Irrigation and 

Streamflow Depletion in 

Columbia River Basin 

above The Dalles, Oregon

Bv W. D. SIMONS

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1220

An evaluation of the consumptive 

use of water based on the amount 

of irrigation

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1953
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Douglas McKay, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

W. E. Wrather, Director

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office 

Washington 25, D. C. - Price 50 cents (paper cover)
CONTENTS

Page

Abstract................................................................................................................................. 1

Introduction........................................................................................................................... 2

Purpose and scope....................................................................................................... 2

Acknowledgments......................................................................................................... 3

Irrigation in the basin......................................................................................................... 3

Historical summary...................................................................................................... 3

Legislation................................................................................................................... 6

Records and sources for data..................................................................................... 8

Stream depletion due to irrigation...................................................................................... 10

Consumptive use by crops.......................................................................................... 11

Methods of measurement..................................................................................... 12

Experiments with soil tanks....................................................................... 12

Lysimeter experiments................................................................................ 13

Experiments with field plots...................................................................... 13

Determinations of soil moisture................................................................ 14

Fluctuations of the water table.................................................................. 14

Studies of inflow and outflow..................................................................... 15

Estimates of average consumptive use............................................................ 15

Irrigated areas and estimated streamflow depletion........................................................ 18

Columbia River above the international boundary................................................... 23

Kootenai River basin........................................................................................... 23

Pend Oreille River basin.................................................................................... 25

Clark Fork above Missoula, Mont.............................................................. 26

Clark Fork below Missoula, Mont.............................................................. 27

Clark Fork at St. Regis, Mont.................................................................... 29

Flathead River.............................................................................................. 31

Pend Oreille River below Z Canyon near Metaline Falls;, Wash.......... 32

Columbia River at international boundary........................................................ 35

Columbia River, international boundary to Grand Coulee Dam.............................. 36

Kettle River.......................................................................................................... 36

Colville River....................................................................................................... 37

Spokane River....................................................................................................... 38

Columbia River at Grand Coulee Dam, Wash.................................................... 39

Columbia River, Grand Coulee Dam to Snake River................................................ 40

Okanogan River.................................................................................................... 40

Methow River........................................................................................................ 42

Chelan River......................................................................................................... 45

Entiat River.......................................................................................................... 46

Wenatchee River................................................................................................... 47

Columbia River at Trinidad................................................................................ 49

Crab Creek............................................................................................................ 50

Yakima River........................................................................................................ 52

Columbia River, between Yakima River and Snake River.............................. 57

Snake River basin........................................................................................................ 58

Snake River above Heise.................................................................................... 58

Snake River, Heise to King Hill........................................................................ 60

Henrys Fork.................................................................................................. 61

Portneuf River.............................................................................................. 63

Minor tributaries, Neeley to King Hill...................................................... 64

Mud Lake area............................................................................................. 66

Little Lost River.......................................................................................... 66

Big Lost River.............................................................................................. 67

Big Wood River............................................................................................. 67

III
IV CONTENTS

Page

Irrigated areas and estimated streamflow depletion Continued 

Snake River basin Continued

Snake River, Heise to King Hill Continued

Snake River at King Hill, Idaho............................................................ 69

Snake River, King Hill to mouth.................................................................... 70

Bruneau River......................................................................................... 70

Snake River, King Hill to Murphy.......................................................... 72

Owyhee River........................................................................................... 73

Boise River............................................................................................. 78

Malheur River........................................................................................... 81

Payette River........................................................................................... 84

Weiser River............................................................................................. 88

Snake River, Murphy to Weiser.............................................................. 90

Burnt River............................................................................................... 91

Powder River........................................................................................... 93

Snake River, Weiser to Oxbow............................................................... 95

Pine Creek............................................................................................... 96

Imnaha River.................................................................................. ......... 97

Salmon River............................................................................................ 99

Grande Ronde River................................................................................ 102

Clearwater River..................................................................................... 104

Snake River, Oxbow to Clarkston......................................................... 106

Columbia River, Snake River to The Dalles....................................................... 108

Walla Walla River............................................................................................ 108

Umatilla River................................................................................................. 110

Willow Creek.................................................................................................... 112

John Day River................................................................................................ 113

Deschutes River.............................................................................................. 116

Columbia River near The Dalles, Oreg........................................................ 121

References cited............................................................................................................ 123

Index................................................................................................................................ 125

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page. 

Plate 1. Map showing drainage basin of Columbia River above The Dalles,

Oreg.......................................................................................................... In pocket

Figure L Graph showing irrigated area, above selected points in the

Columbia River basin................................................................................ 6

TABLES

Table 1. Net consumptive use, by subdivisions, of the Columbia River t asin.... 22
IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION

IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN ABOVE

THE DALLES, OREGON

BY W. D. SIMONS

ABSTRACT

The Columbia River is the largest stream in western United States. Above The Dalles, 

Oregon, it drains an area of 237,000 square miles, of which 39,000 squar? miles is in 

Canada. This area is largely mountainous and lies between the Rocky Mountains and 

and the Cascade Range. The Kootenai, Pend Oreille, and Snake Rivers are the principal 

tributaries. Precipitation varies from 7 inches near Kennewick, Wash, to over 100 inches 

in some of the mountainous regions. Most of the runoff occurs in the spring and summer 

months as a result of melting snow. Precipitation is generally light durin? the summer 

months, and irrigation is necessary for sustained crop production.

Historical data indicate that irrigation in the Columbia River basin b?gan prior to 

1840 at the site of missions established near Walla Walla, Wash, and Lewiston, Idaho. 

During the next half century the increase in irrigated area was slow and by 1890 included only 506,000 acres. The period 1890 to 1910 was marked by phenomenal increase 

to a total of 2,276,000 acres in 1910. Since that time there has been more gradual addition to a total of 4,004,500 acres of irrigated land in 1946 in the Columbia River basin 

above The Dalles, Oreg. Of this total 918,000 acres were located in the Cclumbia Basin 

above the mouth of the Snake River; 2,830,000 acres in the Snake River basin, and the 

balance, 256,000 acres below the mouth of the Snake River.

Values of net consumptive use were determined or estimated for varous tributary 

basins of the Columbia River basin and compared to available experimenta1 data. These 

values were then used to compute the average depletion which could be d'rectly attributed to irrigation. The yield of a drainage basin was considered to be the rum of the observed runoff and the estimated depletion. For purposes of comparison, the depletion 

was expressed both in terms of acre-feet and as a percentage of the yield of the basin. 

This percentage depletion varied from less than 1 percent for many tributary basins to 

53 percent for the portion of the Snake River basin between Heise and Kin?, Hill, Idaho. 

For the Columbia River near The Dalles, Oreg., the average depletion durng the period 

1921 through 1945, amounted to 4<7 percent of the yield and the depletion represented by 

the 1946 stage of irrigation development amounted to 5.3 percent of the long-term yield.
2 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Safe and economical design of a water-use project requires adequate knowledge of the available water supply. The hydrologic 

data necessary to determine the probable future water supply must 

be collected over a period of many years in order to adequately 

evaluate the effects of the vagaries of the weather and to determine the dependable yield during drought period. If during the 

period of investigation changes have occurred in the use of water, 

the effects of these changes must be considered in analyzing the 

data to determine probable future supply. Records of runoff covering a period of many years should be adjusted to a comparable 

level of water-supply development and water use.

Irrigation is one use of water that has been continually changing. The object of this report is to trace the enlargement in irrigated area in the various subdivisions and to evaluate the net depletion in streamflow resulting from increased irrigs tion. Thus 

it presents some data necessary for the proper interpretation of 

runoff records used in water-supply studies.

Data on irrigated area presented herein was gathered from many 

sources. Information from any one source was never complete 

and was in many instances in conflict with informaticn from another source. Thus it became necessary to resolve these differences and to estimate the missing periods. However, it is believed that the inaccuracies from these sources are, or the whole, 

relatively minor and that the data on irrigated area are sufficiently accurate for use in this study.

The adequacy of the water supply for specific arear is seldom 

known for a particular year. Likewise in the determination of net 

consumptive use, records are inadequate for estimating rates for 

individual years but are believed to be reliable when taken as an 

average over a period of years. Consumptive use will be greater 

during dry, hot summers, and a greater part of the water must 

be supplied by irrigation during these years. In a general study 

such as this, available data did not warrant an attempt to determine the net depletion, except on the basis of average annual rates 

for each part of the basin.

In the absence of reliable data on the ground-water conditions 

underlying these irrigated areas, assumptions had to be made as 

to locations where return flow would be recaptured by gaged 

streams. No allowance was made for water temporarily or permanently detained in ground-water storage.
IRRIGATION IN THE BASIN 3

Only the United States portion of the basin has been considered 

in this report. Irrigation in Canada is relatively unimportant, except in the Okanogan River basin. Reference to irrigation in Canada is .made in the discussions of individual tributary basins.

It is noteworthy that for most tributary basins the net depletion 

is a minor fraction of the yield of that basin, but this is no warranty that much greater supplies can be developed easily and 

cheaply. Indeed, the current use of water may be equal to or 

greater than the supply during the low-water season, even though 

the depletion is so small a fraction of the annual yield.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The records of irrigated area included in this report were collected from many sources through the generous cooperation and 

assistance of many Federal, State, and local agencies, watermasters, county agents, lawyers, and private citizens. Reports 

of the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Reclamation were 

used extensively. The collection of detailed data on irrigation was 

performed by the following Geological Survey engineers: C. D. Bue 

for Montana, Lynn Crandall for upper Snake River, R. W. Revell 

for the remainder of Idaho, A. P. Lyman for Oregon, and G. L. 

Bodhaine for Washington. This report was prepared under the 

direct supervision of C. C. McDonald, staff engineer, Technical 

Coordination Branch, Tacoma, Wash, and under the administrative direction of R. W. Davenport, chief, Technical Coordination 

Branch, Washington, D. C.

IRRIGATION IN THE BASIN

HISTORICAL SUMMARY

The development of irrigation in the Columbia River basin has 

been intimately associated with the settlement and industrial development of the Northwest. Most of the basin suitable for crop 

production is semiarid, and irrigation is required during the growing season. Irrigation agriculture was practiced by the early settlers to meet the local needs for vegetable and grain crops. Transportation was slow and difficult, requiring each settlement to be 

practically self-sustaining. As settlement of the Northwest progressed, markets for farm products expanded continually, and irrigation agriculture became an increasing factor in the region's 

economy.
4 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

The early settlers found ample opportunity to divert water from 

tributary streams to adjacent rich bottom or bench lands with little 

work and expense. These lands were well adapted to irrigation; 

they were level or gently rolling, had good natural drainage and 

were covered with grasses and sagebrush, which made preparation of the land for cultivation possible at low cost.

Probably the earliest irrigation in the Columbia River basin was 

carried on by the missionaires who settled in the basins of Walla 

Walla River and Clearwater River. In the fall of 18?6 missions 

were located near Walla Walla, Wash, by Dr. Whitman and near 

Lewiston, Idaho by Dr. Spalding. The following year crops were 

grown at these missions, using water from Doan and Lapwai 

Creeks.

In the upper Columbia River basin, the earliest known irrigation was at St. Mary's Mission, on the Bitterroot River, about 

thirty miles south of Missoula, Mont. In about 1846 or 1847 the 

mission is reported (Bancroft, H. H., 1890, p. 604) to have produced wheat, potatoes, and other vegetables by irrigation from 

two small creeks running through its farm. In 1854 Father DeSmet 

founded St. Ignatius' Mission about 32 miles north of Kissoula in 

the Flathead River basin, and irrigation probably was started during the following year.

There is an unauthenticated report of irrigation in the Yakima 

River basin, Washington antedating the Treaty of 1855 (House 

Doc. 103, vol. 2, 1934, p. 879). However it is probable that the 

first development came in 1867 when the Nelson Ditch was constructed to divert water from the Naches River. (Parker and 

Storey, 1917, p. 28.) This was 2 years after Yakima County 

was created in the Territory of Washington and about 6 years after 

the first pioneers had settled in this valley.

In other parts of the Columbia River basin settlers were beginning to irrigate in order to meet the greatly increased demand for 

food crops created by the influx of settlers accompanying'the booming mining and cattle raising activities during the period 1860 to 

1880. During this period the railroads also were pushing westward, bringing additional settlers and expanding the markets for 

farm products.

In 1870 there were only 129,877 people in Washington, Oregon, 

and Idaho, and approximately 48,000 acres of land wer? being irrigated in the Columbia River basin above The Dalles, Oreg. The 

most rapid increase in population during the period 1P70 to 1880 

occurred west of the Cascade Range. By 1880 the population was 

300,949, the greatest increase having occurred in the Willamette 

Valley in Oregon.
IRRIGATION IN THE BASIN 5

The decade from 1880 to 1890 was one of intensive development 

in the Northwest. Transcontinental rail connections between the 

Great Lakes region and the ocean ports of the Pacific Northwest 

were completed in 1883, opening vast new markets for the products of the lands, mines, and forests of the Northwest. Large 

irrigation projects were under taken in the Snake and YaHma River 

valleys, and the population of Washington, Oregon, anc* Idaho increased 170 percent.

The rate of population increase during the period 1890 to 1900 

was much below that of previous decades, reflecting the influence 

of the panic of 1893, but the total numerical increase of 329,927 

was about twice that of the preceding decade. The irrigated area 

in the Columbia River basin above The Dalles, Oreg., meanwhile 

was expanding rapidly. From a total of 48, 000 acres in 1870, it 

has increased to 153,000 acres in 1880 and 506,000 acres in 1890. 

(See page 122.) During the period 1884 to 1896 construction was 

commenced on practically all the canals that presently serve the 

lands above American Falls on the upper Snake River.

During the next two decades, 1890 to 1910, the expansion of irrigated area was phenomenal, reaching a total of 2,276,000 acres 

in 1910. Irrigation agriculture was firmly established as an important part of the economy of the basin east of the Cascade Range. 

Export markets became available and the agricultural economy 

was no longer geared to local needs. Aided by the above-normal 

rainfall during this period, dry farming, chiefly the raising of 

wheat, developed rapidly. Favorable Federal and State legislation and the participation of the Federal Government in water resource development (see p. 6) provided impetus to irrigation 

development, making possible the creation of irrigation districts.

Subsequent to 1920, the increase in irrigated lands has been 

gradual though in some of the smaller basins the increase amounts 

to a substantial part of the total irrigated area in these basins. 

The gradual change from the wet period of 1890-1910 to the dry 

period, which reached its most critical stage during the period 

1929 to 1934 in most parts of the basin, had a substantial effect 

on irrigation developments. Many irrigation districts found that 

their storage reserves were inadequate to cope with such conditions and supplemental water supplies or additional storage capacity was needed. Additional irrigation projects were more expensive to develop, water supplies were less accessible than those 

for earlier projects, and pumping was often required. These factors tended to restrict irrigation expansion, especially during the 

years of the business depression. Recent irrigation activities 

generally have been limited to extensions of earlier projects, to 

providing supplemental water supplies, or to a combination with 

power projects that provide low-cost power for pumping. The
6 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

great Columbia Basin Project in central Washington, now in process of construction, is an example of the latter type of development. Power for the pumping of stored irrigation water for more 

than amillion acres of land will be providedby Grand Coulee Dam.

In 1946 the irrigated area in the Columbia River basinabove The 

Dalles, Oreg. totaled 4,004,500 acres. Of this total 918,300 acres 

were located above the-mouth of the Snake River, 2,829,700 acres 

within the Snake River basin, and the balance of 256,500 acres below the mouth of the Snake River. The rate of expansion of irrigation is shown graphically by figure 1. From the modest beginnings made by the missionaries over a hundred years ago, irrigation has become the dominating factor in the agricultural economy of the Columbia River basin.

I860 1870 190 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950

Figure 1. -Graph showing irrigated area, above selected points in the Columbia River basin.

LEGISLATION

The Federal and State laws relating to water rights and control 

of the public lands have had great influence upon the development 

of irrigation in the arid West. Some of this legislation was a matter of necessity in settling disputes arising from conflicting uses 

of water; some was designed specifically to stimulate irrigation.

The English common law recognizes the riparian doctrine. This 

doctrine vests in the owner of the land adjacent to a stream, the 

right to have the stream flow past his land in perpetuity, undiminished in quantity and unimpaired in quality. The riparian rule 

originated in England in a humid climate and was adapted to conditions and common uses in that country and in the eastern United 

States, but it proved to be inappropriate for conditionr requiring 

the use of water for irrigation. The riparian doctrine gave rise 

to many disputes in the early days of development of the West.
IRRIGATION IN THE BASIN 7

The doctrine of appropriation recognizes the principle that the 

first to put the water to beneficial use has a right to the water 

superior to all later appropriations. This doctrine was essentially developed among the gold miners of California, and it became 

law through the sanction of the local courts. Most of the land in 

the arid and semiarid region was originally public land, and under the riparian doctrine the ownership of the streams was an 

accompaniment of the ownership of the land. In the Act of 1886, 

the Federal Government recognized the water rights existing under local customs, laws, and decisions of courts and the right to 

construct ditches across public lands. The necessity of diverting 

water from the streams to irrigate lands distant from the streams 

was recognized and specifically provided for in the Desert Land 

Act of March 3, 1877, which required irrigation as a condition of 

land ownership. This law required a dedication of the water by its 

owner to the uses of irrigation, except where expressly forbidden 

in the case of navigable streams. These policies were later incorporated in the Reclamation Act in 1902 and are still in effect.

Until comparatively recent years, the title to irrigation water 

in some localities was in a chaotic state, but the acceptance of 

the doctrine of appropriation by substantially all the arid states 

and the early recognition by the Federal Government of State authority over nonnavigable waters have tended to eliminate most of 

the difficulties. In 1939 the Idaho Supreme Court stated: "The 

right of riparian owner ship has been abrogated in Idaho. " (National 

Resources Planning Board, 1943, p. 101.) In the years between 

1921 and 1925, court decisions in Montana left no doubt that the 

appropriation doctrine prevails in the State. Montana is the only 

State in the Columbia River basin that has not provided by statute 

for centralized control over the appropriation and administration 

of water. Although the Oregon Water Code of 1909 recognized riparian rights to some degree, the effect of court decisions and 

later statutes is to make the riparian doctrine little more than 

legal fiction in Oregon. (National Resources Planning Board, 1943, 

p. 107.) The Common Law doctrine of riparian rights is in force 

in Washington but "has been stripped of some of its rigors" particularly during the past 20 to 25 years, (NationalResources Planning Board, 1943, p. 110) so that today it is of minor importance 

in the irrigation economy of the State.

TheCareyAct of 1894 was designed to stimulate irrigation development in the arid states containing public lands by providing 

for the transfer of not more than 1,000,000 acres of arid public 

land to each State for development. Title to the land was acquired 

by individuals through State sponsorship with the requirement that 

the land be irrigated within 10 years after passage of the Act. This 

Act did much to stimulate development of irrigation especially in 

the Snake River basin in Idaho and Oregon.
8 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

State authorization of irrigation districts in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho during the period 1890-95 contributed to the great 

increase of irrigation during this period.

The Reclamation Act of 1902 created the present Bureau of Reclamation and its Reclamation Fund and marked the beginning of 

Federal sponsorship of irrigation projects. By means of the Reclamation Fund the Federal Government may finance the construction of an irrigation project, and the costs are repaid by the land 

owners over a period of years. The Yakima Project, Washington 

and the Minidoka Project, Idaho were among the first undertaken 

by the Federal Government under the Reclamation Act. In 1948 

the Tie ton Irrigation District, Yakima Project, became the first 

Bureau project to liquidate its construction obligations (U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, 1948, p. 465).

RECORDS AND SOURCES FOR DATA

In general, "irrigated area" as used in this report is the gross 

farm area upon which water is artificially applied for the production of crops with no reduction for access roads, canals, or farm 

buildings. Native meadows and pasture lands are included if water 

is artificially applied during the year. This definitior is similar 

to the definition of irrigated land used by the Bureau of the Census:

Land should be classed as irrigated which has water supplied to it for agricultural purposes by artificial means or by seepage from canals, reservoirs, or irrigated lands, but 

land which has natural ground water sufficiently near the surface to support plant life 

should not be classed as irrigated. Land which is flooded during high-water periods 

should be classed as irrigated if water is caused to flow over it by derns, canals, or 

other works, but should not be classed as irrigated if the overflow is due to natural 

causes alone.

Available data on irrigated areas are not entirely consistent 

with respect to the inclusion of land utilized for miscellaneous 

farm purposes other than the growing of irrigated crops. This 

report, however, uses the gross farm area on the premise that it 

would more accurately represent total consumptive use. This definition of irrigated area does not distinguish between lands having 

an adequate or inadequate supply of water.

Records are not sufficiently accurate or complete to reflect 

yearly fluctuations in the irrigated area in all tributary basins, 

and in many it has been necessary to estimate the acreage for 

years when the irrigated area could not be determined directly.

Determinations of irrigated area were based upon drta from as 

many independent sources as possible. The following sources have 

been used: Census Reports, recorded water rights and court adjudications, Bureau of Reclamation reports, water-supply papers
IRRIGATION IN THE BASIN 9

of the Geological Survey, County tax rolls, watermaster reports, 

records of irrigation companies and districts, State Engineers' 

reports, publications of pioneer activities, Soil Conservation 

Service reports, and field reconnaissance.

A census of irrigation is available for 1889, 1899, 1902, 1909, 

1919, 1929, 1934, and 1939. Tabulations of irrigated areas by 

counties were of limited usefulness. During early years many 

county boundaries were changed so that much of the data for early years are not comparable with that for recent years except on 

a state-wide basis. Further, county lines do not coincide with 

topographic drainage divides so that for the purpose of this report, data by counties were useful only in a general way. Tabulations of irrigated area by drainage basins were made in 1902, 

1919, 1929, and 1939. These proved very useful in checking data 

from other sources although the drainage basin subdivisions used 

by the Bureau of the Census were seldom coincident with those of 

the stream-gaging stations.

The records concerning water rights and court adjudications 

were fruitful sources of data. Although many conflicts arose, 

commonly these records afforded the only information available 

for small or isolated areas and for early years. Data obtained 

from this source were used extensively to distribute the Census 

tabulations by tributary basins, especially in Idaho and Oregon. 

Usually they indicate the maximum amount of irrigated lands and 

have been so used for some areas.

The yearly and special reports of the Bureau of Reclamation 

contain complete records for projects constructed by that bureau; 

they afford data on the area actually supplied with water, and on 

the net area in cultivation. Investigational reports on areas where 

projects were considered gave information relative to the stage of 

development existing at the time.

Water-supply papers of the Geological Survey also supplied data 

that could be used to spot check the tabulations of irrigated areas. 

These were primarily the reports on water utilization for specific 

areas, for example; Water utilization in the Snake River basin, 

Water-Supply Paper 657, and Water power of the Cascades, Yakima River basin, Water-Supply Paper 369.

The tax records of many counties contain data on irrigated areas, 

owing to their higher appraisal value for tax purposes. However, 

for some parts of the basin information from this source was not 

entirely reliable and was used only in the absence of nore accurate data. Montana, in compliance with an act passed by the legislature about 1919 requiring the classification of land in the State,
10 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BAS'N

made field surveys of all irrigated lands for tax purposes. From 

these land classification surveys the County totals were broken 

down by tributary basins. Although these breakdowns apnly only 

to the year in which the surveys were made, they provided a guide 

for distributing county totals for other years. Since about 1920, 

the Montana State Board of Equalization has published tabulations 

of irrigated area by counties in its biennial reports.

Reports of local watermasters, where available, were used in 

connection with material from other sources. In the Boire River 

valley and Snake River Plains such reports were used extensively.

The records kept by irrigation companies were utilized where 

available. In Washington each irrigation district formed under 

State law is required to submit a report annually to the Department of Conservation and Development, listing among other things 

the area irrigated during that year. These records were compiled 

and used extensively.

Various reports of the State agencies for Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington were scanned for information. However, in 

most of these reports the information relating to irrigated area 

was not in sufficient detail to be useful for the purpose of this report. Field reconnaissance of many areas was necessary in order 

to complete the tabulations and to reconcile conflicting data from 

several sources. Farmers, lawyers, judges, bankers, pioneers, 

and other qualified persons were interviewed to obtain supplementary data. Conflicts between data from various sources have 

been resolved so far as possible, and any residual discrepancies 

are discussed under the appropriate area.

STREAM DEPLETION DUE TO IRRIGATION

The use of water to irrigate land and produce crops unavoidably 

reduces the amount of water available for other purposes. Usually the total amount of water diverted is considerably greater than 

the net loss to the basin, which is the amount dissipated through 

transpiration by crops and through evaporation from the land surfaces that have been artificially wetted. Most of the remaining 

undissipated water returns ultimately to the streams, largely by 

underground percolation at a time and rate unlike natural runoff. 

This return flow usually contains a higher concentration of dissolved minerals than does native river water, owing in part to its 

prolonged contact with the earth material through which it percolates and partly because it tends to accumulate the dissolved matter that is dissipated by plant growth. Thus, the use of weter for 

irrigation diminishes streamflow by increasing evapotranspiration, changes the regimen of the stream by altering runcff conditions, and commonly increases the mineral content of the water.
STREAM DEPLETION DUE TO IRRIGATION 11

Under natural conditions a portion of the available precipitation 

becomes soil water and meets the demand of evaporation and 

transpiration. The amount so consumed depends upon the amount 

and seasonal distribution of the precipitation, the concurrent temperatures, characteristics of the soil, and the types and amount 

of vegetation. Under irrigation, both the available soil water and 

the opportunity for evaporation and transpiration are greatly increased. More water is dissipated by transpiration of the irrigated vegetation, by evaporation from the artificially wetted soil, 

and by evaporation from artificial water surfaces such as reservoirs, canals, and waste-water swamps. The moisture available 

under natural conditions influences the extent and nature of the 

native vegetal cover. In the Columbia Basin, most of the land 

currently being irrigated was originally arid or serriarid, and 

little moisture was available to support native vegetation. Consequently the consumptive use by the native vegetation was relatively small. These same factors tend to make the net consumptive use by irrigated crops relatively large.

When irrigation is first begun in a new area, all potential return flow does not get back into the streams. Commonly part of 

this potential flow goes into building up ground-water storage in 

the area. An unstable condition is established that may require 

years to stabilize. Thus the amount and the seasonal distribution 

of the return flow depends not only upon the distance and the rate 

of percolation back to the stream but also upon the volume of water retained in ground-water storage. Streamflow characteristics may be further modified by storage in surf ace reservoirs and 

by evaporation from reservoirs and canals.

Large blocks of irrigated land, such as on the Snake River 

Plains, may exert some influence upon the climate of the region. 

However, this effect is believed to be relatively small and highly 

localized and has not been considered further in this report.

CONSUMPTIVE USE BY CROPS

The term "consumptive use" has been generally s.ccepted as 

synonymous with evapotranspiration, and represents the quantity 

of water absorbed and transpired in building plant tissue, together with that evaporated from the adjacent land surface. Investigators have found difficulty in separately measuring the water absorbed by plants and that evaporated from the land. Accordingly, 

these two components have been combined as "evapotranspiration." 

As the term applies to irrigated lands, consumptive use may be 

defined as the quantity of water in acre-feet per acre per year 

absorbed by the crop and transpired or used directly in building 

plant tissue, together with that evaporated directly from the crop-
12 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

producing land. Definitions applicable to large irrigated areas or 

basins including bare ground and natural vegetation, includes water evaporated from snow and that intercepted and evaporated from 

vegetation. This report is concerned primarily with the consumptive use by crops, of the water applied to the land through irrigation. This quantity which has been called net consumptive use, is 

determined by deducting the estimated contribution by rainfall 

toward the production of irrigated crops from the annual consumptive use.

The net consumptive use so determined is considered to represent the depletion of streamflow as a result of irrigation, disregarding evaporation from reservoirs and canals. Total depletion 

in a basin may be defined as the difference between precipitation 

and runoff, with appropriate allowance for changes in storage. No 

attempt is made in this report to estimate natural or total depletion, but only the depletion directly attributable to irrigation.

As used in this report, return flow is that portion of the irrigation water which returns at any time or place to a surface 

stream.

METHODS OF MEASUREMENT

Many methods of determining consumptive use have been used 

in hydrologic investigations: direct measurement on soil tanks, 

lysimeters, or field plots, determination and interpretation of 

fluctuations in soil moisture, evaluation of water table fluctuations, and inflow-outflow inventories on farms, irrigation projects, or valleys.

EXPERIMENTS WITH SOIL TANKS

Experiments with soil tanks have been used by many investigators because the construction of these tanks is simple and the investment required is small. An unsealed tank is filled with undisturbed soil native to the area and set flush with the surrounding 

land surf ace. Evapotranspirationis determined by applying water 

only in such quantities as to satisfy the evapotranspirational demands. Thus the amount of water applied, including precipitation, is the consumptive use. The success of this type of experiment is limited by the ability of the experimenter to reproduce 

natural conditions. The tanks may be of any size or depth necessary to permit normal root development. The plant density should 

be representative of the area and the foliage of the plants should 

not extend beyond the walls of the tank.
STREAM DEPLETION DUE TO IRRIGATION 13

In 1930 the Duty of Water Committee of the American Society 

of Civil Engineers (Harding, 1930, pp. 1349-1377) called attention to the difficulties of reproducing natural conditions with tank 

experiments and indicated that the results maybe of questionable 

value. However, many recent experiments have been made using 

this method successfully.

