Water-&t|fly and Irrigation taper No. 74 Series I, Irri*aite», 14 

DEPARTMENT-OF THE INTEEIOE

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR

WATER RESOURCES

OF THE

STATE OF COLOKADO

u/

BY flr O O 0)

- 

'* O O 4/0

^ CO ^ I fi

O / J ,2: / * or * I r* iu '

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1902
CONTENTS.

' Page.

Letter of transmittal....-...............-..._.-........---.---.----...--- 7

Introduction ............................._..................--.-.------.- 9

Sources of information....................... ............................ 10

Value of supply.......................................................... 12

Eun-off................................................................... 14

Winter discharge -........-.---..-.....-...............--...-.-...-..-.--- 19

Explanation of tables..................................................... 20

Irrigation system.............................,...:....................... 20

South Platte division................................................. 21

Drainage ........................................................ 21

Stream measurements ............................................ 22

South Platte River at Cheesman Lake ......................... 23

South Platte River at Platte Canyon........................... 25

South Platte River at Denver ................................. 29

South Platte River at Orchard................................. 32

South Platte River at Julesburg ............................... 36

Bear Creek at Morrison....................................... 36

Clear Creek at Forkscreek .................................... 40

St. Vrain Creek near Lyons ................................... 42

Boulder Creek near Boulder .................................. 46

South Boulder Creek at Marshall.............................. 49

Big Thompson Creek at Arkins .............-.......---..---.. 52

Cache la Poudre River at Fort Collins ......................... 55

Laramie River at Woods, Wyo................................ 59

Miscellaneous measurements.................................. 62

Seepage measurements............................................ 65

Kansas River Basin .............................................. 67

Frenchman River at Wauneta and Palisade, Nebr .............. 67

North and South Forks of Republican River at Benkelman, Nebr. 68

Miscellaneous gagings ........................................ 69

Arkansas River division .............................................. 70

Drainage ............................--....-.................'.... 70

Stream measurements ............................................ 72

Lake Creek at Twin Lakes.................................... 73

Arkansas River at Granite.................................... 76

Arkansas River at Salida ..................................... 77

Arkansas River at Canyon...........................-..;..... 80

Arkansas River at Pueblo..................................... 84

Arkansas River at Nepesta.................................... 89

Arkansas River at Rockyford ................................. 91

Arkansas River at Prowers.................................... 93

Arkansas River near Lamar................................... 94

Purgatory River at Trinidad .......-.._.........-............, 96

Miscellaneous gagings ........................................ 98

Seepage measurements on Arkansas River.......................... 100

3
4 CONTENTS.

Irrigation system Continued. " Paga

RioGrande division .................................................. 101

Drainage ........................................................ 101

Stream measurements ............................................ 102

Rio Grande at Del Norte...................................... 103

Conejos River near Los Mogotes............................... 106

Rio Grande at Cenicero.......---....-............-........--- 107

Miscellaneous measurements......-..-.-...--.-....----......- 109

Seepage measurements..............................r............. 109

San Juan division ....---...-.........-.-...---..--..................- Ill

Irrigation........-..-.-....._.._.........-.--.._..-....._.....-..- Ill

Drainage ......................................................... Ill

Stream measurements ....-.._........._-.-_.-...--..-.........-.. 112

San Juan River at Arboles .......-....-..-.........--.---...-. 112

Piedra River at Arboles....................................... 115

Los Pinos River at Ignacio .......^............ ................ 118

Florida River at Stuart's ranch, near Durango.........-..-..-.- 119

Animas River at Durango..................................... 120

Mancos River at Mancos...---..-.....-...-.......-...-.----.. 124

Miscellaneous investigations .......-......--.-....-..-.....-.. 126

Grand River division................................................. 127

Irrigation.._._......__._._...___......._......-...---..-......-.. 127

Stream measurements ............................................. 128

Grand River at Glenwood Springs.........--..--........-----. 128

Grand River at Grand Junction .........---........----....--. 129

Gunnison River at lola ....................................... 132

Gunnison River at Grand Junction ............................ 133

Uncompahgre River at Fort Crawford ......................... 135

Uncompahgre River at Montrose............-.-..-..----..-.-. 138

Dolores River at Dolores...................................... 139

San Miguel River at Fall Creek.................-..-.-..--..... 142

Miscellaneous measurements.................................. 145

Green River division ................................................. 146

Drainage and irrigation........................................... 146

Miscellaneous gagings ............................................ 147

Index ................................................................... 149
ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page. 

PLATE I. Map of Colorado, showing irrigation divisions, water districts, and

gaging stations......................................_...... 20

II. A, Dam at Cheesman Lake, downstream face; B, Dam at Chee^man

Lake, upstream face ....................................... 24

III. A, Castlewood dam during construction; B, Castlewood Lake and

dam...................................................... 28

IV. A, Clear Creek Canyon above Forkscreek; B, Home Supply dam

on Big Thompson Creek ......_.._.............-..-...--... 40

V. Skyline canal, near Greeley, Colorado ._....--.-.......-.-.----_-- 58

VI. A, Queen reservoir dam, north of Lamar; B, Kicking Bird canal,

north of Lamar...........___...-..................-----.._ 72

VII. A, Arkansas River at Canyon; B, Diverting dam on Arkansas P.iver

at Canyon ................................................ 80

VIII. A, Arkansas River below Main street bridge, Pueblo; B, Arkansas

River near Rockyf ord...................................... 84

I.. A, Dam of Amity canal on Arkansas River; B, Head gate of Amity

canal..................................................... 94

X. A, Gaging Rio Grande at Del Norte; B, State bridge across Rio

Grande near Colorado State line............................ 102

XL A, Gaging station on San Juan River at Arboles; B, Gaging station

on Piedra River at Arboles................... ............. 112

XII. A, Mancos Canyon in Mesa Verde; B, Grand River at Grand Junction ...................................................... 124

XIII. A, Gaging station on Dolores River at Dolores; B, Gaging station

on San Miguel River at Fall Creek.......................... 142

XIV. A, Steamboat Springs; B, Yampa River Valley near Hay den...... 146

FIG. 1. Normal discharge of Cache la Poudre River ........................ 56

2. Sketch showing original outlet and artificial channel from 7^ win

Lakes.......................................................... 72

3. Longitudinal section through gates, dam, and culvert of Twin Lakes

reservoir....................................................... 73

4. Cross section below masonry dam of Twin Lakes reservoir .......... 73

5. Irrigation system of the Great Plains Water Company .............. 74

5
LETTEE OF TRANSMITTAL

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,

DIVISION OF HYDROGRAPHY, 

Washington, D. C., July 10, 1902.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for publication as 

Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 74, a manuscript by Mr. A. L. 

Fellows on the water resources of the State of Colorado. 

Very respectfully,

F. H. NEWELL, 

Hydrographer in Charge. 

Hon. CHARLES D. WALCOTT,

Director United States Geological Survey.

1
WATER RESOURCES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO.

By A. L. FELLOWS.

INTRODUCTION.

"'The State of Colorado, located as it is in the midst of the Rocky 

Mountains, the crest of the continent crossing it from north to south, 

and comprising as it does a vast variety of physical conditions, varying from those of the highest mountain regions, where vegetation 

ceases to flourish, to plains where fruits almost semitropical may be 

raised, furnishes a diversity of problems connected with the disposition of its water supply unequaled in number and difficulty, perhaps, 

by those arising in any other "State in the Union. The snows of 

winter, falling upon the continental divide, may furnish the moisture 

by which the herbage and trees of the mountains are watered, and the 

waters from these heights, collected in rivulets and streams, may 

supply the motive power for operating the stamp mills for the mines 

of the State, or may develop electric power that may be transmitted 

for running factories, or may be used for sifting out the particles of 

gold in the placers along the streams of both the Pacify and the 

Atlantic watersheds. Again the brooks and creeks, collected into 

larger streams or rivers, enter the broad plains of the eastern half 

of the State or the canyon and mesa country of the western half, and 

furnish the lifeblood of vast irrigated tracts, where crops of the most 

diverse kinds may be raised for the sustenance of countless families, 

and thus become the assets upon which agricultural communities may 

draw, whether they are dependent upon wheat raising, sugar factories, 

potatoes for the Eastern market, alfalfa for feeding lambs r.nd-sheep,0 

or any other of the numerous forms of agricultural industry practiced 

in Colorado. Its water supply therefore becomes of the utmost importance to the State, and it is with the hope that the compile tion of all 

figures, readily obtainable bearing upon the subject may prove of 

interest and value to the people, not only of Colorado, but of States 

similarly situated, that the preparation of this paper is undertaken.

"Colorado Agricultural College Bulletins.
10 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION.

For a period of about sixteen years the measurement of streams has 

been carried on more or less systematically in the State both by the 

Hydrographic Division of the United States Geological Survey and 

by the State engineer's office, working at times in cooperation and at 

times separately, but always with the same end in view that of 

throwing as much light as possible on the discharge of the streams 

and of determining the feasibility of storing water in available reservoirs whenever the need for such storage should become apparent. 

The discharge measurements given in this paper are compiled from 

the records of these offices. When the different records are found to be 

conflicting, as they sometimes appear to be, credence is given, after careful consultation with those most intimately acquainted witl the existing 

conditions, to the one appearing to be the most likely to be correct.

The records of the United States Geological Survey and of the 

State engineer's office are the two principal sources from which the 

following tables are compiled, but information has also been obtained 

from engineers located in different parts of the State wherever it was 

possible, and in such cases due credit is given.

The drainage areas given are computed from the General Land 

Office maps by means of the planimeter, these being the figures 

accepted in the reports of the United States Geological Survey. The 

descriptions of streams and drainage basins and of reservoir sites are 

compiled largely from bulletins, irrigation papers, and reports previously published, but to a considerable extent also from personal 

examination and knowledge. In the computations use has been made 

of the tables given in Bulletin of the U. S. Geological Survey No. 

140, pages 14 to 32, and Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 27, 

page 96, to which readers are referred for directions concerning the 

use of meter and computations of discharge/' In a paper of the size 

to which this must be limited, it is, of course, impossible to give complete results of discharge measurements and of daily gage readings. 

It has been thought best, therefore, to limit the data given for each 

station to a table of gagings and to a general table giving the average 

flow for each month, the average for each year, the maximum and 

minimum flow for each year, and the most important data connected 

with the stream measured. With each table is given a brief description of the station at which the results were obtained, showing the 

value of these results, the prevailing conditions, and, the sources from 

which the information was derived. References are made, wherever

« See also, for methods of making measurements, Annual Reports U. S. Geol. Survey: Tenth, Part 

II, pp. 78 to 86; Eleventh, Part II, pp. 2 to 22; Fourteenth, Part II, pp. 96 to 100; Nineteenth, Part IV, 

pp. 18 to 31; Twentieth, Part IV, pp. 20 to 22. Also, State Engineers' Biennial Reports: Second, pp. 

5 to 9; Third, p. 5; Fourth, pp. 59 to 88; Fifth, pp. 346 to 349; Sixth, p. 8; Seventh, pp. 196 to 217; and 

Irrigation Bulletin No. 1.
FELLOWS.] 8OTJECES OF INFORMATION. 11

they are deemed desirable, to the reports or water-supply papers of 

the United States Geological Survey that give more detailed information, so that any reader looking up discharge data upon any. particular 

stream may be assisted in his search for the most complete information. a For greater convenience of reference the following table, 

showing the publications most fully covering the hydrographic work 

for each year from 1883 to 1900 inclusive, is given below:

Reports of the State engineers of Colorado.

Second Biennial Eeport, 1883-1884.

Third Biennial Eeport, 1885 -1886.

Fourth Biennial Eeport, Parts I and II, 1887-1888.

Fifth Biennial Eeport, Parts I and II, 1889-1890.

Sixth Biennial Report, 1891-1892.

Seventh Biennial Report, Parts I and II, 1893-1894.

Eighth Biennial Report, 1895-1896.

Ninth Biennial Report, 1897-1898.

Tenth Biennial Report, 1899-1900.

Publications of the United States Geological Survey.

Tenth Annual Report, Part II, 1888.

Eleventh Annual Report, Part II, 1889.

Twelfth Annual Report, Part II, 1890.

Thirteenth Annual Report, Part III, 1891.

Fourteenth Annual Report, Part II, 1892.

Bulletin No. 131, Report of Progress of the Division of Hydrography, 1893.

Bulletin No. 131, Report of Progress of the Division of Hydrography; also Sixteenth Annual Report, Part II, 1894.

Bulletin No. 140, Report of Progress of the Division of Hydrography for the Calendar Year 1895; also Seventeenth Annual Report, Part II, 1895.

Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV; also Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 

11, 1896.

Nineteenth Annual Report, Part IV; also Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers 

Nos., 15 and 16, 1897.

Twentieth Annual Report, Part IV; also Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers Nos. 

27 and 28, 1898.

Twenty-first Annual Report, Part IV; also Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers 

Nos. 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39, 1899.

Twenty-second Annual Report, Part IV; also Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers 

Nos. 47. 48, 49, 50, 51, and 52, 1900.

In the compilation of this paper assistance has been given by many 

different persons and corporations interested in the use of water, and 

to all these thanks are extended. The attempt has been ms.de to give 

proper credit in all cases where such assistance has been furnished. 

The illustrations are selected from photographs made under the auspices of the Survey, and from those furnished by parties assisting in 

the preparation of this paper.

«It is not intended that the references to publications relating- to this subject shall form a complete bibliography, but an attempt is made to assist the reader in finding some of the most easily 

obtainable information on the subjects considered.
12 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

YALTJE OF SUPPLY.

The mining industries of Colorado depend very largely upon the 

water supply of the mountain region for the development of power 

by which stamp mills and sampling works may be operated, and the 

mining towns are dependent upon electric-light and power plants 

operated by water; and the mills and factories of the S*ate are, to a 

greater and greater extent, being run by the same means; further, the 

cultivation of between two and three millions of acres of land is made 

possible by water used in irrigation; and when it is seen that this 

water supply is so limited that the normal flow of very many of the 

streams is entirely exhausted and that already recourse is being had 

to storage in reservoirs, built to conserve, for use in seasons of low water, 

floodwater that would otherwise go to waste, it will then be evident 

that its water supply is of the greatest moment to the State. This 

fact has been recognized by the people themselves ever since the State 

was formed, and a complicated system of laws has b^en built up 

controlling the water and its distribution among consumers. This 

subject has already been fully treated in a number of different bulletins and papers, among which are Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper 

No. 9, U. S. Geological Survey, and Bulletins Nos. 58 r,nd 60 of the 

United States Department of Agriculture, as well as tl Q, Irrigation 

L/aws of Colorado, as compiled and furnished by the Stete engineer's 

office, so that nothing more than a brief discussion as to the ownership of water by Colorado is necessary at this time.

By the State constitution the water is declared the property of the 

State, and as such is to be distributed and used in accordance with its 

occurrence and availability. The entire system of State Hws distributing the water among consumers is based upon this plan, the State 

engineer being made, next to the courts, the head of th^ department 

having immediate supervision of the subject, and being the final 

authority on questions relating to the use of water, subject to appeal to 

the courts. Next to him and his deputies are the superintendents of 

the various irrigation divisions, of which there are 6, each of them 

 comprising lands drained by one of the six principal streams of the 

State; namely, the South Platte, the Arkansas, the Bic Grande, the 

San Juan, the Grand, and the Green rivers. Each of tl sse divisions 

in turn is divided into water districts, each one comprising one or 

more of the tributaries of the various large streams, or parts of the 

main streams themselves, each district, of which there are 69 in the 

State, being- under the supervision of a water commissioner, whose 

duty it is to regulate the use of the water under his immediate jurisdiction, appeals being possible from the commissioner to the superintendent, from the superintendent to the State engineer, and from the 

State engineer to the courts. This partition of the State into divi-
FELLOWS.] VALUE OF SUPPLY. 13

sions and districts will be treated more fully later, so th->t further 

description is unnecessary at present.

The uses of the water are so numerous and varied that thQ, administration of the laws relating" to water is very difficult. In Colorado the 

riparian doctrine does not obtain, so that this complication is removed 

at least unless decisions should be rendered in the United States courts 

acknowledging such rights as belonging to the States into which the 

streams flowing out of Colorado run but the complications are numerous enough as it is. The .supply of water is so limited compared 

with the demands for it that early rights or priorities becc^ie of the 

utmost importance. The principal uses to which the water may be 

put may be classified in the order of importance as domestic use, irrigation, mining, and milling. The use of the normal flow of the streams 

is considered as of first importance, the use of stored water being a 

matter for secondary consideration.

The order in which water would naturally be used, nowever, is different, and, leaving out of consideration entirely for the present the 

fact that priority of use may determine right to use, it is obvious that 

the physical nature of the State has an important bearing- upon the 

problems of use. The mines being situated in the mour tains, and 

the natural conditions being usually such that the clearest and 

best water is found at the higher altitudes, it is evident that, other 

things being equal, water for domestic use and for mining- would be 

demanded at the highest available points upon each stream. After the 

water begins to find its way into canyons and over waterfalls in other 

words, when it is discharging from the mountains into the plains the 

conditions evidently become more favorable for the development of 

power, the fall of the streams being rapid, and the quant'ties being" 

sufficient for such use. Again, after the water debouches from the 

mountainous area and enters the plains, it is evident that irrigation 

may be practiced upon a broader scale, so that the order of use upon 

a stream would naturally be domestic use, mining, milling, and water 

power, and, finally, irrigation.

The brief discussion of the uses to which the water may be put in 

Colorado sufficiently demonstrates the importance of the subject. It 

is not within the province of this paper to treat of the adm inistration 

of the laws, or to discuss the subject of priorities. Its intention is 

simply to show, so far as possible, how much water is available for 

use in some of the streams of the State, and to indicate briefly, by 

examples, something of what is being" done in harnessing this, one of 

the greatest dynamics of nature, for the use of man. At the same 

time an effort will be made to show the necessity for the storage of 

the waters that now go to waste in the winter seasons ard at flood 

stages, in order that there may be the most economical and thorough 

use of this great resource. That the period when storage is? demanded
14 WATER RESOURCES OE^ COLORADO. [NO. 74.

is already at hand is clear to all students of the hydrography of the 

State, for the normal flow of the majority of the streams is already 

utilized and exhausted. It is not now proposed to discuss the most 

economical use of water that water is used in Colorado most extravagantly and in ways that would not be tolerated in a country more 

advanced in scientific irrigation is beyond question bnt simply to 

consider the present use of water and endeavor to devise methods by 

which this use may be extended, so far as possible, under existing; 

condition. Necessity will compel more economical use in the future; 

"but the present most urgent need is that the water whict now goes to 

waste and is of no service to man shall be conserved so as to be available for beneficial use. Such streams as the South Platte, the Cache 

la Poudre, the Arkansas and its tributaries, the Rio Grande, and 

numerous other streams, furnish normally an insufficient supply for 

present needs, but if the flow could be equalized by tte storage of 

water in reservoirs the irrigated area in Colorado niigl t be greatly 

extended. The importance of this fact is already felt, and in many 

places, as upon the Big Thompson, the Cache la Poudre, and the 

Arkansas, considerable water is already being stored, to the great 

benefit of the x>eople within the irrigable territory lying below the 

reservoirs.

RUN-OFF.

The physical conditions affecting the run-oil in the State of Colorado 

are so various that it is impossible to formulate an even approximately 

correct rule as to the percentage of the rainfall carried from the drainage 

area into the streams/' In case of a violent storm of the nature of a 

cloud-burst in a rocky, mountainous district, as much ae 75 or 80 per 

cent of the precipitation may be collected into the nearest streams; it 

will, however, be largely taken up by percolation into the soil before 

it has run a very great distance. On the other hand, a great amount 

of water falling gently upon a sandy plain may be entirely absorbed 

by the soil and may evaporate before any water whatsoever has run 

off. Computations of the percentage of run-off are often misleading, 

also, from the fact that water is being constantly taken out of the 

various streams for irrigation. For example, no accurate estimate 

could be made from the discharge of the Arkansas River at Rockyford as to the percentage of run-off from the drainage area above, as 

water is constantly being taken out for reservoirs and for direct irrigation, and the amount so taken can hardly be calculated unless a complete record is made of the intake of each canal, whether large or 

small, along the Arkansas and all its tributaries. Where there are no 

irrigating canals or ditches along a stream it is comparatively easy to 

determine the percentage of the total precipitation cortained in the

a See also Biennial Reports of the State Engineer: Second, pp. 10-18; Fourth, pp. 17-23.
FELLOWS.] BUN-OFP. 15

run-off at a given point; but when water is diverted from a stream in 

such quantities that only a comparatively small portion returns, the 

determination of run-off becomes difficult. Where gaging stations are 

located at the mouths of canyons, however, above which there is little, 

if any. diversion, the percentage may be determined with reasonable 

accuracy, although even then it is difficult to find points on any of the 

streams above all diversion for irrigation and yet far enough down to 

be of great use in the determination of run-off. For example, on the 

St. Vrain, the discharge at the gaging station at Lyons will not give 

correctly the run-off of the drainage basin above, for the reason that 

meadows are being irrigated at places far above the gaging station. 

The Boulder, again, is at times losing water that is being stored in 

reservoirs high up in the basin, and such is the case with the majority 

of the other streams. For these reasons no attempt has been made to 

determine what relation the total precipitation bears to the run-off. 

Readers interested in these computations are referred to P^rt IV of 

the Twentieth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey. 

That the run-off does depend upon the precipitation, however, is 

self-evident, and for this reason a table giving the precipitation at 

various points in the State, beginning with the year 1896, is furnished. A comparison of the depth of the run-off in inches, as given 

in the tables of discharge, with the precipitation in inches for a given 

year, will give an approximately correct idea of the amount of water 

flowing in a stream at any given point. a

Normal temperature and precipitation at stations in Colorado.

[Compiled from the records of the Office of the U. S. Weather Bureau, at Denver, Colo. F. H. Brandenburg, section director.]

Station.

South Platte 

drainage:

Boxelder....

Fort Collins.

Moraine .... 

Dumont.....

Castlerock . . 

HaniDS......

County.

Larimer ...... 

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

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

Weld.........

Larimer ...... 

Clear Creek ..

Douglas ...... 

Elbert ........

Elevation.

Feet. 

6,950 

5,069 

4,995 

4, 637 

7,900 

8,000 

5,291 

6,220 

5.500

Length of record.

Years. 

10 

10 

20 

11 

11 

10 

29 

10 

8

Normal 

temperature.

°F.

46.8 

47.5 

40.6

49.8 

46.3 

45.8

Precipitation (in inches).

18%.

17.83 

15.49 

15.76 

13.52 

17.28 

15.01 

11.84 

20.44 

12 78

1897.

21.42 

17.72 

15. 24 

16.09 

18.87 

20.82 

15.37

( b ) 

(b)

1898.

16.34 

13.63 

11.03

< b) 

16.86 

17.16 

12.98

( b) 

12.57

1899.

14.42 

13.34 

16.19 

10.79 

16.58 

18.19 

9.33 

14.70 

12.67

1900.

17.93 

20.06 

19.21 

11.51 

16.72 

19.54 

15.29 

14.70 

21.17

Normal 

to 1899, 

inclusive.

16.46 

14.37 

13.86 

11.83 

17.56 

18.59 

14.15 

18.59 

12. 26

a See Reports of the Weather Bureau; also U. S. Geological Survey Reports: Tenth, Part II, pp. 13-14; 

Eleventh. Part II, pp. 23, 25, 205, 214, 251, and 281; Twelfth, Part II, pp. 226, 230, 231, and 245; Thirteenth, Part III, pp. 25, 28, and 153; Fourteenth, Part II, pp. 1.50-152; and Biennial Reports of the 

State Engineers of Colorado: Second, pp. 14-17; and Fifth, Part I, p. 534. Also, Report on Agriculture 

by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 91.

J> Record incomplete.
16 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Normal temperature and precipitation at stations in Colorado Continued.

Station.

Kansas drainage:

Y tuna .......

Wray .......

Fox.........

Seibert ......

Chevenne 

Wells.

Arkansas drainage:

Lake Moraine.

Gleneyre....

Col orado 

Springs.

Leadville ... 

Twin Lakes. 

Canyon ..... 

Pueblo ......

Rockyford . . 

Las Animas . 

Lamar ...... 

Westcliffe... 

Clear View.. 

Hoehne .....

Vilas. .......

Rio Grande 

drainage:

Saguache . . . 

San Luis .... 

San Juan drainage:

Durango .... 

Mancos ..... 

Grand drainage: 

Breckenridge 

Parachute ... 

G. S. ranch . .

Grand JuneCedar Edge.. 

Delta........

Antlers ...... 

Green drainage: 

Meeker ..... 

Pagoda .....

County.

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

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

Kit Carson . . . 

Cheyenne ....

El Paso . . ...

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

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

Lake .........

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

Fremont......

Pueblo .......

Bent..........

Prowers ......

Las Animas . . 

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

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

Saguache..... 

Costilla.......

La Plata......

Montezuma ..

Garfleld ......

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

Delta.........

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

Garfleld ......

Rio Blanco . . . 

Routt.........

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

Elevation.

Feet. 

4,380 

4, 128 

3,512

4,705 

4,259

10, 268

6,500 

6,098

10, 185 

9,200 

5,363 

4,734 

4,177 

3,892 

3,592 

7,864 

9,500 

5,721 

4,400 

4,158

7,740 

7,596

6,534 

7,008

9,524 

,5, 105 

5,200

4,608 

6,175 

4,980 

5,350

6, 182 

6,500 

6,200

Length of record.

Years. 

12 

10

7 

9 

9 

9 

8

7 

9

*iL

8 

7 

12

12 

33 

11 

8 

11 

9 

. 9 

10

10 

10

8 

o

12 

9 

14

10 

9 

12 

15

8 

9

7

Normal 

temperature.

°F. 

48.1

50.1

46.7

42.0 

42.3

47.3 

45.6

33.2 

49.8 

52.1

49.2

41.1

Precipitation (ir inches).

1896.

14.18 

15.84 

16.68 

(«) 

(«) 

14.42

(")

19.70

15. 53 

13.94

(«) 

(«) 

11.96 

10. SI 

9.74 

11.81

(«) 

13.27 

24.00 

16.05 

(°) 

(«)

(«) 

12.31

(«)

(rt )

24.03 

(«) 

(")

9.33 

(«) 

(«)

16. 28 

17.38 

14.04

1897.

18.48 

18.30 

20.19

I") 

17.19 

20.94 

(")

30. 32

(«) 

(«)

15.51

(«) 

11.13 

12.71 

(«) 

10.89 

15.10

(«) 

31.76 

11.80 

(«) 

(")

8.84 

13.93

24. 93

(«)

24.49

(«) 

14.45

11.10 

15. 05 

11.87 

17.92

24. 30 

29.13

(a)

1898.

14.95 

20.39 

18.71 

28.48 

20.84 

18.65 

18.50

23.14

(") 

I")

12.27 

(<*) 

11. 45 

10.85

16r04

15.63 

17.84 

16.88 

27.31 

14.07 

20.75 

(°)

8.06 

14.20

16.27

(«)

16.29

(«)

8.37

5.45 

9.48 

4.72 

9.16

13.34 

18. 92

(")

18f9.

13.22 

14.61 

10.74

(") 

10.06 

12.62 

14.01

18.59

(")

8.81

19.86

. 1") 

9.80 

13.05 

18.68 

12.11 

19.64 

12.81 

18.49 

12.36 

12.78 

15.48

5.96 

10.04

14.49 

12.35

29.41 

18.14 

13.17

10.87 

10.90 

8.44 

15.81

20. 05 

24.05 

(«)

1900.

14.74 

17.98 

18.24 

21.47 

19.92 

20.79 

18.60

33.46

19.34 

13.64

13.50 

13.76 

14.34 

13.37 

15. 60 

15.48 

19.64 

16.31 

23.08 

13.30 

22.68 

19.66

6.25 

10.16

9.86 

12.44

14.62 

7.89 

6.09

3.64 

9.67 

5.19 

5.82

(a) 

12.32 

7.60

Normal 

to 1899, 

inclusive.

15.10 

16.63 

15.13 

18.42 

15. 5& 

14.31 

15.76

22.55

13.98 

14.13

14.21 

15.35 

11.70 

11.53 

13. 52 

11.19 

15.17 

17.29 

24.23 

13.92 

18.36 

13.74

7.52 

13.06

17.98 

(«)

29.44 

11.37 

11.77

8.89 

11.89 

8.78 

(«)

&16.92 

20.53 

13. 62

« Record incomplete. 6 Normal to 1898, inclusive.

As has been suggested, the run-off of a mountainous ar^-a will differ 

very considerably from the run-off of an equal area on the plains. A
FELLOWS.] BOW-OFF. 17

given amount of precipitation, in South Park, for example, will furnish to the same stream a very much greater run-off than the same 

amount of precipitation on the plains north of Sterling, the more 

rocky and broken by ravines the territory the greater being the 

percentage of run-off. The character of the rock formation and the 

nature of the canyons through which the water flows also have important bearings upon this percentage. Twelve inches of precipitation 

on the headwaters of the Arkansas will furnish a greater percentage 

of run-off than the same amount falling on an equal area of the Mesa 

Verde, in southwestern Colorado, the rock in the former cage absorbing little water and the soil being of such nature that the water does 

not percolate through it to a very great extent, and the ro?,k in the 

latter case being a soft sandstone and the ravines having sandy beds. 

For these reasons it is evident that to determine the run-off at any 

particular point a series of stream measurements must be made, for 

determinations based solely on the precipitation of a region would be 

only approximate.

The effect of forests in conserving moisture and in rendering the 

discharge of , the streams more equal throughout the year is thoroughly demonstrated and generally admitted. a Whether or not the 

presence of forests increases precipitation in a given territory is of 

little importance compared with the question of the extent to which 

the forest keeps back the floods of the spring and early summer for 

later use. An examination of discharge tables obtained at stations 

that have been long maintained will show that the high-water stage is 

becoming each year earlier and of shorter duration. It is self-evident 

that anything that will tend to equalize the flow of streams throughout the year has an important bearing on the use of water. A given 

stream may be adequate to irrigate all the cultivable land along its 

borders if its water can be properly distributed throughout the irrigating season. When, however, as is the case upon many streams, the 

water rims off rapidly in May and in the early part of June, it will 

happen that while there is a great surplus of running water during the 

early part of the year, yet the stream may be nearly dry at a time 

when a great deal of water is needed for irrigation. This is the case, 

for example, upon the Mancos River, in the southwestern part of the 

State, in which during the month of May enough water goes' to waste 

to furnish all the adjacent irrigable land with a sufficient supply if it 

could be properly stored.

In studying this question one should not fall into the error of supposing that in order to make the most economical and satisfactory use 

of the water the supply should be equal throughout the summer

a See Fifth Biennial Report of the State Engineer of Colorado, p. 43; Bulletin No. 56, Colorado 

Agricultural Experiment Station; Twentieth Annual Keport, U. S. Geological Survey, Part V, and 

reports of the Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture.

IRR 74: 02 2
18 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

season. Usually more water is needed in the latter part of May and 

in early June than would be required in any other month; that is to 

say, the duty of water the area of land that may H served by a 

given quantity of water is least in May and June, and increases rapidly toward the end of the season, so that it would bo a mistake to 

suppose that if, for example, 100 cubic feet per second were required 

for a given area at the time when most water was neec'gd, that provision must also be made for a flow of 100 cubic feet per second regularly throughout the remainder of the so-called irrigation season. 

Such a run of water at a time when little of it was being used could 

not do otherwise than cause great damage by washing awa.y the soil 

and making swamps of the lowlands. The amount of water used at 

various seasons will depend largely on the kind of crop^ raised and on 

the nature of the season. This phase of the irrigation problem is 

being studied by the Agricultural Department, and a number of bulletins and papers have already been written on this subject," as well 

as on loss of water by seepage and evaporation. 6 It is therefore sufficient here to call attention to the facts that when the run-off is the 

greatest the use of water is also generally the greatest, and that the 

amount of water required diminishes somewhat as the normal supply 

itself diminishes, only less rapidly; so that the most economical use 

of the water of a given stream is obtained when all the land along 

that stream is cultivated that can be supplied with water directly from 

the stream itself for about two months of the year, the balance of the 

supply being stored from waters that would otherwise have gone to 

waste during the high stages, and the amount of land cultivated being 

so regulated that practically all of the water is used.

On streams where there is no flow normally, as is usually the case 

with the streams of the plains, the supply consisting rlmost entirely 

of a discharge lasting a few hours only during and af*er storms, the 

situation is, of course, different. If all of the water of such streams 

can be stored in reservoirs, it may be drawn off gradually and used 

for irrigation. The chief difficulties in such cases are that the water 

usually comes down in great quantities very heavily laden with silt, 

so that it is almost impracticable to construct canals that will carry it 

without either erosion or filling, and that reservoirs constructed in the 

beds of such streams usually fill with sediment very quickly. Sometimes, however, a stream is so fortunate in its situation and regimen

a Bulletins of the IT. S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Experiment Stations, Nos. 73, 81, and 

86, and Bulletin No. 22 of the Agricultural Experiment Station at Fort Collins, Colo., and U. S. 

Geological Survey Annual Reports as follows (see indices of same, under Duty of Water): Tenth, 

Part II; Eleventh, Part II; Twelfth, Part II; Thirteenth, Part III; and FifthSte.te Engineer's Report, 

p. 46; Sixth, p. 67; Seventh, p. 7; Eighth, p. 20; Ninth, pp. 17, 51, and 59. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 95.

6Bulletins Nos. 45 and 48, Agricultural Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colo., and U. S. Geological Survey Annual Reports as follows (see indices of same, under Evaporation): Eleventh, Part II; 

Twelfth, Part II; Thirteenth, Part III; Fonrteenth, Part II; Twentieth, Part II; also Bulletin No. 140.
FELLOWS.] * WINTER DISCHARGE. 19

that a considerable portion of its water may be drawn away from the 

channel in which it flows and diverted to some adjacent reservoir site. 

The chief differences, therefore, between a mountain or perennial 

stream and one flowing on the plains are that irrigation may be practiced from the first by water taken directly from the stream, v^hile the 

water from the second must be stored before it can be used, and that 

the water of one is comparatively clear, while that of the other is 

inordinately filled with silt.

The storage of surplus water is a great problem in itself. In many 

localities where there is plenty of water that is going to waste no satisfactory reservoir sites are available; on the other hand, many of the 

best reservoir sites of the State are in localities where it is difficult to 

get water to them from the natural streams. Few people, comparatively speaking, realize how large a reservoir must be to supply any 

considerable amount of land with water for irrigation. Those who 

have reservoir propositions in view should bear in mind tbrt where 

land is to be irrigated entirely by means of the water stored in a reservoir it will, making all necessary allowances, take approximately 

2 acre-feet that is, 2 acres covered with water 1 foot deep, or, what 

amounts to the same thing, 1 acre covered with water 2 feet, deep 

to irrigate a single acre of land for a season; so that to irrigate 1,000 

acres of land would require a reservoir, let us say, covering an area 

of 100 acres 20 feet deep, if all the water is to be derived from this 

source and none directly from the stream. This suggestion is made 

for the reason that persons often recommend the examination of a 

reservoir site which they say would store water for a whole township, whereas in reality it would furnish little more than enough for 

stock use for a good-sized cattle ranch. That there are many available reservoir sites, however, throughout the State, is beyond question, and information and data concerning such sites is always gladly 

received. A few of the more important sites already examined will 

be mentioned from time to time in this paper.

