............

7...............

8...............

9

10...............

11...............

12...............

10

15... ............

16...............

17..-..,.......-.

18...............

1Q

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

160

160

160

170

170

175

175

175

180

180

180

185

185

180

180

185

185

185

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

Feb.

180

180

180

180

180

170

170

170

170

160

160

160

160

160

150

150

1 tf\

150

150

160

160

160

160

160

170

170

170

Mar.

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

180

180

180

180

180

180

170

170

170

160

160

160

160

160

1 v>

150

150

150

170

180

Apr.

IQfi

196

187

196

196

178

178

178

169

178

178

196

196

91 C

236

236

OOft

226

01 c

01 c

91 1\

91 f.

248

260

274

248

May.

236

236

248

287

317

317

335

352

395

395

one

352

335

qi 7

017

317

317

017

oeo

395

AA.fi

550

CCA

AQti

AAK

445

ECA

522

495

June.

775

1,350

2

7QA

2,930

3,000

2,310

2,000

2 ftfifl

2 440

2^580

2,720

3,000

3,070

S ftftn

2,180

9 ftftA

2,240

9 f^sn

9 o^n

9 f&r\

9 3in

2 440

2,510

2,180

July.

2,120

2,060

2,060

1,820

1,760

1,450

1,210

1,210

1 040

1 040

955

con

01 A

740

740

fij.9

810

810

675

642

675

610

810

880

642

CCA

495

445

Aug.

AAK

580

522

AAK

470

495

4QC

522

642

675

CO9

610

QIC

955

S4P;

880

1 080

880

880

708

642

610

580

495

Af\K

445

642

Sept.

1,710

1,400

1,120

QCC

QCC

1,040

955

880

810

01 A

740

675

610

550

ccn

y|QC

495

470

AAPJ

420

395

OAC

one

374

OEO

00 C

335

Oct.

317

317

335

352

352

352

44 H

317

317

OAO

OAO

287

90.7

OO7

OQ7

274

274

274

274

260

260

260

260

260

236

236

236

236

Nov.

226

226

226

226

206

215

»218

«221

»224

226

91 <;

91 f.

91 1

226

91 c.

91 P;

226

ooc

236

OOft

91 1\

91 fi

206

91 c.

91 1\

Dec.

215

226

206

196

160

160

195

200

ion

180

195

195

1QC

1Q<?

190

180

165

180

185

185

185

185

185

185

185

 185

185

185

a Interpolated.

NOTE. Discharges Apr. 1 to Dec. 8 are based on a rating curve that is fairly well defined between 215 

and 3,140 second-feet.

Discharges Jan. 1 to Mar. 31 and Dec. 9 to 31 estimated by hydrograph comparison of various streams 

in the Uinta River drainage.
COLOKADO RIVER BASIN. 67 

Monthly discharge of Lake Fork below forks near Whiterocks, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

April. . ............................................

July...............................................

November

Discharge in second-feet. .

Maximum.

287 

610 

3,070 

2,120 

1,080 

1,710 

445 

236

Minimum.

169 

236 

550 

445 

445 

335 

236 

206

Mean.

182 

165 

168 

212 

393 

2,350, 

1,030 

634 

668 

289 

220 

188

542

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

11,200 

9,160 

10,300 

12,600 

24,200 

140,000 

63,300 

39,000 

39,700 

17,800 

13,100 

11,600

392,000

Accuracy.

D. 

D. 

D. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

D.

LAKE FORK NEAR MYTON,1 UTAH.

This station, which is located about 3 miles above Myton, Utah, 

was originally established July 3, 1900; was discontinued at the end 

of the season of 1903, and was reestablished in June, 1907. Several 

discharge measurements were, however, made in, 1904.

As the station is only about half a mile above the junction of the 

stream with Duchesne River, the records show the amount of water 

which Lake Fork contributes to the Duchesne, and in connection 

with the records obtained at the station on Lake Fork below the 

forks, which is about 20 miles upstream and above all present diversions, they indicate also the amount of water diverted for irrigation 

along the stream. No important tributaries enter between the two 

stations.

Several canal systems built by the United States Indian Office 

take water from this stream above the station for irrigation. Some 

private canal systems are proposed or in operation. As at all other 

stations in this basin, the stream isicebound for several months during 

the winter season.

The gage was in the same position and the same datum was used 

from 1900 to 1904, inclusive. During 1907 and 1908 three distinct 

gages and datums were used from June 13 to 30, 1907, from August 

18 to December 31, 1907, and during 1908.

The results obtained during 1908 and 1909 have been very satisfactory, except for a few difficulties in the gage readings. Previous 

records are not so good.

Gage heights from June 15 to 21 are too uncertain, owing to the 

settlement of the gage, to warrant publication. On June 22 the 

gage was removed to the opposite bank and reinstalled at a different 

datum. Gage heights, beginning June 22, are therefore not comparable with those of previous dates.

1 Described in early reports as " Lake Fork at mouth."
68 SUEFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Discharge measurements of Lake Fork near Myton, Utah, in 1909. 

[By R. H. Fletcher.]

Date.

Jan. 7 « . . 

20 «. - 

Feb. 16 a, . . 

26«.. 

Mar. 16 1 . . 

296 

Apr. 12.... 

28. ... 

May 12c ..

25.... 

June 9.... 

22....

Width.

Feet. 

66 

66 

66 

66 

66 

65 

65 

65

65 

70 

70

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

107 

128 

113 

116 

116 

118 

107 

134 

152

167 

375 

360

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.55 

4.68 

. 4.60 

4.65 

4.00 

3.59 

3.46 

3.90

4.45 

7.50 

6.04

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

178 

207 

149 

180 

183 

144 

113 

191 

265

327 

2,070 

1,860

Date.

June 23. ... 

July 10.... 

23.... 

Aug. 9.... 

26.... 

Sept. 8-... 

26. ... 

Oct. 8-... 

23....

Nov. 12. ... 

22.... 

Dec. 22....

Width.

Feet. 

70 

66 

66 

66 

66 

67 

66 

66 

66

66 

66 

64

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

429 

234 

185 

162 

183 

230 

149 

142 

125

122 

135 

124

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

6.90 

3:90 

3.18 

2.80 

3.14 

3.89 

2.76 

2.61 

2.35

2.25 

2.48 

3.15

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

2,470 

724 

398 

286 

385 

726 

258 

226 

165

143 

178 

183

«Measurement made through ice.

& Measurement from cable; some ice in section.

c Gage out of order.

NOTE. Ice on Jan. 7,1.2 feet thick; Jan. 20,1.4 feet thick; Feb. 16,1.8 feet thick; Feb. 26, 2.0 feet thick; 

Mar. 16, 2.0 feet thick; Dec. 22, 1.0 foot thick.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Lake Fork near Myton, Utah, for 1909. 

[James E. Pitts, observer.]

Day.

1. ..........................

3...........................

5...........................

6.....-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

7.........-.-.-.-.-.-....--.

8...........................

9...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14. ..........................

15..... .. ..................

16...........................

17..................--------.

18...................-------.

19....................------.

20...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24........--..-.-.-..-.......

26.. ........................ .

27.....-..--.-.-.-.......--..

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Apr.

3.6

3.6

3.65

3.6

3.5

3.45

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.55

3.6

3.6

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.7

3.9

3.9

3.8

May.

3.8

3.7.

3.7

3.8

3.9

4.05

4.1

4.1

4.15

4.0

4.0

4.05

4.2

4.45

4.6

4.6

4.5

4.45

4.5

4.65

4.7

4.7

June.

4.55

4.8

6.8

7.9

7.85

8.5

7.75

7.3

6.9

7.0

7.2

7.4

7.5

6.0

7.1

6 9

6.5

6.4

6.35

6.45

6.25

July.

6.35

5.8

5.7

5.45

5.2

5.0

4.7

4.3

4.05

3.95

3.8

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.15

3.15

3.3

3.4

3.3

3.15

3.3

3.2

3.7

3.3

3.05

2.9

Aug.

2.6

2.85

2.8

2.65

2.6

2.7

2.9

3.0

2.8

2.85

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.75

3.0

4.55

3.85

3.6

3.55

3.6

3.5

3.1

3.0

3.0

2.85

2.8

3.2

Sept.

5.65

5.05

4.4

4.0

3.85

4.0

4.1

3.9

3.65

3.7

3.55

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.05

3.05

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.85

2.8

2.75

2.7

2.65

2.55

2.45

Oct.

2.5

2.5

2.45

2.45

2.65

2.65

2.6

2.6

2.55

2.55

2.55

2.5

2.45

2.45

2.4

2.35

2.4

2.4

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

Nov.

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.25

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.45

2.4

2.35

2.35

2.3

Dec.

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.1

2.3

2.3

2.45

2.45

2

C

2.3

2.5

2.5

, 2.5

2.6

2.5-

2.4

2.4

2.25

2

0

2.8

2.5

3.0

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

NOTE. Ice conditions during Jan., Feb., Mar., and on Dec. 15 and from Dec. 19 to 31. Owing to settlement of the gage, gage heights June 15 to 21 are too uncertain to warrant publishing. New gage established on June 22. Gage heights after this date are not comparable with those before this date.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 69

Daily discharge, %n second-feet, of Lake Fork near Myton, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

5...............

6...............

7. ..............

8...............

9...............

10. ..............

'11...............

12...............

13...............

14. ..............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20. ..............

21...............

22. ..............

23..... '..........

24. ..............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30. .............. ?1

Jan. 

175

175

175

175

175

175

178

180

180

180

180

185

185

185

185

190

190

195

200

207

205

205

205

200

200

195

195

195

190

190

190

Feb.

185

185

185

180

180

175

175

170

170

170

165

165

160

160

155

149

150

150

155

155

160

165

165

170

175

180

180

180

Mar.

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

183

180

175

170

160

160

160

155

155

155

150

150

150

144

140

140

Apr.

142

142

149

142

130

124

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

136

142

142

156

156

172

172

172

156

156

142

149

156

173

190

190

172

May.

172

156

156

172

190

221

232

232

244

240

235

230

226

222

218

214

210

210

221

256

296

325

375

375

340

325

340

395

415

415

June.

358

455

1,580

2,360

2,330

2,580

2,840

2,250

1,930

1,650

1,720

1,860

2,000

2,070

2,140

2,140

2,680

2,920

2,680

2,140

1,720

1,840

2,360

2,620

2,470

2,180

2,110

2,080

2,140

2,000

July.

2,080

1,710

1,640

1,490

1,340

1,220

1,060

870

758

712

645

560

520

480

440

405

388

388

440

480

440

388

352

440

388

405

600

440

352

300

255

Aug.

215

285

270

228

215

240

300

335

270

285

335

335

335

335

255

335

990

668

560

540

520

560

540

520

388

370

335

335

285

270

405

Sept.

1,610

1,250

915

735

668

735

780

690

580

600

540

520

480

440

405

405

352

352

335

335

"300

 285

285

270

240

255

240

228

202

180

Oct.

190

190

180

180

228

228

215

215

202

202

202

190

180

180

170

160

170

170

160

160

160

160

170

170

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

Nov.

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

140

150

150

150

160

190

190

190

170

180

180

180

170

170

160

160

150

Dec.

160

160

160

115

115

150

150

180

180

190

150

190

190

190

190

190

170

170

140

170

180

183

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Apr. 1 to June 21, fairly well 

defined between discharges of 120 and 2,440 second-feet. June 22 to Dec. 19, well defined between discharges of 115 and 2,920 second-feet. Discharges during Jan., Feb., Mar., June 15 to 22, and Dec. 20 to 31 

estimated directly from measurements and hydrographs.

Monthly discharge of Lake Fork near Myton, Utah, for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 475 square miles.]

Month.

July........................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

190 

415 

2,920 

2,080 

990 

1,610 

228 

190

Minimum.

124 

156 

358 

255 

215 

180 

150 

130

Mean.

189 

168 

169 

149 

264 

2,070 

709 

383 

507 

177 

151 

171

426

Per

square 

mile.

0.398 

.354 

.356 

.314 

.556 

. 4.36 

1.49 

.806 

1.07 

.373 

.318 

.360

.896

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.46 

.37 

.41 

.35 

.64 

4.86 

1.72 

.93 

1.19 

.43 

.35 

.42

12.13

Total in 

acre-feet.

11,600 

9,330 

10,400 

8,870 

16,200 

123,000 

43,600 

23,600 

30,200 

10,900 

8,980 

10, 500

307,000

Accuracy.

C. 

C. 

C. 

A. 

B. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A.

C,
70 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX. 

UINTA RIVER NEAR WHITEROCKS, UTAH.

This station was originally established in connection with the 

investigation for the water supply of the Uinta Reservation, on September 16, 1899, and the records were continued until the latter part 

of 1904. It was reestablished in the same locality on August 13, 1907.

The present station is located at the highway bridge on the Government road up Uinta Canyon, usually known as the sawmill road. 

The bridge is about 8 miles northwest of the Indian agency at 

Whiterocks. Previous records were taken at points a short distance 

upstream from this bridge.

The station is situated about a mile below the mouth of Pole Creek. 

The Whiterocks comes in several miles below, but there are no other 

tributaries except some dry gulches which occasionally carry considerable flood water.

No water is diverted from the stream above the station, but the 

United States Indian Office has constructed a series of irrigation 

canals, which divert water at various points below. The upper 

reaches of this stream present excellent opportunities for storage and 

power development.

The results at the station are affected by ice during the winter 

season. Winter measurements are usually taken at riffles or open 

places in the channel.

The same gage was used from 1899 to 1904, inclusive. The gage 

established in August, 1907, was located a short distance upstream 

from the old gage, and at a different datum. The present chain 

gage has no determined relation to this last gage. It was established on October 22, 1907, and is located on the bridge about a mile 

downstream from the other gage.

The gage is read only when the hydrographer visits the station to 

make discharge measurements, and the discharges for intermediate 

days are estimated by comparison with the hydrographs of other 

streams in that locality.

As the stream bed is rough and the current swift at high and moderate stages, the discharge measurements, except at low stages, are 

apt to be considerably in error.
COLOBADO EIVER BASIN.

Discharge measurements of Uinta River near Whiterocks, Utah, in 1909. 

[By R. H. Fletcher.]

Date.

Jan. 15o...

26o...

Feb. 60...

18o...

Mar. 9....

20....

Apr. 3....

16....

May 6....

19....

29....

June 3....

14....

25. ...

July 2....

Width.

Feet.

66

66

66

eo

61

66

66

69

70

72

75

83

84

83

85

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

120

92

81

53

57

62

67

71

92

107

118

166

204

186

160

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.55

1.75

1.47

.90

.95

1.00

1.00

1.10

1.34

1.56

1.75

2.42

2.63

3.00

2.60

Dis-* 

charge.

Sec.-ft.

194

182

83

103

133

136

156

177

268

362

477

1,060

1,270

1,250

809

Date.

July 15. ...

27....

Aug. 3....

16....

30. ...

Sept. 3....

14....

28...-

Oct. 4....

21....

30....

Nov. 8....

18a...

30o...

Dec. 17 o...

Width.

Feet.

78

81

74

78

75

84

74

72

73

73

71

71

67

67

60

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

123

148

113

130

113

160

128

108

108

86

82

85

85

84

151

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.85

2.35

1.80

2.10

1.80

2.30

2.00

1.72

1.70

1.45

1.45

1.40

1.42

1.40

3.15

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

451

795

464

602

447

790

524

369

372

226

196

193

193

178

164

<* Ice conditions.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Uinta River near Whiterocks, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10.......*.......

11...............

12...............

13...............

14. ..............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20. ..............

21...............

22.. .. .........

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27. ..............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

194

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

195

180

182

175

170

160

120

120

Feb.

120

100

100

100

90

83

85

85

85

85

90

90

90

90

90

90

95

110

105

105

105

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

Mar.

120

120

120

120

120

125

125

125

125

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

140

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

Apr.

140

140

140

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

165

170

175

200

215

215

215

210

200

190

190

200

205

235

235

230

225

May.

220

215

220

235

245

268

285

320

325

330

330

320

310

300

290

280

280

290

362

325

380

430

430

420

415

415

420

435

477

455

445

June.

470

485

1,060

1,720

2,080

2.400

2,380

2,280

1,880

1,440

1,320

1,220

1,220

1,270

1,340

1.400

1,440

1,520

1,540

1,480

1,400

1,340

1,340

1,380

1,390

1,320

1,240

1,200

1,120

1,080

July.

1,040

1,030

1,000

960

940

920

900

880

760

640

560

520

500

475

445

440

460

485

515

515

500

480

480

520

580

660

815

760

720

630

560

Aug.

500

470

415

410

400

395

395

400

420

440

465

485

480

480

500

615

640

650

680

700

700

660

560

480

430

400

400

400

420

415

500

Sept.

600

680

772

800

780

770

770

760

720

680

660

620

560

540

510

490

470

460

450

440

430

420

400

390

380

370

370

369

360

360

Oct.

360

360

360

360

340

320

315

300

290

280

280

280

280

270

260

255

250

240

235

230

230

220

225

225

230

230

230

220

210

196

200

Nov.

200

200

200

200

200

195

195

193

195

195

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

193

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

180

180

180

180

178

Dec.

175

175

175

175

175

170

170

170

170

170

165

165

165

165

165

165

164

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

NOTE. Daily discharges were obtained by comparison with hydrographs of Lake Fork below forks, 

and Uinta River at Fort Duehesne. Feb. 15 to Oct. 25 discharges, on dates of actual measurements, 

obtained by applying gage heights of these measurements to curves instead of using actual discharge.
72 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Monthly discharge of Uinta River near Whiterocks, Utah, for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 218 square miles.]

»

Month.

April .....................................................

June....................................... . ........

July.......................................................

The year. ............................................

Discharga in 

seoond-feet.

Mean.

187 

98.7 

131 

183 

338 

1,430 

667 

494 

546 

267 

191 

165

391

Per 

square 

mile.

0.858 

. 453 

.601 

.839 

1.55 

6.56 

3.06 

2.27 

2.50 

1.22 

.870 

.757

1.80

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.90 

.47 

.69 

.94 

1.79 

7.32 

3.53 

2.62 

2.79 

1.41 

.98 

.87

24. 40

Total in 

acre-feet.

11,500 

5,480 

8,060 

10,900 

20,800 

85,100 

41,000 

30,400 

32,500 

16,400 

11,400 

10, 100

284,000

NOTE. The accuracy of these estimates may be classed as C.

UINTA RIVER AT FORT DUCHESNE, UTAH.

This station, which is located at the wooden highway bridge on the 

road to Vernal, one-fourth of a mile from Fort Duchesne, Utah, was 

originally established on September 4, 1899, and continued until the 

end of 1904. It was also maintained for a brief period during 1906, 

and on April 9, 1907, the station was reestablished.

The data obtained at this point show the amount of water contributed by this stream to Duchesne River, except the comparatively 

small amount diverted for irrigation below, and in connection with 

the records of the stations above on the Whiterocks and the Uinta, 

they show the amount of water taken for irrigation by the numerous 

diversions both on the Uinta and Whiterocks above the station. 

The upper tributaries, above irrigation diversions, afford excellent 

opportunities for storage and power development.

The flow of the stream is affected by ice for about four months during the winter season, and the accuracy of the results is somewhat 

affected by eddies around the crib piers and by deposits of sediment 

brought down by Deep Creek during floods.

Practically the same datum was used for the gage up to and 

including 1906. The present chain gage, established April 9, 1907, 

has an entirely different datum. This gage is fastened to the bridge 

from which discharge measurements are made.
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 73

 Discharge measurements of Uinta River at Fort Duchesne, Utah, in 1909.

[By R. H. Fletcher.]

Date.

Jan. 4 a..

28 a..

Feb. 10 a..

Mar. 13"..

27...

Apr. 6...

29...

May 11...

26...

June 8...

21...

Width.

Feet.

40

40

35

35

80

78

79

~ 80

80

80

80

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

64

74

57

61

316

288

273

225

230

490

444

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.50

6.84

7.60

6.90

6.60

6.37

6.49

6.80

6.82

8.27

7.82

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

170

127

128

116

222

161

197

378

409

2,780

1,460

Date.

July 7...

23...

Aug. 7...

25...

Sept. 6...

22.:.

Oct. 9...

22...

Nov 116..

20 6 1 .

Dee. 216..

Width.

Feet.

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

79

85

105

Area of 

section.

Sq.-ft.

399

372

353

368

438

388

353

350

89

111

135

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.10

6.65

6.50

6.90

7.85

6.92

6.66

6.55

6.54

6.38

7.10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

572

308

188

386

1,470

4 0

287

200

229

188

171

o Ice; measurements made through holes cut in ice. Made by wading.

NOTE. Tee at gage on Jan. 4, 1.6 feet thick; Jan. 28, 2.5 feet thick; Feb. 10, 3 feet thick; Dec. 21, 1.4 

feet thick.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Uinta River at Fort Duchesne, Utah, for 1909. 

[Bertha L. Wouldhave, observer.]

Day.

1. ..........................

2........... ... ...........

3...........................

4...........................

5........... . ..... .......

6...........................

7...........................

8........... ..... .

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13.... ......................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20............. . ....... . .

21............:..............

22...........

23...........................

24......................... .

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28..........................

29............. .

30...........................

31...........................

Apr.

6.45

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.4

6.35

6.35

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.35

6. 35

6.4

6.4

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.6

May.

6.4

6.45

6.45

6.45

6.5

6.55

6.65

6.65

6.75

6.75

6.7

6.65

6.65

6.55

6.55

6.55

6.55

6.65

6

7K

6.85

6.85

6.85

6.75

6.85

7.05

7.00

6.85

June.

6.85

7 1 c

7.8

8.15

8.8

8.65

8.15

8.25

7.9

7.75

7.8

7 QK

7.85

8.05

7.85

8.15

8.25

8.1

7.95

7.85

7.85

7.8

7.95

7.95

7 7^

7.7

7.7

7.65

July.

7.55

7 ^

7.3

7.3

7 ^

7.4

7 9£

7.05

7.0

6.9

6.85

6.7

6.6

6.6

6.5

6 45

6.6

6 9

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.6

7.1

6 9

6.6

Aug.

6.5

6.5

6.4

6.4

6.45

6.4

6.4

6.55

6.6

7.1

7.15

7.0

6 9

6 9

6 9

6.8

6.8

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.6

6.8

Sept.

7.6

7 9

7.55

7.35

7.6

7.6

7.5

7.45

7.4

7 f»

7 ^

7.2

7.15

7.1

7.1

7.0

7.0

6 Q

6.9

6 9

6 9

6.8

6.8

6.65

6.7

Oct.

6.7

6.65

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.55

6.55

6.5

6.5

6.5

.6.5

6 5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.55

6.5

6.5

6 5

6.5

Nov.

6.5

6

K

6.5

6.5

A f.

6.5

6.5

6.4

6.6

6.5

6

K

6.5

6.5

6.4

6 45

6.4

6.4

6.4

6 45

6.4

6 45

6.6

Dec.

6.5

6.5

6.4

6.35

6.3

6.5

6.55

6.6

6.7

6.6

6

KK

6.8

6.7

6.75

7 A*\

7.6

7.4

7.3

7 3

7 Q

7 3

7 25

7 QP;

7 9^

NOTE. Probable ice conditions Jan. 1 to Mar. 31 and Dec. 7 to 31.
74 SUKFAC'E WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART ix.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Uinta River at Fort Duchesne, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

H. ..............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15....... .......

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22. ..............

23...............

24...............

25. ..............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...... . . ...

30...............

31...............

Jan.

160

160

165

170

165

165

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

155

155

155

150

150

150

150

140

140

130

130

127

120

120

120

Feb.

120

120

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

128

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

125

Mar.

120

115

110

inn

100

100

100

100

110

115

116

118

140

160

160

170

180

inn

200

200

200

210

Oftrt

180

160

Apr.

192

210

210

1 7^

160

175

160

17K

'160

160

175

210

210

17^

175

17K

175

OKK

210

May.

175

192

192

210

232

282

282

OAO

310

282

282

232

232

232

232

282

342

412

412

412

412

342

582

582

535

412

June.

412

685

1,660

2,460

4,300

4,470

3,980

2,460

2,740

1,860

1,560

1,660

1,970

1,760

2,210

1,540

2,070

2,260

1,710

1,540

1,540

1,460

1,710

1,710

1,380

1,300

1,230

1,160

July.

1,090

775

775

775

775

895

720

518

472

392

358

264

213

213

213

255

210

192

255

450

342

255

255

342

255

255

630

450

282

255

210

Aug.

210

175

210

175

175

192

192

192

192

175

175

175

255

232

192

213

563

614

472

392

392

392

323

294

323

264

264

264,

213

213

323

Sept.

1,160

1,090

835

1,160

1,540

1,230

1,160

1,020

858

895

1,020

775

665

614

630

630

535

492

450

450

450

450

375

375

310

282

282

310

Oct.

310

282

282

310

310

310

310

310

282

255

255

255

255

255

232

232

210

210

210

210

210

210

210

210

210

232

210

210

210

210

210

Nov.

210

210

210

210

210

210

210

175

175

255

210

210

210

210

210

210

175

192

175

175

175

175

192

175

192

192

255

210

192

210

Dec.

. 210

210

175

160

145

132

140

150

160

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

Monthly discharge of Uinta River at Fort Duchesne, Utah, for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 672 square miles.]

Month.

March. . ....................

July........................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

255 

582 

4,470 

1,090 

614 

1,540 

310 

255

Minimum.

160 

175 

412 

192 

175 

282 

210 

175

Mean.

151 

125

149 

187 

319 

1,940 

430 

272 

740 

246 

201 

168

. 411

Per

square 

mile.

0.225 

.186 

.222 

.278 

.475 

2.89 

.640 

.405 

1.10 

.366 

.299 

.250

.611

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.26 

.19 

.26 

.31 

.55 

3.22 

.74 

.47 

1.23 

.42 

.33 

.29

8.27

Total in 

acre-feet.

9,280 

6,940 

9,160 

11,100 

19, 600 

115, 000 

26, 400 

16,700 

44, 000 

15, 100 

12, 000 

10,300

296,000

Accuracy.

C. 

C. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

C. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

D.

NOTE. These discharges were obtained from rating curves applicable as follows: Apr. 1 to June 15, 

July 16 to Aug. 15, and Sept. 16 to Dec. 6, fairly well defined between 120 and 3,500 second-feet; June 16 to 

July 15 and Aug. 16 to Sept. 15, not well defined. Discharges Jan., Feb., Mar., and Dec. 7 to 31 were 

estimated by hydrograph comparison with other streams in the vicinity of the gaging station.

WHITEROCKS RIVER NEAR WHITEROCKS, UTAH.

This station, which is located at the mouth of the canyon at the 

foot of "Dugway" on the road from the plateau to the river bottom, 

about 10 miles above the Indian agency at Whiterocks, was estab-
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 75

lished April 18, 1899, and continued until the end of 1904. On 

April 11, 1907, it was reestablished at practically the same place.

The information contained here is valuable in connection with general studies of run-off problems and to show the amount of water 

available for storage and power above and for irrigation below.

The station is below all important tributaries of the Whiterocks. 

The first diversion for irrigation is about 3 miles below the station. 

Excellent storage and power sites exist above all irrigation diversions.

Like other streams in this region, the river is icebound for several 

months in the winter.

The same gage and datum were used from the establishment of the 

station until the end of 1904. A new chain gage and datum were 

used from April 11, 1907, to May 8, 1908, and the present chain 

gage, at a still different datum, has been used since May 9, 1908. 

Measurements are made from a cable about 100 feet downstream 

from the gage.

Owing to the remoteness of this gage from any dwelling, daily 

gage observations have not been made, and daily and monthly discharges have been obtained by comparing the relatively frequent 

discharge measurements with the hydrographs of other streams in 

that section.

As the stream bed is rather rough and the current is swift, measurements at high or medium stages are not very accurate. The daily 

and monthly discharge estimates, computed by the method outlined 

above, are necessarily only approximate.

Discharge measurements of Whiterocks River near Whiterocks, Utah, in 1909. 

[By R. H. Fletcher.J

Date.

Jan. 11 o . .

27« ..

Feb. 46 ..

Mar. 10 b ..

22. ..

Apr. 5 ...

17. ..

May 7. ..

21. ..

31. ..

June 12 ...

26. ..

July 3. ..

17. ..

Width.

Feet.

30

31

30

30

30

30

31

32

45

50

58

55

52

37

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

51

65

43

34

30

32

39

46

64

76

130

104

88

53

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.32

2.58

1.62

1.45

1.02

1.10

1.30

1.58

2.10

2.30

3.30

2.80

2.55

1.95

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

50

73

61

51

57

60

102

145

280

372

774

533

435

211

Date.

July 28. ...

Aug. 5....

23....

Sept. 2. ..

13....

29.. .

Oct. 5.. .

20.. .

29.. .

Nov. 66. .

176. .

266. .

Dec. 16 c. .

Width.

Feet.

44

34

45

55

50

35

34

33

33

31

33

33

33

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

60

47

73

111

82

47

46

40

33

34

36

34

46

height.

Feet.

2.12

1.80

2.20

2.90

2.38

1.85

1.84

1.50

1.45

1.38

1.50

1.40

1.30

Dis- , 

charge. *

Sec.-ft.

277

183

330

603

373

177

161

105

96

66

92

73

67

a Backwater effect at gage due to ice. 

b Slight ice conditions. 

c Considerable ice in river.
76 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Whiterocks River near Whiterocks, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1.. .............

2...............

3........ .......

4...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20. ..............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

CA

50

50

50

55

55

55

60

60

60

65

65

70

70

70

70

70

65

Feb.

65

65

65

61

55

55

CA

50

50

50

50

50

en

CA

KA

KA

50

KA

cn

KA

KA

50

KA

50

KA

CA

Mar.

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

51

KA

^n

50

KA

CA

55

55

55

60

60

57

60

60

60

60

65

65

65

70

Apr.

80

80 '65

60

62

50

in

50

60

60

60

60

60

70

80

85

no

105

105

QA

100

80

80

80

QA

80

80

85

QC

QA

May.

80

80

80 iop

120

125

147

160

180

185

180

175

170

170

170

180

190

200

290

OOA

04A

320

320

300

320

370

370

June.

370

400

440

600

1,600

1,960

1,960

1,000

800

774

840

IfOSO

1,120

1,120

1 080

1 380

Q()f)

7OA

oftf)

840

800

640

480

440

440

July.

440

435

435

440

480

500

400

340

260

200

180

180

180

200

200

227

210

200

200

220

220

90 r

1Qfi

180

Aug.

180

180

180

180

185

180

190

190

180

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

240

400

380

360

330

325

350

OKA

OCA

300

280

280

320

Sept*

400

603

760

720

680

680

700

690

660

600

520

460

373

360

360

370

370

370

350

350

340

340

330

320

280

240

220

200

180

' Oct.

180

J.80

170

170

178

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

150

150

140

120

120

120

115

105

100

100

100

100

100

100

90

95

90

80

Nov.

80

80

75

75

70

66

60

60

60

70

75

80

80

85

90

90

92

80

80

75

70

70

60

60

60

73

60

60

60

60

Dec.

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

65

65

65

65

65

67

65

65

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

NOTE. The daily discharges were obtained by comparison of hydrographs of Lake Fork below forks 

and Uinta River at Fort Duchesne.

Discharges on dates of actual measurements obtained by applying gage heights of these measurements 

to rating tables from Apr. 1 to Oct. 31.

Monthly discharge of Whiterocks River near Whiterocks, Utah, for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 114 square miles.]

Month.

July.......................................................

November ...................................... .........

Discharge in second-feet.

Mean.

56.9 

52.4 

55.6 

75.1 

217 

908 

269 

249 

434 

131 

71.9 

61.4

215

Per 

square 

mile.

0.499 

.460 

..488 

.659 

1.90 

7.96 

2.36 

2.18 

3.81 

1.16 

.631 

.538

1.89

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.58 

.48 

.56 

.74 

2.19 

8.88 

2.72 

2.51 

4.25 

1.33 

.70 

.62

25.56

Total in 

acre-feet.

3,500 

2,910 

3,420 

4,470 

13,300 

54,000 

16,500 

15,300 

25,800 

8,060 4,280- 

3,780

155,000

NOTE. The accuracy of these estimates may be classed as C.
COLORADO EIVER BASIN. 77

PRICE RIVER BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

Price River rises in the Wasatch Mountains, in the southeastern 

part- of Utah County, flows in a generally southeasterly direction 

and unites with Green River at a point about 14 miles above Greenriver, Utah. The main source of supply is the snow in the upper 

reaches of the basin, where elevations range from 8,000 to 9,000 feet. 

The region is extremely rough and rugged. The predominant rock 

is a loose and badly disintegrated sandstone. The soil is scanty and 

supports practically no vegetation except small groves of scrubby 

cedar and a few scattered pines. The original sparse underbrush and 

grass have been almost entirely tramped out by sheep and cattle.

The river is subject to floods in the spring and early summer, during 

which time it carries immense quantities of sediment. Gordon and 

Pleasant creeks, the principal tributaries, are both short, steep 

streams and enter from the west almost at right angles.

PRICE RIVER NEAR HELPER, UTAH.

This station, which was established February 21, 1904, is located 

at an old ford crossing in the settlement of Spring Glen, about 3 

miles south of Helper, Utah, and about 350 feet west of the tracks of 

the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.

This station is below Pleasant Creek and White River, the two 

principal tributames above, and is above Gordon Creek, which enters 

about 5 miles below, and Grassy Trail Creek, which enters about 35 

miles below. There are no important diversions above. Records 

indicate the amount of water available for the Price River Irrigation 

Co. and for the canals for the town of Price.

Discharge measurements are made from a car and cable.

The datum of the original chain gage remained unchanged until 

the gage was washed out by high water April 11, 1907. It was 

replaced by a temporary gage June 23, 1907, and by a permanent 

gage July 16, 1907. All gage heights after June 22, 1907, are 

referred to a new datum 0.7 foot above the original datum.

A fair estimate may be made of winter flow, though ice is usually 

rather heavy. The bed of the stream is somewhat shifting, but the 

records may, on the whole, be considered good.

Discharge measurements of Price River near Helper, Utah, in 1909.

Date. Hydrographer.

E. A. Porter.. . ............................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

61

51

50

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

209

67.2

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.30

2.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

696

101

CO 0
78 SUBFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Price River, near Helper, Utah, for 1909. 

[Andy Woolsey, observer.]

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4. ..............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14. ..............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20...............

2L.. .............

22. ..............

23...............

24. ..............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28. ..............

29...............

30. ..............

31...............

Jan.

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5 9 f;

2 7

2.9

2.5

Feb.

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2 4

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.6

3.1

3.0

2.8

Mar.

3.0

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.8

2.7

2.9

2.8

9 7

9 7

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.9

9 ft

2.8

2.8

2 9

2.8

9 7

2.8

3

n

3.1

2.9

3.0

Apr.

3.0

3.2

3.3

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.3

o. o

3.2

3.3

3.4

3

0

3.3

3.6 "* 7

3.8

4.0

A O.

4.2

4 0

9. Q

3

0

3 7

3.8

3

0

3 9

A 9

4.4

4 4

4.0

May.

3.9

3.9

4.0

4.3

4.5

4.6

4.8

4.9

5.0

5.1

5.2

5.2

4.9

4.8

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.8

4.9

5.4

5.4

5.5

5.6

5.2

5.1

5.4

5.3

5.0

June.

5.0

5.1

5.5

5.7

5.8

5.9

5.9

5.8

5.6

5.2

4.9

4.8

4.8

4.6

4.5

4.4

4.4

4.3

4.3

4.2

4.2

4.1

4.1

4.0

3 9

3.9

3.8

3.8

3.7

July.

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.0

3.4

3.1

3.2

3.1

3

1

3.1

3.1

3.1

Aug.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.2

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.5

3.4

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.9

3.7

Sept.

5.0

3.4

3.3

3.1

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.9

Oct.

2.9

2.8

2.9

2.9

2 9

2.9

2.9

3.0

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

3.0

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.8

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.8

Nov.

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2

0

2

0

2.8

2.8

2

0

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

Dec.

2.75

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

NOTE. Ice conditions during January and February. Ice jams during these months affected the gage 

heights. 

Gage heights Dec. 24 to 31 have been suppressed, as observer read the gage wrong.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Price River, near Helper, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10. ..............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22. ..............

23...............

24. ..............

25. ..............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30. ..............

31...............

Jan.

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

Feb.

8

8

8

8

14

14

' 8

8

8

8

8

8

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

25

40

Mar.

95

72

53

CQ

CO

0.7

53

0.7

79

53

9.7

07

07

9.7

24

CO

53

CO

79

CO

53

CO

72

CO

37

53

95

95

120

79

95

Apr.

95

150

185

Q-l-l

267

OOQ

1QC

1 Cf\

150

185

000

1 fie.

357

405

CA7

671

cn.7

JKC

405

o.c.7

405

405

.ice

615

729

507

May.

455

455

V17

671

787

846

966

1,030

1,090

1,150

1,210

1,210

1,030

966

906

906

906

906

966

1,030

1,340

i 4/vi

1 460

1,210

1,090

i 1 ^ft

1 340

1 340

1,'280

1,090

June.

1,090

1,150

1,400

1,530

1,590

1 660

1 PiQrt

1 460

1,210

1,090

1,030

Qfifi

846

787

79Q

729

671

615

fi1 ^

561

ZKI

507

455

JCC

405

405

357

July.

01 -i

311

267

^11

267

185

1 VI

150

150

i f^n

120

120

120

120

95

95

1 *U1

185

150

150

QC

120

150

120

120

120

120

120

Aug.

95

95

95

95

95

95

120

120

120

150

120

120

120

120

120

185

267

267

223

267

223

150

95

95

QE

95

72

72

357

Sept.

223

185

120

120

150

185 ten

95

95

QC

QK

95

95

95

95

QK

95

QK

95

95

95

95

95

95

QK

95

95

72

72

Oct.

72

53

72

72

72

72

72

95

72

72

72

72

95

72

72

79

53

79

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

79

79

79

79

72

53

Nov.

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

52

53

53

53

CO

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

Dec.

AK

53

53

CO

CO

CO

53

CO

24

24

24

0.7

53

53

CO

CO

CO

CO

53

53

53

53

Cft

50

CA

*/l

en

CA

50

50

NOTE. These discharges are based on a rating curve that is well defined between 25 and 200 secondfeet; fairly well defined between 200 and 800 second-feet. 

Discharges estimated because of ice conditions on Jan. 6.to 14, 29, 30, Feb. 25 to 28, and Dec. 24 to 31.
COLOEADO EIVEB BASIN. 

Monthly discharge of Price River near Helper, Utah, for 1909.

79

Month.

May...............................................

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

120 

729 

1,460 

1,660 

311 

357 

1,090 

95 

53 

53

1,660

Minimum,

8 

24 

95 

455 

357 

95 

72 

72 

53 

53 

24

Mean.

14.0 

13.0 

59.1 

364 

1,030 

925 

167 

146 

142 

71.6 

53.0 

47.7

254

Run-oft 

(total in 

acre-feet).

861 

722 

3,630 

21,700 

63,300 

55,000 

10,300 

8,980 

8,450 

4,400 

3,150 

2,930

183,000

Accuracy.

D. 

D. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

B. 

C.

SAN RAFAEL RIVER BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

San Rafael River is formed in the western part of Emery County, 

crosses the central part of the county in a general southeasterly 

direction, and enters Green River about 16 miles below the mouth 

of the Price. The river has three principal branches Ferron, Cottonwood, and Huntington creeks which rise in the Wasatch Plateau 

at an altitude of about 10,000 feet above sea level. These streams fall 

rapidly in their upper courses and leave the plateau through almost 

impassable canyons cut in its eastern wall overlooking Castle Valley. 

They unite below Castledale, and the stream formed by their combined waters flows southeastward through the San Rafael Swell in 

a deep, narrow canyon, from which it emerges to flow across a low, 

broken country to its junction with the Green. The water of this 

river is derived chiefly from the melting snow on the high plateau.

SAN RAFAEL RIVER NEAR GREENRIVER, UTAH.

This station, which was established May 5, 1909, to determine the 

unappropriated run-off of San Rafael River, is located at the county 

bridge on the road from Green River to Hanksville, about 16 miles 

southwest of Greenriver, Utah, and about three-fourths of a mile 

below the Morris ranch dam. It is below all important tributaries 

and diversions.

The winter flow is affected by ice, and as the bed of the stream 

shifts somewhat frequent measurements must be made in order to 

get satisfactory records.

The staff gage is nailed securely to the southwest pier of the 

bridge, from which discharge measurements are made. The gage 

datum has remained unchanged since the station was established.
80 STJKFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Discharge measurements of San Rafael River near Greenriver, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

May 5

20

Sept. 28

Nov. 23

Hydrographer.

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

47

100

102

57

60

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

88

692

572

108

124

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2 20

7.20

6.00

1.60

1.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

223

3,040

2,380

164

178

Daily gage height, in feet, of San Rafael River near Greennver, Utah, for 1909. 

[E. F. Marshall, observer.]

Day.

1....................................

2....................................

3-...-......-..-.-.--......-.........

4-.-.-.--......--.---..-.-...........

6....................................

7....................................

8-..-.-.-..-.....-.--..-.............

9

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13-.-....-.-....-.--......-...........

14....................................

15....................................

16....................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23

24....................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

May.

2.2

2.5

2.8

2.75

9 QF»

3 1

3 9

3.5

2

0

9 7^

9 Qf\

2.8

2 Q

3

1

3.55

4.4

4 6

4.2

3 9

4 45

5.4

c n

4.6

June.

4.5

5 1 F»

6.85

7.25

7.55

7.85

7.9

7 ^f\

7.05

A QC

6.75

6 75

6.65

6.4

6.65

fi OK

5.9

C Q

5.7

5.75

5.65

5.15

4.9

4.6

July.

4.5

4 05

3.9

4 0

3.75

3.65

3.55

q qc

2 95

2.85

2.7

2

cc

9 1

1.85

1.65

1 9

2.4

2.0

2.05

2.45

9 7

2.25

2.05

1 9

2.5

2.05

1.85

Aug.

1.85

1.75

1.75

1.65

1.6

1.75

2.15

3.8

3.8

q q

3

n

2.5

7.75

5.6

4.75

A qp;

3.9

3

CC

3.05

2.7

2.65

2

CLE

2.45

2 q

Sept.

7.95

8.95

3.75

3.7

4.4

2.75

5.45

3.55

2.65

2.4

2.45

2.9

2.2

2.15

2.4

2.1

1.8

1.7

1.65

1.7

1.65

1.65

1.6

1.55

1.55

1.55

Oct.

1.5

1.45

1.4

1.35

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

1 3

1.3

1 3

1.3

1 3

1.3

1 q

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1 9

1 9

1.15

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

Nov.

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.25

1.2

1.35

1.15

1.1

1.1

1.05

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

1.0

1.1

1.1

1 KC

1.15

1.25

2.0

1.25

Dec.

1.15

1.35

1.4

1.1

1.0

.9

.9

NOTE. Ice in river in December.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. . 81 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, cf San Rafael River near Greenriver, Utah, for 1909'.

Day.

1.. ...........................................

2.............................................

3.............................................

4.............................................

5.....-.-.-............:......................

6.............................................

7.............................................

8......-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-......................

9.............................................

10.............................................

11.............................................

12.............................................

13.............................................

14.............................................

15.............................................

16.............................................

17.............................................

18.............................................

19.............................................

20

21.............................................

22.............................................

23.............................................

24.............................................

25.............................................

26.............................................

27.............................................

28.. ................................ ...........

29.............................................

30

31. ............................................

May.

074

OCQ

620

374

OKQ

423

0"7J

474

640

816

1,040

1,180

QOO

7Q9

1,060

1,660

1 ' 150

June.

1,090

1,490

1 nnn

3,080

S

een

2 non

a

non

3,020

2 7on

2

OAA

2,600

2,680

2,800

2,650

2 QAn

2,230

2 igo

2 1 r;n

2,180

2,110

1 740

1,740

1,570

July.

1,220

1 030

1 000

880

oon

780

700

580

510

420

onn

230

200

200

250 o^n

270

oon

380

460

oon

280

o en

300

280

oon

Aug.

220

180

300

can

7^

oon

670

430

o "yon

2,000

1,750

1 400

1,160

OQA

540

-ion

420

oon

360

1,180

Sept.

4,720

oon

onn

1 150

1,830

7QA

OKA

oftn

500

360

300

9Oft

260

180

170

180

170

170

160

1 ^H

150

i fyi

150

150

Oct.

135

130

125

130

120

130

130

130

ion

130

ion

130

130

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

110

140

140

140

140

Nov.

140

140

1 An

140

140

1 Of)

170

160

ioc

1 fift.

I4n

140

140

130

1 7Y1

140

160

160

240

185

360

210

185

NOTE. Discharges May 5 to June 9 are based on a rating curve that is partly denned. For the remainder of the year the indirect method for shifting channels was used, with the above curve as standard.

Monthly discharge of San Rafael River near Greenriver, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

May (5-31 )........................................

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,660 

3,610 

1,310 

3,730 

4,720 

140 

360

Minimum.

221 

1,090 

200 

180 

150 

110 

130

Mean.

721

2,450 

523 

745 

655 

128 

162

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

38,600 

146,000 

32, 200 

45,800 

39,000 

7,870 

9,640

319,000

Accuracy.

oooootdtd

COTTONWOOD CREEK NEAR ORANGEVILLE, UTAH.

This station, which was established May 1, 1909, is located at 

Johnson's ranch in the canyon about 5 miles northwest of Orangeville, Utah, and about 35 miles southwest of Price, the nearest 

railway point.

The station is below all important tributaries and above all diversions except Johnson's ditch, which takes out a small amount of water 

a short distance above the station. 

95620° WSP 269 11 6
82 SUEFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

Previous to August 22, 1909, the stage was recorded by measuring 

to the water surface from a reference point on a cottonwood tree 60 

feet above the cable. A staff gage was installed August 22, 1909, 

at the same point, and all previous observations were connected to the 

datum of this gage. During the flood of August 31 this gage 

washed out. From September 1 to 17 the record was kept of the 

water depth at the gage site. From September "20 observations 

was made of the distance to water surface from a mark on a rock at 

the site. All gage heights for 1909 have been reduced to the datum 

of the staff gage.

Discharge measurements are made 'from a cable 60 feet below the 

gage site.

As the stream bed shifts, accurate determination of discharge is 

difficult. Heavy ice forms at this station during the winter months.

Discharge measurements of Cottonwood Creek near Orangeville, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

Mayl...

July 27..

Nov. 5..

Dec. 1...

Hydrographer.

E. A. Porter. ..............................................

.....do.....----...-......................--.-.-.-.--...-..-

.....do.....---.-......................-...-.-.-....--..-..-

..-..do.....---------................-.----.------.----...-.

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

..... do......................................... ............

Width.

Feet. 

43

54

47

46

25

14

16

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

48

127

48.4

41.6

28

15.1

16.6

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.16

4.66

2.61

2.53

3.68

3.31

3.48

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

105

784

125

89.8

62.3

31.8

40.3

Daily gage height, infect, of Cottonwood Creek near Orangeville, Utah, for 1909. 

[Robert Johnson, observer.]

Day.

1....................................

2....................................

3....................................

4....................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14......................... ...........

15........... .........................

16....................................

17....................................

18................. ...................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24....................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

May.

2.15

2.45

2.65

3 1 P;

2.95

2 O^

2

QC

3 1 ^

3 1 ^

3.35

0 CC

3.75

4.05

3.65

3 Q£

4 4p;

June.

4.75

5.05

5.55

5.75

5.75

4.95

4.75

5.15

4.75

A 7K

4.85

5.15

4.35

A A.Z*

4.65

4.55

41^

3.95

3.65

4.25

July.

3.95

3.75

3.65

3

0C

3.35

3.25

3.15

3.15

2.95

2

OC

2

7c

2

7K

2.75

2.65

2.60

2.55

2.45

2.45

Aug.

2.45

2.45

2.45

2.45

2

7C

3 Q^

2.45

5.75

C 7C

3

Q.C

c 7c

2 EC

2.5

2 A

2.4

2.4

2.4

3 n

4.0

Sept.

5.3

3.8

5.2

4.1

4.2

3.8

3.8

3.6

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.6

o 7

o 7

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3 a

3.6

Oct.

3.6

3.6

3.6

3

C

3

C

3

C

0 C

3.5

0 C

3

C

3

C

0 C

3.5

3

C

0 C

0 C

3

C

3

C

3

C

0 C

3

C

0 C

3 A

3.4

3 A

Nov.

^ 4

3.4

3

0

3.3

0 0

0 0

3.3

0 0

3

0

0 0

0 0

3 A

3.4

3.4

3.6

3.4

Dec.

3.5

3.5

3

C

3.4

3

0

0 Q

3

0

3 9

3

0

0 C

4.1

4 0

4. 6

4.2

4.0

4.2

4 0

NOTE. Ice Dec. 4 to 31. Ice 4 inches thick Dec. 11; 9 inches on Dee. 18; 14inches on Dec. 24, and'16 

inches on Dec. 29.
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 83 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Cottonwood Creek near Orangeville, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1.......... ..........................

2....................................

3....................................

4....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16....................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24....................................

OC

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

May.

105

135

165

180

195

268

325

332

340

280

280

250

340

334

328

322

380

448

510

624

KAfi

468

CO1

P174

768

856

June.

994

1,200

1,280

1,270

1,220

1,160

930

885

840

985

835

830

825

784

857

980 *700

671

74A

700

780

860

740

585

548

510

406

628

July.

513

434

410

378

283

ocq

ocq

99ft

202

177

177

166

' 155

180

204

1 PL4

154

154

147

140

134

125

112

95

QO

Aug.

92

90

89

88

87

CO

428

650

880

1,100

4QK

300

88

450

800

1,200

J 9QO

1,100

480

92

QS

80

80

80

80

10C

170

210

530

Sept.

500

84

460

144

166

167

122

84

84

56

56

70

84

84

68

56

56

60

64

68

68

56

Cfl

56

Kfi

56

56

56

56

56

Oct.

56

56

56

56

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

36

36

36

36

Nov.

36

36

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

30

36

36

36

FLR

36

56

55

54

53

52fi1

50

49

48

47

46

Dec.

45

45

45

NOTE. These discharges were obtained from rating curves applicable as follows: May 1 to Aug. 31. 

indirect method for shifting channels used; Sept. 1 to Dec. 3, not well defined. Discharges interpolated 

for days when gage was not read.

Monthly discharge of Cottonwood Creek near Orangeville, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

May...............................................

July...............................................

The period. . ................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,280 

513 

1,200 

500 

56

Minimum.

406 

93 

80 

56 

36

Mean.

416 

842 

218 

438 

104 

45.3 

38.7

Rim-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

25,600 

50,100 

13,400 

26,900 

6,190 

2,790 

2,300

127,000

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

B. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

C.

FEKRON CKEEK NEAK FEKRON, UTAH.

This station, which was established April 28, 1909, is located near 

the mouth of the canyon, about 2£ miles above the town of Ferron, 

Utah, and is below all important tributaries.

Practically all the normal flow in the low-water season is diverted 

above the station by the North and South canals, only enough water 

passing to supply one or two small ditches that take out below.

Several gages were used during 1909, all located in the same section. All gage heights were referred to one datum until August 31,
84 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

when a flood destroyed the gage and bench mark and greatly 

changed the section. From September 1 to December 31 all gage 

heights refer to a new gage which was installed September 18, 1909, 

at a new datum.

Discharge measurements are made from a footbridge about 10 feet 

above the gage. Shifting of the stream bed makes it difficult to 

obtain accurate discharge records. The stream is icebound during 

the winter.

Discharge measurements of Perron Creek near Perron, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

July 26

Aug. 23

Sept. 19

II y drographer .

E. A. Fuller. ..............................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

20

31

17

14

18.5

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

58

7.6

16.9

13.3

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.10

4.20

2.15

1.75

1.40

Discharge.

Sec. -ft.

496

5.7

oc c

28 4

6.5

NOTE. Gage heights Apr. 28 to Aug. 23 are referred to same datum. Gage heights Sept. 19 and Dec. 4 

are referred to new gage installed Sept. 18,1909.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Perron Creek near Perron, Utah, for 1909. 

[James Westenskaw, observer.]

Day.

1.. .........................

5...........................

6.......---......-..-....-..

8...........................

g

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...-....-...-.........:....

21 ...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31 ...........................

Apr.

2.1

1.8

1.5

May.

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.6

2.95

2.95

9 7£.

2.90

2.3

2.2

2.3

2.45

2.8

3.1

3.2

3.1

3.1

9 7H

3

K

q 1 K

3.0

3.3

June.

3.75

4.55

4. 45

426

3.95

4.10

A fJK

3.65

3.65

3.8

3.75

3.45

3.35

q c

3.45

q A

3 fie

9 Q^.

July.

2.65

2.6

2.85

2.7

2 OK

1.95

2.05

9 n^

2 OK.

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

Aug.

2.0

1.9

1 9

1 9

1 o

1.8

8.0

Sept.

12.0

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

 1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

Oct.

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

Nov.

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1 K

1 K.

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.8

1 fi

2.1

2 9

9 9

1 fi

1.7

1.6

1 K

1.4

1 Q

2.0

1 S

Dec.

1.5

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1 Q

2.0

9 n

2 0

2 0

2.0

2.0

9 9

2

0

9 4

0 0

2.6

2.6

2.6

2

K

2.4

2.0

2.6

2.7

2.6

9 R

2.8

NOTE. After Sept. 1 gage heights referred to new datum. Ice conditions after Nov. 13.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 85

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Perron Creek near Perron, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1....................................

2....................................

3.......... .........................

4....................................

5....................................

6.. .................................

7....................................

8.......... ..... ............... ...

9.'...................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16...................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24................................'....

25....................................

26........................:...........

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

Apr.

32

16

7

May.

51

51

78

96

105

164

164

164

124

153

124

63

51

41

51

70

70

133

185

196

220

196

196

124

153

284

298

284

208

174

245

June.

367

485

606

638

766

515

425

500

470

455

440

339

339

339

381

367

284

284

284

298

258

298

284

271

258

185

164

164

133

July.

105

%

143

114

%

46

22

28

28

28

28

 7

7

7

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

Aug.

36

25

20

20

20

20

16

36

1.690

Sept.

3,000

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

Oct.

32

32

32

25

20

16

13

13

13

13

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

. 20

20

Nov.

20

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

12

12

11

11

10

10

10

9

9

8

8

8

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Apr. 28 to Aug. 31, fairly 

well defined below discharge of 100 second-feet. Sept. 1 to Nov. 13, not well defined. Discharge estimated, 

July 15 to 25, 27 to 30, and Nov. 14 to 30.

Monthly discharge of Perron Creek near Perron, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

May. ............................ ............

July...............................................

Aug. 23-31. ........................................

November. ....................................

The period ...................... .......

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

298 

766 

143 

1,690 

3,000 

32

Minimum.

41 

133 

6 

16 

32 

13

Mean.

146 

372 

27.6 

207 

131 

20.3 

ol2.7 

64.0

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

8,980 

22,100 

1,700 

3,700 

7,800 

1,250 

756 

246

46,500

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

C. 

C. 

D. 

D. 

D. 

D.

a, Partly estimated. 6 Estimated. 

HUNTINGTON CREEK NEAR HUNTINGTON, UTAH.

This station, which was established May 3, 1909, is located at 

Cunha's ranch, in the canyon about 6 miles northwest of Huntington, Utah, and is below all important tributaries.

The ditch for the Cunha ranch diverts a small amount of water a 

short distance above the station; practically all the normal low-water 

flow is diverted for irrigation by canals heading near Huntington. A
86 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

storage reservoir above the station controls the distribution of the 

discharge to a considerable extent.

The vertical staff gage is in two sections. The low-water part 

is nailed to an old bridge abutment on the right bank about 3 feet 

from the cable; the high-water section is nailed to the west face of a 

cottonwood tree near the low-water section. Discharge measurements are made from a cable.

The gage datum has remained unchanged since the station was 

established.

The flow at the station is not seriously affected by ice. The 

shifting of the stream bed during the spring high water and summer 

floods impairs the reliability of the records.

Discharge measurements of Huntington Creek near Huntington, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

July 29

Aug. 21

21

Nov. 6

30 a

Dec. 56

Hydrographer.

E. A. Porter ..............................................

.....do.....................................................

.... .do. ....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.... .do. ....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

44

30.5

32

31

31

31

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

133

78.3

33.3

30.1

24.5

27.6

21.9

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.80

3.38

2.65

2.75

2.55

2.65

2.51

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

730

138

78.8

65.5

45.7

65.3

40.4

a Ice 0.25 foot thick at gauge. & Ice 6 inches thick at gage.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Huntington Creek near Huntington, Utah, for 1909.

[Joseph Cunha, observer.]

Day.

1. ...................................

2....................................

3............................ .......

4....................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16....................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

2±... .................... ~.... ........

2^.. ..................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

May.

3 n

3.2

3.45

3.7

3.9

3.85

3.85

3.7

3.75

3.8

3.7

3.9

4.1

4.25

4.35

4.35

4.55

A O

June.

4.5

4.7

5.15

5 4.

5.25

5.1

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.7

4.85

4.75

4.8

4.65

4.7

4.75

4.6

4.6

4.65

4.45

4.45

July.

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.5

3.9

3.8

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

Aug.

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.4

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2 9

2.9

2.95

2.95

2.95

2.9

2.8

3.0

2.9

2.7

2.8

2 9

2.8

2.8

2.8

Sept.

5.0

4.0

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

Oct.

2.55

2.8

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.35

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.45

2.45

2.5

2.45

2.5

Nov.

2.5

2.5

2.45

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.45

2.5

2.5

2.45

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.55

2.5

2.6

2.7

Dec.

2.60

2.7

2.5

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.5

NOTE. Ice prevailed from about Nov. 20 to Dec. 31; Nov. 30, ice 3 inches thick.
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 87 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Huntington Creek near Huntington, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1............................................

2............................................

3............................................

4............................................

5............................................

6............................................

7............................................

9............................................

10............................................

11 ............................................

12............................................

13............................................

14............................................

15............................................

16............................................

17............................................

18............................................

19............................................

20.... ........................................

21............................................

22............................................

23............................................

24............................................

25............................................

26............................................

27............................................

28............................................

29............................................

30............................................

31 ............................................

May.

160

212

284

314

362

412

430

412

468

412

' 362

378

392

362

362

430

503

578

con

484

672

672

672

672

578

June.

655

732

914

920

1,040

948

838

835

826

824

780

775

772

694

750

704

726

662

670

688

622

621

620

634

556

551

550

July.

225

224

222

219

216

213

210

183

180

178

175

173

170

168

144

143

189

308

268

238

235

207

180

178

175

152

150

148

147

142

147

Aug.

152

134

160

163

147

152

177

82

70

75

62

64

53

54

58

46

106

110

122

124

127

120

128

140

118

84

98

114

96

94

93

Sept.

800

408

124

122

104

103

102

85

84

82

80

66

64

53

52

51

50

49

48

38

37

48

48

60

52

48

59

48

48

48

Oct.

42

74

38

38

38

38

38

38

38

38

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

26

30

30

38

38

38

33

33

38

33

38

Nov.

42

42

33

42

42

29

31

42

42

35

39

38

32

38

38

32

41

41

45

41

NOTE. These discharges, except for the ice period, were obtained by the indirect method for shifting 

channels.

Monthly discharge of Huntington Creek near Huntington, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

May 3-31..........................................

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

672 

1,040 

308 

177 

800 

74 

42

Minimum.

160 

550 

142 

46 

37 

26 

29

Mean.

467 

741 

191 

107 

102 

35.0 

38.8 

«34.8

215

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

26,900 

44,100 

11,700 

6,580 

6,070 

2,150 

2,310 

2,140

102,000

Accuracy.

C. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

C. 

D.

a Estimated.

NOTE. Nov. 21 to 30 and Dec. 1 to 15, daily discharge estimated as 40 second-feet; Dec. 16 to 31, estimated as 30 second-feet, because of ice conditions.

GRAND RIVER BASIN.

DESCRIPTION.

Grand River and its tributaries drain an area comprising approximately 26,000 square miles, of which 22,290 are in Colorado and the 

rest in eastern Utah. On the east and southeast the basin is bounded 

by the high ranges of the Continental Divide, which separate it from
88 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

the basins of Platte and Arkansas rivers; on the north it is limited 

by the White River and Book Cliffs Plateau, on the west by the 

canyon district of the Colorado.

Rising among the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains in the northcentral portion of Colorado, the Grand flows southwestward to its 

junction with Green River, traversing approximately 350 miles. Its 

tributaries include Fraser, Blue, Eagle, Williams and Roaring forks, 

Gunnison and Dolores rivers, all of which enter from the south.

In most respects the Grand is a typical mountain stream, flowing 

throughout its course in a succession of deep canyons, whose precipitous or even perpendicular walls range in height up to 3,000 feet above 

the water's edge, alternating with long, narrow fertile valleys. The 

headwater region, comprising approximately 50 per cent of the basin, 

is extremely rugged, elevations ranging from 7,000 to 14,000 feet 

above sea level. Stream channels are numerous, tributaries are 

rapid, and gradients are steep, the fall ranging from 20 to 150 feet 

to the mile. The intermediate or middle portion of the basin that 

portion immediately east and west of the Colorado State line is a 

dry, broken, much-eroded region.

The rocks of the basin include all varieties, from the granites and 

masses of igneous origin on the crest of the Continental Divide to the 

younger and less resistant sedimentary rocks of the plateau region. 

The soils of the upper basin, though shallow, generally contain considerable organic matter; those of the intermediate basin are largely 

decomposed and disintegrated sedimentary rocks, which grade imperceptibly from one to the other. The scant vegetation of the lower 

basin renders soil erosion large.

The precipitation ranges from 5 to 10 inches in the lower basin, 10 

to 20 inches in the intermediate region, and 20 to 30 inches in the 

headwater region. By far the greater part of the precipitation is tfi 

the form of snow.

The forestation of the mountainous part of the basin, except in a 

few localities, is good the equal of any in Colorado. The forests 

consist of spruce, quaking asps, cedars, and pinon. The intermediate 

basin is fairly well forested with quaking asp, cedar, and pinon. The 

lower basin supports only scattered pines, cedars, and pifions, the prevailing vegetation being sagebrush, chico, and cactus pads.

The greater part of the timbered area in the Grand River basin 

above the Gunnison is included in the Arapahoe and Holy Cross 

national forests. These reserves in the Grand drainage basin include 

about 1,400 square miles of merchantable timberland, 900 square 

miles of woodland, and about 800 square miles of burned area.

In the middle basin, from the lower end of Gore Canyon to about 

Rifle, 30,000 to 35,000 acres will be irrigated under half a dozen small 

projects now contemplated. In the lower basin the Reclamation
COLORADO RIVER BASIN.

Service has under way the Grand Valley project, to cover an irrigable 

area of 60,000 to 70,000 acres. Under other schemes 40,000 to 50,000 

acres more will be irrigated. The Uncompahgre Valley project, 

which diverts water from the Gunnison, has finished structures capable of irrigating about 50,000 acres. The completed project will 

serve about 150,000 acres.

Natural storage within the basin is restricted to a few high mountain lakes, of which Grand Lake is the largest. There are, however, 

reservoirs sites along the Grand and its tributaries which if utilized 

would make possible a development of 1,000,000 horsepower. The 

Kremmling reservoir site is by far the best in the drainage basin. It 

is located near the upper end of Gore Canyon and- with a" 230-foot 

dam would impound about 2,200,000 acre-feet of water. A standardgauge railroad now runs through this site.

Until recently the splendid power resources of this drainage basin 

have remained practically untouched. The estimated available 

power, including that on Dolores and Gunnison rivers, is as follows:

Minimum horsepower...................................... 540,000

Minimum horsepower (6 high months)....................... 1,000,000

Horsepower from storage (6 months' period)................. 1, 600,000

Of this amount less than 40,000 horsepower has so far been developed.

Hot sulphur springs are located along Grand River at two points 

Hot Sulphur Springs and Glenwood Springs, Colo. and in both 

localities they increase the temperature of the river water, but probably 

all these springs together add less than 20 second-feet to the flow of 

the river. The years of maximum run-off in this drainage basin were 

1897 and 1907; the year of maximum run-off since records were begun. 

was 1902.

Fraser, Eagle, Williams and Roaring forks and Gunnison River 

are described in connection with gaging stations now maintained. 

The importance of Dolores River entitles it to the following brief description, although no station is now maintained in its basin.

The Dolores rises in the La Plata and San Miguel mountains, whose 

highest peak, Mount Wilson, attains an elevation of over 14,000 feet. 

Its course is southwesterly for about 50 miles, when it turns and flows 

almost due north for nearly 100 miles, when it again turns to the 

west and enters Grand River about 15 miles west of the ColoradoUtah line. For the greater part of its course the river flows through 

deep canyons, and along the stream itself comparatively little irrigation is practiced. In the vicinity of Dolores, however, the valley 

broadens, and for about 40 miles has a width of half a mile to a mile. 

A considerable part of this area is cultivated. In Paradox Valley 

also considerable land is cultivated, chiefly from small tributaries 

running into the main stream. By far the greater part of the Dolores River water is used for irrigation in the San Juan drainage basin,
90 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1000, PART IX.

to which it is diverted by means of a tunnel and a great cut into the 

Montezuma Valley.

San Miguel River, the most important tributary of the Dolores, 

which drains an area immediately west of the headwaters of the Uncompahgre River, rises in San Miguel County, Colo., and enters the 

Dolores about 12 miles east of the Colarado-Utah line at an elevation 

of about 5,000 feet. In general the stream and its tributaries flow 

northeasterly. Considerable land along the San Miguel is irrigated.

The mean annual run-off of Dolores River above the mouth of the 

San Miguel is nearly 400,000 acre-feet, and the San Miguel furnishes 

at least half that amount.

Probably 600 square miles of the Dolores River basin is covered 

with merchantable timber and as much more is woodland. The 

total area of this basin is about 4,500 square miles.