In the upper Rio Grande Valley this method was used by Bureau 

of Agricultural Engineering, Department of Agriculture (Blaney 

and others, 1938, pp. 89-92) in connection with the integration 

method of determining streamflow depletion. In Idaho, Lynn Crandall used this method successfully in measuring net consumptive 

use 1.

LYSIMETER EXPERIMENTS

The lysimeter method is similar to the soil-tank method. A 

lysimeter is essentially a tank in which natural soil conditions 

are retained or reproduced as nearly as possible, except that the 

bottom is enclosed and provision is made for measuring the water that may percolate below the root zone. Consumptive use is 

determined by weighing the entire lysimeter and contents on a 

suitable scale. The soil moisture may be brought up to field capacity at the beginning and the end of the experiment; the observed 

losses represent the consumptive use.

Soil tanks or lysimeters, equipped with Mariotte supply tanks 

to maintain a water table at a specified depth, have also been 

quite successful in measuring the water consumed by plants. The 

tank or lysimeter method has probably been more extensively 

used than any other method for determining the transpiration of 

individual plants or groups of plants, and for determining rates 

of infiltration, percolation, and related phenomena.

In the Columbia River basin, lysimeters were used by Bark 

(1916) to determine consumptive use for conditions in Idaho.

EXPERIMENTS WITH FIELD PLOTS

Field plots have been used extensively to determine consumptive use by crops growing under normal field conditions in undisturbed soil. The method is essentially identical to that used for 

soil tanks, in which moisture is applied in controlled amounts 

sufficient only to maintain soil moisture adequate for crop production. For successful operation, this method requires a deep 

water table to prevent the transfer of water from the water table 

to the root zone by capillary action.

1 Crandall, Lynn, Report of use of water on Twin Falls North Side Project, unpublished, 

1918.

279538 O - 53 - 2
14 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Field-plot experiments have been performed by numerous investigators, among them being Fortierand Young (1930) who made 

studies of monthly and seasonal net consumptive use in the Columbia River basin. Powers (1914; 1917) used this method in studies 

of soil moisture and requirements for irrigation in Oregon. Field 

plots were also used by Hemphill (1922) in Colorado, Widstoe 

(1912) in Utah, and Snelson (1922) in Alberta, Canada.

DETERMINATIONS OF SOIL MOISTURE

The soil-moisture method has been used in connection with 

field-plot experiments and relies upon sampling the soil to trace 

the movement and dissipation of water applied to the soil. Samples 

are taken with a soil tube at various depths from the lend surface 

to well below the root zone of the vegetal cover. This irethod provides a means of evaluating the amount of deep seepage, which is 

the variable element in the field plot method, as well as the determination of the optimum soil moisture for a given cover crop. 

As in the field plot experiments, this method also requires a deep 

water table to prevent transfer of water from the water table to 

the root zone by capillary action. Blaney (1930) is credited with 

developing this method in California, and it has beer used primarily by Blaney and his associates.

FLUCTUATIONS OF THE WATER TABLE

Where the water table is near the surface, so that the capillary 

fringe is within reach of the plant roots, the recorded fluctuations 

of the water table may be evaluated in terms of evapotranspiration 

losses. For successful application of this procedure, relatively 

flat areas are required and ground water flow must be at a minimum. Adjustments of the results for precipitation and irrigation 

are possible if the quantities of water applied are carefully measured. In areas of moderate to slight movement of gro\ind water, 

daily consumptive use may be determined from the records of diurnal fluctuations of the water table.

The specific yield of the aquifer must be determined, and continuous records of the fluctuations of the water table rrust be obtained by installing test wells equipped with water-level recorders at representative locations in the area. The daily ground water replenishment to the area is based on the rise in ground water 

from midnight to 4 a. m. when evapotranspiration losses are assumed to be zero. The daily consumptive use is determined by 

adjusting the daily ground water replenishment by the amount of 

water represented by the rise or fall in the water table during the 

24-hour period. This method was developed by W. N. White 

(1932, pp. 87, 88) in his studies of the ground water in Escalante 

Valley, Utah.
STREAM DEPLETION DUE TO IRRIGATION 15

STUDIES OF INFLOW AND OUTFLOW

Consumptive use maybe determined for irrigated farns or projects from inflow and outflow data. The inflow to the area is measured as precipitation, streamflow, canal diversions, and groundwater seepage. The outflow includes waste from the irrigation system, streamflow below the project, drainage or other return flow, 

and outflow of ground water. Changes in ground-water storage, 

soil moisture, and losses by deep seepage must be determined or 

must be kept to a minimum. These factors are sometimes difficult to determine and may invalidate the experiment unless adequately evaluated.

Many investigations have been made by the inflow-outflow method, several of them in the Columbia River basin. Lynn Crandall2 

used this method in analyzing the water requirements of the North 

Side Twin Falls area. Similar studies were made by Lewis3 in the 

same general area. During 1916 and 1917 Steward and Paul4 used 

the inflow-outflow method in the course of drainage investigations 

in the lower valley of the Boise River. Recently the Bureau of Reclamation made a similar study in the lower Yakima River basin.

Under certain conditions an entire valley may be included in 

evapotranspiration studies. The primary requirement is that such 

a valley be underlain with impervious bedrock so that £ minimum 

amount of water escapes through deep percolation. All the inflow, 

outflow, and storage factors must be measured, including allowances for evaporation from water surfaces and wet lands and consumptive use by natural vegetation.

This type of study has been made by many investigators, including Lee (1912) in the Owens Valley, Ullrich5 in the Sevier River 

basin, Hemphill (1922) in the Cache La Poudre Valley, ardParshall 

(1930, p. 961) in the South Platte River basin.

ESTIMATES OF AVERAGE CONSUMPTIVE USE

For maximum usefulness evapotranspiration data should be correlated with the basic causative factors, so that the data obtained 

at one location are applicable at another locality on a sound basis.

2 Crandall, Lynn, 1918, Report of use of water on Twin Falls North Side Projec*:, unpublished.

3 Lewis, M. R. , 1919, Experiments on the proper time and amount of study of irrigation, 

Twin Falls Expert. Sta. , 1914, 1915, and 1916, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture cooperating with 

Twin Falls County Commissioners, Twin Falls Canal Co., and Twin Falls Commercial Club.

4 Steward, W. G. , and Paul, D. J. , 1919, Report on drainage investigations of Pioneer and 

Nampa-Meridian Districts in Boise Valley for the years 1916 and 1917, U. S. Bur. of Reclamation, unpublished.

Ullrich, C. J. , Testimony at hearing of the Colorado River Comm. Salt Lake City, Utah, 

March 27, 28, 1922.
16 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Of the studies to correlate evapotranspiration with known meteorologic conditions, the works of Lowry and Johnson (1942, 

p. 1243) and Blaney and Griddle6 are possibly the two b«st known 

examples. Both provide a means of estimating the probable consumptive use by irrigated crops.

Lowry and Johnson analyzed data on consumptive use from irrigated valleys and humid watersheds, representing a vide range 

in climate, latitude, elevation, and type of crops. They found a 

straightline relation between annual consumptive use and heat supply, expressed in terms of accumulated daily maximum temperatures above 32 F. during the growing season. So far as possible 

data excluded deep percolation losses. As defined for the effectiveheat method, consumptive use is the quantity of water per year 

absorbed by the crop and transpired or used directly in building 

plant tissue, over the "equivalent valley area". The equivalent 

valley area in each case comprises the entire area or valley (except for areas using no streamflow), reduced to an area consuming water at a rate equivalent to that by the cropped area. The 

unit values of consumptive use derived by the effective-heat method represent estimated average annual consumptive use per acre 

of cropped land.

An adequate water supply is assumed in using this method and 

a mixture of the crops commonly grown on irrigation projects. 

The relationship was based upon studies made of twenty irrigated 

and natural valleys or areas where records of inflow and outflow 

were readily available or could be closely estimated. Records 

for individual areas ranged from 1 to 18 years in length. The records of years of inadequate water supply were adjusted to make 

them comparable with those for year shaving a normal vater supply. The mean values of consumptive use and effective heat for 

each individual area were used to determine the relationship. The 

values for individual years were found to scatter through wide 

limits, but the average values for consumptive use anc" heat supply plot on a fairly well defined curve. The use of the average 

values in the correlation removes the apparent inconsistencies of 

some individual years and tends to exaggerate the degree of correlation obtained. The results derived from the use of this relationship are general and are applicable only under average conditions of water supply, crop distribution, and irrigation practices.

To determine the net consumptive use that is supplied by irrigation water the "effective precipitation" must be deducted from 

the annual consumptive use. Effective precipitation is that portion of the precipitation which is estimated to be used by the grow6 Blaney, Harry F. , and Criddle, W. D. , A method of estimating water requirements in irrigated areas from climatological data: Div. of Irrigation, Soil Conserv. Service, U. S. Dept. of 

Agr. , revised Dec. 1947. (mimeographed)
STREAM DEPLETION DUE TO IRRIGATION 17

ing crops and depends upon the amount and intensity of the precipitation, type of soil, and rate at which soil water can be used 

by the plants.

Blaney and Criddle took a different approach to the determination of consumptive use. Their method is a modification of methods used in the investigations in the upper Rio Grande (Blaney and 

others, 1938, pp. 293-423) and Pecos River (Blaney and others, 

1942, pp. 172-230). The authors demonstrated that consumptive 

use for each type of crop varies with the mean temperature and 

the number of daylight hours. A consumptive use factor is obtained by multiplying the mean temperature for the month by the 

percent of the total annual daylight hours that occur during the 

month. Consumptive use is assumed to vary directly as this factor. Using the notations shown below, this relationship can be expressed mathematically as follows: U=KF where F=2f and f=tp 

U= consumptive use in inches, for a given period of time. 

F= sum of monthly consumptive use factors. 

K = an empirical coefficient, computed from known data for each

type of crop.

f = monthly consumptive use factor. 

t = mean monthly temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. 

P = monthly percent of total daylight hours during the year.

Consumptive use data for a particular crop from ore area are 

applicable to other areas by means of the above formula according to Blaney and Criddle if the following assumptions are made:

The fertility and producing power of the soils are similar.

Sufficient water is applied and at proper time to maintain good growing conditions. 

The length of growing season, to a large extent, determines the production and annual 

consumptive use of water for continuous growing crops such as alfalfa and pasture. 

Consumptive use of water varies directly with the consumptive use factor. 

The effects of insects and diseases on the crops are similar from year to year.

The coefficients used in this formula are based primarily upon 

studies made by tank and field-plot methods in many parts of the 

West. A lis,t of the A'values and lengths of growing season for use 

in this formula follows:

Tentative values of the consumptive-use coefficient (K) 

[After Blaney and Criddle]

Crop

Alfalfa

Beans

Corn

Cotton

Citrus orchard

Deciduous orchard

Pasture

Potatoes

Small grains 

Sorghum 

Sugar beets

Length of growing 

season or period

Between frosts

3 months

4 months

7 months

7 months

Between frosts

Between frosts

3 months

3 months 

5 months 

5Vi months

Consumptive use 

coefficient (K)

0.85

.65

.75

.62

.55

.65

.75

.70

.75 

.70 

.70
18 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER IASIN

A comparison has been made between the methods of Lowry and 

Johnson and those of Blaney and Griddle for estimating consumptive use and an actual determinationby the inflow-outflow method 

in the lower Yakima Valley in Washington. The inflow-outflow 

studies and the computations of Lowry and Johnson were made by 

the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation in connection with the determination of water requirements for the proposed Kennewick division, 

an extension of the Yakima Project. The Blaney-Criddle method 

was applied by the writer to base data extracted from the report 

by the Bureau of Reclamation. Net consumptive use values were 

computed for both indirect methods. The net consumptive use as determined by the inflow-outflow studies covering the period 1936- 

45 was 1.94 acre-feet per acre. The Lowry-Johnson method gave 

a value of 2.04 acre-feet per acre, and the Blaney-Criddle method gave 1. 97 acre-feet per acre.

The values derived by these two indirect methods agree very 

closely with the measured values. It is therefore believed that 

either method, properly used, will yield reliable estimates of net 

consumptive use for areas where direct measurements are not 

available.

IRRIGATED AREAS AND ESTIMATED STREAMFLOW DEPLETION

The tables on the following pages include data on irrigated acreage, annual discharge in acre-feet, and estimated streamflow depletion in acre-feet pe.r year, for many tributary barins of the 

Columbia River basin above The Dalles, Oreg. The Canadian portion of the basin is not included in these tabulations, but the available information regarding irrigation in Canada is included with 

the discussion of appropriate subdivisions.

The drainage area above The Dalles, Oreg., was subdivided on 

basis of available data on irrigation and streamflow as veil ashydrologic factors. In general these subdivisions were made to conform with the locations of key gaging stations or to span all of the 

basin of a tributary stream. Areas were kept as small as possible, consistent with available data, in order to provide detailed 

information on irrigation and depletion in tributary streams. It 

was not always possible, however, to determine the irrigated 

acreage within a small basin or restricted area. Records of irrigation often were available only by counties or by basins of large 

tributary streams.

The following list shows the tributary basins, subdivisions, or 

gaging stations, for which data on irrigated area, or irrigated 

area, and estimated streamflow depletion, are given. The numbers correspond to locations shown on plate 1.
IRRIGATED AREAS AND ESTIMATED STREAMFLOW DEPLETION 19

List of tributary basins, subdivisions, or gaging stations for which data are given

1. Kootenai River at Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

2. Clark Fork above Missoula, Mont.

3. Bitterroot River basin.

4. Clark Fork below Missoula, Mont.

5. Clark Fork at St. Regis, Mont.

6. Flathead River basin above Flathead Lake, Mont.

7. Flathead River at mouth.

8. Clark Fork near Plains, Mont.

9. Priest River basin.

10. Pend Oreille River at Priest River, Idaho.

11. Pend Oreille River below Z Canyon near Metaline Falls, Wash.

12. Columbia River at international boundary.

13. Kettle River near Laurier, Wash.

14. Kettle River at mouth.

15. Colville River basin.

16. Spokane River at Post Falls, Idaho.

17. Spokane River at Spokane, Wash.

18. Spokane River at mouth.

19. Columbia River at Grand Coulee Dam, Wash.

20. Similkameen River near Nighthawk, Wash.

21. Okanogan River near Tonasket, Wash.

22. Okanogan River at mouth.

23. Methow River at Twisp, Wash.

24. Methow River at Pateros, Wash.

25. Chelan River basin.

26. Entiat River at Entiat, Wash.

27. Wenatchee River at Peshastin, Wash.

28. Wenatchee River at mouth.

29. Columbia River at Trinidad, Wash.

30. Crab Creek basin.

31. Yakima River at Umtanum, Wash.

32. Yakima River near Parker, Wash.

33. Yakima River at Kiona, Wash.

34. Yakima River basin.

35. Columbia River basin above mouth of Snake River.

36. Snake River basin in Wyoming.

37. Snake River near Heise, Idaho.

38. Henrys Fork near Ashton, Idaho.

39. Falls River near Squirrel, Idaho.

40. Teton River above St. Anthony, Idaho.

41. Snake River near Blackfoot, Idaho.

42. Portneuf River basin.

43. Snake River at Neeley, Idaho.

44. Snake River at Milner, Idaho.

45. Mud Lake basin.

46. Little Lost River basin.

47. Big Lost River above Mackay Reservoir, Idaho.

48. Big Lost River basin.

49. Big Wood River basin.

50. Snake River at King Hill, Idaho.

51. Bruneau River near Hot Spring, Idaho.

52. Bruneau River basin.

53. Snake River near Murphy, Idaho.

54. Owyhee River basin in Nevada.

55. Jordan Creek above Jordan Valley, Oreg.

56. Owyhee River above Owyhee Reservoir, Oreg.

57. Owyhee River at mouth.

58. South Fork Boise River near Featherville, Idaho.

59. South Fork Boise River at Anderson Ranch Dam, Idaho.

60. Boise River at Dowling ranch near Arrowrock, Idaho.

61. Moore Creek near Arrowrock, Idaho.

62. Boise River basin.

63. Malheur River below Warm Springs Reservoir, Oreg.

64. Malheur River basin.

65. South Fork Payette River near Banks, Idaho.

66. Lake Fork of Payette River below Lake Irrigation District canal, near McCall, Idaho.
20 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

List of tributary basins, subdivisions, or gaging stations for which data are given Continued

67. North Fork Payette River at Cascade, Idaho.

68. North Fork Payette River near Banks, Idaho.

69. Payette River near Horseshoe Bend, Idaho.

70. Payette River at mouth.

71. Weiser River at Starkey, Idaho.

72. Weiser River near Council, Idaho.

73. Weiser River near Cambridge, Idaho.

74. Little Weiser River near Indian Valley, Idaho.

75. Weiser River above Crane Creek near Weiser, Idaho.

76. Weiser River at mouth.

77. Snake River at Weiser, Idaho.

78. Burnt River near Hereford, Oreg.

79. Burnt River at mouth.

80. Powder River near Robinette, Oreg.

81. Snake River at Oxbow, Oreg.

82. Pine Creek basin.

83. Imnaha River at Imnaha, Oreg.

84. Salmon River near Obsidian, Idaho.

85. Valley Creek at Stanley, Idaho.

86. Salmon River below Yankee Fork near Clayton, Idaho.

87. Salmon River near Challis, Idaho.

88. Pahsimeroi River near May, Idaho.

89. North Fork Salmon River at North Fork, Idaho.

90. Salmon River near French Creek, Idaho.

91. Little Salmon River basin.

92. Salmon River at White Bird, Idaho.

93. Wallowa River basin.

94. Grande Ronde River at Rondowa, Oreg.

95. Clearwater River at Kamiah, Idaho.

96. Clearwater River at mouth.

97. Snake River near Clarkston, Wash.

98. Columbia River basin below the Snake River, Wash.

99. Walla Walla River basin.

100. McKay Creek basin.

101. Birch Creek basin.

102. Butter Creek basin.

103. Umatilla River near Umatilla, Oreg.

104. Willow Creek basin.

105. North Fork John Day River at Monument, Oreg.

106. John Day River at McDonald ferry, Oregon.

107. Crooked River near Post, Oreg.

108. Crooked River above Hoffman Dam near Prineville, Oreg.

109. Crooked River near Culver, Oreg.

110. Deschutes River near Madras, Oreg.

111. White River below Tygh Valley, Oreg.

112. Deschutes River at Moody, near Biggs, Oreg.

113. Columbia River near The Dalles, Oreg.

Records of the irrigated area for these tributary basins were 

then accumulated at downstream points. Thus, where tabulations 

are given for more than one location on a stream the tabulations 

for the downstream station include those for the upstream station. 

The irrigated area between any two stations on the same stream 

may be determined by subtraction. The data was subjected to a 

minimum of "rounding off and often on, main stem stations, carried to more significant figures than the overall accuracy may 

seem to warrant. However this procedure was followed in order 

to minimize the possible errors in accumulations. Some estimates 

were necessary, especially for earlier years to formulate the tabulations by subdivisions given in this report.
IRRIGATED AREAS AND ESTIMATED STREAMFLOW DEPLETION 21

Gaging stations are not always in desirable locations with respect to irrigated areas and return flow. The gaging stations 

chosen are those where depletion estimates would be significant. 

An ideal location for this purpose would be below all points of diversion, and below points where return flow and wasteways reenter the stream. In general, gaging stations that substantially 

meet these qualifications were selected, and any material deviation is noted. Gaging stations located within an irrigated area, 

with unmeasured canal flow bypassing those stations and with a 

complicated or unknown pattern of wasteways and return flow, 

have of necessity been omitted.

Computations that would be applicable to 23 areas for annual 

and/or net consumptive use by the Lowry-Johnson method were 

made available by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. These localities were well distributed throughout the drainage basin of the 

Columbia River above The Dalles, Oreg., and the estimates of net 

consumptive use for the remaining areas were based upon these 

computed values. The values of net consumptive use in the following table were compared with available experimental data and 

were spot checked by the Blaney-Griddle method with consistent 

results.

Commonly the total consumptive use is computed by applying 

the factor for net consumptive use to the net cropped ar?a and allowing an additional 10 to 15 percent to cover other miscellaneous 

losses, including deep seepage. However, the net cropped area 

was not always known, and in this report the net consumptive use 

was applied to the gross farm area. Since the difference between 

the gross farm area and the net cropped area usually amounts to 

10 to 15 percent, no further allowance was made for the usual 

miscellaneous losses.
22 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Net consumptive use, by subdivisions of the Columbia River basin

Locality

Net

consumptive use 

(acre-feet 

per acre)

Remarks

Kootenai River basin................................

Clark Fork basin above Missoula, Mont........

Bitterroot River basin...............................

Clark Fork, Missoula to Plains, Mont...........

F la the ad River basin................................

Clark Fork, Plains, Mont, to mouth............

Columbia River, international boundary to

Grand Coulee Dam, Wash. 

Kettle River basin...................................

Colville River basin.................................

Spokane River basin.................................

Columbia River, Grand Coulee Dam to

Trinidad, Wash. 

Okanogan River basin...............................

Methow River basin.................................

Chelan River basin..................................

Entiat River basin....................................

Wenatchee River basin.............................

Columbia River, Trinidad to Pasco, Wash....

Crab Creek basin.....................................

Yakima River basin.................................

Snake River basin above Heise, Idaho..........

Henrys Fork basin....................................

Teton River above St. Anthony, Idaho.........

Snake River, Heise to Milner, Idaho...........

Portneuf River basin.................................

Mud Lake basin.......................................

Little Lost River basin..............................

Big Lost River basin.................................

Big Wood River basin...............................

Snake River, Milner to King Hill, Idaho......

Bruneau River basin.................................

Snake River, King Hill to Weiser, Idaho.......

Owyhee River above Owyhee Reservoir,

Oreg. 

Owyhee River below Owyhee Reservoir,

Oreg. 

Boise River above Boise diversion................

Boise River below Boise diversion................

Malheur River basin.................................

Payette River above Horse Shoe Bend, Idaho., 

Payette River below Horse Shoe Bend, Idaho., 

Weiser River basin...................................

Snake River, Weiser, Idaho to Clarkston,

Wash. 

Burnt River basin.....................................

Powder River Basin...................................

Pine Creek basin......................................

Imnaha River basin..................................

Salmon River basin..................................

Grande Ronde River basin..........................

Clearwater River basin..............................

Snake River, Clarkston to mouth.................

Columbia River, Pasco, Wash., to The

Dalles, Oreg. 

Walla Walla River basin............................

Umatilla River basin................................

Willow Creek basin..................................

John Day River basin................................

Crooked River basin.................................

Deschutes River basin...............................

1.25

1.0

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.25

1.35

1.25

1.5

1.35

2.00

1.50 

1.75 

1.75 

1.75 

2.0 

2.0 

1.75 

2.0 

.8

1.0-1.4 

1.1 

1.8 

1.6 

1.6 

1.3 

1.3 

1.7

1.7

1.8

2.0

1.0-1.4

1.9

1.0

2.2

1.0-1.9

1.0 

2.2

1.5-2.0 

1.4

1.4

1.5 

1.4 

1.2 

1.6 

1.2 

1.5 

1.5 

2.0

1.9

1.5-2.0 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7 

1.7

Estimated.

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method.

Lowry-Johnson method.

Lowry-Johnson method.

Estimated.

Estimated

Estimated. 

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method. 

Lowry-Johnson method.

Estimated.

Estimated.

Estimated.

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method.

Estimated.

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method.

Lowry-Johnson method.

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method.

Lowry-Johnson method.

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method.

Estimated.

Estimated.

Estimated.

Estimated.

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method.

Lowry-Johnson method

and estimated. 

Estimated.

Estimated.

Inflow-outflow studies. 

Estimated and LowryJohnson method. 

Estimated. 

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method. 

Estimated.

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method. 

Estimated. 

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method. 

Lowry-Johnson method. 

Lowry-Johnson method. 

Estimated. 

Lowry-Johnson method.

Lowry-Johnson method. 

Lowry-Johnson method. 

Estimated. 

Estimated.

Lowry-Johnson method. 

Estimated.
COLUMBIA RIVER ABOVE THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY 23

The estimated depletion given in the following tables represents 

average conditions for the respective subdivisions and assumes an 

average water supply. The actual depletion in indivicaual years 

may be expected to deviate from these values, although in many 

localities the deviations may be small because of the compensating 

factors. For example, during years having temperature above 

normal, the consumptive use might be expected to be greater than 

average, but commonly during such years less water is available 

for irrigation. Some areas of ten have an inadequate water supply, 

and the cropped area tends to become adjusted to the available 

supply. The types of crops undoubtedly influence the consumptive 

use, but to some extent the types of crops are adjusted to the climate, soil conditions, and the available water supply. These factors tend to promote both regional and year to year diversification 

in the types of crops grown. Data on irrigation by crop types is 

very meagre for earlier years, and no attempt has been made to 

adjust for this factor. Considering all these variables, however, 

it is believed that the estimated depletions given in following tables 

are reasonably dependable in terms of average depletion over a 

period of years.

The estimated depletion, expressed as a percentage of the yield 

of the watershed, has been computed for many locations in the 

basin. In this respect the yield was assumed to be the rum of the 

measured runoff and the estimated depletion. These values were 

accumulated over a period of years, so as to be representative of 

average conditions. Where records were available, the 25-year 

period (1921-45) has beenused. In places where the irrigated area 

has been expanding rapidly, the estimated percentage of depletion 

for 1946, in terms of the long-term yield has also been computed. 

It should be reiterated that all of the computations herein are on 

annual basis and do not take into account the seasonal distribution 

of water supply or consumptive use.

COLUMBIA RIVER ABOVE THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY

KOOTENAI RIVER BASIN

The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) is primarily a Canadian stream, with 14,500 square miles of the total of 19,300 square 

miles drainage area lying in southeastern British Columbia. In 

terms of total drainage area, the Kootenai River is the third largest of the Columbia River tributaries. It is exceeded only by the 

Snake River and Pend Oreille River.

The United States portion of the basin, lying in northwestern 

Montana and northern Idaho, is roughly triangular in shape and is 

largely mountainous. The Galton Range and Salish Mountains form
24 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

the eastern boundary, the Purcell Mountains roughly bisects the 

basin from north to south, and the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains 

form the western boundary. The land devoted to agriculture lies 

principally in the flood plain of the main stem of the Kootenai 

River between Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and the international boundary, and an area along the Tobacco River in Monte na. About 

50, 000 acres in the flood plain north of Bonners Ferry are partially protected by dikes and does not require irrigation because 

of the high ground-water table underlying the farmed rrea.

The GlenLake Irrigation District is the only sizeable irrigation 

project in the Kootenai River basin within the boundaries of the 

United States. It was developed about 1916, and includes about 

2,050 acres along the Tobacco River. The remainder of the irrigated land consists of relatively small tracts along Firher River, 

in the upper reaches, and near Libby, all in Montana.

Irrigation in the Kootenay River basin in Canada is done on 

many scattered tracts, which in 1949 totaled 19,700 acres (International Columbia River Engineering Board, 1950, Interim Report on Kootenay River 1933 in the files of the International Joint 

Commission, Washington and Ottawa).

The following table shows the total irrigated area for the portion of the basin in the United States for the selected years. These 

data are based on census reports for the years 1890, 1900, 1902,

1919. 1929, and 1939, supplemented by local inquiries. The census report for 1890 shows no irrigation in the basin. For the year

1920. the Montana State Board of Equalization reported a total of 

4,780 acres irrigated. Census reports for 1919 show 5,920 acres 

irrigated. The difference between the two areas probably results 

from the methods of classification of "irrigated" land.

The net consumptive use was estimated to be 1.25 acre-feet 

per acre for all irrigated land in this basin. The return flow was 

estimated to reach the main river south of the international boundary. The average depletion in this basin is insignificant when 

compared to the flow of the river at Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and 

has remained essentially constant during the past 20 years. Expressed as a percentage during the period 1929-46, it ha s amounted 

to only about 0. 1 percent of the yield of this basin.
COLUMBIA RIVER ABOVE THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY 25

Irrigated area in the United States, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Kootenai 

River at Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Year

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

2,000

3,200

4,200

5,200

6,100

6,300

6,450

6,600

6,750

6,950

7,100

7,250

7,400

7,600

7,580

7,560

7,540

7,520

7,500

7,480

7,460

7,440

7,420

7,390

7,400

7,400

7,400

7,400

7,400

7,400

7,400

Runoff 

(acre-feet)

8,090,000

8,470,000

6,360,000

11,100,000

12,800,000

14,440,000

11,000,000

8,082,000

7,499,000

11,590,000

8,367,000

7,771,000

6,508,000

12,190,000

11,910,000

5,599,000

7,729,000

11,970,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

2,500

4,000

5,250

6,500

7,620

7,870

8,060

8,250

8,440

8,680

8,880

9,060

9,250

9,500

9,480

9,450

9,420

9,400

9,380

9,350

9,320

9,300

9,280

9,240

9,250

9,250

9,250

9,250

9,250

9,250

9,250

PEND OREILLE RIVER BASIN

The Pend Oreille River basin is largely in western Montana, 

but it includes a part of the Idaho panhandle, most of Pend Oreille 

County in northeastern Washington, and two areas totalling 1, 203 

square miles in British Columbia. The Flathead River, tributary 

of the Clark Fork, originates in the eastern area in British Columbia. The western area in Canada is contiguous with the northeast corner of Washington and consists mostly of the drainage 

area of Salmo River, which joins the Pend Oreille about 14 miles 

above its mouth. The total drainage area of the Pend Oreille basin 

is 25,960 square miles, of which 24,757 square miles are in the 

United States, making it the second largest tributary of the Columbia in terms of drainage area.