WINTER DISCHARGE.

In compiling the tables given hereafter the records for tl 3 winter 

months have usually been accepted as furnished by the observers. It 

is, however, unsafe to trust these records unreservedly, for in nearly 

all of our mountain streams ice gorges are constantly being formed in 

winter, changing the velocity of the current and the gage height 

recorded by the observer without materially changing the discharge 

of the stream. It is often safer to strike an average between the 

November flow and the flow of about the middle of March or the first 

of April following than to trust to the apparent discharge as derived 

from the observations. For this reason the winter discharge has been
20 WATEE KESOTJKCES OF COLOKADO. [NO. 74.

omitted from a number of stations where the figures if given would 

have been absolutely misleading; they are retained, however, in a few 

stations, and where any false impression might arise from the figures 

given, attention is called to that fact in a footnote.

EXPLANATION OF TABLES.

In general the tables given in this paper are summarized from all 

available data. For stations where records exist for from one to three 

years only the discharge is given for each year individually, but for 

stations where records have been maintained for four or more years 

the average discharge is usually given for each month during which 

the record was kept and these averages are again averaged, giving a 

normal discharge for each month as computed for that month of each 

year during which records were kept, these being again averaged for 

a normal year or that portion of the year covered by the records. 

The discharge in second feet per square mile given in the vertical columns in these tables is the amount corresponding to the average now 

for the same months or periods, the depth in inches being derived 

directly from the now in second feet per square mile and corresponding thereto. The discharge for that portion of each year covered by 

the record, or for the whole year, as the case may be, is averaged and 

placed below the record for that year. The number of acre-feet given 

is in each case the corresponding amount for the period covered. The 

number of second-feet per square mile is derived from the average flow 

for the period covered, and the depth of run-off in inches is derived 

from them, usually for a thirty-day period, but at tinier for the entire 

year or for the entire period covered, the variations being mentioned 

in the accompanying footnote in each case. It is believed that the 

footnote accompanying each table is sufficient for furtl °r explanation 

of the table.

IRRIGATION SYSTEM.

As has already been mentioned, the State of Colorado is divided 

into six irrigation divisions, each comprising a considerable portion 

of the State, drained usually by a single stream and its tributaries, 

these divisions being in their turn divided into districts (see PL I), 

as will be more fully described later."

The six divisions are as follows: Division No. I, or South Platte 

River; No. II, or Arkansas River; No. Ill, or Rio Grande; No. IV, 

or San Juan River; No. V, or Grand River; No. VI, or Green River; 

each consisting in general of the territory drained by the stream 

(with its tributaries) from which the division takes its name.

a Bulletins Nos. 58, 60, and 73, Office of Experiment Stations, U. S. Deparfnent of Agriculture. 

Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 9, U. 8. Geological Survey, and reports of the State Engineers 

of Colorado.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-8UPPLV PA»ER NO. 7* PU I

MAP OF COLORADO, SHOWING IRRIGATION DIVISIONS, WATER DISTRICTS, AND GAGING STATIONS.

Irrigation divisions, estch drained usually by a single stream and its tributaries, are indicated by roman caps (I-VI) and heavy lines; water districts, by broken lines and arable numerals; gaging stations, by smaller arable numerals and large dots.
FELLOWS.J IRRIGATION SYSTEM. 21

SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 

DRAINAGE.

Division No. I, or South Platte River division, a consists of tl 3 territory drained by South Platte River and its tributaries, but includes also 

North Park, drained by the North Platte and its tributaries, in which 

are located water districts Nos. 46, 47, and48. Water district No. 65 

is also included, which covers the territory within the northern half 

of the Kansas River Basin in Colorado drained by French mar Creek, 

the North Fork of the Republican, and the Arikaree. The two latter 

streams, however, in district No. 65, are of little importance, so far 

as irrigation in Colorado is concerned, as they head too near the eastern border of the State and carry too small amounts of water to be of 

much value. 6 The country drained by these streams varies in altitude 

from about 5,000 down to 3,800 feet above sea level. This area is what 

has been known in the past as the rain-belt country, and for some years 

there was a general belief that farming could be practiced successfully in that region without irrigation, but such farming has not been 

found to be profitable, and agriculture in that section hereafter will 

be generally limited to small tracts that can be irrigated, either directly 

from the streams or by means of storage. In some cases artesian 

wells produce a flow sufficient for stock use and for the cultivation of 

small patches of ground. No gaging stations have been established 

upon any of these streams.

The streams of North Park are of more importance. District No. 

46 consists of the territory drained by the North Platte proper in 

Colorado as far down as its junction with Middle Fork. No. 47 consists of the territory drained by the Middle Fork and its tributaries 

and the North Platte below its junction with Middle Fork. No. -48 

consists of the drainage basin of the Laramie and its tributaries. 

The territory comprising North Park is in general a rolling, more or 

less timbered country, with numerous small streams flowing through 

it. The principal industiy is stock raising, crop raising being limited 

to hay and grain. Little irrigation is practiced, this being limited 

principally to hay meadows. On the Laramie, however, a complication arises from the fact that a canal, called Skyline canal, 

takes a considerable portion of the upper tributaries across the divide 

into the drainage of the South Platte River, taking water away from 

the State of Wyoming and using it in the drainage basin of tbe South 

Platte. c No measurements are made in Colorado upon the tributaries

a State Engineers' Reports: Second, p. 26; fourth, pp. 35 and 46: fifth, p. 63, and sixth, p. 67. For 

details concerning the different districts, see the Biennial Reports of State Engineers; also Report on 

Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 94 et seq.

<>See list oi miscellaneous measurements, page 69.

"See Hayden's Reports; also Nineteenth Annual Report TJ. S. Geological Survey, Part IV, p. 300; 

Twentieth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 393; Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 9, p. 42. Also 

Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 97, etc.
22 WATER EESOUECES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

of the North Platte, but a station has been maintained for some years 

upon the Laramie at Woods, in Wyoming-, a few miles north of the 

State line, and the results,of these measurements are given in the 

table for the Laramie at that point (page 60).

The South Platte River itself rises in South Park and flows in a 

generally northeasterly direction to the northeast corner of the State, 

which it leaves at a point a short distance below Julesburg. The 

drainage basin has been so full}T described in previous reports and 

irrigation papers that only a brief description'!* necessary, the reader 

being referred to those already printed. a In general, the western side 

of the division is very mountainous, the main stream itself and all the 

tributaries of that section issuing from high mountains through deep 

canyons, many of them, however, draining parks at the headwaters, 

where stock raising and some cultivation of hay is carried on. From 

the eastern slope of the foothills to the eastern boundary of the State 

the country is of the plains character, and the streams draining this 

section are torrential in their nature. The normal flow throughout 

this entire division is claimed and used for irrigation, but. in the high 

stages of the streams and in the winter season a great deal of water 

goes to waste which might be stored in suitable reservoirs.

The water districts now included in this division are Nos. 23, b S,c 2,d 

I/and 64,* on the South Platte River; No. 9,/ comprising the territory drained by Bear Creek; No. 7, y by Clear Creek; No. 6,A l>y 

Boulder Creek; No. 5, 7' by St. Vrain Creek; No. 4,' by Big Thompson 

Creek; No. 3,* by Cache la Poudre River; Nos. 46, 47, and 48/ by 

tributaries of North Platte River; and No. 65 by tributaries of 

Kansas River, the latter district being more properly outside of the 

South Platte River division, although legally a part of it.

STKEAM MEASUREMENTS.

The following stations have been maintained for a greater or less 

time in or near the South Platte division: Cheesman Lake, Platte Canyon, Denver, and Orchard on South Platte River; Morrison, on Bear

"See U. S. Geological and Geographical Survey Terr., Hayden, 1H75 and 187f. Annual Reports 

U. S. Geological Surrey: Tenth, Fart II, p. 69; Thirteenth, Part III, p. 82; Sixteenth, Part II, p. 542; 

Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 159; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 311; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 277; Twenty-first, 

Part IV, p. 200. Also Bulletins No. 131, p. 30, and No. 140, p. 102; Water-Supply anl Irrigation Paper 

No. 37, p. 221; No. 49, p. 278, and Tenth Biennial Report State Engineer of Colorado, p. 246.

ft Fifth Biennial Report, Part II, PI. I.

< Ibid., PI. VII; also Seventh Biennial Report.

dlbid., pi. in-, also Seventh.

elbid., PL It; also Seventh.

/Ibid., PI. A III; also Seventh.

g Ibid., PI. ~\ I; also Seventh.

h Ibid., PI. \ ; also Seventh.

abid., PI. I/.

j Nos. 46, 47. 48, and 65 have not been mapped.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 23

Creek; Forkscreek, on Clear Creek; Marshall, on South Bouldor Creek; 

Boulder, on Boulder Creek; Lyons, on St. Vrain Creek; Arkins, on 

Big Thompson Creek; Fort Collins, on Cache la Poudre; and Woods 

in Wyoming, on Laramie River.

The waters of this division are used in all the different ways previously mentioned. In South Park and in the foothills along the east 

front of the Rocky Mountains water is being extensively stored for 

domestic use. In the mountains and in places where the fall is great 

the water is used for the development of power and also for placer 

mining. After leaving the mountains it is used for irrigation, and 

already it is being stored extensively for use late in the irrigation 

season, this being especially true of the territory along the Big 

Thompson and Cache la Poudre. Cheesnian Lake and some of the 

other reservoirs of the upper portion of the Platte have already been 

described, a as have also a number of those of northern Colorado. b 

There are undoubtedly enough reservoir sites along the South Platte 

and its tributaries to store all the water that now goes to v^aste. A 

number of these on the plains through which the river flows1 between 

Greeley and Julesburg are now under consideration.

SOUTH PLATTE EIVER AT CHEESMAN LAKE.

This station has been maintained }yy the Denver Union Wr.ter Company for the purpose of determining the discharge of the South Platte 

at that point with reference to the construction of a large reservoir 

for the purpose of providing a sufficient domestic water supply for the 

city of Denver and of developing power to be transmitted from the 

lake to various points below. The dam is to be of solid masonry, 217 

feet in height, and is already well under way (see PI. II). The lake 

when full will be about 7 miles in length, and the capacity will be 

probably not less than -±,000,000,000 cubic feet. The same company 

has other large reservoirs at points lower down, but none of equal 

magnitude with this/

The records are given for only two years. Those for 1899 are 

approximate, but those for 1900 have been carefully compiled and are 

very reliable. They are furnished through the courtesy of Mr. C. L. 

Harrison, chief engineer of the Denver Union Water Company. d

"House Doc. No. 141, Fifty-fifth Congress, second session, H. M. Chittenden'? Report; Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 37, p. 221; Twenty-First Annual Report U. S. Qeol. Survey, Part IV, fig. 

192; Tenth Biennial Report of State Engineer, p. 247.

6 Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper Ko. 9, and Chittenden's Report above mentionec1 .

<-See Chittenden's Report above mentioned, this reservoir being there called the "South Platte 

site."

dFor more detailed information concerning this station see Tenth Biennial Repo-t of the State 

Engineer of Colorado, p. 248; Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 37, pp. 222-223; No. 39, p. 447, 

and No. 49, p. 280.
WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Estimated monthly discharge of South Platte River at Cheesman Lake. 

[Drainage area, 1,677 square miles.]

Month.

1899.

October ^

December ..............

Last 5 months of

1900.

July ...................

October ................

The year

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

902 

198 

155 

171 

112

27 

27 

103 

547 

1,540 

1, 945 

522 

126 

103 

155 

90 

67

Minimum.

170 

105 

34 

55 

44

23

27 

27 

92 

562 

550 

40 

58 

63 

39 

37 

18

Mean.

354 

149 

92

125 

70

«158

26 

27 

80 

254 

1,038 

1,204 

208 

88 

79 

84 

69 

33

«266

Total in acrefeet.

21, 767 

8,926 

5, 657 

7,438 

4,304

48, 092

1, 599 

1, 553 

- 4, 919 

15, 114 

6i3, 824 

71,643 

12, 789 

5,410 

4,701 

5, 165 

4,106 

1,964

192, 787

Run-off.

Second - 

feet per 

square 

mile.

0.21 

.09 

.05 

.07 

.04

.09

.02

.02 

.05 

.15 

.62 

.72 

.12 

.05 

.05 

.05 

.04 

.02

.15

Depth in 

inches.

0.24 

.10 

.06 

.08 

.04

.52

.02 

.02 

.06 

.17 

.71 

.80 

.14 

.06 

.06 

.06 

.04 

.02

2.16

a Average. h Estimated in part.

List of discharge measurements made on South Platte River at Cheesman Lake. 

[Hydrographer, J A. Runner.]

Date.

1899. 

July 31 .........................

September 8 ....................

October 3. ......................

November 19 ... f ...............

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3. 62

1.45

1.23

1.30

1.24

Discharge.

$ec.-fi. 

806

184

95

107

97

Remarks.

List of discharge measurements made on Goose Creek at Cheesman Lake. 

[Hydrographer, J. A. Runner.]

Date.

1899. 

September 8 ....................

October 8. ......................

November 19. ...................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.95

.84

.72

.76

Discharge.

Sec.-fl 

24

10

8

9

RemarVs.

All gagings made by floats.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PA D ER NO. 74 PL. II

A. DAM AT CHEESMAN LAKE, DOWNSTREAM FACE.

£. DAM AT CHEESMAN LAKE, UPSTREAM FACE.
FELLOWS.} . SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 25

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AT PLATTE CANYON.

Records have been kept for a number of years of the discharge of 

South Platte River at a point a short distance above where it debouches from the mountainous area into the plains. The station was 

located first at Deansbury, but was later removed to a point about 3 

miles downstream, near the pumping station of the Denver Union 

Water Company. The records for both stations are given in one 

table, as they are practically the same, no water being used along this 

section except what is taken out by the Denver Union Water Company 

at its head gate, which amount would be approximately compensated 

by the inflow during the same distance. The station is of importance, 

as it gives the discharge of the river just above the point where it 

begins to be used on a large scale for irrigation, and is, therefore, of 

great value in determining the amount available for storage and the 

percentage of run-off from the territory above. The situation is 

complicated, however, as has been previously suggested, by the fact 

that some irrigation is practiced in South Park, for which reason an 

estimate of the percentage of run-off based upon this record would 

necessarily be too small. The irrigation ditches of South Park, 

although small in size, are many in number, and the aggregate of 

water thus used is considerable. At a point about a mile below the 

gaging station the first large canal, the Northern Colorado Irrigation 

Company's canal," is taken out by means of a diverting dam constructed across the river and a tunnel cut through a spur of the canyon 

wall. The physical conditions at the station are not favorable to 

extremely accurate measurements, for the channel is filled with bowlders and the current is very rapid. The stream bed is not, however, 

subject to great change, and for this reason the station has b?en maintained. Gagings must necessarily be made from a bridge or cable, 

owning to the depth and velocity of the water. The banks are so 

high that there is little clanger of overflow. 6

«See Twenty-first Annual Report U. S. Geological Survey, Part IV, p. 200; also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, pp. 101 and 109.

& Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of Colorado: Fourth, Part I, p. 63, and Part II. PI. XVII; 

Fifth, Part I, pp. 19 and 24, and Part II, PI. XI; Sixth, pp. 19 and 26; Eighth, pp. 412 to 419; Ninth, 

pp 328 and 329; Tenth, pp. 252 to 255. Annual Reports U. S. Geological Survey: Eighteenth, Part IV, 

p. 159; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 311; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 280; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 201. Also, 

Bulletin U. S. Geological Survey No. 140, p. 103, and Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 11, p. 52; 

No 15, p. 87; No. 37, p. 224, No. 39, p. 448, and No. 49, p. 280. Also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, pp. 101,109,114, and 125.
Discharge uf tiouih Platte Steer at Deansbury a

[Drainage area at Deansbury, 2,600 square 

Month.

January ------

February .....

March........

May .........

July .........

September .... 

October ......

November ....

December ....

Mean . .

Acre-feet for 

period recorded ff ....

1887.

Sec.-ft.

295

470 

535

310 

265 

165 

185

318

135, 034

1888.

Scc.-ft.

545 

550 

410 

300

451

109, 962

1889.

Sec.-ft.

«172 

478 

460 

324 

211 

129 

180

279

106, 922

1890.

Sec.-ft.

391 

403 

520 

562 

196 

172

374

136, 528

1891.

Sec.-Jt.

6142 

 '1,117 

1,243 

645 

373 

219

623

187,872

1892.

Sfc.-ft.

d 630 

628 

847 

535 

328 

292

543

168, 012

1895.

Sec.-ft.

........

«241 

145

193

16, 563

1896.

Sec.-ft.

97 

115 

207 

473 

502 

281 

233

189 

250

217 

169 

93

236

170, 919

a Commencing April 22. ''April 5 to 12, inclusive. <-' Commencing May 7. 

 /First two days in June discharge equaled 2,745 second-feet each day.

g The run-off for the period covered by the river height observations only; the discharge given a

records kept. The details may be found in the authorities cited for this station.
FELLO"RTS.j SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 27

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of South Platte P.wer at Deansbury and Platte Canyon for that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1887................

1888................

1889................

1890................

1891................

1892. ...............

1 <<Q^

1896............. _..

1897................

1899................

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Sept. 

Oct. 

Sept, 6 

Oct. 30 

Apr. 5 

Oct. 8 

Dec. 26 

Jan. 25 

Jan. 28 

Dec. 5 

Feb. 14

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

95 

210 

92 

112 

121 

270 

92 

90 

67 

10 

41

Maximum.

Date.

June 

July - 

May 21 

July 13 

June 9 

June 26 

Nov. 19 

Apr. 28 

June 1 

June 20 

June 1

Amount.

ftec.-ft. 

785 

670 

788 

875 

1,495 

962 

311 

983 

1,550 

2,175 

2,745

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches.

0,93 

.70 

.77 

.98 

1.37 

1.09 

.12 

1.22 

1.15 

2.16 

1.36

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.12 

.15 

.11 

.14 

.24 

.21 

.08 

.09 

.17 

.23 

.27

Discharge measurements made on South Platte River at Deansbury and Pl'ttte Canyon.

Date.

1895. 

Nov. 30

Dec. 1

Dec. 7

Dec. 8

Dec. 14

Dec. 20

1896. 

Jan. 12

Jan. 18

Jan. 27 

Feb. 4

Feb. 11

Feb. 19

Feb. 23

Mar. 18

Mar. 20

Mar. 30

Apr. 2

Apr. 13

May 3

May 26

June 9

Hydrographer.

L.E.Hope...........

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

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

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

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

._.... do ............... 

L.E.Hope...........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.....do ......"........

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4

q 90

3.60

3.65

3.80

3. 35 

3,05

3.05

2.90 

3.18

3.10

2.97

3.42

3.07

3.75

5.15

4.30

4.85

2.70

2.55

1.90

Discharge.

tfec.-ft.

197

102

160

166

183

135

94

94

90 

116

101

qi

144

97

184

372

.259

329

557

485

314

Remarks.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.
28 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Discharge measurements made on South Platte Biver at Deansbury and Platte Canyon 

Continued.

Date.

1896.

July 6

July 24

Aug. 14

Sept. 28

Oct. 10

Get °0

Oct. 31

Nov. 10

1897. 

Jan. 8

Jan. 22

Jan. 31

Feb. 17

Mar. 1

Mar. 11

Mar. 20

Mar. 27

Apr. 8

Apr. 17

Apr. 22

Apr. 8

Apr. 17

Apr. 22

Apr. 9

May 25

July 1

1899. 

Apr. 14

May 8 

June 10

July 28

Oct. 4

1900. 

Mar. 5

Apr. 18

Hydrographer.

L. R. Hope. ..........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

L. R.Hope...........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.'....do ..............

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

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

...l.do ..............

J. E. Field ...........

A. L. Fellows ........ 

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows ........

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

Gage 

height.

Fftt. 

1.44

.90

1 66

.73

1.30

1. 50

1.42

1 *73

1 T3

1.27

O 7K

2.68

2.56

2.33

2.58

2.75

2.82

2.75

3.40

4.17

4.70

5. 80

1.67

2.02

2.62

3.05

3.50

4.15

3.85

3.15

1.80

1.50 

2.90

1.80

.10

- .40

1.55

Discharge.

fee. -ft 

OQS;

138

289

125

205

239

9QQ

193

212

201

79

85

68

56

72

90

103

92

165

261

343

511

261

343

511

644

831

1,006

985

678

559

500 

1,127

633

146

87

467

Remarks.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

. Do. '

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

' Do.

E

Do.

DO:

Do.

Do.

Do.

DoDo?

Do. 

Do.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74- PL. HI

A. CASTLEWOOD DAM DURING CONSTRUCTION.

E. CASTLEWOOD LAKE AND DAM.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 29

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AT DENVER.

Attempts have been made at different times to establish and maintain stations at a number of points in the vicinity of Denver, but the 

only one that has proved of sufficient value to be kept up is the one 

located at the Fifteenth street bridge, about 1 mile below the postoffice. The location is favorable in some respects, as it is just below 

the mouth of Cherry Creek, upon which the Castle wood d<\m (see PI. 

Ill) is situated, the junction of Cherry Creek and the South Platte 

marking the end of district No. 8 and the beginning of district No. 2. 

It is, moreover, as favorable a location with reference to channel and 

banks as can be found anywhere below the point at whicl the river 

strikes the sandy plains, where it becomes broad and shallow, with a 

changeable and shifting bottom. Owing, however, to its being located 

so near the mouth of Cherry Creek, considerable difficulty is experienced through a deposition of bars of sand and gravel, sometimes 

along the left bank of the river and again along the right bank, so 

that occasional changes in gage rods and frequent changes in rating 

tables are necessary. Measurements at this point are necessarily 

made as often as possible.

The station is principally valuable as giving information concerning 

the discharge at the head of irrigation district No. 2, so that the 

division of water among consumers may be regulated by the water 

commissioner with greater facility. Measurements are made from 

the bridge, except at low water, when they may be made by wading. ffl

a For more detailed information concerning this station see Biennial Reports of State Engineers 

of Colorado: Fifth, Part I, p. 26, Part II, pi. 12; Sixth, p. 19; Eighth, p. 420; Ninth, p. 330; Tenth, 

p, 256. Annual Reports U. S. Geological Survey: Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 162; Nineteenth, Part IV, 

p. 313: Twentieth, Part IV, p. 279; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 201. Bulletin U. S. Geological Survey 

No. 140, p. 104. Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 11, p. 53; No. 15, p. 88; No. 27, pp. 81, 86, 89; 

No. 37, p. 226; No. 39, p. 448; and No. 49, p. 281. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh 

Census, by F. H. Newell, pp. J.01,109,114.
Discharge of South Platte River at D

[Altitude, 5,183 feet; drainage area, 3,840 squ

Month.

February ...........................

March. .............................

April ......^. .......................

May. ...............................

June ...... .........................

July................................

August .............................

September ..........................

October .............. ..............

November ..........................

December ..........................

Mean .........................

1895.

Sec.-ft.

854 

742 

426 

698 

456 

204

563

206, 070

1896.

Sec.-ft. 

182 

198 

225 

301 

291 

200 

164 

115 

145 

111 

101 

103

178

128, 837

1897.

Sec.-/t.

95 

83 

179 

470 

735 

1,026 

392 

687 

270 

267 

406 

217

402

291, 996

1898.

Sec.-ft. 

164 

153 

121 

377 

1,444 

1 , 552 

672 

328 

187 

146 

131 

98

448

325, 006

1899.

Sec.-ft

1

4

4

4

8

6

5

2

1

2

1

3

258, 8

a The run-off given is for the period covered by the observations of each year. That given in the v

obtained. Details for these years may be seen in authorities cited for this station.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 31

Maximum and minimum, discharge and total run-off of South Platte River at Denver for 

that portion, of each year covered hy records.

Year.

1895.

1896.

1897.

1898.

1899.

1900.

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Dec. 23

Oct. 11

Feb. 13

Dec. 23

Jan. 22

Oct. 7

Amount.

Sec.-ft.

108

27

16

50

42

51

Maximum.

Date.

Aug. 2

July 25

Aug. 5

May 28

Aug. 5

'Apr. 29

Amount.

Sec.-ft.

1,945

758

2,458

2,308

1,422

5,510

Run-off.

Depth in 

ineh?s.

1.19

.T2

1. 426

1.58

1. 257

2. 92

Second - 

feet per 

square 

mile.

0.14

.05

.105

.12

.093

22

Discharge measurements made on Mouth Platte River at Denver.

Date.

1895.

May 7

July 23

Aug. 7

Aug. 22

Nov. 9

Nov. 29

1896. 

Jan. 6

Apr. 8

May 29

July 1

July 25

Sept. 11

Oct. 30

Nov. 9

1897.

1 a n 1 ^

Apr. 15

1VT*-| Tr 1

May 25

July 13

Aug. 20

Sept. 6

Oct. 11

H ycfrbgrapher.

P. J. Preston .......................................

F. Cogswell ................'........................

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

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

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

P. J. Preston ........................................

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

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

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

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

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

F. Cogswell .......................................

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

P. J. Preston .................... ..................

F. Cogswell ....................-..-.....-....----.-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.....do.....................-..-...-..'............

Gage 

heigl t.

Feet.

5.40

4.60

3.90

4.30

3.90

3.60

4.50

4.90

4.33

6.10

4. 35

4.80

5.10

4.70

4.75

4.70

5.35

5.70

5.85

6.45

6.75

5.60

7.45

5.55

4.95

£70

Discharge.

Nt e.-feet. 

168

1,490

876

447

430

303

183

235

304

107

1,316

125

83

163

93

100

98

385

595

778

1,311

1,406

687

1,849

473

116

413
32 WATEE RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on South Platte River at Denver Continued.

Date.

1898. 

Apr. 21

July 6

Sept. 2

Oct. 8

Oct. 29

1899. 

Apr. 12

May 11

June 12

July 27

Oct. 5

1900. 

Mar. 6

Apr. 12

Apr. 16

Apr. 20

Apr. 23

June 11

July 25

A nor 7

Aug. 29

Oct. 20

Oct. 22

Hydrographer.

\

A . L. Fellows ......................................

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

. 1 . . .do ............................................

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

F. Cogswell ........................................

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

.....fit. ............................................

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

.....do .................,..............:...........

.... .do ....................... ! . ...................

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

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

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

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

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

R. W. Hawlev ..................... ...............

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.90

6.10

5. 50

5.00

5.32

6.00

6.03

6.20

5.32

6.93

5.95

5.10

5.50

5.90

7.24

7.10

8.32

8.50

K. 4.C

5.56

4.90

5.50

5.30

Discharge.

Sec.-fl. 

564

443

195

90

234

422

355

764

213

1,200

288

100

244

377

1, 439

1,395

3,516

3,270

257

285

90

226

161

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AT ORCHARD.

This station was established November 20, 1895, for the purpose of 

furnishing data relative to the flow of South Platte River in the winter 

months and during- flood stages, but later was maintained throughout 

the entire year for the purpose of determining the total discharge. 

It is situated some distance below all the mountain drainage of the 

stream and below the territory in which there is the greatest return 

from seepage. For three years the rod was located in a bend of the 

river about one-fourth of a mile southwest of the railroad station at 

Orchard, but later a new rod was placed at the wagon bridge south of 

the town, and since that time readings have been taken at the latter 

point, for the reason that it was necessary to make the gagings from 

the wagon bridge at times of high water. The channel throughout 

this entire region is broad and shallow, the bottom being sandy and 

shifting, rendering frequent changes in the rating tables necessary.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 33

The investigations at this point have demonstrated that grer.t amounts 

of water, go to waste, and private capital has been enlisted for the 

construction of the reservoirs of the South Platte Land, Reservoir 

and Irrigation Company in the vicinity of Orchard. The reservoirs 

of this company consist of natural basins located in the plains on each 

side of the river, all water being diverted from the river to the reservoir sites by means of large canals/*

a For more detailed information concerning this station see Biennial Reports of State Engineers of 

Colorado: Eighth, p. 426; Ninth, p. 383; Tenth, p. 261. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: 

Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 166; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 315; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 293; 

Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 203; Bulletin No. 140, p. 112; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers No. 11, p. 

53; No. 15, p. 89; No. 27, pp. 84, 86, and- 89; No. 37, p. 226; No. 39, p. 448, and No. 49, p. 2??,. Also Report 

on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, pp. 122 and 132.

IRE 7± 02 3
Discharge of South Platte River at Or

[ UtitudP, 4,393 feet; drainage area, 12,260 squ

Month.

May. ... ...........................

July......... .......................

J

Mean .........................

Acre-feet for period recorded e .......

1895.

Sec.-fl.

''870 

759

814

62, 199

1896.

Sec.-ft.

775 

&610 

581

789

688

148, 829

1897.

Sec.-ft. 

631 

557 

231 

529 

898 

2, 637 

347 

803 

92 

303 

« 1,109 

« 1,232

«789

564, 500

1S9S.

Sec.-ft. 

« 1,068 

811 

574 

380 

1,946 

776 

173 

40 

69 

215 

811 

a 2, 651

«792

551, 150

1899.

Sec.-ft. 

«2, 8

"3, 32

«2,37

« 1,32

4

1,19

1, 5

7

4

42

7

a 1,54

a 1,39

1, 009, 2

a The calculations are from the gage heights reported by the observer, but the discharge given fo

raising the water on the gage. The winter discharge marked (< ) was also probably very much less tha

6 February 16 to 29, inclusive.

'i Commencing November 22.

e The run-off per acre-foot given is for that period of each year covered by the observations, the disch

The details for these years may be seen in the authorities cited for this station.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 35

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Smith Platte River at Orchard 

for that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1895................

1896................

1897.. ..............

1898................

1899................

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Nov. 22 

Dec. 27 

July 8 

Apr. 28 

June 12 

Aug. 16

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

818 

213 

39 

10 

10 

113

Maximum.

Date.

Dec. 1 

Jan. 9 

June 14 

May 29

Feb. 27 

May 2

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

* 1, 031 

960 

5, 160 

3,214 

3,966 

11, 159

R m-off.

Depth in 

inches

0.095 

.226 

.851 

.90 

1.56 

2.16

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.07 

.06 

.064 

.07 

.11 

.16

Discharge measurements made on South Platte River at Orchard.

Date.

1895. 

Nov. 20-

Dec. 27

1896. 

Feb. 19

Oct. 22

Dec. 12

1897. 

Jan. 18

May 28

June 20

June 27

July 25

Sept. 13

Nov. 9

1898. 

Apr. 24

May 30

July 9

Aug. 9

Nov. 6

Nov. 17

1899. 

Apr. 14

May 27

Sept. 12

Nov. 3

Hydrographer.

P. J. Preston ......................................

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

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

P. J. Preston................ . ..... .._,._....

L. R. Hope ....................... ................

R. S. Sunnier. .............. .... ... ..

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows ........................... ..........

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

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

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

F. Cogswell ............................. ...... ...

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

A. L. Fellows ................ .......... . . . .

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

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

M.D.Williams.............

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4. 00 .

3.83

3. VS

3.20

4. 1 5

4.14

5.00

4. 8

3.20

3. 60

2.EO

4.40

2.20

4. 60

2.25

f> 95

2. eo

3. 15

3.20

2.?0

2.05

2. eo

Discharge.

K'C.-ft.

829

667

669

240

550

377

1, 921

1,926

504

524

86

1 9QQ

71

3, 214

32

36

302

401

1,258

158

57

614
36 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on fiouth Phitte Hiver, at Orchard Continued.

Date.

1900. 

Mar. 7

Apr. 21

July 23

Oct. 27

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

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

R. W. Hawley .....................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.85

5.00

1.35

2.70

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

668

4 674

156

324

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AT JULESBURG.

Although no station has been regularly maintained at this point, a 

number of measurements, which are given in the table below, have 

been made here at different times. The location is important from 

the fact that it is near the line between Colorado and Nebraska, so 

that discharge measurements at this point indicate the flow from the 

one State into the other. The channel is broad and shallow, the bottom 

being sandy and shifting. A gage rod was fastened to the wagon 

bridge 1 mile southeast of Julesburg in the spring of 1900, but no 

records were kept. Measurements may be made either from the 

wagon bridge or at low water by wading. The majority of the gagings 

at this point w*ere made by employees of the State engineer's office 

in connection with the annual seepage measurements of the South 

Platte River/'

Discharge measurements made on South Platte River, at Julesburg. 

[Altitude 3,500 feet.]

Date.

November 5, 1891 ..............................................

November 4, 1894 ..............................................

November 14, 1895. ............................................

September 4 1899

November 12, 1899. .............................................

March 8, 1900. ................................................

November 2, 1900. .............................................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.10

Discharge.

Sec.-fl. 

43

2

586

2

487

2, 291

76

BEAR CREEK AT MORRISON.

Bear Creek is the first important tributary received by South Platte 

River after it leaves the mountains. Information concerning the discharge of this stream is important, as it supplies a large proportion of 

the water furnished to Denver by the Denver Union Water Company,

«See also Tenth Biennial Report of the State of Colorado, p. 265. Also Report on Agriculture by 

Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 131.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 37

storage reservoirs having been provided for this purpose in Marston 

and Harriman lakes. Nearly the entire flow of this stream is used for 

the water supply of Denver and for irrigation, there being a scarcity 

of water along the stream except for the earliest priorities during a 

large portion of almost every irrigation season. Like all mountain 

streams, it is subject to sudden and violent rises from sharp and severe 

storms at its headwaters. 05

The station was located for some years about the center of the town 

of Morrison, but in the spring of 1899 it was moved to a point just 

above Morrison, at the headgate of the Denver Union Water Company's pipe line. The conditions have generally been rather unfavorable to correctness of measurements, as the channel is somewhat 

changeable, being made up of loose bowlders, and at the dam where 

the water is diverted into the pipe line gravel bars have formed, changing the natural conditions. Measurements have been made by wading, 

excepting at the highest stages of the water, when they 1 ^,ve been 

made from the wagon bridge just above the town of Morriscn. 6

« For full description pee Hayden's Report of 1875, p. 432.

b For further details concerning this station see Biennial Reports of State Engineers of Colorado: 

Fourth, Part I, p. 64, and Part II, PL XX; Fifth, Part I, p. 30, and Part II, PI. XIV; Sixth, pp. 20 

and 31; Eighth, p. 454; Ninth, p. 336; Tenth, pp. 223 and 266. Publications U. S. Geological Survey: 

Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 167; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 317; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 284; 

Twenty-first, Part_IV, p. 204; Bulletin No. 140, p. 106; Water-Supply and Irrigation Pa.pers, No. 11, p. 

54; No. 15, p. 90; No. 27, pp. 81 and 86; No. 37, p. 227; No. 39, p. 448, and No. 49, p. 284. Also Report on 

Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 114.
'eek at Mo

e area, 170 s

1897.

Her.-Jt.

/152

175

115

199

67 

55 

34 

'"20

102

6,069

f

a The discharge given is for average months, and the total for an average period of nine months, 

cited for this station.

