"Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 131 Series P, Hydrographic Progress Reports, 36 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR

REPORT

PROGRESS OF STREAM MEASUREMENTS

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF F. H. NEWELL

BY

M. C. HINDERLIDER and JOHN C. HOYT

PART VIII. Platte, Kansas, Meramec, Arkansas, and Red River Drainages

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT FEINTING OFFICE

1905

CONTENTS.

Page.

Letter of transmittal..................................................... 7

Introduction............................................................. 9

Cooperation and acknowledgments ................................. ...... 19

Platte River drainage basin ....... ........................................ 20

North Platte River near Hebron, Colo ............................. 20

North Platte River (North Fork) at Higho, Colo ................... 23

North Platte River near Cowdrey, Colo............................ 25

North Platte River near Pinkhampton, Colo ....................... 28

North Platte River at Saratoga, Wyo .............................. 30

North Platte River at Alcova, Wyo ............................... 34

' North Platte River near Guernsey, Wyo........................... 35

North Platte River near Mitchell, Nebr............................ 39

North Platte River near Bridgeport, Nebr.......................... 42

North Platte River at North Platte, Nebr .......................... 44

Platte River near Lexington, Nebr ................................ 47

Platte River near Columbus, Nebr................................. 50

Big Grizzly Creek at Hebron, Colo ................................ 53

Little Grizzly Creek near Hebron, Colo............................ 55

Roaring Fork River near Hebron, Colo............................ 57

Michigan Creek near Walden, Colo................................ 59

Michigan Creek, or Middle Fork River, near Cowdrey,- Colo ........ 61

Canadian Creek near Cowdrey, Colo............................._-. 64

Laramie River near Glendevey, Colo .............................. 66

Laramie River near Jelm, Wyo ................................... 67

Mclutyre Creek at Gleneyre, Colo................................. 69

South Platte River at South Platte, Colo ........................... 70

South Platte River at Denver, Colo................................ 74

South Platte River near Julesburg, Colo ............................ 77

Clear Creek at Forkscreek, Colo................................... F0

Loup River at Columbus, Nebr.................................... f-2

Miscellaneous measurements...................................... 86

Kansas River drainage basin .............................................. 87

Kansas River near St. George, Kans............................... 88

Kansas River at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway bridge,

Topeka, Kans................................---..---.----.---- 89

Kansas River at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway bridge,

Topeka, Kans............-.......-.................--.-----.--. 90

Kansas, or Kaw, River at Lecompton, Kans ...........----..--.--. 91

Republican River at Benkelman, Nebr .................-----.--... 95

Republican River (South Fork) near Benkelman, Nebr............. 98

Republican River near Bostwick, Nebr ............................ 102

Republican River at Junction, Kans............................... 105

Smoky Hill River at Ellsworth, Kans ............................. 108

3
4 CONTENTS.

Kansas River drainage basin Continued. Page.

Smoky Hill River near Solomon, Kans ............................ Ill

Beaver River (Ladder Creek) near Scott City, Kans................ 112

Blue River near Manhattan, Kans................................. 114

Miscellaneous measurements...................................... 117

Meramec River drainage basin ............................................ 118

Meramec River near Meramec, Mo ................................ 118

Meramec River near Eureka, Mo.................................. 120

Meramec Spring near Meramec, Mo ......................... ...... 123

Arkansas River drainage basin ............................................ 126

Arkansas River near Canyon City, Colo............................ 126

Arkansas River at Pueblo, Colo ................................... 130

Arkansas River near Syracuse, Kans............................... 134

Arkansas River near Dodge, Kans................................. 135

Arkansas River at Hutchinson, Kans .............................. 139

Arkansas River near Arkansas City, Kans.......................... 141

Arkansas River (Salt Fork) near Alva, Okla ....................... 144

Arkansas River (Salt Fork) near Tonkawa, Okla ................... 145

Cimarron River near Kenton, Okla................................ 147

Cimarron River near Arkalon, Kang............................... 148

Cimarron River near Waynoka, Okla.............................. 150

Verdigris River near Independence, Kans.......................... 151

Verdigris River near Catoosa, Ind. T ......... ..................... 153

Fall River at Fallriver, Kans....................................... 154

Neosho River near Neosho Rapids, Kans........................... 156

Neosho River near Humboldt, Kans............................... 157

Grand River near Fort Gibson, Ind. T............................. 158

South Canadian River near Logan, N. Mex ......................... 160

Mora River at La Cueva, N. Mex.................................. 162

Mora Canal at La Cueva, N. Mex.................................. ' 163

Mora River af, Weber, N. Mex .................................... 164

Sapello River at Sapello, N. Mex.................................. 165

Sapello River near Los Alamos, N. Mex............................ 166

Sapello Mill tailrace at Sapello, N. Mex............................ 168

Manuelitos River at Sapello, N. Mex .............................. 169

Ute Creek near Logan, N. Mex.....'..........-..........-.......... 170

Beaver Creek near Beaver, Okla............................... ... 171

Canadian River (North Fork) near Woodward, Okla ............... 172

Canadian River (North Fork) near El Reno, Okla.... ............. 174

Greer Spring at Greer, Mo.........-........-.......-..-----..-... 178

Miscellaneous measurements ...................................... 179

Red River drainage basin......................................-."-......-. 182

Red River (North Fork) near Granite, Okla ....................... 182

Elk Creek near Hobart, Okla ..................................... 183

Otter Creek near Mountain Park, Okla............................. 185

Washita River at Anardarko, Okla ................................ 187

Ouachita River near Malvern, Ark ................................ 190

Miscellaneous measurements...................................... 194

Index ................................................................... 195
ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page. 

PLATE I. Map showing location of principal gaging stations in the United

States....................................................... 10

II. Price current metern, with buzzers .............................. 12

FIG. 1. Cable station, showing section of the river, car, gage, etc ............ 11

5

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,

HYDROGRAPHIC BRANCH, 

Washington, D. C., April 26, 1905.

SIR: I transmit herewith the manuscript of Part VIII of a series of 

twelve papers which compose the Report of Progress of Stream Measurements for the Calendar Year 1904. Parts I to VI of this report 

contain the results of the data collected in the territory east of Mississippi River. Parts VII to XII are devoted to the data collected in the 

territory west of Mississippi River.

The larger part of the original data for this report was collected 

under the direction of district hydrographer M. C. Hinderlider, who 

was assisted by Messrs. R. I. Meeker, J. C. Stevens, A. J. Parshall, 

W. G. Russell, and F. M. Madden. A limited amount of the data 

was collected by other .parties as noted in the list of acknowledgments. 

The assembling of the data and its preparation for publication were 

done under the direction of John C. Hoyt, who has been assisted by 

R. H. Bolster, Robert Follarisbee, Willis E. Hall, A. H. Horton/ 

H. D. Comstock, F. H. Tillinghast, and H. M. Morse.

I request that this manuscript be published as one of the series of 

Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers. 

Very respectfully,

F. H. NEWELL,

Chief Engineer. 

Hon. CHARLES D. WALCOTT,

Director United States Geological Survey.

7

PROGRESS REPORT OF STREAM MEASUREMENTS 

FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 1904.

VIII.

By M. C. HINDERLIDER and JOHN C. HOYT.

INTRODUCTION.

The hydrographic work of the United States Geological Survey 

includes the collection of facts concerning and the study "of conditions 

affecting the behavior of water from the time it reaches the earth as 

rain or snow until it joins the oceans or great navigable rivers. These 

investigations became a distinct feature of the work of the Survey in 

the fall of 1888, when an instruction camp was established at Embudo, 

N. Mex. Since that date the work has been continually and gradually 

extended as larger funds became available. The first distinctive 

appropriation for gaging streams was made by the act of August 18, 

1894, which contained an item of $12,500, "for gaging the streams 

and determining the water supply of the United States, including the 

investigation of underground currents and artesian wells in the arid 

and semiarid sections." (Digest of Appropriations for 1895, p. 270.)

Since that time a similar act has been passed each year and the 

appropriations have gradually increased, as shown in the ' following 

table:

appropriations for hydrographic surreys.

Year ending June 30, 1895 .............................................. $12, 500

Year ending June 30, 1896 .............................................. 25, 000

Year ending June 30, 1897 .............................................. 50, 000

Year ending June 30, 1898 .............................................. 50, 000

Year ending June 30, 1899 .............................................. 50, 000

Year ending June 30, 1900 .............................................. 50, 000

Year ending June 30, 1901 .............................................. 100, 000

Year ending June 30, 1902 ............................................... 100, 000

Year ending June 30, 1903 ............................... \.............. 200, 000

Year ending June 30, 1904 .............................................. 200, 000

Year ending June 30, 1905 .............................................. 200, 000

Year ending June 30, 1906 .............................................. 200, 000

9
10 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART vin. [NO. m.

The chief feature of the work of the hydrographic division is the 

systematic study of the flow of the surface waters and the conditions 

affecting the same. In this connection other information that may be 

of use to the engineer or others in hydrographic studies, such as river 

profiles, duration and extent of damage by floods, water-power data, 

etc., is collected. Furthermore, the work has been so directed that 

the information collected will be of direct value in the commercial and 

agricultural development of the country.

As a result of the increased appropriations since June 30, 1902, the 

work has been largely extended and thoroughly systemized. The 

various States have been grouped into districts, each of which is under 

the supervision of a district hydrographer who, with a corps of assistants, devotes his whole time to the study of the hydrographic 

resources of his district.

The methods used in the collection of these data and in their preparation for publication are given in detail in Water-Supply Paper No. 

9-L (Hydrographic Manual, U. S. Geol. Survey.)

The general plan of stream gaging which has been developed is to 

obtain eventually data in regard to the flow of all the important 

streams in the United States. With this in view, gaging stations are 

established at points where the data will be of greatest commercial 

value. At these stations dischaTge measurements are taken from 

time to time at typical river stages, and the daily surface fluctuation 

is obtained by means of gage reading. From these two factors it is 

possible to estimate both the total flow and its distribution through 

the period of observation.

The selection of the site for a gaging station and the length of time 

the station is maintained depend largely upon the needs of each locality. If the stream is to be used for water power, special efforts are 

made to obtain information concerning the low-water flow. If water 

is to be stored, the high waters are given.special attention. In all 

sections certain permanent stations are maintained for general statistical purposes to show the conditions which exist through long periods. 

They also act as primary stations, and are used in connection with 

short series of measurements to determine the flow in particular 

portions of the drainage basin.

Gaging stations are divided into two general classes: First, currentmeter stations, and, second, weir stations. The former class is subdivided as to location into bridge, cable, boat, and wading stations. 

Fig. 1 shows a cable station with car, tag line, inclined gage, etc. In 

addition to the bridge, cable, or boat, the equipment of a currentmeter gaging station consists in a gage for determining the daily 

fluctuations of the water surface, bench marks to which the zero of 

the gage is referred, and permanent marks on the bridge or a tagged 

line indicating the points of measurement. Where the current is
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 131 PL. I

Ml" !»' 183* in" «t° 117" US* 118" 111 IW* MS* MS" Ml* . »' «° »° «8° M* M° « » » > » 77' tt « * «*

MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, SHOWING JXKJATION OF PBINCIPAI. RTVER STATIONS MAINTAINED DURING 19O4*
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J

INTRODUCTION. 11

swift some appliance, generally a secondary cable, is necessary to hold 

the meter below the surface.

Gaging stations are generally located at bridges, if the channel conditions are satisfactory, as from them the meter can be easily manipulated, and the cost of the equipment is comparatively small. The 

stations are located as far as possible at points where the channel is 

straight, both above and below the gaging section, and where there 

are no cross currents, backwater, or boils. The bed of the stream 

should be as clear as possible from large projections and of a permanent character. The banks should be high, and should overflow at 

high stages only. At stations with shifting beds more measurements 

are made, and special methods of computing daily discharges are 

employed. Great care is taken in the selection and equipment of 

gaging stations in order that the data may have the required degree 

of accuracy.

On many of the larger rivers, where water power is developed by 

dams, estimates of flow are obtained by observing the head on the

FIG. 1. Cable station, showing section of river, car, gage, etc,

crest and using a weir formula. On the smaller streams sharp-crested 

weirs are in some cases erected.

The principal instrument used in stream-measurement work is the 

current meter, by which the velocity of the flow of water is determined. After years of experience the Survey has adopted the Price 

current meter for general work. This meter, as is shown on PI. II, 

is made in two sizes, known as the large and small Price. The small 

Price has been largely developed by the officers of the Survey, using 

the Price acoustic meter as a basis.

A discharge measurement is the determination of the quantity of 

water flowing past a certain point at a given time. This quantity is 

the product of two factors: (1) The mean velocity, which is the func-- 

tion of the cross section, surface slope, wetted perimeter, and roughness of bed; (2) the area, which depends upon the permanency of the 

bed and the fluctuations of the surface, which govern the depth.

In making- the measurement an arbitrary number of points are laid 

off perpendicular to the thread of the stream (see fig. 1). These points
12 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

are usually at regular intervals varying from 2 to 20 feet, depending 

upon the size and conditions of the stream. They are known as 

measuring points, and at them the observed data, the velocities and 

soundings, are taken. The perpendiculars dropped from the measuring points divide the gaging section into strips, and for each strip or 

pair of strips the mean velocity, area, and discharge are determined 

independently; thus conditions existing in one part of the stream are 

not distributed to parts where they do not apply.

The methods of obtaining velocity with the current meters which 

are in general use may be grouped into three classes: Single point, 

multiple point, and integration.

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

depth of the thread of mean velocity, or at an arbitrary depth for 

which the coefficient for reducing to mean velocity has been determined. Extensive experiments by vertical velocity-curves show that 

the thread of mean velocity lies at from 0.5 to 0.7 of the total depth. 

In general practice the thread of mean velocity is considered to be at 

0.6 depth, and it is at this depth that the meter is held in the majority 

of the measurements, this being known as the six-tenth depth method. 

It is found by a large number of vertical velocity-curve measurements, 

taken on various streams and under various conditions, that the coefficient for reducing the velocity obtained at six-tenths depth to mean 

velocity is practically unity, ranging, in a series of 910 measurements 

made at 39 gaging stations, between .94 and 1.04, with a mean for the 

910 observations of 1.00. In the other principal single-point method 

the .meter is held near the surface, usually 1 foot below, or low enough 

to be out of the action of the wind or other disturbing influences. 

This is known as the subsurface method. The coefficient for reducing 

thfe velocities taken at the subsurface has been found by repeated 

experiments with vertical velocity-curves to be from .85 to .95, depending upon the depth of the stream and velocity and channel conditions. 

This method is specially adapted for flood measurements, or when the 

velocity is so great that the meter can not be kept at 0.6 depth.

The three principal multiple-point methods in general use are: The 

vertical velocity curve; top and bottom; and top, bottom, and mid 

depth. In the vertical velocity-curve method a series of velocity 

determinations are taken in the vertical at regular intervals, usually 

from 0.5 to 1 foot apart. By plotting these velocities as abscissas and 

their depths as ordinates, and drawing a smooth curve through these 

points, the vertical velocity-curve is produced, which shows the 

change in velocity from the surface to the bottom of the stream. The 

mean velocity in the vertical is then obtained by dividing the depth 

into the -area bounded by this mean velocity curve and the initial line. 

Owing to the length of time it takes to make these measurements they
r

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 131 PL. II

PRICE CURRENT METERS, WITH BUZZERS.

HINDERLIDER 

AND HOYT,*B] INTRODUCTION. 13

are seldom used except for determining coefficients for purposes of 

comparison and for measurements under ice.

In the second multiple-point method the meter is held from 0.5 to 1 

foot below the surface and about 0.5 foot above the bottom, and the 

mean of the velocities at these two points is taken as the mean velocity 

for that vertical. This methoH is not well adapted for general work, 

as the roughness of the bottom disturbs the velocity at that point. 

For shallow streams with comparatively smooth beds good results are 

obtained by this method. In the third multiple-point methafl' the 

meter is held at mid depth, 0.5 foot below the surface, and 0.5 foot 

above the bottom, and the mean velocity is determined by dividing 

the sum of the top velocity, twice the mid-depth velocity, and the 

bottom velocity by 4.

The vertical-integration method consists in moving the meter at a 

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

the surface. The number of revolutions and the time taken in the 

operation is noted, and the mean velocity is found by dividing the 

number of revolutions by the number of seconds taken in the run. 

This method has the advantage in that the velocity at each point of 

the vertical is measured twice. It is well adapted for measurements 

under ice and as a check on the point methods.

The area, which is the other factor for determining the discharge of 

the stream, depends upon the stage of the river, which is taken on a 

gage, and the general contour of the bed of the stream, which is found 

by sounding. The soundings are usually taken at each measuring 

point at the time of the discharge measurement, either by using the 

meter and cable or by a special sounding line or rod. For stations 

with permanent beds standard cross sections are usually taken during 

low water. These sections serve to check the soundings which are 

taken at the time of the measurements, and from them any change 

which may have taken place in the bed of the stream can be detected. 

They are also used for obtaining the area for use in high-water measurement computations, as accurate soundings are hard to obtain at 

high stages.

In computing the discharge measurements from the observed velocities and depths at the various points of measurements the measuring 

section is divided into elementary strips, as shown in fig. 1, and the 

mean velocity, area, and discharge are determined separately for 

either a single or double strip. The total discharge and area are the 

sums of those for the various strips, and the mean velocity is obtained 

by dividing the total discharge by the total area.

The volume of water flowing in a stream is known as run-off. In 

expressing it various units are used, depending upon the kind of work 

for which the data are needed. Those used in this report are "second-
14 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

feet," " acre-feet," " run-off per square mile," and " run-off in depth 

in inches," and may be defined as follows:

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

the body of water flowing in a stream 1 foot wide, 1 foot deep, at a 

rate of 1 foot per second.

The "acre-foot" is the unit of capacity used in connection with 

storage for irrigation work, and is equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet. 

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

There is a convenient relation between the second-foot and the acrefoot; 1 second-foot flowing for twenty-four hours will deliver 86,400 

cubic feet, which equals 1.9835 acre-feet, or, approximately, 2 

acre-feet.

The expression "second-feet per square mile" means the average 

number of cubic feet of water flowing each second from every square 

mile of drainage area, on- the assumption that the run-off is uniformly 

distributed.

"Depth in inches" means the depth of water in inches that would 

have covered the drainage area, uniformly distributed, if all the water 

could have accumulated on the surface. This quantity is used for 

comparing run-off with rainfall, which quantity is usually given in 

depth in inches.

It should be noticed that "acre-feet" and "depth in inches" represent the actual quantities of water which are produced during the 

periods in question, while "second-feet," on the contrary, is merely 

a rate of flow per second.

The base data for computing the daily discharge of a stream are the 

daily gage heights and the various discharge measurements, of which 

there should be sufficient number to cover the range of stage. The 

fundamental laws upon which these computations are based are the 

following:

(1) The discharge will remain constant so long as the conditions at 

or near the gaging station remain constant;

(2) Neglecting the change of slope due to the rise and fall of the 

stream, the discharge will be the same whenever the stream is at a 

given stage; and

(3) The discharge is both a function of, and increases gradually with, 

the gage heights. (2 and 3 depend on 1.)

As the beds of many streams are changeable, the problem divides 

itself into two classes: (1) Those of streams with permanent, or practically permanent beds, and (2) those of streams with changeable beds. 

The base data and methods of obtaining them are the same for either 

class, and it is only in the computation of the mean daily flow that 

different methods are necessary.

In determining the daily discharge of streams with permanent beds 

the results of the discharge measurements are plotted on cross-section
INTRODUCTION. . 15

paper, with gage heights as ordinates and discharges as abscissas. 

Through these points a smooth curve is drawn, which shows the discharge for any gage height, and from which a rating table is prepared. 

Aside from plotting the discharge, the mean velocity and area determined for each discharge measurement are plotted. Through these 

points the curves of mean velocity and of area are drawn, and the 

rating curve is largely determined by taking the product of the mean 

velocity and the area at various stages as determined by these Curves. 

These curves of mean velocity and area are of special value to determine 

the location of the rating curve for stages at which actual discharge 

measurements are not available and for extending the discharge curve 

outside the limits of the measurements. In the preparation of the rating 

table the discharge for each tenth or half tenth on the gage is found 

from the curve. The first and second differences of these discharges 

are then taken and adjusted according to the law that they shall either 

be constant or increasing, never decreasing. The discharges in the 

table are then changed in accordance with these adjusted differences. 

In making up the station-rating curve the individual discharge measurements and the conditions under which they were taken are carefully 

studied, in order that proper weight shall be given to each measurement. Rating curves in general take the form of a parabola, and as a 

rule the high-water portion of the curve approaches a straight line. 

For stations of permanent character the results of the measurements 

from year to ^year should be within 5 per cent of the curve, with the 

exception of those taken during high water, when the probable error 

may be as high as 10 per cent.

The determination of the daily discharge of streams with changeable 

beds is difficult, and unless frequent discharge measurements are made 

the results obtained are only roughly approximate. For streams with 

continually shifting beds, such as Colorado River and the Rio Grande, 

discharge measurements are made every two or three days, and the 

discharges for the intervening days are obtained by interpolation, 

modified by the gage heights for these days. For stations with beds 

which shift slowly, or are only materially changed during floods, 

station-rating curves and tables can be prepared for the periods 

between changes, and satisfactory results can be obtained with two or 

three measurements a month, providing measurements are taken soon 

after the changes take place.

In determining the flow for periods when the streams are frozen, 

special rating curves and tables have to be prepared from measurements taken under these conditions. The methods of constructing 

these curves and tables are the same as for open sections. The discharge measurements, however, are either taken by integration in 

verticals or by the vertical velocity-curve method, as sufficient experi-
16 STEEAM MEASUEEMENTS IN 1904, PAET VIII. [NO. 131.

ments have not been made on ice-covered streams to determine the 

laws which govern the position of the thread of mean velocit}7 .

The Report of Progress of Stream Measurements for the Calendar 

Year 1904, of which this is Part VIII, is published in a series of 

twelve Water-Supply Papers, Nos. 124-135, inclusive, under the following subtitles:

Part 1. Atlantic coast of New England drainage.

Part 2. Hudson, Passaic, Raritan, and Delaware Eiver drainage.

Part 3. Susquehanna, Patapsco, Potomac, James, Eoanoke, Cape Fear, and Yadkin 

River drainages.

Part 4. Santee, Savannah, Ogeechee, Altamaha rivers, ar.d Eastern Gulf of Mexico 

drainage.

Part 5. Eastern Mississippi River drainage.

Part 6. Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River drainage.

Part 7. Hudson Bay, Minnesota, Wapsipinicpn, Iowa, Des Moines, and Missouri 

River drainages.

Part 8. Platte, Kansas, Meramec, Arkansas, and Red River drainages.

Part 9. Western Gulf of Mexico drainage.

Part 10. Colorado River and the Great Basin drainages.

Part 11. The Great Basin and Pacific Ocean drainages in California.

Part 12. Columbia River and Puget Sound drainage.

The territory covered by each paper is given in the subtitle, and 

the larger drainages are, for convenience in arrangement, subdivided 

into smaller ones, under which the data are arranged, as far as practicable, geographically.

These papers contain the data that have been collected at the regular 

gaging stations, the results of the computations based upon the observations, and such other information that has been collected, that has a 

direct bearing on these data, including, as far as practicable, descriptions of the drainage areas and the streams draining them.

For each regular station are given, as far as available, the following 

data:

1. Description of station.

2. List of discharge measurements.

3. Gage-height table.

4. Rating table.

5. Table of estimated monthly and 37 early discharges and run-off.

The descriptions of stations give, as far as possible, such general 

facts about the locality and equipment as would enable the reader to 

find the station and use the same. They also give, as far as possible, 

a complete history of all the changes that have occurred since the 

establishment of the station that would be factors in using the data 

collected.

The discharge-measurement table gives the results of the discharge 

measurements made during the year. This includes the date, the 

hydrographer's name, the gage height, and the discharge in secondfeet.
HIMDERLIDER"] T-nTmT»/^i-vTT/^rm/~.Ttr 1 *7 AND HOYT. J INTRODUCTION. 1I

The table of daily gage heights gives for each day the mean height 

of the surface of the river as found from the mean of the gage readings taken on that day. At most of the stations the gage is read in 

the morning and in the evening.

The rating table gives discharges in second-feet corresponding to 

each stage of the river as given by the gage heights.

In the table of estimated run-off the column headed "Maximum" 

gives the mean flow for the day when the mean gage height was the 

highest, and it is the flow as given in the rating table for that mean gage 

height. As the gage height is the mean for the day, there might have 

been short periods when the water was higher and the corresponding 

discharge larger than given in this column. Likewise in the column 

of "Minimum" the quantity given is the mean flow for the day when 

the mean gage height was lowest. The column headed "Mean" gives 

the average flow for each second during the month. Upon this mean 

the computations for the three remaining columns which are defined 

on page 14 are based.

In the computations for the tables of this report the following rules 

have been used in general':

Fundamental rules for computation.

1. The highest degree of precision consistent with the rational use of time and 

money is imperative.

2. All items of computation should in general be expressed by at least two and by 

not more than four significant figures.

3. Any measurement in a vertical velocity, mean velocity, or discharge curve whose 

per cent of error is 5 times the average per cent error of all the other measurements 

should be rejected.

4. In reducing the number of significant figures, or the number of decimal places, 

by dropping the last figure, the following rules apply:

(a) When the figure in the place to be rejected is less than 5, drop it without 

changing the preceding figure. Example: 1,827.4 becomes 1,827.

(b) When the figure in the place to be rejected is greater than 5, drop it and 

increase the preceding figure by 1. Example: 1,827.6 becomes 1,828.

(c) When the figure in the place to be rejected is 5, and it is preceded by an even 

figure, drop the 5. Example: 1,828.5 becomes 1,828.

(d) When the figure in the place to be rejected is 5, and it is preceded by an odd 

figure, drop the 5 and increase the preceding figure by 1. Example: 1,827.5 becomes

1 898 J.,OAO.

5. In constructing and applying rating tables a maximum limit of one-half per cent 

error should seldom be exceeded.

Special rules for computation.

1. Rating tables are to be constructed as close as the data upon which they are 

based will warrant. No decimals are to be used when the discharge is over 50 

second-feet.

2. Daily discharges shall be applied directly to the gage heights as they are 

tabulated.

IRK 131 05 2
18 STKEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PAET VIII. [NO. 131.

3. Monthly means are to be carried out to one decimal place when the quantities 

are below 100 second-feet. Between 100 and 10,000 second-feet, the last figure in the 

monthly mean shall be a significant figure. This also applies to the yearly mean.

4. Second-feet per square mile and depth in inches for the individual months shall 

be carried out at least to three significant figures, except in the case of decimals, 

where the first significant figure is preceded by one or more naughts (0), when the 

quantity shall be carried out to two significant figures. Example: 1.25; .125; .012; 

.0012. The yearly means for these quantities are always to be expressed in three 

significant figures and at least two decimal places.

The results of the stream measurements made .during previous years 

by the United States Geological Survey can be found in the following 

Survey publications. A detailed index of these reports (1888-1903) 

is given in Water-Supply Paper No. 119.

1888. Tenth Annual Report, Part II.

1889. Eleventh Annual Report, Part II.

1890. Twelfth Annual Report, Part II.

1891. Thirteenth Annual Report, Part III.

1892. Fourteenth Annual Report, Part II.

1893. Bulletin No. 131.

1894. Bulletin No. 131; Sixteenth Annual Report, Part II.

1895. Bulletin No. 140.

1896. Water-Supply Paper No. 11; Eighteenth Annual Report, Part IV.

1897. Water-Supply Papers Nos. 15 and 16; Nineteenth Annual Report, 

Part IV.

1898. Water-Supply Papers Nos. 27 and 28; Twentieth Annual Report, 

Part IV.

1899. Water-Supply Papers Nos. 35 to 39, inclusive; Twenty-first Annual 

Report, Part IV.

1900. Water-Supply Papers Nos. 47 to 52, inclusive; Twenty-second Annual 

Report, Part IV.

1901. East of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 65 and 75. 

West of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 66 and 75.

1902. East of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 82 and 33. 

West of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 84 and 85.

1903. East of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 97 and 98. 

West of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 99 and 100.

1904. East of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 124 to 129, inclusive. 

West of Mississippi River, Water-Supply Papers Nos. 130 to 135, inclusive.

A limited number of these are for free distribution, and as long as 

the supply lasts they may be obtained by application to the Director 

.United States Geological Survey or to members of Congress. Other 

copies are filed with the Superintendent of Public Documents, Washington, D. C., from whom they may be had at prices little above cost. 

Copies of Government publications are, as a rule, furnished to the 

public libraries in our large cities, where they may be consulted by 

those interested.
STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. 19

COOPERATION ANT) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

Most of the measurements presented in this paper have been obtained 

through local hydrographers. Acknowledgment is extended to other 

persons and corporations who have assisted local hydrographers or 

have cooperated in any way, either by furnishing records of the height 

of water or by assisting in transportation.

The following list, arranged alphabetically by States, gives the 

names of the resident hydrographers and others who have assisted in 

furnishing and preparing the data contained in this report:

Arkansas. District hydrographer, M. E. Hall.«

Colorado. District and resident hydrographer, M. 0. Hinderlider, & assisted by 

E. I. Meeker, assistant engineer; Oro McDermith, Wm. A. Lamb, George B. Monk, 

and L. E. Foster, hydrographers; and Melvin Beeson, Thomas E. Brick, Theodore 

Tobish, and F. L. Meeker, office assistants. Acknowledgments are due the Denver 

and Eio Grande, Colorado and Southern, Burlington and Missouri Eiver, Union 

Pacific, Eio Grande Southern, and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroads for free 

transportation for hydrographers over their lines.

Kansas. District hydrographer, M. 0. Hinderlider, and resident hydrographer, 

W. G. Eussell. Acknowledgments are due the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, 

Union Pacific, Missouri, Kansas and Texas, and Chicago, Eock Island and Pacific 

railway companies for annual passes issued to Mr. Eussell.

Missouri.' District hydrographer, E. Johnson, jr., c assisted by F. W. Hanna, assistant engineer. Acknowledgment should be made to the St. Louis and San Francisco 

Eailroad for transportation furnished to Mr. Hanna between St. Louis and Arlington, 

Mo., and to George B. Mainprize for voluntary observations at Greer Springs, 

Greer, Mo.

Nebraska. District hydrographer, M. C. Hinderlider, and resident hydrographer, 

J. C. Stevens. Valuable assistance was rendered by Prof. O. V. P. Stout, of the University of Nebraska, in the way of the free use by the resident hydrographer of 

office facilities and suggestions in the methods for the collection of field data. 

Acknowledgments are also due the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, Chicago and 

Northwestern, and Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley railroads for annual passes 

issued in favor of Mr. Stevens.

New Mexico. The hydrographic work in the northern portion of this Territory was 

carried on under the direction of District Hydrographer M. C. Hinderlider, assisted 

as follows: The work in the north central portion was in charge of George B. Monk, 

assistant hydrographer; that in the extreme eastern portion was in charge of W. G. 

Eussell, while the work in the northwestern portion "was in charge of Eobert C. 

Prewitt, field assistant. For many favors and courtesies in the form of free accommodations to hydrographers and for assistance in securing records of flow on the Mora 

Eiver acknowledgments are due D. C. Duel, Hugh London, and J. J. Baer, of 

Lacueva, N. Mex.; also to James D. Hand, of Las Alamos, N. Mex., for similar 

favors. Transportation in the form of an annual pass was furnished Mr. Monk by 

the Denver and Eio Grande Eailroad and to W. G. Eussell by the Chicago, Eock 

Island and El Paso Railroad. For the purpose of collecting data in New Mexico 

during the later part of the year an annual pass over the Atchison, Topeka and 

Santa Fe Railway was issued to George B. Monk, for which acknowledgments are due.

« District hydrographer for Arkansas for 1905, T. TJ. Taylor, Austin, Tex.

6 Office of district hydrographer for Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and 

Indian Territories, and Wyoming, Chamber of Commerce Building, Denver, Colo. 

e Office of district hydrographer for Missouri, 876 Federal Building, Chicago, Hi
20 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Oklahoma and Indian Territories. The hydrographic work in the southern part of 

Oklahoma was carried on under the direction of G. H. Matthes, district engineer. 

The remainder of the work was carried on under district hydrographer M. C. Hinderlider by resident hydrographer, W. G. Eussell. Acknowledgments are due the 

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, Missouri, Kansas and Texas, and Chicago, Eock 

Island and Pacific railway companies for annual passes issued to Mr. Eussell.

Wyoming. The hydrographic work in this State has been carried on under the 

direction of the district hydrographer, M. C. Hinderlider, by the resident hydrographer, A. J. Parshall. Acknowledgments are due for annual passes over all their 

lines in Wyoming to the Union Pacific, Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, Colorado 

and Southern, Colorado and Wyoming, and Eremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley 

railroads.

PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

Platte River, one of the largest tributaries of the Missouri, is f ormed 

by the junction of North Platte and South Platte rivers in Lincoln 

County, Nebr., and flows east into Missouri River 18 miles south of 

Omaha, Nebr. The principal tributaries of the Platte in Nebraska 

are Elkhorn and Loup rivers. Elkhorn River rises in the northern, 

part of Nebraska and flows southeast into the Platte about 35 miles 

above its mouth. North Loup, Middle Loup, and South Loup rivers, 

with their tributaries, drain north-central Nebraska and join Platte 

River near Columbus, Nebr.

North Platte River rises in northern Colorado, flows north into 

Wyoming, and then east into Nebraska. Sweetwater and Laramie 

rivers are its principal tributaries. The Sweetwater joins it from the 

west in south-central Wyoming. Laramie River rises in the northern 

part of Colorado and flows north into the North Platte in eastern 

Wyoming. The Little Laramie is a small tributary of Laramie River 

in southern Wyoming.

South Platte River rises in central Colorado, flows north, then east 

to its junction with North Platte River. Its tributaries are mostly 

small creeks. Big Thompson Creek joins it 8 miles south of Greeley, 

Colo. St. Vrain Creek joins it about 15 miles south of Greeley. 

Cache la Poudre River joins it 6 miles east of Greeley. Clear Creek 

joins it about 3 miles north of Denver and Bear Creek 8 miles south 

of Denver.

The following pages contain the results of data collected in the Platte 

River drainage basin during 1904:

NORTH PLATTE RIVER NEAR HEBRON, COLO.

This station was established May 13, 1904, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is located at the highway bridge below the junction of Big Grizzly 

and Little Grizzly creeks, about 4 miles northwest of Hebron, Colo. 

A plain vertical staff gage, graduated to feet and tenths, is fastened 

to the northeast corner of the first pier from the left bank. It is read 

once each day by J. E. Mallon. Discharge measurements are made
HIKDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

from the downstream side of the three-span bridge to which the gage 

is attached, sounding points being marked on the hub rail every 4 

feet from zero to 108 feet. The initial point for soundings is the inner 

face of the left abutment, marked zero on the hub rail downstream 

side of bridge. The bridge lies in a curve in the river of about 150 

feet radius. The current is uniform and of moderate swiftness. Both 

banks are about 5 feet high, lined with willows, and are not liable to 

overflow. Below the bridge the left bank becomes a high sandstone 

cliff. The bed of the stream is composed of gravel, sand, and small 

cobblestones. It is. uniform, free from vegetation, and is permanent. 

There is but one channel at all stages, broken by two log crib piers. 

The bridge is at almost right angles to the current. Bench mark 

No. 1 is a nail driven flush with the top of the cap timber on the west 

side of the crib pier to which the gage is fastened just across the pier 

from the gage. Its elevation is 9.445 feet above the zero of the gage. 

Bench mark No. 2 is a cross cut on a ledge of rock in the cliff on the 

left bank of the river about 50 feet north of the west end of the bridge 

and marked "B. M." Its elevation is 17.805 feet above the zero of 

the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of North Platte River near Hehron, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

May 13...'.....

May 26........

June 27 .......

July 12........

September 12 ..

Hydrographer.

W. A. Lamb.........

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet.

100

85

88

81

64

52

38

Area of 

section.

Sq.fect. 

289

425

402

305

75

28

32

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.40

2.78

2.35

1.56

2.12

2.36

1.00

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.15

6.85

6.45

5.48

4.37

3.80

3.56

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

405

1,180

946

477

159

66

32
STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Mean daily gage height, in, feet, of North Platte River near Hebron, Colo., for 1904-

Day.

1.......... ..........................................

t

S. ................. ..................................

4....................................................

5............................... ....................

&....................................................

7....................................................

8....................................................

9....................................................

10....................................................

11....................................................

12....................................................

13....................................................

14....................................................

15....................................................

16....................................................

17....................................................

18. ...................................................

19....................................................

20....................................................

21....................................................

22....................................................

OQ

24....................................................

25....................................................

26....................................................

27................:...-...............................

28. ..............:....................................

29......---.----................--...-.....-..........

on

31....................................................

May.

5.15

5.25

5.30

5.40

5.35

5.55

5.95

6.25

6.35

6.90

7.00

6.85

6.70

6.20

6.25

6.50

6.60

June.

6.30

6.10

6.45

6.30

5.70

5.40

5.30

5.80

6.20

6.30

6.50

6.65

6.80

6.75

6.60

6.55

6.30

6.15

6.20

6.20

6.25

6.15

5.80

5.95

5.60

5.50

5.50

5.30

5.20

July.

5.20

5.20

5.10

4.90

4.70

4.60

4.55

4.50

4.50

4.40

4.50

4.35

4.25

4.20

4.10

4.10

4.05

4.05

4 05

4.05

4.05

4.00

4.05

4.00

4.00

4.00

4.00

4.20

4.10

4.00

Aug.

4.00

3.95

3.90

3.90

3.85

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.75

 3.75

3.75

4.00

4.50

4.00

4.05

3.95

4.20

4.30

4.20

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.00

4.00

3.95

3.90

3.90

3.90

3.85

3.85

Sept.

4.00

3.95

3.95

3.90

3.80

3.75

3.75

3.65

3.65

3.60

3.60

3.55

3.55

3.50

3.50

3.45

3.45

3.40

3.40

3.45

3.45

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.55

3.70

Oct.

3.75

3.70

3.70

3.70

3.70

3.65

3.65

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.75

3.75

3.75

3.75

3.75"

3.75

3.75

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.75

3.75

3.70

3.70

3.65

3.70

3.65

3.65

Rating table for North Platte River near Hebron, Colo., from May 13 to December 31,

1904-

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.40

3.45

3.50

3.55

3.60

3.65

3.70

3.75'

3.80

3.85

3.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

25

29

33

38

43

48

53

58

64

.70

77

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.95

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

84

92

109

128

148

168

188

210

234

260

288

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

318

350

384

420

458

498

538

578

618

658

700

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

744

792

844

900

958

1,018

1,082

1,146

1,212

1, 280

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions, 

discharge measurements made during 1904, and is well defined.

It is based on 8
HINDERLIDER~1 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE KIVEE DKAHSTAGE BASIN. 23

Estimated monthly discharge of North Platte Rirer near Hebron, Colo., for 1904-

Month.

May 13-31 ............................

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

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximnm.

1,280 

1,146 

384- 

188 

92 

64

Minimum.

367 

384

92 

58 

25

48

Mean.

774 

738 

158 

90.4 

43.2 

57.0

Total in 

acre-feet.

29, 170 

43, 9F> 

$, 715 

 5, 558 

2,571 

3,505

94, 430

NORTH PLATTE RIVER (NORTH FORK) AT HIGHO, COLO.

This station was established May 14, 1904, by M. 0. Hinderlider. 

It is located at the footbridge at Higho post-office, 7 miles northwest 

of Hebron and 12 miles west of Walden, Colo. A plain, vertical staff 

gage is spiked to the southwest face of the left abutment on the downstream side. It is read twice each day by Mrs. Esther Bergquist. 

Discharge measurements are made at low stages by wading near the 

gage, and at high water from the single-span footbridge to which 

the gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is a nail driven 

into the walk log at the left end of the bridge. The channel is 

straight for about 150 feet above and 50 feet below the station, and 

the current is medium. The right bank is about 3 feet high above 

and for a short distance below the gage, after which it rises to a 

height of about 10 feet. The left bank is lower than the right, and 

consists of a low level bar gradually sloping out from the stream and 

covered with willows. Neither bank overflows except at very high 

stages. The bed of the stream is composed of gravel and small cobblestones, free from vegetation and permanent. There is but one channel 

at all stages. Bench mark No. 1 is a nail driven into the top of the 

east end of the bottom log of the north abutment. It elevation is 1.765 

feet above the zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is a point on the 

foundation stone under the northeast corner of the house of Charles 

Bergquist, marked "B. M. U. S. G. S." Its elevation is 12.425 feet 

above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.
24 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Discharge measurements of North Platte River (North Fork) at Hlgho, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

May 14«.....

May 27......

June 4 ......

June 16 .....

June 28 .....

July 13......

August 9 ....

September 13 «.

Hydrographer.

W. A. Lamb. 

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

.do 

.do 

.do

.do 

.do 

.do

Width.

Feet. 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29 

35 

25 

31

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

24 

66 

51 

60 

51 

51 

37 

32

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec.

1.70

3.47

2.65

3.58

2.94

2.02

2.11

1.25

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.37 

2.22 

1.92 

2.10 

1.94 

1.80 

1.70 

1.40

Discharge.

Sec.-feet.

41

229

135

215

150

103

78

40

a Wading at different section.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of North Platte Rirer (North Fork) at Higho, Colo., for

1904-

Day. May.

1............................................................ 1-95

2.................................................... ........ 1.92

3.................... ..............................J........ 2.10

4.................................................... ........ 1.88

5.................................................... ........ 1-84

6.................................................... ........ 1.55

7.................................................... ........ 1.62

8.................................................... ........ 1.95

9............................................................ 2.10

10.................................................... ........ 1.95

11.................................................... ........ 2.00

12.................................................... ........ 2.08

13.................................................... ........ 2.12

14.................................................... 1.35 2.18

15.................................................... 1.40 2.05

16.................................................... 1.42 2.05

17.................................................... 1.45 2.10

18.................................................... I 1.48 2.02

19.............................................. .....J 1.60 2.15

20.................................................... j 1.75 2.10

21................................................... J 1.85 2.10

22.................................................... 1.85 2.10

23.................................................... 1.95 2.05

24.............^...................................... 2.10 2.08

25........................................'............ 2.10 2.05

26.................................................... i 2.15 2.02

27.................................................... 2.25 2.02

28.................................................... 2.08 1.90

29.................................................... 1.88 1.85

30.................................................... 1.98 1.75

31.................................................... 2.00 .......

June. July.

1.75 

1.80 

1.85 

1.88 

1,85 

1.80 

1.90 

1.92 

1.H8 

1.88 

1.78 

1.82 

1.82 

1.75 

1.72 

1.78 

1.65 

1.68 

1.72 

1.78 

1.82 

1.78 

1.80 

1.80 

1.88 

1.88 

1.80 

1.80 

1.82 

1.88 

1.85

Aug.

1.82

1.75

1.72

1.72

1.68

1.68

1.68

1.68

1.68

1.62

1.62

1.65

1.70

1.68

1.68

1.70

1.78

1.85

1.80

1.70

1.72

1.68

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.58

Sept.

1.65

1.62

1.55

1.52

1.50

1.48

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.35

1.35

1.30

1.30

1.32

1.37

1.36

1.38

1.50

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.45

1.80

Oct.

1.60

1.50

1.45

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.45

1.40

1.45

1.48

1.50

1.48

1.45

1.50

1.50

1.46

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.50

1.47

1.40

1.38

1.40

1.40

1.35

1.25

1.18

1.15

1 18

1.20
HINDERLIDEET 

AND HOYT. J

PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 25

Rating .table for North Platte River (North Fork) at Higho, Colo., from May 14 to

December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.15

1.20

1.25

1.30

1.35

1.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

27

29

31

34

38

42

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.45

1.50

1.55

1.60

1.65

1.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

46

50

57

64

72

80

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.75

1.80

1.85

1.90

1.95

Discharge.

Second-feet.

90

100

115

130

145

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

160

195

235

280

330

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

8 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is well defined between gage heights 

1.35 feet and 2.2 feet.

Estimated monthly discharge of North Platte River (North Fork) at Higho, Colo., for 1904-

Month.

May 14-31 ................ ...........

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

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

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

257 

227 

136 

115 

100 

64

Minimum.

38 

57 

72 

61 

34 

27

Mean.

124 

159 

105

77.5 

46.9 

43.3

Total in 

acre-feet.

4,427 

9,461 

6,456 

4,765 

2,791 

2,662

30, 560

NORTH PLATTE RIVER NEAR COWDREY, COLO.

This station was established May 10, 1904, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is located at the wagon bridge about 2 miles northwest of Cowdrey, 

Colo. A plain, vertical, staff gage, graduated to feet and tenths, is 

spiked to the northeast corner of the first crib pier from the west end 

of the bridge. The foot marks are numbered from 2 to 12 feet, the 

2-foot mark resting on the bed of the stream. The gage is read twice 

each day by A. H. Hendrickson. Discharge measurements are made by 

means of a five-eighths inch steel cable, car, and tagged wire, located 

one-fourth mile below the bridge to which the gage is attached. 

Sounding points are marked every 5 feet on the tagged wire. The 

initial point for soundings is the zero of the tagged wire, near the left 

bank. The channel is straight for about 600 feet above and 900 feet 

below the station, and the current is medium at all stages. - The river
26 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

at the station has a fall of 4.22 feet to the mile, but along its entire 

course the fall iy much greater. Both banks are high, clean, and do 

not overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of coarse gravel 

and small cobblestones, and is tirm, stable, and uniform. Bench mark 

No. 1 is the top of a 30-penny nail driven flush with the top of the cap 

timber on the north end of the right abutment of the bridge. Its elevation is 13.219 feet above efage datum. Bench mark No. 2 is an o o

iron wagon skein set in the right bank at the right end of the bridge. 

The top of the hub is 2 inches above the surface of the ground, the 

base resting on a stone 1 foot below the surface. A witness stake is set 

beside the bench-mark post. The elevation of bench mark No. 2 is 

10.890 feet above gage datum. Bench mark No. 3 is on the hillside, 

on the right side of river, 55 feet southeast of east end of foot bridge. 

It is an iron rod 30 x li inches and has a V-shaped bend on the lower 

end which rests on a solid boulder 2^ feet underground. The elevation is 400.00 feet above the gage zero.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of North Platte River near Cowdrey, Colo., in 1904.

Date.

May 9.........

May 17 ........

May 23........

May 30........

June 7 ........

June 17........

June 29........

July 7.........

August3. ......

August 22......

September 6 ...

September 24 . .

Hydrographer.

W. A. Lamb.........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

150

110

117

116

110

110

108

107

' 97

100

92

90

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

324

282

395

398

310

416

312

285

204

208

176

164

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.09

1.71

"2.92

2.77

1.85

3.23

.1.78

1.70

0.86

0.82

0.53

0.49

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.95

8.08

8.90

8.95

8.24

9.05

8.20

8.10

7.60

7.66

7.48

7.42

Discharge.

Fec.-feet. 

354

482

1,155

1,101

574

1,345

556

484

176

171

94

80

«Cable station established.
PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 27

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of North Platte River near Cowdrey, Colo., for 1904.

Day.

1.. ..................................................

9

3....................................................

4....................................................

5....................................................

6....................................................

7....................................................

8..:.................................................

9....................................................

10....................................................

11....................................................

12....................................................

13....................................................

14....................................................

15....................................................

16....................................................

17....................................................

18....................................................

19.........."..........................................

20....................................................

21....................................................

22....................................................

23....................................................

24....................................................

25....................................................

26....................................................

27....................................................

28....................................................

29....................................................

30....................................................

31..................... ..............................

May.

7.90

8.00

8.00

8.05

8.10

8.10

8.02

8.18

8.38

8.60

8.70

8.75

9.05

9.22

9.30

9.25

8.95

8.85

June.

8.90

8.72

8.90

8.95

8.60

8.35

8.20

8.40

8.75

8.80

8.78

8.95

9.05

9.10

9.05

9.00

8.90

8.90

8.92

8.82

8.82

8.75

8.80

8.72

8.65

8.50

8.40

8.30

8.22

8.22

July.

8.22

8.25

8.22

8.10

8.08

8.02

8.30

8.00

8.00

7.90

7.90

7.88

7.80

7.72

7.70

7.70

7.65

7.60

7.68

7.68

7.70

7.68

7.70

7.65

7.75

7.72

7.70

7.70

7.75

7.75

7.70

Aug.

7.70

7.65

7.62

7.62

7.58

7.60

7.58

7.55

7.52

7.50

7.55

7.62

7.65

7.55

7.55

7.55

7.62

7.70

7.75

7.70

7.65

7.65

7.65

7.62

7.52

7.55

7.55

7.50

7.55

7.55

7.55

Sept.

7.55

7.68

7.65

7.65

7.50

7.50

7.55

7.52

7.45

7.45

7.42

7.30

7.35

7.40

7.38

7.35

7.40

7.40

7.35

7.35

7.35

7.35

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

Oct.

7.48

7.50

7.50

7.40

7.40

7.55

7.70

7.55

7.70

7.60

7.50

7.41)

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.40

7.30

Rating table for North Platte River near Cowdrey, Colo., from May 12 to December SI, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.30

7.35

7.40

7.45

7.50

7.55

7.60

7.65

Discharge.

ftecond-feet.

40

55

70

88

108

130

154

180

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.70

7.75

7.80

7.85

7.90

7.95

8.00

8.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

208

238

270

302

334

366

398

466

Gage 

height.

Feet.

8.20

8.30

8.40

8.50

8.60

8.70

8.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

540

622

707

793

880

794

1,070

Gage 

height.

Feet.

8.90

9.00

9.10

9.20

9.30

9.40

9.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,172

1,282

1,400

1,523

1,650

1,781

1,916

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. .It is based upon 

13 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is well defined to gage height 

9 feet. The table has been extended above gage height 9 feet.
28 STREAM MEASUREMENTS LN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Estimated monthly discharge of North Platte River near Cowdrey, Colo., for 1904.

Month.

May 12-31......;.....................

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

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

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,650 

1,400 

622

238 

144

208

Minimum.

334

540 

154 

108 

40 

40

Mean.

888 

1,002 

304 

154 

81.8 

89.2

Total in 

acre-feet.

35, 230 

59, 620 

18, 690 

9,469

4,867 

5,485

133, 400

NORTH PLATTE RIVER NEAR PINKHAMPTON, COLO.

This station was established May 11, 1904, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is located at the footbridge on Hunter's ranch, 3 miles northwest of 

Pinkhampton, Colo. A plain, vertical staff gage, graduated to feet 

and tenths, is fastened to cantilever arms which extend out over the 

water on the left bank of the stream, just above the footbridge. The 

3-foot mark of the gage rests on the bed of the stream. The gage is 

read twice each day by Mrs. Glennie Hunter. Discharge measurements are made from the suspension footbridge near which the gage 

is placed. The bridge is marked every 5 feet up to 160 feet. The initial point for soundings is the top of the left bank beneath the bridge, 

marked zero with a tin tag fastened to the bridge. The channel is 

straight for about 600 feet above and one-fourth mile below the station, and the current is medium and uniform. The right bank is low, 

lined with bushes, and is not liable to overflow. The left bank is about 

5 feet high, lined with willows, and seldom overflows. The bed of the 

stream is composed of cobblestones, some silt, and a few small bowlders. It is uniform, free from vegetation, and permanent. Bench 

mark No. 1 is a 30-penny nail driven into the west root of a 24-inch 

cotton wood tree standing on the brow of the hill, about 75 feet east of 

the east end of the bridge. Its elevation is 16.492 feet above the gage 

datum. Bench mark No. 2 is a nail driven into the top of post on the 

left bank, to which the gage is fastened. Its elevation is 11.262 feet 

above gage datum. Bench mark No. 3 is the top of a wrought-iron 

rod, 30 inches long and 1£ inches in diameter, the lower end of which 

rests upon a large bowlder 2.5 feet underground, 55 feet southeast of 

the right end of the bridge. Its elevation is 14.00 feet above gage 

datum.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. 0. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.
HINDERLIDER~1 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASEST. 29

Discharge measurements of North Platte River near Pinkhampton, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

May 11........

May 23........

May 31........

June 6.... .....

August 4. ......

September 5 _ . .

September 25 . .

Hydrographer.

W. A. Lamb.........

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Fed. 

125

138

138

137

108

101

99

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet.

326

480

535

479

277

247

214

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.29

2.66

3.04

2.47

.88

.75

.56

Gage 

height.

F-et. 

4.92

5.98

6.25

5.91

4.55

4.40

4.19

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

420

1,275

1,624

1,184

244

187

121

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of North Platte River near Pinkhampton, Colo., for 1904.

Day.

1............................................

2................... ......................

3............................................

4............................................

5............................................

6............................................

7............................................

8.........................'...................

9............................................

10............................................

11............................................

12............................................

13. ...........................................

14............................................

15............................................

16............................................

17............................................

18............................................

19............................................

20............................................

21............................................

22

23............................................

24...........................................

25............................................

26............................................

27........................:...................

28............................................

29............................................

30............................................

31..... ......................................

May.

4.90

4.95

5.00

5. 05

5.10

5.15

5.20

5.15

5.25

5.35

5.60

5.80

5.95

' 6.10

6.50

6.75

6.80

June.

6.30

6.10

6.30

6.70

6.40

5.95

5.75

5.70

6.20

6.20

6.25

6.50

6.50

6.60

6.50

6.45

6.22

6.10

6.10

5.75

5.55

July.

5.50

5.70

5.45

5/40

5.50

5.40

5.35

5.20

5.10

5.06

5.00

4.92

4.85

4.80

4.75

4.70

4.70

4.75

4.70

4.70

4 80

4.75

4.70

4.70

4.70

4.72

4 80

Aug.

4.70

4.62

4.55

4.50

4.50

4.50

4 50

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.-rO

4.45

4.40

4.40

4.50

4.65

4.80

4.80

4.70

4.60

4.65

4.58

4.45

4.40

4.42

4.42

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.45

Sept.

4.45

4.55

4.60

4.25

4.25

4.20

4.20

4.15

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

 4.10

4.10

4.10

4. 20

4.15

4.10

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.25

Oct.

4.30

4.30

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.15

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4. 20'

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.30

4.30

4.30

4.30

4.30

4.30

4.30

4.30

4.30

4.25

4.20

4.25

4.20

Nov.

4.18

4.10

4.10

' 4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10
30 STKEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Rating table for North Pkitte River near Pinkhamptor Colo. , from May 11 to December

31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.10

4.15

4.20

4.25

4.30

4.35

4.40

4.45

Discharge.

Second-feet.

100

112

125

139

154

170

187

205

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

224

265

310

359

412

469

530

595

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

666

741

8?1

906

995

1,090

1,192

1,300

Gage 

neight.

Fett.

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,416

1,543

1,684

1,837

2,000

2,170

2, 350

2,540

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

7 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is well defined to gage height 6.25 

feet. The table has been extended above gage height 6.25 feet.

Estimated monthly discharge of North Platte River near Pinkhampton, Colo., for 1904-

Month.

May 11-31............................

June ....-......-----..-..............

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

The period .....................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

2,540 

2,350 

995 

359 

265 

J54 

120

Minimum.

412 

780 

310 

187 

100 

100 

100

. Mean.

1,148 

1,547 

499 

231 

144 

133 

102

Total in 

acre-feet.

47, 820 

92, 050 

30, 680 

14,200 

8,569 

8,178 

1,821

203, 300

NORTH PLATTE RIVER AT SARATOGA, WYO.

This station was established June 9, 1903, by A. J. Parshall. The 

gage consists of a flexible Gurley rod fastened securely to a 3 by 6 

inch timber, spiked and braced to the crib work at the northeast corner of Harry Kuykendal's residence, 100 yards below the bridge, on 

the left bank of the river. The gage is read twice each day by J. M. 

Sterrett. Discharge measurements are made from the county bridge, 

a two-span steel structure connecting East and Wes-t Saratoga. The 

initial-point for soundings is on the east end of the bridge, at the 

pier. The channel is straight for 500 feet above and 400 feet below 

the station. The current has a measurable velocity at all stages. The
HINDERLIDER~] 

AND HOYT. J PLATTB RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 31

left bank is high, but overflows at a gage height of 7 feet. The right 

bank overflows only at extreme high water. The river has a permanent bed of cobblestone and gravel. There is but one channel, broken 

by the center pier of the bridge. Bench mark No. 1 is a cross on the 

south side of the southwest pier at the bottom of the top section. Its 

elevation is 10.70 feet above the zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 

is a spike driven in a cottonwood tree standing about 30 feet northwest of the gage. Its elevation is 9.84 feet above the zero of the gage. 

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of A. J. Parshall, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of North Platte River at Saratoga, Wyo., in 1904.

Date.

March 15 ......

April 9 ........

April 12 ........

April 15 .......

May 11........

May 18........

May 20........

May 23........

May 26........

August 10 .....

August 25 .....

September 20 «.

Hydrogapher.

A. J. Parshall........

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

J. M. Sterrett ........

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

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

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

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

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

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

A. J. Parshall........

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

215

215

' 225

 234

240

246

249

250

250

208

210

130

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

574

521

670

773

891

986

1,113

1,237

1,364

474

475

129

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.06

1.12

2.02

2.76

3.22

4.17

5.14

5.86

6.27

.76

.87

1.84

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.05

2.05

2.65

3.10

3.60

4.10

4.55

5.10

5.60

1.80

1.90

1.53

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

607

587

1,351

2,132

2,872

4,116

5,718

7,251

8,551

359

412

238

a Wading one-fourth mile below station.
32 STREAM MEASUKEMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of North Platte River at Saratoga, Wyo., for 1904-

Day.

1..............

'1...... ........

3..... .........

4...... ........

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29

30..............

31..............

Jan.

1.72

1.74

1.78

1.82

1.78

1.74

1.70

1.65

1.60

1.83

1.67

1.74

1.80

1.76

1.74

1.71

1.65

1.67

1.70

1.65

1.73

1.76

1.80

1.76

1.80

1.83

1.84

1.82

1.85

1.88

1.90

Feb.

.......

(«)

Mar.

2.01

1 98

1 94

1 98

1.92

1.98

2.00

2.28

2.32

2.10

2.30

2.35

2.12

2.15

2.08

2.00

2.02

2.15

2.20

9 30

2.12

2.22

2.22

2.20

2.08

2.00

2.00

2.00

1 98

2.00

1.95

Apr.

2 12

2.25

2.28

2.18

2.10

2.32

2.60

2.82

2.98

3.15

3.18

3.10

3.15

3.25

3.32

3.45

3.32

3.15

3.00

2.90

2.88

2.98

3.15

0 OK

3.28

May.

3.25

3

QA

3.32

3

QC

3.28

3.42

o q*>

3.50

3.62

3. 58

3.68

3.75

3.90

3.88

4.02

4.18

4

Xf)

4.72

4.78

5.18

5.42

5.48

5.20

5.05

4 90

4.88

4.95

June.