The drainage basin is an area of conifer forests, lying on the 

western slope of the Rocky Mountains. Its perimeter is defined 

by the divides of various mountain- ranges, and numerous other 

ranges are included within its boundaries. On the east, southeast 

and south, the Continental Divide forms the boundary. On the west,
26 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

the Bitterroot Range marks both the basin boundary and1 the IdahoMontana State line for a distance of 200 miles. Farther west, the 

boundary is formed by lesser ranges. To the north, the divide 

between the Kootenai and the Clark Fork is formed by the Selkirk, 

Cabinet and Salish Mountains.

Along most of the major tributaries and many of the minor tributaries and intermontane valleys and prairies suitable to agriculture. The floors of these valleys range from 2, 000 tc 4, 000 feet 

above sea level and are suitable for hay, grain, and certain fruit 

crops. The greater part of the irrigated areas are in basins of 

Flathead, Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers, where some of the 

earliest irrigation in the Northwest was done.

CLARK FORK ABOVE MISSOULA, MONT.

Most of the irrigated land above this station lies in scattered 

tracts along the main Clark Fork and its principal tributaries. 

The majority of these lands were irrigated prior to 1910 by individuals to provide forage crops for stock ranches.

Approximately half of the irrigated land shown in the following 

table is in the Blackfoot River basin, with the largest concentration near Nevada Creek reservoir, which was completed in 1938. 

Of the remaining half of the irrigated area, the largest concentration is along Flint Creek. In 1938 a reservoir on the East Fork 

of Rock Creek was built to store additional water for tends in this 

part of the basin.

The return flow from all irrigated land was assumed to have 

reentered the main stem of the Clark Fork above this gaging 

station.

The net consumptive use was estimated to be 1.0 acre-foot per 

acre per year. The percentage of streamflow depletion based 

upon the 17-year period, 1930 through 1946, amounted to 6.7 percent of the yield of the watershed and has remained essentially 

constant during the period of gaging-station record at this point.
COLUMBIA RIVER ABOVE THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY 27

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Clark Fork above Missoula, Mont.

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1935

1936 

1937 

1938 

1939 

1940

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

6,000

20,000

53,000

102,000

117,000

119,500

125,000

130,425

130,415

130,998

130,432

130,164

125,822

125,271

124,930

124,690

125,724

124,683

123,064 

128,205 

124,745 

128,008 

127,107

119,987 

127,698 

120,458 

118,576 

119,272

118,992 

119,327 

119,743 

119,287 

118.720 

119,720

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

1,640,000

1,039,000 

1,602,000 

2,087,000 

2,425,000 

1,410,000

1,622,000 

1,035,000 

2,006,000 

1,592,000 

1,223,000

973,200 

1,932,000 

2,990,000 

1,475,000 

1,600,000 

1,728,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

6,000

20,000

53,000

102,000

117.000

119,500

125,000

130,425

130,415

130,998

130,432

130,164

125,822

125,271

124,930

124,690

125,724

124,683

123,064 

128,205 

124,745 

128.008 

127,107

119,987 

127,698 

120,458 

118,576 

119,272

118,992 

119,327 

119,743 

119,287 

118,720 

119,720

CLARK FORK BELOW MISSOULA, MONT.

The Bitterroot River basin has at present about 113, 800 acres 

under irrigation, although the water supply during dry years is 

inadequate. Very little information is available regarding irrigation prior to 1890, although a note in the 1889 census states that 

the Bitterroot Valley was at that time extensively irrigated along 

the river. Most of the water used for irrigation is supplied by 

small irrigation companies and districts. The largest organization 

is the Bitterroot River Irrigation District, which controls approximately 19,000 acres. The return flow from these lands is believed to enter the Bitterroot River above its mouth. The irrigated 

area and estimated annual depletion are shown in the following 

table. The net consumptive use of 1. 4 acre-feet per acre used to 

compute the estimated depletion was based upon computations by 

the Lowry- Johnson method. Assuming the difference between the 

gaging stations on Clark Fork above and below Missoula to be the 

yield of the Bitterroot River basin, the percentage depletion was 

estimated to be 9. 6 percent.
28 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Between the gaging stations on Clark Fork above and below 

Missoula are three principal diversions from the Clark Fork main 

stem: Flynn Ditch, Grass Valley Ditch, and Orchard Homes District canal. Flynn Ditch was built about 1906 to provide supplemental water to land which formerly received only flood water 

from Granite Creek. This ditch diverts water from the north bank 

of the Clark Fork at the west edge of Missoula, and serves 1, 900 

acres. The Grass Valley Ditch diverts water from the Clark Fork 

above the mouth of the Bitterroot River. Diversion first began in 

1903, and at present about 3,000 acres are served. The Orchard 

Homes District serves two tracts: Tract 1, started about 1878 

now serves 3, 200 acres, the majority of which was developed 

prior to 1920. Tract 2 includes about 550 acres and was started 

in 1896. The irrigated area and estimated depletion for the basin 

above the gaging station on Clark Fork below Missoula, Mont., 

are shown in the table below. The percentage depletion for this 

station is 8.4 percent of the yield of the watershed for period 1930 

through 1946.

Irrigated area and estimated depletion for Ditterroot River basin

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

2,000

5,000

17,000

72,700

101,000

103,000

105,000

107,522

107,522

117,957

115,577

114,028

110,983

108,868

107,725

107 , 944

107,951

105,849

104.957

103,794

103,009

105,628

105,534

104,290

104,577

104,126

106,420

103,380

103.062

102,740

102,412

103,222

103,445

105,620

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

2,800

7,000

23,800

101,800

141,400

144,200

147,000

150,500

150,500

165,100

161,800

159,600

155,400

152,400

150,800

151.100

151.100

148.200

146,900

145,300

144, 200

147,900

147,700

146.000

146,400

145,800

149.000

144,700

144,300

143.800

143,400

144, 500

144,800

147,900
COLUMBIA RIVER ABOVE THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY 29

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Clark Fork below Missoula, Mont.

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1935

1936 

1937 

1938 

1939 

1940

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,000

8,000

25,000

70,000

175,000

219,000

223,500

234,600

245,585

246,075

257,093

254, 147

252,330

244,943

242,777

241,293

241,272

242,813

239,900

237,389 

241,367 

237,122 

243,004 

242,009

233,645 

241,643 

233,952 

234,364 

232,020

231,422 

231,425 

231, 523 

231,877 

231,533 

234,708

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

3,050,000

1,980,000 

3,080,000 

3,740,000 

4,253,000 

2,671,000

3,105,000 

1,869,000 

3,619,000 

3,022,000 

2,227,000

1,881,000 

3,634,000 

5,544,000 

2,570,000 

2,803,000 

3,235,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

1,400

8,800

27,000

76,800

204,000

259,800

265,100

278,400

288,500

289,000

307,500

303,600

301,200

292,600

289,100

287,100

287,200

289,600

288,800

283,100 

286,600 

. 282,000 

289,000 

287,900

279,100 

287,200 

279,400 

280,700 

277,100

276,400 

276,200 

276,200 

276,900 

276,600 

280,700

CLARK FORK AT ST. REGIS, MONT.

The majority of irrigated lands between Missoula and the gaging 

station on the Clark Fork at St. Regis, Mont., are scattered in 

small tracts along tributaries of the main river. The Frenchtown 

project is the largest irrigation enterprise within this r?ach. This 

project extends from Frenchtown to Huson, Mont, ard includes 

about 2, 200 acres, all on the north side of the river. The return 

flow from all irrigated land in this subdivision is assumed to reach 

the Clark Fork above the gaging station. The irrigated area above 

this gaging station, and the estimated depletion are given in the 

following table. Based upon the records for the period 1921 through 

1945 and a net consumptive use for this subdivision of 1. 4 acrefeet per acre, the percentage depletion of the yield of the watershed was estimated to be 3. 3 percent.

279538 O - 53 - 3
30 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Clark Fork at St. Regis, Mont.,

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,000

8,000

25,000

74,000

180,000

232,000

243,100

248,000

252,661

253,155

264,287

261,392

259,595

252,136

249,995

248,519

248,448

249,980

247,094

244,577

248,580

244,363

250,160

249,163

240,734

250,918

243,229

243,625

241, 254

240,738

240,751

240,838

241,181

240,971

243,979

Runoff 

(acre-feet)

5,630,000

6,550,000

7,760,000

5,230,000

4,220,000

8,460,000

8,090,000

7,840,000

3,930,000

5,140,000

6,270,000

5,840,000

5,260,000

*3, 524, 000

*5, 811, 000

*2, 932, 000

*6, 414, 000

*7, 250 ,000

*3, 721, 000

3,930,000

2,590,000

4,330,000

5,400,000

6,780,000

3,988,000

4,139,000

2,647,000

4,856,000

3,886,000

3,027,000

2,476,000

4,697,000

7,307,000

3,246,000

3,767,000

4,282,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

1,400

8,800

97 nnn

76,800

211,200

278,000

292,400

296,600

298,400

298,900

317,600

313,700

311,400

302,700

299,200

297,200

297,200

299,600

298,900

293,200

296,700

293,100

299,000

297,000

289,000

300,200

292,400

293,700

290,000

289,400

289,200

289,200

289,900

289,800

293,700

Estimated, or partly estimated in unpublished report.
COLUMBIA RIVER ABOVE THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY 31 

FLATHEAD RIVER

In the Flathead River basin, irrigation above Flathead Lake has 

been developed principally by private enterprise, the largest 

project being the Ashley Irrigation District. The remainder of 

the irrigated area lies in small tracts along Swan River, Whitefish River, and Stillwater River. A relatively small amount of 

land has been developed within the proposed Kalispell Project of 

the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation by private enterprise.

Below Flathead Lake, the largest development has been the 

Flathead Project, initiated by the U. S. Bureau of Reels mation in 

1907 and delegated to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1924 for 

completion and operation. All the land lies within the early boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation and the project is designed for the ultimate irrigation of 138, 000 acres in three divisions: Camas, Jocko, and Mission Valley. The project area of 

Camas division consists of about 13,000 acres primarily in the 

Little Bitterroot River basin, which is served by gravity diversion from the mainstream and tributaries. This water supply has 

been augmented by two small diversions from the Thompson River 

basin. Diversion from Alder Creek began about 1933 and from 

McGinnis Creek in 1941. The Jocko division includes about 13,400 

acres and is served by gravity diversion from Jocko River and 

Finley Creek. A diversion from Placid Creek, an indirect tributary of the Blackfoot River, enters the Middle Fork of the Jocko 

River but is generally used for irrigation in the Mission Valley 

division. The major sources of water supply for the Mission Valley division are the minor tributaries of the Flathead River arising in the Mission Range and water pumped directly from the Flathead River near the lake outlet. About 113, 700 acres may eventually be irrigated in this division. There is about 148, 000 acrefeet of storage in all three divisions, and to a large extent all of 

the divisions are interconnected. The return flow from all these 

lands is assumed to enter the Flathead River above its mouth. 

The net consumptive use for all lands in the entire basin was estimated to be 1. 2 acre-feet per acre and was based upon computations by the Lowry-Johnson method. The irrigated area and estimated depletion for the Flathead River basin, disregarding the 

minor effects of importation of water from adjacent basins, are 

shown in the following table.
32 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area and estimated depletion for Flat head River basin, Montana

Year

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Flathead River above 

Flathead Lake

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,000

2,000

3,100

3,300

3,501

3,501

3,501

3,501

3,501

3,501

3,401

3,401

3,301

3,301

3,201

3,201

3,161

3,399

3,301

3,301

3,301

3,230

3,278

2,240

2,562

2,001

2,008

2,721

2,713

2,701

2,701

Flathead River at irouth

Irrigated area 

(acres)

6,070

11,500

14,500

19,700

38,367

36,016

35,888

24,026

35,371

38,018

39,378

31,568

39,831

45,331

48,831

57,631

62,891

64,429

65,531

72,331

73,331

77,760

81,308

80,570

81,892

80,931

76,438

83,151

85,343

88,431

90,731

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

7,280

13,800

17,400

23,640

46,040

43,220

43,070

28,830

42,440

45,620

47,250

37,880

47,260

54,400

58,600

69,160

75,470

77,310

78,640

86,800

88,000

93,310

97,570

96,680

98,270

97,120

91,720

99,780

102,410

106,120

108,880

PEND OREILLE RIVER BELOW Z CANYON NEAR METALINE FALLS, WASH.

Irrigation below the mouth of Flathead River lies in scattered 

small tracts along the Clark Fork and Pend Oreille Rivers. An 

irrigation district near Usk, Wash, utilizes water from Calispell 

Creek to irrigate about 1,500 acres. The net consumptive use for 

this subdivision of the basin was estimated to be 1. 25 acre-feet 

per acre. All return flow was assumed to have reentered the main 

river above the indicated gages. The irrigated area, runoff, and 

estimated depletion at the gaging station on Clark Fork nsar Plains, 

Mont, are shown in the following table. For the period 1921 through 

1945 the percent depletion was estimated to be 2. 7 percent. The 

irrigated area for Priest River and Pend Oreille River at Priest 

River, Idaho is shown in the table on page 34. The total irrigated 

area, runoff, and estimated depletion, in the basin above the gaging station on Pend Oreille River below Z Canyon near Metaline 

Falls, Wash., is shown in the table on page 35.
COLUMBIA RIVER ABOVE THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY 33

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Clark Fork near Plains, Mont.

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,000

8,000

25,000

74,000

186,700

243,700

257,800

270 r 500

291.061

289,204

300.208

285,451

294,999

290,187

289,406

280,120

288,312

295,344

295,958

302,241

311,504

308,825

315,724

321,527

314, 098

328.711

324,570

324,228

323,179

321,702

317,222

324, 022

326,557

329,435

334,743

Runoff 

(acre-feet)

17,400,000

12,500,000

11,400,000

*9n £t\J , 971 £f 1 J-, nnn \J\J\J

*17,601,000

17,400,000

10,900,000

*12,552,000

16,500,000

14,100,000

14,100,000

11,600,000

 17,617,000

9,150,000

19,300,000

21,300,000

11,000,000

10,100,000

8,250,000

13,700,000

16,000,000

18,430,000

12,660,000

11,670,000

8,784,000

12,250,000

11,460,000

8,213,000

6,404,000

12,740,000

17,710,000

7,862,000

10,330,000

13,480,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

1 X, A.nn *±Uw

8,800

27,000

76,800

218,500

291,800

309,800

320,300

344,500

342,200

360,700

342,600

353,900

348,400

346,500

335,100

344, 500

354,000

357,500

362,400

372,200

370,400

377,700

383,800

377,000

393,600

390,000

390,300

388,300

386,600

381,000

389,000

392,400

396,000

402,600

* Estimated, or partly estimated in unpublished report.
34 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area in acres for indicated years

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938 

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Priest River basin

63

63

63

63

63

63

63

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73 

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

Pend Oreille River 

at Prie-t River, Idaho

1,000

8,000

25,000

74,000

1 QC 1 f\f\ loo, J.UU

245,400

260,900

273,000

293,749

291,894

302,925

288,170

297,721

292,912

292,150

282,892

291,106

298,141

298,758

305,044

314,309

311.632

318,534

324,360

316,934

331,549

327,43.0 

327,071

326,025

324,531

320,083

326,885

329,423

332,304

337,650
COLUMBIA RIVER ABOVE THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY 35

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Pend Oreille River below 

Z Canyon near Metaline Falls, Wash.

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,000

8.000

25,000

74,000

186,213

245,416

230,932

273,092

294, 109

292,314

303,405

288,710

297,721

293,672

292,870

283,672

291,946

299,041

299,733

306,094

315,434

312,832

319,709

325,710

317,469

333,049

328,985

328.721

327,675

326,181

321,733

328,535

331,173

333,954

339,300

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

24,800,000

17,600,000

15,400,000

27,900,000

23,300,000

21,800,000

15,800,000

15,700,000

22,400,000

17,800,000

18,100,000

14,500,000

23,200,000

11,700,000

25,300,000

27,600,000

13,900,000

12,600,000

11,100,000

19,500,000

22,400,000

26,170,000

18,270,000

15,560,000

12.130,000

18,410,000

15,250,000

12,270,000

9,951,000

18,170,000

23,760,000

10,480,000

14,680,000

19,670,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

1,400

8,800

27,000

76,800

218,600

293,900

316,700

335,400

348,300

346,100

364, 700

346,700

357,300

352,800

350,800

339,500

349,000

358,600

362,100

367,200

377,100

375,400

382,700

389,000

381,200

399,100

395 , 500

395,600

393,900

391,200

386,600

394, 600

398,200

401,600

408,300

COLUMBIA RIVER AT INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY

The following table shows the irrigated area, runoff, and estimated depletion for the basin above the gaging station on Columbia River at the international boundary. This is essentially a 

summation of the Kootenai and Pend Oreille River basins. No allowance has been made for the irrigated area in Canada, which 

on basis of published reports is assumed to be less than 25,000 

acres. The average net depletion based upon the period 1939 

through 1946 was estimated at 0.7 percent of the yield of the watershed above this point.
36 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Columbia Rirar at the 

international boundary

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939 

1940

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,000

8,000

25,000

74,000

188,213

248,616

265,132

278,242

300,209

298,614

309.855

295,310

305,071

300,522

299,970

290,922

9QQ 14.fi

306,641

307,313

313,654

322,974

320,352

327,309

333,190

325,819

340,489

336,405

336,121 

335,075

333,581 

329,133 

335,935 

338,473 

341,354 

346,700

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

60,920,000 

59,580,000

52,590,000 

69,180,000 

70,420,000 

46,190,000 

56,600,000 

74.760,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

1,400

8,800

27,000

76,800

221, 100

297,400

321,900

341,900

355,900

354, 000

372.800

354,900

365,700

361,500

359,700

348,600

358,200

367,100

371,600

376,600

386,500

384,800

392,100

398,400

389,500

408,400

406,800

404,800 

402,100

400,400 

397,800 

403,800 

407,400 

410,800 

417,500

COLUMBIA RIVER, INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY TO GRAND COULEE DAM

KETTLE RIVER

There is little irrigation in the United States portion of the Kettle 

River basin. At present, about 880 acres are under irrigation, 

mostly in the upper reaches above Laurier, Wash. The 1940 Canada Yearbook lists 2, 090 acres under irrigation in the Canadian 

portion of the basin. The following table shows the irrigated area 

in the Kettle River basin in the United States, as determined primarily from census figures. The net consumptive use for this subdivision was estimated to be 1. 25 acre-feet per acre.
COLUMBIA RIVER, INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY TO GRAND COULEE DAM 37

Irrigated area, in acres, in Kettle River basin in the United States

Year

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Kettle River near 

Laurier, Wash.

100

280

230

210

300

390

415

435

460

480

505

525

550

570

590

600

615

625

640

650

665

675

690

705

720

720

720

720

720

720

720

720

Kettle River 

at mouth

125

345

280

250

365

475

505

530

560

.585

615

640

670

695

720

735

750

765

780

795

810

825

840

860

880

880

880

880

880

880

880

880

COLVILLE RIVER

Little irrigating has been done in the Colville River basin, and 

only a small percentage of all the land within the basin is classed 

as irrigable. The water requirements for this area are largely 

satisifed under natural conditions, such as precipitation and flooding without adequate drainage. At present all irrigation is done by 

individuals, but at one time two irrigation districts diverted water 

from Colville River below the hydroelectric plant at Kettle Falls 

to irrigate lands along the Columbia River.

The Fruitland Irrigation Co. started about 1908 with 1,200 acres 

(downstream from Kettle Falls), but the acreage diminished to 500 

in 1925. This latter acreage was irrigated until about 1937 when 

the district was dissolved because it was within the reservoir area 

of Grand Coulee Dam. The Columbia Irrigation District (Plantation Irrigation Co.), during 1910 and 1911 irrigated rbout 1,000 

acres of land just upstream from Colville River.
38 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Return flow from presently irrigated land is believed to reenter 

the Colville River above the gaging station at Kettle Falls, although 

from 1908 to 1937 the return flow from Fruitland Irrigation Co. 

was direct to the Columbia River downstream from the mouth of 

the Colville River. The irrigated area shown in the following table 

was determined from water rights, census reports, ard local inquiry. The net consumptive use for this tributary basin was estimated to be 1. 5 acre-feet per acre.

SPOKANE RIVER

Irrigation in the Spokane River basin started during" the latter 

part of the nineteenth century but developed slowly until about 

1905. From 1905-15 expansion was rapid, primarily just east of 

Spokane. The region was organized into small irrigation districts 

and companies, a total of 30 having been active at various times. 

The three largest were the Spokane Valley, Vera, and Otis Orchards irrigation districts. These districts serve approximately 

4,360, 2,300, and 2, 700 acres respectively. About one-third of 

the districts derived their water from wells; the remainder use 

water from lakes and from the Spokane River, mostly by pumping. The irrigated area for this basin was computed primarily 

from reports of the Idaho State Engineer and records of the Spokane County Treasurer, supplemented by information obtained 

from officials of the privately operated irrigation districts and 

companies, and from Fred J. Cunningham, Spokane attorney. The 

course and seasonal distribution of the return flow from the irrigated acreages in this basin is not well defined owing to the presence of extensive beds of highly permeable material. The Geological Survey has been investigating ground-water movement 

through portions of this basin and a preliminary report was issued 

as Water-Supply Paper 889-B. Because return-flow conditions 

are unknown, no attempt has been made in this report to estimate 

depletion at any of the gaging stations in this basin. However, for 

purposes of computing depletion at sites downstream on the Columbia River, a net consumptive use of 1. 35 acre-feet per acre 

was used. This was estimated on the basis of computations by 

Lowry-Johnson method. Irrigated area above selected locations 

in the Spokane River basin are shown in the following table.
COLUMBIA RIVER, INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY TO GRAND COULEE DAM 39

Irrigated area, in acres, for indicated year

Year

1890

1900

1906

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Colville River 

basin

360

1,400

1,900

5,400

4,560

4,630

4,270

3,910

3,550

3,180

2,820

2,760

2,700

2,640

2,580

2,740

2,890

3,040

3,200

3,360

3,510

3,660

3,820

3,480

3,630

3,630

3,630

3,630

3,690

3,980

4,080

4,080

Spokane River at 

Post Falls, Idaho

272

272

272

272

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

212

1,492

Spokane River 

at Spokane , 

Wash.

1,120

10,864

15,824

18,474

18,594

18,874

24, 255

24,294

23,026

23,169

23,119

22,749

22,421

22,369

22,539

22,679

22,796

22,373

22,659

22,532

22,566

22,586

22,713

22,303

22,316

22,308

22,110

21,347

21,339

22,646

Spokane River 

at mouth

500

2,005

13,120

22,840

26,240

26,470

26,850

31,800

28', 680

25,250

24,990

24,930

24,560

24, 230

24, 190

24,370

24,520

24,650

24,230

24,530

24,410

24,460

24,490

24,620

24,210

24,230

24,220

24,020

23,260

23,250

24,560

COLUMBIA RIVER AT GRAND COULEE DAM, WASH.

Outside the major subdivisions already described, a small 

amount of land is irrigated with water diverted from minor tributaries of the Columbia River and water pumped directly from the 

river. Very little specific information is available regarding these 

tracts, and most of the data have been derived from census reports supplemented by information from residents and from the 

files of the Nespelem Indian Agency. This agency operates two 

small irrigation projects on Hall and Stranger Creeks. The return flow from the lands irrigated in this portion of the basin enters the Columbia River main stem above Grand Coulee. The net 

consumptive use for lands in this portion of the basir was estimated to be 1.35 acre-feet per acre. The percentage depletion of 

the yield of the basin above Grand Coulee Dam for the period 1921 

through 1945 was estimated to be 0.6 percent. The following table 

shows irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for 

the basin above Grand Coulee Dam, Wash. Pumping from Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake for irrigation of lands in the Columbia Basin 

project is expected to begin in 1951.
40 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Columbia River at Grand Coulee

Dam, Wash.

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,000

10,000

26,000

75,210

191,813

254, 526

288,442

310,682

336,354

333,244

344,615

334,775

339,056

332,732

331,570

322, 122

329,646

335,781

336,723

343,544

353,354

351,132

357,979

364,460

357,269

372,299

368,555

368,701

367,245

365,771

361,313

367.975

370.043

373,014

379,670

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

81,400,000

70,100,000

98,000,000

82,800,000

85,700,000

78,800,000

71,800,000

91,700,000

74,900,000

79,000,000

62,600.000

91,000,000

53,200,000

91,400,000

103,000,000

58,700,000

61,400,000

58,500,000

82,800,000

91,400,000

101,400,000

81,440,000

70,830,000

57,500.000

81,960,000

69,280,000

*67,800,000

*59,290,000

*79,540,000

*80,810,000

*50,950,000

*65,040,000

86,090,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

1.400

11,500

28,400

78,500

226,100

305,600

354,200

386,340

405,300

401,300

420,200

408,600

409,300

405,400

402,700

391.100

399,400

406,800

411,600

417.300

427,900

426,400

433,900

441,100

432,400

451.800

450,600

449,200

446,000

443,800

441,700

447,500

450,500

454, 100

462,500

* Adjusted for change in contents in Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake.

COLUMBIA RIVER, GRAND COULEE DAM TO SNAKE RIVER

OKANOGAN RIVER

The land currently irrigated in the United States portion of the 

Okanogan River basin totals about 22, 000 acres, a large part lying in narrow, discontinuous strips along the main river channel.

Three irrigation districts provide water by gravity to approximately half the irrigated area. The Whitestone Project, near 

Loomis, Wash. , which includes about 2,000 acres, is an offstream development and obtains water from Toats Coulee Creek.
COLUMBIA RIVER, GRAND COULEE DAM TO SNAKE RIVER 41

Blue, Spectacle, and Whitestone Lakes provide storage for this 

project. Originally it was planned to develop over 10,000 acres 

of irrigated land but due to insufficient water the project shrank 

to its present size. The Okanogan Project of the Bureau of Reclamation includes about 3,800 acres of land between Johnson Creek 

and Salmon Creek. Water is diverted from Salmon Creek, and 

storage is provided byConconully Lake. At one time, r.bout 8,000 

acres were irrigated, but owing to an inadequate water supply, 

the area has been reduced to its present size. The largest irrigation project in the basin is the Oroville-Tonasket Irrigation 

District, which diverts water from the Similkameen River between 

Nighthawk and Oroville, Wash. The irrigated land lies on both 

sides of Okanogan River from the international boundary to and 

just south of Tonasket, Washington, and includes about 7,000 

acres. Many small private and company-owned pumping plants 

supply water to the bench lands along the Okanogan River.

Irrigation in the Similkameen River basin is located around 

Palmer Lake and the Sinlahekin Valley. The Canada Yearbook 

for 1940 shows 34, 848 acres of irrigated land in the Canadian 

portion of the Okanogan River basin. Most of this land is irrigated by direct diversion from the Okanogan River. Water stored 

in Okanagan Lake is used to supplement the late summer streamflows for the irrigated area near Oliver, British Columbia.

The following table shows the irrigated area in the United States 

portion of the Okanogan River basin. These data wer? obtained 

from irrigation district'reports, census reports, records of watermasters, and from pioneer residents. All return flow is believed to enter the Okanogan River above its mouth except that 

from about 500 acres of the Monse Indian project, which enters 

the Columbia River directly. The average net consumptive use 

for all lands in this subdivision was estimated to be 1.5 acre-feet 

per acre.
42 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, in acres, for Okanogan River basin in the United Stater

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Similkameen River 

near Nighthawk, 

Wash.

205

470

1,480

1,500

1,580

1,580

2,580

2,780

2,880

2,980

3,020

3,100

3,100

3,060

2,980

2,940

2,940

2,940

3,000

3,000

3,040

3,040

3,040

3,200

3,160

3,120

3,180

3,050

3.010

2,970

2,970

2,930

2,930

Okanogan River 

near Tonasket, 

Wash.

20

20

225

490

1,560

1,670

1,760

2,760

10 , 800

11,000

11,100

11,200

11,200

11,100

11,100

ii.ooo

10,900

11,000

10,900

10,800

10 , 800

10,700

10,700

10,700

10.700

10,900

10,800

10,700

10,700

10 , 600

10,600

10,600

10.600

10,700

10,700

Okanogan River 

at mouth

20

20

225

960

2,100

2,230

7,940

12,500

18,850

19,300

19,300

19,100

19,700

19,800

20,000

19,400

19,400

19,800

19,700

19,600

19,300

19,300

19,300

19,400

19,200

19,300

19,600

19,100

19,300

19,100

19,400

19,800

20,200

20,500

22,100

METKOW RIVER

The earlier inhabitants of the Methow Valley were prims rily interested in mining and in raising livestock. Some ditches were 

first constructed in connection with mining, and after the turn of 

the century they were converted to agricultural purposes. Most 

of the irrigated lands lie along the river in small tracts, and water is supplied by small ditchee maintained under individual or 

partner ownership. The majority of tne expansion took place between 1905 and 1910.

The China Ditch, near Pateros, was the first known diversion 

in the Methow Valley. It was originally used for placer mining, 

but irrigation probably started about 1900. There was little expansion in this area until a district was organized in 1922. Since 

that time water has been supplied to about 330 acres, along the
COLUMBIA RIVER, GRAND COULEE DAM TO SNAKE RIVER 43

Columbia River downstream from Methow River. The Pateros 

Ditch was built in 1903, and in 1904 delivered water to 300 acres, 

which later was reduced to about 250 acres. The district was 

formed in 1916 to include land lying along the north side of Methow 

River and the Columbia River upstream from the confluence of 

these streams.