The basin contains several small storage reservoir sites, a few of 

which have been developed, both for power and irrigation. Theoretically, by utilizing storage it would be possible to develop from 

75,000 to 100,000 horsepower in the Dolores drainage basin. The 

river has an average fall of over 20 feet per mile throughout almost 

its whole course, and a great stretch of the San Miguel has an average 

fall of more than 50 feet to the mile. Several water-power plants 

are in operation along the upper San Miguel and its tributaries, the 

development aggregating nearly 10,000 horsepower, of which about 

7,500 horsepower is developed at the Ames, Howard Fork, and Illium 

plants of the Telluride Power Co. One plant on Bridal Veil Creek 

is utilizing a head of 2,000 feet to develop 1,200 horsepower.

NORTH FORK OF GRAND RIVER NEAR GRAND LAKE, COLO.

This station, which was established July 29, 1904, is located at the 

"highway bridge on the road between Grand Lake and Grandby, and 

is about 3 miles southwest of Grand Lake post office, Colo., and 

about 2 miles above Grand Lake Outlet, which is the most important 

tributary of this fork of the Grand. The nearest railroad is the 

Denver, Northwestern & Pacific, at Granby, Colo., distant about 

12 miles.

One large ditch above the station diverts water into the headwaters of the Cache la Poudre, in the South Platte drainage basin.

Winter records at this station are more satisfactory than at the 

other stations on the headwaters of the Grand, as near-by springs 

tend to keep the stream at the gaging station more or less open.

The location and datum of the staff gage, which is at the bridge, 

have remained unchanged during the maintenance of the station.

Fairly good results have been obtained at this station, though 

low-stage measurements, because of sluggish current, are not entirely 

satisfactory.

The station was discontinued September 30, 1909.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN, §1

Discharge measurements of North Fork of Grand River near Grand Lake, Colo., in 1909,

Date.

Aug. 9 b

Hydrographer.

C.L.Chatfleld... .........................................

W. B. Freeman ...........................................

Width.

Feet. 

40

44

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

59

42

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.60

3.97

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

45

88

a Channel practically open. & Made by wading at different sections.

Daily gage height, in feet, of North Fork of Grand River near Grand Lake, Colo., for 1909.

[Harry W. Carr, observer.]

Day.

1...........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18. ..........................

19_..........................

20...........................

21.... .......................

22...........................

23. ..........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30..........................

31..........................

Jan.

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

4.0

3.4

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.3

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.6

3.6

3.4

Feb.

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.35

3.35

3.3

3.35

3.35

3.3*

3.3

3.35

3.4

Mar.

3.3

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.4

3.4

3.35

3.35

3.35'

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.55

3.3

3

«>

3.35

Apr.

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.4

3.4

3.35

3.35

3 A

3.4

3.6

3.6.

3.7

May.

4.1

4.25

4.5

4.45

4.6

4.5

4.65

4.8

5.0

5.1

5.0

5.0

4.85

4.7

4.6

4.65

4

7C

5.0

4.75

4.5

June.

4.7

4.8

5.25

5.35

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.7

5.5

5.45

5.45

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.8

6.1

6.5

6.6

6.2

6.1

6.1

6.2

6.1

6.1

5.9

5.9

5.7

5.7

July.

5.7

5.8

5.8

6.1

6.1

5.8

5.6

5.5

5.4

5.0

4.8

4.8

4.7

4.65

4.6

4.55

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.45

4.45

4.6

4.4

4.35

4.3

4.2

4.2

4.15

4.15

Aug.

4.15

4.15

4.1

4.05

4.05

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.95

3.95

3.95

4.0

4.0

3.95

3.9

4.0

4.1

4.4

4.1

4.0

3.95

3.9

3.9

3.85

3.85

3.85

3.85

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.9

Sept.

3.9

3.9

3.85

3.85

3.85

3.85

3.85

4.15

4.0

3.95

3.9

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.75

3.75

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.65

3.65

3.65

NOTE. Slight ice conditions from Jan. 1 to Apr. 26. Ice affected gage heights on Jan. 12, 27, and 29.
STJBFACE WATEK SUPPLY, 1909, PAET ix.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of North Fork of Grand River near Grand Lake, Colo. t

for 1909.

Day.

1. ..........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10....................:......

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18. ..........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Jan.

15

15

1 C

1 f\

15

1 C

15

15

1 C

16

17

18

19

19

17

15

15

15

14

12

14

15

15

15

15

15

15

17

19

Feb.

15

14

12

12

12

12

12

14

15

15

i <;

14

12

12

12

14

15

1 t\

15

15

15

14

12

12

14

15

19

Mar.

12

14

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

19

19

19

17

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

22

30

21

12

12

14

15

15

Apr.

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

19

19

19

17

15

15

15

17

19

19

19

31

43

43

55

May.

65

80

90

105

120

130

145

161

177

195

213

231

249

267

248

306

267

326

390

479

528

479

479

412

347

306

326

368

479

368

347

June.

347

390

479

611

671

970

970

970

970

902

767

734

734

767

767

767

970

1,190

1,530

1,620

1,270

1,190

1,190

1,270

1,190

1,190

1,040

1,040

902

902

July.

902

970

970

1,190

1,190

970

834

767

702

479

390

390

347

326

306

286

267

467

267

267

267

248

248

306

230

212

194

160

160

145

145

Aug.

145

145

130

118

118

105

105

105

95

95

95

105

105

95

85

105

130

230

130

105

95

85

85

77

77

77

77

69

69

69

85

Sept.

85

85

77

77

77

77

77

160

145

105

95

85

69

69

69

69

69

69

69

62

62

62

55

55

55

55

49

49

49

49

i

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows:

Jan. 1 to Apr. 26, an ice curve, not defined; Apr. 28 to Sept. 30, well defined below 1,000 second-feet. 

Discharges for days on which gage was not read estimated. Discharges for Jan. 12, 27, and 29 estimated 

because of serious ice conditions.

Monthly discharge of North Fork of Grand River near Grand Lake, Colo., for 1909.

Month.

July. ..............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

19 

19 

30 

55 

528 

1,620 

1,190 

230 

160

Minimum.

12 

12 

12 

15 

65 

347 

145 

69 

49

Mean.

15.6 

13.7 

16.0 

19.7 

280 

944 

465 

104 

74.3

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

969 

761 

984 

1,170 

17,200 

56,200 

28,600 

6,400 

4,420

117,000

Accuracy.

D. 

D. 

C. 

C. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

B.

GKAND RIVEE NEAK GKANBY, COLO.

This station, which was established June 19, 1908, is located at a 

highway bridge that crosses the river about 4 miles from Granby on 

the road to Grand Lake.

The station is about 4 miles below the junction of North and South 

forks, about the same distance above the mouth of Fraser River, and 

is above the mouth of Willow Creek. The drainage area is about 

500 square miles.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 93

No important diversions are made on the South Fork or on the 

main stream above the station. This basin affords some excellent 

storage sites. Several filings for power development have been made 

above this station, but additional opportunities for filing no doubt 

exist. A small power plant is located on a tributary of the South 

Fork.

Measurements of discharge are made from a cable 300 feet downstream from the bridge.

Thick ice covers the river for about four months each year and 

anchor ice also occurs.

The location and datum of the gage have remained unchanged 

during the maintenance of the station.

Discharge measurements of Grand River near Granby, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Mar. 10a....

May 4. ......

7. ......

8. ......

Oct. 14......

Hydrographer.

.....do.................................................

.....do........................ .........................

.....do.................................................

.....do.................................................

R. H. Woolsey ........................................

Width.

Feet. 

25

95

98

100

111

90

85

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

30

145

153

144

411

170

104

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.40

2.10

2.55

2.46

4.65

2.41

1.67

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

33

259

343

2,590

366

122

a Ice conditions.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Grand River near Granby, Colo., for 1909. 

[J. P. Switzer, observer.]

Day.

2...............

3...............

4...............

5.... ...........

6...............

7...............

8...............

9. ..............

10. ..............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14. ..............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18. ..............

19...............

20. ..............

21...............

22. ..............

23. .............. 

24...............

25.---...........

26. ..............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30. ..............

31...............

Jan.

2.25

2.2

2.15

2.25

2.4

9 ££,

2.5

2

K

2.45

2.45

9 z,

2.5

2

K

2.5

2.5

2

C

2

CC

2

C

2.5

2.5 

9 dt;

2.55

2.65

2.65

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

Feb.

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.35

2.4

2 A

2.4

2.4

2

AK

2.45

2.6

2 fiC

2.7

9 7

0 A

2.55

2

e

Mar.

2

K

2.5

2

0

2.6

2.7

3.05

2.6

2

QC

2.85

2.8

2 7

2.6

2

0

2.85

2

QC

3

ftC

3.05

3

f\C

3

1

3.05

2

QC

2

QK

2.95

3.05

3.05

3.15

3.05

3.05

Apr.

9 Q

2.9

2.95

2.9

2.6

2.8

2.6

2.8

2.75

2.65

2.85

2.9

2.9

3

1

3

n

2

QK

2.6

1 55

1.4

1.65 

1.55

1 PI PI

1.65

1.7

1 ye

1.85

1 Q

May.

1.8

2

f)K

2.5

2.65

2.6

2 a

2.75

2.8

2.85

2.75

2

0

2.8

2.9

2

QC

3.05

0 Q

3.4

3.55

3.7

3

C

3

0

3.1

3 fi

^ 1

3.1

June.

3.15

3.2

3.4

3.7

4.2

4.5

4.75

4.8

4.6

4 4

4.3

A OK

4 3

4

CC

4 9

5.3

5 45

5.05

5

ne

5.05

5

1 K

4.95

5.0

4 95

4.75

K f)K

July.

5.05

4 95

5.05

4.70

4.55

4.15

4.05

3

QC

3.6

0 CC

3

0

3.3

3.2

0 9

3.2

3

O

3.1

3.0

3

1

0 fiC

3.05

3

ftC

2 OK

2.75

2.7

2.55

Aug.

2.55

2.55

2.55

2.5

2.4

2.45

2.45

2.5

2.4

2.45

2.4

2.55

2.6

2.55

9 £

2.6

9 ^

2.8

2.65

2

CK

2

KK

2.5

2./5

2

0C

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.2

2 9

2.2

Sept.

2.2

2.25

2.20

2.20

9 T5

2.2

2.55

2.55

2.5

2

AK

2.35

2.3

2.3

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

1 9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

Oct.

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.5

1 1

1.5

1.5 

1.5

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.4

1.4

1.4

Nov.

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4 

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

Dec.

1.3

1.3

1.3

1 ^

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.75

1 Q

1.9

1.85

1.55

1.85

1.85

1.8

1.8

1.8 

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.75

1.7

1.8

1.8

NOTE. Ice conditions from Jan. 1 to Apr. 20 and from Dec. 14 to 31.
94 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Grand River near Granby, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1.................. .........

3.......--.--.-----.----....

4... ..--..-..-.-.-.........-

5.......-.-...-...---.-.-.-.

6. .......-..--... ...........

8. ...... ....................

9

10. ...... ....................

11...........................

13.....-..-----------..--..-.

14.....---.----.-----..-.-.--

1 C

16.....-...-----.--..........

17.....--..--..--.....---.-..

18.....--------.----.........

19

20.....--..---.---.-.--......

21...........................

22. ...... -. ........ ..........

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Apr.

no

70

120

98

OS

120 100

184

May.

157

157

170

OOrt

017

482

JKC

455

CJA

600

540

c,7«

c7f\

630

Afi9

73ft

920

1 140

1 9Qft

1,100

920

765

695

765

1 050

880

765

June.

802

840

1,000

1 OQfl

1,870

2,310

2,720

2,890

2 con

2,470

2,160

2,010

9 nan

2 ftsn

3,720

4,000

3

OC«

3 ocn

3 ocn

3 ocn

3 440

3,160

0 (V7f\

2,720

S

OCrt

July.

3,250

3,070

3,250

3,070

2,630

2,390

1,940

1,800

1,680

1,560

1,340

i ion

962

920

QOrt

880

840

840

840

840

fine

765

7on

730

73ft

600

540

Aug.

430

430

430

405

359

382

382

405

359

382

359

455

430

4AC

430

570

482

430

430

405

382

338

017

017

280

280

9sn

Sept.

280

298

280

280

263

280

430

430

405

382

338

o-i 7

338

317

ocn

246

230

214

214

214

184

157

157

1 ^7

157

132

132

Oct.

132

132

132

132

132

132.

132

109

109

109

109

inn

109

109

IftQ

IftQ

109

109

1AQ

88

OQ

OQ

00

88

7Q

7Q

79

79

70

70

70

Nov.

62

62

62

62

62

62

62

62

62

62

62

62

70

70

70

70

70

70

70

70

70

70

70

70

70

70

70

70

Dec.

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

NOTE. These discharges are based on a rating curve that is well denned.

Daily discharges from Jan. 1 ta Apr. 20 probably average from 33 to 50 second-feet. Mean discharge from 

Dee. 14 to 31 estimated as 40 second-feet.

Monthly discharge of Grand River near Granby, Goto., for 1909.

Month.

May...............................................

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,290 

4,000 

3,250 

570 

430 

132 

70

Minimum.

157 

802 

430 

280 

132 

70 

62

Mean.

644 2,540 

1,350 

387 

250 

103 

67 

45.9

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

39,600 

151,000 

83,000 

23,800 

14,900 

6,330 

3,990 

2,820

325,000

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

B. 

C.

GRAND RIVER AT SULPHUR SPRINGS, COLO.

This station was originally established July 27, 1904, at the highway bridge one-eighth mile below Sulphur Springs. On April 17, 

1906, it was moved to a new highway bridge, about 1,000 feet above 

the old location, and a standard chain gage was installed. This 

gage has no determined relation to the old gage. The station 

was discontinued September 30, 1909. The data obtained are used
COLORADO RIVEE BASIN. 95

to check up the results at other stations on Grand River and its tributaries and to afford a basis for estimating the flow of some of the 

smaller tributaries.

The Grand is joined by Fraser River about 10 miles above Sulphur 

Springs and by Williams Fork a few miles below. The drainage area 

at the station is about 950 square miles.

A number of small private ditches divert water for meadow irrigation along the principal tributaries above the station and along 

the Grand. A number of large diversion ditches are located in the 

lower drainage basin. Filings for power development are numerous 

from source to mouth, but it is probable that a large amount of this 

water would still be available for appropriation for irrigation.

The river at the station freezes across for about four months each 

year, the ice sometimes reaching a depth of 2 feet. No artificial 

control is used.

On account of unfavorable measuring conditions during the winter 

months at the regular, section, temporary gages have been maintained in a canyon one-fourth mile below, where the river is open 

and where measurements can be made by wading. A temporary 

gage was used from January 25 to March 17, 1908, and another, 

200 feet nearer the regular station, from November 25 to December 

20, 1908. From April 1 to 16, 1908, an old staff gage was read by 

the observer instead of the chain gage. Gage heights for this 

period were adjusted to refer to the chain-gage datum. Beginning 

December 22, 1908, readings were resumed at the chain gage by 

measuring through a hole cut in the ice.

The accuracy of the results obtained at the old location of the 

station was affected to a certain extent by a bend in the river above 

the station, by the bridge pier, and by ice.

Discharge measurements of Grand River at Sulphur Springs, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Mar. 10 a

Apr. 29

May 8

June 17 c

Aug. 8

Hydrographer.

C. L. Chatfleld ............................................

.....do.....................................................

.... .do. ....................................................

.....do....................................................

.....do...................................... ... . .... ..

Width.

Feet. 

56

103

83

303

110

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

72

194

902

226

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

62.55

2.40

3.20

6.17

2.70

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

102

543

1,080

5,140

608

« Made by wading in mouth of canyon. 

6 Gage height distorted by ice conditions. 

c Stay line used.
96 SURFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, infeet> of Grand River at Sulphur Springs, Colo., for 1909. 

[E. L. Chatfleld, jr., observer.]

Day.

1.. .........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20. ......................... -

21...........................

22...........................

23.................:.........

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Jan.

2.6

2.55

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.65

2.6

2.55

2.6

2.65

2.75

3.0

3.05

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.05

3.05

3.05

3.05

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.85

2.8

2.8

Feb.

2.8

2.75

2.75

2.75

2 7

2.7

2.8

2.8

2.75

2.8

2.75

2.8

2.8

2.75

2

7C

2.75

2.8

2

0

2

7C

2.8

2.8

2.75

2.75

9 7

2.7

Mar.

2.7

2.7

2.75

2.7

2.7

2.65

2.65

2.65

2.7

2.65

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.65

2.65

2.65

2.7

2.8

2 9

3.0

3.0

3.05

2.95

2.9

2.75

9 7

2.65

2.65

Apr.

2.6

2.3

2.45

2.45

2.2

2.4

2.35

2.25

2.3

2.25

2.1

2.0

1.9

1.95

9 n

2.0

2.1

2.1

2.05

2.2

2.2

2

0

2.35

2.35

2.5

2.5

2 7

2.7

2

E

2.6

May.

2.15

2.2

2.3

2.45

2.5

3.1

3.05

2.95

3.0

3.4

3.55

3.6

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.5

3.7

3.9

4.2

4.55

4.7

4.8

4.55

4.0

3.9

4.1

4.7

4.4

4.3

June.

4.2

4.3

4.7

5.2

5.9

6.5

6.6

6.65

6.6

6.35

6.2

6.0

5.8

5.55

6.25

6.35

6.45

6.45

6.6

6.5

6.3

6.35

6.55

6.9

6.65

6.5

6.2

6.25

July.

6.3

6.3

6.2

6.1

6.15

6.0

5.7

5.35

5.05

4.85

4.8

4.75

4.8

4.85

3.7

3.65

3.7

3.6

3.65

3.6

3.6

3.55

3.45

3.4

3.4

3.4

3 4.

3.3

3.3

Aug.

3.2

3.2

3.1

3.05

3.0

2 9

2.8

2.8

2.65

2.7

2.8

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.85

2.95

3.2

3.3

3.2

3.1

3.0

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.65

2.45

2.45

2.7

Sept.

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.35

2.4

2.35

2.3

2.2

2.25

2.25

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.3

NOTE. Ice conditions from Jan. 1 to Apr. 1. 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Grand River at Sulphur Springs, Colo., for 1909.

May.

1. .........

2..........

3..........

4..........

5..........

6..........

7..........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15........ --

Apr.

o485

485

573

573

429

543

514

457

485

457

373

320

271

296

320

May.

401

429

485

573

603

1,020

978

902

940

1,260

1,380

1,430

1,260

1,260

1,260

June.

2,100

1,230

2,780

3,530

4,010

4,670

5,700

5,880

5,970

5,880

5,440

5,180

4,840

4,500

4,090

July.

5,350

5,350

5,180

5,010

5,100

4,840

4,330

3,770

3,300

3,000

2,930

2,860

2,930

1,580

Aug.

980

935

890

850

810

745

680

680

615

680

745

745

745

712

Sept.

555

555

555

555

500

500

500

500

500

445

445

500

445

44 *;

418

May.

16..........

17. .. .......

18..........

19..........

20..........

21. ....... ..

22..........

23..........

24..........

25..........

26..........

27..........

28

29..........

30..........

31..........

Apr.

320

373

373

346

429

429

429

514

514

603

603

729

729

603

665

May.

1,260

1,340

1,530

1,740

2,100

2,570

2,570

2,780

2,930

2,570

1,860

1 74n

1 QRft

2,780

1,230

June.

4,090

5,260

5,440

5,610

5,610

5,880

5,700

5,350

5,440

5,790

6,420

5,970

5,180

July.

1,530

1,470

1,460

1,500

1,390

1,430

1,370

1,360

1,310

1,220

1,170

1,170

1,160

1 1 cn

1,070

1,060

Aug.

780

850

960

1,040

960

885

815

680

615

555

555

585

472

472

615

Sept.

AAK

445

445

418

445

418

390

340

365

365

340

340

04A

390

a Estimated.

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Apr. 2 to July 14, fairly well 

defined; July 15to Aug. 5, indirect method for shifting channels used; Aug. 6 to Sept. 30, fairly well defined.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 97

Monthly discharge of Grand River at Sulphur Springs, Colo., for 1909.

Month.

June.........

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

729 

2,930 

6,420 

5,350 

1,040 

555

Minimum.

271 

401 

1,230 

1,060 

472 

340

Mean.

475 

1,530 

4,950 

2,560 

735 

441

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

28,300 

94,100 

295,000 

157,000 

45,200 

26,200

646,000

Accuracy.

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

A. 

A.

GRAND RIVER NEAR KREMMLING, COLO.

This station, which was established July 24, 1904, is located at the 

upper end of Gore Canyon, about 3 miles southwest of Kremmling, 

Colo., near the Kremmling reservoir dam site, which is the largest 

in Colorado.

The records obtained at this station show the water available for 

storage and power development and are used also to estimate probable run-off of some of the smaller tributaries between Kremmling 

and Sulphur Springs.

Blue River, the largest tributary above this station, empties into 

the Grand about 2 miles above. Other important tributaries between 

Kremmling and Sulphur Springs are Williams Fork and Troublesome 

and Muddy rivers.

A number of private ditches divert water for meadow irrigation from 

both the main stream and its tributaries between Sulphur Springs 

and this station.

The river is frozen completely across at the station for about four 

months each year. During this period the records are affected by 

the surface ice and also by anchor ice forming in the riffle just below 

the gage.

On October 18, 1906, the present slope gage was established on 

the opposite side of the river from the old chain gage. The zero of 

the slope gage is about 0.70 foot above the zero of the old gage. 

Measurements of discharge are made from a cable a few feet downstream from the gage.

Scouring during high stages and silting during low stages affect the 

accuracy of results. Data obtained are good at high and medium 

stages, but at low stages are not so accurate. 

95620° WSP 269 11 7
98 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Discharge measurements of Grand River near Kremmling, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Mar. 12«

Apr. 296

May 10

19

Aug. 7

Oct. 10

Nov. 23

Hydrographer.

C. L. Chatfleld. . ..........................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do...........................................'.-..-.....

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

100

115

133

160

160

121

105

103

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

138

658

1,250

3,090

3,180

1,240

549

305

height.

Feet. 

0.80

4.20

8.00

16.22

16.90

5.20

2.50

1.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

260

1,320

3,290

c!3,000

c 13, 800

1,840

749

609

o Made, through the ice.

6 Some floating ice in river.

c Subsurface velocity method used. Coefficient taken as 95 per cent.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Grand River near Kremmling, Colo., for 1909. 

[H. A. Howe, observer.]

Day.

1.... ...........

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

1.. ...... .......

8...............

9...............

10. ..............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18. ..............

19...............

20. ..............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24. ..............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30. ..............

31...............

Jan.

1.05

1.05

.9

.75

.8

.85

.9

.9

.9

.8

.8

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.05

1.05

.85

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8-

.8

7K

.8

.7

.7

.7

.6

Feb.

0.75

.9

.95

.95

1.3

1.3

1.25

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.15

1 ^

1.2

1.15

1.15

1.1

1.05

1.0

1.0

9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.05

1.1

........

Mar.

1.1

1.15

1.15

1.05

1.0

1.0

.95

.9

.85

.75

:s

.8

.8

.8

.8

.85

.9

.9

.9

.85

.9

.9

1.0

1.05

1.1

1.0

1 25

1.4

1.0

1.05

1.4

Apr.

1.4

1.45

2.3

2.05

1.95

1.7

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.6

1.6

1.55

1.85

1.7

2.15

3.2

4.35

4.65

3.35

3.25

2.85

2.35

2 OK

2.7

2.7

3.4 '

4.0

4.7

4.85

4.05

May.

3.35

3.15

3.05

4.1

5.65

6.65

7.4

7.15

7.25

7.9

8.5

8.95

8.35

8.05

8.05

8.35

8.4

8.8

10.0

10.8

11.15

11.65

11.6

10.9

9 7

9.5

10.15

10.75

11.2

10.0

June.

9.85

9.95

10.65

12.0

13.5

14.95

16.0

16.8

17.2

16.95

16.3

15.55

15.05

15.05

14.9

14.6

14.85

15.8

16.95

18.0

18.0

17.2

16.7

16.45

16.65

16.55

16.0

15.6

15.15

14.9

July.

14.8

14.65

14.6

14.85

15.15

14.65

13.35

12.1

11.4

10.9

10.1

9.5

8.95

8.55

8.25

8.0

7.6

7.45

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.2

7.3

7.75

8.1

7.15

6.9 e:6

6.05

5.8

5.55

Aug.

5.25

5.25

5.25

5.0

4.8

4.65

5.1

4.95

5.9

5.4

5.45

5.75

5.85

5.6

5.1

5.1

5.0

7.4

7.45

6.2

5.6

5.4

4 95

4.9

5.05

4.7

4.25

4.2

4.3

4.15

4.7

Sept.

5.25

5.1

4.55

4.35

4.35

4.8

5.75

6.05

5.5

5.15

4.8

4.35

4.35

4.35

4.2

4.15

4.0

3.9

3.85

3.6

3.45

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.15

3.0

2.9

2.85

Oct.

2.8

2

7K

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.65

2.65

2.85

2.7

2.65

2.65

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.3

9 ^

2.25

2.2

2.1

1.95

2 A

1.85

1.7

1 71

1.8

1.75

1.75

1.65

1.55

Nov.

1.5

1 11

1.8

1.9

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.4

1 ^l

1.65

1.5

1.7

1.5

1 ^l

1.3

1.4

1.3

1.15

1.75

1.95

1 ft

2.1

1.8

1.75

1.65

1 IS

1.45

1.45

Dec.

1.5

1.55

1.1

1.15

.65

.8

1.1

1.1

1.4

1.35

1.45

1 ^

1.05

1 ^

1.25

.95

.95

g

1.0

1.3

1 ft

2.15

2

1

2.05

2.4

2 OK

2.45

2.5

2.6

2.2

NOTE. Ice conditions from Jan. 1 to Mar. 31 and from Dec. 20 to 31.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 99 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Grand River near Kremmling, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1...... ....................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11 ...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17. ..........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31 ...........................

Apr.

490

502

740

665

535

565

490

490

490

540

540

528

6C5

565

695

1,030

1 A£f\

1,590

1,080

1,050

908

755

725

SCO

860

1,100

1,320

1,620

1J680

1,340

May.

1,080

1,010

978

2,060

2,620

3,080

9 Q9H

2,990

3,410

3,840

4,180

3,720

3,510

3,510

3, 720

3 7fin

4 380

5! 100

5,900-

6,280

6,800

6,010

4,820

4,640

5,240

5,850

6,340

5,100

June.

4,960

5,050

5 740

7,280

9,220

11,200

13 700

14,200

13,000

11,300

11,100

11 000

19 Ofln

1O Qf|A

15,300

15,300

14,200

13,500

12,600

12,100

11,500

11,100

July.

11,000

10 800

11,000

11,500

10 800

7 400

6,570

5 inn

4,180

0 Q7ft

3,650

3 480

3' 220

3,120

3,150

3,220

3,280

2,960

3,020

3,540

2,920

2,760

2,580

2,280

2,140

2,020

Aug.

1,860

1,860

1,860

1 660

1,590

1,800

1,730

2 90ft

1,940

1 ofin

2,170

2 O4H

1,800

1 800

1 7Crt

3 080

2,360

1,940

1,700

1,770

1,420

1,400

1,440

1,380

1,620

Sept.

1 860

1,800

1,550

1 460

1*460

1,660

2,120

1,990

1,820

1 660

1 AKf\

1 460

1,460

1,380

1,320

1 OCA

1,260

1,120

1,140

1 140

I'lOO

1 060

1 060

1,010

960

925

908

Oct.

890

Q7 C

860

860

830

845

845

908

860

845

845

Q1 C

800

800

800

770

740

740

79C

710

635

650

565

>S7S

590

578

578

552

528

Nov.

515

COO

^on

565

540

540

490

465

KCO

K1 K

KfiK

515

465

465

490

465

365

yfOC

578

635

635

KQ(\

680

590

578

552

478

502

502

Dec.

515

528

415

yfOQ

302

340

415

4.1 P;

490

4.7C

4fi*

4H9

465

452

070

070

365

QQA

4.ftc

450

450

450

4. fin

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

NOTE. These discharges are based on a rating curve that is well denned above 500 second-feet. Daily 

discharge for ice period from Dec. 20 to 31, estimated.

Monthly discharge of Grand River near Kremmling, Colo., for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 2,380 square miles.]

Month.

May...---...-.-...-...-..--

July........................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,680 

6,860 

15,300 

11,500 

3,120 

2,280 

908 

680 

515

Minimum.

490 

978 

4,960 

2,020 

1,380 

908 

528 

365 

302

Mean.

864 

4,040 

11,700 

5,270 

1,890 

1,410 

739 

533 

437

Per

square 

mile.

0.363 

1.70 

4.92 

2.21 

.794 

.592 

.311 

.224 

.184

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.40 

1.96 

5.49 

2.55 

.92 

.66 

.36 

.25 

.21

Total in 

acre-feet.

51,400 

248,000 

696,000 

324,000 

116,000 

83,900 

45,400 

31,700 

27,000

1,620,000

Accuracy.

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

B.
100 SUEPACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

GEAND EIVEE AT GLENWOOD SPEINGS, COLO.

This station, which is located at Glenwood Springs, was established 

May 12, 1899, discontinued July 17, and reestablished January 7, 

1900. The position and datum of the gage have remained unchanged. 

A float gage is placed on the right bank of the river about onefourth of a mile above the State bridge. Discharge measurements 

are made from a cable underneath this bridge.

This may be considered a base station, as the records show the 

entire run-off of the basin above the mouth of Roaring Fork. Ice 

never forms at this station, as the hot water from the near-by springs 

keeps the water above the freezing point even in the most severe 

weather. The winter records are, therefore, of especial value, as they 

furnish a basis for estimating approximately the discharge of the 

streams at other stations in the basin during the ice period.

The station is about one-fourth mile above Roaring Fork, which 

is the third largest tributary of the Grand.

A few minor irrigation ditches are taken out between this and the 

Kremmling station, but do not affect the discharge to any appreciable extent. The Shoshone plant of the Central Colorado Power Co., 

having a head of 170 feet, was practically completed in 1908. The 

tail water from this plant is returned to the river above the gaging 

station.

Results at this station are satisfactory. The channel has always 

been permanent except during 1907 and 1908, when the debris from 

the Shoshone plant was deposited in the river bed, thereby changing 

the rating curve of the stream.

Discharge measurements of Grand River at Glenwood Springs, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Jan. 13

Mar. 16

Apr. 20

30

July 13

24

Oct. 9

Hydrographer.

C. L. Chatfield. . ..........................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

W. H. Snelson, jr.* ........................................

Width.

Feet. 

180

185

195

190

222

210

205

190

Area of 

section. 

Sq.ft.

464

710

2

OOA

1,900

1,300

1,080

843

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3 78

5.28

19 AA

9.45

7 19

5.10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

628

788

1,920

97 ^nn

18,500

7,530

2,640

1,630

a Measurement from foot bridge a few feet upstream from the cable section.
COLOEADO EIVEB BASIN". 101

Daily gage height, in feet, of Grand River at Glenwood Springs, Colo.,for 1909. 

[W. H. ftichardson, observer.]

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

n... ............

11...............

12...............

13..............

14...............

15...............

16. .............

17...............

18...............

19..............

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

2S...............

29. ..............

on

01

Jan.

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9 '

3.95

4.4

4.3

4.25

4.15

4.2

4.1

3.8

3.8

3.9

4.35

4.25

4.1

4.05

4.05

4.1

4.1

4.3

4.05

9. 0

3.9

3.8

3.85

3.7

3.65

3.6

Feb.

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3 O

3.9

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.9

3.95

3.95

3.95

3.85

3.85

3.8

3.8

3.75

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.7

Mar.

3.75

3.8

3.9

3.95

4.35

4.2

4.2

4.15

4.1

4.05

4.0

3.9

3.9

3.9

4.0

4.0

4.1

4.15

4.15

4.2

4.25

4.25

4.4

4.3

4

0

4.3

4.3

4.35

4.4

4.4

4 q

Apr.

4.3

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.5

4.6

4.45

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.4

4.4

4.3

4.3

4.6

5.0

5.5

5.7

5.5

5.3

5.1

5.0

4.9

4.95

5.05

5.3

5.6

5.8

5.75

May.

5.5

5.3

5.2

5.2

5.7

6.3

6.5

6.7

6.6

6.75

7.0

7.0

7.0

6.9

6.9

6.95

7.0

7.0

7.25

7.5

7.7

8.0

8.3

8.3

8.0

7.5

7.5

7.7

8.05

8.2

7.7

June.

7.4

7.3

7.65

8.35

9.3

10. tt

10.8

10.95

11.2

11.2

10.75

10.25

10.4

10.4

10.3

10.1

10.25

10.7

11.3

11.85

12.0

11.65

11.3

10.65

10.55

10.4

10.25

9.9

9.6

9.5

July.

9.35

9.25

9.2

9.2

9.35

9.1

8.6

8.4

8.0

7.8

7.45

7.2

7.1

6.9

6.8

6.7

6.6

6.5

6.5

6.55

6.5

6.5

6.4

6.55

6.7

6.55

6.25

5.95

5.7

5.6

5.45

Aug.

5.35

5.3

5.25

5.2

5.1

5.05

5.1

5.15

5.1

5.5

5.3

5.35

5.45

5.45

5.3

5.15

5.15

5.6

6.1

6.05

5.55

5.4

5.2

5.05

5.15

5.1

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.95

Sepr.

5.15

5.25

5.1

5.0

4.95

5.0

5.25

5.6

5.5

5.3

5.1

5.1

4.95

4.95

4.9

4.9

4.85

4.85

4.7

4.75

4.7

4.6

4.55

4.5

4.5

4.45

4.4

4.4

4.35

4.35

Oct.

4.3

4.2

4.25

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.15

4.3

4.2

4.2

4.15

4.2

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.05

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.75

3.85

3.85

3.8

3.8

Nov.

3.75

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.7

3.75

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.6

3.6

3.4

3.4

3.5

3.7

3.8

3.85

3.8

3.85

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.6

Dec.

3.6

3.65

3.7

3.5

3.15

3.1

3.2

3.05

3,35

3.6

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.35

3.2

3.15

3.05

2.9

2.9

2.9

3.2

3.25

3.3

3.3

3.25

3.3

3.4

3.3

3.3

3

QC

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Grand River at Glenwood Springs, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1.... .........

2.............

5.............

6.............

7.............

8.... .........

9. ............

10.............

11.............

12.............

19.

14.............

15.............

16.............

17.............

18.............

19. ............

20. ............

21.............

22.............

OQ

24.............

25.............

26....-.--.....

27.............

28.............

29.............

30.............

31.............

Jan.

690

690

690

690

720

1,070

980

940

860

900

820

630

630

690

1,020

940

820

785

785

820

820

820

980

785

690

690

660

575

550

525

Feb.

575

575

575

630

690

690

690

690

690

690

690

750

750

750

750

690

720

720

720

660

660

630

630

602

630

630

575

575

Mar.

602

630

690

720

1,020

900

900

860

820

785

750

690

690

690

750

750

820

860

860

900

940

940

980

980

980

980

1,020

1,070

1,070

980

Apr.

980

980

1,070

1,170

1,170

1,270

1,120

900

900

900

900

1,070

1,070

980

980

1,270

1 740

2,440

2,750

2,440

2,150

1,870

1,740

1,610

1,680

1,800

2 1C A

2,910

2,830

May.

2,440

2,150

2,010

2,010

2,750

3,810

4,220

4,650

4,430

4 760

5,360

5,360

5,360

5, 120

5,120

5,240

5,360

5,3BO

6,000

6,710

7,000

8,100

9,500

8,500

7 Ann

7,150

7,900

9,350

10,200

8,350

June.

7,500

7,250

8,470

11,300

17, 600

22, 600

28,300

29,400

31,200

31,200

28,000

24,400

25,400

25, 400

24, 700

23,300

24,400

27,600

32,000

36, 100

34, 600

27, 200

26, 500

25,400

24 400

21,900

19,800

19,100

July.

18, 100

17,400

17,000

18,100

16,300

13, 200

12, 100

10,200

9,380

8,080

7,260

6,960

6,390

6,110

5,840

5,580

5,330

5

OOA

5,330

5,330

5,090

5,460

5,840

5,460

A 7KH

4,100

3,140

Aug.

2,970

2,890

2,820

2,740

2,590

2,520

2,590

2,670

2,590

3,240

2,900

2,290

3,150

3,210

2,960

2,720

3,500

3

0QA

2 OCA

2 *7nn

2 400

2 400

2,500

Sept.

2,800

2,970

2,730

2,580

2,500

2,580

3,660

3,470

2,780

2,780

2,550

2,550

2,530

2,530

2 AK()

2,450

2 OKA

2 OKA

2,070

2 nnn

1,940

1,870

1,800

1 7 800

Oct.

1,750

1,630

1,690

1,630

1,630

1,630

1,570

1,750

1,630

1,630

1,570

1,630

1,510

1,510

1,510

1,510

1 460

1^400

1,400

1,400

1,400

1 9QO

1 290

1 140

1 240

1 240

1,190

1.190

Nov.

1,140

1,090

1,090

1,190

1,190

1,190

1,190

1,190

1,090

1,090

1,140

1,190

1,190

1,190

1,000

1,000

845

845

Q9ft

1,090

1 1QA

l ion

1 240

1,190

1,090

i nno

i nnn

Dec.

1,000

1,040

1,090

920

072

640

705

610

810

1,000

845

845

845

810

672

610

con

con

con

705

740

775

775

740

TTC

845

77 c

T7A

810

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Jan. 1 to May 20, not well 

defined; May 21 to June 5 and Aug. 6 to Sept. 30, indirect method for shifting channels used; June 6 to 

Aug. 5, fairly well def ned above discharge of 3,200 second-feet; Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, not well defined.
102 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

Monthly discharge of Grand River at Glenwood Springs, Colo.,for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 4,520 square miles.]

Month.

April.............. ... ...

July........................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,070 

750 

1,070 

2,910 

10,200 

37,200 

18,100 

4,520 

3,660 

1,750 

1,240 

1,090

37,200

Minimum.

525 

575 

602 

900 

2,010 

7,250 

3,140 

2,400 

1,800 

1,140 

845 

520

520

Mean.

771

665 

861 

1,580 

5,830 

24,500 

8,470 

2,910 

2,480 

1,460 

1,110 

772

4,280

Per 

square 

mile.

0.171 

.147 

.190 

.350 

1.29 

5.42 

1.87 

.644 

.549 

.323 

.246 

.171

.948

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.20 

.15 

.22 

.39 

1.49 

6.05 

2.16 

.74 

.61 

.37 

-27 

.20

12.85

Total in 

acre-feet.

47,400 

36,900 

52,900 

94,000 

358,000 

1,460,000 

521,000 

179,000 

148,000 

89,800 

66,000 

47,500

3,100,000

Accuracy.

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

B. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

C.

GEAND RIVER NEAR PALISADES, COLO. 1

This station was established April 9, 1902, at a steel highway 

bridge 2 miles above Palisades, Colo., at a point where the river enters 

Grand Valley.

The station is below all important tributaries except Gunnison and 

Dolores rivers, and is above all the irrigating ditches supplying water 

for irrigation in Grand Valley, excepting a ditch for one pumping 

plant which diverts about 80 second-feet for irrigation one-fourth 

mile above the gage. The proposed high-line canal of the United 

States Reclamation Service will take its water about 7 miles above 

Palisades.

 The gage has been permanently located at the highway bridge 

above Palisades and no change in datum has occurred. The original 

wire gage was replaced by a chain gage on April 5, 1904. The river 

usually freezes over a portion of the year, but except for the interference of slush ice and an occasional thin ice cover the winter records are 

good.

Measuring conditions at the gage are poor, especially at high water. 

Beginning September 27, 1905, the measurements were made from a 

suspension bridge in the town of Palisades. Measurements are now 

made from the new steel bridge opened in the spring of 1909. The 

measuring conditions at both of these bridges are about the same. 

The sections are permanent, but at flood stages the velocities are 

high and the interference of bridge piers vitiates the results somewhat. Flood measurements prior to 1906 made at the upper bridge 

where the gage is located are less reliable than those made at the 

lower bridges.

 Called "at Palisades" in Water-Supply Paper 249.
COLOKAIX) KIVER BASIN. 103

Discharge measurements of Grand River near Palisades, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

\fa-u fi

8

11

19o

22o

5o

80

11 o

21o

29o

July 28o

Aug. 5o

Oct. 13

Hydrographer.

.....do....................................................

.....do....................................................

.....do....................................................

.....do....................................................

G.H.Russell............................................

Width.

Feet. 

315

321

325

366

381

370

390

400

380

380

383

330

300

254

300

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

1,530

1,850

2,130

2,180

2,560

2.24T

3,030

3,860

4,150

4,390

3,820

1,820

1,410

612

1,020

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

15.65

16.45

17.40

17.65

18.75

18.05

20.15

22.05

22.35

23.15

21.45

15.70

14.40

12.50

13.45

Discharge.

See.-ft. 

7,750

9,690

11,800

14,100

18,300

15,400

26,600

37,500

35,600

44,800

29,300

7,300

3,950

1,740

2,810

« Subsurface velocity method used. Coefficients used, from 8 to 87 per cent.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Grand River near Palisades, Colo., for 1909. 

[J. J. Morrow and Alex. Gowdey, observers.]

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12. ..............

13. ..............

14...............

15. ..............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20. ..............

21...............

22...............

23. ..............

24...............

25...............

26. .............

27...............

28. ..............

29...............

30. .............. 01

Jan.

14.7

14.3

14.4

14.45

14.45

14.25

13.9

13.85

13.4

13.45

13.2

13.2

12.7

13.1

13.5

13.8 '

13.9

13.0

13.2

13.15

13.05

14.45

13.55

12.6

12.25

12.15

12.15

12.15

12.1

12.15

19 7

Feb.

13.15

13.1

13.1

13.1

13.1

13.1

12.95

12.85

12.7

12.7

12.4

12.35

12.55

12.25

12.2

12.15

12.25

12.2

12.2

12.2

12.15

12,1

12.1

12.1

12.05

12.05

12.05

12.05

Mar.

12.05

12.3

12.45

12.8

13.1

13.05

13.05

12.55

12.3

12.3

12.25

12.15

12.15

12.35

12.4

12.45

12.55

12.55

12.55

12.6

12.6

12.5

12.6

12.65

12.5

12.45

12.5

12.5

12.55

12.6

12.6

Apr.

12.45

12.45

12.55

12.7

12.95

12.9

12.65

12.55

12.4

12.4-

12.45

12.55

12.55

12.55

12.55

12.75

13.2

13.85

14.7

14.9

14.2

13.85

13.55

13.45

13.4

13.6

14.05

14.4

14.65

14.5

May.

14.35

14.1

14.0

14.1

14.7

15.75

16.2

16.5

16.6

16.8

17.4

17.5

17.5

17.15

16.95

16.95

17.0

17.3

17.85

18.3

18.55

18.95

19.15

19.3

18.95

18.55

18.5

18.8

19.3

19.1

18.6

June.

18.1

17.85

18.25

19.2

20.35

21.5

22.05

22.65

22.7

22.55

22.2

21.85

21.75

21.65

21.5

21.4

21.8

22.55

23.15

23.05

23.05

22.65

22.5

22.3

22.2

21.8

21.8

21.2

20 9

July.

20.95

20.65

20.65

20.85

20.8

20.65

QA OK

19.4

18.95

18.3

17.95

17.6

17.35

16.9

16.7

16.65

16.5

16.2

16.1

16.2

16.1

15.95

15.85

16.05

16.3

16-2

16.0

15.7

15.5

15.25

U QC

Aug.

14.85

14.65

14.7

14.6

14.4

14.3

14.3

14.4

14.45

14.7

14.75

14.75

14.75

14.8

14.65

14.5

14.6

14.8

15.5

15.55

15.6

15.1

14.8

14.6

14.55

14.55

14.4

14.25

14.1

14.25

14.5

Sept.

14.4

14.75

14.65

14.5

14.8

15.25

15.2

15.6

15.65

15.2

15.0

15.1

14.85

14.8

14.65

14.5

14.55

14.5

14.4

14.25

14.15

14.0

13.95

13.9

13.9

13.8

13.8

13.75

13.7

13.6

Oct.

13.6

13.55

13.5

13.4

13.4

13.4

13.5

13.5

13.6

13.55

13.4

13.4

13.45

13.45

13.3

13.35

13.3

13.3

13.25

13.05

13.15

13.2

13.15

13.1

13.0

13.0

13.0

13.0

13.0

13.0

Nov.

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

14.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

12.9

13.0

13.0

13.0

13.0

13.3

13.3

13.0

13.05

13.05

Dec.

12.9

12.8

12.95

12.75

12.7

12.7

12.6

12.6

12.6

12.6

12.6

12.6

12.6

12.6

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

NOTE. Ice conditions from Jan. 1 to 24 and Jan. 31 to Feb. 15.
104 SUEFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Grand River near Palisades, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1.... .........

2.............

3.............

4.............

5.............

6.............

7.............

8.............

9.............

10.............

11.............

12.............

13.............

14.............

15.............

16.............

17.............

18.............

19.............

20.............

21.............

22. ............

23.............

24.............

25.............

26.............

27.............

28. ............

29. ............

30.............

31.............

Jan.

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,300

1 3ftft

1,500

1,500

1,500

1,500

1,500

1 4fif1

1,200

1,300

1,400

1,500

1,400 i /inn

1,400

1,400

1,400 1 4nn

1,400

1,300

1,280

1,190

1,190

1,190

1,150

1,190

1 9ftft

Feb.

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,200

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1 200

1,190

1,280

1,230

1,230

1,190

1,150

1,150

1,120

1,120

1,120

1,120

Mar.

1,120

1,320

1,480

1,880

2,210

2,210

1,580

1,320

1,320

1,280

1,190

1,190

1,370

1,420

1 480

1,580

1,580

1,580

1,640

1,640

1,530

1,640

1,700

1,530

1,480

1,530

1,530

1,580

1,640 i fun

Apr.

1,480

1,480

1,580

1,760

2,080

2,010

1,700

1,580

1,420

1,420

1,480

1,580

1,580

1,580

1,580

1,820

2,420

3,520

5,240

5,680

4,190

3,520

2 980

2,820

2,730

3,070

3,900

4,600

4,820

May.

4,500

3,800

3,990

t; 94T1

7,660

8,880

9,810

10,100

10,800

13,200

13,200

11,300

11,300

11,400

14,600

16,400

17,400

20,100

20,800

19,200

17 4Tin

17,200

18,500

20,800

19, 900

17,600

June.

15, 600

14,600

16,200

20,300

26,000

32,500

35,800

39, 700

40,000

39,000

36,800

34,600

34,000

33,400

32,500

31,900

33, 100

39,000

43,000

42,300

42,300

39, 700

38,700

37,400

36,800

34, 300

34,300

30,700

29,000

July.

29,300

27, 700

27,700

28,800

28,500

27,700

25,500

21,300

19,200

16,400

15,000

13,600

12, 700

11,100

10,400

10,300

9,810

8,880

8,590

8,880

8,590

8,180

7,910

8,450

9,180

8,880

8,310

7,530

7,050

6,460

5,790

Aug.

5,570

5,130

5,240

5,020

4,600

4,390

4,390

4,600

5,240

5,350

5,350

5,350

5,460

5,130

4,810

5,020

5,460

7,050

7,170

7,290

6,120

5,460

5,020

4,920

4,920

4,600

4,290

3,990

4,290

4,810

Sept.

4,600

5,350

5,130

4,810

5,460

6,460

6,350

7,290

7,410

6,350

5,900

6,120

5,570

5,460

5,130

4,810

4,920

4,810

4,600

4,290

4,090

3,800

3,700

3,610

3,610

3,430

3,430

3,340

3,250

3,070

Oct.

3,070

2,980

2,900

2,730

2,730

2,730

2,900

2,900

3,070

2,980

2,730

2,730

2,820

2,820

2,570

2,650

2,570

2,570

2,500

 2,210

2,350

2,420

2,350

2,280

2,140

2,140

2,140

2,140

2,140

2,140

2,140

Nov.

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,010

2,140

2,140

2,140

2,140

2,570

2,570

2,140

2,210

2,210

Dec.

2,010

1,880

2,080

1,820

1,760

1,760

1,640

1,640

1,640

1,640

1,640

1,640

1,640

1,640

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,530

1J530

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,530

NOTE. These discharges, except for the ice periods, are based on a rating curve that is well defined above 

1,200 second-feet.

Daily discharges Jan. 1 to 24 and Jan. 31 to Feb. 15 estimated from a general comparison with Grand and 

Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs, considering also the open-water periods of January and February.

Monthly discharge of Grand River near Palisades, Colo., for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 8,550 square miles.]

Month.

February. ..................

April.......................

May........................

July........................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

2,280 

5,680 

20,800 

43,000 

29,300 

7,290 

7,410 

3,070 

2,570 

2,080

Minimum.

1,120 

1,420 

3,800 

14,600 

5,790 

3,990 

3,070 

2,140 

2,010 

1,530

Mean.

1,340 

1,200 

1,560 

2,690 

13,100 

33,300 

14,400 

5,190 

4,870 

2,570 

2,080 

1,630

7,000

Per 

square 

mile.

0.157 

.140 

.182 

.315 

1.53 

3.89 

1.68 

.607 

.570 

.301 

.243 

.191

.817

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.18 

.15 

.21 

.35 

1.76 

4.34 

1.94 

.70 

.64 

.35 

.27 

.22

11.11

Total in 

acre-feet.

'82,400 

66,600 

95,900 

160, 000 

806,000 

1,980,000 

885,000 

319,000 

290,000 

158,000 

124,000 

100,000

5,100,000

Accuracy.

D. 

D. 

C. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

A. 

B. 

C.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 105 

NORTH INLET TO GRAND LAKE AT GRAND LAKE, COLO.

Two streams, known as the North and East Inlets, flow into Grand 

Lake, North Inlet being the larger.

The gaging station on the North Inlet, which was established 

August 3, 1905, is located at the footbridge which crosses the stream 

about 100 yards north of the mouth 'and 300 yards east of the Grand 

Lake post office.

The approximate elevation of this basin is 8,000 to 11,000 feet 

above sea level, and the fall of the stream is very great.

No important tributaries enter above the station, which therefore 

gives results for the whole drainage area, measuring 36.5 square 

miles.

No water is diverted above the station, but filings have already 

been made for power development.

The stream is covered with thick ice for about four months, and 

winter gage readings are therefore of little value.

No change has been made in the datum of the staff gage at the 

bridge during the maintenance of the station.

The accuracy of the records is affected by the roughness of the 

stream bed and by ice. The records are fragmentary, as the gage 

has not been read continuously. No gage records were obtained 

in 1909.

The station was discontinued September 30, 1909.

Discharge measurements of North Inlet to Grand Lake at Grand Lake, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

May 3o

Aug. 10 &

Hydrographer.

C. L. Chatfleld. ......'.....................................

Width.

Feet. 

14

50

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

6.4

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.00

2.51

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

8.5

69.

a Ice at station. Measurement made by .wading 100 feet below footbridge. 

6 Made by wading about 30 feet upstream from gauge.

GRAND LAKE OUTLET AT GRAND LAKE, COLO.

This station, which was established July 31, 1904, and discontinued 

September 30, 1909, is located at a footbridge at the west end of 

Grand Lake, about half a mile south of Grand Lake post office, 

Colo., in sec. 6, T. 3 N., R. 75 W. Granby, about 15 miles distant? 

on the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific Railroad, is the nearest railroad point.

The records of the station show the available storage of Grand 

Lake and the total run-off from the North and East inlets, and are 

valuable for use in connection with power development. The drainage area at the station is 62 square miles.
106 SURFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

 Shore ice forms at the station for about four months, but the stream 

does not freeze over because of the higher temperature of the water 

coming out of Grand Lake.

The location and datum of the staff gage at the footbridge have 

remained unchanged -during the maintenance of the station. 

Measurements have been taken at various stations, more usually at 

a ford one-fourth mile downstream from footbridge, where a tag 

wire has been stretched across the stream 50 feet above the ford.

During low stages the rough bottom and sluggish character of the 

stream affect the accuracy of the results to a considerable extent.

Discharge measurements of Grand Lake Outlet at Grand Lake, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

May 3 «

Aug. 10 <>

Uydrographer.

C. L. Chatfield.. ................. .........................

Width.

Feet. 

17

95

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

12

118

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.60

2.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

20

120

« Measurement made by wading. Not at regular section. 

6 Measurement made by wading at regular section.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Grand Lake Outlet at Grand Lake, Colo., for 1909. 

[M. Wescott, observer.)

Day.

1.......... .................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Jan.

1.35

1 OK

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.35

1.35

i 1%

1.35

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.45

1 AK

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

Feb.

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

i ^t;

1.35

1.35

1 OK

1.35

1.4

1.4

 1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

Mar.

1.3

1 q

1.3

i q

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1 q

1.25

1.25

1 OK

1.25

1 OK

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.3

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

i Q";

Apr.

1.35

1 qK

1.35

i 1%

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1 OK

1.35

1.35

1 OK

1.35

i 11;

1.35

1.4

1.4

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1 45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.5

1.5

1.5

May.

1.5

1.55

1 55

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.85

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.4

2.65

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.6

2.45

2.4

2.4

2.6

2.6

2.5

June.

2.4

2.4

2.55

3.0

3.4

3.8

3.9

4.05

4.0

3.9

3.75

3.5

3.6

3.6

3.7

3 95

4.3

4.6

4.6

4.25

4.2

4.15

4.3

4.4

4.25

4.3

4.2

4.3

4.2

July.

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.25

4.45

4.1

3.85

3.7

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.1

2.95

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.75

2.8

2.8

2.75

2.7

2.6

2.5

2.45

2.4

Aug.

2.35

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.25

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.35

2.35

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.05

2.05

Sept.

2.1

2.1

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.1

2.35

2.4

2.3

. 2.2

2.1

2.1

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.0

1.95

1.95

1 9

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.75

1.75

1.75

1.75

NOTE. Although Grand Lake was frozen over it is probable that the above gage heights during the 

winter months are not materially aflected by ice.
COLOKAIX) KIVER BASIN. 107

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Grand Lake Outlet at Grand Lake, Colo., for 1909.

Day.

1...........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

6...........................

7.. ............... ..........

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28. ..........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Jan.

9

9

9

9

9

9

11

11

11

11

9

9

9

9

11

11

11

11

11

11

13

13

13

13

13

13

11

11

Feb.

11

11

11

11

11

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

Mar.

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

7.5

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

Apr.

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

11

11

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

16

16

16

May.

16

19

19

19

22

32

44

52

60

77

77

87

87

87

87

77

97

119

170

246

297

297

297

230

184

170

170

230

230

199

June.

170

170

214

372

550

762

818

902

874

818

734

600

600

652

652

706

846

1,050

1,220

1,220

1,020

989

960

1,050

1,100

1,020

1,050

989

1,050

989

July.

1,050

1,050

1,050

1,020

1,140

931

790

706

600

550

502

456

413

352

333

297

297

297

297

297

297

297

280

297

297

280

263

230

199

184

170

Aug.

156

143

143

143

131

119

119

119

119

119

143

143

156

156

143

119

119

170

170

143

119

119

97

119

119

119

97

97

97

87

87

Sept.

97

97

87

87

87

87

97

156

170

143

119

97

97

87

87

87

77

68

68

60

 52

52

52

44

44

44

38

38

38

38

NOTE. These discharges are based on a rating curve that is well defined below a discharge of 400 secondfeet.

Monthly discharge of Grand Lake Outlet at Grand Lake, Colo., for 1909.

Month.

February. .........................................

April. . ............................................

July...............................................

September.. . ....................... ,. .............

The period. ..................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

13 

11

9 

16 

297 

1,220 

1,140 

156 

170

Minimum.

9 

9 

6 

9 

16 

170 

170 

87 

38

Mean.

10.7 

9.86 

7.26 

11.0 

92.7 

805 

491 

127 

75. 8

Run-off 

(total hi 

acre-feet).

658 

548 

446 

655 

5,700 

47,900 

30,200 

7,810 

4,750

98,000

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

B.

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A.

SOUTH FORK OF GRAND RIVER NEAR LEHMAN, COLO.

This station is located at a footbridge near Lehman's ranch house, 

about a mile above the junction with the North Fork and about 2 

miles from Lehman post office, Colo.

From September 25, 1907, to June 10, 1908, the records of the flow 

at this station were kept by the Central Colorado Power Co. The 

engineer in charge of the work used, in general, United States Geological 

Survey methods, but the results furnished by the company for publication have not been verified by engineers of the survey.
108 SURFACE WATEK SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

The drainage area at the station is about 79 square miles. The 

vertical staff gage is located at the footbridge.

Practically no water is diverted above the station other than that 

used for meadow irrigation.

Discharge measurements of South Fork of Grand River near Lehman, Colo., 1907-8.

Date.

1907. 

Sept. 11

Oct. 16

Nov. 21

Dee. 10

1908. 

Jan. 14

Feb. 21 a. Mar. 17

Apr. 16

Sept. 16

Oct. 21

Nov. 246

Hydrographer.

C. L. Cnatfield... . .........................................

.....do......................................................

C.L.Chatfleld.. ...........................................

.....do......................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

58

45

22

13

23

28.5

27

68

79

45

44

35

24

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

88

42

23

10.2

25.2

15.8

17

62

12.5

49

42

22

16.8

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.30

4.16

4.02

3.93

3.76

4.08

4.00

4.65

5.40

4.33

4.15

4 05

4.15

Discharge.

Sec.Jt. 

47

25

20

9.8

8.7

8.4

9.2

90

44

18

12.7

10.9

a Made through ice. & Frozen at gage. Ice 1.5 feet thick. 

NOTE. Measurements in 1908 made toy wading at various sections.

Daily gage height, in feet, of South Fork of Grand River near Lehman, Colo., for 1907-8.

Day.

1907. 

1..... 

2.....

3.....

5.....

6.....

7.....

8.....

9..... 

10.....

Sept.

......

Oct.

4.3 

4.25

4.25

4.25

4.20

4.35

4.4 

4.35

Nov.

4.1 

4.1

4.0

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.05 

4.0

Dec.

3.95 

4.0

4.0

3.95

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0 

4.0

Day.

1907. 

11..... 

12.....

13..... 

14.....

15.....

16.....

17.....

18.....

19..... 

20.....

Sept.

......

......

......

Oct.

4.35 

4.3

4.2 

4.3

4.25

4.2

4.2

4.2 

4.1

Nov.

4.1 

4.1

4.2 

4.3

4.3

4.3

4 ^

4.1 

4.1

Dec.

3.95 

4.0

4.0 

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.1 

4.1

Day.

1907. 

21..... 

22.....

23..... 

24.....

25.....

26.....

27.....

28.....

29..... 

30.....

31.....

Sept.

4.25

4.25

4.25

4.25

4.20 

4.25

Oct.

4.25 

4.2

4.2 

4.2

4.15

4.15

4.1

4 i c

4.15 

4.15

4.15

Nov.

4.05 

4.05

4.05 

4.0

4.1

4.0

4.0

4.0

Dec.

4.1 

4.1

4.1 

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.1 

4.1

4.1

[Ed. W. Lehman, observer.]

Day.

1908. 

1. ......... 

2..........

3..........

4.......... 

5..........

6..........

7... .......

8..........

9.......... 

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

Jan.

4.1 

4.1

4.2

4.2 

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2 

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

Feb.

4.10 

4.10

4.10

4.10 

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10 

4.10

4.00

4 00

4.00

4.00

4.00

Mar.

4.00 

4.00

4.00

4.00 

4.00

4.00

4 go

4 go

4.00 

4 00

4.00

4.00

4.00

4 on

4.00

Apr.

4.00 

4 oo

4 oo

4.02 

4.08

4.05

4.10

4.10 

4.10

4.10

4.18

4.08

4.22

4.55

May.

4.35

4 CO

4.60 

4.52

4.50

4

CA

4.82 

4.78

4.65

4 60

4.58

A V)

4.52

June.

5.00 

5.02

c. 9>;

5.60 

5.60

5 40

5.25

5.25 

5.65

Day.

1908. 

16.......... 

17..........

18..........

19.......... 

20..........

21..........

22..........

23..........

24.......... 

25..........

26..........

27..........

28..........

29..........

30..........

31..........

Jan.

4.3 

4.3

4.2

4.2 

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2 

4.2

4.2

4:2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

Feb.

4.00 

4.00

4.10

4.10 

4.10

4.10

4 og

4.00

4.08 

4.02

4.00

4.05

4.00

4 00

Mar.

4.00 

4.00

4.00

4.00 

4.05

4.00

4 on

4.00

4.00 

4 05

4.05

4.00

4 00

4 on

4.00

Apr.

4.65 

4.70

4.65

4.60 

4.60

4.65

4.75

4.90

4.78 

4.62

4.50

4.48

4.42

4.35

4.32

May.

4.55 

4.82

4 95

5.05 

5.38

5.02

4.82

4.78

4.85

4.88

4.80

4.75

4.68

4.72

June.

......

......

......

......

NOTE. Ice conditions from Jan. 1 to Mar. 10, 1908.
COLOEADO EIVEB BASIN. 109

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of South Fork of Grand River near Lehman, Colo., for

1907-8.

Day.

1907. 

1.....

2.....

3.....

4.....

5.....

6.....

7.....

8.....

9.....

10.....

Day.

1908. 

1.....

2.....

3.....

4. ....

5.....

6.....

7.....

8.....

9.....

10.....

Sept.

Mar.

9

Oct.

47

40

40

40

40

33

55

73

64

55

Apr.

9

9

Q

10

14

12

12

16

16

16

Nov.

22

22

13.5

27.5

22

22

22

22

17.5

13.5

May.

44

50

69

82

69

66

66

86

122

115

Dec.

10

13.5

13.5

10

10

13.5

13.5

13.5

13.5

13.5

June.

161

166

220

313

313

9QQ

259

220

220

097

Day.

1907. 

11.....

12.....

13.....

14.....

15.....

16.....

17.....

18.....

19...,.

20.....

Day.

1908. 

11.....

12.....

13.....

14.....

15.....

16. ....

17.....

18.....

19.....

20.....

Sept.

Mar.

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

Q

9

Oct.

55

47

33

47

40

40

33

33

33

22

Apr.

16

24

14

28

74

91

100

91

82

82

Nov.

22

22

33

47

55

47

47

47

22

22

May.

91

82

70

69

69

74

122

172 9c;4

Dec.

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

June.

Day.

1907. 

21 .....

22.....

23. ....

24.....

25.....

26.....

27.....

28.....

29.....

30.....

31.....

Day.

1908, 

21.....

22.....

23.....

24.....

25.....

26.....

27.....

28...-.

29.....

30

31.....

Sept.

40

40

40

40

33

40

Mar.

9

9

9

9

12

12

10

9

9

9

9

Oct.

40

33

33

33

28

28

22

28

28

28

28

Apr.

91

109

138

115

86

66

62

54

44

40

Nov.

17.5

17.5

17.5

13.5

22

13.5

17.5

13.5

13.5

10

May.

166

122

115

128

150

134

118

109

96

100

104

Dec.

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

June.

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves furnished by the Central Colorado Power Co. applicable as follows: Sept.' 25 to Dec. 31, 1907, and Mar. 10 to June 11,1908. The daily discharges have been 

changed slightly to conform to the computation rules used by the United States Geological Survey.

Monthly discharge of South Fork of Grand River near Lehman, Colo., for 1907-8.

Month.

1907. 

Sept. 25-30 ...............................................

October. .................................................

1908.

April.....................................................

May.....................................................

June 1-10. ...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

40 

73 

55 

14

9 

8.5 

12 

138 

254 

327

Minimum.

33 

22 

10 

9

8.5 

8.5 

8.5 

9 

44 

161

Mean.

 38.8 

38.6 

24.3 

10.5

8.7 

8.5 

9.5 

51 

106 

250

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

462 

2,370 

1,450 

646

535 

489 

584 

3,150 

6,490 

4,960

NOTE. The values have been changed slightly to conform to the computation rules used by the 

United States Geological Survey.
110 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

FEASEE EIVEE BASIN. 

FRASER RIVER AT GRANBY, COLO.

Fraser River rises among the peaks of the Front Range in southeastern Grand County and flows in a general northwesterly direction 

to its junction with Grand River in the east-central part of Middle 

Park.

The station, which was established July 28, 1904, to obtain data 

for use in determining the availability of the stream for power, 

storage, and irrigation, is located at the wagon bridge three-quarters 

of a mile southwest of Granby, about 4 miles above the mouth of 

Fraser River, in sec. 9, T. 1 N., sR. 76 W., and is below all tributaries. 

The station was discontinued September 30, 1909.

The drainage area is about 220 square miles.

' Other than small irrigation ditches, there are no important diversions above the station. A small canal is taken out a few feet downstream from the measuring section. It is proposed to divert water 

by means of a tunnel from the headwaters of this river into the headwaters of South Boulder Creek, hi the Platte drainage basin.

Thick ice covers the stream during about four months of the year; 

anchor ice also occurs. Each year in the low-water season a small 

temporary dam is generally constructed about 50 feet below the 

station to divert the water up on the gage, thus affecting the conditions of free flow. It was taken out May 5, 1909.

Neither the location or the datum of the staff gage at "the highway 

bridge was changed during the maintenance of the station.

Measuring conditions are rather poor. During high stages the 

flow is affected by backwater and a boiling effect caused by the crib 

piers of the bridge. During low stages ice and the temporary diversion dam interfere with good results.

Discharge measurements of Fraser River at Granby, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Mar. 9 «

Apr. 286

May 6

.Tune 16

Aug. 11

Hydrographer.

C. L. Chatfleld...... ......................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

44

45

69

61

56

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

29

61

148

218

125

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.08

5.30

5.54

6.35

5.15

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

44

226

462

1,080

257

« Made by wading 250 feet above gage; 3.5 feet of ice at gage.

& Made by wading 200 feet above pumping station opposite Granby.

NOTE. Measurements beginning May 6 were made after the temporary dam was removed.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. Ill

Daily gag height, in feet, of Fraser River at Grariby, Colo.,for 1909. 