4.82

4 80

4.75

4.75

4.52

4.18

4.40

4 65

4.78

4.88

4.98

5.00

4.92

4.80

4.65

4.58

4.52

.4.42

4.40

4.32

4.28

4.10

3.95

3.82

3.68

3.50

July.

3.45

3.48

3.48

3.32

3.20

3.30

3.10

3.08

2.98

2.88

2.78

2.70

2.65

2.55

2. 45

2. 42

2.38

2.32

2.28

2.30

2.30

2.22

2.35

2.32

2.22

2. 12

2.18

2.20

2.20

Aug.

2.18

2.08

1.95

1.95

1.90

1.88

1.82

1.80

1 80

1.82

1.95

2.00

2.02

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.32

2.28

2.18

2.08

2.02

2.00

2.00

1.98

1.90

1.92

1.95

1.95

1.95

2.00

Sept.

2.10

2.08

2. 05

2 02

1.95

1.88

1.82

1.78

1.72

1.70

1.70

1.65

1.65

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.58

1.55

1.52

1.52

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.68

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.65

1.70

1.82

Oct.

1.98

1.88

1 80

1.78

1.72

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.72

1.82

1.82

1.85

1.88

1.92

1.90

1.88

1.88

1.90

1.88

1.85

1.88

1.85

1.88

' 1.85

1.82

1.78

1.78

1.75

1.75

1.78

 1.75.

Nov.

1.72

1.62

1.65

1.68

1.60

1.65

1.60

1.55

1.58

1.45

1.40

1.40

1.52

1.65

1.62

1.68

1.70

1.70

1.72

1.50

1.65

1.58

1.60

1.50

1.60

1.45

1.58

1.65

1.50

1.58

Dec.

1.48

1.62

1.45

1.32

1.35

1.42

1.38

1.50

1.62

1.50

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

a River free frcftn ice.
HINDERLIDER"] 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE RIVEK DKAINAGE BASIN.

Rating table for North Platte River at Saratoga, Wyo., from January 1 to December 31,

1904-

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.30

1.35

1.40

1.45

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

165

180

195

210

225

260

305

360

425

500

585

680

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

780

890

1,010

1,140

1,280

1,430

1,590

1,760

1,940

2,120

2,305

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,500

2,710

2,935

3,170

3,415

3,670

3,935

4,220

4,520

4,825

5,135

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5,445

5,760

6,080

6,400

6,720

7, 040

7, 360

7,680

8,010

8,340

8,670

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

discharge measurements made during 1903 and 1904, and is fairly well defined.

Estimated monthly discharge of North Platte River at Saratoga, Wyo., for 1904.

Month.

January «._._..:____........-........_.

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

April .................................

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

425 

835 

2,600 

8,604 

7,040 

2,666 

802 

585 484 " 

315 

268

Minimum.

260 

439 

460 

2,210 

2,710 

603 

360 

231 

305 

195 

171

Mean.

336

588 

1,480 

4,487 

5,385 

1,340 

499 

332 

375 

259 

216

Total in 

acre-feet.

20, 660 

36, 160 

88, 070 

295, 900 

320, 400 

82,390 

30, 680 

19,760 

23, 060 

15, 410 

, 4,284

936, 800

«Ice conditions uncertain during January.

IRK 131 05 3
34 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131,

NORTH PLATTE RIVER AT ALCOVA, WYO.

This station was established February 19,1904, by John E. Field. It 

is located at the highway bridge 1,000 feet southwest of the post-office 

at Alcova, Wyo. There are no running tributaries entering the river in 

this vicinity. The gage is a 2 by 6 inch plank nailed to the northeast 

corner of the crib pier supporting the center of the bridge. The gage 

is read twice a day by A. F. Hollebaugh, the postmaster. Measurements are made from the downstream side of the bridge to which the 

gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is the north end of 

the downstream hand rail. The channel is straight for 1,500 feet 

above and 800 feet below the station. The current is swift in the 

center and sluggish near the banks. Both banks are high, clean, and 

not liable to overflow. The bed of the stream is rocky, covered with 

small bowlders, and is permanent. The river is divided by the bridge 

piers into ten channels at low water and thirteen channels at high water. 

The bottom at the measuring section is rough and uneven, and this 

may affect the accuracy somewhat. The bench mark is a standard 

United States Geological Survey iron post located at the west quarter 

corner of sec. 19, T. 30 N., R. 82 W. It is about 1,000 feet due north 

of the post-office. Its elevation is 5,366 feet above sea level and 36.67 

feet above the gage datum.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of A. J. Parshall, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of North Platte Elver at Alcova, Wyo., in 1904-

Date.

May 1 .........

June 20 .......

June 20 .......

July 17........

Hydrographer.

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

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

E. C. Woodward .....

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

270

278

279

283

280

210

Area of 

section.

Sq.fcet. 

1,116

1,487

1,401

1,471

1,435

642

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.96

5.25

4.78

5.51

5.26

2.02

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.20

9.50

9.00

9.45

9.10

5.55

LMscharge.

Sec. -feet. 

3,308

7,802

6,696

8,112

7,546

1,300
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J

PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 35

Mean daily gage height, infect, of North Platte River at Alcom, Wyo., for 1904-

Day.

1..................

2..................

3..................

4..................

5..................

6..................

8..................

9..................

10..................

11.................

12..................

13..................

-i ?

16..................

17..................

18..................

19..................

20..................

21 

f>0

23..................

24..................

25.........

27..................

28..................

29..................

30..................

31..................

Feb.

4. 20

4.40

4.55

4 95

Mar.

4.98

5.30

5.18

4.95

4.95

4.90

5.02

4 90

5.38

5. 52

5.22

5.32

5.45

5.28

5.18

5.15

5.05

5. 15

5.15

5.20

4.70

5.12

4 95

Apr.

4.95

4.98

4.88

4.88

4.90

4.92

5.10

5.30

5.45

5.20

5

ftw

K £K

G.35

6.48

6.45

P. PV>

6.G8

6 92

6 95

6.55

6.35

6.35

6.48

l\ Q(>

May.

7.20

7.12

>7 1 K

7.25

7.25

7 30

7.38

7.52

1 tt

7.38

7.40

7.75

7.80

8.05

8. 15

8.52

q 15

9 50

in ^

10. GO

10. 85

10.50

9 80

9 45

June.

9.60

9.55

9.45

9.45

9.20

8.80

8.55

8. 55

9 90

9. 25

9 50

9.70

9. C5

9. 55

9.40

9 20

9 10

9 05

8.75

8.60

8 45

7 SO

7.45

July.

7.30

7.30

7.20

7.32

7.30

6.95

G.85

G.78

6.40

G. 25

5.80

5.60

5.00

4. 95

5.00

4 90

4 90

4 °0

4 80

Aug.

4.80

4.80

4.75

4.70

4.65

4.58

4.50

4.50

4.42

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.35

4. as

4.58

4.62

4.70

4.78

4.98

4.75

4.62

4.5S

4.50

4.50

4.58

4.45

4.45

Sept.

4.50

4.50

4.55

4.70

4.62

5.58

4.50

4.48

4.38

4.30

4. 22

4.20

4.18

4.10

4.10

4.02

4.00

4.00

3.92

3.85

3.80

3.88

3.88

3.90

3.90

3.92

3.90

* 3.t'5

4.05

4.08

Oct.

4.18

4.20

4.25

4.45

4.40

4. 35

4.20

4.30

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.45

4.50

4.50

4.- 50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.72

4.72

4.50

4. .50

4.50

4.50

4.68

4.40

Nov.

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.38

4.32

4.28

4.25

4.25

4.20

4.20

4.05

3.85

3.65

3.45

3.40

3.45

3. 55

3.75

3.90

NORTH PLATTE RIVER NEAR GUERNSEY, WYO.

This station was established June 14, 1900, by A. J. Parshall. It 

is located at the county bridge about a half mile northweht of Guernsey. The bridge has eight piers, the sides are planked, and there is 

uniform now under each span. The rod originally consisted of a 4 by 

4 inch scantling 12 feet long firmly attached to one of the piers of the 

bridge. As the station was to be a temporary one, a metallic tape, 

divided into feet and tenths, was securely fastened to the rod.

It was found that considerable inconvenience was caused by sand 

accumulating about the rod as the high water subsided. With the 

opening of the season of 1902 a new rod was placed about 200 feet 

above the first location. It was fastened to one of the piers of the 

railroad bridge, and was placed 1 foot lower in the water.

The 1902 bench mark is a spike driven into a cross beam of the bridge 

1 foot from the rod and at an elevation of 10.04 feet above the zero. 

The channel is straight for a distance above and below the station.
36 STREAM MEASUREMENTS. IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Both banks are high and do not overflow at high stages. The bed of 

the stream is sandy, but probably does not shift much.

During the latter part of the season of 1903 the 1902 gage was 

replaced by a new rod, with its zero, at the same elevation as that of 

the old gage. The new rod is attached to a pile of the railroad bridge, 

which has been recently reconstructed. In February, 1904, the elevation of the new rod was checked with the temporary bench mark and 

by comparison with the readings of the old rods which are still in 

place. This comparison shows that the rod has settled 0.076 foot. 

The 1903 bench mark is a monument set 125 feet southeast of the rod 

at an elevation of 13.65 feet above the zero of the gage and 4,331 feet 

above sea level.

Measurements are still made from the county bridge, which, though 

it does not furnish a perfect location for measurements, is the best 

yet found on the river in Wyoming below the Saratoga station.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of A. J. Parshall, resident hj^drographer.

Discharge measurements of North, Platte River near Guernsey, Wyo., in 1904-

Date.

March 18......

April 27 .......

May 12........

June 8.. .......

June 1 5 ........

July 4 .........

July 21.. :.....

July 30........

August 5 ... ...

August 29 ......

September 5 ...

September 28 «.

October 24.....

October 27.....

Hydrographer.

A. J. Parshall........

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

A. J. Parshall........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

97Q

331

337

238

337-

216

175

172

170

166

165

132

168

168

 Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

538

849

1,107

1,861

1,835

1,101

498

410

358

322

302

287

249

312

308

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.39

3.24

4.40

5.65

5.42

3.92

3.21

2 42

2.45

1.99

1.86

1.73

1.29

1.88

1.88

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.10

2.10

2.80

5.25

5.00

2.85

1.35

.90

.70

.50

.45

.37

.10

.48

.48

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

1,288

2,750

4,871

10, 510

9, 934

4,311

1,600

1,094

878

640

564

498

322

586

578

« This measurement was made by wading at a point 100 feet above county bridge.
PLATTE MVEE DBAINAGE BASIN. 3?

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of North, Platte. Hirer near Guernsey, Wyo.,for 1904.

Day.

I..............

2..............

3..............

4.............. 

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10. .............

11..............

12.............. 

13..............

Si4

15.............. 

16..............

17..............

18.............. 

19..............

21..............

22..............

93

24.............. 

25.... .......... 

26.............. 

27..............

28.............. 

29.............. 

30....."......... 

31..............

Jan.

0.90

.90

.90

.90 

.90

.90

.90

.90

.80

.80

.80 

.80

.80

.90 

.90

.90

.80 

.90 

.90

1.00

1. CO 

1 00

1.00 

.90 

1.00

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00

Feb.

.......

.......

Mar.

0.85

1.00

.95"

.90 

1,00

1.G5

1.15

1 05

.85

.80

.90

.90 

.90

1.10

1.30 

1.20

1.20

1.10 

1.00

.95

.90 

90

.90 

.95 

1.05

1.00 

.95 

.90

.80

Apr.

0.80

.80

.85

.90

.85

.80

.80

80

.90

.95

1.00 

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.15

1.55 

1.75 

1.95

2.00

1.95 

2 00

2.05 

2.10 

2.10 

2 05

2.00 

2.00 

1.90

May.

1.90

1.95

2.30

3.25 

3.15

3.05

*> Qc

9 on

9 go

3.00

2.95

2.80 

2.70

2.70

2.75 

2.90

2.90

2.90 

2.95

3.20

5. 55

4.40 

4.55 

4.75 

5.05

5.35 

5.45 

5.25 

5. 20

June.

5.05

4.90

4.80

4.80 

5.45

5.65

5.40

5.00

5.20 

5.20

5.15

5.05 

5.10

5.10

5.00 

4.90

4.70

4. 55

4.35 

4.30 

4.15 

3.95

3.80 

3.65 

3.40

July.

3.15

3.05

2.90

2.90

3.10

o (in

9 on

2. 75

2.60

2.45 

2.25

2.05

1.95 

1.90

1.80

1.65 

1.55 

1.45

1.35

1.30 

1.45

1.25 

1.15 

1.10 

1.00

1.00 

.95 

.90

.80

Aug.

0.80

.80

.70

.70

.70

.70

60

.60

.55

.50 

.50

.50

.50 

.50

.50

.45

.45

.60

.60 

£n

.60 

.60 

.60 

.55

.50

.48 

.45 

.45

Sept.

0.40

.40

80

.70 

.55

.50

.48

.42

.40

.40

.40 

.40

.38

.35 

.30

.30

.25 

.20 

.20

.20

.18 

.15

.15 

.10 

.10 

.10

.10 

.10 

.20

Oct.

0.18

.15

.15

.15

.20

.28

OK

.36

.30

.30 

.30

4°

.70 

1.70

1.15

.85 

.G8

.60

.58

.58 

.55 

.50 

.50

..50 

.50 

.50 

.50

Nov.

0.50

.50

.50

.50 

.50

.50

.50

.40

.40

.40 

.38

.35

.35 

.30

.28

.20 

.15 

.15

.15

.15 

.20

.22 

.28 

.30 

.38

.40

.38 

.28

Dec.

0.22

.30

.42

.50 

.50

.30

.30

.55

.70 

.70

.70

.55

NOTE. Ice conditions uncertain during January.
38 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII.

Rating table for North Platte River near Guernsey, Wyo.,from January 1 to December

31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.10

.20

.30

.40

.50

.60

.70

.80

.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

320

390

460

540

63' i

730

830

940

1,060

1,180

1,310

1,440

1,570

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,710

1,850

2,000

2,150

2,300

2,460

2,620

2,790

2, 960

3,140

3, 330

3,530

3, 740

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

Discharge.

Second- feet.

3,960

4,190

4,430

4,680

4, 930

5,180

5,440

5,700

5, 960

6,220

6,480

6,740

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.20

4.40

4.60

4.80

5.00

5.20

5.40

5.60

5.80

6.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

7,000

7,260

7,780

8,300

8,820

9,340

9,860

10, 380

10^900

11, 420

11, 940

12, 460

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

15 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is well denned between gage 

heights 0 feet and 3 feet. Above gage height 3 feet the curve is determined by two 

measurements at 5 feet gage height. Above gage height 3.40 feet the rating curve is 

a tangent, the difference being 260 per tenth.

Estimated monthly discharge of North Platte River near Guernsey, Wyo., for 1904- 

[Drainage area, If,240 square miles.]

Month.

September

Discharge jn second-feet.

Maximum.

1,180 

2,075 

2,790 

11, 290 

11,550 

5, 055 

940 

940 

2, 150 

630 

830

Minimum.

940 

, 940 

940 

2,460 

5,700 

940 

585 

320 

355 

355 

404

Mean.

1,075 

1,191 

1,712 

6,075 

9,318 

2,802 

715 

488 

652 

503 

589

Total in 

acre-feet.

66, 100 

73, 230 

101,900 

373, 500 

554, 500 

172, 300 

43, 960 

29, 040 

40, 090 

29, 930 

17,520

1,502,000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.066 

.073 

.105 

.374 

.574 

.173 

.044 

.030 

.040 

.031 

.036

Depth in 

inches.

0.076 

.084 

.117 

.431 

.640 

.199 

.051 

.033 

.046 

.035 

.020
PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 39 

NORTH PLATTE RIVER NEAR MITCHELL, NEBR.

This station was established June 8,1002, by O. V. P. Stout, assisted 

by R. H. Willis. It is located at the, highway bridge 1 mile south of 

Mitchell, Nebr. It replaces the station at Gering, Nebr., which was 

discontinued, as the narrower channel at Mitchell seemed favorable 

to increased accurac}^ of gagings, and, being nearer the Wyoming line, 

it serves better as a State-line gaging station. The gage is of the 

standard chain type. The scale is inclosed in a box fastened to the 

upstream hand rail near the center of the bridge. The length of the 

chain from the end of the weight to the marker is 10.60 feet. The 

gage is read once each day by J. L. McCoy.

On April 4, 1902, a temporary gage rod was set whose zero mark 

was 3.T9 feet lower than the old rod of 1901. On May 3, 1902, a new 

permanent gage was put in whose zero mark was 1 foot lower than the 

old rod of 1901, in order to avoid negative gage heights. Hence, 

between April 4 and May 3, 1902, 2.79 feet was subtracted from the 

gage heights, reported by the observer. To make the gage heights 

reported during 1901 comparable with those of 1902 and following 

years, 1 foot must be added.

Discharge measurements are made from the upstream side of the 

highway bridge, which is supported by pile bents 20 feet apart. The 

upstream hand rail is marked at intervals of 12i feet with blue paint 

and at intervals of 10 feet with white paint. The initial point for 

soundings is the zero mark at the north end of the bridge. The channel is straight for 2,000 feet above and below the station. The mean 

velocity varies from 1 foot at low stages to 4 feet per second at high 

stages. Both banks are low and sandy, but are not liable to overflow. 

There is a rather large island in the gaging section. At high stages 

there are three channels, and at low stages there are from three to 

forty channels. The bridge has a total span of 1,565 feet. At low 

water the channels are too shallow for current-meter measurements, 

and at such times velocities must be estimated or determined with 

floats. Bench mark No. 1 is a cross cut in the floor of the bridge at 

the gage. Its elevation is 9.74 feet above gage datum. Bench mark 

No. 2 is the head of a nail driven in the top at the west end of the cap 

of the first bent at the north end of the bridge. Its elevation is 8.56 

feet above gage datum. Bench mark No. 3 is a standard aluminum 

bench-mark cap of the Geological Survey leaded into the top-of a 

2-inch gas pipe 4 feet long, with a plate at the bottom. It is located 

138 feet north of the north end of the bridge and 30 feet east of the 

line of the downstream hand rail extended. It is 2 feet outside of a 

wire fence/ Its elevation is 8.64 feet above the gage datum. The 

gage datum is the water surface when the chain gage reads zero.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of J. C. Stevens, resident hydrographer.
40 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Discharge measurements of North Plalte River near Mitchell, Nebr., in 1904. 

Date.

March 29.... ...........

April 23 ...............

Mav 9.................

May 23 ................

June 9 ................

July 9 .................

September 27 ..........

September 29 ..........

September 30 «.__..._..

Hydrographer.

M D MpWillinni<5

M. D. McWilliams . . .

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

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

R. D. Hubbard ......

A. J. Parshall........

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

Area of 

section.

Sq. feet.

«7Q

931

1 893

3, 659

3,207

1,572

115

J09

145

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.88

2.03

2.68

3.25

3.46

2.89

1.90

1.75

1.83

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.30

2.58

3.40

4.74

4. GO

3.15

1.75

1.72

1.80

Discharge.

Sec. feet. 

1,273

1,890

5,070

11,890

11, 100

4,540

219

214

266

« Wading at different section. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of North Platte Hirer near Mitchell, Nebr., for 1904.

Day.

1. ............. 

2.............. 

3. .............

0..............

7

8. .............

9..............

]0...... ........

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

17. .............

18.............. 

19.............. 

20.............. 

21..............

22......"........

24. .............

25...... .......

26..............

27..............

28.............. 

29.........:.... 

30.."............ 

31..............

Jan. a

2.08 

2.00 

1.95

1.85

2.03

1.97

1.X5

1.90

2.12 

1.87

2.10

2.00

2.15

2.12

2. 25

2.15

2.37 

2.35 

2. 38 

2.40

2.45

Peb.ft

2.50 

2.25

2.20

9 2'>

2.23

2.20

2.15

2.17 

2. 25

2.23

2.19

Mar.ft

2.53

2.45

2.60

2. 55 

2.57

2.50

2.47

2.45

2.46 

2.47 

2.45 

2.47

2.43

2.42

2.38

2.34

2.32'

2.35 

2.3? 

2.30 

2.32

Apr.

2.22 

2.15 

2.14

2 30

9 07

2 *>5

2.27

2.18 

2.17

2.15

2 19

2.33 

2.10 

2X0 

2.60

9 58

2.65

2.71

2.75

2 80

2.79

2.81 

2.82

May.

2.75 

2.80 

2.84

3 70

3.90

3 S4

3.58 

3.49

3

07

o or

3

QQ

3

07

3.45

3.47 

3.48 

3.45 

3 7*>

3.67

4 90

4.90

4.00

4 30

4.20

4.50 

4.10 

4.80 

4.50

June.

4.30 

4.50 

4.40

4.50

4.80

4.75 

4.73

4.60

4.40

4 '55

4.fO

4.35

4.20

4.30

4.40 

4.30 

4.50

<J4.35

4.57

4.40 

4.30 

3.90

July.

3.30 

3.28 

3.40

3.15

3.23

3.20

3.15 

3.10

3

A£

3.00

 > 90

2.85

2

7PL

2.63

2 60

2.59

2.58 

2. 55 

2 53

2 50

2.48

9 d^»

2.40 

2.35 

2.30 

2.26

Aug.

2.12 

2.16 

2.13

2.12

2.11

2.15

2.09

2.11 

2.11

2.02

2.00

o 05

2.07

2.05 

1. 95 

2.00 

2.03

1 95

1 97

1.90

1.95

1.93

1 94

1.92 

1.93 

1.90 

1.94

Sept.

1.97 

1.93 

l.SO

i tr>

1.95

3.97

1.93

1.90 

1.95

1.85

1.85

1 90

1 92

1.89 

1.92 

1.85 

1.87

1.87

1.83

1 80

1.82

1.79 

1.75 

1.77

Oct.

1.75 

1.72 

1.70

1.75

1.70

.1.75

1.77

1.70 

1.75

1.76

1.70

1.75

1.70

1 71

1.75

1.72 

2.05 

2.00 

1.95

1 92

1.95

1 93

1.95

1.90

1.88 

1.92 

1.92

1.87

Nov.

1.87 

1.86 

1.85

1.80

1.87

1.88

1.89

1.86

1.88

1.98

1.97

1 96

1 98

1 97

1 95

1.93 

1.94 

1.95 

1 97

1.86

1.87

1.84 

1.85 

1.83

Dec.<*

1.81 

1.83 

1.80

1.78

1.73

1.71

1.72 

1.74

1 7R

1.77

1.80

1.78

1.76

1 70

2 on

2.30 

2.30 

2.00 

1.90

1.76

-------

" River frozen January 24 to February 1. 

b River frozen February 14 to March 5.

< River frozen December 25 to 31. 

dGage height interpolated.
HINDERLTTER 

AND HOYT. PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 41

Rating table for North PlatteRirer near Mitcfiell, Nebr., from January 1 to December 31,1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

70

170

280

400

540

710

930

1,200

1, 505

1,830

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

Discharge.

Second-fed.

2, 175

2, 535

2, 905

3, 285

3, 675

4, 075

4, 485

4, 905

5, 330

5, 765

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

6,205

6, 655

7, 115

7, 5M)

8, 055

8,540

9,030

9,530

10, 040

10, 555

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

Discharge.

Second-feel.

11, 080

11, 610

12, 150

12, 700

13, 255

13, 820

14, 395

14, 975

15, 565

16, 165

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

9 discharge measurements made during 1904 and is fairly well denned.

Estimated monthly discharge of North Platte River near Mitchell, Nebr., for 1904. 

[Drainage area, 24,400 square miles.]

Month.

January 1-23 " ......

February 2-13 ......

March 6-31 .........

April ...............

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

June ''..............

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

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

September. .........

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

November ..........

December ..........

The period .....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,667 

1,830 

2, 175 

2, 981 

12,700 

12, 150 

5, 330 

842 

498 

625 

512 

1,200

Minimum.

340 

820 

1,200 

710 

2,720 

7, 580 

1,092 

400 

225 

170 

280 

181

Mean.

867 

1,029 

1,632 

1,511 

6, 873 

10, 270 

2,875 

594 

382 

307 

398 

381

Total in 

acre-feet.

39, 550 

24, 490 

84, 160 

89, 910 

422, 600 

611, 100 

176, 800 

36, 520 

22, 730 

18, 880 

23, 680 

18, 140

1,569,000

Run- off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.036 

.042 

.067 

.062 

.282 

.421 

.118 

.024 

.016 

.013 

.016 

.016

Depth in 

inches.

0.031 

.019 

.065 

.069 

.325 

.470 

.136 

.028 

.018 

.015 

.018 

.014

« River frozen January 24 to February 1, also from February f4 to March 5 and from December 25 

to bl. 

i> June 21 and 25 interpolated.
42 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. LNO. 131. 

NORTH PLATTE RIVER NEAR BRIDGEPORT, NEBR.

This station was established May 4, 1902, by R. H. Willis. It is 

located at the highway bridge on the public road due north of Bridgeport. The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad bridge crosses 

the river 1 mile above the gaging station. The wire gage, with 

inclosed scale, is fastened to the upstream hand rail of the bridge at 

the south end. The length of the wire from the end of the weight to 

the marker is 12.80 feet. The gage is read once each day by Porter 

Hannawald. Discharge measurements are made from the upstream 

side of the highway bridge, which is supported by pile bents 20 feet 

apart. The hand rail is marked at 10-foot intervals with black paint, 

and the initial point for soundings is the zero mark on the hand rail 

at the south end of the bridge. The channel widens just above and 

below the station and is then straight for 1 mile above and one-half 

mile below. The water is never sluggish. Both banks are low and 

sandy, but are not liable to overflow. The bed is of shifting sand, 

free from vegetation. There is one channel at ordinary or high 

stages, but at low water the river is divided into many winding channels. The river generally goes dry in August. In sounding, during 

discharge measurements, care must be taken not to measure depths too 

close to the piles of the bridge supports, as there is usually a hole near 

the base of each tilled with dead water. Bench mark No. 1 is a 6 by 

6 inch stone, marked " U. S. C. & G. S.," located in the NE. i sec. 

32, T. 20 N., R. 50 W., of the sixth principal meridian. It is 300 feet 

east of the east gate of the stock yards and 130 feet northwest of the 

northwest corner of the public school building. Its elevation is 9.9-1 

feet above gage datum. Bench mark No. 2 is a standard aluminum 

Geological Survey bench-mark cap set in a 20 by 12 by 6 inch stone, the 

top of which is built up with concrete to form a truncated pyramid. 

It is located about 50 feet south and a little east of the northeast 

corner of lot No. 4, block No. 2, of the Riverside Addition to Bridgeport, Nebr. Its elevation is 11.32 feet above gage datum. Bench 

mark No. 3 is the head of a nail driven in the top of the west end of 

the cap of the south bent of the bridge. Its elevation is 10.14 feet 

above gage datum. Gage datum is the water surface when the wire 

-gage reads zero.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of J. C. Stevens, resident hydrographer.
ttlNDEHoYT] PLATTE filVEfi DKAltfAGE BASttf. 43

Discharge measurements of North Platte River near Bridgeport, Nebr., in 1904-

Date.

April 2 ........

April 23. ......

May 26........

June 9 ........

July 9.........

September 26 . .

Hydrographer.

M. D. V(

J. C. St 

do

Gillian

3V611S

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

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

R. U. Hubbard........ .......

Area of 

section.

Sq. feet. 

767 

884 

3,006 

4,008 

1,922 

40

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.31 

1.39 

2.62 

2.80 

2.33 

1.50

Gage Disheight. charge.

Feet. Sec. -feet. 

5. 08 1, 002 

5. 28 1, 236 

6. 17 7, 878 

6. 56 11, 190 

5. 76 4, 486 

4. 69 59

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of North Platte River near Bridgeport, Nebr., for 1904-

Day.

I..................

2.................. 

3..................

4..................

5..................

6..................

7..................

8..................

9.................. 

10.................. 

11..................

12..................

13.................. 

14..................

15.................. 

16..................

17.................. 

18.................. 

19..................

20..................

21..................

23..................

24..................

25..................

26..................

27..................

28..................

29..................

30..................

....

....

....

::::

....

Jan. a

5.60

5.55 

5.90

5.80

5.35

5.40

5.42

5.40 

5.42 

5.40

5 40

Feb.

------- 

'5.42 .......

5.48 .......

5.50 

5.42

5.40 

- 5. 42 

5.43

5.50

5.55 

5.42

5.42

.......

Mar. Apr.

.......

.......

5.20 

5.10 

5.05 

5.03 

5.03 

5.25 

4.98 

5.15 

5.05 

5.03 

5.05 

5.07 

5.35 

5.20 

5.75 

5. 25 

5.32 

5.20 

5.50 

5.48 

5.45

May.

5.45 

5.43 

5.52 

5.60

5.65 

6.05 

6.31 

6.25 

5.88 

5.82 

6.01 

5.74 

5.72 

5.72 

5.82 

5.74 

5.75 

5. SO 

5.80 

5.86 

5. 92 

5.95 

6.36 

6.58 

6.22 

6.20 

6.22 

6.35 

6.38 

6.57

June.

6.46 

6.46 

6.46 

6.55 

6.32 

6.29 

6.48 

6.66 

6.68 

6.56 

6.56 

6.59 

6.38 

6.42 

6.34 

6.34 

6. 31 

6. 38 

6.28 

6.38 

6. 36 

6. 26 

6.30 

6.31 

6.29 

6.31 

6. 22 

6.12 

6.04 

6.02

July.

6.05 

5.92 

6.04 

5.92 

5.74 

5.76 

5.88 

5.76 

5.79 

5.86 

5.80 

5.56 

5.55 

5.48 

5.49 

5.40 

5.32 

5.31 

5.30 

5.25 

5. 22 

5.21 

5. 25 

5. 24 

5. 25 

5. 25 

5.25 

5. 22 

5. 05 

4.95

5 04

Aug.

4.90 

4.82 

4.75 

4.74 

4.73 

4.79 

4.84 

4.75 

4.75 

4.72 

4.70 

4.68 

4.64 

4.64 

4.65 

4.75 

4.85 

4.95 

4.88 

4.72 

4.72 

4.75 

4.70 

4.72 

4.72 

4.70 

4.75 

4.60 

4. 65 

4.70

4.75

Sept.

4.82 

4.75 

4.73 

4.72 

4.72 

4.70 

4.70 

4.67 

4.60 

4.62 

4.63 

4.63 

4.64 

4.65 

4.65 

4.65 

4.67 

4.67 

4.70 

4.68 

4.68 

4.70 

4.70 

4.72 

4.70 

4.70 

4.70 

4.72 

4.78 

4.87

Oct.

4.92 

4.85 

4.82 

4.72 

4.75 

4.75 

4.75 

4.75 

4.70 

4.75 

4.72 

4.75 

4.78 

4.80 

4.78 

4.80 

4.75 

4.80 

5.35 

5.30 

5.10 

5.05 

5.00 

5.25 

5.08 

5.00 

4.95 

4.98 

5.00 

4.98

5.00

Nov.,

5.02 

5.00 

5.02 

5.00 

5.00 

4.95 

4.95 

5.15 

5.20 

5.00 

4.90 

4.92 

5.05 

5.20 

5.17 

5.15 

5.10 

5.12 

5.10 

5.12 

5.15 

5.08 

5.17 

5.13 

5.07 

5.00 

5.35 

5.32 

5.00

« River frozen January.

i> Slush ice during November.
44 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII.

Hating table for North Plane River near Bridgeport, Nebr., from January 1 to December

31, 1904.

Gage 

-height.

Feet.

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

Discharge.

Second-feel.

50

100

200

360

580

860

Gage . 

height..

Feet.

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,200

1,610

2,090

2,640

3,280

4,000

Gage 

height.

Feel.

5.80

,5. 90

6.00

6.10

6.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

4,800

5,640

6,480

7,320

8,160

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

9,000

9,840

10,680

11,520

12, 360

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

6 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is fairly denned. Above gage 

height 5.8 feet the rating curve is a tangent, the difference being 8.40 per tenth.

Estimated monthly discharge of North Platte River near Bridgeport, Nebr., for 1904. 

[Drainage area, 23,190 square miles.]

Month.

April 10-30.........

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

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

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

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

November 1-29 « .... 

The period....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

4,40;) 

11,350 

12, 190 

6,900 

470 

312 

1, 850 

1,850

Minimum.

536 

2, 255 

6,648 

470 

50 

50 

100 

360

Mean.

1,393 

6, 313 

9, 630 

2, 940 

157 

108 

464 

846

Total in 

acre-feet.

58, 020 

388, 200 

573, 000 

180, 800 

9,654 

6,426 

28, 530 

48, 660

1,293,000

Run -off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.060 

. 272 

.415 

.127 

.0068 

.0047 

.020 

.036

Depth in 

inches.

0.047 

. 314 

.463 

.146 

.0078 

. G052 

.023 

.039

" Some slush ice in November; above estimate is for open channel. The above monthly estimate is

only a rough approximation on account of insufficient measurements and shifting streani bed. 

NORTH PLATTE RIVER AT NORTH PLATTE, NEBR.

The lowest gaging station on this river is located at the wagon bridge 

just north of North Platte, Nebr., and was established October 5,1894. 

It is ?4 miles above the junction with South Platte River, in sec. 28, 

T. 14 N., R. 30 W. The bridge is a long, low, pile structure, having, 

93 spans of approximately 20 feet each, crossing the main channel of 

the river. North of this, at a distance of about 440 feet, is another 

bridge crossing a smaller branch or slough and having six spans of
HINDERLIDERl 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 45

about 20 feet each. The water, except in times of flood, does not pass 

under all of the spans of the long bridge. Usually, the greater part 

flows under two or three of the spans, spreading out in shallow pools 

or streamlets under others. Beneath the greater number of spans is 

a dry, sandy bed at ordinary stages. The initial point for soundings 

is on the right bank and consists of a mark on the railing on the 

upstream side of the bridge. The channel is nearly straight for about 

500 feet both above and below the station. The banks are low, but 

are rarely, if ever, overflowed. The current is moderately rapid, and 

the bed is sandy and shifting.

The observations of river height are made at the Union Pacific 

Railroad bridge, about 2 miles below the wagon-road bridge. The 

railroad bridge is 2 miles above the junction of North and South 

Platte rivers. The gage is vertical, marked to tenths of a foot, and is 

fastened by screws to the piling under the bridge. The gage is read 

twice each day by H. E. Dress, the railroad bridge watchman.

The bench mark is the top of the east rail directly over the gage 

rod. Its elevation is 12.00 feet above the zero of the gage. The river 

usually goes dry some time in August. In measuring depths care 

must be taken not to sound too close to the piling, as there is usually a 

hole washed out around the base of each, in which there is no current.

It has been the practice, since the gage rod is some distance below 

the gaging section and the gage height can not be taken simultaneously with the discharge measurement, to reference the water surface 

both at beginning and end of the measurement to a bench mark at the 

gaging section, th'us obtaining relative differences in the gage height 

for successive gagings, for a check on the height observed" at the gage 

rod two miles below.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of J. C. Stevens, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements on North Platte River at North Platte, Nebr., in 1904-

Date.

March 26 « ....

May 13........

May 27........

June 13 .......

July 26.....;..

September 28 . .

Hydrographer.

J. C. Stevens ........

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

R. D. Hubbard ...'...

J. C. Stevens ........

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

R. D. Hubbard ......

Width.

Feet. 

1,000

1 QOO

Area of 

section.

Kq. feet. 

545

2,030

3,142

4,659

773

262

Mean 

velocity.

ft. per sec. 

2.00

2.46

3.01

3.1*4

1.92

1.61

Gage 

height.

Feet 

2.20

2.80

3.40

3.85

2.05

1.57

Discharge.

Sec. feet. 

1,086

4,995

9,445

14, 620

1,488

422

a Considerable ice running in channel. North half of channel frozen.
46 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Nortli Platte River at North Platte, Nebr., for 1904.

Day.

1 .............

9

3.............

4.............

5.............

6.............

8.............

9.............

10 .............

11 .............

12 .............

13 .............

14.............

15 ............. 

16 ............. 

17 .............

18 .............

19 ............. 

20 .............. 

21 .............

22 ............. 

23 .............

24 ............. 

25 ............. 

26 ............. 

27 ............. 

28 ............. 

29 ............. 

30 .............

31 .............

Jan.o

2.70 

2.50

2.45

2.50

2.65

2.70

2.70

2.65

2. 75

2.80

2. 80

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.80 

2. 90 

2.93

2.90

2. 85 

2.70 

2.70

2.80 

2.80

2.80 

2.80 

2.75 

2. 65 

2.60 

2.70 

2. 55

Feb."

.......

3.75 

3.30

.......

Mar.a

2.80

9 -Q

1.60

2.20

2.35

2.40

2. 60

o 55

2.30

2.50

2.50 

2.40 

2.40

l > ^

2.25 

2.30 

 ? °.n

2.35

2.40 

2.20 

2.20 

2.30 

2.40 

2. 20

2.40,

Apr.

2.40 

2.30

2. 30

2. 30

2.30

9 30

2. 50

2.10

2. 25

2.10

2.10

2. 15

2.10 

1.95

2. 05

2.00

1.85 

1.90 

1 95

2. 05

1 U^

1.95 

1.90 

2.20 

2.30 

2.30 

2.35 

2.45

May.

2.60

2.58

2.75

2.85

2.78

2.63

2. 63

3.03

3.03

2.93

2.83

2. 80

2. 68 

2. 75

2. 68 

2.68 

2.73

2.80 

2.80

2. 85 

2.85 

3.58 

3.35 

3.25 

3.25

3.30

June.

3.50

3.65

3.57

3.43

q OQ

3.30

3.28

3.45

3.60

3.55

3.75

3.75 

3.60

O £.f\

3.50 

3.45

3

jp;

3.40

3.38 

3.33 

3.25 

3.15 

3.05 

3.05 

3.05

July.

2.83 

2.85

9 gg

2.88

2.80

<> QEL

3.13

2.97

3.00

2.80

2.92

2.80

2.73

2.70

2.68 

2.50 

2.40

2. 35

2. 25 

2.40 

2. 27

2. 20 

 > > >

2. 25 

2.10 

2. 05 

2.00 

1.95 

2.02 

1 80

1.7.1

Aug.

1.73 

1.75

1 90

1 Q^

1.77

2.20

1.85

1.80

1.67

1.60

1.55

1.43

1.44

1.30 

1.27 

1.23

1.25

1.25 

1.20 

1.15

1.12 

1.10

1. 05 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.20 

1.18

,1.20

Sept.

1.32 

'1.78

1.48

1.62

1.48

1.35

1.30

1.18

1.12

1.05

1.05

1.08

1.05

1.05

1.08 

1.05 

1.05

1.05

1.00 

.95

1.08 

1.15

1.08 

1.08 

1.08 

1.15 

1.40 

1.48 

1.80

Oct.

2.12 

2 08

1 98

1.92

1.75

1.75

1.78

1.70

1.82

1.80

1.78

 1.78

1.62

1.62

1.'62 

1.65 

1.65

1.85

2.08 

2.02 

1 98

1.90 

1.82

1.92 

2.10 

2.10 

2.08 

2.08 

2.08 

2.10

2.05

Nov.

2.02 

1 98

1.95

1.95

1.98

2.00

1.98

1.90

1.90

1.92

2.00

2.15

2 08

1. 98 

2. 02 

2.15

2.10 

2.02

2.00 

2. 05

2.12 

2.15 

2.10 

2.08 

2.05 

2.00 

2.05

Dec.<»

2.22 

2.2.5

2.25

2. 05

2.10

2.12

2. 20

2 >'>

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.55

«Ice conditions January, February, March, and December.

Rating table for North Platle River at North Platte, Nebr., from January 1 to December

31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Fjet.

0.95

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

Discharge.

Stcond-fett.

20

25

40

80

14»

230

350

500

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

690

910

1,150

1,420

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.. 80

1,725 2.90

2,070

2,460

2,890

3.00

 3.10

3.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3, 360

3,870

4, 420

5,010

5, 640

6,310

7,030

7,810

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

8,650

9, 560

10, 530

11,580

12, 700

13, 900

15, 200

16, 600

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

5 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is not well defined.
HINDERLIDERl 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 47

Estimated monthly discharge of North Platte River at North Plaltf, Nebr., for 1904. 

[Drainage area, 28,520 square miles.]

Month, a

April. ..............

Mav ...............

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

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

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

September. .........

November ..........

The period....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3,360 

11,370 

15, 480 

7,264 

2,070 

910 

1,794 

1,898

Minimum.

1,030 

3,768 

6,670 

800 

32 

20 

538 

1,150

Mean.

1, 938 

5,644 

10, 260 

3,681 

399 

159 

1,167 

1,517

Total in 

acre-feet.

115, 300 

347, 000 

610, 500 

226, 300 

24, 530 

9,461 

71, 760 

90, 270

........ 1,495,000

Kun-off.

Second-feet 

 per square 

mile.

0.068 

.198 

.360 

.129 

.014 

.0056 

.041 

.053

Depth in 

inches.

0.076 

.228 

.402 

.149 

.016 

.0062 

.047 

.059

«Ice conditions January, February, March, and December.

NOTE. Insufficient measurements were made during 1904 to make the above monthly estimate 

other than a rough approximation.

PLATTE EIVER NEAR LEXINGTON, NEBR.

This station was established April 2, 1902, by H. O. Smith. It is 

located in sec. 20, T. 9 N., R. 21 W., at the highway bridge 3 miles 

south of Lexington, Nebr., shown on the Lexington quadrangle.

Discharge measurements are made from the up-stream side of the 

highway bridge, which consists of 187 20-foot spans supported by pile 

bents. A second smaller channel, about one-fourth mile south, is 

measured from a similar pile bridge having a total span of 60 feet. 

The upstream hand rail at the main bridge is marked at 20-foot intervals. The initial point for soundings is the zero mark on the hand 

rail at the north or left bank of the stream. The channel is straight 

1 mile above and below the station. The section is broad and shallow 

with a rapid velocity and shifting, sandy bed. Both banks are low 

but not liable to overflow. The river usually goes dry in August. 

At low stages the river flows in as many as 40 channels of varying 

widths and depths, and it is impracticable to measure the discharge at 

.such stages with a fair degree of accurac}7 . It has been done, however, 

by preparing the channel beforehand that is, by throwing up small 

dikes of sand where necessary to throw the small winding channels 

into ones of sufficient size to enable velocities to be measured with a 

current meter.

During 1902 and 1903 a single boxed-wire gage, located near the 

left bank, was employed for the observation of gage heights. It was
48 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII [NO. 131.

noticed, however, that on account of the extreme width 3,720 feet 

and shallowness of the stream the effect of wind velocities on the gage 

heights was very considerable. In order to eliminate this effect as 

much as possible two gages of the regulation chain and weight type 

were installed in the spring of 1904, one at the north end downstream 

side and the other at the south end upstream side of bridge with their 

zeros at the same elevation, and Mr. E. J. Duryee, a mail carrier, was 

employed to read both gages in crossing, no observations being taken 

on Sundays or holidays. The gage heights employed in the preparation of daily discharge tables therefore are the mean of the heights 

observed at each gage.

Bench mark No. 2 is the top of the east end of the first cap at the 

north end of the bridge. Its elevation is 7.66 above gage datum. 

Bench marks Nos. 3 and 4 are the tops of the upstream ends of the 

caps of the third bent from the north and south ends of the bridge, 

respectively, each marked with a cross. Their elevations are respectively 9.22 and 9.03 feet above gage datum.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of J. C. Stevens, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Platte River near Lex'mgtan, Nebr., in 1904-

Date.

March 27 ......

May 14........

May 27 .. .....

June 14. .......

July 27........

September 1 ...

Hydrographer.

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

.....do .....:........

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

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

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

Width.

Feet.

3,793

3,810

Area of 

section.

Sq. feet. 

1,708

2,504

4,656

6,760

1,046

83

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.80

1.89

2.28

2.83

1.61

1.50

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.34

3.54

4.10

4.48

3.32

2.99

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

3,070

4,731

10, 610

19, 100

1,690

125
HINDERUDERl 

AND HOYT. J

PL&TTE EIVER DBAINAGE BASIN. 49

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Finite River near Lexington, Nebr.,for 1904-

1...... ......................

o

4............................

5............................

6............................

8............................

9............................

10............................

11............................

10

14............................

15............................

16............................

17............................

18............................

19............................

21............................

22............................

23............................

24............................

25............................

26............................

27............................

28............................

29............................

30............................

31............................

Mar.

3.32

3.22

3.15

3.18

Apr.

3.14

3.28

3.22

3.20

3.29

3.05

3.25

3.10

2.98

3.19

3.10

3.02

3.14

3.15

2 98

3.08

3.20

3.12

3 1''

May.

3.14

3.20

3.58

3.70

3.60

3.45

3.65

3.68

3.52

3.55

3.50

3. 55

3.52

3.45

3.38

3. 55

4.10

3 84

3 9'1

June.

4.00

4.12

4.15

. 4.20

4.11

4.05

4.00

4.02

4.28

4.32

4.50

4.42

4.42

4.35

4.48

4.25

4.24

4.20

4.22

4.10

4.10

4.00

3 92

July.

3.85

3.78

3.88

3.78

3.85

3.60

3.55

3.55

3.50

3.40

3.38

3.42

3.32

3.32

3.32

3.32

3 20

Aug.

3.19

3.18

3.25

3.20

3.29

3.18

3.32

3.22

3.20

3.15

3.08

2.92

2.90

2.82

3.22

3.10

2.92

2.88

2.68

(«)

(")

(«)

(a)

(«)

3. 25

3.12

3.10

Sept.

3.00

3.02

3.05

3.02

3.02

2.98

2.92

2.90

2.92

3.18

3.00

2.82

2.80

2.70

(«)

(«)

(«)

(«)

2. 85

2.80

2.75

3.15

3.10

3.15

Oct.

3.22

3.32

3.28

3.10

3.18

3.22

3.10

3.12

3.12

3.15

3.18

3.20

3.20

3.12

3.30

3.40

3.35

3.38

3.35

3.35

3.28

3.28

3.35

3.30

3.^8

3.32

Nov.

3.35

3.36

3.34

3.32

3>68

3.30

3.30

3.35

3.48

3.25

3.28

3.38

3.40

3.35

3.32

3.35

3.40

8.35

3.35

3.35

3.42

3.42

3.45

3.38

3.38

« No water flowing. 

Rating table fur Flatte River near Lexington, Nebr., from May 1 to December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

Discharge.

Second -fed.

200

750

1,350

2,000

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

Discharge.

tiecond-fect .

2,700

3,500

4,400

5,400

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

6,500

7,700

9,100

10, 700

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

12, 600

14, 700

17, 000

19, 500

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

6 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is not well defined. The discharge 

below gage height 3 feet is approximate. 

IRR 131 05 4
50 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Estimated jnontJdy discharge of Platte Rirer near Lex'mytort, Nebr.,for 1904. 

[Drainage area. 53,300 square miles.]

Month."

April & .............

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

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

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

November c .........

The period ....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

2,000 

10, 700 

19, 500 

7,700 

2,000 

1, 350 

2,700 

3,100

Minimum.

1,000 

1,025 

7,700 

1,350 

0, 

0 

750 

1,600

Mean.

1,218 

4,295 

12, 570 

4,071 

760 

266 

1,662 

2,392

Total in 

acre-feet.

72, 480 

264,100 

748, 000 

250, 300 

46, 730 

15, 830 

102, 200 

142, 300

1 , 642, 000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.023 

.081 

.236 

.076 

.014 

. 0050 

.031 

.045

Depth in 

inches.

0.026 

.093 . 

.263 

.088 

.016 

.0056 

.036 

.050

n Owing to the shifting condition of the stream bed and insufficient measurement during 1904 the 

above estimates can only be considered u very rough approximation. 

6 Daily discharge during April obtained by indirect method, 

c November 10, river frozen; discharge estimated. Discharges for Sundays and holidays interpolated.

PLATTE RIVER NEAR COLUMBUS, NEBR.

This station was established June -i, 1895, by O. V. P. Stout, at the 

Meridian Bridge, 2 miles south of Columbns, Nebr. The gage is 

of the regulation chain and weight type, whose boxed scale is fastened 

to the downstream hand rail of the north bridge approach. The 

distance from the end of the weight to the index is 16.21 feet. The 

river at this point flows in three channels, known as the main, middle, 

and south channels, having widths of 1,940 feet, 3*20 feet, and 75 feet, 

respectively. Each channel is spanned }>y a pile bridge, from the 

upstream side of which discharge measurements are made. The main 

channel is crossed b}^ the Meridian Bridge, which consists of sixtyfive 30-foot spans. The middle channel bridge consists of sixteen 

20-foot spans, and is located 1^ miles south of the Meridian Bridge. 

The south channel is spanned by a pile bridge about 80 feet long, 

located one-eighth mile south of the middle channel bridge. Discharge measurements are made from the upstream side of all three 

bridges, whose hand rails are marked at intervals of 10 or 20 feet. 

The initial point for soundings is the zero mark on the upstream hand 

rail at the north end of the main channel bridge, and at the south ends 

of the middle and south channel bridges. Above the bridges the 

channels are straight for 5,000 feet in the main channel, 200 feet in 

the middle channel, and 100 feet in the south channel. Below the 

bridges the channels arc straight for 3,000 feet in the main channel, 300 

feet in the middle channel, and 500 feet in the south channel. The
HINDERLIDERT 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 51

sections are broad and shallow, with rapid velocity and shifting, sandy 

bed At low stages the river flows in many shallow channels, so that 

the measurement of the discharge is mainly a matter of estimation. 

The bed is so changeable that the daily discharges are not proportional 

to the corresponding gage heights. The method of applying corrections to observed gaged heights in the preparation of daily discharge 

tables, as outlined in Nineteenth Annual Report of the U. S. Geological Survey, Part IV, p. 323 et seq., has been resorted to. The 

river is usually dry from August 15 to October 15. Bench mark No. 1 

is a standard iron post of the Geological Survey, located 60 feet north 

of the north end of the north bridge truss, and 10 feet west of a 

cottonwood tree 6 feet in diameter. Its elevation is 7.06 feet above 

the zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is the heads of three spikes 

driven into the top of the second piling from the downstream end of 

the second bent from the north end of bridge, counting approach 

bent one. Its elevation is 9.62 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1901: have been made under 

the direction of J. C. Stevens, resident hydrographer.

DixcJiarge measurements of Finite Hirer near Columbus, Nebr., in 1904-

Date.

May 8.................

June 19................

July 28................

Hydrographer.

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

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

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

Area of 

section.

Sq.fcet.

2, 571

5,060

4,107

1,435

40

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.23

3.00

2.92

' 1.77

1.5D

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.85

4.52

4.13

2.96

1.91

Discharge.

Stc.-fcet. 

5,747

15, 190

12, 020

2,549

60
52 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Platte River near Columbus, Nebr., for 1904.

Day.

1............................

3............................

4............................

5............................

6............................

8

9............................

10............................

11............................

1'2............................

13............................

14............................

15............................

16. ...........................

17............................

19............................

23............................

24............................

27............................

30............................

Mar.

3.20

3.10

3.00

3.00

3 30

3.30

3.20

3.10

Q in

o in

Apr.

3.20

3.20

3.15

3.20

3.20

3.10

3 10

<J Ofl

3.20

3.05

3.05

3.00

o go

2. 90'

2.75

2.75

2.70

2.70

2.65

o go

2.60

 ) 9Q

2.75

May.

2.60

2.60

2.60

2. 65

2.65

3 on

3.75

3.75

3.80

3.85

3.85

3.60

3. 65

O Kfl

3.38

3.35

o qn

4.20

June.

4.15

4.20

4.65

4.75

4.85

4.65

4.55

4.35

4.10

4.18

4.35

4.90

5.00

4.60

4.92

4.80

4 50

4.52

4.10

4.10

4.20

4 50

4 ''5

4.12

July.

3.91

3.81

3.76

3.75

3.75

3.80

0 QE^

4.02

4.00

3.85

4.20

3.97

3.80

3.50

3.42

3.35

3.70

3.31

3.20

3.27

3.17

3.20

3.15

3.10

3.03

3.00

2.91

Aug.

2. 53

2.35

2.40

2.42

2.29

O f)C

2 21

2.40

2.85

2.85

2.70

2.52

2.40

2.25

2. 15

1.95

2.12

2. 15

2.17

2.08

1 99

1.65

1.55

1.45

1.35

1.30

1.35

1.40

1.45

2.00

Sept.

1.87

1.80

1.65

1.65

1.70

1.80

1.70

1.65

1.53

1.46

1.30

1.12

1.55

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.30

1.30

1. 25

1.50

1.55

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.45

1.45

1.50

1.60

1.75

Oct.

2.05

2.00

1.80

1.80

1.25

1.20

1 'iO.

2.00

2. 25

2.45

2. 25

2.15

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.35

2. 35

2.40

2.45

3.10

3.10

3.25

2.95

2.90

2.70

2.60

2.40

2.35

2.30

2.35

Nov.

2.40

2.35

2.30

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.40

2.40

2.30

2.20

2.10

2.00

2.20

2.30

2.30

2.40

2.55

2.55

2.45

2.42

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.35

2.40

2.40

Rating table for Platte River near Columbus, Nebr., from June 15 to October 27, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2,10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

Discharge.

ttemnd-feet.

0

20

50

110

200

320

460

630

830

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,080

1,400

1,800

2,350

3,050

3,810

4,600

5, 390

6,180

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3. 50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

Discharge.

Second-feet ^

6,970

7,760

8, 550

9,340

10, 130

10, 920

11,710

12, 500

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

13, 290

14, 080

14, 870

15, 660

16, 450

17, 240

18, 030

18, 820

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

4 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is only a rough approximation. 

Above gage height 3.1 feet the rating curve is a tangent, the difference being 790 per 

tenth.
HINDERLIDERT 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 53

Estimated monthly discharge of Platte River nettr Columbus, Nebr.,for 1904- 1 

[Drainage area, 56,870 square miles.] 

Month.

May 8-31. ......

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

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

August .........

November 1-26 . . 

The period.

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

8, 550 

18, 190 

12, 500 

2,075 

41 

4,995 

1,000

Minimum.

1, 250 

 7, 760 

1,520 

0 

0 

0 

1,000

Mean.

4,128 

12, 880 

6,888 

451 

3. 03 

1,037 

1,000

Total in 

acre-feet.

196, 500 

766, 400 

423, 500 

. 27, 730 

180 

63, 760 

51, 570

1.530.000

Run-off.

Second- feet 

per square 

mile.

0.073 

.226 

.121 

.0079

.018 

.018

Depth in 

inches.

0..065 

.252 

.140 

.0091

.021 

.017

i

a Estimates May 8 to June 14 and Oct. 28 to Nov. 26 obtained by indirect method outlined in the 

Nineteenth Ann. Kept. U. S. Geol. Survey, pt. 4, 1899, page 323 et seq.

BIG GRIZZLY CREEK AT HEBRON, COLO.

This station was established May 13, 1904, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is located at the highway bridge at Hebron, Colo., about 2 miles 

above the junction of Big and Little Grizzly creeks and 10 miles from 

Walden, Colo. A plain, vertical, staff gage, graduated to feet and 

tenths from 2 feet to 9.5 feet, is spiked to the left downstream corner 

of the middle crib pier. The 2-foot mark rests upon the bed of the 

stream. The gage is read twice each d&y by James R. Peterson. Discharge measurements are made at low and ordinary stages by wading 

near the gage. During very high water measurements are made from 

the downstream side of the 2-span bridge to which the gage is attached. 

The bridge is marked every 2 feet and figures cut every 4 feet in the 

top of the downstream hand rail. The initial point for soundings is 

the face of the left abutment at the zero marked on the hand rail. 

The channel is straight for about 50 feet above and below the station 

and the current is at right angles to the gaging section. The current 

is uniform and medium at all stages. Both banks are about 3 feet 

high, clean, and not subject to overflow. The bed of the stream is 

composed of gravel, with cobblestones and mud on the left side of 

the stream. It is fairly uniform and permanent. Bench mark No. 1 

is a 30-penny nail driven vertically into the top of the downstream 

end of the top timber of the left abutment of the bridge. Its elevation is 9.76 feet above gage datum. Bench mark No. 2 is a regulation 

iron bench-mark post, 4 feet east of the fence on the west side of the 

road, 60 feet south of the river bank. Its elevation is 8.817 feet above 

the datum of the gage. «.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderliclor, district hydrographer.
54 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Discharge measurements of Big Grizzly Creek at Hebron, Colo., in 1904.

Date.

May 13«.......

May 26 ........

June 2.........

June 13. .......

June 27 ........

July 12........

Augusts... . .. .

Hydrographer.

W. A. Lamb.........

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet.

47

45

37

32

18

14

Area of 

section.

Kq. feet. 

58

101

75

66

33

10

5

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec.

2.28

2.95

2.51

2.33

1.73

1.40

.60

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.76

5.64

5.15

4.96

4.25

3.66

3.40

Discharge.

Scc.-fcet. 

132

298

188

154

57

14

3

« Wading 50 feet below station. 

Mean daily ga</e height, in feet, of Big drizzly ('reek at Hebron, Colo., for 1904-

Day.

1...... ..............................................

6....................................................

7............................................... ....

3............ ........................................

9....................................................

10....................................................

11 ....................................................

12...................................... ... . ....

13. ...................................................

15. ...................................................

1C....................................................

17....................................................

18....................................... ............

19. ................. ................................

20. ...:..............................................

21....................................................

r)O

23.......................................... .........

25. ...................................................

20....................................................

27.................................................. .

28 .

29...................................... ... ... ....

30 ....................................................

31....................................................

May.

........

........

' '

........

4.88

4.85

4 S5

4.72

4.80

4. 90

4.98

5.30

5. 35

5. 58

5. 55

5.68

5.72

5 52

5.35

5.35

June.

5 30

5.12

5.35

5.95

5. 32

5 30

4.75

4.82

5.32

5.20

5.12

5.10

5.25 

5. 25

r> 00

4.95

4. SO

4.95

4.95

4.68

4.75

4.58

4.50

4.45

4.38

4.20

4.10

4.00

3.90

........

July.

3.92

3.88

3.70

3.75

3.75

3.75

3.70

3.78

3.75

3.70

3.75

3,62

3.58

3.62

S <S8

S.48

3.52

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.48

3.50

3.50

3.48

3.45

3.45

Aug.

3.40

3.42

3.45

3.40

3.40

' 3.42

3.42

3.42

3.40

3.40

3. 55

3.95

3*. 90 

3.90

3.90

4.00

3.95

3.95

3.90

3.75

3.70

3.60

3.60

3. CO

3.60

3.60

3.60

3.60

3.60

3.65

3.62

Sept.

3.65

3.65

3.65

3.60

3.60

3.60

3.65

3.65

3.60

3.60

3.50

3.50

3.50 

3.50

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.45

3.45

3. 50

3.50

3.55

3.55

- 3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.60

3. 65

Oct.