The Methow Canal Co. diverted water from Twisp and Methow 

Rivers to irrigate land along the lower 4 miles of Tvdsp River 

and the 10 miles immediately downstream from the confluence of 

that stream with the Methow River. The first irrigation water 

was delivered in 1909. In 1919 the Methow Canal Co. became the 

Methow Valley Irrigation District, which presently irrigates about 

1,900 acres.

The Wolf Creek Irrigation District was formed in 1922 to irrigate land in the vicinity of Winthrop. Water is diverted from Wolf 

Creek and stored in Patterson Lake for about 650 acres.

The discharge records of the gaging station on Methow River at 

Twisp do not represent the yield of the basin at that point. Two 

canals of the Methow Valley Irrigation District and Risley ditch 

divert water around the station. The gaging station on Methow 

River at Pateros, is essentially at the mouth of the stream, and 

except as has been indicated all return flow is believed to enter 

the stream above this point.

The irrigated area in this basin, shown in the following table, 

is based primarily onrecordsof existing irrigation districts, adjudicated water rights, and census reports. The distribution of 

private irrigated lands above and below Twisp was based on a 

survey made by the Washington State Department of Conservation 

and Development in 1924. Field investigations by the Geological 

Survey in 1915 and 1947 were also used. The net consumptive use 

for this basin was estimated to be 1. 75 acre-feet per acre.
44 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Methow River basin

Year

1890 

1900

1904 

1905

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920

1921 

1922 

1923 

1924 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1935

1936 

1937 

1938 

1939 

1940

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946

Methow River at 

Twisp, Wash.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

30 

50

1,800

5,900

7,450

6,990

6,900 

6,810 

6,720 

6,630 

6,510

6,390 

6,270 

6,140 

6,010 

6,210

6,380 

6,530 

6,620 

6,770 

6,920

6,990 

7,140 

7,290 

7,440 

7,430

7,430 

7,420 

7,410 

7,400 

7,400 

7,410

Methow River at Pateros, Wash.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

650 

1,550

3,900

11,800

10,400

12,580

12,500 

12,410 

12,330 

12,250 

12, 150

12,050 

11,950 

11,850 

11,760 

11,980

12, 100 

12,240 

12,350 

12,490 

12,650

12,400 

12,560 

12,720 

12,880 

12,870

12,870 

12,840 

12,830 

12, 800 

12,800 

12,830

Annual 

runoff 

(acre -feet)

1,650,000 

1,360,000

1,100,000 

1,380,000 

1,210,000 

1,110,000 

1,720,000

1,170,000 

946,000 

1,130,000 

1,220,000 

870,000

1,730,000 

1,050,000 

987,000 

1,140,000 

633,000

.........................

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

1,140 

2,710

6,820

20,650

.. ......

18,200

22,020

21,880 

21,720 

21,580 

21,440 

21,260

21,090 

20,910 

20,740 

20,580 

20,960

21,180 

21,420 

21,610 

21,860 

22,410

21,700 

21,980 

22,260 

22,540 

22,520

22,520 

22,470 

22,450 

22,400 

22,400 

22,450
COLUMBIA RIVER, GRAND COULEE DAM TO SNAKE RIVER 45 

CHELAN RIVER

Owing to the rugged terrain surrounding Lake Chelan and to the 

use of the lake to store water for generating hydroelectric power 

the amount of irrigation within the Chelan River basin i? relatively small. Most of the irrigated lands are in organized districts. 

The earliest irrigation was on the south side of Lake Chelan near 

Manson; water was diverted from First Creek, and about 100 acres 

have been under irrigation since 1907. This area was organized 

in 1922 as the First Creek Irrigation District.

The Chelan Falls Irrigation District started the following year 

on 300 acres on the west bank of the Columbia River with water 

diverted from Lake Chelan.

The Lake Chelan Reclamation District, on the north side of 

Lake Chelan near Manson, constitute the largest block of irrigated 

land in the basin. The district was started with about 400 acres in 

1909. The increase was gradual up to about 2,000 acres in 1926, 

then 1,000 acres were addedin 1927 to make a total of 3,000 acres.. 

At the present time about 3, 600 acres are irrigated from the waters of seven mountain streams, storage being provided by several small lakes.

The Isenhart Irrigation District was started in 1931 and irrigates 250 acres just northeast of Lake Chelan. Water is pumped 

from the lake.

The irrigated acreages shown in the following table have been 

estimated on the basis of records of the irrigation districts and 

by field investigations, which included the collection of information from pioneers of the area. Officials of the Washington Water 

Power Co. supplied information concerning the amount of land 

served since the development of their hydroelectric plant at Chelan 

Falls. The net consumptive use for this basin was estimated to be 

1. 75 acre-feet per year.

279538 O - 53 - 4
46 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, and estimated depletion for Chelan River baain, including land irrigated

with Chelan River water

Year

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,610

2,500

3,360

3,500

3,650

3,790

3,930

4,080

4,220

5,260

5,330

5,380

5,430

5,730

5,760

5,800

5,840

5,870

5,920

5,960

6,020

6,060

6,110

6,140

6,160

6,190

6,220

6,250

6,280

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

2,820

4,380

5,880

6,120

6,390

6,630

6,880

7,140

7,380

9,200

9,330

9,420

9,500

10,030

10,080

10,150

10,220

10,270

10,360

10,430

10,540

10,600

10,690

10,740

10,780

10,830

10,880

10,940

10,990

ENTIAT RIVER

Owing to its mountainous nature there has been relatively little 

irrigation development in the Entiat River basin. Most of the land 

is irrigated from privately owned ditches and lies along the lower 

reaches of the river above the gaging station at Entiat, which is 

essentially at the mouth of the river. The exception is the Entiat 

Irrigation District, formed in 1920, where water is diverted from 

the river above the gaging station at Entiat to irrigate about 600 

acres lying below the gaging station along the west bink of the 

Columbia River. Past records Of this diversion are not available, 

and the canal flow is not included in the gaging-station record.

The following table shows data for the Entiat River. The return 

flow from all lands except the Entiat Irrigation District is assumed 

to reach the river above its confluence with the Columbia River. 

The net consumptive use for this basin was estimated to be 1. 75 

acre-feet per acre.
COLUMBIA RIVER, GRAND COULEE DAM TO SNAKE RIVER 47

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion, for Entiat River at Entiat, Wash.

Year

1900

1905

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915 

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921 

1922 

1923 

1924 

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

360

3,190

3,400

2,650

2,030

2,020 

2,010 

2,000 

1,980 

1,970

1,950

1,940

1,930

1,910

1,980

2,040

2,100

2,170

2,240

2,300

2,370

2,430

2,500

2,560

2,560

2,560

2,560

2,560

2,560

2,560

2,560

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

345,000

336,000

417,000

376,000

249,000 

589,000

371,000

358,000

379,000

204,000

492, 000 

317,000 

349,000 

261,000 

364, 000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

630

5,580

5,950

4,640

3,550

3,540 

3,520 

3,500 

3,460 

3,450

3,410

3,400

3,380

3,340

3,460

3,570

3,680

3,800

3,920

4,020

4,150

4,250

4,380

4,480

4,480

4,480

4,480

4,480

4,480

4,480

4,480

WENATCHEE RIVER

Irrigation has been practiced in the Wenatchee River valley of 

Washington from the time of the earliest white settlers, beginning 

on a small scale with the construction of Miller Ditch about 1870, 

to divert water from Squillchuck Creek. During the next few years 

several other small ditches were constructed on tributary streams, 

but no large ditches were built until 1891, when work was started 

on the Gunn Ditch, which diverts water from Wenatchee River 

about 1 mile above Monitor. By 1898, this ditch had be^n extended as far as Wenatchee and served about 1,000 acres including 

some lands along the Columbia River above and below the mouth 

of the Wenatchee River.
48 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVEF BASIN

The Peshastin Ditch was built about 1898 to irrigate about 1,900 

acres of land near the mouth of the Peshastin Creek and on the 

south side of Wenatchee River between Dryden and Cashmere. The 

Peshastin Irrigation District took over the operation of this canal 

in 1917, and now serves about 3,600 acres.

The largest project in the basin is the Wenatchee reclamation 

District which was formed in 1915. Hiline Canal, the principal 

canal of this district, was constructed during the period 1902 to 

1907. Water is diverted above Dryden, and carried down the north 

bank of the river to a point near the mouth of the Wenatchee River; 

there the canal divides, one branch extending a short distance up 

the west bank of the Columbia and the other extending downstream 

along the Columbia into Douglas County. About 11, 500 acres are 

served by this canal.

The Jones-Shotwell ditch, completed in 1903, has its intake 1 

mile above Cashmere, and serves about 700 acres alcng the east 

side of Wenatchee River. The Icicle Irrigation District was formed 

in 1917, although water had been delivered by the Icicle Canal Co. 

since 1910. With about 1,000 acres in the beginning, the company 

now serves about 3, 000 acres on both sides of Wenatchee River 

near Leavenworth, and downstream as far as Mission Creek.

There has been comparatively little new development in irrigation since about 1915 except for the Wenatchee-Chiwawa Irrigation 

District, which was formed in 1923, and now irrigates about 1,400 

acres near Plain.

The following table shows the data on Wenatchee River basin. 

The irrigated areas were determined from reports of irrigation 

districts, supplemented by information from local picneer residents, county tax records, and census reports. The return flow 

from the irrigated lands in this subdivision is partly d: rect to the 

Wenatchee River and part directly to the Columbia, above the dam 

at Rock Island. The net consumptive use as computed by LowryJohnson method is 2. 0 acre-feet per acre.
COLUMBIA RIVER, GRAND COULEE DAM TO SNAKE RIVER 

Irrigated area and estimated depletion for Wenatchee River 6asi*?

49

Year

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Wenatchee River 

at Peshastin, Wash.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

650

760

1,430

1,740

1,770

1,820

3,160

3,190

3,230

3,280

3,320

3,360

3,350

3,350

3,310

3,260

3,220

3,170

3,130

3,060

3,120

3,120

3,180

3,200

3,230

3,250

3,290

3,280

3,260

3,240

Wenatchee River 

at mouth

Irrigated area 

(acres)

3,100

12,850

19,210

23,470

23,180

23,150

23,180

24,520

24,530

24,550

24,560

24,590

24,630

24,600

24,650

24,700

24,700

24,740

24,760

24,790

24,780

24,910

24,980

25,020

25,190

25,300

25,370

25,490

25,500

25,490

25,470

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

6,200

25,700

38,420

46,940

46,360

46,300

46,360

49,030

49,060

49,100

49,120

49,180

49,260

49,200

49,300

49,400

49,400

49,480

49,520

49,580

49,560

49,820

49,960

50,040

50,380

50,600

50,740

50,980

51,000

50,980

50,940

COLUMBIA RIVER AT TRINIDAD, WASH.

In addition to the major tributary basins between Grand Coulee 

Dam and the gaging station on Columbia River at Trinidad, already discussed, there is additional irrigation along the main stem 

of the Columoia River, utilizing water from minor tributaries or 

pumping directly from the Columbia River. These tracts vary in 

size from a few hundred acres to about 1,500 acres and are fairly 

well distributed along the narrow river valley below the Okanogan 

River. The return flow from all of these lands enters the Columbia River above the gaging station at Trinidad. The net consumptive use for this portion of the basin was estimated to b<5 2.0 acrefeet per acre, the same as for the Wenatchee River basin.

The following table shows data for the United States portion of 

the Columbia River basin above the gaging station at Trinidad, 

Wash. The percentage depletion, based upon the period 1921 

through 1945 was computed to be 0.7 percent and has shown only 

a slight increase during this period.
50 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN 

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Columbia River at Trinidad, Wash.

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,020

10,000

28,000

76,820

201,183

279,436

338,692

372,072

404, 864

403,324

414,855

406,495

411,416

405,232

404, 180

394,952

402,546

408,751

410,483

417,314

426,624

424,362

431,319

438,140

430,239

445,519

442,215

442,201

441,165

440,031

436,503

444,075

447,053

450,694

459,300

Runoff 

(acre -feet)*

91,600,000

76,900,000

112,000,000

91,900,000

96,200,000

88,800,000

77,600,000

103,000,000

82,600,000

87,200,000

68,600,000

99,400,000

58,100,000

99,700,000

113,000,000

64.000.00C

66.400,000

62,200,000

87,800,000

98,800,000

110,800,000

88,520,000

74,620,000

61,820,000

86.940,000

72,450,000

71,480,000

63,210,000

84,840,000

90,220,000

56,660,000

71,570,000

93,580,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

1,430

 11,530

28,740

81,080

243,300

352,500

447,400

498,800

529,200

526,900

545,900

536,800

538,400

534,800

532,400

521,300

529,700

537,100

543,500

549,300

559,100

557,500

564, 200

573,300

563,000

582,800

582,200

580,500

578,200

576,800

576,400

583,800

588,200

593,100

604,600

* Adjusted for storage in Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake since October 1939.

CRAB CREEK

Crab Creek drains a semiarid area having very low runoff. The 

stream is discontinuous or intermittent except in certain reaches. 

The.lower portion of the basin encompasses much of the area included in the Columbia Basin Project to be irrigated by pumping 

from Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake. At present extensive areas in 

the basin are cultivated by dry-farming methods and produce grain 

crops.
COLUMBIA RIVER, GRAND COULEE DAM TO SNAKE RIVER 51

Irrigation in the basin has been limited to small scattered tracts, 

Moses Lake Irrigation District being the only organized enterprise. Thrs district stores water in Moses Lake and member 

farmers pump directly from the lake. Other lands are irrigated 

by water from small tributary streams or springs. The irrigated 

areas shown in the following table have been compiled from data 

furnished by pioneers and other local residents, supplemented by 

census reports.

Movement of ground water in the area is not well known, but it 

is believed that a considerable amount escapes directly to the 

Columbia River. The depletion of Crab Creek by irrigation is 

therefore not estimated in connection with any of the gaging stations within the basin. The net consumptive use for lands in this 

basin was estimated to be 1. 75 acre-feet per acre.

Irrigated area, in acres, at indicated years for Crab Creek basin

Year

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

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

1905.................................................

1910.................................................

1915.................................................

1920.................................................

1921.................................................

1922.................................................

1923.................................................

1924.................................................

1925.................................................

1926.................................................

1927.................................................

1928.................................................

1929.................................................

1930.................................................

1931.................................................

1932.................................................

1933.................................................

1934.................................................

1935.................................................

1936.................................................

1937.................................................

1938..................................................

1939. ................................ .. .. .....

1940..................................................

1941

1942..................................................

1946..................................................

Irrigated area 

(acres)

....................................................... 330

....................................................... 1, 670

....................................................... 2, 180

....................................................... 3, 090

....................................................... 6, 110

....................................................... 6, 560

....................................................... 6, 500

....................................................... 6, 440

....................................................... 6, 380

....................................................... 6, 320

....................................................... 6, 260

....................................................... 6, 000

....................................................... 5, 940

....................................................... 5, 880

....................................................... 5, 740

....................................................... 5, 680

....................................................... 5, 620

....................................................... 5, 550

....................................................... 5, 490

....................................................... 5, 430

....................................................... 5, 370

....................................................... 5, 610

....................................................... 5, 850

....................................................... 6, 090

....................................................... 6, 340

....................................................... 6, 640

....................................................... 6, 940

....................................................... 7, 240

....................................................... 7 , 430

....................................................... 9, 130

....................................................... 12, 130

....................................................... 13, 430
52 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

YAKIMA RIVER

Irrigation agriculture has played a dominant role in the development of the Yakima Valley of central Washington, the largest 

irrigated area in the Columbia River basin above the Snake River. 

The earliest irrigation was reputedly started prior to 1860 by Indians, who had been taught the advantage of irrigation by missionaries a few years earlier. There were very few white settlers in 

the valley before this time. The first authentic report of irrigation by white men was of the diversion of water from the Naches 

River through a small ditch constructed by George Nelson in 1867. 

Through the formation of a small stock company, this ditch was 

later enlarged to the present Union Canal. The Lauber andSchanno 

ditch was constructed in 1873 and was extended in 1875 as far as 

Yakima.

The earliest of the large-scale undertakings was made by the 

Northern Pacific Railway, which had its western terminus at Yakima for 2 years. In 1890 the company began construction of the 

Sunnyside Project to irrigate some 40,000 acres. In 1905 the U. S. 

Bureau of Reclamation purchased all rights from the Northern 

Pacific Railway and has extended this district to 105,000 acres, of 

which about 83, 000 acres are currently irrigated. Tv is was one 

of the first projects constructed under the Reclamation Act.

The failure of several private and stock companies during the 

1890's made the financing of storage projects difficult, thus limiting development to land easily accessible to natural river flow. 

There were 55 principal canals between Cle Elum and the mouth 

of the Yakima River, including those on the Naches River, plus 

innumerable small canals on the minor tributaries. This basin 

has been the focus of intensive development by governmental agencies, until at the present time the projects operated by the Bureau 

of Reclamation and the Yakima Indian Reservation comprise about 

80 percent of all irrigated lands in this basin.

Because of the complex pattern of the irrigation wcrks, no attempt will be made to analyze in detail the projects which have 

been developed. The Yakima Project, of the Bureau cf. Reclamation is comprised of five operating divisions: Sunnyside, Tieton, 

Kittitas, Roza, and Kennewick divisions. Of these the Sunnyside 

and Kittitas are the largest. Water is stored in six upstream reservoirs operated by the Bureau of Reclamation to provide irrigation water during low-water seasons. The Wapato Indian Project 

consists of land which lies mostly on the Indian reservation and 

which is served by minor tributaries and by the Yakima River.
COLUMBIA RIVER, GRAND COULEE DAM TO SNAKE RIVER 53

The values for irrigated acreage shown in this report have been 

compiled from the records of the Yakima Project, Wapato Indian 

Project, and irrigation districts which receive water from these 

agencies. Records available through the Yakima office of the Bureau of Reclamation were supplemented by data collected by the 

Geological Survey. These records do not compare closely with 

census figures for the earlier years, probably owing to differences 

in classification of irrigated land. This was particularly true in 

the Kittitas Valley where the census figure indicated 30,000 acres 

irrigated in the earlier years, though Water-Supply Paper 369 indicates that the irrigated lands in this basin received only about 

one-third of their water requirement. In this report it ir assumed 

that 10,000 acres have been adequately irrigated during the early 

stage of development. In recent years the irrigated acreage has 

been based on the records of irrigation districts and irrigation 

companies, which agree substantially with census figures.

The irrigated area above the gaging station on Yakima River 

near Umtanum, consists mainly of lands in the Kittitas Valley 

near Ellensburg. These lands receive their water supply principally 

from the Kittitas Reclamation District and the Cascade Canal Co. 

supplemented by small district and private irrigation systems. 

There is a small amount of irrigated land located near Cle Elum 

adjacent to both the Yakima and Teanaway Rivers. The diversion 

and return flow from all these lands is assumed to reach the Yakima River above the gaging station near Umtanum.

The irrigated lands above the gaging station on Yakima River at 

Parker, are those in the main Yakima Valley and the lower portion 

of the Naches River valley. They are served primarily by works 

constructedby the Bureau of Reclamation, the Tie ton division being 

the largest single supplier of water in this area. Many small irrigation districts also serve this area. The return flow from all 

these lands is assumed to reach the Yakima River at or above 

Union Gap. The discharge measured at the gaging station near 

Union Gap includes the flow of canals diverting at this point.

The irrigated lands below the gaging station on Yakima River 

near Parker, and above the gaging station at Kiona constitute the 

largest such tract in the Yakima Valley. South.of the river are 

the lands of the Wapato Indian Project and others to which water 

is supplied by the Indian Service. The Sunnyside division and the 

newly created Roza division form the majority of the remaining 

irrigated area in this portion of the basin. The return flow for all 

these lands is assumed to reach the Yakima River above the gaging station at Kiona.
54 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

In addition, a small amount of land is irrigated along the lower 

reaches of the Yakima River and along the Columbia River near 

its confluence with the Yakima. These are comprised mainly of 

the Kennewick division and the Columbia Irrigation District. The 

return flow from these particular lands is assumed to reach the 

Columbia River above the mouth of the Snake.

The average net consumptive use for this basin ha? been estimated to be 2. 0 acre-feet per acre and was based upon computations by Lowry-Johnson method, Blaney-Griddle metl^od and results of inflow-outflow studies for a portion of the basin. The depletion shown in the following table represents an average depletion of 11. 6 percent of the yield of the watershed above Parker. 

This is for the period 1921 through 1945. A gradual growth has 

taken place during this period and in 1946 the depletion represents 

about 13.6 percent of the long-term yield. Considering the 13- 

year period 1934 through 1946, the percentage depletion above 

Kiona has averaged 27. 2 percent and in 1946 it represents 28. 9 

percent of the long-term yield.
Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for 

Year

1860 

1870 

1880 

1890

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920

Yakima River 

at 

Umtanum, Wash.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

2,100 

7,800

27.800

42,890

49,860

51,120

54,320

Yakima River near Parker, Wash.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

500 

1.000 

3,600 

20,800

49,300

81.890

103,760

129,620

141,120

Annual 

runoff 

(acre -feet)

4,040,000 

3,730.000 

3,760,000 

3,570,000

3,930,000 

3,550.000 

4,180,000 

4,480.000 

2,610,000

2,720,000 

4,320,000 

3,240.000 

2,540.000 

4,580.000

2.950,000 

3.190.000 

3,730.000 

3,180,000 

2,050,000

5,210,000 

3,310,000 

4,020,000 

3,360,000 

1,860,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

1,000 

2,000 

7,200 

41,600

98,600

163.780

207,520

259.240

282,240
Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Yak

1 Yakima River

Year

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

at

Umtanum, Wash.

Irrigated area

(acres)

54, 660

55,000

55,340

55,680

56.010

54,500

52,500

50,500

48,610

59,810

81,330

89,590

94,380

102,170

106,880

104,430

106,000

108,010

108,120

110,100

110,780

111, 100

108,450

104,460

104, 640

104,640

Yakima River near Parker, Wash.

Irrigated area

(acres)

142,060

142,700

142,690

142,750

143,860

142,800

139,700

138,000

137,110

148,310

168,730

178,290

183,720

191,070

195,780

193,480

195,650

197,330

198,250

200,280

200,520

202,630

201,220

196,790

198,120

198,510

Annual

runoff

(acre -feet)

4,110,000

2,630,000

2,940,000

2,420,000

2,940,000

1,630,000

3,070,000

3,370,000

1,680,000

1,570.000

1,570,000

3,060,000

3,700,000

4.554.000

3,437.000

2,692,000

2,308,000

3,142,000

2,008,000

1,844,000

1,398,000

1,913,000

3,296,000

1,306,000

2,013,000

3,141,000

Estimated

depletion

(acre -feet)

284. 120

285,400

285,380

285,500

287,720

285,600

279.400

276,000

274,220

296,620

337,460

356,580

367,440

382,140

391,560

386,960

391,300

394, 660

396,500

400,560

401,040

405,260

402,440

393,580

396,240

397,020
COLUMBIA RIVER, GRAND COULEE DAM TO SNAKE RIVER 

COLUMBIA RIVER, BETWEEN YAKIMA RIVER AND SNAKE RTVEI

57

There is a small amount of irrigation along the Columbia River 

between the Yakima and Snake River, of which the Franl'lln County Irrigation District serves the largestpart. The remainder consists of small isolated tracts. The water supply is obtained by 

pumping from the Columbia River. The return flow from these 

lands is assumed to reach the Columbia River above the mouth of 

the Snake.

The irrigated area and estimated depletion for that portion of 

the Columbia River above the Snake River is summarized in the 

following table.

Irrigated area and estimated depletion for the Columbia River above mouth of Snake River

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

2,020

12,000

32,000

103,900

270,303

418,636

541,692

634,902

738,134

739,914

757,795

749,775

754,646

751,592

753,740

743,692

746,846

749,051

766,813

795,214

806,404

810,102

833,509

847,240

832,949

860,779

862,635

863,761

866,595

867,451

871,673

878,985

881, 803

897,524

918,340

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

3,430

14, 730

37,140

125,200

381, 120

630,300

852,600

1,022,900

1,194,100

1,198,500

1,230,100

1,221,800

1,223,300

1,225,900

1,230,000

1,217,300

1,216,800

1,216,300

1,254,700

1,303,700

1,317,300

1,327,600

1,367,200

1,390,200

1,367,000

1,411,900

1.421..500

1,422,000

1,427,400

1,429,500

1,444,900

1,451,800

1,455,400

1,483,700

1,519,300
58 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

SNAKE RIVER BASIN

The Snake River is a major tributary of the Columbia River and 

has a drainage area of 109, 000 square miles. Rising in Yellowstone National Park in western Wyoming, it traverses southern 

Idaho westward in a broad arc and then flows almost due north to 

form a part of the boundaries between Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Near Lewiston, Idaho it turns west to join the Columbia 

River near Pasco, Wash. The Snake River drains the southeastern part of the Columbia River basin including portions of the following States: Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and 

Washington.

Mountain ranges and high plateaus enclose the Snake River 

basin. On the east are the Rockies, on the north are the Centennial Mountains and Beaverhead Range, to the west are the Blue 

Mountains and the high plateau of eastern Oregon, and to the south 

the barren mountains and plateaus of northern Nevadr. and Utah.

Within the Snake River basin lies one of the largest and most 

highly developed irrigated areas in the United States. The early 

settlers soon found the advantages of irrigation for crop production. The earlier irrigation projects were established by individuals who diverted the waters of small tributaries directly upon 

the land. As these smaller tributaries became fully utilized, large 

groups and companies were formed to draw upon the waters of the 

Snake River and its larger tributaries. Additional impetus was 

furnished by Federal legislation. These factors, corrbined with 

favorable natural conditions account for the remarkable growth 

which took place between 1890 and 1910. Recent development has 

been more gradual and generally limited to extension and intensified use of early projects, to provision of more storage facilities, 

or to evolution into multipurpose projects. From the early beginnings of nearly a century ago the irrigated area has grown until 

at present there are about 2,400,000 acres irrigated aboTre Weiser, 

Idaho. In the pages that follow, each subdivision is treated in 

more detail.

SNAKE RIVER ABOVE HEISE

The drainage area above the gaging station on Snake River near 

Heise, Idaho, is about 5,700 square miles of which about 80 percent is in northwest Wyoming and the remainder is in east-central 

Idaho. The area is generally mountainous and its perimeter includes portions of the Continental Divide and of the Teton, Gros 

Ventre, Salt River and Caribou Ranges.

Snake River heads in Yellowstone National Park, thence flows 

southward about 65 miles before turning westward through the
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 59

so-called Grand Canyon to the Wyoming-Idaho State line, and 

there veers generally northwest to and beyond Heise.

In Wyoming the main tributaries above Jackson Lake are the 

Lewis and Heart Rivers, which are fed primarily by geysers; 

those below this lake are the Buffalo Fork, Gros Ventre, Hoback, 

and Salt Rivers.

The drainage area is generally mountainous, with only a small 

portion suitable for agriculture and only a small fraction of this 

arable land is irrigated. Hay and forage crops predominate and 

are fed for the most part to livestock locally.

Irrigation in this area was developed primarily by private and 

cooperative enterprises, which had reached most of their growth 

before 1910. The principal diversions are from the Gro-^ Ventre, 

Hoback, and Salt Rivers; minor amounts are diverted from the 

Snake River. There are three active storage reservoirs in the 

area with an aggregate capacity of 852, 000 acre-feet, but very 

little of the stored water is used within the tributary basin. All 

return flow from the irrigated area in this tributary basin is assumed to have returned to the Snake River above the g£ ging station at Heise. The net consumptive use was estimated to be 0, 8 

acre-feet per acre and was based upon computations by the LowryJohnson method. The irrigated area, estimated annual depletion 

and annual runoff for the gaging station at Heise are shown in the 

following table. The estimated depletion, expressed as a percentage of the yield of the watershed is 1. 7 percent for the period 

1921 through 1945.
60 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Snake River above H*ise, Idaho

Year

1890

1900

1905

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Snake River 

in Wyoming

Irrigated area 

(acres)

7,450

34,500

55,000

72,000

77,000

81,500

82,000

83,000

83,500

84.000

84,500

85,000

85,000

85,500

85.700

86,000

86,500

86.800

87.000

87.500

88,000

88.400

88,800

89,200

89,500

89,700

89.900

90,000

90,100

90.200

90,300

90,300

Snake River near Heise, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

7,990

40,300

64,000

82,700

88,500

94.800

95.300

96,400

96,900

96.000

98,100

97,700

98,700

99,200

99,400

99,700

99,000

100.600

100,800

99.500

101,800

102,600

103,300

103,900

104.600

105,000

105,400

105,700

106,000

106.100

106,200

106.200 -

Annual 

runoff 

(acre -feet)

5,758.000

5,949.000

6.442,000

5.809,000

3,940.000

5.761.000

6,448.000

6,620,000

3,869,000

5,082,000

5,690,000

5,129,000

5,144,000

3,766,000

5,530,000

4,296,000

5,782,000

6,195,000

4,506,000

4,419,000

3.231,000

4,325,000

4,323,000

2,980.000

4,004,000

5,103,000

3,941,000

4,994,000

4,406,000

3,566.000

3,635,000

4,219,000

6,183.000

4,321.000

4,423,000

5,466,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

6,390

32,240

51,200

66,160

70.800

75,840

76.240

77,120

77,520

76,800

78,480

78,160

78,960

79,360

79,520

79,760

79,200

80,480

80,640

79,600

81,440

82,080

82,640

83,120

83,680

84,000

84,320

84,560

84,800

84.880

84.960

84,960

SNAKE RIVER, HEISE TO KING HILL

Along the main stem of Snake River from Heise to King Hill, 

lies one of the most intricate andhighly developed irrigation systems in the United States. Most of the irrigated lands in this 

reach are in two compact bodies along either bank of the river.