[J. N. Ostrander, observer.]

Day.

1...... .....................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23. ......................... .

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Jan..

5.5

5.7

5.7

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.15

5.3

5.3

5.2

5.4

5.3

5.2

5.1

5.1

5.15

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.3

5.4

5.2

5.2

5.1

5.0

5.0

Feb.

5.0

4 OS

4 OS

5.0

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.1

Mar.

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.3

5.4

5.05

5.05

5.15

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.15

5.25

5.3

5.3

5 45

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.35

5.3

5.2

5.1

5.1

Apr.

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.25

5.1

5.0

4.9

4 9

4 SI

4 SI

4

0

4 SI

4

0

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.95

* 4 Q

4.95

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.1

5.1

5.3

5.25

5.0

May.

4.95

4.85

4 95

5.1

5.6

5.55

5.4

5.4

5.5

5.45

5.55

5.55

5.5

5.4

5.35

5.4

5.4

5.5

5.75

5.85

5.9

5.95

6.0

5.85

5.75

5.55

5.55

5.75

5.85

5.7

5.6

June.

5.7

5.7

5.85

6.0

6.35

6.5

6.6

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.6

6 45

6.5

6.5

6.65

6.85

6.95

7.15

7.15

7.1

7.1

7.0

7.0

6.9

7.0

6.95

6.9

6.8

July.

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.7

6. .55

6.45

6.35

6.2

6.0

5.85

5.65

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.5

5.5

5.4

5.3

5.3

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.1

Aug.

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.15

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.15

5.4

5.25

5.2

5.15

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Sept.

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.9

4 Q

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

4 Q

4.9

4.9

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

NOTE. Gage heights probably affected by ice from Jan. 1 to Apr. 16.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Fraser River at Granby, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1. .........

t.

5..........

6..........

7..........

8..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

Apr. May.

107

83

107

150

511

47s

380

380

\\n

412

478

478

444

380

352

June.

581

581

692

810

1,110

1,240

1,330

1,420

1,420

1,420

1,420

1,330

1,200

1,200

1,240

July.

1,510

1,510

1,510

1,420

1,280

1,200

1,110

976

810

692

546

511

511

444

444

Aug.

226

226

226

226

226

226

226

226

226

226

249

226

226

226

226

Sept.

185

185

185

185

226

226

226

185

185

185

185

185

185

185

185

Day.

16..........

17..........

18..........

19..........

20..........

21..........

22........:.

23..........

24..........

25..........

26..........

27..........

28..........

29..........

30..........

31..........

Apr.

52

107

94

107

120

120

120

120

150

150

 226

206

120

May.

380

380

AAA

618

692

730

770

810

692

618

478

478

618

692

581

511

June.

1 94O

1.380

1,560

1,650

1,840

1,840

1,790

1,790

1.700

1,700

1,610

1,700

1,650

1,610

1,510

July.

444

444

380

380

380

380

380

444

444

380

323

323

272

272

272

226

Aug.

226

226

249

380

298

272

249

226

226

226

226

185

185

185

185

185

Sept.

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

1,50

150

150

120

120

120

120

120

NOTE. These discharges are based upon rating curves applicable as follows: Apr. 17 to May 4, not well 

defined; May 5 to Sept. 30, fairly well defined,
112 SURFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

Monthly discharge of Fraser River at Granby, Colo.,for 1909.

Month.

May.............................. . ......

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

226 

810 

1,840 

1,510 

380 

226

Minimum.

83 

581 

226 

185 

120

Mean.

a45 

a45 

a 45 

683.6 

473 

1,390 

653 

230 

167

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

2,770 

2,500 

2,770 

4,970 

29,100 

82,700 

40,200 

14. 100 

9,940

189,000

Accuracy.

D. 

D. 

D. 

D. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B.

a Estimated. 6 Apr 1-17 estimated as equivalent to 48 second-feet per day.

COOPERATIVE DATA FOR STATIONS IN FRASER RIVER BASIN.

DESCRIPTION.

The data for the following stations in the Fraser River drainage are 

published practically without change as received from cooperating 

engineers. The computations have in general been made to conform with the computation rules used by the United States Geological 

Survey. On all the streams except Big Jim, Little Jim, and Elk 

Creek, on each of which the station was established at the mouth, 

there is an upper and a lower station. At all the upper stations a 

Lallie automatic gage was used to get the fluctuations in the daily 

gage height, which on the upper reaches of mountain streams are 

considerable.

Each upper station is at an altitude of about 10,000 feet, and several 

of the streams head in the vicinity of Corona, on the "Moffat road" 

(Denver, Northwestern & Pacific Railway). The United States 

Weather Bureau has for some time maintained a station near Corona 

at an altitude of 11,660 feet above sea level, and it is believed that 

the records of precipitation at this station will represent closely the 

average for the drainage areas of the upper gaging stations.

Unfortunately no published map shows accurately the drainage 

areas and location of these streams, so that it is rather difficult to 

define the exact location of the gaging stations.

Little use is made of the water except along the lower courses of the 

streams, where some water is diverted for meadow irrigation during 

the summer months. A scheme is contemplated to divert most of the 

water by tunnel through the continental divide to the head waters of 

the South Boulder Creek.

Most of these stations were established in June, 1907, and some 

measurements were made, but some of the gages were not established
COLOEADO RIVER BASIN. 113

until the spring of 1908. All were discontinued in 1909 except the 

upper station on the Fraser, which is still being maintained. 

The flow of the streams is little affected by ice.

FRASER RIVER AT UPPER STATION NEAR FRASER, COLO.

This station, which was established May 1, 1908, is located about 

10 miles above Fraser post office, Colo., at an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet above sea level. The drainage area is about 9 

square miles. Currant Creek is the only important tributary above.

The location and datum of the Lallie automatic gage have 

remained constant since station was established.

Discharge measurements of Fraser River at upper station near Fraser, Colo., in 1908-9.

Date.

1908. 

May 2

17

28

9

10

21

24

July 5

13

25

30

AUg. 28

1909. July 7

12

27

30

Sept. 4

Occ. 14

28

Hydrographer.

.....do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.60

1.00

.80

1.20

1.60

1 VI

1 30

1 25

Q%

.707«;

.80

60

.55

1.15

on

.80

.75

.65

.60

4O

.55

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

7 H

28.4

15.0

M 7

120

115

70

56.5

28.5

12.7

1Q A

19.1

9.8

fi Q

106

48

35

31

24

21

10

12

Daily gage height, infect, of Fraser River at upper station near Fraser, Colo., for 1908-9.

Day.

1908.

1. .........

2..........

3. .........

4..........

5..........

6..........

7. .........

8. .........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

May.

0.56

.60

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.80

June.

1.12

1.16

1.30

1.38

1.37

1.27

1.33

1.17

1.40

1.55

1.50

1.60

1.40

1.25

1.30

July.

0.93

.97

.95

.95 '.95

.85

.85

.97

.95

.80

.80

.80

.78

.78

.80

Aug.

0.75

.75

.75

.72

.75

.85

.75

.75

.75

.72

.73

.72

.72

.72

.73

Sept.

0.55

.55

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

Oct.

0.55

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

Day.

1908.

16..........

17..........

18..........

19..........

20..........

21..........

22..........

23..........

24..........

25..........

26..........

27..........

28..........

29..........

30..........

31..........

May.

0.85

.90

.95

1.07

1.00

.95

.97

1.00

.95

.85

.93

.95

.85

.87

.80

.95

June,

1.30

1.35

1.30

1.23

1.30

1.27

1.38

1.25

1.23

1.20

1.10

1.25

1.10

1.10

.93

......

July.

0.75

.72

.80

.83

.80

.80

.80

.88

.75

.75

.88

.75

.78

.75

.85

.83

Aug.

0.72

.73

.72

.73

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.68

.65

.63

.60

.60

.60

.60

Sept.

0.55

.55

.55

.55

.55

.55

.55

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

......

Oct.

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

......

95620° WSP 269 11 8
114 SUEFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Fraser River at upper station near Fraser, Colo., for

1908-9 Continued.

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8. ......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

July.

1.30

1.30

1.25.

1.25

1.20

1.20

1.15

1.10

1.05

1.00

.95

.90

.90

.90

.85

Aug.

0.75

.75

.70

.70

.65

.70

.70

.70

.80

.80

.80

.80

.70

.70

.70

Sept.

0.60

.60

.60

60

.60

.60

.65

.65

.65

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

Oct.

0.60

 .60

.50

en

.50

A.%

.45

40

4fl

.40

Nov.

0.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.60

.55

.55

.50

.45

on

.40

Af\

.40

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19

20. ......

21.......

23.......

24.......

25.......

26.......

27.......

oo

29.......

30

31.......

July.

0.85

.85

.85

.90

.90

.85

.85

.85

.85

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.75

.75

Aug.

0.60

.90

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

60

Sept.

0.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

Oct.

0 4fi

.40

.35

.35

.30

.25

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.55

.50

.50

.50

Nov.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Fraser River at upper station, near Fraser, Colo., for

1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1. ......

2.......

4.......

5........

6. ......

7.......

8. ......

g

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

Day.

1909.

2. ......

3« .....

4.......

5.......

6.......

7. ......

8. ......

9.......

10. ......

11.......

12. ......

13.......

14. ......

15.......

Ji

May.

7

8

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

18

Hy.

140

140

128

114

10fi

9?

81

66

EC

48

48

48

Af\

June.

46

51

70

82

81

65

73

52

85

115

105

125

85

62

70

Aug.

01

31

27

27

24

27

27

27

35

35

tz

35

27

27

27

July.

27

30

34

34

34

21

21

30

34

18

18

18

17

17

18

Sept

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

A

1

1

1

4

4

4

7

7

7

7

7

7

ug.

15

15

1 K

14

15

??

1 %

15

i n

14

14

14

14

Oc

?

1

1

1

1

1

1

Sep

t.

1

1

5

5

5

5

0

0

0

t.

7

7

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

Oct.

7

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

!fov.

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

in P»

15

12

12

10.5

9.5

8

9

g

9

Day.

1908. 

16......

17......

18.......

19.......

20.......

21......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25. ......

26.......

27.......

28.......

29.......

3n

31.......

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

9H

26.......

27.......

28.......

29.......

30.......

31.......

Jl

May

m

25

29

41

34

29

31

34

29

29

27

M

22

23? >

M

iiy.

40

40

40

48

48

40

40

40

40

35

35

35

35

35

31

31

June.

70

77

70

60

70

65

82

62

60

56

44

60

44

44

27

Aug.

21

48

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

21

July.

15

14

18

20

18

18

18

24

15

15

24

15

17

15

22

20

Sept

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

A

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

4

4

4

4

4

'ig14

14

14

14

13

13

13

13

13

12

11

10

8

8

8

8

O

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Sep

St.

0

0

8

8

6

5

0.5

0.5

0 5

0.5

0.5

0.5

2

0.5

05

0.5

t.

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

Oct.

Nov.

^
COLOKADO EIVER BASIN. 115 

Monthly discharge of Fraser River at upper station near Fraser, Colo., for 1908-9.

Month.

1908.

July......................................................

Oct. 1-14 ................................................

1909. 

July......................................................

Nov. 1-14. ................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

41 

125 

34 

22

8 

7

140 

48 

27 

21 

15

Minimum.

7 

27 

14 

8 

5 

5

31 

21 

21

5 

8

Mean.

20.9 

68.6 

21.3 

13.3 

6.9 

5.1

63.3

28.5 

24.8 

12.0 

10.5

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet) .

1,290 

4,080 

1,300 

818 

411 

142

3,890 

1,750 

1,480 

738 

292

FRASER RIVER AT LOWER STATION NEAR FRASER, COLO.

This station, which was established June 1, 1907, and discontinued 

October 30, 1909, is located about 6 miles above Fraser post office, 

Colo., one-fourth mile below the mouth of Jim Creek and about 

3 miles above the mouth of Vasquez River.

The drainage area is approximately 24 square miles. The location 

and datum of the rod gage remained constant while the station was 

being maintained.

Discharge measurements of Fraser River at lower station near Fraser, Colo., in 1907-1909.

Date.

1907.

12

July 2

A nff *)

15

23

1908.

18

26

21

July 4

19

30

A HP* 11

22

21

1909. 

July 6

12

19

30

12

20

24

Oct. 18

Hydrographer.

G. M. Bull ...............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do.......-.-.-....-.-..-.....--......-.........----..-.....--..-......

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do.....................................................................

. . . . .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

..:.. do........ .............................................................

.....do.....................................................................

.....do...............................................................:....

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

..... do. ....................................................................

Gage, 

height.

Feet. 

1 60

1.70

2.55

1.05

.80

.30

.85

1.20

1.30

2.50

1.60

1.60

1.10

1.00

.80

.60

.40

.25

2.00

1.45

1.25

.90

.75

.75

1.00

.80

.60

.35

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

100

105

196

50

30

23

21

43

60

71

250

103

99

56

56

48

41

33

24

320

145

115

72

57

57

83

62

42

23
116 SURFACE WATBK SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Fraser River at lower station near Fraser, Colo.,for

1907-1909.

Day.

1907. > 

1...........

2........... 

3........... 

4...........

5........... 

6...........

7. .......... 

8........... 

9...........

10...........

Day.

1908. 

1..........

2..........

5..........

6..........

7..........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14.......... 

15..........

Jun<

0 £j

1,6(1

1.60 

1.7C

May.

40

40

.40

40

.40

40

.30

.50

.60

.75

.85 

.95

Day.

1909. 

1............... .

2............... .

5............... .

6...............

7............... .

8...............

9

10............... .

11............... .

12...............

13...............

14...............

15............... .

). July.

. 2.55 

'. ~2.~5Q

. 2.55

2.45

.....

June.

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.80

1.85

1 80

1.75

2.15

2.50

2.50

2.45 

2.40

July.

2.10

2.0

1 ftft

1.45 

1.40 

1.35

Aug.

1 40

1.40 

1.40 

1.30

1.28

1 9*.

1.20 

1.18 

1.18

1.15

Day. June.

1907.

12............ 1.70 

13............ 2.05 

14............ ......

15............ 2.80 

16............ 2.55

17............ 2.80 

18............ 2.85 

19............ 2.70

20............ 2.60

July. Aug.

1 no

1 20 98

1.60 .95

92

1. 52 . 89

1.46 ! .86

1.40 j .83

1.45 .80

1.49 .80

1.40 .80

1.35 .80

1.30 .80 

1.30 .80

1.30 .80 

1. 30 . 80

Aug.

0.85

.75

 .75 

.80

.80

.75 

.75 

.75

Sept.

0 40

40

.40

40

.40

40

40

.40

.40

.40

.40 

.40

Sept.

0.65

.65

.65 

.80 

.80 

.90 

.85

Oct.

O OK

.25

OK

OC

.25

OK

.25

OK

.25

.25

.25

.25 

.25

.25

Oct.

0.65

en

.50 

.50

.50

.50

.45

July.

"2." 45"

2.00

1.90 

1 80

Aug.

1.08

1.05 

1.00

1.05

QC

.95

Day.

1908. 

16..........

17..........

18..........

19..........

20..........

22..........

24..........

25..........

26- ---------

27

28

29.......... 

30 ---------

31

Day.

1907. 

21............

22............ 

23............ 

24............

25... ......... 

26............

27............

28....---..... 

29............

30............

31............

May.

1.00

1.10

1.20 

1.35 

1.50

1.49

1.48

1.47

1.44 

1.40

1.30

1.20

1.10

1.10 

1.12

1.15

Day.

16 

17

1909.

18...............

19

20...............

21...............

22

23 

24 

25

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30- --------------

31

June.

2.40

2.35

2.30 

2.20 

2.20

2.00

2.30

2 36

2.92 

2.48

2.50

2.30

1.85

1.57 

1.29

July.

1.25

1.25

1.20

1.20

.90 

.90

July.

1.22

1.14

1.10 

1.10 

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.10

1 10

1.10

1.10

1.05 

1.00

1.00

June.

2.45

2.70

3.00

"i'so"

Aug.

0.80

.79

.78 

.77 

.76

.75

.74

.73

.71 

.70

.68

.66

.63

.60 

.59

.59

Aug.

0.75 

1.25

1.20

1.00

.90

.80

.75 

.70

.70

.65

.65

July.

......

"i.'75"

1.60

1.50

Sept.

0.40

.40

.37 

.34 

.31

.25

.25

.25

.25 

.25

.25

.25

.25

.25 

.25

Sept.

0.75 

.75

.75 

.75

.75

.70

.70

Aug.

0.90 '"."so

......

......

Oct.

......

Oct.

0.35

.40

.40

.40

.35
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 117

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Fraser River at lower station near Fraser, Colo., for

1907-1909,

Day.

1907.

2... .........

3...........

5...........

6...........

7... ........

g

10...........

Day.

1908. 

1..........

3..........

6..........

7..........

8..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2. ......

5.......

6. ....--

7.......

8.......

9.....--

10. ......

11.......

12.......

1 3

14.......

15. ......

June

35

48 

61 

74 

87

100 

100 

105 

105 

105

May.

25 

25 

25 

25 

25

25 

25 

25 

25 

22

29 

33 

41 

46 

52

July.

420 

420 

375 

375 

320

320 

265 

225 

210 

185

165 

145 

137 

128 

121

. July.

200 

196 

192 

185 

196

188 

180 

180 

180 

180

June.

85 

108 

118 

130 

130

142 

135 

130 

125 

175

235 

235 

225 

225 

217

Aug.

68 

68 

68

57 

57

57 

62 

62 

62 

62

57 

57 

57 

57 

Si

Aug.

49 

49 

49 

45 

44

42 

40 

38 

38 

36

July.

72 

69 

108 

104 

100

90 

85 

81 

93 

85

81

77 

77 

77 

77

Day. June.

1907.

12............ 1

13............ 1

14............ 1

ic o

16............ 1

17............ 2

18............ 2

19............ 2

20............ 2

Aug.

55 

54 

52 

50 

48

47 

45 

43 

43 

43

43 

43 

43 

43 

43

Sept.

47 

47 

47 

47 

47

47 

62 

62 

72 

68

68 

68 

68 

62 

62

Sept.

25 

25 

25 

25 

25

25 

25 

25 

25 

25

25 

25 

25 

25 

25

Oct.

' 47 

42 

38 

34 

34

34 

34 

34 

34 

34

34 

34 

30 

30

25

Oct.

20 

20 

20 

20 

20

20 

20 

20 

20 

20

20 

20 

20 

20

Nov.

25 

25 

25 

25 

23

23 

23 

23 

23 

23

23 

23 

. 23 

23

05 

05 

26 

85 

10

9fl 

10 

25 

05 00

July.

180 

180 

180 

140 

105

100 

100 

108 

105 

105

1 Aug.

34 

30 

28 

29 

30

28

28 

28 

27 

27

Day.

16 

17 

18 

19 

20

21 

22 

23 

24 

25

26 

27 

28 

29 

30

31

1908.

Day.

16 

17 

18 

19 

20

21

22 

23 

24 

25

26 

27 

28 

29 

30

31

1909.

Day.

2 

2 

2 

2 

2

a

2 

2 

2 

3 

3

May.

55 

62 

69 

81 

95

93 

92 

91 

89 

85

77 

69 

62 

62 

63 

66

July.

121 

115 

115 

115 

115

108 

108 

108 

108 

102

95 

90

83

77 

72 

72

1907. 

i... .........

I............

i... .........

i... .........

3.. ....... ...

3..... .......

X...........

1..... .......

June.

217 

208 

200 

185 

185

155 

200 

210 

220 

230

238 

200 

135 

103 

76

Aug.

57 

57 

115 

108 

83

72 

72 

68 

62 

57

52 

52 

52

47 

47 

47

July.

71 

64 

62 

62 

62

62 

62 

62 

62 

62

62 

62 

62 

58 

55 

55

June.

180 

205 

220 

235 

250

238 

224 

210 

207 

203

Aug.

43 

42 

42 

41 

41

40 

40 

40 

39 

38

37 

35 

35 

33 

33 

33

Sept.

62

57 

57 

57 

57

57 

57 

57 

57 

57

57 

52 

52 

52 

52

July.

105 

105 

105 

105 

105

105 

105 

105 

104 

105 

75

Sept.

25 

25 

24 

23 

22

20 

20 

20 

20 

20

20 

20 

20 

20 

20

Oct.

?,5

?3

oq

?3

?3

?3

?,5

?,5

?,5

?,5 9";

OK

23

?3

Aug.

26 

24 

23 

22 

21

19

18 

17 

16 

15 

15

Oct.

Nov.

NOTE. Discharges estimated for days on which gage was not read.
118

Monthly

STJBFACE WATEB SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

of Fraser River at lower station near Fraser, Colo.,for 1907-1909.

Month.

1907.

July.....................................................

1908. 

May.....................................................

July.....................................................

Oct. 1-14 ................................................

1909. 

July.....................................................

Nov. 1-14. ...............................................

Discharge In second-feet.

Maximum.

250 

200 

49

95 

238 

108 

55 

25 

20

420

115 

72 

47 

26

Minimum.

35

75 

15

25 

76 

55 

33 

20 

20

72 

47 

47 

23 

23

Mean.

160.0 

100.0 

30.0

53.5 

173.0 

72.9 

42.2 

23.1 

20.0

175.0 

63.1 

57.1 

29.2 

23.6

Eun-ofl 

(total in 

acre-feet).

9,590 

8,600 

1,870

3,290 

10,300 

4,480 

2,600 

1,370 

555

10,800 

3,880 

3,400 

1,800 

655

BIG (EAST) JIM CREEK AT MOUTH, NEAR ERASER, COLO.

Jim Creek drains the west slope of James Peak, and the two 

branches, East, or Big Jim, and the West, or Little Jim, unite a 

short distance above the point where they enter the Fraser River, 

some 6 miles above Fraser post office, Colo. The drainage area of 

the two creeks is about 7\ square miles.

This station, which was established June 1, 1907, and discontinued 

November 11, 1909, is located just above the junction of the Big 

and Little Jim, about 1 mile above Idlewild ranger station.

The location and datum of the rod gage remained constant 

while the station was being maintained.

Discharge measurements of Big Jim Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo., 1907-1909.

Date.

1907.

12

July 2

Aug. 6

15

1908. 

May 20

26

11

22

July 4

19

23

Aug. 11

29

Sept. 3

21

1909. 

July 10

12

30

12

20

Sept. 3

Oct. 18

Hydrographer.

G. M. Bull. ..............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do.....................................................;..............

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

N. O'Daniels.............................................................

.....do....................................................................

,.... do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

. 0.30

.60

.90

.45

.35

.40

.50

.50

.95

.90

.65

.40

.40

.34

.27

.20

.10

.95

.85

.60

.50

.50

.70

.45

.30

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

5.6

15.0

36.0

8.3

6.2

10.7

12.4

13.4

45.4

13.7

12.5

9.8

7.4

5.4

3.5

38.5

34.0

18.5

14.5

14.5

24.5

12.5

7.0
COLORADO KITES BASIN* 

Baity gage height, in feet, of Big Jim Creek at mouth, near Frasef, Colo^for 1907-1909.

Day.

1907. 

\... ........ 

2........... 

3...........

4...........

5........... 

6...........

7...........

7...........

9...........

10...........

Day.

1908. 

1....

2.... 

3....

4....

5....

6....

7.... 

8....

9....

10. ...

11....

12....

13....

14. ...

15....

Apr.

Day.

1909.

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8-.-....

9.......

10. ......

11.......

12. ......

13.......

14.......

15.......

Jun<

0.30

ss

.Sfi .6(1

May.

0.20

.20 

.20

?fi

.25

30

.30 

30

30

30

.30 

30

.35

.35

40

July.

1.20 .

1.10 .

1.05 .

.95

.85 

.80 .

.80 .

>. July.

. "6."90

. .85

. .85

.86

June.

0.30

.40 

.40 

.50

.50

.60

.60 

.55

.55

.75

.95 

.80

.80

.80

80

Aug.

ft enr

.50

.50

.50

Aug.

0.50 

.50 

.50

.50

.50 

.45

.48

.40

.40

.40

July.

0. 55

.55 

.55 

55

.55

.55

.55 

.55

.55

.55

.53 

,50

,47

.44

40

Day. June.

1907. 

11............ .. 

12............ 0 

13............

14

60" 

70

15............ .90

18............ .90

19............ .80

20............ .80

Aug.

0.40

.40 

.39 

.39

.37

.36

.35 

.34

.34

.34

.34 

.32

.28

.24

.20

Sept.

0.45

.50

60

.80 

.65 

.65

Sept.

0.20

.20 

.20 

.20

.20

.20

.20 

.20

.19

.19

.19

.19

.19

.19

19

Oct.

0.40

.40

.40 

.40

.40 

.40

.40

Oct.

0.18

.18 

.18 

.!§

.18

.18

.18 

.18

.18

.18

.18

.18

.18

Nov.

0.30

.30

.30

.30

July.

"6." 85"

.65

.65

.65

Day.

1908. 

16....

17.... 

18.... 

19....

20....

21....

22.... 

23....

24. ...

25....

26.... 

27....

28....

29....

30

31

Aug.

0.38 

.40 

.35

.35 

.30

Apr.

0.30

.25

.25

Day.

1909. 

16..... -.

17.......

18, -.--

19 

20

21.......

22. ......

23.

24 ? >

26 

27.......

28.......

29.......

QA

31

Day.

2 

2 

2 

2

1907. 

1... ......... 

2............ 

3............

4__ .

25............

26............

27............

28............

29............

30.... .......

3

May.

0.40 

.40 

.40 

.40

.40

.40

.40 

.40

.40

.40

.40

.35

.30

.30

.30

.30

July.

0.75

.70

.70

.70

.60

1... .........

June.

0.80 

.85 

.85 

.90

.90

.90

.90 

.90

90

.85

.85

.70

.70

Aug.

0.50 

.50

.70

.80

.70 

.60

.60 

.50 

.50

cn

en

.50

July.

0.40 

.40 

.40 

.40

40

.40

.40 

.40

.40

.40

.40 

.40

.40

.40

4ft

.40

June.

0.70 

.85

.95

.90

Aug.

0.18 

.16 

.15 

.14

.12

.10

.13 

.18

.18

.20

.21 

.22

.24

.27

.27

Sept.

0.50

.50 

.50

July.

0.55

58

.53

Sept.

0.18 

.18 

.18 

.18

.18

.18

.18

.18

.18

.18

.18 

.18

.18

.18

Is

Oct.

0.30

.30

.35

on

Aug.

0.36 ""."so

Oct.

-

......

......

Nov.
120 SURFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Big Jim Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo., for 1907-1909.

June. July. Aug. Day. June. July. Aug. Day. June. July. Aug.

1907.

10.

5.6

7

8

10

12

14

14

15

15

15

11

11

11

11

11

8.3

10

1907.

15 

15 

-20 

28 

36

24

36

36

27

27

1907.

Day.

1908.

May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Day.

1908.

31.

May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct.

Day. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Day. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov.

1909.

70

70

65

60

55

50

47

45

43

38.5

36

34

31

31

31

16.5

16.5

16.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

1.4.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

1909.

12.5

12.5

12.5

12.5

14.5

14.5

18.5

31

21

21

21

21

18.5

18.5

18.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

10.5

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

31.

28

28

24.5

24.5

24.5

24.5

24.5

24.5

24.5

24.5

24.5

21

21

21

18.5

18.5

14.5

14.5

24.5

31

24.5

18.5

18.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

18.5

16.5

16.5

16.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

14.5

12.5

12.5

10.5

10.5

8.5 

8.5

7

7

7

7

7

7

8.5

8.5

8.5 

8.5

7

7

7

7

NOTE. Discharges interpolated for days on which gage was not read.
COLOEADO EIVER BASIN. 121 

Monthly discharge of Big Jim Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo., for 1907-1909.

Month.

1907.

July............................... . . .......

1908. 

April 28-30. ..............................................

July.....................................................

October 1-14................................... . ..

1909. 

July.....................................................

Discharge hi second-feet.

Maximum.

40 

36 

11

9 

13

47 

20 

13 

5 

5

70 

31 

31 

10.5 

10.5

Minimum.

6 

14

4

7 

5 

9 

13 

3 

5 

5

18.5 

14.5 

10.5 

7 

7

Mean.

24 

22

7

7.7 

10.1 

31.3 

15.7 

7.5 

5.0 

5.0

35.0 

16.1 

16.1

8.98 

7.75

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

1,450 

1,370 

434

45 

621 

1,860 

965 

446 

297 

139

2,150 

990 

958 

552 

215

LITTLE (WEST) JIM CREEK AT MOUTH, NEAR FRASER, COLO.

This station, which was established June 1, 1907, and discontinued 

September 3, 1909, is located just above the junction of the Little 

Jim with the Big Jim, about 6 miles above the Fraser and at an 

elevation of about 9,000 feet above sea level.

The location and datum of the rod gage remained constant while 

the station was being maintained.

Discharge measurements of Little Jim Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo., in 1907-1909.

Date.

1907. 

June 1

12

 *uly 2

Aug. 6

23

1908. 

May 20

26

June 2

11

July 4

19

23

Aug. 11

29

Sept. 3

21

1909. 

July 10

12

23

30

12

17

20

24

Sept. 3

Hydrographer.

G. M. Bull............. ....... . ... ...........

.....do.................. ........... ........ ..................

.....do...................................................................

.....do.................................................................

.... .do. .................................................................

Stanley Krajicek ........................................................

.....do...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

N . O' Daniels .............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.02

1.55

1.90

1.00

.85

.73

.70

.80

1.70

1.20

.70

.70

.60

.58

.58

.50

1.50

1.30

1.00

.90

.70

.70

.65

.95

.65

.50

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

3.0

9.6

17.1

1.9

1.2

2.4

2.2

3.1

14.2

5.9

2.1

2.2

1.2

.9

.9

.5

13

7.5

4.0

3.0

1.5

1.5

1.3

3.20

1.3

.5
122 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Little Jim Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo.,for 1907-1909.

Day.

1907. 

1...........

2...........

3...........

4...........

5...........

6...........

7...........

8...........

9...........

10...........

Day.

1908. 

1....

2....

4....

5....

6....

7....

8....

9....

10....

11....

12. ...

13....

14. ...

15....

Apr.

......

June

1.02

1 4H

1.45

1.50

May.

0.50 

.50 

.50 

.50 

.55

.55

.55 

.60 

.60 

.65

.65 

.65 

.70 

.70 

.75

Day.

1909. 

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4. ........ .....

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9

10..............

. July

1.90

1.70

1.75

1.70

June.

0.80 

.80 

.85 

.90 

1.00

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.40

1.70 

1.60 

1.55 

1.55 

1.50

July.

1.60

1 60

1.50

. Aug.

. 1.10

1.05

1.08

1 00

.98

.98

93

July.

1.20 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20

1.20 

1.20 

1.13 

1.07 

1.00

.93

.87 

.85 

.84 

.82

Day. June. July. Aug.

1907. 

11............ ............ 0.95

12............ 1.55 ...... .90

13............ 1.70 1.75 .90

14............ ..................

15............ 1.95 1.55 .90

18............ 1.90 ............

19............ 1.85 1.35 ......

20............ 1.85 ...... ......

Aug.

0.70 

.70 

.69 

.68 

.66

.64 

.62 

.60 

.60 

.60

.60 

.58 

.56 

.53 

.50

Aug.

0.70

.65

Sept.

0.58 

.58 

.58 

.58 

.58

.58 

.58 

.58 

.58 

.58

.57 

.56 

.55 

.55 

.55

Oct.

0.50 

.50 

.50 

.50 

.50

.50 

.50 

.50 

.50 

.50

.50 

.50 

.50 

.50

Day.

1909. 

11..............

12..............

13..............

14 -

15 

16

17..............

18. .............

19

20

Day.

1908. 

16...

17...

19

20... 

21...

22... 

23...

24...

25...

26... 

27... 

28... 

29... 

30... 

31...

July.

1.30 

1.25

1.20

1.15

1.10

Apr.

......

~0.70 

.65 

.60

Day.

1907. 

21............

22............

23............

24............

25............

26............

27............

28............

29............

30

3

May.

.75 

.75

.75

.73

7H

.75 

.75

.80

.80

.70 

.65 

.60 

.60 

.60 

.60

Aug.

.70

.65

1.20 

.95

L. ..........

June.

1.50 

1.50

1.50

1.50 

1.55

1.60 

l.CO

1.55

1.55

1.50 

1.45 

1.40 

1.32 

1.24

July.

0.81 

.80

.75

.70

.70 

.70

.70 

.70

.70

.70

.70 

.70 

.70 

.70 

.70 

.70

June.

1.75

1.85

1.95

1.90

Aug.

0.50 

.50

.50

Kf\

.50

Kf)

.50 

.50

.50

.50

.52 

.54 

.56 

.58 

.56

July.

1.35

1.20

1.13

Sept.

0.56 

.56 -.56

<tfi

.56 

.56

.56

<tfi

.56

.56

.56 

.56 

.56 

.56 

.56

Day. July.

1909. 

21.............. ........

2 

2

2. ............. ........

3---. .......... 1.00

24.............. ........

25.............. ........

26. ------------- --------

2 

?

2 

3

3

7.............. ........

8.............. ........

9

0.. ............ .90

1. ............. ........

Aug.

0.80

.85

Oct.

......

:...::

Aug.

0.65

.60

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Little Jim Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo., for

1907-1909.

Day.

1907. 

1.. ..........

2............

3............

4 ...........

5............

6............

7............

8............

9............

10...........

June.

3

4

5

6

7

8

8

9

9

9

July.

17

17

15

13

14

14

13

13

13

13

Aug.

3

3

3

3

2

1.9

2

2

2

2

Day.

1907. 

11............

12............

13............

14............

15............

16............

17............

18............

19............

June.

9

9.6

13

16

19

15

17

17

16

16

July.

14

14

14

12

10

10

9

7

6

6

Aug.

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

Day.

1907. 

21............

22............

23............

24............

25............

26............

27............

28............

29............

30............

31............

June.

14

16

17

18

19

19

18

17

17

17

July.

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

 6

5

4

4

Aug.

1

1

1.2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1
COLORADO KIVEE BASIN. 123

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Little Jim Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo., for

1907-1909 Continued.

Day.

1908. 

1....

2....

3....

4....

5....

6....

7....

8....

9....

10....

11....

12....

13....

14....

15. ...

Day.

1909. 

1....

2....

3....

4....

5...-

6....

7....

8....

9

10....

Apr.

July

23

23

21.5

19.5

19.5

16.5

. 16.5

16.5

16.5

13

May.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Aug.

2.5

2.0

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.3

1.3

1.3

June.

2

2

3

3

5

5

8

14

12

11

11

10

Sept

1.0

.5

.5

.7

1

1

1

1

July.

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

5

5

4

3

Oct

Q.

A

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

Ug.

9

2

3

2

2

9,

9

*)

9,

1

1

1

D

1 

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Sept.

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1 ?

i Q

1 s

1.3

ay.

309.

Oct

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

July.

10

7.5

7

6

6

5.5

5.5

.1.5

5

5

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

A

Da

190 

16

17

18

19

91

99,

?,3

9A

?,6

97

00

9O

on

^1

ug.

.5

5

.3

.3

5

5

.3

2

R

S 5

y8.

Sei

1

1

1

A

)t.

7

7

7

7

7

7

pr.

9,

Oc

(

Ma

t.

4

4

7-

9

9

9

9

9

9

?

?

9

?

?

'?

?

?

3

June.

10

10

10

12

12

11

11

10

9

7

6

Day.

1909. 

1.....

2.....

3.....

4.....

6.....

7.....

&.....

9

0.....

July.

3

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

July.

4.5

4.5

4

4

4

4

3.5

3.5

3

3

3

Aug.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Aug.

2.5

1.7

1.5

1.3

1.3

1

1

1

1

1

1

Sept.

1.3

1 0

1 ^

1.3

1 s

1 <*

1 s

1.3

1 s

1.3

1 t

1.3

1 t

1 t

1 s

Sept.

0.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.5

.5

.4

.4

.4

Oct.

Oct.

NOTE. Discharges interpolated for days when gage was not read. From Oct. 12 to Dec. 31,1909, the 

flow was almost zero.

Monthly discharge of Little Jim Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo., for 1907-1909.

Month.

1907.

July.....................................................

1908. 

April 28-30. ..............................................

June.....................................................

July......................................................

1909. 

July......................................................

October 1-12 .................... j ........................

Discharge in second feet.

Maximum.

19 

17 

3

2 

3 

14 

6 

2 

1.4 

1.1

23 

6 

1 

.4

Minimum.

3 

4 

1

2 

1 

2 

2 

1 

1.3 

1.1

3 

1

.4 

.4

Mean. 

12 

10 

2

2 

1.8 

8.2 

3.4 

1.4 

1.3 

1.10

9.34 

1.67 

.74 

.40

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

756 

610 

100

12

111 

4S8 

209 

86

77 

30

574 

103 

44 

10
124 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

VASQUEZ RIVEE AT UPPER STATION, NEAR FRASER, COLO.

Vasquez River is tributary to Fraser River from the west.

This station, which was established May 1, 1908, and discontinued November 9, 1909, is located about 4 miles above the mouth of 

the stream, at an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet above sea 

level.

The drainage area is about 9 square miles.

The location and datum of the Lallie automatic gage remained 

constant while the station was maintained.

Discharge measurements of Vasquez River at upper station near Fraser, Colo., 1908-9.

Date.

1908. 

May 1

16

22

June 3

11

17

30

July 12

17

19

28

Sept. 19

1909. 

July 4

14

17

30

12

Sept. 20

Oct. 18

Hydjographer.

Stanley Krajicek. ........................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

N. O'Daniels .............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.23

.33

.55

.83

1.15

1.35

.55

.75

.76

.72

.64

.30

1.90

1.30

1.25

1.00

.85

90

.70

.45

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

12.1

18.2

32.8

50.0

«3.5

103

.37.3

40.3

46. 6

43.4

36.3

140

208

114

107

74

58

63

42

22

Daily gage height, in feet, of Vasquez River at upper station near Fraser, Colo., for

1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1.......

2......;

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

June.

0.48

.53

.74

1.12

1.15

1.29

1 V)

1.41

1.59

1.50

1.51

1.42

1.32

1.32

1.34

July.

O KO

.53

.53

.53

.53

.53

.41

40

.48

.63

.75

7K

.75

.75

.75

Aug.

O OQ

.38

.38

.38

.38

.38

.34

34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

Sept.

0.34

34

34

34

VA

.34

34

OA

.34

.34

34

.34

34

.34

34

Oct.

0.34

Q4

.34

.34

.34

Q4

.34

.34

.34

34

.34

.34

Day. '

1908. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25.......

26.......

27.......

28.......

29.......

3fi

31.......

June.

1.41

1.51

1.41

1.42

1.38

1.25

1.05

1.12

1.53

1.41

1.36

1.48

1.48

1.48

1.48

July.

.75

.75

.75

.75

.70

.70

.70

.69

.69

.64

.64

.64

.54

.48

.47

Aug.

0.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

Sept.

0.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

.34

Oct.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 125

Daily gage height, in feet, of Vasquez River at upper station near Fraser, Colo., for

1908-9 Continued.

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7. ......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

July.

1.90

1.30

Aug.

O QC

Q*.

on

.90

.85

.85

cm

.90

on

.85

on

.85

.85

.85

.85

Sept.

O on

.80

.80

Oct.

0.60

60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

Nov.

0.70

.50

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25.......

'26.......

27.......

28.......

29.......

30

31.......

July.

1.25

1.30

1.40

1.25

1.20

1.20

1.25

1.25

1 00

1.00

Aug.

O Qn

1.00

1.00

1.00

.90

on

.85

.85

.85

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.85

.85

Sept.

0.85

.90

.75

.70

.65

.65

.65

.60

Oct.

. 

0.45

.50

Nov.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Vasquez River at upper station near Fraser, Colo., for

1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1. ......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

June.

98

31

46

73

75

86

CO

95

109

102

96

88

89

91

July.

225

208

200

175

167

159

141

135

121

114

114

July.

31

31

31

31

01

01

oo

28

38

46

46

46

4fi

46

Aug.

67

67

63

63

CO

EO

63

63

.63

58

63

CO

58

CO

EO

Aug.

21

21

91

21

91

21

19

19

19

10

19

10

19

19

19

Sept.

52

52

CO

52

CO

52

52

52

52

47

47

47

47

49

47

Sept.

19 -19

19

19

10

10

19

19

19

10

19

' 19

19

19

19

Oct.

32

32

32

32

qo

32

32

32

32

27

27

24

24

24

Oct.

10

19

1Q

19

19

19

1 0

19

19

10

19

10

19

19

Nov.

42

Q7

37

32

24

24

24

9J.

22

22

99

Day.

1908. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

26.......

27.......

28.......

29.......

30.......

31.......

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

is

19.......

20. ......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25.......

26. ......

27.......

28. ......

90

30. ......

31.......

June.

95

103

95

98

93

83

68

73

53

41

36

28

28

28

28

July.

107

107

114

128

107

101

101

107

107

107

101

Q<;

88

 82

74

74

July.

46

46

46

46

43

43

42

42

39

39

39

32

98

27

Aug.

63

74

74

63

63

58

58

58

52

52

52

52

52

58

58

Aug.

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

Sept.

58

63

58

47

42

42

42

42

42

37

37

37

32

Sept.

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

Oct.

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

24

24

24

22

22

22

27

32

Oct.

Nov.

NOTE. Discharges in 1909 estimated for days on which gage was not read.
126 SUBFACE WATBE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Monthly discharge of Vasquez River at upper station near Fraser, Colo.,for 1908-9.

Month.

1908.

July.....................................................

October 1-14. ............................................

1909. 

July.....................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

109 

46 

21 

19 

19

225 

74 

63 

32 

42

Minimum.

28 

23 

19 

19 

19

74 

52 

32 

22 

22

Mean.

71.6 

37.9 

19.4 

19.0 

19.0

133 

60.6 

47.6 

26.1 

29.0

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

4,260 

2,330 

1,190 

1,130 

528

8,180 

3,730 

2,830 

1,600 

806

VASQUEZ RIVER AT LOWER STATION NEAR FRASER, COLO.

This station, which was established June 1, 1907 and discontinued 

November 9, 1909, is located about 1 mile above the mouth of the 

stream, at an elevation of probably 8,700 feet above sea level. The 

drainage area is about 12 square miles.

The location and datum of the rod gage remained constant while 

the station was being maintained.

Discharge measurements of Vasquez River at lower station near Fraser, Colo.,in 1907-1909.

Date.

1907. 

June 1

7

14

27

July 6

30

Aug. 5

13

18

1908. 

Apr. 29

May 10

14

23

25

9

11

July 25

17

Sept. 22

1909. 

July 6

13

30

Aug. 5

12

20

Sept. 20

Oct. 18

Hydrographer.

G. M. Bull...................... ... ............ .......................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do............................................................... ....

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do............................................................. ......

.....do..................... .... .. ....... ....................

.....do....................................................................

.....do................. . ... .... ................

.....do............................. ......................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ..................................................................

.....do...................................................................

.....do............................................. ......................

N: O'Daniels .............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.80

1.15

1.75

1.60

1.35

.95

.80

.70

.60

.80

.80

1.50

1.63

1.80

1.90

9 no

2.5

1.72

1.70

1.7

1.40

1 *f\

1.10

.80

.65

.65

.70

60

.40

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

46

92

170

161

133

72

52

39

31

10.4

U Q

23.0

46.4

no 9

177

52

49.1

50.0

16

243

125

73

55

55

fift

31
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 127

Daily gage height, in feet, of Vasquez River at lower station near Fraser, Colo.. for

1907-1909.

Day. June. July.

1907. 

1.... ........ 0.80 1.55 

2............ ...... 1.55 

3............ ...... 1.50 

4 1 45

5............ 1.40 1.43

6............ ...... 1.35 

7............ 1.15 1.40 

8............ 1.20 1.40 

9............ 1.00 1.35 

10.. .......... .90 1.30

Day.

1-908.

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

11

14.......

15.......

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4. ......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

June.

1.00 

1.02 

1.04 

1.06 

1.08

1.10 

1.13 

1.15 

1.20 

1.20

1.20 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20

July.

1.70

1.50

1.00

1.10

July.

1.00 

.98 

.95 

.92 

.90

.89 

.89 

.86 

.85 

.86

.86 

.87 

.86 

.84 

.82

Aug.

0.65

.65

Aug.

0.93 

.93

.83 

.80

.80

.78 

.78 

.75 

.75 

.73

Aug.

0.72 

.72 

.72 

.71 

.71

.71 

.70 

.70 

.70 

.70

.70 

.70 

.70 

.70 

.70

Sept.

0.60

.60

.60

Day. June. July.

1907. 

11............ 1.25 1.25 

12............ 1.10 1.20 

13............ 1.10 1.30 

14............ 1.75 1.30

15............ 1.65 1.15

16............ 1.50 1.10 

17............ 1.40 1.10 

18............ 1.60 1.05 

19............ 1.48 1.00 

20............ 1.45 1.00

Sept.

0.43 

.43

.43

.44 

.44

.44 

.44 

.44 

.44 

.44

.44

.44 

.44 

.45 

.45

Oct.

0.50

.50

.50

Oct.

0.44 

.44 

.43 

.43 

.43

.42 

.42 

.42 

.44 

.46

.40 

.40 

.40 

.40

Nov.

0.50

.50

.40

,30

.30

Day.

1908. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25.......

26.......

27.......

28.......

29

30.......

31.......

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

20.......

21.......

22. ......

23.......

24. ......

25.......

26.......

27.......

28.......

29. ......

30.......

31.......

Aug.

0.75 

.73 

.70 

.73

.78

.73 

.68 

.60 

.63 

.68

June.

1.20 

1.20 

1.16 

1.12 

1.08

1.04 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00

July.

0.90

.80

Day. June. July. Aug.

1907. 

21............ 1.42 ...... 0.68 

22............ 1.40 ...... .60 

23............ 1.50 ...... .60 

24............ 1.50 ...... ......

25............ 1.55 1.00 ......

26............ 1.60 ...... ...... 

27............ 1.60 ...... .60 

28. ........ 1.50 .95 ...... 

29............ 1.55. .95 ...... 

30............ 1.65 .93 ...... 

31............ ...... .88 ......

July.

0.80

.78 

.76 

.75 

.75

.74 

.73 

.73 

.72 

.72

.72 

.72 

.72

.72 

.72 

.72

Aug.

0.65

.80

.70

.65

.60

.60

60

.60 

.60

Aug.

0.69 

.68 

.67 

.66 

.65

.64 

.63 

.62 

.61 

.60

.56 

.52 

.48 

.45 

.45 

.45

Sept.

0.70

.60

Sept.

0.45 

.45 

.45 

.44 

.43

.43 

.43 

.43 

.43 

.43

.43 

.43 

.43 

.43 

.43

Oct.

0.40

30

Oct.

Nov.
128 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Vasquez River at lower station near Fraser, Colo., for

1907-1909.

Day. June. July.

1907.

i. . '

3............ i

4............ 1(

5............ K

6............ 11

7............ <

8............ 1(

9............. '

10............ (

Day.

1908. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7. ......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

June.

85 

88 

90 

92 

94

100 

104 

107 

125 

125

125 

125 

125 

125 

125

July.

370 

350 

315 

315 

280

243 

208 

164 

125 

103

103 

125 

125 

125 

115

16 148 

56 148 

56 142 

)6 135 

J8 135

0 133 

)2 128 

)3 128

re 133

A 115

July.

85 

83 

79 

75 

73

71 

69 

68 

67 

68

68 

69 

68 

66 

64

Aug.

66 

66 

60 

60 

55

55 

55 

55 

55 

55

55 

55 

55 

55 

55

Aug.

65 

65 

53 

52 

52

48 

' 48 

45 

45 

42

Aug.

54 

54 

54 54- 

54

54 

53 

53 

53 

53

53 

53 

53 

53 

53

Sept.

49 

49 

49 

49 

49

49 

49 

49 

49 

49

49 

49 

49 

49 

49

Day. June.

1907. 

11............

19

10

14............ ]

15............ 1

16............ 1

17............ 1

18............ 1

19 1

20............ 1

Sept.

33 

33 

33 

33 

33

33 

33 

33 

33 

33

33 

33 

33 

34 

.34

Oct.

39 

39 

39 

39 

39

39 

39 

39 

39 

39

39 

39 

39 

39 

35

Oct.

33 

33 

33 

33 

33

32 

32 

32 

33 

34

31 

31 

31 

31

Nov.

39 

39 

39 

39 

39

39 

31 

22 

22 

22

22 

22 

22 

22

108 

90 

90 

L70 

64

42 

28 

60 

40 

35

July.

108 

103 

115 

115 

92

90 

90 

84 

76 

76

Day.

16 

17 

18 

19 

20

21 

22 

23 

24 

25

26 

27 

28 

29 

30

31

1908.

Day.

16 

17 

18 

19 

20

21 

22 

23 

24 

25

26 

27 

28 

29

on

31

1909.

Aug.

42 

42 

39 

42 

48

42 

38 

31 

32 

38

June.

125 

125 

108 

103 

94

90 

85 

85 

85 

85

85 

85 

85 

85 

85

July.

115

115 

103 

103 

103

95 

95 

86 

86 

86

79 

79 

73 

73 

73 

73 

,1

Day. June.

1907. 

21. .

23

24 ..

25............

26............

27............

28............

29............

30............

31

130 

128 

L42 

L42 

L48

L60 

L61 

L42 

L48 

L64

July.

62 

60 

58 

57 

57

55 

55 

55 

54 

54

54 

54 

54 

54 

54 

54

Aug.

55 

55 

60 

73 

60

60 

60 

60 

55 

55

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49

Aug.

52 

52 

51 

50 

49

48 

47 

46 

46 

45

41 

38 

36 

34 

34 

34

Sept.

49 

73 

79 

73 

60

49 

49 

49 

49 

49

49 

49 

45 

45 

39

July. Aug.

76 38 

76 31 

76 31 

76 31 

76 31

75 31 

74 31 

72 31 

72 31 

65 31 

62 31

Sept.

34 

34 

34 

33 

33

32 

33 

33 

33 

33

33 

33 

33 

33 

33

Oct.

35 

31 

31 

31 

31

31 

31 

31

27 

27

22 

22 

22 

22 

31 

35

Oct.

Nov.

NOTE. Discharges interpolated for days on which gage was not read.
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 129 

Monthly discharge of Vasquez River at lower station near Fraser, Colo.,for 1907-1909.

Month.

1907.

July.....................................................

1908.

July.....................................................

August. .................................................

October 1-14. ....................... .-. ...............

1909. 

July.....................................................

September. ..............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

170 

148 

65

125 

85 

54 

34 

34

370 

73 

79 

39 

39

Minimum.

46 

62 

31

85 

54 

34 

32 

31

73 

49 

39 

22 

22

Mean.

- 122 

100 

40

102 

63.4 

48.5 

33.2 

32.3-

145 

56.3 

51.4 

33.6 

29.9

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

7,340 

6,190 

2,510

6,070 

3,900 

2,980 

1,980 

897

8,920 

3,460 

3,060 

2,070 

830

ELK CREEK AT MOUTH, NEAR PHASER, COLO.

Elk Creek, the next important stream tributary to the Fraser 

below the Vasquez River, enters about 1 mile above Fraser post 

office. The drainage area is about 8 square miles.

The only station on this stream was located a short distance above 

its mouth. The datum and location of the rod gage remained 

constant while the station was maintained. The station was established June 5, 1907, and discontinued November 9, 1909.

Discharge measurements of Elk Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo., in 1907-1909.

Date.

1907.

July 16

Aug. 9

1908.

May 7

14

25

July 4

21

1909. 

July 6

14

22

31

Aug. 7

16

25

Hydrographer.

G.M.Bull.. ..............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do...................-...........-.-.----..--....-..-.-..-.-.......-..

.....do....................................................................

..... do........................................... .......... ...............

.....do....................................................................

..... do... ................................................................ -

.....do....................................................................

..... do............. ...................................................... -

..... do.............. -..---.........-.............--....-.-.-.......-.-.-. -

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.92

.55

.25

1.40

1.30

1.46

1.60

1.40

1.30

1.00

.90

.50

.40

.30

.20

.20

.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

28

14

2

11.8

7.0

16.0

24.2

12.2

7.7

1.5

48

21

14

9

5

5

5

95620° WSP 269 11 9
130 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Elk Creek at mouth, near Eraser, Colo.,for 1907-1909.

Day.

1907. 

1........... 

2........... 

3...........

4...........

5...........

6...........

7. .......... 

8...........

9........... 

10...........

Day.

1908. 

1...... .....

3...........

4...........

6...........

8...........

9...........

10...........

11...........

12...........

13......----.

14.. ........

15...........

Day.

1909. 

1.......

5.......

6.......

7. ------

8.......

9.......

10. ......

12.......

13.----..

14. ..... .

15.-.--.-

June

0.92

"."9f

Too

May.

1 30

1 23

1.26

1 29

1.38

1.40

1.38

1 36

1.34

1.32

1.31

1.30

1.31

July.

0.90 .

.50 .

 July

. 0.85 

. .80 

. .75

. .75

.70 

. .70

. .75 

.80

. .80 

.80

June.

1.58

1.59

1.60

1.61

1.62

1.63

1 64

1/66

1.68

1.69

1.70

1.72

1.73

1.75

1.78

Aug.

0.20

Aug.

0.30 

.30 

.25

.25

.50

.00 

.00

.25 

.00

July.

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.30

1.35

1.35

Day. June.

1907. 

11............ 0.80 

12............ 1.00 

13............ 1.05

15............ 1.00

17............ 1.00 

18............ 1.05

19............ 1.05 

20............ 1.10

Aug.

1.30

1.30

1.29

1.29

1.29

1.28

1.28

1.28

1.28

1.28

1.28

1.28

1.27

1.25

Sept.

0.20

.20

.20

Sept.

1.04

1.03

1.03

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

Oct.

0.10

.10

.10

.10

Oct.

0.98

98

.98

.98

98

.98

98

.98

.99

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

Nov.

0.10

.10

.10

July.

0.80 

.75 

.75

.70

.70 

.55

.55 

.50

.50 

.50

Aug.

0.00 

.00

.20

.20

------

Day.

1908. 

16...........

18...........

19...........

90

21...........

23.. ....... ..

24...........

25...........

26...........

27 ........

28...........

29...........

30

31

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.--...-

18

19 

20

21.......

22.......

24.......

26.......

28.......

29.......

30

31

Day.

1907. 

21............ 

22............ 

23............

25............ 

26............

27............

28 .

2 

3 

3

May.

1.32

1 Q4.

1.36

1.37

1.41

1 43

1.45

1.47

1.48

1.49

1.49

1.50

1.52

1.54

1.58

July.

0.40

40

.40

.30

9............ 

0... ......... 

1............

June.

1.80

1.70

1.80

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.57

1.53

1.50

1.49

1.48

1.47

1.45

Aug.

0.20

.30

.20

.20

July.

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1 30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

June.

1.10 

.93 

.90

.90

1.00 

95

1.00 

.85

.85 

.85

Aug.

1.23

1.20

1.18

1.16

1.14

1.12

1.10

1.08

1.06

1.04

1.04

1.04

1.04

1.04

1.04

1.04

Sept.

0.15

.15

July.

0.50 

.50 

.45

Aug.

"6.'20

.45 ......

.45 ......

.50 .15

.38 

.35 

.33

Sept.

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.01

1.01

1.00

1.00

1.00

Oct.

0.10

.10

.10

.10

------

Oct.

Nov.
COLORADO BIVEK BASIN. 131

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Elk Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo.,for 1907-1909.

Day. June. July. Aug. Day. June. July. Aug. Day. June. July. Aug.

1907.

10.

1907. 1907.

12

Day. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Day. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct.

1908.

Day. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Day. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov.

1909. 1909.

5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2

NOTE. Discharges interpolated for days on which gage was not read.
132 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Monthly discharge of Elk Creek at mouth, near Fraser, Colo., for 1907-1909.

Month.

1907.

July.....................................................

1908. 

May.....-.-.-.-........-...--..-.-----.....-............

July.... .................................................

Oct. 1-14. ................................................

1909. 

July.....................................................

Nov. 1-14. ...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

37 

26 

12

24 

49 

12 

7 

1 

1

54 

9 

5 

2 

2

Minimum.

24 

5 

1

4 

14

7 

2 

1

1

9 

5 

2 

2 

2

Mean.

30 

16 

2

11.5 

28.9 

9.1 

4.7 

1.0 

1.0

26.0 

5.90 

3.82 

2.0 

2.0

Run-ofl 

(total in 

acre-feet).

1,810 

988 

140

707 

1,720 

560 

289 

60 

28

1,600 

363 

227 

123 

56

ST. LOUIS CREEK AT UPPER STATION NEAR FRASER, COLO.

St. Louis Creek is tributary to the Fraser River from the west, 

entering about 1 mile below the town of Eraser.

The upper station is about 6 miles above the mouth of the stream 

at an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet above the sea level. 

The drainage area is about 15 square miles.

The location and datum of the Lallie automatic gage remained 

constant while the station was maintained. The station was established April 30, 1908, and discontinued November 9, 1909.

Discharge measurements of St. Louis Creek at upper station near Fraser, Colo., in 1908-

1909.

Date.

1908.

May 9

16

22

30

11

22

July 3

16

30

Aug. 8

30

6

20

Oct. 9

1909. 

July 14

17

22

31

16

19

28

Sept. 25

Oct. 13

20

Hydrographer.

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

N. O'Daniels .............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do...........^.......................................................

.....do..................................................... ...............

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.90

1.15

1.20

1.30

.90

1.50

2.35

3.75

2.20

1.95

1.59

1.40

1.20

1.15

1.25

1.10

1.15

1.45

1.35

1.20

.80

.65

.50

.70

.55

.35

.20

.20

Discharge.

Sec.Jt. 

11.8

28.6

40.1

64 1

137

294

91 8

42.7

30 4

00 O

oe 7

27.8

26.5

134

122

103

62

50

40

54

43

30

23

23
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 133

Daily gage height, in feet, of St. Louis Creek at upper station near Fraser, Colo., for

1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1.......

2.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

0

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.---...

13.......

14.......

15.......

Day.

1909. 

1. ......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9. ......

10.......

11.......

12. ......

13.......

14. ......

15.......

June.

1.41

1.47

1.90

2.06

2.03

1.98

1.77

1.70

1.72

2.05

2.05

2.12

2.97

2.79

2.71

July.

2.60

1 95

1 45

July.

2.43

2.34

2.17

2.27

2.23

2.19

2.14

2.10

2.12

2.12

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.02

2.02

Aug.

0."^>

.50

Aug.

1.72

1.64

1.58

1.50

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.40

1.45

1.55

1.40

1.35

Sept.

0.50

.50

.45

.40

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.45

Sept.

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.20

1.15

1.10

Oct.

0.30

.30

.30

Qft

90

.40

40

30

.20

.20

.20

Oct.

1.08

1.05

1.05

1.05

1 f\A

1.03

1.02

on

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

.90

.80

Nov.

 0.30

.20

OK

Day.

1908. 

16. ......

17.......

18.......

19.......

20.......

21.......

22. ......

23. ......

24. ......

25.......

26. ......

27. ......

28. ......

29. ......

30. ......

31.......

Day.

1909. 

16. ......

17. ......

18. ......

19.......

20.......

21.......

99

23. ......

24. ......

25. ......

26. ......

27. ......

28. ......

9Q

30. ......

31.......

June.

2.86

2.83

2.80

2.66

2.66

2.55

2.97

2.97

2.75

2.91

2.91

' 2.88

2.61

2.61

2.35

July.

1.35

1.35

1.40

1.35

1.35

1.25

1.40

1.40

1.30

1.10

.80

July.

1.95

1.88

1.83

1.80

1.78

1.75

1.75

1.77

1.71

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.60

1.58

1.70

Aug.

0.55

.80

.80

.70

60

.55

.55

.55

.60

.50

.50

.45

.50

.50

.55

.60

Aug.

1.33

1.35

1.40

1.37

1.46

1.45

1.45

1.50

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.47

1.29

1.29

1.24

1.20

Sept.

0.45

.45

.35

.35

.35

.35

.35

.35

.30

.30

.30

Sept.

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.08

1.07

1.08

1.07

1.08

1.08

1.08

1.08

1.05

1.05

Oct.

0.20

.20

.20

.10

.10

.20

.55

Oct.

Nov.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of St. Louis Creek at upper station near Fraser, Colo., for

1908-9.

Day.

1908.

1.....:.

6.......

7.......

9. ......

10. ......

11.......

19

13.......

14.......

15.......

June.

49

KO

89

1ft9

98

78

72

74

107

107

110

200

179

171

July.

141

132

115

125

117

112

108

110

110

108

108

108

100

100

Aug.

74

67

63

56

52

52

52

44

44

44

48

52

60

48

44

Sept.

34

94

34

34

34

34

30

30

30

30

30

34

30

97

Oct.

94

24

24

24

OQ

18

20

20

20

18

18

Day.

1908. 

16. ......

17. ......

18. ......

19.......

20. ......

21.......

22.......

23. ......

24. ......

25. ......

26. ......

27.......

28. ......

29.......

3001

June.

187

186

180

166

166

153

200

200

175

193

193

188

160

160

133

July.

94

88

83

81

79

76

76

78

73

68

68

68

64

63

62

79

Aug.

42

44

48

46

53

52

52

56

52

52

52

53

40

40

37

34

Sept.

27

27

27

27

27

26

25

26

25

26

26

26

26

24

24

Oct.
134 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of St. Louis Creek at upper station near Fraser, Colo^,for

1908-9 Continued.

Day.

1909. 

1. ......

2.......

3.......

4. ......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8. ......

9. ......

10. ......

11.......

12. ......

13.......

15.......

July.

264

254

232

202

194

174

166

155

129

Aug.

54

54

AC.

JO

43

43

4Q

40

40

40

40

4040

43

40

Sept.

40

40

qq

40

qq

qq

qq

qq

40

40

40

40

40

36

Oct.

9K

952

00

90

90

qq

40

54

71

qq

00

952

9q

9Q

9q

Nov.

952

28

95?

25

9K

9q

25

28

30

30

95?

95?

28

952

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18. ......

19. ......

20.......

21.......

22.......

23. ......

25.......

26. ......

28. ......

29

30. ......

July.

129

122

122

129

122

110

129

129

115

92

86

81

76

71

62

Aug.

43

62

62

54

46

43

43

43

46

40

40

36

40

40

43

46

Sept.

36

36

36

33

33

30

30

30

30

30

30

28

28

28

28

Oct.

23

23

23

18

18

21

23

28

28

25

23

28

33

40

43

43

Nov.

NOTE. Discharge interpolated for days on which gage was not read.

Monthly discharge of St. Louis Creek at upper station near Fraser, Colo.,for 1908-9.

Month.

1908.

July.....................................................

Oct., 1-14. ...............................................

1909. 

July .....................................................

Nov. 1-14. ...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

200 

141 

74 

34 

24

264 

. 62 

40 

71 

30

Minimum.

49 

62 

34 

24 

18

62 

S6

28 

18 

23

Mean.

141 

93.8 

50.1 

28.8 

21.4

148 

44.5 

34.1 

30.4 

27.3

Run-off 

(total in 

acre -feet).

8,390 

5,770 

3,080 

1,710 

594

9,100 

2,740 

2,030 

1,870 

758

ST. LOUIS CREEK AT LOWER STATION NEAR FRASER, COLO.

This station, which was established June 3, 1907, and discontinued 

November 9, 1909, is located about 1 mile above the mouth of the 

stream at an elevation of about 8,600 feet above sea level. The drainage area is about 19 square miles.

The stream forks near its junction with the Fraser and enters that 

stream in two channels. This fact was overlooked when the station 

was first established in 1907, and so the discharge of a smaller channel 

was not included in the results obtained that year. These have 

not been published. In the spring of 1908 a new gage was established 

at a new datum and shows the entire flow. The datum of the gage 

was changed on September 21, 1909. Data collected in 1907 are not 

published, as they are not comparable with those for 1908 and 1909.
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 135

Discharge measurements of St. Louis Creek at lower station near Fraser, Colo., in 1908-9.

Date.

1908. 

May 23

31

June 6

11

17

July 3

7

20

27

Aug. 15

Sept. 10

18

23

1909. 

July 9

14

17

22

31

16

Oct. 13

20

Hydrographer.

.....do...................................................................

.....do.................... ......... ... ........ ... ........

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do.............................................................. .....

.....do................................ .............................. .....

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

leight.

Feet.

0.42

.68

.73

1.03

1.03

.96

.8

.61

.50

.37

.20

.23

.20

1.10

.90

.80

.75

.50

.45

.40

.40

.25

.20

Discharge.

Sec-feet.

52.3

81.8

97.1

148

148

141

110

73.0

51.1

41.0

30.8

25.8

24.2

182

114

94

87

60

55

49

39

33

31

NOTE. Gage heights for 1909 are not comparable with those for 1908. Beginning Sept. 25,1909, the 

gage datum was changed again.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of St. Louis Creek at lower station near Fraser, Colo.,

for 1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

8.......

Q

10.......

11.......

19

13

14.......

Day.

1909.

3.......

4.......

6.......

7.......

9 ......

10.......

12.......

13.......

15.......

June.

.68

.69

.73

.79

.85

.91

97

i fts

1.03

1.03

1 03

July.

1.10

.85

July.

1 40

1.20

.96

97

98

99

1.01

.96

.90

ce

70

.72

an

.68

Aug.

Aug.

.77

.81

.87

92

97

1.02

QK

.66

.47

.47

.47

.47

48

Sept.

40

Sept.

0 45

.45

.45

45

45

45

.45

.46

.46

46

43

.40

.36

30

Oct.

0.30

30

.50

.25

Oct

0.15

.15

.15

.15

.15

.15

.15

.15

.15

.15

Nov.

0.30

.30

Day.

1908. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

OE

27.......

OC

on

30. ......

01

Day.

1909. 

16.......

1 s

19.......

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24 ......

25.......

26.......

27.......