3.70

3.65

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.55

3.60

3.55

3.52

3.55

3.55

3.60

3.65 

3.70

3.75

3.70

3.70

3.75

3.75

3.70

3.70

3.70

3.75

3.75

3.70

3.70

3.70

3.75

3.60

3.60

3.60
PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BAS.IN. 55

Reding table for Big Grizzly Creel- at Ilebron, Colo.,froin May 13 to December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Ftit.

3.40

3.50

3. 60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

Discharge.

*!*> <**<*.

3

7

11

16

22

28

35

Gage 

height.

Jit'.

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4. 50

4.60

4.70

Discharge.

*«,«</-/**.

43

52

62

73

85

98

112

(Sage 

height.

Fat.

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

Discharge.

,Sm»,d-/«f.

127

143

160

178

198

219

241

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

264

288

313

339

366

394

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

7 discharge measurements made during 1904. it is well denned to gage height 5.6 

feet. The table has been extended above this limit.

Estimated monthly discharge of Big Grizzly Creel at Hebron, Colo.,for 1904-

Discharge in second-feet.

Total in

May 13-31............................

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

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

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

The period .....................

Maximum.

318

380

29

OC

13

19

Minimum.

115

28

5

3

3

8

Mean.

207

152

12.0

14.1

8.73

13.7

acre-feet.

7,801

9,045

738

867

519

842

19, 820

LITTLE GRIZZLY CHEEK NEAR HEBRON, COLO.

This station was established June 3,1904, by William A. Lamb. It 

is located at the wagon bridge on-James Hill's ranch, one-half mile 

southwest of Hebron, Colo., and one-fourth mile west of the road 

from Hebron to Spicer. A plain staff gage is nailed vertically to the 

northwest corner of the center pier of the bridge. It is read twice 

each day by John Peterson. At low water measurements are made by 

wading 300 feet above the gage. At high water measurements are 

made from the downstream side of the 2-span bridge to which the 

gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is the east edge of 

the pier at the left bank. Points for sounding are marked every 2 

feet by 10-penny nails driven into the guard rail on the downstream 

side of the bridge. The channel is straight for about 150 feet above 

and below the station, and the current has a medium and uniform
56 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

velocit3T . Both banks are low, and liable to overflow. The right 

bank is partly covered by willows. The bed of the stream is composed of gravel and is firm. There is but one channel at all stages, 

broken by the middle pier of the bridge. Bench mark No. 1 is a nail 

driven into the north end of the second log in the left abutment. Its 

elevation is 5.90 feet above the zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 

is a nail driven into the north end of a log in the right abutment. Its 

elevation is 6.373 feet above the zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 3 

is the top of a regulation iron bench-mark post, 80 feet east of the 

gage rod and 20 feet north of the road. Its elevation is 0.786 feet 

above the zero of the gage.

The observations at tliis station during- 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Little Grizzly Creek near Hebron, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

June 3 ........

June 13 .......

July 12........

August 8 ......

Hydrographer.

W. A. Lamb.........

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet.

47

47

46

28

10

15

Area of 

section.

fiq. feet.

117

159

98

17

11

6

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec.

2. 53

3.45

1.91

2.18

1.09

1.33

Gage 

height.

Fret.

4.85

5.60

4.22

3. 05

2.80

2.73

Discharge.

Sec.-fert.

296

548

187

37

12

8

"Wading 300 feet above station. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Little drizzly Creel: near Hebron, Colo., for 1904-

Day.

2.................

7.................

8 .................

9.................

10 .................

11.................

12 .................

13 .................

14 .................

15 .................

16 .................

June.

4. 82

4.52

4. 05

3.92

4.25

4. 45

4.88

4.78

4.90

5. 35

5.40

5. 45

5.15

5 15

July.

4.00

3.85

3.78

3.85

3.72

3.02

3.50

3.40

3.30

3.20

3. 25

3.05

3.00

3.00

Aug.

2.90

2.90

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.80

2. 80

2.80

2.85

2.90

2.90

2.90

2.85

2.95

Sept.

2.90

2.90

2.80

2.80

2 82

 > 85

2.85

2. 85

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.75

2.75

2.70

Oct.

2.80

2.85

2.80

2. 80

2.85

o g5

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.78

2.75

2.80

o pft

Day.

17.................

18.................

19.................

20.................

21.................

22.................

24.................

25.................

26.................

27.................

28.................

29.................

30.................

June.

4 95

4. 65

4.72

4 80

4.30

4. 22

4.20

4.10

3.95

July.

9 99

2.95

2.90

o 90

9 ft()

9 90

9 90

2.90

2.90

2.85

2.90

2.90

2.90

2.95

2 95

Aug.

3.00

3.00

2.85

2.90

9 90

2. 85

2.85

2.90

2.90

2.90

2.85

2. 85

2.85

2.82

9 99

Sept.

2.70

2.70

2.70

2.70

2.75

2. 75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.80

Oct.

2.80

2.88

2. 85

9 99

2.95

2.90

2.85

2.80

2.85

2.80

2.80
PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 57

Rating table for Little Grizzly Creek near Hebron, Colo., from June 3 to December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.70

2.75

2.80

2.85

2.90

2.95

3.00

3.10

3.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

7

9

12

16

21

26

31

41

51

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

Discharge.

Kicond-feel .

61

71

82

94

106

119

133

147

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

162

180

198

216

235

255

276

298

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

Discharge.

Second-fret.

322

347

375

405

438

472

509

548

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

6 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is fairly well denned.

Est'uiHtted monthly discharge of Little Grizzly Creek near Hebron, Colo., for 1904-

Month.

June 3-30. ............................

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

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

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

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

The period .....................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

490 

147 

31 

21 

26

Minimum.

136 

12 

12

7 

9

Mean.

r27. 2

49.6' 

18.0 

10.8 

14.5

Total in^, 

acre-fe&tr

) 15,110 

3,013 

1,107 

643

892

20, 760

KOARING FORK RIVER NEAR HEBRON, COLO.

This station was established May 14, 1904, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is- located at the highwa}^ bridge, about 2 miles above J. E. Mallon1s 

ranch house and 4 miles northwest of Hebron, Colo., and is one-half 

mile above the mouth of the river. A standard chain gage was placed 

June 14, 1904, by William A. Lamb. It is-located on the east side of 

the bridge, 18 feet from the south face of the north abutment. The 

length of the chain from the end of the weight to the marker is 7.70 

feet. The gage is read three times each week by Walter Johnson. 

Discharge measurements are made at low stages by wading near the 

gage. At higher stages they are made from the single-span bridge to 

which the gage is attached, sounding points being marked on the 

downstream side with figures cut in the floor. The initial point for 

soundings is the south face of the north abutment, marked with a 

spike driven into the bridge floor. The channel is straight for about
58 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 181.

100 feet above and 50 feet below the station, and the current is uniform 

and moderately swift. Both banks are about 5 feet high above and 3 

feet high below the bridge, lined with willows, and not liable to overflow except at extremely high stages. The bed of the stream is composed of coarse gravel and cobblestones, uniform and stable. There is 

but one channel at all stages. Bench mark No. 1 is the top of a spike 

driven horizontally into the east end of the second timber from the 

top of the north abutment. The head of a nail driven vertically into 

the north end of the gage rod is 2.55 feet above this bench mark. 

The elevation of the bench mark is 2.86 feet above gage datum. 

Bench mark No. 2, established October 2, 1904, is the top of a castiron rod, 16 inches long by 1 inch at the lower end, tapering to a point 

at the upper end. It is set on a bowlder sunken in the ground by the 

side of the lane fence, 50 feet northeast of the north pier of the bridge. 

Its elevation is 7.14: feet above the gage datum.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Roaring Fork River near Hebron, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

1904. 

May 14 ........

May 27 ........

June 4 .........

July 13........

September 13 «.

Hydrographer.

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

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

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

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

.....do ...:..........

Width.

Feet. 

36

42

41

34

25

18

Area of 

section.

fiq.fect. 

31

90

flCb5

37

23

15

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.65

3.64

3.42

2.95

1.69

1.00

Gage, 

height.

Fed.

3.49

3.04

2.00

1.60

1.32

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

82

328

222

109

39

15

" Measured ;it different section. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of liour'mg Fork Rirer near Htbron, Colo., for 1904-

Day.

Q

8 .................

g

13 .................

15 .................

July. Aug.

1.60

1.75

1.75

1.25

1.02

Sept.

1.15

1.C5

1.20

1.30

Oct.

1.30

1.30

1 30

1.30

1 ^O

1.30

1.40

Nov.

1.30

Day.

17.................

18.................

19.................

20.................

23.................

U.. ...............

25.................

28. ................

29................. 

30.................

31.................

July.

2. 03

2.01

2.00

1.95

1.80

Aug.

1.15

1 ..20

1.20

1.25

1.20

1.15

Sept.

1.30

1.30

1.25

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

Oct.

1.3'5

1.30

1.30

1.80

1.25

1.30

1.30

Nov.

......

......
PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 59

Rating table for Roariny Fork River near Hebron, C'olo., from May 14 to December 31,1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.00

1.05

1.10

1.15

1.20

1.25

Discharge. '

Second-feet;

f>^

 3

4

5

7

10

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.30

1.35

1.40

1.45

1.50

1.55

Discharge.

Second-feet.

13

17

21

25

30

35

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.60

1.65

1.70

1.75

1.80

1.85

Discharge.

Second-feet.

40

45

50

55

60

66

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.90

1.95

2.00

2.10

Discharge.

Secowl-fect.

72

78

.84

96

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

6 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is not well denned.

Estimated monthly discharge of Roaring Fork River near Hebron, Colo., for 1904.

Discharge in second-feet.

Month.

July, 5 days .......

August, 13 days....

September, 14 days. 

October, 15 days ...

Total in

Maximum.

 88

55

13

21

Minimum.

60

2

5

10

Mean.

79.0

21.8

10.4

13.6

acre-feet.

« 1, 880

ft 1,340

&619

&836

« Acre-feet computed July 20-31. ''Acre-feet computed for full month.

MICHIGAN CREEK NEAR WALDEN, COLO.

This station was established May 9, 1904, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is located at the highway bridge, one-half mile east of Walden, Colo. 

A plain, vertical, staff gage is attached to the left downstream corner 

of the middle pier. The gage is graduated to feet and tenths from 4 

to 10 feet, the 4-foot mark resting on the bed of the stream at the foot 

of the pier. It is read twice each day by J. K. P. McCallum. Discharge measurements are made at ordinary stages by wading a short 

distance above the two-span bridge to which the gage is attached. At 

high stages they are made from the downstream side of the bridge. 

The initial point for soundings is a 30-penny nail driven into the floor 

at the west end of the bridge. The channel is straight for about 

75 feet above and 50 feet below the station. The current is medium 

at low and swift at high stages. Both banks are about three feet high, 

bordered by flat meadow lands, and are not liable to overflow. The 

bed of the stream is composed of sand and gravel, free from vegetation, and is fairly permanent. Bench mark No. 1 is the top of a nail 

driven into the left abutment of the bridge on the downstream side. 

Its elevation is 7.910 feet above the gage datum. Bench mark No. 2 

is the top of a 20-penny nail driven into the top of a sandstone bowlder
STREAM MEASUREMENTS IK 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

under the clitf o.n the north side of the river, about 275 feet northeast 

of the east end of the bridge, It is marked " B. M. U. S. G. S." Its 

elevation is 15.335 feet above the gage datum.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Michigan Creek near Walden, Co,lo., in 1904-

Date.

May 8 .........

May 24........

June 1 ........

July 9 .........

August 6 ......

August 22 .....

September 6 « . .

October 28 « ...

Hydrographer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

40

40

56

,28

29

26

25

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet.

79

90

85

23

28

18

15

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

3.32

3.29

3.07

2.33

2.17

2.64

2.00

2.20

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.95

5.41

5.51

5.28

4.70

4.77

4.60

4.60

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

123

260

276

198

50

74

36

33

a Wading at different section. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Michigan Creek near Walden, Colo., for 1904.

Day.

'2............ ........................ . ......

3............................S.......................

4....................................................

5 ................................................... i

6 . - ., -"---- -- -.- --

8....................................................

9....................................................

10. ...................................................

11....................................................

10

14........................................ ...........

17.............................. ....................

18. ...................................................

19

°0

21....................................................

23... .................................................

24. ...................................................

OK

26....................................................

27. ...................................................

QQ

29....................................................

30

01

May.

4.88

4.95

5. 22

4.75

5.00

5.02

4.95

4.90

4.98

5. 15

5. 20

5.20

5.30

5.50

5.60

5. 62

5.45

5. 35

5.42

5.40

June.

5 48

5.45

5:60

5.62

5.45

5.38

5. 38

5. 45

5.58

. 5. 60

5.65

5.62

5.78

5.88

5.90

5. 85

5.80

5.70

5.68

5.68

5.72

5.68

5.68

5.62

5.50

5.48

5.35

5.35

5.38

July.

5.50

5.42

5.40

5.35

5.32

5.25

5.28

5.28

5.28

5.12

5.10

5.10

5.05

5. 05

5.02

4.98

4.75

4.98

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.90

4 90

4.90

4.90

4.82

4.80

4.82

4.90

4.92

4.82

Aug.

4 80

4.78

4.75

4.70

4.70

4.70

4.70

4.70

4.65

4.65

4.70

4.78

4.72

4.70

4.70

4.75

4.85

4.80

4.82

4.78

4.75

4.78

4.70

4.68

4.62

4.60

4.68

4.70

4.70

4.70

4.65

Sept.

4.70

4.88

4.75

4.70

4.68

4.68

4.60

4.60

4.60

4.60

4.55

4.55

4.55

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.60

4.52

4.50

4.52

4.58

4.55

4.55

4.60

Oct.

4.55

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.52

4.55

4. 55

4. 55

4.60

4.55

4.60

4.58

4. 55

4.55

4.55

4.55

4. 55

4.60

4.60

4.60

4.60

4.60

4.60

4.60

4.65

4.60

4.60

4.60

4.6Q
HINDERLIDER"] 

AND HOYT. J

PLATTE EIVER DRAINAGE BASIJST. 61

Rating table for Michigan Creek near Walden, Colo., from May 8 to December 31, 1904-

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.50

4.55

4.60

4.65

4.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

17

24

32

41

50

Gage 

height.

Fed.

4.75

4.80

4.85

4.90

4.95

Discharge.

Second-feet.

60

71

82

94

106

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

Discharge.

Second-feel.

118

145

174

207

242

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

280

321

364

411

460

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

8 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is well denned between gage heights 

4.6 feet and 5.5 feet,

Estimated monthly discharge, of Michigan Creek near Walden, Colo., for 1904.

Month.

May 9-31 .............................

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

329 

460 

280

82 

89 

41

Mimimum.

60 

224 

60 

32 

17 

17

Mean.

177

320 

137 

54.3

29.7 

26.8

Total in 

acre-feet.

8,073 

19, 040 

8,424 

3,339 

1,767 

1,648

42, 290

MICHIGAN CREEK, OR MIDDLE FORK RIVER, NEAR COWDREY, COLO.

This station was established May 9, 1904, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is located 100 feet above the wagon bridge, \\ miles northwest of 

Cowdrey, Colo. The gage is an inclined staff, graduated vertically to 

feet and tenths, spiked firmly to posts set into the left bank. The 

distance between the footmarks on the slope is 1.6 feet. The gage is 

read twice each day by L. L. Knoles. Discharge measurements are 

made at all ordinary stages by wading near the gage. At extreme 

high-water measurements are made from the wagon bridge 100 feet 

below the gage rod. The initial point for soundings is the top of the 

left bank at the gage. The channel is straight for about 50 feet above 

and 100 feet below the station, and the current is medium. The right 

bank is a gradually sloping gravel bar and overflows at high water for 

about 80 feet. The left bank is about 2.5 feet high, sodded, and does 

not overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of gravel, free from 

vegetation, uniform, and permanent. Bench mark No. 1 is a 30-penny
62 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IJST 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

nail driven into the top of the south end of the cap timber of the first 

pile bent at the east end of the bridge. A witness nail is driven 

beside it. The elevation of the bench-mark is 6.23 feet above the 

zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is the top of an iron post located 

3 feet south of the fence on the south side of the road, 75 feet north 

of the gage rod and 50 feet west of the river bank. Its elevation is 

6.255 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Michigan Creek, or Middle Fork River, near Cowdrey, Colo.,

in 1904.

Date.

June 10. .......

June 17........

June29« ......

August 3 .......

August 22 ......

September 6«..

September 24 « .

Hydrographer.

W. A. Lamb.........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

54

53

56

42

36

38

39

28

Area of 

section.

Sq.fect. 

97

157

177

69

33

41

34

17

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.71

2.41

2.58

3.06

2 24

2.22

1.47

1.76

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.30

3.55

4.02

3.05

2.30

2.44

2.20

2.00

Discharge.

Fec.-feet. 

264

379

456

211

74

91

50

SO

a Wading at different section.
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. | PLATTE KIVEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 63

Mean daily gage height, infect, of Michigan Creek, or Middle Fork River, near Cowdrey,

Colo.,for 1904.

Day.,

j

.,

3....................................................

6....................................................

7....................................................

8....................................................

9....................................................

10....................................................

11....................................................

13............... ............................"........

11....................................................

1')....................................................

16. ...................................................

17. ...................................................

18....................................................

19. ...................................................

20....................................................

21....................................................

22....................................................

23....................................................

24....................................................

25 ......... ...... . . ... .............. .....

26....................................................

27....................................................

28. ..................................................

29

30....................................................

31....................................................

May.

........

........

2. 35

2.30

2.28

2.20

2. 22

2.20

2.12

2.10

2.18

2.35

3.05

2.68

2.90

3.22

3.65

3.80

0 KCL

3.28

June.

3.32

3.30

3.65

4.02

3.80

3.40

3.20

3.30

3.45

3.52

3.48

3. 52

3.52

3.62

3.78

3.98

4.05

3.90

3.80

3.70

3.70

3.60

3.60

3.65

3.05

3.45

3

AK

3

AA

3.00

July.

3.20

3.28

3.20

3.20

3.10

3.20

3.40

3.30

3.12

2.98

1. 92

2.80

2.75

2.58

2.50

. 2.50

2.40

2.38

2.35

2.35

2.38

2.32

2.38

2.40

2.40

2.32

2.35

o 40

2. 45

2 45

Aug.

2.38

2.35

2.32

2.25

2.22

2.22

2.20

2.20

2.15

2.12

2.15

2. 25

2.25

2.20

2. 45

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.40

2.40

2.38

2.38

2.28

2.10

2.12

2.22

2.25

2.28

Sept.

2.30

2.36

2.42

2.30

2.22

2.20

2.12

2.05

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

1.95

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.88

1.90

1.95

1.95

2.00

9 00

1.98

1.95

2.00

2.00

2.00

Oct.

2.00

2.00

2.00

1.95

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.05

2.00

2.00

2,00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

Rating table for Michigan Creek, or Middle Fork Rirer, near Cowdrey, Cola., from May 12

to December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.90

1.95

2.00

2.10

2.20.

2.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

19

24

29

42

56

70

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

86

103

121

140

160

180

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

200

221

245

270

296

323

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

353

384

417

451

489

530

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

8 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is well defined between gage 

heights 2 feet and 3.5 feet.
STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Estimated monthly discharge of Michigan Creek, or Middle Fork Hirer, near Cowdrey,

Colo.J'or 1904.

Month.

May 12-31 ........................

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

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

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

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

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

The period. .............. ....'...

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

417 

509 

296 

103 

89 

35

Minimum.

42 

200 

73 

42 

17 

19

Mean.

162 

342 

148 

67.9 

35.6 

27.7

Total in 

acre-feet.

6, 427 

20, 350 

9,100 

4,175 

2,118 

1,703

43, 870

CANADIAN CREEK NEAR COWDREY, COLO.

This station was established May 10, 1904, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is located at the highwa}^ bridge one-half mile east of Cowdrey, 

Colo. A plain, vertical, staff 2'aefe is attached to the west face of the J. J 7 O O

first pile from the left bank on the downstream side of the bridge. 

The gage is graduated to feet and tenths from 2 feet to 8 feet, the 

2-foot mark resting on the bed of the stream. It is read twice each 

day b}^ L. L. Knoles. Discharge measurements are made at all normal 

stages by wading a short distance above the bridge to which the gage 

is attached. At exceedingly high stages measurements are made from 

the bridge, which is marked every 2 feet-on the downstream guard 

rail. The initial point for soundings is a 20-penny nail driven into 

the floor of the bridge over the face of the left abutment on the downstream side. The channel is straight for about 150 feet above and 40 

feet below the station, and the current is uniform and of medium 

velocity. Both banks are about 2 feet high, bordered with willows 

and bushes above the bridge, and clean below. The left bank overflows at extreme high stages of the stream. The bed of the stream is 

composed of sand and silt, with a few stones from the riprap at the 

west end of the bridge, and is shifting. There is but one channel at 

all stages, broken by four pile bents. Bench mark No. 1 is a 30-penny 

spike nail driven flush with the top of the cap timber above the gage 

rod. Its elevation is 9.80 feet above the gage datum. Bench mark 

No. 2 is a 30-penny nail driven horizontally into the north face of a 

telephone pole, 3 feet above the ground, 60 feet south of the left end 

of the bridge. Its elevation is 9.80 feet above the datum of the gage. 

Bench mark No. 3 is a regulation iron bench-mark post, 3 feet south 

of the fence on the north side of the road, 40 feet west of the gage 

rod. Its elevation is 8.02 feet above gage datum.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.
HINDERLIDERl 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 65

Discharge measurements of Canadian Creek near Cowdrey, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

May 10 « ......

May 24 ........

May 31 ........

June 7 ........

June 11 .......

June 30« ......

July 8.........

August 22 .....

September 5 ...

Hydrographer.

W. A. Lamb.........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

21

37

57

54

54

23

33

28

23

27

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

38

58

68

79

89

33

52

19

22

17

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.74

1.87

1.72

2.15

2.75

2.03

2.00

1.42

1.59

1.06

Gage, 

height.

Feet. 

4.68

5.18

5.15

5.20

5.45

4.73

5.00

4.30

4.42

4.22

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

66

105

117

170

244

67

104

27

35

18

« Wading at different section. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Canadian Creek near Cowdrey, Colo., for 1904.

Day.

1....................................................

3....................................................

4....................................................

5....................................................

8....................................................

9....................................................

10....................................................

11....................................................

12....................................................

13....................................................

14....................................................

15. ...................................................

16....................................................

17....................................................

18....................................................

19. ...................................................

20....................................................

21....................................................

22....................................................

23....................................................

24. ...................................................

25....................................................

26....................................................

27....................................................

28....................................................

29....................................................

30

01

May.

4.68

4.70

4.70

4.70

4.70

4.72

4.58

4.55

4.62

5.00

5.08

5.05

5.15

5.32

5.45

5.48

5.30

5.10

5.02

5.10

June.

5. 20

5.15

5.40

5.90

5.45

5.15

5.25

5.55

5.45

5.40

5.45

5.3S'

5.38

5.42

5.45

5.40

5.38

5.42

5. 25

5.28

5.15

5.10

5.10

5.10

5.00

4.88

4.78

4.72

4.70

July.

4.85

4.95

4.95

4.92

4 80

4.98

4.98

4.90

4.68

4.62

4.55

4.50

4.52

4.62

4.55

4.60

4.78

4.50

4.48

4.50

4.50

4.48

4.48

4.55

4.52

4.50

4.52

4.58

4.58

4.58

Aug.

4.42

4.40

4.32

4.30

4.30

4.28

4.25

4.28

4.20

4.20

4.15

4.20

4.20

4.15

4.25

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.50

4.50

4.40

4.40

4.32

4.30

4.28

4.22

4.28

4.25

4.22

4.28

4.30

Sept.

4.30

4.30

4.40

4.32

4.25

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.15

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.15

4.12

4.10

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.28

4.30

4.30

4.25

Oct.

4.25

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.15

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.2C

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

IRR 131 05 5
66 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Hating table for Canadian Creek near Cowdrey, Colo., from May 10 to December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.10

4.15

4.20

4.25

4.30

4.35

Discharge.

Second-feet.

10

13

17

21

25

29

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.40

4.45

4.50

4.55

4.60

4.65

Discharge.

Second-feet.

33

38

43

48

54

60

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.70

4.75

4.80

4.85

4.90

4.95

Discharge.

Second-feet.

66

72

78

85

93

101

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

110

131

157

188

223

265

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

10 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is well defined between gage 

heights 4.2 feet and 5 feet. The table has been extended beyond these limits.

Estimated monthly discharge of Canadian Creek near Cowdrey, Colo., for 1904'

Month.

May 12-31............................

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

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

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

The period .....................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

256 

288 

131 

43 

33 

21

Minimum.

48 

66 

41 

13 

10 

10

Mean.

116 

189 

63.7 

25.3 

17.3 

15.0

Total in 

acre-feet.

4,602 

11, 250 

3,917 

1,556 

1,029 

922

23, 280

LARAMIE RIVER NEAR GLENDEVEY, COLO.

This station was established June 24, 1904, by William A. Lamb. 

It is located at the highway bridge one-eighth mile west of Glendevey, Colo., on the State road between Walden and Fort Collins. A 

plain staff gage is attached to the northwest corner of the first pier from 

the right bank. It is read twice each day by W. W. Summers. Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the threespan bridge to which the gage is attached. Points for soundings are 

marked by numbers painted at intervals of 2 feet on the floor of the 

bridge. The initial point for soundings is a 30-penny nail driven into 

the guard log directly over the east face of the wooden pier at the left 

end of the bridge. The channel is straight for about 200 feet above and 

300 feet below the station, and the current is swift at all stages. Both 

banks are high, wooded, and not liable to overflow. The bed of the 

stream is covered with bowlders and coarse gravel, free from vegeta-
HINDERLIDER"] 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 67

tion, and permanent. There is one channel at all stages, broken by 

three piers. Bench mark No. 1 is a cross cut in the top of a granite 

bowlder, 18 inches in diameter, located 10 feet northwest of the initial 

point for soundings. Its elevation is 7.325 feet above the zero of the 

gage. Bench mark No. 2 is a cross cut in the top of a granite bowlder, 

3 feet in diameter, located 75 feet northwest of the initial point for 

soundings. Its elevation is 16.841 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Laramie River near Glendevey, Colo., in 1904'

Date.

June 24 a ......

July 5 .........

August 2 a .....

August 20 .....

October 24.....

Hydrographer.

W. A. Lamb.........

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

54

61

32

35

32

25

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

86

67

36

34

30

22

Mean

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

4.83

3.66

2.53

1.94

1.80

1.45

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.00

2.60

2.15

2.08

2.00

1.85

Discharge.

Sec.-fect. 

415

245

91

66

54

32

a Measurements June 24, July 5, and Aug. 2 are probably several per cent too large on account of 

defective meter.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Laramie River near Glendevey, Colo., for-1904'

Day.

1.. ...............

2................. 

3................. 

4................. 

5.................

6.................

7................. 

8.................

9.................

10 ................. 

11.................

12 ................. 

13 .................

14................. 

15.................

16 .................

June.

...--.

......

July.

3.00

2.68 

2.62 

2.62 

2.60

2.60

2.60 

2.70

2.52

2.38 

2.42

2.40 

2.38

2.30 

2.30 

~2.30

Aug.

2.10 

2.10 

2.10 

2.10

2.05

2.05 

2:05

2.05 

2.00

2.10

2.05 

2.05 

2.10

Sept.

2.00

2.00 

2.00 

2.00 

2.00

2.00

1.98 

1.92

1.90

1.90 

1.90

1.90 

1.90

1.90 

1.90 

1.90

Oct.

2 on

2.00 

2.00 

1.90 

1.90

1.90

1.90 

1.90

1.90

1.90 

1.90

1.90 

1 90

1.90 

1.90 

1.90

Day.

17.................

18. ................ 

19................. 

20.................

23.................

25.................

26................. 

27.................

28.................

29

30................. 

31.................

June.

......

3.00

2.75

2.72

2.65 

2.65

2.65

July.

2.28 

2.25 

2.22

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.15 

2.15

Aug.

2.15 

2.08 

2.05 

2.05

2.05

2.00 

o on

2 00

2.00 

2.00

2.00 

2 on

2.00 

2.00

Sept.

1.90

i.90 

1,90 

1.90 

1.90

1 90

1.90 

1 90

1.90

1.90 

1.90

1.90 

1 90

2.00

Oct.

2 00

2.00 

2.00 

1.90 

1 90

i on

1.90 

i on

1 90

1.85 

1.80

1.80 

1 80

1.80 

1.80

LARAMIE RIVER NEAR JELM, WYO.

This station was established June 22, 1904, by W. A. Lamb. It 

is located at the wagon bridge at H. T. Decker's ranch, one-half mile 

south of the Colorodo-Wyoming State line, near Jelm, Wyo. A plain
68 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

staff gage, graduated to feet and tenths, is fastened in a vertical position to the northwest corner of the center pier of the bridge. The 

gage is read twice each day by H. T. Decker. Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the four-span bridge, 

to which the gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is a 

30-penny nail driven into the left end of the downstream guard rail. 

The channel is straight for about 50 feet above and 300 feet below the 

station, and the current is swift. Both banks are high, covered with 

willows, and not subject to overflow. Th,e bed of the stream is composed of gravel and bowlders, and is firm. There is but one channel 

at all stages, broken by the three piers of the bridge. The bench 

mark is a 30-penny nail driven into the lower log at the southwest 

corner of H. T. Decker's house. Its elevation is 12.35 feet above the 

zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Laramie River near Jelm, Wyo., in 1904-

Date.

,Tune22«......

July 6 .........

August 20......

October 27.....

Hydrographer.

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

60

52

44

44

44

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

146

112

63

59

37

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

5.37

4.33

2.22

1.83

1.33

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.30

3.40

2.30

2.25

2.00

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

784

492

140

108

49

a Measurements June 22, July 6, and Aug. 2 in error by several per cent owing to defective meter. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Laramie River near Jelm, Wyo., for 1904-

Day.

1. ................

2..............:..

3.................

4.................

5.................

6 .................

7 .................

8.................

9.................

10 .................

11.................

12 ................. is.....:...........

14 .................

15.................

16.................

June.

......

......

July.

3.85

3.45

3.30

3.35

3.20

3.25

3.20

3.40

3.05

2.75

2.75

2.65

2.55

2.60

2.50

2. 104^ 

Aug.

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.15

2.10

2.15

2.10

2.20

2.20

2.20

Sept.

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.05

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

1.90

1.90

2.00

2.00

1.90

1

QA

. JV

Oct.

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

Day.

17.................

18.................

19.. ...............

20.................

21 .................

22.................

23.................

24.................

25.................

26.................

27.................

28.................

29.................

30.................

31.................

June.

4.20

4.10

4.15

3.82

3.60

3.60

3*40

3.25

3.25

July.

2.50

2.50

2.45

2.40

2.35

2.45

2.40

2.40

2.50

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.30

Aug.

2.40

2.45

2.35

2.30

2.30

2.25

2.20

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

Sept.

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.05

2.00

2.00

Oct.

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J

PLATTE EIVER DKAINAGE. BASIN. 69

M'INTYRE CREEK AT GLENEYRE, COLO.

This station was established June 23, 1904, by W. A. Lamb. It 

is located at the wagon bridge on Smith's ranch at Gleneyre, Colo. 

A plain staff gage is attached vertically to a post which is driven into 

the bed of the stream and fastened to the left end of the bridge. It is 

read twice each day by Elbert E. Smith. Discharge measurements 

are made from the upstream side of the bridge to which the gage is 

attached. The initial point for soundings is at the edge of the gage 

rod. The channel is straight for abou! 200 feet above and 30 feet 

below the station, and the current is swift at all stages. The right 

bank is low, partly covered with willows, and is liable to overflow. 

The left bank is high, covered with willows, and does not overflow. 

The bed of the stream is composed of gravel and small bowlders and is 

firm. The bench mark is the top of an iron rod three-fourths inch 

in diameter and 2£ feet long, with an L-shaped bend at the lower end, 

resting on a granite bowlder, 14 inches in diameter, which is set 2 feet 

under ground, 30 feet northeast of the gage. Its elevation is 5.308 

feet above gage datum.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Mclntyre Greek at Gleneyre, Colo., in 1904.

Date.

June 23 .......

July 6.........

August 2 ......

August 20 .....

October 26 « ...

Hydrographer.

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

32

28

12

12

11

11

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

49

32

18

17

14

14

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

3.51

2.81

1.17

1.06

.86

.79

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.98

2.38

1.75

1.76

1.65

1.60

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

172

90

21

18

12

11

Wading 60 feet below station.
70 STEEAM MEASUBEMENTS IN 1904, PAET VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Mclntyre Creek at Gleneyre, Colo., for 1904.

Day.

1. ...............

2................

3................

4................

5................

6................

7................

8................

9................

10................

11................

12................

13................

14................

15................

16................

June. July.

2.95

2.80

2 OK

9 tt

2.30

2.48

2.65

2.38

2 OK

2 30

2.22

2.10

2 09

2 05

Aug.

1.85

1.85

1.82

1 89

1 78

1.72

1.72

1.75

1 T\

1.78

1.80

1 80

1 80

1.85

1.85

9 0Q

Sept.

2.00

1.90

1 Qfl

1 Qfl

1 QA

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

Day.

17...............

18...............

19

20...............

21...............

22. ..............

23...............

24...............

95

26...............

27...............

28...............

99

30...............

June.

3.05

2.92

2 92

9 85

2.82

2.85

2.92

July.

2.05

2.05

2.08

2.05

1 95

1.92

1.85

1.92

1.92

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.88

1.85

Aug.-

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.92

2.00

1.90

1.88

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.90

1.85

1.85

Sept.

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.88

1.90

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

Rating table for Mclntyre Creek at Gleneyre, Colo., from June 24 to December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.60

1.65

1.70

1.75

1.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

8

12

16

20

25

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.85

1.90

1.95

2.00

2.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

30

35

40

45

56

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

68

80

92

105

119

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

133

147

161

176

192

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

discharge measurements made during 1904. It is fairly well denned.

Estimated monthly discharge of Mclntyre Creek at Gleneyre, Colo., for 1904-

Month.

June 24-30 ...........................

July .............:...................

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

 Maximum.

184 

168 

56 

45

Minimum.

150

SO

18 

30

Mean.

 162 

66.2 

29.9 

31.4

Total in 

acre-feet.

2,249 

4,070 

1,838 

1,868

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AT SOUTH PLATTE, COLO.

This station is located at the junction of the North and South forks 

of South Platte River, at the town of South Platte, located on the 

Colorado and Southern Eailroad, about 9 miles above the mouth of
PLATTE EIVER DEAINAGE BASIN. 71

the canyon. The station was established March 28, 1902, by John E. 

Field, at the wagon bridge crossing the main stream about 150 feet 

below the junction of the two forks. This station is of special importance, its location being above the diverting gates of all irrigating 

ditches, and also above the intake of the Denver Union Water Company, which derives the greater part of its supply of water from 

South Platte River a few miles below this station. The location of 

the Cheesman storage reservoir on the South Fork, 20 miles above 

this station, and the contemplated installation of large power plants 

of the two forks above, also add to the importance of this station as 

a point from which to secure data. Bridges across either fork above 

the main station allow of measurements being made on these streams, 

thereby checking all gagings on the main stream below. This station 

is located only about 200 feet from the Colorado and Southern Railroad station and is easily accessible from Denver. The gage is a 

vertical 2 by 6 inch pine timber reading from zero to 7 feet and is 

fastened to the upper side of the center pier of the highway bridge. 

When the gage reads 2.3 feet or less, measurements are made by wading about 250 feet below the bridge. At high water discharge measurements are made from the lower side of the two-span highway 

bridge to which the gage is attached.

The gage is read twice each day by Mrs. Mata Wallbrecht, postmistress. The initial point for soundings is the river face of the right 

abutment. The channel is straight for 250 feet above and 400 feet 

below the station. The current is rough and rapid beneath the bridge, 

but becomes more even below. The right bank is the side of the 

mountain. The left bank, at ordinary stages, is part of the old river 

bed, about 100 feet wide. At extremely high water the Colorado and 

Southern Railroad roadbed is the left bank. At the bridge the river 

is divided into two channels by the center pier. The right channel is 

the deeper and carries most of the water. An old abutment foundation directly under the left end of the bridge interferes with the 

current during high stages. The bench mark is a nail driven horizontally in the right side of the upper end of a 12 by 12 inch cap 

timber on top of the middle pier of the bridge. It is inclosed in a 

circle of white paint and has four other nails driven about it. It is 

directly over the gage rod and has an elevation of 10.15 feet above the 

zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is a regulation metal tablet in 

the cliff about 75 feet from the south end of the bridge. The elevation 

is 18.43 feet above zero of gage.

During the floods of 1904 both bridges on the North and South 

forks were carried away, which prevents high water measurements 

being made on either fork.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.
72 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Discharge measurements of So nth Platte River at South Platte, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

March 17 ......

March 28 ......

April 12 .......

May 5.........

May 26 &. ......

June 28 c ......

July26rf....'...

July 296.......

September 8 c ..

September 8 rf ..

Hydrographer.

O. McDermith .......

G. B. Monk .........

T. E. Brick..........

M. C. Hinderlider....

T. E. Brick..........

E,. I. Meeker ........

T. Tobish............

T. E. Brick..........

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

28

30

52

58

42

63

56

54

76

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

29

34

58

117

161

122

103

143

177

94

134

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.62

1.79

3.09

3.01

3.50

6.58

2.45

3.57

6.18

3.52

2.56

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.05

1.15

1.70

2.10

2.90

3.20

1.90

2.85

4.35

2.10

2.10

Dis

char

Sec.-j

1,

47

61

179

352

563

803

252

510

094

331

343

a Wading one-fourth mile below station. 

6 North Pork and South Pork.

c Prom bridge at rod.

d Wading 300 feet below station.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of South Platte River at South Platte, Colo., for 1904-

Day.

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6.... ....------

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

13..............

14..............

15 .............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30. .............

31..............

Jan.

1.62

1.80

2.00

1.85

1.85

1.78

1.58

1.45

1.40

1.52

1.60

1.45

1.55

1.45

1.40

1.40

1.42

1.40

1.30

1.40

1.40

1.50

1.28

1.20

1.18

1.30

1.40

1.35

1.30

1.55

2.48

Feb.

2.55

2.62

2.40

1.30

1.25

1.20

1.20

1.28

1.38

1.25

1.22

1.40

1.35

1.40

1.35

1.30

1.28

1.30

1.25

1.20

1.12

1.18

1.12

1.28

1.22

1.38

1.42

1.30

1.25

Mar.

1.28

1.28

1.12

1.08

1.12

1.15

1.16

1.12

1.10

1.15

1.42

1.25

1.00

1.00

1.02

1.10

1.02

1.12

1.15

1.10

1 90

1.12

1.10

1.08

1.00

1.08

1.12

1.08

1.12

1.10

1.18

Apr.

1.12

1.20

1.20

1.22

1.22

1.18

1.22

1.25

1.38

1.88

1.50

1.75

1.75

1.90

1.75

1.85

1.98

2.18

2.12

2.12

1 90

1.88

1.92

1.75

1.62

1.75

1.85

1.98

2.15

1.90

May.

1.75

2.00

2.25

2.12

2.12

2.20

2.42

2.40

2.38

2.30

2.38

2.45

2.70

3.00

o gg

2.72

2.48

2.50

2. 55

2.95

2.68

2.70

3.48

3.50

3.25

2.90

2.72

2.62

2.50

2.58

2.75

June.

2.60

3.55

2.60

2.42

2.40

2.48

2.72

2.7d

2.52

2.45

3.05

3.25

3.05

2.95

3.00

2.85

3.12

9 gg

2.70

2.62

2.50

2.60

2.55

2.50

3.10

3.50

3.05

July.

2.55

2.45

2.60

2.75

2.82

2.75

2.30

2.40

2.75

3.40

2.95

2.35

2.30

2.15

2.10

2.00

1.90

1.70

1.70

1.68

1.70

1.80

1.75

4.85

2.50

1.88

2.35

2.70

2.70

2.45

2.65

Aug.

2.90

2.90

2.85

2.95

2.90

2.50

2.25

2.20

2.20

2.12

2.40

2.60

2.85

3.40

3.90

3.90

3.75

3.60

4.35

4.30

3.80

3.15

2.90

2.80

2.80

2.50

2.60

2.85

3.60

3.80

3.60

Sept.

3.25

2.92

2.95

2.85

2.82

4.32

2.78

2.08

2.15

2.18

2.32

2.40

2.40

2.05

2.00

2.08

1.98

1.80

1.62

1.55

1.60

1.50

1.60

1.68

1.80

1.95

2.02

2.10

Oct.

2.05

1.98

1.78

1.90

2.08

2.25

2.28

2.35

2.40

2.32

2.40

2. 32

2.15

2.00

2.00

1.98

2.02

2.10

2.08

2.00

1.92

2.00

2.08

2.15

2.18

2.08

2.00

1.88

1.65

1.55

1.42

Nov.

1.32

1.20

1.08

1.00

1.05

1.00

.98

1.00

1.02

1.05

1.00

1.10

1.00

.95

1.02

1.12

1.10

1.00

1.02

1.00

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.10

1.15

1.02

1.05

1.18

1.20

1.12

.......

Dec.

1.05

1.00

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.08

1.10

1.10

1.20

1.22

1.15

1.25

(«)

.......

.......

.......

.......

a River frozen during rewninder of year.
HFNDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J

PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 73

Rating table for South Platte River at South Plalte, Colo., from January 1 to December 31,

1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

20

37

54

75

98

121

147

173

200

228

257

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

287

317

347

377

407

438

470

502

534

567

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3. 40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

600

634

668

702

738

774

810

846

883

920

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

958

997

1,037

1,077

1,117

1,157

1,198

1,240

1,284

1,330

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

10 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is not well denned.

Estimated monthly discharge of South Platte River at South Platte, Colo., for 1904. 

[Drainage area, 2,612 square miles.]

Month.

January ............

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

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

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

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

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

September ..........

November

December 1-12 ......

The period . . .

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

432 

476 

126 

341 

685 

792 

1,307 

1,097 

1,085 

407 

103 

86

1,307

Minimum.

71 

58 

37 

58 

214 

407 

195 

323 

147 

126 

28 

37

28

Mean.

155 

129 

60.4 

196 

470 

541 

421 

633 

366 

301 

49.3 

56.7

Total in 

acre-feet.

9,531 

7,420 

3,714 

11, 660 

28,900 

32, 190 

25, 890 

38, 920 

21, 780 

18, 510 

2,934 

1,350

202, 800

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.059 

.049 

.023 

.075 

.180 

.207 

.161 

.242 

.140 

.115 

.019 

.022

Depth in 

inches.

0.068 

.053 

.027 

.084 

.208 

.231 

.186 

.279 

.156 

.133 

.021 

.0098
74 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER AT DENVER, COLO.

In the spring of 1895 a river station was established at the Twentythird Street Viaduct in the city of Denver, but observations were discontinued on June 18, as the location was found to be unfavorable 

for accurate measurements, and the water had fallen below the gage. 

In July a station was established at the Fifteenth Street Bridge and 

observations were begun, these being made in the morning and in the 

afternoon. Stream measurements were then made from the lower 

side of the bridge. The original gage consisted of two 6 by 2 inch 

timbers spiked together, inclined and graduated to vertical tenths of 

a foot. The space between the marks was 0.156 foot. The timbers 

were fastened to posts driven into the bank. The bench mark is 107 

feet southwest from the gage and is a cross mark on top of the east 

abutment of the Fifteenth Street Bridge on the north corner. It is 

marked "B. M." and is 6.15 feet above the 9-foot mark of the original 

Fifteenth street gage rod, which has since been destroyed.

Another inclined gage rod, reading the same as the one on the right 

bank, was placed on the left side in August, 1898. It consisted of a 

4 by 4 inch timber 12 feet long fastened to posts driven into the left 

bank and graduated to vertical feet and tenths.

This rod was washed out by the high water of June, 1900, which 

also removed the sand bar in front of the rod on the right-hand side, 

making it available at low-water stages, and since that time the readings have been taken from the latter rod, or from rods which replaced 

it and which were located at the same point.

May 15,1901, a T-rail was placed on the site of the latter rod, which 

was stolen. The rail was embedded in an inclined position in the 

slag bank. All readings were taken from this rod from May 15,1901, 

to June 9, 1903, when the rod was again stolen. On June 10, 1903, a 

vertical 4 by 4 inch timber was placed at the same point and fastened 

to a cottonwood tree. The zero of the rod was placed at the same 

elevation as the zero of the old gage. It is read twice each day by 

Clarence Crisman.

The present gage and the bridge from which measurements are made 

are located at a point immediately below the mouth of Cherry Creek, 

which enters between the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Street bridges. 

The stream at this point is confined between artificial embankments 

of furnace slag.

Discharge measurements are made by wading at a point below or 

above the gage at low water and from the Fifteenth Street Bridge at 

high water. The initial point for soundings is the edge of the right 

abutment of the Fifteenth Street Bridge. The channel is straight for 

100 feet above and for 500 feet below the station. The current is 

swift at high stages, but becomes sluggish at low stages. The banks
HINDERLIDER"] 

AND HOYT. J

PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 75

are slag embankments and can only overflow at extreme flood stages. 

The bed is composed of sand, free from vegetation, but very shifting. 

The bench mark is the top of the capstone on the south end of the 

southeast abutment of the Sixteenth Street Viaduct on the right bank 

below the gage. Its elevation is 12.00 feet above the zero of the gage.

This station is important principally from the fact that it is used as 

a training station for instructing young hydrographers in the Denver 

office in the use of the current meter in field practice.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of South Platte River at Denver, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

January 18 ....

February 3 ....

February 15 ...

February 27 ...

Febi uary 27 ...

March 19 ......

March 19......

April 9 ........

April 20.......

May 5 .........

May 5 .........

May 13 ........

June 3 ........

June 20........

June 20 .......

June 25 .......

July 6 .........

July 25........

July 29. .......

August 15 .....

September 1 ...

September 1 . . .

October 27.....

November 19 . .

Hydrographer.

M. C. Hinderlider. . . . 

T. E. Brick..........

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

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

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

G. B. Monk .........

M. P. Beeson ........

G. E. Moore.........

T. E. Brick ..........

G. B. Monk .........

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

M. P. Beeson ........

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

T. E. Brick ..........

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

T.Tobish. ...........

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

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

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

G. B. Monk .........

R. I. Meeker ........

M. P. Beeson ........

T. E. Brick ..........

M. P. Beeson ........

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

G. E. Moore .........

M. P. Beeson ........

Width.

Feet. 

26 

49

26

26

26

24

24

22

22

25

28

61

60

62

196

181

71

71

71

88

85

92

88

95

85

85

34

68

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

35 

48

34

35

35

33

33

33

33

32

39

109

108

135

406

322

140

141

105

166

186

178

148

167

123

126

36

75

Mean

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.09 

1.50

2.09

1.94

2.11

2.33

2.33

1.73

1.70

1.41

2.38

2.50

2.51

2.83

4.19

4.11

3.09

3.09

2.43

3.87

3.15

3.58

3.61

4.17

3.12

2.92

3.6t

1.96

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.73 

.70

.70

.68

.72

.78

.77

.70

.70

.70

1.00

1.60

1.60

1.90

3.45

2.98

1.75

1.78

1.45

2.38

2.20

2.45

2.25

2.50

1.92

1.85

1.00

1.20

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

73

72

71

68

74

78

77

57

56

45

93

270

271

382

1,701

1,325

433

436

255

643

585

637

535

697

384

368

130

147

NOTE. The area and mean velocities are not comparable as measurements were made at different 

sections.
76 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mean daily discharge a, in second-feet, of South Platte River at Denver, Colo., for 1904.

Day.

1..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

17..............

18..............

19

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Jan.

76

80

82

76

70

61

72

70

72

76

70

68

70

76

82

82

« >

79

82

76

72

70

51

61

68

70

64

61

61

61

Feb.

68

72

70

72

68

68

68

64

72

64

64

76

80

80

72

64

68

68

68

72

70

68

68

82

76

85

61

85

93

Mar.

92

82

89

81

80

66

76

75

68

57

66

69

49

70

' 50

45

48

50

57

56

54

59

63

55

62

59

56

60

54

59

59

Apr.

59

58

47

59

58

53

45

52

54

51

47

49

59

62

61

64

69

178

88

99

109

134

93

95

102

117

186

145

139

192

May.

195

287

376

320

298

242

159

430

287

242

287

363

262

324

560

455

351

252

313

363

407

455

455

560

490

343

750

324

212

287

430

June.

505

252

1,000

1,170

520

407

273

291

500

625

490

657

705

604

604

536

455

465

460

440

470

430

393

269

287

269

324

214

440

413

July.

416

328

305

625

566

625

475

398

242

168

324

320

316

269

287

220

186

171

83

161

242

128

198

566

800

578

355

320

455

363

384

Aug.

384

398

384

597

305

324

324

305

235

192

220

220

269

407

705

900

750

625

536

510

450

328

309

273

355

313

276

294

520

510

470

Sept.

398

335

384

335

412

384

343

235

235

235

154

206

143

113

99

96

82

154

113

93

117

154

262

269

305

287

276

276

269

252

Oct.

407

309

309

198

117

147

118

139

164

176

154

132

122

104

96

106

104

104

122

117

126

113

150

164

164

159

136

130

126

124

108

Nov.

108

104

102

108

139

120

109

108

120

145

122

113

104

139

186

171

145

124

108

139

122

106

102

106

106

117

126

130

130

139

Dec.

132

132

128

109

111

102

102

- Ill

104

109

82

80 ' 80

80

70

64

89

89

80

85

82

72

85

93

82

82

72

235

113

99

89

a Daily discharges obtained indirectly, according to the method outlined in the Nineteenth Ann. 

Kept. II. S. Geol. Survey, pt. 4, 1899, p. 323 et seq.
HINDERLIDER"] 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE EIVER DBAINAGE BASIN. 77

Estimated monthly discharge of Soitth Platte River at Denver, Colo., for 1904- 

[Drainage area, 3,840 square miles.]

Month.

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

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

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

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

September. .........

November ..........

The year .....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

82 

93 

92 

192 

750 

1,170 

800 

900 

412 

407 

186 

235

1,170

Minimum.

61 

61

45 

45 

159 

214 

83 

192 

82 

96 

102 

64

. 45

Mean.

71.0 

71.9 

63.4 

87.5 

357 

482 

351 

409 

234 

153 

123 

98.2

209

Total in 

acre-feet.

4,366 

4,136 

3,898 

5,207 

21, 950 

28, 680 

21, 580 

25, 150 

13, 920 

9,408 

7,319 

6, 038

151, 700

liun-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.018 

.019 

-.017 

.023 

.093 

.126 

.091 

.107 

.061 

.040 

.032 

.026

.054

Depth in 

inches.

0.021 

.020 

.020 

.026 

.107 

.141 

.105 

.123 

.068 

.046 

.036 

.030

.743

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER NEAR JULESBURG, COLO.

This station was established April 2, 1902, by John E. Field, at the 

wagon bridge crossing South Platte River, about 1 mile southeast of 

Julesburg, Colo., a station at the junction of the main line and Denver 

Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad. As this is the last station on 

South Platte River in Colorado, and is also below all irrigation ditches 

in Colorado taking water from the South Platte, with the exception 

of one, it is of considerable importance for securing data relative to 

the flow of return waters as well as the natural flow in the main channel. However, the conditions at this station are not as desirable as 

they should be, owing to the great width of the channel and the general instability of the bed of the stream, features characteristic of the 

whole course of South Platte River through this part of the State. 

The channel at this point is about one-half mile wide, and at low stages 

of the river it is badly broken up by islands, causing the stream to flow 

in several different channels. The banks are low, but do not overflow. 

The bed of the river is dry during the greater part of the year. The 

gage heights from March 15 to March 31, and from November 25 to 

December 31, 1903, were affected by ice gorges and anchor ice, so that 

no rating table could be constructed for those periods. The gage is a 

2 by 4 inch vertical timber spiked to a pile of the bridge about 600 

feet from the north end. It is read once each day by T. W. Jenkins.
78 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Discharge measurements are made at high water from the bridge, which 

is one-half mile long and is supported on piles at intervals of 20 feet. 

The initial point for soundings is the north abutment on the left bank. 

The channel is straight for 600 feet above and 400 feet below the station. The right bank is low, but is not liable to overflow. The left 

bank overflows only at very high stages. The section is broad and 

shallow, with a sandy, changeable bed. The channel is broken by 

islands at ordinary stages, and is covered with undergrowth and vegetation. At low water it is impossible to measure the velocity in the 

many small channels and the discharge has to be estimated. The bench 

mark is a 20-penny nail driven into the south face of the cap on the 

piling to which the gage is spiked. It is directly over the gage rod 

and is inclosed in a circle of white paint and marked "B. M." Its 

elevation is 8.00 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

discharge measurements of South Platte River near Julesburg, Colo., in 1904.

Date.

March 8 .......

March 16 ......

March 26 ......

April 2 ........

April 9 ........

April 16 .......

April 30 .......

May 9.........

May 27........

June 3 ........

Hydrographer.

M. C. Hinderlider. .........................

T. W. Jenkins. .............................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.35

1.18

1.18

1.17

1.18

1.10

1.42

2.02

1.76

2.60

2.98

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

88

19

23

15

16

12

65

546

228

1,542

2,988
HINDEELIDEE"! 

AND HOYT. J

FLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 79

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of South Platte River near Julesburg, Colo. , for 1904-

Day.

1........ ..........

2..................

3..................

4..................

5..................

6..................

7..................

8.....".............

9..................

10....... ..........

11..................

12..................

13..................

14...... ...........

15..................

16..................

17..................

18..................

19..................

20..................

23..................

25. .................

26..................

27..................

28..................

29..................

30..................

31..................

Mar.

1.90

1.75

1.65

1.55

1.45

1 9.<i

1 Q<i

1.30

1.25

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.15

1.15

Apr.

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.00

1 00

 1 00

i no

i no

1.15

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1 9^

1.20

i I**

i nn

1.20

1.45

May.

1.40

1.30

i ^n

1.40

1.35

1

QC

2 nfl

1.80

1.70

1.45

1.35

1 '-^

i °.n

1.30

i °.n

1 30

1 30

I

on

1 on

1 30

1 °0

1 30

1.75

1.60

1.60

1.65

1 80

June.

2.00

2.61

2.50

2.20

2.00

3.15

3.00

3 on

3 nn

2.90

2.65

2.55

2.50

2.75

2.80

2.70

2.70

2.70

2 fit:

2 60

2.55

2 50

2.45

2.40

2.40

2.35

2 on

2 9^

2.20

July.

2.10

1.85

1.85

1.75

1.65

1.85

i &n

1.70

1.60

1.60

1.90

1 60

1.55

1.50

1 d^

1.45

i fin

i fin

i fin

i fin

i fin

1.60

1.55

i ^n

i ^n

1.45

I

oe

1 30

Aug.

1.30

1.30

1.40

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.30

I

on

1.30

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.20

1.20

1 °.^

1.30

1 9^

1 9^

1 25

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

Sept.

1.30

1.30

1.25

1.25

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1 1^

1 1^

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.65

Oct.

1.60

1.60

1.55

1.50

1.50

1.45

1.45

1.65

1 60

1.55

1.55

1.50

1.40

1.40

1.35

1.30

1 30

1.40

1.45

1.40

1 °.^

i °.n

1.30

I

on

I

on

1.30

1.35

1.55

1.50

1.45

Nov.

1.40

1.35

1.35

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.35

1.40

1.65

1.60

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.60

1.60

1 80

1.80

1.75

1.75

1.70

Dec.

1.65

1.65

1.60

1.60

1.75

1.80

1.75

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.90

1.90

(«)

a Frozen during remainder of year.

Rating table for South Platte River near Julesburg, Colo., from January 1 to December

31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.00

1.05

1.10

1.15

1.20

1.25

1.30

1.35

1.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

4

7

10

15

20

25

35

45

60

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.45

1.50

1.55

1.60

1.65

1.70

1.75

1.80

Discharge.

Second.feet.

75

95

115

140

165

195

230

270

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.85

1.90

1.95

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

315

360

410

465

590

735

905

1,100

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

?. 10

3.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,315

1,550

1,830

2,200

2,620

3,060

3,530

4,040

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

discharge measurements made during 1902 to 1904, inclusive. It is well denned 

between gage heights 1 foot and 3 feet.
80 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Estimated monthly discharge of South Platte River near Julesburg, Colo., for 1904- 

[Drainage area, 20,600 square miles.]

Month.

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

December 1-15 ......

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

360 

75 

465 

4,040 

590 

660 

165 

165 

2.0 

360

Minimum.

15 

4 

35 

465 

35 

20 

15 

35 

35 

140

Mean.

56.9 

17.3 

95.6 

1,663 

182 

49.4 

23.7 

76.8 

109 

263

Total in 

acre-feet.

3,499 

1,029 

5,878 

98, 960 

11, 190 

3, 038 

1,410 

4,722 

6,486 

7,824

144, 000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.0028 

. 00084 

.0046 

.081 

.0088 

.0024 

.0012 

.0037 

.0053 

.013

Depth in 

inches.

0. 0032 

. 00094 

.0053 

.090 

.010 

.0028 

.0013 

.0043 

.0059 

.0072

CLEAR CREEK AT FORK8CREEK, COLO.

This station was originaly established May 29, 1899, by John E. 

Field. The station is located at the United States Geological Survey 

footbridge just below the Colorado and Southern Railroad bridge near 

the railroad station, and is an important station on account of its location above all diversions on this stream, which is entirely used for power 

and irrigation purposes. The chain gage is fastened to the wooden 

cribwork on the left bank 30 feet below the footbridge. The length 

of the chain from the end of the weight to the marker is 20.25 feet. 

Discharge measurements are made from the single-span footbridge. 

The initial point for soundings is a brass-headed nail on the rail of the 

bridge at the north end. It is marked zero with white paint. The 

channel is straight for 30 feet above and 150 feet below the station. 

Both banks are high and are not liable to overflow. The right bank is 

the side of the mountain and the left bank is the retaining wall of the 

railroad embankment. The bed of the stream is composed of small 

cobblestones and bowlders, with some silt at low stages. The current is 

rapid and it is necessary to use a stay wire on the meter at high stages. 

The bench mark, established October 8, 1903, is a cross cut in the top 

of the downstream stringer over the first strut from the south end of 

the footbridge. When established its elevation above the gage datum 

was 14.73 feet. The gage is read twice each day by C. W. Hoisington.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M, 0- Hinderlider, district hydrographer.
HINDEBLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE KIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 81

Discharge measurements of Clear Creek at Forkscreek, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

March 19 «_....

April 14 .......

May 4 .........

May 24........

July 26 ........

September 20 . . 