In the upper reach that is, from Heise. downstream tc American Falls irrigation was financed by private capital, excepting on 

the Fort Hall Indian Reservation lands. Canal companies, irrigation districts and water-user associations were organized to
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 61

expand the irrigated area. Some of the earliest water rights in 

the upper Snake River basin exist here. Development was very 

rapid from 1890 to 1910, with only a moderate subsequent expansion. Numerous canals serve this area; some of the larger ones 

are: Anderson, Eagle Rock, Harrison, Burgess, Butte, and Market Lake, Idaho, Snake River Valley, Great Western and Porter, 

Blackfoot, Peoples and Aberdeen-Springfield canals. Waters from 

Willow Creek and Blackfoot River are used interchangeably with 

water from Snake River in serving some of the lands. The Fort 

Hall irrigation system was developed for use by thelnd: an Service 

for lands under their jurisdiction.

In contrast to this area above American Falls, the lower area-- 

from Lake Walcot to Bliss--largely was developed subsequent to 

1900 as projects under the Carey Act and Bureau of Reclamation.

The South Side Twin Falls project is one of the largest and most 

successful of the Carey Act enterprises. It surrounds the towns 

of Twin Falls and Buhl south of the Snake River. Water for this 

area is diverted at Milner Dam, which has been in operation since 

1905.

The North Side Twin Falls project is another very successful 

Carey Act enterprise. This is located north of the £f~iake River 

near Jerome and Bliss, opposite the South Side Twin Falls area. 

Water was first delivered during 1908 but the project was not substantially completed until 1916.

The Minidoka project, next downstream, was developed by the 

Bureau of Reclamation and includes three divisions North Side 

Minidoka, South Side Minidoka, and Gooding. Part of this area 

has been turned over by the Bureau of Reclamation to irrigation 

districts. The development started as early as 1907 for the North 

and South Side divisions. The Gooding division was started in 

1927, and delivered its first water to the lower Wood River area 

in 1931, thereby supplementing the water supply of that basin.

The net consumptive use for this entire area between Heise and 

King Hill has been estimated to be 1. 8 acre-feet per ?cre, based 

upon studies by the Bureau of Reclamation and others for several 

component projects. The return flow from all this area is assumed 

to be recaptured by the Snake River above the gaging station at 

King Hill, but in considerable part within a relatively short reach 

just upstream from that station.

HENRYS FORK

The Henrys Fork basin drains about 3,010 square miles of eastern Idaho and northwestern Wyoming. The Centennial Mountains,

279538 O - 53 - 5
62 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Teton and Snake River Ranges form the northern, eastern and 

southern boundaries.

Most of the irrigated lands are in the lower valley, chiefly between Ashton and Rexburg, although there are some irrigated 

meadows in the mountain valleys. The land in the lower valley 

was favorably situated and was among the first areas to be extensively developed in the upper Snake River basin. There are 36 

canals diverting water from the Henrys Fork below Ashton and 

from the lower reaches of its larger tributaries. Of these the St. 

Anthony Union, Egin, Marysville, and Falls River Canals are the 

largest and on the average serve more than 8, 000 acres each. 

The table on page 63 shows the estimated distribution cf the irrigated lands in this basin.

Owing to the porous nature of the soil, large quantities of water 

are applied. In some areas it is common practice to apply sufficient quantities to raise the water table to the root zone of the 

crops. However, the net consumptive use has been estimated 1. 0 

and 1.4 acre-feet per acre for the upper and lower portions of the 

basin respectively. In this report it is predicated that the proportionately large return flow from the irrigated area in the Henrys 

Fork basin is recaptured by the source streams only in small 

part, and in large part moves by way of the very large groundwater body which underlies the eastern and central parts of the 

Snake River Plain and which discharges principally in the many 

large springs in and near the Hagerman Valley upstream from 

King Hill. Accordingly, this report does not estimate depletion 

for the Henrys Fork and other subdivisions of the Snake River 

basin between Heise and King Hill. Depletion for all the area above King Hill is estimated in the table on page 70.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 63

Irrigated area, in acres, at indicated years for Henrys Fork basin

Year

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Henrys Fork 

near Aston, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

960

8,800

14,200

17,100

17,800

18,100

18,200

18,300

18,400

17,200

18,500

18,000

18,600

18,600

18,600

18,600

16,500

18,600

18,600

16,000

18,200

18,600

18,600

18,600

17,500

17,500

17,500

17,500

17,500

17,500

17,500

17,500

Fall River 

near Squirrel, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

4,300

6,500

8,000

10,000

10,000

10,200

10,500

8,500

10,500

9,000

10,500

10,700

11,000

11,000

6,400

10,000

10,500

8,000

10,000

10,000

12,200

12,200

13,200

13,800

13,800

13,800

14,000

15,000

15,500

16,000

Tetcn River above 

St. Anthony, Idaho

Ir-igated area 

(acres)

920

20,700

30,300

34,300

36,100

37,100

37,300

37,400

37,500

32,200

37,700

34,200

37,900

38,000

38,100

38,200

33,200

36,300

38,300

31,300

37,300

38,300

38,300

38,300

38,300

38,300

38,300

38,400

38,400

38,400

38,400

38,400

PORTNEUF RIVER

The Portneuf River drains about 1, 700 square miles south and 

southeast of Pocatello, Idaho. The stream heads on the Fort Hall 

Indian Reservation and flows south to the divide between the Snake 

and Bear Rivers; and then north to join the Snake River near 

Pocatello.
6 4 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER B ASIN

The 33,700 irrigated acres in this basin are in two main areas-- 

one just downstream from Portneuf Reservoir and the other near 

McCammon. These areas are under private management and are 

served by small ditches diverting water from tributary creeks and 

the main river. Hay and grains are the principal crops grown.

The growth of irrigated area within this tributary basin is shown 

in the following table. The net consumptive use for the Portneuf 

River basin has been estimated at 1. 6 acre-feet per acre. The 

return flow is believed to be through porous underbeds vhich drain 

towards the Snake River, and to sustain part of the discharge of 

the Portneuf springs. These springs are about 4 miles downstream 

from Pocatello.

MINOR TRIBUTARIES, NEELEY TO KING HILL

The minor tributaries joining the Snake River from the south, 

downstream from the Portneuf River, head in the barren plateaus 

which form the divide between the drainage basins of the Snake 

River and the Great Salt Lake. These tributaries are Paft River, 

Goose, Rock, and Salmon Falls Creeks. Most of the area irrigated by the water of these creeks lies along the south rim of the 

plain near Minidoka and South Side Twin Falls Project?, However 

there are scattered tracts along these creeks and near Rockland 

and Albion, Oakley and Kenyon, and Hollister and Amsterdam. 

Approximately 4,700 acres are in Utah and 11,500 acres inNevada.

Net consumptive use for the lands irrigated by the tributaries 

has been estimated at 1.6 acre-feet per acre. Return flow has 

been assumed to be captured by the Snake River before it reaches 

King Hill.
Irrigated areas, in acres, in Snake River and tributary basins a

» Year

2 1870

» 1880

0 1890

1900

01

" 1905

°> 1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Snake River near 

Blackfoot, Idaho

10

1,040

56,450

286,800

410,100

514,400

578,400

620,700

626,700

630,500

632,700

618,400

637,700

629,500

645,800

647,900

651,500

652,900

630,600

651.000

654,600

629,800

655,000

659,700

664,000

665,700

668,700

671, 100

673,600

676,300

679,200

683,900

686.600

689.180

Portneuf River 

basin

270

1,350

5,040

12,100

17,300

23,300

25.700

31.900

32,500

32,700

32,800

32,900

33,000

33,100

33,200

33,200

33,200

33,200

28,700

33,700

33,700

26,700

31,700

33.700

33,700

33,700

33,700

33,700

33,700

33,700

33,700

33,700

33.700

33.700

Snake River at 

Neeley, Idaho

280

2,390

62. 190

303,400

434, 350

546,440

614,000

662,770

669,420

673,470

675,830

661,600

681,000

668,900

685,300

687,400

691,000

692,400

665.600

691,000

694, 100

662,900

693,200

700,000

704,500

706,400

709,900

712.300

714,800

717,500

720,400

725.100

727,800

730.380

Tributar

Neeley to 
66 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

MUD LAKE AREA

The Mud Lake area lies at the foot of the Beaverhesd Range and 

Centennial Mountains of eastern Idaho and is adjacent to the Henrys 

Fork basin. It includes the basins of Camas, Beaver, Medicine 

Lodge, and Birch Creeks, and the adjacent lakes.

The irrigated land of this area is in the intermountain valleys 

along the several creeks just cited and around the eouth side of 

Mud Lake. Irrigation along the creeks previously mentioned began about 1870 in connection with stock ranches but it was not until 1908 that development using water from Mud Lake was started. 

At one time developments in this area were projected to include 

about 150,000 acres of which approximately 30,000 acres were to 

be in Carey Act projects. However at present time only about 

47,000 are being irrigated. (See table on - p. 69.) The water supply 

for these lands is largely pumped from Mud Lake and from adjacent lakes and sloughs and from shallow wells.

The net consumptive use on these lands has been estimated at 

1. 6 acre-feet per acre. Return flow is believed to be tributary to 

the ground-water body which sustains the Thousand Springs and 

other ground-water discharge in and near Hagerman Valley, far 

to the west.

LITTLE LOST RIVER

The Little Lost River basin is an intermontane valley between 

the Lemhi and Lost River Range and is just west of Birch Creek. 

The river flows southward from these mountains and sinks into 

the north margin of the permeable Snake River Plain,

Settlement of the valley began about 1880; irrigation was introduced gradually until slightly over 11,000 acres wer~ being irrigated by about 1910. Very little change in irrigated area has taken 

place subsequently except during extremely dry years when the 

available water has been insufficient for all lands. rnhe irrigated 

area shown in the table on page 69 is mainly devoted to hay and 

forage crops and depends almost wholly upon the nrtural flow of 

the streams because there is no satisfactory storage of surplus 

water.

Net consumptive use for the lands of the Little Lost River basin 

has been estimated at 1.3 acre-feet per acre. Return flow has 

been assumed to be captured by the Snake River near Hagerman, 

far to the west.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 67 

BIG LOST RIVER

The Big Lost River drains about 2, 000 square miles of central 

Idaho, between the Salmon and Snake Rivers. It heads in the Lost 

River Range and Sawtooth Mountains and flows southward to the 

margin of the Snake River Plain. Then it swings to the east and 

northeast and gradually "sinks" into the gravel-lined channel 

through which it flows.

As in adjacent basins, the agricultural lands are in the valleys 

near the mountains and are devoted largely to hay and other forage crops. Settlement began quite early, and by 1911 approximately 40, 000 acres were being irrigated (see table on p. 69). 

Mackay Dam was constructed in 1916 and the reservoir now affords about 38, 000 acre-feet of storage space. It was contemplated that this reservoir would be raised to a higher elevation 

but excessive leakage prevented this. By 1923 the irrigated area 

had increased to 50, 000 acres, but during ensuing years of low 

runoff some lands could not be supplied with water.

The storage unit and water rights of the Utah Construction Co. 

were purchased by the Big Lost River Irrigation District prior to 

1937. Thereafter the water previously applied to lands of the Carey 

Act project was used to supplement supplies available for the irrigation district lands. Currently about 42,000 acres, between 

Mackay Reservoir and Arco, are being irrigated.

Net consumptive use has been estimated to be 1.3 acre-feet per 

acre. Return flow is assumed, like that of the Mud Lake area and 

the Little Lost River, to be captured by the Snake River just above 

King Hill.

BIG WOOD RIVER

The Big Wood River heads in the southern slopes of the Sawtooth 

Mountains of central Idaho and flows generally south and west to 

its confluence with the Snake River near Hagerman. Belov Henrys 

Fork, it is the first major tributary to join the Snake River from 

the north. Its basin is timbered in the upper reaches, but in the 

lower reaches sage and cactus are the native vegetation.

The agricultural lands are in the upper valleys of the Pig Wood 

River and on the Snake River Plain. Hay and forage crops are 

dominate, although some diversified farming is practiced in the 

lower reaches.

Most of the irrigation projects in the Big Wood River basin were 

under the Carey Act but as such did not have the early rapid growth 

which characterized the areas further upstream. The water supply
68 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

was plentiful in early years and overexpansion took place. This 

reached a climax about 1920-21, when approximately 117,000 

acres were irrigated (see table on p. 69). The succession of dry 

years that followed 1921 showed the necessity of abandoning part 

of the acreage or developing a new source of water, ^o alleviate 

this condition, the Bureau of Reclamation in 1931 constructed the 

Milner-Gooding Canal, which diverts water from the ifnake River 

at Milner, 75 miles to the southeast. This canal currently supplies water to 49,000 acres, of which 32,000 acres formerly were 

supplied from the Big Wood River.

The main irrigated areas extend from Ketchum to and below 

Bellevue, and center around Carey, Shoshone, Gooding, and Richfield. There is also some irrigated lands above Magic Reservoir 

in theCamas Creek basin and in the Fish Creek basin. This scattering of irrigated areas is due in part to excessively permeable 

soils which cover some portions of the sub-basin, and v'hich cause 

excessive losses to ground water.

Net consumptive use for the lands of the Big Wood River basin 

has been estimated at 1.7 acre-feet per acre. Return flow has 

been assumed to reach the Snake River above King Hill, possibly 

via Malad Springs in whole or in part.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 69

Irrigated area in acres for indicated years

Year

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Mud Lake basin

10

2,300

9,200

12,200

13,300

15,000

26,200

27,400

27,700

28,900

24,900

27,600

24, 800

29,300

29,900

29,300

29,600

24,000

28,000

30,000

25,000

31,000

34,000

37,700

39,200

40,700

41,500

42,000

42,500

42,700

43,000

43,200

43,200

Little Lost 

River basin

50

1,540

4,920

6,100

7,900

9,000

11,400

11,600

11,800

11,900

9,200

11,900

9,400

11,900

11,900

11,900

11,900

8,500

11,900

11,900

8,000

11,000

11,900

11,900

11,900

11,900

11,900

11,900

11,900

11,900

11,900

11,900

11,900

Big Lost River 

above Mackay 

Reservoir, Idaho

130

1,790

5,100

5,500

8,300

8,500

8,000

9,000

10,000

10,000

8,500

9,500

8,700

9,500

9,500

9,500

9,200

8,000

8,500

8,700

7,000

8,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

9,000

Big Lost 

River basin

130

1,790

20,500

25,500

38,300

37,500

42,000

48,200

49,700

50,200

43,800

48,500

44,000

46,500

47,300

47,300

47, 100

39,000

43,500

45,500

33,000

45,800

43,000

42,000

42,000

42,000

42,000

42,000

42,000

42,000

42,000

42,000

42,000

Big Wood 

River basin*

14,810

40,200

52,800

71,400

90,400

115,100

117,000

111,300

113,200

103,400

111,900

108,700

113,300

110,800

106,000

101,300

74,500

79,200

82,200

73,800

77,700

81,900

83,700

82,900

82,800

83,100

83, 100

82, 100

85,100

88, 100

88,600

88,800

* Beginning in 1931, a portion of lands formerly irrigated from Big Wood River was irrigated 

thereafter from Snake River through the Milner-Gooding Canal.

SNAKE RIVER AT KING HILL, IDAHO

This is the first gaging station on the Snake River downstream 

from Heise for which an estimate depletion and yield would not be 

complicated by unmeasured flow bypassing the gaging station. The 

irrigated area shown in the following table is an accumulation of 

all irrigated area above this point. Likewise the estimated depletion is the summation of the depletion in each of the sub-basins 

above here. The estimated average depletion, during the period 

1921 through 1945 represents 25.4 percent of the yield of the 

basin. Owing to the increase in irrigated area, the estimated depletion has gradually been increasing, and by 1946 it represented 

27.7 percent of the long-term yield. The depletion due to irrigation between Heise and King Hill during the same period of time, 

represents 48.7 percent of the estimated yield of this subdivision. 

The estimated depletion for 1947 represents 53 percent of the long 

term yield of this subdivision.
7 0 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASr*

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Snake River at King Hill, Idaho

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

280

7-, 760

117,710

432, 140

581, 100

899,740

1,177,500

1,397,320

1,432,420

1.435,870

1,441,530

1,382,800

1,440,400

1,389,000

1,445,900

1,445,200

1,448,100

1,438, 100

1,380,500

1,449,600

1,457,500

1,361,200

1,458,400

1,483,200

1,497,500

1,505.900

1.515,400

1,517,500

1,525,400

1,542,100

1,568,700

1,576,700

1,579,200

1,588,480

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

9,370,000

8,940,000

9,840,000

10,400,000

9,690,000

7,420,000

8,990,000

11,000,000

9,610,000

7,770.000

7,100,000

9,470,000

8,650,000

7,970,000

6,850,000

8,260,000

7,240,000

7,120,000

9,440,000

7,540,000

6,690,000

5,880,000

5,660,000

5,820,000

5,411,000

5,070,000

6,209,000

5,874,000

7,233,000

6,663,000

5,687,000

5,646,000

6,434,000

9,002,000

7,592,000

6,963,000

8,684,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

450

13,000

176,000

660,000

878,000

1,403,000

1,886,000

2,258,000

2,280,000

2,320,000

2,329,000

2,242,000

2,326,000

2,248,000

2,336,000

2, 334, 000

2,339,000

2,322,000

2,246,000

2,348,000

2,360.000

2.219,000

2,363,000

2,403.000

2,354,000

2,440,000

2,456,000

2,459,000

2,473,000

2,502,000

2,548,000

2,561,000

2,565,000

2,581,000

SNAKE RIVER. KING HILL TO MOUTH

BRUNEAU RIVER

The Bruneau River heads in the Copper Mountains of northern 

Nevada and drains about 3, 200 square miles in that stete and in 

southern Idaho. The terrain is moderately rugged and there is 

little agricultural enterprise other than stock raising. The small 

irrigated area in this basin, 39, 000 acres is in scattered tracts 

along the main river and tributaries. (See the followirgf table.) 

Except for that adjacent to the Snake River most of the irrigated 

area is hay and forage crops.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 71

The Grandview Irrigation District currently irrigates 5,400 

acres and is the largest single block of irrigated land in the basin. 

This tract is south of the Snake River downstream from the confluence of the Bruneau River; it uses water from both rivers. The 

net consumptive use has been estimated to be 1. 8 acre-feet per 

acre. Return flow has been assumed to be recaptured by the Snake 

River above the gaging station near Murphy.

Irrigated area and estimated depletion for Bruneau River basin

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Brimeau River 

near 

Hot Spring, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

2,600

4,700

4,900

5,220

5,870

6,100

6,290

6,470

6,650

6,830

7,020

7,200

7,380

7,560

7,740

7,820

7,890

7,960

8,040

8,110

8,180

8,260

8,330

8,410

8,480

8,480

8,480

8,480

8,480

8,480

8,480

8,480

Bruneau River basin

Irrigated area 

(acres)

18

460

4,590

8,660

10,870

14,430

19,410

19,810

20,000

20,690

20,380

20,580

20,780

19,970

20,610

20,810

20,460

21,040

21,130

21,220

21,280

21,360

21,440

21,530

21,700

21,790

21,860

21,860

21,860

21,860

21,860

21,860

21,860

21,860

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

30

830

8,260

15,590

19,570

25,970

39,940

35,660

36,000

37,240

36,680

37,040

37,400

35,950

37,100

37,460

36,830

37,870

38,030

38,200

38,300

38,450

38,590

38,750

39,060

39,220

39,350

39,350

39,350

39,350

39,350

39,350

39,350

39,350
72 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER T^SIN 

SNAKE RIVER, KING HILL TO MURPHY

In addition to the area irrigated from Bruneau River there are 

about 17,000 irrigated acres within this subdivision. The miscellaneous creeks furnish most of the water for these lands. The 

area near Mountain Home is an exception. It receives part of its 

water supply from the South Fork Boise River drainage via a canal 

from Little Camas Reservoir to Long Tom Reservoir. This area 

was developed by private enterprise starting about 1895, was consolidated in 1925 to the Mountain Home Irrigation District, and 

includes about 5,000 acres. However, only about 4,400 acres 

are currently being irrigated. These lands and the resulting 

streamflow depletions are included in this subdivision rather than 

under the Boise River basin. With the intermingling of water 

from two sources it becomes very difficult to segregate the acreage on the basis of the source of the irrigation water. Consequently in most cases the irrigated area and the estimated depletion of streamflow have been tabulated according to the geographic location, with cross-references to properly identify the 

areas involved.

The net consumptive use for all irrigated land in this subdivision was taken at 2. 0 acre-feet per acre. Return flow from this 

area is assumed to be captured by the Snake River above the gaging station near Murphy.

The average streamflow depletion above the gaging station (see 

the following table) during the period 1921 through 1945 represents 25. 5 percent of the yield of the basin. The irrigated area 

has been increasing slightly during the period and the estimated 

depletion for 1946 amounts to 27 percent of the long-term yield. 

In the subdivision between King Hill and Murphy the average depletion for the period 1921 through 1945 represents 18. 2 percent 

of the yield of this subdivision, and it has remained essentially 

constant during the base period.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 73

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Snake River near Murphy, Idaho

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,000

12, 280

129,470

451,400

602,800

926,520

1,216,100

1,439,700

1,475,100

1,478,900

1,483,900

1,425,300

1.481,900

1,429,100

1,486,300

1,485,800

1,488,300

1,478,400

1,420,700

1,490,200

1,497,600

1,401,000

1,497,700

1,522,200

1,536,900

1,545,900

1,555,500

1,557,600

1,565,400

1,581,700

1,608,400

1,615,800

1,618,200

1,627,400

Runoff 

(acre-feet)

10,400,000

7,630,000

9,340,000

11,400,000

9,900,000

7,950,000

7,360,000

9,970,000

9,020,000

8,250,000

7,090,000

8,630,000

7,480,000

7,430,000

9,760,000

7,790,000

6,940,000

6,110,000

6,120,000

6,020,000

5,523,000

5,337,000

6,682,000

6,105,000

7,690,000

6,979,000

5,988.000

5,910,000

6,870,000

9,788,000

8,051,000

7,452,000

9,043,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

1,890

21,930

198,600

696,790

919,220

1,453,700

1,959,400

2,338,900

2,361,400

2,401,800

2,409,700

2,322,900

2,404,850

2,324,200

2,412,600

2,411,000

2,415,400

2,398,500

2,322,110

2,424,900

2,436,000

2,294,300

2,437,200

2,476,700

2,428,400

2,515,600

2,531,700

2,534,700

2,548,700

2,576,800

2,623,100

2,634,800

2,638,700

2,654,600

OWYHEE RIVER

The Owyhee River is the principal tributary of the Snake River 

from the south, and drains about 12^000 square miles. It heads 

in the mountains of northern Nevada and flows generally northwest and north across southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon to its confluence with the Snake River just upstres.m from the 

Boise River. The drainage area is primarily rough to rolling 

terrain, and has a native cover almost exclusively of sagebrush.

The irrigated lands are located in three general sreas -- the 

Western Shoshone Indian Reservation in Nevada, the valley of 

Jordan Creek in Idaho and Oregon, and the Owyhee Project in 

Oregon. Other irrigated areas are scattered throughox^t the basin.
74 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Above Owyhee Reservoir stock raising is the principal agricultural enterprise and most of the irrigated land is in hay or forage 

crops. In contrast, the area below Owyhee Dam is primarily devoted to row and specialty crops.

In large part the irrigated lands in the upper basin are within 

the Shoshone Indian Reservation; these have been irrigated gradually by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Wild Horse Reservoir in 

Nevada, on the South Fork Owyhee River, was completed in 1937 

and furnishes water for about 9, 200 acres of land in t>e Western 

Shoshone Indian Reservation. This reservoir has an active capacity of 32, 000 acre-feet. Other irrigated tracts in this portion 

of the basin are scattered along the South Fork and East Fork of 

the Owyhee River.

The Jordan Valley Irrigation District was formed in 1926 by 

consolidating some of the old water rights of that valley in Oregon. Antelope Reservoir, an off-stream storage development, 

supplies water for the 8, 000 acres in this district. In addition, 

about 18,000 acres of irrigated land within the Jordan Creek basin 

is irrigated from natural streamflow.

The largest and most productive block of irrigated land is located below Owyhee Dam and comprises about 105,000 acres in 

eight operating divisions. Of this about 32,000 to 32,000 acres 

are estimated to be within the natural drainage basin of the Malheur River. Earlier projects irrigated by the Owyhee Canal, Gem 

Irrigation District, Shoestring Ditch, Kingman Colony Irrigation 

Co. and the Riverview Irrigation System have been integrated into the Owyhee Project or are being supplied with supplemental 

water by it. Of these only the Owyhee Canal originally diverted 

water from Owyhee River; the others pumped their water from the 

Snake River. The Gem Irrigation District is designed to utilize 

water from either the Snake or the Owyhee Rivers, and since 1937 

has drawn from both those sources. In this district the water from 

Owyhee Reservoir has been used to irrigate new landr while that 

pumped from the Snake River has served the old lands\

The irrigated areas shown in the following table are based upon 

adjudicated rights, Water-Supply Paper 657, and reports and records of Bureau of Census, Bureau of Reclamation, irrigation districts, and irrigation companies. Data from these several sources 

were adjusted to common values, which are believed to be reasonably dependable.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 75

Net consumptive use values of 1. 2 and 1.9 acre-feet per acre 

were used for lands above and below Owyhee Reservoir, respectively. Return flow from all lands in Nevada was assumed to 

reach the East Fork or South Fork within that State; that from 

lands in Jordan Creek valley and above Owyhee Reservoir, to be 

recaptured above the gaging stations in those two subdivisions. 

Return flow from the lands served by the Owyhee project was assumed to be captured by the Snake River above the gaging station 

at Weiser. The average streamflow depletion for the portion of 

the sub-basin above Owyhee Reservoir during the period 1931 

through 1946 amounts to 13 percent of the yield of the basin. The 

irrigated area below Owyhee Reservoir has been expanding rapidly during the period and consequently the average depletion over 

the period would have little meaning. The average depletion for 

1945-46 for the entire basin amounts to 27 percent of the longterm yield of the gaging station above Owyhee Reservoir.
Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion in 

Year

1870 

1880 

1890 

1900

1905 

1910 

1915 

1920

1921 

1922 

1923 

1924 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1935

Owyhee River 

in Nevada

Irrigated area 

(acres)

400 

4,100 

7,900

14, 200 

23,600 

33,000 

39,800

39,100 

38,400 * 

37,800 

37,100 

36,400

35,700 

35,000 

34,300 

33,640 

35,900

38,100 

40,300 

42,500 

44,800 

47,000

Jordan Creek, 

Oreg.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

160

500 

850 

1,210 

1,540

1,600 

1,650 

1,710 

1,760 

1,820

1,860 

1,900 

1,930 

1,970 

2,010

2,020 

2,030 

2,050 

2,060 

2,070

Owyhee River above Owyhee Re

Irrigated area 

(acres)

889 

5,058 

15,164 

22,069

32,193 

44,802 

58,400 

71,306

71,204 

71,052 

71,409 

71,165 

70,821

70,322 

69,708 

69,163 

68,589 

71,008

73,266 

75,512 

77,856 

80,262 

82,502

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

153,000 

827,150 

379,000 

167,000 

793,000
1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

47,200

47,400

47,600

47,700

47,800

47,900

48,000

48,100

48,200

48,300

48.400

2,080

2,090

2,100

2,100

2,100

2.100

2,100

2,100

2,100

2,100

2,100

82,886

83,116

83,336

83,649

83,995

84,101

84, 232

84, 332

84, 657

84,846

85,181

912,400

471,200

939,600

566.300

430.200

605.100

871.600

1,107,000

415,500

926.300

858,300
78 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

BOISE RIVER

The Boise River rises in the Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho 

and flows generally westward to its confluence with the Snake River near Parma. It drains about 4, 100 square miles of which only 

about 30 percent are below an altitude of 5, 000 feet. Its mountainous area is generally forest covered and fairly rugged. The 

lower valley contains a highly developed block of irrigated land 

extending from Boise west and southwest to the Snake River.

Some of the earliest water rights in the Snake River basin are 

in the Boise valley. According to the "Steward Decree" these extend back to 1864. Early development was by private enterprise, 

but recent development has been primarily sponsored by the Bureau of Reclamation, which started work in this basin in 1905 and 

up to the present has continued to assist in irrigation development. 

The Arrowrockdivision of the Boise Project furnishes fuller supplemental water supplies for most of the irrigated lands in the 

basin. (See tables on pp. 80 and 81.)

The acreage irrigated in the headwater and tributary basins of 

the Boise River was computed from data in court decrees, State 

water licenses, and census reports. The Boise River watermaster 

has very complete reports for the main valley for eacl year, beginning about 1915; extensive use was made of these reports and 

of reports by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. Accurate figures 

were available from surveys relating to litigation in 1903 and the 

census of 1902. Reliable data for several of the larger irrigation 

ditches for 1911 and 1912 were obtained from reports of the State 

Engineer. Reports of the U. S. Bureau of Reclamatior list acreages for others for each year back to 1906. The relation between 

actual irrigated area and decreed water rights for the d'tches with 

accurate records, was applied to the rest of the mere than 50 

ditches, estimates of irrigated area were made that are believed 

to be reliable for the years since about 1902.