28. ......

29. ......

30.......

01

June.

1.03

1.03

1.10

1.18

1.25

1.32

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

July.

0 80

.70

.50

July.

0.66

.65

.64

.62

.61

.60

.58

.57

.55

.54

.52

.50

.57

.61

.67

.71

Aug.

0.40

.50

.40

.40

Aug.

0.48

.48

.48

.48

.47

.47

.47

.47

.47

.47

.47

.46

46

.45

.45

.45

Sept.

0.40

.40

.35

Sept.

0.26

.23

.23

.23

oo

.21

.20

.20

.20

.20

.21

.21

.21

.21

.21

Oct.

0.20

.30

.20

.40

Oct.

Nov.

NOTE. Gage heights for 1909 are not comparable with those for 1908. Beginning Sept. 25, a new gage 

datufc used.
136 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of St. Louis Creek at lower station near Fraser, Colo.,for

1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

6.......

7.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

15.......

Day.

1909.

2

3.......

6.......

8.......

9

10.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

June.

80

82

84

86

88

on

110

i t\r\

150

ISO

July.

250

236

218

218

218

200

182

164

114

114

July.

135

1 3Q

142

146

134

122

110

no

86

84

81

79

Aug.

60

60

60

55

55

55

55

55

55

49

49

AQ

49

49

49

Aug.

86

QC

115

1OK

-iqe

158

110

C1

51

C1

C1

Sept.

4Q

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

Sep^t.

- 47

47

47

47

47

49

4Q

45

42

38

35

32

Oct.*

35

35

35

07

Q7

39

on

39

37

35

33

33

Oct.

91

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

91

91

21

Nov.

35

35

35

35

33

35

35

35

35

35

OK

Day.

1908. 

16....---

17.......

18.......

19

20. ......

21

99

23.......

24.......

25.......

9fi

27.......

90

30.......

01

Day.

1909. 

16.......

18.......

19. ......

9fl

21.......

22.......

24.......

25.......

26. ......

28. ......

on

qi

June.

150

150

170

195

220

245

270

270

270

270

270

270

270

270

270

July.

102

94

94

94

87

87

87

81

81

76

76

70

70

64

64

60

July.

76

74

72

70

68

66

64

62

60

58

56

53

63

68

77

84

Aug.

49

55

60

60

60

55

55

55

49

49

49

49

49

4Q

49

49

Aug.

52

52

52

52

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

48

47

47

47

Sept.

49

49

49

49

49

39

39

39

39

39

39

39

37

37

37

Sept.

29

26

26

26

25

25

24

24

24

24

25

25

25

25

25

Oct.

33

33

33

31

31

31

35

35

35

33

31

33

35

37

39

39

Oct.

Nov.

NOTE. Discharges interpolated for days when gage was not read. 

Monthly discharge of St. Louis Creek at lower station near Fraser, Colo.,for 1908-9.

Month.

1908.

July . . ...................................................

Oct. 1-14 __ ... . .........................................

1909. 

July.....................................................

Nov. 1-14. ................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

270 

270 

158 

49 

21

250 

60 

49 

44 

35

Minimum.

80 

53 

47 

25 

21

60

49 

37 

31 

21

Mean.

176 

97.9 

67.7 

34.9 

21.0

129 

53.1 

45.5 

35.2 

33.7

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

10,500 

6,020 

4,160 

2,080 

583

7,930 

3,260 

2,710 

2,160 

936
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 137

NORTH EANCH GREEK AT UPPER STATION NEAR ROLLINS PASS, COLO.

This station, which was established May 1, 1908, and discontinued 

November 9, 1909, is located at the foot of Rollins Pass, Colo., at an 

elevation of about 10,000 feet above sea level.

The approximate drainage area is 2 square miles. Records of gage 

height were obtained by the means of a Lallie float gage, the datum 

remaining constant during the maintenance of the station.

Discharge measurements of North Ranch Creek at upper station near Rollins Pass, Colo.,

in 1908-9.

Date.

1908. 

May 8

17

19

20

July 7

1Q

27

Aug. 31

1909. 

July 13

6

13

18

Sept. 2

Hydrographer.

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

N. O'Daniels. . ...........................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.54

1.72

1.86

1 93

 2.20

1.74

1.74

1.74

1.68

.70

.60

.55

.55

.60

.50

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

2.4

 7.0

12.2

20.2

26.3

8.2

8.1

9 2

6.3

10.5

6

5

5

6

4

Daily gage height, in feet, of North Ranch Creek at upper station near Rollins Pass,

Colo., for 1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1. .........

2..........

3.......... 

4.......... 

5..........

6.......... 

7.......... 

8..........

9.......... 

10..........

11.......... 

12.......... 

13..........

14.......... 

15..........

May.

1 54

1.54

1.54 

1.55 

1.56

1.57 

1.58 

1.50

1.60 

1.56

1.54 

1.54

1.54 

1.54

June.

1.64

1.79

1.84 

1.84 

1.86

1.94 

1.84 

1.74

1.94 

1.84

1.86 

1.84 

1.84

1.94

July.

1.82

1.77 

1.72 

1.67

1.62 

1.50 

i f^n

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50

1.50

Aug.

1.50

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50

Sept.

1.50

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50

Oct.

1 *\f\

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.51 

1.51

1 fC\

1.51 

1.51

1.51 

1.51 

i 11

1.51

Day.

1908. 

16..........

17..........

18.......... 

19. ....... .. 

20..........

21.......... 

22..........

93

24........... 

25......--..

26.......... 

27.......... 

28..........

29..........

31 ..........

May.

1.69

1.69 

1.70 

1.66

1.84 

1.82 

1.74

1.74 

1.74

1.74 

1.69 

1.69

1.71

1.78

June.

1.89

1.86

1.86 

1.86 

1.84

1.85 

1.85 

1.85

1.86 

1.86

1.86 

1.87 

1.87

1.87 

1.87

July.

1.50

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50

1.50

Aug.

1.50

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.51 

1.51

1.51 

1.51

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50

1.50

Sept.

1.50

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.56 

1.50

1.50 

1.50

1.49 

1.49 

1.49

1.49 

1.49

Oct.
138 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of North Ranch Creek at upper station near Rollins Pass, 

Colo.,for 1908-9 Continued.

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

5..--...

6.......

7.......

8.......

9

10...-.-.

15. ......

July.

.90

.90

.90

.85

.85

.70

.70

Aug.

.60

.65

60

.55

.55

.55

.55

.55

.60

60

.60

.55

.55

.55

Sept.

0.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.55

.60

.60

60

60

60

60

60

60

.60

Oct.

0.60

.60

.55

.55

.55

55

.50

50

Nov.

.40

.40

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

20. ......

22. ......

23.......

24. ......

25. ......

26. ......

27. ......

28. ......

July.

.65

.65

.65

.65

60

.60

.60

Aug.

.55

.60

.60

.70

.55

.55

.60

.60

.60

.60

.55

.55

^

.55

.55

.50

Sept.

.60

.60

fin

60

.60

60

.60

60

.60

60

Oct.

.50

Nov.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of North Ranch Creek at upper station near Rollins Pass,

Colo., for 1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1. ......

2.......

3.......

5.......

8.......

g

10.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

Day.

1909.

2.......

5.... ..

6.......

9.......

10.......

12.......

13.......

14. ......

15. ......

Jb

1

1

1

Maj

<

r

4

I

I

4

iy.

52

52

52

46

46

46

37

37

37

37

27

0 5

0,5

.

i

(

!

I

i

!

June.

5

12

16

12

16

12

13

12

16

15

Aug.

6

6

8

6

5

5

5

5

5

6

6

6

5

5

5

July.

4

4

4

4

4

3

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Sept

A

4

4

5

fi

6

6

6

B

6

B

ug.

?,

2

2

2

2

2

2

O

Sep

3t.

6

5

5

5

5

t.

9

9

2

9

7,

?,

9

9

2

7,

Oct.

2

2

2

2

2

2

Nov.

2

2

2

2

2

2

2 I

Day.

1908.

17.......

18.......

19.......

20.......

22.......

23.......

-24.......

25.......

27.......

28.......

31 .......

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

27. ......

28.......

30. ......

Jl

May

5

7

7

6

12

11

9

g

g

g

7

8

9

10

iy8

8

8

8

6

6

6

6

6

fi

6

6

6

fi

6

June.

13

13

12

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

Aug.

5

6

6

10.5

5

5

6

6

6

5

5

5

5

5

July.

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Sept

A

fi

6

6

fi

fi

fi

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

ug.

9:

7,

?.

?,

7,

9.

7,

7,

O

Sep

3t.

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

t.

7,

7,

7,

7,

7,

7,

?,

7,

?,

Oct.

Nov.

NOTE. Discharges estimated for days in which gage was not read.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 139

Monthly discharge of North Ranch Creek at upper station near Rollins Pass, Colo., for

1908-9.

Month.

1908. 

May.....................................................

July. ....................................................

Oct. 1-14 ................................................

1909. 

July . . ...................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

12 

16 

4 

2 

2 

2

52 

10.5 

6 

6 

2

Minimum.

3

5 

2 

2 

2 

2

6 

4 

4 

4 

2

Mean.

5.8 

12.7 

2.4 

2.0 

2.0 

2.0

20.4 

5.6 

5.6 

4.3 

2.0

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

357 

756 

148 

123 

119 

56

1,250 

344 

333 

264 

56

NORTH RANCH CREEK AT LOWER STATION NEAR ROLLINS PASS, COLO.

This station, which was established June 3, 1907, and discontinued 

November 9, 1909, is located near Rollins Pass, about 4 miles below 

the upper station, and just above its junction with Middle Ranch 

Creek. The drainage area is about 5 square miles.

The datum of the rod gage remained constant during the maintenance of the station.

Discharge measurements of North Ranch Creek at lower station near Rollins Pass, Colo.,

in 1907-9.

Date.

1907.

9

14

26

July 3

14

Aug. 5

13

20

1908. 

May 17

July 4

11

Aug. 12

31

Sept. 29

1909. 

July 8

13

Aug. 2

6

13

Hydrographer.

G. M. Bull. ..............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

N. o''Daniels .............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ..................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.80

1.15

1.80

1.95

1.70

1.15

.45

.20

.10

1.30

1.75

1.57

1.33

1.00

1.77

.81

1.40

1.00

.40

.30

.30

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

23.3

38.

76.

92.

75.

43.

12.

8.2

4.8

8.4

30.6

20.9

15.1

8.0

5.0

4.1

58.

39.

13.

10.

10.
140 SUBFACE WATEB SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of North Ranch Creek, at lower station near Rollins Pass, Colo.,

for 1907-1909.

Day.

1907. 

1...........

O

3...........

5...........

6...........

7...........

8...........

g

10...........

Day.

1908. 

1..........

3..........

4.......... 

5. .........

C. ......... 

1.... ......

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

Day.

1909. 

1 ......

2. ......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8. ......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

June

0.8

1 I K

1.15

May.

1.10 

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.10

1.10 

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.10

1.10 

1.10

1.15

July.

1.00 .

. July.

1.7

. 1.5

1.3

1.2

June.'

1.65 

1 80

1.85

1.87 

1.87

1.95 

1.85

1.75

1.85

1 95

2.05 

2.03

2.01 

1.99

1 97

Aug.

0.40

.30

.30

Aug.

0.55

.5

45

.3

July.

1.57 

1.57

1.57

1.57 

1.55

1.53 

1.51

1.49

1.47'

1.40

1.33 

1.33

1.33 

1.33

1.27

Day. June.

1907. 

11............ 1.15

12............ ......

is

15............ 1.8

16........... ------

17............ 1.7

18............ ------

19............ 1.8

20............ ------

Aug.

0.95

Qfi

.96

.97 

97

.98 

.99

99

1.00

1 00

1.00 

1.00

1.00 

1.00

84

Sept.

0.30

.40

.30

Sept.

0.77

.77

.77

.77 

.77

.77 

.77

.77

.77

.77

.77 

.77

.77 

.77

.77

Oct.

.25

Oct.

0.80 

.80

.79

.79 

79

.78 

.78

.77

.76

.76

.75 

.75

.75 

.75

Nov.

.10

July.

1.1

1.15

.95

.8

Aug.

0.2

.2

.1

Day.

1907. 

21............

22............

23............

24............

25............

26.. . .........

27............

28............

29............

30............

3

Day. May.

1908. 

16.......... 1.20 

17.......... 1.30

18.......... 1.30

19.......... 1.30 

20.......... 1.30

21.......... 1.30 

22.......... 1.30

23.......... 1.30

24.......... 1.31

25 - - 1 . 33

26

n

28 

29

.......... 1.34

.......... 1.36

.......... 1.38

... 1 . 40

30 1-43

31 .......... 1.45

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

20. ......

21.......

22. ......

23.......

24.......

25. ......

9fi

27.......

28. ......

9Q

30

31

July.

0.40

1............

June.

1.95 

1.93

1.91

1.89 

1.87

1.85 

1.83

1.81

1.79

1.77

.1.75

1.70

1.66

1.62

1.57

Aug.

0.35

.40

.35

30

.25

July.

1.21 

1.15

1.09

1.00 

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

.99

.97

.96

.95

June.

1.7

1.8

1.95

1.7

Aug.

0.82 

.75

.75

.75 

.75

.75 

.75

.75

.75

.76

.76

.76

.77

.77

.77

.77

Sept.

0.35

.30

.30

July.

Sept.

0.77

.77

.77

.77 

.77

.77 

.77

.78

.78

.78

.79

.79

.80

.80

.81

Oct.

0.20

Aug.

Oct.

Nov.
COLOKADO EIVEE BASIN. 141

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of North Ranch Creek at lower station near Rollins Pass,

Colo., for 1907-1909.

Day.

1907. 

1...........

2...........

4... ........

5...........

6............

7...........

8..-------..

10..-.--.....

Day.

1908. 

1..........

2..........

3. ....... ..

5. . ........

6..........

7..........

8..........

g

10..........

11..........

12..........

13. . ........

14..........

15... -------

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10. ......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

June

21

22 

23 

23 

27

31 

35 

38 

38 

38

May.

10 

10 

10 

10 

10

10 

10 

10 

10 

10

10 

10 

10 

10 

11

July.

73 

70.5 

68 

65.5 

63

63 

60.5

58 

58 

53.5

48.5 

43.5 

39 

39 

34

. July.

75 

75 

75 

67 

58

55 

52 

49 

47 

43

June.

25 

31 

33 

33 

34

37 

33 

29 

33 

37

42 

41 

40 

39 

38

Aug.

13 

13 

11.5 

11.5 

10

10 

10 

10 

10 

10

10 

10 

10 

10 

10

Aug.

16 

15 

14 

13 

12

12 

11 

11 

10 

10

July.

23 

23 

23 

23 

22

22 

21 

20 

19 

18

16 

16 

16 

16 

14

Day. June.

1907. 

11............

12............

13............

14............

15............

16............

17............

18............

20............

Aug.

7 

7 

7 

8 

8

8 

8 

8 

8 

8

8 

8 

8 

8 

6

Sept.

10 

10 

10 

11.5 

11.5

13 

13 

11.5 

10 

10

10 

10 

10 

10 

10

Sept.

5 

5 

5 

5 

5

5 

5 

5 

5 

5

5 

5 

5 

5 

5

Oct.

1Q 

10 

10 

10 

10

10 

10 

10 

10 

9

9 

9 

9 

9 

9

Oct.

5 

5 

5 

5 

5

5 

5 

5 

4 

4

4 

4 

4 

4

Nov.

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5

38 

51 

64 

76 

76

76 

75 

75 

76 

76

July.

40 

36 

39 

43 

39

36 

33 

30 

27 

23

Aug.

9

8 

8 

8 

8

7 

7 

6 

5 

5

Day.

16 

17 

18 

19 

20

21 

22 

23 

24 

25

26 

27 

28 

29 

30

31

Day.

16 

17 

18 

19 

20

21 

22 

23 

24 

25

26 

27 

28 

29 

30

31

May

12 

15 

15 

15 

15

15 

15 

15 

15 

16

16 

17 

17 

18 

18 

19

July.

34 

29.5 

29.5 

25 

25

20.5 

20.5 

16.5 

16.5 

16.5

13 

13 

13 

13 

13 

13

Day.

1907. 

21............

22............

23............

24............

25............

26............

27............

28............

29............

30............

31............

June.

37 

36 

35 

35 

34

33 

32 

31 

31 

30

29 

27 

26 

24 

22

Aug.

10 

11.5 

11.5 

11.5 

13

13 

13 

11.5 

11.5 

10

10 

10 

10 

10 

9 

9

July.

12 

11 

11

8 

8

8 

8 

8

8 

8

8 

8 

8 

8 

7 

7

June.

75 

75 

76 

81 

86

92 

84 

75 

75 

75

Aug.

5 

4 

4 

4 

4

4 

4 

4 

4 

5

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5

Sept.

10 

10 

10 

10 

11.5

1..5 

11.5 

11.5 

11.5 

11.5

10 

10 

10 

10 

10

July.

22 

22 

21 

21 

20

20 

19 

19 

18 

18 

17

Sept.

5 

5 

5 

5 

5

5 

5 

5 

5 

5

5 

5 

5 

5 

5

Oct.

9 

9 

9 

9 

9

9 

9 

9

7.5 

7.5

7.5 

7.5 

7.5 

7.5 

7.5 

7.5

Aug.

4 

4 

4 

3 

3

3 

3 

2 

2 

2 

2

Oct.

Nov.

NOTE. Discharges estimated for days on which gage height was not read.
142 STJKFACE WATEK SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Monthly discharge of North Ranch Creek at lower station near Rollins Pass, Colo.,for

1907-1909.

Month.

1907.

July......................................................

1908.

July......................................................

Oct. 1-14.................................................

1909. 

July.....................................................

Nov. 1-14................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

92 

75 

16

19 

42 

23

8 

5 

5

73 

13 

13 

10 

5.5

Minimum.

21 

17 

2

10 

22

7 

4 

5 

4

13 

9 

10 

7.5 

5 5

Mean.

59 

37

7

13.0 

32.9 

13.8 

6.0 

5.0 

4.6

37.0 

10.8 

10.6 

8.9 

5.5

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

3,550 

2,320 

454

799 

1,960 

848 

369 

298 

128

2.280 

664 

631 

547 

153

MIDDLE RANCH CREEK AT UPPER STATION NEAR ARROW, COLO.

This station, which was established May 1, 1908, and discontinued 

November 8, 1909, is located 3 miles from Arrow, on the Colonial 

Wagon Road, at an elevation of about 10,000 feet above sea level. 

Its drainage area is about 2 J square miles, and there are no tributaries 

above, which could be designated.

The location and datum of the Lallie automatic gage remained the 

same while the station was maintained.

Discharge measurements of Middle Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo., in

1908-1909.

Date.

1908. 

May 7

19

26

20

July 7

21

Aug. 31

Sept. 22

1909. 

July 19

Aug. 2

6

1?

18

Hydrographer.

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.73

1.03

Q*>

1 no

1.10

.88

.78

C/l

.55

0.7

60

.55

CA

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

2.6

9 4

46 9

90 n

10 9

1 7

.4

9.5

. 6.5

C C

5.0

5.5
COLORADO EIVEK BASIN. 143

Daily gage height, in feet, of Middle Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo.,

for 1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1. ......

2.......

3........

4........

6........ 

7........

8.......

9....... 

10........

11.......

12.......

13 .......

14.......

15.......

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

...

Ji

May.

0.73

.73

.73

.73 

.73

.73 

.73

.75

.77 

79

.81

.83

85

.87

,89

ay.

June.

1.01

1.02

1.03

1.14 

1.14

1.14 

1.13

1.19

1.14 

1.14

1.16

1.22

1.23

1.24

1.20

Aug.

0.60

.60

60

.55

.55

.55

.50

.50

July.

0.95

.95

.95

.95 

.95

.93

.85

.85 

.85

85

.85

.85

.85

.85

Sept

0.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

§

A

n

n

n

n

n

n

5

5

5

5

ug.

81

81

81

81 

81

81 

81

81

81 

81

81

81

81

81

81

0

(1

Sep

0.5

.5

.5

,5

.5

.5

.5

5

5

Ct.

60fin

55

.55

55

.55

.55

.55

,55

,55

,55

.55

.55

55

.55

t.

4

4

4

4 

4

4 

4

4

4 

4

=>

i

1

Oct.

0.54

K4

.54

.54

.54

cr

.55

KK

.55

.60

EC

tfov.

.60

.60

Day.

1908. 

16........

17........

18.......

19.......

9fl

21 .......

99

23.......

24....... 91;

26.......

27. ......

28.......

29

Of)

31.......

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25.......

27.......

28.......

29.......

Jt

May.

0.91

93

.95

.98 

1 13

.96 

99

,93

.93 

93

93

93

.88

88

88

1 01

iiy.

.70

.70

.65

,P5

.70

.65

,60

June.

1.20

1.20

1.20

.95 

95

.95

.95

95

.95

01

.95

Aug.

.50

.55

.60

60

60

.55

.55

.55

.55

.55

.50

.50

.50

July.

0.85

.85

85

.85 

.85

.74 

.74

.74

.74 

.74

.74

.74

81

.81

.81

.81

Sept

0.5

.(.

.(.

.(.

.(.

.(

A

5

0

0

0

rf)

n

ug.

81

81

83

83- 

83

83 

83

83

78 

68

fil

63

60

58

58

58

0

Sep

0.5

5

.5

.5

.5

,5

.5

.5

,5

5

,5

Ct.

.55

.55

55

.55

.55

.55

55

.55

.60

t.

i

3

3

I

D

t 

?,

7,

}

}

»

f

Oct.

STov.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Middle Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo.,

for 1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1.. ........

2..........

3..........

6..........

7..........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13 ..........

14..........

15..........

May.

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

4

5

5

6

7

7

June.

13

14

15

24

24

24

24

24

27

34

34

37

31

31

July.

10

10

10

10

9

9

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

Aug.

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

Sept.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Oct.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Day.

1908. 

16..........

18..........

19

20..........

91

22..........

23..........

24..........

25..........

26..........

27.....-.-..

28..........

29

31..........

May.

9

10

10

00

10

10

9

g

9

9

9

7

7

7

13

June.

01

31

31

01

31

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

July.

6

6

6

6

6

3

3

3

3

3

3

5

5

Aug.

5

5

5

5

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

Sept.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Oct.
144 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Middle Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo.,

for 1908-9 Continued.

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

19

14.......

15.......

July.

25.0

oc n

22.5

21.0

19.0

17.0

16.0

15.0

13.5

12.5

Aug.

6.5

6.5

6.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5

C

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Sept.

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

C C

K e

5.5

5

C

C C

5.5

Oct.

6.5

6.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

Nov.

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

Day.

1909. 

16.......

18.......

19.......

20. ......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25. ......

26.......

97

29.......

30

31.......

July.

11.0

10.5

10.0

9.5

9.5

9.5

7.5

7.5

9.5

7.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

Aug.

5.0

5.0

5.5

6.5

6.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Sept.

5.5

5/5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

Oct.

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

Nov.

NOTE. Discharges estimated for days on which gage height was not read. 

Monthly discharge of Middle Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo., for 1908-9.

Month.

1908.

July......................................................

October 1-14. ............................................

1909. 

July......................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

23 

37 

10 

5 

1 

1

25.0 

6.5 

6.5 

6.5 

6.5

Minimum.

3 

10 

3 

1 

1 

1

6.5 

5.0 

5.0 

5.5 

6.5

Mean.

7.10 

21.2 

6.0 

4.1 

1.0 

1.0

13.5

5.55 

5.58 

5.76 

6.5

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

437 

1,260 

369 

252 

60 

28

830 

341 

332 

354 

180

MIDDLE RANCH CREEK AT LOWER STATION NEAR ARROW, COLO.

This station which was established June 4, 1907, and discontinued 

November 8, 1909, is situated about 3 miles below the upper station 

and just above the junction of the stream with North Ranch Creek. 

The drainage area is about 3^ square miles.

The datum and location of the rod gage remained constant while 

station was being maintained.
COLOKADO KIVEE BASIN. 145

measurements of Middle Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo., in 

1907-1909.

Date.

1907.

9

14

July 10

Aug. 1

5

13

20

1908.

12

July 4

11

27

Aug. 12

Sept. 29

1909. 

July 13

Aug. 2

6

13

Hydrographer.

G. M. Bull. ..............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

. ... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

. ... .do. ...................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.... .do. ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

N. O 'Daniels. ............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage.

Feet. 

1.35

1.60

2.00

1.50

1.00

1 on

.95

.90

1.40

1.65

1.16

1.05

i on

90

.97

1.40

.95

.90

.90

Discharge.

Sec. ft. 

18.5

32

64

23

6.6

6.1

4.3

3.6

27.3

33.7

9.8

6.4

5.7

20

9

8

8

Daily gage height, in feet, of Middle Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo., for

1907-1909.

Day.

1907.

1...........

2...........

3...........

4... ........

5...........

6...........

7...........

8............

9...........

10...........

Day.

1908.

1..........

2. .........

3..........

4..........

5..........

6..........

7. .........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

June

1.41

1.35

1.65

1.60

1.60

May.

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

July.

1.85

1.70

1.55

1.50

June.

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.65

1.64

1.62

Aug.

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

.95

July.

1.36

1.32

1.24

1.16

1.14

1.12

1.10

1.07

1.06

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

Day.

1907.

11............

12............

13............

14............

15............

16............

17............

18............

19............

20............

Aug.

0.98

.97

.96

.96

.96

.94

.93

.92

.92

.91

.91

.90

.90

.90

.90

Sept.

0.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

June.

1.65

2.66

2.00

1.90

1.95

Oct.

0.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

»

July.

1.40

1.40

1.20

1.15

Aug.

0.95

.95

.90

Day.

1908.

16..........

17..........

18..........

19..........

20..........

21..........

22..........

23..........

24..........

25..........

26..........

27..........

28..........

29..........

30..........

31

Day.

1907.

21............

22............

23............

24............

25............

26............

27............

28............

29............

30............

31............

May.

1.20

1.20

1 20

1,20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1,18

1.16

1.13

1.11

1.09

1.06

1.03

1.01

June.

1.60

1.58

1.56

1.54

1.52

1.50

1.48

1.46

1.44

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.39

July.

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.00

.99

.99

.98

98

June.

1.85

1.95

2.00

1.85

Aug.

0.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

.86

.82

.78

.74

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

July. Aug.

Sept.

0.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.68

.66

.63

.61

.58

.56

.54

.52

.50

.50

Oct.

......

......

......

. . . . ^.

......

95620° WSP 269 11- -10
146 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Middle Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Oolo.,for

1907-1909 Continued.

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

July.

1.65

Aug.

0.95

.90

Qfl

Sept.

0.90

.90

.90

Oct.

-

0.90

Nov.

0.95

1.10

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

20. ......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25. ......

26.......

27.......

OQ

29.......

30. ......

31.......

July. Aug.

0.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

Sept.

1.00

1.00

Oct.

0.95

Nov.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Middle Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo.,

for 1907-1909.

Day.

1907. 

1...........

2...........

3...........

4...........

5...........

6...........

7. ..........

9...........

10...........

Day.

1908. 

1..........

2..........

3..........

4.. ........

5..........

G.. ........

7. ...... ...

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

June

19 

20 

21 

18.5 

22

26 

30 

35 

32 

32

May.

12 

12 

12 

12 

12

12 

12 

12 

12 

12

12 

12 

12 

12 

12

July.

48 

48 

48 

43 

37

35 

33 

31

28 

23

June.

21 

21 

21 

21 

21

21 

21 

21 

21 

21

21 

21 

36 

35 

34

Aug.

6.6 

7 

7 

7 

6.1

7 

7 

6 

5 

4

July.

18 

16 

14 

17 

11

10

8 

8 

8 

8

8 

8 

8 

8 

8

Day.

11

12 

13 

14 

15

16 

17 

18 

19 

20

Aug.

7 

6 

6 

6 

6

6 

6 

5 

5 

5

5 

5 

5 

5 

5

1907.

Sept.

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5

2.5 

2,5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5

June.

35 

45 

55 

64 

64

59 

54 

56 

58 

53

Oct.

1.7 

1 7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7

July.

22 

20 

20 

20 

18

16 

14 

13 

13 

12

Aug.

4 

4 

4.3 

4 

4

4 

4 

4 

4 

3.6

Day.

16 

17 

18 

19 

20

21 

22 

23 

24 

25

26 

27 

28 

29 

30

31

1908.

Day.

2 

2 

2 

2 

2

2 

2 

2 

2 

3 

3

May.

12 

12 

12 

12 

12

12 

12 

12 

12 

11

10 

10

9

8 

8

19P7. 

1............

2......... ..

3............

4............

5............

6............

7............

8..... .......

9............

0..... .......

1..... .......

June.

32 

31 

30 

29 

27

26 

25 

25 

25 

21

21 

21 

21 

21 

20

July.

8 

8 

8 

8 

8

8 

8 

8 

8 

8

8 

8

7 

7 

7 

7

June.

48 

53 

58 

60 

62

64 

56 

48 

48 

48

Aug.

5 

5 

5 

5 

5

5 

5 

4 

3 

3

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2

July.

12 

11 

11 

10 

10

9 

9

8 

8 

7

7

Sept.

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5

2.4 

2.2 

2.0 

1.8 

1.6

1.4 

1.3 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1

Aug.

3 

3 

3 

3 

3

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

2

Oct.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN., 147

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Middle Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo., 

for 1907-1909 Continued.

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

July.

31.5

31.5

30

30

30

28.5

28.5

28.5

26.5

25

23.5

21.5

20

20

18.5

Aug.

9

9

9

9

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

Sept.

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

Oct.

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

8

8

8

8

8

Nov.

g

9

9

9

10

12

12

12

12

12

10

10

9

Day.

1909.

17.......

18.......

19.......

20. ......

91

99

23.......

Ol

25.......

27.......

28. ......

29.......

30.......

31.......

July.

17.5

16

14.5

13

13

13

11

11

12

11

9

9

9

9

g

9

Aug.

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

Sept.

8

8

8

9

9

g

g

10

10

10

10

10

10

9

g

Oct.

8

8

g

9

9

9

9

9

g

g

g

9

g

Nov.

NOTE. Discharges estimated for days on which gage was not read.

Monthly discharge of Middle Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, <7oZo., for 1907-

1909.

Month.

1907.

July.....................................................

1908. 

May.....................................................

July.....................................................

1909. 

July..... ................................................

Nov., 1-14 ...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

64 

48 

7

12 

36 

18 

7 

2.5 

1.7

31.5 

9 

10 

9 

12

Minimum.

19

7 

2

7 

20 

7 

2 

1.1 

1.7

9

8 

8 

8 

9

Mean.

45 

21 

5

11.3 

24.4 

9.1 

4.5 

2.20 

1.70

18.7 

8.1 

8.6 

8.7 

10.4

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

2,690 

1,290 

270

695 

1,450 

437 

277 

130 

47

1,150 

498 

512 

535 

289

SOUTH RANCH CREEK AT UPPER STATION NEAR ARROW, COLO.

This station, which was established May 1, 1908, and discontinued 

November 8, 1909, is located 2 miles from Arrow, on the Colonial 

wagon road, and at an elevation of about 10,000 feet above sea level. 

The drainage area is about 3 squares miles. The datum and location 

of the Lallie automatic gage remained constant while the station 

was tieing maintained.
148 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Discharge measurements of South Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo., in

1908-1909.

Date.

1908. 

May 6

19

26

20

July 7

19

27

29

1909. 

July 19

A Tiff 9

6

18

Hydrographer.

.....do....------.........................---..........--------.--..-......

.....do.. ....i..... ........................................................

.....do ...................................................................

..... do........ ........................................................... .

. ....do...... ............................................................ .

.....do......----.....................-.--............--.------------......

.....do-....-..--..........................--.-.........----------------...

.....do...................................................................

.....do ...................................................................

.....do....................................................................

N. O'Daniels .............................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do.. ---... ............................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.00

1.75

1 ^7

1.32

1.30

1.07

1.00

98

.85

.88

.85

6.40

.30

.25

.20

.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

33.2

1Q C

16.3

14.4

7.5

3.9

3 7

1.8

2.3

9

6

4

4

Daily gage height, in feet, of South Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo., for

1908-1909.

Day.

1908. 

1. ......

4....... 

5.......

6.......

7. ......

8.......

Q

10.......

15.......

i Day.

1909.

3.......

4. ......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8. ......

9.......

10....-.-

11.......

12.......

13

15.......

...

Jt

May.

1.00 

1 00

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1 00

1.00

1 00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.45

1.40

1.30

iiy.

D.70

.55

June.

1.25 

1.25

1.29

1.30 

1.31

1.33

1.48

1.42

1.42

1.50

1.51

1.52

1.51

1.47

Aug.

0.30

.25

.25

.25

.25

.25

.20

July.

1.15

1.12

1.11 

1 08

1.08

1.06

1.08

1 08

1.08

1.08

Sept

0.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

A

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

c

0

0

f)

 0

0

"0

ug.

97

Q7

95

95 

95

94

94

94

94

94

92

09

9?

9?

92

0

r

Sep

0.8 

.8

.R

.8 

,R

8

8

,8

.8

.8,

8,

8

.8

Ct.

25

.25

25

.25

25

.25

.25

25

25

.25

OK

25

.25

t.

1

?,

5

5

5

5

5

5

Oct.

0.84 

.84

.84

.84 

.84

.84

.84

.84

.82

.82

.82

.82

.82

.82

Nov.

0.20

.20

Day.

1908. 

16...... 

17.......

18......

19....... 

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25.......

26......

27......

28......

29......

30......

31......

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18. ......

19.......

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25.......

26.......

27.......

28. ......

29.......

30. ......

31.......

Jl

May.

1.30 

1.40

1.40

1.60 

1.33

1.33

1.33

1.33

1 33

1.33

1 33

1.28

1 25

1.24

1 24

iiy1 30

June.

1.45 

1.41

1.38

1.32 

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.28

1.27

1.25

1.24

1.23

1.17

Aug.

0.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

July.

1.04 

1.04

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.00

1.00

.98

.98

.98

.98

.98

.97

Q7

.97

.97

Sept

0.2

.2

A

0

5

5

ug.

92 

92

90

90 

90

on

on

90

89

87

85

85

QC

85

84

O

0

Sep

0.8

.8.

8.

.& 

.R

0

.8,

8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.R

Ct.

.25

25

.25

.25

25

.25

25

,25

.20-

t.

5=;

5

5

i

?,

4

5

Oct.

Mov.
COLOBADO EIVEK BASIN. 149

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of South Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo.,

for 1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1. ......

2.......

3.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

5. ......

6.......

7.......

8.......

g

10.......

11.......

12.......

1 3

Jl

May.

5

a

a

a

a

a

a

5

a

5

 20

17

17

13

iiy.

717

7:7

7,7 74 a

74 a

7?: H

Tfi

17.5

7 5

a

5

June.

12

12

13

13

14

14

20

18

18

22

22

9S

22

22

21

Aug.

6

6

,5

5

5

July.

8

8

8

7

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

 6

6

6

Sept

A

4

4

4

4

5

4

4

4

4

4

ug1ft i.ft

1.8

1,8

1,8

1 0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1 0

2 ft 2 ft

a. 9

2 ft

3.9

6

Ser.

1

i

1

1

1

1

1

1

i

i

1

i

1

i

1

3t.

5

5

5

5

fi

fi

5

c

5

c

5

5

t.

3

4

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

Oct.

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

Nov.

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

Day.

1908. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

20.......

21......

22.......

23.......

24.......

25.......

26.......

28.......

29......

30......

31 ......

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18.......

19.......

20. ......

21.......

22. ......

23. ......

24. ......

25.......

26. ......

27.......

28. ......

29.......

30.......

31.......

Ji

May.

.13

17

17

27

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

13

13

12

11

11

iiy3

1

1

9

9

9

9

7.5

7.5

7 5

7 5

7.5

6

6

6

6

June.

20

18

17

14

13

13

13

13

13

12

12

11

11

9

9

Aug.

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4-

4

4

4

July.

5

5

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

Sept

A

4

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

ug2 ft

2 9

2 5

7 5

2.5

2 5

2,5

2.5

2 4

2,1

1.8

1 8

1,8

1.8

1 8

1 8

O

Sep

1

1

1

1

1.

1

1

1.

1

1

1

1

1

1

ot.

5

5

5

5

5

5

4

4

4

4

t.

3

3

*

*

R

R

R

R

5

7

R

Oct.

Nov.

NOTE. Discharges estimated for days on which gage was not read. 

Monthly discharge of South Ranch Creek at upper station near Arrow, Colo., for 1908-5

Month.

1908. 

May......................................................

July......................................................

Oct. 1-14 .................................................

1909. 

July......................................................

Nov. 1-14 ................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

27 

23 

8 

3.9 

1.8 

1.7

27 

6 

5 

5 

4

Minimum.

5 

9 

3.7 

1.8 

1.3 

1.4

6 

4 

4 

4 

4

Mean.

11.4 

15.5 

5.17 

2.74 

1.71 

1.57

14.5 

4.39 

4.43 

4.74 

4.0

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

701 

922 

318 

168 

102 

44

892 

270 

264 

291 

111
150 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

SOUTH RANCH CREEK AT LOWER STATION NEAR ARROW, COLO.

This station, which was established June 3, 1907, and discontinued 

November 8, 1909, is located about 2 miles below the upper station 

and just above the junction of the South Fork with the Middle Fork. 

The drainage area is about 5 square miles.

The datum and location of the rod gage remained constant while 

the station was being maintained.

Discharge measurements of South Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo., in

1907-1909.

Date.

1907.

9

26

July 5

12

13

20

1908.

11

27

Aug. 31

Sept. 8

29

1909. 

July 13

Aug. 2

13

Hydrographer.

G. M. Bull. ..............................................................

.....do....................................................................

..... do.................................. ................................ ..

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

.....do....................................................................

Gage 

heignt.

Feet. 

1.75

2.00

1.95

1.55

1.25

.65

.55

.60

1.60

.90

.70

.50

.49

.49

.50

.60

.20

.15

.15

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

28

36

31

17.1

10.3

4.1

2.7

18.2

8.8

4.9

3.2

3.3

1.3

-10

5

Daily gage height, in feet, of South Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo., for

1907-1909.

Day.

1907. 

1.. ..........

2............

3............

4............

5............

6............

7............

8............

9............

10............

June.

1.-75

1.75

2.05

2.0

2.0

July.

1.6

1.55

1.5

1.35-

Aug.

0.7

.65

.6

Day.

1907. 

11............

12............

13............

14............ i P;

16............

17............

18............

19............

20............

June.

2.05

2.1

2.2

2.15

2.15

July.

1.25

1.35

9

.85

Aug.

0.6

.55

.6

Day.

1907. 

21............

22............

23............

24............

25............

26............

27............

28............

29............

30............

31............

June.

2.0

2.0

1.95

1.8

July. Aug.
COLOBADO EIVBE BASIN. 151

Daily gage height, in feet, of South Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo., for

1907-1909 Continued.

Day.

1908. 

1. ...... 

2....... 

3.......

4.......

5.......

6....... 

7........

8....... 

9....... 

10. ......

11....... 

12.......

13....... 

14....... 

15.......

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11. ......

12....

13. ......

14.......

15.......

3\

 May.

1.50 

1.50

1.50

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.50

1.50 

1.50

ny.

0.80

.60

June.

1.15 

1.22 

1.28

1.34

1.40

1.47 

1.53

1.60 

1.60 

1.60

1.58 

1.58

1.55 

1.53 

1.50

Aug.

0.20

.15

.15

July.

1.00 

.99

Qfi

Q°.

.90

.86 

.82

.79 

.76

7*J

.70

.63 

.60 

60

Sept

0.1

.2

.]

A

0

0

n

5

5

ug50 

50

CA

50 

50

50 

50

50

50 

50

O

Sep

0.4 

.4

.4 

.4

.4 

.4

.4

.4 

.4

Ct.

«5

?,5

t.

9

9

H

H

9

-)

}

9 

9

3

i 

3

3 

S 

3

Oct.

0.49 

.49 

49

49

.49

.49 

.49

.49 

.49 

.49

.49 

49

.49 

.49

Nov.

0.25

Day.

1908. 

16....... 

17.......

19

20....... 

21..'.....

Oo

23....... 

24....... 

25.......

26....... 

27.......

28....... 

29....... 

i(\

Day.

1909.

17.......

18.......

19.......

20.......

21.......

22.......

OO

24.......

25.......

26. ......

27......

28.......

29.......

30.......

31.......

Ji

May.

1.50 

1.52 i "^

1.56

1.58

1.59 

1 60

1.50 

1.40

1.20 

1.19

1.18 

1.18 

1.16

1.15

iiy020

June.

1.48 

1.45

1.37 

1.33

1.27 

1.25

1.20 

1.19

1.18 

1.17

Aug.

0.20

.15

.15

.10

.10

July.

0.60 

.60

.60

.60

.60 

.60

.55 

.55 

.55

.55 

.55

.55 

.55 

.55

.55

Sept

0.?

.£

A

0

0

5

5

ug.

50 

50 

50

50

49

49 

49

49 

49 

49

49 

49

49 

49 

49

49

O

f

Sep

0.4 

.4 

,4

.4

.4

.4 

.4

.4 

.4

.4

.4 

.4

.4 

.4 

.4

Ct.

95

t.

5 

9

}

}

3

J

}

J 

) 

}

)

1

) 

9

}

Oct.

......

tfov.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of South Ranch Creek' at lower station near Arrow, Colo.,

for 1907-1909.

Day.

1907. 

1... .........

2............

3............

5............

6............

7............

8............

9............

10............

June.

27

27

28

28

31

34

37

39

36

36

July.

24

23

22

20

17

17

17

17

17

Aug.

4

4

4.1

3

3

3

3

Day.

1907. 

11............

12............

13............

15............

16............

17............

18............

19............

20............

June.

39

40

41

42

46

45

44

44

44

40

July.

12

10

12

12

8

6

Aug.

3

3

2.7

3

3

3

3

2

2

2.5

Day.

1907. 

21............

22............

23............

24............

25............

26............

27. ...........

28............

29............

30 ~

31............

June.

"36

36

36

34

32

31

29

27

26

25

July.

5

fl

5

5

5

5

5

4

4

Aug.

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1
152 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of South Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo.,

for 1907-1909 Continued.

Day.

1908. 

1. ......

2.......

3.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13-...--.

14.......

15.......

Day.

1909. 

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7..--...

8.......

9.......

10..---..

11.......

13.......

14. ......

15.......

Jl

May.

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

ny.

26.5

25

25

23.5

23.5

21.5

21.5

21.5

20

18

16.5

15

15

3.5

June.

12

is

14

15

16

18

19

19

19

18

18

17

17

16

Aug.

5

5

5

5

4

4

4

4

July.

8

8

8

7

7

7.6

6.5

6.5

6.5

5.4

5.4

5.4

4.5

4.2

Sept

A

3

3

3

3

5

5

4

ugH.2

3 9

3 ?,

3 9

3 9

*.?,

3.2

3,2

3.2

3.2

3 9

3.2

3.2

3 9

p

Sep

ct,

fi

6

6

6

6

6

fi

6

6

6

6

6

t.

3

9

1

3

t

3

Oct.

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

Nov.

6

6

6

6

6

5

4

4

4

Day.

1908. 

16.......

18.......

19

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

25

26.......

27.......

28.......

29.......

sn

31.......

Day.

1909. 

16.......

17.......

18. ......

19.......

20.......

21.......

22.......

23.......

24. ......

26.......

27.......

28. ......

29.......

30.......

31.......

Jl

May.

15

16

17

17

18

18

18

16

14

13

11

11

11

11

10

10

iiy13.5

11.5

11.5

11.5

10.5

10.5

9

9

7-5

7.5

6.5

6.5

6

5

5

June.

16

15

15

15

16

14

13

12

12

12

12

11

11

11

11

Aug.

4

5

5

5

4

4

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

July.

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4

4

4

4

Sept

4

5

5

5

5

6

6

6.

6.

6.

6

6

6

6

6

A

5

5

5

Ug1.2

3.2

3.2

3 9

3.1

3 T

H.I

3 1

3.1

t 1

3 1

t 1

? 1

3.1

t 1

? 1

O

Sep

ct.

6

fi

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

fi

6

t.

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

}

3

}

Oct.

Nov.

NOTE. Discharges estimated for days on which gage was not read. 

Monthly discharge of South Ranch Creek at lower station near Arrow, Colo., for 1907-1909,

Month.

1907.

July.....................................................

1908. 

May.................................. ..................

July. ....................................................

Oct. 1-14................... .............................

1909. 

July.....................................................

Nov. 1-14................................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

46 

24 

4

18 

19 

8 

3.2 

3 

3

26.5 

5 

6.5 

6 

6

Minimum.

25 

4 

1

10 

11 

4 

3.1 

3 

3

5 

3 

3

6 

4

Mean.

35 

11 

3

14.5 

14.7 

5.15 

3.16 

3.0 

3.0

14.5 

4.0 

4.75 

6.0 

4.86

Run-off- 

(total in 

acre-feet).

2,120 

668 

164

892 

875 

317 

194 

179 

84

892 

245 

283 

369 

135
COLOBAIX) RIVER BASIN. 153

WILLIAMS FORK BASIN. 

WILLIAMS FORK NEAR SULPHUR SPRINGS, COLO.

Williams Fork rises in the Williams River Mountains and flows 

northwestward, joining Grand River in the central part of Middle 

Park.

The gaging station was established July 25, 1904, to obtain data 

for use in connection with the development of the stream for power, 

storage, and irrigation. It is located near the mouth of the stream, 

at the wagon bridge on the ranch of F. A. Field, about 9 miles west 

of Hot Sulphur Springs, Colo. The nearest railroad point is Parshall, 

a station on the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific Railroad.

The drainage area is about 200 square miles.

The station is below all tributaries. A number of irrigation ditches 

divert water below the station, and it is possible that in the future a 

tunnel will divert water from the headwaters of Williams Fork to the 

headwaters of Clear Creek in the Platte drainage basin. Some work 

has been done toward the construction of a reservoir and power plant 

a couple of miles downstream from the station. (See PI. IV, A.)

Springs keep the ice from getting very thick at this station, but 

slush ice occurs frequently throughout the winter. The morning 

readings are usually distorted as the result of ice at the gage, but the 

afternoon readings indicate the open-water stage closely.

No change has been made in the location or in the datum of the 

staff gage at the bridge during the maintenance of the station.

Results are satisfactory. During low stages in the winter the flow 

is constant, being nearly all from springs.

Discharge measurements of Williams Fork near Sulphur Springs, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Mar. 11

Aug. 8

Oct. 14

Hydrographers.

C. L. Chatfleld ............................................

.....do.....................................................

.... .do. ....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

26

47

49 '54

48

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

42

60

82

139

91

72.4

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.20

3.40

3.76

5.00

3.62

3.47

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

44

64

152

1,110

145

105
154 STJBFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Williams Fork near Sulphur Springs, Colo.,for 1909.

[F. A. Field, observer.]

Day.

1... ............

2..--.-...-.....

4...............

5...............

6...............

7..-..---.......

8.---.-.---.....

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

10...............

17............... 

18.----..........

19.. .............

20. ..............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24. ..............

25...............

26. ..............

27.--.---........

28. ..............

29. ..............

30. ..............

31...............

Jan.

3.20

3.20

3.25

3.23

3.22

3.22

3.16

3.16

3.14

3.10

3.10

3.12

3.12

3.14

3.14

3.14

3.18 

3.20

3.20

3.15

3.15

3.16

3.12

3.14

3.12

3.12

3.15

3.15

3.20

Feb.

3.20

3.20

3.16

3.16

3.14

3.12

3.12

3.10

3.12

3.12

3.10

3.12

3.12

3.12 

3.12

3.12

3.10

3.10

3.11

3.12

3.12

3.12

3.13

3.12

3.13

Mar.

3.13

3.15

3 17

3 1 Q

3.15

3.16

3.22

3 99

3 99

3.20

3.22 

3.22

3.22

3 99

3.23

3.22

3 OK

3.22

3.25

3.28

3.28

3.28

3.27

Apr.

3.22

3.28

S

on

3

9K

3.27

3.32

3.28

3.32

3.40

3.30

3 97

3.27

3

0,1

3.38

3 4.9

3.46

0 OQ

3.36

3.41

3.44

3.54

3 Eft

3.45

May.

3.43

3.41

3.43

3.60

3.75

3.77

3.75

3.79

3.90

3.96

3.98

3.88

3.92

3.97

4.04

4 09

4.17

4.22

4.25

4.18

4 09

4.02

4.01

4.13

4.18

4.04

4.12

June.

4.11

4.18

4.22

4.40

4.56

4.66

4.75

4.85

4.78

4.77

4.74

4.76

4.75

4.80

4.98 

5.15

5.28

K 9Q

5.12

5.12

5.16

5.14

4.96

4 96

4.92

4.96

July.

4.88

4.85

4.77

4.94

5.00

4.76

4.68

4.66

4 58

4.46

4.36

4.23

4.14

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.06

3.98

3.90

4.02

4.07

4.02

3.96

3.87

3.85

3.70

Aug.

3.81

3

7K

3.69

3.64

3 66

3.69

3.65

3.64

3.66

3.65

3.71

3.62

3

CQ

3.56

3.93,

3.76

3.80

3.68

3.69

3.66

3.61

3.57

3.60

3.58

3.70

Sept.

3.76

3.68

3.61

3.60

3.61

3.67

3.71

o 79

3.62

O gg

3.66

3.74

3.68

3.61

3

CQ

3.58

3.60

3.60

3

C7

3.54

3.49

Oct.

3.48

3.46

3.44

3.44

3.43

3.50

3.39

3.49

3.48

3.44

3.46

3.46

3.43

3.42

3.41 

3.40

3.40

3.39

3.40

3.39

3.41

3.38

3.39

3.34

3.36

3.35

3.34

3.33

3.32

Nov.

3.33

3.35

3.32

3.32

3.26

3.24

3.18

3.12

3.14

3.18

3.35

3.18

3 9O

3.12

3.10

3.12

3.32

3.30

3.36

3

0ft

3.32

3.30

3.38

3.30

Dec.

3.26

3.20

3.12

3.10

3.12

3.10

3.10

3.10

3.10

3.12

3.10

3 in

3.10

3.10 

3.10

3.10

3.12

3.10

3.12

3.10

3.15

3.18

3.16

3.18

NOTE. Ice conditions-from Jan. 1 to Apr. 15 and from Nov. 11 to Dec. 31. The afternoon readings are 

given as the mean for the day during these ice periods, as they are less affected by ice.

Daily disclmrge, in second-feet, of Williams Fork near Sulphur Springs, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1.. .............

2.. ........... ..

3...----..-.....

5..-..--........

6...............

7....-.----.....

8..------....-..

g

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14..----.........

15...............

16...............

17...----........

IS...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26..... ..........

27...............

28.. .............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

44

44

51

48

47

47

39

39

32

32

34

34

37

37

42

44

44

42

38

38

39

34

34

37

34

34

38

38

44

Feb.

44

44

42

39

39

34

37

34

34

32

34

34

32

34

34

34

34

34

34

32

32

33

34

34

34

36

34

36

Mar.

36

38

40

44

38

42

38

38.

QQ

44

45

47

47

47

44

47

47

47

47

48

44

42

47

51

47

C1

55

55

54

Apr.

47

55

58

51

54

58

61

55

61

75

61

58

54

54

65

56

61

68

75

62

58

58

69

66

68

71

91

95

82

73

May.

69

66

69

104

148

155

148

162

184

204

230

239

196

196

173

213 235-

274

269

295

342

374

395

348

295

258

253

318

348

269

312

June.

306

348

374

510

656

755

848

952

1,000

879

868

837

900

858

848

905

1,090

1,270

1.410

1,410

1,240

1,-240

1,270

1,280

1,320

1,260

1,070

1,070

1,030

1,070

July.

985

955

875

1,050

1,110

865

786

767

729

692

588

510

480

420

400

345

345

345

325

286

250

305

345

330

305

277

238

230

172

Aug.

230

214

191

169

153

159

169

156

156

153

159

156

176

146

138

175

91 Q

264

195

180

166

169

159

143

132

140

132

172

Sept.

195

166

143

140

143

162

218

176

180

202

180

146

159

159

187

172

166

143

138

135

140

140

132

125

120

118

115

113

Oct.

Ill

107

103

103

101

107

115

115

94

113

111

103

107

107

101

99

97

95

95

94

95

94

97

92

94

86

89

88

86

84

83

Nov.

84

88

83

83

75

70

73

66

60

62

66

88

66

66

68

60

58

58

60

95

83

78

80

89

89

83

80

58

92

80

Dec.

75

68

63

60

58

60

60

58

58

58

58

60 60

58

58

58

58

58

58

60

60

58

58

60

60

60

63

63

66

64

66

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Jan. 1 to Apr. 15, not well 

defined; Apr. 16 to June 15 fairly well denned; June 16 to Dec. 31, well denned.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 155

Monthly discharge of Williams Fork near Sulphur Springs, Colo.,for 1909.

Month.

May...............................................

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

51 

44 

55 

95 

395 

1,410 

1,110 

264 

218 

113 

95 

75

1,410

Minimum.

32 

32 

36 

47 

66 

306 

172 

130 

113 

83 

58 

58

32

Mean.

39.3 

35.3

45.4 

64.0 

230 

962 

517 

169 

153 

98.9 

74.7 

60.7

204

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

2,420 

1,960 

2,790 

3,810 

14,100 

57,200 

31,800 

10,400 

9,100 

6,080 

4,440 

3,730

148,000

Accuracy.

C. 

C. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

B.

EAGLE RIVER BASIN. 

EAGLE RIVER AT GYPSUM, COLO.

This station, which was established February 7, 1907, to replace 

the station at Eagle, a few miles above, is located at the highway 

bridge one-fourth mile north of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad 

station at Gypsum. It was discontinued December 31, 1909.

Gypsum Creek, the only tributary of consequence, enters about 

one-eighth mile below the station. The drainage area above mouth 

of Gypsum Creek is about 800 square miles.

A number of ditches divert watei for irrigation, but such ditches 

are small, as in most places the valley is narrow.

The stream is frozen along the edges during the winter, and some 

slush and anchor ice also forms, but the river usually remains open 

in midstream.

The location and datum of the chain gage on the highway bridge 

have remained the same during the maintenance of the station. 

Discharge measurements are made from the bridge.

The channel is permanent, but measurements are only fairly satisfactory because of the rough and rocky bottom. Winter records are 

affected by ice and are only fairly accurate.

Discharge measurements of Eagle River at Gypsum, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Mar. 14

Apr. 19

June 206

July 14

July 24

Aug. 8

Oct. 9

Ilydrographer.

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

W. H. Snelson, jr. .........................................

.....do............................... .....................

W. B. Freeman...........................................

W. H. Snelson, jr. .........................................

G . H . Russell ..............................................

Width.

Feet. 

92

80

94

96

96

96

96

85

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

138

213

632

342

330

255

206

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.80

2.35

3.20

7.72

4.52

4.43

3.60

3.2

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

107

120

408

5,720

1.300

1,190

564

341

o Ice; made by wading.

& Subsurface velocity method used. Coefficient of 80 per cent. Stay line used.
156 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Eagle River at Gypsum, Colo., for 1909. 

[J. F. Greenland, observer.]

Day.

2...............

3...............

5.. .............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...--........-.

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

IS...............

19

20. ..............

21...............

22. ..............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30. ..............

31...............

Jan.

9 Q

2.75

9 7

2.65

2.6

2.65

2.6

2.6

2.55

2.8

2

C

2 5

2.45

2.4

2.4

2.4

2 A

2.45

2 45

2.4

9 4

2 4

2.4

2.35

Feb.

2.45

9 t\

2.6

2.6

9 £>%

9 tt

9 *\t\

9 %

2

c

2.45

2.45

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2 45

2 AC

9 %

2 5

Mar.

2

C

2 7

2 65

9 Z

2.5

2

C

2

K

2.45

2

C

2 45

2.45

2

C

2

CC

2

CK

2

K

2.5

9 ^

2

c

2

R

2.5

2.5

2.5

Apr.

2.5

2

C

2:5

2

C

2

C

2

C

2

C

9 %

2.5

2

CK

2.6

2.6

2 ft

2.6

2

(*£

3 1 ^

3.2

3 9

3 AC

9 Q

2

QK

9 Q

3.2

3

OC

3.4

3.3

May.

3 9

3

1

3 0

3 1 %

3 55

3 OK

3.95

4 00

3

QC

4.2

4.3

4.0

4.05

4.0

4.2

4 05

4.4

4 65

4.85

4.95

5 A

5 45

5.35

4.7

4.6

4.75

C 0

5.5

4.7

June.

4.4

4.45

4.5

5 7

6 9

6.6

6.8

6.65

6.6

6.4

6 OK

6 4

6.4

6.3

6.35

6.25

6.2

6.55

7 At)

6.65

6.75

6 Q

6.75

6.75

6.5

6.35

6.4

July.

6.3

6.3

6.5

6.55

6.4

6.05

5.7

5.4

5.1

5.0

4.8

4 £.

4.5

4.5

4 5

4.4

4.4

4 45

4 5

4.3

4 2

4.2

4

qe

4 25

4.1

4.05

3 95

4.0

4 0

4.0

Aug.

3 7

3.6

3

C

3

C

3.55

3.7

3

0

3 Q

3

0

3 7

3

CC

3.45

3.45

4.1

4.4

4 15

3 7

3.6

3.65

3.65

3.65

3.5

3

CC

3.6

3.65

3.85

Sept.

3.8

3.75

3.7

3.7

3 7

3.8

3.95

4.0

3.85

3.7

3.6

5.5

Q C

3.5

Q K

3.45

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.25

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.1

Oct.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3 A

2.95

2.95

2.95

3.0

3.05

3.05 °. n

3.0 °. n

2

QC

2 95

2.95

2.95

2 95

2.9

2.9

2 Q

2.9

2.9

2.85

2.85

2

Q

2

Q

Nov.

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.75

2.75

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2

0

2.8

2.8

2

Q

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

Dec.

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

9 B

9 P.

2.8

2.8

2.8

2

0

2.8

2

0

2 Q

9 S

2

0

9 S

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2 75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

NOTE. Ice conditions from Jan. 1 to 14.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Eagle River at Gypsum, Colo., for 1909.

Day.

1.. .............

2...............

3...............

4............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12............. .

13...............

14...............

15...............

16.............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20. ..............

21.......... ....

22..............

23...............

24. ..............

25...............

26. ..............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

i44

132

132

132

132

132

132

144

144

132

122

132

132

132

132

132

Feb.

155

181

 168

155

144

132

132

132

132

132

132

155

155

Mar.

155

155

209

195

155

155

144

144

144

144

144

181

155

155

168

168

155

155

155

155

155

155

Apr.

155

155

155

155

155

155

155

155

168

181

181

181

181

195

368

389

389

368

326

326

389

520

491

438

May.

389

346

307

368

578

779

890

852

1 140

890

930

890

1 060 '930

1,240

1,500

2,460

2,330

1 440

1,610

2,520

1,840

June.

1,290

1,340

2 790

3,330

3,860

4,230

4,000

3,930

3,630

3,560

3,630

3,630

3 480

3,400

3,330

3,860

5,190

4,000

4,380

4,160

3,780

3,560

July.

3 480

3 480

3' 780

3 860

3,630

3,110

2 630

2*250

2,250

1,900

1,790

1,570

1.270

1,270

1,270

1,270

1,170

1,170

1,220

1,270

1,080

985

985

1,120

1,030

900

860

782

820

820

820

Aug.

550

550

490

490

642

520

610

642

675

610

520

462

900

1,170

580

580

580

490

520

550

580

710

Sept.

675

642

610

610

610

675

782

820

710

610

550

490

490

490

490

490

462

435

435

435

435

410

385

385

362

340

300

300

300

300

Oct.

265

265

265

265

265

248

248

248

265

282

282

265

265

265

248

248

248

248

248

248

248

230

230

230

230

230

215

215

215

200

200

Nov.

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

185

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

Dec.

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

200

185

185

185

185

185

185

185

185

185

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Jan. 15 to June 4, well defined 

above a discharge of 100 second-feet. June 5 to Dec. 31, well defined between discharges of 300 and 1,800 

second-feet. Jan. 1 to 14, ice conditions; daily discharge estimated at 110 second-feet.
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 157

Monthly discharge of Eagle River at Gypsum, Colo.,for 1909.

nth.

July...............................................

The year. ...................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

]J4 

181 

209 

520 

2,520 

5,190 

3,860 

1,170 

820 

282 

200 

200

5,190

Minimum.

132

144 

155 

307 

1,240 

782 

462 

300 

200 

185 

185

Mean.

123 

148 

159 

262 

1,270 

3,570 

 1,740 

611 

501 

246 

198 

196

752

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

7,560 

8,220 

9,780 

15,600 

78, 100 

212,000 

107,000 

37,600 

29,800 

15,100 

11,800 

12,100

545,000

Accuracy.

B. 

A.. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

B.

ROARING FORK BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

Roaring Fork, which enters the Grand at Glenwood Springs, drains 

a large area lying chiefly in Pitkin County and reaching, to the Continental Divide. It is one of the largest tributaries of the Grand. 

Frying Pan and Crystal rivers are its most important branches.

ROARING FORK NEAR EMMA, COLO.

This station, which is located on a steel highway bridge about 1^ 

miles below Emma, a station on the Aspen branch of the Denver & 

Rio Grande Railroad, was established July 19, 1908. It was discontinued September .30, 1909.

Frying Pan River joins Roaring Fork about 3 miles above the station, and Sopris Creek comes in above the station near Emma. The 

drainage area at the station is more than 500 square miles.

A few small ditches divert water above the station, principally for 

meadow irrigation. The only important power plant above the 

station is that at Aspen, Colo., which generates 1,000 horsepower.

The stream at this point is not so much affected by ice as at other 

stations in that vicinity, and the channel is frequently open during 

the winter. Slush ice is common.

A staff gage was used until August 27, 1908, at which time a chain 

gage was established on the bridge with a datum 0.10 foot above that 

of the staff gage. Gage heights are all referred to the datum of the 

chain gage.

Results at this station are satisfactory except when affected by ice 

during very severe winters.
158 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Discharge measurements of Roaring Fork near Emma, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

July 12

Oct. 12

Hydrographer.

C.L.Chatfleld..... ........................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

80

100

100

117

117

64

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

125

133

184

957

657

402

249

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.40

3.50

3.96

9.85

7.15

5.30

4.50

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

206

225

375

7,080

2,870

939

586

a Open channel.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Roaring Fork near Emma, Colo., for 1909. 

[W. R. Hood, observer.]

Day.

2...........................

3....-..--------.---.---....

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13....-.-..--------.-........

14...........................

15....---.-.-.-..............

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20......................... .

21 ...........................

22.........................

23...........................

24.........................

25..........................

26...........................

27........ ...................

28.........................

29.........................

30...........................

31 ...........................

Jan.

3.7

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.6

3.6

3.55

3.55

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.5

3.65

3

CC

3

C

3.5

3 AC

3

C

3

AK

3.5

3

C

3.5

3.4

3.4

3 A

3

C

3.45

3.35

3.5

Feb.

3.5

3.55

3.5

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.5

3

C

3.5

3.5

3.5

3

AK

3.45

3.35

3.4

3.4

3 A

3

0

3 A

3.45

3 A

3.4

3.45

3 A

3.3

3

0C

Mar.

3.45

3.4

3 A

3.4

3.45

3.5

3 45

3.35

3.35

3.4

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.4

3 A

3.5

3

C

3

C

3

C

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.55

3

CC

3.55

3.6

3.6

3

CC

3.55

3.6

Apr.

3.5

3.5

3.65

3.75

3.7

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.45

3.45

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.6

4

0

4.5

4.5

4.2

4

nc

3 9

3.95

4.0

4

0

4.55

4 65

4.55

4.3

May.

4.2

4.2

4 1 P*

4.5

4.95

5.2

5.4

C fiC

5.45

5.6

5.75

5

7C

5.6

5.55

C A

5.7

5.65

6.0

6,2

6 45

6. .5

6.75

6.7

ft oc

6.6

7.0

7.05

6.2

6.15

June.

6.1

6.0

ft <;

7.2

8.05

8.5

8.6

9 n

9.25

9.15

9.05

9 10

9.4

9.2

9 0

9.6

9 7

10.1

10.1

9 85

9 it.

9.6

9.7

9 7

9 A

9 1 ^

8

QC

July.

9 1

8.8

9.3

8.65

8.2

7.8

7.65

7.5

7.2

7.05 6 9'

6.8

6.7

6.6

6.4

6.3

6 4

' 6.2

6.2

6.3

6.25

6.2

6.05

6.1

5

Q

% 7

5 fi

5.5

Aug.

5.4

5.5

5.4

5.35

5.15

5.3

5.3

S

O.

5.5

5.45

5.4

5.35

5.5

5.3

r; -i

5.1

5.45

6.1

6.1

c fiC

5 7

5.45

5.4

5.5

5 A

5.2

<; 9

5.1

5

QK

5.5

5.85

Sept.

5.65

5.45

5 A

5.4

5.75

6.1

6.4

6.0

5.85

5.7

c .55

5

C

5.6

5.55

5.6

5.65

5.45

5 A

5.3

5.2

5.15

5.1

5.1

5.0

4 Q

4.8

4.85

4.75

4.7

NOTE. Mush lee running during portions of January, February, and first few days of March. Effect 

on monthly means probably slight.
COLOKAJX) EIVEK .BASIN. 159 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Roaring Fork near Emma, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1..... ......................

2...........................

3...........................

5...........................

0. ..........................

7......................... .

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20......................... .

21 ......................... .

22...........................

23...........................

24....................... . .

25..........................

26...........................

27...........................

28......................... .

29.....

30...........................

31 ...........................

Jan.

285

255

255

255

225

?tt

240

240

225

200

225

270

240

225

225

212

225

212

225

225

225

200

200

200

OOK

225

212

188

225

Feb.

225

240

225

OEC

225

225

225

225

225

225

225

212

212

212

188

200

212

200

200

175

200

212

200

200

212

200

175

188

Mar.