September 20 . .

Hydrographer.

R. I. Meeker ..

G. B. Monk . . .

T. E. Brick ....

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

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

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

G. B. Monk . . . 

M. P. Beeson . .

Width.

30

30

36

34

34

30 

30

Area of 

section.

Square feet.

33

41

104

70

65

54 

54

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec.

3.42

5.17

10. V5

7.23

5.80

4.17 

4.35

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.00

2.52

3.85

3.35

3.10

2.60 

2.60-

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

43

113

212

1,118

506

377

225 

235

a North and South forks. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Clear Creek at Forkscreek, Colo., for 1904-

Day.

1............ ...............................

4............................................

5. ...........................................

6............................................

7............................................

8...... .........t .. ..........................

9............................................

10............................................

11............................................

12. ...........................................

13. ...........................................

14 .............................................

15. ...........................................

16............................................

17............................................

18............................................

19............................................

20............................................

21............................................

22............................................

23............................................

24............................................

25......................;.....................

26............................................

27............................................

28............................................

29............................................

30............................................

31.......................... .................

Apr.

1.90

1 90

1 92

1.90

1.92

1.90

1.82

1.85

1.75

1.88

2.02

2.12

2.18

2.22

2.22

2.08

2.18

2

QO

2.40

2.50

9 V)

2.35

2.35

2.42

2.52

2.55

2.50

May.

2.52

2.72

2.70

2.55

2.52

2.70

2.70

2.68

2.72

r> gg

2.88

r> 95

2 90

3

ftA

3.08

3.22

3

00

3.28

3.52

3 95

3 95

3.72

3.58

3.50

3 79

June.

3.80

3.80

Q 79

3.55

3.45

3.42

3.55

3.72

3.75

3.65

3.75

3.90

4.15

4.15

4.05

4 22

4.20

4.22

4.25

4.32

4.15

4 05

4 00

3 Q^

3.85

3.85

3.82

3.85

3.88

July.

3.85

3.80

3 70

3!.0

3.70

3.68

3.62

3.65

3.62

3.65

3.65

3.58

3.55

3.48

' 3.45

3.45

3.45

3.38

3.35

3.35

3.40

3.30

3 49

3.45

3.35

3.30

3.40

3.28

3.18

Aug.

3.35

3.15

3.08

3.08

3.08

3.02

3.00

3.02

2.92

2.90

2.90

3.12

3.10

3.20

3.20

3.10

3.35

3.20

 3.18

3.20

3.18

3.05

3.00

3.12

3.22

3.12

3.10

3.10

3.18

Sept.

3.22

3.18

3.18

3.12

3.10

3.02

3.00

3.00

2.98

2.92

2.98

2.90

2.85

2.85

2.85

3.02

2.90

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.78

2.70

2.70

2.70

2.72

2.82

2.82

Oct.

2.78

2.78

2.75

2.72

2.65

2.65

2.65

2.70

2.68

2.65

2.65

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.70

2.65

2.60

2.55

2.50

2.55

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

IRR 131 05-
82 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Hating table for Clear Creek at Forkscreek, Colo.,from January 1 to December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.70

1.75

1.80

1.85

1.90

1.95

2.00

2.10

Discharge.

Second-feet. ,

92

95

98

101

105

109

113

125

Gage 

height.

feet.

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

139

155

173

192

216

240

268

300

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

.

Discharge.

Second-feet.

340

380

430

485

550

625

720

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

820

935

1,060

1,190

1,330

1,470

1,610

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

7 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is fairly well defined between.gage 

heights 2 feet and 3.5 feet. The table has been extended beyond these limits.

Estimated monthly discharge of Clear Creek at Forkscreek, Colo., for 1904. 

[Drainage area, 345 square miles.]

Month.

April ...............

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

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

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

204 

1, 125 

1,638 

995 

515 

440 

262

Minimum.

99 

197 

564 

420 

300 

240 

192

Mean.

139 

453 

1,092 

651 

385 

308 

219

Total in 

acre-feet.

8,271 

27, 850 

64, 980 

40, 030 

23, 670 

18, 330 

13, 470

196, 600

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.403 

1.31 

3.17 

1.89 

1.12 

.893 

.635

Depth in 

inches.

0.450 

1.51 

3.54 

2.18 

1.29 

.996 

.732

LOUP RIVER AT COLUMBUS, NEBR.

Observations at this station were begun October 13,1894. The station was established by O. V. P. Stout. It is located about 75 yards 

above the Union Pacific Railroad bridge and about 6 miles above the 

mouth of the river. There is an island about 1,000 feet above the gaging section. Discharge measurements are made by means of a fiveeighths inch cable and car. The cable is fastened to a large tree, and is 

supported b}^ a post on the west bank. On the east bank it is anchored 

to a timber set in the ground. Distances from the initial point are 

marked in red paint on the cable at 12^-foot intervals. The initial
PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 83

point for soundings is the zero mark on the cable. The channel is 

straight for 1,000 feet above and 300 feet below the cable. At a 

point 150 feet below the cable the current is broken by old piling and 

masonry piers of a railroad bridge. The section at the gage is broad 

and shallow, with rapid velocity and a shifting, sandy bed.. The right 

bank is low, sandy, covered with willows and brush, and is liable to 

overflow at very high stages. The left bank is about 10 feet high and 

is not liable to overflow. Two gages are maintained at this station 

since in times of high flood or ice gorges the upper one often becomes 

inaccessible.

The upper gage is a vertical rod 12 feet long bolted to piling 160 

feet above the railroad bridge on the leftfbank.

The lower gage is of the regulation chain and weight type and was 

installed June 24, 1904, at the highway bridge south of Columbus 

about H miles below the upper gage at the Union Pacific Railroad 

bridge. The distance from the end of the weight to the index is 24.50 

feet.

Bench mark No. 1 is a standard 4-foot iron post of the Geological 

Survey, located 72 feet east of the upper gage. Its elevation is 21.83 

feet above the zero of the lower gage and 13.27 feet above the zero 

of the upper gage. On account of the constantly changing cross section a large number of discharge measurements are necessary to obtain 

the daily discharge with a fair degree of accuracy. In order to render 

the readings of the two gages comparable the fall of the river was very 

carefully determined between the two and found to be 8.56 feet. The 

lower gage was then set to read the same as the upper gage; that is, a 

difference of 8.56 feet exists between the zeros of the two gages, but 

the bench marks are referred to the same datum; that is, to the zero 

of the lower gage. Bench mark No. 2 was also established on the 

above date at the lower gage and is a cross cut on the west end of 

the cap of the first bent of the north bridge approach. Its elevation 

above gage datum is 10.91 feet.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of J. C. Stevens, resident hydrographeiv
84 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Discharge measurements of Loup River at Columbus, Nebr. , in 1904-

Date.

March 25 ......

May8.........

June 18 .......

July 29........

July 29........

July 31........

July 31........

July 31........

July 31........

July 31........

July 31........

September 2 ...

Hydrographer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.:...do ..............

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

525

520

506

514

516

512

515

515

515

515

515

Area of 

section.

Sq. Jeet. 

961

1,293

1,065

1,682

1,130

1,274

1,084

1,036

1,067

1,045

1,020

1,018

1,036

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

3.23

2.69

3.24

2.75

2.57

2.64

2.52

2.63

2.60

2.61

2.44

2.78

2.78

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.75

5.31

4.85

5.46

4.82

4.82

4.77

4.77

4.77

4.80

4.80

4.80

5.01

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

3,099

3,483

3,442

4,630

2,896

3,376

2,737

2,723

2,778

2,734

2,492

2,826

2,880

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Loup River at Columbus, Nebr., for 1904-

Day.

2............................

3 ..... .....................

4............. ...............

5............................

6............................

9............................

10............................

11............................

12............................

13............................

14............................

15............. ..............

16............................

17............................

19............................

20............................

21............................

23.......... .................

24............................

25................ ............

26............................

27............................

28............................

30............................

31............................

Mar.

5.35

5.35

5.30

5.10

5.00

4 on

4.85

4.80

4.80

4.75

4.75

4.75

4 80

Apr.

4 95

4.90

4.92

4.90

4 90

5.05

5.00

5.00

4.95

4.90

4.90

A on

4 on

j or

A QK

5 nn

5.05

5.05

5.40

5.35

5.20

5.05

4 98

4 95

May.

4 95

4.90

4.90

4.95

4.98

5.30

5.30

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.00

5 nn

5.00

5.00

5.00

4 98

5.00

5.00

4 90

4.50

4

rn

4 50

June.

4.70

4.80

5.]0

5.15

5.20

5.15

4.95

4 95

5.10

7.30

5.40

5.30

5.80

5.40

5.20

5.00

4.85

4 90

4.80

4 90

4.75

4.60

4.75

5 in

July.

4.90

4.90

4.90

4.95

5.00

5.78

6.00

5.80

6.49

6.20

5.42

4.96

4.82

4.72

4.60

4.75

6.30

5.11

5.10

5.80

4.80

4.70

4.70

4.75

4.70

4.95

Aug.

4.52

4.48

4.71

4.84

4.87

4.85

4.80

4.85

5.15

5.15

4.75

4.65

4.55

4.50

4.42

4.45

4.50

4.60

4.77

4.85

4.65

4.40

4.40

4.40

4 40

4.40

4.40

4.45

Sept.

4.90

5.00

5.60

5.20

5.00

4.65-

4.65

4 65

4.56

4.48

4.40

4.50

4.50

4.50

5.10

4.60

4.55

4.45

4.55

4.70

4.60

4.70

4.90

5.00

5.00

Oct.

5.10

5.35

5.30

5.25

5.10

4.85

4.65

4.65

4.70

4.95

4.85

5.00

4.90

4.80

4.80

4.75

4.70

6.30

5.00

4 80

4.80

4.55

4.50

4.40

4.45

4.40

4.45

4.50

4.45

Nov.

4.45

4.45

4.40

4.45

4.45

4.30

4.45

4.55

4.55

4 60

4.60

4.60

4.55

4.60

4 60

4.65

4.60

4 69

4.65

4 65

4.65

4.80

4.50

4.50
HINDEELIDER"] 

AND HOYT. J PLATTE EIVEB DRAINAGE BASEST. 85

Mean daily discharge, in second-feet, of Loup River at Columbus, Nebr., for 1904.

Day.

1...... ......................

2............................

3............................

4............................

5............................

6............................

7............................

8. ...........................

9............................

10..........................

11........................'....

12............................

13............................

14............................

15............................

16............................

17............................

18............................

19.......................... .

20. ...........................

21............................

22............................

23............................

24............................

25............................

26............................

27............................

28............................

29............................

30............................

31........... ................

Mar.

5,400

5,400

5,180

4,300

3,890

3,710

3,550

3,260

3,260

3,260

3,130

3,130

3,260

3,550

Apr.

3,550

3,400

3,400

3,260

3,260

3,400

3,550

4,300

3,710

3,550

3,400

3,400

3,260

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

*> f lAfl

3,000

3 9fin

3 9fin

3,400

4,300

4,090

3,550

3,000

2,870

2, 740

May.

2,740

2 KflO

2,500

2,620

2,500

2,620

3,000

3,400

3,400

3,260

3,130

3,130

3,130

3,130

3,130

3,000

2,870

2,870

*> nnn

3

flAfl

3 nnn

3 nnn

3,000

4,750

6,500

3,130

2,870

1 930

1 930

o rvifi

June.

2,500

2,740

3,710

3,890

4,090

3,890

3 4flA

3,400

3,890

20,000

6,060

5,400

4,960

7,400

4,520

3

QQO

3,400

3 dnn

3 nnn

3 10 A

2

1Krt

2,380

4,300

4,520

S Ofifl

3,000

2,740

July.

2,740

2,740

2,740

2,870

3,000

6,060

7, 050

9,250

6,060

11,750

9,250

4,520

3,000

2,620

2,380

2,150

10,250

3,550

3,550

6,500

2,740

2,500

2,500

2, 740

2,620

2,620

2,500

Aug.

2,150

2,150

2,620

3,000

3,000

3,000

2,870

3,000

3,890

3,710

2,620

2,380

2,150

2,040

1,820

1,820

1,930

2,150

2,380

2,500

2,740

a T^n

1,740

2,660

1,660

1 660

1,660

1,660

1,660

1,740

3,260

Sept.

2,740

2,870

4,960

3,400

3,000

2,150

2,150

2,150

1,930

1,820

1,660

1,820

1,820

1,820

3,260

1,930

1,740

1 930

2 fl4fl

2 260

2 760

2,040

2,260

2,260

2, 7.40

3,000

3,130

Oct.

3.260

4,090

3,890

3,710

3,260

2,620

2,150

2,150

2,260

2,870

2,620

3,000

2,740

2,500

2,500

2,380

2,260

3,260

9,750

7,800

3,000

2,500

2,500

1,930

1,820

1,660

1,740

1,660

1,740

1,820

1,740

Nov.

1,740

1,740

1,660

1,740

1,740

1,510

1,740

1,930

1,930

2,040

2,040

2,040

2,040

1,930

2,040

2,040

2,040

2,150

2,040

2,260

2,150

2

lj^n

2,150

2,500

1,820

1,820

NOTE. Daily discharge obtained indirectly according to the method outlined in the Nineteenth 

Ann. Kept. U. S. Geol. Survey, pt. 4, 1899, p. 323 et seq.
86 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Estimated monthly discharge of Loup River at Columbus, Nebr.,for 1904- 

[Drainage area, 13,540 square miles.]

Month.

March 13-31 ........

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

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

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

September ..........

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

November 1-26 .....

The period . . .

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

5,400 

4,300 

6,500 

20, 000 

11,750 

3,890 

4,960 

9,750 

*2,500

Minimum.

3,130 

2,740 

1,930 

.2, 150 

2,150 

1,660 

1,660 

1,660 

1, 510

Mean.

3,715 

3,343 

3,031 

4,364 

4,266 

2,380 

2,392 

2,941 

1,961

Total in 

acre-feet.

140, 000 

198, 900 

186, 400 

259, 700 - 

262, 300 

146, 300 

142, 300 

180, 800 

101, 100

1, 618, 000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.274 

.247 

. 224 

.322 

.315 

.176 

.177 

.217 

.145

Depth in 

inches.

0.194 

.276 

.258 

.359 

.363 

.203 

.198 

.250 

.140

NOTE. The measurements made in 1904 were not sufficiently well distributed to make the above 

monthly estimate other than a rough approximation.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS IN THE PLATTE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

The following miscellaneous measurements were made in the Platte 

River drainage basin in Nebraska, in 1904:

Miscellaneous measurements in the Platte River drainage basin in 1904-

Date.

August 31 .....

May 26 ........

September 33..

April 27 .......

April 27 .......

April 27 .......

April 28 .......

April 30 .......

May 2 ......... 

May 3 .........

May 4 .'........

May 5 ......... 

June 15........

Hydrographer.

H. O. Smith ....

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

J. C. Stevens ... 

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

R. D. Hubbard . 

R. H. Willis....

H. O. Smith....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stream.

.

Blue Creek. ........

Pfllf PvooV

Elkhorn River .....

Goose Creek ........

Lodgepole River ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Locality.

Sec. 18, T. 16, R. 42 ... 

Sec. 5, T. 25, R." 26....

Arlington, Nebr .... 

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

Sec. 18, T. 25, R. 24... 

Sec. 15, T. 18, R. 50...

Sec. 8, T. 14, R. 51....

Sec. 9, T. 14, R. 51 ....

Sec. 10, T. 14, R. 51 ...

Sec. 33, T. 15, R. 56 ...

Sec. 31, T. 15, R. 56 ...

Nebr.

1 mi. E. State line 

Sec. 8, T. 14, R. 58....

Sec. 29, T. 15, R. 56 ...

Sec. 33, T. 15, R. 56 ... 

Kirn ball, Nebr......

Area.

Sq.feet.

523 

526

........

Mean velocity.

Ft. per 

sec.

2.57 

2.44

Discharge.

Sec.-feet

48 

1

395

1,343 

1,284

14.4 

6

8.6

7.G

7.2

14.4

12.4 

4.3

4.6 

34.7

20.5

48.2 

2.1
HINDEKLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J KANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 87

Miscellaneous measurements in the Platte River drainage basin in 1904 Continued.

Date.

September 6

May 24 ........

May 24 ........

June 10........

June 22........

October 11 .....

June 20........

June 21........

July 26 ........

July 27 ........

July 28 ........

July 25 ........

May 7..........

September 13 . .

August 28......

May 27 ........

June 13........

June 16........

October 11 .....

Hydrographer.

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

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

R.D.Hubbard..

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

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

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

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

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

R. D. Hubbard . .

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

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

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

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

R. D. Hubbard . .

H. O. Smith..... 

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

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

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

H. O. Smith .....

R.D.Hubbard..

Adna Dobson...

Stream.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mud Creek .........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VictoriaCreek......

Locality.

3 mi. W. Kimball,

Nebr. 

Sec. 31, T. 14, R. 46...

Thedford, Nebr ....

St. Paul, Nebr......

Sec. 32, T. 19, R. 21,

Nebr. 

St. Paul, Nebr ......

Brownlee, Nebr ....

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

Brewster, Nebr. ....

Sec. 27, T. 18, R. 26...

Sec. 31, T. 17, R. 24...

Sec. 30, T. 15, R. 21 ...

Litchfleld, Nebr....

Sec. 29, T. 12, R. 26 ...

Sec. 18, T. 14, R. 36...

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

Sec. 33, T. 19, R. 52...

Sec. 2, T. 23, R. 56....

Sec.l,T.19,R.21....

Area.

Sq.fcet.

82

92

365

2, 079

90

827

55

57

89

1,580

906

Mean velocity.

Ft. per 

sec.

2.50

2.95

3.40

G.16

2.58

2.68

2.67

2.81

2.55

2.51

2. 40

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

13.4

8.7

3.3

205

271

2,162

«12,800

232

878

2,219

147

160

227

467

82

9

56

103

37

3,976

Dry.

36

27

30

60

Dry.

Dry.

130

11

2,231

11.4

1

2.6

a Flood measurement gage height 3.60. 

KANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

The drainage basin of Kansas River lies between those of the Platte 

and Arkansas rivers, being entirely within the region of the Great 

Plains and principally within the arid or semiarid area. It has no 

mountain tributaries, but depends entirely for its water supply upon 

the water which, falling within or near the basin, percolates slowly 

to the drainage channels. The catchment area extends from eastern 

Colorado to Missouri River, a distance from east to west of 485 miles. 

Its extreme width is about 200 miles. The main stream of Kansas 

River is formed at Junction, Kans., by Republican and Smoky Hill
88 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

rivers and flows east into the Missouri at Kansas City. The Republican, its principal tributary, drains southern Nebraska and northern 

Kansas by means of many small tributary creeks. Solomon, Saline, 

and Smoky Hill rivers drain the plains of northwestern Kansas. 

Blue River is a tributary in northeastern Kansas, flowing south into 

Kansas River near Manhattan, Kans.

KANSAS RIVER NEAR ST. GEORGE, KANS.

This station was established as a flood station April 13, 1904, by 

M. C. Hinderlider. It is located at the highway bridge one-fourth 

mile east of St. George, and opposite the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. 

A plain, vertical, gage is painted on the north face of the upstream 

tube of the first pier from the left end of the bridge. It is graduated 

to feet and tenths from 10 to 26 feet. During 1904 the gage was read 

once daily, or oftener during sudden changes in the stage of the river, 

by G. A. Parr, station agent for the Union Pacific Railroad. Discharge 

measurements are made from the downstream side of the bridge, to 

which the gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is the foot 

of the north abutment on the downstream side. The current is straight 

for about half a mile above and below the station, and the current is 

medium to swift. Both banks overflow for some distance back from 

the main stream. The bed of the stream is composed principally of 

shale, with a sand deposit in places, and is permanent on the left side 

of the river, but unstable on the right or south side. Bench mark 

No. 1 is a United States Geological Survey standard bench-mark tablet 

set in the southwest corner of the north masonry abutment of the 

bridge, on the top surface of the bridge seat. Its elevation is 26.268 

feet above the datum of the gage, and 993.39 feet above sea level. 

Bench mark No. 2 is a United States Coast and Geodetic Survey 

bench mark on the window sill of Johnston's store in St. George, Kans. 

Its elevation is 37.571 feet above the datum of the gage, and 1,004.69 

feet above sea level. This station has been abandoned.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J KANSAS BIVER DEAINAGE BASIN. 89

Gage heights, in feet, of Kansas River near St. George, Kans., for 1904.

Date.

April 25..........

April 26..........

April 27..........

May 9............

May 10...........

May 11...........

May 29...........

May 30...:.. ....

May31.. .........

June 24..........

June 26.. .......

A.M.

J 6.30

1 11.00

6.30

7.00

7.00

( 7.00

| 10.30

I 12.00

7.00

7.00

7 00

7.00

f 7.00

i 12.00

7.00

f 7.00

1 12. 00

7 Of*

7.00

7.00

f 7.00

1 12.00

7.00

1

7.00

10.00

12.00

 7.00

G.H.

Feet.

12.6

13.8

13.6

10.4

10.0

10.0

12.1

13.0

11.7

11.0

 11.8

11.0

12.0

11.7

13.4

13.2

12.3

10.9

10.6

11.1

11.8

11.6

12.4

16.0

17.6

P.M.

6.30

3.00

7.30

7.00

7.00

7.00

3.00

6.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

3.00

7 00

3.00

G.H.

Feet. 

10.1

14.3

14.3

12.8

10.0

13.8

14.3

11.2

11. C

10.9

12.8

-jo n

13.0

11.6

10.3

11.0

10.6

11.8

10.8

10.0

17.0

17.6

17.5

Date.

June 28 .........

June 29.........

July 1...........

July 2...........

July 4...........

July 5...........

July 7...........

July 8...........

July 9...........

July 10..........

July 11..........

July 12..........

July 13..........

July 14..........

July 15..........

A.M.

10.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

f 7.00

| 12.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

Q on

12.00

f 7.00

| 10.00

t 12.00

1

7.00

10.00

12.00

1

7.00

10.00

12.00

I 7.00

1 10.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

G.H.

Feet. 

17.6

16.2

14.4

12.6

13.3

14.3

13.6

11.6

11.3

17.6

18.3

18.6

18.0

17.6

17.8

17.6

17.4

17.1

17.1

16.9

15.5

15.2

15.0

14.7

15.0

14.2

13.6

12.0

P.M.

7.00

7.00

7 flfi

7.00

7.00

3.00

7 on

3.00

7.00

3.00

7.00

3.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

7.00

G.H.

Feet.

12.3

14.0

12.3

10.0

12.4

19.0

19 6

17.6

17 9

17.3

17.1

16.6

16.2

15.1

15.0

14.8

14.7

KANSAS RIVER AT CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND AND PACIFIC RAILROAD 

BRIDGE, TOPEKA, KANS.

This station was established as a flood station April 14, 1904, by 

M. C. Hinderlider. It is located at the Chicago, Rock Island and 

Pacific Railroad bridge, about 2,100 feet above the Melan Arch Bridge, 

and 4,500 feet above the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway 

bridge at Topeka, Kans. A plain gage, graduated to feet and tenths, 

is painted on the south face of the first pier from the left end of the 

bridge. The gage reads from 5 to 23 feet, the 10-foot mark being 

about 5 feet above mean low water. During 1904 the gage was read 

once daily, or of tener during sudden changes in the stage of the river, by 

E. M. Mathers, station agent for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific 

Railroad. Discharge measurements are made from the downstream 

side of the five-span bridge to which the gage is attached. The initial 

point for soundings is the north face of the right abutment. The channel is straight for about 1 mile above and below the station. The current is moderate at ordinary p.iul , \vifL at high stages. The right bank
90 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

is a 15-foot bluff, having a slope of about 45°, and composed principally 

of loam lined with loose riprap of stone. The left bank is not as high 

as the right bank and below the station leads on to a gravel bar which 

extends out for about 500 feet. Both banks are subject to overflow. 

The bed of the stream is composed of sand and silt, but is fairly permanent. The water flows in one channel at all ordinary stages broken 

by four concrete piers, and at very high water spreads out over North 

and South Topeka for distances varying from one-fourth to 1 mile out 

from the river channel. Bench mark No. 1 is a cross on the southwest corner of the left abutment, and is marked "U. S. G. S. B. M., 

El. 883.822." Its elevation is 23.635 feet above the datum of the gage. 

This station has been abandoned.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurement of Kansas River at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad 

bridge, Topeka, Kans., in 1904.

Date.

June 6 .........

Hydrographer.

M. C. Hinderlider....

Width.

Feet. 

820

Area of 

section.

Sq. feet. 

4,616

Mean

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

5.09

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

11.95

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

23, 480

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Kansas River at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific 

Railroad bridge, Topeka, Kans., for 1904.

Day.

1. ............

2.............

3.............

4 .............

5.............

6.............

7.............

8.............

9.............

10.............

11.............

12.............

13.............

14.............

15.............

16.............

Apr. May.

8.18

7.35

6.85

6.70

6.70

6.60

6.60

7.55

7.90

9.15

9 9^

8.30

8.25

8.28

7.70

8.60

June.

10.65

11.60

12.35

12.75

12.35

10.60

10.05

9.25

10.00

July.

18.20

- 11. 70

10.30

10.50

10.50

17.30

22.05

19.40

18.60

17.20

14.00

13.75

13.70

12.80

12.10

Aug.

6.40

6.40

6.20

6.20

6.10

6.00

......

6.00

6.00

6.00

6.00

5.80

5.70

5.70

5.70

Day.

17.............

18.............

19.............

20.............

21.............

22.............

23.............

24.............

25.............

26.............

27.............

28.............

29.............

30.............

31.............

Apr.

10.20

10.42

10.62

13.22

12.10

11.60

9.80

May.

9.20

8.60

7.92

7.55

7.00

6.75

6.45

6.30

6.20

6.40

7.05

6.62

12.35

17.55

12.38

June.

11.10

10.30

12.05

16.85

15.70

14.10

12.70

11.70

July.

11.40-

10.70

9.70

8.60

8,00

9.80

8.40

8.20

8.10

7.70

7.40

7.40

6.90

6.70

Aug.

5.70

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.80

6.00

5.90

5.80

5.80

5.80

5.50

5.20

5.20

KANSAS RIVER AT ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND SANTA FE RAILWAY BRIDGE,

TOPEKA, KANS. ""

This station was established as a flood station April 14, 1904, by 

M. C. Hinderlider. It is located at the Atchison, Topeka and Santa 

Fe Railroad bridge, 2,300 feet below the Melan Arch Bridge, and
KANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN- 91

4,500 feet below the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad bridge, 

at Topeka, Kans. A plain vertical gage is painted on the south side 

of the third pier from the right abutment. The gage is graduated to 

feet and tenths from 10 to 23 feet, the 23-foot mark being at the top of 

the capstone and the 10-foot mark being about 5 feet above mean low 

water. During 1904 it was intended to have the gage read once a day or 

oftener during sudden rises in the stage of the river, but the observer 

failed to do this. Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the six-span bridge to which the gage is attached. The 

bridge has a trestle approach on the left end 316 feet long. The initial 

point for soundings is on the northeast corner of, the right abutment. 

The channel is straight for 1 mile above and 1,000 feet below the station and the current is swift. The right bank is high and rocky, but 

is subject to overflow. The left bank is low, leading out to a sand and 

gravel bar extending out for about 1,000 feet. This was covered during the flood of 1903 and 1904 to a depth of from 3 to 8 feet. The bed 

of the stream is composed of sand and deposits of silt, and is unstable. 

The bench mark is a United States Coast and Geodetic Survey bench 

mark, designated as "N" in the records of the Geodetic Survey. It 

is on the northeast corner of the capstone of the right abutment of the 

bridge. Its elevation is 26.708 feet above the zero of the gage and 

883.98 feet above mean sea level. The station has been abandoned.

KANSAS RIVER a AT LECOMPTON, KANS.

The gaging station at Lecompton was established April 16, 1899, at 

the new wagon bridge. On June 24,1900, a new gage was established, 

the old gage having been broken. Later, a pine'board 1 inch by 6 

inches by 10 feet long, graduated to feet and tenths, was spiked on 

top of the old gage, at the same elevation. November 5, 1904, a 

new gage was put in; this gage is in three sections. The first is a 

pine board graduated from zero to 3 feet and spiked to a pile 23 feet 

north of the initial point. The second section is painted on the downstream pier of the second set and graduated from 3 feet to 10 feet, 

and the third section is painted on the upstream pier of the first 

set and is graduated from 10 feet to 29.5 feet. On October 26, 1900, 

a bench mark was established on top of the bottom flange of the iron 

strut, connecting the two iron cylinders at the south end of the highway bridge over the river. The bench mark is at the west end of the 

strut, next to the cylinder. Its elevation is 12.19 feet above the zero 

of the gage. The observer is A. D. McAdow. The channel is somewhat curved at the bridge, and the bridge is slightly oblique to the 

direction of the current. The channel has a width of 800 feet, broken 

by four metal piers. The left bank is low and subject to overflow

a Also known as Kaw River.
STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN" 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

during high water. The bed of the stream is sandy, with some rock, 

and changes slightly.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. Gr. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Kansas River at Lecompton, Kans., in 1904.

Date.

March 18......

April 28 .......

May 31........

June 7 .........

July 10........

July 15........

November 5 ...

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell .

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

695

752

774

772

808

780

603

Area of 

section.

Square feet. 

1,513

7,973

8,174

7,057

12, 660

8,504

1,652

Mean

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.25

4.11

4.61

4.06

4.48

4.28

2.47

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.10

10.95

11.50

9.70

14.25

10.43

2.80

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

3,532

32, 780

37, 730

28, 690

56, 660

36, 370

4,078

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Kansas River at Lecompton, Katis., for 1904.

Day.

1..... .........

5..............

6..............

7...--.-.......

8.. . -...-......

13..--.--.......

15...---........

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23.............. 

24..............

25..............

26.....-.---....

28..............

29

30.............. 

31..............

Jan.

4.00

4.00

4.00

4.00

3.90

3.90

3.85

3.80

3.80

3.75

3.70

3.70

3.60

3.60

3.60

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.45

3.40

3.40 

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.30 

3.20

Feb.

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.10

3.10

3.10

3.10

3:00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.05

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.30

3.40

3.40

3.50 

3.50

3.50

3.60

Mar.

3.60

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.30

3.15

3.00

3 90

3.30

5.90

5.80

5.80

5.70 

5.70

Apr.

5.70

5.60

5.60

5.50

5.40

5.30

5.20

5.20

5.15

5.10

5.00

5.00

4 95

4.90

4.90

4.80

4.75

4.85

5.00

9.75

11.65

10.40

-m on

8.50

May.

6.90

6.20

5.75

5.55

5.15

5.00

5.70

6.35

6.70

7 00

7 00

6.80

6.95

7 7^»

8.25

7.55

7.50

7 Qft

6.70

6

Qfl

15. 50 

11.80

June.

10.60

10.75

10.80

9

RA

8.00

7.70

7 on

7 95

7.75

6.90

7 V»

8.60

7.75

7.20

7 00

6.20 

6.15

13.70

12.00

10.70

10.05

July.

9.60

8.70

8.45

10.10

16.75

on 7£L

16.45

14.55

13.15

12.10

11.40

11.00

10.50

9 ^

7.10

6.75

6.65

7.25

7.35 

6.80

6.40

6.10

5.85

5 or)

5.15 

4.95

Aug.

4.80

4.55

4.25

4.20

4.15

4.10

4.05

4.00

4.00

3.85

3.80

3.70

3.70

3.65

3.55

3.50

3.40

3.35

S

on

3.30 

3.25

Sept.

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.10

3.10

3.05

3.00

3 no

3.00

3.00

3 on

3.00

3.00

2.95

2 Qft

2 Qfl

2.90

2.90 

2 90

2 90

2 90

2.90

°9 go

2 on

3.10

Oct.

3.50

3.75

3.80

3 95

4 00

4.00

4 00

S on

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.75

3.70

3.70

3.60 

3.60

3 fin

 Rn

3.45

3 40

3.40 

3.30

Nov.

3.25

3.15

2 80

2.80

2 80

2 65

2 60

2 60

2 60

2 60

2.50

2.50

2 50

2

KA

2 Rn

2.45 

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2 on

2.30

Dec.

2.30

2.30

2 30

2.30

2 30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2 20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2 00

2.00 

2 no

2.00

 2 00

2 00

1.90 

1.90
KANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 93

Rating table for Kansas River at Lecompton, Kans., from January 1 to July 5, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

*f 3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,350

3,530

3,720

3,910

4,110

4,310

4,520

4,730

4,950

5,170

5, 400

5,630

5,870

6,110

6,350

6,600

6,850

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

7,100

7,360

7,630

7,900

8,170

8,450

8, 730

9,020

9,310

9,610

9,910

10, 220

10, 540

10, 860

11, 190

11, 530

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.20

8.40

8.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

11,870

12, 220

12, 580

12, 950

13, 330

13, 710

14, 100

14, 500

15, 310

16, 130

16, 970

17, 830

18, 700

19, 590

20, 500

21, 440

Gage 

height.

Feet.

8.80

9.00

9.20

9.40

9.60

9.80

10.00

10.50

11.00

11.50

12.00

12.50

13.00

13.50

14.00

15.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

22, 410

23,400

24, 400

25, 420

26, 450

27, 510

28,600

31, 460

34, 520

37, 700

41, 040

44, 450

47, 900

51, 400

54, 900

61, 900

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

5 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is not well denned. On account of 

the shifting character of the stream bed it can only be considered a rough approximation.
94 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 181.

Rating table for Kansas River at Lecompton, Kans.,from July 6 to December 31, 1904.

Gage, 

height.

Feet.

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,530

2,680

2,830

2,980

3,140

3,300

3,470

3,640

3,820

4,010

4,200

4,400

4,610

4,830

5,050

5,280

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

Discharge. Gage 

height. Discharge.

Second-feet. Feet. Second-feet.

5,510

5,750

5,990

6,240

6,490

6,750

7,020

7,290

7, 570

7,860

8,150

8,450

8,750

9,060

9,380

9,700

5.20

.5.40

5.60

10, 370

11,050

11,740

5. 80 12, 450

6.00

6.20

6.40

6.60

6.80

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.50

13, 200

13, 990

14, 820

 15,670

16, 540

17, 450

18, 380

19, 340

20, 320

21, 320

22, 350

24, 990

Gage 

height.

Feet.

9.00

9.50

10.00

10.50

11.00

11.50

12.00

13.00

14.00

15.00

16.00

17.00

18.00

19.00

20.00

21.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

27,800

30, 780

33,900

37, 230

40, 700

44,290

48,000

56,000

64,600

73,700

83, 200

93, 000

103, 000

113,000

123, 000

133, 000

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

2 discharge measurements made during 1904, and upon the general form of the 

curves for 1903 and the first part of 1904. It is not well defined. (See note to preceding table.)

Estimated monthly disclmrge of Kansas River at Lecompton, Kans., for 1904~ a 

[Drainage area, 58,560 square miles.]

Month.

April ...............

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

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

September ..........

November ..........

December ..........

The year .....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

5,400 

4,520 

10, 860 

38, 350 

65, 400 

59, 800 

130, 000 

9,060 

4, 830 

6,750 

4,830 

3,140

130, 000

Minimum.

3,720 

3,350 

3,350 

7,360 

7,900 

11, 53Q 

9,700 

4,830 

4,200 

5,050 

3,140 

2,530

2,530

Me"an.

4,520 

3,783 

5,464 

12,900 

16,020 

25, 290 

36, 190 

6,198 

4,433 

6,073 

3,704 

2,891

10, 620

Total in 

acre-feet.

277,900 

217, 600 

336, 000 

767, 600 

985, 000 

1, 505, 000 

2, 225, 000 

381, 100 

263, 800 

373, 400 

220, 400 

177, 800

7, 731, 000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.077 

.065 

.093 

.220 

.274 

.432 

.618 

.106 

.076 

i!04 

.063 

.049

.181

Depth in 

inches.

0.089 

.070 

.107 

.246 

.316 

.482 

.712 

.122 

.085 

.120 

.070 

.056

2.48

« The above monthly estimates are only very rough approximations.
HINDERUDER"! 

AND HUYT. J KANSAS BIVER DEAINAGE BASIN. 95

REPUBLICAN RIVER AT BENKELMAN, NEBR.

This station was established May 20, 1903, by J. C. Stevens. It is 

located at a highway bridge between sees. IT and 20, T. 1 N., R. 37 W., 

and about one-half mile east of Benkelrnan, Nebr., which is on the 

main line of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. The gage 

is a vertical 2 by 4 inch rod 6 feet long, spiked to the downstream 

side of the second bent from the west end of the bridge. It is read 

once each day by Leon L. Hines. Discharge measurements are made 

from the upstream side of the highway bridge, the upstream hand 

rail of which is marked at 5-foot intervals by notches cut into the rail. 

This bridge is one-fourth mile above the mouth of the South Fork of 

Republican River. The initial point for soundings is the zero mark 

on the upstream hand rail at the east end of the bridge. The channel 

is straight for 200 feet above and 500 feet below the station. Both 

banks are low and sandy, free from timber, and liable to overflow at 

very high stages. The bed is composed of shifting sand, and there is 

but one channel, except at extreme low water. The river sometimes 

goes dry during the summer. Bench mark No. 1 is the top of the 

south end of the concrete foundation for the first or west upright bent 

of the elevated track in the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad 

yards just east of the railroad station. To this bench mark the gage 

rods of both the Republican and South Fork of the Republican stations 

were referred. Its elevation above the zero of the Republican River 

gage is 16.14 feet. Bench marks Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are, respectively, 

the tops of the south ends of the caps of the first, second, third, and 

fourth bents from the west end of the Republican River bridge. Their 

elevations above the zero of the Republican River gage are 6.88,6.74, 

6.34, and 6.19 feet, respectively.

A station was maintained on this stream from November 1,1894, to 

September 7, 1895, the gagings being made several miles farther 

upstream. A description of this station and the results of the observations are given on page 125 of bulletin No. 140.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under

the direction of J. C. Stevens, resident hydrographer.

>4

Discharge measurements of Republican River at Benkelman, Nebr., in 1904-

Date.

April 3 ........

April 18.......

June 16........

December 7 ....

Hydrographer.

J. C. Stevens.........

Width.

Feel. 

125

149

Area of 

section.

Sq. feet. 

72

47

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.55

1.85

. Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.10

1.02

1.10

1.50

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

112

32

87

136
96 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Republican River at Benkelman, Nebr.,for 1904-

Day.

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6.............. 

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13.............. 

14..............

15..............

16.............. 

17..............

18.............. 

19

20..............

23.............. 

24..............

25..............

27..............

28.............. 

29.............. 

30.............. 

31..............

Jan. a

1.30

1.40

1.35

1.30

1.40 

1.50

1 60

1.60

1.50

1.45

1.30 

1.45

1.55

1.45 

1.45

1.45 

1 30

1.30

.90

90

1.00 

( 6 )

......

Feb.

.......

( ft)

0.95 

.95

Mar.

1.00

.95

1.10

90

90

1.05 

.90

95

1.10

1 00

1 00

1.05 

1 00

1.10

1.00

.80 

.95

1 00

'1.05

1 00

1.05 

1.05

1.05 

1 00

1.05

1.00 

1.05 

1.10 

1.10

Apr.

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.20

1.10 

1.05

1.10

1 00

1.00 

1.01

1 00

1.05 

1.00

1.00

1 nn

1 00

1.05

1.00

1.20

1.10

1.05 

1.00 

1.30

May.

1.25

1.30

1.10

1.25

1.20

1.20 

1.20

i nn

1.00 

1.05

.95

.90

1.00 

1 00

1.00 

1 00

1.05

1.20 

1.00

1.00

1.05

1.10 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00

June.

1.00

1.10

1.25

1.60

1.05

1.10 

l.OD

1.00

1.10 

1.40

1.20

1.20

1.40

1.10 

1.35

1.35 

1.10

1 Aft

1.10

1 1 ^

1.26 

1 80

1.20 

1.15

1.15

1.10 

1.15 

1.15

July.

1.10

1.15

1.10

1.20

1.10

1.05 

1.75

1.25 

1.20

1.10

1.00

1.00 

.90

1.00

.90

.85

.80 

90

1.20

1 00

.90 

1.10

.90 

.80

.80

.80 

.80 

.75 

.75

Aug.

1.60

1.40

1.00

1.20

1.10

1.10

1.05 

1.00

.90

1.10

.80 

.80

.80

.80 

.80

.80 

.90

.90

.90

.85 

.80

.80 

.80

.80

.80 

.80 

.80 

.80

Sept.

0.80

!70

.80

.70

.70

.75 

' .80

.90

.90 

.90

.90

.85

.85

.85

.80

.90

.85 

.85

.85

.85

.85 

.85

.90 

.90

.90

1.10 

1.10

Oct.

1.15

1.15

1.30

1.70

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1 00

1.00 

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.05 

1.00.

1.05

1.00 

1.05

.......

1 60

1.30

1.30

1.20 

1.15

1.20 

1.10

1.20

1.20 

1.20 

1.20 

1.20

Nov.

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20 

1.20

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.20 

1.15

1.25

1.15 

1.20

1.15 

1.15

1.20

1.15

1.20

1.30 

1.20

1.15 

1.20

1.25

1.30

Dec.

1.20

1.30

1.20

( c)

1.50

.......

.......

a River frozen during January.

bNo gage-height observations January 24 to February 27, inclusive.

dee.
KANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 97

Mean daily discharge, in second-feel, of Republican River at Benkelman, Nebr., for 1904- a

Day.

1......................

2......................

3......................

4......................

5......................

6......................

7......................

8......................

9......................

10......................

11......................

12......................

13. ...... ...............

14......................

15......................

16......................

19

20......................

21......................

22......................

23......................

24......................

25......................

26......................

27...... ................

29

30......................

31......................

Feb.

76

76

Mar.

87

76

111

65

65

99

65

76

111

99

87

87

99

87

111

87

87

46

76

87

99

87

99

99

99

65

99

87

99

111

111

Apr.

Ill

111

111

111

111

111

124

105

87

76

87

46

46

38

38

38

30

30

38

30

47

65

65

46

QQ

Oft

87

May.

87

99

55

76

76

76

38

38

46

38

23

23

46

46

46

55

65

46

46

46

55

65

46

46

46

June.

55

76

111

211

65

76

55

55

76

151

99

151

99

99

87

1Q7

137

65

65

76

65

55

55

46

KK

55

July.

46

55

46

65

46

38

211

143

76

65

46

30

30

17

30

17

13

10

30

30

17

46

17

10

10

10

10

5

5

Aug.

165

111

30

65

46

46

46

46

38

30

17

46

10

10

10

10

10

10

17

17

17

17

13

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

Sept.

10

0

10

0

0

5

10

]7

17

17

17

13

13

13

10

14

17

13

10

13

13

13

13

17

17

17

Q-l

46

46

Oct.

55

55

87

195

30

30

30

30

30

46

46

30

38

30

38

30

38

101

165

87

87

65

65

55

65

46

65

65

65

65

65

Nov.

65 

65 

65 

65

65

65

65 

55

55

55

CLC

55

65

55

76

55

65

55

55

65

55

65

87

65

55 

65 

76 

80 

83 

87

Dec.

65

87 

65

136

. a The daily discharge was obtained indirectly according to the method outlined in the Nineteenth 

Ann. Kept. U. S. Geol. Survey, pt. 4,1899, p. 323 et seq. Discharge interpolated for days when the gage 

was not observed.

IRR 131 05 7
98 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PAET VIII. [NO. 131.

Estimated monthly discharge of Republican River at Benkelman, Nebr., for. 1904' 

[Drainage area, 3,965 square miles.]

Month.

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

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

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

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

Ill

124 

99 

227 

211 

165 

46 

195 

" 87

Minimum.

46 

30 

23 

46 

5 

10 

0 

30 

55

Mean.

89.1 

64.9 

53.9 

91.2 

40.5 

29.3 

14.9 

61,3 

64.6

Total in 

acre-feet.

5,478 

3,862 

3,314 

5,427 

2,490 

1,802 

887 

3,769 

3,844

30, 870

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.022 

.016 

.014 

.023 

.010 

.0074 

.0038 

.015 

.016

Depth in 

inches.

0.025 

.018 

.016 

.026 

.012 

.0085 

.0042 

.017 

.018

NOTE. Insufficient measurements were made during 1904 to make the above monthly estimates 

other than a rough approximation!.

REPUBLICAN RIVER (SOUTH FORK) NEAR BENKELMAN, NEBR.

This station was established May 20, 1903, by J. C. Stevens. It is 

located at a highway bridge between sees. 17 and 20, T. 1 N., R. 37 W., 

and about three-fourths of a mile east of Beukelman, Nebr. The 

South Fork empties into Republican River about one-fourth of a 

mile below this station. A station is also maintained on Republican 

River one-fourth of a mile above the junction of the two streams. 

The gage is a vertical 2 by 4 inch rod 5i feet long, spiked to the 

upstream side of the first bent in the channel from the east bank of 

the stream. It is read once each day by Leon L. Hines. Discharge 

measurements are made from the upstream *ide of the highway bridge 

to which the gage is attached. The upstream hand rail of this bridge 

is marked at 5-foot intervals by notches cut into the rail, and the initial point for soundings is the zero mark on the rail at the east end of 

the bridge. The channel is straight for 1,000 feet above and 500 feet 

below the station. Both banks are low and sandy, free from timber, 

and liable to overflow at very 'high stages. The bed of the stream is 

sandy and shifting, and there is but one channel except at extremely 

low stages. The river usually goes dry during the summer. Bench 

mark No. 1 is the top of the south end of the concrete foundation for 

the first or west upright bent of the elevated track in the Burlington 

and Missouri River Railroad yards just east of the station. Its eleva-
HINDEBLIDEE"! 

AND HOYT. J KANSAS EIVER DKAINAGE BASIN. 99

tion above the zero of the South Fork gage is 18.29 feet. This is also 

bench mark No. 1 of the Republican River gage. Bench marks Nos. 

2, 3, 4, and 5 are, respectively, the tops of the south ends of the first, 

second, third, and fourth bents from the west end of the South Fork 

bridge. Their elevations above the zero of the South Fork gage are 

6.62, 6.48, 6.38, and 6.20 feet, respectively.

A station was maintained on this river from November 1, 1894, to 

September 7, 1895, the gagings being made near the present station. 

A description of the old station and the results of the observations are 

given on page 130 of Bulletin No. 140.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of J. C. Stevens, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Republican Rirer (South Fork) near Benkelman, Nebr., in 1904-

Date.

April 3 ........

April 18 .......

June 16 .......

June 16 .......

December 7 ....

Hydrographer.

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

J. A. Green.... ......

Width.

Feet. 

65

106

106

Area of 

section.

,S'q. fret. 

24

76

77

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.32

1.87

1.88

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.20

1.70

1.70

1.10

1.32

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

32

' 142

145

14

32
100 STREAM MEASUREMENTS ITT 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Republican River (South Fork) near Benkelman, Nebr.,

for 1904.

Day.

1.... ..........

3..............

4..............

5.............. 

6.............. 

7..............

8.............. 

9..............

10..............

11..............

12.............

13..............

14.............. 

15. ............. 

16.............. 

17.............. 

18..............

19..............

21.............. 

22.............. 

23..............

24..............

25.............. 

26.............. 

27..............

28.............. 

29.............. 

30.............. 

31..............

Jan. a

1.30

1.50

1.40

1.30 

1.40 

1.40

1.40 

1.40 

1.40

1.55

1.60

1.40

1.30 

1.40 

1.40 

1.45 

1.50

1.40 

1.40 

1.35

(*)

Feb.

.......

( &)

1.40 

1.40

Mar.

1.55 

1.50 

1.35

1.40 

1.40 

1.40

1.30

1.40

1.40 

1.40 

1.40 

1.40 

1.40

1.40 

1.40

1.25

1.30 

1.20

1 9^

1.35 

1.30 

1.25 

1 ^

Apr.

1.20

1.15

1.20

1.20

1.20 

1.20 

1.00

1.00 

1.05

1.10

1.10

1.15

1.00 

.95 

1.00 

.95 

.90

QF*

QP.

.95 

1.05 

i no

1.20 

1.20

1 on

1.20 

1.20 

1.40

May.

1.50

1.55

1.50

i ^n

1.70 

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.40 

1.45

1.35

1 40

1.40 

1.40 

1.40 

1.40 

1.40

1.40

1 30

1.40 

1.50 

1.50

1.70 

1.60 

1.80

1.60 

1.50 

1.50 

1.45

June.

i ^in

1.65

1 60

1 40

1.60 

1.55 

1.50

1.45 

1.60 

1.75

2.15

1.80

1 Rft

1.80 

1.80 

1.60 

1.80 

1.80

2 30

1.30

1.50 

1.55 

1.70

2 00

1.45

1.45 

1.40

1.40 

1.30 

1.30

July.

1.35

1.50

1.55

1.40 

1.50 

1.30

1.60 

1.55

1.50

1.20

1 30

1.30 

1.10 

1.10 

1.05 

1.00

1.05

1.10

.90 

.90 

.90

1.10

1.10 

1.00

.80 

.80

.85 

.85

Aug.

1 00

1.50

1 00

1.20

1.10

1.00 

1.50 

1.40

1.30

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.10 

1.10 

1.05 

1.10

1.10

1 00

1.15 

1.10

1.05

1.05 

1.05 

1.05

1.05 

1.05 

1.05 

1.05

Sept.

1.05

1.05

1.05

i no

1.00 

1.00 

1.00

1.00 

1.00 

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.00

.85

.85

.85

.85 

.85 

.85

.85

1.00 

1.00 

1.00

1.30 

1.30

Oct.

1.30

1 °5

i *>^

i ^n

1.30 

1.25 

1.30

1.40 

1.30 

1.40

1.40

1.30

1.30

1.25 

1.25 

1.25 

1.30

1.70

1.70

1.60 

1.50 

1.50

1.50

1.35 

1.40 

1.35

1.50 

1.50 

1.55 

1.50

Nov.

1.50

1.50

1.50

1 ^iA

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1.45 

1.40

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50 

1.45 

1.45 

1.50 

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45 

1.50 

1.40

1.45

1.45 

1.45 

].45

1.40

Dec.

1 30

1 30

f n\

1.32

......:

.......

.......

.......

a River partially frozen during January.

&No observations at gage January 24 to February 27.

"Ice.
HINDERLIDER") 

AND HOYT. J KAK8AS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 101

Mean daily discharge, in second-feet, of Republican River (South Fork) near Benkelman,

Nebr., for 1904. «

Day.

1..................

2. .................

4..................

5..................

6..................

7..................

8. .................

9..................

10..................

11..................

12..................

13..................

14..................

15..................

16..................

17..................

18..................

19..................

21..................

22..................

23..................

24..................

26..................

27..................

28..................

29

30..................

01

Mar.

57

66

47

66

102

89

57

89

66

66

47

66

66

66

66

66

66

66

66

66

66

66

47

39

47

31

57

47

39

OQ

Apr.

31

25

31

31

31

31

11

11

11

15

19

19

15

11

8

11

8

6

8

8

15

11

21

31

31

47

9.1

66

May.

89

102

89

89

145

89

89

89

66

78

66

57

66

66

66

66

66

66

66

47

66

89

89

255

145

115

178

115

89

89

78

June.

89

102

66

115

102

89

78

115

161

323

178

178

178

178

115

178

178

47

89

102

145

255

78

78

66

66

47

47

July.

57

66

89

102

66

89

47

81

115

102

89

31

47

47

19

19

15

11

15

11

6

6

6

19

19

19

5

5

5

Aug.

11

89

31

16

14

11

89

66

47

19

19

19

19

19

15

19

11

18

25

19

15

15

15

15

15

Sept.

15

15

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

11

11

, 11

47

47

Oct.

47

39

89

47

47

39

47

66

47

66

66

47

47

39

39

39

31

73

115

115

89

66

66

66

47

39

66

66

78

Nov.

66

66

66

66

66

66

66

57

52

47

66

66

66

66

57

57

66

57

57

57

57

66

47

57

57

57

57

54

50

47

Dec.

31

31

32

a The daily discharge was obtained indirectly according- to the method outlined in the Nineteenth 

Ann. Kept. U. S. Geol. Survey, pt. 4, 1899, p. 323 et seq. . 

Discharge interpolated for days when the gage was not observed. »
102 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Estimated monthly discharge of Republican River (South Fork) near Benkelman, Nebr.,

for 1904.a 

[Drainage area, 5,910 square miles.]

Month.

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

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

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

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

November ..........

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

102 

66 

255 

397 

115 

89 

47 

115 

66

Minimum.

31

6 

47 

47 

5 

11 

5 

31 

47

Mean.

60.1 

21.1 

92.4 

132 

39.3 

24.0 

13.0 

57.5 

59.4

Total in 

acre-feet.

3,695 

1,256 

5,682 

7,855 

2,416 

1,476 

774 

3, 536 

3,534

30, 220

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.010 

.0036 

.016 

.022 

.0066 

.0041 

.0022 

.010 

.010

Depth in 

inches.

0.012 

.0040 

.018 

.025 

. 0076 

.0047 

.0025 

.012 

.011

a Insufficient nieasurements were made during 1904 to make the above monthly estimate other than 

a rough approximation.

REPUBLICAN RIVER NEAR BOSTWICK, NEBR.

This station was established June 6, 1904, by J. C. Stevens. It is 

located at the highway bridge, 1 mile southwest of Bostwick, Nebr., a 

station on the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, and replaces 

the station formerly maintained at Superior, Nebr. A standard chain 

gage is fastened to the downstream hand rail in the second panel from 

the south end of the north span. The length of the chain from the 

end of the weight to the marker is 20.52 feet. The gage is read once 

each day by M. A. McPherson. Discharge measurements are made 

from the bridge to which the gage is attached. This bridge has three 

150-foot fcpans resting on tubular concrete piers. The downstream 

hand rail is marked every 10 feet with Roman numerals. The initial 

point for soundings is the zero mark on the hand rail, which is in line 

with the south face of the north downstream pier. The channel is 

straight for about 1,000 feet above and below the station, and the current is not sluggish. The right bank is low, timbered, and subject to 

overflow during high water. The left bank is high, timbered, and 

does not overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of sand and is 

shifting. The depths are fairly uniform. There is but one channel, 

except at extreme low stages. There is some tendency to form small 

islands in all parts of the channel. The bench mark is the top of the 

cast-iron bearing shoe of the upper chord of the north span, downstream truss, at the north end of the span. The shoe rests on rollers 

on the top of the pier and has three openings. The east opening is 

the bench mark. Its elevation is 15.75 feet above the datum of the 

Bench mark No. 2 is the northeast cardinal point of the rim or
HINDERLIDER 

AND HOYT. KANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 103

edge of the cover plate of the pier at the south end of truss described 

above. Its elevation is 15.89 feet above the gage datum.

The object in moving the station from Superior to Bostwick was to 

obtain a greater degree of accuracy than could possibly be obtained at 

the former place on account of the complicated conditions existing 

there in the way of dam, mill race, etc.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of J. C. Stevens, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Republican River near Bostwick, Nebr., in 1904.

Date.

June 5.........

June 6.... . ....

June 29. .......

JulyS.........

December 8 ....

Hydrographer.

J. C. Stevens ..

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

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

R. D. Hubbard.

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

J. A. Green ....

Width.

Feet. 

407

428

437

430

Area of 

section.

Square feet. 

510

682

993

761

257

Mean 

velocity.

ft per sec. 

1.73

1.89

2.39

2.36

1.55

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.10

2.64

3.50

3.05

1.50

1.70

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

884

1,289

2,379

1,799

397

520

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Republican River near Bostwick, Nebr., for 1904-

Day.

1............................................

2

3............................................

4............. ................... ..........

5............................................

6............................................

7............................................

8............................................

9............................................

iq

14............................................

15

16............................................

17............................................

18............................................

19............................................

20............................................

21............................................

22............................................

23............................................

24............................................

25............................................

26. ...........................................

27............................................

28............................................

29. ...........................................

30

31. ...........................................

June.

2.40

2.20

1.50

2.10

2.15

2.00

2.00

1.95

1.90

2.95

2.40

2.45

2. 75

2.45

2.75

2.50

2.55

3.68

4.10

4.90

4.80

3.85

- 3.50

July.

2.90

2.70

2.65

3.70

6.10

6.25

3.70

3.05

3.07

3.90

3.40

3.10

3.25

3.10

2. 75

2.55

2.30

2.15

2.05

2.00

2.00

1.95

1.90

1.85

1.80

1.75

1.70

1.50

1.50

1.45

Aug.

1.45

1.40

1.40

1.45

1.50

1.75

1.70

2.30

2.20

1.90

1.70

1.60

1.60

1.55

1.50

1.45

1.45

1.60

61.50

2.30

1.85

1.70

1.45

1.45

1.40

1.35

1.40

1.35

1.25

1.40

1.50

Sept.

1.40

1.25

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.25

1.30

1.25

1.15

1.25

1.25

1.20

1.20

1.10

1.05

1.00

1.00

.95

.90

1.00

.95

1.00

1.00

.95

1.00

.95

1.00

1.15

1.20

1.30

Oct.

1.40

1.35

1.30

1.35

1.40

1.35

1.35

1.30

1.35

1.30

1.35

1.40

1.35

1.45

1.50

1.45

1.40

1.45

2.00

2.40

2.30

2.30

2.25

2.15

2.10

2.05

1.95

1.80

1.70

1.65

Nov.

1.60

1.70

1.75

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.65

1.65

1.70

1.65

1.65

1.65

' 1. 65

1.70

1.65

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.65

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.65

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

Dec.

1.70

(a)

»

a River frozen over. b Gage height estimated. No gage reading taken, owing to sand at the gage.
104 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PAET VIII. [NO. 131. 

Rating table for Republican Rirer near Bostwick Nebr., from June 6 to December 31,1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

60

110

160

215

275

335

400

465

535

"605

680

760

845

930

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,020

1,115

1,210

1,310

1,415

1,525

1,635

1,750

1,870

1,995

2,120

2,250

2,385

2,525

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

' 4.90

5.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,670

2, 815

2,965

3,115

3,265

3,420

3,580

3,750

3,920

4,090

4,270

4,450

4,630

4,820

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5,010

5,210

5,410

5,610

5,820

6,030

6,240

6,460

6,680

6,900

7,130

7,360

7,600

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

6 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is well defined between gage 

heights 1.5 feet and 3.5 feet. The table has been extended beyond these limits.

Estimated monthly discharge of Republican River near Bostwick, Nebr., for 1904. 

[Drainage area, 23,270 square miles.]

Month.

June 6-30...........

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

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

September ..........

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

November ..........

The period....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

4,630 

7,480 

1,020 

335

1,115 

570

Minimum.

400 

367 

245

60

275 

465

Mean.

1,666 

1,658 

472 

181 

514 

523

Total in 

acre-feet.