The amount of land irrigated prior to 1902 is subject to considerable doubt. All water rights are known from State records, and 

the earliest dates from 1865. At first it was possible to establish 

a water right as soon as one-eighth of the land was in cultivation. 

Many ditch companies were slow to cultivate all the land for which 

they had water rights. Thus it was impossible to derive reliable 

estimates of irrigated area from data on water-right decrees. Reports of the State Engineer gave estimates of irrigated acreage for 

1896 and 1900. Acreages for all intervening periods were obtained 

by interpolation. In the lower valley the system of cane.ls, lateral 

and drains is so complex that only the total acreage has any 

significance.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 79

Considerable information on the principal Boise River canals is 

given in Water-Supply Paper 657, and on all canals in the annual 

reports of the watermaster for the Boise River. The tabulated 

figures for the Boise River include a small acreage in Oregon lying east of the Snake River opposite Adrian, Oreg., and irrigated 

from the Boise River.

Water is diverted from the South Fork Boise River for irrigation of land near Mountain Home, which was previously described. 

This irrigated area and the resulting depletion was not included 

in the totals for Boise River.

Diversified crops are generally grown throughout the basin at 

present, although inearly days most of the irrigated land was devoted to grain and forage and hay crops. Considerable land in the 

lower areas are waterlogged and drainage has becorre a major 

problem locally.

The net consumptive use was taken as 1.0 and 2.2 acr^-feet per 

acre for the upper and lower portions of the Boise R'ver basin 

respectively. The value for the lower basin was based upon the 

inflow-outflow studies by Steward and Paul on the Pioneer and 

Nampa-Meridian Irrigation Districts in 1917. The retvrn flow is 

recaptured by the Boise and Snake Rivers and is included in the 

flow passing the gaging station on Snake River at Weiser. In some 

parts of the lower valley the return flow from upstream areas is 

reused during the late summer. The average depletion in the upper basin is negligible. The average depletion for entire basin for 

the period 1921 through 1945 represents 28.6 percent of the yield 

of the Boise River basin above Dowling Ranch plus Moore Creek. 

The depletion has been increasing slightly during recent years 

and for 1946 it was 29. 3 percent of the long-term yield.
80 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER F4SIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff and estimated depletion in the upper Boise River basin

Year

1890

1900

1905

1910

1912

1913

1914

1915

1918

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

South Fork Boise

River near

Featherville, Idaho

Irrigated area

(acres)

110

160

170

250

490

550

600

650

700

740

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

750

South Fork Boise

River at Anderson

Ranch Dam, Idaho

Irrigated area

(acres)

170

650

630

650

810

1,320

1,440

1,540

1,640

1,740

1,840

1,840

I,fe40

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

1,850

Boise River at Dowlirg Ranch

near Arrowrock, Idaho

Irrigated area

(acres)

170

960

1,760

2,520

3,100

3,710

3,790

3,860

3,930

4,000

4,070

4,040

4,020

3,990

3,960

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

Runoff

(acre-feetv

2,080,000

1,790,000

1,390,000

1,040,000

2,190,000

2,070,000

1,740,000

1,470,000

1,360,000

2,500,000

2,070,000

1,560,000

827,000

2,040,000

999,000

2,270,000

2,120,000

1,190,000

1,200,000

861,000

1,700,000

1,430,000

962, 50C

1,408,000

1,737,000

1,015,000

2,254,000

1,226,000

1,386,000

1,261,000

1.499.00C

3,006,000

1.198.00C

1.449.00C

2.025.00C

Estimated

depletion

(acre -feet)

170

960

1,760

2,520

3,100

3,710

3,790

3,860

3,930

4,000

4,070

4,040

4,020

3,990

3,960

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930

3,930
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 81

Irrigated area and estimated depletion in the Boise River basin

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Moore Creek 

near 

Arrowrock, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

40

150

290

510

680

690

700

700

710

720

720

730

740

750

750

760

770

780

790

800

800

810

820

830

840

850

860

870

890

900

910

Boise River basin

Irrigated area 

(acres)

6,000

16,000

26,000

56,000

122,590

173,435

255,384

295,776

295,979

295,143

295,314

305,142

304,934

319,870

329,808

330,774

334,684

337,122

337,494

329,472

337,380

329,232

328,127

329,265

332, 199

331. 154

331,497

337,166

334,088

333,615

331,122

335,610

335,081

334,329

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

13,200

35,200

57,200

122,000

267,320

378,180

557,510

645,440

645,780

643,840

644,130

665,660

665,110

698,000

719,880

722,030

730,650

736,05^

736,860

719,200

736,580

718,650

716,200

718,710

725, 150

722,840

723,580

736,040

729,260

728,210

722,710

732,560

731,380

729,720

MALHEUR RIVER

The Malheur River rises in Strawberry Mountain of eastern 

Oregon and flows eastward to its confluence with the Snr.ke River 

near Ontario, Oreg. It has a drainage area of about 4, 700 square 

miles, of which the higher parts are sparsely covered by coniferous trees, and the lower parts originally were covered by desert 

vegetation.

The Malheur River valley was known to the early explorers and 

fur traders and is reputed to have been named by Peter Skene Ogden, a Hudson's Bay Co. trader. Early settlers who were headed 

for the Oregon coast, sometimes traversed it via Bend to Salem 

and Portland. It was natural that some of the earliest pioneers 

settled in this broad valley and took up farming, raising stock and

279538 O - 53 - 7
82 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

forage crops, which were the most profitable ventures of the day. 

With increase in population specialty crops and orchards have become the important products of the region.

Most of the early irrigation projects were financed by private 

interests and some of the early canals have rights dating back to 

1881-1885. These canals include the McLaughlin, Nevr.da, Linebarger, tjellerman and Froman, Farmer, J. H., Canyon and Sand 

Hollow, Mill, Vines, andBrosman. The possibilities of expanding 

irrigation in this valley have been investigated on several occasions by Federal and State agencies, most intensively in 1903- 

1905, 1914 and 1927. During the early investigations an association of water users was formed by some of the irrigators in the 

valley but satisfactory arrangements could not be reached between 

this association and the Reclamation Service.

Following the investigations of 1914, the Warmsprings Irrigation District was formed, by consolidating some of the existing 

irrigation units. This district constructed the Warm Springs Reservoir in 1919 to a capacity of 170,000 acre-feet. In 1930 the capacity was increased to 190,000 acre-feet and half of this was sold 

to the Bureau of Reclamation to serve the Vale project. In return 

the Bureau of Reclamation constructed a series of drain ditches 

throughout the lands of the Warmsprings Irrigation District toreclaim some lands which had been abandoned because of waterlogging. Later, in 1935, the Bureau built the Agency Valley Reservoir on the North ForkMalheur River for use of the Vale project. 

The Vale project is currently serving about 31,000 acr^s and the 

Warmsprings Irrigation District about 18,000 acres.

The Willow Creek No. 3 dam was constructed in 1910-11 by the 

Willow River Land and Irrigation Co. as a part of the Brogan project. The promoters expected to irrigate a large area around and 

below the town of Brogan in the lower valley of Willow Crjeek, and 

the reservoir was constructed with a capacity of 50,800 acre-feet 

as the major storage supply for the project lands. Discharge records for Willow Creek were not available at the time, except for 

a part of the flood of 1910. This record was extremely misleading 

as it covered a period during one of the greatest floods in the 

stream's history. The reservoir has never filled. An irrigation 

distribution system was constructed to serve about 25,000 acres, 

a large part of the land was sold to prospective settlers, and scattered tracts were irrigated. However after much litigation the 

project was reduced to about 3/000 acres, for which the water 

supply is still inadequate.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 83

The remainder of the irrigated area shown in the following table 

is scattered throughout the basin, primarily in connection with 

ranches on the upper tributaries.

The net consumptive use for this basin has been estiirated to be 

1.0 acre-foot per acre for the South Fork and main stem, 1.6 

acre-feet per acre for the North Fork and the middle reaches of 

Willow Creek, and 1. 9 acre-feet per acre for the lower basin including Bully Creek. The return flow from the lands irrigated 

above Drewsey all returns to the main stem above the gaging station near that place; there is no irrigation and no additional return 

flow between this point and the Warmsprings Reservoir.

There is no gaging station in the lower valley that can be used 

for a depletion evaluation, inasmuch as all stations ar« complicated by ungaged flow bypassing them.

In addition to the lands irrigated from the Malheur River and 

tributaries, a large block of land is supplied from the Owyhee 

River. The return.flow from this and from all lands in the lower 

valley is assumed to be captured by the Snake River above the 

gaging station at Weiser, Idaho.
84 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVEF BASIN

Irrigated area and estimated depletion for Malheur River basin

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Malheur River 

below Warm Springs 

Reservoir, Oreg.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

46

3,573

7,191

8,156

8,905

10,205

12, 137

12, 153

12,283

12,284

12,284

12,284

12,284

12,284

12,284

12,363

12,456

12,501

12,501

12,501

12,501

12,501

12,561

12, 561

12,561

12,561

12,561

12,561

12,561

12,561

12,583

12,583

12,743

Malheur River basin

Irrigated area 

(acres)

196

2,019

28,099

35,521

40,687

45,055

48,532

52,016

53,312

53,799

56,079

56,208

57,599

59,339

63,106

63,134

63,217

64,624

65,261

67,440

67,613

68,842

70,210

72,955

77,102

80,622

82,085

83,557

83,910

86,522

88, 195

88,652

89,090

89,716

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

300

3,300

46,500

56,600

64,000

70,900

75,700

80,200

82,600

83,400

87,800

88,000

90,600

93,900

100,100

100,200

100,300

102,800

103,900

108,000

108,300

110,600

113,200

118,400

126,300

133,000

135,800

138,600

139,220

144, 200

147,400

148,200

149,000

150,100

PAYETTE RIVER

The Payette River drains about 3, 300 square milee, including 

some of the high mountainous terrain of central Idaho. Its confluence with the Snake River is near Ontario, Oreg. The upper 

basin, above Black Canyon Dam, is mountainous and ir large part 

timbered. Most agricultural lands are in the lower basin on the 

valley floor from Black Canyon Dam westward to the Srake River.

For the upper basin, irrigated acreages were computed from 

water-right decrees, reports of irrigation districts, and the census reports. In the lower basin most of the irrigation enterprises 

are cooperative ditch companies, and water is distributed on the 

basis of shares rather than acreage, thus reliable data was scarce.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 85

Accurate records are available for theEmmett Irrigation District 

and Black Canyon unit No. 2, both of which divert water at Black 

Canyon Dam, but for the lands further downstream it was necessary to interpolate on basis of the meager data available. For 

1900 the acreage was obtained from the report of the State Engineer, for 1902 from the census report, for 1938 from a report by 

the Bureau of Reclamation, and for 1939 from the census report. 

The Geological Survey report "Storage and Power Possibilities, 

Payette River basin, Idaho" by W. G. Hoyt, dated Januery, 1927, 

and later incorporated in Water-Supply Paper No. 657, stated that 

the irrigated area below Black Canyon Dam was between 80, 000 

and 85,000 acres. Since most of the field work for that report 

was done during 1925, it was assumed that the figures applied to 

that year and 82, 000 acres was adopted for this study. The census figure for 1919 appeared to be rather large, so it was assumed 

that the ratio between actual irrigation and that reported was the 

same as for the Boise River. This gave a figure consistent with 

known information.

From George Knowles, engineer and ex-officio watermaster, 

it was learned that the increase in acreage was gradual between 

1902 and 1919, but that later alarge amount of land was abandoned 

because of waterlogging. He reported that construction of drain 

ditches was started in 1929 and that since about 1940 some 10,000 

acres had been returned to irrigation. The above information, the 

Bureau of Reclamation report of 1938, and the 1939 irrigation 

census were sufficient to establish accurately the irrigated acreage after 1938. For the intervening years back to 1902 the acreage was interpolated between the few computed values. The second annual report of the U. S. Reclamation Service (1902-03) 

stated that practically all development had been made during the 

preceding 10 years. On this basis, the irrigated acreage prior to 

1900 was computed back to the beginning in 1865. (See tables on 

pp. 86, 87.) Over 800,000 acre-feet of storage capacity has 

been developed in four major reservoirs in the upper basin. These 

are the Payette Lake, Little Payette Lake, Deadwood, and Cascade Reservoirs. It is ironic that in this, one of the most intensely 

irrigated areas in the State, records of irrigated acreage should 

be so fragmentary. Because of the abundance of water, the water 

rights have never been adjudicated and many users have not 

bothered to register their water rights.

The net consumptive use for lands in this basin have been estimated at 1.0 acre-feet per acre for those above Bleck Canyon 

Dam and at 2. 2 acre-feet per acre for all lands below that dam. 

The return flow is assumed to be recaptured by Payette and Snake 

Rivers, and all of it passes the gaging station on Snake River at 

Weiser. The average depletion for the upper basin during the 

period 1921 through 1945 amounts to 2. 1 percent of the yield of
86 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

the basin as measured at the gaging station near Horserhoe Bend. 

The streamflow depletion above here has remained essentially 

constant during the period. The average depletion for the entire 

basin for the same period, amounts to 10. 2 percent of the yield 

of the basin at the gaging station near Horseshoe Bend* Because 

additional lands are being irrigated, the depletion has been increasing during recent years and in 1946 amounted to 13. 2 percent of the long-term yield.

Irrigated area in upper Payette River basin

Year

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

South Fork Payette 

River near 

Banks, Idaho

1,880

2,770

2,770

2,770

2,780

2,820

2,830

2,840

2,850

2,870

2,880

2,880

2,890

2,900

2,900

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

2,910

Lake Fork 

below Lake 

Irrigation District 

canal, near 

McCall, Idaho

3,000

5,000

5,000

5,500

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6.000

6,000

North Fork 

Payette R. 

at Cascade, 

Idaho

3,000

5,000

7,600

10,400

14,000

16,200

18,100

23,600

25,900

32,500

35,000

35,300

36,500

38, 100

38,100

35,900

35,900

36,600

36,800

37,000

36,000

36,000

36,800

36,820

36,800

36,800

36,800

36,800

37,200

37,200

37,400

North Fork Payette 

River near 

Banks, Idaho*

390

3,700

6,100

9.3QO

12,700

17,200

19,900

22,200

28,900

31,800

39,800

43,000

43,300

44,700

46,700

46,700

44,000

44,000

44,900

45,100

45,400

44,000

44,000

45,100

45, 140

45, 100

45,100

45,100

45, 100

45,700

45,700

45,900

* This figure also represents irrigation above gage on North Fork Payette River near Smiths 

Ferry, Idaho, (discontinued) and total for North Fork Payette River.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 87

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for the Payette River basin

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Payette River near Horseshoe Bend, Idaho

Irrigated area

(acres)

40

860

3,140

7,380

9,830

13,160

16,650

21,190

23,900

26,200

32,920

35.840

43,850

47,050

47,360

48,770

50,780

50,780

48,080

48,080

48,980

49, 180

49,479

48,090

48, 110

49,228

49,280

49,260

49,280

49,300

49,320

49,930

49,950

50.150

Runoff

(acre -feet)

2,170,000

3,050,000

3,160,000

2,860,000

2,540,000

2,510,000

2,250,000

1,560,000

1,840,000

3,250,000

2,390,000

2,110,000

1,110,000

2,450,000

1,290,000

3,140,000

2,880,000

1,440,000

1,560,000

1,060,000

2,290,000

1,960,000

1,635,000

1,654,000

2,103,000

1,364,000

2,859,000

1,608,000

2,192,000

1,938,000

2,283,000

3,478,000

1,465,000

1,958,000

2,644,000

Estimated

depletion

(acre -feet)

40

860

3,140

7,380

9,830

13,160

16,650

21,190

23,900

26,200

32,920

35,840

43,850

47,050

47,360

48,770

50,780

50,780

48,080

48,080

48,980

49,180

49,479

48,090

48,110

49,228

49,280

49,260

49,280

49,300

49,320

49,930

49,950

50,150

Payette River at mouth

Irrigated area

(acres)

1,650

5,890

15,050

39,350

56,980

73,180

92,010

109,950

113,760

115,270

121,680

123.700

130,910

131,620

130,420

130,330

130,840

129,840

127,160

127,000

128,350

129,050

130,760

129,360

129,690

131,320

133,700

139,190

143,150

148,470

156,040

161,280

164,710

167,610

Estimated

depletion

(acre -feet)

3,090

9,730

25,850

72,950

107,980

139,180

176,370

210,390

215,520

216,070

222,120

227,240

229,310

227,020

224,020

222, 130

220,840

218,640

215,980

215,630

217,520

218,820

222,220

220,800

221,490

223,720

228,880

240,970

249,650

261,320

277,950

288,720

296,140

302,370
8 8 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

WEISER RIVER

The Weiser River is the last downstream tributary entering the 

right bank of the Snake River before that stream flows through 

another canyon section. Thus the Weiser River subdivision is the 

downstream or northernmost segment of the intensively irrigated 

area in the Snake River basin. It drains about 1,600 square miles. 

The mountainous part of the basin is generally forested. The valleys and adjacent bench land constitute that portion of the basin 

which is devoted to agriculture. The irrigated tractr are small, 

scattered throughout the basin, and were developed by private 

capital. Very little storage capacity is available in the basin, and 

many of the projects would benefit from supplemental water late 

in the growing season^ The irrigated lands are concentrated generally in three main areas --an upper area near Council, near 

Mesa, and on Hornet Creek; a middle area near Cambridge and 

Midvale; and a lower area including adjacent benches along the 

Snake River near Weiser.

In general, the values of irrigated acreage for this subdivision 

basin were based upon water-right adjudications, reports of irrigation districts, Idaho State Engineer, Bureau of Reclamation, 

and Bureau of the Census; also on Water-Supply Paper 657. A 

Bureau of Reclamation report gave substantially higher figures 

than the 1939 Census andwere given more weight in the determination of values for this report. (See tables on pp. 80, 90.)

In this report, the estimated net consumptive use within the 

Weiser River basin was 1.5 acre-feet per acre for the area above 

the gaging station on Weiser River above Crane Creek, and 2. 0 

acre-feet per acre for the area below Crane Creek. The return 

flow from the area above the gaging station, Weiser River above 

Crane Creek, was assumed to have been recaptured by the river 

above that station. That from the area below Crane Creek was 

assumed, for convenience, to have been intercepted by the Snake 

River above the gaging station at Weiser. This may not be strictly 

true because some of the return flow from the irrigated bench 

lands near Weiser may reach the Snake River below the gage. 

However its effect on the Snake River flow would b« relatively 

minor. The average streamflow depletion during the period 1922 

through 1946 amounts to 5 percent of the yield of the basin above 

the gaging station Weiser River near Crane Creek. It has remained comparatively constant during the period.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 89

Irrigated area in upper Weiser River basin, Idaho 

[Note: No irrigation above gages on Weiser River st Tamarack, Idaho, and Lost Creek near TVmiarack, Idaho]

Year

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Weiser River 

at 

Starkey, Idaho

7

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

72

Weiser River 

near 

Council, Idaho

18

1,370

3,240

4,670

6,410

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

7,050

Weiser River 

near 

Cambridge, Idaho

18

1,570

3,610

5,170

7,100

8,080

8,400

8,460

8,510

8,570

8,630

8,690

8,750

8,810

8,870

8,920

8,980

9,040

9,100

9,160

9,220

9,220

9,220

9,220

9,220

9,220

9,220

9,220

9,220

9,220

9,220

9,220

9,220

Little Weiser 

River near 

I-dian Valley, 

Idaho

48

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80
90 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Weiser River basin

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Weiser River above Crane Creek near Weiser, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

480 1

7,900

15,000

16,980

19,910

20,950

21,280

21,340

21,400

21,460

21,520

21,580

21, 630

21,690

21,750

21, 810

21,870

21,930

21,990

22, 040

22, 100

22, 100

22,100

22,100

22, 100

22. 100

22, 100

22, 100

22,100

22, 100

22, 100

22, 100

22, 100

Runoff 

(acre»-feet)

794,000

682,000

224,000

790,000

372,000

1,060,000

772,000

368,000

284,000

277,000

750,000

566,000

358,600

471, 600

585,600

362,400

1,097,000

431,400

777,100

727,800

764,400

1,005,000

363,400

683,000

838,900

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

720

11,850

22,500

25,470

29,860

31,420

31,920

32,010

32,100

32,190

32,280

32,370

32,440

32,540

32,620

32,720

32,800

32,900

32,980

33,060

33,150

33,150

33,150

33,150

33, 150

33,150

33,150

33,150

33,150

33,150

33,150

33,150

33,150

Weiser River at mouth*

Irrigated area 

(acres)

32

1,340

12,820

23,350

27,500

34,240

37,950

41,820

40,670

39,840

38,900

38,410

37,740

37,100

37,100

37,570

38,530

38,600

38,650

38,420

38,830

39,250

39,250

39,260

39,260

39,730

40,180

40,620

40,620

40,620

40,620

40,620

40,620

40,620

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

60

2,440

21,690

39,200

46,510

58,520

65,420

73,000

70,670

68,980

67,070

66,060

64,690

63,380

63,360

64,260

66,160

66,260

66,340

65,840

66,640

67,450

67,450

67,470

67,470

68,410

69,310

70,190

70,190

70,190

70,190

70,190

70,190

70,190

* Irrigation is negligible above station on Crane Creek near Midvale, Idaho.

SNAKE RIVER, MURPHY TO WEISER

In addition to the subdivisions already discussed there are minor 

tracts of irrigated land supplied with water by small tributaries 

and by pumping directly from the Snake River.

Data on irrigated area and streamflow depletion for the entire 

Snake River basin above Weiser, Idaho, are given in the following 

table. The average streamflow depletion for the period 1921 

through 1945 amounts to 24. 2 percent of the yield of the basin 

above this point. In 1946 the estimated depletion had increased 

to 26. 8 percent of the long-term yield. For the subdivision between Murphy and Weiser the average depletion over the base 

period amounted to 22. 7 percent of the yield of this subdivision. 

In 1946 this had increased to 26.8 percent of the long-term yield.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 91

Irrigated area, annual runoff and estimated depletion for Snake River at Weiser, Idaho

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915 

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921 

1922 

1923 

1924 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1935

1936 

1937 

1938 

1939 

1940

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

10,287

43,511

229,383

635,169

892,335

1,312,724

1,732,750

2,044,168

2,085,125 

2,090,104 

2,102,382 

2,054,345 

2,118,004

2,079,451 

2,148,542 

2,147,871 

2,155,761 

2,151,494

2.094,431 

2,160,994 

2,180,619 

2,080,736 

2,185,874

2,217,189 

2,259,635 

2,296,171 

2,320,250 

2,342,955

2,355,359 

2,382,386 

2,418,048 

2,437,315 

2,444,153 

2,455,892

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

15,900,000

16,800,000

16,200,000

16,200,000

10,400,000 

17,100,000

18,000,000

14,600,000

12,200,000

10,700,000

18,300,000 

15,500,000 

12,800,000 

8,990,000 

14,300,000

10,200,000 

15,000,000 

16,400,000 

10,800,000 

9,500,000

7,880,000 

11,300,000 

9,840,000 

7,880,000 

8,136,000

11,320,000 

8,708,000 

14,790,000 

10,220,000 

10,520,000

10,240,000 

12,110,000 

19,150,000 

10,970,000 

12,020,000 

15,410,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

20,650

80,520

373,480

1,028,500

1,462,130

2,184,060

2,951,250

3,497,780

3,528,570 

3,568,390 

3,583,620 

3,521,410 

3,604,760

3,544,200 

3,665,060 

3,662,120 

3,676,200 

3,668,530

3,594,210 

3,687,690 

3,721,630 

3,569,520 

3,726,670

3,780,350 

3,785,600 

3,923,860 

3,968,060 

4,013,390

4,036,110 

4,086,010 

4,150,740 

4,186,860 

4,199,700 

4,220,570

BURNT RIVER

The Burnt River rises in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon 

and drains about 1, 100 square miles as it flows eastward to its 

confluence with the Snake River near Huntington. The upp^r reaches 

of the basin are covered with timber and the lower reaches are 

characterized by rolling hills covered with sagebrush and grass. 

The bottom lands, which are devoted to agriculture, occur in three 

general areas: near Unity, Bridgeport, and Durkee.
92 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

The irrigated area in the Burnt River basin is largely in small 

scattered tracts along the main stem; however some is along the 

tributary streams. (See the following table.) The main irrigation 

tracts are the Durkee Irrigation District and the Burnt River Irrigation District, both of which are below Unity Reservoir. The 

Burnt River also furnishes a small amount of water for lands 

within the Malheur River basin, via Eldorado Ditch.

Owing to water shortages that had shown up during years of low 

flow the Bureau of Reclamation, in 1937, constructed the Unity 

Reservoir just belowthe North and South Forks to supply supplemental water for lands already under irrigation. Thie reservoir 

has a usable capacity of 25, 220 acre-feet.

The net consumptive use for lands within the basin has been 

estimated at 1.4 acre-feet per acre. The return flow from the 

lands above Unity Reservoir is assumed to be recaptured by the 

main stem above the gaging station near Hereford. The return 

flow from lands below Unity Reservoir probably is recaptured by 

the Burnt River before it joins the Snake River, on which the next 

gaging station downstream is at Oxbow, Oreg., nearly 50 miles 

downstream. Based upon records for the period 1930 through 

1946, the average depletion amounts to 19 percent of the yield 

above the gaging station near Hereford.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 93

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Burnt River basin

Year

1870 

1880 

1890 

1900

1905 

1910 

1915 

1920

1921 

1922 

1923 

1924 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1935

1936 

1937 

1938 

1939 

1940

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946

Burnt River near Hereford, Oreg.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

79 

501 

3,549 

5,256

5,699 

6,499 

6,848 

7,706

7,978 

8,270 

8,550 

8,639 

8,639

8,639 

8,639 

8,639 

8,639 

8,639

8,639 

8,639 

8,659 

8,659 

8,659

8,659 

8.659 

8,659 

8,659 

8,659

8,659 

8.659 

8,659 

8,659 

8,659 

8,659

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

30,700

32,400 

66,900 

57,100 

22,460 

34, 270

47,840 

30,770 

68,160 

39,980 

42,160

52,090 

82,040 

107,100 

34, 040 

46,450 

80,450

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

110 

700 

4,970 

7,360

7,980 

9,100 

9,590 

10,790

11,170 

11,580 

11,970 

12,090 

12,090

12,090 

12,090 

12,090 

12,090 

12,090.

12,090 

12,090 

12,120 

12,120 

12,120

12, 120 

12, 120 

12,120 

12,120 

12, 120

12,120 

12,120 

12, 120 

12, 120 

12, 120 

12.120

Burnt River Ft mouth

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,050 

4,420 

14, 200 

18,400

20,000 

22,000 

24,000 

25,500

25,800 

26,300 

26,900 

27,100 

27,200

27,200 

27,400 

27,700 

27,900 

28, 100

28, 100 

28,300 

28,400 

28,400 

28,500

28,500 

28,500 

28,600 

28,600 

28,700

29,000 

29,200 

29,400 

29,700 

29.700 

29,800

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

1,470 

6,190 

19,880 

25,760

28,000 

30,800 

33,600 

35,700

36,120 

36,820 

37,660 

37,940 

38,080

38,080 

38,360 

38,780 

39,060 

39,340

39,340 

39,620 

39,760 

39,760 

39,900

39,900 

39,900 

40,040 

40,040 

40,180

40,600 

40,880 

41,160 

41,580 

41,580 

41,720

POWDER RIVER

The Powder River heads in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon and flows eastward to a confluence with the Snake River near 

Robinette, Oreg., at the head of the Grand Canyon of the Snake 

River. The headwater area is generally mountainous, draining 

parts of the forested Elkhorn, Blue, and Wallowa Mountains. The 

lowland is roughly divided into a series of bowl-shaped valleys 

connected by successive short canyons. The principal lowland is 

around Baker and Haines; it contains about three-fourths of the 

irrigated land in all the drainage basin.
94 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

The Powder River basin was settled comparatively early and 

some of its water rights date back to 1863. Most of the irrigation 

works have been small and privately-financed ventures. Some 

lands are largely irrigated from subsurface sources. Hay, forage crops, and livestock are the principal agricultural products.

The Thief Valley Reservoir was constructed in 1932 by the Bureau of Reclamation to furnish supplemental water supply to the 

lands near Keating.

In the Big Creek subdivision there are approximately 3,300 

acres that are supplied by water from Catherine Creek, a tributary to the Grande Ronde River.

The areas shown in the following table are based upon adjudicated water rights, and are substantiated by a statement by Mr. 

Maxwell, the watermaster for Baker County, that the areas are 

within 5 percent of the actual irrigated area. There are some 

late-season water shortages during years of low runoff and some 

lands received inadequate amounts of water in all year?.

The net consumptive use for the lands in this basin has been estimated at 1. 5 acre-feet per acre. For the purposes of this report, it is assumed that all return flow occurs above the gaging 

station on Powder River near Robinette.

Based upon the period, 1929 through 1946, the average depletion represents 33 percent of the yield of the basin above Robinette and it has remained essentially constant during this period.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 95

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion tor Powder River near Rvbinette, Oreg.