5 Commencing April 5. a For May 19 to 31, inclusive. 

^Commencing April 6. ft June 9 to 19, inclusive, is missing. 

dCommencing April 16. ? June 3 to 12, inclusive, is missing. 

eCommencing April 14. J July 25 to 31, inclusive, is missing. 

/Commencing May S. * Ending August 10. 
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 39

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Sear Creek at Morrison for that 

portion of each year covered by records.

year.

1888................

1889................

1890................

1891. .............. .

1895................

1896................

1897-...............

1898................

1899................

1900......:.........

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date,

Sept. 

May 3 

Nov. 15 

Sept. 22 

luay 20 

July 14 

Nov. 24 

Nov. 23 

Oct. 21 

Nov. 23

Amount.

frc.-ft. 

30 

18 

15 

12 

41 

9 

5 

20 

17 

10

Maximum.

Date.

June 

May 20 

July 23 

May 27 

June 13 

Apr. 2 

Aug. 3 

July 13 

Aug. 4 

Apr. 29

Amount.

Sec.-Jt. 

100 

195

75 

622 

274 

86 

385 

2,083 

325 

691

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches.

0.41 

.48 

.20 

.73 

.70 

.29 

.67 

.54 

.49 

1.15

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.37 

.43 

.18 

.66 

.63 

.26 

.60 

.48 

.44 

- 1.03

Discharge measurements made on Bear Creek at Morrison.

Date.

1895. 

May 18 

June 12 

July 24 

Oct. 7

1896. 

June 17 

Aug. 4 

Sept. 19 

Oct. 31

1897. 

May 20 

June 13 

June 26 

July 24 

Sept. 11 

Oct. 12

1899. 

Apr. 15 

May 9 

June 6 

Aug. 5 

Nov. 14

Hydrographer.

'

.... .do .............................. .''.'. .: .........

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

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

P. J. Preston .......................................

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

R. S. Sumner. ......................................

P. J. Preston .......................................

R. L. Hope. . .......................................

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

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

F. Cogswell ........................................

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

J. E. Field .........................................

A. L. Fellows ......................................

.....do ......-_...-.._..._._._-........-.-.------..

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.90

2.05

1.6&

1.05

.75

2.90

3.05

2.55

3.60

3.70

3.50

3.45

3.05

3.00

3.80

4.25

4.25

4.98

1.35

Discharge.

Fce.-ft. 

47

331

171

64

32

55

80

16

179

209

162

131

55

52

64

99

107

192

13
40 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on Bear Creek at Morrison Continued.

Date.

1900. 

Mar. 9

Apr. 14

Apr. 25

Aug. 7

Sept. '6

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

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

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

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

Gige 

height.

P'ft. 

1.40

2.85

5.80

3.20

Discharge.

Ser.-ft. 

17

47

367

63

24

CLEAR CREEK AT FORKSCREEK.

Clear Creek is one of the largest tributaries of South P'atte River, 

issuing from the mountains, and emptying into the irain stream 

about 6 miles below Denver. Like the other streams of this region, 

it flows for a long distance through a mountainous territory (see 

PI. IV, A) and then discharges into the plains, where its water is used 

for irrigation. The establishment of a station at Forkscrsek, which 

is about 12 miles up the canyon, was for the purpose of determining 

not only the amount of its water that may be available for irrigation 

and storage, but the amount that may be used for the development of 

power. The water of Clear Creek is used to such an extent for placer 

mining and for the development of power for use in stamp mills that 

the name "Clear Creek" has long since become a misnomer, the 

stream being anything but clear. After the stream empties into the 

plains the greater part of the water is used for irrigation, there being 

comparatively little surplus even during the flood stages. 0

Measurements were also made in the years 1887 and 1888 at a point 

below the mouth of the canyon, and estimates were made for the year 

1898 by the water commissioner of the Clear Creek water district. 

The discharges of these years are too unreliable to be incorporated into 

the table, but they are given by themselves.

Results obtained at this station are not entirely satisfactory, as the 

channel consists of bowlders and the fall is great, the banks being 

high and rocky. There is, moreover, no suitable method of crossing 

the river, the bridges being unsatisfactory, so that most of the measurements have been taken at low-water stages.*

a For full description of this drainage basin see Hayden's Report, of 1875, p. 432; also Eeport on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 114.

b For further details concerning this station see Biennial Reports of State Engineer of Colorado: 

Fourth, Part I, p. 63, and Part II, PI. XVIII; Fifth, Part I, p. 18; Sixth, p. 20; Ninth, p. 340; Tenth, 

pp. 222 and 270. Publications IT. S. Geological Survey: Twenty-first Annual Report, Tart IV, p. 205; 

Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 37, p. 228; No. 39, p. 448 and No. 49, p. 2£<\ Report Qn 

Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, p. 114.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74 PL. IV

A. CLEAR CREEK CANYON ABOVE FORKS CREEK.

S. HOME SUPPLY DAM ON BIG THOMPSON CREEK.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE .DIVISION. 41

Discharge of Clear Creek at Golden. 

[In cubic feet per second.]

Year.

1897-. ...............

1898. ...............

Average for month.

May.

621

285

June.

793 

650

July.

516 

420

Aug.

304 

120

Sept.

181 

75

Oct.

130 

70

Nov.

57

NOTE. This table was furnished by W. N. Palmer, water commissioner for the Clear Creek district 

for 1897 and 1898. The winter discharge is given as about 50 second-feet.

Estimated monthly discharge of Clear Creek at Forkscreek. 

[Altitude, 6,892 feet; drainage area, 345 square miles.]

Month.

1899. 

April................. ..

May 1 to 19.............

June 7 to 30 ............

July ...................

Se' iornber ..............

Oc^ r. ...............

Total .............

1900. 

March 10 to 31.... ......

May ...................

Julv ...................

August ............ ....

October ................

November ..............

Total .............

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

403 

1,202 

1,373 

1,202 

692 

349 

155 

155

........

75 

403 

1, 259 

1,259 

719 

235 

75 

75 

58

Minimum.

51

192 

775 

614 

299 

155 

133 

32

........

44 

58 

367 

714 

235 

84 

44 

51 

51

Mean.

180 

581 

1,081 

791 

440 

214 

141 

77

........

60 

178 

789 

968 

378 

137 

58 

58 

52

Total in acrefeet.

10, 711 

35,724 

64, 324

48, 637 

27, 005 

12, 734 

8,670 

4,582

212, 387

2,619 

10, 592 

48, 514 

57, 601 

23, 242 

8,424 

3,451 

3,566 

3,094

161, 103

Run-off.

Secondfeet p°r 

square 

mile.

0.52 

1.68 

3.13 

2.30 

1.28 

0.62 

0.41 

0.22

........

0.17 

0.52 

2.29 

2.80 

1.10 

0.40 

0.17 

0.17 

0.15

Depth in 

inches.

0.58 

1.94 

3.49 

2.66 

1.48 

.69 

.47 

.24

11. 55

.20 

.58 

2.64 

3.12 

1.27 

.46 

.19 

.20 

.17

8.83
WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO.

Discharge measurements made on Clear Creek at Forkxcreel'.

[NO. 74.

Date.

1899. 

Mar. 24

Apr. 20

May 10

June 7

Aug. 12

Nov. 15

1900. 

Mar. 10

Apr. 13

Apr. 24

Aug. 27

Hydrographer.

J. E. Field .......................................

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

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1. 50

2.10

2.75

3.70

3.08

1.70

1.60

1.70

2.60

1.78

Discharge.

Sec. -ft. 

52

155

365

779

449

67

55

73

290

130

ST. VRAIN CREEK NEAR LYONS.

St. Vrain Creek and its tributaries receive their supply of water 

from the eastern slope of that portion of the Front Range lying 

between Longs Peak and James Peak, a distance of about 30 miles. 

The general trend of the drainage is northeastward, the St. Vrain flowing at last into South Platte River about 6 miles below the town of 

Platteville. The principal tributaries of the St. Vrain are the North 

and South Forks and the Boulder, the South Boulder being an important branch of the latter. The areas drained by the upper portions 

of these streams are all alike mountainous, the streams flowing through 

deep and rugged canyons, where the water can be used only for the 

development of power and for placer mining; but upor leaving the 

foothills each one of them emerges into a broad and nearly level valley where farming by irrigation is extensively practiced/'

Three stations have been maintained upon the St. Vrain and its tributaries, one located at a point about one-half of a mile east of Lyons, 

upon the St. Vrain, one at a point at the mouth of the cf,n}ron of the 

Boulder, a mile above the town of Boulder, and one at a point in the 

mouth of the South Boulder Canyon about 3 miles west of Marshall.

Records have been kept of the gage heights at the Lyons station 

since April, 1888, except during the years 1893 and 1894, when very 

little hydrographic work was done in Colorado. A number of changes 

in the location and position of the gage rod have been necessary, but 

these have not affected the value of the tables, the station )N °,ing always 

practically the same. As maintained at the present tiim the station 

is opposite the Tower Hotel. Most of the measurements are made by

« For full description ot this basin see Hayden's Report of 1875, p. 436. Also Report on Agriculture 

by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, p. 103.
FELLOWS.) SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 43

wading, but at high water they are made from a bridge Iocs,ted about 

one-quarter of a mile below the station. The channel is favorable to 

good results, lying in small bowlders and cobblestones, and the banks 

are so high that overflow is improbable. The table of discharge 

includes the amount carried by the Supply ditch, which is taken out 

above the station but of which records were, also kept. a

<t For more detailed data concerning this station see Biennial Reports of State Engineers of Colorado: Fourth, Part I, p. 63, and Part II,"PI. XIX; Fifth, Part I, pp. 18 and 28, Part II, PL XIII: 

[Sixth, pp. 20 and 28; Eighth, p. 436; Ninth, p. 348; Tenth, pp. 213 and 280. See also publications U. S. 

Geological Survey: Eighteenth Annual Eeport, PartIV, p. 172: Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 320; Twentieth, 

Part IV, p. 285; Twenty first, Part IV, p. 208; Bulletin No. 140, p. 109; Water-Supply and Irrigation 

Papers, No. 11, p. 55; No. 15, p. 93; No. 27, pp. 83, 86, and 89; No. 37, p. 232; No. 39, p. 448: and No. 49, 

p. 288, Also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 103.
Discharge of St. Vrain Creek at L

[Drainage area, 209 square miles

Month.

May .......

June .......

July .......

September . . 

October ....

Mean/. 

Acre-feet/..

1888.

Sec.-ft. 

72 

156 

320 

208 

133 

56 

50

142

60, 415

1889.

Sec.-ft.

«465 

371 

197 

102 

44 

39

203

66, 495

1890.

Sec.-ft.

&376 

436 

292 

179 

66 

45 

30

203

80, 600

1891.

Scc.-ff. 

. 165 

629 

1,046 

516 

151 

96

434

159, 380

1892.''

Sec.-ft.

(O 

856 

587 

155 

89 

65

350

106, 182

1895.

Sec.-ft.

^ 790 

469 

243 

98 

197

359

100, 392

1896.

Sec.-ft. 

96 

259 

363 

225 

167 

139 

65 

37

169

81,740

1897.

Scc.-ft.

''571 

766 

506 

303 

127 

50

387

140, 544

7

a May 20 to 31 inclusive. 

"Stations were maintained upon both forks of the St. Vrain in 1892. The monthly averages g

South Fork was 373 second-feet and from May 26 to 31 on North Fork was 231 second-feet.

A Commencing May 2. ? Commencing June 13. 
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 45

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of St. Vrain Creek at Lyons for that 

portion of each year covered by records.

Year,

1888...... ..........

1889................

1890..............'..

1891................

1892................

1895................

1896. ...............

1897............ ...

1898.......... .....

1899................

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

June 

May 28 

June 2 

May 27 

June 24 

June 16 

May 30 

June 11 

June 17 

June 20 

Apr. 29

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

«320 

548 

675 

1,397 

1,480 

1,127 

666 

1,052 

637 

1,275 

918

Maximum.

Date.

Oct. 

Oct. 13

Nov. 15 

Apr. 5 

Oct. 28 

Sept. 14 

Oct. 26 

Nov. 16 

Nov. 26 

Nov. 11 

Mar. 17

- Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

«50 

26 

18 

31 

53 

80 

21 

31 

21 

16 

10

Run-off.

Dep+.h in 

inches.

0.75 

1.08 

1.08 

* 2.32 

1.86 

1.92 

.90 

2.06 

.91 

1.72 

1.52

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.68 

.97 

.97 

2.08 

1.67 

1.72 

.81 

1.85 

.82 

1.54 

1.36

a May '20 to 31 inclusive. 

Discharge measurements made on St. Vrain Creek at Lyons.

Date.

1895. 

May 11

July 20

Oct. 2

1896. 

June 6

Julv 29

Sept. 22

Oct. 14

1897. 

May 25

June 17

June 28

Julv 20

Sept. 15

Nov. 10

1898. 

May 27

July 12

Aug. 5

Oct. 12

Hydrographer.

P. J. Preston. ......................................

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

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

P. J. Preston. . .....................................

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

P. J. Preston .............................. ...

L. R. Hope ........................................

R. S. Sumner ................................ .....

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

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

F. Cogswell ........................................

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

A. L. Fellows. . ....................................

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.65

3.40

2.10

3.57

2.70

0 50

2.22

4.15

4.40

3.70

3.10

2.10

1.75

2.80

3.10

2.20

1.85

Discharge.

Sec.-feef. 

260

336

65

389

189

110

53

659

713

551

379

115

54

256

308

73

20
46 WATEE EE8OUECE8 OF COLOEADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on St. Tram Creek at Lyons Continued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 18

May 5

An<v Q

Oct. 7

1900. 

Mar. 13

Apr. 27

July 27

Hydrographer.

J. E. Field ........................................

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

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

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

....'.do ............................................

Gage 

1 eight.

Fed. 

3.00

2.75

4.15

3.20

2.10

2.06

3.68

2.70

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

217

137

825

263

37

35

513

193

BOULDER CHEEK NEAR BOULDER.

The general nature of Boulder Creek, which is one of the tributaries of the St.Vrain, has already been noted in the description of the 

main stream. 05

The gaging station is located 1^ miles above the town of Boulder, 

in the mouth of the canyon. There are two small irrigation ditches 

above the station, but the amount of water diverted does not exceed 5 

or 6 second-feet, and may therefore be disregarded. The channel of 

the stream consists of large bowlders throughout its entire course, and 

it is therefore difficult to make accurate measurements. Gagings are 

usually made by wading, but may be made from a wagon bridge just 

above the gage rod at high water. The normal flow is entirely used 

for irrigation, but during the flood season a large proportion goes to 

waste. Fillings have, however, been made upon a number of reservoir 

sites in this drainage basin, by means of which most of the surplus 

water might be stored. 6

n For a description of this drainage basin, see Hayden's Report of 1875, p. 4&5. Also Report on 

Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 103.

& Biennial Reports of State Engineers of Colorado: Fourth, Part I, p. 64, and Part II, PI. XXI; Fifth, 

Part I, pp. 18 and 32, and Part II, PL XV; Sixth, pp. 21 and 33; Eighth, p. 442; Ninth, p. 345; Tenth, 

pp. 224 and 277. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: Annual Reports, Eigl teenth, Part IV, p. 

171; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 319; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 286; Twenty-first, Part IV, pp. 207-208: Bulletin No. 140, p. 108; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 11, p. 5V, No. 15, p. 92; No. 27, pp. 82, 

86, and 89; No. 37, p. 248; No. 49, p. 287. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, 

by F. H. Newell, p. 103.
Discharge of Boulder Creek at Bou

[Altitude, 5,347 feet; drainage area, 179 squ

Month.

April. ......

June .......

September.. 

October .... 

November . .

MeanJ 

Acre-feet J . .

1888.

Sec.-ft. 

81 

164 

261 

210 

157 

80 

60

145

61, 632

1889.

Sec.-ft.

«676 

565

277 

97 

34 

36

281

98, 589

1890.

Sec.-ft.

6287 

341 

258 

/1 73 

56 

*33 

* 26

168

59, 607

1891.

Sec.-ft.

f 327 

427 

240 

116 

061

234

58, 464

1892.

Sec.-ft.

^336 

447 

372 

148 

47 

43

'232

74, 520

1895.

Sec.-ft.

^316 

502 

355 

205

86 

44

251

85, 158

1896.

Sec.-ft. 

80 

240 

264 

150 

88 

73 

33

133

56, 496

1897.

Sec.-ft.

323

458 

339 

213

83 

47 

38

214

90, 736

S

62

a Commencing May 8. 

6 Commencing May 13. 

c Commencing May 18. 

d Commencing May 23.

e Commencing May 14. 

/ August 12 to 14 missing. 

g Ending September 20. 

h October 16 to 19 missing.
48 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Boulder Creek at Boulder for 

that portion, of each year covered by records.

Year.

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date. Amount.

Maximum.

Date. Amount.

Ruii-off.a

Depth in 

inches.

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

1888.

1889.

1890.

1891.

1892.

1895.

1896.

1897.

1898.

1899.

1900.

April 

Sept. 20

Nov. 7 

Sept. 16 

Oct. 19 

Oct. 29 

Apr. 3 

Nov. 16 

Nov. 30 

Nov. 29 

Oct. 31

Sec.-feet

25

16

23

54

27

5

7

23

3

13

June 

May 31

Aug. 4

June 8

June 23

June 3

May 30

June 10

June 18

July 2

June 1

'.-feet. 

350 

785 

1,200 

540 

646 

750 

809 

745 

560 

847 

801

0.90

1.75

1.03

1.46

1.45

1.56

0.82

1.34

1.36

1.66

1.77

0.81 

1.57 

0.93 

1.31 

1.30 

1.-40 

0.74 

1.20 

1.22 

1.49 

1.59

a The run-off given is the amount for that part of each year covered l>y the records and for an 

average month of thirty days, at the rate given as the mean for the period covered.

Discharge nieitsurementfs made on Boulder Creek near Boulder.

Date. Hydrographer. Gage 

height.

Discharge.

1895. Feet.

July 17 R J.Preston....................................... 1.90

Oct. 13 .....do ............................................ .50

1896. 

July 2 P. J. Preston .................. .................... 1.30

July 30 .....do ............................................ 1.10

Sept. 23 R. S. Sunnier.....................................

Oct. 16 P. J. Preston ....................................... .50

1897. 

May 21 L.R.Hope......................................... 2.15

July 26 R. S. Sumner....................................... 1. 75

Aug. 12 F. Cogswell........................................ 1. 55

Oct. 13 .... .do ...........-........-...-.-....-....-.-..--. .55

1898. 

Apr. 17 A. L. Fellows.-.....---.............---.-..---...... .78

May 28 .....do ............................................ 1.85

July 16 J. E. Field ......................................... 1.50

Aug. 3 A. L. Fellows ...................................... .86

Oct. 11 .....do ............................................ .28

Sec.-ft. 

317 

36

139

110

69

35

442

298

224

48

69

367

266

62

12
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 49

Discharge measurements made on Boulder Creek near Boulder Contirued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 21

May 6

June 15

Aug. 10

Otc. 20

1900. 

Apr. 28

July 27

Aug. 28

Hydrographer.

J.E. Field..... ....................................

A. L. Fellows .......................... i. ...........

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

.....3o ............................................

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.00

1.20

2.50

1.70

.50

2. 10

1.40

.62

Discharge.

Sec.-Jt. 

84

134

642

276

36

483

220

49

SOUTH BOULDER CREEK AT MARSHALL.

South Boulder Creek is a tributary of the Boulder, and its drainage 

basin lies north of and adjoins that of Clear Creek." The station has 

been maintained for each irrigation season since April, 1888, except 

during 1893 and 1894. The rod consists of an inclined timber on the 

north bank of the stream, near the house of C. E. Barber. Two 

ditches take their water supply from the stream at points above the 

station, these being the South Boulder and Coal Creek ditcl and the 

Community ditch, and their discharges are added to the discharge as 

found at the station, so as to give the total run-off of the basin. The 

channel of the stream is rocky and full of bowlders, but does not 

change materially. Gagings are usually made by wading, but at high 

water they may be made from the foot bridge just above the rod. 6

a For description see Hayden's Report of 1875, p. 436. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, 

Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 103.

& For more detailed data concerning this station see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of 

Colorado: Fourth, Part I, p. 64, and Part II, PI. XXIII; Fifth, Part I, p. 36. and Part II, PI. 

XVII; Sixth, pp. 21 and 36; Eighth, p. 448; Ninth, p. 341; Tenth, pp. 225 and 273. Alsc publications 

of U. S. Geological Survey, Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 169; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 318; 

Twentieth, Part IV, p. 287; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 206; Bulletin No. 140, p. 107; Water-Supply and 

Irrigation Papers, No. 11, p. 54; No. 15, p. 91; No. 27, pp. 82, 86, and 89; No. 37, p. 229, and No. 49, p. 

286, Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 103. .

IKK 74 02 4
Discharge of South Boulder Creek at M

[Altitude, 5,498 feet; drainage area, 125 squar

Month.

May .............

June ............

July .............

September ........

October ..........

Mean*......

1888.

Sec.-ft.

100 

135

130 

98 

40

115

41,724

1889.

Sec.-fl.

&475 

335 

152 

39 

21 

20

174

54, 855

1890.

Sec.-ft.

<"313 

349 

143 

64 

39 

031

157

52, 878

1891.

Sec.-ft. 

58 

366 

356 

140 

45 

20 

M9

143

52, 824

1892. *

Sec.-fl.

a 237 

374 

232 

62 

21 

18

157

53, 492

1895.

Sec.-ft.

^288 

592 

243 

120 

39 

38

220

74, 188

1896.

Sec.-ft.

72 

232 

208 

75 

43 

37 

23

99

41, 947

1897

Sec.-

/33

4

2

1

1

76, 8

"The run-off is for average months, and the total for an average period of eight months as shown 

for this station.

& Commencing May 26. d Commencing May 13. / Commencing M

o Commencing May 9. * Commencing May 15. a Ending October 
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 51

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of South Boulder Greek at 

Marshall for that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1888................

1889................

1890................

1891................

1892................

1895................

1896................

1897. ..............

1898................

1899.. ..............

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Sept. 

Oct. 12 

Sept. 20 

Sept. 19 

Oct. 13 

Oct. 1 

Oct. 6 

Nov. 7 

Nov. 18 

Sept. 21 

Sept. 16

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

30 

15 

19 

15 

15 

14 

18 

18 

9 

9 

5

Maximum.

Date.

June 

May 31 

May 28 

May 17 

June 24 

June 3 

May 30 

June 11 

June 17 

June 21 

June 2

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

225 

560 

542 

565 

561 

1,090 

603 

595 

444 

663 

582

Run-off.

Depth ir 

inches.

1.02 

1.5E 

1.41 

1. 27 

1.41 

1.96 

.88 

1.6? 

.98 

2. 1£ 

1.08

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.92 

1.39 

1.26 

1.14 

1.26 

1.76 

.79 

1.46 

.88 

1.96 

.94

Discharge measurements made on Soitfh Boulder Creek at Marshall.

Date.

1895. 

May 14

July 18

Oct. 10

1896. 

July 3

Aug. 8

Sept. 24

Oct. 17

1897. 

May 22

June 19

June 25

July 27

Aug. 13

Oct. 14

1898. 

Apr. 23

May 29

July 11

Aug. 6

Oct. 10

Hydrographer.

P. J. Preston .......................................

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

P. J. Preston .......................................

.....do...:........................................

B. S. Sumner. ......................................

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

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

F. Cogswell ........................................

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

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

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

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

.....do....-..........,..,.,..,,.,,-.,.,,..........

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.0C

2.0C

1.05

1.50

0.96

l.OC

0.90

2.45

2.60

2.50

1.65

1.55

0.82

1.35

2.29

1.70

1.15

0.55

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

164

195

42

. 88

27

31

24

348

363

370

122

116

14

72

274

130

47

2
52 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on South Boulder Creek at Marshall. Continued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 22

May 6

June 15

Aug. 10

Oct. 10

1900. 

July 28

Aug. 28

Hydrographer. . ^fj^

Feet. 

J. E. Field ......................................... 1. 70

A. L. Fellows ...................................... 1.55

.... .do ............................................ 2. 80

.... .do ............................................ 1. 60

.... .do ............................................ 0. 70

A. L. Fellows ...................................... 1. 40

.... .do ............................................ 1. 10

i

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

115

96

451

109

7

35

10

BIG THOMPSON CREEK AT ARKINS.

This stream drains considerable territory north of Longs Peak, and 

is one of the largest tributaries of the South Platte, into which it flows 

about -1 miles above the town of Evans. The Little Thompson is an 

important tributary of the Big Thompson, and the country drained by 

these two streams forms irrigation district No. -1 (see" PL IV, £). 

The two streams come together a short distance above where their 

combined waters enter the South Platte/'

Records were begun upon this stream in April, 1888, and have been 

maintained for a portion of each year since that time, except in the 

years 1893 and 1894. The location of the station has been changed 

several times, having been below both the Handy and tl o Home Supply ditches a portion of the time and above the Hone e Supply and 

below the Handy at other times. At present it is located at the upper 

point, so that only the waters carried by the Handy ditch need to be 

added to give the total run-off of the basin. The amounts given in 

the tables are for the combined flow. Irrigation is practiced on a 

small scale about 20 miles above the station also, but to such a limited 

extent that it may be disregarded. 6

«For description see Hayden's Report for 1875, p. 437; also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, 

Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, pp. 116-119.

& For more detailed information concerning this station see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers 

of Colorado: Second, p. 6; Fourth, Part I, p. 64, and Part II, PI. XXII; Fifth, Part I, pp. 18 and 34, 

and Part II, PI. IX; Sixth, pp. 21 and 34; Eighth, p. 430; Ninth, pp. 310 and 333- Tenth, pp. 215. 216 

and 284. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 174; 

Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 321; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 288; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 209; Bulletin No. 

140, p. 110; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 11, p. 56, No. 15, p. 94; No. 27, pp. 83, 86, and 89; 

No. 37, p. 233; No. 39, p. 448; and No. 49, p. 290. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh 

Census, by F. H. Newell, pp. 116-119.
Discharge of Big Thompson Creek at 

[Altitude, 5,255 feet; drainage area, 306 squ

Month.

April.......

May .......

July .......

^August ..... 

September.. 

October ....

Mean^. 

Acre-feet^..

1888.

f

See.-ft. 

62 

132 

458 

275 

190 75" 

46

177

75, 114

1889.

Sec.-ft.

&359 

382 

200 

89 

49 

46

188

61, 545

1890.

Sec.-ft.

c436 

530 

454 

393 

151 

67 

983

302

115, 008

1891.

Sec.-ft.

/817 

383 

159 

95

364

85, 918

1892.

Sec.-ft.

<*312 

704 

498 

150 

49

.

343

100, 520

1895.

Sec.-ft.

f4S2 

943 

683 

441 

194 

121

477

156, 090

1896.

Sec.-ft.

295 

363 

259 

172 

161 

96

224

81, 696

1897.

Sec.-ft.

590 

679 

379 

196 

71 

54 

54

289

122, 622

S

76

a The run-off is for average months and the total for an average period of eight months as shown b

b Commencing May 20. d Commencing May 15. / Commencin

o Commencing May 8. e Commencing May 20. ffTo Novemb
54 WATEE EESOUECES OF COLOEADO. [NO. 74.

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Big Thompson Creek at Arkins 

for that portion of each year covered by records.

Discharge.

Year. Minimum.

Date.

1888.

1889.

1890.

1891.

1892.

1895.

1896.

1897.

1898.

1899.

1900.

Apr. 3

Oct. 2

! Oct. 7

[ Sept. 17

Sept. 29

Oct. 2

Oct. 26

Nov. 18

Oct. 24

Apr. 9

Apr. 2

Amount.

Sec.-ft.

30

28

51

69

39

58

76

54

14

25

30

Maximum.

Date.

June 16 

May 31 

July .21 

June 25 

June 21 

June 2 

May '30 

June 11 

June 24 

June 21 

May 30

Amount.

Run-off, a

Depth in 

inches.

Sec.-ft.

862 

546 

1,603 

1,182 

1,195 

1,102 

1,200 

1,040 

722 

1, 852 

2,223

0.64

.69

1.10

1.33

1.25

1.74

.81

1.04

.65

1.46

2.42

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.58

.62

.99

1.19

1.12

1.56

.73

.94

.59

1.31

2.17

aThe run-off given is the amount for that part of each year covered by the records and for an 

average month of thirty days at the rate given as the mean for the period covered.

Discharge measurements made on Biy Thompson Greek at Arkins.

Date. Hydrographer. height.

Discharge.

1895. Feet.

May 9 P.J.Preston...................................... 1.25

July 19 .....do ............................................ 1.90

Oct. 1 .....do ............................................ .45

1896.

June 1 P.J.Preston...................................... 1.70

July 28 .....do ............................................ 1.50

Oct. 15 .....do ............................................ .80

1897.

May 26 L.R.Hope........................................ 2.45

June 18 R.S. Surnner ...................................... 1.60

June 27 .....do ............................................ 1.50

July 21 .....do ............................................ 1.20

Sept. 16 F. Cogswell............ ........................... .60

Nov. 11 .....do ............................................ .65

1898. - |

May 26 A. L. Fellows...................................... 1.25

July 13 .....do ............................................ 1.60

Aug. 4 .... .do ........................ .................. .70

Oct. 14 .....do ............................................ .40

tSec.-ft. 

260 

499 

42

403

286

74

804

400

409

214

61

79

263

444

87

30
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 55

Discharge, measurements made on Big Thompson, Creek <it Arkins Continued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 17

May 4

Aug. 8

Oct. 6

1900. 

Apr. 26

July 26

Hydrographer.

J. E. Field........ .................................

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

'.....do ............................................

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

Gage 

heigh t.

Feet. 

0.90

.97

2.55

1.73

.50

1.91

1.35

Discharge.

f<ec.-ft. 

143

173

941

406

34

512

322

CACHE LA POUGRE KIVER AT FORT COLLINS.

This stream is the largest and the northernmost of the tributaries 

discharging from the east front of the Rocky Mountains into the 

South Platte. During the irrigation season its discharge is a ugmented 

by the supply diverted from the headwaters of the Lararne River, 

which heads immediately west of the headwaters of the Cache la 

Poudre, the diversion being made through a canal known as the Skyline canal, already mentioned (p. 21). Measurements of the discharge of the Cache la Poudre Basin therefore include so^ie of the 

Lararnie waters. As is the case with other streams of this region, the 

normal flow is almost entirely consumed for irrigation, an<* even the 

greater part of the flood waters is stored for late use-. The earliest 

and most thorough irrigation of the State is carried on along this 

stream. a The station was established in 1884 at a point about 15 miles 

above Fort Collins, and has been maintained ever since that time under 

the direction of Prof. L. G. Carpenter, of the Colorado S*ate Agricultural College. 6

The following tables are compiled from records published from time 

to time by Professor Carpenter, the first table showing the normal 

discharge as calculated by him for the irrigating season, and the second giving a summary of discharge for the entire time. T'le results 

are to a certain extent misleading, as additions have been m^de to the 

normal discharge of the stream from year to year through the Skyline canal, taking its water from the headwaters of the Laramie

a Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 9 and Department of Agriculture Bulletin No. 92.

b For more detailed information concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of Colorado: Second, p. 6 and Appendix B; Third, pp. 5 and 62; Fourth, Part I, p. 61, and Part 

IT, PI. IX; Fifth, Part I, pp. 17 and 22; Sixth, pp. 19 and 22; Seventh, p. 172; Ninth, p. 356; Tenth, 

p. 288. Also, publications U. S. Geological Survey: Thirteenth Annual Report, Part III, p. 94; Twentieth, Part rV, p. 290; Bulletin No. 131, p. 30; No. 140, p. 112; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, 

No. 9, p. 16; No. 37, p. 235, and No. 49, p. 291. Also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh 

Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 116.
56 WATEE EE8OUECE8 OF COLOEADO. [NO. 74,

River, and this increase is not considered in the tables. In computing the average monthly discharge only those months are included 

for which the record is complete, or at least estimated*.

2,000

1,600

1,000

600

Kg. 1. Normal discharge of Cache la Poudre River.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION.

Normal discharge of Cteche Id Poudre River at Fort Collins for the years If ^4 to 1900,

inclusive.

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.

Sec.-ft.

'

367

406

446

541

607

706

651

May.

Sec.-ft. 

589

597

611

634

686

729

784

842

916

974

999

1,024

1,012

1,046

1,109

1,232

1,240

1,259

1,311

1,446

1,625

1,547

1, 534

1, 625

1,720

1,804

1,890

1,985

1,980

2,046

2,028

June.

Sec.-ft. 

2,052

2,120

2,250

2, 207^

9 108

9 14Q

2,136

9 1fi5

2,268

2,385

2,319

2,271

2,227

2,188

2,171

2,123

2,038

1,959

2,005

1,913

1,966

1,881

1,810

1,783

1 7^*5

1 741

1,633

1,619

1,561

1 47*>

July.

fiec.-ft. 

1,426

1,399

1,328

1,290

1,213

1, 152

1,154

1,118

1,069

1,029

954

965

951

871

856

814

794

774

737

694

704

650

611

f'597

«583

« 569

«555

«542

«529

«616

502

Aug.

Sec.-ft. 

490

485

479

469

438

a 426

414

383

395

398

374

358

339

338

324

338

325

387

333

317

306

299

, 291

284

280

262

251

252

251

240

247

Sept.

Sfc.-fl. 

245

238

228

« 225

«222

« 219

a 216

« 213

«S10

«207

204

189

182

170

166

168

161

154

151

146

144

140

139

144

148

147

148

145

143

141

Oct.

Sec.-ft. 

147

137

133

137

133

131

132

133

130

139

129

129

132

130

127

a Interpolated.
Discharge of Cache la Poudre River at Fart Collinsfor the 

[Altitude, 4,994 feet; drainage area, 1,060 sq

Month.

April ..........

July...........

September.....

Mean*... 

Acre-feet «'.....

1884.

Sec.-ft.

67 

219 

2,537 

4,812 

2,144 

792 

305

1,761

660, 177

1886.

Sec.-ft.

6447 

1,419 

2,910 

1,857 

656 

273 

1,203

1,196

448,308

1886.

Sec.-ft.

rf405 

1,309 

1,875 

717 

338 

185 

129

747

279,909

1887.

Sec.-ft.

"200 

acl,822 

ocl,401 

735 

307 

175 

a 120

720

269, 892

1888.

Sec.-ft.

181 

483 

1,113 

420 

213 

109 

. ago

400

149,877

1889.

Sec.-ft. 

151 

106 

46 

113 

649 

1,338 

514 

187 

67 

69 

88 

64

482

180,684

1890.

Sec.-ft. 

82 

79 

85 

200 

1,044 

1,280 

649 

287 

103 

80 

61 

70

667

212, 625

1891.

Sec.-ft. 

92 

79 

59 

144 

1,221 

1,900 

541 

228 

138 

118 

83 

79

671

251, 559

1892.

Sec.-ft. 

64 

179 

80 

a 100 

«250 

1,512 

741 

a200

753

el68, 709

1893.

Sec.-ft.