212

200

200

OflA

212

212

212

188

188

200

188

200

200

225

225

225

99<\

255

255

255

240

240

240

255

255

240

240

255

Apr.

225

225

270

285

225

225

200

212

212

255

99 1;

225

225

255

338

505

595

595

465

408

355

372

390

505

620

670

620

505

May.

465

465

445

840

1,000

1,140

1,340

1,180

1,300

1,420

1,420

1,300

1,260

1,140

1,380

1,340

1,650

1,840

2,090

2,090

2,420

2,520

2,360

1,890

1,890

2, 250

2,690

2,750

1,840

1,790

June.

1,740

1,650

2,140

2,930

4,060

4,750

4,910

5,590

6,020

5,840

5,680

5,760

6,270

5,840

5,930

5,590

6, 630

6,810

7,530

7,530

7,080

6,900

6,630

6,810

6,810

6,270

6,180

5,840

5.500

5,500

July.

5,160

5,840

5,760

5,250

6,100

5,000

4.280

3,700

3,500

3,300

2,930

2,750

2,580

2,470

2,360

2,250

2,040

1,940

2,040

1,940

1,840

1,840

1,940

1,890

1,840

1,700

1,740

1,560

1,380

1,300

1,220

Aug.

1,140

1,220

1,140

1,100

965

1,070

1,070

1,070

1,220

1,180

1,140

1,100

1,220

1,070

930

930

1,180

1,740

1,740

1,340

1,380

1,180

1,140

1,220

1,140

1,000

1,000

930

1,100

1,220

1,520

Sept.

1,340

1,180

1,140

1,140

1,420

1,740

2,040

1,650

1,520

1,380

1,260

1,220

1,300

1,260

1,300

1,340

1,260

1,180

1,140

1,070

1.000

965

930

930

870

810

750

780

722

695

NOTE. These discharges are based on a rating curve well defined between 150 and 7,500 second-feet. 

Monthly discharge of Roaring Fork near Emma, Colo.,for 1909.

Month.

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

285 

255 

255 

670 

2,750 

7,530 

6,100 

1,740 

2,040

Minimum.

175 

175 

188 

200 

445 

1,650 

1,220 

930 

695

Mean.

227 

211 

221 

364 

1,490 

5,560 

2,890 

1,170 

1,180

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

14,000 

11, 700 

13,600 

21,700 

91,600 

331,000 

178,000 

71,900 

70,200

804,000

Accuracy.

B. 

B.

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A.

ROARING FORE AT GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLO.

This station, which was established April 6, 1906, is located at the 

mouth of the stream on a single-span wooden road bridge, about 500 

feet above the junction of Grand River and Roaring Fork, and about 

four blocks west of Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs. It was discontinued September 30, 1909.

A number of small irrigation ditches divert water from the main 

stream and tributaries. Three important power plants, located on 

Crystal River, Yule Creek, and Maroon and Castle creeks, develop
160 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

about 2,100 horsepower. A number of smaller plants are also in 

operation in this drainage area.

Surface ice rarely forms solid across the river at this station, 

although slush and anchor ice are common. Extremely high stages 

of Grand River may affect the flow at this station to a small degree.

Neither the location nor the datum of the chain gage on the bridge 

has been changed during the maintenance of the station.

As the stream bed is very rough conditions are unfavorable for 

accurate measurements. The channel is, however, fairly permanent, 

and the results are satisfactory.

Discharge measurements of Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Jan. 13«

Mar. l&z

30

Oct. 10

Hydrographer.

C.L.Chatfield.. ...........................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.......... ...........................................

Width.

Feet. 

140

45

55

179

172

166

157

153

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

142

148

291

1,200

1,030

601

292

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.05

1.20

2.00

7.46

6.68

4 OR

2.70

2.25

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

389

362

1,010

10,500

8,410

1,310

90S

a Slush ice in sections. Results rough.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs, Colo., for 1909. 

[Mrs. J. W. Johnson, observer.]

Day.

1. ..........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11..............................

12............................. 13.......'.:..................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21 ...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26............................

27...........................

28

29. ...........................

30. ..........................

31...........................

Jan.

1.15

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.35

1 ^

1.25

1.2

1.2

1.15

1.3

1 ?

1.25

1.2

1.15

1.2 '

1.2

1.15

1 OC

1.25

1 1 f»

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.15

1.1

1.0

Feb.

111

1 9

1 9

111

1.15

1 9

1 9

1.2

1.15

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.15

1.1

1.05

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.0

Mar.

1.15

1 9

1.15

1.2

1.2

1 9^

1.25

1 9

1.1

1.15

1 1 f»

1.2

1 o

1 9^

1.25

1.3

1.25

1 9.

1.3

1 °.

1.25

1 3

1 9fi

1.3

1 3

1 3

1.25

1.3

1 Q

Apr.

1.3 i ?>;

1.4

1.45

1.5

1 AC.

1.4

1 Qfi

1 ^f»

1.4

1 4K

1.4

1 3

1.4

1.4

1.6

1.7

2.2

2.25

2

0

2.0

1 fi

1.8

1.8

1.85

2.05

2 OK

2.5

2.4

2.2

May.

2.0

2.0

2.05

2.3

2.8

q AK

3.1

O QC

3.4

3.5

3.7

3.7

3.4

3.2

3.1

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.85

A 9

4.15

4 AT.

4.45

4.3

3

QK

3.85

4

AK

4.7

4.1 -

June.

3.7

3.55

4.2

4.85

5.6

6.35

6.6

6.8

6.75

6.65

6.35

6.6

6.35

6.3

6.2

6.75

7.15

7.8

7.85

7.65

7 °*

7.15

7.3

7.35

7.2

6.85

6.85

6.65

6.45

July.

6.35

«

9 e»

6.4

6.8

£ 9

5.75

5

0

1 1*

4 S

4.55

4.4

4.3

4.2

4.15

4 1

4.0

4.05

3

0E

3.65

3.45

3.5

o fie

3.55

3

KK

3 A

3.35

3.25

3

AK

Aug.

3.0

0 f|K

3.0

2.75

0 R

2.7

2 7

2.8

2.75

2.75

2.8

9 Q

2.8

2.65

2.7

3.15

3.3

3.2

o oe

2.9

9 8

2.7

2.85

2.75

2.75

9 7

2.6

2.65

2.8

Sept.

3.0

2.8

2.75

2.8

2.9

0 Q

3 Q

o 7

3 4

3 AK

3.2

3.0

3.05

2.9-

3 A

2.9

2.85

2.75

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

9 H

2.5

2.4

2.4

2 A

2.3

2.3

2.3

NOTE. Probable ice conditions during January, February, and March.
COLORADO EIVER BASIN. 161

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1... ........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

g

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

91

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

90

30...........................

31...........................

Jan.

375

400

400

450

480

510

480

425

JCfi

425

400

400

375

450

425

400

Q7C

400

400

375

425

JKA

425

375

400

400

350

300

Feb.

. 375

jnn

400

Q7C

375

JAA

JAA

400

375

Ann

Arurt

400

400

400

OCA

350

Den

350

325

300

300

son

325

OCA

300

300

Mar.

375

400

q7C

Af)f\

Ann

Af>f,

425

400

OKA

9.7*

07C

400

400

450 49";

425

450

JCfi

49*

450

JCfi

450 491;

AW\

425

450

450

450

425

450

Apr.

JKfl

480

510

%A^

580

545

510

480

480

545

510

450

510

510

650

730

1,190

1,240

1,290

995

810

OfA

810

855

1,040

1,500

1,400

1 

' 190

May.

QQC

995

' 1 1,'290 040

1 860

2,160

2,220

2 fi9n

2

7CA

3,040

3

C\A(\

2,620

2,350

2,220

2,480

2,620

2,750

3,270

3,850

3,760

4,280

4,280

4,020

3,430

3,270

4,280

4,640

4,730

3,190

June.

2,820

3

QEA

5.020

6,530

s ifin

8,730

9,190

9,080

8,840

8,160

8,730

8,160

8 f\Af\

7,820

9,080

9

O Aft

11,200

11,300

10,800

9,940

9

CCA

10,100

9 7ftft

8,860

8 OCA

7,900

July.

7 660

7,440

7 660

7 780

8,740

7,320

6,310

5,350

5,040

4

0EA

3

0QA

3,630

3,460

3,300

3,220

3,140

2,990

3,060

2,760

2,470

2,200

2,690

2,470

2

QOA

2,330

2,130

2,060

1,940

1,700

Aug.

1,640

1,700

1 fiylA

1,370

1,270

1,220

1 OOfl

1,320

1,370

1,370

1,420

1,530

1,420

1,270

1,320

1,820

2,000

1 880

1,940

1,530

1,420

1,320

1,480

1,370

1,370

1,320

1,220

1,270

1,420

1,820

Sept.

1 640

1,420

1,370

1,420

1,530

2,840

2,540

2,130

2,200

1,880

1 640

1,700

1,530

1 640

1,530

1,480

1,370

1,320

1,220

1,220

1,220

1,120

1,120

1 030

1 030

l'o30 '935

935

935

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Jan. 1 to June 18, well 

defined. June 19 to Sept. 30, well defined.

Monthly discharge of Roaring Fork at Glenwood Springs, Colo.,for 1909.

Month.

April..............................................

May...............................................

July...............................................

Discharge In second-feet.

Maximum.

510 

400 

450 

1,500 

4,730 

11,300 

8.740 

2,000 

2,840

Minimum.

300 

300 

350 

450 

995 

2,820 

1,700 

1,220 

935

Mean.

410 

362 

421 

782 

2,910 

8,350 

4,070 

1,480 

1,530

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

25,200 

20,100 

25,900 

46,500 

179,000 

497,000 

250,000 

91,000 

91,000

1,230,000

Accuracy.

C. 

0. 

C.

A. 

A. 

B.

A. 

A. 

A.

FRYING PAN RIVER AT BASALT, COLO.

This station, which was established July 19, 1908, is located at the 

.wooden highway bridge about 100 yards from the Colorado Midland Railroad depot and about 75 yards downstream from a concrete arch bridge in the town of Basalt. It was discontinued September 30, 1909.

This station is near the mouth of the stream and the records show 

the total run-off from the drainage basin. 

95620° WSP 269 11 11
162 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Diversions above are limited to ditches for meadow irrigation. 

The stream affords good opportunities for power and storage development.

Heavy ice prevails during the winter months, and gage readings 

are at times distorted by the backwater caused by the freezing of the 

river below. Slush ice also interferes with the determination of discharge.

The location and datum of the staff gage at the bridge have 

remained unchanged during the maintenance of the station.

The accuracy of the measurements is affected by the roughness of 

the stream bed and the high current velocities during flood periods.

Discharge measurements of Frying Pan River at Basalt, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Jan. 16 a

Mar. 19 o

Apr. 23

July 12

Aug 6

Oct. 12

Hydrographer.

C.L.Chatfield... .........................................

.....do....................................................

.....do....................................................

W. H. Snelson, jr. ........................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

46.5

46.5

54.7

C2.5

60.8

46.5

45.5

Area of 

section.

Sq. ft. 

68

75

92

252

178

105

97.5

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.32

1.40

1.80

4.50

3.25

2.00

1.8

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

67

76

147

2,080

760

204

159

a Ice along edges.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Frying Pan River at Basalt, Colo., for 1909. 

[J. G. Ould, observer.]

Day.

1. ...................... ...

2...........................

3. ..........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Jan.

3.4

3.4

3.45

3.25

3.15

1.55

1.65

1.55

1.5

1.45

1.4

2.45

2.4

2.3

1.5

1.45

1.3

1 31

1.3

1 1

1.3

1.35

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.65

1.75

Feb.

1.95

2.05

2.15

2.0

2.05

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.0

2.0

1.85

1.65

1 tt

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1 45

1 45

1 A.*\

1.5

1 t\*\

1

f»

1 1

1.4

1.4

1.45

1.4

Mar.

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.45

1.55

1.6

1.6

1.55

1.6

1.55

1 4.1

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.45

1.4

1 df\

1.45

1.5

1.45

1.4

1.4

1.45

1.45

Apr.

1.45

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.55

1.5

1.35

1.4

1.45

1.55

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.95

2.1

2.25

2.35

1.85

1.85

1.85

2.05'

2.25

2.35

2.25

2.1

May.

2.0

1.95

2.0

2.25

2.65

2.7

2.8

2.9

2.85

2.95

3.05

3.1

2.95

2.8

2.8

3.05

9 o>;

3.1

3

c

3.65

3 7

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.55

3.8

3.8

3.45

3.2

June.

3.1

3.15

3.45

3.85

4.35

4.65

4.8

4.9

4.85

4.6

4.6

4.5

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.55

4. Q

5.1

5.35

5.2

5.15

4.75

A 71

4.75

4.75

4.45

4.45

4.35

4.15

4.15

July.

4.0

3.95

3.95

4.0

4.35

3.9

3.6

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.15

3.0

2.95

2.9

2.9

2.8

2

7c

2.65

2.6

2.55

2.6

2.55

2

CC

2.55

2.5

2.4

14

2.25

2.25

2.2

2.1

Aug.

2.05

2.15

2.1

9 i >;

2.05

2.1

2.15

2.1

2.2

 2.15

2.15

9 1>;

2.25

2.15

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.5

9 1

2.3

2.2

2.1

2 1

2.1

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.1

2.2

2.55

Sept.

2.55

2.5

2 OK

2 45

2.4

2

0

2.25

2.2

o o

2.2

2.2

2.2

9 9

9 9

2.2

2.15

9 1

9 ft

9 ft

9 fi '

1.95

1 Q

1 Q

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.7

NOTE. Ice conditions from Jan. 1 to 15 and from Jan. 26 to Feb. 14.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 163

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Frying Pan River at Basalt, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1.... .......................

2. ..........................

3...........................

4. ..........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12..................:........

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20. ..........................

21...........................

22. ..........................

23...........................

24...........................

25. ..........................

26... ........................

27. ..........................

28...........................

29. ..........................

30...........................

v

Jan.

72

55

55

60

55

55

55

60

65

Feb.

65

65

65

72

72

72

80

89

98

80

65

65

72

65

Mar.

65

65

65

65

65

65

65

65

65

72

89

98

98

89

98

89

72

65

65

80

80

72

72

72

80

72

65

65

72

72

Apr.

72

80

80

80

98

89

80

60

65

79

89

80

80

80

98

118

177

218

264

298

233

152

152

152

204

264

298

264

218

May.

190

177

190

264

417

440

490

540

515

570

630

660

570

490

490

630

570

660

760

910

950

1,090

1,140

950

870

870

995

1,240

1,240

910

725

June.

660

692

910

1,300

1,880

2,280

2,490

2,630

2,560

2,210

2,210

2,080

2,210

2,210

2,210

2,140

2 630

2,930

3 300

3,080

3,000

2,420

2,420

2,420

2,420

"2,020

2,020

1,880

1,640

1,640

July.

1,460

1,400

1,400

1,460

1,880

1,350

1,040

870

795

725

692

600

570

540

540

490

465

418

395

375

395

375

375

375

355

315

315

264

264

248

218

Aug.

204

233

218

233

204

218

233

218

248

233

233

233

264

233

190

190

248

355

355

280

248

218

218

218

01 Q

190

190

218

218

248

375

Sept.

375

355

315

264

315

335

335

315

280

264

248

248

248

248

248

248

248

248

233

218

190

190

190

177

164

164-

140

140

140

118

NOTE. These discharges are based on a rating curve, well defined between 50 and 2,800 second-feet. 

Daily discharge for ice periods Jan. 1 to 15 and Jan. 26 to Feb. 14, estimated as 75 second-feet.

Monthly discharge of Frying Pan River at Basalt, Colo., for 1909.

Month.

May...............................................

July...............................................

Discharge hi second-feet.

Maximum.

98 

298 

1,240 

3,300 

1,880 

375 

375

Minimum.

65 

60 

177 

660 

218 

190 

118

Mean.

69.8 

74.1 

73.8 

146 

682 

2,150 

676 

238 

240

Run-off 

(total hi 

acre-feet).

4,290 

4,120 

4,540 

8,690 

41,900 

128,000 

41,600 

14,600 

14,300

262,000

Accuracy.

C. 

C. 

B. 

B.

A. 

B.

A. 

A. 

A.

CRYSTAL RIVER NEAR CARBONDALE, COLO.

This station, which was established July 18, 1908, is located on a 

single-span highway bridge 150 feet above a section house, at a railroad point known as Sewell, on the Redstone branch of the Denver & 

Rio Grande Railroad. It is about 5 miles above Carbondale. Station was discontinued September 30, 1909.

No important tributaries enter below the station, but Thompson 

Creek comes in a short distance above. The drainage area of the 

river below the mouth of Thompson Creek is about 300 square miles.
164 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Several irrigation ditches, with a combined maximum capacity of 

probably 100 second-feet, divert water above. The fall, run-off, and 

storage sites, however, make this essentially a power stream, especially 

on the upper reaches. Present power plants above the station generate 1,150 horsepower. (See PI. V, A.)

Ice during the winter months prevents the use of open-channel 

methods of calculating the discharge.

No change has occurred in either location or datum of the staff 

gage at the bridge during the maintenance of the station.

Except as affected by ice, the results at this station are satisfactory.

Discharge measurements of Crystal River near Carbondale, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Mar. 18

July 12

Aug. 7 '

Oct. 11

Hydrographer.

C. L. Chatfield. ............................................

.... .do. ....................................................

.... .do. ....................................................

.... .do. ....................................................

.... .do. ....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

52

52

54

59.5

57

55

48.5

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

126

128

147

386

275

210

134

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.80

2

cn

3.95

2.80

Discharge.

Sec. ft. 

Ill

97

286

3,160

1,170

445

185

Daily gage height, in feet, of Crystal River near Carbondale, Colo., for 1909. 

[Alfred Blotham, observer.]

Day.

2...........................

6...........................

7. .............. ............

8...-...-.-.---.............

Q

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13 ...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16. ..........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31. ..........................

Jan.

1 60

1.55

1 60

1.60

1.65

1.70

1.70

1.60

1 60

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.80

1.90

1.90

1.75

1 65

1.60

1.60

1.75

1.85

1 80

1.80

1.75

1.75

1.75

1.80

1.80

1.80

Feb.

2 nn

2 nn

1.90

1 90

1 90

1.90

i on

1.90

I on

1.90

1.80

1.70

1.65

1.70

1.70

1.65

1 60

1 60

1.60

1.65

1.70

1.65

1.80

1.75

1.80

1.70

Mar.

1.75

1.75

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.75

1.75

1 7f\

1.75

1.75

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.70

1 7t;

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.85

1.85

1.90

1.90

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

Apr.

1.85

1.90

2.10

2.10

2.05

2.05

2.10

2.00

1.90

1 90

1.90

1.90

1.95

2.10

2.30

2.75

2.90

3.00

2.85

2.80

2.70

2.60

2.65

2.75

2.95

3.10

2.95

2.75

May.

2.75

2.70

2.95

3.45

3.70

3.80

4.05

3.95

 3.85

3.65

3.50

3.45

3.65

3.75

3.90

4 25

4.40

4.55

4.50

4.45

4 50

4.55

4.45

4.60

4.60

4.30

4.20

4 05

June.

3.80

3.80

4.40

5.50

5.90

5.90

6 40

5.80

5

KK

5.45

5.60

5.50

5.40

5.20

5.30

5.65

5.60

5.95

6.15

6.05

5.90

5.75

5.70

5.90

5.90

5.80

5.60

5.35

5.25

July.

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.25

4.90

4.75

4.45

4.20

4.05

4.15

3.95

3.90

3.80

3.65

3.50

3.40

3.35

3.40

3.35

3.45

3.50

3.40

3.30

3.35

3.30

3.20

3.10

3.00

Aug.

3.05

2.95

2.80

2.85

2.70

2.65

2.55

2.65

2.65

2.95

2.90

3.05

2,85

2,65

2.80

3.05

3.05

3.00

2.85

2.65

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.70

2.85

2.80

2.55

2.55

2.65

2.70

Sept.

2.65

2.75

2.80

2.95

3.10

3.40

3.60

3.45

3.50

3.55

3.40

3.35

3 25

2.90

2.70

2.45

2.45

2.15

2.05

2.00

1.95

1.90

1.85

1.85

1.80

1.80

1.75

1.70

1.65

1.60

NOTE. Open-water conditions probably prevailed during the winter months except the period Jan. 31 

to Feb. 4.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 269 PLATE V

A. POWER PLANT OF COLORADO YULE MARBLE CO., ON CRYSTAL 

RIVER NEAR MARBLE, COLO.

B. MIDDLE BOX CANYON OF GILA RIVER, NEAR REDROCK, N. MEX.
COLORADO RIVER, BASIN. 165 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Crystal River near Carbondale, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1. ..........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9............

10...........................

11...........................

12. ...........

13............. . ....... ..

14...........................

15...........................

16......................:....

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22............ .. ..

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29. ........... .....

30...........................

31...........................

Jan.

73

67

73

73

80

87

87

73

73

87

87

87

103

121

121

- 95

80

73

73

95

112

103

103

95

95

95

103

103

103

105

Feb.

105

105

105

105

121

121

121

121

121

121

103

87

80

87

87

80

73

73

73

80

87

80

103

95

103

87

Mar.

95

95

103

103

103

103

on

95

95

95

103

103

103

87

Q^

112

112

112

121

121

121

112

112

121

121

112

112

112

112

Apr.

112

121

164

iftl

152

1 W

1fi4

141

141

121

121

131

164

216

380

451

503

427

403

357

315

315

336

380

477

559

380

May.

380

357

380

780

965

965

1,040

1 080

1,260

1,170

1,080

928

815

780

928

1,000

1,120

1,450

1,610

1,780

1,720

1,660

1,720

1,780

1,660

1,840

1,840

1,500

1,400

1,260

June.

1,040

1,040

1,610

3,190

3,950

3,950

4,970

3,750

3,280

3,370

3,190

3,020

2,680

2,850

3,100

3,460

3,370

4,050

4,450

4,250

3,950

3,660

3,560

3,950

3,950

3,750

3,370

2,940

2,760

July.

3,100

3,100

3,100

3,100

2 7fift

2,230

2,020

1,660

1,400

1,260

1,350

1,170

1,120

1,040

928

815

745

712

745

712

780

815

745

679

712

679

617

559

503

Aug.

531

477

4.97

403

427

357

336

296

336

336

477

451

531

427

336

403

531

531

503

427

336

278

278

278

357

427

403

296

296

336

357

Sept.

336

380

403

477

559

7AK

890

780

Q1K

852

74S

712

648

451

357

262

262

176

152

141

131

121

112

112

103

103

95

87

80

73

NOTE. These discharges are based on a rating curve that is well defined below a discharge of 1,000 second 

feet. Discharges estimated Jan. 31 to Feb. 4.

Monthly discharge of Crystal River near Carbondale, Colo.,for 1909.

Month.

April..............................................

July.......................... ....................

The period ..................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

121 

121 

121 

559 

1,840 

4,970 

3,100 

531 

890

Minimum.

67 

73 

87 

112 

357 

1,040 

503 

278 

73

Mean.

91.8 

98.8 

106 

269 

1,180 

3,320 

1,440 

393 

372

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet) .

5,640 

5,490 

6,520 

16,000 

72,600 

198,000 

88,500 

24,200 

22,100

439,000

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A.

DIVIDE CREEK BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

Divide Creek enters Grand River from the south side, about 6 

miles below Newcastle, Colo. It is formed by the junction of East 

and West Divide creeks a few miles above the mouth of the stream. 

The run-off is derived chiefly from the melting snows in the spring 

and from rain.
166 STJBFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

WEST DIVIDE CREEK AT HOSTTTTLER'S RANCH, NEAR RAVEN, COLO.

This station, which was established July 27, 1909, is located 5 miles 

above Raven post office, Colo., one-fourth of a mile below the headgates of the High Line ditch and 2 miles above the head of the Porter 

ditch.

Gage readings were discontinued for the season on September 20, 

1909.

The vertical staff gage is fastened to a large overhanging cottonwood tree on the right bank about 300 feet west of J. K. Hostutler's 

house.

Discharge measurements are made by wading in the vicinity of the 

gage.

The following discharge measurement was made by W. B. Freeman 

and R. E. Vickery:

July 27,1909; width, 10 feet; area, 89 square feet; gage height, 1.00 feet; discharge, 

15.1 second-feet.

Daily gage height, in feet, of West Divide Creek at Hostutler's ranch near Raven, Colo.,

for 1909.

[J. K. Hostutler, observer.]

Day.

1......... .. 

2...........

3...........

4............

5............ 

6............

7............ 

8............

9............ 

10............

July*

......

Aug.

0.65

.7

.7

.6

.6 

.6

.85 

.7 

.6 

.7

Sept.

0.85 

.75

.7

.8

.85 

1.1

1.2 

1.15 

1.0 

.9

Day.

11............

12............

13............

14............

15............

16............

17............ 

18............ 

19............ 

20.............

July.

......

Aug.

0.8

.85

.7

.6

.55 

.6

.85 

1.0 

1.1 

.95

Sept.

0.85 

1.1

1.1

1.05

.95 

.9

.8 

.75

.7 

.7

Day.

21............ 

22............

23............

24............

25............ 

26............

27............ 

28............ 

29............ 

30............ 

31............

July.

......

------

1.0 

.95 

.85 

.8

.7

Aug.

0.85 

.85

.9

1.05

.8

.7

.7 

.6 

.6 

.65 

.8

Sept.

......

WEST DIVIDE CREEK AT RAVEN, COLO.

This station, which was established July 27, 1909, is located at 

Raven post office, Colo., 14 miles south of Newcastle.

The vertical staff gage is about 150 feet downstream from a highway bridge, at which high-water discharge measurements will be 

taken. Numerous ditches, of which the High Line and the Porter 

are the most important, divert water above this station.

Fair results should be obtained at this station. Ice affects the 

gage heights for a few months during the whiter season.

The following discharge measurement was made by W. B. Freeman:

July 27, 1909; width, 4.6 feet; area, 3.7 square feet; gage height, 1.18 feet; discharge, 4.2 second-feet. Made by wading below gage.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 167

Daily gage height, in feet, of West Divide Creek at Raven, Colo., for 1909. 

[John F. Collins, observer.]

Day.

1. .........

2. .........

3..........

4..........

5..........

6..........

7. .........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

July. Aug.

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.05

Sept.

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.65

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4~

1.65

1.55

1.55

1.5

Oct.

1 9

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

Nov.

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

i 9

1.2

i 9

1.2

1.2

i 9

1.2

Dec.

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1 9

1.2

1.2-

Day.

16..........

17..........

19..........

20..........

21..........

22...........

23..........

25..........

27..........

28..........

29

30..........

31..........

July.

1.15

1.1

1.2

1.2

Aug.

1.1

1.2

1 25

2

1.5

1.5

1.2

1.25

1.35

1.35

1.15

1.2

1.1

1 9

1.2

1.2

Sept.

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

Oct.

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

Nov.

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

Dec.

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of West Divide Creek at Raven, Colo., for 1909.

Day.

1... .......

2... .......

3..........

4..........

5..........

6..........

7. .........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

July. Aug.

2.5

9 PI

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

1.0

1.0

2.5

5.0

2.5

1.8

Sept.

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

28

18

18

13

13

28

22

22

18

Oct.

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Nov.

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Dec.

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Day.

16..........

17..........

19

20..........

21..........

22..........

23..........

24..........

25..........

26..........

27..........

2S. .........

29..........

30..........

31..........

July.

3.8

2.5

1.0

5.0

5.0

Aug.

2.5

5.0

6.8

61

18

5.0

6.8

10.8

10.8

3.8

5.0

2.5

5.0

5.0

5.0

Sept.

13

13

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Oct.

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Nov.

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Dec.

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

. 5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

NOTE. These discharges are based on a curve that is well defined by measurements made in 1910. 

Monthly discharge of West Divide Creek at Raven, Colo., for 1909.

Month.

July 27-31 .........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

5.0 

61 

28 

5.0 

5.0 

5.0

Minimum.

1.0 

1.0 

5.0 

5.0 

5.0 

5.0

Mean.

3.46 

6.71 

11.4 

5.0 

5.0 

5.0

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

34 

412 

678 

307 

298 

307

2,040

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B.
168 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

MAMM CREEK BASIN. 

WEST MAMM CREEK NEAR RIFLE, COLO.

Mamm Creek, which enters Grand River from the south about 4 

miles upstream from Rifle, Colo., is formed by the junction of West 

Mamm, East Mamm, and Middle Mamm, all of which rise on the 

north side of Battlement Mesa.

The flow of this stream is supplied by melting snow in the spring 

and by rains. Its channel is usually dry or nearly so during the late 

summer and fall.

The gaging station, which was established July 26, 1909, is located 

just south of J. T. Selby's ranch house, 9 miles south of Rifle, Colo., 

about half a mile above the mouth of Quakenasp Gulch Creek, and 

three-fourths of a mile above the dam site of a proposed irrigation 

reservoir, which has a capacity of a few thousand acre-feet. One 

ditch, of less than 10 second-feet capacity, diverts water above the 

station. The waste water from this ditch is returned to the creek a 

few feet above the staff gage.

Beginning November 16, 1909, a 24-inch trapezoidal sharp-edge 

weir, with end contractions, was used to measure the flow of the 

stream. This weir is located about 50 feet downstream from the 

gage. Current-meter measurements are made at various sections 

in the vicinity of gage.

Ice exists to some extent for quite an extended period during the 

winter season. Conditions at this station are not conducive to the 

most accurate results, especially during the higher stages, when 

gage heights show great fluctuations and measurements are difficult 

to make.

Daily gage height, in feet, of West Mamm Creek near Rifle, Colo., for 1909. 

[J. T. Selby, observer.]

Day.

1.....

2..... 

3.....

4.....

5.....

6..... 

7.....

8..... 

9.....

10.....

July.

- "

......

......

Aug.

0.5 

1.0

.95 

.65

.5

.5

.5 

 5

.5

Nov.

......

......

......

Dec.

0.21 

.21 

.21 

.21

.21

.21

.21 

.21

Day.

11.....

12..... 

13..... 

14.....

15.....

16..... 

17.....

18..... 

19.....

20.....

July.

.::...

......

......

Aug.

1.2

1.75 

.9 

.65

.5

1.2

9 O

.55 

.8

.8

Nov.

......

0.21 

.21

.21

.25

OK

Dec.

0.21 

.21 

.21 

.21

.21

.21

91

.21

.21

.21

Day.

21..... 

22..... 

23..... 

24.....

25.....

26..... 

27.....

28..... 

29.....

30.....

31.....

July.

-----

1.0

.8

.5 

.5

.5

.5

Aug.

1.15 

.6

 5 

.5

.5

-5

5

.5

Nov.

0.50

.75 

.83 

.67

.67

.58 

.50

.33

.25

.25

Dec.

0.21 

.21 

.21 

,21

.21

.21 

.21

.21 

.33

.42

.42

NOTE. Gage heights July 26 to Aug. 28 are from staff gage. Readings Nov. 16 to Dec. 31 are heads on 

the weir. Observer recorded in inches, and his readings have been converted into decimals of a foot.
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 169 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of West Mamm Creek near Rifle, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10. .............

Nov. Dec.

0.6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

Day.

11. .............

12..............

13..............

14. .............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18. .............

19..............

20..............

Nov.

0.6

.6

.6

.8

.8

Dec.

0 6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

Day.

21..............

22. .............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28. .............

29. .............

30..............

31..............

Nov.

2.4

4.3

5.0

3.6

3.6

2.9

2.4

1.3

.8

.8

Dec.

0.6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

8

1 8

1-8

NOTE. These discharges were obtained from the weir formula Q=3.33iHi. See Water-Supply Paper 

200, p. 162.

Monthly discharge of West Mamm Creek near Rifle, Colo., for 1909,

Month.

Nov. 16-30...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

2.9 

1.8

Minimum.

0.6 

.6

Mean.

2.03 

.68

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

60 

42

NOTE. These estimates are approximate.

GUNNISON RIVER BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

Gunnison River is formed in Gunnison County, Colo., by the 

union of East and Taylor rivers, two streams that originate among 

the snow-covered peaks and on the slopes of the Continental Divide 

hi the northeastern part of the county, descend through narrow mountain valleys, and unite about 12 miles above Gunnison. From the 

junction of these rivers the Gunnison flows west and southwest to the 

point where it enters Grand River at Grand Junction, in the central 

part of Mesa County, Colo.

The upper course of the river lies through a broad, mountainous 

valley, but near the mouth of Lake Fork the valley narrows and the 

river enters Black Canyon of the Gunnison, through which it winds 

in a tortuous course for 56 miles between granite walls that rise precipitously 3,000 feet above the water's edge. A short distance below 

the mouth of North Fork, the largest tributary of the river, the canyon 

walls break abruptly, and the valley is broad and fertile. Below 

Delta the river enters another narrow canyon, with walls averaging 

800 feet in height, and this continues irregularly to Grand Junction, 

only a few tracts of narrow bottom land lying between the channel 

and the canyon walls.

The soil of the lower valleys is chiefly adobe, and the higher mesas 

contain much gravel and sand. Groves of quaking aspen interspersed
170 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

with large, open grazing plots cover broad areas of this plateau region. 

On the top of the Grand Mesa are forests of pine and aspen, and pinon 

and cedar grow along the foothills. In the valleys chico and sagebrush form the principal vegetation, except along the streams, which 

are bordered in places by cottonwood, willow, and undergrowth.

The chief tributaries of the Gunnison are Ohio, Tomichi, Lake Fork, 

and Cimarron creeks, and Smith, North Fork, and Uncompahgre 

rivers, North Fork being the largest.

North Fork rises in the Huntsman Hills, 20 miles south of Glenwood Springs, flows in a general southerly and southwesterly course, 

and unites with the Gunnison about 8 miles west of Hotchkiss. The 

drainage area is mountainous, except for a small portion which 

lies below Paonia, extreme points reaching an altitude of 13,000 feet. 

The mesa lands at the lower end of the valley stand 5,500 feet above 

sea level. The higher peaks are formed of granite rocks, but lower 

down, sedimentary formations occupy at least 80 per cent of the area 

of the basin. The mountains are forested and the mesa lands are 

covered with sagebrush. All the tillable lands of the North Fork and 

its tributaries have been brought under cultivation, and irrigation 

is practiced to such an extent that the entire flow is needed for existing 

systems.

Uncompahgre River, the principal tributary of the Gunnison from 

the south, rises among the snowy peaks of the highly serrated Uncompahgre Mountains and flows a little west of north to its junction with 

the Gunnison at Delta. The basin embraces a mountainous plateau 

and valley area of 1,130 square miles, oblong in shape, the width 

increasing slightly at the lower end. The mountain area occupies 

but a small part of the basin, but contributes the perennial waters 

of the stream. The plateau area is greatest in extent and borders 

the valley on both sides, the larger Uncompahgre Plateau lying to the 

southwest. Escarpments are conspicuous features of this plateau. 

The relief features are terraced mesas flanked by buttes and ridges 

and trenched by deep, narrow canyons. Uncompahgre Valley proper 

begins at a point near Eldredge siding, on the Denver & Rio Grande 

Railroad.

The other tributaries of the Gunnison need not here be described. 

Ohio, Tomichi, Lake Fork, and Cimarron creeks are perennial streams, 

but almost their entire volume is diverted for irrigation during the 

growing season, so that very little water reaches the Gunnison except 

at times of heavy storms or during spring floods.

Precipitation records for the Gunnison are meager. Those which 

exist show a range from 9' inches in the plateau region to about 25 

inches in the mountains.

The run-off of the Gunnison drainage basin is conserved to a large 

extent by four forest reserves, which have a total area of about 5,700
COLOEADO KIVEK BASIN. 171

square miles, of which approximately 3,800 square miles are located 

within the basin. About 65 per cent of this area is in standing timber, the remainder being classified as sagebrush, barren, and burned. 

Investigation of the headwaters of East River and other tributaries 

in Gunnison County several years ago discovered that many of the 

hills had been almost entirely denuded of their timber, a discovery 

to which may be attributed the setting aside of the areas as forest 

reserves.

Along Gunnison River proper above the mouth of Lake Fork a 

number of ditches divert water for meadow irrigation, and irrigation 

is extensively practiced in the vicinity of Delta. The largest irrigated area in the Gunnison drainage basin is the Uncompahgre Valley. 

In addition to the lands being irrigated by large private ditches, this 

valley contains about 150,000 acres, which are being reclaimed under 

the Uncompahgre project of the United States Reclamation Service. 

The greater part of the water for this land is diverted from Gunnison 

River by means of the Gunnison tunnel, which has a capacity of 

1,300 second-feet. The formal opening of Gunnison tunnel was celebrated at the west portal of the tunnel September 23, 1909, with the 

President of the United States, the Secretary of the Interior, and 

officials of the Reclamation Service in attendance. The construction 

of the tunnel was begun in January, 1905, and the actual opening 

through the tunnel was completed July 6,1909. The present water 

rights consume the normal flow of Uncompahgre River, and the 

Uncompahgre Valley project will divert all the available water from 

Gunnison River during normal stages.

The country is not adapted for large reservoirs, the meadows having so much fall and the valleys being so narrow that construction 

would be expensive in proportion to reservoir capacity. However, a 

large number of small reservoirs exist on the Gunnison and its tributaries, which can be advantageously utilized for power.

Power plants at present in operation in this basin develop about 

2,200 horsepower, and there are many sites unutilized. The fall 

along some of the streams is heavy, ranging from 50 to 150 feet to 

the mile. Along the Uncompahgre, from its source to the 8,000-foot 

contour, the fall is almost 300 feet to the mile. At the present time 

the waters in this basin are being used for domestic purposes, 

irrigation, and power. By utilizing all the available storage it would 

theoretically be possible to develop about 200,000 horsepower. 

Along the South canal of the United States Reclamation Service, 

which receives the water from the Gunnison tunnel and carries it 

into Uncompaghre River, a series of drops will make possible the 

development of from 5,000 to 10,000 horsepower.

But two gaging stations were maintained previous to 1900, but 

since that year a number have been established and discontinued.
172 SUEFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

The records, as a rule, cover about three-year periods, and show that 

1904 was the driest and 1907 the wettest year. By comparison with 

other drainage basins adjacent to the Gunnison, however, it is evident that 1902 was a drier year than 1904.

GTrNOTSON RIVER AT RIVER PORTAL, COLO.i

This station, which was established April 7, 1905, replaced the station located at Cimarron, about 12 miles above. It is about 300 feet 

above the portal of the Gunnison tunnel and is about 21 miles northeast of Montrose.

The station is about 8 miles below the mouth of Crystal Creek, and 

is above North Fork and Uncompahgre Kiver, the two most important 

tributaries.

A number of small ditches divert water for meadow irrigation 

above the station. The largest diversion along the river, and also in 

Colorado, is the recently completed Gunnison tunnel, with a capacity 

of about 1,300 second-feet, which diverts the water from the Gunnison into the Uncompahgre Valley, where it will be used for irrigation.2

Ice covers the river for about four months each year and attains 

a thickness of 1 to 2 feet. No winter records of discharge have been 

obtained.

The original staff gage, which was bolted to the cliff on the right 

bank of the river, was dislodged by driftwood on June 4, 1909. Prior 

to this date no change occurred in the location or datum of this

From June 5 to 19 an old high-water gage, about 100 feet upstream 

on the left bank, was read. The datum of this gage is 10.08 feet 

lower than that of the original gage. The readings were reduced 

to the original datum. This auxiliary gage could not be used after 

June 19, as the water surface had fallen too low. On August 9, 1909, 

a new staff gage was installed at the same location and datum as 

the original gage. This gage was broken off by ice November 20, 

1909.

Discharge measurements were made from a cable located a few 

feet downstream from the original gage site.

The accuracy of the estimates of daily and monthly discharge is 

impaired by lack of sufficient discharge measurements to cover slight 

shifting of channel, and changes resulting from the dumping of 

debris from the Gunnison tunnel into the river below the station.

This station is maintained under the supervision of the United 

States Reclamation Service. Computations of discharge have been 

made by engineers of the United States Geological Survey.

1 This station was referred to in previous reports as at east portal of Gunnison tunnel.

2 The Gunnison tunnel and Uncompahgre project are described in the reports of the United States Reclamation Service.
COLORADO KIVEK BASIN. 173

Discharge measurements o/Gunnison River at River Portal, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

9

10

11

12

Hydrographer.

-....do...............-.-.-----------------...............-.

.....do.....................................................

.... .do.. .................................................. .

-....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

210

210

208

206

205

Area of 

section.

Sg.ft. 

2,750

2,700

2,570

2,510

2,460

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

15.78

15.48

14.98

14.68

14.48

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

13,000

12,900

11,900

11,600

11,400

NOTE. The gage readings for above measurements are reduced approximately to original gage datum. 

The measurements were made by the subsurface method, the reduction coefficient used being 0.92.

Daily gage height, in feet, o/Gunnison River at River Portal, Colo., for 1909. 

[John Dill and W. T. Blight, observers.]

Day.

1....

2.... 

3.... 

4.... 

5....

6....

7....

8.... 

9....

10....

11....

12....

13....

14....

15....

Apr.

6.3

6.45 

6.8 

6.9 

6.9

6.4

6.35

6 

6.2

6.2

6.1

6.2

6.3

6.4

6.85

May.

7.8

7.8 

7.9 

8.5 

9 9

10.3

11

11.8 

10 9

11.4

11.8

11.6

10.8

10.7

June.

11

10.3 

11.7 

13.3 

14.8

15.1

15.4

15.7 

15.5

15

14.3

H E

14

13.9

Aug.

7 9

7.1

7 3

7.35

7.4

7.4

7.4

Sept.

7.9

7.6 

7.6 

7.7 

7.9

10.15

9 7

9-35

8.5

8.4

8.2

8.5

8.45

8.4

Oct.

7

7 

7 

6.9 

6.9

7.15

7.1

7

6.9

7

fi Q

6 9

6 9

6.7

Nov.

5.8

5.8 

5.9 

5.95 

5.9

5.8

5.7

5.6 

5.5

5.7

5.9

5.7

5.75

>; 7

>; 7

Day.

16....

17.... 

18.... 

19.... 

20. ...

21....

22. ...

23.... 

24....

25. ...

26....

27....

98

9Q

30....

31....

Apr.

7.5

8 

8.8 

9.15 

9

8.1

7.85

7.6

7.4

7.5

7 9

8.5

8 Q

8.7

8.2

May.

11.3

11.2 

12 

12.2 

12.3

12

12.7

12.6 

12.1

11.6

12

12.7

1 ^

19 7

12

11.5

June.

13.7

14.2 

14.5 

14.7

......

......

Aug.

7.35

7.2 

7.45 

7.55 

7.6

7.6

7.4

7.2 

7.4

7.45

7.2

7.2

7.1

7

7.45

7.7

Sept.

8.3

8.2 

8.2 

8 

7.8

7.7

7.6

7.5 

7.4

7.3

7.2

7.1

7.1

7

7

Oct.

6.7

6.6 

6.6 

6.5 

6.5

6.5

6.4

6.3 

6.2

6.15

6.1

6

6

5.9

5.85

Nov.

5.4

5 

5.15 

5.2

......

Daily discharge, in second-feet, ofGunnison River at River Portal, Colo., for 1909.

Day.

1............ ..................

2..............................

3..............................

4..............................

5..............................

6..............................

7..............................

8..............................

9..............................

10..............................

11..............................

12........... ..................

13..............................

14..............................

15....................... ......

16..............................

17..............................

18..............................

19..............................

20..............................

21..............................

22.......................... ...

23..............................

24.............................

25..............................

26..............................

27..............................

28. ............................

29..............................

30..............................

31..............................

Apr.

1,050

1,150

1,400

1,480

1,120

1,080

865

985

985

925

985

1,050

1,120

1,440

2,010

2,520

3,480

3,790

1 3,660

2,620

2,360

2,100

2,010

2,410

3,070

3,540

3,300

2,730

May.

2,300

2,410

3,070

4,890

6,660

6,490

7,360

8,060

7,710

6,840

6,320

7,180

7,010

8,410

8,760

8,940

8,410

9,640

9,460

8,580

7,710

8,410

9 fi4A

10,200

9 ({Aft

8,410

7,540

June.

6,660

5,500

7,880

10,700

10 800

1 9 9ftA

10 nflA

11,500

11, 100

10,700

10,500

10,200

11,000

11,400

11 ' 600

Aug.

1,740

1,650

1,820

1,870

1,920

1,920

1,920

1,870

1 740

2 nfin

2,100

1,920

1,920

1 Qfift

1 740

1 74TI

 1,650

1,560

1 960

2,200

Sept.

2,100

2,100

2,200

2,410

5,270

4,600

4 120

3,600

3,070

2,960

2,730

3,070

3,010

2,960

2,840

2,730

2,300

2,200

2,100

2,010

1 Q9ft

1,820

1 74ft

1,650

1,650

1 CftA

1,560

Oct.

1 <Wl

1,560

1,560

1,480

1,480

1,520

1,690

1,650

1,560

1,480

1,560

1,480

1,480

1,480

1 330

1,330

1,260

1,180

1,180

1,180

1,120

1,050

985

955

865

865

OftE

785

Nov.

760

760

810

838

810

760

710

665

620

710

810

710

735

710

710

580

440

488

505

NOTE. These discharges were obtained from rating curves applicable as follows: Apr. 1 to June 4, and 

Aug. 9 to Nov. 19, well defined below 8,000 second-feet; June 5 to June 19, well defined.
174 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Monthly discharge ofGunnison River at River Portal, Colo., for 1909.

Month.

June 1-19. .........................................

Aug. 9-31......... ................................

October. ..........................................

Nov. 1-19 .........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3,790 

10,200 

13,000 

2,200 

5,270 

1,690 

838

Minimum.

865 

2,300 

5,500 

1,560 

1,560 

785 

440

Mean,

1,950 

7,160 

10,800 

1,870 

2,600 

1,270 

691

Run-ofl 

(total in 

acre-feet).

116,000 

440,000 

407,000 

85,300 

155, 000 

78,100 

26,000

' 1,310,000

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

C.

TTNCOMPAHGRE RIVER AT FORT CRAWFORD, COLO.

This station, which was established October 2, 1907, to obtain 

information concerning the water supply above the principal diversions in the Uncompahgre Valley, replaces the station near Colona 

which was established August 10, 1903. Its present location is at a 

highway bridge across Uncompahgre River about half a mile west 

of Fort Crawford, in sec. 36, T. 48 N., R. 9 W.

The station is located just below the mouth of Horsefly Creek. A 

number of large private irrigation ditches divert water above this 

station. Existing power plants generate about 1,800 horsepower. 

Opportunity for extensive power development is found on the headwaters.

Thick ice forms along the edges of the river during the winter 

months. The channel remains open at the station, but slush ice 

affects the accuracy of the results at times. The channel scours 

during high stages and silts during periods of low water.

On June 21, 1908, the rod gage, which was established October 2, 

1907, was washed out. On July 7, 1908, a temporary chain gage 

was installed. The zero of this gage was placed 1.95 feet below the 

zero of the rod gage. On July 23, 1908, a permanent rod gage was 

installed, the zero of which corresponds to 0.70 foot on the first rod 

gage, and to 2.65 feet on the chain gage.

During 1909 the chain gage, established July 7, 1908, was used. 

In the early part of 1910 a new rod gage was established with a 

datum 3.20 feet lower than that of the chain gage. The readings 

for 1909 have been reduced to this datum.

This station was maintained under the supervision of the United 

States Reclamation Service.
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 175

Discharge measurements of Uncompahgre River at Fort Crawford, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Apr. 16

July 19

27

Aug. 19

Oct. 6

Hydrographer.

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

56.5

54

58

61

57.5

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

70

97

118

98

71

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.60

2.00

2.60

2.45

1.30

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

361

502

457

266

Daily gage height, in feet, of Uncompahgre River at Fort Crawford, Colo., for 1909.

Day.

1.... ......

3..........

4..........

5..........

6.......... 

7. .........

8..........

9..........

10..........

Aug.

2.0 

2.15 

2.15

2.15

2.0

Sept.

2.25

2.4

2.05

2.9

2.6 

2.5 

2.4

2.15

2.0

Oct.

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.4

1.35 

1.25 

1.25

1.25

1.2

Day.

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

16.......... 

17.......... 

18..........

19..........

20..........

Aug.

1 9

2.0

2.05

1.95

2.3

2.3 

2.2 

2.3

2.4

2.35

Sept.

1 85

9 1

2.15 2.'0

1.95

2.0 

2.05 

1.9

1 Q

1.8

Oct.

1 9

Day.

21..........

22..........

23..........

24..........

25..........

26.......... 

27.......... 

28..........

29..........

30..........

31..........

Aug.

2.25

2.2

2.3

2.25

2.25 

2.25 

2.15

2.2

2.3

2.25

Sept.

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.4 

1.4 

1.45

1.35

1.25

Oct.

"~6."9 

1.0

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Uncompahgre River at Fort Crawford, Colo., for 1909.

Day.

1..........

2..........

3..........

4..........

5..........

6..........

7..........

8..........

9..........

10..........

Aug.

240

240

240

240

240

'245

300

300

300

245

Sept.

380

480

535

355

885

660

670

605

460

380

Oct.

230

230

230

230

305

285

250

250

250

230

Day.

11..........

12..........

13..........

14..........

15..........

16..........

17..........

18..........

19..........

20..........

Aug.

210

245

260

230

365

320

365

410

390

Sept.

315

435

515

435

410

435

460

385

440

390

Oct.

230

230

230

230

230

230

OQf|

230

140

140

Day.

91

22..........

23..........

24..........

25..........

26..........

97

28..........

29..........

30..........

31..........

Aug.

345

320

345

365

345

400

350

375

420

400

Sept.

340

300

300

260

305

265

OfiC

285

250

210

Oct.

140

140

140

140

140

140

140

165

150

150

150

NOTE. These discharges were obtained by the indirect method for shifting channels. Discharges 

estimated for days when gage was not read.

Monthly discharge of Uncompahgre River at Fort Crawford, Colo., for 1909.

Month.

August. . ............................................

September. .........................................

October. ............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

885

Minimum.

210 

210

Mean.

317 

414 

200

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

19,500 

24,600 

12,300

Accuracy.

C. 

C. 

D.
176 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

TJNCOMPAHGRE RIVER AT MONTROSE, COLO.

This station, which, was reestablished April 22, 1903, to obtain for 

the United States Reclamation Service definite information concerning the amount of water carried by the Uncompahgre, is located at 

the iron highway bridge just west of Montrose arid one-fourth mile 

west of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.

The station is about 2 miles above Happy Canyon Creek and is also 

above Cedar and Spring creeks. Large irrigation ditches divert 

water between this station and that at Fort Crawford. Existing 

water rights control the normal flow of this river for irrigation. Above 

these diversions, however, opportunities exist for storage and power 

development. Established plants generate about 1,800 horsepower. 

Open-channel conditions obtain at this station, although thick ice 

usually forms along the edges. Slush and anchor ice sometimes 

influence the accuracy of the results. The flow is controlled during 

the irrigation season by the large diversions above. The flow at this 

point will also be affected by the inflow from the south canal of the 

United States Reclamation Service when that canal is completed.

Neither the location nor the datum of the staff gage, which is 20 

feet upstream from the bridge, has been changed during the maintenance of the station.

Results obtained are good except during winter periods and extreme low water.

This station is maintained under the supervision of the United 

States Reclamation Service.

Discharge measurements of Uncompahgre River at Montrose, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

July 19

27

12

20

Oct. 7

Hydrographer.

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do....................................................

.....do....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

84

28

31.5

28

28

33

28

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

206

53

72

53

59

83

54

height.

Feet. 

5.10

2.70

3.10

2.50

2.70

3.50

2.65

Discharge.

See.-ft. 

1,070

109

224

86

124

320

110
COLOEADO EIVER BASIN. 177

Daily gage height, in feet, of Uncompahgre River at Montrose, Colo.,for 1909. 

[Thomas Reeves, observer.]

Day.

1.. ..................................

2....................................

3....................................

4. ...................................

5. ...................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16....................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24....................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28. ...................................

29. ...................................

30....................................

31....................................

Apr.

2

0

2.3

2.5

2.5

2.55

2.5

2.5

2

9

2.35

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.45

2.5

2.65

3.05

4.05

4.15

3.90

3.55

3.15

2.7

2.8

2.85

2.8

2.7

2.6

3.15

2.85

2.5

May.

9 i <;

2.25

2.1

9 fi

3.5

3.55

3.6

3.6

3.2

3.1

3.5

3-3

3.4

2.75

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.7

9. 1

2.7

9 4^

2.55

2.45

2.55

9 ^

2.55

2.6

2.65

2.5

9 1 1;

June.

2.1

2.2

2.5

3.6

4.8

5.35

5.8

5.05

4.9

4.8

5.0

5.1

5.35

4.8

4 95

5,35

5.4

5.45

5

C

5.45

5.5

5.6

5.65

5.6

5.8

C Q

5.1

4.9

5.0

5.0

July.

4.75

4.55

4.7

4.55

4.5

4.5

4.0

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.45

2.95

2.65

2.45

2

0

2.45

2.7

2.5

9 ELI

2.5

2.35

2.55

3.2

3.75

3.3

3.1

3.05

2.8

2.7

2.9

2.8

Aug.

2.8

3.0

2.6

2.55

2.7

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.45

2.6

2.7

2.65

3.0

2.7

3.1

3.05

2.8

3.55

3.2

3.4

2.95

1 4

3.2

3.5

3.2

3.25

3.05

2.8

2.95

3.1

3.6

Sept.

3.5

3.05

3.1

3.75

4.05

4.7

4.8

4.45

4.3

4.15

4.2

3.9

4.65

4.3

4.1

4.2

4.2

4.1

3.9

3.65

3.6'

3.4

3.35

3.2

3.2

3.0

2.9

2.75

2.65

2.55

Oct.

2.45

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.7

2.6

2.55

2.6

2.55

2.5

2.45

2.4

2.45

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.45

2.4

2.5

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

Nov.

2-5

2.6

2.5

2.55

2.5

2.35

2.25

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.05

2.05

1.95

2.0

2.05

2.0

2.05

2.05

2;=1

2.1

2.05

 2.15

2.1

2.1

2.05

2.05

2.0

2.05

2.1

2.1

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Uncompahgre River at Montrose, Colo.,for 1909.

Day.

1....................................

2....................................

3....................................

4....................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

9....................................

10. ...................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16. ...................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22. ...................................

23....................................

24....................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

Apr.

75

75

107

117

107

107

75

82

107

107

90

98

107

138

236

568

610

510

386

263

148

170

183

170

148

127

263

183

107

May.

52

68

45

127

370

386

402

402

277

249

370

306

338

159

98

107

107

90

148

249

148

98

117

98

117

107

117

127

138

107

52

June.

45

60

107

402

912

1,200

1,450

1,040

964

912

1,020

1,070

1,200

912

990

1,200

1,230

1,250

1,280

1,250

1,280

1,340

1,360

1,340

1,450

1,170

1,060

958

1,010

1,010

July.

880

777

854

777

752

752

524

406

406

369

316

172

110

75

53

75

119

83

92

83

60

92

237

425

267

209

196

139

119

160

139

Aug.

139

183

100

92

119

83

83

83

75

100

119

110

183

119

209

196

139

351

237

299

172

299

237

333

237

252

196

139

172

209

369

Sept.

333

196

209

425

545

854

906

728

656

588

610

484

828

656

566

610

610

566

484

388

369

299

283

237

237

183

160

129

110

92

Oct.

75

67

67

67

53

53

119

100

92

100

92

83

75

67

75

83

83

83

67

75

67

83

53

41

30

21

21

21

21

21

21

Nov.

83

100

83

92

83

60

47

41

30

30

25

25

16

21

25

21

25

25

30

30

25

36

30

30

25

25

21

25

30

30

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: April 1 to June 25, well 

defined between 30 and 600 second-feet; June 26 to Nov. 30, not well defined.

95620° WSP 269 11 12
178 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Monthly discharge of Uncompahgre River at Montrose, Colo.,for 1909.

Month.

April ..............................................

May...............................................

July...............................................

September. ........................................

November. ................ .......................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

610 

402 

1,450 

880 

369 

906 

119 

100

Minimum.

75 

45 

" 45 

53 

75 

92 

21 

16

Mean.

186 

180 

1,020 

313 

182 

445 

63.7 

38.9

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

11,100 

11,100 

60,700 

19,200 

11,200 

26,500 

3,920 

2,310

146,000

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

B.

UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER NEAR DELTA, COLO.

This station was originally established April 29, 1903, at a highway 

bridge one-fourth mile above the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad 

bridge. On November 17, 1903, it was removed to the railroad 

bridge, one-fourth mile northwest of the depot at Delta, Colo. The 

vertical gage at this bridge was read until April 21, 1904, when an 

inclined gage was installed on the right bank near the bridge. This 

gage was read until November, 1906, when a staff gage was installed 

at the present location, on the second highway bridge 2 miles south 

of Delta. Observations were not begun at this gage until April 

21, 1907. It was washed out September 6, 1909, and not repaired.

The station is located near the junction of the Uncompahgre with 

the Gunnison and is below all tributaries and diversions. At ordinary 

stages the flow of the river at this point is nearly all seepage water 

from the irrigation of ditches above. During the irrigation season 

the ditches consume all the normal flow.

Results are probably not materially affected by ice, as ice does not 

form very thick except along the edges of the stream. Slush ice 

frequently occurs.

There is no determined relation between the datum of the last 

established gage and the several earlier gages, and the datum of 

the gage used from April 22, 1904, to November, 1906, is different 

from that of the previous gage.

Records obtained at this station are good except during extremely 

low stages.

This station is maintained under the supervision of the United 

States Reclamation Service.

The daily and monthly estimates for this station are withheld 

until more high-water measurements have been obtained.
COLORADO EIVER BASIN. 179 

Discharge measurements of Uncompahgre River near Delta, Colo., in 1909.

Date.

Apr, 28

July 20

29

Oct. 22

Hydrographer.

.....do....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

42

48

40

48

48

50

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

101

98

42.4

61.4

108

69

Gage 

height.

Feel. 

2.64

2.45

1.57

1.70

2.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

242

294

21.1

43.3

356

109

Daily gage height, in feet, of Uncompahgre River near Delta, Colo., for 1909.

Day.

1. .........

2..........

3..........

4. ......... 

5..........

6...'.......

7. ......... 

8..........

9. . ........ 

10..........

11..........

12.......... 

13..........

14..........

15........ ..

Apr.

1.8

1.8 

1.8

1.8 

1.9

2.0

2.1 

1.95

1.9

1 Q

1 9

1.9

1 Q

1 o

1.8

May.

1.9

1.75 

1.95

2.4

2.75

3.4

3.45 

3.65

3.4 

3.25

3.25

3.25

2

ftc

2.25

June.

1.95

1.9 

1.9

2.0 

3.0

3.5

3.95 

4.15

4.25 

4.1

3.95

3.9 

3.9

3.8

3.75

July.

3.65

3.45 

3.35

3.4

3.85

3.8

3.55

3:15

2.75 

2.5

2.45

2.0 

2.0

9 n

1.8

Aug.

1.7

1.7 

1.65

1.6 

1.6

1.6

1.7 

1.7

1.65 

2.3

2.5

2.0 

1.85

2.35

2.15

Sept.

2.5

2.5 

3.1

3.5 

3.65

4.5

Day.

16..........

17. ......... 

18. .........

19... ....... 

20..........

21 ..........

22.......... 

23..........

24..........

9^

26..........

27..........

28..........

29.... ......

30..........

Apr.

2.05

2.4 

3.2

3.4 

3.3

3.1

2.55 

2.2

1.9

1 71

1.85

2.25 

2.6

9 1

2.1

May.

2.05

2.0 

2.15

2.55 

2.55

2.55

2.25 

2.45

2.3 

2.2

2.1

2.3 

2.5

2.3

2.15

June.

385

3.85 

4.3

4.6 

4.4

4.35

4.1

4.2

4.25 

4.1

4.05

3.95 

3.85

3.6

3.65

July.

1.7

1.7 

1.7

1.7 

1.75

1.6

2.25 

2.05

2.3 

2.0

2.0

1.95 

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.65

Aug.

2.15

2.3 

2.65

3.0

2.65

2. .6

2.55 

2.35

2.45 

2.5

2.45

2.6 

2.25

2.0

2.0

2.2

Sept.

......

NOTE. Gage washed out on Sept. 6.

FREMONT RIVER BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

Fremont River heads in the eastern slopes of the Wasatch 

Mountains in Sevier County, Utah, one of its sources being Fish 

Lake. It flows in a general southerly direction to Thurber, from 

which point it traverses the central portion of Wayne County in a 

general easterly direction to Hawksville, where it turns southward; 

it joins Colorado River about 8 miles above Hite, Utah. It receives 

one important tributary, Curtis Creek,1 from the north and a 

number of smaller streams, including Tantalus and Lewis creeks, 

from the south. The lower half of its course is through two deep 

canyons separated by a valley. On the upper water of the main 

river is what is known as Rabbit. Valley. Both Fremont River and 

Curtis Creek are considerably augmented in volume by springs in 

their canyons, but they derive the greater part of their waters from 

melting snows on the plateau.

FREMONT RIVER NEAR THURBER, UTAH.

This station, which was established May 13, 1909, is located about 

2 miles (by road) south of Thurber, Utah. The records show the 

total amount of water available for storage in a reservoir proposed 

at this point.

Called Muddy River on General Land Office maps.
180 SUBFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Pine Creek enters about 2 miles above the station. This creek 

and springs in the valley just above the station furnish much of the 

low-water flow. Most of the normal low-water flow is diverted above 

and below the station for irrigation.

The staff gage is on the left bank about 2,000 feet above a gristmill. The gage height records are probably not much affected by 

ice. Discharge measurements are made from a cable at the gage.

As the bed of the stream is of a shifting character, frequent measurements are necessary for reliable estimates of daily and monthly 

discharge.

Discharge measurements of Fremont River near Thurber, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

May 13

Aug. 11

30

Hydrographer.

.....do.....................................................

.....do. ....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

29

28

28.5

28.7

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

61

64.4

58

37

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.25

4.35

4.97

5.02

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

116

67.3

111

132

Daily gage height, in feet, of Fremont River near Thurber, Utah, for 1909. 

[John Smith, observer.]

Day.

1....................................

2....................................

3....................................

4. ...................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8. ...................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14..................... ......... ....

15....................................

16. ...................................

17. ...................................

18. ...................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22. ...................................

23. ...................................

24. ...................................

25. ...................................

26....................................

27. ...................................

28. ...................................

29....... ^. ...........................

30. ...................................

31. ..................................

May.

4.25

4.6

4.65

4.5

4.5

4.7

4.8

4 9

4.9

4.9

4.8

4 75

4.8

4 75

4.6

4.7

4.5

4.5

4 55

June.

4.7

4.75

4.8

4.8

4.85

4.85

4.9

5.0

5.0

5.05

4.95

4.8

4.6

4.6

4.55

4.65

4.4

4.6

4.7

4.7

4.75

4.7

4.65

4.45

4.35

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

July.

4.4

4.5

4.55

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.55

4.6

4.6

4.65

4.7

4.65

4.75

4.6

4.6

4.65

4.65

4.7

5.1

5.0

4.9

4.95

4.9

4.9

4.95

4.9

4.85

4.7

4.75

4.7

Aug.

4.65

4.7

4.7

4.65

4.7

4.8

4.9

5.25

5.2

5.15

5.1

6.0

5.5

5.4

6.2

6.25

6.3

6.25

6.3

6.25

6.1

6.0

5.9

5.8

5.7

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.25

5.0

5.5

Sept.

5.55

6.0

6.1

5.9

5.9

5.85

5.9

5.8

5.75

5.6

5.7

5.8

5.85

5.9

5.8

5.75

5.65

5.6

5.5

5.45

5.3

5.4

5.35

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.35

5.5

5.6

5.7

Oct.

5.8

5.85

5.9

5.85

5.8

5.8

5.75

5.8

5.75

5.65

5.7

5.6

5.55

5.5

5.5

5.45

5.4

5.45

5.5

5.4

5.35

5.3

5.25

5.3

5.35

 5.4

5.5

5.45

5.4

5.45

5.4

Nov.

5.35

5.3

5.25

5.25

5.2

5.0

5.1

5.15

5.2

5.2

5.25

5.3

5.35

5.4

5.4

5.45

5.4

5.45

5.5

5.45

5.4

5.45

5.5

5.45

5.5

5.5

5.55

5.5

5.55

5.6

Dec.

5.55

5.6

5.65

5.6

5.5

5.6

5.5

5.45

,5.5

5.55

5.5

5.55

5.55

5.6

5.7

5.65

5.7

5.75

5.8

5.9

5.85

5.8

5.75

5.8

5.75

5.7

5.65

5.7

- 5.75

5.7

5.7
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 181

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Fremont River near Thurber, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1....................................

2............................... ..

3....................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8. ...................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14. ...................................

15....................................

16. ...................................

17....................................

18. ...................................

19. ...................................

20. ...................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24. ..................................

25. ...................................

26. ...................................

27....................................

28. ...................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

May.

116

150

145

117

150

172

171

170

168

156

i<;n

134

141

121

120

120

June.

136

140

144

143

145

143

145

154

152

154

142

127

107

105

100

108

85

100

100

108

107

111

105

99

81

70

83

82

81

67

July.

71

78

82

86

86

86

86

81

85

85

88

92

88

97

84

83

87

87

91

128

119

110

113

109

109

112

107

102

89

QS

89

Aug.

83

88

88

83

88

96

106

139

134

128

119

226

228

°11

251

246

253

248

f)QA

226

216

207

198

189

190

179

154

184

Sept.

185

235

240

223

223

218

223

212

207

191

202

213

223

213

207

194

189

179

174

169

164

169

169

169

164

179

189

189

Oct.

207

213

218

213

209

209

202

209

201

190

196

185

180

175

175

169

163

169

175

163

158

153

148

153

158

163

164

169

163

163

163

Nov.