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

8,762

21,564

43,952

65,625

72,239

79,853

87,326

95,022

95,791

96,366

97,397

98,062

98,433

99,006

99,545

100,153

100,763

100,903

101,661

101,871

102,220

102,485

103,034

103,420

103,548

103,785

103,929

104,655

104,809

104,898

104,969

104,999

105,164

105,622

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

265,000

156,000

172,000

433,000

398,000

178.900

209,900

274,200

192,900

512,700

273,800

341,400

514,700

567,300

583,100

221,300

364,400

527,900

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

13,140

32,350

65,930

98,440

108,400

119,800

131,000

142,500

143,700

144,500

146,100

147,100

147,600

148,500

149,300

150,200

151, 100

151,400

152,500

152,800

153,300

153,700

154,600

155,100

155,300

155,700

155,900

157,000

157,200

157,300

157,500

157,500

157,700

158,400

SNAKE RIVER, WEISER TO OXBOW

Other than in the Burnt and Powder River basins previously discussed, there are only minor amounts of irrigated land in this 

subdivision. The Snake River at Oxbow, Oreg., is below all the 

large, intensively irrigated areas and the return flow from all irrigated lands above this point has been recaptured by the mainstem river. The average streamflow depletion for the period, 

1924 through 1946, represents 25 percent of the yield of the basin 

above the gaging station at Oxbow. The depletion, ss shown in 

the following table, was increasing during the period of record 

and in 1946, amounted to 27. 5 percent of the long-term yield.
96 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER FASIN 

Irrigated area, annual runoff and estimated depletion for Snake River at Oxbow, Oreg.

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

20,099

' 69,534

287,815

719,964

985,554

1,415,997

1,846,336

2,167,260

2,209,306

2,215,390

2,229,319

2, 182, 177

2,246,327

2,208,357

2,278,187

2,278,424

2,287,124

2,283,197

2,226,892

2,293,865

2,313,939

2,214,321

2,320,108

2,351,809

2,394,383

2.431,256

2,455,477

2,479,010

2.491,898

2,519,244

2,555,207

2,574,834

2,581,877

2,594,204

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

9,420,000

15,000,000

10,300,000

15,500,000

17,200,000

11,400,000

9,790,000

8,080,000

11,900,000

10,500,000

8,197,000

8,512,000

11,750,000

9,058,000

15,510,000

10,670,000

10,980,000

11,010,000

13,160,000

19,750,000

11,270,000

12,420,000

15,950,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

35,260

119, 110

459,690

1,153,780

1,599,900

2,336,650

3,119,010

3,679,580

3,712.020

3,753,380

3,771,080

3,710,190

3,794,210

3,744,560

3,856,500

3,854,880

3,870,140

3,863,050

3,789,830

3,883,890

3,918,470

3,766,760

3,924,950

3,979,130

3,984,580

4,123,380

4,167,780

4,214,350

4,237,730

4,288,050

4,353,310

4,389,890

4,402,980

4,424,740

PINE CREEK

Pine Creek drains about 280 square miles on the east slope of 

Wallowa Mountains in eastern Oregon, between the Powder and 

Imnaha drainage basins. The upper part of the basin is rugged 

and mountainous but the lower part includes a fairly broad valley.

The irrigated lands (see the following table) have been developed by private enterprise. There are numerous small lakes and 

reservoirs which are used for storage of irrigation water. Net 

consumptive use for this basin has been estimated at 1. 4 acrefeet per acre. Return flow from these lands has been assumed to 

reach the Snake River downstream from the gaging station at 

Oxbow.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 97

Irrigated area for Pine Creek basin

Irrigated area 

Year (acres)

1870......................................................................................................... 75~

1880......................................................................................................... 2,130

1890......................................................................................................... 8,510

1900......................................................................................................... 12,600

1905......................................................................................................... 13 000

1910......................................................................................................... 14,100

1915......................................................................................................... 16,353

1920......................................................................................................... 16,700

1921......................................................................................................... 16,700

1922......................................................................................................... 16,700

1923......................................................................................................... 16,700

1924......................................................................................................... 16,700

1925......................................................................................................... 16,900

1926......................................................................................................... 17,000

1927......................................................................................................... 17,200

1928......................................................................................................... 17,600

1929......................................................................................................... 17,700

1930......................................................................................................... 17,900

1931......................................................................................................... 18,300

1932......................................................................................................... 18,300

1933....... ................................................................................................. 18,300

1934........ ................................................................................................. 18,300

1935......................................................................................................... 18,300

1936. ....................................................................................................... 18,600

1937........... .............................................................................................. 18,700

1938......................................................................................................... 18,700

1939......................................................................................................... 18,700

1940......................................................................................................... 18,700

1941......................................................................................................... 18,700

1942......................................................................................................... 18,700

1943......................................................................................................... 18,700

1944......................................................................................................... 18,800

1945......................................................................................................... 19,100

1946......................................................................................................... 19,100

IMNAHA RIVER

The Imnaha River rises on the northern slope of the Wallowa 

Mountains in eastern Oregon and flows northeastward to its confluence with the Snake River, a short distance upstrearr from the 

mouth of the Salmon River. The drainage area is approximately 

900 square miles. The headwater area is rugged and mountainous, and to a large extent is forested. The lower portions of the 

basin are rolling hills covered with sagebrush and grass. There 

is very little agricultural land even in the narrow valley bottoms. 

Forage crops and stock are the chief products.

The irrigated lands are restricted to small tracts scattered 

throughout the basin. They have been developed by private enterprise and are not consolidated. The Wallowa Improvement District No. 1, in the Grande Ronde River basin, diverts water from 

Sheep Creek a tributary of the Imnaha River. The lands using 

this water have not been included in the following table but are 

included in the table on page 104.

279538 O - 53 - 8
98 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

It has been assumed, for the purpose of this report, that all 

acreage listed in the table below is above the gaging: station on 

the Imnaha River at Imnaha and all return flow is recaptured by 

the stream above this point. This may not be strictly true, but 

in view of relatively small amounts involved it is believed that 

no appreciable error will result from this assumption. The net 

consumptive use for the acreages listed in the following table 

has been estimated at 1.2 acre-feet per acre. The average 

streamflow depletion over the period 1929 through 1946 amounts 

to 1. 5 percent of the yield of the drainage basin and it has been 

practically constant during the period of record.

Irrigated area, annual runoff and estimated depletion for Imnaha River at l-nnaha, Oreg.

Year

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

521

1.480

2,173

2,370

2,556

2,727

3,323

3,639

3,647

3,683

3,707

3,718

3,718

3,718

3,722

3,821

3,837

3,852

3,852

3,852

3,913

3,913

3,914

3,914

3,914

3,914

3,914

3,972

3,972

3,972

3,972

4,181

4,200

Runoff 

(acre-feet)

282,000

220,000

179,000

370,000

360,000

233,000

266,800

226,600

219,200

546,100

236,900

290,600

397,000

496,600

448,700

241,600

351,400

394,600

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

620

1,780

2,610

2,840

3,070

3,270

3,990

4,370

4,380

4,420

4,450

4,460

4,460

4,460

4,470

4,580

4,600

4,620

4,620

4,620

4,700

4,700

4,700

4,700

4,700

4,700

4,700

4,770

4,770

4,770

4,770

5,020

5,040
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 99 

SALMON RIVER

The Salmon River heads in the Sawtooth Mountains of central 

Idaho and flows generally north and west to join the Snake River 

near the lower end of its spectacular Grand Canyon. The drainage area of about 14,000 square miles, makes the Salmon River 

the largest of the Snake River tributaries from the standpoint of 

land drained. Rough, rugged terrain characterizes this tributary basin. There is only a small amount of farm land and not 

much of that can be irrigated.

Irrigation was started in the Salmon River basin about 1860 in 

Lemhi County, near Salmon City. There was a steady increase 

in acreage under irrigation from 1880 to about 1920,. after which 

time expansion has gradually tapered off. The irrigation has 

mostly been by individuals, irrigation districts, or companies, 

backed by private capitol and has largely centered in foxir general 

areas; near Challis, in the Pahsimeroi Valley, in the Lemhi Valley and along the Little Salmon River near New Meadows. The 

Challis Irrigation District is a major organization in this area 

and it irrigates several thousand acres near Challis. Another 

large organization is the Keating Carey Land Co. which irrigates 

several thousand acres in the Lemhi Valley. Most of the other 

land in this tributary basin is irrigated from individually- or 

cooperatively-owned canals. The amount of irrigated area listed 

in the three tables following were computed primarily from data 

on water rights and reports by the State Engineer, Bureau of 

Reclamation, and Geological Survey.

Very little surface storage has been provided in this basin because the soil in the upper basin is, in general, highly permeable. 

The permeability factor has limited the amount of land that can 

be irrigated by a single canal.

A net consumptive use of 1.6 acre-feet per acre has been used 

for all lands in the Salmon River basin. It is assumed that neither 

the diversion nor the return flow bypasses any of the several gaging stations listed in the cited tables. The average streamflow 

depletion in this basin is relatively minor in comparison to its 

yield. For the area above the gaging station on Salmon River below Yankee Fork near Claytori, it amounts to only 1 percent of 

long-term yield based on the period 1922 through 1946. Downstream at the gaging station near Challis it amounts to 1. 5 percent of the long-term yield bashed upon the period 192? through 

1946. The average depletion for the period 1921 through 1945 for 

the basin above the gaging station at White Bird amounts to 2 percent of the yield of the basin above this point.
100 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVEF BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff and estimated depletion for upper Salmon Fiver basin

Year

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Salmon River 

near 

Obsidian, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

30

510

640

770

860

960

960

960

960

960

960

960

960

960

960

1,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

1,550

1,600

1,600

1,700

1,700

1,700

1,700

1,700

1,700

Valley Creek 

at 

Stanley, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

90

240

340

440

450

470

480

490

490

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

510

520

540

550

560

570

590

Salmon River below Yankee Fork 

near Clayton, Idiho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

QA *7V

44n ^Ttl/

940

2,500

2,790

2,990

3,140

3,280

3,320

3,360

3,360

3,360

3,360

3,360

3,360

3,360

3,360

3,500

3,700

3,900

4,200

4,550

4,800

5,110

5,420

5,740

5,950

5,960

5,970

5,990

Runoff 

(acre-feet)

696,000

437,000

444,000

848,000

852,000

498,000

566,000

415,000

675,000

624,000

532,300

576,500

699,900

428,800

818,200

493,900

584,700

553,300

713,700

1,139,000

610,600

571,300

753,900

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

140

700

1,500

4,000

4,460

4,780

5,020

5,250

5,310

5,380

5,380

5,380

5,380

5,380

5,380

5,380

5,380

5,600

5,920

6,240

6,720

7,280

7,680

8,180

8,670

9,180

9,520

9,540

9,550

9,580
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 101

Irrigated area, annual runoff and estimated depletion for central Salmon River basin

Year

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Salmon River near Challis, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

200

3,270

3,500

3,590

4,040

4,930

6,800

7,090

7,290

7,440

7,580

7,620

7,660

7.660

7,660

7,660

7,660

7,660

7,660

7.660

7,800

8,000

8,200

8,500

8,850

9,100

9,410

9,720

10,040

10,250

10,260

10,270

10,290

Annual 

runoff 

(acre -feet)

768,000

878,000

619,000

1,010,000

910,000

735,400

854,800

1,015,000

636,900

1,218,000

738,800

854,800

835,200

1,100,000

1,667,000

967,800

846,200

1,092,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

300

5,230

5,600

5,740

6,460

7,890

10,900

11,300

11,700

11,900

12,100

12,200

12,300

12,300

12,300

12,300

12,300

12,300

12,300

12,300

12,500

12,800

13,100

13,600

14,200

14,600

15,100

15,600

16,100

16,400

16,400

16,400

16,500

Pahsimeroi River 

near 

May, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

4,290

11,470

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

19 ±£t , 4QO rr<7U

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

12,490

North Fork Salmon 

River at North 

Fork, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

oqn £tO\J

637

770

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

820

830

830

830

840

840

840

840

840

840

840
102 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN 

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Salmon River tasin

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Salmon River

near

French Creek, Idaho

Irrigated area

(acres)

530

5,940

24,810

41, 140

48,420

54,600

67,380

80,470

81,700

82,630

83,330

84,080

84,634

84,977

85,301

85,410

85,570

85,740

85,790

85,920

85,930

86,090

86,300

86,520

86,940

87,300

87,570

87,910

88,240

88,580

88,810

88,850

88,880

88,920

Little Salmon

River basin

Irrigated area

(acres)

35

QQn yyv

3,670

4,970

6,550

8,230

9,900

10,320

10,740

11, 160

11,580

12,000

12,280

12,560

12,840

13,120

13,400

13,420

13,440

13,460

13,480

13,500

13,510

13,510

13,520

13,530

13,530

13,530

13,540

13,540

13,550

13,550

13,600

Salmon River at White Bird, Idaho

Irrigated area

(acres)

530

5,970

26,000

45,510

54,750

63,240

78,060

92,960

94, 640

95,990

97,110

98,280

99,250

99,880

100,480

100,880

101,330

101,820

101,930

102,120

102,200

102,440

102,730

103,000

103,480

103,900

104,200

104,560

104,920

105,270

105,520

105,580

105,620

105,720

Runoff

(acre -feet)

9,480,000

9,260,000

9,570,000

7,330,000

5,690,000

10,600,000

9,320,000

6,970,000

10,800,000

8,040,000

7,130,000

5,030,000

8,190,000

4,960,000

9,110,000

9,330,000

5,890,000

6,190,000

4,200,000

7,940,000

7,410,000

5,536,000

5,827,000

7,106,000

4,687,000

8,907,000

5,857,000

6,460,000

6,444,000

8,786,000

11,480,000

6,107,000

6,576,000

7,596,000

Estimated

depletion

(acre -feet)

850

9,550

41,600

72,800

87,600

101,200

124,900

148,700

151,400

153,600

155,400

157,200

158,800

159,800

160,800

161,400

162, 100

162,900

163,100

163,400

163,500

163,900

164,400

164,800

165,600

166,200

166,700

167,300

167,900

168,400

168,800

168,900

169,000

169,200

GRANDE RONDE RIVER

The Grande Ronde River drains 4,070 square miles, of which 

most is in northeastern Oregon and only a very small part, near 

the mouth of the stream, is in southeastern Washington. The 

stream rises on the eastern slope of the Blue Mountains and flows 

generally northeastward to its confluence with the Snake River. 

The upper and lower parts of the basin are mountainous; the agricultural land lies near the center of the basin in the vrlleys of 

the Grande Ronde and the Wallowa Rivers.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 103

These two valley areas were irrigated by private enterprise. 

Some of the adjudicated rights date back into the decade of 1860- 

70. By 1900 about half of the lands currently irrigated had been 

developed. In the valley of the Grande Ronde the irrigated land 

is between Union, Cove, La Grande and Elgin. Poor drainage 

and a consequent high water table are local problems in this basin. 

In this report the irrigated acreage (table p. 104) was derived 

after a field reconnaissance and a study of the water rights by 

the county agent, the watermaster for Union County, and representatives of the Survey. One of the difficulties in reaching an 

accurate determination of irrigated area in this valley has been 

the combination of relatively high precipitation and a high water 

table. Under these circumstances the amount of land actually irrigated in any year depends to a large extent upon variations in 

precipitation. Nevertheless water is used consumptively regardless of its source, and so all lands with an active water right 

have been classified as irrigated. Water is diverted from Catherine Creek, a tributary of the Grande Ronde, for use ir the Powder River basin. The land using this water has been included in 

the table on page 95.

Irrigation in the Wallowa River valley has paralleled, to a large 

degree, that on the Grande Ronde River valley except that there 

has been very little increase in acreage of land irrigated during 

the past 30 years. The irrigated land, some 54,000 acres, as 

shown in the following table, lies between Wallowa Lake and 

Wallowa.

Since 1906 the Wallowa Improvement District No. 1 har received 

a portion of its water supply by diversion from Sheep Creek, a 

tributary of the Imnaha River. The lands using this water have 

been included in the following table. About 41,000 acre-feet storage capacity is available in Wallowa Lake.

In addition to these two valleys, a few hundred acres of land are 

irrigated with water from Joseph Creek. These have been included 

in the following table for purposes of estimating depletion for the 

subdivision. A net consumptive use of 1.2 acre-feet per acre was 

used for the irrigated land in the entire subdivision. For purposes 

of this report, it was assumed that all diversion and return flow 

occurs above the gaging station on Grande Ronde River at Rondowa. 

The average depletion for period 1927 through 1946 amounts to 7.4 

percent of the yield of the basin above the gaging station at Rondowa 

and has changed very slightly over the period of record.
104 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Grande Ronde River basin

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Wallowa River 

basin

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,041

10,402

30,529

40,415

42,831

44,211

51,173

51.376

51,709

51,830

51,987

52,207

52,570

52,698

52,871

53,035

53,389

53.480

53,578

53,619

53,686

53.935

54,011

54,203

54.318

54,378

54,501

54,606

54.669

54,727

54,769

54,769

54,846

Grande Ronde River at Rondowa, OTCT.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

7,260

14,988

28,495

51,316

65,481

70,855

77,066

84,701

85,160

85.720

86,136

86,517

86,993

87,682

88,049

88,373

88,682

89,213

89,347

89,501

89.697

89,816

90.168

90,950

91,762

92,596

92,936

93,495

93,642

93,705

93,763

93,805

94, 105

94,449

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

1,650,000

2.050.000

1,130.000

977,000

876,000

1.850,000

1,640,000

1,069,000

1,092,000

1,356,000

999,200

1.418.000

1.186.000

1,121.000

1,214,000

1.682,000

2,138,000

925,200

1,323,000

1,800,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

8,710

18,000

34,200

61.600

78,600

85,000

92,500

101,600

102,200

102,900

103.400

103,800

104,400

105,200

105,700

106,000

106,400

107,100

107.200

107.400

107,600

107.800

108.200

109,100

110,100

111, 100

111,500

112,200

112.400

112.400

112.500

112,600

112.900

113.300

CLEARWATER RIVER

The Clearwater River rises on the western slope of the Bitterroot Mountains and flows generally west to its confluence with the 

Snake River at Lewiston, Idaho. Most of the basin is covered with 

timber and only a very small part of the agricultural land1 is irrigated. (See the following table.)

There are approximately 3, 700 acres of irrigated land within 

this basin, of which 2, 900 acres are within the Lewiston Orchard 

Irrigation District. The remainder is scattered, principally between Kamiah, Idaho and Clarkston, Wash.

TheLewiston Orchard Irrigation District is located on the bench 

just east of Lewiston, Idaho. This project was started ir 1906 by 

private capital. However, the Bureau of Reclamation undertook
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 105

to rehabilitate the system for distribution of water in 1947. The 

project area is highly subdivided, with the average individual 

tract being 5 acres. Water supply, which is received from several creeks just east of the project, is delivered in pressure 

conduits.

The net consumptive use was estimated at 1.5 acre-feet per 

acre, based upon computations by Lowry-Johnson method. Return flow from these lands is captured by the Snake River above 

the gaging station near Clarkston.

Irrigated area, and estimated depletion for Clearwater River basin

Year

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Clearwater River 

at Kamiah, Idaho

Irrigated area 

(acres)

19

36

56

60

75

90

100

120

140

150

160

180

200

210

220

240

260

280

300

310

330

340

360

370

380

390

400

410

420

Clearwater River at rrouth

Irrigated area 

(acres)

550

1,750

1,860

3,960

3,860

3,860

3,870

3,810

3,760

3,690

3,630

3,570

3,480

3,430

3,410

3,350

3,370

3,380

3,400

3,410

3,450

3,490

3,500

3,550

3,560

3,460

3,470

3,480

3,500

3,510

3,520

3,630

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

820

2,620

2,790

5,940

5,790

5,790

5,800

5,720

5,640

5,540

5,440

5,360

5,220

5,140

5,120

5,020

5,060

5,070

5,100

5,120

5,180

5,180

5,250

5,320

5,340

5,190

5,200

5,220

5,250

5,260

5,280

5,440
106 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVEF BASIN 

SNAKE RIVER, OXBOW TO CLARKSTON

There are only minor areas of irrigation between the gaging 

stations on the Snake River at Oxbow and near Clarkston, other 

than in the subdivision already discussed. The station near Clarks - 

ton is the furthest downstream station on the main stem of the 

Snake River for which discharge records are available and as 

such, affords an opportunity to evaluate the aggregate streamflow 

depletion that can be directly attributed to the irrigation in the 

Snake River basin. The average depletion during the period 1929 

through 1946, amounts to 12.7 percent of the yield of the basin 

above the gaging station near Clarkston. During this period, the 

irrigated area has been increasing, and the depletion for 1946 

represents 13.7 percent of the long-term yield, 19 percent of the 

yield during 1931, or 8.8 percent of the yield during 1943. These 

values indicate the percentage of the yield of the basin, during 

an average, a low, and a high water year respectively, which is 

used consumptively by the 1946 stage of irrigation development 

in the Snake River basin. The irrigated area and estimated depletion above the gaging station Snake River near Clarkston is 

shown in the following table, and for the Columbia Fiver below 

the Snake River in the table on page 108.
SNAKE RIVER BASIN 107

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Snake River near Clarkstqn, Wash.

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921 

1922 

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1935

1936 

1937 

1938 

1939 

1940

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

27,964

93,143

352,750

833,254

1,123,630

1,573,341

2.027,583

2,372,260

2,416,834 

2,424,859 

2,440,359

2,394,828

2,460,645

2,424,107

2,495,121

2,496,492

2,506,227 

2,503,463

2,447,814 

2,515,129 

2,535,473 

2,436,248 

2,542,671

2,575,719 

2,619,679 

2,657,810 

2,682,664 

2,707,010

2,720,486 

2,748,265 

2.784,576 

2,804,425 

2,812,346 

2,825,256

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

46,500,000

46,300,000

42,600,000

28,900,000

30,800,000

49,800,000 

39,400,000

27,000,000 

25,000,000

20,600,000 

34,800,000 

32,700,000 

29,400,000 

25,020,000

31,460,000 

22,310,000 

37,540,000 

27,320,000 

28,810,000

26,290,000 

34,490,000 

49,030,000 

25,500,000 

30,800,000 

a7, 860, 000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

44,920

150,260

550,650

1,313,530

1,793,600

2,556,200

3,373,320

3,968,310

4,004,540 

4,048,840 

4,068,880

4,010,240

4,096,760

4,049,040

4,162,750

4,162,550

4,179,340 

4,173,950

4,101,550 

4,196,100 

4,230,960 

4,079,900 

4,239,000

4,294,850 

4,302,330 

4,442,740 

4,488,020 

4,535,740

4,560,020 

4,610,870 

4,676,670 

4,713,570 

4,727,760 

4,750,310
108 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area and estimated depletion for the Columbia River below Snake River

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

^

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

2,020

39,964

125, 143

457,710

1,105,557

1,545,186

2,120,073

2,669,905

3,119,274

3,165,788

3,191,684

3,199,184

3,155,214

3,217,787

3,183,197

3,243,963

3,248,298

3,260,008

3,274,716

3,247,198

3,325,323

3.349,275

3,273,397

3,393,571

3,412,248

3,483,958

3,524,225

3,550,475

3,577,995

3,592,327

3,624,328

3,667,951

3,690.618

3,714,320

3,748,046

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

2,300

59,650

187,400

687,440

1,697,650

2,428,280

3,416,360

4,407,350

5,175,730

5,216,600

5,292,480

5,304,260

5,242,150

5,330,980

5,287,060

5,387,770

5,386,790

5,402,740

5.435,310

5,411,510

5,519,080

5,564,110

5,452,560

5,634,690

5,667,220

5,719,480

5.869,910

5,916,100

5,969.720

5,996,100

6,062,350

6,135,050

6,175,550

6,218,140

6,276,290

COLUMBIA RIVER, SNAKE RIVER TO THE DALLES

WALLA WALLA RIVER

The Walla Walla River in southern Washington and northern 

Oregon, is the first tributary to the Columbia River downstream 

from the Snake River. It drains 1,760 square miles. The river 

heads in the northern tip of the Blue Mountains and flows generally westward to its confluence with the Columbia River near 

Wallula, Wash.

Owing to its advantageous location and terrain, the Walla Walla 

River valley was traversedby the earliest explorers and settlers, 

and consequently was settled earlier than most other parts of the 

Oregon Territory. Marcus Whitman established a mission in this 

valley in 1836. He diverted water from Doan Creek to irrigate 

garden crops at the mission and soon interested the Indians in 

doing likewise.
COLUMBIA RIVER, SNAKE RIVER TO THE DALLES 109

Irrigation in this basin has been financed by private capital, 

through small irrigation districts or companies and individual 

enterprise. The irrigated land is concentrated largely between 

Walla Walla, Wash, and Freewater, Oreg. and at present totals 

about 37,000 acres. Of this amount about 22,000 acres are in 

Washington and 15,000 acres are in Oregon. While most of the 

area shown in the following table is supplied by direct diversion 

from small tributaries and branches of the main stream, there is 

an increasing use of wells and springs for supplemental supply. 

The average values in the cited table were compilec1 primarily 

from adjudicated rights and records of the irrigation districts and 

companies, supplemented by local inquiry. Mr. W. C. Mason, 

assistant watermaster for Umatilla County, Oreg., was helpful 

in supplying data for the Oregon portion of the valley.

The net consumptive use in the Walla Walla valley was estimated 

at 1.9 acre-feet per acre, based upon computations by the LowryJohnson method. Return flow from the irrigated lands was assumed to be complete only at the mouth of the river.

Irrigated area and estimated depletion for Walla Walla River bapin

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,280

2,950

7,170

12, 100

16,070

22.370

29,620

33,300

32,960

32,790

32,630

32,510

32,240

31,970

32, 130

31,790

31,450

31,850

32,320

32.710

33, 190

33,600

34,000

34, 350

34.750

35,090

35,500

35,520

35,550

35,690

35,790

35,820

36,470

36,680

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

2,430

5,600

13,600

22,990

30,530

42,500

56,280

63,270

62,620

62,300

62,000

61,770

61,260

60,740

61.050

60,400

59.760

60.520

61.410

61.150

63.060

63,840

64,600

65,260

66,020

66.670

67,450

67.490

67,540

67,810

68.000

68,060

69.290

69 , 690
110 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

UMATILLA RIVER

The Umatilla River heads in the Blue Mountains of northeastern 

Oregon and flows generally westward to its confluence with the 

Columbia River at Umatilla, Oreg. It drains 2,290 square miles. 

The upper reaches of this basin are heavily forested, but the middle part is largely rolling plains devoted to dry farming. The irrigated area is located primarily on the lower plains near the 

mouth of the river.

Irrigation in the Umatilla River basin started about 1860, expanded slowly until shortly after 1900 and at presert is about 

45,000 acres. In 1905 the Bureau of Reclamation started work on 

its Umatilla project which comprises two operating divisions -- 

namely, the East or Hermiston and the West Extension divisions. 

The project includes 13,000 acres near Umatilla. Storage of flood 

waters is provided in two reservoirs, Cold Springs and McKay 

Creek Reservoirs. The Cold Springs Reservoir was built in 1907, 

with a capacity of 50,000 acre-feet. It is supplied with water from 

the Umatilla River by means of a feeder canal which diverts water near Echo. The McKay Creek Reservoir was built during 

1923-26 on McKay Creek near Pendleton, and has a capacity of 

73,660 acre-feet. Besides furnishing water to the Hermiston and 

West Extension divisions, these reservoirs supply some water to 

the private irrigation districts below Pendleton.

Nine irrigation districts have been developed by private capital, 

the Stanfield Irrigation district and the Westland Irrigation Districtbeing the two largest. There are also small irrigation developments on Birch and Butter Creeks. There is a small amount of 

water diverted from upper reaches of the John Day River into Butter Creek. The following table shows the distribution of the irrigated area within the basin. The values shown in this table were 

compiled largely from records of the Oregon State Engineer and 

the Bureau of Reclamation: according to Mr. M. B. Bennett, watermaster of Umatilla County, these should be very close to the 

actual irrigated acreage.

A net consumptive use of 2. 0 acre-feet per acre was used for 

all lands in this basin. Return flow from these lands was estimated to reach the Umatilla River above its confluence with the 

Columbia. This may be slightly in error because of the irrigated 

bench lands lying along the Columbia River, but for p-irpose of 

this report this small bypass has been disregarded. The average 

net streamflow depletion for the period 1921 through 1945 amounted 

to 23.2 percent of the yield of this basin. It has remaired essentially constant during this 25-year period.
COLUMBIA RIVER. SNAKE RIVER TO THE DALLES 111

Irrigated area, annual runoff and estimated depletion for Umatilla Rivtr basin

Year

1860 

1870 

1880 

1890 

1900

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920

1921 

1922 

1923 

1924 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1935

1936 

1937 

1938 

1939 

1940

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946

McKay Creek 

basin

Irrigated area 

(acres)

30 

60 

834

1,777

1,399

1,627

1.686

1.686 

1,686 

1,710 

1,819 

1,937

2,072 

2,193 

2,193 

2,193 

2,193

2.193 

2,193 

2,193 

2,193 

2,193

2,203 

2.203 

2,203 

2,203 

2,229

2,229 

2,229 

2,229 

2,229 

2,229 

2.229

Birch Creek 

basin

Irrigated area 

(acres)

36 

691 

1.365 

2,039

2,525

3,007

3,612

3,707

3,717 

3,722 

3,722 

3,750 

3,771

3,771 

3,771 

3,869 

3,869 

3,869

3,869 

3,869 

3,869 

3,869 

3,907

3,945 

4,065 

4,065 

4,070 

4,070

4,091 

4,091 

4,091 

4,091 

4.091 

4.091

Butter Creek 

basin

Irrigated area 

(acres)

1,111 

2,084 

2.901 

5,150

5,475

5.475

5,475

5,618

5,618 

5,618 

5,618 

5,618 

5,618

5,663 

5.663 

5,663 

5,663 

5.663

5,663 

5.663 

5,663 

5,663 

5,663

5,663 

5,663 

5,663 

5,663 

5,663

5,663 

5,663 

5,663 

5,663 

5,784 

5,784

Umatilla River near Umatilla, Oreg.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

23

1,226 

3,785 

5,669 

12,990

18,794

25,712

36,491

43,096

43,132 

43,189 

43,244 

43,416 

43,555

43,735 

43,858 

43,956 

44,018 

44,018

44,018 

44,078 

44,078 

44,078 

44,150

44,241 

44,601 

44,721 

44,726 

44,786

44,807 

44,807 

44,807 

44,807 

45,048 

45,134

Runoff 

(acre-fee4^

805,40"? 