6762 

61,815 

617 

6235

811

/194.040

1894.

Sec.-ft.

6 1, 436 

2,063 

833 

339 

164 

105 

695

804

301,403

189

Sec.

a 

ac 1

a 2, 

1

a 

a 

a 

342, 

a Estimated or interpolated in part. <* Less than 10 days.

& Between 20 and 31 days. « From May 17 to September 6, inclusive

e Between 10 and 20 days. / From May 10 to September 3, inclusive

i The mean and the run-off in acre-feet given is the amount for 27 weeks from April 26 to N

corresponding amount for an average month of thirty days at the rate given as the mean for th'e perio

for an average year as derived from the observations for all complete months, parts of months not bei

Details may be found in the authorities cited.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74 PL. V

SKYLINE CANAL, NEAR GREELEY.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 59

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Cache la Poudre River at Fort 

Collinsfor that, portion of each year eoiwed by records.

Year.

1884................

1885................

1886................

1887. ...............

1888................

1889................

1890..-..-.....--...

1891......... ......

1892................

1893---..-.--.......

1894................

1895................

1896................

1897................

1898................

1899................

1900... .............

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Mar. 22 

Oct. 5 

Oct. 13 

Sept. 18 

Sept. 19 

Dec. 17 

Nov. 16 

Mar. 31 

Mar. 17 

Aug. 31 

Nov. 17 

Sept. 18 

Aug. 18 

Oct. 1 

Oct. 1 

Oct. 7 

Sept. 20

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

30 

220 

110 

110 

90 

33 

39 

32 

40 

151 

42 

174 

192 

121 

35 

92 

113

Maximum.

Date.

June 28 

June 3 

May 29 

June 7 

June 15 

June 1 

June 2 

June 10 

June 21 

June 12 

June 6 

June 10 

May 30 

May 24 

June 17 

June 21 

May 29

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

5, 611 

3,815 

2,666 

2,500 

1,550 

1,960 

1,804 

3,600 

2,535 

2,949 

3,672 

3,429 

2,771 

3,155 

1,699 

3,968 

4,560

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches.

1.85 

1.26 

.83 

.75 

.43 

.50 

.59 

.70 

.79 

.84 

.84 

.95 

.55 

.83 

.48 

1.08 

1.33

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

1.66 

1.13 

.75 

.68 

.38 

.45 

- .53 

.63 

.71 

.76 

.76 

.86 

.49 

.75 

.43 

.97 

1.19

LARAMIE RIVER AT WOODS, WYO. -

This stream, already briefly described on pages 21 and 55, rises in 

North Park in Northern Colorado, and flows northerly into Wyoming. 

There is little irrigation from Laramie River in Colorado, except that a 

portion of the supply of the Cache la Poudre district is supplied from 

this source, as already mentioned on pages 21 and 55 (see PI. V).

The data for this station is published through the courtesy of Mr; 

A. J. Parshall, deputy State engineer of Wyoming/'

« For more detailed information, see publications U. S. Geological Survey, Eighteenth Annual 

Report, Part IV, p. 142; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 300; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 274; Twenty-first, Part IV, 

p. 192; Bulletin, No. 131, p. 28; No. 140, p. 95- Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 11, p. 50; No. 15, 

p. 81; No. 27, pp. 78, 86, and 88; No. 37, p. 214; No. 39, p. 447, and No. 49, p. 273. Also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. EL Newell, p. 261.
Discharge of Laramie River at Woods

[Drainage area, 435 miles.]

Month.

May ...................................

July ...................................

September. .............................

November ..............................

Mean ............................

1896.

Sec.-fl. 

&200 

619 

465 

127 

94 

116 

&120

249

105, 716

1897.

Sec.-ft. 

128 

1,964 

1,564 

266 

93 

65 

&60 

&65

526

254,736

1898.

Sec.-ft. 

129 

636 

969 

89 

44 

40 

&45 

&40

249

120, 536

1899.

Sec.-ft. 

571 

1,284 

3,221 

1,253 

191 

56 

65 

"70

839

406, 016

a The run-off given is for that part of each year covered by the observations (and estimates) giv

whole period covered, while the discharge given is for average months, and the total for an average eig

bservations (and estimates). Details may be found in the authorities cited. 

t> Approximate for the month.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 61

Maximum- and minimum discharge and average, run-off of Laramie River at Woods, Wyo., 

for that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1890................

1897................

1898................

1899................

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Aug. 

Apr. 

Sept. 

Oct. 1 

Sept. 1

Amount.

Sec,-ft. 

49 

48 

40 

45 

40

Maximum.

Date.

May 

May 

May 

June 25 

May 31

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

2,166 

3,435 

1,572 

4,502 

3,995

Run-off.

Depth in 

inches.

0.63 

1.35 

.63 

2.15 

1.73

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.57 

1.21 

.57 

1.93 

1.55

Discharge measurements made on Laramie River at Woods, Wyo.

Date.

1894.

Sept. 27

Sept. 28

Nov. 3

1895. 

May 24

Oct. 23

1896. 

Apr. 20

May 25

June 16

June 27

Aug. 19

Aug. 30

Oct. 2

1897. 

Apr. 10

May 12

May 25

June 1

June 2

June 14

June 26

June 27

1898. 

Apr. 30

May 22

June 4

June 4

June 5

Hydrographer.

W. M. Gilcrest .....................................

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

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

W. M. Gilcrest .....................................

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

W. M. Gilcrest .....................................

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

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

Elwood Mead. .....................................

W. M. Gilcrest .....................................

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

C. T. Johnston .....................................

C. T. Johnston .....................................

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

....'.do ............................................

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

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

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

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

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

C. T. Johnston .....................................

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

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

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

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

Gage 

heigrl ft.

Feet.

2.80

0.80

0.85

2.40

L.75

1.25

0.85

0.80

1.00

0.70

2.30

4.10

3.60

3.75

2.65

2.00

2.00

1.40

2.00

« 2. 30

&2.40

2.10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

27

57

80

1,129

49

75

797

350

198

81

75

321

69

1,110

3,538

2,509

2,651

1,'432

707

706

362

758

1,017

1,123

823
62 WATEB RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on Laramie River at Woods, Wyo. Continued.

Date.

1899. 

May 26

June 8

June 21

July 6

1900. 

May 4

Hydrographer.

A. J . Pars hall ......................................

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

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

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

A. J. Parshall ......................................

Gage 

i eight.

 Feet. 

3.30

3.10

4.40

2.80

1.60

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

2,598

2,319

4,145

2,194

460

« At 6 a. m. 6 At 7.30 p. m.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

The following table of -miscellaneous measurements upon South 

Platte River and its tributaries is compiled from the Colorado State 

Engineers' Biennial Reports, and from all other available sources. 

They are at various points in the division and are valuable for the 

information furnished as to the discharge at given times.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 63

to t~ 01 o» oo

tO rH 0> tD IN rH

C4 ?i rH <o CNI o>

 * OS 53 03 0»

-

*^

a :

.0 .

Q Q

o o

OO?OOO

"S o 

O O

a§ .-a

bo ^

0 .1

ll S

M ^i

.
Miscellaneous gagings in the 'South Platte River Ba

Do.........................

Do.........................

Do.........................

Do.........................

Do.........................

Do.................... ....

Do.........................

Do.........................

Do.........................

Do.........................

 Do.........................

Do.........................

Platteville.........

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

Sterling ...........

and Weld canal.

Poudre canal.

ditch.

185

Date.

Nov. 7

Nov. 8

...do....

...do....

Nov. 11

Nov. 13

...do....

...do....

Nov. 14

Oct. 21

...do....

Oct. 24

Oct. 26

...do....

Oct 98

Oct. 29

Oct. 30

Oct. 31

Oct. 9

Oct. 10

Oct. 15

...do....

)5.

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

237

11

294

24

430

54

373

480

82

41

648

123

827

941

745

686

69°

672

586

66

34

71

117

18

Date.

Nov. 6

Nov. 7

...do....

...do....

Nov 9

...do....

Nov. 10

Nov. 11

Nov. 12

...do....

...do....

Nov. 13

...do....

Oct. 24

...do....

...do....

Oct. 28

Nov. 

Nov. 13

...do....

)6.

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

153

6

AQ

100

66

132

173

52-

35

294

85

360

940

41

21

13

30

31

10

49

78

18

Date.

Nov. 19

Nov. 20

...do....

...do....

...do....

Nov. 22

Nov. 23

Nov. 25

)7.

A

a Measurements stopped by storms.
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 65 

SEEPAGE MEASUREMENTS.

The subjoined tables, taken from the records of the state engineer's 

office of Colorado, illustrates the extraordinary return from seepage along the South Platte and its tributaries. Measurements have 

been made annually for a number .of years, whenever circumstances 

would permit, by the state engineer's office and the agricultural 

college at Fort Collins, Colo., working in cooperation, frorrf the 

year 1889, inclusive. As may be seen from the tables, the return 

from seepage increases irregularly from year to year, being naturally considerably less during a very dry year than during a wet year. 

The year 1896, for example, was very dry, and the returns were much 

less than they would have been normally. The year 1898 vas again 

dry, and the return was again small/'

« For more detailed information upon this subject see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of 

Colorado: Fifth, Part I, pp. 559 to 573; Sixth, pp. 51 to 65; Seventh, 176 to 195; Eighth, 381 to 404; 

Ninth, 305 to 317; Tenth, 208 to 236. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by 

F. H. Newell, p. 133.

IKR 74 02 5
Increase in volume of the South Platte River from the canyon to points measur

Places where measurements were taken.

Oct., 

1889.

Sec.-ft.

49.91

50.91

77.02

119. 10

133. 38

197.00

277. 10

305. 92

307.03

385. 58

418. 33

422.77

Oct., 

1890.

Sec.-ft.

11.73

55. 61

94.41

98.91

172. 35

155. 80

i n P» on

qqq ,CA

360.58

367. 09

384.18

405. 71

435.16

449. 21

Oct., 

1891.

Sec.-ft. 

27.57

80.18

96.38

138. 85

175. 19

218.69

226. 93

233. 32

299. 21

one IQ

392. 66

418. 80

472. 14

470. 60

550. 32

583.69

611. 76

598. 69

602.00

Mar., 

1892.

Sec.-ft. 

25.32

69.95

129. 56

141.51

116. 17

136, 33

180. 54

1Q*> XF

216.17

285. 25

qqn ci

431, 74

Oct., 

1893.

Sec.-ft.

41 91

83.18

127. 03

152. 91

218. 82

252. 81

007 oq

365. 78

414. 33

464. C4.

479. 67

514. 39

548. 15

572.99
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 67

KANSAS RIVER BASIN.

A considerable portion of eastern Colorado is drained by the headwaters of Kansas River, the principal tributaries being branches of 

Republican and of Smoky Hill rivers. These streams, unlike the 

other streams of Colorado, do not originate in the mountains; they 

derive their water supply directly from the run-off and underground 

flow of the plains. The measurements of the General Land Office 

show that there are about 9,459 square miles in Colorado belonging to 

this drainage basin. This territory, although not belonging physically 

either to the South Platte division or to the Arkansas division, is 

divided in accordance with the Colorado laws between the two, the 

lands drained by the North and Middle forks of the Republican and 

their tributaries constituting district No. 65 and being apportioned to 

irrigation division No. I, the South Platte division; while the lands 

drained by the South Fork of the Republican and the Srroky Hill 

rivers and their tributaries constitute district No. 49 and are allotted 

to irrigation division No. IT, the Arkansas division. The water supply 

of all these streams is small, but a number of ditches have been constructed and irrigation is carried on so far as it is possible. Only a 

few gagings have been made upon these streams in Colorado, and 

these are given below in the list of miscellaneous measurements. 

Stations have been maintained in Nebraska, however, and some of the 

records of those nearest to the Colorado line are given, as fovnd in the 

records of the U. S. Geological Survey/'

FRENCHMAN RIVER AT WAUNETA AND PALISADE, NEBR.

The station at Wauneta was located in 1895. It is the highest station upon the Frenchman, being about 25 miles east of the line between 

Colorado and Nebraska. The channel has not proved favorable to 

accurate results and the station was therefore discontinued in 1896.

The station at Palisade was located October 14, 1894, at a point 

about three-fourths of a mile above the railroad station at Palisade, or 

about 16 miles below the gaging station at Wauneta. The results 

were unsatisfactory here, also, and the station was discontinued in 

1896.

The results have considerable importance in connection with any 

investigation of the Colorado water supply, as the greatest source of 

supply for the streams of this section is the underground flov of eastern Colorado.

« For more detailed information concerning this drainage basin see publications U. S. Geological 

Survey: Sixteenth Annual Report, Part II, p, 547; Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 194; Nineteenth, Part IV, 

p. 337; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 304; Bulletins No. 131, p. 32; No. 140, p. 123. For earlie~ history and 

description see Vol. XVII, Tenth Census, p. 66; also Eighth Biennial Report of State Engineer of 

Colorado, p. 21; and Artesian and Underflow Investigations, Ex. Doc. No. 222, Fifty-f rst Congress, 

first session, and Ex. Doc. 53, Parts 1 and 2, Fifty-first Congress, second session.
68 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Estimated monthly discharge of Frenchman River at Palisade, Nebr. 

[Drainage area, 1,032 square miles.]

Month.

1895. 

April ...................................

May ....................................

July ..,................._...............

September ..............................

1896. 

May ....................................

July....................................

August. .................................

Mean.

Hec.-fect.

137 

129

117 

99

78 

7-i

106

114 

104 

94

76 

82 

83

92

Total.

Acre-feet. 

8, 152 

7,932 

6,962 

6,087 

4,796 

4,403

38, 430

7,010 

6,188 

5,780 

4,673 

4,879 

5,103

33, 488

Run-off.

Per square 

mile.

Sec.-feet. 

0.13 

.13 

.11 

.10 

.08 

.07

.10

.11 

.10 

.09 

.07 

.08 

.08

.09

Depth.

Inches. 

0.14 

.15 

.12 

.12 

.09 

.08

.70

.13 

.11 

.10 

.08 

.09 

.09

.60

NORTH AND SOUTH FORKS OF REPUBLICAN RIVER AT BENKELMAN, NEBR.

These stations are fully described in the reports to which reference 

has already been made in connection with the Kansas Basin. They 

are located upon the two forks of Republican River, near Benkelman, 

Nebr., about 20 miles east of the Colorado line.

The channel is in each case sandy and shifting-, and frequent chang-es 

in the rating- tables are necessary. Both stations were established in 

November, 1894, and were maintained only until the fall of 1895, when 

they were discontinued owing1 to the unsatisfactory nature of the 

results. A few g-aging-s have since been made, which are included in 

the list of miscellaneous measurements below, page 69.

Estimated monthly discharge of North Fork Republican River at Benkelman, Nebr. 

[Altitude, 2,968 feet; drainage area, about 4,900 square miles.]

Month.

1895. 

March ....................................................

April .................................... ................

June. ................;.......................-.......-....

July......................................................

August. .-......:............................--........-...

R'ean.

Second-feet. 

78

59

25

155

124

34

Dry.

Total.

Acre-feet. 

4,796

3,511

1,537

9,223

7,379

2,091

0
FELLOWS.] SOUTH PLATTE DIVISION. 69

MISCELLANEOUS GAGINGS IN THE KANSAS RIVER BASIN.

In the following table are given the results of gagings of streams in 

the Kansas River Basin made during several years by hydrographers 

acting under the direction of the United States Geological Survey.

Miscellaneous gagings in the Kansas River Basin.

Stream.

Chief Creek ......

North Fork Republican River. 

Do...........

Do...........

South Fork Republican River.

Frenchman River . 

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do........ .

Do...........

Do..........

Do...........

Do...........

Do..........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do ...........

North Fork Republican River. 

Do...........

Do.. .........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Locality.

Robb, Colo.

Robb, Colo.

Wray, Colo.

State line.

State line. 

Wauneta, Nebr . . . 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Palisade, Nebr. . . .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Benkelman, Nebr . 

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

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

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

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

kelman, Nebr . . 

Benkelman, Nebr .

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

Date.

Mar. 23, 1891

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

Apr. 24, 1891

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

Apr. 26, 1891

Apr. 27, 1891

Aug. 9,1895 

Sept. 10, 1895

May 15,1896

June 18, 1886

July 14,1896

Aug. 12, 1896

Sept. 16, 1896

Oct. 17,1896

Dec. 8, 1894

Mar. 22, 1895

June 5,1895

July 4,1895

Aug. 9,1895

Aug. 10, 1895

May 15, 1896

June 18, 1896

July 15, 1896

Aug. 13, 1896

Sept. 16, 1896

Oct. 17,1896

Dec. 9, 1894 

Mar. 23, 1895

June 4,1895

June 24, 1895

Aug. 7,1895

June 16, 1896

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

Aue. 25. 1896

Hydrographer.

L.R.Hope.......

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

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

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

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

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

O. V. P. Stout .... 

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

C. E. Crownover. .

O. V. P. Stout ....

E. G. Youngfelt ..

O. V. P. Stout ....

E. G. Youngfelt . .

C. E. Crownover. .

O. V. P. Stout ....

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

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

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

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

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

C. E. Crownover. .

O. V. P. Stout ....

E. G. Youngfelt ..

O. V. P. Stout ....

E. G. Youngfelt . .

C. E. Crownover. .

O. V. P. Stout .... 

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

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

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

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

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

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

E. G.Younefelt ..

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

20

21

51

70

78

14

61 

56

85

48

91

46

85

63

116

100

154

74

68

72

103

51

93

64

85

83

75

72

141

36

64

88

29

0
70 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO.

Miscellaneous gagings in the Kansas River Basin Continued.

[NO. 74.

Stream.

South Fork Republican River.

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Do ...........

Do...........

Do...........

North Fork Republican River. 

Frenchman River . 

Do...........

Locality.

Benkelman, Nebr. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wauneta, Nebr . . .

Date.

Dec. 9, 1894 

Mar. 23, 1895

June 4,1895

June 24, 1895

July 3,1895

Aug. 7,1895

June 16, 1895

Aug. 18, 1900

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

July 27, 1900 

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

Hydrograph er.

O. V. P. Stout .... 

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

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

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

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

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

E. G. Youngfelt . .

O.V.P.Stout ....

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

A. B. McCos\ey . . 

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

Discharge.

Sec.-fl. 

1

41

348

75

278

22

3

3

42

74 

91

ARKANSAS RIVER DIVISION. 

DRAINAGE.

The drainage basin of Arkansas River has been so fully described 

in other reports a that but a brief description of its physical character 

is necessary at this time. The river rises a little west of the center 

of the State, near Leadville, and flows southerly and westerly until it 

passes into Kansas, a short distance above Coolidge. Until Canyon is 

reached the country passed through is in general rather mountainous 

and comparatively little irrigation is practiced, the water being used 

mainly for power, for domestic supply, and for placer mining, and 

here and there only for irrigation in a small way. At Canyon, however, the valley becomes broader, and when the river reaches Pueblo 

it enters the broad plains of eastern Colorado, upon which the irrigation practiced is limited only by the amount of water available.

The territory drained by the Arkansas and its tributaries forms 

irrigation division No. II,6 which is subdivided into a number of water 

districts. These are district No. 11, c at the head of the Arkansas, in 

which there is but little irrigation and the water is used principally 

for storage, placer mining, and for the development of power; district

a See Hayden's reports, and publications of the U. S. Geological Survey as follows: Tenth Annual 

Keport, Part II, pp. 69 and 86; Eleventh, Part II, pp. 45 and 300; Thirteenth, Part III, p. 362; Seventeenth, 

Part II, p. 657; Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 223; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 351; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 323; 

Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 229; Bulletin No. 131, p. 34; No. 140, p. 153; Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper 

No. 37, p.225; No. 59, p. 319. Also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. 

Newell, p. 97.

b Fourth Biennial Keport Colorado State Engineer, Part I, p. 46; for map see Fourth Biennial Report, 

Part II, Pla^il; Seventh Biennial Report, the same. Also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, 

Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 97.

c For map see PI. I in Part II of Fourth and Seventh and PI. II in Part II of Fifth Biennial Report 

of State Engineers.
FELLOWS.] AEKAKSAB EIVEB DIVISION l

No. 12, a the Canyon district, where irrigation is extensively practiced, 

both upon the main stream and upon its tributaries; district No. 14, a 

the Pueblo district, where the larger canals begin to divert the water 

of the main stream; district No. IT/' the Rockyford district, in which 

irrigation is very extensively practiced, the largest canals in the State 

having their headgates in this district, and district No. 67,6 where the 

waters are entirely used for irrigation, enormous canals and reservoirs 

diverting the total flow during the greater portion of the year. The 

districts comprising the territories drained by the more important of 

the tributaries are as follows:

District No. 10,'' comprising the drainage basin of Fortaine Qui 

Bouille; No. 13,d comprising the drainage basin of Grape Creek; No. 

15, e of the St. Charles; No. 16/ of the Huerfano and Cucl aras; No. 

18, 6 the Apishapa; No. 19, 6 the Purgatory, and No. 66, in which a 

little irrigation is practiced upon the tributaries of the Dry Cimarron.

District No. 49,ff in which are the headwaters of the South Fork of 

the Republican, can hardly be classed with any of the divisions, as it 

is not of the drainage basin either of the South Platte or of the 

Arkansas, but lies between the two, and comprises, with lTo. 65, the 

headwaters of the Kansas. Of the various tributaries of the Arkansas, those which enter the stream above Pueblo may be classed as 

mountain streams, while those entering below that city have more of 

the nature of streams of the plains, although several of them, as the 

Huerfano, the Apishapa, and the Purgatory, head in the moun tains.A 

As is the case in the South Platte drainage, the mountain streams are 

perennial in nature, although there is a very high stage in the spring 

and early summer and a very low stage in the fall and winter. The 

plains streams are nearly always dry, except after storms and for comparatively short distances near their heads, where the water is generally used for irrigation. "Although by far the greater portion of 

the water of the Arkansas is used, there are still opportunities for 

storage, especially along some of the plains streams. If vater is to 

be stored, however, such canals must be constructed as will safely 

divert great quantities of water for short durations of time, and convey 

them to large reservoirs in the plains, where there are many sinks or 

depressions available. A number of reservoirs have been segregated

"For map see PI. I in Part II of Fourth and Seventh and PI. II in Part II of Fifth Biennial 

Reports of State Engineers.

& For map see PI. I in Part II of Fourth and Seventh and PI. IV in Part II of Fifth Biennial 

Keports of State Engineers.

cFor map see Pis. I and IX of Part II of Fourth and Seventh and PI. IV in Pirt II of Fifth 

Biennial Keports of State Engineers.

d For map see PI, I in Part II of Fourth and Seventh Biennial Reports of State Engineers.

e For map see Pis. I and XI m Part II of Fourth and Seventh and PI. IV in Pirt II of Fifth 

Biennial Reports of State Engineers.

/For map see Pis. I and XII in Part II oi Fourth and Seventh and PI. IV in Part II of Fifth 

Biennial Reports of State Engineers.

ft For thorough investigation of the plains region see Seventeenth Annual Report IT. S. Geological 

Survey, Part II, p. 557.
72 WATEE EESOUBCES OF COLOEADO. [NO. 74.

in this basin by the General Government, but no careful surveys 

have been made of any of them, excepting a few at the head of the 

Arkansas/' The principal reservoirs of this division now in use are 

Twin Lakes 6 reservoir (see figs. 2, 3, and 4), which is being used by 

the Twin Lakes Land and Water Company, and the reservoirs of the 

Great Plains Water Company, the latter being located about 12 miles 

north of Lamar in great natural depressions c (see fig. 6).

The agriculture of the Arkansas River, as well as of the South 

Platte, is exceedingly varied, on the upper portions only hay and 

grain being cultivated, while throughout its middle and lower courses 

fruit is extensively raised, and lower down melons, sugar beets, and 

alfalfa are among the staples. Horse, cattle, and sheep raising are 

extensively practiced throughout the division.

STREAM MEASUREMENTS.

Stations have been maintained upon the main stream and its tributaries in the division for longer or shorter periods of time at Twin 

Lakes, Granite, Salida, Canyon, Pueblo; Nepesta, Manzanola, RockyFig. 2. Sketch showing original outlet and artificial channel from Twin Lakes.

ford, La Junta, Las Animas, Prowers, Lamar, Granada, upon the 

main stream, and at Trinidad, J. J. ranch, and Las Animas on the 

Purgatory. Of the stations named those at Manzanola, La Junta, 

Las Animas, and Granada are unimportant, so far as this compilation 

is concerned, as the results obtained have not been of sufficient value 

to warrant the deduction of any conclusions from them. Those at 

J. J. ranch and Las Animas on the Purgatory are also omitted for 

the same reason. The measurements made at these points, however, 

will be found in the list of miscellaneous measurements (p. 99).

«See Annual Reports U. S. Geological Survey: Tenth, Part II, p. 58; Elevert,h, Part II, p. 133; 

Twelfth, Part II, p. 55; Thirteenth, Part III, pp. 362-370; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 81.

b See Annual Reports U. S. Geological Survey: Tenth, Part II, p. 95; Eleventh, Part II, p. 135; 

Thirteenth, Part III, pp. 865 and 460; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 352; Twentieth, Fart IV, p. 323, and 

Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 238.

cFor descriptions see Reports last cited; also Twenty-first Annual Report, Part IV, p. 240.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74 PL. Vt

A, QUEEN RESERVOIR DAM, NORTH OF LAMAR.

B. KICKING BIRD CANAL, NORTH OF LAMAR.

I
FELLOWS.] AKKANSAS EIVEE DIVISION. 73

LAKE CREEK AT TWIN LAKES.

Lake Creek enters the Arkansas a short distance above the town of 

Granite. It is not a large stream, but it is of considerable importance 

owing to the fact that within its basin lie the Twin Lakes, used as reservoirs by the Twin Lakes Land and Water Company. No regular measurements have been maintained upon this stream, those that 9.re given 

being derived from various sources and made in various plac?-s. The 

present stations are two in number, one between the two lakes, l*nown as

Fig. 3. Longitudinal section through gates, dam, and culvert of Twin Lakes reservoir. 

the Interlaken Station, and one below the lower lake, known as tl °- Lower 

Twin Lakes Station. Measurements may be made at eithe'r station at low 

water by wading, but at high water advantage may be taken of bridges 

constructed across the stream. The channel at the Interlaken station is 

good, but this station must necessarily be abandoned as soon as the water 

is raised above what was the highwater mark before the construction of 

the dam described in the Twenty-first Annual Report, Part IV. At the

Fig. 4. Cross section below masonry dam of Twin Lakes reservoir.

lower station the channel is rocky, but fairly permanent in it,? nature, 

and the banks are high and not liable to overflow.

The importance of the stations lies in the facts that the data obtained 

will furnish information concerning available power and will be of 

especial value in determining the amount of water to which the Twin 

Lakes Land and Water Company is entitled at its head gates. The 

waters of this stream are also largely used in placer mining. a

a For more detailed data concerning these stations, see Tenth Biennial Report of the State Engineers of Colorado, p. 293, and publications of the U. S. Geological Survey, as follows: Eleventh Annual 

Report, Part II, pp. 47 and 96; Twelfth, Part II, PI. LXVI, opposite p. 240; Twenty-first, Part IV 

p. 238; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers No. 37, p. 256; No. 39, p. 449; and No. 60,1. 320.
74 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.
FELLOWS.] AEKANSAS EIVEK DIVISION.

Estimated monthly discharge of Lake Creek at Twin Lakes. 

[Altitude, 9,012 feet; drainage area below both lakes, 109 square miles.]

Month.

June 21 to 30 ...........

August --.....-.-.--....

September 1 to 11 .......

July 22 to 31...... ......

September 1 to 8 ................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

667

588

182

Minimum.

370 

230

40

Mean.

847 

454 

381 

194 

206 

119 

35

Total in acrefeet.

50, 519 

27, 915 

23, 427 

11,543 

4,086 

7,317 

555

P.un-ofl.

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

7.79 

" 4.17 

3.EO 

1.78 

1.89 

l.C« 

. ?2

Depth in 

inches.

8.69 

4.81 

4.04 

1.99 

.79 

1.26 

.10

Discharge measurements made on Lake Greek at Turin Lakes.

Date.

1899. 

July 17

Oct. 12

1899. 

June 21

July 17

Oct. 12

1900. 

July 9

July 16

1900. 

July 10

July 18

Aug. 3

Sept. 4

1899. 

June 21

June 27

July 17

July 24

Aug. 14

Oct. 13

1900. 

July 10

July 16

July 18

July 18

July 18

Aug. 11

Sept. 4

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows ..........

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

O. O. McEeynolds ......

A. L. Fellows ..........

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

A. L. Fellows ..........

O. O. McReynolds ......

A. L. Fellows ..........

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

O.O. McReynolds......

C.W.Beach ...........

O.O. McReynolds......

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

A. L. Fellows ..........

O. O. McReynolds ......

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

A. L. Fellows ..........

A. L. Fellows ..........

O. O. McReynolds ......

A. L. Fellows ..........

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

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

O. O. McReynolds ......

C.W.Beach ...........

height.

Feet. 

2.80

1.90

3.60

1.90

1.40

1.70

1.00

.85

.50

.25

.15

3.80

3.20

2.55

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.40

2.35

2.50

1.97

2.13

1.30

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

273

27

1,007

374

42

203

146

248

122

52

25

1,208

696

391

344

183

22

193

245

210

260

118

156

25

Remarks.

)

At old station No. 1. (Station in channel above upper lake. )

At old station No. 2. (Sta-

> tion at bridge over channel between lakes.)

I

lnterlaken Station. (Station

at head of channel between

lakes. )

Old station No. 3. (Station

 at head of channel discharging from lower lake. )

Lower Twin Lal'es Station.

(Station below junction of

old channel and new cut

discharging from lake. )
76 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

ARKANSAS RIVEK AT GRANITE

This station was located at the wagon bridge across the Arkansas- at 

Granite, measurements being made from this bridge. T'~ Q, results are 

not of great value, owing to the extremely changeable nature of the 

channel, which lies in beds of bowlders and gravel and shifts constantly. For that reason measurements and records h<we not been 

kept up closely. The present condition of the channel seems to be 

somewhat more stable, however, and the station may be reopened. 

It is important from the fact that the discharge of the entire upper 

portion of the Arkansas, which is of the most value for the development of power and for placer mining, may be learned from the data 

obtained at this point. a

Estimated monthly discharge of Arkansas River at Granite. 

[Altitude, 8,930 feet; drainage area, 425 square miles.]

Month.

1897.

June ...................

July ...................

August .................

October ................

November ..............

December. ..............

1898. 

August .................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

2,058 

2,162 

1,096 

546 

350 

114

151 

93

Minimum.

268 

923 

444 

176 

114 

114

75 

8

Mean.

1,109 

1,459 

719 

350 

169 

114

6115 

6115

113 

45

Total in acrefeet.

68, 190 

86, 817 

44,209 

21, 520 

10, 057 

7,009 

6,843 

7,071

6,948

2,678

Run-off.

Secondfeet per 

Hqare 

mile.

2.61 

3.43 

1.69

.82 

.40

.27 

.27 

.27

.27 

.11

Depth in 

inches.

3.01 

3.83 

1.95 

.94 

.45 

.31 

.30 

.31

.31 

.12

« For more detailed information concerning this station see Biennial Reports of the State Engineer 

of Colorado: Eighth, p. 484; Ninth, p. 359; Tenth, p. 296. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: 

Eleventh Annual Report, Part II, pp. 47 and 96; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 353; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 

330; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 16, p. 117; No. 28, pp. 110, 116, an<? 117; No. 37, p. 257; 

No. 39, p. 449. Also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 104.

b Approximate.
FELLOWS.] ARKANSAS EIVEE DIVISION. 77

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at Granite.

Date.

1895. 

July 3

Sept. 26

1897. 

Apr. 17

May 8

May 18

June 29

July 27

Aug. 31

Sept. 27

Nov. 6

1898. 

July 30

Aug. 26

Oct. 26

1899. 

May 25

July 15

Oct. 14

1900. 

July 9

Hydrographer.

A.P.Davis ........................................

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

C.C. Babb... ......................................

F. Cogswell ........................................

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

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

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

.....do........................:...................

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

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

.... .do .......................................... .'.

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

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

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

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

.... .do ............ .^... ...........................

Gag3 

heigl *,.

Feet, 

0.50

3.10

3.20

4.20

4.90

4.60

3.75

3.20

3.10

3.00

3.50

3.40

3.30

5.00

2.80

1.60

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,065

215

120

940

1,236

1,151

415

206

203

153

151

112

75

1,476

1,178

130

570

ARKANSAS RIVER AT SALIDA.

This station is located at the footbridge near the railroa d shops at 

Salida. It was established April 11, 1895, and has been maintained 

for a portion of each year since that time. The gage rod has been 

fastened to the north side of the footbridge, but considerable difficulty has been experienced owing to the fact that ice and logs constantly interfere with the rod, three new rods having been required in 

1900. The banks are high and are not .subject to overflow, but there 

are large bowlders in the stream which interfere with the accuracy of 

the results of measurements.

The importance of the maintenance of the station lies in the 

information furnished as to the time required for water to flow from 

Granite to Salida and again from Salida to Canyon, this question 

having a bearing upon the distribution of the use of the water turned 

out from Twin Lakes; and it is, moreover, valuable from tl o point of 

view that it is extremely probable that the entire discharge of the 

Arkansas at this point may eventually be used for power purposes in 

the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas.*

a For more detailed information concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of Colorado: Eighth, p. 480; Ninth, p. 361; Tenth, p. 298. Also publications U. S. Geological 

Survey: Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 224; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 365; Twentieth, Part IV, 

p. 331, Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 230. Bulletin No. 140, p. 165; Water-Supply and Irrigat'on Papers, No. 

16, p. 118; No. 28, pp. 110 116, and 117; No. 37, p. 258; No. 39, p. 450; and No. BO, p. 322. Also report on 

Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 104.
Discharge of Arkansas River at S

[Altitude, 7,035 feet; drainage area, 1,160 s

Month.

May ..-..--------.....------.--.-.--...-.

Julv................. ....... .............

August ..................................

Acre-feet for period recorded ..............

1895.

Sec.-fl.

<? 1,117 

1,545 

1, 599 

1,159 

860 

537 

402

1,031

416, 976

1897.

Sec.-ft.

1,646 

1,839 

985 

518 

397 

' 289

946

345, 184

1898.

Sec.-ft.

280 

199 

223 

267

242

58, 560

1899

Sec.-f

&

1,3

2,6

1,3

4

2

370, 

a The run-off for acre-feet given is fur that part of each year covered by the observations (and 

mean for the whole period of each year covered, while the discharge is for average months and the 

as calculated from the observations and estimates. Details may be found in the authorities cited.

6 March 22 to 31, inclusive. ? One year only, but approximately 
FELLOWS.J ARKANSAS RIVER DIVISION. 79

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Arkansas River at Salida for 

that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1895................

1897................

1898................

1899.................

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum. j Maximum.

Date.

Oct. 13 

Oct. 4 

Oct. 7 

Sept. 28 

Apr. 14

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

402 

320 

100 

240 

65

Date.

May 14 

May 31 

Aug. 2 

June 20 

June 1

Amount.