82, 610 

101, 900 

29, 020 

10, 770 

31,600 

31, 120

287, 000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.072 

.071 

.020 

.0078 

.022 

.022

Depth in 

inches.

0.067 

.082 

.023 

.0087 

.025 

.025
HINDERLIDER 1 

AND HOYT. J KANSAS KIVEB DRAINAGE BASIN.

REPUBLICAN RIVER AT JUNCTION, KANS.

105

The gaging station at this point, established by Arthur P. Davis, 

April 26, 1895, is located at the wagon bridge at the north end of 

Wasbingtqn_street, just above the mouth of the river. The gage con- , 

sists or^two oak) timbers bolted to a post and to a cottonwood tree. 

The observer is J. H. Rathert. The channel is straight for 300 feet 

above and below the station, broken by three piers. The right bank 

is high, but the left is low and may overflow at high water. The bed 

of the stream is sandy and liable to change. The flow is moderately 

rapid.

On October 23, 1900, a bench rnarkwals established at an elevation y^^A

of 12.35 feet above the zero of the(olcj) gage. It is a spike driven in 

the west side of a cottonwood tree 18 inches in diameter and 10 feet 

west of the bridge. The spike is about 2 feet above the ground. The 

second bench mark, established March 15, 1904, i i the top of a stone 

at base of abutment south ofivNo._3. The eleYatior is 14. 28 feet above 

the zero of the gage. The high water o^ 1904 made a second channel 

north of the bridge. The cotmty put in a pile bridge 220 feet long 

across this, and November 4, 1904, the channol was 158 feet wide and 

carried about three-fourths of the water in the "iver.

The observations at this station daring 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Republican River at Junction, Kans., in 1904.

Date.

March 15 ......

April 26 ..... '. .

June 5 ........

July 8.........

July 9.........

July 21........

November 4 ...

Hydrographer.

W. G.Russell..........

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

M. C. Hinderlider......

W.G. Russell... .......

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

Russell and Murphy. . . .

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

Width.

Feet. 

163

295

476

458

245

192

Area of 

section.

Hq. feet. 

339

2,044

1,655

3,085

2, 855

594

433

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.56

5.74

5.37

4.76

4.59

3.56

1.90

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.10

8.80

8.35

10.40

9.95

4.50

3.40

Discharge.

tfec.-feet. 

868

11, 730

8,887

14, 700

13,100

2,113

824

7
106 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Republican Rlrer at Junction, Xans., for 1904.

Day.

3------.-......

4..............

5..............

1. .............

9. .............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14.............. 

15..............

16. ........... ..

17...... ........ 

18..............

19. .............

20..............

21.............. 

22..............

00

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Jan.

3.97

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20 

4.20

4.25

4.35

4.35

4.40

4 35

4.35

4.75

5.02 

4.75 

4.45

4.25 

4.20

4.20

4.28

4.20 

3.70

3. 50

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.90

4.40

Feb.

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.40 

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.40

4.35

4.30

4.35 

4.40 

4.40

4.48 

4.50

4.72

4.80

4.32

4.30

4.30

4 30

Mar.

4.30

5.05

5.10

4.72 

4.60

4.48

4.32

4 30

4.30

4.22

4.28 

4.20 

4.25

4.00 

3.90

4.00

4.00

4.00 

3.90

3.90

4.00

4.40

4.10

q an

3.90

3.98

3.90

Apr.

4.05

4.00

3.90 

3.90

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.80 

3.80 

3.80

3.80 

3.80

3.80

4.30

4.40 

4.10

4 97

4.80

7.50

9.10

5.50

May.

4.35

4.15

3.85

3.72 

3.95

q QA

F. nr\

6.78

6.50

5. 05

4.78

4.65 

4.55 

4 60

4.30 

4.10

4.02

3.88

3.78 

3.70

3.70

3.70

3.60

4.10

5.35

 

June.

7 60

5

QI)

7.70

8.58

F. <Jf\

K Oft

6 95

1 v^

7 30

5. 35

4.75 

6.50

8.65 

7.05

6.10

5.65 

6.05

5.55

12. 05

r* 85

Ifl O^

9 nn

7.40

July.

S

F.F:

6.05

6.85 

10.65

9 on

7.55

6.70

5. 55 

5.35

4.90 

4.70

4.40

4.52

4.50 

4.70

3.90

3.90

3.80

3 70

3.65

3.65

Aug.

3 f*f\

3

nc.

3.70

3.85

3.85

3.45

3.50

4.05

3.92

3.70 

3.50 

3.50

3.50 

3.50

3.65

3.50

3.48 

3.55

3.35

4.30

3.95

 3.70

q A(\

3.35

3. 22

3.20

Sept.

3 Of)

q OA

3.18

3.30 

3.12

3.02

q no.

3.02

3.00

3.10

3.00

3.08

3.00 

3.00

3.05 

3.02

2.95

3.00

3.00 

2.70

2 60

2.65

2.70

2.45

2.65

2 60

2.85

3.00

Oct.

S un.

q ftA

3.00

3.00

3.00 

3.00

3.00

q f\r\

3.00

2.90

2.90

3.00

3.00 

3.00 

3.00

3.00 

3.00

4.00

4.00

3.15 

3.10

3.10

3.15

3.65

3.75

3.40

q qA

3.30

3.50

3.50

Nov.

q en

q en

3.40 

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.30 

3.30 

3.35

3.37 

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.30 

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.30

q qn

3.30

3.30

Dec.

3 30

3

Qfl

3.30

3.30

3.30 

3.30

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.12

3.10 

.3.10 

3.10

3.10 

3.10

3.12

3.25

3.45 

3.32

3.52

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.55

3.65

3.80

River frozen January 3-8; January 24 to February 11; February 21-22.
AHDKHOYI!B] KANSAS EIVEE DRAINAGE BASIN. 10

bating table for Republican River at Junction, Kans., from January 1 to May 28, 1904

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.40

' 3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10 .

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

400

455

510

570

630

735

. 840

945

1,050

1,155

1,260

1,370

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,480

1,600

1,720

1,840

1,960

2, 085

2,210

2,365

2,520

2,680

2,840

3,020

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,200

3,400

3,600

3,800

4,000

4,200

4,400

4,650

4,900

5,150

5,400

5,700

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.20

8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

6,000

6,600

7,200

7,800

8,400

9,000

9,600

10, 200

10, 900

11,400

12, 000

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

discharge measurements of 1902 and 1903 and one in 1904. It is fairly well defined 

between 3.6 feet and 9 feet.

Rating table for Republican River at Junction, Kans., from May 29 to December 31, 1904-

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

220

260

305

355

410

470

530

595

665

740

820

905

995

1,090

1,190

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,295

1,400

1,510'

1,620

1,735

1, 850

1,970

2,090

2,215

2,340

2,470

2,600

2,735

2*, 870

Gage 

height.

Feel.

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.20

6.40

' 6.60

6.80

7.00

7.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,010

3, 150

3,295

3,440

3, 590

3,745

3,900

4,060

4,390

4,730

5,085

5,450

5,830

6,230

Gage 

height.

Feet.

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.20

. 8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

9.50

10.00

10.50

11.00

12.00

v

Discharge.

Second-feet.

6,650

7,080

7,530

8,000

8,480

8,980

9,490

10,010

10, 550

11, 950

13, 450

15, 030

16, 700

20,200

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

5 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is fairly well denned between gage 

heights 3.4 feet and 10.5 feet. The table has been extended beyond these limits. 

Owing to the shifting character of the bed, the insufficiency of measurements may 

lead to some error in the application of this table.
108 STEEAM MEASUEEMENTS IN 1904, PAET VIII. [NO. 131.

Estimated monthly discharge of Republican River at Junction, Kans., for 1904- 

[Drainage area, 25,840 square miles.]

Month.

January a . ..........

February a .. ........

March;... ..........

April ...............

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

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

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

August, .............

September. .........

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

November .......

December ..........

The year .....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

1,985 

1,720 

2,085 

12,300 

9,490 

23,300 

15, 520 

1, 735 

740 

1,400 

905 

I, t190

23, 300

Minimum.

400 

1,155 

735 

630 

510 

2,278 

1,042 

665 

240 

470 

740 

595

240

Mean.

990

1,288 

1,081 

1,877 

1,764 

7,083 

4,321 

1,007 

510 

674 

788 

747

1,844

Total in 

acre-feet.

60, 870 

74', 090 

66, 470 

111, 700 

108, 500 

421,500 

265, 700 

61,920 

30, 350 

41, 440 

46, 890 

45, 930

1,335,000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.038 

.050 

.042 

.073 

.068 

.274 

.167 

.039 

.020 

.026 

.030 

.029

.071

Depth in 

inches.

0.044 

.054 

.048 

.081 

.078 

.306 

.192 

.045 

.022 

.030 

.033 

.033

.966

« River frozen part of January and February. Estimates given above are for open channel, and 

are probably slightly in error.

SMOKY HILL RIVER AT ELLSWORTH, KANS.

This station, established April 16, 1895, by A. P. Davis, is located 

at the highway bridge on Douglass avenue, Ellsworth, Kans. The 

gage is in two sections. The first section is an inclined ash timber, 

graduated to read direct in feet and tenths from zero to 4 feet, securely 

fastened to the iron pier of the bridge and to posts driven into the bed 

of the river. The second section is a 2 by 6 inch timber 17 feet long 

spiked to the same pier. It is graduated to feet and tenths from 3.7 

feet to 21 feet. The gage is read once each day by Thomas Coyne. 

Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the 

three-span steel bridge, 293 feet long between abutments. The spans 

are supported at interior points by four iron posts under each corner. 

The initial point for soundings is at the north end on the downstream 

side of the bridge. The channel is straight above and below the 

station during high water; at other times it is slightly curved. The 

current is moderate at low, and swift at high stages. Both banks are 

low, wooded, and subject to overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of sand, free from vegetation and shifting. Bench mark No. 1 

is a nail driven into the base of a box-elder tree near the southeast 

corner of the bridge, 90 feet from the gage. Its elevation is 13.07
HINDEEUDERl 

AND HOYT. J

KANSAS EIVER DEAINAGE BASIN. 109

feet above the zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is the top of a 

nail driven into a root on the north side of an elm tree 2 feet in 

diameter about 45 feet west of bench mark No. 1. Its elevation is 11.34 

feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Smoky Hill River at Ellsivorth, Kans., in 1904-

, A Date.

March 11......

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell .......

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

Width.

Fret. 

60

64

Area of 

section.

 Sq.feet. 

38

56

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.47

1.46

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.20

1.45

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

56

82

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of /Smoky Hill River at Ellsworth, Kans.,for 1904-

Day.

1. .............

2..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15.............. 

16..............

17.............. 

18.............. 

19..............

20..............

21...............

22......... . '

23............. '.

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..... ........

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

 Jan. a

1.15

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.2

1.2

1.15

1.1 

1.1

1.1 

1.1 

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

Feb.«

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.05

1.0

1.0

1.0

a 1.0

al.O

1.0

1.0

1.2

1.2 

1.2

1.2 

1.2 

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.0

.9

.9

9

9

9

9

Mar.

0.9

.85

.85

.85

.85

.85

.85

.85

.85

1.2

1.2

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.2 

1.2

1.2 

1.15 

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.1

1.1

1.5

1.2

1.15

1.1

1 05

1.05

1.0

1.0

Apr.

1.05

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.0

i.e

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0 

1.0

1.0 

1.0 

1.0

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.7

1.4

1.25

1.25

1.2

1.2

May.

1.15

1.1

1.1

1.3

1.4

1.8

1 9

4.6

3.3

2.7

2.4

2

O

2.0

2.0

1.9 

1.8

1.7 

1.6

1.5

1.45

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.35

1.6

1 or

1 9C

1 9

1.4

1.35

June.

1.3

1.25

64.8

2.4

2.1

1.9

1.65

1.5

1.9

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.5 

1.5

1.5 

1.6 

1.7

1.6

1.5

1.4

3.3

2.15

1 9

1.7

0 Q

2.2

July.

5.5

7.6

4.3

3.6

2.7

c-10.4

4.4

4.8

4.0

3.4

2.9

1.7

1.5 

1.35

1.2 

1.1 

1.7

2.9

2.8

3.0

2.1

1 9

1 9

1.7

2.0

Aug.

1.9

1.7

2.0

2.0

1.9

2.1

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.55

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4 

1.4

1.4 

1.5

2.5

2 9

2.0

2.2

2.45

2.15

1 9

1.8

1.75

1.7

1.6

1.55

1.5

Sept.

1.45

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.3

1.3

1.25

1.25

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.0 

1.0 

1.0.

1.0

1.05

1.1

1.05

1.0

1.0

1.0

2.0

1.5

1.9

1.6

Oct.

3.0

2.0

1.6

1.55

1.5

1.4

1.45

1.35

1.3

1.25

1.25

1.15

1.1

1.1 

1.1

1.1 

1.05 

1.05

1.05

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

Nov.

1.2

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.05

1.05

1.1

1.1 

1.1

1.05 

1.05 

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.95

.95

Dec.

0.95

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.05

1.05

1.05

1.15

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.05

1.05 

1.05

1.0 

1.0 

1.0

1.05

1.05

1.1

1.05

1.0

1.0

1.0

(a)

a River frozen January 1 to February 22; also December 27-31.

6 At 6 a. m. gage read 7.0. c At 9 a. m. gage read 11.0.

At 2 p. m. gage read 4.8. At 2 p. m. gage read 9.8.
110 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Rating table for Smoky Hill River at Ellsworth, Kans., from January 1, 1903, to December 31, 1904.

Gage . 

height.

Feet.

0.50

..60

.70

.80

.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5

9

13

17

21

26

32

40

50

62

76

92

110

131 155'

181

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

209

239

. 271

3Q5

342

381

422

465

510

557

606

657

710

765

823

883

Gage 

height.

Feet. .

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.20

4.40

4.60

4.80

5.00

5.20

5.40

5.60

5.80

6.00

6.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

946

1,010

1,075

1,141

1, 275

1,410

1,549

1,690

1,834

1,980

2,129

2,280

2,434

2,590

2,748

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.40

6.60

6.80

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.50

9.00

9.50

10.00

10.50

11.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,910

3,075

3,241

3,410

3,580

3,750

3,920

4,090

4,260

4,685

5,110

5,535

5,960

6,385

6,810

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

12 discharge measurements made during 1902 to 1904, inclusive. It is well denned 

between gage heights 1 foot and 6 feet. The table has been extended beyond these 

limits. Above gage height 7 feet the rating curve is a tangent, the difference being 

85 per tenth.
HINDERLIDERT 

AND HOYT. J KANSAS EIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. Ill

Estimated monthly discharge of Smoky Hill, River at Ellsivorth, Kans., for 1904 

[Drainage area, 7,980 square miles.]

Month.

February 23-29 .....

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

April. ..............

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

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

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

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

September .........

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

December 1-26......

The period.. . .

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

26 

76 

110 

1,549 

1,690 

6,300 

342 

181 

557 

40 

36

Minimum.

21 

19 

26 

32 

45 

32 

62 

26 

26 

23 

23

Mean.

21.7 

32.6 

34.0

178 

191 

901 

138 

52.4 

64.7 

29.9 

28.2

Total in 

acre-feet.

300 

2,004 

2,023 

10, 940 

11, 360 

55, 400 

8,485 

3,118 

3,978 

1,779 

1,454

100,800

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0. 0027 

.0041 

.0043 

.022 

.024 

.113 

.017 

.0066 

.0081 

.0037 

.0035

Depth in 

inches.

0.0007 

.0047 

.0048 

.025 

.027 

.130 

.020 

.0074 

.0093 

.0041 

.0034

a River frozen January 1 to February 22 and December 27 to 31. 

SMOKY HILL RIVER NEAR SOLOMON, KANS.

This station was established April 11, 1904, by M. C. Hinderlider, 

for the purpose of making flood water observations. It is located at 

the highway bridge three-fourths mile south of Solomon, Kans. A 

plain vertical gage, graduated to feet and tenths from 15 to 31 feet, 

is painted in black on the north face of the upstream tubular pier on 

the left bank. During 1904 the gage was read once daily, or oftener 

during sudden and dangerous changes in the stages of the river, by 

George Lamb. Discharge measurements are made from the lower 

side of the three-span iron-pier bridge at which the gage is located. 

The initial point for soundings is the inside face of the left abutment. 

The channel is straight for about 500 feet above and below the station, 

and the current is sluggish. Both banks are high, wooded, and liable 

to overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of silt and sand and 

is probably shifting. At low stages all the water passes beneath the 

center span of the bridge. At extremely high stages the left and 

right banks are overflowed for long distances out from the river. 

Bench mark No. 1 is a cross cut into the topstone of the wing wall of 

the left abutment on the upstream side. Its elevation is 32.429 feet 

above gage datum.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. Gr. Russell, resident hydrographer,
STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Discharge measurement of Smoky Hill River near Solomon, Kam., in 1904-

Date. Hydrographer. Width.

Feet. 

2,175

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

2,841

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

3.29

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

18.85

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

9,354

Mean dai.lt/ gage height, in feet, of Smoky Hill River near Solomon, Kans., for 1904-

Day.

1. ...............

2

3. ...............

4................

5................

6................

7... ............

8................

9. ............. .-

10................

11................

12................

13................

14................

15................

16................

Apr. May. June.

16.45

19. 35

21.55

92 65

22. 60

July.

16.90

OP; on

27.80

97 90

°7 90

27.70

26.90

25.00

21 80

Day.

17...............

18...............

19...............

20...............

21...............

22...............

OQ

25...............

26...............

27...............

29

30...............

q-l

Apr.

15.40

May.

15.30

June.

20. 55

23.45

22.55

20.00

15.35

July.

BEAVER RIVER (LADDER CREEK) NEAR SCOTT CITY, KANS.

This station was established as a gaging station May 18, 1904, by 

W. G. Russell. It is located about 18 miles north of Scott City, 

Kans., about 250 yards southwest of H. H. Hatheway's residence. A 

plain staff gage, graduated to feet and tenths, is spiked in a vertical position to a willow tree on the left bank. It is read daily by 

James H. Drain. Discharge measurements are made at low water by 

wading; at high water the flow must be computed from the cross section and the slope, both of which were taken at the time the gage was 

established. The initial point for soundings is at the right bank. 

The channel at low water is very crooked, but after the water covers 

the bottom the channel is straight for about 100 feet above and below 

the station. There is a heavy growth of willows and other small 

brush along the channel. The right bank is high, wooded, and does 

not overflow. The left bank is low, wooded, and subject to overflow. 

The bed of the stream is composed of mud, covered with vegetation, 

and is permanent. There is but one channel at all stages. The 

undergrowth and drift will prevent very accurate measurements of 

this stream. The bench mark is the top of a nail near the surface of 

the ground driven into the root of a willow tree about 8 inches in
HINDERLIDER"] 

AND HOYT. J KANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 113

diameter, located on the right bank of the creek about 20 feet north 

east of the gage. Its elevation is 3.04 feet above the zero of the o o

gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurement of Beaver River (Ladder Creek) near Scott City, Kans., in 1904.

Date.

May 18 ........

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell........

Width.

Feel. 

10

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

2.9

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.79

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.00

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

5.2

Mean daily gage height, infect, of Beaver Rirer (Ladder Creek) near Scott City, Kans.,

for 1904.

Day.

1............ ........................

2....................................

3....................................

4....................................

5....................................

6....................................

7....................................

8..................:.................

9....................................

10....................................

11............ ........................

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16....................................

17...... .................. .....r......

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23....................................

24....................................

25....................................

26....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

May.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.0

2.2

2.3

2.0

1.6

June.

1.3

1.3

2.0

2.8

1.8

1.6

1.8

1.3

1.3

1.8

1.6

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.0

2.0

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.4

2.3

2.1

1.5

1.4

1.3

July.

1.2

1.0

1.3

2.2

2.1

3.4

3.3

2.1

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

Aug.

0.9

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.05

1.05

Sept.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.2

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.6

1.6

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.0

Oct.

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4 1.3'

1.2

1.6

1.6

Nov.

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

' 1.7

Dec.

1.7

1.7

 1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

IRR 131 05 8
114 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. 3.181.

BLUE RIVER NEAR MANHATTAN, KANS.

The gaging station, established April 12, 1895, by A. P. Davis, is 

at the county bridge 4 miles north of Manhattan. The low-water 

gage is a chain gage on the hand railing of the bridge on the east side 

and south end of the bridge. It reads from zero to 14 feet from a 

scale spiked to the hand railing. The second section is an oak rod 

bolted to the north face of the south pier, and reads from 11.3 to 17 

feet. The third section is a similar rod, graduated from 17 to 30 feet, 

bolted to the south side of the same pier. The gage is read once each 

day by J. M. Deckert. Discharge measurements are made from the 

bridge, which spans the entire channel at ordinary stages. The initial point for soundings is at the south end of the bridge. The channel is straight for 200 feet above and below the station, and has a 

width of 225 feet at ordinary stages. Both banks are subject to overflow during high floods, the left bank being the lower of the two. 

The bed of the stream is composed of sand, clay, and silt, free from 

vegetation, and slightly shifting. The current is sluggish at low, and 

swift at high stages. There is but one channel at low stages and five 

or more during very high floods. Bench mark No. 1 is a cross cut in 

the capstone of the south bridge pier immediately above the upper 

gage, and is 32.14 feet above gage datum. Bench mark No. 2 is a 

cross near the top of the second stone from the ground in the northwest corner of the south abutment. Its elevation is 27.32 feet above 

the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. GK Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Blue River near Manhattan, Kans., in 1904'

Date.

Marph Ifi

April 27.......

November 6 ...

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell.......

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

M. C. Hinderlider....

W. G. Russell .......

Width.

Feet. 

204

234

270

204

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

517

4,076

2, 401

488

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.95

4. S«

4.21

1.83

Gn.ye 

height.

Feet. 

5.15

18.15

13.46

5.45

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

1,008

17, 650

10, 120

891
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J KANSAS EIVER DKALNAGE BASIN. 115

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Blue River near Manhattan, Kans., for 1904-

Day.

1..............

9

3..............'

6..............

7.............. 

8..............

9

10..............

12.............. 

13.............. 

14..............

15..............

16. .............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21 ..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27:.............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Jan.a

5.4

6.3

6.2

6.3

6.1

6.0 

5.9 

6.2

6.0 

5.6

5.3 

5.6 

5.5

5.2

5.4

5.3 

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

4.9

6.3

6.9

6.0

5.8

6.0

6.3

6.2

6.1

Feb.

6.0

5.9

5.6

5.6

5.8

5.8 

7.3 

69.0

8.2 

8.0

7.9 

7.9 

7.5

6.9

6.8

6.6 

6 9

7.0

7.0

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.7

c5.5

5.2

5.2

K 9

5.2

Mar.

5.2

5.3

5.0

5.2

5.2 

5.1 

5.1

5.2

5.1 

5.2 

5.3

5.1

5.1

5.2 

5.2

5.2

5.3

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.6

5.7

7.8

6.6

5.8

5.6

5.3

5.2

Apr.

5.7

6.2

5.8

5.7

5.6

5.4

5.5 

5.5 

5,6

5.7 

5.9

6.4 

7.0 

6.6

6.0

5.7

5.5 

5.5

5.4

5.7

5.6

5.6

6.2

11.6

14.5

17.3

15.0

11.4

May.

10.0

9.2

8.7

8.2

7.0

7.9

11.5 

10.3 

13.5

13.3 

9 9

8.6 

8.2 

8.4

8.4

7 Q

7.8 

8.5

8.0

7.6

7.3

7.2

7.0

6 9

7.0

7.0

7 f\

18.0

13.1

12.0

June.

10.9

10.0

11.5

12.5

17.0

13.6

11.0 

8.9 

8.2

8.0

8.8 

11.3 

9.8

10.6

13.9

11.2

10.0

8.9

8.4

8.4

8.3

15.1

11 9

10.1

15.6

July.

14.6

10.4

9.1

10.6

12.6

22.8

18.9 

17.9

14.8

12.4 

12.7 

11.4

10.5

9.8

9.5

8.8

8.7

11.9

9.4

10.8

10.4

9.6

8.7

8.3

7 Q

7.6

7.4

7.3

Aug.

7.1

7.0

6.9

6.8

6.8

6.6

6.6 

6.5 

6.4

6.4 

6.4

6.3 

6.2 

6.2

6.1

6.1

6.0

6.0

6.3

6.8

7.3

6.5

6.3

5.9

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.6

5.9

Sept.

6.6

6.1

5.9

6.0

5,8

5.7

5.6 

5.6 

5.6

5.5 

5.5

5.5 

5.7

5.8

6.2

6.0

5.7 

5.6

5 9

6.0

5.8

5.7

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.6

Oct.

5.5

5.5

8.3

7.3

6.7

6.4

6.2 

6.0 

5.9

5.8 

5.9

5.7 

5.6 

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.5 

5.6

6.1

6.5

7.3

6.3

5.9

5.7

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.5

Nov.

5.6

5 5

5.5

5.4

K K

5.5

5.5 

5.4 

5.5

5.4 

5.4

5.5 

5.5 

5.5

5.5

5.4

5.5 

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.5

5.4

Dec.

5.3

5.4

5.4

5,4

5.3

5.4

5.4 

5.3 

5.4

5.4 

5.4

5.4 

5.4 

5.2

5.3

5.5

6.0 

5.7

6.1

5.4

5.2

5.5

5.4

5.5

5.2

5.2

a5.0

a5.6

a5.8

a5.7

« River frozen greater portion of January and February; also December 27 to 31. Gage read to water 

surface in hole cut in ice. 

6Ice jam. 

c River clear of ice.
116 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIJI. [NO. 131. 

Rating table for Blue River near Manhattan, Kans.,from January 1 to December 31,1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

6.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

680

710

740

770

800

840

880

930

980

1,030

1,080

1,135

1,190

1,245

1,300

1,360

1,420

1,480

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.40

6.50

6.60

6.70

6.80

6.90

7.00

7.10

7.20

7.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,540

1,600

1,660

1,725

1,790

1,855

1,920

1,990

2,060

2,130

7.40 2,200

7.50

7.60

" 7.70

7.80

7.90

8.00

2,275

2,350

2,430

2, 510

2,595

2, 680

Gage 

height.

Feet.

8.20

8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

9.20

9.40

9.60

9.80

10.00

10.20

10.40

10.60

10.80

11.00

11.50

12.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,850

3,020

3,190

3,370

3, 550

3,740

. 3, 940

4,150

4,370

4,600

4,830

5,070

5,310

5, 560

5,810

6,470

7,190

Gage 

height.

Feet.

12.50

13.00

13.50

14.00

14.50

15.00

15. 50

16.00

16.50

17.00

17.50

18.00

19.00

20.00

21.00

22.00

23.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

7,940

8,690

9,440

10, 200

10, 990

11,800

12, 640

13, 490

14, 340

15,190

16,040

16,900

18, 720

20, 700

22, 700

24,700

26, 750

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

discharge measurements made during 1902 to 1904, inclusive. It is fairly well 

denned to gage height, 26 feet.
HINDERLIDER"] 

AND HOYT. J KANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 117

Estimated monthly discharge of Blue River near Manhattan, Kans., for 1904. 

[Drainage area, 9,490 square miles.]

Month.

FeforuRry ^

April ...............

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

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

December b .........

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

2,510 

17, 250 

16,900 

15, 190 

26, 340 

2,130 

1,660 

2, 935 

1,080 

1,360

Minimum.

800 

980 

1,855 

2,680 

2,130 

1,080 

1, 030 

1,030 

980 

770

Mean.

996 

3,778 

4,155 

6,337 

6,991 

1,508 

1,160 

1,310 

1,010 

995

Total in 

acre-feet.

61, 240 

224, 800 

255, 500 

377, 100 

429, 900 

92, 720 

69, 020 

80, 550 

60,100 

61, 180

1, 712, 000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.105 

.398 

.438 

.668 

.737 

.159 

.122 

.138 

.106 

.105

Depth in 

inches.

0.121 

'.444 

.505 

.745 

.850 

.183 

.136 

.159 

.118 

.121

« Frozen during January and February.

b Frozen December 27-31. Rating table assumed to apply correctly.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS IN KANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

The following miscellaneous measurements were made in the Kansas 

River drainage basin in 1904:

Miscellaneous measurements of streams tributary to Republican River.

Date.

June'28......

July 14 ...... 

June 28......

June 29......

June 30...... 

July 11 ...... 

July? .......

July? .......

June 5.. ..... 

July 1 .......

July? .......

July 6 .......

June 30...... 

June 30 ......

July 7 .......

Hydrographer.

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

J. A. Green..... 

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

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

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

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

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

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

J. C. Stevens....

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

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

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

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

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

Stream.

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

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

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

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

Medicine creek . ......

Republican River .... 

.....^io. ...............

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

Stinking Water Creek. 

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

Locality.

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

Oak, Nebr .......... 

Sec. 18, T. 16, R. 40,.

Palisade, Nebr. .....

Curtis, Nebr........

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

Warwick, Kans. .... 

McCook, Nebr......

Palisade, Nebr. ..... 

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

Area.

Sq.ft. 

489

347

8

26

60

17

11

387 

201

513

38

56 

49

11

Mean velocity.

Ft. per

sec.

1.36

1.31

1.25

1.73

4.00 

1.41

1.72

1.91 

2.20

2.46

.95

1.41 

1.29

.82

Discharge.

Second - 

feet.

664

453

517 

10

45

240 

66 

24

19

741

443

1,264

36

79 

63

.9
118 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

MERAMEC RIVER DRAINAGE BASIIST.

Meramec River rises in Dent County, Mo., flows northeast, and 

enters the Mississippi near St. Louis. This river drains a rugged, 

hilly, and comparatively thinly populated country. There are, however, numerous good sites for dams, and the United States Geological 

Survey is studying the river in connection with the possible waterpower developments and for its possible use as a future water supply 

for the city of St. Louis.

The total drainage area of Meramec River is 3,619 square miles; 

at Eureka it is 3,497 square miles. The drainage area above Dry 

Fork is 340 square miles, while that of Dry Fork is 360 square miles.

MERAMEC RIVER NEAR MERAMEC, MO.

This station was established February 28,1903, by I. W. McConnell. 

It is located about 600 feet below the mouth of Spring Branch and 

about 1 mile from the post-road between Meramec, Mo., and St. 

James, Mo. The nearest railroad station is St. James, Mo., 7 miles 

northwest of the station. The gage is a 2 by 6 inch pine stick, 10 feet 

long, graduated to fedt and tenths by means of brass-headed nails. 

The gage is driven into the bed of the river and is nailed at the top 

to a leaning tree. The gage is read once each day by C. C. Smallwood. The equipment by means of which discharge measurements 

are made consists of a cable, boat, and tagged wire. The initial point 

for soundings has been taken at the tree to which the cable is attached 

on the left bank. The channel is straight for about 300 feet above 

the station and for 2,000 feet below. The current velocity is sufficient for accurate measurement except at low stages, when it becomes 

sluggish. Both banks are low, and at high water the river spreads 

over wide flats. The bed of the stream is shifting. The bench mark 

is a point on a bowlder on the left bank at the foot of the cliff near 

the mouth of Spring Branch. Its elevation is 10.44 feet above the 

zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of E. Johnson, jr., district hydrographer.
HINDERLIDERH 

AND HOYT. J MERAMEC RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 119

Discharge measurements of Meramee River near Meramec, Mo., in 1904.

Date.

March 8 .......

April 13 .......

June 14...... ..

July 27 ........

August 12 .....

Hydrographer.

F. W. Hanna ..........

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

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

Hanna and Murphy ; . . .

F. W. Hanna..........

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

Width.

Feet. 

132

138

145'

Area of 

section.

Sq. feel. 

349

326

579

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per see. 

1.12

.99

1.01

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.33

3.22

4.05

3.10

2.91

2.80

2.90

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

390

322

«585

6281

6193

&150

6185

a 70 feet upptream. , & Sunr. of both branches. 

Mean daily gage height, inject, of.Meramec River near Meramec, Mo., for 1904.

Day.

1..............

2.............'.

3..............

 &..............

7--.---...-....

8.............. 

9..............

W. ....'..'.......

11...'...........

12..............

13..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20.......:......

99

23..............

24..............

25. .............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31.. ............

Jan.

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

 2.4

2.4

2.4

' 2.4

2 4

2.4

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0 

6.8

z. f.

4.8

4.4

4.0

 3.4

3.3

3.2

3.1

3.0

3.0

Feb.

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.' 8

3.1'

2.9 

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.7 2.7'

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6 

2.6

2,6

3.0

3.4

3.5

 3.4

3.2

3.2

Mar.

3.4

3.4

3.5

3.3

3.2

3.5"

'8.5'

,3.3 

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.2

3 1

3.1

3.1

3.2

^ 9

3.0

3 A

q -i

4.1

Aprj

.......

4.05

4.0

3

Q

3.8

3.7

3.7

3

C

3.5

3

1

3.0

8.4

8.0

6.5

6.1

5.0

4.9

4.7

May.

4.2

' '4.2

- 4,'l

4.1

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.1 

4.4

4.0

3.9

'3.7

3.6

3

r

3.4 3*3

3.5

Q I?

3.7 

3.6

3.6

3.5

3.4

3'. 4

3.3

3.6

3.5

3.4

- 319

3.-8

June.

3.4*

3.3

3.4

3.9

4.8

4.2

>3.9

3.8 

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.3

3.4

3.7

3.9 

4.5

4.0

3.3

'3.3"

3.3

6.1

7.0

"5.3

4 9

July.

4.4

4.0

3.8

3.9

3.9

3^8

'.3.6

3.4 

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.2

*t 1

3.0

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.1'

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.9'

2.9

2.9

2.9

2:9

2.9

2.9

Apg.

2.9

2.'9

2.9

2.85,

2.85

2.85

2.8

2.8 

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.9

3.0

3.1

3.2 

3.3

3.4

3.6

3.5

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.0

3.0 '

2.9

2.9

Sept.

2.9

2.9

2.. 9

2.9

2.9

' 2.9

2.8

2.8 

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

' 2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.9

2.9 

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.9

2 9

2.9

2.9

' 2.9

2.9

Oct.

3.0

3.5

3-4

3.3

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.0 

2.9

2.9

2:9

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8 

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.75

- 2.7S

2.75.

2.76

Nov.

2.75

^2.75

'2.75

2.75

2..75

2.75

2.75

2.75"

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8 

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

.2.8

2.8

2.8

-2.8

2.75

Dec.

2.75

' 2.75

. 2.75

2.75

2.75

' 2.75

2.75

2.75 

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75 

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.75

; 2.75

2.75

' 2.75

' -2. 75

2,75

. 2.75
120 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

MERAMEC RIVER NEAR EUREKA, MO.

This station was established August 26, 1903, by F. W. Hanna. It 

is located at the highway bridge on the road between Crescent, Mo., 

and Eureka, Mo., about li miles from Eureka, 2 miles below the 

mouth of Big River, and 2 miles above the 'Frisco Railroad bridge. 

The standard boxed chain gage is attached to the floor of the bridge. 

The length of the chain from the end of the weight to the marker is 

42.46 feet. The gage is read once each day by Rhoda Hilderbran. 

Discharge measurements are made from the bridge to which the gage 

is attached. This is a two-span Pratt truss highway bridge, with a 

length between abutments of 450 feet. The initial point for soundings is the inner face of the right abutment on the upstream side. 

The channel is straight for about 250 feet above and 1,000 feet below 

the station. The current is never sluggish. The right bank is high 

and rooky and not subject to overflow. It is wooded above the high-r 

water line. The left bank is somewhat lower and is composed of alluvial soil, and it also is wooded above the high-water line. The bed of 

the stream is composed of coarse gravel and stones. There is but one 

channel, broken by the center pier of the bridge. Bench mark No. 1 

is a notch cut into the high rock cliff justbelo"w the bridge. It is marked 

by a painted cross and the letters " U. S. G. S." Its elevation is 38.26 

feet above gage datum. Bench mark No. 2 is a red mark on the top 

of the downstream guard rail, just above the gage box. Its elevation 

is 42.56 feet above gage datum. Bench mark No. 3 is a painted cross, 

surrounded by the letters "U. S. G. S." on the lower wing of the 

left abutment. Its elevation is 36.29 feet above gage datum.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of E. Johnson, jr., district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Meramec River near Eureka, Mo., in 1904-

Date.

April 14 .......

April 28 .......

April 29 .......

June 15........

July 26........

November 24 . .

Hydrographer.

F. W. Hanna ..........

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

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

.....do..........;.....

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

F. W. Hanna ..........

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

Johnson and Hanna.. ..

F. W. Hanna..........

Width.

Feet. 

245

170

215

444

294

163

253

142

209

143

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

1,309

554

924

8,154

2,389

529

416

364

804

313

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.64

2.93

4.01

4.59

4.48

3.01

2.38

2.06

3.67

1.89

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

7.90

4.30

6.20

24.95

11.60

4.37

3.67

3.18

5.77

3.08

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

« 2, 151

1,620

3,703

37, 470

10, 700

1,605

992

749

2,947

591

a Backwater due to ice.
HINDEELIDEE"! 

AND HOYT. J MERAMEC RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 121

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Meramec River near Eureka, Mo., for 1904-

Day.

1...... ........

1. .............

3.. ............

5..... .........

6..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10-..X. ..........

11..............

12..............

13.............. 

14..............

15.............. 

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23.............. 

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29 .............

30..............

31..............

Jan.a

3.10

3.00

2.90 

9 90

2.90

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.90

2.90

o go

2.70

2.70 

2.80 

2.70 

2.80-

2.70

2.70

2 60

&5.50

8.90

13.90

5.80

7.80

7.80

Feb.

.......

.......

Mar.

4.25

4.00

4.00

3.90

4.40 

4.30 

4.60 

4.50

4.40

4.70

4.70

5.30

5.20

5.10

5.20 

5.40

21.30

35. 20 

36. 20

16.90

9.80

Apr.

11.70

12.10

10.50 

8.70

7.30

6.70

6.40

6.40

6.70

10.60

8.80

7.50

6.70 

6.20 

5.70 

5.50

5.20

5.10

4.80

5.00

5.40

13.00

11.40 

14.30

20.80

25.80

28. 70 

23.90

11. 10

9.00

May.

7.90

7.30

6.70 

6.30

6.50

6.40

7.30

6.90

6.90

6.80

7.00

5.90 

5.50 

5.20 

5.10

5.10

5.00

5.20

5.80

5.40

5.10

4.90 

4.70

4.60

4.50 

4.40

4.50

6.20

9.00

June.

9.30

6.70 

10.00

11.80

11.20

9.10

7 00

6.10

5.50

5.10

4 80

4.60 

4.50 

4.40 

4.50

4.40

4.90

9.50

9.70

10.80

8.40

6.90 

6.10

5.80

5.40

5.10 

7.90

14.30

July.

9.20

9.10

6.20 

7.50

8.20

8.10

8.70

9.90

13.20

9.40

8.00

6.30 

5.50 

8.00 

4.50

4.60

4.40

4.20

4.10

4.20

3.90

3.80

3.70

3.60 

3.60

3.50

3.50

3.50

Aug.

3.50

3.40

3.30

4.50

3.50

3.50

3

A(\

3.40

3.30

3 9ft

3.10 

3.10 

3.10 

4.70

4.40

4.10

4.20

5.10

4.80

5.70

4.90 

5.00

4.80

4.50 

4 30

4 00

3.80

3.70

Sept.

5.00

4.40

4.20 

3.90

3.80

3.70

3.60

3

FU1

3.40

3.30

3 9ft

3.20 

3.30 

5.50 

4.50

4.50

9.50

6.70

5.40 

4.80

5.90

4.70

7.20 

5.60

4.40

Oct.

4.20

8.00

8.10 

6.80

5.80

5.30

5.00

4.50

4.30

4.20

4 00

4.20 

3.90 

3.80 

3.70

3.60

3.60

3.50

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.20

3.20 

3.20

3.10

3.20

Nov.

3.20

3.20

3.20 

Sin

3.10

S ift

3

Ofl

S

on

3.20 

3.20 

3.20

S ift

S ift

3.10

3

AA

3 no

3.00

3.00

3

ftA

3.00

Dec.

3.00

3.00

3.00 

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3 no

3.00

3.00

3 111

3 10

3.10 

3.10 

3.00

3 in

3 in

3 in

3 in

3.10 

3.10

3 1ft

3.10

3.20

S ift

3.20

3.10

a Ice conditions uncertain during January. Rating table applied as for open channel, January 1 

to 20. 

b Backwater from ice January 21 to 30.
122 STREAM MEASUEEMENTS IN 1904, PAET VIII. [NO. 131. 

Rating table for Meramec River near Eureka, Mo., from January 1 to December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

460

490

530

580

640

710

780

850

920

990

1,060

1,130

1,200

1,280

1,360

1,440

1,520

1,610

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,700

1,790

1,880

1,980

2,080

2,180

2,280

2,380

2,490

2,600

2,710

2,820

2,930

3,040

3,150

3,260

3,370

3,590

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.40

6.60

6.80

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.20

8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

9.20

9.40

9.60

9.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,810

4,030

4,250

4,470

4,710

4,950

5,190

5,430

5,670

5,920

6,180

6,440

6,700

6,960

7,220

7,490

7,770

8,050

Gage 

height.

Feet.

10.00

10.50

11.00

11.50

12.00

12.50

13.00

13.50

14.00

15.00

16.00

17.00

18.00

19.00

20.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

8,330

9,040

9,790

10, 540

11, 340

12, 190

13, 090

14, 040

15, 040

17, 050

19, 100

21,100

23, 100

25,100

27, 120

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based "^on 

15 discharge measurements made during 1903 and 1904. It is well defined between 

gage heights 2.8 feet and 6.2 feet. Two flood measurements at 11.6 and 25 feet gage 

height, respectively, define the curve above this limit. Above gage height 20 feet 

the rating curve is a tangent, the difference being 210 per tenth. The left bank 

overflows at the approximate gage height of 22.2 feet. It has been estimated that 

the overflow at 36.2 feet gage height was 7,000 second-feet or 50 second-feet per 

tenth gage height.
HINDERLIDERl 

AND HOYT. J MEEAMEC EIVEE DBAESTAGE BASIN. 123

Estimated monthly discharge of Meramec River near Eureka, Mo., for 1904. 

[Drainage area, 3,497 square miles.]

Month.

January 1-20 .......

March 9-31 .........

April ...............

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

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

September ..........

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

November ..........

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

710 

68,060 

48, 560 

6, 960 

15, 640 

13, 470 

3,040 

10,090 

5,790 

780 

780

Minimum.

460

1,280 

2,080 

1,700 

1,700 

990 

710 

780 

710 

640 

640

Mean.

544 

12, 570 

10, 520 

3,294

5,291 

3,700 

1,412 

2,455 

1,667 

719 

690

Total in 

acre-feet.

21, 580 

573, 400 

626, 000 

202, 500 

314, 800 

227, 500 

86, 820 

146, 100 

102,500 

42, 780 

42, 430

2, 386, 000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.156 

3.59 

3.01 

.942 

1.51 

1.06 

.404 

.702 

.477 

.206 

.197

Depth iti 

inches.

0.116 

3.07 

3.36 

1.09 

1.68 

1.22 

.466 

.783 

.550 

.230 

.227

 a Backwater from ice January 21 to 31. 

MERAMEC SPRING NEAR MERAMEC, MO.

This station was established February 28, 1903, by I. W. McConnell. 

It is located on Spring Branch 500 feet from the spring, at a footbridge. This point is about 1 mile from the mouth of Spring Branch 

and 2 miles above the mouth of Dry Fork. The gage is a 2 by 3 inch 

pine rod 10 feet long. It is read once each day by C. C. Smallwood. 

Discharge measurements are made from the footbridge. The initial 

point for soundings is at the tree at the end of the foot-bridge on the 

right bank. The channel is straight for 50 feet above and for 500 feet 

below the station. Both banks are of clay and gravel and are about 6 

feet high. They will overflow only at unusual flood stages. The bed 

of the stream is composed of gravel with some bowlders and is clean. 

The water is very swift, making accurate gage readings very difficult. 

The bench mark is located on the left corner stone of the breast wheel 

of the tail race just below the old breast wheel and is designated by a 

cross on the top surface of the stone. Its elevation above the zero of 

the gage is 4.68 feet.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of E. Johnson, jr., district hydrographer.
124 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Discharge measurements of Meramec Spring near Meramec, Mo., in 1904-

Date.

January 27 ....

March 8 .......

April 13 .......

June 14.. ......

July 27........

August 12......

September 28 . .

Hydrographer.

F. W.Hanna.... ......

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

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

F. W. Hanna ..........

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

Hanna and Johnson. . . .

Width.

Feet. 

28

28

55

54

54

56

55

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

48

43

99

76

76

70

-68

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

4.02

4.28

2.83

2.26

1.79

1.64

1.57

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.75

.65

1.05

.60

.48

.38

.37

Discharge.

193

184

281

172

136

115

107

NOTE. The above measurements were made at different sections. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Meramec Spring near Meramec, Mo., for 1904.

Day.

1. .............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5

6..............

8..............

9.............. 

10..............

11..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16.............. 

17..............

18..............

19..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

09

30..............

31..............

Jan.

0.30

.30

.30

.25 

.25

.25

.25

.25

.25 

.20.

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20 

2.00

2.00

2.00

1.90

1.70

1.50

1.30 

1.00

.90

.80

.70

.60

.60

Feb.

50

.40 

.40

.40

.70

60

.50

.50

KA

.60

.40

.40 

.35

.35

.30

on

.90

.90

.80

.80 

.80

.80

.70

60

60

Mar.

0.60

60

F.A

.50

.60 

60

60

60

60

60

en

.50

en

fin

60

60

60

.70

.70

.70 

7 00

5.40

3.40

2 80

1.70

Apr.

1 60

1 60

1.50

1 40

1 60

1.60

1.10

1 00

1 00

90

.90

80

1.20

].10

90

90

on

3.40

3.00

9 SO.

2 40

2.10

2 00

1 90

May.

1 IV!

1 30

1.20

1.10 

1.10

1 00

1.20

1 00

1 00

90

on

.90 

90

90

QfV

QA

90

80

Of)

.80 

80

80

on

on

nn

1.00

June.

0 90

80

80

1.10 

1 40

1.20

1 00

90

.90

 .70

60

60

.70 

80

QA

80

90

90

80

.70

1 00

2.20

2 00

July.

1.30

1 00

.1.00 

1 00

QA

QA

.80

.80 

.70

.70

.70

.70

60

.60

.55 

80

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.50

F.n

rn

.50

.50

Aug.

.45 

.45

.45

.40

.40

.40 

.40

40

.50 

50

60

60

.60

.60

60

F.A

.50

KA

.50

.40

Sept.

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40 

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40 

.40

.40

40

.40

.40

.40 

.40

.40

40

.40

Oct.

.50

.50

.40 

40

.40

40

.40 

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.35

.35 

.35

.30

30

30

.20

.20

Nov.

.20

.20

.20 

on

.20 

.20

.20

.20

.30

.30 

30

30

30

30

30

.30

.30 

.30

.30

.30

30

.30

Dec.

.30

.25

9^

OF:

.25

.25

oc

OK

OK

.25

.25

OK

'.25

.25

.25

.25

OK

.25

.25 

95

.25

.25

OK

OK

.25

.25
HINDERUDERl 

AND HOYT. J MERAMEC RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 125

Rating table for Meramec Spring near Meramec, Mo., from February 28, 1903, to

December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.30

.35

.40

.45

.50

.55

.60

.65

.70

.75

Discharge.

Second-feet.

94

104

114

125

136

148

160

172

185

198

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.80

.85

.90

.95

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

Discharge.

Second-feet.

212

227

242

258

275

310

346

382

418

456

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

494

532

570

608

646

684

722

760

798

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

836

874

912

950

988

1,026

1,064

1, 102

1,140

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

19 discharge measurements made during 1903 and 1904. It is well defined between 

gage heights 0.30 foot and 1.75 feet. The table has been extended beyond these 

limits. Above gage height 1.4 feet the rating curve is a tangent, the difference 

being 38 per tenth.

Estimated monthly discharge of Meramec Spring near Meramec, Mo., for 1904-

Month.

January ..............................

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

April .................................

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

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

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

The year .......................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

646 

242 

2,565 

1,178 

456 

722 

382 

185 

114 

136 

94 

94

2,565

Minimum.

76 

94 

136 

212 

212 

160 

136 

114 

114 

76 

76 

85

76

Mean.

236 

150 

454 

473 

273 

273 

194 

135 

114 

109 

 86.8 

85.9

215

Total in 

acre-feet.

14, 510 

8,628 

27, 920 

28, 140 

16,790 

16,240 

11, 930 

8,301 

6,783 

6,702 

5,165 

5,282

156, 400
126 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

Arkansas River rises in the central part of Colorado, flows south for 

about 70 miles, then east for 50 miles, increased by many small mountain streams. At Canyon City, Colo., it emerges from the Rocky Mountain front and takes a general easterly direction across the great plains 

of Colorado, where most of the water is diverted for irrigation. It 

flows east across Kansas to the center of the State, thence southeast 

through Indian Territory and Arkansas into Mississippi River about 

25 miles north of Greenville, Miss. Throughout the mountainous 

area above Canyon City the discharge increases, but as soon as the river 

emerges onto the Great Plains the water is gradually diverted by lines 

of canals, so that by the time the Kansas line is reached the river is 

usually dry during the summer. Among its tributaries, Neosho 

(called the Grand in Indian Territory) and Verdigris rivers drain 

southeastern Kansas and flow south in nearly parallel courses, joining 

the Arkansas about 3 miles apart, west of Talequah, Ind. T. Walnut 

River is a small tributary from the north, flowing into the Arkansas 

at Arkansas City, Kans. The North Fork of Canadian River rises in 

the northeastern part of New Mexico and flows east through Oklahoma 

and Indian Territory into Canadian River about 40 miles above its 

mouth.

ARKANSAS RIVER NEAR CANYON CITY, COLO.

This station is located at the suspension bridge at the Hot Springs 

Hotel. It is 1^ miles above the Strathmore Hotel and 1 mile above 

the State penitentiary, and a short distance below the mouth of 

Grape Creek at a point immediately below where the river leaves 

the mountains. Observations at this point were begun on April 17, 

1889, the station being established here by Robert Robertson. The 

record has been maintained since that time, with occasional breaks 

due to absence or change of observer. The station is of special 

importance, being located at the mouth of the canyon and at a point 

practically above all of the irrigating ditches except the Canyon 

ditch (sometimes called the North Side ditch) and the South Canyon ditch (sometimes called the South Side ditch), both of which 

head above the station. During the irrigation season each of these 

ditches carries from 25 to 60 second feet of water according to the 

needs of the irrigators, and their discharge should be added to 

the discharge at the station in order to obtain the total run-off at 

the mouth of the canyon. No accurate records have been kept of the 

amount of water passing through these canals, although miscellaneous measurements have been made when measurements were made 

at the regular station. The estimated monthly discharges of the 

canyon do not include water taken out by these canals. This site
AEKANSAS EIVEE DEALNAGE BASIN. 127

was used in 1888 for a gaging station by the State engineer of Colorado, but is favorable for obtaining only fairly accurate measurements.

The gage rod established by Mr. Robertson was of 2 by 6 inch timber, inclined, and attached to the crib of an old bridge on the south or 

right-hand side of the river, almost-directly in front of the hotel. 

There were two bench marks: No. 1 on the top of a log of the crib 

elevation, 10.01 feet above the datum; No. 2, in the cleft of a red 

bowlder at the foot of a charred stump 50 feet downstream and on the 

same side of the river elevation, 9.60 feet.

On April 13, 1891, a third bench mark was established, this being a 

bedded rock 40 feet from the north end of the cable, toward Hot 

Springs Hotel, and 10 feet from the river bank. It is marked "B. M. 

No. 3, U. S. G. S.," and is 15.98 feet above the zero of the gage.

On October 4, 1895, it was found that the top of the gage had been 

broken off, necessitating its renewal for readings during high water. 

The channel was found to be filled with sand and gravel in front of 

the gage, requiring considerable work in order to make the water flow 

to the rod. It was decided, therefore, to put in a new gage where the 

stream could not deposit material. A point was chosen about 100 feet 

below the bridge, on the left bank, and a crib was built, anchored in 

place by rocks and bolts, the lower end of the gage being fastened to 

it. The upper end of the inclined portion was attached to a juniper 

tree. On December 27, 1895, the station was inspected, and it was 

found that readings had been made from the old rod, which, at the 

stage of water prevailing, recorded about 0.40 of a foot above the new 

rod on the opposite side of the river. When the water is high and 

extends with unbroken surface from bank to bank the readings are 

the same, but at low water the observations on the old rod are misleading, owing to the accumulation of sand and gravel in front of it.

On August 26,1902, owing to the shifting of the channel, a new rod, 

consisting of 4 by 4 inch timber, was placed in an inclined position 

on the north or left bank of the river, at the site of the previous rod, 

just below the north end of the suspension bridge. The rod on this 

date read practically the same as the old rod.

A new gage was established September 2, 1903, by the State engineer. It is located on the right bank just below the bridge and consists of an inclined and a vertical section. The inclined section reads 

from zero to 7.3 feet. The vertical section reads from 7.3 to 12 feet. 

The present observer is Dr. J. L. Prentiss.

The measurements were at first made from a car suspended from a 

cable stretched across the river, the bridge from which measurements 

were originally made by the State engineer having been destroyed. 

Later a new suspension bridge was constructed in front of the hotel, 

necessitating the removal and replacement of the gage, and subseauent
128 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

measurements were made from this bridge, which, having a clear span, 

offers no obstruction to the current.

The initial point for soundings is the first post of the hand rail on 

the right bank. The channel is straight for 500 feet above and 300 

feet below the station and has a width of about 135 feet. The current 

is very swift at high water and not too sluggish at low stages for 

accurate measurement. Both banks are high and rocky, and are not 

liable to overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of coarse gravel 

and small bowlders. It is not subject to change except on the right 

bank near the old gage, where a sand bar is formed at times of low 

water. The bed is rough, but is regular in shape. The bench mark 

in present use is a bedded bowlder 80 feet southeast of the south end 

of the suspension bridge, near the river bank. It is marked with a 

cross cut in the rock. Its elevation is 16.07 feet above the zero of the 

gage. This bench mark was checked December 16, 1903, and several 

times during 1904.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River near Canyon City, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

April 1 ........

April 22 .......

May 20 ........

May21«.......

June 25.. ......

Augusts.......

September 2 ...

Hydrographer.

E. I. Meeker.. .......

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

67

87

95

67

92

88

90

Area of 

section.

Sq.Jeet. 

75

147

225

234

202

155

165

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.63

4.24

5.88

6.08

5.53

4.05

4.98

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.50

4.20

5.12

5.20

4.90

4.30

4.40

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

197

623

1,322

1,449

1,127

628

821

"Measured from Ninth Street Bridge.
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 129

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Arkansas River near Canyon City, Colo., for 1904.

Day.

1..............

3.............. 

4..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9.............. 

10..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..--......-.... 

17..............

18..............

19

20..............

21..............

22.-..........:.

oq

24..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29.............. 

30.............. 

31..............

Jan.

3.75

3.80

3.65 

3.65

3.65

3.65

3.65

3.65

3.75 

3.70

3.70

3.70

3.70

3.70

3.80

3.65 

3.70

3.75

3.70

3.60

3.55

3.50

3.40

3.55

3. GO

3.60

3.60 

3.45

3.50 

3.55 

3.55

Feb.'

3.60

3.70

3.60 

3.55

3.65

3.65

3.60

3.55

3.50 

3.60

3.50

3.70

3.75

3.75

3.75

3.70 

3.75

3.80

3.75

3.75

3.85

3.90

3.85

3.80

3.75

3.65 

3.60

3.60

Mar.

3.55

3.55

3.50 

3.50

3.45

3.45

3.40

3.40

3.40 

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.38

3.92

4.00 

3.45

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.50

3.45

3.40

3.35

3.30

3.30

3.30 

3.30

3.30 

3.30 

3.40

Apr.

3.45

3.50 

3.50

3.55

3.70

3.55

3.50

3.40 

3.40

3.45

3.55

3.65

3.70

4.17

4.20 

4.20

4.25

4.35

4.30

4.30

4.20

4.10

4.10

4.05

3.55

3.501 

3.55

3.60 

3.60

May.

3.55

3 on

4.00 

3.80

3.70

3.70

3.80

3.95

4.30 

4.35

4 30

4.35

4.60

4.95

4.95

4.80 

4.75

4.65

4.75

5.00

5.15

5.15

5.15

5.75

5.85

5.35

5.10 

5.15

5.10 

5.15 

5.65

June.

5.65

5.40 

5.35

5.15

4.95

4.80

4.85

5.15 

5.20

4.95

5.30

5.50

5.50

5.35

5.35 

5.25

5.30

5.20

5.30

5.25

5.30

5.15

5.20

4.95

4.95

4.90

4.85

4.95 

5.20

July.

5

Qrt

5

QA

5.20 

5.00

5.00

4.90

4.80

4.75

4.65 

4.85

4.85

4.85

4.85

4.80

4.70 

4.70

4.70

4.75

4.70

4.65

4.60

4 60

4.40

4 50

4.45

4.20 

4.20

4.20 

4.30

Aug.

4.25

4 40

4.30 

4.20

4.20

4.20

4.20

4 60

4.35 

4.25

4.15

4.20

4.20

4.40

4.70

5.32 

5.32

4.60

4.65

4.50

4.30

4.20-

4.25

4.20

4.20

4.10

4.15 

4.20

4.30 

4.40 

4.40

Sept.

A QPL

4.35

4. 85 

4.25

4.20

4.30

4.25

4.15

4,00 

3.90

3.80

3.80

3.70

3.70

3.70

3.70 

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.70

3.75

3.80

3.80

3.75

3.70

3.70 

3.75

3.80 

4.90

Oct.

4.70

4.45

4.30

4.20

4.10

4.20

4 OK

4.30 

4.40

4 30

4.25

4.30

4.20 

4.15

4.10

4.10

4.05

4.10

4.10

4.10

4.00

4 00

3.95

3.90 

3.90

3.90 

3.80 

3.80

Nov.

o on

3 on

3.80 

3.78

3.71

3 7ft

3.70

1 7f>

3.70 

3.70

3

f7K

3.80

3 7ft

3.70

3.70 

3.70'

Q 7(1

3

CR

3.60

3.60

3.60

o on

3.60

3.60

3.60

3.60 

3.60

3.60 

3.60

Dec.

3 An

3 An

3.65

3 7ft

3 7ft

3 7ft

3 7ft

3.70 

3.80

3

Q{\

Q Qf\

3

Qf\

3 7ft

3 7ft

3.70 

3 60

3 70

3.60

3 fift

3.65

^ 7H

3

7A

3.70

3.70

3.60 

3.60

3.60 

3.70 

3.70

Rating table for Arkansas River near Canyon City, Colo., from January to December 31,

1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.30

3.35

3.40

3.45

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

119

136

155

175

197

243

295

349

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

Discharge. "

Second-feet.