153

148

143

143

138

143

128

133

138

138

142

149

152

157

157

162

157

162

168

162

157

162

167

162

167

167

172

167

172

176

Dec.

171

176

181

.176

166

176

166

161

166

171

166

171

171

176

174

179

174

189

195

205

200

195

189

195

189

184

179

184

189

184

184

NOTE. These discharges were obtained by the indirect method for shifting channels.

Monthly discharge of Fremont River near Thurber, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

May 13-31 .........................................

July...............................................

October ............................... . ..... .

December ....... . . . . . . ........

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

172 

154 

128 

253 

240 

218 

176 

205

Minimum.

116 

67 

71 

83 

159 

148 

128 

161

Mean.

146 

114 

93.6 

170 

196 

180 

155 

180

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

5,500 

6,780 

5,760 

10,500 

11,700 

11,100 

9,220 

11,100

71,600

Accuracy.

D. 

C: 

B. 

B. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

C.

MUDDY CREEK NEAR EMERY, UTAH.

Muddy Creek rises in the eastern slopes of the Wasatch Mountains in the extreme southern corner of Sanpete County and joins 

Curtis Creek about 8 miles below Emery, Utah. Curtis Creek flows 

southeasterly across Emery County and enters Fremont 'Riyer near 

Hawksyille, Utah.

The station was originally established April 29, 1909, at Jacobson's ranch, about 7 miles aboye and northwest of the town of Emery, 

Utah.

The station is below aU tributaries and aboye all diversions.
182 SURFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Prior to August 25, 1909, records were obtained by measuring down 

to the water surface from a reference point on a flume in which discharge measurements were made. A staff gage was installed at the 

same location and datum on August 25. During August great variations in discharge were caused by heavy rains, which washed out the 

gage and so altered the section that the station had to be reestablished at a new location September 18 several hundred feet upstream. 

A staff gage was installed at a different datum and a cable erected, 

from which cable section discharge measurements will be made.

Discharge measurements of Muddy Creek near Emery, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

June 13

Sept. 18

Dee. 3»

Hydrographer.

E. A.' Porter. ...............................................

.....do.....................................................

.... .do. ....................................................

.... .do. ....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

24

17

17

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

41

15

18

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.40

1.90

ol.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

247

48

55

c3.8

o Gage height from new gage set Sept. 18 at a different location and datum from the one previously 

used.

* Creek frozen over along the entire course; 6 inches of ice at gage. 

c Estimated.

Daily gage height, infect, and discharge, in second-feet, of Muddy Creek near Emery, Utah,

for 1909. 

[Melvin Sorenson, observer.]

Day.

1.. .................

2...................

3...................

4...................

5...................

6...................

7...................

8...................

9...................

10...................

11...................

12...................

13...................

14...................

15. ..................

16...................

17... ................

18...................

19...................

20. ..................

21...................

22. ..................

OQ

24...................

25..............:....

26...................

27...................

28. ..................

9Q

Of)

01

April.

Gage 

height.

1.9 

1.8

Discharge.

48 

40

May.

Gage 

height.

1.85 

1.95 

2.5 

2.7 

2.6

1.4

1.6

1.95 

2.45 

2.5 

2.5 

2.4

2.95 

3.45 

3.55 

3.25 

3.00

3.3 

3.05 

3.0 

2.9 

3.15

3.7 

3.25 

3.2 

3.1 

2.9 

3.1

Discharge.

44 

53 

119 

146 

132

12

15 

18 

21 

24

53 

112 

119 

119 

106

181 

254 

270 

224 

188

232 

195 

188 

174 

210

292 

224 

217 

202 

174 

202

June.

Gage 

height.

3.25 

3.75 

3.7 

3.75 

3.7

3.7 

3.6 

3.65 

3.5 

3.5

3.5 

3.45 

3.5

3.45 

3.45

3.45 

3.45 

3.35 

3.35 

3.35

3.3 

3.3 

3.2 

3.2 

3.15

3.1 

3.1 

3.0

2.95 

2.8

Discharge.

224 

300 

292 

300 

292

292 

277 

284 

262 

262

262 

254 

262 

254 

254

254 

254 

240 

240 

' 240

232 

232 

217 

217 

210

202 

202 

' 188 

181 

160

July.

Gage 

height.

2.75 

2.7 

2.55 

2.5 

2.35

2.35 

2.3 

2.3 

2.25 

2.25

2.45 

2.5 

2.5 

2.45 

2.45

2.4 

2.4 

2.45 

2.45 

2.45

2.45 

2.4 

2.5 

2.45 

2.45

2.45 

2.35 

2.35 

2.35 

2.3 

2.3

Discharge.

153 

146 

126 

119 

100

100 

94 

94

88 

88

112 

119 

119 

112 

112

106 

106 

112 

112 

112

112 

106 

119 

112 

112

112 

100 

100 

100 

94 

94

August.

Gage 

height.

2.35 

2.3 

2.2 

2.3 

2.3

2.1 

2.05

2.1

2.0 

2.0

2.0

2.1

1.9

1.9 

1.9 

1.9 

1.9

Discharge.

NOTE. The daily discharges are based on a rating curve that is fairly well denned between 40 and 300 

second-feet.

COLOEADO EIVEE BASIN. 183 

Monthly discharge of Muddy Creek near Emery, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

292 

300 

153

Minimum.

12 

160 

88

Mean.

146 

245 

109

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

8,980 

14,600 

6,700

Accuracy.

B.

A. 

A.

ESCALANTE RIVER BASIN.

ESCALANTE CEEEK NEAR ESCALANTE, UTAH.

Escalante River rises in the southern part of Garfield County, Utah, 

under the walls forming the east face of the Table Cliff Plateau; flows 

first northeast, then east, and finally southeast, and enters the Colorado in Kane County about 12 miles above the mouth of the San 

Juan. It is 90 miles long, and the lower three-fourths of its course 

is through a narrow canyon whose vertical walls range in height from 

900 to 1,200 feet. Through this gorge the river sweeps, in places 

filling the whole space from wall to wall, in places winding from side 

to side in a flood plain of sand and shifting its position more or less 

with every freshet.

In the upper part of its course it is joined by several tributaries, 

all of which flow through close canyons.

A gaging station, established August 5, 1909, is located on Escalante Creek, one of the headwaters of Escalante River, at the head 

of the canyon, about 2 miles below the town of Escalante, Utah. 

The records show the total amount of water available for storage in 

an excellent reservoir site at this point.

The principal tributaries above are Birch Creek, entering about 6 

miles upstream, and Pine Creek, which enters just above the station. 

Practically all the normal low-water flow is diverted above the station for irrigation in and near Escalante, the run-off at the station 

representing only the surplus water.

Estimates of winter discharge are very unreliable. The shifting 

'nature of the stream bed makes accurate interpretation of the results 

difficult.

The first gage used was located about 20 feet below the mouth of 

Pine Creek. It was washed out by a severe flood August 31, which 

scoured out the bed of the creek about 3 feet and changed the location of the channel. From September 1 to November 12 records 

were kept of the depth of water at a point near the gage site. On 

November 13 a new gage was set 35 feet above the old one and the 

observer's readings for the intervening period referred to the new 

datum. The records for this period are only approximate.
184 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Discharge measurements of Escalante Creek near Escalante, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

Nov. 13&

Hydrographer.

E. A. Porter ..............................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet.

11

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

7.9

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.85

2.06

Discharge.

Sec.Jt. 

8.0

13.5

a Made by floats, coefficient 0.8 used.

6 Made by wading below gage installed this date at different datum.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Escalante Creek near Escalante, Utah, for 1909. 

[D. C. Shurtz, observer.]

Day.

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7.......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14.......

15.......

Aug.

, 1.8

1.9

3.7

1.6

3.1

1.8

1.75

1.9

1.7

Sept.

3.7

4.7

3 9

4.1

2.0

2.0

2

1

9 ft

9 ft

2.0

2.0

Oct.

2.2

2 1 ^

2.2

2 9

1.75

1.7

1 7f»

1.65

1.6

Nov.

1.8

1.8

2 9

1 9

2.0

9 n

Dec.

2.0

2.0

2.0

2

flE

2.1

2

1

2.2

2.3

Day.

16.......

17.......

19

20.......

21.......

99

23.......

24.......

26.......

97

28.......

30.......

31.......

Aug.

6.2

2.0

3.5

2.7

3.7

2.1

2.5

3.3

2.8

8.2

4.7

10.2

Sept.

2.0

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.2

2.15

2.2

2.3

Oct.

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.75

1.75

1,75

1.75

Nov.

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.6

2.0

2.0

1.95

Dec.

2.6

2 A

2.4

2.6

2.8

3 1

 ? 1

3.15

NOTE. Gage heights Aug. 5 to 31 refer to gage installed Aug. 5. Gage heights Sept. 1 to Nov. 12, 

reduced to datum of new gage installed Nov. 13 and are approximate. See description.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Escalante Creek near Escalante, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1.......

2.......

3.......

4.......

5.......

6.......

7. ......

8.......

9.......

10.......

11.......

12.......

13.......

14. ......

15.......

Aug.

9.5

127

3

70

6

8

9.5

5

112

Sept.

197

79

170

91

12

12

15

12

19

12

12

12

Oct.

17

17

18

18

18

12

6

5

4

3

3

Nov.

6

7

7

7

7

7

12

18

14Q <;

12

12

Dec.

12

12

12

19

13

14

14

15

18

20

Day.

17.......

19.......

20.......

21.......

23.......

24. ......

25.......

26. ......

27.......

28.......

29.......

30o-i

Aug.

443

12

304

107

42

127

15

31

57

26

37

48

520

243

Sept.

12

15

18

16

15

15

15

16

18

17

16

17

18

20

22

Oct.

3

2

2

4

7

6

6

6

6

6

6

Nov.

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

11

11

Dec.

29

36

12

26

31

36

42

48

59

70

70

70

68

66

70

74

NOTE. These discharges are based on a rating curve that is not well defined.

Monthly discharge of Escalante Creek near Escalante, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

Mean 

discharge 

in secondfeet.

116

39.5

8.19

10.8

33.2

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

6,210

2,350

504

643

2,040

NOTE. These estimates are only approximate. See description.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 185 

SAN JTJAN RIVER BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

San Juan River rises among the snow masses that crown the high 

peaks of the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, flows 

southwestward into New Mexico, then swings to the west and northwest, passing from San Juan County, N. Mex., across the extreme 

southwestern corner of Colorado into San Juan County, Utah, in the 

southwestern part of which it unites with the Colorado.

For the first 75 miles of its course the San Juan is a typical mountain 

stream, but at Canyon Largo, N. Mex., where it turns westward, its 

character changes, and it occupies a broad, winding, sandy channel 

in an arid valley, bordered on each side by terraced mesas. Below 

the mouth of Mancos River the valley narrows and the river bottom 

is bounded by abrupt bluffs, broken and cut by dry water channels, 

and merging farther on into the walls of a deep, narrow, box canyon, 

in which the river flows to its end.

The drainage area includes portions of four States and Territories. 

Its topography ranges from the mountainous types at the headwaters 

in Colorado to the types exemplified in the valleys, plateaus, and 

eroded mesas of Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. Large areas of 

eruptive rocks occur in the highest portions of the basin, but the predominating formations are of sedimentary origin. The headwater 

streams are protected by fine forests of spruce and yellow pine and at 

lower elevations large areas of aspen. The lower basin is practically 

barren except for an extensive growth of sagebrush, scattered cedars, 

pinons, and range grasses.

The principal tributaries of the San Juan are Navajo, Piedra, Pine, 

Florida, Animas, and La Plata rivers, the Animas being the most 

important.

Animas River has its source in the region above Silverton, draining 

portions of the Needle and La Plata Mountains, the former being the 

most rugged of the Rocky Mountain ranges. The river flows southward to the Colorado-New Mexico line and thence southwestward to 

the point where it joins the San Juan at Farmington, N. Mex. The 

upper portion of the basin, above Durango, is very mountainous and 

furnishes the principal part of the run-off. Much of this region is 

well timbered with pine, spruce, and aspen, 'but large areas consist 

of naked granite peaks. Immediately above and below Durango 

the valley broadens and is bordered by mesas and bluffs cut by narrow canyons and covered with sagebrush and scattered pines and 

pinons; along the stream channels cottonwoods predominate. The 

rocks of this region are chiefly of sedimentary origin. The soils of 

the lower valleys consist of sandy loam and are very fertile.
186 SUKFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

La Plata River rises in the granite masses known as La Plata Mountains, about 25 miles northwest of Durango, Colo., and flows southward to its point of junction with the San Juan. Its drainage basin 

is a narrow strip parallel to and adjoining the Animas basin. The 

upper portion of the- basin is a well-watered and forest-clad mountain region which merges southward into an arid mesa, plateau, and 

canyon country. La Plata Valley proper is a narrow, shallow depression from Hesperus down, bounded on both sides by high, broken 

tablelands and deeply eroded mountains. The lower mountain slopes 

are covered with pinon, scrub oak, and cedar; the lower valleys support heavy growths of sagebrush and chico; the upper mountain 

slopes were at one time heavily timbered with spruce and yellow and 

white pine, but these forests have been largely removed by lumbermen.

The other tributaries of the San Juan need not here be described. 

Those mentioned are perennial streams, but much of their water is 

diverted for irrigation and never reaches the main river. In addition 

to the perennial streams are many intermittent creeks throughout 

New Mexico, which contribute large volumes of water during heavy 

storms.

The altitudes in this drainage basin range from over 13,000 feet in 

the highest mountains to between 6,000 and 7,000 feet at the Colorado-New Mexico line. The San Juan at the mouth of the Animas 

has an elevation of about 5,300 feet; at its junction with Colorado 

Eiver the elevation is about 3,500 feet.

Most of the timbered land in the San Juan drainage basin is included in the San Juan National Forest, which contains nearly 2,000 

square miles of merchantable timber, 100 square miles of woodland, 

300 square miles of sagebrush, and 200 square miles of barren and 

burnt area.

In a small area in the high mountains the annual precipitation 

exceeds 25 inches, and' over a considerable area the average exceeds 

20 inches; but for the remainder of the area the average in Colorado 

seems to be about 15 inches, that in New Mexico about 10 inches, 

and in Utah about 15 inches.

Above an altitude of 7,500 feet the winters are severe and snowfalls are heavy; below an elevation of 6,000 feet the winters are comparatively open and mild. The upper mountain streams flow under a 

thick ice cover, but in the more open country, in the vicinity of Aztec, 

it is rather unusual for the rivers to freeze over entirely, though much 

ice forms along the edges, and slush ice is often seen.

Much land along the valleys of San Juan, Animas, Pine, Florida, and 

La Plata rivers and the smaller tributaries in Colorado is now under 

cultivation, and also a few thousand acres of valley land in New Mexico. Up to this time irrigation has largely been confined to the bot-
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. 187

torn land. The greatest opportunities for future development are in 

San Juan County, N. Mex., where exceptionally large areas, aggregating probably a million acres of fertile lands, are excellently adapted 

to irrigation. The rivers there are bordered by broad mesas and 

benches, sloping back for miles in many places and easily reached by 

irrigation canals, and the water supply is ample.

Numerous small lakes, high up in the mountains, tend to equalize 

the flow of some of the tributaries, and many large and small storage 

reservoir sites are available. Among others may be mentioned the 

Turley reservoir site, on San Juan River below the mouth of the Pine, 

which has a storage capacity of about one and a half million acre-feet.

Excellent opportunities for power development are presented. 

Theoretically, with proper storage, it will be possible to develop nearly 

300,000 horsepower. Falls of 100 to 300 feet per mile are common 

on the upper reaches of the stream. The San Juan has an average 

fall of about 13 feet to the mile from the mouth of the Piedra to the 

mouth of the Mancos, a distance of about 115 miles, while the fall 

above the mouth of the Piedra is very much greater. The Animas 

has a fall of over 70 feet to the mile from Silverton to Durango, a 

distance of about 40 miles, and from Durango to its mouth the average fall is over 20 feet to the mile. Present developments are practically limited to two power plants on Animas River, of 6,000 and 

1,000 horsepower. Several other plants are contemplated.

The largest deposits of lignite and bituminous and coking coal in 

the West are in this drainage area.

FLOOD IN SAN JUAN VALLEY, SEPTEMBER 5 AND 6, 1909. 1 

GENERAL FEATURES.

A very heavy flood occurred on the San Juan and its tributaries in 

southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico on September 

5 and 6, 1909. The oldest residents in the vicinity of Aztec and 

Farmington stated that both the Animas and San Juan reached higher 

stages during this flood than at any time since the country has been 

settled, and even the Indians are said to have had no memory of a 

time when the San Juan was so high.

The flood was caused by continuous heavy rains in the headwater 

region and all along the courses of these streams. The upper San 

Juan itself and its tributaries from the north, from the Piedra west 

to and beyond La Plata, were in flood simultaneously with Canyon 

Largo and other large intermittent tributaries from the south, all of 

which are capable of carrying enormous quantities of water. The 

main watercourse of Canyon Largo, for instance, is more than 70 

miles long, and some of its tributaries are 40 or 50 miles long, so that 

it drains a very large area which at times is subject to an excessive 

run-off. The combined floods caused the usual damage.

1 This report by Mr. Freeman.was also published in the Monthly Weather Review for September, 

1909.
188 SUKFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

In Colorado the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad sustained the 

greater part of the loss. Along Animas River between Sifverton and 

Durango many stretches of the railroad tracks were washed out and 

others were covered with immense deposits of sediment. Traffic on 

this branch was suspended for about three weeks. The cost to the 

railroad company amounted to many thousand dollars. Animas River 

also did considerable damage in the town of Durango and surrounding country.

Pine River, in Colorado, was in heavy flood and overflowed its 

banks in many places. At La Boca, the river took out the approach 

embankment to railroad bridge on right bank. This embankment 

has since been replaced by a pile span. Spring Creek, which flows 

into Pine River near this point, washed out the railroad track in 

several places. A locomotive went into the ditch at a small railroad 

trestle on this creek. The Piedra and upper San Juan were also at 

very high stages.

In San Juan County, N. Mex., the principal loss was sustained by 

the Farmington branch of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad; by 

the county, through the washing out of the suspension bridge across 

the San Juan at Blanco; and by the farmers, whose lands were overflowed by the flood waters of Animas and San Juan Rivers. The total 

loss in the county is believed to have been not less than $20,000; the 

Blanco bridge alone cost about $4,200. The Flora Vista glade, which 

runs into Animas River near Flora Vista, carried a great deal of water 

and sediment and did not a little damage to the railroad track and 

the surrounding country, both by washouts and by the deposition 

of sediment. Other glades and arroyos were correspondingly high, 

though most of them are not in a position to do much damage. The 

streams in this section began to rise rapidly on Sunday, September 

5, and by Sunday night they were at high stages. Maximum heights 

were attained early Monday morning in the vicinity of Farmington.

PRECIPITATION.

The rainfall was general. (See PL VI.) As far west as Fruitland 

there was about 0.7 inch of precipitation during the first six days of 

September, most of which fell on the 6th; and as far east as Chama, 

the rainfall amounted to 1.6 inches from September 1 to 6. At 

Durango, Colo., the rainfall was 3.6 inches during the above period, 

of which 1.64 inches fell on September 5 and 0.82 inch on September 6. 

The combined precipitation on September 5 and 6 at several points 

was as follows:

Inches. 

Silverton....................................................... 2.50

Hesperus....................................................... 2. 68

Mancos ....................................................... 1. 41

Ignacio........................................................ .87

Springs................................................. 1. 87
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 269 PLATE VI

! OTJR\Y / > -HPLake City

\SAGUACHE

X S A

A P JAY.C H E (j | - 

N A V AAJ O

O q

Regular gaging Station for miscellaneous

station measurements

ULPOtTES ENSB'6 CO., N.Y. 107°

10 20 30 40 $0 MILES

MAP OF SAN JUAN RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN, SHOWING RAINFALL AND GAGING STATIONS.
COLOKADO KIVEB BASIN. 189

San Miguel River was in heavy flood at this same time, and the 

bursting of the Trout Lake reservoir dam caused the destruction of 

a great deal of property below. Several miles of railroad track were 

damaged or entirely washed away, causing the suspension of traffic 

for a long period, and no little damage was done to highways and 

bottom lands in San Miguel County, Colo.

The following table shows the daily precipitation at various points 

in San Juan County from September 1 to 7, inclusive:

Precipitation in inches in San Juan drainage basin, September 1-7, 1909.

Bloomfield, N. Mex. ...............................

Fort Wingate, N. Mex .............................

1

0.23

0

.11

.40

KA

.06

.15

.01

0

T.

4ft

2

0

T.

.16

.06

.19

T.

.03

.13

0

0

T.

0

Sej

3

0

.10

0

.15

.04

T.

.27

.29

.18

0

0

.32

>tembe

4

0.31

.05

.10

.04

.37

.04

.18

.04

.30

0

0

1.20

r 

5

2.00

.60

.41

1.99

1.64

.50

.79

.99

1.40

1.00

.30

.59

6

0.50

.09

.48

.69

.82

.37

.37

.42

.47

.17

.65

1.20

7

0.30

.02

0

.29

.01

.12

.30

T.

.35

0

0

0

 LUtcU*

3.34

.86

1.26

3.62

3.57

1.09

2.09

1.87

2.71

1.17

QK

3.71

SAN JUAN RIVER PROPER.

At Arboles, Colo., above the most important tributaries, the San 

Juan was at a very high stage and probably reached its maximum 

on Sunday night. At Blanco, N. Mex., above Canyon Largo, the 

gage read 10 feet on Sunday evening, and at 6 a. m. Monday, September 6, when the county suspension bridge was washed out, the 

maximum gage height was about 11 feet. The maximum discharge 

there was not less than 15,000 second-feet. At Bloomfield, 12 miles 

below the mouth of Canyon Largo, the river had a flood cross section 

of 1,800 square feet and a maximum discharge estimated from 18,000 

to 20,000 second-feet. The river overflowed the bottom lands all 

along its course, and in many places the course of the channel was 

entirely changed. At one place part of an orchard was washed into 

the river, and at another a house was carried away when the bank 

caved in. At the county bridge at Farmington, below the mouth of 

the Animas, the river reached a maximum height late Monday evening. The gage height was in the neighborhood of 12.3 feet on the 

old United States Geological Survey gage, the cross sectional area 

was 3,200 square feet, and the estimated discharge was not less than 

35,000 second-feet. At this place the river overflowed the right 

bank for a distance of about 100 yards beyond the end of the bridge, 

but the bridge was not damaged in any way.
190 SUKFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

ANIMAS RIVER.

At Durango, Animas River reached a maximum height of 8.50 

feet at the power company's gage between 4 and 6 o'clock Monday 

morning, September 6 (PL yil, B). The maximum discharge was 

estimated to be over 10,000 second-feet. Between 6 and 7 o'clock 

on Monday evening the maximum height of 11 feet was reached on 

the United States Geological Survey gage at Aztec, N. Mex., and 

between 10 and 11 p. m. the maximum gage height at the old 

United States Geological Survey gage at Farmington was 11.1 feet. 

At Aztec (PL VII, A) the river overflowed the right bank for a distance 

of 800 feet beyond the end of the suspension bridge, the water being 

from 0.5 foot to 2 feet in depth; and at Farmington the river was over 

its right bank for a distance of a quarter of a mile; the fair grounds 

and race track there were entirely submerged.

The flood cross section at Aztec was about 3,100 square feet, and 

the estimated discharge was 16,000 second-feet. At Farmington the 

maximum discharge was probably from 18,000 to 20,000 second-feet.

LA PLATA RIVER.

La Plata River attained a maximum gage height of 7.60 feet on 

the United States Geological Survey and Territorial engineer's gage 

at La Plata, N. Mex., on Sunday night, September 5, and it is estimated that the maximum discharge was from 6,000 to 7,000 secondfeet. The left bank was overflowed for a distance of 1,000 feet, and 

the cross-sectional area of the overflow was 1,300 square feet, while 

the cross-sectional area of the main channel was only 224 square 

feet. It is estimated that the channel under the bridge at La Plata 

carried a maximum of 3,000 second-feet, while the overflow amounted 

to as much or more than that amount.

RESUME.

During this flood on the San Juan River probably over 150,000 

acre-feet of flood waters went to waste and were allowed to do a great 

deal of damage to the surrounding country. Had these waters been 

properly stored in any of the numerous reservoirs contemplated in 

San Juan County, such as the proposed San Juan reservoir, all of this 

damage could have been prevented and the waters used for the 

irrigation of a large area.

It is true that a flood of this magnitude is not liable to occur for a 

number of years, and it is also true that it is not necessary to store 

these excessive flood waters for irrigation. The San Juan is a valuable stream and its normal flow is ample for the irrigation of all 

the lands which it will be possible to put under cultivation for a
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 269 PLATE VII

A. OVERFLOW OF LEFT BANK IN VICINITY OF GAGING STATION AT AZTEC, N.-MEX.

B. VIEW AT FOOTBRIDGE NEAR DURANGO POWER PLANT, DURANGO, N. MEX. 

FLOOD ON ANIMAS RIVER, SEPTEMBER 6, 1909.
COLORADO EIVER BASIN. 191

number of years to come. Some storage, however, is necessary on 

the San Juan, as on any other river in the West. In the latter part 

of September, 1909, the flow of the San Juan above the mouth of the 

Animas was only 1,100 second-feet, and that of Animas River at 

Aztec 800 second-feet. These flows are considerably above the 

normal for that priod of the year.

SAN JUAN RIVER AT BLANCO, N. MEX.

This station was established December 9, 1908, to take the place 

of the station at Turley, which was discontinued November 30, 1908. 

It was located at a new suspension bridge, which crossed the San 

Juan at Blanco, about 4 miles below Turley post office, 16 miles 

southeast of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad at Aztec, N. Mex., 

and half a mile above the mouth of Canyon Largo.

The suspension bridge and chain gage were washed out by a flood 

on September 6, 1909, and on September 29, 1909, a temporary staff 

gage was established about 30 feet upstream from location of the 

bridge and at a new datum. Discharge measurements after September 6, 1909, were taken at the suspension bridge at Bloomfield 

about 9 miles downstream, where a wire gage was installed on September 28, 1909. The flow of the river at Blanco and Bloomfield 

should be the same except for the inflow of Canyon Largo. This 

stream carried practically no water in the days when discharge 

measurements were taken between September 28, 1909, and December 31, 1909.

Discharge measurements of San Juan River at Blanco, N. Mex., in 1908-9.

Date.

1908. 

Dec. 10 «

1909.

Mar. 30

May 14

Sept. 28 &

Hydrographer.

C. D. Miller. ..............................................

... ..do.. .-.......-..-..---..----..-.----.-----.---..---...-

Width.

Feet. 

194

210

238

246

246

243

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

194

298

507

915

794

height.

Feet. 

2.60

2.80

4.40

6.00

6.70

5.80

d4.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

157

526

5,820

5 Q7ft

4,020

435

« Some slush ice.

6 Measurement made at Bloomfleld.

cNew rod gage installed Sept. 29,1909, at different datum.

d Observer's gage reading at Blanco.
192 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily gage height, in feet, of San Juan River at Blanco, N. Hex., for 1909. 

[Cleofes Valdez, observer.]

Day.

1. ..............

2...............

4...............

5...............

6. ..............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22. ..............

23. ..............

24...............

25...............

26. ..............

27...............

28. ..............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2

D

2

0

2 Q

9 Q

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2 7

2.8

3.0

9 Q

2

0

2.8

2.9

3.3

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.3

3.0

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

Feb.

2.5

2.6

9 Q

2.9

.2.9

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.9

9 7

2.7

9 7

3.0

9 Q

9 Q

2.8

2

0

9 Q

2.9

3.3

2.9

2.6

2.5

2.3

2.9

2.8

3.0

3.3

Mar.

3.3

3.7

3 Q

4.3

4.4

4.6

4.4

4.7

4.7

q ft

3.3

q q

3.4

3 A

3.7

42

4.7

A. a

4.4

4.5

4.5

A. 9

4.7

4.2

A K

4.7

4.6

4.4

4.4

4.2

4.2

Apr.

41

485

5.6

5.6

48

4.55

4 1

4 1

3.85

q QK

4.7

47

45

48

6.0

6.45

7.25

7.3

7.3

6.85

6.05

5.6

5.5

5.2

c n

A Q

5.2

5.8

5.6

5.4

May.

5.1

5.1

5.5

6.0

6.4

6.6

6.7

6.65

6.3

6.1

6.0

5.9

6.0

6.0

6.05

6.1

6.1

6.4

6.2

6.2

6.0

5.85

5.8

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.55

5.9

5.7

5.5

June.

5.5

5.4

5 Q

7.2

7.6

7.7

7.6

7.8

7 9

7.0

CL Q

6.9

6.8

6.7

6.8

6.8

7.1

6.9

7.0

7.0

6.5

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.5

6.2

5.9

5.9

5.9

July.

5.7

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.7

5.7

C ft

5.2

5.2

5.0

4.8

4 7

4.5

4 6

4.5

4.4

4.2

4.2

4.2

40

4.3

4.4

6.0

5.8

5.5

4.9

5.5

5.3

4.9

4.6

4.6

Aug.

4.5

4 7

4.6

4 7

5.3

4 7

4.6

4 6

4.5

4.2

4.5

d. <i

4.3

4.1

4.8

4.8

4.8

d. <»

5.9

5.9

6.7

6.0

5.9

5.8

6.5

6.3

7.5

5.8

7.1

7.4

7.0

Sept.

6.8

6 4

6.0

7 9

8.55

4 7

4.7

4.6

Oct.

4.6

46

4.6

A C

5.6

5.6

6.1

5 9

5.1

4 9

4.8

4.8

4.8

4 7

4 7

4.7

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.5

4.4

4 4

44

4 4

4.4

4 4

44

4.4

4.4

Nov.

A q

A. 1

4.3

4.2

A 9

4 9

4. 2

A 9

A 9

4.2

4.2

4 2

4.2

4 2

A O

42

42

4 1

4.1

A o

44

4.4

4 4

43

A q

4.3

4.2

A 9

42

4.2

Dec.

4.2

A. 9

4.2

A q

4. 9

A 9

4.2

4.2

4 9

4.2

4.2

4.2

4. 9

4.1

4.1

41

4.1

4.1

41

d. 1

4..2

4 2

A 9

42

4. 9

4. 9

4.2

4. 3

4.3

4.3

4.3

« Estimated maximum gage height of 11.0 feet. 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of San Juan River at Blanco, N. Hex., for 1908-9.

. Day.

1908. 

1..... .................

2. .....................

3......................

5......................

6......................

7......................

8......................

9......................

10......................

Dec.

165

165

Day.

1908. 

11......................

12......................

13......................

15......................

16......................

17......................

18......................

19......................

20......................

Dec.

90

90

90

210

400

100

400

280

280

Day.

1908. 

21......................

12......................

23......................

24......................

25......................

26......................

27......................

28......................

29......................

30......................

31......................

Dec.

270

300

450

350

350

300

300

250

320

320
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 193 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of San Juan River at Blanco, N. Mex., for 1908-9 Contd.

Day.

1909. 

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21.........'.....

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Jan.

410

420

425

435

440

450

650

475

570

575

450

37ft

370

370

425

500

650 '560

490

480

550

925

1,280

1,280

1,120

890

600

290

290

290

290

Feb.

230

280

450

4Jin

450

380

380

380

450

qnrt

300

OAA

500

420

420

350

4ftft

400

700

qori

200

150

on

360

qnrt

650

Mar.

650

1,060

1,280

1 840

2,000

2 OKA

2

fiAA

2,530

2

KQA

Qfirt

610

700

700

1,010

2,530

2,000

2,170

2 1 7ft

1,680

2,530

1,680

2,170

2

KOA

2,350

2,000

2,000

1 ftftft

1,680

Apr.

1,530

2,820

4,670

4,670

2

ORA

1 f\eV\

1 ^V\

1 190

1^320

2,530

2,530

2,170

S Ofifl

7 qirt

10 200

lo'400

in 4fift

8,700

6,020

4,670

A qoft

S

KAft

3

1OA

2 QOft

3,590

5,260

4,670

4,110

May.

3,350

3,350

5 OCA

7 14A

7,820

8,170

8,520

8,000

6,810

6,170

5 ART)

5

e«A

5,860

5 ART)

6,020

6,170

6,170

7 140

6 490

5, 860

5,260

4,670

4,670

4

qQA

4,530

5,560

4 960

4,390

June.

A qon

4,110

7,820

10,000

U KAA

n Qftft

11,500

1° 300

10 000

9 100

8,450

7 950

7,670

7,560

8 400

7' 600

"7,650

5,850

5,250

5,160

5,350

3,750

3,750

3,750

July.

3 OCA

3 inn

3

1 Aft

2 OCA

3

QQA

3

QQA

3 9ftft

2 4Aft

2 4Aft

2

AKA

1,720

1 fi4A

1 QfiA

1 480

1

QKA

1 94A

1,010

1,010

1,010

800

1 140

1 W\

3 QSA

3 94f»

2 1 ftft

3 9Rft

2,850

1 540

1,540

Aug.

1 480

i sno

1 f*4A

2 OCA

1 ftno

1,540

1,540

1 4fift i;oso

1 480

1^210

1,210

Q7ft

1 Q4A

1 940

1 CWft

1 480

4

T OQft

4 290

A ERA

4 290

6,100

5,470

9

CAA

4,000

8,050

9,110

7 700 '

Sept.

7 OAft

5,770

4,560

8 ' 400

1,100

1,100

950

Oct.

950

950

950

830

2 jnn

2 400

3

JAA

1,700 i Kjifl

1 9f%ft

1,150

1 1 f\f\

1 1 c\f\

1,000

1,000

880

SRft

880

880

760

670

670

670

670

670

670

670

670

Nov.

570

570

E7f|

480

480

480

480

480

4RA

460

460

450

450

450

450

450

440

qon

380

KQA

620

620

550

550

460.

460

Dec.

470

470

470

470

470

470

470

470

420

420

420

420

A3{\

430

Kf\n

EAn.

500

KAA

CAA

KAA

500

580

CQA

580

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Dec. 9 to 15, 1908, and Mar. 

4 to June 9,1909, not well denned: Dec. 16.1908, to Mar. 3,1909, June 10 to Sept. 4, and Sept. 28 to Dec. 31, 

1909, indirect method for shifting channels used.

Discharge Sept. 5 and 6 estimated as 9,650 and 13,000 second-feet, respectively. Discharge Sept. 7 to 27 

estimated as equivalent to 6,190 second-feet per day by hydrograph comparison with the flow of the 

Animus River at Aztec, N. Mex.

Monthly discharge of San Juan River at Blanco, N. Mex., for 1908-9.

Month.

1908.

1909.

April. . ............................................

July.......:.......................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

450

1,280 

700 

2,720 

10,400 

8,520 

12,300 

4,530 

9,500 

"13,000 

3,400 

620 

580

13,000

Minimum.

9Q

290 

90 

610 

1,190 

3,350 

3,750 

800 

970 

950 

670 

380 

420

90

Mean.

265

555 

372 

1,750 

4,310 

5,840 

7,340 

2,240 

3,460 

6,050 

1,090 

494 

483

2,830

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

12,100

34, 100 

20,700 

108,000 

256,000 

359,000 

437,000 

138,000 

213,000 

360,000 

67,000 

29,400 

29,700

2,050,000

Accuracy.

D.

D. 

D. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

C. 

C. 

D. 

D. 

D. 

D. 

D.

Estimated.

95620° WSP 269 11 13
194 SUEFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

ANIMAS RIVEE AT AZTEC, N. MEX.

This station was originally established June 21, 1904, at a woodentruss highway bridge about three-eighths of a mile west of Aztec, 

N. Mex. It was discontinued December 14, 1904, and reestablished 

at the same location on June 8, 1907. On September 13, 1908, it 

was moved to a new suspension bridge about half a mile above the 

old bridge, which was torn down on completion of the new bridge. 

The station is about one-third of a mile west of Aztec, on the main 

wagon road to Farmington and La Plata.

No change in the staff gage or gage datum occurred during the 

maintenance of the station at the old location. Beginning September 

13, 1908, an inclined staff gage, installed a few feet downstream from 

the suspension bridge at an arbitrary datum, was read.

The station, although 20 miles above the mouth of the river, is 

below all important tributaries. The drainage is about 1,300 square 

miles. Between Durango and Aztec many large ditches divert 

water for irrigation and the discharge at this station does not represent 

the total run-off of the stream. Notwithstanding numerous existing 

water rights, an ample supply of water is available for future development.

Ice forms to a considerable depth along the edges during the 

greater part of the winter, but the river seldom freezes across. Slush 

ice occurs frequently during the winter months.

Results obtained at this station are good except during and after 

high water, when the shifting of the channel interferes with the 

accuracy of the data. The flood of September 6, 1909, made it 

necessary to use the indirect method for shifting channels in estimating the daily and monthly flow after that date.

Discharge measurements of Animas River at Aztec, N. Mex., in 1909.

Date.

Jan. 12o

Mar. 29

May 13

June 27

July 28

Sept. 27

Nov. 16

Hydrographer.

 

C. D. Miller ...............................................

J. B. Stewart. . ......................................... . .

.....do.....................................................

V. L. Sullivan. ...........................................

Width.

Feet. 

75

145

157

151

155

150

149

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

101

228

539

731

457

252

152

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.30

4. l c

6.20

6.90

5.65

4.65

4 05

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

Ill

657

3,070

4,470

2,010

793

342

Made by wading, not at regular section.
COLORADO EIVEK BASIN.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Animas River at Aztec, N. Hex., for 1909. 

[H. S. Wattles, observer.]

195

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5..-.--..-......

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11........:......

12...............

13...............

14...............

15................

16...............

17...............

18........ ......

19...............

20. ..............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26. ..............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30. ..............

31...............

Jan.

3.4 

3.4 

3.4 

3.4 

3.4

3.4 

3.4 

3.4 

3.4 

3.4

3.3 

3.3 

3.3 

3.2 

3.3 

'3.4 

3.5 

3.4 

3.4 

3.4

3.5 

3.6 

3.75 

3.5 

3.5

3.4 

3.3 

3.3 

3.3

3.3

3.6

Feb.

3.5 

3.5 

3.5 

3.5 

3.5

3.5 

3.5 

3.5 

3.5 

3.5

3.5 

3.5 

3.5 

3.5 

3.5

3.5 

3.4 

3.4 

3.4 

3.4

3.45 

3.45 

3.45 

3.45 

3.45

3.5 

3.5 

3.5

.......

Mar.

3.6 

3.8 

4.0 

4.0 

4.1

4.3 

4.2 

4.2 

4.2 

4.1

4.0 

3.9 

3.8 

3.8 

3.9

4.0 

4.1 

4.2 

4.2 

4.4

4.3 

4.2 

4.5 

4.3 

4.4

4.5 

4.5 

4.4 

4.3 

4.3 

4.3

Apr.

4.4 

4.5 

4.6 

4.7 

4.8

4.6 

4.4 

4.3 

4.3 

4.5

4.7 

4.7 

4.5 

4.6 

5.1

5.8 

6.3 

6.6 

6.8 

6.5

6.0 

5.7 

5.3 

5.0

4.8

4.8 

5.25 

5.1 

5.6 

5.4

May.

5.1 

5.0 

5.0 

5.4 

6.4

6.6 

6.7 

6.95 

6.75 

6.3

6.1 

6.15 

6.1 

6.1 

6.0

6.0 

6.1 

6.25 

6.65 

6.8

6.85 

6.2 

6.1 

6.1 

5.8

5.7 

6.0 

6.8 

6.8 

6.1 

5.6

June.

5.4 

5.8 

6.5 

7.45 

8.3

8.7 

8.75 

8.7 

8.7 

8.5

8.25 

7.8 

7.95 

7.8 

7.65

7.8 

7.9 

8.15 

8.1 

7.95

7.85 

7.6 

7.55 

7.5 

7.4

7.2 

7.1 

7.0 

675 

6 65

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Animas .

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5. ............. .

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16.-........--...

17...............

18...............

19...............

20. ..............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

.26...............

27. ..............

28...............

29...............

30.'..............

31...............

Jan.

235 

235 

235 

235 

235

235 

235 

235 

235 

235

180 

180 

180 

130 

180

235 

292 

235 

235 

235 

292 

350 

440 

292 

292

235 

180 

180 

180 

180 

350

Feb.

292 

292 

292 

292 

292

292 

292 

292 

292 

292

292 

292 

292 

292 

292

292 

235 

235 

235 

235

264 

264 

264 

264 

264

292 

292 

292

Mar.

350 

471 

594 

594 

657

788 

721 

721 

721 

657

594 

532 

471 

471 

532

594 

657 

721 

721 

858

788 

721 

930

788 

858

930 

930

858 

788 

788 

788

Apr.

858 

930 

1,010 

1,100 

1,190

1,010

858 

788 

788 

930

1,100 

1,100 

930 

1,010 

1,510

2,390 

3,230 

3,780 

4,180 

3,590

2,710 

2,240 

1,740 

1,400 

1,190

1,190 

1,680 

1,510 

2,110 

1,860

May.

1,510 

1,400 

1,400 

1,860 

3,410

3, 780 

3,980 

4,490 

4,080 

3,230

2,880 

2,960 

2,880 

2,880 

2,710

2,710 

2,880 

3,140 

3,880 

4,180

4,280 

3,050 

2,880 

2,880 

2,390

2,240 

2,710 

4,180 

4,180 

2,880 

2,110

Ju

l,f 

2,i 

3,J 

5,' 7,'

8,' 

8,'

8,' 

8,' 

8,1

7,! 

<V

6,J 

6, 

6,(

6, 

6,

7,- 

7,:

6,i

6,i 

5,! 

5,) 

5, 

5, 

5,( 

4,i 

4,( 

4,< 

3,

July.

6.55 

6.4 

6.3 

6.1 

6.3

6.35 

6.2 

6.0 

5.7 

5.5

5.3 

5.2 

5.1 

5.0 

4.9

4.7 

4.6 

4.5 

4.4 

4.4

4.5 

4.9 

5.7 

5.85 

5.8

5.1 

6.0 

5.65 

5.3 

5.0 

4.8

Aug.

4.65

4.7 

4.5 

4.5 

4.8

4.4 

4.35 

4.3 

4.45 

4.35

4.5 

4.4 

4.5 

4.45 

4.4

5.5 

5.2 

4.8 

4.8 

4.8

5.0 

4.8 

4.7 

5.0 

5.3

5.8 

5.0 

5.2 

6.2 

6.5 

6.0

Sept.

5.8 

5.3 

5.3

5.7 

7.85

10.0 

9.9

8.25 

7.65 

6.4

6.0 

6.0 

5.7 

5.6 

5.5

5.7 

5.7 

5.7 

5.65 

5.6

5.6 

5.6 

5.6 

5.6 

5.6

5.0 

4.8 

4.6 

4.5 

4.5

Oct.

4.5 

4.4 

4.4 

4.5 

4.6

4.65 

4.5 

4.6 

4.5 

4.5

4.5 

4.4 

4.4 

4.4 

4.4

4.4 

5.4 

5.4 

5.4 

5.4

5.4 

5.4 

5.4 

5.35 

5.35

5.35 

5.3 

5.3 

5.3 

5.3 

5.1

Nov.

4.8 

4.5 

4.3 

4.2 

4.2

4.2 

4.1 

4.1 

4.1 

4.1

4.1 

4.1 

4.1 

4.1 

4.1

4.1

4.1. 

4.0 

4.0 

4.0

4.0 

4.0 

4.05 

4.05 

4.05

4.05 

4.05 

4.1 

4.1 

4.1

Dec.

4.1 

4.1 

4.15 

4.2 

4.2

4.15 

4.15 

4.1 

4.1

4.1

4.0 

4.0 

4.0 

4.0 

4.0

4.0 

4.0 

4.0 

3.9 

3.9

3.9 

3.9 

3.9 

3.9 

4.0

4.0 

4.0 

4.0 

3.9 

3.9 

4.0

River at Aztec, N. Hex., for 1909.

tie.

560 

90 

90 

>10 

00

80 

20 

80 '80 

!40

>70

!10 

150 

)90

150 

>90 

ilO 

80 

ilO

>70 

)70 

550 

730 

ton

)40 

$20 

500 

)80 

580

July.

3,690 

3,410 

3,230 

2,880 

3,230

3,320 

3,050 

2,710 

2,240 

1,980

1,740 

1,630 

1,510 

1,400 

1,290

1, 100 

1,010 

930

858 

858

930 

1,290 

2,240 

2,470 

2,390

1,510 

2,710 

2,180 

1,740 

1,400 

1,190

Aug.

1,050 

1,100 

930 

930 

1,190

858 

823 

788 

894 

823

930 

858 

930 

894 

858

1,980 

1,630 

1,190 

1,190 

1,190

1,400 

1,190 

1,100 

1,400 

1,740

2,390 

1,400 

1,630 

3,050 

3,590 

2,710

Sept.

2,390

1,740 

1,740 

2,240 

6,570

12,500 

12, 100 

7,450 

5,950 

3,300

2,640 

2,620 

2,190 

1,900 

1,770

2,050 

2,050 

2,050 

1,970 

1,900

1,800 

1,650 

1,800 

1,780 

1,780

1,110 

910 

760 

700 

700

Oct.

700 

620 

620 

700

750

800 

700 

750 

680 

680

680 

620 

620 

620 

620

620 

1,420 

1,400 

1,400 

1,390

1,390 

1,380 

1,380 

1,360 

1,350

1,340 

1,290 

1,270 

1,250 

1,250 

1,100

Nov.

830

640 

500 

450 

450

450 

390 

390 

390 

380.

380 

380 

380 

370 

370

370 

370 

310 

310 

310

310 

310 

350 

350 

350

350 

350 

380 

380 

380

Dec.

380 

380 

410 

440 

440

410 

410 

380 

380 

380

320 

320 

320 

320 

320

320 

320 

320 

260 

260

260 

260 

260 

260 

330

330 

330 

330 

270 

270 

330

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Jan. 1 to Sept. 6, fairly well 

defined between discharges of 130 and 4,600 second-feet. Sept. 7 to Dec. 31, indirect method for shifting 

channels used.
196 SUBFACE WATEB SUPPLY, 1909, PABT IX.

Monthly discharge of Animas River at Aztec, N. Mex.,for 1909.

Month.

February. .........................................

April..............................................

July...............................................

October. ..........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

AfdximuxQ*

440 

292 

930 

4,180 

4,490 

8,920 

3,690 

3,590 

12,500 

1,420 

 838 

440

12,500

Minim irm.

130 

235

350 

788 

1,400 

1,860 

858 

788 

700 

620 

310 

260

130

Mean.

239 

279 

697 

1,660 

3,030 

6,150 

2,000 

1,380 

3,000 

992 

398 

333

1,680

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

14,700 

15,500 

42,900 

98,800 

186,000 

366,000 

123,000 

84,800 

179,000 

61,000 

23,700 

20,500

1,220,000

Accuracy,

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

A. 

B. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

B.

LA PLATA EIVEE AT LA PLATA, N. MEX.

This station, which, was established May 25, 1905, to obtain data 

for use by the United States Keclamation Service in connection with 

their proposed La Plata project, is located at a wooden, single-span 

highway bridge, about 16 miles northwest of Aztec, N. Mex., and 1 

mile south of La Plata post office, in sec. 3, T. 31 N., K. 13 W. of New 

Mexico principal meridian. Being located below all the principal 

diversions, the station shows the amount of flood water available for 

storage and irrigation.

The station is below all tributaries and about 15 miles above the 

mouth of the La Plata. The drainage area is about 340 square miles.

Nearly all the normal flow of this stream is diverted for irrigation 

above the station, and there are a few small diversions below.

Thin ice frequently forms across the stream during the winter 

period, thick ice forms along the edges, and slush ice at times interferes with winter measurements.

On December 9, 1908, a chain gage was installed on the bridge 

and is read in place of the rod gage, as the latter does not record 

low stages. The datum remained unchanged.

Because of shifting conditions of channel and the uncertainty of 

certain gage heights, the results obtained at this station are not 

good. The discharge measurements and gage heights for 1905 to 

1908 for this station have been published in Water-Supply Papers 

174, 210, and 248.

The monthly estimates of the flow for 1905 to 1909 are included in 

this report. The data on which they are based are very meager, and 

owing to the torrential character of the stream and the extreme lo,w 

stages during the greater part of each year the estimates given are 

very approximate and should be used with caution. They are, however, the best interpretation that can be made of the available data.
COLORADO EIVEE BASIN. . 197 

Discharge measurements of La Plata River at La Plata, N. Mex., in 1909.

Date.

Jan. 12

Mar. 29

May 13

July 26

Sept. 25

Nov. 16

Hydrographer.

C.D. Miller.. ..............................................

.....do.....................................................

V. L. Sullivan. ...... ......... j... ............. ............

Width.

Feet.

7

31

33

29

32

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

1.8

30

58

15.1

30

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.50

2.22

3.05

1.80

1.45

2.30

1.90

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

54

264

12.4

«.8

97

ol.2

"Estimated.

Daily gage height, in feet, of La Plata River at La Plata, N. Mex., for 1909. 

[Frank Williams, observer.]

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6.-.........-.-.

7...............

8...............

9....-..-....--.

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16. ..............

17..... ..........

18...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.5

1.4

1.8

1.65

1.8

1.6

1.6

1.8

1.8

2.0

1.9

1.6

1.4

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

Feb.

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.7

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.7

2.0

Mar.

3.4

3.85

2.4

4.45

3.4

3.3

2.2

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.4

2.0

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.3

2.4

2.6

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.2

2.2

2.3

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.3

Apr.

2.3

2.4

2.75

2.8

2.8

2.5

2.55

2.5

2.8

2.8

 2.7

2.65

2.8

3.4

3.9

4.35

4.6

4.55

3.9

3.4

3.1

2.9

2.7

2.6

2.55

2.65

2.9

2.95

2.6

May.

2.6

2.55

2.6

2.9

3.6

3.7

3.8

3.1

3.0

2.85

2.95

3.05

3.0

2.85

2.8

2.9

3.15

9 Q

3.15

2.8

2.75

9 7

2.55

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.6

2 7

2.5

2.4

June.

2.35

2.4

2.55

3.05

3.15

3.15

3.35

3.65

3.3

3.2

2.95

2.75

2.75

2.7

2.55

2.55

2.5

2.5

2.45

2.55

2.45

2.35

2.35

2.15

2.95

9 Qt;

1.9

1.75

1.7

1 65

July.

1.55

1.5

1.35

1.5

1.5

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1 45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1 45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1 45

1.45

1 45

1.45

1 45

1 45

1.45

1 45

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

Aug.

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

2.0

1.4

1.4

2.0

1.4

1.4

1.4

2.5

2.9

2.3

1.8

9 1

3.5

2.4

2.1

9 ft

2.1

3.8

2.5

2.7

3.1

4.5

3.2

Sept.

2.9

2.8

2.6

2.5

7.35

5.8

4.5

3.8

3.35

2.8

2.85

2.1

2.55

2.6

2.55

2.5

2 45

2.4

2.4

2.35

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.25

2.2

2.2

2.2

Oct.

2.2

2.2

2.15

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.05

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

9 ft

2.0

2.0

2.0

Nov.

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

1 Q

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.2

1.2

1.55

1.55

Dec.

i tt

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

2.0

9 f\

2,0

2.0

2.0

NOTE. Maximum gage height on Sept. 5, 7.65 feet.
198 STJBFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of La Plata River at La Plata, N. Mex.,for 1909.

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7........ ...-.- -

8.....-....-...-

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13. ..............

15...............

16. ..............

17...............

18...............

19........-..-.-.

20...............

21...............

22...............

OQ

24...............

25...............

26. ..............

27. ...-. ..........

28. ..............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

0.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.5

3

3

3

3

1.5

3.

1.5

12.4

7

12.4

5.5

5.5

12.4

12.4

27

18.5

5.5

1.5

5.5

5.5

3

3

Feb.

3

3

5.5

12.4

8.5

5.5

5.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

.9

1.5

1.5

5.5

8.5

12.4

8.5

12.4

12.4

8.5

5.5

3

3

3

5.5

8.5

27

Mar.

390

595

85

«890

390

352

317

85

85

67

85

52

85

105

105

67

85

127

85

85

67

52

67

85

52

52

67

105

67

67

67

Apr.

67

85

166

180

180

105

116

105

127

180

180

152

140

180

390

620

o850

o930

620

390

282

212

152

127

116

140

212

230

127

May.

]27

116

127

212

475

475

520

570

282

247

196

230

264

247

196

180

212

300

212

300

180

166

152

116

105

105

105

127

152

105

85

June.

76

85

116

264

300

300

370

498

352

317

230

166

166

152

116

116

105

105

95

116

95

76

76

45

230

230

18.5

10.4

8.5

7.0

July.

4

3

6

3

3

2

2

2

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1

1

1

1

1

1

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

Aug.

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

14

.5

.5

14

.5

.5

.5

70

156

40

6

40

360

70

20

13

20

500

70

108

13

216

920

250

Sept.

156

130

88

. 70

o5,000

ol,550

920

480

300

184

130

142

130

20

78

88

80

70

62

54

54

46

40

40

40

32

28

23

23

23

Oct.

23

23

19

16

15

12

12

12

12

11

11

11

M>

10

10

10

9

9

7

6

6

6

5

5

5

4

4

4

4

4

3

Nov.

3

3

3

3

3

3

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1

1

1

1

1

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

0

0

.1

.1

Dec.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

« Estimated by extension of rating curve. Discharge, approximate.

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Jan. 1 to June 30, not well 

defined; July 1 to Dec. 31, indirect method for shifting channels. Maximum flood discharge, Sept. 5, 

gauge height 7.65 feet, estimated by Kutter's formula as 7,000 second-feet.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 199 

Monthly discharge of La Plata River at La Plata, N. Mex.,for 1905-1909.

Month.

1905. 

May 25-31. . .......................................

July...............................................

The period. .................................

1906. 

January. ..........................................

April..............................................

July...............................................

Sept. 1-24 .........................................

The period. ............................... .

1907. 

June 7-30. .........................................

July. ..............................................

November... ............................ . . .

December .......................................

The period..... ................... . . .

1908.

May. .-----.----...-----....--.....-.-.-...........

July...... .........................................

August. ...........................................

The period. ......................... ....

1909.

April. .............................................

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

565 

817 

107 

0 

970 

800 

8 

5

190 

360 

450 

320 

182

260 

750 

1,280 

246

600 

106 

85 

12.4 

1.5 

247 

2,300 

5.5

27 

27 

890 

970 

570 

498 

6 

920 

"5,000 

23 

3 

2.5

a 5, 000

Minimum.

165 

95

4

44 

74 

2

46 

.5 

.5 

1

.5 

.5 

.9

.9 

.9 

52 

67 

85 

7 

.5 

.5 

23 

3

.1

Mean.

337 

358 

7.8 

0 

64.0 

79.7 

1.2 

4.2

a 10 

a 5.0 

629.5 

160 

238 

154 

69.3 

a 2.0 

a 2.0

139 

45.7 

123 

38.7 

a. 5 

a. 5 

0.6

a 0.60 

49.7 

27.1 

22.1 

3.17 

.14 

12.9 

154 

1.33

5.35 

6.38 

158 

278 

222 

161 

1.53 

93.7 

336 

9.6 

1.36 

.49

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

4,680 

21,300 

480 

0 

3,810 

4,900 

71 

258

35,500

615 

278 

1,810 

9,520 

14,600 

9,160 

572 

123 

95

36,800

6,620 

2,810 

7,560 

2,300 

31 

30 

37

19,400

37 

2,860 

1,670 

1,320 

195 

8 

793 

9,470 

82

16,400

329 

354 

9,720 

16,500 

13,600 

9,580 

94 

5,760 

20,000 

590 

81 

30

76,600

Accuracy.

C. 

C. 

D.

D. 

D. 

D. 

D.

D. 

D. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

C. 

D. 

D. 

D.

C. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

D. 

D. 

D.

D. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

C. 

D. 

D. 

D. 

B.

B.

A. 

A. 

B. 

A. 

A. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

D.

a Estimated. Partly estimated.

NOTE. The monthly estimates for 1905 to 1908 were obtained from daily discharges found by using the 

1909 rating curve as standard for shifting channels from May 25, 1905 to Apr. 10, 1908, and by using it 

direct from Apr. 11 to Dec. 31, 1908. The low-water discharges are liable to large percentages of error 

because of infrequent measurements and excessively low flow. It was necessary to make flat estimates 

for many of the low-water periods. The recorded maximum values are only roughly approximate as 

the high-water stages were not covered by discharge measurements.
200 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

The country drained by Little Colorado Kiver consists of a high 

plateau with an elevation over 4,000 feet above sea levei, extending 

from the Continental Divide in northwestern New Mexico westward 

to the San Francisco Mountains in Arizona and from the Grand 

Canyon of the Colorado southward to the Mogollon Mesa. The 

greater part of this plateau is composed of rolling plains with a few 

feet of soil at the surface underlain by rock. Through this plateau 

the river winds northwestward to its junction with the great Colorado.

The run-off from approximately 6,000 square miles of the drainage 

area finds its way into the Little Colorado above the mouth of Rio 

Puerco, the largest tributary, which joins the main stream 2 miles 

above the town of Holbrook, Ariz. Both the Little Colorado and 

Eio Puerco are flashy streams, seldom clear even during low stages. 

Their bottoms are shifting and sandy, and where not confined in 

canyons the stream beds are wide with abrupt earth banks. The 

discharge fluctuates greatly, being insignificant in dry seasons. The 

floods are short and violent and carry large quantities of silt in suspension.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER AT ST. JOHNS, ARIZ.

This station, which was established April 18, 1906, to determine 

the amount of water available for irrigation, is located at the south 

end of the town of St. Johns, half a mile above the dam and county 

bridge. The bed of the stream is clean, sandy, and shifting. Frequent measurements are necessary to properly determine the daily 

flow at this station. The discharge measurements and daily gage 

heights were furnished by the United States Reclamation Service, 

who maintain this station. The daily and monthly estimates of 

discharge were made by engineers of the United States Geological 

Survey.

Discharge measurements of Little Colorado River at St. Johns, Ariz., in 1909. 

[By W. D. Rencher.]

Date.

29

Feb. 8.............

15.............

23.............

Mar. 1.... .........

10.............

17.............

26.............

16.............

24.............

May 1. ............

9.............

17.............

29.............

19.............

26.............

Area of 

section.

Sq. ft. 

20

21

16

16

16

14

26

26

26

25

42

36

68

46

32

22

14

8.0

8.8

height.

Feet. 

0.97

1.00

.90

.90

.89

.90

1.00

ol.OS

1.02

1.60

1.20

.70

.50

.37

.23

.17

.13

.10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

36

43

26

27

24

21

41

48

45

43

140

181

107

64

32

14

9.3

8.2

Date.

July 5............

15............

22............

Aug. 2............

10............

16............

26............

Sept. 6............

13............

20............

28............

Oct. 8............

18............

28............

24............

19............

31............

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

20

16

114

50

38

197

38

88

48

25

24

20

18

17

18

18

14

18

17

hSl

Feet. 

0.30

.20

3.00

1.30

.90

5.80

.57

1.90

.80

.56

.50

.60

.65

.64

.65

.66

.85

1.00

1.15

Discharge.

8ec.-ft. 

33

22

601

150

74

1,640

87

525

139

53

44

35

29

27

27

27

27

33

36

a Gage height doubtful.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 201 

Daily gage height, in feet, of Little Colorado River at St. Johns, Ariz., for 1909.

Day.

1.... ...........

2...............

0

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16. ..............

17. ..............

18...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

0.85 .85'

.85

.86

.86

.86

.88

.87

.88

.90

.90

.91

.91

.92

.94

.95.

.95

.95

.95

.95

.94

.97

.96

.95

.97

.98

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

Feb.

0.98

.96

.95

.94

.93

.90

.90

.90

.88

.88

.90

.90

.90

.89-

.88

.92

.90

.90

.91

.92

.92

Mar.

O on

.90

.86

.85

.88

.90

.94

.98

.99

1.00

1 00

1.00

1.01

1.02

1.02

1.03

1.03

1.03

1.03

1.01

1.01

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.03

1.03

1.03

1.03

1.02

1.01

Apr.

1.01

1.02

1.03

1.03

1.03

1.02

1.02

1.02

1.01

1.02

1.03

1.03

1.03

1.35

1.51

1.72

2.05

1.68

1.65

1.58

1.45

1.30

1.25

1.20

1.04

.85

.80

.77

.68

.69

May.

0.65

.60

CO

.58

.55

.55

.50

.50

.52

.50

.50

.47

.45

.44

40

.40

.38

.35

.35

.35

.33

.32

.31

.30

.28

.26

.25

.24

.23

.22

.20

June.

0.20

.20

.18

.18

.18

.17

.17

.17

.17

.16

.16

.16

.15

11

11

.14

.14

.14

.14

.13

.13

.12

.12

.11

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

July.

0.09

.10

13

.28

.31

.22

.20

99

.21

.20

.20

.20

.20

.24

.20

.20

.28

.28

.30

.55

.75

2.60

1.08

.80

.88

.85

.80

.78

KK

.42

.55

Aug.

0.95

1.18

97

91

1.10

1 00

.90

.82

98

.95

.82

.75

.72

90

1.75

3.58

2.15

2.45

1.90

1.45

1.60

1.20

.95

.80

.70

.56

.50

.52

.55

.54

.50

Sept.

O QA

1.12

Q9

.75

1.40

1.85

2.12

1 Q1

1 08

.92

90

.86

.80

7K

.68

.66

.62

.60

.58

.56

.55

.54

.52

.51

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

Oct.

0 54

54

.55

.56

.57

* Cft

.60

.60

.62

.62

.63

64

.64

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.66

.66

.66

.65

.65

.65

.65

.64

.64

64

.64

.64

Nov.

0.65

- .65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.66

.66

.65

.65

64

64

.65

.65

.65

.66

.66

.66

.66

.66

.66

.66

.66

.66

.67

.68

.71

.74

.77

Dec.

0 7ft

01

QO

84

.84

OE

.86

.86

.86

.85

QQ

94

.93

96

Q1

.97

98

1 00

1.00

1.01

1.06

1 04

1.05

1.06

1.10

1.11

1.12

1.13

1.14

1.15

1.15

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Little Colorado River at St. Johns, Ariz., for 1909.

Day.

1.... ...........

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29.:.............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

25

25

25.

26

26

26

28

27

28

29

29

30

30

30

34

35

35

3535-

35

34

36

35

33

35

39

40

42

43

42

42

Feb.

40

36

35

35

34

30

28

26

26

26

26

27

27

27

27

25

25

27

27

27

26

25

28

25

24

24

24

23

Mar.

21

21

20

20

25

26

30

38

39

41

40

40

41

41

42

43

43

43

43

40

41

42

42

43

43

45

45

45

45

45

44

Apr.

44

43

44

44

44

43

43

43

43

43

47

47

47

94

121

172

240

170

173

168

150

128

125

124

115

100

115

128

135

158

May.

170

155

146

143

133

130

115

110

110

105

103

95

90

85

75

73

68

60

60

60

54

52

50

45

43

40

37

33

32

31

27

June.

26

25

25

23

21

19

17

16

14

12

10

10

10

10

10

9

9

9

9

9

9 ' 8

8

8

8

8

8

8

9

10

July.

16

10

16

28

34

26

24

25

24

23

23

22

22

25

22

20

24

20

18

40

60

480

108

63

75

70

63

60

33

20

33

Aug.

85

126

88

78

111

94

 77

65

90

85

65

56

52

77

247

798

365

460

315

212

258

175

133

112

102

85

85

93

105

112

112

Sept.

200 '260

222

192

370

510

574

508

250

200

185

164

139

124

105

94

80

71

62

53

53

52

48

47

45

45

44

44

42

40

Oct.

43

42

40

39

38

37

36

35

35

35

35

34

34

30

30

30

29

29

29

29

29

29

28

28

28

28

27

27

27

27 '27

Nov.

27

28

28

28

28

28

28

29

29

30

30

. 29

29

29

29

28

28

28

28

27

27

27

27

27

26

25

25

25

28

28

Dec.

29

30

30

30

30

29

28

28

28

26

28

35

32

34

32

32

33

33

33

32

37

35

34

34

38

35

37

38

36

36

36

NOTE. These.discharges were obtained by the indirect method for shifting channels.
202 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

e of Little Colorado River at St. Johns, Ariz.,for 1909.

Month.

May...............................................

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

43 

40 

45 

240 

170 

26 

480 

798 

574 

43 

30 

38

798

Minimum.

25 

23 

20 

43 

27 

8 

10 

52 

40 

27 

25 

26

8

Mean.

32.7 

27.9 

' 38.0 

99.7 

81.6 

12.6 

49.1 

159 

161 

32.1 

27.8 

32.5

62.9

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

2,010 

1,550 

2,340 

5,930 

5,020 

750 

3,020 

9,780 

9,580 

1,970 

1,650 

2,000

45,600

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER AT WOODRUFF, ARIZ.

This station, which was established March 16, 1905, was located 

about 300 feet below the crossing of the Holbrook-Winslow wagon 

road and one-fourth mile below the Woodruff dam. It is maintained by the United States Reclamation Service.

The station equipment, which was carried away by the flood of 

November 26 and 27, 1905, was replaced March 24, 1906. The object 

of the station was to determine the amount of water available for 

irrigation. The bed of the stream is sandy and shifting, and frequent measurements are required to determine the daily flow.

No measurements were made in 1909 and only a few gage heights 

were recorded. The water surface was below the gage during the 

greater part of January.

LITTLE COLORADO RIVER AT HOLBROOK, ARIZ.

This station, which was established March 17, 1905, to determine 

the amount of water available for irrigation, is located at the county 

bridge across Little Colorado River at Holbrook, Ariz.

The bed of the stream is sandy and shifting, and frequent discharge 

measurements are required to properly determine the ^daily flow.

No discharge measurements were made in 1909.

This station is maintained by the United States Reclamation 

Service.
COLORADO KTVEK BASIN. 203

Daily gage height, in feet, of Little Colorado River at Holbrook, Ariz.,for 1909. 