Sec.-fl. 

2,462 

2,910 

428 

3,900 

3,633

Rnn-ofE.

Depth in 

inches.

0.99 

.91 

.23 

.92 

.74

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.89 

.82 

.21 

.83 

.67

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at Salida.

Date.

1895. 

Sept. 27

1896. 

May 26

June 24

Sept. 29

Oct. 27

1897. 

Apr. 17

Apr. 27

May 8

May 30

June 29

July 27

Aug. 31

Sept. 27

Nov. 6

1898. 

Apr. 27

May 20

June 25

July 29

Aug. 26

Oct. 26

Hydrographer.

A. P. Davis. ........... ............................

T. Cogswell ........................................

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

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

C. C. Babb ........................................

F. Cogswell- . ............................. ......

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.60

3.10

1.40

1.0?

.69

1.5*

2.20

4.0*

2.50

1.3"

.85

1.00

.90

1.10

3.10

3.10

1.25

.90

.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

463

«2,023

638

352

317

219

70Q

1,178

2,821

1,492

606

371

405

378

480

445

2,352

568

360

222

a Approximate; meter out of order.
80 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements -made on Arkansas River at fialida Continued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 26

Mav 25

July 14

Nov. 18

1900. 

Mar. 15

June 14

Aug. 8

Aug. 22

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

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

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

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

'Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.72

3.10

2.40

.80

.90

4.30

1.08

.87*

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

686

1,999

1,801

317

271

3,036

443

364

ARKANSAS RIVER AT CANYON.

This .station is located near the Hot Springs Hotel, 1^ miles west of 

Canyon, and a short distance below the mouth of Grape Creek (see 

PI. VII). It was established in the year 1889, and records have been 

kept up ever since that time, thus furnishing a most valuable table of 

discharge of the Arkansas River. The station is of particular importance as it is located at the mouth of the canyon and above practically 

all the irrigating ditches excepting the Canyon ditch and the South 

Canyon ditch, which draw their supplies at short distances above the 

station. Each of these carries from a very few feet up to 60 cubic 

feet per second, according to need during the irrigation season.

The table does not include the amounts carried by the canals, and 

their flow should be added to the discharge of the river at the station 

in order to get the total run-off at the mouth of the canyon. The 

channel is fairly constant, changing but little during tH entire time 

that the station has been maintained. The banks are high and not 

subject to overflow. a

«For more detailed data concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of 

Colorado: Fourth, Part I, p. 62, and Part II, PI. XVI: Fifth, Part I, pp. 21 and 3?, and Part II, PI. X; 

Sixth, pp. 19 and 24; Seventh, pp. 163 and 164; Eighth, p. 474; Ninth, p. 363; Tenth p. 300. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: Eleventh Annual Report, Part II, p. 97; Twelfth, Part II, pp. 240 and 

349; Thirteenth, Part III, pp. 19 and 363; Fourteenth, Part II, p. 106; Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 225; 

Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 356; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 331; Twenty-first, Part IV, i. 231; Bulletins, No. 

131, p. 35; No. 140, p. 156; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 11, p. 60; No. 16, p. 119; No. 28, pp. 

110,116, and 117; No. 37, p. 258; No. 39, p. 450; No. 50, p. 323. Also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 112.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

A. ARKANSAS RIVER AT CANYON.

DIVERTING DAM ON ARKANSAS RIVER AT CANYON.
Discharge of Arkansas River at C

[Altitude, 5,363 feet; drainage area, 3,060 sq

Month.

Februarv

April..............

July...............

1888.

Sec.-ft. 

&400 

6500 

bGOO 

& 1,000 

1,440 

2,090 

1,350 

932 

605 

6500 

6500 

6400

860

632,105

1889.

Sec.-ft. 

6300 

6300 

&300 

300 

600 

1,374 

602 

340 

220 

223 

299 

335

433

313,153

1890.

Ser.-ft. 

310 

363 

320 

477 

2,090 

2,611 

1, 571 

670 

519 

531 

522 

502

874

634, 453

1891.

Sec.-ft. 

431 

474 

586 

857 

2, 012 

3,291 

1,468 

951 

473 

624 

498 

476

1,012

733, 588

1892.

Sec.-ft. 

496 

493 

524 

522 

1,241 

2.787 

1,798 

769 

435 

511 

527 

561

889

645, 320

1893.

Sec.-ft. . 

505 

533 

555 

568 

1,480 

3,115 

1,069 

5G3 

477 

&50 

6500 

428

857

620,477

1894.

Sec.-ft. 

445 

420 

505 

627 

1,960 

2,704 

1,393 

710 

551 

294 

260 

268

845

612,584

1895.

Sec.-ft. 

344 

361 

471 

808 

1, 506 

1,900 

1,413 

1,095 

635 

505 

499 

444

837

607,507

1896.

Sec.-ft. 

454 

438 

472 

558 

1,276 

959 

538 

395 

313 

285 

267 

579

544

393, 624

a The run-off in acre-foot given is for each entire year, including estimated months; the discha

calculated from all observations and estimates. Details may be found in the authorities cited. 

6 Approximate. 

° For entire year.
82 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Arkansas R'<<er at Canyon for 

that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1888................

1889................

1890................

1891................

1892................

1893................

1894................

1895.......... ......

1896 ...............

1897................

1898................

1899. ...............

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Sept. 28 

Oct. 12 

Jan. 14 

Jan. 11 

Jan. 15 

Aug. 

Oct. 

Dec. 16 

Nov. 28 

Apr. 10 

Oct. 3 

Feb. 18 

Sept. 22

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

420 

190 

180 

325 

345 

200 

245 

256 

124 

108 

160 

160 

194

Maximum.

Date.

June 19 

Aug. 9 

May 28 

June 13 

June 25 

June 

June 

June 11 

Aug. 30 

June 4 

June 19 

June 20 

May 29

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

2,760 

2,620 

3, 270 

4,230 

. 4, 750 

4,750 

4,400 

2,588 

2,876 

3, 452 

3,245 

4,432 

4,251

Run-off, a

Depth in 

inches.

3.80 

1.92 

3.88 

4.49 

3.95 

3.80 

3.74 

3.71 

2.41 

3.33 

2.84 

3.98 

3.50

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.28 

.14

.28 

.35 

.29

.27 

.28 

.27 

.18 

.25 

.21 

.30 

.26

a The run-off given is for each entire year, including estimated months. Details may be found in 

the authorities cited.

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at Canyon.

Date.

1889. 

July 26

July 26

1890. 

Apr. 1

Apr. 2

Apr. 28

May 1

May 2

May 2

May 23

June 5

June 12

June 14

June 23

June 27

June 30'

July 9

July 12

July 16

Hydrographer.

Robert Eobertson ..................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.25

3.00

1.62

1.70

1.88

2.93

2.73

2.80

2.78

4.77

4.85

4.53

4.65

4.48

4.55

4. 65

4.23

4.22

4.05

3.82

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

421

833

222

286

360

744

775

891

862

2,705

. 2,641

2,220

2,598

2,380

2,386

2,394

" 2,055

1,998

1,806

1,546
FELLOWS.] ARKANSAS RIVER DIVISION. 83

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at, Canyon. Continned.

Date.

1891. 

Apr. 13

Dec. 4

1893. 

Sept. 22

1894. 

Apr. 15

May 18

Sept. 20

Oct. 15

1895. 

May 31

Oct. 4

1896. 

July 31

Aug. 30

Sept. 16

Oct. 31

Nov. 14

1897. 

Apr. 16

May 7

May 26

June 16

July 14

Aug. 11

Nov. 5

1898. 

May 21

June 25

July 28

Oct. 27

1899.

Apr. 27

May 26

July 7

Aug. 18

Nov. 7

1900. 

Mar. 14

June 14

July 20

Sept. 8

Sept. 12

Hydrographer.

T. M. Bannon. .....................................

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

F H Newell

F. H. Newell ......................................

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

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

A. P. Davis ........................................

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

A. P. Davis ........................................

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

F. CogsweU ........................................

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

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

..... do - ..--......---.--.----..-..-,----...---.

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

C.C.Babb.. .......................................

F. Cogswell ........................................

.... .do.... ..... 7 .......'...... ....................

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows .......................................

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows .......................................

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

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

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

R. W. Hawlev ......................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.00

1.85

2.45

4.20

3.80

4.80

2.65

2.40

4.35

4.50

2.70

2.40

2.00

2.05

2.20

2.55

2.20

3.10

4.95

5.25

3.60

3.05

2.98

3.05

4.82

3.05

2.60

3.20

4.55

4.50

2.90

2.55

2.85

5.50

2.85

2.10

2.10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

777

328

291

2,395

1.-940

2,387

395

319

2,434

2,397

585

414

203

251

289

294

260

827

2,712

3,071

1,140

744

540

608

2, 830

611

316

611

2,189

2,651

553

306

408

3,235

570

229

205
84 WATER KESOUKCES OF COLOEADO. [NO.

ARKANSAS RIVER AT PUEBLO.

The first records of the discharge of Arkansas River in the vicinity - 

of Pueblo are for the months of May and June, 1885. From this time 

until August, 1889, records were kept more or less irregularly at a 

point near the mouth of the canyon, about 9 miles above the city 

of Pueblo. No other records were kept in this vicinity until 

September, 1894, when the station was relocated in the city of 

Pueblo. As only one large ditch, the Bessemer canal, takes water 

from the river in District No. 14, in which Pueblo is situated, the 

station answers admirably for assisting in the distribution of the 

waters of that district. Owing, however, to the changes in the c*hannel, the construction of side walls, and the removal of a dam in the 

lower part of the city, it has been necessary to change the location of 

the rod from time to time. Up to the fall of 1898 the records of 

gage heights were taken from a rod situated at the north end of the 

Santa Fe avenue bridge; at that time, however, another rod was 

placed at the south end of the Main street bridge, and in March, 1900, 

another rod was placed at a point a short distance below th&south end 

of the Union avenue bridge. This is the rod used at present. These 

changes in location have, however, no material bearing upon the actual 

discharge, as measurements have been taken frequently and these stations are practically one, being located in the same long stretch of 

clear, open channel, with no inflow, and having high retaining levees 

constructed by the city. (See PI. VII, J3.} The channel at present 

is probably the best in the State, although it fills to some extent at low 

water and scours out again at high stages. Measurements are usually 

made from the Main street bridge, but may be made by wading at 

low water.

In comparing the tables it should be borne in mind th^t the records 

for 1885 to 1889, inclusive, are for a point about 9 miles above the 

station for the later years, and that considerable water is taken out 

between the two points. Moreover, much less water was used on the 

higher reaches of the stream prior to 1889 than since that time, so that 

practically the two stations bear little relationship to each other. 

They are, however, given together for advantage in comparison. 

Measurements of the water level are kept up regularly by the office of 

the city engineer of Pueblo, and it is to this office that we are indebted 

for a large proportion of the records given in the tables

This station is of particular importance, for, being near the head of 

one of the most important districts and also near the headquarters of 

the superintendent of the Arkansas division, it is of use in ascertaining the discharge of the river with reference to the proper distribution 

of the water amongst consumers. It is further important because the 

waters of the Arkansas are being used more and more for power, and
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74 PL. VIII

A. ARKANSAS RIVER BELOW MAIN STREET BRIDGE, PUEBLO.

B. ARKANSAS RIVER NEAR ROCKYFORD.
FELLOWS.] ARKANSAS RIVER DIVISION. 85

the surplus, whenever there is any, is being stored in large reservoirs, 

of which there are several important ones in the vicinity of Pueblo. a

Discharge of Arkansas River at canyon above Pueblo, 1885 to 1889, i

Month.

May .....................

July .....................

August ...................

1885.

Sec. -ft. 

1,069

3,187

~

1886.

8cr.-ft. 

3,046

5, 569

1,724

1,481

1,372

1887.

Sec.-ft.

3,477

3, 352

1,717

1,129

1889.

ftPC.-fl.

1,300

2,108

766

668

Average.

tec.-ft. 

1,805

3,585

1,947

1,289

1,250

a For more detailed data concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of 

Colorado: Third, pp. 168 to 174; Fourth, Parti, p. 62, and Part II, PI. XVI; Eighth, p. 468; Ninth, p. 366; 

Tenth, p. 304. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: Eleventh Annual Report, Part II, pp. 49 

and 98; Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 227; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 357: Twentieth, Part IV, p. 336; Twentyfirst, Part IV, p. 232; Bulletin No. 140, p. 158; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 11, p. 61; 

No. 16, p. 120: No. 28, pp. Ill, 116, and 117; No. 37, p. 259; No. 39, p. 450; No. 50, p. 325. Also Report 

on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 126.
Estimated mean discharge of Arkansas River 

[Altitude, 4,690 feet; drainage area, 4,600 squar

Month.

February .........................

March ............................

April .............................

May. .............................

June .............................

July..............................

August ...........................

September ........................

November ................... ....

1895.

Sec.-fl. 

460 

476 

357 

744 

1,561 

2,152 

1,900 

1,275 

494 

551 

530 

462

914

6«3, 41«

1896.

Sec.-ft. 

519 

456 

396 

470 

1,101 

895 

633 

489 

309 

293 

314 

333

517

375, Q60

1897.

Sec.-ft. 

328 

335 

213 

241 

1,674 

2,213 

J,041 

467 

272 

413 

484 

356

670

48-5, 818

1898.

Sec.-ft.

330 

385 

320 

370 

841 

2,202 

1, 605 

306 

125 

210 

309 

363

614

444, 664

1899.

ftfC.-ft.

40

60

40

41

1,68

3,38

2,04

81

23

30

37

32

91

663, 83

a The run-off given is for average months, and the totals for an average year, as calculated from all 

ities cited.
FELLOWS.] ARKANSAS RIVER DIVISION. 87

Maximum and minimum discharge and acerage run-off of Arkansas River at Pueblo for 

that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1895................

1896................

1897................

1898................

1899................

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Dec. 26 

Aug. 10 

Mar. 13 

Oct. 6

Sept. 13 

Sept. 1

Amount.

Sec. -ft. 

256 

203 

146 

31 

150 

134

Maximum.

Date.

June 13 

Aug. 18 

June 2 

July 13 

June 20 

June 2

Amount.

(*ec.-ft. 

2,588 

3, 428 

3, 750 

5, 385 

4,891 

6,980

Run-off.a

Depth in 

inches.

2 72 

1.54 

1.93 

1. 82 

2.73 

2.80

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.20 

.11 

.14 

.13 

.20 

.21

"The run-off given is for each year entire, including estimated months; the discharge given is for 

average months, and the totals for an average year, as calculated from all observations and estimates. 

Details may be found in the authorities cited.

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at Pueblo.

Date.

1894. 

Apr. 24

Sept. 19

Oct. 13

1895. 

Feb 6

May 20

June 3

June 4

June 4

June 11

Sept. 5

1896. 

Mar. 22

Apr. 8

May 27

June 5

July 10

July 30

Aug. 18

Aug. 19

Aug. 19

Sept. 16

Oct. 30

Nov. 13

Hydrographer.

P. J. Preston ......................................

A. P. Davis ........................................

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

A. P. Davis ........................................

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

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

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

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

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

F. Cogswell ........................................

F. Cogswell. .......................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C. O. Babb................................ ........

Gage 

height.

Feet.

a

- 0. 35

.39

.40

1.65

l>

c

a

2.80

.70

.50

1.30

2.00

1.65

.30

.50

'.00

.85

10.0")

.30

.35

.31

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

322

378

370

411

1,435

2,261

1,973

2,022

9 758

570

470

1,016

1,682

1,403

335

510

203

534

16, 500

294

320

298

a Measurement made at Main Street bridge. 

b Measurement made at Swallows. 

f Measurements made at Bridge No. 3, section 4. 

d Measurements mad<> at Bridge 155 B.

< Approximate estimate of flood at 12 m. night of August 18,1896. A maximum velocity of 15 feet 

per second was obtained by means of floats.
WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas Hirer at Pueblo Continued.

 1

Date.

1897. 

Apr. 16

May 6

Mav *>1

June 18

July 16

Aug. 10

Sept. 8

Spnt *>8

Nov. 4

1898.

Apr. 29

May 30

July 8

July 26

July 28

Aug. 11

Aug. 20

Aug. 30

Oct. 20

Oct. 29

Nov. 3

1899. 

Apr. 27

May 26

June 3

June 17

July 1

July 8

Aug. 1

Aug. 5

Aug: 14

Sept, 10

Sept. 18

Oct. 6

Nov. 7

II yd rograph e r .

C. G. Babb ........................................

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

. ... .do ..................................... ^. ... -

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

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

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

P. J. Preston ......................................

C. W. Beach. .....................................

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

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

C. W. Beach. ......................................

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

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

C. AY. Beach. . ....................................

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

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

G. W. Beach, R. W. Hawley. .......................

A. L. Fellows ......................................

C. W. Beach. ......................................

A. L. Fellows. . ....................................

C. W. Beach. . .....................................

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

C. W. Beach .......................................

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

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

C. W. Beach .......................................

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

C.W. Beach .......................................

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

Gage 

height.

Fret. 

0.20

1.00

2.00

2.55

1.15

.95

.10

.45

.75

.27

.06

.09

.10

1.40

1.8

1.9

1.63

".85

".81

.45

.50

.15

.00

.20

.40

.30

.80

2.20

2.55

3.60

2.22

1.61

.72

1.46

1.20

.50

.10

.20

.05

Discharge.

$Cf.-ft.

216

799

1,856

2,219

981

805

184

394

601

248

513

. 876

1,144

1,639

2,002

1,987

1,726

816

743

405

468

211

134

290

320

344

695

2,221

2,856

4,565

2, 959

2,698

1,199

1, 938

1,496

180

388

331

411

«New gage rod at Main street.
FELLOWS.] ARKANSAS RIVER DIVISION. 89 

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at Pueblo Continued.

Date.

1900. 

Mar. 3

Mar. 16

Apr. 8

Apr. 12

May 21

June 13

July 17

July 21

Sept. 3

Sept. 5

Sept. 7

Sept. 25

Hyclrographer.

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

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

C. W. Beach .......................................

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

A. L. Fellows ............................. ........

.....do ...............,............._..............

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

R. W.Hawley .....................................

C. W. Beach .......................................

A. L. Fellows ......................................

C. W. Beach .......................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.17

2.05

2.34

2.15

5.70

5.10

2.50

2.25

1.35

1.43

1.40

1.8?

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

498

435

675

608

5,072

3,963

751

583

' 153

191

174

346

ARKANSAS RIVER AT NEPESTA.

This station is located at the wagon bridge a short distance above 

the railroad station of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad 

at Nepesta, and is maintained by the Great Plains Water Company. 

It was established September 8, 189T, and records have b^en kept 

during each irrigation season since that time, only those for 1898, 

1899, and 1900 being reliable, however. Two gage rods are necessary; 

one for use at high and the other at low water. Measurements are 

made from the wagon bridge. The channel is sandy and shifting and 

.frequent changes are necessary in the rating table. The importance 

of the station is due to the fact that it is so conveniently located to the 

railroad station that representatives of the large irrigation canals upon 

the river may readily keep themselves informed as to the discharge 

and the use of the water of the stream. a

a For further information concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of 

Colorado: Ninth, p. 370; Tenth, p. 308. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: Nineteenth 

Annual Report, Part IV, p 368: Twentieth, Part IV, p. 337; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 233; Bulletin 

No. 131, p. 37; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 16, p. 121; No. 28, pp. 112, 116, and 117; No. 37, 

p. 260; No. 39, p. 450; No. 50, p. 326. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by 

F. H. Newell, p. 124.
90 WATER RESOURCES OK COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Estimated monthly discharge of Arkansas River at Nepesti. 

[Altitude, 4,364 feet; drainage area, 9,130 square miles.]

Month.

1898. 

May ...................

June -...-......--.---..

July ...................

August ..... ............

November ..............

1899. 

May............ ........

July ...................

1900. 

May ...................

June ...................

July ............ ......

September. .............

November ......'........

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

2,055 

3,665 

4, 125 

697 

294 

511 

511

2,246 

3,882 

6,066 

6,974 

285 

314 

2,791

9,600 

7,782 

3,700 

1,519 

427 

610 

792

mil Mean.

350 

918 

136 

127 

160 

160 

260

259 

1,156 

610 

172 

154 

172 

191

4,246 

4,064 

427 

172 

172 

314 

259

1,116 

2, 103 

1,310 

311 

232 

279 

366

817

1,154 

2,622 

2,651 

957 

200 

235 

350

1,167

5,876 

5,498 

1,699 

422 

262 

435 

514

2,101

Total in acrefeet.

68, 621 

125, 137 

80, 549 

19, 123 

13, 805 

17, 155 

21, 778

346, 168

70, 957 

156, 020 

163, 004 

58, 844 

11,901 

14, 450 

20, 826

495, 002

361, 301 

327, 154 

104, 467 

25, 948 

15, 590 

26, 747 

30, 585

891, 792

Run -off.

fecondf?et per 

square 

mile.

0.12 

.23 

.14 

.03 

.03 

.03 

.04

.09

.13 

.29 

.29 

.10 

.02 

.03 

.04

.13

.64 

.60 

.19 

.05 

" .03 

.05 

.06

.23

Depth in 

inches.

0.14 

.26 

.16 

.03 

.03 

.03 

.04

.69

.15 

.32 

.33 

.12 

.02 

.03 

.04

1.00

.74 

.67 

.22 

.06 

.03 

.06 

.07

1.85
FELLOWS.] ARKANSAS RIVER DIVISION.

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at Nepesta.

91

Date.

1894. 

May 31

June 1

June 2

1897. 

Sept. 8

Sept. 30

1898.

Anr Q7

May 6

May 10

July 28

Aug. 20

Ifov. 6

1899. 

May 29

June 7

Aug. 3

Aug. 25

Oct. 2

1900. 

Apr. 12

Sept. 8

Hydrographer.

F. H. Newell ......................................

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

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

P. J. Preston ......................................

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

P. J. Preston ......................................

C. W. Beach. . .....................................

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

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

C. W. Beach.......................................

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

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

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

C. W. Beach.......................................

R. W. Hawley.....................................

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.Q1

2.34

2.55

3.05

4.25

3.43

3.25

2.85

2.9?

4.60

4.6H

4.0)

3.10

3.12

4.3"

3.7^

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

a 30, 000

12,000

8,000

168

281

360

746

1,998

1,060

573

247

212

1,810

1,636

610

215

213

1,101

146

a Estimated.

ARKANSAS RIVER AT ROCKYFORD.

This station is located at the wagon bridge crossing the Arkansas 

River, at a point about 2 miles northeast of the town of Rocky ford. 

It was established May 3, 1897, by Mr. S. W. Cressy, water commissioner of district No. IT, having his headquarters at Rockyford, for 

his convenience and information in distributing the waters of his district. Mr. Cressy maintained this station as long as he remained in 

charge of the office to April 7, 1900. The river is straight for a long 

distance above and below the bridge, but the channel is wide and the 

bed is sandy and very shifting, so that few measurements were made. 

Results must.be considered as approximate. n

a For more detailed information concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers 

of Colorado: Ninth, p. 374; Tenth, p. 310. Publications U. S. Geological Survey: Nineteenth Annual 

Reports, Part IV, p. 353; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 33K; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 234; Water-Supply and 

Irrigation Papers, No. 16, p. 122; No. 28, pp. 112,116, and 117; No. 37, p. 261; No. 39, p. 450; No. 50, p. 

327. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by r. H. Newell, p. 124.

Tor description of Laguna Canal, in this district, see Twentieth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 339.
92 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO.

Estimated monthly discharge of Arkamas River at Rockyford. 

[Altitude, 4,177 feet; drainage area, 11,440 square miles.]

[NO. 74.

Month.

1897.

May 3 to 31 .............

August .................

Decembers .............

1898.

February 20 to 28 .......

April .... ...............

June ...................

July ...................

September. .............

November .......... ....

December ..............

The year .........

1899. 

March 13 to 31..........

July ...................

August .................

October ................

November ..............

December 1 to 9. ........

1900. 

January 16 to 31 ........

March ..................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3, 363 

3,206 

2,034 

3,676 

108 

393 

550

193 

393 

550 

3,832 

3,284 

3,754 

706 

393 

550 

862 

393

3,832

570 

520 

1,270 

2,710 

3,020 

3,570 

420 

300 

1,070 

190

470 

470 

450 

3,120

Minimum.

64 

628 

41 

20 

13 

27 

41

34 

129 

64 

108 

315 

193 

108 

64 

84 

84 

84

34

140 

140 

140 

770 

270 

105 

95 

55 

105 

115

190 

270 

190 

360

Mean.

1,147 

1,834 

589 

614 

41 

143 

155 

50

«75 

75 

254 

213 

1, 206 

2,047 

1,249 

269 

157 

246 

530 

228

546

309 

274 

732 

1,498 

1,504 

686 

153 

145 

280 

148

319 

410 

324 

1,283

Total in acrefeet.

70, 527 

109, 130 

32, 216 

37, 754 

2,440 

8,793 

9, 223 

3,074

«4, 612 

4, 165 

15, 618 

12, 674 

74, 155 

121, 805 

76, 799 

16, 540 

9,342 

15, 126 

31, 537 

14, 020

396, 393

19,000 

16,304 

45,009 

89, 137 

92, 478 

42, 181 

9,104 

8,916 

16, 661 

9,100

19, 061 

22, 770 

19, 922 

76,344

Run-off.

S°condf ?et per 

square 

mile.

0.100 

.160 

.052 

.054 

.004 

.013 

.014 

.044

.007 

.01 

.02 

.02 

.12 

.18 

.11 

.02 

.01 

.02 

.05 

.02

.04

.027 

.024 

.064 

.131 

.131 

.060 

.013 

.013 

.024 

.013

.027 

.036 

.028 

. 112

Depth in 

inches.

0.120 

.180 

.060 

.062 

.004 

.015 

.016 

.051

.008

.or

.03 

.02 

.13 

.20 

.13 

.03 

.02 

.03 

.05 

.02

.68

.031 

.027 

.074 

.146 

.150 

.069 

.014 

.015 

.027 

.015

.031 

.037 

.032 

.125

« Approximate.
FELLOWS.] ARKANSAS RIVER DIVISION. 93

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at Rockyford.

Date.

1897. 

Sept, 29

1898. 

Apr. 17

May 27

1899. 

May 30

Oct. 16

Hydrographer.

P. J. Preston ......................................

C. W. Beach.................. ....................

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.37

.90

1.83

1.8S

.8S

Discharge.

Sec. -feel. 

140

237

1,692

1,042

136

ARKANSAS RIVER AT PROWERS.

This station is located at the dam constructed across the Arkansas 

River at the headgate of the Colorado and Kansas canal, this point 

being selected in September, 1899, in the hope that the channel might 

prove permanent, but no records were kept until the spring of 1900. 

The rating curve obtained at this point from gagings made thus far 

gives excellent results within the limits of the measurements. There 

being no bridge at the station, measurements can be made only at the 

lower stages of the river. The station is of particular importance, 

owing to the fact that it is located near the head of irrigation district 

No. 67, and may therefore be used in the regulation of the use of the 

waters of the Arkansas in that district. a

Estimated monthly discharge of Arkansas River at Prowers. 

[Altitude, 3,677 feet; drainage area, 19,000 square miles.]

Month.

1900. 

April 15 to 30... ........

May....................

July ...................

September b ............

October 6 ...............

November 6. ............

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

7,140 

5,860 

4,900 

1,700 

.445 

30

16 

41

Minimum.

1,060 

2,660 

742 

2 

0 

0

4 

4

Mean.

2,940 

3,398 

2,617 

161 

45 

6 

6 

8 

18

Total in acrefeet.

174, 942 

208, 935 

155, 722 

9,990 

2,767 

357 

369 

476 

1,107

Tun-off.

Seconifeet per 

square 

mile.

0.115

.178

1 PQ

.008 

.002 

.000 

.000 

.000 

.001

Depth in 

inches.

0.173 

.238 

.154 

.009 

.002 

.000 

.000 

.000 

.001

a For more detailed information regarding this station, see Tenth Biennial Report of the State 

Engineers of Colorado, p. 312; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, IT. S. Geological Survey, No. 37, 

p. 263, and No. 50, p. 328; also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, 

p. 126.

6 Estimated.
94 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO.

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at Prmcers.

[NO. 74.

Date.

1899. 

Sept. 8

1900. 

July 5

July 19

July 28

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellowa ......................................

C. W. Beach .......................................

A. L. Fellowa ......................................

C. W. Beach .......................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.20

.60

.38

.77*

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

16

304

113

546

ARKANSAS RIVER NEAR LAMAR.

The greater proportion of the records of this locality are those kept 

by the Amity Canal Company, their headgate being at a point 7 miles 

west of Lamar, on the north side of the river, the herdgate keeper 

making a daily record of the discharge both in the river and the canal. 

(See PL IX.) There is a dam across the river at this point for the 

diversion of water into the Amity canal, but owing to tl e unevenness 

of its crest, to the fact that timbers and driftwood lodg? upon it, and 

to other causes, the results are not entirely reliable. Few measurements have been made except in the canal. For a short time in the 

year 1899 estimates were made at the wagon bridge north of Lamar 

by the water commissioner of district No. 67. These are of interest 

as giving approximately an idea of the flow of the water for the time 

covered, and are therefore presented in a separate table.

The principal value of hydrographic data at this point is with reference to the storage of water in reservoirs, of which those of the 

Great Plains Water Company, described in the Twenty-first Annual 

Report, Part IV, p. 2iO, are located, 12 miles north of the town of 

Lamar.*

«For further information concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers 

of Colorado; Ninth, p. 379; Tenth, p. 314. Also publications United States Geological Survey: Eleventh 

Annual Report, Part II, pp. 49 and 51; Twentieth, Part IV, pp. 324 and 840; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 28, p. 114; No. 37, p. 263; No. 50, p. 329. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, 

Eleventh Census, by F.H. Newell, p. 126.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74 PL. IX

A. DAM OF AMITY CANAL ON ARKANSAS RIVER.

B. HEAD GATE OF AMITY CANAL.
FELLOWS.] ARKANSAS RIVER DIVISION. 95

Discharge of Arkansas River nfar Lamar. *

[Altitude, 3,592 feet.] 

AT HEAD OP AMITY CANAL, AS FURNISHED BY E. R. BANNISTER, HEADGAT.H KEEPER.

January .........

March...........

May ............

July ............

October .........

November .......

18

Second-feet.

211

23

54

265

248

98.

Acre-feet.

12, 974

1,369

3,320

15, 769

15, 249

18

Second-feet.

655

1,870

884

74

87

249

131

99.

Acre-feet.

38, 975

114, 982

54, 355

4,403

5,349

14, 817

8,055

19

Second-feet.

239

280

170

2,973

4,469

3,290

280

89

22

20

109

«150

00.

Acre-feet.

14, 696

11, 552

10, 453

176,906

274, 788

195, 769

17, 217

5,472

1,309

1,230

6,486

9,223

« Approximate.

AT LAMAR BRIDGE, a ESTIMATED BY J. B. TRAXLER, WATER COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT NO. 67.

1899.

I.......... ....................................

2,..................:......... ......

3 ..............................................

4..............................................

5..............................................

6............... ...._...._._..__...._...__.__..

7..............................................

8..............................................

9..............................................

10..............................................

11..............................................

12...................................... . ..

13..............................................

14............. ................................

15..............................................

16.........................................

17..............................................

18. .............................................

19..............................................

March.

Kec.-ft. 

3,000

4,000

4,000'

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,200

1,000

800

800

1,500

1,500

1,200

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,000

800

400

April.

Sec.-ft. 

40

40

35

35

30

25

25

25

20

15

16

16

15

18

20

15

15

15

15

May.

Sec.-ft. 

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

. 12

14

5

5

5

5

a Total amount of water in district March 13, 260 second-feet; April 3, 225 second-feet; April 16, 175 

second-feet; April 23, 120 second-feet; April 30, 75^econd-feet; May 5,180 second-feet; May 10,100 second-feet; May 13, 200 second-feet; May 14,150 second-feet; May 16, 230 second-feet; May 18 325 secondfeet; May 20, 308 second-feet.
96 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Discharge of Arkansas River near Lamar Continued.

AT LAMAR BRIDGE, ESTIMATED BY J. B. TRAXLER, WATER COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT NO. 67 Continued.

20..............................................

21..............................................

22..............................................

23. .............................................

24..............................................

25..............................................

26. .............................................

27

28. .............................................

29..............................................

30..............................................

31..............................................

March.

Fec.-ft. 

300

300

200

150

100

75

50

40

35

35

35

40

1899.

April.

»c.-/t.

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

12

12

12

1-2

May.

Sec.Jt. 

5

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at Lair.ar.

Date.

1889. 

May 26

July 19

July 22

Aug. 3

Aug. 7

1899. 

May 31

1900. 

Apr. 7

Hydrographer.

F. H. Newell ...........................

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows ..........................

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

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

Discharge.

Sec. -ft. 

300

15, 000

851

284

187

249

114

8,890

Remarks.

At Lamar.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

At Amity canal.

Do.

At Lamar.

PUKOATOKY KIVER AT TKINIDAD.

This station was located May 1, 1896, in the town of Trinidad, the 

gage rod being attached to the cylindrical pier at the v^est end of the 

Las Animas Street bridge. The station was, however, discontinued 

July 31,1899, the greater portion of the water of the river being taken 

out at points above the station, and the channel being si if ting and the 

results unreliable. A more favorable location would be at a point 

about 9 miles above the town, near the mouth of the canyon, and above 

where the most of the water is taken out for irrigation. A station at 

this point would also have the added advantage that it would furnish
FELLOWS.] ARKANSAS EIVEE DIVISION. 97

data concerning the flow that might be used for storage, as there are 

important reservoir sites situated above this point. a

Estimated monthly discharge of Purgatory River at Trinidad. 

[Altitude, 5,990 feet; drainage area, 742 square miles.]

Month.

1896. 

May ...................

June ...................

Julv ...................

September. .............

November ..............

December ...._......'...

1897. 

January ................

February ....,-.-.-..-..

March. .................

April ........--..,..-...

July ...................

August .................

October ................

November ..............

December ..............

1898.

June ...................

July ...................

September. .............

October ................

November ..............

1899.

May ...................

June .--.-.....-..-.....

July ...................

Discharge ik second-feet.

Maximum.

113 

780 

4,600 

1,657 

554 

189 

60

327 

1,412 

1,534 

1,657 

2, 023 

38'i 

104 

54

882 

1,282 

1,147 

752 

1,282 

58 

42

193 

230 

492 

2.362

Minimum.

45 

0

8 

0 

0

18 

25

68 

327 

189 

30 

10 

30 

54 

30

109 

109 

81 

42 

- 42 

31 

36

32 

52 

4 

16

Mean.

67 

60 

342 

76 

73 

71 

35 

&40

&40 

»50 

&50 

165 

731 

403 

250 

282 

97 

60 

42 

635

264 

377 

259 

181 

173 

39 

39

82 

110 

71 

443

Total in acrefeet.