406

465

529

593

660

730

802

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

880

960

1,040

1,122

1,210

1,300

1,392

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,490

1,590

1,690

1,795

1,905

2,015

2,125

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

11 discharge measurements made during 1903 and 1904 and is Well denned. 

IRE 131 05 9
130 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Estimated monthly discharge of Arkansas River near Canyon City, Colo., for 1904- 

[Drainage area, 3,060 square miles.]

Month.

January ............

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

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

April. ..............

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

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

December ..........

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

349 

406 

465 

695 

2,070 

1,850 

1,490 

1,510 

1,122 

960 

349 

349

2,070

Minimum.

155 

197 

119 

155 

220 

1,040 

593 

529 

295 

349 

243 

243

119

Mean.

264 

290 

176 

355 

989 

1,396 

975 

726 

444 

563 

285 

287

562

Total in 

acre-feet.

16, 230 

16, 680 

10, 820 

21, 120 

60, 810 

83, 070 

59, 950 

44, 640 

26, 420 

34, 620 

16, 960 

17, 650

409, 000

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.086 

.095 

.058 

.116 

.323 

.456 

.319 

.237. 

.145 

.184 

.093 

.094

.184

Depth in 

inches.

0.099 

.102 

.067 

.129 

.372 

.509 

.368 

.273 

.162 

.212 

.104 

.108

2.50

ARKANSAS RIVER AT PUEBLO, COLO.

This station is an important one, being located near the head of the 

principal irrigated portion of the valley. Only one ditch of importance is taken out above it in the Pueblo district, although considerable 

water is used in the ditches in the neighborhood of Canyon City, which 

is in another water district. It is upon the gagings made at this point 

that the water superintendents and commissioners depend for distribution of water to ditches below.

The station was established in September, 1894, by A. P. Davis. 

Originally there were two gage rods. The main gage was located at 

the Santa Fe Avenue Bridge, and consisted of a vertical 6 by 6 inch 

timber and a 1 by 6 inch scale bolted to the abutment of the Denver 

and Rio Grande Railroad bridge on the left-hand side of the river, 

graduated to tenths of a foot. There was also a short vertical rod for 

extreme low water spiked to a pile about 20 feet out in the stream, 

reading the same as the main gage. The 12-foot mark of this gage 

was opposite the top of the large capstone. The rod at Victoria 

Avenue Bridge consisted of inclined 4 by 4 inch timbers fastened to 

posts set in the right bank of the stream, graduated to vertical tenths 

of a foot, the space between the marks being 0.242 of a foot. This 

rod was placed in June, 1895, for the purpose of noting the change in 

the slope of the water surface. The rods were read until July 10,
AND HOYT. J

I ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 131

1898, when, on account of the shifting of the bed of the river, they 

were abandoned and a new gage was installed on the east side of the 

Main Street Bridge. From this bridge all the discharge measurements were made until the season of 1902.

Readings were made at Main Street Bridge until March 3, 1900, 

when, owing to the scouring of the channel, it became necessary to 

replace the gage by one about 60 feet below the south end of the 

Union Avenue Bridge. This gage was a 2 by 6 inch vertical timber, 

bolted, like the former rod, to the masonry wall and graduated to feet 

and tenths. On June 13, 1900, this rod was connected with a bench 

mark on the coping at the northwest corner of the Union Avenue 

Bridge, which was found to be 19.79 feet above the zero of the rod. 

In March, 1902, another rod exactly similar to the one last mentioned 

was bolted in a vertical position to the masonry wall on the righthand side of the river about 30 feet above the south end of the Union 

Avenue Bridge. All gage heights up to July 14, 1902, were taken 

from the rod just below the Union Avenue Bridge. After July 14, 

1902, the readings were taken from the rod above the bridge, the 

graduations on the former rod being too dim to be read at low water. 

A difference of 0.2 of a foot existed between the two rods when the 

new one was set, the new rod reading 0.2 of a foot higher than the 

old one. In all the discharge measurements made during 1902 the 

gage height was taken from the new rod above the Union Avenue 

Bridge. The gage is read twice each d&y by W. A. Stebbins. Discharge measurements are made from the Union Avenue Bridge, which 

is marked every 10 feet on the downstream side. The initial point 

for soundings is the edge of the masonry retaining wall on the right 

side of the channel at the southwest end of the bridge. The channel is 

straight for 500 feet above and 800 feet below the bridge, has a width 

of 150 feet, and is confined by high masonry walls. The bed is composed of sand and gravel, and there is little change in the bed of the 

channel, except that it fills during low water and scours out during 

high water. The flow of the stream is rapid, but not too swift for 

accurate measurements.

A bench mark was established March 31, 1904. It is the surface 

of the capstone of masonry wall to which gage is bolted and directly 

above rod. Its elevation is 18.13 feet above the zero of rod.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.
132 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River at Pueblo, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

February 22 « . .

March 31 ......

April 22 &......

May 20 &.......

June 24 ^> ......

August 2 &.....

August 31 & ....

Hydrographer.

R. I. Meeker.........

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

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

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

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

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

G. B. Monk .........

R. I. Meeker. ........

Width.

Feet. 

89

70

125

149

154

155

155

144

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

121

74

219

246

262

222

222

152

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.21

1.76

3.87

5.78

5.25

4.44

4.81

4.25

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.00

1.70

2.78

3.20

3.30

2.92

2.92

2.62

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

267

130

848

1,422

1,376

985

1,067

646

a Measured at Victoria Avenue Bridge. b Measured at Main Street Bridge. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Arkansas River at Pueblo, Colo., for 1904-

Day.

2............................

3.:..-.......................

4............................

5............................

6............................

7............................

8............................

11.......................".....

12............................

13............................

14............................

15............................

17............................

18............................

19............................

20............................

22............................

23............................

25............................

26............................

27............................

29............................

30

31............................

Apr.

1.90

1.82

1.85

1.88

1.88

1.98

1.88

1.78

1.05

1.75

1.88

2.55

2.50

2.55

2.65

2.52

2 50

2.40

1 Q^i

i oft

1.80

May.

2 no

3.55

4.25

2.55

2.20

2.50

2.65

2.75

9 QO,

2.95

3.05

2.95

3 AC

3

1 A

3

JA

3 At

2.95

2 92

3.35

3

00

3.45

3.28

3.78

4 05

3.75

3

/iF.

3.40

3.20

3.50

June.

3 7^

3.85

3.65

3.60

3.05

3.10

2.90

3.45

4.10

3.50

3.20

3.50

3.35

4.75

4.40

4.00

3.80

3 fin

3.40

4.10

3

F.F.

3.60

3 OF;

3.25

3.15

3

1 K

3

1 A

3.05

3

AF.

July.

3.40

3.40

3.10

3.05

3.05

3.05

2.80

3.05

2 65

2.85

2.90

2.80

' 9 7^

9 7^

2.70

2.75

3.15

2.75

4.25

3.15

2.55

2.55

'-> 55

2.70

Aug.

9 P^K

2.95

2.65

2.50

2.45

2.45

2.80

2.45

2.35

2.45

2.45

2.45

3.00

2 85

3.10

3.55

3.50

3.10

2.70

2.65

2.75

2.65

2.75

2.75

2.70

2.75

3.25

2.85'

Sept.

2 90

2.95

3.05

2.65

2.60

2.60

2.75

2.70

2.60

2.45

2.45

2.45

2 OF;

2.15

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.25

 > 05

2.25

2.30

2.30

2.45

3.05

Oct.

3.40

3.05

2.85

2.85

2.75

2.70

2.65

2.80

2.80

2.85

2.85

2.85

2.85

2.80

2.75

2.75

2.75

2.65

2.65

2.65

2.65

2.65

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.55

2.55

2.50

Nov.

2.50

2.45

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.45

2.40

2.35

2.30

2.30

2.35

2.25

2.35

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

Dec.

2.20

2.20

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.30

2.30

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.20

2.25

o4.15

4.45

4.45

"Ice jam below station.
HINDERtrDER"! 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 133

Rating table for Arkansas River at Pueblo, Colo., from April 1, to December 31,1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.60

1.65

1.70

1.75

1.80

1.85

" 1.90

1.95

2.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

95

110

130

150

170

190

215

240

265

Gage 

height.

Fett.

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

Discharge.

Second-feet.

315

375

440

510

590

670

760

860

960

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

Discharge.

Second-fett.

1,060

1,170

1,280

1,400

1,520

1,640

1,760

1,890

2,020

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,150

2,280

2,410

2,540

2,680

2,820

2,960

3,100

3,240

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

8 discharge measurements made during 1904 and one high-water measurement made 

in 1903. It is well defined between gage heights 1.60 feet and 3.30 feet.

Estimated monthly discharge of Arkansas River at Pueblo, Colo., for 1904- 

[Drainage area, 4,600 square miles.]

Month.

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

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

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

September..........

November ..........

December a ..... ...

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

715

2,610 

3,310 

2,610 

1,760 

1,115 

1,520 

590 

475

Minimum.

95 

265 

960 

550 

475 

345 

590 

375 

375

Mean.

350 

1,260 

1,711 

976 

874 

578 

810 

456 

424

Total in 

acre-feet.

20, 830 

77, 470 

101, 800 

60, 010 

53, 740 

34, 390 

49, 800 

27, 130 

26, 070

451, 200

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.076 

.274 

.372 

.212 

.190 

,.126 

.176 

.099 

.092

Depth in 

inches.

0.085 

.316 

.415 

.244 

.219 

.141 

.203 

.110 

.106

"Discharge estimated December 29-31, as river was gorged with ice.
134 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 181,

ARKANSAS RIVER NEAR SYRACUSE, KANS.

This station, established August 21, 1902, by W. G. Russell, is 

located on the highway bridge 1 mile south of Syracuse, Kans. The 

gage is a plain staff graduated to feet and tenths, and fastened to the 

east pile of the bent 283 feet south of the north end of the bridge. 

On November 12, 1904, this gage was moved by W. G. Russell to the 

down-stream pile of bent, 158 feet from the initial point as the water 

had left the gage. The initial point for soundings is on the left bank. 

The channel above and below the station is straight and the water is 

sluggish. The right bank is low and liable to overflow; the left bank 

is high, and the bed of the stream is sandy and shifting. The bench 

mark is on the top of the east end of the first sill at the north end of 

the bridge. Its elevation is 11.52 feet above the zero of the gage. 

The gage is read daily by M. Adaline Stewart.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River near Syracuse, Kans., in 1904-

Date.

May 7.........

May 21........

May 22........

May 23........

May 23........

June 15........

November 12 ..

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell........

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

232

57

524

581

575

85

Area of 

section.

Sq. feet. 

368

39

1,064

1,643

1,435

2,060

85

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.33

.97

5.25

4.27

4.01

4.51

2.19

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.60

1.90

4.70

5.15

4.80

5.50

1.40

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

858

38

5,582

7,009

5,750

9,291

186
ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 135

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Arkansas River near Syracuse, Kans., for 1904.

Day.

I..............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6.............. 

7..............

8..............

9..............

10.... .........

11..............

12.............. 

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19

20..............

21..............

22.............. 

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Tan.

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.20

2.40

2.40 

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.50 

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.60

2.60

2 60

2 60

2.50

2.40 

2.40

2.30

2.30

2.40

2.40

2.50

2.40

2.40

2.40

Feb.

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.60 

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.60

2.60

2.70 

2.70

2.70

2.60

2.60

2.50

2.40

2.40

0 40

2.30 

2.30

2.00

2.00

2.00

1.90

1.90

1.90

Mar.

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90 

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90 

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1 90

1.90 

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1 80

1.80

1.90

Apr.

1.90

1.90

1.90

1 90

1.90

1.80 

1.80

1.80

1.90

1.90

1.80

1.80 

1.80

1.80

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70 

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.75

May.

1.70

1.80

1.80

4.50

3.90 

3.80

3.60

3.50

3.20

2 50

2.30

2

0A

2.30

2.30

o 3Q

o 30

2 30

1 90

1 Qft

1.85

5.00 

4 95

4.30

4.10

3.80

3

rn

3 4^

3 cm

3 in

3.00

June.

3.00

2.80

2.60

2.60

2.50

2.50 

3.10

3.40

6.15

6.00

5.00 

5.50

6.20

5.50

4 50

4.00

3.70

3 fin

3.50

5.75 

5.00

3.80

3.40

3 or*

3 9n

3 fin

July.

2.90

2.80

2.70

2.80

3.50 

3.50

3.10

3.40

3.80

3. SO

4.60 

3.80

3.50

3.30

2.80

2.80

<> 80

2 60

2

Kft

2.40 

2.80

2.80

2.80

3.90

3 Q(l

3

Qft

2.80

Aug.

3.75

4.65

4.40

3.50

3*40

3.20 

4.15

4.30

4.10

3.50

2.90

3.10 

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.20

3.20

t? ftfl

5.75

5 OK

4 60

3.50 

3.30

3.20

3.10

2.90

9 Qfi

2.70

Sept.

2.90

3.10

3.00

4.50

4.00

3.50 

3.10

2.90

2.80

2.70

2.50

2.50

2.40

2.40

9 30

2.30

2 90

2.20

2.10 

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.20

2

9A

Oct.

6.75

7.00

5.70

4.70

3.80

3.70 

3.70

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.40

3.40 

3 40

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.10

3 in

3.00 

3.00

3.00

2.80

2.80

2.70

2.70

2

rn

2 PLrt

2.50

Nov.

2.40

2.20

2.20

2.10

2.00

1.80 

1.70

1.60

1.60

1.50

1.50

1.40 

1.40

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

l.EO

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.20 

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1 90

1.20

1.20

Dec.

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20 

1.20

1.40

1.40

1.80

1.90

1.80 

1.50

1.40

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.30

2.00

1.50

1.50

].50 

1.60

1.60

1.50

1.50

1.30

1.30

1 30

1.20

1.20

ARKANSAS RIVER NEAR DODGE, KANS.

This station was established November 28, 1902, by W. G. Russell, 

and is located one-fourth mile south of Dodge, on the highway bridge. 

The gage is a plain staff graduated to feet and tenths and nailed to 

the upstream pile of the twelfth bent at the north end of the bridge. 

After the flood of October 1-3, 1904, the water left this gage and it 

was moved to the upstream pile of a bent 337 feet from the north end 

of the bridge and tested with a Wye level October 19,1904, and found 

correct. The initial point for soundings is on the left bank. The 

channel both above and below the station is straight for about 100 

feet. Both banks are low and liable to overflow. The bed of the 

stream is sandy and shifting. The gage is read once each day by 

Alexander Alter. Bench mark No. 1 is the top of the east end of the 

cap at the north end of the bridge; elevation 100.00 feet. Bench 

mark No. 2 is the top of the east end of the cap at the abutment of 

the south end of the bridge; elevation, 100.27 feet.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.
186 STKEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PAST vni; r»o.i$i.

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River near Dodge, Kans., in 1904-

Date.

March 26 ......

May 5 .........

Mav 6.........

May 24........

May 24........

May 25........

June 14 ........

June 14 .......

August 20 .....

August 22 .....

August 23 .....

September 22 . .

October 2......

October 19.....

November 10 . .

Hydrographer.

W.G.Russell........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

16

425

415

415

426

416

556

558

185

433

465

430

87

335

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

4

826

699

750

905

792

1,165

1,864

78

662

982

625

27

2,918

371

193

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.00

3.77

2.78

4.04

3.91

a. 11

3.36

4.35

1.59

3.06

3.38

2.78

.85

4.42

1.95

1.81

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.00

3.10

2.80

3.05

3.25

3.00

3.55

4.60

1.65

3.00

3.30

2.90

1.20

6.25

1.00

1.30

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

4

3,110

1,947

3,031

3,541

2,461

3,908

8,102

124

2,029

3,323

1,739

23

12, 890

723

350
AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE feASIlf.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Arkansas Elver near Dodge, Kam., for 1904-

Day.

1... ...........

2..............

3.............. 

4..............

5..............

6...............

7.............. 

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

14..............

ifi

16.............. 

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21 ..............

22..............

23..............

24.............. 

25..............

26.............. 

27..............

28..............

29

30.............. 

31..............

Jan.

1.20

1.20

1.10 

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.10

1.10 

1.10

1.20

1.20

1.20 

1 °0

1.10 

1.10 

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.20

1.20 

1.20 

1.20

1 qrt

1.30 

1.30

Feb.

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.30 

1.30

1.30 

1.40 

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.30 

1.30

1.30 

1.30 

1 30

1 30

.......

Mar.

1.20

1.20

1.20 

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20 

1.20

1.10 

1.10

1.10

1.10

1 00

1.00 

1 00

1.00 

1.00 

1.00

1 00

1.00

1 00

1 00

1 00

1.00 

1.00

1.00 

1.00 

1.00

i fifi

1.00 

1.00

Apr.

1.00

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.00

1.00

90

.90 

90

.90 

.90 

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

1.10

1.00 

1.00

1.00 

1.00 

1.00

1 00

1.00

May.

1.00

1.10

1.40 

1.50

2.45

3.00

2. 55 

2.25

2.05 

2.00

1.80

1.80

1.70

1.70 

1.60

1.50 

1.50 

1.40

1.30

1 30

1.30

1.30

1 Qft

3.30 

o 95

2.50 

2.15 

1.60

1 tt

1.80 

1.70

June.

2.00

2.00

2.00 

1.85

1.70

1.60

1.60 

1.50

1.50 

1.50

4.75

4.50

4.45

3. 55

3.80 

3.50 

3.10

2.75

2.60

2.50

o 55

3.50 

9 go

2.60 

2.50

2.05

2.00

July.

2.00

1.95

1.85 

1.80

1.80

f70

1.70 

1.80

1.90

1.85

1 80

2.00

2.10

2.00 

2 00

2.00 

1.85 

1.70

1.60

1.60

1.70

1 60

1.50 

1.50

1.50 

1.40 

1 30

i ^^

2.00 

1.90

Aug.

1.80

1.70

1.55 

2.40

2.25

1.80

1.65 

1.70

2.45 

2.30

2.00

1.90

1 80

1.80 

1.70

1.60 

1.50 

1.60

1.65

1.55

3.10

2.80

2.55 

2.40

2.10 

2.00 

1 90

1.75

2.05 

1.75

Sept.

1.60

1.60

1.60 

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90 

2.05

1.95 

1.75

1.60

1.60

1.50 

1 50

1.40 

1.40 

1.30

1.20

1.20

1.15

1.10 

. 1.10

1.10 

1.10 

1.10

1.50

Oct.

1.50

6.75

6.25 

4.50

3.90

3.40

2.85 

2.40

2.25 

2.20

2 10

1 95

1.85

2.00 

2 00

1.95 

1.85 

1.85

1 90

1 90

i 8ft

1.65

1 60

1.60

1.50 

1.50 

1.50

1 50

1.50 

1.50

Nov.

1.40

1.40

1.40 

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40 

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30

1 30

1.25 

1.20

1.20 

1.10 

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.10

1.10 

1.10 

1.10

1.10

1.10

Dec.

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.40

1.50

1.45

1.40 

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.40

1.40

1.40 

1.40 

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.45

1.50

1 f^A

1.50 

1.50

i ^n

1.50 

1.50
188 8TEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIH. [NO. 131.

Rating table for Arkansas River near Dodge, Kans., from January 1 to September

17, 1904- a

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3

4

8

14

28

40

70

115

180

270

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

375

490

615

760

925

1,100

1, 285

1,490

1,710

1,945

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,200

2,470

2,750

3,035

3, 330

3,635

3,950

4,275

4,610

4,955

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5, 310

5,680

6,060

6,450

6,850

7,260

7,680

8,110

8,550

« Table not used in making the dnily estimates on May 5 and 24, August 20 and 21, and August 23 

to 26.

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

discharge measurements made during 1904. It is not well defined, owing to the 

shifting character of the channel.

Estimated monthly discharge of Arkansas River near Dodge, Kans., for 1904-

Month.

January a . ............................

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

April .................................

May 6 .................................

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

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

August b ..............................

September &. ..........................

November & ...........................

December «& ..........................

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

28 

40 

14 

8 

3,730 

8,775 

615 

3,035 

550 

14, 800 

395 

450

14, 800

Minimum.

8 

14 

4 

3 

4 

70 

28 

70 

12 

85 

270 

270

3

Mean.

12.1 

29.4 

7.10 

3.80 

559 

2,456 

271 

598 

113 

1,986 

320 

393

562

Total in 

acre-feet.

744 

1,691 

437 

226 

34, 370 

146, 100 

16, 660 

37, 770 

6,724 

122, 100 

19, 040 

24, 160

409, 000

a River frozen greater portion of January and December. Estimates made same as for open channel. 

6 Discharge for May 5 and 24, August 20, 21, and 23 to 26, September 18 to December 31, estimated 

indirectly.
HtNDERLIDERl 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN, 139

ARKANSAS RIVER AT HUTCHINSON, KANS.

This station was established May 13, 1895, and is located at the 

wagon bridge at the south end of Main street. The gage consists of 

a pine timber, 2 by 6 inches by 9 feet, graduated to feet and tenths, 

and fastened to the downstream pier of fourth set from north end, 

Bench mark No. 1 is the upper crosspiece of the pier guard. Its elevation is 8.35 feet above the zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is 

the top of the iron doorsill of the first brick building next to the river. 

Its elevation is 8.12 feet above gage datum. The channel is straight 

for some distance above and below the bridge and has a width of 1,020 

feet, broken by 11 steel piers. The bed is sandy and very shifting, 

necessitating frequent discharge measurements and soundings. At 

low water the stream subdivides into a number of small channels. 

Measurements of discharge are made from the bridge at high water, 

and at low W7ater they can be made by wading. The observer is 

George E. Dixon.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River at Hutchinson, Kans., in 1904.

Date.

March 25......

May 9 .........

May 10 ........

May 27 ........

May 27 ........

May 28 ........

June 16.... ....

June 17........

August 24......

Octobers......

October 4......

October 5 ......

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell .......

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

126

542

426

244

426

423

655

744

301

524

504

254

892

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

44

653

454

110

477

374

1,292

1,596

270

852

672

184

1,838

2,073

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.48

2.06

2.44

2.18

2.52

2.49

3.42

3.22

2.04

2.51

2.21

2.04

4.82

4.54

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.30

2.71

2.50

1.70

2.47

2.36

3.92

4.32

2.20

3.12

2.80

1.95

4.65

4.95

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

65

1,344

1,117

240

1,202

923

4,419

5,151

550

2,140

1,488

376

8,867

9,419
140 STREAM MEASUREMENTS itf 1904, FAST vin. [NO.ISI.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Arkansas River at Hutchinson, Kans., for 1904.

Day.

1. ............. 

2..............

3..............

4. .............

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9...... ........ 

10..............

11..............

12

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21.............. 

22..............

03

25..............

26.............. 

27..............

28..............

29..............

30.............. 

31..............

Jan.

1.20 

1.15

1.25

1.25

1.30

1.30

1 °K

1.35

1.35 

1.30

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.40

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.40

1.40 

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.50 

1.50

-1 F^fi

1.55

1.50 

1.50

Feb.

1.50

1.50

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55 

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55

1 vi

1 ^A

1.50 

1.50

1 45

1.45

1.45

1.45 

1.45

1.45

1.45

Mar.

1.45 

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.45

1.40 

1.40

1.40

1.40

1 OK

1 Q^.

1 ^

1.40

1.25

1 OK

1 *>p;

1 9^

1.30

1.40 

1.40

1 °.9

1.30 

1.30

Apr.

1.30 

1 °.n

I

OK

1.35

1.30

-1 OK

-1 OK

1.35 

1.40

1.40

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1 31

-i qc

-i OF;

1.35

1.35

1.35

-1 OK

1.45

i f^n

1.55

1 50

1.45

1.48

May.

1.50 

1 50

i ^n

1.57

1.57

1.60

i f\n

-1 7K

2.68 

2.45

2.15

2.00

2 00

2.00 

1.85

1 ft^i

I

on

1.70

1.62 

2.67

O Q^i

2.37

2.30 

2.25

June.

2.25

2

07

3.25

3.05

2

fiK

2.17 

2.10

3 on

4.02

 3.82

4.15

4.35

4.30

3.65

3.48

3 OK

3 in

2 OK

4.00 

3.85

3 45

3 on

3.42

July.

3.30 

3.38

3.38

3.92

4.85

4.68

3.80 

3.40

2.97

2.70

2.70

2.55

2.45

2.45

2.40 

2.35

2 on

2.65

2.60

2.48

2.48

2.45

2.35 

2.30

Aug.

2.25 

2.15

2.20

2.25

2.25

2.25

2.32 

2.30

2.25

2.20

2.12

2.45

2.25

2.30

2.30

2.25

2.28

2.25 

2.22

2.20

2.75

2.58 

2.50

0 JK

2.35

2.35 

2.30

Sept.

2.20

2.05

1.85

1.95

1 on

1 90

1.60 

1.85

2 08

2.10

1.98

1.70

1.65

1.60

1.50

1.50

1 Ftfk

-i Kn

1.60

1.60 

1.50

1.40

1.40

1.45

Oct.

2.02 

1.95

3.22

4.80

3.92

4.32

3 90

3.65

3.50 

3.25

3.00

2.92

2.90

2.80

2.70

2.65

2.65

2.60

2.60

2.50

2.50 

2.45

2.35

2.30 

2.25

2.25

2.20

2.20 

2.20

Nov.

2.20

9 -IK

2.10

2.10

2

AK

2.05 

2.00

2.10

2.10

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.05

2 05

2.00

1.95

1.95 

1.90

1 90

1.85

1.80

1.80 

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

Dec.

1.80 

1.80

1.75

1.70

1.65

1.60

1.60

1.55

1.50 

1.50

1.45

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.45

1.50

1.55

1.55

1.55

1.55 

1.55

2 00

2.00

2.05 

2.00

2 00

2.00

2.00 

2.00

Rating table for Arkansas River at Hutchinson, Kans., from January 1 to December

31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

50

65

95

135

180

230

290

360

440

530

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

630

740

860

995

1,145

1,310

1,490

1,680

1,885

2, 105

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,340

2, 590

2,850.

3,120

3,400

3,690

3,990

4,310

4,650

5,000

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5,360

5,730

6,110

6,500

6,900

7, 3-10

7,730

8,150

8,580

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

discharge measurements made during 1903 and 1904, and is well defined.
HINDERLIDER~| 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS EIVEE DEAINAGE BASIN. 141

Estimated monthly discharge of Arkansas River at Hutchinson, Kans., for 19&4- 

[Drainage area, 34,000 square miles.]

Month.

January ...........

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

April.... ..........

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

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

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

September. ........

November .........

December .........

The year ....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

157 

157 

115

157 

1,277 

5,920 

7,940 

1,400 

630 

7,730 

630 

485

7,940

Minimum.

45 

115 

57 

65 

135 

440 

740 

485 

95 

400 

290 

95

45

Mean.

97.3 

140 

89.2 

93.7 

491 

2,663 

2,073 

758 

288 

1,834 

447 

237

768

Total in 

acre-feet.

5,983 

8,053 

5,485 

5,576 

30, 190 

158, 500 

127, 500 

46, 610 

17, 140 

112, 800 

26, 600 

14, 570

559, 000

Run-off. .

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0. 0029 

.0041 

.0026 

.0028 

.014 

.078 

.061 

.022 

. 0085 

.054 

.013 

.0070

.022

Depth in 

inches.

0. 0033 

. 0044 

.0030 

.0031 

.016 

.087 

.070 

.025 

. 0095 

.062 

.014 

.0081

. 305

ARKANSAS RIVER NEAR ARKANSAS CITY, KANS.

This station was established September 23, 1902, by W. G. Russell. 

It is located on Chestnut Avenue Bridge, one-half mile west of 

Arkansas City, Kans. The gage is a painted staff graduated to feet 

and tenths, spiked to the west side of the south pile of the second 

bent on Chestnut avenue. The bench mark is the top of the cap on 

the pile which carries the gage. Its elevation is 17.20 feet above the 

zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is a nail driven into the south 

pile of the bent of the east abutment. Elevation 11.97 feet. The 

initial point for soundings is on the left bank. The channel is straight 

for about 200 feet both above and below the station and has a width 

of 550 feet, broken by 36 pile piers. Both banks are low and liable 

to overflow. The bed of the river is sandy and shifting. The current 

is moderately rapid. The gage is reads daily by A. E. Burton.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.
142 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River near Arkansas City, Kans., in 1904-

Date.

March 24 ......

May 12«.......

May 12........

MavlS........

May 13«.......

June 5. ........

June 6........ .

June 18.. ......

June 19........

July 10........

July 23 ........

August 26 .....

Hydrographer.

W.G. Russell. .......

W. G. Russell........

W.G. Russell........

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

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

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

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

E.G. Murphy........

W.G.Russell........

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

Width.

Feet. 

158

430

383

430

382

&560

554

405

c 2, 287

288

198

Area of 

section.

Sq. feet. 

175

1,033

856

990

852

6,930

4,547

2,066

1,873

11, 290

1 177

504

1,399

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.55

2.11

2.23

2.06

2.42

3.41

2.85

3.04

2.76

3.57

2.35

2.19

4.33

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.50

5.56

5.56

5.45

5.45

13.25

10.70

7.67

7.40

15.20

5.55

3.80

7.30

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

272

& 2, 176

1,909

& 2, 034

2,066

23, 660

12, 940

6,276

5,167

40, 310

2,763

1,104

6,053

« At Colorado gage one-half mile below. & Some overflow. c Flood estimate. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Arkansas River near Arkansas City, Kans., far 1904-

Day.

1.... ..........

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13.... .........

14..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28... ........... -

29..............

30.............. 

31..............

Jan.

3.80

3.70

3 7ft

3 on

3.70

3.70

3.60

3.40

3.50

3.40

3.30

3.10

3.20

3

QA

3

QA

3 fift

3.70

3.80

3.70

3.70

3.80

3.80

3.70

3.70

3.60

3.40

3.40

3.40 

3.40

Feb.

3.50

3.50

3.60

3.60

3.60

3.50

3.70

3.70

3.90

3.80

3.70

3.70

3.80

3 on

3.80

3.80

3.70

3.70

3.60

3.70

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.20

4.10

3.80

Mar.

3.80

3

OA

3

QA

3 7ft

3.60

3.70

3 7ft

3.60

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.80

3.80

3.70

3 7ft

3.70

3.60

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.80

3.50

3.60

3.70

4.40

4 70

4 90

5.80 

3.90

Apr.

3.80

3 fifl

3.80

3 on

3 an

3.70

3.80

3.70

3.70

3.80

3.90

3.90

3.80

3

Cfi

3.70

3 fift

3.60

3.70

3.60

3.50

3.50

3.40

3.60

3.90

5.60

5.30

4.80

4 60

4.30

May.

4.20

4.10

4.30

4.20

A ZJ)

4.80

5.60

6.20

5.60

5.45

5.10

A QA

4 80

4 90

4.80

4.70

4.60

4.50

4.90

5.00

4.90

4.70

4.60

4 00

5.30

5.50 

6.10

June.

6.20

8.10

11.20

10 on

10 QA

10.80

8.10

8.20

9.10

7.60

7.70

7.60

7.50

7 60

7.80

7.40

7.80

7.40

7.30

7.00

6.60

6.40

5.90

5.80

6.00

6.60

7.20

7 00

7.10

July.

7.00

6

QA

n KA

8

*7A

9.50

10.50

13.30

14.20

14 95

15.20

14.50

13.80

12.50

11.80

9 20

7.20

7.00

6.40

6.30

6.10

5.80

5.50

5.70

5.40

5.20

5.20

5.10

5.00

5.00 

4.90

Aug.

4.80'

4.60

4.40

4.20

A OA

4 50

4.60

4.50

4 50

4.40

4.20

4 00

4.10

4.20

4 40

A OA

4.20

4.20

4.10

4.10

4.00

4.00

4.10

4.10

3.80

4.20

4.10

4.00

4.00 

3.80

Sept.

3.70

3.60

3 40

3.40

3.50

3.50

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.30

3.20

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.20

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.30

Oct.

3.30

3.30

3.30

3

QA

3.30

7.30

6.90

6.50

6.20

5.80

5.30

5.10

4.90

4.60

4 40

4.10

3.80

3.90

3.80

3.80

3.90

3.90

3.80

3.80

3.70

3.60

3.60

3.50

3.50 

3.50

Nov.

3.50

3.40

3 40

3.30

3.40

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.30

3.40

3.30

3.60

3.50

3.60

3.50

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.40

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.20

Dec.

3.20

3.10

3.00

3 Art

3.00

2.90

2.90

2.80

3.00

3.10

3.10

3.00

2.90

3.00

3.00

3.10

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.30

3.20

3.20

3.30

3.30

3.40

3.40

3.30

3.20 

3.10
HINDEKLIDEK"] 

AND HOYT. J AKKANSAS KIVEE DKAHSTAGE BASIN. 143

Rating table for Arkansas River near Arkansas City, Kans., from January 1 to June 1,

1904-

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

Discharge.

Second-feet.

165

185

209

238

272

310

353

401

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

Discharge.

Second-feel.

453

510

574

644

721

806

898

995

Gage 

height.

Feet,

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,096

1,202

1,314

1,430

1,550

1,675

1,805

1,940

Gage 

height.

Feet.

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

6.00

6.10

6.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

2,080

2,225

2,375

2,530

2,690

2, 855

3,025

3,200

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

4 discharge measurements made during 1904 and the general form of the curve for 

1903. It is fairly well defined.

Rating table for Arkansas River near Arkansas City, Kans., from June 2 to December 31,

1904-

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

4.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

590

630

670

715

760

810

860

915

975

1,035

1,100

1,170

1,240

1,315

1,395

1,475

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.10

5.20

5.30

5.40

5.50

5.60

5.70

5.80

5.90

Discharge

Second-feet.

1,560

1,-650

1,740

1,835

1,935

2,035

2,140

2,250

2,360

2, 475

2,595

2,720

2,845

2, 975

3,110

3,250

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.00

6.20

6.40

6.60

6.80

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.20

8.40

8.60

8.80

9.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

3,395

3,690

4,000

4,320

4,655

5,000

5,355

5,725

6,110

6,510

6,920

7,330

7,750

8,170

8, 595

9,025

Gage 

height.

Feet.

9.20

9.40

9.60

9.80

10.00

10.50

11.00

11.50

12.00

12.50

13.00

13.50

14.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

9,460

9,900

10, 360

10, 820

11, 280

12, 500

13, 850

15, 370

17, 120

19, 280

22, 090

25, 590

29,900

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

8 discharge measurements made during 1904. It is fairly well defined. Owing to 

the shifting character of the stream bed the lack of sufficient measurements may 

cause considerable error in the application of this table after August 1, 1904.
144 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131 

Estimated monthly discharge of Arkansas River near Arkansas City, Kans.,for 1904-

Month.

February ............. ...1.. ..........

April. . ...............................

May ...---...-.-...---..._._.__..-_.

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

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

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

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

The year .................. ....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

401 

721 

2,530

2,225 

3,200 

24, 100 

40, 300 

1,935 

1,035 

5,540 

975 

860

40, 300

Minimum.

165

272 

272 

238 

510 

3,110 

2,035 

1,100 

760 

810 

760

5yo

165

Mean.

301 

407 

507 

531 

1,321 

7,321 

11,030 

1, 435 

847 

1,701 

850 

697

2,246

Total in 

acre-feet.

18, 510 

23, 410 

31,170 

31,600 

81, 230 

435, 600 

678, 200 

88, 230 

50, 400 

104, 600 

50, 580 

42, 860

1, 636, 000

ARKANSAS RIVER (SALT FORK) NEAR ALVA, OKLA.

This station was established September 10, 1903, by W. G. Russell. 

It is located at the railway bridge about one-half mile northeast of 

Alva, Okla. A standard chain gage is attached to the upstream guard 

rail. The scale is graduated to feet and tenths from 2 feet below to 

14 feet above zero. The river bed having sunk may cause minus 

readings at very low water. The gage is read at irregular periods by 

Fred. Self ridge. Discharge measurements are made from the upper 

side of the deck railway bridge to which the gage is attached. This 

bridge is composed of 146 feet of pile approach at the south end, four 

80-foot steel girders resting on stone piers, and 652 feet of pile 

approach at the north end. The initial point for soundings is at the 

south end. The channel is curved for about 200 feet above and below 

the station. The current is sluggish at low and swift at high stages. 

The bed of the stream is composed of clean sand, and is shifting. 

There are three channels at low and eight at high water. The bench 

mark is the bottom of the coping stone on the north face of the fourth 

pier from the south end of the bridge. Its elevation is 8.00 feet above 

the datum of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.
ARKANSAS EIVEE DRAINAGE BASIN. 145

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River (Salt Fork) near Alva, Okla., in 1D04-

Date. Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell .......

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

Width.

Feet. 

118

94

Area of 

section.

Sq. feet. 

47

32

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.36

1.37

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.15

.10

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

64

44

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Arkansas Rirer (Salt Fork) near Alva, Okla., for 1904-

Day.

6............................

9

12............................

13............................

14............................

15............................

16............................

]7. ...........................

18............................

19............................

22............................

23............................

24............................

25............................

27............................

28............................

29............................

30............................

31............................

April.

1.65

1 1 ^

1.00

80

80

May.

1.50

1.50

1.90

i E;A

1.25

1.00

1 00

1 00

1.70

1 00

........

1 60

1.40

1 00

1 05

1.00

June.

2 10

1.40

1 00

.80

en

2.40

1.60

1.10

80

80

1.50

60

1.40

90

.60

60

.50

50

9 SO

2 Of)

1 Qf|

1 00

1.20

1.20

July.

1.00

4.10

3.95

2.00

1.50

1.50

1 Ptfl

1.00

80

.50

.50

.50

.50

F*n

RA

1.00

.90

90

.50

.20

August.

1.60

.50

1.10

.70

2.10

.90

.50

.50

^O

.40

.40

Sept.

1.00

.60

.20

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.40

.10

a. 00

- .10

- .10

.10

- .00

- .10

.50

.20

Oct.

0.10

.00

.00

.00

.00

.10

.00

.00

.00

.00

.10

.10

.10

.00

.10

.10

.10

.00

.00

.00

00

.00

.00

.00

Nov.

0.00

.00

.00

.00

' .00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

nn

.00

.00

.00

.00

Dec.

0.00

.00

.00

.00

.00

.10

.20

n The bed was lowered in 1904; hence stream may have flow when gage reads zero or below. 

ARKANSAS RIVER (SALT FORK) NEAR TONKAWA, OKLA.

This station was established September 18, 1903, by W. G. Russell. 

It is located at the highway bridge one-half mile south of Tonkawa, 

Okla. A plain, staff gage, graduated to feet and tenths, is spiked 

vertically to the downstream pile of a bent 198 feet from the north 

end of the bridge. The gage is read by T. J. Bird. Discharge measurements are made from the downstream side of the bridge to which 

IRR 131 05 10
146 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

the gage is attached. The initial point for soundings is at the north 

end of the bridge. The channel is straight for about 200 feet above 

and below the station. The current is sluggish at low and swift at 

high stages. The right bank is low, wooded, and subject to overflow. 

The left bank is high, wooded, and does not overflow. The bed of the 

stream is composed of clean sand, and is shifting. There is but one 

channel at low and high stages, broken only by the pile bents supporting the bridge. The bench mark is the top of a nail driven into 

a 6-inch cottonwood tree about 40 feet east of the north end of the 

bridge. Its elevation is 10.50 feet above the z^ro of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River (Salt Fork) near Tonkawa, Okla., in 1904-

Date.

May 29 ........

September 20 ..

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell........

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

Width.

Feet. 

338

175

Area of 

section.

,S'g. feet. 

524

135

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.66

.64

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.55

1.30

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

871

87

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Arkansas River (Salt Fork) near Tonkawa, Okla., for

1903.

Day.

2................

3................

4............ ...

5. ...............

6................

7................

8................

9................

10................

11................

12......... '.......

13................

14................

15................

16................

Sept. Oct.

.80

.90

1.00

1.10

1.00

1.00

.90

.90

.90

.90

1.00

1.00

1.10

1.10

Nov.

3.00-

3.80

3 in

2.70

2.10

1.50

1.40

1.20

1.20

1.10

1.10

Dec.

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.20

1.20

1.10

1.10

Day.

18...............

19 ...............

20 ...............

21 ...............

22 ...............

23 ...............

24 ...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

28 ...............

29...............

30 ...............

31 ...............

Sept.

1.10

1.10

1.10

.90

.90

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.70

.70

.80

Oct.

1.20

1.10

1.00

.90

.90

.90

.80

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

8.00

8.00

Nov.

1.10

1.20

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.00

1.00

.90

.90

.90

Dec.

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

.90

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00
HINDEELIDERl 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 147

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Arkansas River (Salt Fork) near Tonkawa, Okla.,for

1904-

Day.

1..... ........

2..............

3..............

4..............

5.............. 

6..............

8..............

g

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20 ..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30.............. 

31 .............

Jan.

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.10

Feb.

1.10

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.00

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

Mar.

.90

.90

.80 

.80

un

.80

on

.80

QA

.90 

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

en

80

.80

.90

1.60

1.20

1.40

1.20 

1.10

Apr.

1.10

1.00

.90

1.10

1.00 

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

90

.90 

80

80

80

80

80

80

SO

1.90

1.90

1.50

1.40

May.

1.60

4.60

4.20

3.50 

3.20

4.20

5.00

4 00

3.20

2.80

2.40

2.40

2.60

4 80

5.60

5.00

4.00

2 80

2 60

2.70 

3.00

June.

3.30

5.30

6.50

9.50

5.20

4.20

4.50

7 nn

5.30 

4.00

3.00

2.50

2.50

2 00

2 00

9 QO

2.10

2 60

2 60

2.00

July.

2.00

8.00

6.60

4.60 

8.60

14.40

9.00

10.00

12.80 

11.60

9.00

7.60

5.00

5.00

4.60

3.60

1.60 

1.60

Aug.

2.00

1.80

1.60

1.60

1.60 

1.60

1.60

1.60

2.60

1.60 

1.00

1.00

1.60

2.00

3.00

5.00

4.20

2.70

2.60

2.50

1.90 

1.70

Sept.

1.60

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.40 

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.80

1.80

1.70

1.60

1.60

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.40

1.20

Oct.

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.30

1.30 

1.40

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.40

1.40 

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.50

1.50

1.40

1.30

1.30

1.20

1.20

1.30

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10 

1.20

Nov.

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20 

1.20

1.30

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20 

1.30

1.30

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

Dec.

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.40

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40 

1.40

CIMARRON RIVER NEAR KENTON, OKLA.

This station was established April 5, 1904, by W. G. Russell. It is 

located at the highway crossing on the main road, one-half mile north 

of Kenton, Okla. There are two gages. The first is a plain staff gage 

8.5 feet long, graduated to feet and tenths, driven vertically into the 

bed of the stream and spiked to posts driven into the ground. The 

second gage is in two sections, the first being the same as and located 

TO feet southwest of gage No. 1. The second section is spiked to a 

cedar post 100 feet east of the first gage. The gage is read at irregular periods by L. A. Wikoff. Discharge measurements are made at 

low water by wading near the gage. At high stages discharges must 

be computed from the cross section and slope. The initial point for 

soundings is on the right bank of the stream. The channel is very 

narrow and crooked, and the current is sluggish. Both banks are 

low, wooded, and subject to overflow. The bed of the stream is 

muddy, but too narrow to shift much. There is but one channel at
148 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

low or medium stages, hut there may be two at high stages. The 

bench mark is the top of three nails driven into the west side of a 

willow tree 18 inches in diameter standing 100 feet southwest of the 

first gage. Its elevation is 8.15 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident h}^drographer.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Cimarron River near Kenton, Okla., for 1904-

Day.

1. ...........................

 )

3............................

4............................

5...... ......................

6............................

8............................

9............................

10............................

11............................

13............................

14............................

15............................

16............................

18............................

19.. ......I..... ..............

20............................

21............................

 23 .....

25............................

28............................

29............................

30............................

31............................

Apr.

 0.40

.40

.40

.40

.30

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.30

May.

1.45

.50

.40

.40

.40

.50

.40

.r.o

~n

287

Rn

50

KA

Ftf)

1.05

.50

June.

.50

50

'so

1.05

.50

^O

.40

on

.40

50

on

4 90

1.00

50

.50

.50

July.

5.00

.50

.50

.50

50

.50

.40

.40

.90

.60

4.30

1 °.O

2.45

1 ^O

.80

.70

5 00

Aug.

5.53

6.90

1.30

1.10

.90

.80

Qfl

.80

.80

5.00

1 <4O

1.20

1.10

1 00

1.00

1 00

90

.80

.80

.80

.80

Sept.

5.15

7.23

2.00

1.30

1 ''0

90

.80

1.85

.90

.80

.80

80

80

.80

1.25

.80

.80

.80

.80

80

4.45

2.10

5.15

8.30

Oct.

7.20

3.90

2.10

1.70

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.40

3.50

1.90

1.30

1.10

1.10

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.10

1.00

1.10

1.00

1.00

Nov.

1.00

.90

.80

.80

.90

.90

.90

.90

.80

.90

.90

.80

.80

.80

.80

90

.90

.90

.90

90

.90

.90

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

Dec.

0.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

90

.90

.90

.80

.80

CIMARRON RIVER NEAR ARKALON, KANS.

This station was established August 15, 1903, by W. G. Russell. It 

is located about a half mile north of Arkalon, Kans., at the bridge 

of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway. The gage is a 

1 by 4 inch pine timber, 12 feet long, graduated to feet and tenths 

and spiked to a pile bent on the downstream side of the bridge. This 

is the fifth bent from the south end of the bridge. The gage is read 

once each day by Elwin Singer. Discharge measurements are made 

from the bridge, but can be made at low water by wading. The initial point for soundings is at the south end of the bridge, or the right 

bank of the river. The channel is straight for about 100 feet above 

and below the station, The stream is sluggish at low water, but will
HINDERLIDER" 

AND HOYT. ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 149

probably have a good current when high. Both banks are low and 

liable to overflow. The railroad embankment is high at each end of 

the bridge, forcing the water to pass beneath the bridge at all stages. 

There is but one channel, which is shallow except at high water. The 

bridge rests upon piles, and drift may at times affect the measurements. The bridge is 245 feet long and 15 feet above the bed of the 

stream. The bench mark is top of the cap at the east end of the 

second bent from the south end of the bridge. Elevation, 15.76 feet. 

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements, of Cimarron River near Arkalon, Kans., in 1904.

Date.

July 31 ........

October 27

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell .......

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

Width.

Feet. 

53

Area of 

section.

#Q. feet. 

19

22

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.31

1.41

Gage 

height.

Fed. 

0.90

1.30

Discharge.

Sec.-feil. 

25

31

Mean ihiily gage height, in feet, of Cimarron River near Arkalon, Kans., for 1904-

Day.

1

2.............. 

3.... .......... 

4..............

6........---...

9.--........--.

10..............

12.. ............

10

14..............

15..............

17....---.......

1 S

19

20. .........---.

21..............

22..............

23.......---..-.

24..............

25..............

26..-.......--..

27........--.--.

28-.........---. 

29--........--.. 

30

31 ..............

Jan.

0.80 

.80 

.SO 

.80

.80

.80 

.HO

.80

..80 

.80 

SO

.80

.80

.80 

.80

.80

SO

.80

.80

.80

 .80

.80

80

.80

SO

.80

.80 

.80 

.80

.80

Feb.

0.80 

.80 

.80 

.80

.80 

.80

.80

.80 

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80 

.80

80

.80

.80

80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80 

.80

Mar.

0.80 

.80 

.80 

.80

.90

.80 

.80

.80 

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80 

80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80 

.80 

.80

.80

Apr.

0.90 

.90 

.90 

.80

.80

.80

.80 

.80 

80

.80

.80

.80

.80 

.80

.80 

80

80

.80

80

.90

on

.80

.80

.80

.80 

.90

May.

0.80 

.90 

1.10 

1.00

80

.80

.80 

.80 

80

.80

Sift

.80

.80 

.80

.80 

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80 

.80 

,80

.80

June.

0.80 

2. 00 

1.30 

1.20

80

.80

3.80 

1.70

80

.80

.80'

.80 

.80

2.60 

1.60

1.00

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.00

1.40

1.30 

1.00

.80

July.

0.80 

.80 

.80 

.80

.80

1.60 

1 60

1.10 

.90

.80

.80

.80 

.80

.80 

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

1.40

1 80

1.80

1.90

1.70

1.50 

1.20 

.90

.90

Aug.

0.90

.80 

.80 

2.30

3.00

2.00

1.00 

1.40

1.00

.80

.80 

.80

.80 

.80

.80

.80

1. 50

2. 50

1.60

.90

,80

.80

.80 

.80 

.80

80

Sept.

0.80 

.80 

.80 

.80

.80

.80 

4.00

3.20

1.60 

.90 

.90

.80

.80

.80

.80 

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

,80

.80

.80 

2.00 

1.30

Oct.

2.00 

7.00 

5.00 

4.20

3.40

2. 50 

2. 20

1.40

1. 50 

1.60

1.60

1 60

1.60

1. 60 

1.70

1.80 

1.70

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.30

i.sa

i.;:o

1.30 

1.30

1.30

Nov.

1.30 

1.30 

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30 

1.30

Dec.

1.30 

1.30 

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30 

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30

1.30 

1.30 

1.3U

1.30
150 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

CIMARRON RIVER NEAR WAYNOKA, OKLA.

This station was established September 11, 1903, by W. G. Russell. 

It is located at the railway bridge 2£ miles southwest of Waynoka. 

The gage is a 1 by 4 inch pine board 12 feet long, spiked to the east 

side of the eighth pile bent from the east end of the bridge. The 

observer is M. J. Sunden, the section foreman. Discharge measurements are made from the railway bridge, which is supported on piles 

and has a total span of 2,158 feet. The initial point for soundings is 

the east end of the bridge. The channel is straight for 1,000 feet 

above and below the station. Both banks are liable to overflow at 

very high water. At low water there are several channels. At high 

water there is one channel, broken by the bridge supports. Bench 

mark No. 1 is the top of the cap of the bench to which the gage is 

spiked. Its elevation is 10.93 feet above the zero of the gage. Bench 

mark No. 2 is the northeast corner of the cap of the bent at the fill 

at the east end of the bridge on the downstream side. Its elevation 

is 10.09 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Cimarron River near Waynoka, Okla., in 1904-

Date.

September 17 ..

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell........

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

Width.

Feet. 

426

195

Area of 

section.

S(j. feet. 

167

112

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec.

0.73

.53

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.20

1.25

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

122

59
ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. ' 151

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Cimarron River near Waynoka, Okla.,for 1904.

Day.

2..............

3..............

4..............

c

6..............

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Jan.

0.8

.8

.8

.8

.9

.9

9

g

.9

.9

1.2

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

.8

.8

.8

Feb.

0.8

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

Mar.

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.0

.9

.8

.8

.8

.8

.7

.7

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

2.8

2.3

.5

.5

.4

.3

Apr.

0.3

9

9

2

.2

r>

9

9

.2

9

.2

.2

.2

9

.2

9

2

9

.3

.3

.3

.3

g

3

1.0

May.

2.0

1.5

1.3

1.0

2.0

2.0

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.5

1.5

1.3

1.0

.8

.5

.5

.4

Q

.3

.3

June.

0.3

.3

1.7

1 9

1 9

1.7

1.5

2.25

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.5

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.0

1.8

2.0

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.5

1.5

2.0

1.8

1.5

1.0

July.

1.0

2.0

2.5

2.0

2.0

2.5

3.5

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.5

1.3

1 2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

2.7

2.3

2.0

1.6

1.5

1.3

1.2

1.0

.8

Aug.

1.0

1.2

1.5

1.3

1.1

1.0

1.0

2.0

1.7

1.5

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

2.3

2 ^

2.1

n f\

2.7

2.0

1.5

1.3

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

Sept.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

9

.8

.7

.6

2.0

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

4.5

Oct.

2.5

2.0

2.0

2.0

4.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

Nov.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

Dec.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.3

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.0

VERDIGRIS RIVER NEAR INDEPENDENCE, KAN8.

This station was established April 20, 1904, by M. C. Hinderlider, 

for the purpose of making flood observations. It is located at the 

highway bridge three-fourths mile northwest of Independence, Kans. 

A standard chain gage is attached to the upstream guard rail near the 

south end of the bridge. The gage reads zero when elevation of bottom 

of weight is 55.893. When the river is high the gage is read by 

E. Luck. Discharge measurements are made from the downstream 

side of the two-span bridge to which the gage is attached. The initial 

point for soundings is the south face of the north abutment. The 

channel is straight for one-fourth mile above and below the station. 

The current is swift. Both banks are high rock cliffs covered with 

trees. The left bank overflowed in the flood of 1903. The bed of the 

stream is composed of gravel and bed rock, and is permanent. There 

is but one channel, divided at higher stages by one stone pier. Bench 

mark No. 1 is the top of the capstone on the upstream side of the
152 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

main pier in the stream, marked "U. S. B. M. No. I.'1 Its elevation 

is 44.107 feet above the datum of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is the 

top stone of the north abutment at the end of the bridge on the 

upstream side, marked "U. S. B. M. No. 2." Its elevation is 42.686 

feet above the datum of the gage. Bench mark No. 3 is the top of the 

stone step in the upstream wing of the north abutment, marked 

"U. S. B. M. No. 3." Its elevation is 38.000 feet above the datum of 

the gage. Bench mark No. 4 is the top of the stone in the upstream 

wing wall of the south abutment, marked "U. S. B. M. No. 4." 

Its elevation is 45.168 feet above the datum of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Verdigris River near Independence, Kans., for 1904.

Day.

3.. ..................................................

5........... ........................................ .

6........ ............................................

7....................................................

8....................................................

9

10....................................................

11....................................................

12....................................................

13....................................................

15 ..................................................

16....................................................

17....................................................

18....................................................

19....................................................

20....................................................

21....................................................

22....................................................

23....................................................

24....................................................

25....................................................

26....................................................

27....................................................

28....................................................

29....................................................

on

31....................................................

Apr.

7.90

36.30

May.

21.55

26.80

June.

20. 75

38.48

43.45

43. 85

44.55

41.85

46.10

37. 05

36.25

23.40

18.00

29.65

35.15

42.55

37.30

25. 60

20. 40

24. 20

30.45

32. 00

27.20

July.

25.20

27.60

35.20

48.40

48.80

44.90

41.10

34.85

23.00

14.00

10.90

13.60

8.70

17.20

12.70

Aug.

19.60

7.20

16.70

18.80

16.40

21.00

15.30

11.70

Sept.

9.60

15.10
HINDEELIDERl 

AND HOYT J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 153

VERDIGRIS RIVER NEAR CATOOSA, IND. T.

This station was established September 25, 1903, by W. G. Russell. 

It is located at the Frisco Railway bridge 2 miles northeast of Catoosa, 

Ind. T. A standard chain gage is attached to the guard rail of the 

railway bridge. The scale is graduated to feet and tenths along the 

guard rail. The gage is read at irregular periods by John L. Galloway. Discharge measurements are made from the single span steel 

railway bridge and its approaches. The initial point for soundings is 

at the west end of the bridge, 338 feet from the zero of the gage 

scale. The channel is straight for 200 feet above and below the 

bridge. The current is sluggish. Both banks are low, wooded, and 

subject to overflow, but all water passes beneath the bridge and its 

approaches. At low water there is one channel, and at high water 

the channel is broken by the stone piers in the pile supports of the 

bridge, making five channels. The gaging section is obstructed by 

broken piles, upon which drift collects. During high water it is 

impossible to get any but surface velocities, and much of the current 

out of the main channel has a very slow velocity. The bench mark 

is the top of the second stone pier from the west and upstream side 

of the bridge. Its elevation is 50.21 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations of this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Verdigris Hirer near Catoosa, Ind. T., in 1904-

Date.

May2... ......

June 10 .......

June 11 .......

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell .......

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

161

8,52

854

Area of 

section.

&I. feet. 

820

14, 6QO

15,610

Mean 

velocity.

ft. per sec. 

3.46

3.23

3.47

Gage 

height.

Feel. 

7.20

47.20

48.40

Discharge.

Sec. -fee/. 

2,834

47, 230

54, 240
J 54 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

3/ran daily gage height, in feet, of Verdigris River near Catoasa, Ind. T.,for 1904-

Day.

1.............. 

2..............

3.............. 

4..............

5..............

6..............

7.............. 

8..............

9..............

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20.............. 

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30.............. 

31..............

Jan.

3.90 

4.00

4.00 

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.50

3

KA

3.50

3.40

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.30

3

0n

3

0n

3.30

3.30 

5.40

6.10

5.40

5.60

5.40

5.40

4.80

4.50

4.10

3.80 

3.60

Feb.

3.50

S

on

3.40 

3.40

3 f\C\

3.40

3.30

3 Of)

3 qn

S

on

3.30

S

on

S

on

3.30

S

on

3 Of)

3

0fl

3 on

3.30

<* ^ft

3.30

3.30

3.20

3.20

<* in

Mar.

3.10

3 1ft

3.00

S ftft

3 Oft

3 fin

3.00

S ftft

3 ftft

3 ftft

3.00

3.00

q An

3.00

S ftft

S ftft

S ftft

3.00

3., 00 

2 90

2.90

2 90

2 90

4.20

4 00

7.10

5.80 

4.70

Apr.

4.60 

4 50

4. .50

3 nn

3 on

3.50 

4.10

3 7ft

4 00

4.90

5.00

4 90

4.80

4.70

4.60

4 50

3 nn

3.80 

3.70

3 fin

3 fift

A fift

18.10

9A on

on Oft

31.40

GO 7fl

23.85

May.

12.00 

7.20

6.70

5 Oft

6.10

6.30

11.30 

16.70

on ftn

17.00

11.20

10.20

7.70

7.00

6 Oft

6.40

i ft fin

22. 80 

13.90

12 20

11.00

9 on

S on

7 00

6.80

6

^ft

S

en

7.00 

8.00

June.

12.50

28.00 

35.10

45.85

46.20

46.00 

46.30

46.60

47.60

48.40

48 80

47.40

45.30

43.90

43.00

07 nn

35.70

35.00

34.90

oq nn

36.70

07 oft

31.30

22.25

41.30

39.10

July.

37.00 

34.10

42.30 

44.00

44 60

45.00

47.40 

48.30

AQ Ofl

48.30

48.40

48.80

49 40

48.80

qq in

oft qn

12.40

9.50

8.50

8.50

8.40

8.00

7.60

7.00

6.40

6.10 

6.20

Aug.

6.50 

6.40

9.00

8.30

8.00 

7.80

7.40

7.20

7.00

6.90

6.60

5.60

5.50

5.40

5.30

17.00 

13.00

9 10

29.10

24.90

16.10

8.00

6.10

5.20

4.70 

4.60

Sept.