[Anna Conner, observer.]

Day.

'l.. ...... .......

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

19................

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.2 <? 1

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.55

3.5

3.4

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

Feb.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2 9

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2

0

2

0

2.8

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

Mar.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.8

2

0

2

0

2.8

2.9

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

Apr.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.5

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.3

3.5

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.4

May.

3.4

3.3

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.0

2.95

2 9

2.9

2 9

2.9

2.85

2.8

2.8

2

0

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

June.

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.35

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3 2.3"

2.25

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.8

2.8

2.6

2.6

July.

2.6

2.6

2.55

2.5

2.4

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.05

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

3.5

3.5

3.0

3.0

5.5

4.5

3.5

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

Aug.

3.0

3.0

4.5

3.0

5.5

5.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

4.5

5.8

6.3

6.0

7.8

6.0

6.5

5.0

7.0

7.0

7.5

7.5

7.0

7.5

7.45

7.5

7.8

7.8

7.8

7.5

0.5

5.5

Sept.

5.0

5.0

5.2

5.2

7.5

7.0

5.5

5.0

4.9

4.7

4.6

4.55

4.5

4.45

4.4

4.4

4.35

4.3

4.3

4.2

4.1

4.1

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.9

3.9

3.7

3.8

Oct.

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.25

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.95

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.85

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

Nov.

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2

0

2

0

2.8

2.8

2.8

2

0

2

0

2

0

2

0

2.8

2.8

2.8

2

0

2.8

3.25

3.15

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

Dec.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.95

2.9

2.9

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

4.0

3.5

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.8

2.9

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

EVAPORATION AT HOLBROOK, ARIZ.

Observations of evaporation at Holbrook, Ariz., were begun on 

August 2, 1905, and observations were made daily from that time 

until December 31, 1909, when they were discontinued.

As water in the river was insufficient to float an evaporation pan 

during the greater part of the summer months, a cement tank 8 feet 

square and 3 feet deep was built on the property of Mr. John Conner 

in the town of Holbrook. In this tank a regulation pan, 3 feet square 

and 18 inches deep, was floated, so secured as to keep it at all times 

 practically in the very center of the tank. The tank was situated 

about 25 feet from the house and 50 feet from some large cottonwood trees.

A regulation Weather Bureau rain gage was located in the immediate vicinity and at such distance as to receive the least possible 

influence from such obstructions as houses and fences.

The prevailing winds in this section are from the southwest to the 

northeast; the nearest trees on the southwest are about 150 feet 

away. The trees within 50 feet, above referred to, are practically 

due north of the site of the tank and exert very little influence on 

the observations.
204 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

The method used in making measurements was as follows: The 

pan was kept filled within a few inches of the top, the water in the 

tank outside being kept practically at the same level, the pan being 

filled to a height indicated by the pointed tip of a vertical rod in the 

center of the tank. Every morning and evening, after such change 

as might be brought about by evaporation or rainfall, water level 

was restored to the original height, the precise amount of water 

transferred being measured with a cup of such size that one cupful 

of water was equivalent to 0.01 inch in depth in the tank.

No interruptions occurred in the observations during the year 

1905. During 1906 water in the pan froze on January 5 and 

remained so until January 30, no observations being taken during 

that period. During the remainder of the year very few interruptions occurred, so that for 1906 the records are fairly complete. 

The same is true for 1907, 1908, and 1909.

The records show considerable variation between a daily minimum 

of zero in cold weather and 0.5 inch in hot weather, the maximum 

figures being occasioned chiefly by days of excessively high wind, 

which prevails along the Little Colorado for a large part of the spring 

months.

The tables given below show the monthly evaporation, rainfall, 

average temperature of water in the pan and average temperature 

of air. The temperature of water outside the pan did not vary from 

the temperature of that inside by more than about 1 degree. The 

records of rainfall and air temperature were obtained from Weather 

Bureau reports for the station at Holbrook, and may not show precisely the conditions at the evaporation station. The other records 

were compiled from data furnished by the United States Reclamation 

Service.

The latitude of Holbrook is about 34.5° north; its longitude about 

110° west; its elevation above sea level, 5,072 feet; the rainfall for 

the period from 1887 to 1908 shows a mean of 8.99 inches, the lowest 

being 4.58 inches in 1899 and the highest 17.63 inches in 1905.

Monthly evaporation, rainfall, and temperature at Holbrook, Ariz.,for 1905-1909.

Month.

1905.

April.............

July..............

Evaporation.

Inches.

o6.60 

4.57 

4.26 

1.45 

.22

Rainfall.

Inches.

0.76 

1.37 

.05 

3.82 

1.11

Temperature.

Water 

in pan.

"F.

73.5 

66.4 

56.9 

48.4 

37.5

Air.

'F.

76.5 

68.2 

53.6 

44.2 

25.9

Month.

1906.

April.............

May..............

July..............

October

Evaporation.

Inches. 

60.03 

1.24 

3.28 

5.12 

6.93 

8.61 

7.42 

6.24 

5.12 

3.44 

cl.47 

<Z.94

Rainfall.

Inches. 

1.12 

.23 

.46 

.50 

.17 

.00 

1.11 

1.25 

.34 

T. 

1.22 

2.32

Temperature. ^

Water 

in pan.

°F. 

32.5 

41.9 

46.4 

52.2 

60.3 

65.6 

70.5 

70.4 

65.3 

56.0 

46.1 

42.4

Air.

°F. 

41.8 

38.6 

42.2 

50.4 

57.7 

69.6 

76.4 

74.8 

65.6 

55.0 

43.5 

31.0

«30 days. 65 days. c26 days. <Z24 days.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 205

Monthly evaporation, rainfall, and temperature at Holbrook, Ariz.,for 1905-1909 Con.

Month.

1907.

May.............

July..............

1908.

May.. ............

July..............

Evaporation.

Inches. 

o0.72 

61.16 

2.28 

3. 82 

3.98 

3.92 

6.35 

6.39 

4.62 

3.95 

C2.51 

2.37

3.41 

3.40 

2.85 

2.85 

4.87 

5.18 

6.76

Rainfall.

Inches. 

1.64 

.44 

.71 

.85 

.73 

.54 

3.09 

1.89 

.43 

3.44 

1.40 

T.

.67 

1.49 

.52 

.81 

.66 

.24 

2.15

Temperature.

Water 

in pan.

°F. 

41.5 

42.4 

44.6 

50.9 

56.5 

52.0 

69.3 

71.7 

66.8 

65.6 

51.2 

44.5

44.3 

43.1 

41.4 

42.9 

46.3 

48.0 

-53.4

Air.

"F. 

38.8 

44.6 

48.8 

56.6 

57.8 

66.2 

76.5 

73.2 

66.8 

56.6 

42.8 

37.9

37.0 

39.2 

47.2 

52.4 

55.8 

68.0 

77.0

Month.

1908.

The year. . . 

1909.

July.. ............

Evaporation.

Inches. 

5.18 

4.07 

3.53 

3.23 

3.29

48.62

4.13 

3.33 

1.99 

2.78 

4.26 

6.79 

7.77 

4.10 

c3.63 

3.11 

2.12 

1.37

Rainfall.

Inches. 

2.71 

.26 

1.31 

.21 

1.51

12.54

.44 

.17 

.35 

.67 

.00 

.02 

3.99 

2.70 

.31 

.00 

.15 

1.27

Temperature.

Water 

in pan.

°F. 

52.4 

49.4 

46.5 

44.0 

41.1

45.4

42.6 

42.2 

41.5 

40.7 

44.1 

62.5 

76.7 

71.9 

71.4 

65.0 

48.8 

40.7

Air.

°F. 

74.4 

67.4 

52.0 

47.0 

39.0

54.7

41.8 

38.6 

42.2 

50.4 

57.7 

69.6 

76.4 

74.8 

65.6 

55.0 

43.5 

31.0

o 24 days. 6 27 days. 29 days.

CLEAR CREEK NEAR WINSLOW, ARIZ.

This station, which was established June 13, 1906, to determine 

the quantity of water available for irrigation, is located 6 miles from 

Winslow and 3 miles above the Clear Creek Irrigation Co.'s dam and 

the county bridge. It is one-half mile above the pump house. The 

bed of the stream is strewn with large bowlders and is permanent.

No discharge measurements were made in 1909.

The station is maintained, and the data have been furnished by the 

United States Reclamation Service.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Clear Creek near Winslow, Ariz.,for 1909.

Day.

l.......................

3.......................

4.......................

5... ...... ............. .

6.......................

7.......................

8.......................

9.......................

10.......................

Jan.

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

Day.

11.......................

12.......................

13.......................

14.......................

15.......................

16.......................

17.... .................. .

18.......................

19.......................

20.......................

Jan.

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

9 1

4.1

5.0

4.25

4.0

4.0

Day.

21.......................

22.......................

23..................'.....

24.......................

25.......................

26.......................

27.......................

28.......................

29.......................

30.......................

31.......................

Jan.

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

6.5

5.5

5.0

4.5

4.0

4.0

NOTE. Rise on Jan. 16 and 26 due to rain and melting snow in mountains. The stream was flowing more than usual at this season.
206 SUBFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

FLOOD ON ZUNI RIVER, ARIZV SEPTEMBER 6, 1909. 1

During the last 10 days of the month of July, all of August, and the 

first six days of September, 1909, the rains on the drainage basin of 

Zuni River in Arizona were heavy; but they were not general over 

the whole tract, being more in the nature of heavy showers, approaching at times what are termed "cloud bursts."

The Weather Bureau stated in its summary for the month of 

August:

For the district [No. 9, in which the Zuni drainage basin is situated], as a whole, 

the month was the wettest since the beginning of the record, and was even more 

remarkable for the abnormal distribution of the rainfall than for its intensity.

For the entire Little Colorado Basin the average was 1.782 above 

the normal.

These rains culminated in heavy discharges on both sides of the 

Zuni Mountains on September 5 and 6. On the afternoon of September 6 the Bluewater dam on the east slopes of this mountain range 

was destroyed, and within a few minutes of the same time the water 

undermined the mesa on the south end of the Zuni dam, on the west 

slopes, partly wrecking the reservoir. (See Pis. VIII and IX.)

Records were kept of the amount of water flowing into the Zuni 

reservoir by observing gage heights, the capacity of the reservoir 

at all depths being known. During the period from July 20 to 

September 6 there was impounded 9,540 acre-feet of water.

The drainage area of this stream above the reservoir is 650 square 

miles, at elevations ranging from 6,300 feet at the reservoir to 9,200 

feet on the tops of the mountains, which form the Continental Divide.

No records of rainfall are available within this drainage area, the 

nearest one being at Zuni, below the dam site, at Fort Wingate some 

35 miles northeast of the dam, and at Manuelito about the same 

distance northwest, and all at an elevation of about 6,300 feet; the 

two last mentioned are on other drainage basins. On the east side 

of the divide records are available from Bluewater station, Bluewater reservoir, and San Rafael. The rainfall on the mountains 

was undoubtedly heavier than at these lower elevations.

An effort has been made to determine the relation of the run-off to 

the rainfall by using the available records, but the nature of the 

country and the peculiar conditions of heavy rains in one section 

and no precipitation in others a few miles distant make it impossible.

The points where the records were kept on the west of the divide, 

form a triangle practically 30 miles on a side in an air line, though a

1 By H. F. Robinson, superintendent of irrigation, United States Indian Irrigation Service; published 

also in Eng. News, vol. 64, Aug. 25,1910, pp. 203-204.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 269 PLATE VIII

A. SPILLWAY SURFACE, LOOKING DOWNSTREAM, SHOWING DEPRESSION CAVITY, WRECKED 

SPILLWAY, AND BOTH WRECKED WALLS.

B, LOWER TOE OF DAM, SHOWING MOVEMENT AND BREAK IN MASONRY AT SPILLWAY. 

FAILURE OF ZUNI DAM, N. MEX., SEPTEMBER 6, 1909.
COLOBADO EIVEE BASIN. 207

third longer by any road, and. there is nothing in the rainfall records 

to indicate a general storm of similar intensity at any time during 

the period. On days when rain was "recorded at all three points the 

precipitation varied greatly as on August 2: Manuelito 1.05, Fort 

Wingate trace, .Blackrock 0.35; or as on the 29th: Manuelito 0.50, 

Fort Wingate 0.20, Blackrock 0.20; and on September 6: Manuelito

Rainfall station

O

Gaging station

FIGURE 1. Map of Zuni Eiver drainage basin, showing rainfall stations.

0.01, Fort Wingate 1.20, and Blackrock 0.46. On these same dates; 

on the east slope of the mountains the record shows:

August 2, Bluewater, 0.0; Bluewater reservoir, 0.0; San Rafael, 0.0. 

August 29, Bluewater, 0.12; Bluewater reservoir, 0.0; San Rafael, 0.96. 

September 6, Bluewater, record lost; Bluewater reservoir, Tr.; San Rafael, 0.70.

The accompanying tables show the rainfall at these six points and 

the inflow into the Zuni reservoir.
208 SUBFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Precipitation, in inches, between July 20 and Sept. 6, 1909.

Date.

July 20. ..........

21...........

22...........

23...........

24...........

25...........

26...........

27...........

28...........

29...........

30...........

31...........

Aug. 1.... .......

2...........

3...........

4...........

5...........

6...........

7...........

8...........

9. ..........

10...........

11...........

12...........

13...........

14...........

15...........

16...........

17...........

18...........

19...........

20...........

21...........

22...........

23...........

24...........

25...........

26...........

27...........

28...........

29...........

30. ..........

31...........

Sept". 1. ..........

2...........

3..../......

4...........

5...........

6...........

Total for period, 

July 20 to

Blackrock.

0.02

.03

.04

.05

.07

.20

.20

.20

.35

.29

.35

.28

.09

.13

.10

.04

Tr.

.08

Tr.

Tr.

.01

.06

.02

Tr.

Tr.

.63

.07

Tr.

Tr.

Tr.

Tr.

.13

.20

.03

.04

.20

.60

.46

4 07

San Rafael.

.06

30

.51

.29

.82

.17

1.52

1.18

.50

.74

19

60

.76

on

JK

.18

.38

.88

.70

14.05

Blue water 

reservoir.

0.35

Tr.

Tr.

.71

Tr.

.20

Tr.

Tr.

.50

.32

.18

99

.62

.29

Tr.

Tr.

Tr.

.03

TP.

.66

Tr.

.63

91

.42

Tr.

6 04

Bluewater 

station.

0.24

.47

.05

.15

.30

.18

.13

.27

.04

.48

.28

.38

.28

.37

.37

.58

.12

.63

5.00

Fort 

Wingate.

0.40

.10

Tr.

.40

.10

.40

.10

Tr.

.20

.20

.50

.20

.10

.20

Tr.

Tr.

Tr.

.50

.10

.20

Tr.

30

.20

.20

1.30

.50

.20

Tr.

.20

.20

.40

.32

1.20

.59

1.20

10.51

Manuelito.

0.33

.20

.10

.70

.01

.15

1.05

,10

Tr.

.50

.35

.20

.70

.20

.50

3.00

.50

.30

.50

.50

.20

.01

10.10

Increase in 

reservoir 

in acre-feet.

1,160

320

20

280

440

380

50

60

200

50

360

80

180

100

900

180

20

780

80

20

260

540

o2,260

o To 4 p. m. when Zuni reservoir failed. Bluewater dam went out at practically the same time.

The rains began about July 20, and there had been no flow in Zuni 

River for some time previous to this date. A heavy rain was recorded 

at Fort Wingate on the 20th, and on the night of the 22d and the day 

of the 23d the amount of water impounded was 1,160 acre-feet.

The small value of existing rainfall records in this connection is 

shown by the reports for the 25th and 26th; these days 0.2 inch of 

rain was recorded at the fort, but there was no flow into the reservoir. No further rainfall was recorded until August 1, but on that 

day there was an increase of water in the reservoir of 320 acre-feet, 

showing a local rain in the drainage area.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

A. VIEW OF SPILLWAY, LOOKING NORTHEAST.

B. VIEW OF INTAKE, LOOKING NORTHEAST. 

FAILURE OF ZUNI DAM, N. MEX., SEPTEMBER 6, 1909.
COLORADO EIVEK BASIN. 209

No relation between the precipitation at these stations and the 

run-off is apparent, but probably some relation could be discovered 

were records available for a period of years.

The following table shows day by day the amount stored in the 

reservoir and gives the average run-off for the day, but no records 

were kept that will show the actual flood and its fluctuations:

Log of the Zuni reservoir, July 2% to Sept. 6, 1909.

Date.

July 22.........

23.........

Aug.l. ........

4.........

5.........

6.........

8.........

9.........

11.........

14.........

16.........

17.........

18.........

19.........

20.........

21.........

22. ........

23. ........

24.........

25.........

26.........

27.........

28.........

29.........

30.........

31.........

2.........

3.. ........

5.........

6, a. m. .. 

noon... 

4p.m..

Gage 

height 

(feet).

28.0

"V\ 7

31 4

31 <;

33.1

33.8

00 Q

04 1

34.5

34. 6

QC Q

35.5

35.8

07 c

07 7

QQ A

39 7

QQ Q

41.25

41.4

41.8

41 9

42 9

45.6 

46.6 

47.1

Total 

(acrefeet).

5,300

6,780

6,800

7 080

7^520

7,900

7 QCA

8,010

8,210

8 OCA

8,620

8,700

8

00A

9,700

. 9,800

10, 700

10 880

10,900

11 680

11,760

11, 780

12, 040

12,580

14,020 

14,560 

14,840

Gain 

(acrefeet).

320

20

280

44n

380

50

60

200

en

QAn

SO

180

820

100

900

180

20

780

80

20

260

540

1,440 

540 

280

Notes.

gallons.

more cracks developed above tunnel.

end and 15 feet of parapet wall fell out, discharge, 284 

gallons, then fell to 187 gallons.

4 to 5 feet deep; 5 p. m. discharge, 96 gallons; 11 p. m. 

discharge, 96 gallons. 

Discharge same. Slips at old quarry go deeper. Slide at

tunnel mouth. Tunnel discharge, 96 gallons; had been 

20.

Discharge, 134 to 165 gallons.

Discharge, 467 gallons. 

Discharge, about same. 

Several second-feet. Failure of Zuni reservoir began 

about 4 p. m. Bluewater dam went out at practically 

the same time.

On September 5, following several days of rain in the mountains, 

the run-off measured 540 acre-feet. Between dark that day and 

daylight the next morning the run-off was 1,440 acre-feet; by noon 

there was 540 additional feet accounted for, and between noon and 

4 p. m., when the mesa failed, 280 acre-feet more, or a total of 2,260 

acre-feet in about 21 hours.

This so-called failure of the Zuni dam has thus been described by 

James D. Schuyler, consulting engineer:

The extraordinary rupture and subsidence of the mesa adjacent to the Zuni dam 

on the south side, as the result of leakage through the basaltic cap rock, occurred 

September 6, 1909, after the reservoir had filled almost to overflowing, producing a

95620° WSP 269 11 14
210 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

complete wreck of the spillway, with its fine masonry side walls, and within a week 

had permitted to escape about one-half the contents of the reservoir. This accident 

has attracted widespread attention among engineers, as it is quite without precedent 

in the annals of hydraulic engineering. The foundations of dams sometimes give way 

underneath the superimposed structures, but it is quite a novel experience that a 

dam and its foundations should remain intact while, the adjacent territory forming its 

abutment at highest level should prove so unstable as to sink from 4 to 9 feet and leak 

to the extent of 5,000 cubic feet per second around the end of the dam, when it had" 

appeared to be particularly sound, solid, and water tight.

A fairly complete report of this failure was given in the Engineering 

News for December 2, 1909.

VIRGIN RIVER BASIN.

DESCRIPTION.

Virgin Eiver rises in the .Colob Plateau, in the southwestern part 

of Utah, at an altitude ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 feet above sea 

level, flows in a general southerly course across the southwestern 

corner of Arizona into Nevada, where it turns and flows southward 

to its junction with the Colorado at Eioville, just above Boulder 

Canyon. The smaller creeks that drain the eastern portion of the 

plateau unite after descending to an altitude of 5,500 feet above the 

sea and form what is called the Parunuweap Fork of the Virgin. At 

and below the junction of these creeks the canyon valley in which 

they flow widens inta what is known as Long Valley. Below Long 

Valley the East Fork enters Parunuweap Canyon and is simply a 

series of cascades for 15 miles, descending in this distance'from 5,000 

to 3,500 feet above sea level. Emerging from this canyon, it enters 

the valley of the Virgin. This valley is 44 miles long. Its upper 

portion is only an enlargement of the canyon; its lower portion is a 

broader valley, much broken by low basalt-covered mesas and sharp 

ridges of tilted sedimentary rocks. In the upper portion of the 

valley the river receives several tributaries, the principal ones being 

Little Zion, North Fork, La Verkin, and Ashe creeks. Midway of 

the valley two streams enter that come from Pine Valley Mountains, 

and near the foot Santa Clara Eiver joins the Virgin, the united 

streams leaving the valley by a deep canyon cut through the Beaver 

Dam Mountains. The valley of the Virgin is at a lower altitude and 

has a warmer climate than any other portion of Utah. The soil of 

the irrigable lands is usually good, and wherever irrigation can be 

practiced it produces abundant crops.

VIRGIN RIVER AT VIRGIN, UTAH.

This station, which was established April 18, 1909, is located about 

half a'mile east of and above the town of Virgin, Utah.

1 Abstracted from report on the lands of the arid region of the United States, with a more detailed account 

of the lands of Utah, by J. W. Powell, 1878: Chapter 9, Irrigable lands of that portion of Utah drained by 

the Colorado Biver arid its tributaries,' by 4, g. Thompson, pp> 151-153.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 211

The station is about 1,000 feet below North Creek and is above 

Ashe and La Verkin creeks, which enter about 8 miles below. There 

are no diversions of any importance above.

The records are unaffected by ice or by artificial control above or 

below the station. The bed of the stream changes to a great extent 

during floods.

The first gage was used until August 7 when the section was 

changed by a flood causing the water to leave the gage. On August 

31 the gage, cable, and bench marks were washed out and the section 

materially altered. On October 13 a new gage was installed at a 

different datum. Owing to the marked change in the channel, 

there can be no determined relation between the old and new gages.

Discharge measurements of Virgin River at Virgin, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

May 30

July 13

23

Oct 13<*

Hydrographer.

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

89

84

90

CfJ

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

64.1

151

56.1

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.65

1.65

2.8

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

457

88

557

163

<* Made after the change in channel conditions. * Gage height from new gage at different datum.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Virgin River at Virgin, Utah, for 1909. 

[M. A. Hamilton, observer.]

Day.

1....................................

2....................................

3....................................

4....................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....... ............................ .

8....... ......................... ....

9....................................

10. ...................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15..-.............-........-.------.-.

16....................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23.;*.................................

24....................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

Apr.

3.2

3.5

3.9

3.7

3.3

3.0

3.2

3.0

3.2

4.4

4.9

4.6

May.

4.0

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.6

3.4

3.4

3.7

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.8

2

0

2.8

9 7

2.7

2.7

2.6

June.

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.0

9 0

2.0

1.9

1.7

1.7

1.6

July.

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.6

. 1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.9

9 1

2.8

2.3

Aug.

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.6

1.5

1.5

Oct.

2.8

2.85

2.75

2.8

2.65

2.7

3.2

2.65

2.8

2.7

2.75

2.8

2.85

2.9

2.75

2.9

2.8

2.95

3.0

Nov.

2.95

2.9

2.8

2.75

2.9

2.85

3.0

3.0

9 Q>;

2.9

3.0

3.1

3.1

3.4

3.3

3.35

3.1

3.0

2.95

3.1

3.0

2.9

2.95

2.8

2.8

2.9

2.85

2.8

2.85

2.75

Dec.

2

Q

2.9

2.9

3.1

3.0

2.8

2.7

2.8

9 Q

2.7

2.9

2.8

2

O

2.8

2.85

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.8

2.7

2.9

3.1

5.1

NOTE. On Oct. 13 new gage established and gage heights beginning this date are not comparable 

with those obtained, earlier in the year.
212 SURFACE WATEB SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Virgin River at Virgin, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1.............................. ......

2.... ................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8....................................

10. ...................................

11....................................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16....................................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20. ...................................

21....................................

22....................................

23. .................................

24. ...................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29..................................

30. .................................

31....................................

Apr.

1,050

1 94O

885

675

01 ft

675

810

2,010

2 CQft

May.

1,550

1,340

1 340

1,340

1,140

965

965

1,240

1,050

965

965

810

810

885

740

740

675

675

610

550

550

550

495

440

440

June.

440

440

440

495

440

440

390

390

340

340

340

O4O

340

340

340

295

295

218

185

185

185

155

101

101

78

July.

24

24

10

24

24

40

40

58

78

78

101

101

101

101

101

101

101

101

101

101

155

218

550

295

265

235

205

175

146

117

188

Aug.

58

78

101

78

58

40

58

Oct.

173

189

158

173

131

144

321

131

173

144

158

173

189

205

158

205

173

222

240

Nov.

222

205

173

158

205

189

240

240

222

205

240

278

278

418

368

393

278

240

222

278

240

205

222

173

173

205

189

173

189

158

Dec.

173

205

205

278

240

173

144

173

205

144

205

173

173

173

189

173

144

118

118

118

118

118

144

144

118

118

173

144

205

278

1,930

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Apr. 18 to Aug. 7, fairly well 

defined below 600 second-feet; Oct. 13 to Dec. 31, not well defined.

Monthly discharge of Virgin River at Virgin, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

Apr. 18-30.........................................

May...............................................

July...............................................

Aug. 1-7. ..........................................

Oct. 13-31 .........................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

2,580 

1,550 

440 

550 

101 

321 

418 

1,930

Minim um.

675 

440 

78 

24 

40 

131 

158 

118

Mean.

1,330 

819 

314 

128 

67.3 

182 

233 

226

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

34,300 

50,400 

18,700 

7,870 

934 

6,860 

13, 900 

13,900

Accuracy.

C. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

B. 

C.

SANTA CLARA RIVER NEAR CENTRAL, UTAH.

This station, which was established April 21, 1909, is located about 

1% miles southeast of Central, Utah, the nearest post office, and 

about 6 miles west from the settlement of Pine Valley, Utah. It is 

about one-fourth mile from R. H. Hunt's ranch house in a small 

valley known as Eightmile Flat. The records show the total amount 

of water available for storage in the Pine Valley reservoir site, a few 

miles above the station.
COLORADO BIVEB 213

The station is below all important tributaries except Mountain 

Meadows Creek, which enters about 10 miles below. A small canal 

whose maximum capacity is about 3.5 second-feet takes out water 

a short distance above the station.

The gage heights are not affected by ice. The bed of the stream 

is somewhat shifting, but fairly accurate results have been obtained. 

The datum of the staff gage on the left bank has remained unchanged since the station was established. Discharge measurements 

are made from a gaging bridge.

Discharge measurements of Santa Clara River near Central, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

Apr. 21o

July 15

Oct. 6

16

Hydrographer.

E. A. Porter. .............................................

.....do....................................................

.....do....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet.

30

20

20

23

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

38

20

29

30

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.80

3.60

3.12

3.60

3.50

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

102

60

15

39

30

a Made one-fourth mile above gage. Results not good. & Made by wading.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Santa Clara River near Central, Utah, for 1909. 

[Royal Hunt, observer.]

Day.

1.. .........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23 ...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31 ...........................

Apr.

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.6

3.7

3 9

4.1

4.2

3.8

May.

4.0

3.9

4.0

4.1

4.1

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.0

4.0

3.8

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.6

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.7

3.7

3 7

June.

3.7

3.8

3.7

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.2

3.2

July.

3.25

3.6

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.25

3.25

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3

1

Aug.

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.05

3.0

3.0

3.2

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.15

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.3

3.6

Sept.

7.0

4.4

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.9

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.55

3.55

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.7

4.0

3.8

3.7

Oct.

3.6

3.6

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.55

3.55

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.55

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

Nov.

3.4

3.45

3.4

3.35

3.35

3,35

3.35

3.35

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.5

3.5

3.55

3.55

3.55

Dec.

3.6

3.6

3.55

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.7

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.45

3.45

3.45

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.45

3.45

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

6.5
214 StJRf ACE WATEB StlfPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Santa Clara River near Central, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1...........................

2. ........ ..................

3..... ......................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15...........................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21 ...........................

22...........................

23...........................

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Apr.

102

92

92

79

79

89

109

132

140

96

May.

117

106

117

124

124

136

136

136

132

132

110

110

90

77

77

86

77

77

74

74

84

84

74

63

63

72

72

63

69

69

69

June.

69

77

69

75

75

75

75

66

56

56

50

50

44

41

41

41

41

41

34

34

34

29

29

26

26

26

22

22

24

24

July.

27

27

46

32

27

27

27

27

23

23

21

21

21

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

12

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

Aug.

15

15

15

15

12

12

15

15

15

15

15

12

14

12

12

19

23

23

23

23

23

23

19

19

19

17

19

19

23

23

37

Sept.

475

100

64

64

64

64

56

49

43

37

37

37

34

34

32

32

32

32

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

23

43

64

49

43

Oct.

37

37

43

43

37

37

37

37

37

37

34

34

32

32

32

34

32

32

32

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

27

Nov.

27

30

27

25

25

25

25

25

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

30

30

30

30

30

32

32

34

34

34

Dec.

37

37

34

32

32

32

32

32

43

43

37

32

32

30

30

30

27

27

27

30

30

32

32

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

393

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves ap_plicable as follows: Apr. 21 to July 15, indirect 

method tor shifting channels used; July 15 to Dec. 31, fairly well defined below 50 second-feet, not well 

defined above.

Monthly discharge of Santa Clara River near Central, Utah, for 1909.

Month.

Apr. 21-30 .........................................

July...............................................

October. ..........................................

The period ..................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

140 

136 

77 

46 

37 

475 

43 

34 

393

Minimum.

79 

63 

22 

12 

12 

23 

27 

25 

27

Mean.

101 

93.4 

45.7 

19.9 

18.1 

56.6 

33.3 

28.3 

43

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

2,000 

5,740 

2,720 

1,220 

1,110 

3,370 

2,050 

1,680 

2,640

22,500

Accuracy.

B. 

B. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

B.

SANTA CLARA RIVER NEAR ST. GEORGE, UTAH.

This station, which was established April 16, 1909, to determine 

the total unappropriated discharge of Santa Clara River, is located 

about 3 miles southwest of St. George, Utah, and about 2 miles above 

the mouth of the river.

The station is below all tributaries and diversions except two 

canals which head near the mouth of the river.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 215

The gage heights are not affected by ice, but the bed of the stream 

shifts to a considerable extent. A fair record of run-off has, however, been obtained for 1909. The datum of the sloping gage on the 

left bank has remained unchanged since the station was established. 

The gage is underneath a footbridge from which the discharge 

measurements are made.

Discharge measurements of Santa Clara River near St. George, Utah, in 1909.

Date.

May 27

31

July 14

Oct. 8

15

Hydrographer.

E. A. Porter. ..............................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

18.5

20

5

25.5

18

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

13

14

1.2

9.5

7.6

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.02

2.10

1.35

2.62

2.30

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

35

45

(a)

33

20

a Estimated eight-tenths second-foot.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Santa Clara River near St. George, Utah, for 1909. 

[E. A. Everett, observer.]

Day.

1....................................

2....................................

3....................................

4....................................

5....................................

7. ...................................

8....................................

9....................................

10....................................

11....................................

12....................................

13. ...................................

14....................................

15....................................

16. ...................................

18. ...................................

19. ...................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24. ...................................

26. ...................................

27. ...................................

28. ...................................

29. ...................................

30. ...................................

31....................................

Apr.

3.0

3.2

2.6

2.5

2.3

2.2

2.4

2.3

2.4

2.4

9 3

May.

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.4

2

Q

2

O

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.4

2.1

June.

2 1

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.1

1.8

1.7

(a)

July. Sept.

10.0

4.0

' 2.0

1.5

4.0

5.0

1 ^

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

3 A

4.0

2.0

2.0

1.7

1.7

Oct.

2.0

2.0

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

Nov.

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.5

2.7

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.4

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.7

2.5

2.5

Dec.

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.9

2.7

2.5

2.4

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

3.6

a- See page 216.

NOTE. Gage heights for September are unreliable.
StTEFACE WATEB SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Santa Clara River near St. George, Utah, for 1909.

Day.

1. .........

2.. ..... .

3..........

4..........

5..........

6..........

7..........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

12..........

13. .........

14..........

15..........

Apr. May.

79

69

69

79

90

102

115

115

115

115

102

79

69

69

69

June.

42

42

60

60

KQ

59

KQ

59

' f^rt

42

9rt

15

.5

.5

Oct.

3

00

35

OK

43

QC

qe

qe

35

28

17

17

17

Nov.

g

18

2840

17

12

12

17

Dec.

28

28

28

22

22

22

22

61

43

38

33

28

25

22

Day.

16..........

17..--......

18.. ........

19..........

20-.-.......

21..........

23..........

26. .........

27-...---...

28..-.-...-.

90

30..........

31 ..........

Apr.

145

179

160

120

90

90

79

59

60

60

69

59

69

69

May.

69

69

59

59

59

69

64

42

42

69

56

42

June.

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

Oct.

17

14

12

7

7

7

7

3

3

3

3

2

Nov.

18

15

12

12

12

14

17

17

17

17

Oft

43

36

28

28

Dec.

20

18

17

20

22

22

22

28

28

28

28

28

22

22

22

163

NOTE. These discharges are based on rating curves applicable as follows: Apr. 16 to Aug. 31. fairly well 

defined below 60 second-feet; Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, not well defined; June 13 to Aug. 31, discharge due to seepage only and has been estimated.

Gage heights unreliable for September; no estimates made.

From June 13 to Aug. 31 the flow was due to seepage o"nly.'

Monthly discharge of Santa Clara River near St. George, Utah, for 1909.

Month."

Apr. 16-30. ........................................

July...............................................

October ................................... ... ...

December. .............................. ... .

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

179 

115

43 

43 

163

Minimum.

50 

42

2

17

Mean.

89.8 

72.4 

ol8.5 

0.5 

0.5 

16.1 

16.5 

30.5

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

2,670 

4,460 

1,100 

31 

31 

990 

982 

1,880

Accuracy.

B. 

A. 

B. 

C. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

B.

o From June 13 to Aug. 31 the flow was due to seepage only. Discharge for this period estimated on 

basis of measurement made July 14.

MUDDY RIVER NEAR MOAPA, NEV.

This station, which is located at the Narrows, about 7 miles from 

Moapa, Nev., the nearest railway point, was established January 1, 

1904, to determine the amount of water available for storage in a 

reservoir site at this point.

No gage heights are available since 1906, but occasional measurements have been made since that time. Discharge measurements 

for 1909 were made in a flume which carries the entire flow of the 

river except during floods.

Measurements made in 1908 at the station were published in 

Water-Supply Paper 249, page 197, under "miscellaneous measurements in Virgin River drainage basin."
COLOBAlK) ElfEfe BASIN. 217

Discharge measurements of Muddy River near Moapa, Nev., in 1909.

Date.

Jan. 4

4

4

19

Mar. 17

Apr. 27

May 14

June 1

1

1

1

July 2

2

2

2

2

Nov. 27

Hydrographer.

E. C. La Rue ..................................... .....

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

U. V. Perkins .............................................

A. L. F. McDermott.. . ....................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do......................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

Area of 

section.

Sz.ft. 

13.4

14.8

11.8

12.4

4.0

10.4

8.4

4.7

6.4

7.4

8.8

2.9

8.7

6.6

10.0

4.2

12.0

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.67

1.85

1.47

1.55

.60

1.30

1.05

.59

.80

.92

1.10

.34

1.05

.80

1.22

.50

1.45

Discharge.

Sec. ft. 

48

55

38

40

5.1

46

32

9.3

18

24

35

22

30

15

37

6.3

43

GILA RIVER BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

Gila River rises in western and southwestern New Mexico, receiving 

its waters from mountains having an elevation of 7,000 to 8,000 feet. 

At the point where it crosses into Arizona it still has an elevation of 

6,000 feet. From this place it flows between mountain ranges and 

falls rapidly, until at Florence, 180 miles away, it is about 1,500 feet 

above sea level. At a point about 15 miles above Florence the river 

emerges upon the plains, through which it winds for about 75 miles 

before receiving the waters of its principal tributary, the Salt. From 

the junction of the Salt the Gila continues west and southwest and 

enters the Colorado at Yuma, Ariz, near the southwest corner of the 

Territory.

The principal tributaries are San Pedro and Santa Cruz rivers 

from the south, and San Francisco, Salt,1 Agua Fria, and Hassayampa 

rivers from the north.

San Francisco River rises in the southwestern part of Socorro 

County, N. Mex., and flows southwestward into Graham County, 

Ariz., where it unites with the Gila. The basin comprises about 

2,600 square miles, of which 1,800 square miles are in New Mexico 

and 800 in Arizona.

San Pedro River rises in the northern part of the Mexican State 

of Sonora, flows northward for more than 100 miles, and empties into 

the Gila a few miles below the town of Dudleyville, 45 miles above 

Florence, Ariz. Rising in a country of very light snowfall, the river 

depends for the greater part of its water supply on the frequent 

showers of the rainy seasons. It flows over a sandy bed between 

high, steep banks, and during the dry season it shrinks to an insignifiFor description of Salt River, see p. 227.
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

cant stream of clear water, which rises and sinks in the sand with 

the varying depth of bed rock.

The floods of the tipper Gila and its tributaries are commonly 

short and violent, occurring during the months of January and 

February. A period of high water occurs also usually during the 

late summer or early fall. The season of low water occurs in June 

and July.

The drainage basin of the Gila includes 7,000 square miles of 

merchantable timberland, 11,000 square miles of woodland, of which 

the San Francisco basin has 1,000 square miles of timberland, 45,000 

square miles of land upon which there is no timber, 1,300 square miles 

of scattered timber, and 300 square miles of open land.

The average annual precipitation over the greater part of the 

contributary drainage area of Gila and San Francisco rivers in 

New Mexico is between 10 and 15 inches and in the high mountains 

of the headwater region it rises above 20 inches.

The winters are mild except in the mountainous sections, and 

very little ice forms on the rivers.

Irrigation in New Mexico has been confined chiefly to the bottom 

lands along the main streams and their tributaries, but the total 

area irrigated comprises only a very few thousand acres. Excellent 

opportunities for irrigation exist along both the Gila and the San 

Francisco. The United States Reclamation Service has made surveys for an irrigation project in the vicinity of Alma, N. Mex. 

Another promising district is that popularly known as the Lordsburg 

flat, which extends from Lordsburg, N. Mex., northward to Gila 

River, a distance of over 20 miles, and comprises over a quarter of a 

million acres of almost unbroken and very fertile land, at an elevation 

a little above 4,000 feet. This land could be irrigated by the stored 

water of Gila River, although the expense of reaching it would be 

considerable.

Good storage sites exist at various places along San Francisco 

and Gila rivers, among which may be mentioned the reservoir site 

on the San Francisco near Alma, and that on the Gila near Redrock, 

N. Mex.

Because of the torrential character of the Gila, water-power 

development is not feasible except where stored water is used. The 

San Francisco, being more of a mountain stream, presents better 

opportunities for the use of water power along its upper reaches. 

Most of the future water-power development along these streams 

will probably be in connection with irrigation projects. At present 

it is limited to one or two small plants on the San Francisco.
COL0KA&6 EIVE& BASIN. 219

RIVER NEAR REDROCK, N. MEX.

This station was originally established May 14, 1908, at the mouth 

of the Middle Box Canyon of the Gila (PI. V, J3), about 2 miles east of 

Rectrock post office, N. Mex. On July 16, 1909, it was moved about 

one-eighth mile upstream in the canyon. The two nearest railroad 

points are Silver City, about 36 miles east of Redrock, and Lordsburg, about 30 miles south.

The records show the amount of water available for irrigation and 

power enterprises.

Mancos River, an intermittent stream, the first large tributary 

upstream from the station, joins the Gila about 12 miles above. A 

number of large washes come into the river above and below the station, and during flood stages the run-off from these tributaries is very 

great. The drainage area at the station is about 3,500 square miles 

A number of large irrigation ditches divert water above the station. 

Practically no power is developed in the headwaters of this basin, 

although opportunity for such development is good.

Except for fringe ice along the edges of the stream, ice does not 

interfere with the accuracy of the results.

The gage originally installed May 14, 1908, is bolted to a rock 

bluff on the left bank just a few feet above the mouth of the canyon. 

This gage was abandoned July 16, 1909, when a Friez automatic 

gage was installed on the left bank about one-eighth mile upstream 

and at a different datum. An auxiliary staff gage, which is necessary as a guide in setting the automatic gage, was not installed 

until August 18.

The accuracy of the base data obtained at this station is impaired 

by the adverse natural conditions. The station is isolated and the 

stream bed very shifting in character. Measurements by wading 

are more or less affected by quicksand.

Discharge measurements of Gila River near Redrock, N. Mex., in 1909.

Date.

Feb. 1 

Mar. 1 

June 14 

July 11 

13 

16 

Aug. 18 

Sept. 3 

Oct. 14

Hydrographer.

J. B. Stewart. ..............................

.....do......................................

.....do.............................. ........

.....do......................................

.....do......................................

.....do......................................

.....do......................................

.....do......................................

Width.

Feet. 

82.5 

107 

57 

63 

. 35J.5 

51.5 

154 

41 

47.5

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

107 

145 

42 

44 

24 

41 

142 

51 

62

Gage height.

Automatic 

gage.

Feet.

1.75 

2.80 

2.20 

1.43

Staff 

gage.

Feet. 

1.39 

1.40 

1.00 

.82 

.67 

.95 

1.65 

.91

Discharge.

Sec. ft. 

244 

318 

97 

67 

42 

85 

398 

132 

92

NOTE. All measurements made by wading at various sections.
220 SURFACE WAtER SUPPLY, 1909, J>AET IX.

Daily gage height, in feel, ofGila River near Redrock, N. Mex.,for 1909. 

[J. G. Rutland and A. B. Conner, observers.]

Day.

1. .............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11............... 

12...............

13...............

14............... 

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20............... 

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

0.75

.75

.7

.7

.65

.65

.65

.6

1.1

.75

.7 

.7

.65

.8

.8

.7

.7 

.95

.85

.8

.8

.75

.7

.7

.9

.8

.7

Feb.

1.4

1.2

1.0

.8

1.1

1.0

.95

1.3

1.0

1.6

1.4

1 °.

1 9

1.0 

1.0

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.6

1.4 

1.4

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.2

1.3

1.2

"1 9

Mar.

1.2

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.55

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.8

1.9 

1 9

2.4

2.6 

1 9

1 9

2 9

2.0

1 Q

2.4 

2.2

1.9

2.1

2.0

1 Q

2

0

2.3

2

0

2.0

2.4

2.6

Apr.

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.5

1 ft

9 n

1.6 

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.3 

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.4

May.

1.35

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2 

1.2

1.2

1.2 

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2 

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

June.

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

.8

.8

.6

.6

.6

.7

.8

.95 

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3 

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

July.

0.8

.65

""."65"

QC

Aug.

3.3 

3.6

2.9

3.0

2.85

2.75

2.65 

2.5

2.5

2.35

2.4

2.3

2.25

2.15

2.8

2.3

2.2

2.3

Sept.

2.35

2.25

2.25

2.3

2.8

4.9

3.2

2.8

2.75

2.7

3.3 

3.4

3.1

3.0

2 Q

2.8

2.7

2.6

.......

1.6

1.55

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.45

Oct.

1.45

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.4

1.4

1.4 

1.4

1.4

1.4 

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.45 

1.45

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.4

1.4

Nov.

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.5

1.5 

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.45 

1.45

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.55

1.55

1.5

1.5

Dec.

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.65

1.7

1.5 

1.5

1.55

1.55 

1.55

1.55

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.8

1.8

1.85

2.0

Daily discharge, in second-feet, ofGila River near Redrock, N. Mex.,for 1908-9.

Day.

1908. 

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7. ....... ------

8..............

9..............

10..............

Nov. Dec.

80

70

58

58

50

97

90

80

62

Day.

1908. 

11

12..............

14..............

16..............

17....-..-.-....

18..............

19..............

20..............

Nov.

105

96

7C

75

Dec.

51

76

67

67

49

49

83

64

52

52

Day,

1908. 

21 ..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Nov.

53

53

106

80

74

65

395

330

132

80

Dec.

52

52

43

43

83

55

47

48

40

42

42
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 221 

Daily discharge, in second-feet, ofGila River near Redrock, N. Hex., for 1908-9.

Day.

1909. 

1... ............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12...............

13. .............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24. ..............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29. ..............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

47

47

JO

JO

42

49

37

07

^7

33

116

70

42

49

38

56

KG

\\

84

65

56

56

49

44

44

74

KG

44

Feb.

248

160

98

TO

126

98

86

203

98

370

250

210

102

102

OKQ

166

380

258

258

174

1°.7

107

174

217

174

374

Mar.

174

qnn

390

one

365

462

one

395

one

536

610

610

1,030

1,210

620

620

Sfift

1 040

860

620

77 c

707

ftOQ

Qfi9

962

Qfi9

708

1,050

1,230

Apr.

41 ^

415

360

OAft

9QQ

1QC

195

243

OQQ

90. Q

360

565

730

435

O7O

370

308

one

OKA

OKA

435 4°.*;

376

01 q

313

255

ORE

ORR

255

313

May.

OQQ

OKO

OKO

one

one

one

205 9nc.

205

one

one

193

193

94ft

94ft

240

240

1QO

1 Qq

240

240

94ft

178

178

17C

178

178

June.

142

142

1 JLf\

100

100

100

60

60

36

36

36

46

58

OK

24

94

24

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

94

24

24

July.

OK

30

on

OK

qK

40

JK

KA

55

60

65

CO

40

40

40

OK

58

105

oqq

99ft

220

99ft

220

oqq

220

185

185

10K

185

Aug.

1 QK

1 QK

1 QK

220

91ft

260

qon

070

470

cor*

CQfl

710

435

473

416

07 c

oqq

280

97q

226

oqo

202

i ^s

^1 %

1 KO

167

Sept.

147

143

i C;Q

9S2ft

1,120

410

970

OQO

OAQ

470

KAC

qnc

q?Q

345

312

284

nCK

230

OftK

180

155

10C

inn

82

75

72

72

78

79

Oct.

72

6870

90

90

84

84

QA

Q£

Qfi

86

CO

CO

90

nn

on

Qft

Oft

on

95

QC

90

103

103

103

109

109

109

109

on

90

Nov.

90

90

90

on

90

90

90

90

QC

QK

QC

QC

103

103

IfV*

ifw

103

inq

103

95

95

103

103

103

103

103

109

109

103

103

Dec.

103

1Q1

19<t

loo

loo

123

181

103

103

109

109

109

109

116

1S1

181

181

1 A Q

149

159

193

190

190

190

190

190

190

NOTE. These discharges for 1908-9 were obtained by the indirect method for shifting channels. 

Discharges estimated for days forwhich no gage heights are given.

Monthly discharge ofGila River near Redrock, N. Mex.,for 1908-9.

Month.

1908. 

Nov. 16-30 .........................................

1909.

April..............................................

May...............................................

July...............................................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

395 

97

116 

380 

1,230 

730 

288 

142 

233 

710 

1,120 

109 

109 

193

1,230

Minimum.

53 

40

33 

59 

174 

195 

178 

16 

25 

152 

72 

68 

90 

103

16

Mean.

119 

59.9

50.9 

181 

686 

341 

212 

48.2 

118 

308 

255 

91.3 

98.3 

148

211

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

3,540 

3,680

3,130 

10,100 

42,200 

20,300 

13,000 

2,870 

7,260 

18,900 

15,200 

5,610 

5,850 

9,100

154,000

Accuracy.

B. 

B.

B. 

B.

B. 

B. 

B. 

C. 

D. 

D. 

D. 

D. 

D. 

D.

NOTE. Prior to Nov. 16, 3908, the data are too meager or unreliable on which to base estimates.
222 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

SAN FRANCISCO RIVER AT ALMA, N. MEX.

This station, which was established October 18, 1904, by the 

United States Reclamation Service, is located about half a mile 

southeast of Alma, N. Mex., and 85 miles northwest of Silver City, 

the most accessible railway point. It was discontinued by the 

Reclamation Service December 31, 1907, and was reestablished by 

the United States Geological Survey on January 1, 1909.

The station is a short distance below the mouth of Mineral Creek 

and about 5 miles above the mouth of Whitewater Creek. The waters 

of the San Francisco and its tributaries are used to some extent for 

mining and a few small ditches take out water above the station for 

irrigation of the bottom lands. The flow of this stream is very little 

affected by ice, though thin ice sometimes forms on the edges.

The rod gage established January 1, 1909, is at a different location and datum from those of the previous gage. It was washed 

out on September 6, 1909, and replaced October 10, 1909, by another 

sloping-rod gage 100 feet upstream at the same datum. Gage 

heights during the interval that the gages were out were read from 

a temporary gage installed by the observer and later reduced to the 

new gage datum. High-water measurements have been made from 

a cable 300 feet upstream from the location of the last gage.

Very good measurements can be obtained at this station, but they 

should be made frequently in order to obtain the best results, as the 

stream bed is shifting in character.

Discharge measurements of San Francisco River at Alma, N. Mex., in 1909.

Date.

Eeb. 7

6

Oct. 10

Hydrographer.

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

.....do.....................................................

Width.

Feet. 

38

39

61

25

19

25.5

32.5

29.5

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

19.6

19.0

60.0

7.0

5.8

8.0

13.2

12.5

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.74

1.00

1.55

.45

.45

.58

.65

.75

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

37

52.0

214.0

8.7

8.5

15.9

28.0

15.8
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 223

Daily gage height, in feet, of San Francisco River at Alma, N. Mex., for 1909. 

[Cora Jackson and Minnie Bowers, observers.]

Day.

1...............

2...............

4...............

5. ..............

6...............

7...............

8...............

Q

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19

20...............

21...............

22................

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

90

30............... si

Jan.

0.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.771;

.75

.75

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

2.0

2.75

9 n

1.5

1.0

Feb.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.5

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.8

1.5

1.5

1.3

1.3

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

 1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.2

Mar.

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.2

1 Q

2.0

1.8

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.5

1.5

2.3

3.0

2.5

2.1

2.2

2.0

2.0

9 n

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

Apr.

9 n

2.0 9 n

2.5

2.5

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

2.0

1.7

1.7

2.0

1.6

1.4

1/4

1.3

1.15

1.1

1.1 1.0-

1.0

1.0

May.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.85

.85

.85

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

June.

0.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.45

45

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.35

qe

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

July.

fi Q

.3

.5

.45

.7

.5

.5

.5

.5

.2

.3

.2

.2

.6

1.2

.6

s n

.6

.6

.6

1.0

.6

.6

.5

.6

Aug.

0.6

.6

1.0

.5

1.35

.7

1.0

1.0

2.2

1.0

1.4

1 q

1.8

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.3

9

.8

1.1

.7

.6

.5

.5

.5

.6

.6

Sept.

0.6

.6

Q

1.0

2.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

Q

.9

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

Oct.

1.0

.9

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.75

.7

.65

.6

.6

.6

.55

.7

.65

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

.6

.7

.5

.4

.5

.5

.5

Nov.

0.5

.6

.5

.5

.6

.6

.6

.55

.55

.55

.6

.6

.6

.7

.7

.7

.7

.75

.75

.75

.7

.7

.7

.7

.75

.75

.7

.7

.8

.95

Dec.

0.95

.85

.85

.85

.95

95

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95

95

.95

.95

.95 '.95

.95

.95

.95

NOTE. Gage heights for 1909 are not referred to the same datum as that used by the United States 

Reclamation Service in 1907.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of San Francisco River at Alma, N. Mex., for 1909.

Day.

1.... ...........

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9.-.-....---....

10...............

11...............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19.---.---.--....

20......... .....

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

33

33

qq

33

33

01

31

31

31

36

34

34

39

39

°.Q

37

V7

V7

VI

37

35

qe

qe

qe

qe

33

510

1,050

510

208

56

Feb.

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

192

52

52

52

52

355

192

192

114

114

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

68

68

88

Mar.

88

52

490

620

420

485

355

192

192

192

148

88

88

192

192

690

1,200

840

550

620

485

485

94/1

355

485

485

485

485

Apr.

485

485

485

840

840

485

485

485

485

295

295

295

295

295

295

295

485

295

295

485

240

14.S

148

114

78

68

68

52

CO

52

May.

52

52

52

52

52

KO

52

35

35

35

oq

23

23

23

23

23

23

9S

23

23

23

16

16

16

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

June.

11

11

11

11

11

9

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

5.5

5.5

4

4

4

July.

4

11

9

oq

11

n

12

12

3

6

3

0

19

10

249

1,200

22

99

22

qo

40

68

oq

23

17

24

70

Aug.

24

24

79

17

182

qo

72

70

118

Ron

70

194

143

410

116

105

62

AQ

37

37

80

37

7q

oe

18

19

12

19

1 ft

18

Sept.

16

16

40

52

1,140

CO

52

52

48

36

36

36

28

28

28

28

26

OA

3fl

30

so

Ort

so

30

so

30

30

so

OA

30

Oct.

39

29

20

20

20

18

18

18

18

16

is

11

9

9

9

7

13

11

9

9

9

6

6

6

g

13

6

3

6

6

6

Nov.

6

9

6

6

9

9

9

7

7

7

Q

9

9

13

13

13

13

16

16

16

13is

13is

16

16

13

13

18

30

Dec.

sn

22

22

30

30

34

34

34

34

so

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

qn

30

NOTE. These discharges, have bejft obtained by the indirect method for shifting channels.
224 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1900, PART IX.

Monthly discharge of San Francisco River at Alma, N. Mex., for 1909.

Month.

July...............................................

November

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,050 

355 

1,200 

840 

52 

11 

1,200 

690 

1,140 

39 

30 

34

1,200

Minimum.

31 

52 

52 

52 

11 

4 

3 

12 

16 

3 

6 

22

3

Mean.

104 

84.7 

399 

324 

27.3 

6.90 

64.1 

95.6 

70.0 

12.6 

12.0 

29.7

102

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

6.400 

4.700 

24,500 

19,300 

1,680 

411 

3,940 

5,880 

4,170 

775 

714 

1,830

74,300

Accu

racy.

C. 

B. 

C. 

B. 

B. 

C. 

C. 

C. 

D. 

D. 

D. 

D.

SANTA CRUZ RIVER NEAR NOGALES, ARIZ.

This station, which was established March 22, 1907, was located 

about 5 miles from Nogales, near Yerba Buena ranch. Conditions 

of flow are subject to change. It was discontinued November 30, 

1907, and reestablished April 1, 1909. No discharge measurements 

were made in 1909.

This station is maintained and the data -have been furnished for 

publication by the United States Reclamation Service.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Santa Cruz River near Nogales, Ariz.,for 1909. 

[Mr. Harrison, observer.]

Day.

1. ..........................

2...........................

3...........................

4...........................

5...........................

6...........................

7...........................

8...........................

9...........................

10...........................

11...........................

12...........................

13...........................

14...........................

15............................

16...........................

17...........................

18...........................

19...........................

20...........................

21...........................

22...........................

23..................... ....

24...........................

25...........................

26...........................

27...........................

28...........................

29...........................

30...........................

31...........................

Apr.

2

0

2

0

2

0

2.85

2.8

2.7

2

C

2

0

2 7

2 7

2.8

2.8

2.8

2

0

2.8

2.8

2

0

2

0

2

e

9 TP;

2.8

2.8

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3 A

May.

3.4

2.8

2.8

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3

Q

3.3

2.9

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3 9

3.2

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.5

3.5

3 f\

3.0

June.

2.9

2 9

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2

0

2.8

2.8

2

C

2.75

9 71

2.75

9 7C

2

7C

2 7

2 7

2.7

2 7

2 7

2 7

2 7

2.7

2 7

9 7

2.65

2.65

2.65

July.

2.65

3.92

3.25

3.22

3.35

2.8

2.7

2.7

2 7

2 7

2.7

2 7

2 7

3.3

5.3

3

9c

3.25

3.72

4 58

3.75

3.2

3.08 ^ n

9 Q

9 Q

2.85

2.82

Aug.

3.8

3.75

3.75

3.7

3.65

3.68

3.6

H Q

3.8

3 7

3.6

3.6

3.95

3.6

3.9

5 9

5.75

4.9

3 Q

3.8

3.8

3.8

4.4

3.7

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.5

3 A

^ 4

Sept.

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

Oct.

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3

0

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.25

3.2

Nov.

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.26

3.2

3 9

3.4

3.35

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.35

3.6

3.5

3.4

Dec.

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3 A

3.4

1 4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.35

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4
COLOEADO RIVER BASIN. 225

SANTA CRUZ RIVER AND DITCHES AT TUCSON, AKIZ.

This station was established October 15, 1905, at Congress Street 

Bridge, Tucson, Ariz. The. gage height records were discontinued 

November 12, 1907, but discharge measurements have been made 

since then by engineers of the United States Reclamation Service, 

who maintain the station.

Manning and Farmers ditches divert practically the entire flow 

during the low period of Santa Cruz River. These ditches are taken 

out just above the gaging station, and their flow is determined by 

current-meter or weir measurements, supplemented by daily records, 

kept by the ditch managers, .of the amount of water contained in 

each. On April 16 and 17, 1908, a permanent Cippoletti weir was 

established on Manning ditch 3 miles below the head gate. This water 

is used to irrigate lands on the north and south sides of Santa Cruz 

River in and about the vicinity-of Tucson.

Conditions of flow are changeable.

The results published herewith were furnished by the United States 

Reclamation Service.

Discharge measurements of Santa Cruz River at Tucson, Ariz., in 1908-9. 

[By engineers of the United States Reclamation Service.]

Date.

1908. 

Feb. 5... . 

July 28.. .

Aug. 18. .

Sept. 9. . 

9. .

1909. 

Mar. 16 .

24 .

Apr. 5.. . 

July 17. .

Width.

Feet. 

53 

38

42

89 

58

9.0

6.5

7.5 

30

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

53 

21

172 

93

1.5

1.4

6.2

27

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.92 

.16

.38

2.00 

1.07

.03 

.14

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

213 

61

163

1,080 

616

2.4

2.3

14 

83

Date.

1909. 

July 19.. 

19..

19..

20. 

23. 

24.

26.

15.

16. 

17..

Width.

Feet. 

46 

94

91

36 

55 

93

84 

72

78

86 

82

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft. 

28 

274

170

20 

79 

292

79 

36

89

147 

58

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.22 

3.20

2.06

.50 

.82 

3.40

.89 

.23

.90

2.02 

1.10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

85

32 

372

432 

91

445

974 

287

95620° WSP 269 11 15
226 SURFACE WATEK SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Discharge measurements of Manning ditch near Tucson, Ariz., in 1908-9. 

[By engineers of the United States Reclamation Service.]

Date.

1908. 

Mar. 2..................................

Apr. 11.. ...............................

18................................

21.................................

21.................................

May 9 .................................

30..................................

21.................................

July 14 .................................

25..................................

. 30..................................

31..................................

Aug. 8 .................................

11.................................

25.................................

Sept. 7..................................

Nov. 3.................................

11.................................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

11.2

9.9

7 9.

8.6

10.2

8.7

5

0

5.3

4.4

4.3

8.2

11.7

8

0

8

C

8.2

11.2

7.6

5.5

' Date.

1909. 

Jan. 15..................................

22..................................

Feb. 19...... ............................

Mar. 30 .................................

May 29.................................

11.. ...............................

17.................................

23.................................

July 7 .................................

8..................................

14..................................

14..................................

15..................................

Aug. 2.................................

27.................................

Sept. 3 .................................

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

6.2

8.3

9 6

7.6

9.1

6.1

5

n

5.5

3.9

5 Q

4.8

3.1

4.8

3 A.

7.1

6.6

9.5

NOTE. 1908. Measurements Mar. 2, Apr. 11,21 (second), 1908, and July 14 (second), 1909, were made by 

current meter at head gate. All others were made by weirs 3 miles below head gate.

From Feb. 2 to 22,1908, ditch was dry. Diversion dam washed out 4 p. m. Mar. 22 to noon Mar. 23. 

Apr. 14 to 18, ditch dry for cleaning. Apr. 16-17, permanent Cippoletti weir established 3 miles below 

head gate.

Measurement July 25, 30, and 31 contain Farmers ditch water.

1909. Measurement Mar. 30, 1909, made before cleaning ditch; that of Apr. 8 made after cleaning. 

May 17-18, water developed at head. May 19-22, ditch cleaned. Diversion dam washed out July 4 and 

again July 6,1909.

Monthly discharge of Santa Cruz River and ditches at Tucson, Ariz., for 1908-9.

Month.

1908.

May........................

July........................

November

1909.

April...... .................

May........................

June.......................

July........................

River discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

16 

213 

19 

19

6,780 

220 

1,080

25

6,780

4 

4 

4 

14 

6

1,740 

1,610 

940

Minimum.

0.5

.4 

1.0 

1.0

Mean.

2.3 

30.3 

2.1 

1.6

132 

37 

31.5

12.6

20.8

1.9

2.5 

2.2 

3.8 

.8

94.0 

121 

21.0

Run-off (total in acre-feet).

River.

130 

1,750 

130 

90

8,100 

2,280 

1,870

780

15,100

120 

140 

130 

230 

50

5,820 

7,510 

1,260 

200 

160 

200

15,800

Manning 

ditch.

600 

240 

660 

420 

530 

300 

.460 

225 

430 

490 

470 

180

5,000

430 

540 

510 

400 

300 

240 

120 

130 

500

Farmers 

ditch.

240 

120 

380 

300 

300 

250

40

210 

250 

240 

70

2,400

280 

260 

250 

240 

200 

180 

120

Total.

970 

2,110 

1,170 

810 

830 

500 

8,560 

2,540 

2,510 

740 

710 

1,030

22,500

830 

940 

890 

870 

550 

420 

6,060 

7,640 

1,765

NOTE. The river carried water from Manning ditch 12J days in October, 10 days in November, and 

13} days in December.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 227

SALT RIVEE DRAINAGE BASIN. 

DESCRIPTION.

Salt River, though considered a tributary of the Gila, is in fact 

larger both in catchment area and in discharge. It receives the 

drainage from central Arizona, its principal tributary, the Verde, 

flowing southeasterly and south from the mountains and tablelands south of Colorado River. The Verde Valley is situated in 

Yavapai County, Ariz., on the headwaters of the stream, and extends from a canyon above Camp Verde to a point about 10 miles 

below the fort. About a mile below the junction of the Verde and 

30 miles above Phoenix the Salt enters upon the plains of the Gila 

Valley.

The Salt River project involves the construction of a large storage 

reservoir controlled by the Roosevelt dam, on Salt River, at Roosevelt, Ariz., about 70 miles northeast of Phoenix, and the Granite 

Reef dam, on the same stream, about 40 miles below the Roosevelt 

dam, diverting water into the old Arizona canal on the right side 

of the river and into the highland canal on the left side of the river; 

the enlargement of these two canals, and the consolidation of the 

canal systems in the Salt River valley, in the vicinity of Phoenix 

and Mesa, Ariz., into two systems receiving water from these two 

canals. A power plant is being constructed at the storage dam for 

generating power from stored water in the reservoir and from water 

diverted from a power canal heading at a diversion dam on the Salt 

River about 18^ miles above the storage dam. This power will be 

partly sold for industrial uses and partly used for pumping water 

from underground sources onto high lands in the Gila Indian reservation and in the Salt River valley. The power canal diversion 

dam, the power canal, the Roosevelt dam, and the Granite Reef 

dam are completed; the power plant, the improvements of the 

Arizona canal system, and the wells for underground pumping are 

under construction.1

SALT RIVER AT McDOWELL, ARIZ.

This station, which was established April 20, 1897, to determine 

the amount of water available for irrigation, is located one-third 

mile above the junction of Salt and Verde rivers, 30 miles northeast of Phoenix, 15 miles northeast of Mesa, and If miles above the 

Arizona canal diversion dam.

The bed of the river at this point is sandy and shifting, and frequent measurements are required to properly determine the daily 

discharge.

The station is maintained by the United States Reclamation 

Service.

' Description of the Salt River project taken from Seventh Ann. Rept. IT. S. Reel. Service, 1907-S, pp. 

60-51.
228 SURFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PAET IX.

Discharge measurements of Salt River at McDowell, Ariz., in 1909. 

[By W. Richins.]

Date.

8. ......................

12»... .... ....

18a. .....................

26o. .....................

29o......................

11.......................

12.......................

16.......................

1Q

23.......................

26.......................

Mar. 2.......................

12.......................

16.......................

19.......................

23.......................

26.......................

30.......................

6.......................

9...............*.......

13.......................

16.......................

20.......................

23.......................

97

30.......................

May 4.......................

7.......................

7.......................

8.......................

10.......................

12.......................

14.......................

17.......................

19.......................

21 .......................

25.......................

28.......................

4.......................

11.......................

15.......................

18.......................

22. ......................

OK

9Q

July 2.......................

6.......................

iq

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.80

2 9ft

2

1 c

4.25

- 6.30

7.65

5 95

5

QC

6.25

6.60

6.45

6.60

K QK

6.55

5

cr\

6.50

6.00

S

en

6.75

6.75

7

1 e

7.35

7 4n

7.20

7 ^

7 95

7.85

7 CK

S on

6.55

6.55

5.80

3.80

3.65

0 Cfl

3.85

4 OK

4 95

4.90

4.80

4.70

4 60

4 60

4.40

4.35

4 OK

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

1*37

AQ

cn

&56

1 080

3' 770

6,410

4

enA

3,910

4 080

3,540

o 7£r\

2,680

3,520

c 1,800

3,200

3194

3,350

4,100

4

KOA

o 70/1

3852

4 Kin

c nan

5,370

c 1,870

3 1 on

3,760

c 1,710

1 CO

98

10.Q

449 700

884

887

700

71Q

Ton

675

KCQ

557

CAA

438

428

Date.

