Hydrologic Effects of 

Water Spreading in

Box Creek Basin 

Wyoming

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1532-A

Prepared in cooperation with 

the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Hydrologic Effects of 

Water Spreading in 

Box Creek Basin 

Wyoming

By R. F. HADLEY, I. S. McQUEEN, and others

HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1S32-A

Prepared in cooperation with 

the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON -. 1961
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Thomas B. Nolan, Director

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

Washington 25, D.C.
CONTENTS

	Page 

Abstract__ _____________-_-_-__-________-_-___-_-_-_-_--_----_-- A-l

Introduction. _ ____________________________________________________ A-l

Purpose and scope of study_________________________________ ___. A-l

Acknowledgments _____________________________________________ A-2

Location and general features_______________________________________ A-4

Description of the water-spreading system-___________________________ A-4

Procedures and instrumentation_____________________________________ A-5

Precipitation measurements____________________________________ A-5

Runoff measurements__________________________________________ A-7

Observation wells______________________________________________ A-7

Sedimentation measurements._________-___-_--__-______-_-____ A-7

Infiltration tests..________-_________---__-_-------__--.________ A-9

Soil-moisture observations____._________-_---_-_-_--________-_-_ A-9

Analysis of precipitation data_______________________________________ A-10

Runoff data______________-_____________-_-___------______---_-- A-14

Box Creek near Bill________________________________________ A-15

Box Creek at mouth___________________________________________ A-16

Disposition of streamflow on the water spreader_______________________ A-l7

Computations based on- streamflow records _______________________ A-17

Fluctuations of ground-water levels____--__--___----_-_-_-___--__ A-23

Fluctuations in soil-moisture content and their interpretation..-.---- A-24

Soil-moisture retention relationships_________________________ A-27

Significance of moisture-retention limits ______________________ A-29

Moisture-retention data-_____-____-________--________--_-__ A-29

Estimation of moisture absorption.________---__________--_-- A-29

Moisture use____________________________________________ A-31

Interpretation of sediment measurements._._____________-__-_-----_-- A-31

Sedimentation ranges________________-_________-__-__--__-----_ A-31

Suspended-sediment measurements ______________________________ A-32

Conclusions-______________________________________________________ A-38

Records_____.____________________________________________________ A-39

Runoff into observation reservoirs_______________----______-----_ A-39

Soil-moisture observations______________________________________ A-44

References cited.________________________________________________ __ A-47

Index.___________________________________________________________ A-48

in
IV CONTENTS

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page 

FIGURE 1. Map of part of Box Creek basin______-_-_________________ A-3

2. Two views of the valley of Box Creek showing typical dikes. _ A-6

3. Map and profile of Box Creek water spreader ______________ A-8

4. Double-mass curve comparing seasonal precipitation at Bill

14 SE, with that at Douglas and Dull Center,___________ A-12

5. Frequency curves of seasonal precipitation at Dull Center

and Douglas__.______________________________________ A-13

6. Frequency curves of annual maximum daily precipitation at

Dull Center and Douglas______________________________ A-14

7. Map of part of Box Creek basin showing average runoff for

storm of July 29, 1956----------_--------__----------- A-19

8. Map of part of Box Creek basin showing average runoff for

storm of September 13, 1957___--_-_-------_----------- A-21

9. Flood hydrographs for gaging stations at Box Creek for the

period June 9-14, 1957_.______________-_____-------__. A-22

10. Flood hydrographs for gaging stations at Box Creek for the

period June 30 to July 4, 1957________________---__-__- A-23

11. Graph showing land surface and water level in Box Creek

water-spreading area, July 10, 1957___-___-_____________ A-24

12. Hydrographs of five observation wells in the Box Creek

water-spreading area, 1957________----_-_____-----_-___ A-25

13. Graphs showing soil-moisture content in the Box Creek 

water-spreading area at 12-inch sampling depth during the 

summer seasons 1956-57______-____--_-__-__-----_____ A-26

14. Moisture-retention curves for sampling site M3_ ___________ A-30

15. Sedimentation ranges in the Box Creek basin. _____________ A-33

16. Histograms of suspended-sediment load at gaging stations on

Box Creek, June 9-14, 1957_-________-_-_______________ A-34

17. Histograms of suspended-sediment load at gaging stations on

Box Creek, June 30 to July 4, 1957----_-_------------_- A-35

TABLES

Page

TABLE 1. Precipitation in Box Creek area for periods July 11 to September 21, 1956, and May 16 to September 13, 1957______ A-ll

2. Infiltration rates from ring infiltrometer tests ______________ A-20

3. Disposition of streamflow in Box Creek during selected

periods, 1956-57____________________________________ A-20

4. Soil-moisture retention data for samples from Box Creek

basin _______________________________________________ A-28

5. Sedimentation on Box Creek water spreader from July 2,

1956, to November 13, 1957_ __________________________ A-32
HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF WATER SPREADING 

IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING

By R. F. HADLEY, I. S. McQuEEN, and others

ABSTRACT

A study was made during the summer seasons of 1956 and 1957 to determine 

the use of water by a water-spreading system in Box Creek basin, Converse 

County, Wyo., which was designed to reduce sediment yield and fluvial erosion. 