4.50 

4.40

4.20

4.10 

4.10

4.00

3.90

3.80

3.80

3.70

3.70

3.60

4.20

4.00

3.60 

3.60

3.70

3.70

8.30

12.60

12.10

11.00

5.50

5.40

5.40

Oct.

5.40 

5.40

5.40 

4.00

3.90

3.80

3.70 

3.60

3.60

3.50

3.40

3.30

3.30

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.50

3.50

3.40

3.40 

3.40

3.30

3.30

3.30

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20 

3.20

Nov.

3.20 

3.30

3.20 

3.30

3.20

3.20

3.20 

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.10

3.10

3.10

3.10

3.10

3.10 

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

Dec.

3.00 

3.00

3.00 

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00 

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00 

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.50

3.50

3.60

3.60

3.60

3.60

3.60 

3.60

FALL RIVER AT FALLRIVER, KANS.

This station was established as a flood station, April 22, 1904, by 

M. 0. Hinderlider. It is located at the highway bridge, one-eighth 

mile north of Fallriver, Kans. The original gage was a standard wire 

and weight gage bolted to the downstream railing near the left end of 

the bridge. The scale, graduated to feet and tenths from zero to 40 

feet, extends horizontally along the rail. The elevation of the bottom of the weight when the gage reads zero is 58.232. On August 

28, 1904, the wire cable was replaced by the regulation chain, at the 

same datum. During 1904 the gage was read once daily, or hourly 

during dangerous rises in the stream, by Jesse McDaniel. Discharge 

measurements are made from the three-span bridge to which the gage 

is attached. The initial point for soundings is the surface of the 

ground at the north side of the right abutment. The channel is 

straight for about 300 feet above and 500 feet below the station, and 

the current is sluggish at low stages and swift at high stages. The
HINDEKLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 155

right bank is of loam, sloping gradually out for about 100 feet, then 

sandstone clifi's from 10 to 15 feet high. The left bank slopes at an 

angle of about 45° to the height of the bridge floor. Both banks are 

timbered, and do not overflow except at extreme stages. The low 

ground on the left bank extending outward from the northwest end of 

the bridge is overflowed at very high stages of the river. The bed 

of the stream is composed of loam and mud, and is probably unstable. 

Bench mark No. 1 is the top of the south masonry abutment on the 

downstream side; its elevation is 41.768 feet above gage datum. Bench 

mark No. 2 is on the -sandstone ledge at the foot of the northeast corner 

of the south abutment; its elevation is 33.777 feet above gage datum. 

Bench mark No. 3 is the top of the first pier from the right bank on the 

downstream side; its elevation is 41.028 feet above gage datum. Bench 

mark No. 4 is the top of the second pier from the right bank, downstream end; its elevation is 40.076 feet above the datum of the gage. 

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Mean daily gage height, in/eet, of Fall River at Fallriver, Kans., for 1904-

Day.

3....................................

5........................... ........

6....... ............................

7....................................

8....................................

9....................................

10....................................

11.................................... 

12....................................

13....................................

14....................................

15....................................

16.................. .................

17....................................

18....................................

19....................................

20....................................

21....................................

22....................................

23.................................... 

24....................................

25....................................

20....................................

27....................................

28....................................

29....................................

30....................................

31....................................

Apr.

3.50

4.00 

27.90

13.50

8.30

6.30

6.05

5.85

5.70

May.

5.35

5.35

5.65

7.25

11.15

16.10

9.05

12.00

9.45

6.55

5.25

5.50

5.20

5.95

17.00

9.05

7.30

6.65

6.15

6.65

5.55 

4.90

10.15

6.75

5.30

5.80

7.00

6.70

June.

13.15

10.00

25. 75

11.40

7.95

6.40

5.50

11.15

29.15

25.85 

9.25

7.70

10.85

8.40

22. 25

8.95

12.10

7.55

7.80

5.70

7.10 

4.90

16. 27

9.60

13.75

12.50

14.25

July.

11.85

22.25

10.25

12.20

35.25

33.05

30.75

33.05

10.20

16.27

11.50 

7.25

6.35

6.00

10.20

7.25

4.90

4.45

4.20

4.00

3.75

3.55

3.50 

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.90

4.10

3.65

3.45

Aug.

3.90

4.10

3.65

3.45

3.25

3.05

3.00

3.00

3.00

8.00

3.00 

2.90

2.80

2.70

2.70

2.70

2.70

3.65

3.40

3.25

3.70

3.55

3.50 

3.45

2.95

2.75

2.60

2.60

2.50

2.45

Sept.

2.40

2.40

2.30

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.15

2.10 

2.10

2.10

2.10

2,10

2.10

2.10

2.05

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.40

2.40 

2.35

2.25

2.30

2.40

2.40

Oct.

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40 

2.45

2.40

2.35

2.35

2.35

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.20

2.20

2.20 

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

Nov.

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10 

2.10

2.00

2.00

2 00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2 00

2.00 

2.00

2.00

2 00

2.00

2.00

2.00
156 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PABT VIII. [NO. 131. 

NKOSHO RIVER NEAR NEOSHO RAPIDS, KANS.

This station was established as a flood station May 11, 1904, by 

W. G. Russell. It is located at the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 

Railway bridge, about 2 miles below the junction of Neosho and Cottonwood rivers and about 1 mile west of Neosho Rapids.

The gage consists of a standard wire and weight gage located on the 

downstream side of the railroad bridge near the left or east end. The 

gdge is marked on the guard rail of the bridge from zero to 40 feet, 

the foot marks being shown by brass headed nails and the tenth marks 

by ordinary tacks.

During the season of 190-4 the gage was read twice daily by L. H. 

Hendrickson, section foreman for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 

Railway at Neosho Rapids. Discharge measurements are made from 

the downstream side of the railroad bridge to which the gage is 

attached. The initial point for soundings is the west face of the east 

masonry abutment on the downstream side of the bridge. There is 

but one channel, which is straight for several hundred feet above and 

below the bridge, the current being sluggish at low and fairly rapid 

at high stages. The bed of the stream is composed of mud and silt 

and irregular. Owing to the irregular shape of the bed of the channel an island appears in the channel beneath the bridge at low water. 

Both banks are of loam, and rise above low water for a height of from 

10 to 15 feet, but are overflowed during high stages of the river, cultivated lands on either side being flooded for long distances out.

Bench mark No. 1 is a cross on the top of the left abutment on 

downstream side; its elevation is 38.T5 feet above the datum of the 

gage. . Bench mark No. 2 is a mark on the top of the southwest corner 

of the left abutment; its elevation is 35.71 feet above the datum of the 

gage. Bench mark No. 3 is a mark on the top of the southwest corner 

of the coping of the left abutment; its elevation is 33.71 feet above 

the datum of the gage. t

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.
ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 157

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Neosho River near Neosho Rapids, Kans.,for

Day.

1........... ...J........ .....................

5............................................

9

11.............. j..... ........................

12.............. j...... .......................

13................................'............

15. ............. J...... .......................

1 f. .............. j .............................

IT...............!.........:...................

18............... i.............................

10.............................................

20............................................

 21 .............................................

 24.... ...... ....J........ .....................

25 ...................... ...

27............................................

 28........................... .................

29............................................

30............................................

31............................................

May.

13.60

26.70

20. 45

14.35

13. 10

13.55

13. 40

13.30

12 90

14.45

21.05

19 20

25. 00

33.05

3'1 80

June.

31.40

28. 55

32.50

34.75

33.20

30.25

27. 55

19 40

29. 35

29. 05

24. 25

21.00

23. 35

25. 85

25. 35

14.75

31.65

30.40

26.85

24 90

July.

21.20

16.85

18.65

19.75

25.10

35.25

35.15

34.15

33.65

33.10

32. 40

29.70

25.05

16.80

16.95

16.25

14.80

17 50

-lu en

13.50

13.45

-10 OK

13.00

Aug.

12. 75

12.60

12.50

12.65

12.40

12.15

12.30

12.30

12.00

12.15

12.05

11.90

11.90

11.90

11.90

11.90

12. 15

13 75

11.75

11. 60

Sept.

11.60

11.80

11.70

11.55

11.40

11.40

11.40

11.40

11.40

11.40

9.90

9.90

9.80

9.80

10.05

9.90

9.90

9.80

9.80

9.80

9.80

9.80

9 80

9.90

9.90

9.90

9.90

9 SO

Oct.

9.85

9.95

10. 05

9.90

9.85

9.80

9.80

9.80

9. MO

9.80

9.80

9.80

9.80

9.80

9 65

9.60

9.60

9.60

9.60

9.60

9.50

9.50

9.50

9. 50

9 50

NOT.

9.50

9.50

9.50

9.50

9.50

NEOSHO RIVER NEAR HUMBOLDT, KANS.

This station was established as a flood water station April 19, 1904, 

by M. C. Hinderlider. It is located at the highway bridge about onehalf mile west of Humboldt, Kans. A standard wire and weight gage 

was fastened to the downstream guard rail of the bridge near the left 

end. The scale is graduated to feet and tenths. On August 30, 1904, 

the wT ire cable of the gage was replaced by a regulation chain, at the 

same datum. The gage was read once daily, and oftener during sudden changes in the stage of the river during the flood periods of 1904, 

by W. P. McGrew. Discharge iiie^^rjeniejiJ^u-ar^--ma4e^Jj^pj the 

single-spjm bridge^ to which _the ^^^e^is^attacjifii, The initial point

for soundings is at the foot of the perpendicular cliff on the left bank 

of the river, at the east end of the bridge. The channel is permanent, 

having a sandstone bottom. The current is sluggish at- low and fairly 

swift at high stages of flow. The right bank is low, timbered, and is 

subject to overflow. The left bank is high, and ?s not subject to over-
158 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

flow. The bed of the stream is composed of solid rock, and permanent. There is a masonry dam about 100 yards below the bridge, used 

vl for developing power for the gristmill near by. This dam is 300 feet

(

long, there being a difference between the surface of the river above 

0 and below the dam of 7.14 feet. Bench mark No. 1 is a United States 

^ ^.Geological Survey standard bench mark tablet, set into the stone cop- 

^ ing in the south side of the Humboldt National Bank building, on the 

northwest corner of Eighth and Bridge streets, midway between the 

two south windows, two feet above the top of the sidewalk. Its elevation is 69.629 feet above the datum of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 

is a cross on the cliff, 10 feet south and 15 feet west of the left end of 

the bridge. It is marked " U. S. B. M." Its elevation is 20.942 feet 

above gage datum. Bench mark No. 3 is a cross on the top of the 

third stone from the bottom in the south face of the south wing of the 

right abutment. It is marked " B. M." Its elevation is 12.225 feet 

above the datum of the gage. This station has been abandoned.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

^

^

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Neosho River near Humboldt, Kans., for 1904.

i^

s

r>ay.

t A/#V A

3 2 2tf a'-i

3................

4................

5................

6................

8................

9................

10................

11 /^ 'J*%- ?u '* ''

12 JiO L~J & *

13................

14................

15.................

16................

Apr.

< .< X ^~

9 <?/vj ~^-..,

7 *>$

May.

-^- --

"^

11.00

13.00

11.90

June.

21.00

22.95

28.15

(^90)

27.60

28.30

27.40

25.95

24.50

18.35

1 Q *>f^

17.10

10 1 G

15.75

Jul*-.

22i80

2l[80

13.90

11. 65

-10, Qt

26.75

28.50

29.25 . ^-~ ~**i

f on K/Y

29.75

27.25

26.10

25. 05

90 nr;

Day.

17...............

18...............

19...............

20 ...............

21...............

22...............

23...............

24...............

OK

26...............

28 ...............

29

on

31

Apr.

3.00

« 25. 90

25.00

May.

18.75

18.00

16.80

15.65

4.00

15.20

9.50

10.95

16.85

19.45

June.

18.00

13.20

12.80

15.10

14.00

9.20

6.00

14.90

23. 05

25.95

23.40

23.10

July.

12.00

7. CO

a Extreme height 29.5. 

GRAND RIVER NEAR FORT GIBSON, IND. T.

This station was established September 22, 1903, by W. G. Russell. 

It is located at the Missouri Pacific Railway bridge three-fourths of a 

mile northwest of Fort Gibson, Ind. T. There are two gages. The 

first is a vertical 2 by 6 inch plank 18 feet long, graduated to feet and 

tenths from 9 to 27 feet, bolted to the east face of the first stone pier 

from the left bank. The 9-foot mark is the top of the ste*el caisson, 

and below this point gage heights are taken by means of a standard
HINDERLIDER~| 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 159

chain gage let down from a nail in the guard rail, and kept in the 

pump house when not in use, the scale reading to feet and tenths from 

zero to 35 feet-, being marked along the guard rail. This gage is used 

only in very low or very high water. Gage heights are taken once 

each d&y by W. L. Blackwell. Discharge measurements are made 

from the downstream side of the three-span steel bridge to which the 

gages are attached. The bridge has a total length of 625 feet, and has 

a pile approach of 157 feet at the west end. The bridge is slightly 

oblique to the course of the current. The initial point for soundings 

is the edge of the abutment on the left bank of the river. The channel 

is straight for about 500 feet above and below the station. The current is sluggish except at high water, when it is swift near the right 

bank. The right bank is high, wooded, and overflows only at very 

high stages. The left bank is high, rocky, clean, and does not overflow. The bed of the stream is a smooth rock from the left bank to 

the middle, when it changes to sand and changes with every flood. 

There are four channels at low and five channels at high water. Drift 

at very high water makes it possible to get only top velocities. Bench 

mark No. 1 is a cross, marked "B. M.," on a hard limestone rock in 

the face of the wall 4 feet above the upstream side of the bridge on 

the left bank of the river. Its elevation is 24.90 feet above the datum 

of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is a United States Geological Survey 

standard bench mark on the top of the east pier of bridge. It is 516 

feet above sea level, and is marked "516." Its elevation is 40.94 feet 

above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Grand River near Fort Gibson, Ind. T., in 1904-

Date.

May3.........

June 8.. .......

June 12........

August 31.

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell........

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

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

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

Width.

Feel. 

479

491

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

5,630

11,600

10, 140

4,074

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec.

5.50

6.93

6.15

1.37

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

15.65

27.00

24.45

11.00

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

30, 960

80,400

62, 410

5,571
160 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mmn daily gage height, in feet, of Grand Rirer near Fort Gibson, Ind. T., for 1904-

Day.

1..............

2..............

3..............

4..............

5.............. 

6..............

9

10..............

11..............

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16.............. 

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23.............. 

24.............. 

25.............. 

26.----.........

28.............. 

29..............

30..............

31..............

Jan.

9.60

9.50

9.40

9.40

9.40 

9.40

9.40

9.40 

9,40

9.40

9.30 

1U.OO

10. DO

10. 20

15. 50 

15.00 

14. SO 

14.40 

14.00

13.00

11.00

11.00

Feb.

11.00

11.00

11.00

10.60

10.50

10.00

9. CO 

9. 40

9.30

9

Qn

9.30 

9 30

9 on

9 on

9 30

9 ''0

9.20 

9.20 

9.10 

9.10 

9 10

9.10 

9.10

Mar.

9.10

9.10

9.10

9.10'

9.10 

9.10

9 10

9 10

9 10

9.10 

9.00

9.00

9.00 

9.00

9.00

9 00

9 10

9 10

9.10 

9.20 

9.20 

9.20

9 on

9.70 

9.80

10.00

10.40

Apr.

11.50

12.00

12.00 

12.00

12. 00

11.80

11.60

11. 60

11.60

11.50 

11.50

11.20 

11.00

11.00 

11.00

11.00

11.00

11.00

11.00

10.80

10. 50 

10. 50 

10.80 

10.90 

11.80

13.50 

17.80

May.

17.60

15.80

13.00

11. 80

12. 00

12 80

13.00 

12.00

11.10 

11.40

11.80 

12.00

12 80

1 3 fin

13.80

13. 40 

12.20 

12.00 

11.80 

11.60

11.20 

11.80

13.00

June.

14.00

18.60

20.00

26.50

33.00 

39 go

''7 00

24.00 

24. 00

23. 20

19. 50 

17.00

17.00

17.10 

16.40 

15.00 

15.40 

16.00

18.80

19.80

July.

18.80

18.20

20.00

21.00

22. 60

32. 20 

32.00

31.60

30.00 

25. 00

23.00

18.20 

16.00 

15.80 

15.20 

14.80

14.40 

13.80

14.00

14.40

Aug.

14.60

16.20

17.80

19.50

19.80 

17.00

16.50

16.00

15.20

14.00

13.60 

13.00

13.80

13.40 

13.00

12 80

10.80

11.00

11.50 

12.00 

12.80 

13.00

13.00

11.00

11.00

Sept.

11.00

11.00

11.00

11.00

11.00 

10.90

10.90

10.80

10.80

10.90

11.00 

11.00

10.90 

10.00

10.00 

10.00

11.00

11.00

11.00

11.00 

11.80 

11.80 

11.60

11.20 

11.00

10.80

Oct.

10.00

10.80

10.60

10.40

10.20 

10.00

9.20

9.00

8.80

8.80 

8.60

8.60 

8.60

8.60

8.80

8.80

8.80 

9.20 

9.20 

9.20 

9.20

9.20

9.20

9.20

Nov.

9.20

9.20

9.30

9.30

9.30 

9.40

9 40

9.40

9.40

9.40

9.50 

9.40

9.20 

9.20

9.20 

9.20

9 10

9 10

9.10

9.10

9.10 

9.00 

9.00 

9.00

9.00 

9.00

9.00

Dee.

9.00

9.00

9.00

9.00

9.00 

9.00

9.00

9.00

9.00

9.00

8.90.

8.90 

8.90

8.90 

8.90

8.90 

8.90

9.00

9.00

9.00

9.00

9.00

9.00 

9.00 

9.00 

9.00 

9.00

9.00 

9.00

9.00

9.00

SOUTH CANADIAN RIVER NEAR LOGAN, N. HEX.

This station was established June 29, 1904, by W. G. Russell. It is 

located at the bridge of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad 

1 mile west of the depot at Logan, N. Mex. A plain staff gage, 

graduated to feet and tenths from zero to 4 feet, is bolted to the 

cribwork of a submerged dam about 25 feet below the bridge. 

The remainder of the gage up to 14 feet is painted upon the concrete 

pier of the bridge just above. The gage is read once each day by Join? 

W. Furlow. Discharge measurements can be made only at low water 

by wading. For high water stages it will be necessary to compute 

the discharge from the slope and cross section or by float measurements. As the bridge piers divide the river into several sections, it 

is quite easy to obtain surface velocities of each. It is impossible to 

make measurements from the railroad bridge, as it is a narrow deck 

bridge 136 feet above the bed of the river. The initial point for discharge measurements is at the east end of the railway bridge. The
HINDEELIDEE"! 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 161

channel is straight for about 2,000 feet above and below the station, 

and the current is moderate at ordinary and swift at high stages. Both 

banks are high, rocky, clean, and do not overflow. The bed of the 

stream is composed of clean sand, and. is shifting. The bench mark is 

the 4.5 foot gage mark on the concrete pier on the side facing the 

river. At low water there are three channels and at high water one, 

except as broken by 7 bridge piers.

During the floods of October 1, 1904, the lower section of the 

original gage was buried by sand, and the channel changed to the west 

side of the river. The upper section of the gage is to be destroyed, 

as the railway bridge will have to be rebuilt. A plain, vertical, staff 

gage has been attached to a temporary highway bridge about 750 feet 

below the old gage. This bridge will likely stay in place until the 

new railway bridge is built, unless washed put by floods. The new 

gage is graduated to feet and tenths from zero to 8 feet, with its zero 

placed 4.32 feet below the zero of the old gage. It was necessary to 

place this zero below the other, or have both positive and negative 

readings. Bench mark No. 1 is the top of a projecting point on a 

sandstone ledge about 100 feet north of the north end of the highway 

bridge, marked with a cross and the letters " B. M." Its elevation is 

22.15 feet above the zero of the old gage. Bench mark No. 2 is a 

cross, marked "B. M.," on the top of a point of rock about 100 feet 

east of the second steel bent of the railway bridge, 115 feet south of 

the north end. Its elevation is 23.55 feet above the zero of the old

The observations at tnis station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of South Canadian River near Logan, N. Mex., in 1904.

Date.

June 29........

October 2......

October 22.....

Hydrographer.

W.G.Russell........

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

245

388

119

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

64

1,400

13, 520

174

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

0.87

« 5. 32

11.05

&3 72

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.55

4.50

31.30

3.00

charge.

Sec.-feet. 

56

7,446

149, 400

647

a Float measurement velocity obtained from slope, 

IKE 131 05 11

& Float measurement.
162 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of South Canadian River near Logan, N. Mex., for 1904-

Day.

1....................................................

2....................................................

3....................................................

4....................................................

5....................................................

6...................................................

7....................................................

8.......--.......--..-.......-..-.....--....-.....--.

9....................................................

10. ...................................................

11....................................................

12...................................................

13................. ...................................

14. ..................................................

15.................................... ...............

16................................ ...................

17....................................................

18. ...................................................

19. ...............................'...................

20. ...................................................

21. ...................................................

22....................................................

23. ..................................................

24.... ...............................................

25....................................................

26....................................................

27........ .............................................

28. ................................................

29. .................................................

30. ...................................................

31. ...................................................

July.

1.50

2.00

3.00

3.50

2.50

1.90

1.30

2.00

2.80

1.60

1.30

3.50

1.10

1.30

.80

.60

.50

3.30

1.50

2.00

1.00

3.35

3.00

1.70

1.30

1.00

1.70

1.20

1.40

.90

1 80

Avig.

1.50

5.00

4.00

2.50

1.50

1.00

1.40

1.00

3.50

4.50

3.50

1.20

.80

.60

.60

.55

3.35

2.25

1.60

1.20

.95

1.80

1.85

1.20

.75

.70

.55

.50

.50

.40

.10

Sept.

0.40

.45

3.25

3.05

1.75

.90

.70

.60

.55

.50

.50

.50

.45

.40

.40

.40

.40

.30

.30

.30

.20

.20

.20

.20

.45

.80

2.35

4.25

7.50

25.00

Oct.

30.00

(a)

&3.00

2.90

2.85

2.80

2.75

2.75

2.70

2.70

2.70

Nov.

2.70

2.60

2.55

2.45

2.40

2.40

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.30

2.30

2.20

 2.10

2.10

2.10

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

Dec.

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.0

2.0

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.0

a Gage destroyed October 2. &Gage reestablished.

MORA RIVER AT LA CUEVA, N. MEX.

This station was established August 25,1903, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is located at the wagon bridge in the town of La Cueva, N. Mex. 

The gage is a vertical rod, graduated to feet and tenths from zero to 7 

feet, fastened to the west end of the north abutment of the wagon 

bridge. The zero of the rod is on the bed of the stream. The gage 

is read twice each day by Hugh Loudon, of the La Cueva Land and 

Cattle Company. Discharge measurements are made by wading just 

below the bridge to which the gage is attached or from the bridge at 

high stages. The channel is tortuous above and below the station. 

The right bank is a high, rocky bluff. The left bank is a loam bank 

about 6 feet high, lined with willows and covered with alfalfa fields, 

and overflows at high water. The bed of the stream is composed of 

sand and gravel, and is somewhat shifting. There is but one channel 

except at very high stages, when the left bank is overflowed. Con-
HINDEELIDEE") 

AND HOYT. J AEKANSAS EIVEE DEAINAGE BASIN. 163

ditions are favorable for good results. Practically ail the water is 

diverted by the La Cueva canal just above the station, but is returned 

below. Gagings are made in the canal to determine the amount of 

water carried. During the flood of September 29., 1904, the bridge 

and gage were carried away. Records were discontinued for the 

remainder of the year, but the station will be reestablished in the 

spring of 1905.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Mora River at La Cueva, N. Mex., for 1904.

Day.

1. ........

2......... 

3.........

4......... 

5.........

6.........

7.........

8.........

June. July.

0.80-

.70 

.85

.75 

.70

.70

.60

Day.

9........

10........ 

11........

13........

14........

16........

June.

1.10

July.

0.70*

.70 

65

.75 

.60

.50

50

.35

Day.

17........

18........ 

19........

20........ 

21........

22........

24........

June.

0.90

.70

.75

.70 

.70

.85

80

.80

July.

0.30

.30 

.80

.70 

.65

.75

1.10

Day.

25........

26........ 

27........

28........ 

29........

30........

June.

0.75

1.05

.85

.80 

.65

.65

July.

1.25

1. 25 

1.25

1.25 

1.20

1.15

MORA CANAL AT LA CUEVA, N. MEX.

Mora canal diverts water from Mora River a short distance above 

the gaging station maintained on Mora River at La Cueva, N. Mex., 

and returns a portion of the same below the station. At times a portion or all of the water in the canal is passed through the wheel of a 

grist mill or waste gate directly back to the river above the gage. At 

other times a portion or all the water in the canal is carried to storage 

reservoirs and not returned to the river. Gagings are made from the 

footbridge crossing the canal just north of the Mora River gaging 

station in order to determine the total amount of water carried by the 

river when water in the canal is being stored. The gage is a vertical 

staff, graduated to feet and tenths from zero to 2.9 feet, set at the 

right bank of the canal opposite the store building. The zero of the 

gage rests on the bottom of the canal. The gage is read twice each 

day by Hugh Loudon, of the La Cueva Land and Cattle Company. 

The bench mark is a cross marked with the letters "B. M." chiseled 

into one of the foundation stones of the store building, 1 foot above 

the ground and almost opposite the gage rod. Its elevation is 7.008 

feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.
164 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. . [NO. 131.

Mean dally gage height, in feet, of Mora canal at La Cueva, N. Mex., for 1904-

Day.

1.........

2.........

3......... 

4.........

5... ...... 

6.........

8.........

June. July.

0.70

.80

.85 

.80

.70 

.70

.60

.70

Day.

9........

10........

11........ 

12........

13........ 

14........

15........

16........

June.

.......

0.65

.90

1 July.

0.75

.65

.70 

.50

.50

.35

Day.

17........

18........

19........

21........ 

22........

23........

24........

June.

0.90

.86

.90 

.80

.85 

.90

.75

.70

July.

0.35

.30

.75 

.65

.65 

1.00

1.50

1.45

Day.

25........

26........

27........ 

28........

29........ 

30........

31........

June.

0.65

1.00

.75 

.70-

.60

, .65

July.

1.60

1.45

1.25

.85

.00 

.25

MORA RIVER AT WEBER, N. MEX.

This station was established August 21, 19.03, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is located at the highway bridge 150 feet north of the post-office at 

Weber, N. Mex., and is about 15 miles west of Watrous, N. Mex. The 

gage is a vertical 2 by 6 inch timber 14 feet long, fastened to the 

upstream end of the south abutment of the wagon bridge. The zero 

of the gage rests on the bed of the river. It is read twice each day 

by Mrs. Emily Biernbaum, the postmaster at Weber. Discharge 

measurements are made during the greater part of the year by wading 

below the bridge. At high water they are made from the highway 

bridge which consists of a single span of 32 feet. The initial point 

for soundings is the edge of the left abutment. The channel is 

straight for 20 feet above and for 75 feet below the bridge. Both 

banks are of gravel and overflow only at high stages. The bed of the 

stream is composed of bowlders and mud, overlying shale or stone, 

with a sand bar near the right bank just below the bridge during low 

water. A few feet below the bridge the channel is filled -across with 

riprap, is shifting, and free from vegetation. Bench mark No. 1 is a 

20-penny nail driven horizontally into the northwest face of a large 

cottonwood tree 75 feet southeast of the gage. A spike is driven on 

each side of the bench mark. The elevation of the bench mark is 

12.921 feet above the zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is a 

20-penny nail driven vertically into the top side of the east end of the 

cap timber of the north abutment of the bridge. Its elevation is 

10.114 feet above the zero of the gage.

On September 29, 1904, this station was destroyed by the greatest 

flood ever known to have occurred on Mora River. The bridge and 

gage rod were carried away and all the buildings at Weber were 

destroyed. Since the flood this station has not been reestablished, as 

the observer moved away and no one else was available.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.
HINDERLIDER"] 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER" DRAINAGE BASIN. 165

Discharge measurement of Mora River at Weber, N. Mex., in 1904-

Date.

October 12.....

Hydrographer.

G. B. Monk .........

Width.

Feet. 

37

Area of ' 

section.

Sq. feet. 

73

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

2.71

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

(a)

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

198

« Gage destroyed September 30, 1904. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Mora River at Weber, N. Mex., for 1904-

Day.

1. ...........................................

2............................................

3............................................

4............................................

5............................................

6............................................

7............................................

8............................................

9............. ..............................

10............................................

11............................................

12............................................

13............................................

14............................................

15............................................

16............................................

17............................................

18............................................

1Q

20............................................

21............................................

22............................................

23............................................

24............................................

25............................................

26............................................

27...................................... .. ..

28............................................

29............................................

30............................................

31............................................

Mar.

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.15

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.08

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.05

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

Apr.

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

1.95

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.95

2.00

2.00

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

May.

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

2.25

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

June.

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

2.35

2.40

1.95

1.90

1.90

1.90

2.10

1.90

1.90

1.85

1.80

2.00

2.20

1.95

1.90

July.

1.90

2.50

2.55

2.05

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

2.95

2.20

1.95

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

2.30

1.90

1.90

2.35

3.30

2.55'

3.80

2.90

3.00

2.95

2.40

2.35

2.30

Aug.

3.35

3.15

6.10

3.00

2.90

3.30

2.85

2.30

2."35

2.25

2.20

2.20

2.15

2.10

2.10

1.90

2.45

2.30

2.15

1.95

1.90

1.90

1.85

1.80

1.75

1.65

1.60

1.70

1.70

1.80

1.80

Sept.

. 1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

i Kft

1.80

1 80

1.80

1 90

1 90

2 00

1.90

 1.90

1.85

2 50

3.65

8

KA

(a)

a Gage destroyed Septejnber 30. 

SAPELLO RIVER AT SAPELLO, N. MEX.

This station was established August 12, 1903, by E. G. Marsh. It 

is located about one-half mile above the junction of Sapello and Manuelitos rivers, and is about 12 miles from Las Vegas, N. Mex. . The 

gage is an inclined 1 by 8 inch pine board 10 feet long, bolted to the 

rock and braced with timbers. It is read once each day by Horace R. 

Titlow. Discharge measurements may be made by wading, but at 

high stages a cable, car, tagged wire, and stay wire will be necessary.
166 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

The initial point for soundings is a cross in the ledge of rock on the 

east bank. The channel is winding above and below the station, and 

will overflow both banks except at the station. The bed of the stream 

is composed of gravel above and below the station. At the station 

the bed is an outcrop of rock covered with about 6 inches of shifting 

sand. The bench mark consists of two arrows with the letters B. M. 

cut in the ledge of rock on the east bank 10 feet downstream from the 

gaging section. Its elevation is 12.57 feet above the zero of the gage.

This station was abandoned in March, 1904, being replaced by the 

station farther down the Sapello at Los Alamos. Owing to the great 

drought of 1903 no discharge measurements were made.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Sapello River at Sapello, N. Mex., for 1904-

Day.

1..........

2.. ........

3..........

4..........

5..........

6.......... 

7..........

8.......... 

9..........

10. .........

11..........

Jan.

0.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60 

.60

.60 

.60

.60

.60

Feb.

0.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60 

60

. .60 

60

.60

60

Mar.

0.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50 

.50

.50 

F^n

.50

.50

Day.

12. ........

13.........

14. ........

15.........

16.........

17......... 

18.........

19......... 

20

21.........

Jan.

0.60

.60

60

.60

.60

.60 

60

.60 

.60

.60

Feb.

0.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60 

.60

.50 

F^n

.50

Mar.

0.50

.50

.50

.40

 .40

.40 

.40

.40

Af\

.40

Day.

22.........

23.........

24.........

25. ........

26. ........

27......... 

28.........

29......... 

30.........

31.........

Jan.

0.60

.60

.60

.60

'.60

.60 

.60

.60 

60

.60

Feb.

0.50

.50

.50

.50

.50

.50 

.50

.50

Mar.

0.4

.4

.41

.41

.4

.4 

.4

.4 

.4

.4(

SAPELLO RIVER NEAR LOS ALAMOS, N. MEX.

This station was established August 22,1903, by M. C. Hinderlider. 

It is located at a ford crossing Sapello River at a point due north from 

Los Alamos and about one-fourth mile distant. The gage consists of 

a 2 by 6 inch timber, 16 feet long, placed in an inclined position on 

the right bank of the river at the ford. It is graduated to read 

directly to vertical tenths of feet from 0.5 foot to 7.5 feet. There is 

no bridge and no other means of making high-water measurements. 

This station later took the place of the stations on the Sapello and 

Manuelitos rivers at Sapello when the latter were abandoned in 

March, 1904. All measurements are made by wading. The initial 

point for soundings is the right bank. The channel is straight for^ 

200 feet above and below the station. The current is moderate at 

ordinary stages and rapid at flood stages. The right bank is high 

and steep and does not overflow at the gage. The left bank is a low 

sand and gravel bar extending for about 100 feet and then rising to 

above high-water mark. The bed of the stream is composed of small 

cobblestones, gravel, and sand, and is apparently permanent. The
ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 167

cross section is regular, and there is one channel at all stages. The 

bench mark is a 20-penny spike driven horizontally into the northwest face of a 10-inch willow tree about 3^ feet above the ground. 

The tree is about 100 feet southeast of the gage, and there is a spike 

driven on each side of the bench mark. The elevation of the bench 

mark is 17.815 feet above the zero of the gage. The gage is read 

twice each day by W. B. Hogin.

A cable was placed across this stream about 500 feet above the gage 

rod, equipped with car and tag wire, in March, 1904, from which 

gagings at high stages are made. This station was established for the 

purpose of determining the available amount of water for prospective 

diversion into the Sanguyjuella basin for storage. This basin lies 

about 6 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

The following discharge measurement was made by M. C. Hinderlider in 1903:

. August 22: Gage height, 1.30 feet; discharge, 7 second-feet. #«"<* ^ *

No other measurements were secured in 1903 on account of the 

extremely low stage of this stream during the entire year. For the 

same reason but one discharge measurement was made in 1904, which 

was made by George B. Monk:

October 12: Discharge, 137 second-feet. J^-yr4^ I ^/ 2'-^7

This measurement was made after the great flood of September 29, 

1904, which destroyed the gage. The gage will be reestablished in 

the spring of 1905.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made undej 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.
168 8TEEAM MEASUEEMENT8 IN" 1904, PAET VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Sapello River near Los Alamos, N. Mex.,for 1904-

Day.

1............................................

2............................................

3............................................

4............................................

5............................................

6............................................

7............................................

8............................................

9............................................

10.......................:....................

11............................................

12. ...........................................

13............................................

14. ...........................................

15. ...........................................

16............................................

17.............................................

18............................................

19 ...........................................

20............................................

21............................................

22............................................

23............................................

24............................................

25. ...........................................

26............................................

27............................................

28............................................

29. ...........................................

3tt.... ........................................

31............................................

Mar.

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

 1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

.1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1 00

Apr.

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

 i.oo

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1 00

May.

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.10

1.10

1.20

2.70

2.15

1.40

1.15

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

June.

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.35

2.55

3.20

2.40

2.55

2.60

1.35

1.20

1.05

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1 00

1.00

July.

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.95

2.10

1.65

1.80

2.05

1.50

1.30

1 <¥l

1 30

Aug.

1.30

1.30

2.30

2.20

1.95

2:75

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.30

1.70

1.25

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

2.25

1.30

. 1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00*

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

l.CO

1.00

Sept.

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

 1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

5.90 («)

a Gage destroyed by flood. 

SAPELLO MILL TAILKACE AT SAPELLO, N. MEX.

A gage rod was placed in the mill tailrace of the flouring mill at 

Sapello, for the purpose of determining the amount of water passing 

through the mill wheel. This water is diverted by two ditches from 

both Sapello and Manuelitos rivers at points above the gage rods in 

those streams, and reenters Sapello River below the junction of Sapello 

and Manuelitos rivers. At low stages these ditches take the entire 

supply in the two rivers before the water reaches the gage rods in the 

same, and as this water is returned to the river below the gage rods 

through the mill tailrace it was necessary to place a gage in the mill 

tailrace. This gage consists of a 2 by 4 inch by 5-foot timber graduated to vertical feet and tenths and placed in the mill tailrace about 

150 feet below the mill. The amount of water passing this gage, added 

to the amount passing the gages in Sapello and Manuelitos rivers, gives 

the total discharge of the Sapello proper. This station, with the sta-
HINDEBLIDEUT 

AND HOYT. J AKKANSAS EIVEE DRAINAGE BASIN. 169

tions on the Sapello and Manuelitos rivers at Sapello, was abandoned 

in March, 1904.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Sapello Mill tailrace at Sapello, N. Mex., for 1904-

Bay.

1. .........

2. .........

3..........

4..........

5..........

6.......... 

7. ......... 

8.........'.

9. .........

10.......... 

11..........

Jan.

0.30

.30

.30

.30 .30'

 .30 

.30 

.30

.30 

.30 

.30

Feb.

0.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30 

.30 

.30

.30 

.30 

.30

Mar.

0.80

80

.80

.80

.80

.00 

.00 

.30

.30 

.30 

'.30

Day.

12.........

13...:.....

14. ........

15.........

16.........

17......... 

18......... 

19.........

20......... 

21......... 

22.........

. Jan.

0.30

.30

30

.30

.30

.30 

.30 

.30

.30 

.30 

.30

Feb.

0.30

30

30

.30

.30

.30 

.30 

.40

.50 

.60 

.60

Mar.

0.30

.30

.00

.00

.00

.00 

.00 

.00

.00 

.00 

.00

Day.

23. ........

24. ........

25. ........

26.........

27.........

28......... 

29......... 

'30.........

31.........

Jan.

0.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30 

.30 

.30

.30

Feb.

0.80

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90 

.90

.......

Mar.

0,40

.00

.00

.00

.20

.20 

.20 

.20

.20

MANUELITOS RIVER AT SAPELLO, N. MEX.

This station was established August 11, 1903, by E. G. Marsh. It 

is located two-fifths of a mile above the junction of Sapello and Manuelitos rivers, and about 12 miles from Las Vegas, N. Mex. There is a 

riprap wing dam 500 feet below the station. The gage is a 1 by 8 

inch pine board 10 feet long, bolted in an inclined position to the 

rocky bluff on the left bank, and is graduated to read to vertical 

tenths of feet. It is read once each day by Horace R. Titlow. A cable, 

car, and tagged wire will be necessary in order to obtain measurements 

at high water. The initial point for soundings is a cross cut in the 

face of the rock 5 feet downstream from the gage, on the east bank. 

The channel is straight for 100 feet above and 250 feet below the 

station. At flood stages the current is very swift and there is but 

one channel. At very low water there are several small channels. 

The right bank is low, brush lined, and overflows at high water until 

it reaches a second higher bank. The left bank is a steep, rocky bluff, 

and does not* overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of quicksand, which is prevented from shifting by the riprap dam below. The 

bench mark consists of two arrows cut in the rocky bluff 39 feet downstream from the gage. Its elevation is 7.65 feet above the zero of the 

gage. This station was abandoned yi March, 1904, and replaced Irp 

the one on Sapello River at Los Alamos.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. C. Hinderlider, district hydrographer.
170 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Manuelitos Hirer at Sapello, N. Mex., for 1904-

Day.

1... .......

2..........

3..........

4. .........

5..........

6..........

7. .........

8..........

9..........

10..........

11..........

Jan.

0.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

Feb.

0.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

Mar.

0.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

Day.

12.........

13.........

14.........

15.........

16.........

17.........

18.........

19. ........

20.........

21.........

22.........

Jan.

0.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

Feb.

0,40

.40

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

Mar.

0.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

. .30

.30

.30

.30

Day.

23.........

24.........

25.........

26.........

27.........

28.........

29.........

so........:

31.-......-

Jan.

0.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

Feb.

0.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

Mar.

0.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

UTE CREEK NEAR LOGAN, N. MEX.

This station was established August 12, 1904, by W. G. Russell. It 

is located about 7 miles northwest of Logan, N. Mex., and about 4 

miles above the mouth of Ute Creek, near the old Martinez house. 

An inclined staff gage, graduated to read in vertical feet and tenths 

from zero to 7 feet, is fastened to the point of rocks about 100 yards 

northwest of the old Martinez house. The graduations are continued 

up to 11 feet on the rock. The gage is read once each day by Manuel 

Martinez. Discharge measurements are made at low water by wading 

near the gage. Discharges for high stages must be computed from 

the slope and cross section. The initial point for soundings is at the 

gage, on the left bank of the stream. The channel is straight for 

about 300 feet above the- station. The current is sluggish at low and 

swift at high stages. The right bank is low, clean, and subject to 

overflow. The left bank is high, rocky, wooded, and does not overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of clean sand, and is shifting. There is but one channel at all stages. The bench mark is a 

cross painted on the top of a rock on the left bank, 100 feet below the 

gage. Its elevation is 5.51 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

e.w .
HINDEELIDEE"! 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 171

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Ute Creek near Logon, N. Mex.,for 1904.

Day.

1.. ...............

2.................

3.................

4.................

5.................

6.................

8.................

9.................

10.................

11.................

12 ................:

13.................

14 .................

15 .................

16.................

Aug.

......

0.30

.30-

.30

Sept.

9.00

5.50

3.50

2.00

1.10

.80

.50

.40

.20

.30

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

Oct.

2.50

2.00

1.60

1.30

1.00

.80

.50

1.00

.90

.90

.80

.70

.50

.30

30

Nov.

0.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

Dec.

0.10

.10

.10

.10

.20

.20

.30

OA

.30

.30

.30

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

Day.

17........:........

18.................

19.................

20.................

21.................

22.................

23. ................

24.................

25. ................

26.................

27. .................

28.................

29.................

30.................

31.................

Aug.

5.50

2

0A

2.10

1.30

1.20

1.10

1.00

.90

.80

.70

.60

(a)

Sept.

0.40

.40

.30

.30

.30

.30

.30

30

.20

.20

.20

3.50

5.00

3.00

Oct.

0.30

.30

.30

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

Nov.

0.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

Dec.

0.20

-.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

.20

a Creek dry August 28 to September 1, inclusive. 

BEAVER CREEK NEAR BEAVER, OKLA.

This station was established March 29, 1904, by W. G. Russell. It 

is located just below the ford about one-fourth mile north of Beaver, 

Okla. The gage is an inclined 1 by 4 inch rod 12 feet long, graduated 

to feet and tenths from zero to 5.5 feet, spiked to two locust fence 

posts driven 5 feet into the right bank and bed of the river. It is 

read once each day by Logan Rock. Discharge measurements are 

made at low water by wading. It is not possible to make high-water 

measurements in this vicinity, and the discharge during floods must 

be computed from the slope and cross section. The initial point for 

soundings is at the gage. The channel is straight for about 300 feet 

above and below the station and about 95 feet wide at ordinary stages. 

During the flood of July, 1904, the river was 2,547 feet wide along 

the highway and across the ford, and the stream bed was eroded. 

The old gage was destroyed July 9, 1904, and a new one was placed a 

short distance downstream at the same elevation. The current is sluggish at low water, but has a good current at high stages. Both banks 

are low, clean, and liable to overflow. The bed of the stream is composed of clean sand and is shifting. There is but one channel at all 

stages. The bench mark is the top of a pine stake about 0.5 feet 

above the surface of the ground 15 feet south of the gage. Its elevation is 5.00 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.
172 STEEAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PAET VIII. [NO. 131.

Discharge measurements on Beaver Creek near Beaver, Okla., in 1904-

Date.

March 29 ......

August 3 ......

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell........

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

Width.

Feet. 

55

95

Area of 

section.

Sq.Jeet. 

23

77

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

0.91

1.77

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.15

.82

Discharge.

Sec. -feet. 

21

"136

« Old gage destroyed Jul v 9,1904, and new gage was placed a short distance downstream at the same 

elevation. The flood cut the bed out and left water surface at lower elevation.

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Beaver Creek near Beaver, Okla., for 1904.

Day.

1...................

4..................

5..................

a..................

7..................

8..................

9

10..................

11..................

19

13..................

14..................

15..................

17..................

18..................

19................:.

20...................

21..................

22..................

23..................

24. .................

25..................

28...................

29..................

30..................

31..................

Mar.

........

1.1.">

1.15

1.10

Apr.

1.10

.15

.15

.20

.20

.25

- .25

.25

.25

.20

1.20

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.15

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.15

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.15

1.15

1.10

1.20

1.25

May.

1.50

1.60

2.40

1.80

1.60

1.50

1.35

1.30

1.35

1.30

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.20

1.15

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.15

1.15

1.10

1.10

June.

1 10

1.10

1.15

1.10

1.10

1.15

1.10

1.10

1.90

1.50

1.40

1.35

1.25

1.20

1.15

1.10

1.10

2 30

1.40

1.20

1.20

1.30

1.25

1.40

1.70

1.70

July.

1.50

1.30

1 QA

1.50

1.50

1.40

4.10

4.80

Aug.

 0.80

.70

1.90

1.40

1.10

.90

.70

.65

.60

 1.40

1.10

1.05

.90

.95

.55

.60

.60

.55

.90

1.10

.80

.75

.70

.60

.55

.50

.40

.40

.45

Sept.

0.40

.35

.35

.35

.40

.35

.35

.35

.35

.40

.40

.90

.90

80'

.70

.50

.45

.30

.30

.30

.25

.25

.30

.30

.30

.30

.25

.25

.30

Oct.

0.70

2.60

3.15

2.00

1.70

1.30

 1.15

1.15

1.00

.90

.90

.85

.75

.65

1.50

1.40

1.30

. 1.30

1.25

1 00

1.00

.95

.90

.90

90

.85

80

.80

.75

.75

.75

Nov.

0.75

.75

.75

.70

.75

.75

.75

.75

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.70

.65

.65

65

.65

.65

.70

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.70

.70

.75

.75

Dec.

0.75

.75

.75

.75

.75

.60

.60

.65

.65

.65

.70

.70

.90

.90

.90

.90

1.00

.95

.90

.90

.85

.85

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.80

.90

1.00

1.10

CANADIAN RIVER (NORTH FORK) NEAR WOODWARD, OKLA.

This station was established September 13, 1903, by W. G. Russell. 

It is located 7 miles east of Woodward, at the railroad bridge. The 

gage is painted on the west face of the second pier from the west end 

of the bridge. It reads from zero to 7 feet. The observer is Adolph 

Mueller, the section foreman. Discharge measurements are made 

from the six-span railroad bridge, which has a total length between 

abutments of 360 feet. The initial point for soundings is the west end
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J AEKANSAS EIVEE DEAINAGE BASIN. 173

of the bridge. The channel is straight for 200 feet above and below 

the station. The right bank is high and not liable to overflow. The 

left bank is low and liable to overflow, with scattering trees along the 

bank. The bed of the stream is sandy and shifting. There is one 

channel, broken by two piers at low water and five piers at high water. 

The bench mark is the bottom of the coping stone of the pier at the 

top of the gage. Its elevation is 7.00 feet above the zero of the gage. 

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of W. G. Russell, resident hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Canadian River (North Fork) near Woodward, Okla., in 1904. ~

Date.

August 18

September 18 ..

Hydrographer.

W. G. Russell .......

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

Width.

Feet. 

140

82

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

263

41

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

0.98

1.85

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.20

1.70

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. '258

76

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Canadian River (North Fork) near Woodward, Okla.,

for 1904.

Day.

1........ ......

2..............

3.............

4.............. 

5..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9. .............

10.............. 

11.............. 

12..............

13..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19.. ............

20..............

22..............

23.............. 

24.............. 

25

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30...... .. ......

31.........'.....

Jan.

2.50

2.40

2.50

2.50 

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.40 

2.60 

2.70 

2.50

2.60

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.70

2.50

2.50 

2.50

2.50

2.50 

2.50 

2.60

2.40

2.50

2.50

2.60

2.60

2.70

Feb.

2 60

2.60

2.50

2.70 

2.80

2.70

2.60

2.70

2.70 

2.60 

2.50 

2.50^

2.50

2.90

2.60

2 go

2.80

2 30

2.70

2.60 

2.90

2.70

2.70 

2.70 

2.70

2.70

2.60

2.70

2.60

Mar.

2.60

2.60

2.50 

2. 60

2.60

2.50

2.50

2.50 

2.50 

2.50 

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.60 

2.50

2.50

2.50 

2.50 

2.50

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

Apr.

2.40

2.30

2.40

2.40 

2.50

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40 

2.40 

2.40 

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.30

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.30 

2.30

2.20

2.20 

2.20 

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.20

2.40

May.

5.00

3.20

3.00

7.00 

3.60

3.50

3.40

3.00

2.90 

2.70 

2.50 

2.40

2.40

2.30

2.30

.2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.10 

2.30

2.20

2,00 

2.10 

2.60

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

June.

2 no

2.00

2.00

2.00 

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00 

2.30 

4.50 

3.70

3.20

3.00

2.70

2 go

2.60

2.60

2.30

2.30 

2.30

2.10

2.30 

2.40 

2.30

2.30

2.50

2.40

2.40

2.40

July.

2.20

2.40

2.30

2.30 

2.50

2.50

3.00

7.80

7.70 

7.00 

4.50 

4.00

3.50

3.00

3.00

3.00

2.80

2.80

2.60

2.60 

2.40

2.70

2.60 

2.50 

2.40

2.40

2.50

2.50

2.40

2.30

Aug.

.......

2.30

2.30

2.70 

2.50 

2.40

2.30

2.20

2.30

2.20

2.20

2.20

Sept.

9 ftfl

2.00

2.00

1.80 

1.80

1.70

1.60

1.60

1.60 

1.60 

1.50 

2.00

1.90

1.90

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.70

1.70

1.80 

1.80

1.80

1.80 

1.80 

1.80

1.80

1.70

1.70

1.70

1.70

Oct.

1.90

1.90

3.70 

2.90

2.70

2.70

2.60

2.40 

2.40 

2.40 

2.30

2.30

2.20

2.20

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10 

2.10

2.10

2.10 

2.10 

2.10-

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

Nov.

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10 

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10 

2.10 

2.10 

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10 

2.10

2.10

2.10 

2.10 

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

Dec.

2.10

2.10

2.20 

2.20

2.40

2.50

2.40

2.40 

2.40 

2.40 

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.40

2.10

2.40

2.20

2.10

2.20 

2.40

2.60

2. 50 

2.40 

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30
174 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

CANADIAN RIVER (NORTH FORK) NEAR EL RENO, OKLA.

This station was established October 27, 1902, 'by W. G, Russell, 

and is located at the highway bridge, 2 miles north of El Reno, Okla. 

The gage is of the usual wire type, with a scaleboard graduated to 

feet and tenths, and nailed to the railing of the bridge. The distance 

from the end of the weight to the marker is 17.06 feet. The bench 

mark is the top of a steel cylinder on the north side of the bridge. 

Its elevation is 11.30 feet above the zero of the gage.. The initial point 

for soundings is on the right bank. The channel both above and 

oelow the station is straight far about 200 feet and has a width of 30 

feet. The right bank is high and the left bank is low. Both banks 

are liable to overflow. The bed of the stream is sandy and somewhat 

shifting. The observer is Kenneth A. Killion, who reads the gage 

once daily. The gage was destroyed July 6, 1903, but was reestablished July 10.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of G. H. Matthes, district engineer.

Discharge measurements of Canadian River (North Pork) near El Reno, Okla., in 1904-

Date.

January 24 «...

May 4 .........

June 7 .........

July 24........

August 31......

October 18..:..

Hydrographer.

E. R. Kerby .........

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

101

106

101

116

68

53

59

Area of 

section.

Sq.Jeet. 

101

244

109

677

101

55

88

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

0.65

2.25

1.73

2.60

1.85

1.63

1.63

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

2.80

4.10

2.90

6.55

3.10

2.60

3.00

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

66

547

187

1,764

184

89

143

a Float measurement.
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS KIVEB DEAINAGE BASIJST. 175

Mean daily gage height, in feel, of Canadian River (North Fork) near El Reno, Okla.,

for 1904.

Day.

2..............

3..............

4..............

5..............

6..............

8..............

g

10..............

12..............

13.............. 

14.............. 

15..............

16.. ............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21.............. 

22..............

23.. ............

24.............. 

25..............

26. .............

27..............

28. .............

29..............

30.............. 

31..............

Jan.a

1.90

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1.80

1 80

1.90

1.90

1 90

1.80

1.90 

1.90 

1.90

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.20 

2.20

2.20

2.20 

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.00

2.00 

2.00

Feb.

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.10

2.00

9 3ft

2.30

2.30 

2.20 

2.20

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30 

2.20

2.20 

2.20

2.20

2.30

2.30

2.30

Mar.

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.20

2.20

2.10

2.10 

2.10 

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.10

2.00

2.00

2.00 

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00 

2.00

Apr.

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2 00

2.00

1.90

1.90 

1.80 

1.90

1.80

1.80

' 1 80

1.80

1.80

1.80 

1.80

1 80

1.80 

4.00

3.60

3.00'

2.60

May.

2 30

3

C/1

7.90

8.60

8.90

5.70

K QA

4 90

4.60

4.30

3.90 

3.90 

3.60

4.00

3.60

3.60

3.50

3.40

3.20

3 in

3.00 

3.00

2.80

2.80

2.80

2.80 

3.20

June.

2.80

2.70

5.70

3.90

3.40

2.90

3.00

4 60

5.80

6.95

6.30 

5.00 

4.80

4.50

4.10

3.80

3.50

3.40

3.10 

3.10

3.00

2.90 

2.80

4.00

3.00

3.10

3.00

2.80

July.

2.80

2.80

5.10

3.80

3.20

3.10

2.90

2 90

8.40

9

0A

9.35

51.40 

9.50 

10.00

8.70

6.70

5.70

5.50

5.00

4.90 

4 60

4 f^ft

6.50 

5.60

4 50

4.40

4 00 

4.00 

3.80

Aug.

3.90

3.60

3.70

3.60

3.60

3.50

3.60

3.50

3.60

3.60

4.10

4.00

4.60 

4.80 

4.20

3.90

3.80

3.60

3.40

3.40

3.30 

3.40

3.40

3.80 

3.70

3

F^A

3.50

3.50

3.50

3.20 

3.10

Sept.

3.00

3.00

2.90

2.90

2.80

. 2.80

2.80

2.70

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.70

2.70 

2.70 

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.50

3.10

2.60 

2.70

2.60

2.60 

2.50

2 50

2.40

9 40

2.30

Oct.

2.30

2.30

2.40

2.80

2.60

2.40

2.30

2.30

5.60

3.80

3.60

3.40

3.20 

3.20 

3.10

3.10

3.00

2.90

2.90

2.80

2.80 

2.70

2.70 

2.80

2 80

2.70

<? no,

2 90

2.70 

2.60

Nov.

2.60

2.70

2.70

2.70

2.70

2.70

2.70

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60 

2.60 

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.70

9 gO

2 60

2.60 

2.60

2 60

9 Aft

9 go

2.«0

Dec.

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.50

2.70

2.70

2.70 

2.60 

2.60

2.60

2.60

2.80

2.70

2.80

2.90 

2 90

2 on

2.90 

3.00

3

QA

8 9ft

3.20 

3.00

a River partly frozen during January.
176 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Rating table for Canadian River (North Fork) near El Reno, Okla., from October 27,

1902, to December 31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1

3

7

11

15

20

25

31

38

46

55

65

2. 50 76

2.60

2.70

89

104

Gage 

height.

Feet.

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.10

4.20

Discharge.

Second-feet.

120

138

159

183

210

240

273

309

347

386

425

465

506

547

589

Gage 

height.

Feet.

4.30

4.40

4.50

4.60

4.70

4.80

4.90

5.00

5.20

5.40

5.60

5.80

6.00

6.20

Discharge.

Second-feel.

632

676

720

765

810

855

900

950

1,050

1,150

1,250

1,360

1,470

1,580

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.40

6.60

6.80

7.00

7.20

7.40

7.60

7.80

8.00

8.50

9.00

9.50

10.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,690

1,800

1,910

2,030

2, 150

2,270

2,390

2,510

2,630

2,950

3, 300

3,650

4,000

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

14 discharge measurements made during 1902 to 1904, inclusive. It is well denned 

between gage, heights 1.3 feet and 4.1 feet. The curve above gage height 4.1 feet is 

determined by one measurement at gage height 6.55 feet.
HINDEBLIDEftT 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 177

Estimated monthly discharge of Canadian River (North Fork) near El Reno, Okla.,for

1902, 1903, and 1904-

Month.

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum. Minimum, Mean

Total in 

acre-feet.

1902.

October 27-31......................... 31

November............................ 291

December ............................ 120

1903.

January .............................. 159

February............................. 347

March................................ 1,050

April................................. 347

May.................................. 3,510

June .-.-..-- -.........--........_.... 1,150

July 26 days«......................... 309

August 6.............................. 138

September............................ 11

October .............................. 11

November............................ 7

December ............................ 25

The period

1904.

January c .. 

February .. 

March.....

April......

May ......

June ......

July ......

August....

September. 

October ... 

November. 

December .

The year

3,510

46

55

55

506

3,230

2,000

4,000

855

159

1,250

104

240

4,000-

31

31

65

31

67.6

88.3

76

120

183

120

159

210

20

7

0

0

1

1

128 

157* 

464 

207 

1,196 

487 

72.7 

28.9 

3.37 

1.77 

2.47 

10.3

0

20

31

31

20

55

104

120

183

55

55

89

76

30.1

46.3

39.4

63.2

622

530

1,421

381

101

176

92.5

122

20 302

4,022

5,429

7,870

8,719

28, 530

12,320

73,540

28, 980

3,749

1,777

201

109

147

633

166,600

1,851

2,663

2,423

3,761

38,240

31,540

87,370

23,430

6,010

10, 820

5,504

7,501

221,100

a Gage out 5 days in July.

b Discharge interpolated August 2 to 10.

c River partly frozen during January. Rating table applied as for open channel.

IRE 131 05- -12
178 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

/

GREER SPRING AT GREER, MO.

Greer Spring is located in the north-central part of Oregon County, 

li miles south of Eleven Point River, near the town of Greer. 

Ordinarily it derives one-fourth of its water supply from an underground stream emerging from a cave in a high limestone bluff; the 

remainder from the so-called "boil," 100 feet distant and 7 feet lower, 

the source of which is unknown. The whole rises at the head of a deep 

and narrow valley, and flows in rapid descent to Eleven Point River, 

a distance of li miles. On September 30, 1904, levels were run from 

the cave exit of the spring to Eleven Point River, and an almost 

uniform fall of 53.94 feet was found. There are numerous points at 

which dams could be built, affording solid rock for foundations and 

abutment, with plenty of material for building close at hand. . There 

is at present a stone and timber dam, developing a fall of 9 feet 

and transmitting the power to a gristmill above the valley. On 

Augusl(lp 1904, a gage was established by F. W. Hanna. Bench 

mark NdTl is the top of a staple in a large root on the upstream side 

of & walnut tree, 10 feet upstream from left end of footbridge, which 

^100 feet below the present dam. Its elevation is 9.96 feet above 

gage datum. Bench mark No. 2 is the top surface of the support of 

the right end of the footbridge, li feet from the downstream end on 

the right side. Its elevation is 3.93 feet above gage datum.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of E. Johnson, jr., district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Greer Spring at Greer, Mo., in 1904.