July 16.......................

20.......................

23.......................

26.......................

28.......................

30.......................

Aug. 3.......................

6. ......................

10.......................

13.......................

17.......................

20. ......................

24. ......................

27. ......................

31.......................

Sept. 3......................

8......................

10......................

14. .....................

17......................

21......................

23......................

24......................

29......................

Oct. 1............... ........

5.......................

8.......................

12.......................

15.......................

17.......................

22.......................

26.......................

29.......................

Nov. 2.......................

5.......................

8.......................

9.......................

10.......................

11.......................

12.......................

16.......................

17.......................

19.......................

23.......................

26.......................

28.......................

30.......................

7.....:.................

9.......................

10.......................

14.......................

. 17.......................

20.......................

23.......................

28.......................

31.......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.15

4.10

4.25

4.35

4 60

4.65

4.50

4.40

4.85

4 95

5.65

6.00

5.75

5.65

5.40

5.20

5.40

8.15

8.35

7.45

6.80

6.05

5.80

5.70

5.25

5.15

4.85

4.75

4.60

4.50

4.45

4.30

4.30

4.25

4.25

5.20

5.30

5.80

5.85

5.85

5.75

5.75

5.75

5.70

5.65

5.50

5.50

5.05

4.30

3.85

3 45

3.40

3.90

3.95

3.35

3.30

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

363

533

411

511

700

746

fllQ

571

864

1,030

1,690

1,900

1,660

1,560

1,450

1,200

1,510

4,790

6,000

3,910

2,940

1,920

1,660

1,470

1,060

670

548

516

AAf{

404

00*>

334

111

998

1,150

1,530

1,560

1,600

1,430

1,420

1,450

1,400

1,350

1,230

1,250

986

Ken

. 457

c237

78

<*294

322

c!06

108

a Made by J. C. Learning.

& Gage height affected by backwater in Verde River.

c Low discharge is caused by closing gate^ at Roosevelt dam.

<* Water turned back in river.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 229

Daily gage height, in feet, of Salt River at McDowell, Ariz.,for 1909. 

[W. Richins, observer.]

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6............ ..

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11..............

12...............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18............... 19;..............

20. ..............

21..............

22...............

23...............

24............ .

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

5.80

5.45

3.50

2.82

2.65

2.50

2.38

2.30

2.30

2.22

2.20

2.20

 2.20

3.62

3.32

2.15

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

4.30

5.42

5.40

6.32

4.28

6.65

7.55

6.90

6.55

Feb.

6.15

5.95

5.85

5.98

5.92

5.95

5.85

6.00

6.38

6.20

6.60

6.60

6.60

6.55

6.40

6.38

6.55

6 en

6.58

6.60

6.38

5.95

6.00

6.10

Mar.

6.70

6.52

6.50

6.65

6.25

6.42

6.45

6.48

6.05

6.00

6.00

6.15

6.50

6.42

6.00

3.85

3.70

6.75

6.70

6.70

6.72

6.68

6.78

6.72

6.10

6.20

7.20

7.18

7.40

Apr.

7.38

7.32

4.35

5.65

6.90

7.40

7.25

7.20

7.20

7.25

7.40

7.55

4.55

3.75

7.45

7.55

7 80

4.55

7.80

7.92

7.32

7.90

7.85

7.85

7.85

7.85

7.85

7.62

7.32

5.85

May.

4.42

3.75

3.58

3.42

3.38

3.35

5.80

4.00

3.82

3.68

3.62

3.58

3.50

3.45

3.45

3

AK

3.65

3.90

4.05

4.28

4.42

4.55

4.62

4.78

4.88

4.95

5.00

4.95

4.95

June.

4.95

4.95

4.95

4.92

4.90

4..90

4.90

4

QQ

4.85

4.85

4.85

4 80

4.78

4

7C

4.70

4.70

4.65

4 60

4.60

4.60

4.60

4.58

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.48

4.45

July.

4.42

4.40

4.40

4.35

4.35

4.35

4.35

4.32

4 30

4 30

4.25

4.25

4.20

4.18

4.15

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.28

4.25

4.25

4.35

4.38

4 50

4.60

4.65

4.62

4.60

Aug.

4.55

4.50

4.48

4.42

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.78

4.85

4 80

4.80

4.92

4.95

4.95

5.50

5.70

5 no

5.98

t; 09

5.80

5.75

5.72

5?62

5.62

5.62

5.50

5.45

5.70

Sept.

5.32

5.28

5.20

5.15

5.20

5.25

6.02

8.22

8.48

8.30

8.10

7.80

7.58

7.40

7.15

6.95

6.75

'6.55

6.35

6.15

6.05

5.98

5.82

5.68

5.58

5.45

5.35

5.30

5.22

5.12

Oct.

5.12

5.08

5.00

4.92

4.85

4.80

4.78

4.72

4.70

4.60

4.60

4.55

4.52

4.50

4.50

4.45

4.45

4.45

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.35

4.35

4.30

4.30

4.30

4.28

4.30

4.30

4.30

Nov.

4.25

4.25

4.25

4.25

4.25

4.20

4.20

5.20

5.32

5

7O

5.82

5.85

5.85

5.80

5.80

5.75

5.75

5.75

5.75

5.75

5.70

5.70

5.70

5.65

5.62

5.70

5.50

5.40

5.48

Dec.

5.08

5.05

4.80

4.60

4.40

4.28

3

QQ

3 7f>

3.60

3.50

3.42

3.40

3.40

3.88

3.90

3.95

3.95

3.62

3.40

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

3.35

NOTE. Rise Jan. 15-17 due to backwater from Verde River. No change in amount turned oqt at 

Roosevelt.

Gage heights are affected by regulation at Roosevelt dam.

Maximum recorded gage heights occurred as follows: Jan. 29, 7.70; Feb. 1, 6.15; May 7, 6.55; Aug. 31, 

6.00; Sept. 9,8.50; Oct. 1,5.15; and Dec. 1,5.30 feet.

Minimum recorded gage heights occurred as follows: Mar. 19, 3.50; April 14, 3.70; Sept. 30,5.10; and Oct. 

28, 4.25 feet.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Salt River at McDowell, Ariz.,for 1909.

Day.

1... ............

2.. .............

3...............

4. ..............

5...... .........

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

12............ ..

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28...............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Jan.

2,230

440

145

120

80

60

60

60

55

50

50

50

50

50

50

56

55

55

55

55

1,110

3,800

800

3,760

6,000

5,500

1150

Feb.

4,700

4,500

4,100

4,000

4,000

3,700

3,600

3,500

3,000

3,100

3,400

3,600

3,300

4,600

4,080

3,900

3,700

3,600

3,700

3,600

3,740

3,760

3,300

2,600

2,590

2,750

Mar.

3,920

3,480

3,450

3,570

1,550

3,280

3,140

3,170

3,140

2,380

2,360

2,360

2,650

3,480

3,750

3,400

2,450

310

260

3,900

3,600

3,500

3,450

3,500

3,370

2,300

4,400

4,200

4.820

Apr.

4,700

4,500

460

1,500

3,100

4,280

3,900

3,720

3,720

3,900

5,000

6,000

640

240

4,200

4,510

5,300

320

5,300

5,600

3,800

5,500

5,300

5,320

5,330

5,350

5,360

5,100

4,600

1,800

May.

920

200

140

110

90

70

3,100

1,710

240

160

150

130

120

98

100

100

109

180

290

360

470

550

610

660

750

860

880

884

930

940

940

June.

944

920

870

830

800

750

734

730

720

719

720

720

720

723

710

690

654

660

600

559

560

560

560

558

530

520

510

500

470

July.

450

450

450

450

450

448

440

440

430

430

430

420

413

390

380

363

350

340

340

333

330

420

411

520

550

732

740

750

740

710

Aug.

670

630

610

590

580

571

560

560

820

864

840

860

990

1,030

1,000

1,540

1,620

1,970-

2,010

1,880

1,810

1,680

1,640

1,640

1,500

1,520

1,520

1,520

1,490

1,480

1.830

Sept.

1,340

1,250

1,150

1,120

1,200

1,280

2,440

5,600

6,400

5,800

5,200

4,550

4,120

3,850

3,450

3,150

2,840

2,550

2,250

2,040

,920

,820

,700

,440

,350

1,240

1,130

1,100

1,050

960

Oct.

880

840

780

760

670

620

590

530

530

530

520

516

490

470

452

450

440

430

412

390

375

361

350

345

335

327

330

330

334

330

325

Nov.

320

'320 314

325

328

330

330

998

1,180

1,500

1,560

1,600

1,560

1,500

1,500

1,430

1,420

1,100

1,450

1,450

1,440

1,410

1,400

1,400

1,350

1,300

1,420

1,230

1,120

1,220

Dec.

1,090

1,060

1,000

940

790

660

610

530

450

300

180

150

110

95

90

80

78

80

80

290

300

320

324

110

110

110

105

110

110

110

NOTE. These discharges were obtained by the indirect method for shifting channels.
230 STJEFACE WATEE SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Monthly discharge of Salt River at McDowell, Ariz.,for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 6,260 square miles.]

Month.

May.................................

July.................................

The year. .....................

Discharge in second-feet.

.Maximum.

6,000 

4,600 

4,820 

6,000 

3,100 

944 

750 

2,010 

6,400 

880 

1,600 

1,090

6,400

Minimum.

50 

2,590 

260 

240 

70 

470 

330 

560 

960 

325 

314 

78

50

Mean.

1,200 

3,620 

3,050 

3,940 

544 

681 

468 

1,220 

2,510 

485 

1,130 

341

1,580

Per

square 

mile.

0.192 

.578 

.487 

.629 

.087 

.109 

.075 

.195 

.401 

.077 

.180 

.054

.252

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.22 

.60 

.56 

.70 

.10 

- .12 

.09 

.22 

.45 

.09 

.20 

.06

3.41

Total in 

acre-feet.

73,800 

201,000 

188,000 

234,000 

33,400 

40., 500 

28,800 

75,000 

149,000 

29,800 

67, 200 

21,000

1, 140, 000

NOTE. These estimates were recomputed to conform to the computation rules used by the U. S. Geological Survey. The values difier slightly from those computed by the Reclamation Service.

VERDE RIVER AT McDOWELL, ARIZ.

This station, which was established April 20, 1897, is located 30 

miles northeast of Phoenix, 15 miles northeast of Mesa, 2J miles above 

the Arizona canal diversion dam, and three-fourths of a mile above 

the mouth of the river.

As the bed of the stream at this point is sandy and shifting, frequent 

measurements are required to properly determine the daily discharge.

This station is maintained by the United States Reclamation 

Service.

Discharge measurements of Verde River at McDowell, Ariz., in 1909. 

[By W. Richins.]

Date.

Jan. 4......................

8......................

12a.....................

17«. ....................

20o.....................

22o. . .......

26o.....................

3Qa. ....................

9*. ....................

12......................

16......................

19......................

23......................

26. .....................

Mar. 2......................

5......................

9......................

12......................

16......................

19

23......................

26. ......................

30......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4 30

4 20

4.05

fi KA

5.50

5.10

5.55

5.20

5.70

5.50

6.20

5.90

6.20

5.80

6.35

A in

5.95

6.35.

6 45

6

QC

7.90

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

519

453

481

S

ftcn

1 450

1,000

1,500

QKA

1,180

2

f)AC\

1,430

1,820

1 94A

1 840

1 nfifi

2 nftrt

1,180

1,910

1,760

1,500

1,470

5.700

Date.

Apr. 2......................

6......................

9

13......................

16......................

23......................

97

30......................

May 4......................

7......................

10............. ........ -

12......................

14......................

17......................

19

21......................

25......................

28......................

8......................

11......................

15......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.20

7.45

6.65

6.65

6.55

6.45

6.15

5.80

"5.60

5.45

5.35

5.25

5.25

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.15

5.15

5.10

5.10

5.05

4.95

4.90

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

2,710

2,860

1,260

1,390

1,240

1,050

663

424

333

248

248

185

205

181

191

184

191

162

165

164

162

148

132

129

a Made by J. C. learning.
COLOEADO EIVER BASIN. 231

Discharge measurements of Verde River at McDowell, Ariz., in 1909 Continued.

Date.

June 18......................

22......................

25......................

29......................

July 2......................

9......................

13.............:........

16......................

July 20......................

23......................

26......................

28......................

30......................

Aug. 3......................

10......................

13......................

17......................

20......................

24......................

27......................

31 ......................

7

I.:::::::::::::::::::::

10......................

14......................

17......................

21......................

23......................

24......................

29......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.90

4.90

4 on

4.90

4 85

5.10

4.95

4.85

5.10

5.88

6.80

6.75

6.05

5.60

5.55

6.10

7.30

8.08

6.90

6.50

6 65

6.10

5.95

7.10

7.10

6.65

6.05

5.85

5.70

5.65

5.55

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

126

124

114

11Q

416

9^

147

188

651

1,760

1 <*Qfi

328

01 f\

fiOQ

2,300

4,020

1 1dfl

801

1,050

492

9QQ

1,760

828

374

275

94.7

911

207

180

Date.

5......................

12......................

15......................

19

22......................

26......................

29......................

5......................

8......................

10......................

11......................

19

16......................

17......................

1Q

91*

26......................

28......................

30......................

7......................

9......................

10......................

14......................

17......................

23......................

28......................

31......................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.60

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.50

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.50

5.50

5.55

5.55

5.50

5.55

6.60

5.60

5.60

5.65

5.85

5.70

5.65

6.00

5.90

5.80

Discharge.

Sec. -feet.

1QA

161

159

175

1R9

14.4.

155

156

117

227

181

194

195

192

201

267

9^4.

213

260

9Q7

288

290

283

472

330

503

382

337

« Made from cable.

NOTE. From June 11 to July 20, excepting July 6, measurements were made about 500 feet above cable 

by wading. Water too shallow at cable to make an accurate measurement. Beginning July 23, measurements were resumed from the cable.

Daily gage height, in feet, of Verde River at McDowell, Ariz., for 1909.

Day.

1...............

2...............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6........ -.---.-

7.....-..-..-.--

8.... .......... .

9...............

10...............

11...............

12. ..............

13...............

14...............

15...............

16...............

17...............

18. ..............

19...............

21...............

22

23...............

24. ..............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28. ..............

29...............

30............... 

31...............

Jan.

4.40

4.40

4.35

4.30

4.30

4.28

4.22

4.20

4.15

4.15

4.10

4.05

4.05

4.05

7.98

7.50

6.42

6.00

5.75

5.50

5.30

5.10

5.00

8.00

6.90

6.30

6.02

5.85

5.98

5.75 

5.58

Feb.

5.50

5.32

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.75

5.90

5.70

5.45

5.40

5.80

6.20

6.18

5.92

5.75

5.95

6.08

6.10

6.32

6.15

5.85

5.72

5.82

5.88

5.40

.......

Mar.

6.48

6.40

6.40

6.40

6.60

6.82

6.95

6.95

6.58

6.28

6.02

5.95

5.78

5.65

5.60

6.35

6.58

6.40

6.42

6.45

6.40

6.38

6.32

6.15

6.20

6.50

6.95

6.95

8.00

7.82 

7.40

Apr.

7.18

7.08

6.82

7.15

7.45

7.32

7.05

6.80

6.58

6.50

6.50

6.55

6.65

6.50

6.48

6.65

6.60

6.55

6.52

6.43

6.38

6.25

6.12

6.02

5.95

5.88

5.80

5.75

5.68

5.60

May.

5.55

5.50

5.45

5.45

5.40

5.38

5.35

5.30

5.30

5.25

5.25

5.25

5.22

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.20

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.10 

5.10

June.

5.10

5. 0

5.10

5.08

5.0,

5.0J

5.05

5.05

5.00

4.98

4.95

4.95

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

July.

4.85

4.85

4.85

4.85

4.85

5.38

5.30

5.18

5.08

5.02

5.00

4.95

4.92

4.90

4.85

4.82

4.80

6.20

5.22

5.08

5.20

5.52

5.78

5.55

5.42

6.35

6.15

6.70

6.28

6.00 

5.82

Aug.

5.70

5.62

5.68

5.68

5.62

5.55

6.65

6.05

6.20

6.10

6.22

6.18

7.18

6.72

7.75

8.22

7.92

7.52

7.18

7.12

7.10

6.70

6.48

6.62

6.45

6.70

6.72

6.45

6.20

6.12 

6.08

Sept.

6.08

5.98

5.92

5.85

6.00

6.78

7.18

7.05

6.78

6.60

6.42

6.20

6.12

6.02

5.92

5.88

5.85

5.80

5.75

5.75

5.75

5.70

5.70

5.65

5.65

5.60

5.60

5.55

5.55

5.58

Oct.

5.60

5.55

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.48

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.45 

5.45

Nov.

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.48

5.50

5.50

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.45

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.52

5.55

5.55

5.55

5.55

5.55

5.55

5.55

5.52

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.55

5.60

5.60

Dec.

.5.60

5.60

5.60

5.55

5.55

5.62

5.60

5.60

5.60

5.62

5.65

5.70

5.75

5.82

5.78

5.70

5.70

5.70

5.65

5.65

5.68

5.88

6.05

6.05

6.00

6.00

5.92

5.90

5.88

5.82 

5.80

NOTE. Gage heights are affected by regulation at Roosevelt dam. Maximum recorded 

occurred as follows: Jan. 15, 8.90; Mar. 29, 8^0; July 28, 6.75; Aug. 16, 8.80; Sept. 7, 7.25;

;e heights 

B. 23, 6.10.
232 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Daily discharge, in second-feet, of Verde River at McDowell, Ariz., for 1909.

Day.

1. ..............

2. ..............

3...............

4...............

5...............

6...............

7...............

8...............

9...............

10...............

11...............

19

13...............

14...............

15. ..............

. 16.. ............ .

17.-..--.-.....-.

18. ..............

in

20...-...-...-...

21...............

22...............

23...............

24. ..............

25...............

26. ..............

27. ..............

28........-...--.

23...............

30.-...-...-.....

31...............

Jan.

510

,520

520

519

510

490

470

453

450

470

480

481

480

480

6,800

4,650

3,400

2,300

1,820

 1,460

1,200

1,000

900

7,000

4,300

3,000

2,350

1,990

2,200

1,820

1,550

Feb.

1,100

954

1,000'

1,050

1,100

1,150

1,200

2,050

2,100

1,600

1,250

1,070

1,550

2,200

1,640

1,300

1 490

1^650

1,680

2,500

1,740

1,320

1,160

1,250

1,290

Mar.

2,130

1,920

1,860

1,830

2,120

2,550

2,800

2,750

1,960

1,490

1,170

1,100

1,000

900

900

1,910

1,790

1,720

1,610

1,580

1,500

1,300

1,690

2,550

5,050

4 680

3,450

Apr.

2,540

2,400

1,780

2,370

2,950

2,580

1,900

1,500

1,160

1,100

1,120

1,390

1,130

1,100

1 3Sfi

1,280

1,180

1 140

1^050

940

790

650

fr 520

480

424

400

370

333

May.

300

270

250

248

245

245

248

220

210

187

195

203

190

181

190

190

191

190

185

190

191

185

170

170

162

165

165

166

165

165

165

June.

164

164

164

162

150

150

150

149

140

135

132

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

126

125

125

125

120

120

120

116

120

July.

120

120

120

120

120

360

320

270

230

190

180

170

160

155

150

145

140

960

300

190

280

440

600

460

390

1,120

800

1,350

810

560

420

Aug.

380

340

360

360

340

320

1,400

600

730

626

710

610

2,020

1,600

3,400

4,900

3,850

2,670

1,900

1,700

1,820

1,000

780

970

760

1,120

1,150

830

600

550

500

Sept.

480"

400

370

320

420

1,200

1,920

1,650

1,080

770

630

470

420

380

340

320

272

260

250

250

247

220

211

208

208

200

200

190

180

190

Oct.

197

180

170

160

161

160

160

159

160

165

165

175

165

165

162

162

162

162

162

155

150

143

150

150

150

151

150

150

154

155

155

Nov.

155

157

160

190

227

220

200

181

194

195

192

201

205

205

205

245

267

260

254

250

 250

250

241

230

220

213

220

260

290

297

Dec.

290

290

273

270

270

300

291

300

299

327

340

350

SCO

472

360

340

330

330

320

318

330

400

500

500

490

4£0

410

384

370

350

337

NOTE. These discharges were obtained by the indirect method for shifting channels.

Monthly discharge of Verde River at McDowell, Ariz., for 1909. 

[Drainage area, 6,000 square miles.]

Month.

April...............................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

6,800 

2,500 

5,050 

2,950 

300 

164 

1,350 

4,900 

1,920 

197 

297 

500

6,800

Minimum.

450 

850 

900 

333 

162 

116 

120 

 320 

180 

143 

155 

270

116

Mean.

1,760 

1,460 

2,030 

1,260 

200 

135 

379 

1,260 

475 

160 

221 

354

805

Per 

square 

mile.

0.293 

.243 

.338 

.210 

.033 

.022 

.063 

.210 

.079 

.027 

.037 

.059

.134

Depth in 

inches on 

drainage 

area.

0.34 

.25 

.39 

.23 

.04 

.02 

.07 

.24 

.09 

.03 

.04 

.07

- 1.81

Run-off 

(total in 

acre-feet).

108,000 

81,000 

125,000 

74,900 

12,300 

8,050 

23,300 

77,100 

28,300 

9,840 

13,200 

21,800

583,000

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS IN COLORADO RIVER 

DRAINAGE BA% SIN.

The following miscellaneous discharge measurements were made in 

Colorado River drainage basin during 1909. They are arranged 

by drainage basins in downstream order.
COLOEADO EIVEE BASIN. 233

Miscellaneous measurements in Colorado River drainage basin in 1909. 

Green River basin.

Date.

Nov. 13

July 28

July 28

July 27

Aug. 23

July 27

Apr. 28

July 26

Aug. 23

Apr. 28

June 12

July 26

May 4

July 29

July 29

Aug. 21

Aug. 21

Sept. 21

June 17

Aug. 21

Sept. 21

Stream.

.....do...................

.....ao... ................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

Huntington canal .......

.....do...................

.....do...................

Tributary to 

..... do.. ................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

..... do. .................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

..... do.. ................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

Locality.

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

Huntington, Utah.

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.2

3.5

3.2

2.76

2.25

3.65

4.13

2.65

2.50

2.00

3.25

3.8

1.7

4.0

4.15

2.6

3.05

2.24

2.05

1.7

1.0

1.0

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

156

17:3

12.1

20.3

28.4

54.2

34.8

4.5

30.5

43.0

24.9

90.9

61.5

23.5

21.7

15.6

30.5

68.1

696

10.1

111

129

1.5

51.8

15.9

2.5

63.4

17.9

18.3

Grand River basin.

Vug. 10

Vug. 9

Do...

Vug. 11

May 4

an. 20

Mar. 23

an. 20

May 12

Mar 22

May 12

uly 14

Fan. 17

Mar. 20

Vpr. 24

Fan. 17

Mar. 20

\pr. 24

Mar. 20

A.pr. 24

fan. 17

A.pr. 24

Fan. 17

Mar. 20

Fan. 18

Mar. 21

Do...

ran. 14

River. 

.....do...................

.....do...................

Willow Creek. ..........

.....do...................

.....do...................

-.-..do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

Ten Mile Creek. . ........

.....do..................'.

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

Castle Creek. ............

.....do...................

..... do.. .................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do...................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do...L....:.........

.....do..................

a Estimated.

Lehman, Colo.

Granby, Colo. 

.....do..................

mouth, near Dexter, 

Colo.

Colo.

Spruce Creek Plant, 

near Breckenridge, 

Colo.

.....do..................

Gypsum, Colo.

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

Colo.

Colo. 

.....do..................

.....do..................

Colo.

-4.60

4.80

6.10

3.63

6.10

.9

.95

2.40

48

718

112

o3

o3

910

85

910

1.6

1.5

2.1

45

60

133

79

29

35

68

5.6

5.0

15

50

51

61

17

11

12

34

48

9.2

58
234 SUBFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1909, PART IX.

Miscellaneous measurements in Colorado River drainage basin in 1909 Continued. 

Grand River basin Continued.

Date.

Mar. 17

Do...

Mar. 18

Jan. 19

Jan. 15

Mar. 17

Jan. 15

Mar. 18

Do...

Oct. 10

4

3

4

Aug. 25

2fi

Stream.

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

Whitewater Creek .......

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do.............. ..

.....do...................

.....do.................

.....do...................

.....do..... ........

.....do.................

Tributary to 

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.. ...do. .................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do.............!....

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do....... ..........

.....do..................

Locality.

.....do..................

headgate.

.....do..................

Colo. 

.....do..................

.....do..................

gate of ditch, T. 12 S., 

ft. 98 W., Colorado. 

.....do..................

head gate. 

.....do..................

N.E.Jsec.8,T.12S., 

R. 98 W., Colorado. 

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.40

1.85

1.12

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

56 '

111

76

62

.5

6.2

11

20

20

«9

40

2.3

2.5

1.3

1.4

1.2

1.3

1.3

2.2

2.6

Fremont River basin.

Aug. 29

Do...

Aug. 26

Aug. 30

Do...

Aug. 11

Do...

Aug. 12

June 30

Aug. 30

Aug. 13

Aug. 26

July 26

Do...

Aug. 25

Right Fork of Fremont

River. 

Ivy Creek..............

Fish Creek..............

Grover Creek ............

.....do...................

Oak Creek..............

.....do...................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do. .................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

In Rabbit Valley, Utah.

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

In Rabbit Valley, Utah,

(near Loa). 

In Rabbit Valley, Utah.

.....do..................

.....do..................

Emery, Utah.

.....do..................

.....do..................

2.15

3.90

3.43

2.5

6.0

2.0

2.0

.6

2.0

2.0

1.5

1.8

11

3.0

3.0

1.8

5.6

7.9

60.4

13.7

San Juan River basin.

Do...

Do...

Do...

Do...

Do...

.....do..................

.....do..................

River, near Arboles, 

Colo.

Junction, Colo.

Boca, Colo.

Grande railroad crossing, south of Durango, 

Colo.

»200

»25

»100

« 60

»20

Little Colorado River basin.

Apr. 7

May 24

June 26

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do..................

.....do..................

Manuelito. N. Mex. .....

.....do..................

.....do..................

b- .41

6- .35

b-1.03

8.4

.2

a Estimated. & Distance down from reference mark to water surface.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN. 235

Miscellaneous measurements in Colorado River drainage basin in 1909 Continued.

Vjrgin River basin.

Date

Oct. 13

Do...

July 12

Do... 

July 14

Do...

July 15

July 14

Do...

Do...

Oct. 18

Stream.

La Verkin canal ........

canal.

canal. 

Six Mile Flat canal ......

canal.

canal.

Tributary to 

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

Locality.

Springdale, Utah.

Springdale, Utah.

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

Near Pinto, Utah .......

Gage 

height.

Feet.

........

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

48.5

62.5

13.7

11.9 

2.6

4.9

2.8

4.1

3.1

4.8

4.3

Gila River basin.

Apr. 2£

Do...

Apr. 19

Oct. 9

Do...

Feb. 7

Apr. 21

July 4

Oct. 9

Gila River. .............

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do...................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

N. Hex.

above Gila, N. Mex. 

Cliff, N. Hex...........

.....do.........:........

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

.....do..................

1.40

5.10

&- .38

» .14

» .42

»- .60

256

48

«3

ol

8.3

84

25

9.8

06.6

a Estimated.

6 Distance down from reference point to water surface. Reference point is a staple driven into root of 

large cottonwood tree about 20 feet downstream from tree which is the second one on the right bank above 

the ford.
INDEX.

A. 

Accaracy, degree of.......................... 26-27

Acknowledgments to those aiding........... 29-30

Acre-foot, definition of......

Alamo River near 

Brawley, Cal.:

description.........

discharge...........

discharge, daily....

discharge, monthly.

14

Alma, N. Mex.,

San Francisco River at:

description.......................... 222

discharge............................ 222

discharge, daily...................... 223

discharge, monthly.................. 224

gage heights......................... 223

Animas River at 

Aztec, N. Mex.:

description......................... 194

discharge............................ 194

discharge, daily...................... 195

discharge, monthly.................. 196

gage heights......................... 195

Anlmas River, flood in...................... 190

flood scenes, plates showing.............. 190

Appropriations, amount of.................. 7

Arboles, Colo.,

Piedras River at:

discharge............................ 234

San Juan River near:

discharge............................ 234

Arrow, Colo.,

Middle Ranch Creek near:

description........................ 142,144

discharge.......................... 142,145

discharge, daily............ 143-144,146-147

discharge, monthly................ 144,147

gage heights................... 143,145-146

South Ranch Creek near:

description........................ 147,150

discharge.......................... 148,150

discharge, daily................ 149,151-152

discharge, monthly................ 149,152

gage heights................... 148,150-151

Aspen, Colo.,

Castle Creek near:

discharge............................ 233

Hunters Creek near:

discharge............................ 233

Maroon Creek near:

discharge............................ 233

Roaring Fork near:

discharge............................ 233

Authority for investigations................. 7

Aztec, N. Hex.,

Animas River at:

description.......................... 194

discharge............................ 194

discharge, daily...................... 195

discharge, monthly.................. 196

gage heights......................... 195

flood scene at, plate showing............. 190

B.

Basalt, Colo.,

Frying Pan River at:

description........................ 161-162

discharge............................ 162

discharge, daily...................... 163

discharge, monthly.................. 163

gage heights......................... 162

Big Jim Creek near 

Fraser, Colo.:

description.......................... 118

discharge............................ 118

' discharge, daily....................'.. 120

discharge, monthly.................. 122

gage heights......................... 119

Blanco, N. Mex.,

San Juan River at:

description....................... .. 191

discharge............................ 191

discharge, daily.................... 102-193

discharge, monthly...........:...... 193

gage heights......................... 192

Blue Cut canal near 

Orangeville, Utah:

discharge............................ 233

Blue River at 

Breckenridge, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Dillon, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Bolster, R. H., work of...................... 30

Brawley, Cal.,

Alamo River near:

description.......................... 50

discharge............................ 50

discharge, daily...................... 51

discharge, monthly.................. 51

gage heights......................... 50

New River near:

description.......................... 51-52

discharge............................ 52

gage heights... ..... ............... 52

Breckenridge, Colo., 

Blue River at:

discharge............................ 233

Bulberry Creek, discharge of.................. 234 - 
238 INDEX.

C. Page. 

Carbondale, Colo., 

Crystal River near:

description........................ 163-164

discharge............................ 164

discharge, daily...................... 165

discharge, monthly.................. 165

gage heights......................... 164

Castle Creek nearAspen, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Central, Utah,

Santa Clara River near:

description........................ 212-213

discharge............................ 213

discharge, daily...................... 214

discharge, monthly.................. 214

gage heights......................... 213

Six Mile Flat canal near:

discharge............................ 235

Central Colorado Power Co., cooperation of.. 29 

Chatfield, C.L., work of..................... 30

Clapp, W. B., work of....................... 30

Clear Creek near 

Winslow, Ariz.:

description.......................... 205

gage heights......................... 205

Cleveland canal near 

Huntington, Utah:

discharge............................ 233

Cliff, N. Mex.,

Duck Creek near:

discharge............................ 235

Clipper Canal near 

Orangeville, Utah:

discharge............................ 233

Colorado, cooperation of..................... 29

Colorado River drainage basin, general features of.......................... 34-35

Colorado River, and Green River, description of........................... 35-39

Colorado River at 

Yuma, Ariz.:

description.......................... 44-45

discharge............................ 45-46

discharge, daily...................... 47

discharge, monthly.................. 47

gage heights......................... 46-47

Colorado Yule Marble Co., plant of, plate

showing......................... 164

Computing, office methods in................ 22-26

Cooperation, credit for....................... 29-30

Cooperative data for stations in Fraser River

drainage basin................. 112-113

Cottonwood Creek near 

Orangeville, Utah:

description.......................... 81-82

discharge............................ 82

discharge, daily...................... 83

 discharge, monthly.................. 83

gage heights......................... 82

Crystal River near 

Carbondale, Colo.:

description........................ 163-164

discharge............................ 164

discharge, daily...................... 165

discharge, monthly.................. 166

gage heights......................... 164

Crystal River near Continued. Page. 

Hot Springs, Colo.:

discharge............................. 234

Redstone, Colo.:

discharge.......................... 233-234

Sewell, Colo.:

discharge............................ 234

Current meter, description of................ 19-20

use of................................. 18,20-21

views of................................. 20

Current-meter stations, views of............. 18

D. 

Definitions of terms used..............

Delta, Colo.,

Uncompahgre River near:

description....................

13-14

178

179

179

Dexter, Colo.,

Willow Creek near:

discharge............................

Dillon, Colo., 

Blue River at:

discharge............................

Tenmile Creek at:

discharge............................

Discharge, computation of...................

determination of, plate showing.........

measurement of.........................

Discharge measurements, nature of..........

Divide Creek drainage basin, description of..

See West Divide Creek. 

Donkey Creek, discharge of..................

Drainage, stream flow and...................

Drainage basins, list of......................

Duchesne River basin, description of........

Duchesne River at 

Myton, Utah:

description..........................

discharge............................

discharge, daily......................

discharge, monthly..................

Duck Creek near 

Clifl, N. Mex.:

discharge............................

Durango, Colo., flood scene at, plate showing. 

Rio Florida near:

discharge............................

233

233

233

22-26

24

16-21 

15-16 165'

234

9-10

10

52-^5

55

56

57

57

56

235

190

234

E.

Eagle River basin, description of............ 155

Eagle River at 

Gypsum, Colo.: 

description.......................... 155

discharge............................ 155

discharge, daily..................... 156

discharge, monthly................... 157

gage heights......................... 156

East Jim Creek, see Big Jim Creek.

Elk Creek near 

Fraser, Colo.:

description.......................... 129

discharge............................ 129

discharge, daily...................... 131

discharge, monthly.................. 132

gage heights......................... 130
INDEX. 239

Emery, Utah,

Emery canal near:

discharge............................ 234

Independent canal near:

discharge............................ 234

Muddy Creek near:

description........................ 181-182

discharge............................ 182

discharge, daily...................... 182

discharge, monthly.................. 183

gage heights......................... 182

Emery canal near 

Emery, Utah:

discharge............................ 234

Equivalents, list of.......................... 14-15

Escalante, Utah,

Escalante Creek near:

description.......................... 183

discharge............................ 184

discharge, daily...................... 184

discharge, monthly.................. 184

gage heights......................... 184

Escalante Creek near 

Escalante, Utah:

description.......................... 183

discharge............................ 184

discharge, daily...................... 184

discharge, monthly.................. 184

gage heights......................... 184

Escalante River drainage basin, description of 183

Evaporation at Holbrook, Ariz............ 203-205

F. 

Ferron, Utah,

Ferron Creek near:

description.......................... 83-84

discharge............................ 84

discharge, daily...................... 85

discharge, monthly.................. 85

gage heights......................... 84

North canal near:

discharge............................ 233

South canal near:

discharge............................ 233

Ferron Creek near 

Ferron, Utah:

description.......................... 83-84

discharge............................ 84

discharge, daily...................... 85

discharge, monthly.................. 85

gage heights......................... 84

Field practice, methods of................... 16-21

Fish Creek, discharge of..................... 234

Fletcher, R. H., work of..................... 30

Float method, description of................ 19

Flood in Animas River, plates showing...... 190

Flood in San Juan Valley, general features of. 187-188 

rainfall during......................... 188-189

resume1 of.............................. 190-191

rivers, behavior during................ 189-190

Animas River....................... 190

La Plata River...................... 190

San Juan River..................... 189

Flood in Zuni River valley, general features

of............................. 206-210

views of, plates showing............... 206,208

Flood prevention, stream flow arid.......... 10

Fort Crawford, Coto., Page.

Uncompahgre River at:

description.......................... 174

discharge............................ 175

discharge, daily..................... 175

discharge, monthly.................. 175

gage heights......................... 175

Fort Duchesne, Utah,

Uinta River at:

description...................'....... 72

discharge............................ 73

discharge, daily..................... 74

discharge, monthly.................. 74

gage heights......................... 73

Fraser, Colo.,

Big Jim Creek near:

description.......................... 118

discharge............................ 118

discharge, daily..................... 120

discharge, monthly.................. 121

gage heights......................... 119

Elk Creek near:

description.......................... 129

discharge............................ 129

discharge, daily..................... 131

discharge, monthly.................. 132

gage heights......................... 130

Fraser River near:

description........................ 113,115

discharge.......................... 113,115

discharge, daily................... 114,117

discharge, monthly................ 115,118

gage heights................... 113-114,116

Little Jim Creek near:

description.......................... 121

discharge............................ 121

discharge, daily................... 122-123

discharge, monthly.................. 123

gage heights ........................ 122

St. Louis Creek near:

description........................ 132,134

discharge.......................... 132,135

discharge, daily............... 133-134,136

discharge, monthly................ 134,136

gage heights....................... 133,135

Vasquez River near:

description........................ 124,126

discharge.......................... 124,126

discharge, daily................... 125,128

discharge, monthly................ 126,129

gage heights................... 124-125,127

Fraser River basin, description of............ 110

stations in, cooperative data for........ 112-113

Frazer River at or near 

Fraser, Colo.; lower station:

description.......................... 115

discharge............................ 115

discharge, daily..................... 117

discharge, monthly.................. 118

gage heights-........................ 116

/ Fraser, Colo.; upper station:

description.......................... 113

discharge............................ 113

discharge, daily..................... 114

discharge, monthly.................. 115

.,,.,,....,........- 113-114
240 INDEX.

Frazer River at or near Continued.

Granby, Colo.: Page, 

description.......................... 110

discharge............................ 110

discharge, daily..................... Ill

discharge, monthly.................. 112

gage heights......................... Ill

Freeman, W. B., work of.................... 30

Fremont River drainage basin, description of. 179 

miscellaneous measurements in.......... 234

Fremont River near 

Thurber, Utah:

description........................ 179-180

discharge............................ 180

discharge, daily..................... 181

discharge, monthly.................. 181

gage heights......................... 180

Fremont River, Right Fork of, discharge of. 234

Frying Pan River at 

Basalt, Colo.:

description........................ 101-162

discharge............................ 162

discharge, daily..................... 163

discharge, monthly.................. 163

gage heights......................... 162

Thomasville, Colo.: * 

discharge............................ 233

Fuller, E. S., work of....................... 30

G.

Gage heights, nature of...................... 15

Gaging stations, classification of............. 22-24

description of............................ 18

list of.................................... 30-34

Gila, N. Mex.,

Mogollon River near:

discharge............................ 235

Gila River drainage basin, description of.. 217-218 

miscellaneous measurements in.......... 235

Gila River near 

Redrock, N. Mex.:

description.......................... 219

discharge............................ 219

discharge, daily.................... 220-221

discharge, monthly.................. 221

gage heights......................... 220

Gila Farm, N. Mex.:

discharge............................ 235

Glenwood, N. Mex.,

Whitewater Creek near:

discharge............................ 235

Glenwood Springs, Colo., 

Grand River at:

description.......................... 100

discharge............................ 100

discharge, daily...................... 101

discharge, monthly.................. 102

gage heights......................... 101

Roaring Fork at:

description........................ 159-160

discharge............................ 160

discharge, daily...................... 161

discharge, monthly.................. 161

gage heights......................... 160

Granby, Colo.,-

Fraser River at: , 

description......... ^..i^......*... 110

discharge............................ 110

Granby, Colo. Continued.

Fraser River at Continued.

discharge, daily...................... Ill

discharge, monthly.................. 112

gage heights......................... Ill

Grand River at:

description.......................... 92-93

discharge............................ 93

discharge, daily...................... 94

discharge, monthly.................. 94

gage heights......................... 93

Stillwater Creek near:

discharge............................ 233

Grand Lake, Colo.,

Grand Lake, east inlet, near:

discharge............................ 233

Grand Lake, north inlet to, at:

description.......................... 105

discharge............................ 105

Grand Lake, outlet, at:

description........................ 105-106

discharge............................ 106

discharge, daily..................... 107

discharge, monthly.................. 107

gage heights......................... 106

Grand River, North Fork of, at:

description ........................... 90

discharge............................ 91

discharge, daily..................... 92

discharge, monthly.................. 92

gage heights......................... 91

Grand Lake, east inlet to, near 

Grand Lake, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Grand Lake, north inlet to, at 

Grand Lake, Colo.:

description.......................... 105

discharge............................ 105

Grand Lake outlet at 

Grand Lake, Colo.:

description........................ 105-106

discharge............................ 106

discharge, daily...................... 107

discharge, monthly.................. 107

gage heights......................... 106

Grand River drainage basin, description of.. 87-90 

miscellaneous measurements in........ 233-234

Grand River at or near 

Glenwood Springs, Colo.:

description.......................... 100

discharge............................ 100

discharge, daily...................... 101

discharge, monthly.................. 102

gage heights......................... 101

Granby, Colo.:

description.......................... 92-93

discharge............................ 93

discharge, daily..................... 94

discharge, monthly.................. 94

gage heights......................... 93

Kremmling, Colo.:

description.......................... 97

discharge............................ 98

discharge, daily...................... 99

discharge, monthly.................. 99

gage heights......................... 98
INDEX. 241

Grand River at or near Continued. 

Palisades, Colo.:

"description.......................... 102

discharge............................ 103

discharge, daily...................... 104

discharge, monthly.................. 104

gage heights......................... 103

Sulphur Springs, Colo.:

description.......................... 94-95

discharge............................ 95

discharge, daily...................... 96

discharge, monthly.................. 97

gage heights......................... 96

Grand River, North Pork of, nearGrand Lake, Colo.:

description.......................... 90

discharge............................ 91

discharge, daily...................... 92

discharge, monthly.................. 92

gage heights......................... 91

Grand River, South Pork of, near 

Lehman, Colo.:

description........................ 107-108

discharge.......................... 108,233

discharge, daily...................... 109

discharge, monthly.................. 109

gage heights......................... 108

Great Western canal near 

Orangeville, Utah:

discharge............................ 233

Green River, and the main Colorado River,

description of.................... 35-39

Green River drainage basin, miscellaneous

measurements in................ 233

Green River at 

Greenriver, Utah:

description.......................... 39-40

discharge, daily...................... 41-43

discharge, monthly.................. 43-44

gage heights......................... 40

Greenriver, Utah, 

Green River at:

description.......................... 39-40

discharge, daily...................... 41-43

discharge, monthly.................. 43-44

gage heights......................... 40

San Rafael River near:

description.......................... 79

discharge............................ 80

discharge, daily...................... 81

discharge, monthly.................. 81

gage heights......................... 80

Grover Creek, discharge of................... 234

Gunnison River drainage basin, description

of.............................. 169-172

Gunnison River at 

River Portal. Colo.:

description.......................... 172

discharge............................ 173

discharge, daily...................... 173

discharge, monthly.................. 174

gage heights......................... 173

Gypsum, Colo., 

Eagle River at:

description.......................... 155

discharge............................ 155

discharge, daily...................... 156

95620° WSP 269 11 16

Gypsum/ Colo. Continued.

Eagle River at Continued. Page, 

discharge, monthly.................. 157

gage heights.......................... 156

Gypsum Creek near:

discharge............................ 233

Gypsum Creek nearGypsum, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

H. 

Hardy, W.V., work of...................... 30

Helper, Utah,

Price River near:

description.......................... 77

discharge............................ 77

discharge, daily...................... 78

discharge, monthly.................. 79

gage heights......................... 78

Hoebig, A. H., jr., work of................... 30

Holtfrook, Ariz., monthly rainfall,

evaporation, and temperature at...... 203-205

Holbrook, Ariz.,

Little Colorado River at:

description.......................... 202

 gage heights......................... 203

Hunters Creek near 

Aspen, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Hnntington, Utah,

Cleveland Canal near:

discharge............................ 233

Huntington Canal near:

discharge............................ 233

Huntington Creek near:

description.......................... 85-86

discharge........................... 86,233

discharge, daily...................... 87

discharge, monthly.................. 87

gage heights........................ 86,233

North Canal near:

discharge............................ 23?

Huntington Canal near 

Huntington, Utah:

discharge........................... 233

Huntington Creek near 

Huntington, Utah:

description.......................... 85-86

discharge........................... 86,233

discharge, daily...................... 87

discharge, monthly.................. 87

gage heights......................... 86

Hurricane Canal near 

Virgin, Utah:

discharge............................ 235

I. 

Ice, measurements under.................... 21,26

Independent Canal near 

Emery, Utah: 

' discharge............................ 234

Indian Creek in 

Strawberry Valley:

description.......................... 62-63

discharge............................ 63

discharge, daily...................... 63

discharge, monthly.................. 63

...................... 63
242 INDEX.

Indian Creek,

Strawberry River above mouth of: 

description. ...................

discharge. .....................

discharge, daily.... . ...........

discharge, monthly. ...........

	Page. 

. 58 

. 58 

. 58 

. 59 

gage heights. ........................ 58

Strawberry River below mouth of:

description. ......................... 60-61

discharge. ........................... 61

discharge, daily...................... 62

discharge, monthly. ................. 62

gage heights ......................... 61

Indian Office, cooperation of. ................ 29

Investigations, authority for. ................ 7

purposes of .............................. 9-10

scope of .................................. 8

Irrigation, stream flow and. ................. 9

Ivy Creek, discharge of ...................... 234

J.

Jackson, H. J., work of. 

Jones, H. A., work of...

K.

King, L. T., work of........

Kremmling, Colo., 

Grand River at:

description.........

discharge...........

discharge, daily.....

discharge, monthly.

gage heights........

30

97

L.

La Boca, Colo.,

Los Pinos River at:

discharge. ............................

Spring Creek at:

discharge............................

Lake Fork near 

Lower Canyon, Utah:

discharge............................

Myton, Utah:

description..........................

discharge............................

discharge, daily......................

discharge, monthly..................

gage heights.........................

Whiterocks, Utah:

description..........................

discharge............................

discharge, daily......................

discharge, monthly..................

gage heights.........................

Lake Fork, reservoir site on West Fork of, 

plate showing...................

La Plata, N. Mex., 

La Plata River at:

description..........................

discharge............................

discharge, daily......................

discharge, monthly..................

gage heights.........................

La Plata River at 

La Plata, N. Mex.:

description..........................

discharge............................

discharge, daily......................

234

234

233

67

68

196

197

198

199

197

196

197 198"

La Plata River at Continued. 

La Plata, N. Mex. Continued.

discharge, monthly. ...............*.. 199

gage heights...................... v.. 197

La Plata River, flood in..................... 190

La Rue, E. C., work of...................... 30

La Verkin Canal near 

Virgin, Utah:

discharge............................ 235

Lehman, Colo.,

Grand River, South Fork of, near 

description........................ 107-108

discharge.......................... 108,233

discharge, daily...................... 109

discharge, monthly.................. 109

gage heights....................... 108,233

Lime Creek near 

Thomasville, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Little Colorado River drainage basin,

description of............................ 200

miscellaneous measurements in.......... 234

Little Colorado River at 

Holbrook, Ariz.:

description.......................... 202

gage heights......................... 203

St. Johns, Ariz.:

description.......................... 200

discharge............................ 200

discharge, daily...................... 201

discharge, monthly.................. 202

gage heights......................... 201

Woodruff, Ariz.:

description.......................... 202

Little Jim Creek near 

Fraser, Colo.:

description.......................... 121

discharge............................ 121

discharge, daily................... 122-123

discharge, monthly.................. 123

gage heights.... .................... 122

Loa, Utah,

Torry canal near:

discharge............................ 234

Los Pinos River at 

La Boca, Colo.:

discharge............................ 234

Lower Canyon, 

Lake Fork near:

discharge............................ 233

Lyons, Thomas, assistance of................ 29

M. 

McChristie, M. E., work of.................. 30

McDowell, Ariz., 

Salt River at:

description.......................... 227

discharge............................ 228

discharge, daily..................... 229

discharge, monthly.................. 230

gage heights......................... 229

Verde River at:

description.......................... 230

discharge.......................... 230-231

discharge, daily..................... 232

discharge, monthly.................. 232

gage heights......................... 231

Mamin Creek drainage basin, description of. 168 

See West Mq,Tnm Creek.
INDEX. 243

Mammoth Canal near 

Orangevflle, Utah: Page, 

discharge............................ 233

Mangus, N. Mex.,

Mangus Creek near:

discharge............................ 235

Mangus Creek near 

Mangus, N. Mex.:

discharge............................ 235

Manning ditch, near 

Tucson, Ariz.:

discharge ........................... 225

Manuelito, N. Mex. 

Manuelito Creek near:

discharge............................ 234

Manuelito Creek near 

Manuelito, N. Mex.:

discharge............................ 234

Maroon Creek near 

Aspen, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Martin, W. F., work of...................... 30

Mathers, J. G., work of...................... 30

Means,H. C.,workof....................... 30

Middle Box Canyon of Gila River, plate showing.............................. 164

Middle Ranch Creek nearArrow, Colo.; lower station:

description.......................... 144

discharge............................ 145

discharge, daily................... 146-147

discharge, monthly.................. 147

gage heights....................... 145-146

Arrow, Colo.; upper station:

description......................... 142

......................... 142

B, daily................... 143-144

discharge, monthly.................. 144

gage heights......................... 143

Miller, C. D., work of....................... 30

Miner's inch, definition of................... 13

Miscellaneous measurements in 

Fremont River basin.................... 234

Gila River basin.........'............... 235

Grand River basin.................... 233-234

Green River basin....................... 233

Little Colorado River basin......'....... 234

San Juan River basin................... 234

Virgin River basin...................... 235

Moapa, Nev.,

Muddy River near:

description.......................... 216

discharge............................ 216

Mogollon River near 

Gila, N. Mex.:

discharge............................ 235

Montrose, Colo.,

Uncompahgre River at:

description.......................... 176

discharge............................ 176

discharge, daily..................... 177

discharge, monthly.................. 178

gage heights......................... 177

Muddy Creek near 

1 Emery, Utah:

description.........;.............. 181-182

discharge............................ 182

discharge, daily..................... 182

Muddy Creek near Continued.

Emery, Utah Continued. Page, 

discharge, monthly.................. 183

gage heights......................... 182

Muddy River near 

Moapa, Nev.:

description.......................... 216

discharge............................ 217

Myton, Utah,

Duchesne River at:

description.......................... 55

discharge............................ 56

discharge, daily..................... 57

discharge, monthly.................. 57

gage heights......................... 56

Lake Fork near:

description.......................... 67

discharge............................ 68

discharge, daily..................... 69

discharge, monthly.................. 69

.N. 

Navajo Creek near 

Pagosa Junction, Colo.:

discharge............................ 234

Navigation, stream flow and................ 9

New Mexico, cooperation of................. 29

New River near 

Brawley, Cal.:

description.......................... 51-52

discharge.-........................... 52

gage heights......................... 52

Nogales, Ariz.,

Santa Cruz River at:

description.......................... 224

gage heights......................... 224

North canal near 

Ferron, Utah:

discharge............................ 233

Huntington, Utah:

discharge............................ 233

North Ranch Creek near 

Rollins Pass, Colo.; lower station:

description.......................... 139

discharge............................ 139

discharge, daily..................... 141

discharge, monthly.................. 142

gage heights......................... 140

Rollins Pass, Colo.; upper station:

description.......................... 137

discharge............................ 137

discharge, daily..................... 138

discharge, monthly.................. 139

gage heights....................... 137-138

O.

Oak Creek, discharge of..................... 234

Office practice, methods of.................. 22-26

Orangeville, Utah,

Blue Cut canal near: "

discharge............................ 233

Clipper canal near:

discharge............................ 233

Cottonwood Creek near:

description.......................... 81-82

discharge............................ 82

discharge, daily..................... 83
244 INDEX.

Orangeville, Utah Continued.

Cottonwood Creek near Continued.

discharge, monthly.................. 83

gage heights......................... 82

Great Western canal near:

discharge............................ 233

Mammoth canal near:

discharge............................ 233

P. 

Padgett, H. D., work of..................... 30

Pagosa Junction, Colo., 

Navajo Creek near:

discharge............................ 234

Palisades, Colo., 

Grand River at:

description.......................... 102

discharge............................ 103

discharge, daily..................... 104

discharge, monthly.................. 104

gage heights......................... 103

Phelan, J. J., workof........................ 30

Piedras River at 

Arboles, Colo.:

discharge............................ 234

Pinto, Utah,

Pinto Creek near:

discharge............................ 235

Pinto Creek near 

Pinto, Utah:

discharge............................ 235

Porter, E. A., work of....................... 30

Price River basin, description of............ 77

Price River near 

Helper, Utah:

description.......................... 77

discharge............................ 77

discharge, daily..................... 78

discharge, monthly.................. 79

gage heights......................... 78

Publications, lists of........................ 10-13

Q. 

Queatah-up-pah Canal, discharge of......... 234

R. 

Rabbit Valley, streams in, discharge of...... 234

Rating curves, construction and use of....... 22

Rating tables, construction of............... 22

nature of................................ 16

Raven, Colo.,

West Divide Creek at or near:

description.......................... 166

discharge............................ 166

discharge, daily..................... 167

discharge, monthly.................. 167

gage heights....................... 166,167

Reclamation Service, cooperation of......... 29

Redrock, N. Mex., 

Gila River near:

description.......................... 219

discharge............................ 219

discharge, daily................... 220-221

discharge, monthly.................. 221

gage heights......................... 220

Redstone, Colo.,

Avalanche Creek at:

discharge............................ 234

Coal Creek near:

discharge............................ 234

Redstone, Colo. Continued. 

Crystal River near:

discharge.......................... 233-234

Revision, need for........................... 27-28

Rice, R. C., work of......................... 30

Rifle, Colo.,

West Mamm Creek near:

description.......................... 168

discharge, daily..................... 169

discharge, monthly.................. 169

gage heights......................... 168

Rio Florida near 

Durango, Colo.:

discharge............................ 234

River Portal, Colo., 

Gunnison River at:

description........... 1.............. 172

discharge............................ 173

discharge, daily..................... 173

discharge, monthly.................. 174

gage heights......................... 173

Roaring Fork basin, description of.......... 157

Roaring Fork at or near 

Aspen, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Emma, Colo.:

description.......................... 157

discharge............................ 158

discharge, daily..................... 159

discharge, monthly.................. 159

gage heights......................... 158

Glenwood Springs, Colo.:

description........................ 159-160

discharge............................ 160

discharge, daily..................... 161

discharge, monthly.................. 161

gage heights......................... 160

Rolling Pass, Colo.,

North Ranch Creek, near:

description........................ 137,139

discharge.......................... 137,139

discharge, daily................... 138,141

discharge, monthly................ 139,142

gage heights................... 137-138,140

Run-off, computation of..................... 22-26

definition of............................. 13

Russell, G.H., work of...................... 30

S. 

St. George, Utah,

St. George Canal near:

discr rge........................... 235

Santa Clara River near:

description.........................214-215

discharge........................... 215

discharge, daily..................... 216

discharge, monthly................. 216

gage heights........................ 215

Seep canal near:

discharge........................... 235

St. George Canal near 

St. George, Utah:

discharge.......................i... 235

St. Johns, Ariz.,

Little Colorado River at:

description.......................... 200

discharge........................... 200

discharge, daily..................... 201

discharge, monthly................. 202

gage heights......................... 201
INDEX. 245

St. Lottis Creek near 

Fraser, Colo., lower station: Page, 

description.......................... 134

discharge.........................'.. 135

discharge, daily..................... 136

discharge, monthly................. , 136

gage heights........................ 135

Fraser, Colo., upper station:

description.............t............ 132

discharge........................... 132

discharge, daily.................... 133-134

discharge, monthly................. 134

gage heights.. I..................... 133

Salton, Cal.,

Salton Sea near:

description.......................... 48-49

gage heights......................... 49

rise, monthly....................... 49

Salton Sea near 

Salton, Cal.:

description.......................... 48-49

' gage heights......................... 49

rise, monthly....................... 49

Salton Sink, description of.................. 48-49

Salt River drainage basin, description of.... 227

Salt River at 

McDowell, Ariz.:

description.......................... 227

discharge........................... 228

discharge, daily..................... 229

discharge, monthly................. 230

gage heights........................ 229

Sand Creek, discharge of.................... 234

San Francisco River at 

Alma, N. Mex.:

description.......................... 222

discharge........................... 222

discharge, daily..................... 223

discharge, monthly................. 224

gage heights......................... 223

San Joan River drainage basin, description

of..............................185-187

flood of Sept. 5 and 6, 1909, in, general

features of .....................187-188

Animas River, behavior of, during.. 190 

La Plata River, behavior of, during. 190 

rainfall during.....................188-189

resume" of..........................190-191

San Juan River, behavior of, during. 189 

map showing........................... 188

miscellaneous measurements in......... 234

San Juan River at or near 

Arboles, Colo.:

discharge........................... 234

Blanco, N. Mex.:

description.......................... 191

discharge........................... 191

discharge, daily.................... 192-193

discharge, monthly................. 193

' gage heights........................ 192

San Juan River, flood in.................... 189

San Rafael River drainage basin, description

of............................... 79

San Rafael River near 

Greenriver, Utah:

description....................... .. 79

discharge........................... 80

discharge, daily..................... 81

San Rafael River near Continued.

Greenriver, Utah Continued. Page, 

discharge, monthly................. 81

gage heights........................ 80

Santa Clara, Utah,

Santa Clara canal near:

discharge........................... 235

'Santa Clara canal near 

Santa Clara, Utah:

discharge........................... 235

Santa Clara River near 

Central, Utah:

description.........................212-213

discharge........................... 213

discharge, daily.................I... 214

discharge, monthly................. 214

gage heights........................ 213

St. George, Utah:

description ........................214-215

discharge........................... 215

discharge, daily..................... 216

discharge, monthly................. 216

gage heights........................^ 215

Santa Cruz River at or near 

Nogales, Ariz.:

description.......................... 224

gage heights......................... 224

Tucson, Ariz.:

description.......................... 225

discharge........................... 225

discharge, monthly................. 226

Second-feet per square mile, definition of..... 13

Second-foot, definition of.................... 13

Section, changes in, estimation for........... 23-25

Seep canal near 

St. George, Utah:

discharge............................ 235

Sewell, Colo.,

Crystal River near:

discharge............................ 234

Thompson Creek near:

discharge............................ 234

Six Mile Flat canal nearCentral, Utah:

discharge............................ 235

Slope method, description of................ 17

Sndson, W. H., workof..................... 30

Solomon Creek, discharge of................. 234

South canal near 

, Ferron, Utah:

discharge............................. 233

South Ranch Creek nearArrow, Colo., lower station:

description.......................... 150

discharge............................ 150

discharge, daily.........__..... 151-152

discharge, monthly.................. 152

gage heights....................... 150-151

Arrow, Colo.; upper station:

description.......................... 147

discharge............................ 148

discharge, daily..................... 149

discharge, monthly.................. 149

...................... 148

Spitzer, Colo.,

Willow Creek near: 

discharge.......
246 INDEX.

Spring Creek at 

La Boea, Colo.:

discharge............................ 234

Springdale, Utah, 

Virgin River near:

discharge............................ 235

Zion Creek near:

discharge........:................... 235

Spruce and Crystal Canal, discharge of....... 234

Stewart, J. B., work of...................... 30

Stillwater Creek near 

Granby, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Strawberry River 

above mouth of Indian Creek:

description.......................... 58

discharge............................ 58

discharge, daily. .................... 58

discharge, monthly.................. 59

gage heights......................... 58

below mouth of Indian Creek:

description.......................... 59

discharge............................ 59

discharge, daily..................... 60

discharge, monthly. ...±............. 60

gage heights......................... 60

Strawberry River at 

Theodore, Utah: ;

description.......................... 60-61

discharge............................ 61

discharge, daily..................... 62

discharge, monthly.................. 62

gage heights......................... 61

Strawberry Valley, 

Indian Creek in:

description.......................... 62-63

discharge............................ 63

discharge, daily..................... 63

discharge, monthly.................. 63

gage heights......................... 63

Trail Hollow Creek in:

description.......................... 64

discharge............................ 64

discharge, daily..................... 64

discharge, monthly.................. 64

gageheights......................... 64

Stream measurements, accuracy of.......... 26-27

data of, use of........................... 28

methods of.............................. 16-21

Sullivan, V. L., work of..................... 30

Sulphur Springs, Colo., 

Grand River at:

description.......................... 94-95

discharge............................ 95

discharge, daily..................... 96

discharge, monthly.................. 97

gage heights......................... 96

Williams Fork at:

description.......................... 153

discharge............................ 153

discharge, daily..................... 154

discharge, monthly.................. 155

gage heights......................... 154

Swamps, drainage of, stream flow and....... 9-10

T. Poge. 

Tables, explanation of....................... 15-16

Terms, definition of......................... 13-14

Thomasville, Colo.,

Frying Pan River near:

discharge............................ 233

Lime Creek near:

discharge:........................--- 233

Thompson Creek^iear 

Sewell, Colo.:

discharge............................ 234

Thurber, Utah,

Fremont River near:

description........................ 179-180

discharge............................ 180

discharge, daily..................... 181

discharge, monthly.................. 181

gage heights......................... 180

Torry Canal, discharge of.................... 234

Trail Hollow Creek in 

Strawberry Valley:

description.......................... 64

discharge............................ 64

discharge, daily ..................... 64

discharge, monthly.................. 64

Tucson, Ariz.,

Santa Cruz River and ditches at:

description.......................... 225

discharge............................ 225

discharge, monthly.................. 226

U.

Uinta River at or near 

Fort Duchesne, Utah;

description.......................... 72

discharge............................ 73

discharge, daily...................... 74

discharge, monthly.................. 74

gageheights......................... 73

Whiterocks, Utah:

description.......................... 70

discharge............................ 71

discharge, daily..................... 71

discharge, monthly.................. 72

Uncompahgre River at or near 

Delta, Colo.:

description.......................... 178

discharge............................ 179

gage heights......................... 179

Fort Crawford, Colo.:

description.......................... 174

discharge............................ 175

discharge, daily ..................... 175

discharge, monthly.................. 175

gage heights......................... 175

Montrose, Colo.:

description.......................... 176

discharge............................ 176

discharge, daily..................... 177

discharge, monthly.................. "178

gage heights......................... 177

Upper Fremont Canyon, discharge of........ 234

Utah, cooperation of........................ 29
INDEX. 247

V. Page. 

Vasquez River near 

Eraser, Colo., lower station:

description.......................... 126

discharge............................ 126

discharge, daily..................... 128

discharge, monthly.................. 129

gage heights......................... 127

Fraser, Colo., upper station:

description.......................... 124

discharge............................ 124

discharge, daily..................... 125

discharge, monthly.................. 126

gage heights....................... 124-125

Velocity method, description oi............. 17-21

Verde River at 

McDowell, Ariz.:

description.......................... 230

discharge.......................... 230-231

discharge, daily ..................... 232

discharge, monthly.................. 232

gage heights......................... 231

Vickery,R. E., assistance of................ 29

Virgin, UtahHurricane canal near:

discharge-........................... 235

La Verkin canal near:

discharge............................ 235

Virgin, Utah,

Virgin River at:

description........................ 210-211

discharge............................ 211

discharge, daily..................... 212

discharge, monthly.................. 212

gage heights......................... 211

Virgin River drainage basin, description of.. 210 

miscellaneous measurements in.......... 235

Virgin River at or near 

Springdale, Utah:

discharge............................ 235

Virgin, Utah:

description........................ 210-211

discharge............................ 211

discharge,daily..................... 212

discharge, monthly.................. 212

...................... 211

W.

30

17

Walters, M. I., work of....................

Water power, stream flow and.............

Water supply, stream flow and............

Weir method, description of...............

West Divide Creek at or near 

Raven, Colo.:

description.......................... 166

discharge.. . ........... ........... 166

discharge, daily..................... 167

discharge, monthly.................. 167

gage heights......................... 167

West Jim Creek, see Little Jim Creek.

West Mamm Creek near 

Rifle, Colo.:

description.......................... 168

discharge, daily..................... 169

discharge, monthly.................. 169

gage heights......................... 168

Whiterocks, Utah, 

Lake Fork near:

description.......................... 65

discharge............................ 65

Whiterocks, Utah Continued. Page. 

Lake Fork near Continued.

discharge, daily..................... 66

discharge, monthly.................. 67

gage heights......................... 66

Uinta River near:

description.......................... 70

discharge............................ 71

discharge, daily..................... 71

discharge, monthly.................. 72

gage heights......................... 71

Whiterocks River near:

description.......................... 74-75

discharge............................ 75

discharge, daily...................... 76

discharge, monthly.................. 76

gage heights......................... 75

Whiterocks River near 

Whiterocks, Utah:

description.......................... 74-75

discharge............................ 75

discharge, daily..................... 76

discharge, monthly.................. 76

gage heights......................... 75

Whitewater Creek, Colo., discharge of........ 234

Whitewater Creek near 

Glenwood, N. Mex.:

discharge............................ 235

Williams Fork basin, description of.......... 153

Williams Fork nearSulphur Springs, Colo.:

description.......................... 153

discharge............................ 153

discharge, daily..................... 154

discharge, monthly.................. 155

gage heights......................... 154

Williams Fork, site for reservoir, plate showing.......... . ................. 54

Willow Creek nearDexter, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Spitzer, Colo.:

discharge............................ 233

Winslow, Ariz., 

Clear Creek near:

description.......................... 205

gage heights......................... 205

Wood, Mrs. B. D., work of.................. 30

Woodruff, Ariz.,

Little Colorado River at:

description.......................... 202

Work, division of............................ 30

Y. 

Yuma, Ariz.,

Colorado River at:

description.......................... 44-45

discharge............................ 45-46

discharge, daily..................... 47

discharge, monthly.................. 47

gage heights......................... 46-47

Z.

Zion Creek near 

Springdale, Utah:

discharge...... . ................... 235

Zuni dam failure, plates showing.......... 206,208

Zuni Reservoir, log of.........-:............- 208

Zuni River drainage basin, flood in........ 206-210

map of..................-...-...--..-.-- 207

rainfall in............................... 208

o