The water-spreading system on Box Creek consists of 27 small dams that divert 

the flow directly onto the flood plain, where it is used to irrigate a hay meadow 

of 360 acres.

Two gaging stations were established, one above the water-spreading system 

and one below, to measure inflow, outflow, and suspended sediment. Also, a 

network of precipitation gages, ground-water observation wells, and observations 

on soil-moisture were an integral part of the hydrologic investigation.

There were six runoff events during the 1956 and 1957 seasons for which inflow 

and outflow through the water-spreading system could be determined. The 

total inflow for the six runoff periods was 2,026 acre-feet and the outflow was 

1,330 acre-feet, which represents a loss of 34 percent of surface flow entering the 

water spreader.

Total reduction in suspended-sediment load for the six runoff periods was not 

determined because of the many ungaged tributaries between gaging stations. 

However, two of the storms originated above the upper gaging station and the 

suspended-sediment load in the inflow was 4,513 tons and the outflow was 1,119 

tons, which represents a decrease of 75 percent between stations. During the 

2 years of observation, the total sediment deposition on the water-spreading 

system was 17.8 acre-feet or 0.049 acre-foot per acre. Most of this sediment 

was derived from slopes adjacent to the water spreader and, therefore, introduced 

some uncertainties in evaluating the sediment-retention efficiency of this type 

of land treatment.

Data from ground-water observation wells show that some of the surface flow 

entering the water-spreading system at the upper end may penetrate to a perched 

water table.

INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF STUDY

This report presents the results of a study that was begun in July 

1956 to determine the effect on streamflow and sedimentation of a 

particular type of land treatment. This and two other studies 

(Culler, 1961; Hadley and Schumm, 1961) are concerned with the 

problem of reducing the contribution of sediment to Angostura

A-l
A-2 HYDROLOGIC HYDROLOGIC \EFFECTS yE OF LAND USE

Reservoir on the Cheyenne River and the effect on streamflow of 

measures designed to reduce sediment transport.

The treatment practice used on Box Creek represents a type that 

might be used in several other areas with the prospect of reducing 

appreciably the movement of sediment to Angostura Reservoir. 

The study area is located in a part of the valley of Box Creek owned 

by Jack Downs, whose ranch extends from near the mouth of Box 

Creek upstream for about 5 miles. (See fig. 1.)

Land treatment within the area includes several diversion dams and 

dikes designed primarily to spread flood flows across the valley floor 

or flood plain of Box Creek, thereby furnishing flood irrigation on a 

hay meadow and preventing concentration of flow in the channels.

As a result of the streamflow diversions and water spreading, a 

substantial part of the sediment carried into the reach is believed to 

have been trapped and deposited on the valley floor. Also, it may 

be assumed that streamflow entering the water spreader is depleted 

in some degree by infiltration on the valley floor. The specific 

objective of this study was to obtain quantitative data on the disposition of both streamflow and sediment.

The studies were made in Box Creek basin in Converse County, 

Wyo., under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Field observations in the water-spreading system were 

made by the U.S. Geological Survey under the general supervision 

of C. C. McDonald, chief, General Hydrology Branch. The fieldwork was under the immediate supervision of K. R. Melin, project 

hydrologist. The data were analyzed and the report was prepared 

by R. F. Hadley and I. S. McQueen with the assistance of R. W. 

Lichty, G. C. Lusby, and C. T. Sumsion. Resident observer in the 

study area during the 1956 season was L. W. Greene and during the 

1957 season was R. W. Lichty.

Streamflow records for the gaging station, Box Creek near Bill, 

Wyo., which were used in computing inflow to the water spreader, 

were obtained by the Surface Water Branch under the immediate 

supervision of the late J. M. Terry, district engineer, Denver, Colo. 

Analyses of suspended-sediment samples were made by the Quality 

of Water Branch under the immediate supervision of T. F. Hanly, 

district engineer, Worland, Wyo.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The writers wish to express their appreciation to Whitney M. 