SN Date.

^- \

AugustjQl^. . . .

October 1 .....

Hydrographer.

F. W. Hanna ................................

Gago 

height.

Feet. 

1.00

.72

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

362

265
HINDEELIDEE"! 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 179

Mean daily gage height, infect, of Greer Spring at Greer, Mo., for 1904.

Day.

1. ................. 

2...... ............

3..................

4..................

5..................

7.................. 

8..................

9

10..................

11..................

12..................

13..................

14..................

15..................

16..................

Aug.

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

Sept.

0.95 

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95

.95 

.95

95

.95

Oct.

0.70

.70

.70

.65

Nov.

0.65 

.65

.65

.65

.60

.60

.60 

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

60

Dec.

0.60 

.60

.60

.60

.60

60

.60 

60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

60

.60

.60

Day.

17................ 

18................

19................

20................

21................

22. ...............

23................ 

24. ...............

25................

26................

27................

28................

29................

30................

31................

Aug.

1.00 

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00 

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

.95

.95

.95

Sept. Oct.

0.65 

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

.65

Nov.

0.60 

.60

.60

.60

.60

-.60

.60 

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

Dec.

0.60 

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60 

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

.60

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS IN ARKANSAS RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

The following miscellaneous measurements were made in the Arkansas River drainage basin in 190-1 under the direction of the State 

engineer:

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River at Canyon City, Colo., in 1904'.

Date.

March 16 ......

March 19 ......

April 14 .......

April 18 .......

April 18 .......

April 25 .......

April 26 .......

May 16........

May 18........

June 7. ........

June 10........

June 29. .......

Hydrographer.

A. A. Weiland .............................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.00

3.37

3.72

4.20

4.07

4.03

3.60

4.00

4.48

4.80

5. 20 :

4.80

4.26

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

49(

20;

' 37*

611

57*

49^

27?

49(

79£

96?

1,30"

924

56£
180 STREAM MEASUEEMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River at Pueblo, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

March 25 ......

April 7. .......

April 12........

April 18 .......

May 4 .........

May 9 .........

May 15 ........

May 26 ........

May 31 ........

June 7 ........

June 9 ........

July 1 .........

August 17 .....

August 27 .....

September 16 . .

Hydrographer.

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

A. A. Weiland.. ..._........*......._...._..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.70

1.97

2.15

2.60

2.68

2.89

3.50

3.70

3.43

2.98

3.73

3.39

3.50

2.94

2.19

2.24

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

97

216

87

468

745

792

1,554

2,178

1,677

1,040

2,091

1,620

1,910

1,004

354

359

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River at Nepesta, Colo., in 1904-

Date.

March 14 ......

April 11.......

May 4 .........

May 18........

June 6.........

Hydrographer.

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

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

Area of 

section.

Squarefeet. 

72

70

467

345

779

Mean 

velocity.

-Ft. per sec. 

1.49

1.64

2.55

3.00

2.62

height.

Feet. 

0.49

.40

1.10

1.02

1.40

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

107

115

1,193

1,024

2,067

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River al La Junta, Colo., in 1904.

Date.

March 31 ......

May 10........

May 16 ........

May 23........

June 1 .........

Hydrographer.

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

40

145

97

143

158

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

28

419

180

344

239

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.28

.89

2.49

1.47

2.23

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.51

2.40

2.70

2.55

2.63

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

36

370 '449

505

534
HINDERLIDEK"] 

AND HOYT. J ARKANSAS RIVEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 181

Discharge measurements of Arkansas River at Prowers, Colo. , in 1904.

Date.

May 6.........

May 22...:....

Hydrographer.

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

Area of 

section.

Squarefeet.

711

2,127

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.86

4.70

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.87

2.90

Discharge.

Second- jeet. 

1,315

10,OOC

Measurements in Cimarron River drainage basin in 1904. 

[By L. M. Holt and Claud Fisher.]

Date.

Mar. 20

Mar. 23

Mar. 30

Mar. 31

Stream.

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

Colonel Perry's irriLocality.

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

Width.

Feet. 

2

2

4.4

56

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

1.12

1.12

6.07

47

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.2

1.4

1.7

1.8

Discharge.

Sec.-ft. 

1.38

1.6

10.7

84

Measurements in Canadian River drainage basin in 1904. 

[By Elmas R. Kerby.]

Date.

Jan. 23 

June 7

Oct. 16

Jan. 23

May 4

June 8

Stream.

Canadian River . . 

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

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

Deer Creek ......

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

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

Locality.

Union City, Okla. . . 

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

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

Hydro, Okla.......

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

45 

219

1,240

20

23

24

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

34 

304

3,414

16

37

21

 Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.10 

1.55

2.64

1.32

2.29

1.49

Dis- 

' charge.

Sec.-ft. 

3£ 

47$

9,00£

^

Si

31

Measurements in Arkansas River drainage basin in 1904. 

[By M. R. Hall and assistants.]

Date.

April 27

Stream.

White River .

Locality.

Near Newport, Ark.

Width.

Feet.

472

Area of 

section.

Sq.ft.

12,870

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec.

3.24

Gage 

height.

Feet.

16.7

Discharge.

Sec.-ft.

41, 630

NOTE. Measured at Iron Mountain Railroad bridge, about'2 miles sonthwest of Newport. Gage 

height from United States Weather Bureau gage.
182 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII.

RED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

The headwaters of Ked River include several forks, all of which 

have their sources in northern Texas. Red River takes a general 

easterly direction along1 the northern boundary of Texas, and then 

turns toward the southeast and flows through a low, swampy region 

in Louisiana into the Mississippi, not far from the southern boundary 

of Mississippi. Washita River rises in northern Texas, crosses 

southern Oklahoma, and flows into Red River in the southern part of 

Indian Territory, about 10 miles from Denison, Tex.

Sulphur Fork of Red River has its headwaters in Hunt and Fannin 

counties, Tex., flows eastward, forming the boundary between Delta, 

Red River, and Bowie counties on the north, and Hopkins, Franklin, 

Titus, Morris, and Cass counties on the south, and empties into Red 

River in Arkansas about 7 miles north of the boundary line between 

that State and Louisiana. The flow of this river is very unreliable, 

changing with the rainfall. If the summer is at all dry it ceases to 

flow altogether, but there always remains enough water standing in 

pools to water stock. During or immediately after protracted or 

unusually heavy rains the river becomes very wide and deep, floods 

its bottoms, and often occasions considerable loss of stock and damage 

to planters and the railroads.

Big Cypress River has its headwaters in Franklin and Titus counties, Tex., flows in a general easterly direction, and empties into Red 

River. The flow of the river is unreliable, varying with the rainfall. 

In the summer it ceases to flow, becoming dry, except in those places 

where the water stands in holes. After long or heavy rains the stream 

is liable to overflow its banks.

RED RIVER (NORTH FORK) NEAR GRANITE, OKLA.

This station was established June 23, 1903, by Ferd. Bonstedt. It 

is located at the highway bridge 2 miles east and one-half mile north 

of Granite, Okla. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad 

crosses the river near this point. The gage is of the wire type and 

is located on the downstream side of the bridge near the west end. 

The length from the bottom of the weight to the marker is 20.32 feet. 

The marker reads 17.00 feet when the weight is pulled up against the 

bottom of the bridge. The gage is read daily by Elmer O. Tompkins. 

Discharge measurements are made from the bridge. The channel is 

straight for about 500 feet above the station and for about 300 feet 

below. Both banks are subject to overflow at flood stages. The bed 

of the stream is sandy and shifting. The water flows in three channels at low water. The gage is referred to a United States Geological 

Survey standard iron bench mark which is 292 feet east of the bridge
HINDERUDER"! 

AND HOYT. J RED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 183

near the south line of the highway. Its elevation above gage datum 

is 10.64 feet and above sea level 1,539.8 feet.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of G. H. Matthes, district engineer.

Discharge measurements of Red Hirer (North Fork) near Granite, Okla., in 1904.

Date.

May 6.........

May 26........

June 9 ........

July 13........

August 30... .. .

October 21.....

 Hydrographer.

E. E,. Kerby.......

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

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

120

2

281

32

Area of 

section.

flg. feet. 

171

0.4

1,081

34

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.35

0.30

1.91

1.54

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

4.90

3.50

6.20

5.10

Discharge.

Second-feet. 

231

.12

2,062

49

«.0

fl.O

«.o

a Water standing in pools. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, Red River (North Fork) near Granite, Okla., for 1904.

Day.

1................

3................

4. ...............

5................

6................

7................

8....-.......:....

9................

10. ...............

11................

12................

13................

14.."..............

15................

16................

May.

C.6

7.0

4 9

4.5

4.5

4.4

4.3

4.2

4.1

June.

4.5

4.3

4.3

4.0

3 9

4.3

7.2

6.4

6.8

5.1

4 9

4.8

July.

5.0

5.0

4.8

6.5

6.0

n i

PL C

^ K

5.2

5.1

5.0

4 9

4.8

Aug.

5.2

5.6

5 PL

5.4

K I

5.1

4.8

Day.

17...............

18 ...............

19 ...............

20 ...............

21...............

22 ...............

9<4

25 ...............

26 ...............

27 ...............

28

90

30

May.

4.1

4.0

3.9

3.9

Q Q

3.8

3.7

s fi

3.6

3.5

3.6

3.9

4.0

5.1

4.7

June.

4.7

4.5

4.5

4.4

7.8

5.8

B.2

6.0

5.0

5.5

5.5

5.4

5.2

5.1

July.

4.7

4.6

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

Aug.

NOTE. No discharge except on days when gage heights are given.

ELK CREEK NEAR HOBART, OKLA.

This station was established September 22,1904, by Elmas R. Kerby. 

It is located about 3 miles southwest of Hobart, Okla., 300 feet north 

of public highway running west, and 450 feet upstream from a small 

temporary bridge across the creek. The gage is a plain staff, graduated to feet and tenths, fastened to a large cottonwood tree on the 

right bank, The gage is read once each day by A. P. Lockhart. 

Discharge measurements are made at low stages by wading 100 feet
184 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

below the gage. During high water, measurements are made from the 

bridge. A permanent bridge is to replace the temporary one, so no 

initial point for soundings has been selected. The channel is straight 

for about 100 feet above and below the station. The current varies, 

being swift in some places and sluggish in others. Both banks are 

high and wooded. The bed of the stream is free from vegetation, and 

is permanent. There is but one channel at all stages. The bench 

mark is a screw in the base of a large cottonwood tree on the left bank 

of the stream about 80 feet south of the gage. The tree is blazed on 

the east and south sides, and located about 120 feet north from the 

center of the public highway. The elevation of the bench mark is 

17.23 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of G. H. Matthes, district engineer.

Discharge measurements of Elk Creek near Hobart, Okla., in 1904- 

Date.

September 22 . .

Hydrographer.

Gordon and Kerbv

Width.

Feet. 

6.4

7.3

Area of 

section.

Sq.fect. 

2.9

4.3

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

0.61

.69

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

0.90

.95

Discharge.

Hec.-feet. 

1.8

3.0

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Elk Creek near Hobart, Okla., for 1904-

Day.

1................

3................

4................

5................

8................

9................

10................

11................

12................

13................

14................

15................

16................

Sept. Oct.

0.9

.9

9

9

.9

9

9

9

.9

..9

.9

9

9

1.3

.9

1.5

Nov.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1 Q

1.4

i ^

Dec.

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.8

1.9

1.9

Day.

17...............

19

21...............

25...............

26...............

27...............

n... ............

29...............

30...............

31...............

Sept.

0 9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

Oct.

1.1

1.1

.9

.9

.9

.9

9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

Nov.

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.8

1.8

Dec.

1.8

1.8

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9
HINDERLIDER 

AND HOYT. BED EIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 185

. OTTER CREEK NEAR MOUNTAIN PARK, OKLA.

This station was established April 2, 1903, by G. H. Matthes. 

It is located on G. M. Dale's homestead, 8E. i,.sec. 21, T. 3 N., R. 17 

W..-Indian meridian. It is"2 miles west and 1 mile north of Mountain 

Park, Okla. The gage consists of a 2 by 6 inch board, 26 feet long, 

bolted to a cotton wood tree, which stands at the water's edge. It is 

graduated to feet and tenths and marked with brass figures. The 

gage is read daily by G. M. Dale. The channel is slightly curved 

both above and below the station. Both banks are about 20 feet high, 

of sandy loam, covered with vegetation, and subject to overflow. 

The bed of the stream is of sand, and is liable to shift. The water 

flows in one channel at normal stages, but when about to overflow its 

banks part of the water is diverted through a slough into Horse 

Creek. Measurements of discharge are made by wading, as there are 

no bridges in this locality. Bench mark No. 1 is a 20-penny nail driven 

into the cottonwood tree to which the gage is attached. It is at the 

elevation of the 10-foot mark on the gage. Bench mark No. 2 is a 

nail driven into a rnesquite tree 150 feet southwest of G. M. Dale's 

house. It is 28.62 feet above the zero of the gage. Bench mark No. 

3 is a nail driven into a hackberry tree 50 feet east of the creek and 20 

feet north of the gage. It is 8.94 feet above the zero of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the^ direction of G. H. Matthes, district engineer.

Discharge measurements of Otter Creek near Mountain Park, Okla., in 1904-

Date.

April 9 ........

May 7.........

May 27........

July 14........

August 28 .....

September 23 . .

October 22.....

Hydrographer.

L. M. Holt ..........

E. R. Kerby. ........

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

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

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

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

4

11

1

1

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

1.2

4.4

.1

.1

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.22

.58

1.00

1 00

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

1.20

1.10

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

Discharge,

Sec.-feet. 

1.5

2.5

.1

.1

«. 0

«.o

«.o

a Water standing in pools.
186 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Otter Creek near Mountain Park, Okla., for 1904-

Day.

2..............

3..............

4..............

6..............

7..............

8..............

9

12..............

14..............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19

22..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Jan.

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

Feb.

1.4

1.4

1.4

1 ^

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

i q

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

Mar.

1 ">

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1 ^

1.3

i 3

1.2

1.2

1 9

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

Apr.

1.2

1.2

1 ''

1.2

1.5

1.2

1 ^

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

May.

1.0

1.0

1.2

i ^

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.5

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

g

9

9

g

9

1.5

1.3

1.0

June.

0 9

.9

3.0

 1.4

1.2

1.1

9.2

2.4

1.7

1.5

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

2.65

2.0

1.6

1.4

1.3

July.

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

9

9

9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.25

1.1

1.0

9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

g

.9

Aug.

0.8

1.1

1.1

.9

3

0

2.1

3.6

1.5

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.8

.8

.8

.9

.9

.9

.9

Sept.

0 9

.9

.9

.9

9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

q

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

Q

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

Oct.

0 9

.9

.9

.9

9

9

9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

9

.9

.9

.9

9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

Nov.

9

.9

.9

.9

9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

0.9

0.9

Dec.

0.9

.9

.9

.9

9

.9

.9

 .9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J RED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 187

Estimated monthly discharge of Otter Creek near Mountain Park, Okla.,for 1904- 

[Drainage area, 126 square miles.]

Month.

January ...........

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

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

April..... ..........

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

June -...-...-......

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

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

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

December ..........

The year .....

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

3

2.5 

2 

3 

188 

780 

1.8 

152 

0 

0 

0 

. 0

780

Minimum.

2.0 

2.0 

1.5 

1.0 

.5 

.1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0

0

Mean.

2.50 

2.07 

1.60 

1.35 

8.45 

40.1 

.40 

11.3 

0 

0 

0 

0

5.65

Total in 

acre-feet.

154 

118 

98 

80 

520 

2,386 

25 

695 

0 

0 

0 

0

4,076

Run-off.

Second-feet 

per square 

mile.

0.020 

.016 

.013 

.011 

.067 

.318 

.0032 

.090 

0 

0 

0 

0

.045

Depth in 

inches.

0.023 

.017 

.015 

.012 

.077 

.355 

.0037 

.104 

0 

0 

0 

0

.607

NOTE. The monthly estimates are an approximation based on the 1903 rating tables and interpolation between the 1904 measurements.

WASHITA EIVER AT ANADAKKO, OKLA.

This station, established October 25, 1902, by W. G. Russell, is 

located at the highway bridge one-half mile north of the Anadarko 

railroad depot. The gage is of the wire type, with the scaleboard 

graduated to feet and tenths, and spiked to the hand rail of the 

bridge. The initial point for soundings is on the right bank. The 

channel both above and below the station is straight for 200 feet; the 

right bank is high and the left bank is low; both banks are liable to 

overflow; the bed of the stream is sandy and constant. The observer 

is James H. Dunlap, who reads the gage once each day.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of G. H. Matthes, district engineer.
188 STBEAM MEASUBEMENTS IN 1904, PABT VIII. [NO. 131. 

Discharge measurements of Washita River at Anadarko, Okla., in 1904.

Date.

January 23 ....

May 3 .........

May 25 ........

June 6 ........

July 12........

July 23. .......

August 30 .....

September 20 . .

October 19.....

Hydrographer.

E. E. Kerby .........

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

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

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

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

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

.....do .....:........

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

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

Width.

Feet. 

65

70

68

72

73

70

76

63

56

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

108

308

147

287

909

220

148

92

96

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.24

1.84

2.16

1.79

3.12

2.12

1.28

1.16

.69

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

3.40

5.40

3.60

5.10

13.60

4.60

3.30

2.70

2.50

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

^ 134

566

318

513

2,850

466

190

94

76

Mean daily gage height, in feet, of Washita River at Anadarko, Okla., for 1904-

Day.

1..............

2..............

3..............

4..............

7..............

8..............

9..............

10.............. 

11..............

12..............

13..............

14.1............

15..............

16..............

17..............

18..............

19..............

20..............

21..............

22..............

23..............

24..............

25..............

26..............

27..............

28..............

29..............

30..............

31..............

Jan.

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3 

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

-3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

Feb.

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3

0

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3

0

3.3

3.3

3.3

3

0

3.3

q o.

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

Mar.

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3 

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3 9

3.2

3.2

3.2

Apr.

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.3

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.6

5.1

4.9

4.1

May.

5.8

6.1

5.4

4.9

4.1

9.6

10.1

5.9

5.6 

5.0

4.7

4.2

3.9

4.8

5.7

7.3

7.6

6.8

4.9

4.3

3.9

4.6

3.6

3.5

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.3

June.

4.0

4.4

5.0

4.7

7.1 5.l"

4.9

4.6

5.6

5.3 

7.6

9.6

10.4

9.7

6.8

5.6

4.7

4.2

4.0

3.9

3.8

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.6

4.3

4.7

5.9

4.9

July.

4.1

5.7

3.5

3.4

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

9.7 

12.2

13.6

14.1

14.6

13.1

7.8

6.4

6.0

5.5

5.2

4.9

4.7

4.6

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.9

4.4

4.2

4.0 '4.0

Aug.

3.9

3.8

4.1

4.3

4.7

5.9

8.9

6.4

5.9

4.1 

4.6

4.2

4.0

3.9

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.2

3.1

3.1

3.3

3.0

Sept.

3.0

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8 

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.7

. 2.7

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.5

Oct.

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4 

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

Nov.

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.4 

 2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

Dec.

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5 

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.8

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6
HINDERLIDERl 

AND HOYT. J

BED EIVEK DRAINAGE BASIN. 189

Estimated monthly discharge of Washita River at Anadarko, Okla., 1902-1904-

Month.

1902.

October 25^31......................... 170

November............................ 1,500

December ............................ 1,000

1903.

January.............................. 205

February............... ............. 1,920

March................................ 2,760

April................................. 551

May ................................. 7,500

June...-........................./... 3,110

July ................. ............... 720

August............................... 220

September............................ 94

October .............................. 82

November............................ 103

December ............................ 105

The year ...............^........ 7,500

1904.

January._............................ 147

February............................. 117

March................................ 117

April................................. 511

May ................................. 1,766

June.................................| 1,856

July ..................................| 3,180

August............................... 1,420

September............................ 148

October ............................... 76

November............................ 74

December ............................ ' 118

The year ....................... 3,180

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum. Minimum.

170

165

225

160

140

311

228

311

699

230

95

55

65

73

92

55

103

117

102

102

215

196

164

148

74

46

46

74

46

Mean.

170

395

330

177

312

666

314

1,815

1,210

376

159

70.3

75.0

88.4

101

447

119

117

108

148

569

588

792

335

105

55.5

60.9

80.8

257

Total in 

acre-feet.

2,360

23,500

20, 290

10, 880

17, 330

40,950

18, 680

111,600

72,000

23,120

9,777

4,183

4,612

5,260

6,210

324, 600

7,317

6, 730*

6,641

8,807

34,990

34,990

48,700

20,600

6,248

3,413

3,624

4,968

187,000

NOTE. Discharges for 1902, 1903, and 1904 applied indirectly, taking into account periodic changes 

in channel between flood crests.
190 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

OUACHITA RIVER NEAR MALVERN, ARK.

This station is located at the fall line on the river, at the Rockport 

Bridge, If miles northwest of Malvern, Ark. The vertical gage, which 

is fastened to the web between the cylinders of the first pier from the 

left bank, was installed March 3, 1903, by the General Bauxite Company. It is read once daily by A. M. Baker. Discharge measurements are made from a three-span iron highway bridge 500 feet long 

and from 30 feet of trestle approach on the right bank, and the first 

was made by J. M. Giles, May 15, 1903, at which date bench marks 

were established. The initial point for soundings is the end of the 

iron bridge on the downstream side at the left bank. The channel 

is straight for 1,000 feet above and 800 feet below the station. The 

right bank is high and wooded and overflows only during extreme 

floods. The left bank does not overflow. The bed of the stream is 

composed mainly of rock and is permanent. An old dam just below 

the bridge is the cause of the sluggish.current at low water. At this 

stage, however, measurements can be made by wading at gaps in the 

dam, where a good velocity may be obtained. Bench mark No. 1 is 

the top of the first cylindrical pier from the left bank on the downstream side. Its elevation is 27.08 feet above the zero of the gage. 

Bench march No. 2 is a copper plug set in the northwest corner of the 

left concrete abutment. Its elevation is 26.23 feet above the zero of 

the gage. Bench mark No. 3 is the top of an eyebolt set in the solid 

rock about 25 feet south of the bridge, at a point 90 feet from the 

initial point for soundings. Its elevation is 11.86 feet above the zero 

of the gage.

The observations at this station during 1904 have been made under 

the direction of M. R. Hall, district hydrographer.

Discharge measurements of Ouachita River near Malvern, Ark. , in 1903 and 1904.

Date.

1903. 

Ma£ 15........

May 16 ........

Julv 9 .........

July 9 .........

July 10 ........

1904. 

April 25 .......

April 25 .......

April 26 .......

April 26 .......

Hydrographer.

J. M. Giles..........

..I.. do...... ........

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

.....flo. .............

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

J. M. Giles ..........

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

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

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

Width.

Feet.

480

480

470

410

Area of 

section.

Sq. feet. 

2,471

2, 252 .

421

172

177

5,734

5,446

4,019

3,600

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. per sec. 

1.77

1.53

.40

1.15

1.37

3.09

2.88

2.20

2.22

Gage 

height.

Feet. 

5.60

5.00

.65

.65

.80

12.30

11.60

8.45

7.90

* 

Discharge.

Sec.-feet. 

4,395

3,455

171

198

243

17,700

15, 660

8,849

7,989
HINDERLIDER'1 

AND HOYT. J

RED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 191

Mean daily gage height, in feel, of Ouachita River near Malvem, Ark.

Day.

1......................

2......................

3

'

4......................

5......................

6......................

7......................

8......................

9......................

10......................

11......................

12......................

13......................

14......................

15......................

16......................

17......................

18......................

19......................

20.. ................... :

21......................

22......................

23......................

24......................

25......................

26 ......................

27......................

28......................

29......................

30......................

31......................

Feb.

2.90

2.70

2.40

2.30

2.20

2.00

2.00

1.90

1.80

1.80

1.70

1.60

1.60

1.60

1.50

1.50

1.50

2.40

11.70

11.70

9.40

11.20

9.40

7.90

6.50

5.70

5.00

4.60

4.10

Mar.

3.80

3.40

3 fin . v/u

2.90

2.80

2.70

2.60

2.50

2.50

2.30

2.20

2.10

4.20

5.30

4.70

4.40

6.00

17.70

11. 30

8.00

7.70

6.70

8.50

6.50

6.10

5.60

6.10

6.60

5.40

5.00

4.40

Apr.

4.50

4.20

3.90

3.50

3.30

4.00

4.40

6.00

6.10

6.10

5.10

4.60

4.00

3.70

3.30

3.30

6.60

4.90

4.40

3.70

3.60

4.10

4.00

5.40

11.90

8.70

5.00

4.50

4.30

4.30

May.

3.80

3 80

3.60

3.00

3.00

3.00

4.50

6.00

5.60

4.70

3.80

3.30

3.70

3.10

3.00

2.60

2.00

1.90

1.60

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.30

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

June.

1.00

1.00

1. 00

.90

12.85

16.65

12. 95

8.70

9.70

10.00

7.60

5.70

4.80

'4.40

3.80

3.00

2.70

2.80

2.80

2.40

2.30

2.00

2.10

3.00

3.40

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

July.

2.00

1.70

1. 20'

1.10

1.10

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.20

1.20

1.10

2.00

1.90

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

2.30

2.50

3.70

3.00

2.20

2.10

2.00

1.90

1.90

1.80

2.00

62.50

Aug.

3.00

1.70

1.20

3.50

2.70

2.20

3.50

2.80

2.80

2.20

2.00

1.90

1.80

1.80

1.20

1.10

1.80

2.00

1.00

1.00

.70

.70

.70

.60

.60

.50

.40

..40

.50

.50

.50

Sept.

0.50

.50

2.10

1.80

1.40

1.00

.80

;80

.80

.70

.60

.60

.70

.70

.50

.50

.60

.60

.60

.50

.50

.50

.50

.60

.70

.80

.90

.80

1.00

1.00

Oct.a

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

Nov.

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

.......

0.80

1.00

1.00

.60

.60

.40

.40

.40

.40

.40

Dec.

0.30

.40

.20

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.10

.20

.20

.20

.20

10

.00

.00

.'00

.10

.10

.30

.20

.40

1.10

3.00

3.30

3.00

2.00

2.00

a Gage heights October 1 to November 20 omitted, owing to probable error. b Estimated.
192 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131.

Rating table for Ouachita River near Malvcrn, Ark., from March 1, 1903, to December

31, 1904.

Gage 

height.

Feet.

0.60

.10

.20

.30

.40

.50

.60

.70

.80

.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

Discharge.

Second-feet.

40

60

80

105

130

155

180

210

240

270

300

335

370

410

450

495

540

Gage 

height.

Feet.

1.70

1.80

1.^90

2.00

2.10

2.20

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3.10

3.20

3.30

Discharge.

Second-feet.

590

640

700

760

820

880

940

1,000

1,070

1,140

1,220

1,300

1,380

1,460

1,540

1,620

1,710

Gage 

height.

Feet.

3.40

3.50

3.60

3.70

3.80

3.90

4.00

4.20

4.40

4.60

4.80

5.00

5.20

5.40

5.60 ^

5.80

6.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

1,800

1,900

2,000

2,100

2,200

2,300

2,400

2,600

2,820

3,050

3,290

3,530

3,770

4,020

4,300

4,580

4,860

Gage 

height.

Feet.

6.20

6.40

6.60

6.80

7.00

7.50

8.00

8.50

9.00

9.50

10.00

10.50

11.00

11.50

12.00

Discharge.

Second-feet.

5,140

5,430

5,730

6, 050

6,380

7,230

8,100

9,050

10, 050

11, 090

12, 160

13, 270

14, 440

15, 650

16,900

The above table is applicable only for open-channel conditions. It is based upon 

9 discharge measurements made during 1903 and 1904. It is fairly well defined 

between gage heights 0.0 foot and 13 feet. The table has been extended beyond 

these limits. Above gage height 12 feet the rating curve is a tangent, the difference 

being 250 per tenth.
HINDERLIDER"! 

AND HOYT. J BED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN. 193 

Estimated monthly discharge of Ouachita River near Malvern, ArJe., for 1903 and 1904-

Month.

1903. 

March 3-31......... ............................

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

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

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

December 1-26. . ................................

1904. 

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

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

April. ..........................................

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

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

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

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

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

November 21-30 ................................

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

Discharge in second-feet.

Maximum.

36,900 

1,710 

37, 400 

5,430 

880 

8,100 

5,430 

25, 900 

300 

1,620

16, 150 

31, 150 

16, 650 

4,860 

28,520 

2,100 

1,900 

820 

300 

1,710

Minimum.

1,900 

640 

640 

240 

155 

270 

300 

300 

210 

210

495 

820 

1,710 

300 

270 

300 

130 

155 

130 

40

Mean.

8,914 

1,006 

5,231

1,210 

248 

2,176 

1,177 

2, 323 

229 

386

3,780 

4,694 

3,637 

1,300 

4,571 

630 

617 

248 

185 

267

IRR 131 05 13
194 STREAM MEASUREMENTS IN 1904, PART VIII. [NO. 131. 

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS IN BED RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN.

The following miscellaneous measurements were made in the Red 

River drainage basin in 1904:

Miscellaneous measurements in Red River drainage basin in 1904- 

[By Elmas R. Kerby and L. M. Holt.]

Date.

May 6...

July l3..

Aug. 29..

Apr. 6. . .

Apr. 22..

May 20 . .

Sept. 5...

May 16 . . 

June 4...

May 5... 

Apr. 8...

Apr. 7...

May 5... 

May 5...

Stream.

Elk Creek. ......

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

Little Elk Creek .

Elk Creek. ......

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

East Elk Creek . .

Cache Creek .....

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

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

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

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

Medicine Creek . . 

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

Washita River . . . 

.....do^..........

Calvary Creek . . . 

Boggy Creek.....

Locality.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fort Sill, Okla . . . 

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

Clinton, Okla .... 

Shelley, Okla

Cordell, Okla ....

Width.

Feet. 

17

48

18

15

5.4

14

48

114

14

6.5

18 

19

77 

45

4

1

17

Area of 

section.

Sq.feet. 

41

428

36

24

3

4.2

6

113

1,457

9.8

2.7

18 

9.5

479 

36

1.7

1.0

12

Mean 

velocity.

Ft. -per sec. 

1.15

2.14

.80

1.19

.72

1.00

.42

1.90

3.08

1.40

.44

2.98 

1.16

2.91 

1.18

1.2

1.0

2.02

Discharge.

Sec. feet. 

48

918

29

29

2.2

4.2

2.5 214'

4,492

13.7

1.2

54 

11

1,395 

42

2

1

24
INDEX.

Aleova, Wyo. Page.

North Platte River'near:

description......................... 34

discharge........................... 34 ,

gage heights........................ 35

Alva, Okla.

Arkansas River (Salt Fork) near:

description......................... 144

discharge........................... 145

gage heights........................ 145

Anadarko, Okla.

Washita River at:

description.......................... 187

discharge........................... 188

discharge, monthly................. 189

gage heights........................ 188

Arcadia, Nebr.

Middle Loup River at:

discharge........................... 87

Arkalon, Kans.

Cimarron River near:

description....................... 148-149

discharge........................... 149

gage heights........................ 149

Arkansas City, Kans.

Arkansas River near:

description......................... 141

discharge........................... 142

discharge, monthly................. 144

gage heights........................ 142

rating table ........................ 143

Arkansas River at and near 

Arkansas City, Kans.:

description......................... 141

discharge........................... 142

discharge, monthly................. 144

gage heights........................ 142

rating table ........................ 143

Canyon City, Colo.:

description ....................... 126-128

discharge......................... 128,179

discharge, monthly................. 130

gage heights........................ 129

rating table ........................ 129

Dodge, Kans.:

description......................... 135

discharge........................... 136

discharge, monthly................. 138

gage heights........................ 137

rating table......................... 138

Hutchinson, Kans.:

description......................... 139

discharge........................... 139

discharge, monthly................. 141

gage heights........................ 140

rating table......................... 140

La Junta, Colo.:

discharge........................... 180

Arkansas River at and near Page.

Nepesta, Colo.:

discharge........................... 180

Prowers, Colo.:

discharge........................... 181

Pueblo, Colo.:

description....................... 130-131

discharge........... ............. 132,180

 discharge, monthly ................ 133

gage heights........................ 132

rating table ........................ 133

Syracuse, Kans.:

description......................... 134

discharge........................... 134

gage heights........................ 135

Arkansas Riyer (Salt Fork) near 

Alva, Okla.:

description......................... 144

discharge........................... 145

gage heights................. 1...... 145

Tonkawa, Okla.:

description....................... 145-146

discharge........................... 146

gage heights...................... 146-147

Arkansas River drainage basin:

description............................. 126

miscellaneous measurements in...... 179-181

Arlington, Nebr.

Elkhorn River at:

discharge........................... 86

Beaver, Okla.

Beaver Creek near:

description......................... 171

discharge........................... 172

gage heights........................ 172

Beaver Creek near 

Beaver, Okla.:

description ......................... 171

discharge............... ........... 172

gage heights........................ 172

Beaver River near 

Scott City, Kans.:

description....................... 112-113

discharge........................... 113

gage heights........................ 113

Benkelman, Nebr.

Republican River at:

description......................... 95

discharge........................... 95

discharge, mean daily.............. 97

discharge, monthly ................' 98

gage heights........................ 96

Republican River (South Fork) near:

description......................... 98-99

discharge........................... 99

discharge, mean daily.............. 101

discharge, monthly ................ 102

gage heights........................ 100

195
196 INDEX.

Bessie, Okla. Page. 

Boggy Creek at:

discharge........................... 194

Big Grizzly Creek at 

Hebron, Colo.:

description......................... 63

discharge........................... 54

discharge, monthly ................ 55

gage heights........................ 54

rating table ........................ 55

Blue Creek in 

Nebraska, sec. 18, T. 16, R. 42:

discharge........................... 86

Blue River at and near 

Manhattan, Kans.:

description......................... 114

discharge........................... 114

discharge, monthly ................ 117

gage heights........................ 115

ratingtable ........................ 116

Oak, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Wymore, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Boggy Creek at 

Bessie, Okla.:

discharge........................... 194

Boswick, Nebr.

Republican River near:

description....................... 102-103

discharge........................... 103

discharge, monthly ................ 104

gage heights........................ 103

rating table ........................ 104

Brewster, Nebr.

North Loup River at:

discharge........................... 87

Bridgeport, Nebr.

North Platte River near:

description................:........ 42

discharge........................... 43

discharge, monthly ................ 44

gage heights........................ 43

rating table ........................ 44

Brownlee, Nebr.

North Loup River at:

discharge........................... 87

Cache Creek at 

Lawton, Okla.:

discharge........................... 194

Calf Creek inNebraska, sec. 5, T. 25, R. 26:

discharge........................... 86

Callaway, Nebr.

South Loup River at:

discharge........................... 87

Calvary Creek at 

Cordell, Okla.:

discharge........................... 194

Canadian Creek near 

Cowdrey, Colo.:

description......................... 64

discharge........................... 65

discharge, monthly................. 66

gage heights........................ 65

rating table......................... 66

Canadian River at Page.

Union City, Okla.:

discharge........................... 181

Canadian River (North Fork) nearEl Reno, Okla.:

description......................... 174

discharge........................... 174

discharge, monthly................. 177

gage heights........................ 175

ratingtable......................... 176

Woodward, Okla.:

description....................... 172-173

discharge........................... 173

gage heights........................ 173

'Canyon City, Colo.

Arkansas River near:

description ....................... 126-128

discharge......................... 128,179

discharge, monthly................. 130

gage heights........................ 129

rating table......................... 129

Cascade, Nebr.

North Loup River at:

discharge........................... 87

Catoosa, Ind. T.

Verdigris River near:

description......................... 153

discharge........................... 153

gage heights........................ 154

Champion, Nebr.

Frenchman River at:

discharge........................... 117

Cimarron River at and near 

Arkalon. Kans.:

description .......-..^............. 148-149

discharge........................... 149

gage heights........................ 149

Coin, Okla.:

discharge........................... 181

Kenton, Okla.:

description....................... 147-148

discharge........................... 181

gage heights........... ............ 148

Waynoka, Okla.:

description......................... 150

discharge........................... 150

gage heights ....................... 151

Clear Creek at 

Forkscreek, Colo.:

description......................... 80

discharge........................... 81

discharge, monthly ................ 82

gage heights. ...................... 81

rating table........................ 82

Clinton, Okla.

Washita River at:

discharge........................... 194

Coin, Okla.

Cimarron River at:

discharge........................... 181

Columbus, Nebr.

Loup River at:

description......................... 82-83

discharge........................... 84

discharge, mean daily.............. 85

discharge, monthly ................ 86

gage heights ....................... 84
INDEX. 197

Columbus, Nebr. Continued. Page.

Platte River near:

description-......................... 50-51

discharge..............."............ 51

discharge, monthly ................ 53

gage heights ....................... 52

rating table ........................ 52

Cordell, Okla.

Calvary Creek at:

discharge........................... 194

Cowdrey, Colo.

Canadian Creek near:

description......................... 64

discharge........................... 65

discharge, monthly ................ 66

gage heights ........................ 65

rating table ........................ 66

Michigan Creek near:

description......................... 61-62

discharge........................... 62

discharge, monthly ................ 64

gage heights ....................... 63

rating table ........................ 63

North Platte River near:

description......................... 25-26

discharge........................... 26

discharge, monthly ................ 28

gage heights ....................... 27

rating table ........................ 27

Curtis, Nebr.

Medicine Creek at:

discharge........................... 117

Deer Creek at 

Hydro, Okla.:

discharge........................... 181

Denver, Colo.

South Platte River at:

description ......................... 74-75

discharge........................... 75

discharge, mean daily.............. 76

discharge, monthly ................ 77

Dismal River at 

Dunning, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 86

Dodge, Kans.

Arkansas River near:

description........... ............. 135

discharge........................... 136

discharge, monthly ................ 138

gage heights........................ 137

rating table......................... 138

Dunning, Nebr.

Dismal River at:

discharge........................... 86

East Elk Creek at 

Salem, Okla.:

discharge........................... 194

El Reno, Okla.

Canadian River (North Fork) near:

description ......................... 174'

discharge........................... 174

discharge, monthly................. 177

gage heights........................ 175

rating table......................... 176

Elk Creek near Page.

Hobart, Okla.:

description ....................... 183-184

discharge......................... 184,194

gage heights........................ 184

Elkhorn River at 

Arlington, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 86

Ellsworth, Kans.

Smoky Hill River at:

description....................... 108-109

discharge........................... 109

discharge, monthly ................ Ill

gage heights........................ 109

rating table......................... 110

Englewood, Kans.

Perry's ditch at:

discharge........................... 181

Eureka, Mo.

Meramec River near:

description......................... 120

discharge........................... 120

discharge, monthly................. 123

gage heights........................ 121

rating table......................... 122

Fall River at 

Fall river, Kans.:

description ....................... 154-155

gage heights........................ 155

Fallriver, Kans.

Fall River at:

description ....................... 154-155

gage heights........................ 155

Forkscreek, Colo.

Clear Creek at:

description.......................... 80

discharge............................ 81

discharge, monthly ................. 82

gage heights......................... 81

rating table ......................... 82

Fort Gibson, Ind. T.

Grand River near:

description....................... 158-159

discharge........................... 159

gage heights........................ 160

Fort Sill, Okla.

Medicine Creek at:

discharge........................... 194

Frenchman River at 

Champion, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Palisade, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Sec. 18, T. 16, R. 40, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Glendevey, Colo.:

Laramie River near:

description......................... 66-67

discharge.......... ................ 67

gage heights ....................... 67

Gleneyre, Colo.

Mclntyre Creek at:

description.......................... 69

discharge........................... 69

discharge, monthly .......... ..... 70

gage heights........................ 70

rating table ........................ 70
198 INDEX.

Glenwood Creek in Page.

Nebraska, sec. 15, T. 18, R. 50:

discharge........................... 86

Goose Creek in 

Nebraska, sec. 18, T. 25, R. 24:

discharge........................... 86

Grand Island, Nebr.

Platte River at:

discharge........................... 87

Grand River near 

Fort Gibson, Ind. T.:

description....................... 158-159

discharge........................... 159

gage heights........................ "160

Granite, Okla.

Red River (North Fork) near:

description....................... 182-183

discharge........................... 183

gage heights........................ 183

Greer, Mo.

Greer Spring at:

description......................... 178

discharge........................... 178

gage heights........................ 179

Greer Spring at 

Greer, Mo.:

description......................... 178

discharge. ........................... 178

gage heights........................ 179

Guernsey, Wyo.

North Platte River near:

description ......................... 35-36

discharge........................... 36

discharge, monthly ................ 38

gage heights........................ 37

rating table......................... 38

Hebron, Colo.

Big Grizzly Creek at:

description.......................... 53

discharge........................... 54

discharge, monthly................. 55

gage heights........................ 54

rating table......................... 55

Little Grizzly Creek near:

description ......................... 55-56

discharge........................... 56

discharge, monthly................. 57

gage heights........................ 56

rating table......................... 57

Roaring Fork River near:

description......................... 57-58

discharge........................... 58

discharge, monthly................. 59

gage heights........................ 68

rating table......................... 59

North Platte River near:

description ......................... 20-21

discharge........................... 21

discharge, monthly................. 23

gage heights........................ 22

rating table......................... 22

Higho, Colo.

North Platte River (North Fork) at:

description......................... 23

discharge........................... 24

discharge, monthly................. 25

gage heights........................ 24

rating table......................... 25

Hobart, Okla. Page.

Elk Creek near:

description....................... 183-184

discharge......................... 184,194

gage heights........................ 184

Little Elk Creek at:

discharge........................... 194

Humboldt, Kans.

Neosho River near:

description....................... 157-158

gage heights........................ 158

Hutchinson, Kans.

Arkansas River at:

description......................... 139

discharge........................... 139

discharge, monthly ................ 141

gage heights........................ 140

rating table........................ 140

Hydro, Okla.

Deer Creek at:

discharge........................... 181

Independence, Kans.

Verdigris River near:

description....................... 151-152

gage heights........................ 152

Jelm, Wyo.

Laramie River near

description......................... 67-68

discharge........................... 68

gage heights........................ 68

Julesburg, Colo.

South Platte River near:

description.......................... 77-78

. discharge.......................^... 78,87

discharge, monthly ................ 80

gage heights........................ 79

rating table ........................ 79

Junction, Kans.

Republican River at:

description......................... 105

discharge........................... 105

discharge, monthly ................ 108

gage heights........................ 106

rating table ...........:............ 107

Kansas River at and near 

Lecompton, Kans.:

description......................... 91-92

discharge........................... 92

discharge, monthly ................ 94

gage heights........................ 92

rating table ........................ 93-94

St. George, Kans.:

description......................... 88

gage heights........................ 89

Topeka, Kans.:

description ................... 89-90,90-91

discharge........................... 90

gage heights........................ 90

Kansas River drainage basin:

description ............................. 87-88

miscellaneous measurements in........ 117

Kaw River. See Kansas River. 

Kenton, Okla.

Cimarron River near:

description....................... 147-148

discharge........................... 181

gage heights........................ 148
INDEX. 199

Kimb'all, Nebr.

Lodgepole River at:

discharge........................... 86-87

La Cueva, N. Mex. 

Mora canal at:

desciiption ......................... 163

gage heights........................ 164

Mora River at 

. description....................... 162-163

gage heights ....................... 163

La Junta, Colo.

Arkansas River at:

discharge........................... 180

Ladder Creek. See Beaver River. 

Laramic River near 

Glendevey, Colo.:

description ......................... 66-67

discharge........................... 67

gage heights........................' 67

Jelm.Wyo.:

description ......................... 67-68

discharge........................... 68

gage heights........................ 68

Lawton, Okla.

Cache Creek at:

discharge........................... 194

Lecompton, Kans. 

Kansas River at:

description......................... 91-92

discharge........................... 92

discharge, monthly ................ 94

gage heights........................ 92

rating table ........................ 93-94

Lewellen, Nebr.

North Platte River at:

discharge........................... 87

Lexington, Nebr. 

Platte River near:

description..:...................... 47-48

discharge........................... 48 ,

discharge, monthly ................ 50 , gage heights........................ 49

rating table......................... 49

Litchfleld, Nebr. . Mud Creek at:

discharge........................... 87

Little Elk Creek at 

Hobart, Okla.:

discharge........................... 194

Little Grizzly Creek near 

Hebron, Colo:

description......................... 55-56

discharge........................... 56

discharge, monthly ................ 57

gage heights........................ 56

rating table........................ 57

Lodgepole River, Nebr. 

at Kimball, Nebr.:

discharge........................'... 86-87

in Platte River basin:

discharge........................... 86-87

Logan, N. Mex.

South Canadian River near:

description....................... 160-161

discharge......................"..... 161

gage heights.......................; 162 I

Logan, N. Mex. Continued. 

Ute Creek near:

description......................... 170

gage heights........................ 171

Los Alamos, N. Mex. 

Sapello River near:

description ....................... 166-167

Discharge.......................... 167

gage heights........................ 168

Loup River at 

Columbus, Nebr.:

description......................... 82-83

discharge........................... 84

discharge, mean daily.............. 85

discharge, monthly................. 86

McCook, Nebr.

Republican River at:

discharge........................... 117

Mclntyre Creek at 

Gleneyre, Colo.:

description......................... 69

discharge........................... 69

discharge, monthly................. 70

gage heights........................ 70

rating table......................... 70

Malvern, Ark.

Ouachita River near:

description......................... 190

discharge........................... 190

discharge, monthly...............1. 193

gage heights..........:............. 191

rating table......................... 192

Manhattan, Kans.

Blue River near:

description......................... 114

discharge........................... 114

t discharge, monthly................. 117

gage heights........................ 11.5

rating table......................... 116

Manuelitos River at 

Sapello, N. Mex.:

description......................... 169

gage heights........................ 170

Medicine Creek at 

Curtis, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Fort Sill, Okla.:

discharge........................... 194

Meramec, Mo.

Meramec River near:

description......................... 118

discharge........................... 119

gage heights........................ 119

Meramec Spring near:

description......................... 123

discharge........................... 124

discharge, monthly................. 125

gage heights........................ 124

rating table ......................... 125

Meramec River near 

Eureka, Mo.:

description ......................... 120

discharge. .......................... 120

discharge, monthly ................ 123

gage heights........................ 121

rating table......................... 122
200 INDEX.

Meramec River near Page.

Meramee, Mo.:

description ......................... 118

discharge................. ......... 119

gage heights........................ 119

Meramec River drainage basin:

description............................. 118

Meramec Spring near 

Meramec, Mo.:

description ......................... 123

discharge.........................'.. 124

discharge, monthly................. 126

gage heights........................ 124

rating table......................... 125

Michigan Creek near 

Walden, Colo.:

description ......................... 59-60

discharge........................... 60

discharge, monthly................. 61

gage heights........................ 60

rating table......................... 61

Cowdrey, Colo.:

description ......................... 61-62

discharge........................... 62

discharge, monthly................. 64

gage heights........................ 63

rating table......................... 63

Middle Fork Riyer. See Michigan Creek. 

Middle Loup River at 

Arcadia, Nebr.:

' discharge........................... 87

St. Paul, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

Sec. 32, T. 19, R. 21, Nebraska:

discharge........................... 87

Seneca, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

Thedford, Nebr.: .

discharge........................... 87

Mitchell, Nebr.

North Platte River near:

description......................... 39

discharge........................... 40

discharge, monthly................. 41

gage heights........................ 40

rating table......................... 41

Mora canal at 

La Cueva, N. Mex.:

description......................... 163

gage heights........................ 164

Mora River at 

La Cueva, N. Mex.:

description ....................... 162-163

gage heights........................ 163

Weber, N. Mex.:

description ......................... 164

discharge........................... 165

gage heights........................ 165

Mountain Park, Okla.

Otter Creek near:

description......................... 185

discharge........................... 185

discharge, monthly ................ 187

gage heights........................ 186

Mud Creek at 

Litchfleld, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

Naponce, Nebr. Page.

Millrace at:

discharge........................... 117

Naponce Creek at:

discharge........................... 117

Republican River at:

discharge........................... 117

Turkey Creek at:

discharge........................... 117

Naponce Creek at 

Naponce, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Neosho Rapids, Kans.

Neosho River near:

description......................... 156

gage heights ....................... 157

Neosho River near 

Humboldt, Kans.:

description....................... 157-J58

gage heights........................ 158

Neosho Rapids, Kans.:

description......................... 156

gage heights........................ 157

Nepesta, Colo.

Arkansas River at:

discharge........................... 180

Newport, Ark.

White River near:

discharge........................... 181

North Loup River at 

Brewster, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

Brownlee, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

Cascade, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

St. Paul, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

North Platte, Nebr.

North Platte River at:

description......................... 44-45

discharge........................... 45

discharge, monthly ................ 47

gage heights........................ 46

rating table ........................ 46

South Platte River at:

discharge........................... 87

North Platte River at and near 

Alcova, Wyo.:

description.......................... 34

discharge........................... 34

gage heights........................ 35

Bridgeport, Nebr.:

description......................... 42

discharge........................... 43

discharge, monthly ................ 44

gage heights........................ 43

rating table ........................ 44

Cowdrey, Colo.:

description......................... 25-26

discharge........................... 26

discharge, monthly .... ^........... 28

gage heights..................:..... 27

ratingtable........................ 27
INDEX. 201

North Platte Kiver at and near Page.

Guernsey, Wyo.:

description ......................... 35-36

discharge........................... 36

discharge, monthly................ 38

gage heights........................ 37

rating table ........................ 38

Hebron, Colo.: -

description ......................... 20-21

discharge............................ 21

discharge, monthly ................ 23

gage heights........................ 22

rating table ........................ 22

Lewellen, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

Mitchell, Nebr.:

description ......................... 39

discharge........................... 40

discharge, monthly ................ 41

gage heights........................ 40

rating table ........................ 41

North Platte, Nebr.:

description ......................... 44-45

discharge........................... 45

discharge', monthly ................ 47

gage heights........................ 46

rating table .....'................... 46

Pinkhampton, Colo.:

description......................... 28

discharge........................... 29

discharge, monthly ................ 30

gage heights........................ 29

rating table ........................ 30

Saratoga, Wyo.:

description......................... 30-31

discharge........................... 31

discharge, monthly ................ 33

gage heights........................ 32

rating table ........................ 33

Sec. 18, T. 14, K. 36, Nebraska:

discharge........................... 87

Southerland, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

North Platte River (North Pork) at 

Higho, Colo.:

description ......................... 23

discharge....................I...... 24

discharge, monthly ................ 26

gage heights........................ 24

rating table ........................ 25

Oak, Nebr.

Blue River at:

discharge........................... 117

Ogalalla, Nebr.

South Platte River at:

discharge..:........................ 87

Otter Creek nearMountain Park, Okla.:

description......................... 185

discharge........................... 185

discharge, monthly................. 187

gage heights ....................... 186

Ouachita River near 

Malvern, Ark.:

description......................... 190

discharge. '. ......................... 190

discharge, monthly................. 193

gage heights........................ 191

ratingtable ........................ 192

Palisade, Nebr.

Frenchman River at:

discharge........................... 117

Stinking Water Creek at:

discharge........................... 117

Perry's ditch at 

Englewood, Kans.:

discharge........................... 181

Pinkhampton, Colo.

North Platte River near:

description......................... 28

discharge........................... -29

discharge, monthly................. 30

gage heights........................ 29

ratingtable ........................ 30

Platte River at and nearColumbus, Nebr.:

description......................... 50-51

discharge........................... 51

discharge, monthly................. 63

gage heights........................ 62

rating table ........................ 62

Grand Island, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

Lexington, Nebr.:

description......................... 47-48

discharge........................... 48

discharge, monthly................. 50

gage heights........................ 49

rating table ........................ 49

Sec. 29, T. 12, R. 26, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

Valley, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

Platte River drainage basin:

description............................. 20

miscellaneous measurements in........ _86-87

. Prowers, Colo.

Arkansas River at:

discharge........................... 181

Pueblo, Colo.,

Arkansas River at:

description....................... 130-131

discharge......................... 132,180

discharge, monthly................. 133

gage heights........................ 132

ratingtable ........................ 133

Pumpkin Seed Creek in 

Nebraska, sec. 33, T. 19, R. 62:

discharge........................... 87

Red River (North Fork) nearGranite, Okla.:

description....................... 182-183

discharge........................... 183

gage heights........................ 183

Red River drainage basin:

description............................. 182

miscellaneous measurements in........ 194

Republican River at and near 

Benkelman, Nebr.:

description......................... 95

discharge........................... 95

discharge, mean daily.............. 97

discharge, monthly ................ 98

gage heights........................ 96
202 INDEX.

Republican River at and near Page.

Boswick, Nebr.:

description....................... 102-103

discharge........................... 103

discharge, monthly................. 104

gage heights........................ 103

ratingtable ........................ 104

Junction, Kans.:

description......................... 105

discharge........................... 105

discharge, monthly................. 108

gage heights........................ 106

ratingtable ........................ 107

McCook, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Naponce, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Warwick, Kans.:

discharge........................... 117

Republican River (South Fork) near 

Benkelman, Nebr.:

description ......................... 98-99

discharge........................... 99

discharge, mean daily.............. 101

discharge, monthly................. 102

gage heights........................ 100

Roaring Fork River near 

Hebron, Colo.:

description......................... 57-58

discharge........................... 58

discharge, monthly................. 59

gage heights........................ 58

rating table ........................ 59

St. George, Kans.

Kansas River near:

description......................... 88

gage heights........................ 89

St. Paul, Nebr.

Middle Loup River at:

discharge........................... 87

North Loup River at:

discharge........................... 87

Salem, Okla.

East Elk Creek at:

discharge........................... 194

Sapello, N. Mex.

Sapello River at:

description....................... 165-166

gage heights........................ 166

Manuelitos River at:

description......................... 169

gage heights........................ 170

Sapello mill tailrace at:

description....................... 168-169

gage heights........................ 169

Sapello mill tailrace at 

Sapello, N. Mex.:

description....................... 168-169

gage heights........................ 169

Sapello River at and near 

Los Alamos, N. Mex.:

description........'............... 166-167

discharge........................... 167

gage heights........................ 168

Sapello, N. Mex.:

description....................... 165-166

gage heights........................ 166

Sappa Creek at Page.

Stamford, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Saratoga, Wyo.

North Platte River at:

description......................... 30-31

discharge........................... 31

discharge, monthly................. 33

gage heights........................ 32

rating table......................... 33

Scott City, Kans.

Beaver River near:

description....................... 112-113

discharge........................... 113

gage heights........................ 113

Seneca, Nebr.

Middle Loup River at:

discharge........................... 87

Shelley, Okla. . Washita River at:

discharge........................... 194

Smoky Hill River at and near 

Ellsworth, Kans.:

description....................... 108-109

discharge........................... 109

discharge, monthly................. Ill

gage heights........................ 109

rating table......................... 110

Solomon, Kans.:

description......................... Ill

discharge........................... 112-

gage heights........................ 112

Solomon, Kans.

Smoky Hill River near:

description......................... Ill

discharge.........................:. 112

gage heights........................ 112

South Canadian River near 

Logan, N. Mex.:

description....................... 160-161

discharge........................... 161

gage heights........................ 162

South Loup River at 

Callaway, Nebr.:

discharge-.......................... 87

various points:

discharge........................... 87

South Platte, Colo.

South Platte River at:

description......................... 70-71

discharge........................... 72

discharge, monthly ................ 73

gage heights........................ 72

rating table ........................ 73

South Platte River at and near 

 Denver, Colo.:

description.......................... 74-75

discharge........................... 75

discharge, mean daily.............. 76

discharge, monthly ................ 77

Julesburg, Colo.:

description......................... 77-78

discharge..........................". 78,87

discharge, monthly ................ 80

gage heights........................ 79

rating table......................... 79
INDEX. soa

South Platte River at and nearNorth Platte, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

Ogalalla, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 87

South Platte, Colo.:

description......................... 70-71

discharge........................... 72

discharge, monthly ................ 73

gage heights........................ 72

rating table ........................ 73

Southerland, Nebr.

North Platte River at:

discharge........................... 87

Spotted Tail Creek in 

Nebraska, sec. 2, T. 23, R. 56:

discharge........................... 87

Stamford, Nebr. 

Sappa Creek at:

discharge........................... 117

Stinking Water Creek at 

Palisade, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Syracuse, Kans.

Arkansas River near:

description......................... 134

discharge........................... 134

gage heights........................ 135

Thedford, Nebr.

Middle Loup River at:

 " discharge........................... 87

Tonkawa, Okla.

Arkansas River (Salt Fork) near:

description....................... 145-146

discharge........................... 146

gage heights...................... 146-147

Topeka, Kans.

Kansas River at Chicago, Rock Island 

and Pacific Railroad bridge at: 

description......................... 89-90

discharge........................... 90

gage heights........................ 90

Kansas River at Atchison, Topeka and

Santa Fe Railway bridge at: 

description ......................... 90-91

Turkey Creek at 

Naponce, Nebr.:

discharge........................... 117

Union City, Okla.

Canadian River at:

discharge........................... 181

Ute Creek near 

Logan, N. Mex.:

description......................... 170

gage heights.................. ..... 171

Valley, Nebr.

Platte River at:

discharge........................... 87

Verdigris River near 

Catoosa, Ind. T.:

description......................... 153

discharge........................... 153

gage heights........................ 154

Independence, Kans.:

description ....................... 151-152

gage heights........................ 152

Victoria Creek in 

Nebraska, sec. 1, T. 19, R. 21:

discharge....................'....... 87

Walden, Colo.

Michigan Creek near:

description......................... 59-60

discharge........................... 60

discharge, monthly................. 61

gage heights........................ 60

rating table ........................ 61

Warwick, Kans.

Republican River at:

discharge........................... 117

Washita River at 

Anadarko, Okla.:

description......................... 187

discharge........................... 188

discharge, monthly................. 189

gage heights........................ 188

Clinton, Okla.:

discharge........................... 194

Shelley, Okla.:

discharge........................... 194

Waynoka, Okla.

Cimarron River near:

description......................... 150

discharge........................... 150

gage heights ....................... 151

Weber, N. Mex.

Mora River at:

description......................... 164

discharge........................... 165

gage heights........................ 165

White River nearNewport, Ark.:

discharge........................... 181

Woodward, Okla.

Canadian River (North Fork) near:

description....................... 172-173

discharge........................... 173

gage heights........................ 173

Wymore, Nebr.

Blue River at:

discharge........................... 117

o