4,120 

3,570 

21,029

4,673 

4,344 

4,366

2,083 

2,460

2,459 

2, -777 

3, 074 

9,818 

44,947 

23,980 

15, 372 

17, 339 

5,772 

3,689 

2,499 

2, 152

16, 233 

24, 433 

15, 925 

11,129 

10, 294 

2,398 

2,321

4,879 

6,764

4,225 

27. 239

Fnn-off.

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.09 

.08 

.4* 

.10 

.10 

.10 

.05 

.05

.05 

.07 

.07 

.22 

.99 

.6* 

.34 

.3" 

.13 

.0^ 

.0° 

.05

' .36 

.51 

.35 

.24 

.23

.or

.or

.11

.15 

.10 

.60

Depth in 

inches.

0.10 

.09 

.53 

.12 

.11 

.12 

.06 

.06

.06 

.07 

.08 

.24 

1.14 

.60 

.39 

.44 

.14 

.09 

.07 

.06

.41 

.57 

.40 

.28 

.26 

.06 

.06

.12 

.17 

.11 

.69

«For more detailed information concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineer of Colorado: Eighth, p. 460; Ninth, p. 381; Tenth, p. 319. Also publications U. S. Geological 

Survey: Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 231; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 358; Twent^th, Part IV, 

p. 340; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 235; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 16, p. 123; No. 28, pp. 

113,116, and 117; No. 37, p. 263; No. 39, p. 450. Also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh 

Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 119. 

& Estimated.

IEB 74 02 7
98 WATER BESOUBCES OF COLOBADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on Purgatory River at Trinidad.

Date.

' 1895. 

Sept. 24

1896. 

Apr. 27

July 11

Sept. 14

Oct. 12

Nov. 16

1897. 

May 22

June 17

July 15

Sept. 23

Nov. 13

1898. 

Apr. 28

July 27

Aug. 29

Aug. 6

Oct. 28

1899. 

Apr. 28

July 12

Hydrographer.

A. P. Davis ........................................

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

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

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

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

C. C. Babb .........................................

F. Cogswell ........................................

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

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

P. J. Preston .......................................

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

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

C. W. Beach .......................................

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

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

Gage 

height.

feet.

3.20

3.15

3.20

3.50

3.70

3.60

4.25

4.10

3.90

3.60

3.55

3.90

3.90

3.60

3.76

3.40

3.60

3.30

Discharge.

8ee.-fl. 

86

88

72

66

30

48

24

677

386

189

49

46

150

149

45

101

31

52

4

MISCELLANEOUS GAGINGS.

A number of miscellaneous gagings have been made at different 

times at different points upon the Arkansas and its tributaries, which 

have been compiled, so far as they are obtainable, fro-n the various 

sources already cited, and are presented in the following table. Stations have not been maintained at the points mentioned, or if maintained at all have been irregularly kept, and the records have been 

so unsatisfactory that it is thought best not to publish the gage heights 

or to approximate the discharge, the data necessary for computing the 

rating tables being insufficient.
FELLOWS.] ARKANSAS RIVER DIVISION.

Miscellaneous discharge measurements, Arkansas River and tributaries

99

Date.

Sept. 26,1893

Sept. 24,1894

Sept. 29,1897

May 18,1898

June 13,1898

Aug. 5, 1898

Sept. 15,1898

Hydrographer.

F. H. Newell.....

A. P. Davis ......

C W Beach

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

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

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

Stream.

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

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

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

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

Locality.

Manzanola ........

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

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

0

114

208

847

60

208

Discharge measurements made on Arkansas River at La Junta.

Date.

1893. 

Sept. 27'

1894. 

May 21

June 7

June 8

Oct. 5

1895. 

Feb. 6

May 19

Dec. 2

1897. 

Sept. 12

1899. 

May 30

June 13

June 20

Hydrographer.

F. H. Newell..............................................

F. H. Newell..............................................

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

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

...,,-do ....................................................

F. H. Newell ..............................................

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

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

P. J. Preston. ..............................................

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

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

24

157

15,000

9,500

55

182

658

455

0

246

857

1,181

Discharge of Arkansas River at La Junta. 

[Drainage area, 12,200 square miles.]

Month.

1889. 

May 20 to 31................

June .......................

July .......................

August .....................

Discharge.

Maximum.

Sec.-ft. 

1,960 

2,620 

2,290 

1,630

Minimum.

Sec.-ft. 

605 

825 

345 

55

Mean.

Sec.-ft. 

1,089 

1, 355 

844 

435

Total for 

month.

Sec.-ft. 

66, 973 

80, 622 

51,906 

26, 752

Run-off.

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.09 

.11

, .07 

.04

Depth in 

inches.

0.10 

.12

.08 

.04
100 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

SEEPAGE MEASUREMENTS ON ARKANSAS RIVER,.

A series of seepage measurements have been made upon Arkansas 

River for the purpose of determining the return flow. These have 

been carried on under the direction of Prof. L. G. Carpenter, of Fort 

Collins, who has published a bulletin upon the subject.

The table below is compiled from data given in the I T inth Biennial 

Report, page 308, of the State engineer's office of Colorado, as furnished by Professor Carpenter:

Seepuye meatfuremeiits of Arkansas River. 

[In second-feet.]

Canyon to Bessemer ditch .___.____--..

Orchard Grove to Boone. ..............

Nepesta to Otero canal .................

Rockyford to Fort Lyon canal .........

Fort Lyon canal to La Junta ...........

Fort Lyon to Caddoa ....._............

Caddoa to Amity canal ................

Lamar to Holly .......................

Total...........................

Gain .-..........._. ..... .....

Distance

(miles).

33

10

8

16

10

8

f 

16J

9

3

11

9

6

11

10

11

30

7

215

........

18

Gain.

54. 40

103. 47

40.44

16.90

30.55

35. 59

13.04

10.85

28.51

38.14

3.63

13.21

387. 43

57.36

330. 07

)7.

Loss.

42.18

9.40

5.78

57.36

........

189

Gain.

55.17

19.41

20.30

18. 15

21.21

22.39

8.20

14.76

20.08

13.26

6.68

14.20

0

243. 81

51.41

192. 40

8.

Loss.

15. 96

17.65

11.00

.16

6.64

51.41

.......

NOTE. Counting the unreliable measurement to gain as in 1898, the gain in 1897 would Toe 250 

secoud-feet.
FELLOWS.] IRRIGATION SYSTEM. 101

RIO GRANDE DIVISION. 

DRAINAGE.

Descriptions of the Bio Grande drainage have been given in former 

reports, but a short resume is here presented for the convenience of 

those who do not care to look up the former records. a

The Rio Grande and its tributaries drain the mountainous area 

south and east of the Continental Divide in southwestern Colorado, 

the principal streams flowing from the east side of the Needle Mountains and from the south and east side of the San Juan Range. Important streams also flow from La Garita Mountains - in Saguaehe and 

Mineral counties. The main stream flows in an easterly direction for 

about 75 miles, receiving numerous tributaries from the mountainous 

region through which it flows. At the town 6f Del Norte the valley 

broadens into what is known as the San Luis Valley; thence the stream 

flows southeastward and southward for about the same distance to a 

point about 20 miles southeast of Antonito, where it crosses the State 

line. From the time the river leaves Del Norte but few streams of 

importance flow into it, as nearly all of those that issue from the 

mountains lose their waters in the plains before they reach the main 

stream. This is particularly true of the drainage north and east of 

the river from the Cochetopa Hills and the Sangre de Cristo Range. 

Although the streams flowing from these mountains are very numerous and carry large volumes of water, yet they furnish no source of 

supply to the Rio Grande itself, all the water being lost either in the 

sands or in broad, shallow lakes, until Trinchera Creek, flowing through 

the Costilla land grant, is reached. This stream, although usually dry, 

furnishes a supply at different times in the year. On the south and 

west side of the river, however, many important streams flow from 

the mountains, which in their higher stages carry large volumes of 

water to the Rio Grande. Among these are the Alamosa, La Jara, 

and Conejos. The supply from these streams also is used mostly during summer, so that after the flood stages are past very little water 

flows frojm any of these sources into the Rio Grande itself, as most of 

it is used in the upper part of the valley, and in the late summer very 

little passes Alamosa, below which place there are but few irrigating 

canals. During the flood stages, however, great volumes of water

"Hayden's Report of 1875, pp. 163 to 167. Publications U. S. Geological Survey: Tenth Annual 

Report, Part II, p. 65; Eleventh, Part II (see index); Twelfth, Part II, p. 240; Thirteenth, Part III (see 

index); Fourteenth, Part II, p. 110; Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 245; Nineteenth, Part IV, i\ 381; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 355. Bulletins No. 1-31, p. 41; No. 140, p. 169; Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper 

No.- 37. See also all Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of Colorado for irrigation in this division, 

and Report on Agriculture by Irrigation. Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 127. F^r maps see 

PI. I of Part II of the fourth and seventh and PI. V of the fifth report. See also Senate Document 

No. 229, Fifty-fifth Congress, second session, on the "Equitable distribution of the waters of the Rio 

Grande."
102 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

flow in the Eio Grande itself and several of its tributaries which 

might be stored and used for the extension of the irrigated area. 

Farming is carried on extensively among the upper valleys of several 

of the streams issuing from the mountains north and east of San Luis 

Valley, but no official measurements have been made upon any of 

these streams.

On the headwaters of nearly all of the tributaries of the Rio Grande, 

as well as on the main stream itself, are important reservoir sites, 

which might be utilized to store water for late use, so as to render 

crop raising more certain than it is now. Unfortunately, owing to 

international complications, it has been impossible in the past to make 

use of these sites, but it is hoped that this restriction will soon be 

removed, as it is clearly to the advantage of the agricultural interests 

as a whole that the water should be used to as great an extent as possible along the upper portion of the streams.

The lands drained by the Eio Grande and its tributaries constitute 

irrigation division No. III. The various districts into which it is 

divided are No. 20, comprising the Eio Grande drainage, excepting 

those streams included in separate districts, which are No. 21, covering Alamosa and; La Jara creeks with their tributaries; No. 22, 

Conejos Creek; No. 24, Costilla Creek; No. 25, San Luis Creek; No. 

26, Saguache Creek; No. 27, Tuttle, Carnero, La Garita. and all other 

creeks and their tributaries which have their sources of water supply 

in the La Garita Mountains and flow eastward into the San Luis 

Valley; and No. 35, Trinchera Creek.

There are many problems of interest connected with the use of 

water in the San Luis Valley, among which is the studj7 of loss by 

evaporation and seepage. Investigation is being carried on in this 

line by Prof. L. G. Carpenter, already mentioned, of the Colorado 

State Agricultural College.

STREAM MEASUREMENTS.

Although hydrographic data are most desirable in this valley, but 

little hydrographic work has been done, owing to the scarcity of 

funds, both in the office of the State engineer and the United States 

Geological Survey, so that only three stations have been maintained for 

any considerable length of time, and of these only one, the station at 

DelNorte, has been maintained for a length of time sufficient to furnish anything like accurate information concerning the normal flow. 

The two that have been kept up for shorter periods are a station near 

the State line, upon the main Rio Grande, and one upon the Conejos, 

about 10 miles west of the town of Antonito, on the Donver and Eio 

Grande Eailroad.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74 PL. X

A. GAGING RIO GRANGE AT DEL NORTE.

JB. STATE BRIDGE ACROSS RIO GRANDE NEAR COLORADO STATE LINE.
FELLOWS.] RIO GEANDE DIVISION. 103

RIO GRANDE AT DEL NORTE.

This station is located about 3 miles west of the town of D?l Norte, 

above the main canals taking water from the Rio Grande. Records 

have been kept since the fall of the year 1889 for very nearly the 

entire time. A steel cable is stretched across the river at this point 

and the gagings are made by means of a car traveling on the cable, 

distances being marked on a tag wire, and, at low water, by wading. 

The channel consists of small bowlders and gravel, and although the 

sides are not high, the stream has never been known to overflow at 

this point. The conditions are excellent for good results, FS the bed 

of the stream scours but little, although the fall is comparatively 

rapid. The station is of great value, as the distribution of water 

among the numerous consumers is made to depend very largely upon 

the data obtained as shown on the gage rod. Information is also 

furnished concerning the supply available for storage in reservoir 

sites above.

The citizens of San Luis Valley seem to appreciate fully the advantage of this station and have frequently expressed themselves as desiring to see this service extended. 0

a For detailed information concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of 

Colorado: Fifth, Part I, pp. 21 and 40; and Part II, PI. V; Sixth, p. 88; Seventh, p. 170; Eighth, 

p. 488; Ninth, p. 385; Tenth, p. 321. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey, Eleventh Annual 

Report, Part II, pp. 53 and 98; Twelfth, Part II, p. 246; Thirteenth, Part III, p. 99; Fourteenth, Part II, 

p. 110; Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 246; Nineteenth, p. 383; Twentieth, p. 359; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 256; 

Bulletins No. 131, p. 41; Nos. 140 to 170; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 11, p. 64; No. 16, p. 127 

No. 28, pp. 126,129, and 130; No. 37, p. 277; No. 39, p. 450; No. 50, p. 347. Also Report on Agriculture by 

Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, pp. 113,127
Discharge of Rio Grande at Del 

[Altitude, 7,865 feet; drainage area, 1,400 sq

Month.

May................................

July............................... v

1889.

Sec.-ft.

i' 278 

319

281

292

1890.

Sec.-ft. 

6552 

6796 

487 

913 

4,331 

3,807 

1,515 

612 

' 383 

470 

478 

6565

61,242

900,926

1891.

Sec.-ft. 

6990 

61,294 

1,280 

6 1, 410 

3,285 

4,146 

1,693 

663 

527 

844 

374 

c325

1,403

1,014,426

1892.

Sec.-ft. 

c 300 

c'300 

316 

1,047 

2, 605 

2, 187 

740 

444 

263 

259 

360 

6922

812

590, 219

1893.

Rfc.-ft. 

6966 

6c700 

6o500 

533 

1,944 

1,749 

395 

324 

270 

263 

278 

6642

&714

516,886

1894.

Sec.-ft. 

61,003 

6995 

6831 

699 

1,798 

802 

292 

'309 

28C 

289 

236 

288

6652

471,408

1895.

Sec. -ft. 

6801 

6953 

638 

61,883 

2,116 

2,209 

958 

720 

454 

435 

353 

61,008

6 1,044

754,931

1896.

Kec.-fl. 

6 1, 293 

61,258 

61,081 

1,484 

2,374 

821 

403 

261 

477 

469 

310 

375

6884

641, 017

a The run-off given is for average months and the totals for an average year as calculated from 

ities cited.

6 Probably too high because of ice piling up along the sides of the stream and thus narrowing the 

second-feet. The totals are carried out, however, as though the observations gave a correct idea of th

i* Approximate.
RIO GRANDE DIVISION. 105

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Rio Grande at D<>1 Norte for 

that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1890................

1891................

1892................

1893................

1894................

1895................

1896................

1897................

1898................

1899................

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Oct. 2 

Sept. 19 

Sept. 26 

Nov. 8 

Nov. 27 

Nov. 21 

Aug. 21 

Sept. 1 

Nov. 9 

Sept. 13 

Aug. 31

Amount.

Scc.-ft. 

307 

290 

243 

214 

201 

322 

214 

342 

221 

268 

163

Maximum.

Date.

Apr. 27 

May 7 

May 24 

May 19 

May 17 

June 12 

May 3 

May 27 

June 3 

May 11 

May 29

Amount.

Fee. -ft. 

5,930 

5,650 

4,710 

3, 320' 

2,850 

3,840 

3,579 

5, 234 

5, 266 

2,330 

5, 454

Run-off.a

Depth in 

inches.

12.06 

13.56 

7.92 

6.93 

6.29 

10.14 

8.58 

13.05 

14.06 

7.87 

8.55

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.89 

1.00 

.58 

.51 

.46 

.75 

.63 

,96 

1.08 

.58 

.63

a The run-off, per acre-foot, given is for each entire year, including estimates; the discharge given 

is for average months and the totals for an average year, as calculated from all observations and 

estimates. Details may be found in the authorities cited.

Discharge measurements made on Rio Grande at Del Norte.

Date

1891. 

Apr. 10

1892.

Oct. 27

1894. 

Jnne 13

Sept. 27

1895. 

June 14

Oct. 13

1896. 

June 22

July 27

Sept. 28

Oct. 26

1897. 

Apr. 26

May 17

May 29

June 28

July 26

AUR. 30

Oct. 25

Hydrographer.

T. M. Bannon .............................._....-..

T. M. Bannon ......................................

F.H. Newell... ....................................

A. P. Davis ........................................

F.Gogswell...... ..................................

F. Cogswell ---.-..--..-.....-.......-------.-----.-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

feet. 

2.20

1.58

2.68

1.52

4.00

1.80

1.90

1.70

2.30

1.80

3.00

4.05

5.45

3.30

2.00

1.55

2.66

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

527

274

968

267

2,818

414

492

385

706

445

1,507

3,014

4,898

1,769

640

373

1,113
106 WATEE EE80LTECE8 OF COLOEADO. [NO. 74 

Discharge measurements made cm Rio Grande at Del Norte. Continued.

Date.

1898. 

Apr. 14

May 18

June 23

Aug. 25

Oct. 25

1899. 

Apr. 25

May 24

June 29

Aug. 21

1900. 

Mar. 30

May 12

Aug. 18

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.27

3. 23

5.25

1.86

1.48

2.42

2.92

2.10

1.58

1.54

3.84

3.66

1.34

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,966

1,802

5,181

521

244

1,004

1,480

734

387

346

2,441

2,382

221

CONEJOS RIVER NEAR LOS MOGOTES,

This stream, the most important tributary of the Bio Grande in 

Colorado, rises on the eastern slope of the San Juari Range, which 

forms the western boundary of Conejos County. It flows southeastward as far as the town of Conejos; then, bending northeastward, 

enters the Rio Grande below the mouth of Trinchera Creek. All of 

the ordinary flow of this stream is used during the irrigation season, 

but at flood stages and in winter considerable water goes to waste. 

The station is located about 10 miles west of Antonito, from which 

town it may be reached by driving. The nearest post-office is at Los 

Mogotes, about ± miles from the station, but the observer was always 

accustomed to get his mail at Antonito. It was established August 

25, 1899, and was first located at a wagon bridge crossing the river; 

but owing to the fact that the rod at that point was maliciously 

destroyed, the station was removed to a point about 500 yards downstream, where it was attached to a pier projecting into the river near 

a farmhouse. The channel is fairly good, being of gravel and not 

particularly liable to either change or overflow. Owing to the removal 

of the gage from its old station and to the small number of measurements made, but few data are available.

San Antonio River is an important branch of the Conejos, and a few 

measurements were made upon this stream also, these being given in 

the list of miscellaneous measurements. a

o For more detailed information regarding this station, see Tenth Biennial Report of the State Engineer of Colorado, p. 328, and U. S. Geological Survey Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 37, p. 278, 

and No. 50, p. 348. Also, Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F, H. Newell, p. 106.
FELLOWS.] BIO GRANDE DIVISION.

measurements made on Conejos River near Los Mogotes 

[A. L. Fellows, hydrographer.]

107

Date.

1899.

TCTr^vom T"w^i* 9ft

1900. 

March 28 .....................................................

May 11..........:............................................

June 23 ......................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.C1

2.20

1.68

3.10

2. SO

1.15

Discharge.

Sef.-fi. 

76

70

144

1,087

467

33

RIO GRANDE AT CENICERO.

This station is located a short distance north of the bourdary line 

between Colorado and New Mexico, at a point where the river is 

crossed by a State wagon bridge. It was established July 28, 1899, 

and has been kept up regularly ever since. Two gage rods are necessary, one for high and the other for low water.t The channel is excellent, the bed consisting of bowlders and rock and being subject to but 

little change, and the banks are high and not liable to overflow. At 

high water gagings may be made from the bridge, but at low water 

they are usually made by wading. The station is an important one, 

as it gives information concerning- the entire drainage of the Rio 

Grande in Colorado and the discharge of the river practically where it 

enters New Mexico, this information being of value to both Colorado 

and New Mexico and furnishing important data bearing upon storage 

and the use of water. The nearest railroad point is Antonito, from 

which the station may be reached by driving about 15 miles. The 

nearest post-office is at Eastdale, but the observer has be^n in the 

habit of getting his mail at Cenicero, which is on the road between 

Antonito and the gaging station; about 4 miles from the former. a

a For more detailed information concerning this station, see Tenth Biennial Report of the State 

Engineer of Colorado, p. 326; TJ. S. Geological Survey Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 37, 

p, 279; No. 39, p. 450, and No. 60, p. 349.
108 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Estimated monthly discharge of Rio Grande at Cenicero. 

[Drainage area, 7,695 square miles.]

Month.

1899. 

July. ...................

December ..............

Last 6 months of

1900.

July....................

November .. .v ...........

December ..............

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

170 

129 

423 

170 

297 

381

423

1,134 

1,134 

1,134 

504 

3,294 

3,294 

58 

22 

43 

58 

504 

594

3,294

Minimum.

12 

20 

31 

65 

170 

170

12

594 

22 

236

183 

414 

79 

22 

16 

16 

31 

58 

414

16

Mean.

42 

53 

102 

117 

259 

318

148

638 

759 

583 

350 

1,430 

1,424 

29 

22 

31 

31 

155 

571

502

Total in acrefeet.

2,582 

3,259 

6,069 

7,194 

15, 412 

19, 553

54, 069

39, 229 

42, 153

35, 847 

20, 826 

87, 927 

84, 734 

1,783 

1,353 

1,845 

2,275 

9,223 

35, 109

362, 304

Run-off.

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.005 

.007 

.013 

.015 

.034 

.041

.019

.083 

.099 

,076 

.045 

.186 

.185 

.004 

.003 

.004 

.005 

.020 

.074

.065

Depth in 

inches.

0.006 

.008 

.015 

.017 

.038 

.047

.131

.095 

.103 

.08? 

.050 

.214 

.206 

.004 

.003 

.004 

.006 

.022 

.085

.879

Discharge measurements made on Rio Grande at Cenicer'). 

[A. L. Fellows, hydrographer.]

Date.

1899. 

June 28 ......................................................

August 24 ....................................................

November 28 .................................................

1900. 

March 29 ........ ............................................

May 10.......................................................

June 22 ......................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.90

'l.OO

1.80

1.60

2.00

1.80

.75

Discharge

See.-ft. 

20

31

297

236

594

420

18
FELLOWS.] RIO GRANDE DIVISION. 109

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

A table is given below of the miscellaneous measurements of which 

records are obtainable that have been made in the Rio Grande drainage 

basin in Colorado. These are of importance, as they furnish information concerning the flow of the various streams at stated times and 

given points.

Miscellaneous discharge measurements on Bio Grande and tributaries.

Date.

Sept. 28,1894

June 16,1895

Oct. 14, T895

May 19,1896

June 23,1896

June 24,1896

July 26,1896

Aug. 20,1899

Aug. 23,1899

May 11,1900

June 22,1900

Hydrographer.

A. P. Davis ......

F. Cogswell ......

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

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

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

F. F. Anderson. . .

F. Cogswell ......

A. L. Fellows ....

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

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

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

Stream.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Locality.

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

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

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

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

Alamosa. 

| mile above Alamosa. 

Antonito ........

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

Discharge 

in secondfeet.

10

1,176

92

132

32

67 ' '3

17

10

473

4

SEEPAGE MEASUREMENTS.

The seepage measurements given below were made under the direction of Prof. L. G. Carpenter, of Fort Collins, and were furbished by 

him to the State engineer of Colorado. The table is from the Tenth 

Biennial Report, pages 219 and 221. Professor Carpenter expects to 

publish a bulletin on these measurements shortly.
110 WATEE EESOUECES OF COLOEADO. [NO. 74

Seepage measurements on Rio Grande, 1900. 

[In second-feet.]

Place of measurement.

Kail road station at South 

Fork ...................

United States Geological 

Survey gaging station . . .

Do..................

Above Del Norte canal ....

Do..................

At Off's.... .............

Do..................

Below Prairie canal .......

Do..................

Do ..................

Below Hickory-Jackson 

ditch...................

Do ..................

Below Alamosa ...........

Do..................

Above mouth of Conejos

Below Conejos (North

Below Las Sauces .........

Do ..................

Above State bridge. .......

Date.

Aug. 30

Aug. 31

Aug. 20

....do ...

Aug. 21

....do ...

Aug. 22

....do ...

Aug. 23

....do ...

Aug. 24

... .do ...

....do ...

Aug. 25

....do...

Aug. 27

....do ...

....do ...

....do...

Aug. 28

....do...

Section 

inflow.

0.85

.31

4.33

5.21

14.33

6.90

Section 

outtake.

33.41

146. 61

32.11

47.19

96

30.29

14.24

10.69

River.

194. 24

209. 83

249. 06

176. 50

178.90

168. 48

156. 22

99.29

108. 91

14

14.30

5.90

10.65

11.55

1

1.01

1.35

15.33

23. 98

22.31

17.22

Section 

gain 

or loss.

48.15

25.95

21.69

-10.0§

-3.24

21.89

13.98

.14

.24

 .35

1.75

-5.09

Total 

gain 

or loss.

48.15

22.20

43.89

33.84

30.60

52.49

66.47

66.61

66.85

66.50

68.25

63.16

Seepage measurements on Conejos River, 1900. 

[In second-feet.]

Above San Juan bridge. . . .

Below Sail Antonio Creek .

At Mclntire place. ........

Do..................

Below Mclntire spring ....

Two hundred feet above 

bridge..................

Aug. 31

....do ...

....do ...

Aug. 30

....do ...

....do ...

Aug. 29

....do ...

....do ...

0.77

1.97

2.15

Q Q9 6. d«

24

14.19

24.65

24.77

.50

.80

.55

3.88

4.33

31.33

04 09

2.09

 22. 12

.30

 1.02

6.65

3

6.88

 20. 03

 19. 73

-20. 75

 14. 10

 11. 10

4.22
FELLOWS.] IRRIGATION SYSTEM. Ill

SAN JUAN DIVISION. 

IBEIGATIOlsr.

San Juan River rises in the Ban Juan Mountains, the small streams 

at the head flowing westward, opposite to the direction taken by the 

branches of the Conejos. The country is generally mountainous and 

rough, and but little irrigation is practiced along the stream, except 

in the bottom lands adjacent to the channel. The stream flows but 

^a short distance through Colorado before entering New Mexico, 

through which it flows for about 100 miles, then crosses the southwest 

corner of Colorado again, and flows thence through Utah to its junction with the Colorado at Henry Mountain. The principal tributaries 

flowing from Colorado into this river are the Piedra, Loe Pinos, 

Florida, Las Animas, La Plata, and Mancos, all of which flow through 

comparatively narrow valleys, crossing' the line into New Mexico 

before the San Juan itself is reached. A large portion of this country 

has been but very recently opened to settlement, as it remained a part 

of the Southern Ute Reservation until 1899, when the western half of 

that reservation was thrown open to settlement, and a number of settlers have come in. A very considerable portion of the most desirable lands had, however, been taken by the Indians in severalty. 

There are a number of excellent mesas of good farming lard which 

will undoubtedly be eventually irrigated. A number of surveys have 

already been made of canal lines to cover these tracts, which will be 

speedily pushed to completion.

DRAINAGE.

San Juan River and its tributaries drain practically all of that portion of the southwestern corner of Colorado which comprises the 

Durango Land District, except a portion of the northern part, which 

is drained by the Dolores River, a tributary of the Grard. The 

northeastern quarter of this district is very mountainous, the principal 

tributaries of the San Juan having their headwaters among lofty 

mountain peaks and mountain parks of high altitude. Little irrigation is practiced in the upper valleys of any of the stream? of this 

district, except for raising hay, above a height of about Z,000 feet, 

from which altitude the level of this district in Colorado runs down to 

about 4,500 feet. In the lower valleys agriculture is extensively 

practiced, and nearly all kinds of crops that may be raised in temperate climates are cultivated. A very large portion of the division will 

undoubtedly be irrigated eventually, and water will be used extensively for the development of power, so that the supply of water in 

many of the streams will prove inadequate without a comprehensive 

system of storage. There are fortunately a number of excellent 

reservoir sites on the headwaters of a number of the streams, particularly upon the San Juan, Piedra, Los Pinos, and Florida.
112 WATER RESOURCES OP COLORADO. [NO. 74.

The drainage area of the San Juan and its tributaries, while constituting irrigation division No. IV in accordance with the laws of Colorado, is practically composed of a number of strictly independent 

districts, as each one of the main tributaries crosses the line between 

Colorado and New Mexico before it empties into the San Juan, and 

hence the use of the water of the various streams does not conflict to 

any great extent. The irrigation districts that compose the division 

and the streams that furnish their supply of water are No. 29, comprising the territory drained by the headwaters of the San Juan and. 

the Piedra; No. 31, the Los Pinos district; No. 30, the Las Animas district; No. 33, the La Plata district; No. 34, the Manco^1 district, and 

No. 32, the Montezuma Valley district, the latter being practically a 

part of the Grand River division. 0

STREAM MEASUREMENTS.

A number of stations have been maintained at different times in this 

division, those for which separate tables are given being situated near 

Arboles, on the San Juan and Piedra rivers; at Ignacio, on Los Pinos 

River; at Stewart's ranch, on Florida River; at Durango, on Animas 

River; and at Mancos, on Mancos River. 6

WAN JUAN RIVER AT ARBOLES.

This station is located a short distance west of the ok1 Arboles railroad station on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, where a footbridge was constructed by the Survey across the river for the purpose. 

The channel is not favorable to accurate measurements, the bridge 

crossing the river at a point where there is a deep hole and the left 

bank being liable to overflow. The bed of the channel is somewhat 

sandy and shifting, gravel bars forming at times along the bends of 

the river and again being displaced at the next high water. Measurements were made from the footbridge above mentioned. The station 

was valuable as furnishing information concerning the fow of the San 

Juan into New Mexico and the amount of water availal xl e for the use 

of the Indians along its border, as well as for use or tracts of the 

public domain.

The well-known Pagosa Mineral Springs are situated upon the headwaters of the San Juan, and 3, railroad has recently be?,n constructed 

into this territory/'

a For detailed information- concerning the agriculture of this region, see the Stat? Engineers' Reports. 

, &For more detailed information concerning this drainage basin, see Hayden's Report of 1875. Also 

publications U. S. Geological Survey: Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 278; Nineteenth, Part 

IV, p. 409; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 400; Bulletin, No. 140, p. 195; Water-Supply said Irrigation Paper 

No. 38, p. 307. Also Tenth Biennial Report of the State Engineer of Colorado, p. 330. Also Report on 

Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, pp. 90-135.

cFor more detailed data concerning this station see Biennial Reports of tin State Engineers of 

Colorado: Eighth, p. 498; Ninth, p. 388; Tenth, p. 331. Also publications U. F. Geological Survey: 

Eighteenth Annual Reports, Part IV, p. 279; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 409; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 401; 

Twenty-first, Part IV, p, 297; Bulletin No. 140, p. 195; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers No. 11, p. 

71; No.16, p. 144; No. 28, pp. 138,142, and 145; No. 38, p. 307; No. 39, p. 451. Also, Beport on Agriculture 

by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 102.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74 PL. XI

GAGING STATION ON SAN JUAN RIVER AT ARBOLES.

. GAGING STATION ON PIEDRA RIVER AT ARBOLES.
Discharge of San Juan River at Ar

[Altitude, 5,998 feet; drainage area, 1,394 squ

d 

d

<r

Month.

z.

 C

30 April ........................................

July... ......................................

August ......................................

1895.

Fec.-ft.

& 1,261

635 !

422 |

220 !

OAiJ 20b

197

490

177, 785

18%.

Sec.-ft.

1,123

1897.

Sec.-ft.

1,987

1,635 3,393

 444 ! 2,311

256 685

189

309 

250 

210

552

267, 180

303

607 

1, 019 

396

1,338

647, 576

S

4

a The run-off given is for average months and the total for an average period of eight mon

authorities cited.

& Approximate, only part of month.
114 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of San Juan River at Arbolesfor 

that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1895................

1896................

1897................

1898................

1899................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Nov. 11 

Aug. 22 

Aug. 31 

Sept. 25 

Sept. 8

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

135 

136 

182 

83 

96

Maximum.

Date.

June 19 

May 6 

May 20 

June 24 

May 13

Amovint.

Sec.-ft.

1,770 

2,615 

4,423

3,255 

1,976

Run-off.a

Depth in 

inches.

0.39 

.45 

1.07 

.73 

.47

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.35 

.40 

.96 

.66 

.42

a The run-off given in the horizontal lines is the amount for that part of each year covered by the 

record and the depths in inches is for a period of thirty days at the rate given as the mean in secondfeet per square mile for the period covered. The discharge given is for average months and the 

total for an average period of eight months as derived from the observations. Details may be found 

in the authorities cited.

Discharge measurements made on San Juan River at Arboles.

Date.

1895. 

June 21

Aug. 30

Oct. 11

Nov. 25

1896. 

May 16

June 21

July 25

Sept. 26

Oct. 24

1897. 

Apr. 25

May 16

June 27

July 25

Aug. 29

Sept. 26

Oct. 24

1898. 

Apr. 12

May 17

June 21

Aug. 8

Aug. 21

Oct. 23

Hvdrographer.

F. Cogswell. .......................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

F. Cogswell. . ......................................

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

.....do ......................................:.....

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

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

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

G. H. Matthes .....................................

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.30

6.20

5.80

5.90

6.65

5.90

6.00

6.15

6.20

8.30

8.80

7.60

6.50

5.80

8.00

6.90

7.30

7.42

8.10

6.30

6.05

5.80

Discharge.

frc.-ft. 

1,556

387

215

252

768

250

268

322

349

2,753

3,316

1,604

446

209

2,048

795

1,403

1,497

2,579

294

213

83
FELLOWS.] SAN JUAN DIVISION. 115

Discharge measurement* made, on San Juan River at Arboles. Continued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 23

May 22

June 26

Nov. 26

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows. ..............:......................

.....do ..........'..................................

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.00

6.60

6.15

5.75

Discharge.

Sec.-fl. 

1,286

737

277

127

PIEDRA RIVER AT ARBOLES.

This tributary of San Juan River rises among the San Juan Mountains in Hinsdale and Mineral counties, in southern Colorado, and 

flows in a nearly southerly direction to its junction with the San Juan 

about one-quarter of a mile west of the old Denver and Rio Grande 

Railroad station at Arboles. Very little irrigation is practiced upon 

this stream, and that little is along the lower course of the river. It 

is possible, however, to take water out for the irrigation of mesa 

lands lying along the west side of the stream between it and Los Pinos 

River. The value of the information derived from the maintenance 

of this station is due to the fact that it is an important sourc?- of supply for the Indians along its borders and for the owners of lands along 

the San Juan below their junction."

« For more detailed information concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers 

of Colorado: Eighth, p. 604; Ninth, p. 390; Tenth, p. 334. Also publications U. S. Geolo-^ical Survey: 

Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 281; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 411; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 402; 

Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 298; Bulletin No. 140, p. 196; Water-Supply and Irrigation Pipers No. 11, 

p. 71; No. 16, p. 1-15; No. 28, pp. 139, 142 and 145; No. 38, p. 308; No. 39, p. 462.
Discharge of Piedra River at Arb

[Altitude, 5,998 feet; drainage area, 670 squ

Month.