208,00? 

435,00? 

619,00? 

299,00? 

242, 00"? 

477,001

204,00") 

620,00? 

631, 00"? 

327,001 

169,001

667,00"? 770,00" 

456,00"? 

265,00? 

445.001

578,001 

475,001 

251,001 

249,001 

308,000

174,001 

338,001 

613,001 

212,001 

160,001

197,001 

472,00"? 

332,00"? 

183,301 

149,201

234, 801 170,70" 

226,70" 

203,101 

223,901

123,60" 

386,301 

558,601 

172,60" 

303,701 

385,101

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

50 

2,450 

7,570 

11,340 

25,980

37.590

51,420

72,980

86,190

86,260 

86,380 

86,490 

86,830 

87,110

84,470 

87,720 

87,910 

88,040 

88,040

88,040 

88,160 

88,160 

88,160 

88,300

88.481 

89,200 

89,440 

89,450 

89,570

89,610 

89,610 

89,610 

89,610 

90,100 

90,270
112 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

WILLOW CREEK

Willow Creek drains approximately 900 square miles of land 

lying between the John Day and the Umatilla watersheds in northcentral Oregon. The irrigation projects have been minor and have 

changed little since about 1910. Most of the lands are scattered 

along both the main stem and tributaries and have been developed 

by private enterprise. During the autumn there is insufficient 

water to supply all water rights in full. In the "Review Report of 

Columbia River and Tributaries, " Appendix, K, "Minor Tributaries below the Yakima River, " by the Corps of Engireers, Department of the Army, October 1, 1948, the following statement 

is made: "Owners of most of these lands have established rights 

to the waters of the streams for irrigation, but the water supply 

is so undependable that only about 60 percent of these lands are 

irrigated. In the valley below Heppner a total of 69 separate diversion rights for the irrigation of 3, 760 acres has been established." The steep gradient of the river makes it easytc construct 

and operate small canals suitable for supplying individxial farms. 

There is no storage reservoir within the basin. A small amount 

of water is diverted into the upper reaches of Willow Creek from 

the John Day River basin to the south.

There is no gaging station within the Willow Creek basin so that 

the total irrigated acreage shown in the following table is not subdivided. A net consumptive use of 1.7 acre-feet per acre was estimated for the irrigated lands. Return flow is assumed to be recaptured above the mouth of the creek.
COLUMBIA RIVER, SNAKE RIVER TO THE DALLES 113

Irrigated area and estimated depletion for Willow Creek basir

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

146

1,137

2, 127

4,499

5,679

6,253

6,458

6,491

6,505

6,519

6,573

6,615

6,630

6,662

6,667

6,687

6,687

6,719

6,719

6,719

6,719

6,850

6,870

6,887

6,887

6,887

6,887

6,887

6,887

6,887

6,887

6,887

6.887

6,887

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

250

1,930

3,610

7,650

9,650

10,630

10 , 980

11,030

11,060

11,080

11,170

11,250

11,270

11,320

11,330

11,370

11,370

11,420

11,420

11,420

11,420

11,640

11,680

11,710

11,710

11,710

11,710

11,710

11,710

11,710

11,710

11,710

11,710

11,710

JOHN DAY RIVER

The earliest settlers in the John Day River basin were cattlemen who came to the valley near Prairie City about 1860. Soon 

after, the area had a short-lived gold rush following a discovery 

of gold near Canyon City. Settlement of the basin has been slow 

owing to lack of adequate transportation facilities. Irrigation, 

which has increased with the growth of the livestock industry, is 

used primarily to grow forage crops for local consumption and has 

been developed mostly by private enterprise. The earlier projects 

were centered around Prairie City and are reported to have begun 

shortly after 1860. Most of the irrigation is done or the upper 

reaches of the river, where the agricultural land lies close enough 

to the stream to permit simple diversion works. The lower reaches 

of the river flow mostly through canyons, and there the land, in 

general, is unsuitable for farming.

279538 O - 53 - 9
114 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER EASIN

There are no large reservoirs within the basin and most of the 

lands served by existing irrigation ditches would benefit from 

supplemental stored water. Two small diversions carry water 

from the John Day River basin at present -- one into Willow Creek 

and the other into Butter Creek, a tributary of the Umatilla River, 

However, comparatively small amounts of water are carried. 

The Teel project included plans for an interbasin diversion of 

water from Camas Creek into Butter Creek by means of a long 

canal and tunnel with a capacity of 350 second-feet; however, this 

project was closed down because of financial difficulties and has 

never been completed.

The irrigated acreages which are shown in the following table 

are based primarily upon the records of Oregon State Engineer, 

which agree fairly well with the reports published by the Bureau 

of the Census of 1939. It is believed that these two records represent the amount of land which ordinarily is irrigated during the 

years of sufficient water supply. Tabulation of irrigated area have 

been subdivided to show the area above the gaging stations, North 

Fork John Day River near Monument and John Day River at McDonald Ferry. Return flow from the lands above these two gaging 

stations is assumed to reach the main stem of the river above the 

respective stations. In this basin, net consumptive use of 1. 7 

acre-feet per acre was estimated for the irrigated lands. The 

average streamflow depletion for the period 1921 through 1945 

amounts to 6. 0 percent of the yield of this basin above McDonald 

Ferry. It has increased only slightly during this period, and in 

1946 the net depletion represents 6. 3 percent of the long-term 

yield of this basin.
COLUMBIA RIVER, SNAKE RIVER TO THE DALLES 115

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for John Day River basin

Year

1860 

1870 

1880 

1890 

1900

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915

1916 

1917 

1918 

1919 

1920

1921 

1922 

1923 

1924 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1935

1936 

1937 

1938 

1939 

1940

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946

North Fork 

John Day River 

at Monument, Oreg.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

74 

406 

1.751 

2,162

2,310

2,804

3,168

3,615

3,642 

3,652 

3,692 

3,702 

3,714

3,726 

4,002 

4,177 

4,248 

4,272

4,308 

4,308 

4,321 

4,338 

4,346

4,351 

4,378 

4,378 

4,530 

4,574

4.624 

4,626 

4,642 

4,699 

4,739 

4,894

John Day River at McDonald Ferry, Oreg.

Irrigated area 

(acres)

85 

3,891 

11,613 

23,018 

28, 261

32,005

38,148

42,087

44,415

44,500 

44,731 

44,971 

45,254 

45,300

45,511 

46,615 

47,149 

47,370 

47,598

47,657 

47,710 

47,768 

47,835 

47,993

48,092 

48,183 

48,723 

49,026 

49,220

49,378 

49,411 

49,443 

49,626 

49,742 

50,307

Runoff 

(acre-feet)

1,430,000 

2,100,000 

981,800 

992,000 

1,500,000

961,000 

2,410,000 

1.770,000 

1,520,000 

729,000

2,380,000 

2,250,000 

1,370,000 

1,280,000 

1,520,000

2,610,000 

2,170,000 

1,420,000 

803,000 

1,510,000

769,000 

1,620,000 

1,930,000 

974, 000 

531,000

579,000 

1.650,000 

1.160,000 

461,500 

665,300

876,600 

1,057,000 

1,615,000 

943,200 

1,026,000

1,157,000 

2,041,000 

2,443,000 

623,300 

1,220,000 

1,559,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

140 

6,610 

19,740 

39,130 

48,040

54,410

64,850

71,550

75,510

75,650 

76,040 

76,450 

76,930 

77,010

77,370 

79,250 

80.150 

80,530 

80,920

81,020 

81,110 

81.210 

81,320 

81,590

81,760 

81,910 

82,830 

83,340 

83,670

83,940 

84,000 

84,050 

84,360 

84,560 

85.520
116 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BAS'N

DESCHUTES RIVER

Irrigation in Deschutes River basin has increased gradually 

since about 1880 with the largest spurts from 1890 to 1910 and 

after 1945. This basin has extensive irrigable land, but because 

the soil commonly is very permeable, a large part of it has been 

without an adequate water supply. The earliest irrigation ventures were started as Carey Act projects, the largest of which 

are the Crook County Improvement District, the Arnold Irrigation Co., the Central Oregon Irrigation District and the Swalley 

Irrigation Co. All are in the upper valley near Bend, Oreg.

The Crooked River is the largest tributary of the Deschutes 

and its irrigated area is about 38, 000 acres out of a total of 

145, 000 irrigated acres in all the Deschutes River basin. Most 

of the irrigation in the valley of Crooked River is in the headwater 

area above Ochoco Creek. The only large irrigation project in 

the valley, the Ochoco Irrigation Co. was developed by private 

capital in 1921. It started with an irrigable area of 22, 000 acres 

but later this was reduced to 8,500 acres because of water shortages. (See table on page 118.)

Smaller tributaries along the lower Deschutes River, namely 

Squaw and Tumalo Creeks, have scattered tracts of irrigated land 

but their total irrigated area is small in comparison with that of 

the main valley. In recent years a small amount of land has been 

irrigated in the White River basinby three small ditch companies. 

There is very little chance for irrigation in the Metolius River 

basin.

The irrigated acreages listed in the tables on pp. 119, 120 have 

been based on adjudicated water rights and the records of the irrigation districts within the Deschutes River basin. They were 

derived independently of, but agree very closely with the values 

given in reports by the Geological Survey (Henshaw, Lewis, and 

McCaustland, 1914), and the Federal Power Commission (Henry, 

Cavanaugh and Henshaw, 1922).

This basin is so subdivided topographically as to defire quite 

closely the points at which most of the return flow from the irrigated areas might be expected to be recaptured by the Deschutes 

River. Along the main stem, the return flow from all the irrigated area above the gaging station near Madras (see table on p. 

119) is assumed to be recaptured above that station; return flow 

from the Crooked River basin, all above the gaging station near 

the mouth of that tributary near Culver, and from the area.s along 

the other tributaries, all above the mouth of the main stem and 

and above the gaging station at Moody near Biggs. (See table on 

p. 120). A net consumptive use of 1.7 acre-feet per acre has been 

used in estimating streamflow depletion.
COLUMBIA RIVER, SNAKE RIVER TO THE DALLES 117

The north unit of the Deschutes project is currently irrigating 

land located north of the Crooked River along the east bank of the 

Deschutes River. The first large scale irrigation by this unit 

started in 1946 and has been expanding since that time. The return flow from this area is assumed to be down Willow and Mud 

Spring Creeks to the Deschutes River. Probably about half this 

area drains to the main stem above the station at Madras and the 

remainder above the station near Biggs.

In the Deschutes River basin streamflow depletion is not a very 

important factor. During the period 1921 through 1945, the average depletion above the gaging station Crooked River near Culver, has amounted to only 5. 2 percent of the yield of the basin. 

There has been only a slight increase during the base period, and 

in 1946, it amounted to 5. 7 percent of the long-term yield. The 

average depletion during the period 1924 through 1946, has amounted to 3. 8 percent of the yield-of the basin above the gaging 

station near Madras. During 1945 and 1946, a large increase in 

irrigated area took place, and for 1946, the depletion amounted 

to 5. 7 percent of the long-term yield. The average depletion 

above the station at Moody during the period 1921 through 1945, 

amounted to 3. 6 percent. For 1946, the depletion amounted to 

5. 1 percent of the long-term yield.
118 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff and estimated depletion for Crooked River basin

Year

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Crooked River

near

Post, Oreg.

Irrigated area

(acres)

530

2,340

5,900

9,300

10,800

11, 800

12,500

13,820

13,900

14. 000

14, 100

14,200

14,250

14,300

14,300

14,300

14,400

14,400

14,500

14,500

14,500

14,600

15,050

15,000

15,000

15,500

15,800

15,900

15,900

16,000

16,000

16,100

16,100

16,200

Crooked River

above Hoffman

Dam near

Prineville, Oreg.

Irrigated area

(acres)

660

2,940

7,500

11,600

13,500

14,600

15,800

17,200

17,300

17,400

17,600

17,700

17,800

17,800

17,900

18,000

18,000

18,100

18,200

18,300

18.400

18,500

18,900

18,900

19,000

19,500

19,800

19,900

20,000

20,000

20,100

50,200

20,300

20,400

Crooked River near Culver, Oreg.

Irrigated area

(acres)

1,190

5,309

13,556

21,124

24,414

26,746

28,217

31,457

31,683

31,752

32, 122

32, 177

32,217

32,231

32,483

32,564

32,594

32,787

32, 837

32,995

33,095

33,213

34, 133

34, 168

34,168

34,203

35,800

36,073

36,126

36,126

36,196

36,651

36,688

37,430

Runoff

(acre -feet)

958,000

1,000,000

920,000

1,170,000

1,041,000

999,000

902,000

1,076,000

928,000

1,110,000

1,076,000

914,000

923,000

894, 000

1,088,000

995,000

894, 700

978,700

1,065,000

1,023,000

1,286,000

977,600

1,087,000

1,069,000

1,183,000

1,460,000

995,800

1,143,000

1,360,000

Estimated

depletion

(acre -feet)

2,020

9,030

23,040

35,910

41, 500

45,470

47,970

53,480

53,860

53,980

54,610

54,700

54,770

54,790

55,220

55,360

55,410

55,740

55,820

56,090

56,260

56,460

58,030

58,090

58,090

58, 150

60,860

61,320

61,410

61,410

61,530

62,310

62,370

63,630
COLUMBIA RIVER, SNAKE RIVER TO THE DALLES 119

Irrigated area, annual runoff and estimated depletion for Deschutes River nes+ Madras, Oreg.

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1915

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

28

1,254

6,015

18,748

40,371

48,156

53,952

65,562

69,647

69,873

69,962

70,736

70,927

70,973

71,185

71,444

71,525

71,605

71,828

71,913

72,071

72,171

72, 289

73,215

73,326

73,326

73,361

74,966

75,361

75,426

75,439

75,569

76,304

78,928

105,752

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

2,980,000

3,370,000

2,920,000

3,340,000

3,400,000

2,900,000

2,800,000

2,600,000

2,840,000

2,910,000

2,824,000

2,988,000

3,744,000

2,938,000

3,461,000

2,907,000

2,829,000

2,690,000

2,866,000

3,703,000

2,942,000

2,811,000

3,262,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre -feet)

50

2,130

10,230

31,870

68,630

81,870

91,720

111,500

118,400

118,800

118,900

120,300

120,600

120,700

121,000

121,500

121,600

121,700

122,100

122,300

122,500

122,700

122,900

124,500

124,700

124, 700

124, 700

127,400

128,100

128,200

128,200

128,500

129,700

134,200

179,800
120 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff, and estimated depletion for Deschtttes River basin

Year

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

1905

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

White River below

Tygh Valley, Oreg.

Irrigated area

(acres)

734

1,762

1,927

2,203

2,870

3,370

4,332

4,647

4,687

4,743

5,041

5,151

5,270

5,295

5,430

5,455

6,550

6,560

6,575

6,724

6,724

6,769

6,769

6,769

6,769

6,769

6,769

6,909

6,909

6,909

7,109

7,109

7,124

7,223

Deschutes River at Moody, near Bigfs, Oreg.

Irrigated area

(acres)

28

2,072

8.415

22.679

46.197

54,815

61,140

73,907

78,746

79,012

79,157

80.229

80,530

80,772

80,959

81,353

81,459

82,634

82,867

82,967

83,274

83,374

83,537

84.463

84,574

84,574

84,609

86,214

86,749

86,814

86,827

87,157

87,892

90,531

117,454

Runoff

(acre -feet)

5.690,000

4,420,000

5,100,000

4,840,000

4,410,000

3,600,000

5,160,000

4,510,000

4,200,000

3,950,000

3,820,000

4,800,000

4,730,000

4,410,000

3,560,000

4,270.000

3,410,000

4,340,000

4,290,000

3,450,000

3,240,000

3,030,000

3,520,000

3,600,000

3,466,000

3.590,000

3,744,000

3,550,000

4,507,000

3,406,000

3,392,000

3.111.000

3,496,000

5,113,000

3,409,000

3,363,000

4,150,000

Estimated

depletion

(acre -feet)

50

3,520

14,300

38,550

78,530

93,190

103,. 900

125,600

133,900

134, 300

134. 600

136,400

136,900

137,300

137,600

138,300

138,500

140,500

140,900

141,000

141,600

141,700

142,000

143,600

143,800

143,800

143,800

146,600

147,500

147,600

147,600

148,200

149,400

153,900

199.700
COLUMBIA RIVER, SNAKE RIVER TO THE DAIJLES 121 

COLUMBIA RIVER NEAR THE DALLES, OREG.

The gaging station on the Columbia River near The Dalles, 

Oreg. is the last one where the yield of the Columbia R'ver basin 

may be measured directly. This affords an opportunity to evaluate the aggregate effects of all upstream irrigation or the yield 

of the basin as shown in the following table. The average streamflow depletion amounted to 4. 7 percent of the yield during the 

period 1921 through 1945. There has been a slight increase in 

irrigated area during the base period and the depletion for 1946 

represents 5. 3 percent of the yield during that period; 7.4 percent of the yield for 1926; and 3. 8 percent of the yield for 1928. 

These values indicate the magnitude of the depletion, which is 

represented by the 1946-stage of irrigation development, in comparison to the average, minimum and maximum yields during the 

base period.

Thus it can be seen, that from an overall viewpoint, the streamflow depletion that can be attributed to irrigation is not a major 

part of the yield of the basin. In fact it is relatively small in 

comparison to the fluctuations caused by the vagaries in climatic 

conditions.
122 IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN

Irrigated area, annual runoff and estimated depletion for the Columbia River near The

Dalles, Oreg.

Year

1860

1870

1880 

1890 

1900

1901

1902

1903

1904

1905 

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910 

1911

1912

1913

1914

1915 

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

1921 

1922 

1923 

1924 

1925

1926 

1927 

1928 

1929 

1930

1931 

1932 

1933 

1934 

1935

1936 

1937 

1938 

1939 

1940

1941 

1942 

1943 

1944 

1945 

1946

Irrigated area 

(acres)

2,156

48,580

153,042 

518,373 

1,209 C04

1,672,550

2,272,696

2,858,468

3,325.324

3,371,897 

3,398,070 

3,406,831 

3,363,539 

3,426,234

3,392,034 

3^454,596 

3,459,339 

3,472,167 

3,487,948

3,461,879 

3,539,814 

3,564,404 

3,489,297 

3,611,047

3,616,892 

3,689,453 

3,730,755 

3,769,328 

3,801,157

3,835,763 

3,846,960 

3,892,035 

3,915,650 

3,943,018 

4, 004, 508

Runoff 

(acre -feet)

192,000,000 

143,000,000 

163,000,000

158,000,000

143,000,000

153,000,000

176,000,000

102,000,000 

114,000,000

166,000,000

143,000,000

139,000,000

154,000,000 

136,000,000

134,000,000

155,000,000

135,000,000

107,000,000 

173.000,000

152,000.000

148,000,000

125,000,000

115,000,000

167,000,000 

133,000,000 

130,000,000 

99,300,000 

146,000,000

85,500,000 

149,000,000 

168,000,000 

96,100,000 

95,200,000

88,400,000 

135,000,000 

143,000,000 

135,100,000 

123,200,000

115,400,000 

93,190,000 

137,700,000 

108,400,000 

107,800,000

94,130,000 

129,300,000 

150,100,000 

86,830,000 

109,200,000 

142,000,000

Estimated 

depletion 

(acre-feet)

2,590

74,910

236,540 

793,670 

1,880,840

2,653,650

3,689,660

4,744.740

5,545,630

5.586,490 

5,662,880 

5,676,770 

5,615,830 

5,704,930

5,661,560 

5,765,420 

5,765,120 

5,782,940 

5,817,110

5,794,400 

5,902,520 

5,949,660 

5,839,520 

6,024,460

6,058,230 

6,112,120 

6,264,360 

6,314,650 

6,369,660

6,396,500 

6,463,080 

6,536,620 

6,578,690 

6,627,700 

6,733,180
1 OQ

IRRIGATION AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETION IN COLUMBIA RIVER l

REFERENCES CITED

Bancroft, H. H., 1890, History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana, San Francisco,

Calif., History Co. 

Bark, D., 1916, Experiments on economical use of irrigation water in Idaho: U. S. Dept.

Agr., Bull. 339. 

Blaney, H. F., 1930, Rainfall penetration and consumptive use of water in Santa Anna

River valley and coastal plain; California Dept. of Public Works, Div. of Water Resources Bull. 33, pt. 1, chap. 2. 

Blaney, H. F.f Ewing, P. A., Israelsen, 0. W., Rohwer, Carl, and Scobey, F. C., Feb.

1938, Water utilization, Upper Rio Grande basin; National Resources Committee, pt.

6, pp. 293-423. 

Blaney, H. F., and others, 1942, Consumptive water use and requirements, report of the

participating agencies, Pecos River Joint Investigations: National Resources Planning Board, pp. 170-230.

Congressional Documents, 1934, 73d Cong., 1st Sess., H. Doc. 103, vol. 2, p. 879. 

Fortier, Samuel, and Young, A. A., 1930, Irrigation requirements of the arid and semiarid lands of the Columbia River basin; U. S. Dept. Agr. Tech. Bull. 200. 

Harding, S. T., 1930, Consumptive use of water in irrigation, Progress report of the Duty

of Water Committee of the Irrigation Division: Am. Soc. Civ. Eng. Trans., vol 94,

pp. 1349-1377.

Hemphill, R. G., 1922, Irrigation in northern Colorado: U. S. Dept. Agr. Bull. 1026. 

Henshaw, F. F., Lewis, J. H., McCaustland, E. J., 1914, Deschutes River, Oregon, and

its utilization, U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 344. 

Henny, D. C., Cavanaugh, J. B., and Henshaw, F. F., 1922, Report to the Federal

Power Commission on uses of Deschutes River, Oregon. 

Lee, C. H., 1912, An intensive study of the water resources of a part of Owens Valley,

Calif.: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 294. 

Lowry, R. L., Jr., and Johnson, A. F., 1942, Consumptive use of water for agriculture:

Am. Soc. Civ. Eng. Trans., vol. 107, pp. 1243-1266. 

National Resources Planning Board, June 1943, State water law in the development of

the West, Report to the Water Resources Committee by its subcommittee on state water law. 

Parker, G. L., and Storey, F. B., 1915, Water powers of the Cascade Range; Part 3,

Yakima River basim U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 369. 

Parshall, R. L., 1930, Experiments to determine rate of evaporation from saturated soils

and river-bed sands: Am. Soc. Civ. Eng. Trans., vol. 94, pp. 961-972. 

Powers, W. L., 1914, Irrigation and soil-moisture investigations in western Oregon:

Oregon Agr. Coll. Exp. Sta. Bull. 122. 

 1917, The economical use of irrigation water: Oregon Agr. Coll. E-o. Sta. Bull.

140. 

Snelson, W. H,, 1922, Irrigation practice and water requirements for crops in Alberta:

Canada Dept. of Interior, Irrigation Series, Bull. 6. 

U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, Dec. 1948, Reclamation Project Data. 

White, W. N., 1932, A method of estimating ground-water supplies based on discharge by

plants and evaporation from soil: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 659-A, pp.

1-106. 

Widtsoe, J. A., and Merrill, L. A., 1912, The yields of crops with differen* quantities of

water Utah Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 117.
INDEX

Appropriation doctrine.

Page

7

Big Lost River................................ 67

Big Wood River ............................. 67-69

Boise River................................... 78-81

Bruneau River................................ 70-71

Burnt River................................... 91-93

Carey Act of 1894.......................... 7

Chelan River ................................ 45-46

Clark Fork, above Missoula, Mont..... 26-27

at St. Regis, Mont...................... 29-30

below Missoula, Mont.................. 27-28

Clarkston to Oxbow, Snake River.......l06-120

Clearwater River ...........................104-105

Columbia River, at Trinidad, Wash... 49-50 

at Grand Coulee Dam, Wash.......... 39-40

at the international boundary......... 35-36

between Yakima River and Snake

River................................... 57

near The Dalles..........................121-122

Colville River............................... 37-38

Consumptive use, coefficient............ 17

definition of .............................. 11-12

estimates of average.................... 15-18

formulas for............................ 17

comparison of ...................... 18

net (table)................................. 22

Crab Creek................................... 50-51

Deschutes River .............................116-120

Earliest irrigation........................... 4

Entiat River.................................. 46-47

Evaporation .................................. 11

Evapotranspiration.......................... 10, 11

Field plots.................................... 13-14

Flathead River, above Flathead

Lake .................................... 31

below Flathead Lake.................... 31-32

Formula for average consumptive

use........................................... 17

Gaging stations, list of.................... 19-20

Grand Coulee Dam, Columbia

River at ............................... 39-40

to Snake River, Columbia River..... 40-56

Grand Ronde River .........................102-104

Heise, Snake River above................ 58-60

Heise to King Hill ......................... 62-66

Henrys Fork .................................. 60-62

History of irrigation in the basin,

earliest irrigation.................... 4

rate of expansion......................... 6

transportation ............................ 5

Page 

Imnaha River.............................. 97-98

International boundary, Columbia

River at.................................. 35-36

International boundary to Grand

Coulee Dam, Columbia River..... 36-40

John Day River ........................... 113-115

Kettle River............................... 36-37

King Hill, Snake River at.............. 69-71

King Hill, ^Heise to.Snake River ..... 62-66

King Hill Lo Murphy, Snake

River..................................... 72-90

King Hill to Neeley, Minor

tributaries............................... 64-66

Kootenai River basin.................... 23-25

Legislation, appropriation

doctrine..................

Carey Act of 1894..........

Reclamation Act of 1902.

riparian doctrine............

Little Lost River...............

Lysimeter........................

Malheur River.............................

Measurements of water consumption, 

methods, field plots..............

inflow and outflow, studies of......

lysimeter................................

soil-moisture method.................

soil tanks................................

water table, fluctuations of.........

Methow River.............................

Minor tributaries, Neeley to Kxng

Hill.......................................

Missoula, Mont., Clark Fork

above................................

Clark Fork below......................

Mud Lake area............................

Murphy, King Hill to.Snake R'ver... 

Murphy to Weiser, Snake River......

7

7

8

6

66

13

81-84

13-14 

15, 18

13

14 

12-13

14 

42-44

64-66

26-27

27-28 

66

72-90 

90-95

Neeley to King Hill, minor

tributaries .............................. 64-66

Okanogan River.......................... 40-42

Owyhee River ............................ 73-77

Oxbow to Clarkston, Snake River.... 106-120

Oxbow, Weiser to.Snake Rive-.<..... 95-105

Payette River............................. 84-87

Pend Oreille River basin............... 25-36

Pend Oreille River below Z Canyon

near Metaline Falls, Wash ......... 32-35

Pine Creek ................................ 96-97

Portneuf River............................ 63-64

125
126 INDEX

Powder River.

Reclamation Act of 1902...............

Return flow, mineral content of......

Riparian doctrine.........................

St. Regis, Mont. , Clark Fork at .....

Salmon River..............................

Snake River................................

above Heise.............................

at King Hill.............................

Grand Coulee to, Columbia

River.................................

Heise to King Hill.....................

King Hill to Murphy...................

Murphy to Weiser......................

Oxbow to Clarkston....................

Weiser to Oxbow ......................

Snake River and Yakima River,

Columbia River between ........M>.

Soil-moisture method of water

consumption measurement*..,.,..... 

Soil tanks, experiments with for water consumption measurement.. 

Sources of data on irrigation ..........

Page 

93-95

10

29-30

99-102

58-120

58-60

69-71

40-56

62-66

72-90

90-95

106-120

95-105

57

14

12-13 

8-10

Spokane River.

Page 

38-39

The Dalles, Columbia River n'.ar.... 121-122

Transpiration ............................. 11

Tributaries, minor, Neeley to King

Hill ....................................... 64-66

Tributary basins, list of................. 19-20

Trinidad, Columbia River at.......... 49-50

Umatilla River............................ 110-111

Walla Walla River ....................... 108-109

Water table, fluctuations of ........... 14

Weiser River............................... 88-90

Weiser to Murphy, Snake River....... 90-95

Weiser to Oxbow, Snake River........ 95-105

Wenatchee River ......................... 47-49

Willow Creek.............................. 112-113

Yakima River ............................. 52-56

Yakima River and Snake Rive^,

Columbia River between .. .,.,,.,. 57

Z Canyon, Pend Ore ill e River

below..................................... 32-35

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFT'CE: O 1953
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 126° 124° 122° 120 118

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1220 PLATE 1

110°

EXPLANATION

 3

Gaging station for which tabulations of irrigated 

area or irrigated area and streamflow 

depletion were prepared

Tributary basin or subdivision for which tabulations 

of irrigated area or irrigated area and 

streamflow depletion were prepared

Numbers refer to table I

Grand Coulee

!L 1^100 V

W Y O M I

114

112

110

124

MAP SHOWING DRAINAGE BASIN OF COLUMBIA RIVER ABOVE THE DALLES, OREGON

279538 O - 53 (In pocket)