May .........................................

Julv ...............'..........................

August .............'.......,.................

Mean ..................................

c

1895.

Sec.-ft.

(*) 

432 

346 

200 

115 

125 

93

219

71, 610

1H96.

He>\-ft. 

6804 

1,048 

229 

111 

59 

347 

175 

121

362

167, 298

1897. 

ticc.-Jt.

1,460 

2, 025 

1,189 

296 

106 

399 

840 

241

820

396, 988

,S

24

authorities cited.

6 April 12 to SO inclusive. 

f April 23 to 30 inclusive. 

dMay 19 to 30 inclusive.
FELLOWS.] SATST JUAN DIVISION. 117

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off' of Piedra River at Arbolex for 

that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1895................

1896................

1897................

1898......... ......

1899................

Discharge.

. Minimum.

Date.

Nov. 6 

Aug. 11

Aug. 25 

Nov. 13 

Sept, 6

Amount.

ftec.-fl. 

60

23

65

27 

25

Maximum.

Date.

July 12 

(May 6 

iSept. 24 

May 7 

Apr. 27 

May 13

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

6.70 

2,066 

3,000 

2,398 

1,599 

643

E 'in -off. a

Depth in 

inches.

O.F7 

| . 60 

1.T6

.P-i 

. .°5

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0. 327 

.540

1.224 

.763 

.307

a The run-off given is the amount for that part of each year covered by the records and the depth 

in inches for a period of thirty days as the rate given as the mean in second-feet per souare mile for 

that period covered. The discharge given is for average months and the total for an average period 

of eight months as derived from the observations. Details may be found in the authorities cited.

Discharge measurements made on Piedra River at Arboles.

Date.

1895. 

June 21

Aug. 30

Oct. 11

Nov. 25

1896. 

May 18

June 20

July 24

Sept. 27

Oct. 25

1897. 

Apr. 24

May 15

June 26

July 24

Aug. 28-

Sept. 25

Oct. 23

1898. 

Apr. 13

May 16

June 22

Aug. 8

Aug. 24

Oct. 24

Hydrographer.

A. P. Da vis and F. Cogswell ........................

F. Cogswell ................_.._....'._..............

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

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

F. Cogswell. . ......................................

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

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

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

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

F. Cogswell. .......................................

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

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

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

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

.....do ............'................................

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

A. L. Fellows .....................................

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

..:.. do ............................................

G. H. Matthes.... .................................

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3. tO

3.20

2 £ 0

2.FO

3.50

2.£0

3.C5

3.70

3. CO

5.20

5. e-5

4.20

3.10

2.eo

4.15

4. CO

4.FO

4. fr2

5.10

3.10

3.C5

24 fO

Discharge.

Sec. -ft. 

606

235

140

115

544

109

189

405

179

1,429

1,629

-677

230

65

675

586

1,158

937

1,315

195

186

52
118 WATEE BESOURCES OF COLOEADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on Piedra River at Arbolex Continued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 23

May 22

June 26

Nov. 26

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.80

3.40

2.90

2.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

499

279

111

88

LOS PINOS RIVER AT IGNACIO.

This stream drains the country near the western end of the San 

Juan Range and the southern slope of the Needle Mountains. It flows 

in a southerly direction for about 50 miles, crossing the Colorado line 

about 5 miles south of La Boca, on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. The valley is in general wider than the valleys of the Piedra 

and San Juan, and irrigation is more extensively practiced along the 

borders of the stream. A number of canals have been constructed by 

the Government for the benefit of the Indians located on the bottom 

lands. Several irrigation canals have also been projected, and surveys 

have been made by private parties for the purpose of taking out water 

to the adjacent mesas. The station is important as giving information 

concerning the supply of water available for the use of the Indians 

and of white settlers as well. The Indians have in general taken lands 

in severalty in the first bottom lands of the stream, but since the reservation was thrown open many white settlers have filed on lands 

higher up. The normal supply of this stream will probably eventually prove insufficient for irrigation, and this may be trie even with 

storage. There are, however, some very fine reservoir sites upon the 

headwaters of the stream which may be used.

The gaging station is located at the subagency, about 3 miles north 

of the station of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. The channel 

is fairly suitable at this point, being of gravel and bowlders, and has 

suffered little change since the station was established. Measurements 

are usually made at the wagon bridge, to which the rod is attached, 

but may at times of low water be made by wading. Tin channel is 

fairly stable at this point, the banks, although low, not being particularly liable to overflow. Records have been irregular and unsatisfactory, but a table is compiled from the few that have been sent in. a

a. For more detailed data concerning this station, see Tenth Biennial Report of the State Engineer 

of Colorado, p. 336. Also publications TJ. S. Geological Survey: Twenty-first Annual Report, Part IV, 

p. 299; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 38, p. 309; No. 39, p. 462; No. 50, p. 3"").
FELLOWS.) SAN JUAN DIVISION. 110

Estimated monthly discharge of Los Pinos River at Ignacio. 

[Altitude, 6,422 feet; drainage area, 450 square miles.]

Month.

1899. 

April 23 to 30.. .........

May ...................

June ...................

July ...................

August ........ ........

September. .............

October .... ...........

November ..............

December 1 to 21 ........

1900. 

January ................

February ........'.......

March...... ............

April 1 to 7 .............

May 9 to 26....... ......

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

947 

605 

662 

1,346 

264 

292 

124 

89

101 

61 

141 

193

1,326

Minimum.

180 

264 

124 

49 

36 

36 

89 

49

61 

61 

61

101

785

Mean.

479 

530 

469 

289 

349 

62 

127 

103 

59

82 

61 

94 

166 

998

Total in acrefeet.

29, 693 

32, 588 

27, 907 

17,770 

21,459 

3,689 

78, 088 

6,129 

3,628

5,042 

3,388 

5,780 

9,878 

61, 365

Run-off.

Seccndf eet per 

square 

mile.

1.11

1.18 

1.04 

.64 

.77 

.14 

.28 

.23 

.13

.19 

.13 

21 

.36

2.22

Depth in 

inches.

1.24 

1.36 

1.16 

.74 

.89 

.16 

.32 

.26 

.15

.22 

.13 

.24 

.40 

2.56

Discharge measurements made on Los Pinos River at Ignacio. 

[Hydrographer, A. L. Fellows.]

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 22. ......................................................

May 20 .......................... . . . . .......... ......

June 25. ......................................................

Nov. 25 ......................................................

1900. 

Mar. 26 ... ................................... ...............

May 8 .......................... . . . ...... . . . ..........

Aug. 14 .......................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3 20

3 40

2.80

2.60

2.60

3 50

2.00

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

437

577

244

124

137

604

25

FLORIDA RIVER AT STEWARDS RANCH, NEAR DURANGO.

This stream is a tributary of Animas River, and drains the country 

immediately west of that drained by the Los Pinos. Irrigation is 

extensively practiced along this stream, particularly along its lower 

course, and the supply, being insufficient, is exhausted early in the irrigation season. Owing to the fact that there are large trrcts of land
120 WATER EESOUECES OF COLOEADO. [NO. 74.

along- the stream that might be cultivated if there were enough water, 

a project has been considered for storing water in the upper portion 

of the drainag-e basin. The land is particularly valuable, being located 

near the city of Durang-o and being- at such an altitude that wheat and 

other grains may be most successfully raised. The station was maintained for a portion only of one summer, with a view to ascertaining 

the high-water discharg-e. The data thus derived are given in full/'

Estimated monthly discharge of Florida River at Duranyo. 

[Drainage area, 136 square miles.]

Month.

1899. 

May 21 to 31...... ......

July ...................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

121 

211

mut. *«*» 

........ 139

12 68 

6 45

Total in acrefeet.

8,547 

4,046

2,767

Run-off.

Se^ondfeet per 

square 

ir'le.

1.02 

.50 

.33

Depth in 

inches.

1.18 

.56 

.38

The only gaging-s made in the year 1899 are as given below:

Discharge measurements "made on Florida Hirer at Durango. 

[Hydrographer, A. L. Fellows.]

Date.

1899. 

May 19 .......................................................

June 24 ......................................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

o 95

.70

Discharge.

Sec. -ft. 

236

9

ANIMA8 RIVEK AT DURANGO.

This stream is the largest tributary of the San Juan, and derives 

its water from the hig-h mountains above Silverton, draining portions 

of the Needle and La Plata mountains, in addition to the area south 

of Mount Sneffels and Eed Mountain. The country drained by this 

stream and its tributaries is generally very mountainous down to a 

point about 12 miles above the city of Durango, where the valley 

broadens out to such an extent that irrigation is extensively practiced. 

The supply of water is probably more than adequate to meet all 

demands for irrigation, although a number of projects are being- con-

«Por more detailed data concerning this station see Tenth Biennial Report of the State Engineer 

of Colorado, p. 340. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: Twenty-first Annual Eeport, Part IV, 

p.300; Water-supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 38, p. 311; and No. 39, p. 452. Also, Eeport on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by P. H. Newell, p. 116.
FELLOWS.] SAN JUAN DIVISION. 121

sidered with a view to using the waters of this river and of its tributaries for the development of power, both directly and through the 

transmission of electricity. An important project has al«o been 

undertaken for the construction of a large canal using the water of 

the Anirnas River in New Mexico.

The station is located at the wagon bridge, a short distance west of 

the railroad station at Durango. In 1889 a new bridge was constructed, rendering the new station much more satisfactory than the 

old one had been. The stream is usually gaged from th<3 wagon 

bridge, but may at very low water be gaged by wading. The channel 

is of bowlders, and is fairly stable, although occasional changes occur. 

The banks are high and not liable to overflow. a

«For more detailed information concerning this station see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of Colorado: Eighth, p. 510; Ninth, p. 392; Tenth, p. 342. Also publications TJ. S. Geological 

Survey: Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 283; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 414; Twent'eth, Part IV, 

p. 403; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 301; Bulletin No. 140, p. 198; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 

11, p. 72; No. 16, p. 146; No. 28, pp. 139,142, and 145; No. 38, p. 310; No. 39, p. 452; No. 50, p. 383. Also, 

Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 116.
Estimated mean discharge of Animas River 

[Altitude, 6,551 feet; drainage area, 812 squa

Month

THV»Vii*n Q vir

May ..............................

July ..............................

O

Of*tfVKpv

November .........................

December .........................

Mean .......................

1895.

Sec.-fl.

*646 

388 

510 

363 

307 

246 

» 261

387

110,760

1896.

Secrft.

f 1,634 

2,326 

875 

319 

199 

1,004 

475 

274 

6216

816

126, 008

1897.

Sec. -ft. 

6310 

6284 

6374 

2,608 

4,498 

3, 218 

1,120 

534 

875 

1,385 

553 

430

1,349

979, 3-17

1898.

Sec.-ft. 

6378 

6267 

6306 

1,510 

1, 765 

3, 431 

1,364 

364 

263 

161 

158 

6250

851

615, 997

1899

Sec.-f

5

1,7

1,7

6

2

&

388, 9

a The run-off given in the above table is for normal months and the totals for a normal year as deri

cited.

6 Approximate. c April 12 to 30, inclusive. 
FELLOWS.] SAN JUAN DIVISION. 123

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Animas River of- Durango for 

that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1895................

1896.... ............

1897.................

1898................

1899................

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

rAug. 12 

IDec. 15 

Aug. 26 

Aug. 27 

Nov. 19 

Apr. 6 

Feb. 17

Amount.

8ec.-Jt. 

\ 208

138 

325

125 

138 

122

Maximum.

Date.

Aug. 14

Sept, 24 

May 25 

June 23 

May 14 

May 28

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

990

» 7, 800 

5,870 

4,677 

3,240 

3,830

Eun-off . a

Depth in 

inch°s.

3,82

10 18 , 

22.61 

14.25 

9.09 

9.58

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.48

1.00 

1.66 

1.05 

.89 

.69

"The run-off given is the amount for that part of each year covered by the record? and the depth 

in inches for the time. Details may be found in the authorities cited. 

& Approximate.

Discharge measurements made on Animas River at Durango.

Date.

1895. 

June 18

Aug. 29

Oct. 10

Nov. 24

1896. 

May 15

June 19

July 23

Sept. 25

Oct. 23

1897. 

Apr. 23

May 14

June 25

July 23

Aug. 27

Sept. 24

Oct. 22

1898. 

Apr. 11

May 15

June 20

Aug. 5

Aug. 22

Oct. 22

Hydrographer.

F. Cogswell. .......................................

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

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

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

F. Cogswell. .......................................

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

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

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

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

F. Cogswell........................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

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

G. H. Matthes.... .................................

A. L. Fellows. . ....................................

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

Gafe 

height.

Feet. 

6 50

5 80

5.40

5 20

6 35

5 80

5.50

7.40

5 50

7.75

9.20

7.85

6 10

5 10

6 05

6 50

6 50

7.25

8 55

5,20

5 07

4.70

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,893

543

328

260

1,063

590

360

2,566

414

2,176

4,786

2,534

997

328

905

1,121

1,356

1,797

3,475

414

284

160
124 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on Animus River at Durango Continued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 21

Mav 19

June 24

Sept. 28

Nov. 25

1900. 

Mar. 26

May 9

June 25

Aug. 13

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows......................................

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows...... ................................

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.50

9.45

8.10

6.52

6.50

6.60

8.65

8.80

6.45

Discharge.

See.-fL 

698

2, 635

1,256

223

201

246

1,614

1,740

169

MANCOH RIVER AT MANCOS.

Mancos River rises on the southwestern slopes of the La Plata 

Mountains and flows in a generally southwesterly direction, emptying 

intcTthe San Juan at a point about 6 miles east of the southwest corner 

of the State of Colorado, or the Four Corners. The upp°r portion of 

the drainage is mountainous; and little irrigation is possible until the 

valley broadens out in the vicinity of the town of Mancos, where all 

of the ordinary flow of the stream is used. Enough water goes to 

waste, however, at high stages to irrigate probably all of the available 

land along the stream if it could be properly stored. For the last 40 

miles of its course the stream flows through the Mesa Verde in what is 

known as the Mancos Canyon, this lying in the Southern Ute Indian 

Reservation. n With plenty of water, considerable land night be irrigated for the benefit of the Indians in this canyon, but under existing 

conditions the stream is dry during a greater part of the summer 

season, and hence no irrigation is possible.

The station is located at the town of Mancos, a short distance below 

a wagon bridge near the center of the town. A number of ditches 

take their supply of water at points above the station and a number of 

others are located below. The channel is not gravel and is somewhat 

shifting, the bed changing so much in the year 1900 tH-t no rating 

table was possible for that year. 6

aHayden's Report of 1875.

&For more detailed information concerning this station see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of Colorado: Ninth, p. 394; Tenth, p. 346. Publications U. S. Geological S'urvey: Twentieth 

Annual Report, Part IV, p. 404; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 284; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, 

No. 28, pp. 137,142,144; No. 38, p. 312; No. 39, p. 452, and No. 50, p. 384. Also Report on Agriculture 

by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 122.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74 PL. XII

A. MANGOS CANYON IN MESA VERDE.

B. GRAND RIVER AT GRAND JUNCTION.
FELLOWS.] SAN JUAN DIVISION.

Estimated m&nthty discharge of Mancos River at Mancos.

125

[Altitude, 6,960 fe

Month.

1898.

Apr. 10 to 30............

May ............. ......

Julv ...................

August ......... .......

October" ...............

1899. 

March « ................

June ...................

July ...................

September ..............

November a .... .........

Dische

Maximum.

....... j

375

270 

291 

333 

12 

12

91 

144 

81 

19 

102 

123 

60

?t; drainage area, 117 square miles.]

rge in second-feet.

Minimum.

123 

144 

144 

2

8 

3

5

19 

5 

3 

8 

5 

1

Mean.

50 

261 

206 

213 

104 

9 

7 

5 

3

90 

42 

74 

33 

9 

41 

33 

22 

5

Total in acrefeet.

3,074 

15, 531 

12, 667 

12, 674 

6,395 

553 

399 

307 

179

51, 779

5, 534

2,499 

4,550 

1,964 

533 

2, 521 

1.964 

1, 353 

298

19, 268

Run-off.

Secordfeet F*T 

square 

mile.

0.43 

2.23

1.76 

1.82 

.89 

.08 

.06 

.04 

.03

.82

0.77 

.36 

.63

.28 

.08 

.35 

.28 

.19 

.04

.30

Depth in 

inches.

0.49 

2.49 

2.03 

2.03 

1.02 

.09 

.07 

.04 

.03

8.29

0.89 

.40 

.72 

.31 

.09 

.40 

.31 

.22 

.04

3.07

"Approximate, no observations being made during these periods.

Discharge measurements made on Mancos River «t Mancos. 

[Hydrographer, A. L. Fellows.]

Date.

1898.- 

Apr. 9. .......................................................

May 14 .......................................................

Oct. 18........... ..............................................

GagQ 

heigh t.

Feet. 

1.80

2.20

2.00

.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

102

185

159

3
126 WATEE RESOUBCES OF COLOBADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on Mancos River at Mancos. Continued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 19. ......................................................

May 18 .......................................................

June 23. ......................................................

Sept. 22 .....................................................

Nov. 24 .......................................................

1900. 

Mar. 23. ......................................................

May 7 ........................................................

June 26. ......................................................

Aug. 12.......................................................

Gage

Feet. 

1.65

1.60

1.10

.90

1.00

1.05

1.80

1.70

1.40

Discharge.

Sec.-fl. 

70

56

9

2

3

4

82

16

2

MISCELLANEOUS INVESTIGATION!?.

A number of miscellaneous gagings have been made at different 

points in this division, and are given in the table below. Most of these 

were taken during an investigation looking to the irrigation of lands 

belonging to the Southern Ute Indians. A full description of this 

investigation, with a statement of its results, may be found in the 

Twentieth Annual Report, Part IV, pages 408-43-i, and ir the Twentyfirst Annual Report, Part IV, page 286 et seq.

No seepage measurements have been made upon any cf the streams 

of this region, but it is likely that the return from seepage is slight, 

as the stratification is such as to make any great returns- improbable.

This region is also discussed in Hayden's Report for 1875.

Miscellaneous discharge measurements of San Juan River and tributaries. 

[Hydrographer, Gerard H. Matthes.]

Date.

1898. 

Aug. 6

Aug. 7

Aug. 10

Aug. 18

Sept. 21

1899. 

Sept. 13

Oct 14°

Stream.

Los Pinos River. ...........

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

La Plata River .............

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

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

Locality.

6 miles above Ignaeio ........

Hesperus ....................

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

Discharge.

Scc.-ft. 

246

196

11

609

383

3

100+

«Estimated discharge for several hours following a heavy rain.
FELLOWS.] IEEIGATION SYSTEM. 127

GRAND RIVER DIVISION. 

IRRIGATION.

Grand River is the largest stream in Colorado, and drains the greatest territory. The main stream rises in Middle Park, in north-central 

Colorado, and drains the mountainous country on the west side of the 

Front Range and the south side of the Continental Divide in Middle 

Park. The Grand River and all of its tributaries flow through mountainous regions for considerable portions of their courses, and then 

generally enter a country the surface of which is usually undulating, 

but at times badly broken by deep canyons and ravines, the bottoms 

of these canyons being sometimes valleys of considerable extent, and 

again narrowing to mere threads. Along these canyons and valleys 

are often mesas of varied breadths. Upon most of the streams of this 

division but little irrigation has been practiced, except along the lowest valleys. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule, the 

most notable ones being the Uncompahgre and Dolores rivers, which 

will be described more fully later. Upon sonie of the streams as, 

for example, the San Miguel a great deal of water is used for the 

purpose of developing power, the supply upon this strer.m being 

hardly adequate to the demands. Considerable power is developed 

upon other streams of this region also, the San Miguel, the Lake 

Fork of the Gunnison, and the Dolores being examples. Owing to 

the comparatively small amount of land that can be irrigated along the 

main stream, only a small proportion of the water in this division has 

been used, but a number of projects are under consideration with 

a view to diverting the water in great canals to the fert'le mesas 

along the various streams, and in one case namely, the Gunnison 

River of taking water from that stream through the Divide for the 

purpose of irrigating lands in another valley the Uncompahgre. 

Another great project now under consideration is that of ts.king the 

water of Grand River, by means of a very large canal, to the uplands 

of the western part of Colorado and the eastern part of Utah.

A number of the smaller tributaries of the Grand and its branches 

furnish a supply that is inadequate for the demands of irrigation, and 

storage is resorted to on a number of these streams, Surface Creek 

and Roan Creek being examples. The crops of this region vary with 

the altitude, only hay and grain being raised at the higher elevations, 

while fruits of an almost tropical nature may be raised where the Grand 

crosses the State line into Utah. A beet-sugar factory has been located 

at Grand Junction, and is successfully operated.

Irrigation division No. V, the Grand River division, covers the 

lands irrigated by the Grand and its tributaries. The relations existing between the different districts of this division are not so close as
128 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

is usually the case in the eastern half of the State. Except in a few 

cases the different districts are not interdependent, sc that the water 

in one district is generally used without much reference to others, this 

being usually due to the fact that each stream flows into a river so 

large (the Grand) that its supply has not yet been exhausted. This, 

will not long remain the case, however, and eventually the interdependence of the different districts will undoubtedly be almost as close 

as it is upon the South Platte.

There are 20 districts in this division, for the names and boundaries 

of which see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of Colorado. 

For map see PI. I of this paper, p. 20.

STREAM MEASUREMENTS.

The following stations have been maintained for a length of time 

sufficient to warrant publication of the records, measurements at other 

stations being given in the list of miscellaneous measurements for this 

division. These stations are at Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction, 

on Grand River; lola and Grand Junction, on Gunnison River; Fort 

Crawford and Montrose, on Uncompahgre River; Dolores, on Dolores 

River; and Fall Creek, on San Miguel River."

GKAND RIVER AT GLENWOOD SPRINGS.

This station was located May 12, 1899, at the request of the Denver 

and Rio Grande Railroad Company, at the railroad bridge one-quarter 

of a mile west of the depot and just above the mouth of Roaring Fork. 

A wire gage was used at this point, but records were kept up during 

the stage of high water only. On January 1, 1900, a new gage rod 

was located near the Glenwood Springs electric-light ptant. Measurements are made from the wagon bridge across the river near the railroad station. The channel is good, being composed of gravel and of 

rock, and is not liable to great change, and the banks are high and not 

subject to overflow. Gagings are made from the bridge. The station 

is of importance, as it furnishes a good idea of the flow of Grand 

River available for the great irrigation projects contemplated below, 

measurements being made of Roaring Fork also whenever they are 

made at the Glenwood station. 6

a For further descriptions of this division see Hayden's Report of 1875. Also publications U. S. 

Geological Survey: Twelfth Annual Report, Part II, p. 290; Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 260; Nineteenth, 

Part IV, p. 360; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 373; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 280; Bulletins No. 13, p. 47; No. 

140, p. 186, and Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell. For agricultural statistics see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers 

of Colorado.

& For more specific information concerning this station see Tenth Biennial Report of the State 

Engineer of Colorado, p. 350; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, U. S. Geological Snrvey, No. 37, p. 

293; No. 50, p. 375, and Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, 

p. 112-
FELLOWS.] GBAND EIVEE DIVISION.

Estimated monthly discharge of Grand River at Glenwood Springs. 

[Altitude, 5,743 feet; drainage area, 5,838 square miles.]

129

Month.

January ................

February ...............

March .................

April..,. ...............

May ...................

June ...................

July ...................

August .................

September. .............

October ................

November ..............

December .............

The year .........

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

970 

935 

1,460 

3,940 

22, 895 

22, 390 

7,270 

1,460 

870 

755 

935 

840

22, 895

Minimum.

810 

810 

902 

1,120 

3, 245 

7,622 

1,515 

935 

755 

755 

728 

570

570

Mean.

890 

883 

1,187 

1,818 

11,963 

14,817 

3, 121 

1,134 

800 

755 

805 

681

Total in acrefeet.

54, 724 

49, 039

72, 896 

108, 178 

735, 577 

881, 673 

191, 903 

69, 727, 

47, 603 

46, 423 

47, 901 

41, 873

3, 238 2, 347, 607

Run-off.

Secondfee*, per 

square 

mile.

0.15 

.15 

.20 

.31 

2.05 

2.54 

.54 

.19 

.14 

.13 

.14 

.12

.56

Depth in

inches.

0.17 

.16 

.23 

.35 

2.36 

2.83 

,62 

.22 

.16 

.15 

.16 

.14

7.55

Discharge measurements made on Grand River at Glenwood Springs. 

[Hydrographer, A. L. Fellows.]

Date.

 1899. 

May 12................. ..... ... ...................

June 1 7 ......................................................

November 17.................................................

1900. ' 

March 19 .....................................................

JulyS.... .................... ...... .. .....................

Gs.ge 

height.

Feet. 

6.05

1C. 22

2.75

3.80

5.40

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

17,577

29, 187

1,084

1,140

3,764

August 23 .................................................... I 3.60 1,086

GRAND RIVER AT GRAND JUNCTION.

This station was established October 18, 1894, and is located at the 

State wagon bridge across Grand River near the pump house of the 

city waterworks at Grand Junction, a short distance above the mouth 

of Gimnison River. The Grand at this point discharges through two 

channels, and a separate record of each is maintained, requiring separate discharge measurements. During the last four years by far the 

greater part of the water has run through the left channel; during the 

year 1900 there was a flow through the right channel for but a short 

time. Gage rod No. 1 is attached to the pier on the right bank of the 

river on the lower side; gage rod No. 2 consists of a wire and weight 

IRE 74 02 9
130 WATEE RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

fastened to the upper side of the bridge over the left channel. The 

channel is sandy and shifting, and the discharge must therefore be 

considered as approximate only. Owing to the small number of measurements made and to the changes in the channel it h^s been found 

impracticable to construct rating tables covering the entire period, 

so that the discharge for 1895, 1896, and 1900 are not given. a

Estimated total monthly discharge of Grand River at Grand Junction. 

[Altitude, 4,594 feet; drainage area, 8,644 square miles.]

Month.

1897.

February ...............

March...... ............

September ...... ........

December ..............

The year .........

1898. 

January ................

February ...............

March ..................

April ...................

May....................

June ...................

August .................

October ................

December ..............

The year .........

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

11,476 

37, 950 

37, 008 

15, 006 

5, 470 

2,650 

2,350 

1,820

37, 950

12, 642 

17, 262 

7,611 

1,725 

1,143 

1,143 

1,337

17. 262

Minimum.

1,280 

12, 785 

15, 618 

3,400 

1,720 

1,640 

1,560 

1, 455

4,633 

8,279 

1,725 

949 

561 

561 

755

Mean.

61, 000 

61,050 

61,100 

3,723 

29, 436 

25,350 

8,830 

3,000 

1,803 

1,813 

1, 663 

61,550

6,693

62,944 

62,985 

62, 113

&4,305 

7,130 

13, 702 

4,445 

1,127 

907 

915 

1,072 

1,011

3,555

Total in acrefeet.

&61, 488 

658,314 

667,637 

221, 534 

1, 809, 948 

1, 508, 429 

542, 935 

184, 463 

107, 286 

111,478 

98, 955 

695, 306

4, 867, 773

6181,020 

6165,777 

6129,924 

6256,165 

438, 406 

815, 326 

273, 312 

69, 297 

53, 970 

56, 261 

63, 788 

62, 164

2. 565, 410

Run-off.

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

"0.12 

6.12 

6.13 

.43 

3.41 

2.93 

1.02 

.35 

.21 

.21 

.19 

6.18

.78

6.34 

6.35 

6.24 

6.50 

.83 

1.59 

.51 

.13 

.11 

.11 

.12 

.17

.42

Depth in 

inches.

60.14 

6.12 

6.15 

.48 

3.93 

3.27 

1.18 

.40 

.23 

.24 

.21 

6.21

10.56

6.39 

6.36 

6.28 

6.56 

.94 

1.77 

.59 

.15 

.12 

.13 

.14 

.20

5.63

« For more detailed information concerning this station see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers 

of Colorado: Eighth, p. 534; Ninth, p. 396; Tenth, p. 352. Also publications TJ. S. Geological Survey: 

Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 260; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 400; Twenti?th, Part IV, p. 389; 

Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 281; Bulletins, No. 131, p. 48; .No. 140, p. 187; Water-Suoply and Irrigation 

Papers No. 11, p. 67; No. 16, p. 137; No. 28, pp. 135, 142, and 144; No. 37, p. 294; No. 39, p. 451; No. 50, p. 

376. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 121.

& Approximate.
FELLOWS.] GEAND EIVEE DIVISION. 131

Estimated total monthly discharge of Grand River at Grand Junction Continued.

Month.

1899.

April. ..................

May ...................

June ...................

July ...................

September. .............

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

Minimum. Mean.

1,799 

3,940 

19, 375 

3] ,306 

14, 070 

4,577 

2,164

Total in acrefeet.

110, 616 

234, 446 

1, 191, 322 

1, 862, 836 

865, 130 

281, 429 

128, 886

Run-off.

Secordfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.21 

.46 

2.24 

3.62 

1.63 

.53 

.25

Depth in 

inches.

0.24 

.52 

2.59 

3.99

1.88 

.21 

.68

Discharge measurements made on Grand River at Grand Junction. 

[Total discharge of both channels.]

Date.

1894. 

Oct. 18

1895. 

June 27

Oct. 1

1896. 

Aug. 20

Sept. 20

Oct. 17

Nov. 10

1897. 

Apr. 20

May 19

July 29

Sept. 29

Oct. 28

Nov. 23

1898. 

Apr. 25

May 23

June 27

Aug. 27

Oct. 15

Hydrographer.

A. P. Davis ........................................

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

F ClriO'siwpl 1

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

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

C. C. Babb .........................................

C. C. Babb ...............................'..........

W. B. Dougall. . ....................................

F CHAD'S wpll

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

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

C. C. Babb .........................................

A. L. Fellows. ......................................

.....do ...:....... .................................

.....do ...............:.. ..........................

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

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

Gage 

heigh'1;.

Feet. 

2.10

4.03

.82

3.00

3.90

3.60

3.35

5.60

10.20

5.35

4.05

3.98

3.90

5.15

5 85

7.40

3.35

3.20

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,585

16,500

2,059

1,023

1,694

1,542

1,497

5,176

32, 686

4,044

2,062

1,764

1,423

4,802

6,087

11,215

1,237

949
132 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Disclmrge measurements made on Grand River at Grand Junction Continued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 15

May 13

June 18

Sept. 19

Nov. 18

1900. 

Mar. 20

July 7

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows. ......................................

.....do ................................... i........

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

.....do .......................".....................

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.70

10.00

11.55

4.20

3.90

4.15

5.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

2,946

23, 153

« 40, 000

1,989

1,916

1,762

6,177

"Approximate.

GUNNISON RIVER AT IOLA.

Gunnison River, the largest tributary of the Grand in Colorado, 

rises in the south central part of the State, in the Saguache Mountains 

and Cochetopa Hills, and flows in a westerly direction, emptying into 

the Grand near the western boundary of the State, & short distance 

from Grand J unction. Comparatively little of the wi.ter is yet used 

for irrigation, but a canal line has now been surveyed, with a view 

to taking the water from Gunnison River and carrying it to the 

valley of the Unconipahgre for the purpose of irrigating the fertile 

plains there. It was for the purpose of determining the amount of 

water available for such a project that the lola station was located, 

although several important tributaries enter the Gunnison between 

the point selected at lola and the point where the canal would probably be taken out. The rod is placed at a wagon bridge which crosses 

the Gunnison about one-quarter of a mile above the railroad station 

of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad at lola, measurements having 

been made and records kept up during the year 1900 only. The 

channel is favorable to accuracy, being wide, and tie bed being of 

gravel and bowlders and not particularly liable to change. The 

banks, although not high, are not subject to overflow. a

a For more specific information concerning this station see Tenth Biennial Report of the State 

Engineer of Colorado, p. 357; Water-Supply and irrigation Paper, U. S. Geological Survey, No. 60, p. 

378.
FELLOWS.] GRAND BIVEE DIVISION. 133

Estimated monthly discharge of Gunnison River at lola. 

[Drainage area, 2,298 square miles.]

Month.

April. ..................

May ...................

June ...................

July ...................

August .................

September. .............

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,258 

4,388 

4,265 

1,359 

450 

350 

250

Minimum.

551 

1,157 

1,460 

350 

350 

250 

250

Mean.

773 

2,875 

2,726 

727 

360 

260 

250

Total in acrefeet.

45, 997 

176, 777 

162,208 

44, 701 

22, 136 

15,471 

15, 372

Run-off.

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.34 

1.25 

1.19 

.32 

.16 

.11 

.11

Depth in 

inches.

0.38 

1.44 

1.33 

.37 

.18 

.12 

.13

<e measurements made, on Gunnison River at lola. 

[Hydrographer, A. L. Fellows.]

Date.

1900. 

May 3 .......................................................

June 28 ......................................................

July 5. ................. ......................................

August 9. .....................................................

August 25....................................... .............

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.00

3.40

9 on

2.20

2.10

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1,272

1,658

1,169

431

392

aUNNISON RIVER AT GRAND JUNCTION.

This station was located on July 3, 1895, at the wagon bridge across 

the Gunnison, about 1 mile from its junction with the Grpnd, and 

observations were made until December 21 of that year, after which 

none were made until 1897. The station was never satisfactory, high 

water from Grand River setting back into the mouth of the Gunnison, 

making the gage readings unreliable. The readings were discontinued, 

therefore, after the fall of 1899. The channel was uneven and somewhat shifting, some very large bowlders interfering very materially 

with the gagings. The banks are so high that there was no liability 

of overflow. a

a For more detailed information concerning this station see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers 

of Colorado: Eighth, p. 644; Ninth, p. 401; Tenth, p. 359. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: 

Nineteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 404; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 390; Twenty-first, PaH IV, p. 278; 

Bulletin No. 140, p. 189; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers: No. 16, p. 141; No. 28, pp. 136. 142, and 

144; No. 37, p. 297; No. 39, p. 461.
134 WATER RESOUKCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Estimated monthly discharge of Qunnison River at Grand Junction 

[Altitude, 4,594 feet; drainage area, 7,935 square miles.]

Month.

1897. 

May ...................

July ...................

August .................

September. .............

1898. 

May ...................

July ...................

August .................

October ................

November ..............

1899. 

April............. ......

May ...................

June ...................

July ...................

September. .............

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

20, 732 

19,116 

5,370 

1,850 

1,510 

2, 020 

1,200

8,996 

11, 361 

3,965 

968 

578 

672 

672

8,792 

16, 750 

16, 752 

8,430 

4,562 

1,000

Minimum.

11,844 

5, 370 

1,510 

160 

160 

1,060 

230

3, 965 

4,158 

1,076 

578 

399 

399 

314

968 

3,902

8,078 

2,246 

908 

758

Mean.

16, 921 

11, 161 

3,231 

975 

628 

1,472 

933

5,318 

8,850 

2,543 

689' 

479 

533 

497

3,550 

10, 296 

12, 380 

4,349 

1,921 

875

Total in acrefeet.

1, 040, 438 

664, 124 

198, 668 

59, 951 

37, 369 

90, 510 

55, 517

326, 993 

526, 610 

156, 364 

42, 365 

28, 502 

32, 773 

29, 573

211, 240 

633, 080 

736, 662 

267, 410 

118,118 

52, 066

Run-off.

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

2.13 

1.41 

.41 

.12 

.09 

.19 

.12

.67 

1.12 

.32 

.09 

.06 

.07 

.06

.45 

,1.30 

1.56 

.55 

.24 

.11

Depth in 

inches.

2.46 

1.57 

.47 

.14

.oy

22 

.13

.77 

1.25 

.37 

.10 

.07 

.OS 

.07

.,50 

1.50 

1.74 

.63 

.28 

.12

Discharge measurements made on Gunnison River at Grand Junction.

Date. Hydrographer.

1894. 

Oct. 17 A. P. Davis..... ...................................

1895. 

June 28 A. P. Davis......... ...............................

July 17 .-..-do............................................

Oct. 1 .....do ............................................

1897. 

Apr. 20 C. C. Babb ...-------- ---- -- ------------------

May 20 W. B. Dougall 

July 28 F Cogswell

Sept. 28 .....do ............................................

Oct. 27 .....do ............................................

Nov. 23 C. C. Babb ........................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.25

4.74 

3.60 

1.95

5.20 

7.30 

2.65 

2.40 

2.50 

2.30

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

748

4,178 

2,642 

781

5,975 

6,644 

1,814 

1,246 

1,270 

828
FELLOWS.] GEAND EIVER DIVISION. 1B5

Discharge measurements made on Gunnixon River at Grand Junction. Continued.

Date.

1898. 

Apr. 26

Mav 23

June 28

Aug. 27

Oct. 15

1899. 

Apr. 15

May 13

June 18

Sept. 19

Nov. 18

1900. 

Mar. 20

July 7

Hydrographer. 

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows. .....................................

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

Gag? 

heigl *,.

Feet. 

4.66

4.50

4.62

1.80

1.50

3.50

7.00

7.15

2.20

2.00

2.50

2.90

Discharge.

Sec.-fl. 

5,932

4,647

5,274

866

578

3,002

14, 280

12, 769

1,061

968

1,477

2,121

TJNCOMPAHGRE RIVER AT FORT CRAWFORD.

Uncompahgre River rises in Ouraj^ County, in the high peaks of 

southwestern .Colorado, and flows northwesterly, emptying into Gunnison River at Delta. The upper portion of its drainage basin is 

mountainous, but farther downstream the country is less broken and 

irrigation is possible along the valleys and adjacent mesas. Water is 

used to a certain extent for power purposes and in milling* along the 

upper course of the stream. In the vicinity of Montrose a number of 

canals divert nearly all of the normal flow for irrigatior purposes, 

and recourse must be had to storage or to the diversion of the waters 

of the Gunnison, already mentioned, for further irrigation in this 

district. The Fort Crawford station is located at a wagon bridge 

about one-quarter of a mile east of the railroad station at Fort Crawford, the post-office, known as Uncompahgre, being about 8 miles 

above, or south of, Montrose. The channel proved unsatisfactory, 

consisting of gravel bars which changed radically from time to time, 

rendering the rating tables untrustworthy. The discharge tables are 

therefore largely approximate/*

«For further details concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of Colorado: Fifth, Part I, pp. 19 and 41, and Part II, PI. XIX; Eighth, p. 528; Ninth, p. 4<^- Tenth, p. 361. 

Also publications LT. S. Geological Survey: Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV, p. 266; Nineteenth, 

Part IV, p. 402; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 391; Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 279; Bulletin No. 140, p. 188; 

Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 11, p. 69; No. 16, p. 139; No. 28, pp. 136,142, and 144; No. 37, 

p. 2%; No. 39, p. 451. Also Report on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, t y F. H. Newell, 

p. 122.
136 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

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GBAND EIVEB DIVISION. 137

Majdmum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Uncompahgre River at Fort 

Orawford for that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1895................

1896................

1897................

1898................

1899................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Nov. 6 

Aug. 15 

Sept. 1 

Aug. 3 

Sept. 10

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

55 

10 

55 

15 

4

Maximum.

Date.

June 28 

May 27 

June 15 

June 24 

June 15

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

1,535 

3,375 

1,467 

985 

1,163

Run-off. «

Depth in 

inches.

0.78 

.64 

.92

.58

.72

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.70 

.58 

.83 

.52

.65

a The run-off given is for that part of each year covered by the observations and for a thirty-day 

month, at the rate given as the mean second-feet per square mile for the period covered.

Discharge measurements made mi Uncompahgre River at Fort Crawfori.

Date.

1895. 

June 25

Aug. 26

Oct. 7

Nov. 18

1896. 

May 11

June 15

July 18

Aug. 21

Sept. 21

Oct. 18

1897. 

Apr. 18

May 10

June 21

July 19

Aug. 23

Sept. 20

Oct. 18

1898. 

Apr. 5

May 9

June 15

Aug. 12

Hydrogr.- pher.

F. Cogswell. .......................................

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

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

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

F. Cogswell. .......................................

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

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

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

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

F. Cogswell. .-. .....................................

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

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

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

.....do .................!..........................

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

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

A. L. Fellows. . ................ .^ ..................

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

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

.....do .....:......................................

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.60

3.25

2.60

2.55

4.30

4.10

3.50

2.90

3.25

3.10

3.90

4.55

5.05

4.50

3.45

3.85

4.00

3.55

3.92

5.18

3.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

834

218

89

92

568

560

204

31

122

95

487

884

1,081

473

70

153

195

91

203

720

74
138 WATEE RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

Discharge measurements made on Uncompahgre River at Fort Crawford Cont'd.,

Date.

1898. 

Oct. 16

1899. 

Apr. 16

Mav 15

Sept. 21

Nov. 20

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows. ... .^ ................................

A. L. Fellows. ..................... ^............ ...

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.75

4.50

5 22

5.18

3.65

3.70

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

56

328

747

77^

69

79

UNCOMPAHaRE EIVEK AT MONTROSE.

This station was located at Montrose in the fall of 1899, no records 

being kept, however, until the spring of 1900. There is but little 

water at this point during the greater part of the year, as the canals 

above divert most of the flow. The station is located at a bridge 

crossing the river opposite the town of Montrose, about one-half of a 

mile from the station of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. The 

channel is favorable to accuracy, being of gravel and bowlders and not 

liable to change, and the banks are high and not subject to overflow. 

Records were kept up for a short time only, as there was but little 

water during the greater part of the irrigation season of 1900. a

Estimated monthly discharge of Uncompahgre River at Montrose. 

[Altitude, 5,811 feet; drainage area, 565 square miles.]

Month.

1900.

April 8-30 ..............

May ...................

June ...................

July 1-7 ................

Discharge in Becond-feet.

Maximum.

71

369

369

158

Minimum.

18

51

122

68

Mean.

50

177

260

127

Total in acrefeet.

10, 883

15, 471

Run-off.

Secondfeet per 

square

mile.

0.31

.46

Depth in 

inches.

0.36

.52

a For further details concerning this station, see Tenth Biennial Report of the State Engineer of 

Colorado, p. 363. Also Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper, U. S. Geological Survey, No. 60, p. 379.
FELLOWS.] GRAND RIVER DIVISION*

DiscJiarge measurements made on Uncompahgre River at Montrose. 

[Hydrographer, A. L. Fellows.]

139

Date.

1899. 

Sept. 20 ......................................................

Nov. 20. ................................... ^. ................

1900. 

July 5.. ........:.............................................

Aug. 10. .....................................................

Gag? 

heigl f,.

Feet. 

0.40

.45

1.80

.50

Discharge.

Sfc,-ft.

15

15

150

2

DOLORES RIVER AT DOLORES.

Dolores River is an important tributary of Grand River, rising in 

the La Plata and San Miguel Mountains, of which the highest peak, 

Mount Wilson, attains an elevation of over 14,000 feet. Its course is 

southwesterly for about 50 miles, where it turns and flows ir an almost 

due northerly direction for nearly 100 miles, when it again turrs west and 

enters Grand River, after crossing the Colorado-Utah line. The river 

flows for the greater part of its course through deep canyons, and comparatively little irrigation is practiced along the stream itself, excepting 

in the vicinity of Dolores, where for some 40 miles the valley widens 

out to from one-half of a mile to one mile, and a considerable area is 

cultivated. In the Paradox Valley again considerable lard is cultivated, mostly, however, from small tributaries running into the main 

stream. At Rico a portion of the water is used for the development 

of power. By far the greater part of Dolores River, however, is used 

in the San Juan irrigation division, being diverted by rnean^ of a tunnel and a great cut into the Montezuma Valley. The head gates of the 

canals carrying this water are about 2 miles west of the present town 

of Dolores. The gaging station is located above these head gates and 

about one-half of a mile above the Rio Grande Southern Railroad station at Dolores. The channel is fairly favorable to accurate results, 

the bed being of small stones and gravel, and the banks I °ing high 

and not liable to overflow. a

a For further details concerning this station, see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of Colorado: 

Eighth, p. 616; Ninth, p. 405; Tenth, p. 364. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: Eighteenth 

Annual Report, Part IV, p. 261; Nineteenth, Part IV, p, 407; Twentieth, Part IV, p^>. 312 and 408; 

Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 282; Bulletin No. 140, p. 191; Water-Supply and Irrigation Ps.pers: No. 11, p. 

68; No. 16, p. 143; No. 28, pp. 138,142, and 144; No. 38, p. 305; No. 39, p. 451; No. 50, p. 380. Also Report 

on Agriculture by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 122.
Discharge of Dolores River at Dolo

[Altitude, 6,942 feet; drainage area, 524 squa

Month.

May .............................

July .............................

September ........................

October ..........................

Mean

1895.

Sec.-ft. 

&500 

&800 

&800 

270 

248 

99 

79 

134

366

177, 144

1896.

Sec.-ft. 

747

952 

263 

130 

38 

195 

113 

179

327

158, 356

1897.

Sec.-ft. 

1,483 

2,436 

1,465 

' 268 

148 

394 

391 

172

855

413, 824

1898.

Sec.-ft. 

1,092 

1,207 

1,510 

490 

120 

78 

37 

48

573

277, 428

189

Sec.-

139, 

a The run-off given in the horizontal lines is the total acre-feet for the eight months of each 

months and the total for a normal eight months, the average monthly flow from each square mile, an

for each normal month with the total depth for the normal eight months. Details may be found in th

& Estimated.
FELLOWS.] GRAND EIVER DIVISION. 141

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of Dolores Rives at Dolores for 

that portion of each year covered by records.

Year.

1895................

1896................

1897................

1898................

1899................

1900................

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date.

Nov. 8 

Aug. 16 

Aug. 31 

Sept. 25 

Sept. 5 

Aug. 26

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

42 

8 

76 

34 

23 

20

Maximum.

Date.

June 27 

Apr. 26 

Apr. 18 

June 2 

May 14 

May 19

Amount.

Sec.-ft. 

848 

1,578 

2,944 

2,030 

1,461 

1,731

Run-off. «

Depth in 

inches.

0.78 

.69 

1.82 

1.22 

.61 

.73

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.70 

.62 

1.63 

1.09 

.55 

.66

a The run-off given is the total acre-feet for the eight months of each year, the average second-feet 

per square mile, and the depth in inches for thirty days at the average rate.

Discharge measurements made on Dotbres River at Dolores

Date.

1895. 

June 22

Aug. 28

Oct. 9

Nov. 20

1896. 

Mav 13

May 14

June 17

July 21

Aug. 24

Sept. 23

Sept. 24

Oct. 1

1897. 

Apr. 21

May 12

June 23

July 21

Aug. 25

Sept. 22

Oct. 20

1898. 

Apr. 8

May 12

June 17

Hydrographer.

F. Cogswell ........................................

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

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

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

F. Cogswell ................. ......................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

F Ooffswcll

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

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

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

.....do ................. ............;. .............

Gi,ge 

he'frtit.

F*et. 

3.50

2.70

2.50

2.40

3.50

3.50

3.00

2.80

2.60

4.80

4.15

2.75

5.10

5.15

4.20

3.00

3.65

3.32

3.35

3.15

4.30

4.80

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

756 

163

89

75

553

586

179

124

42

1,550

1,047

76

2,133

2,216

1,089

273

92

404

330

325

1,163

1,870
142 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

DiscJistrge measurements made on Dolores River at Dolores Continued.

Date.

1898. 

Aug. 16

Sept. 11

Sept. 28

Oct. 21

1899. 

Apr. 20

May 17

June 27

Nov. 22

1900. 

Mar. 24

June 27

Aug. 11

Hydrographer.

G. H. Matthes ....................................

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

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet 

2.80

'2.70

2.55

2.55

3.60

4.15

3.30

2.70

2.90

3.90

3.25

2.60

Discharge.

Sec.-Jt. 

102

72

46

40

613

963

307

56

145

767

320

31

SAN MIGUEL RIVEE AT FALL CHEEK.

This stream, an important tributary of the Dolores, rises in San 

Miguel County and drains an area immediately west of the headwaters 

of Uncompahgre River. The stream and its tributaries run for the 

most part in a northeasterly direction, and it enters the Dolores in 

the western part of Montrose County. A comparatively small amount 

of water has thus far been used for irrigation, but pT ans are now 

being developed having reference to the use of the water on a considerable scale in the western part of San Miguel County. The station 

is located at a wagon bridge near the railway station at Fall Creek. 

The channel is fairly stable and the banks are not liable to overflow. 

The station was discontinued in the fall of 1899. a

a For further information concerning this station see Biennial Reports of the State Engineers of 

Colorado: Eighth, p. 522; Ninth, p. 407; Tenth, p. 368. Also publications U. S. Geological Survey: 

Annual Reports, Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 264; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 406; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 395; 

Twenty-first, Part IV, p. 283; Bulletin No. 140, p. 193; Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, No. 11. p. 

68; No. 16, p. 142; No. 28, pp. 137,142, and 144; No. 38, p. 306; No. 39, p. 451. Also report on Agriculture 

by Irrigation, Eleventh Census, by F. H. Newell, p. 131.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74 PL. XIII

A. GAGING STATION ON DOLORES RIVER AT DOLORES

£. GAGING STATION ON SAN MIGUEL RIVER AT FALL CREEK.
Discharge of San Miguel River at Fal

[Altitude, 7,466 feet; drainage area, 327 squ

Month.

May .....................................

June .....................................

July .....................................

September. ...............................

October ..................................

November ................................

Mean ..............................

1895.

Sec.-fl. 

&200 

& 500 

6556 

341 

227 

100 

64 

45

254

122, 936

1896.

Sec.-fl. 

281

770 

349 

157 

65 

176 

82 

57

242

117,128

1897.

Sec.-fl. 

213 

6500 

774 

375 

183 

215 

184 

96

318

153, 912

1898

Sec.-f

62

2

8

3

2

121, 0

a The run-off given is for the acre-feet for normal months with the total for a normal eight m

average for the eight months, and the normal depth in inches for each month with the total depth fo

cited.

l» Estimated.
144 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74.

Maximum and minimum discharge and average run-off of San Miguel River at Fall Greeek 

for that portion of each year covered, by records.

Year.

1895................

1896.....,, ...

1897...........

1898................

1899... I..'. ...

Discharge.

Minimum.

Date. Amount.

tec.-ft. 

Dec. 24 6 

Nov. 7 22 

Apr. 4 52 

Nov. 21 22 

Apr. 2 25

Maximum.

Date.

June 29 

May 27 

June 16 

June 23 

June 11

Amount.

Sec.-fl. 

587 

2,404 

997 

1,335 

1,000

Run-off.a

Depth in 

inches.

0.87 

.82 

1.08 

.84

.75

Secondfeet per 

square 

mile.

0.78 

.74 

.97 

.76 

.68

«The run-off is for the average of second-feet per square mile, and the depth in inches for thirty 

days at the average rate.

Discharge measurements made on San Miguel River at Fall Greek.

Date.

1895. 

June 24 

Aug. 27 

Oct. 8

1896.

May 12

June 16

July 20

Aug. 23

Sept. 22

Oct. 20

1897.

Apr. 20

May 11

June 22

July 20

Aug. 24

Sept. 21

Oct. 19

1898. 

Apr. 7 

May 11 

June 16 

Aug. 13 

Oct. 17

Hydrographer.

F. Cogswell ........................................

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

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

F. Cogswell. .......................................

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

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

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

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

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

F. Cogswell. ................................... ...

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

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

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

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

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

.....do ..-..............;.....-..-.-...-----.....--

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

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

Gage 

height.

.Feet. 

4.00

3.20

2.65

3.75

3.45

3.15

2.60

2.75

2.60

3.40

4.05

4.45

3.45

2.85

3.30

3.05

2.50

3.30

4.40

2.80

2.30

Discharge.

Sec.-fl. 

512

205

81

360

290

175

62

85

63

304

572

811

336

145

248

* 197

66

270

841

133

30
FELLOWS.] GRAND RIVER DIVISION. 145

Discharge measurements made on San Miguel River at Fall C'reek Continued.

Date.

1899. 

Apr. 18

May 16

June 21

Nov. 21

Hyrlrographer.

A. L. Fellows ......................................

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.85

3 70

3 60

2.35

Discharge.

$ec.-ft. 

164

562

449

52

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS.

But few measurements are on record for this division, the danger 

of shortage having been only recently felt. Many measurements have 

undoubtedly been made, mostly for the purpose of ascertaining the 

flow with reference to development of power, but these are not, as a 

rule, available. Further investigations are needed in this division, as 

the supply of water will become of great moment before many years 

have elapsed. The following are, however, on record. Other measurements may also be found on page 108 et seq. of the Ninth Biennial 

Report of the State Engineer:

Stream 'measurements in Grand Riper division.

Date.

1895.

Oft 99

1899. 

Apr. 19

May 16

June 17

Sept °2

Nov. 17

Nov. 22

1900. 

July 8

Aug. 23

Hydrographer.

D. R. Croebv .......

A. L. Fellows ......

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

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

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

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

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

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

A. L. Fellows ......

do

Stream.

Fall Creek. ............

Fall Creek.............

T^AlrifASl

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

Locality.

Falls Creek ....

Glen wood .....

Fall Creek.....

Glenwood .....

Rico ..........

Glenwood .....

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

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

2,767

168

62

11, 258

45

23

457

16

1,570

423

IRR 74 02- 10
146 WATER RESOURCES OF COLORADO. [NO. 74. 

GREEN RIVER DIVISION, 

DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION.

Green River and its tributaries drain the northwestern corner of 

Colorado. The Green itself traverses Colorado for only a very short 

distance, and during its course it runs through a deep canyon, so that 

but little irrigation is practiced along its borders, this being on the 

bottom lands. It is possible, however, that a tract of land of considerable size may eventually be irrigated from this stream, in the 

extreme northwestern corner of the State. The principal tributaries 

of the Green in Colorado are Yampa and White rivers. These drain 

areas of considerable size and importance, in which there are vast 

tracts of irrigable land that will undoubtedly be eventually cultivated 

so far as the water supply will permit. These streams resemble the 

tributaries of Grand River in general, excepting that they traverse a 

country that is more open and rolling. Not much irrigation is now 

practiced except along lands immediately adjoining the stream, but a 

number of plans have been projected for taking the water on to the 

uplands, which will no doubt be eventually carried out. No permanent stations have been maintained anywhere in this division, so that 

all measurements on record are compiled in the following list of miscellaneous gagings. Problems relating to the use of water are, however, becoming of great moment in this part of the State, and it is 

important that stations should be established at as early a date as 

possible, at least upon the main streams.

The Green River irrigation division, as a political subdivision, comprises all lands in Colorado drained by Green River and its tributaries. 

The water districts of which it is composed are Nos. 43, 44, 54, 55, 56, 

57, and 58. No. 43 consists of the lands irrigated by ditches taken 

from White River and its tributaries; No. 44 of lands irrigated by 

water taken from that portion of Yampa River above the mouth of 

Little Snake River and below the mouth of Fortification Creek, and 

from the tributaries to that portion of Yampa River; No. 54 of all 

lands lying in the State of Colorado irrigated by water taken from 

that portion of Little Snake River and its tributaries above the most 

westerly intersection of said river with the Colorado State line; No. 

55 of all lands irrigated by water from the Yampa or Little Snake 

rivers and their tributaries below districts Nos. 44 and 55; No. 56 of 

Green River and tributaries in Colorado, except Yampa River; No. 57 

of Yampa River and tributaries between the mouth of Fortification 

Creek and Elk River; and No. 58 of Yampa River and tributaries 

above No. 57. But little attention has thus far been paid to the 

priorities of water rights in these districts.*

«i'or further data concerning this division, see publications U. S. Geological Survey: Ninth Annual 

Keport, p. 677; Eighteenth, Part IV, p. 268; Nineteenth, Part IV, p. 394; Twentieth, Part IV, p. 380; 

Eleventh Census Irrigation Report by F. H. Newell and Bulletin No. 140, p. 200. Also Biennial 

Reports of the State Engineer of Colorado, Ninth, p. 409; and all biennial reports for commissioners' 

reports.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 74 PL. XIV

A. STEAMBOAT SPRINGS.

B. YAMPA RIVER VALLE. .JL > HAYDEN.
FELLOWS.] GEAND EIVEE DIVISION. 

MISCELLANEOUS GAGINGS.

147

In the following table are given the results of gagings made in May, 

1895, and September, 1898, on certain specified streams in the Green 

River irrigation division:

Miscellaneous gagings made in the Green River irrigation division.

Date.

1895. 

May 16

1898. 

Sept. 14

Sept. 17

Do.

Sept. 18

Sept. 19

Sept. 20

Sept. 21

Sept. 22

Sept. 24

Sept. 26

Hydrographer.

A. L. Fellows....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stream.

White River.......

White River.......

Elk River .........

Yampa River ......

Locality.

White River .........

Meeker ..............

3 miles below Havden .

Trull ................

Steamboat Springs. . . .

Slater. ...............

Below Maybell .......

Discharge.

Sec. -ft. 

3,047

300

25

111

63

65

17

9

19

99

552

79
INDEX.

Page. 

Alamosa, Rio Grande at, discharge of.... 109

Amity canal, dam and head gate of, views

of .............................. 94

Animas River, discharge of ............ 120-124

Antlers, rainfall at........................ 16

Antonito, San Antonio River at, discharge

of .............................. 109

Arboles, gaging stations at, views of..... 112

Piedra River at, discharge of....... 115-118

San Juan River at, discharge of.... ] 13-115

Arikaree Creek, discharge of............. 69

Arkansas River, discharge of .... .. 76-96,99

seepage measurements on ............ 100

views of.--.-._....................... 80,84

Arkansas River division, irrigation in ... 70-72

stream measurements in............. 72-100

Arkins, Big Thompson Creek at, discharge of ..._..........----.- 52-55

Bear Creek, discharge of............ 3^40,63,64

Benkelman, Nebr., Republican River at,

discharge of._..........._ 68

Big Thompson Creek, discharge of. 52-55,63,64

Home Supply dam on, plate showing. 40 

Boulder, Boulder Creek at, discharge of. 46-49 

Boulder Creek, discharge of.............. 46^19

Boxelder, rainfall at ...................... 15

Breckenridge, rainfall at............. . 16

Brighton, South Platte River at, discharge of ...................... 63,64

Byron, Arkansas River at, discharge of.. 99 

Cache la Poudre River, discharge of..... 55-

59,63,64

Canyon, Arkansas River at, discharge of. 80-83 

Arkansas Rive r at, vie w of ....... 80

rainfallat. ----- --. ... --. 16

Carpenter, L. CK, reference to............ 55

Castlerock, rainfall at.----........-----.-- 15

Castle wood dam, plate showing.......... 28

Cedar Edge,rainfall at....-. .............. 16

Cenicero, Rio Grande at, discharge of-- 107-108 

Cheesman Lake, dam at, plate showing.. 24

South Platte River at, discharge of.. 23-24 

Cheyenne Wells, rainfall at...... ..----.. 15

Chief Creek, discharge of................. 69

Clear Creek, discharge of........... 40-42,63,64

view in canyon of, plate showing..... 40

Clear View, rainfall at.................... 16

Colorado Springs, rainfall at............. 16

Cone j os River, discharge of ........ 106-107,109

seepage measurements on ............ 110

Cope, rainfall at..-.............. ........ 16

Craig, Yampa River near, discharge of.. 147

Crook, South Platte River at, discharge

of............................... 63,64

Deansbury, South Platte River at, discharge of....................... 26-28

Del Norte, Rio Grande at, discharge of. 103-106

viewof..,. -...-... .-_ .__ 102

Delta, rainfall at .----...--........-------- 16

Denver, rainfall at........................ 15

South Platte River "at, disch* Be of .. 29-

32,63,64 

Dixon, Wyo., Snake River at, discharge

of............................... 147

Dolores, Dolores River at, diwharge

of............................. 139-142

gaging station at, view of......_.... 142

Dolores River, discharge of......... 139-142,145

gaging station on, view of ------------ 142

Dumont,rainfall at-.-..._.-..-.- ---. 15 

Durango, Animas River near, discharge

of.---............--.. ...... 120-124

Florida River near, discharge of.... 119-120

rainfall at.............................. 16

Elk River, discharge of................... 147

Evans, South Platte River at, discharge

of.--....--.----......- ....... 63,64

Fall Creek, gagicg station at, viev* of.... 142

San Miguel River at, discharge of,. 142-145 

Florida River, discharge of.. .. 119-120 

Forkscreek, Clear Creek at, discharge

of......... ................... 40-42

view near.............................. 40

Fort Collins, Cache la Poudre R'ver at,

discharge of .._.............. 55-59

rainfall at..._______....___ _..._..... 15

Fort Crawford, Uncompahgre River at,

discharge of ................. 135-138

Fort Morgan, South Platte River at, discharge of .-..-.-__-----...._--. 63,64

Fox, rainfall at............................ 16

Frenchman River, discharge of .. 67-68,69 

G.S.ranch, rainfall at.................. 16

Gaging stations, map showing............ 20

Gleneyre, rainfall at -- ---. - 16 

Glenwood Springs, Grand River at, discharge of..................... 128-129

Roaring Fork at, d' scbarge of........ 145

Golden, Clear Creek at, discharge of. 41 

Grand Junction, Grand River at, discharge of.- -...... ...... 129-132

Grand River at, view of . - ._. 124 

Gunnison River at, discharge of.... 133-135

rainfall at.............................. 1ft

149
150 INDEX.

Page. 

Orand River, discharge of.......... 138-132,145

view of................................. 124

Orand River division, irrigation in.---- 127-128

stream measurements in............ 128-147

Granite, Arkansas Eiver at. discharge of. 76-7? 

Oreat Plains Water Company, irrigation system of, diagram showing ............................. 74

Greeley, rainfall at-....--...-.-..........- 15

skyline canal near, plate showing _ _.. 58 

Green River, discharge of ................ 147

Green River division, drainage and irrigation in.-_..-----.---.-.--.--- 146

stream measurements in.............. 147

Gunnison River, discharge of........... 132-135

Hamilton. Williams River at, discharge

of. _..........._................. 147

Hainps,rainfall at..-.-----..-.----..--...- 15

Harrison,C.L.,aid by ___._-.-__-________.- 23

Hayden, Arkansas River at, discharge of _ 99 

Hayden, Yampa River near, discharge of. 147 

Yainpa River Valley near, view of... 146 

Hesperus, La Plata River near, discharge

of.............................. 126

Hoehne, rainfall at --__._-_--___.-___-----. 16

Home Supply dam, view of--------------- 40

Honnold. Snake River at, discharge of-.. 147 

Ignacio, Los Pinos River at, discharge of UK-119 

lola, Gunnison River at, discharge of.- 132-133 

Irrigation divisions, map showing __--...- 20 

Irrigation system, divisions of -----...... 20

Julesburg, South Platte River at, discharge of.................... 36,63,64

Kansas Eiver Basin, stream measurements in --. --_-__..____---.__ 67-70

Kicking Bird canal, view of -------------- 72

La Junta, Arkansas River at, discharge of 99 

La Plata River, discharge of-------------- 126

Ladore, Green River near, discharge of._ 147 

Lako Creek, discharge of _................ 73-75

Lake Moraine, rainfall at................. 16

Lamar, Arkansas River near, discharge of 94-96 

dam and canal near, views of.. ..... 72

rainfall at.-................ .......... 16

Laporte, rainfall at-....................... 15

Larainie River, discharge of.............. 59-62

Las Aniinas, rainfall at_ . .... . .. 16

Lay, rainfall at..........-.-..... ... ... 16

Leroy, rainfall at_-._-_.................. 16

Xieadville, rainfall at..-................... 16

Littleton, South Platte River at, discharge of ...................... 63-64

Los Mogotes, Conejos River near, discharge of --.............. 106-107,109

Los Pinos River, discharge of...... 118-119,126

Lyons, St. Vrain Creek near, discharge of. 42-46

Mancos, Mancos River at, discharge of. 12-H26

rainfall at--.-----------....-----.---.-. 16

Mancos Canyon, view of.................. 124

Mancos River, discharge of............. 124-126

Manzanola, Arkansas River at, discharge of.-......-....... ..... 99

Marshall, South Boulder Creek at, d schargeof -__._____..._-__..-..- 49-52

Maybell, Yampa River near, discharge

of............................... 147

Page. 

Meeker, rainfall at............--..... ... 16

White River at, discharge of _-.-. -_ 147 

Merino, South Platte River at, discharge

of.------------------------------ 63,64

Mesa Yerde, Mancos Canyon in, view of _ 124 

Moiitrose, Uncompahgre River at, discharge of--...--.--..---..---- 138-139

Moraine, rainfall at ........... ..-. . 15

Morrison, Bear Creek at, discharge of.._ 36-40 

Nepesta, Arkansas River at, discharge of 89-91 

Newell, F. H., letter of transmittal by._. 7 

Noland, Utah, San Juan River at, discharge of-..__--.------------... 126

Orchard, Soiith Platte River at, discharge

of.---.._---...--.-.----... 32-36,63,64

Pagoda, rainfall at -- - -. .-.--.. . - 16 

Palisade, Grand River at, discharge of _ _ _ 145 

Palisade, Nebr., Frenchman River.at, discharge of----------------....... 68

Parachute, rainfall at-------------------- 16

Parshall, A. J., aid by.._..... - .--. 59

Piedra River, discharge of .. __ .. 115-118

gaging stationat, view of.-......-..-. 112

Platte Canyon, South Platte River at, discharge of----------------- 25-28,63-64

Platteville, South Platte River at, discharge of...-_....--............ 63-64

Plum Creek, discharge of----------------- 63

Poudre, South Platte River near, discharge of....................... 63,64

Prowers, Arkansas River a.t, discharge of 93-94 

Pueblo, Arkansas Kiver at, discharge of. 84-89

Arkansas River at, view of.. ..--. 84

rainfall at.-_-------------------------- 16

Purgatory River, discharge of ........ 96-98,99

Qiieen reservoir darn, view of ------------ 72

Rainfall, table showing .____... _ . . 15-16

Republican River, discharge of.------.-.. 68,69

Rico, Dolores River at, dis-harge of __-.. 145 

Rio Grande, discharge of ------- 103-106,107-108

seepage measurements on ............ 110

views on -- . ----. ------ - ----- 102

Rio Grande division, irrigs.tion in_-.._- 101-102

stream measurements in.... -.. - 102-110

Roaring Fork, discharge or................ 145

Rockyford, Arkansas River at, discharge

of.-..-..-.... ............... 91-93

view of--..--------.. .......... .... 84

rainfall at._......-_-..---.....--....... 16

Run-off, discussion of ................... 14-19

Saguache, rainfall at-.... . ------- 16

St. Vrain Creek, discharge of _....._ 43-46,63,64

Salida, Arkansas River at, discharge of _ - 77-80 

San Antonio River, discharge of -._.-..._ 109 

San Juan River, discharge of...... ... 112-115

gaging station on, view of . --...- . 112 

San Juan division, irrigation in .......... Ill

stream measurements in............ 112-136

San Luis, rainfall at.---------------------- 16

San Miguel River, discharge of.-._-_-- 142-145

gaging station on, view of _.. ---... 143 

Seepage nieastirements ir Arkansas division .-.---- --..... ------ 100

in Rio Grande division...... ...... 110

in Sotith Platt; division............. 65-66

Seibert,rainfall at... .. .. .-- . 16
INDEX. 151

Page.

Skyline canal near Greeley, plate showing ........................... 58

Slater Fork, discharge of _..__...__... 147 

Snake Eiver,discharge of .........._... 147

Snyder, South Platte River at, discharge

of.....L........................ 63,64

South Boulder Creek, discharge of-....-. 49-52

South Platte division, seepage measurements in ....................... 65-66

stream measurements in....,....._... 21-64

South Platte Eiver, basin of, general features of......................... 23

discharge of ..................... 23-36,63-64

Springfield, rainfall at.... -...__-._._ 16

Steamboat Springs, view of .............. 146

Yampa River at, discharge of ........ 147

Sterling, South Platte Eiver at, discharge

of.......-............--........'. 63,64

Temperature, table showing ............ 15-16

Trinidad, Purgatory Eiver at, discharge

of............... --.. -. - 96-98

Twin Lakes, dam at, sections of.......... 73

Lake Greek at, discharge of .......... 73-75

outlet of, sketch showing . _ --------- 72

rainfaUat.- ......-.- -..-......- 16

Uncompahgre Eiver, discharge of ..... 135-139

Vilas, rainfall at -.-------....--..----...-- 16

Water districts, map showing -.....-.-... 20

Water supply, value of....---------------- 12-14

Westcliff, rainfaUat...................... 16

White River, discharge of ................ 147

Williams Eiver, discharge of ............. 147

Woods, Wyo., Laramie Eiver at, discharge of.............-..-. . 59-62

Wray, rainfall at--.-.......---..------- 16

Yampa Eiver, discharge of _---..-.-... 147 

view of valley of.....-. ........... 146

Yuma, rainfall at............ .......... 16

o
LIBEABY CATALOGUE SLIPS.

[Take this leaf out and paste the separated titles upon three of your catalogue 

cards. The first and second titles need no addition; over the third wri+e that 

subject under which you would place the book in your library.]

United States. Department of the interior. (U. S. geological 

survey. )

Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 74 Series I, Irrigation, 14 | Department of the interior | United States geological 

survey | Charles D. Walcott, director | | Water resources | 

of the | State of Colorado | by | A. L. Fellows | [Vignette] | 

Washington | government printing office | 1903 

8°. 151 pp., 14 pis.

Fellows (A. L.).

Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 74 . Series I, Irrigation, 14 | Department of the interior | United States geological 

survey | Charles D. Walcott, director | | Water resources | 

of the | State of Colorado | by | A. L. Fellows | [Vignette] |

Washington | government printing office | 1902

8°. 151 pp., 14 pis.

Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 74 Series I, T'rigation, 14 | Department of the interior | United States geological 

J[ survey | Charles D. Walcott, director | | Water resources | 

? of the [ State of Colorado | by | A. L. Fellows | [Vignette] |

Washington | government printing office | 1902

8°. 151 pp., 14 pis.

IER 74 02 11