Borland, Carl R. Miller, and John R. Sheppard of the U.S. Bureau 

of Reclamation for their helpful suggestions and assistance during 

the course of the study. Also, the cooperation of Jack Downs and 

Lee Moore, ranchers in the area, in granting permission to do the
T.37 N

T.36 N

R 70 W 

v^ /

Base compiled from General Highway map, Con1 County, Wyo , 1956, and from aerial photograpl

FIGURE L Map of part of Box Creek basin showing location of study are
A-4 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

study on their lands and in providing assistance to the resident 

observers is gratefully acknowledged.

LOCATION AND GENERAL FEATURES

Box Creek is tributary to Lightning Creek, which in turn flows 

into Lance Creek, a stream draining about 2,000 square miles in 

the southwestern part of the Cheyenne River basin above Angostura 

Reservoir. The drainage area of Box Creek is about 158 square 

miles of which an area of 140 square miles is upstream from the 

water spreader.

The drainage basin of Box Creek may be divided into two provinces 

on the basis of topography and geology. The upper two-thirds of 

the basin is gently rolling and relatively undissected, with relief less 

than 100 feet. The density of vegetation is generally good to excellent 

and erosion both on upland slopes and in channels in slight. This 

part of the basin is underlain by the Wasatch formation of Eocene 

age, which is composed of sandstone and sandy shale.

In the lower one-third of the basin, or that part downstream from 

or east of Wyoming State Route 59 (fig. 1), the terrain becomes 

steeper and more dissected by tributary channels and gullies that 

drain the valley sides. The geology is also markedly different. The 

underlying bedrock is composed of interbedded sandstone and shale, 

with shale predominant, and belongs to the Fort Union formation 

of Paleocene age. The flood plain along the lower reaches of Box 

Creek ranges in width from about 500 to 1,500 feet and is underlain 

by fine-grained alluvium. The density of vegetation on the flood 

plain and colluvial slopes is generally good, but the steep breaks 

along the divides bear a sparse growth of vegetation and are severely 

eroded. The breaks probably furnish much of the sediment and 

runoff to the water-spreader area. The water spreader, which occupies the flood plain of Box Creek for a distance of 4}£ miles upsteam 

from the mouth of the creek, has an average width of 400 feet and 

covers about 360 acres.

DESCRIPTION OF THE WATER-SPREADING SYSTEM

The Box Creek water spreader differs from most water spreaders, 

as commonly constructed, in that no contour dikes are provided to 

direct the diverted flow. According to Mr. Downs and other longtime residents of the area, the channel of Box Creek was once a 

sizable gully. Sometime before 1930 an attempt was made to control 

the erosion of the gully by felling cottonwood trees into it. These 

trees constituted a barrier to flood flows and caused some deposition 

of sediment in the channel. When the gully had been filled enough 

to work in, with the equipment available at that time, small diversion
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~5

dikes were constructed (fig. 2). The dikes induce sediment deposition 

in the gully and divert the flow for irrigation of the flood plain. The 

system of dikes has been expanded and improved through the years 

until, in 1957, the entire flood plain was being irrigated by diversions 

brought about by 27 dikes. However, the fact that the flood plain 

of Box Creek is very regular and has a low gradient (0.45 percent), 

undoubtedly, accounts to some degree for the success of the treatment 

and also for the general absence of scouring and trenching of the 

flood plain that occur in other localities where conditions are less 

favorable.

The growth of vegetation, which has been improved progressively, 

undoubtedly has induced deposition of sediment and also may have 

increased infiltration to an appreciable extent. The vegetation produced on the water spreader is of great economic importance to the 

ranching operation in the valley. In most years, the irrigated flood 

plain produces two cuttings of hay and winter pasturage for cattle.

PROCEDURES AND INSTRUMENTATION

To measure precipitation, runoff, and sediment and to obtain data 

on the disposition of water and sediment on the spreading area, a 

network of rain gages, stream gages, erosion and depositional ranges, 

and other observations were established in the Box Creek basin. 

(See fig. 1.)

In this report seasonal values for amounts of precipitation, runoff, 

and suspended-sediment are used instead of annual totals in all 

computations. The season, or part of year used, is the 6-month 

period April through September. In the streamflow data for the two 

gaging stations shown on pages A-15 and A-16, records for October 

1956 and 1957 are given because observations continued through 

that month. The suspended-sediment data on pages A-36 and A-37 

are for the 1957 season only.

PRECIPITATION MEASUREMENTS

For the measurement of precipitation, 6 gages were operated 

during the 1956 season and 11 in 1957. Two were standard nonrecording rain gages, of which one (No. 8) was located at the Downs 

ranch near the mouth of Box Creek, the other (No. 11) was located at 

the Lee Moore ranch, 1 mile west of the confluence of Box Creek and 

Lightning Creek. The latter gage is a regular U.S. Weather Bureau 

gage designated Bill 14 SE, and daily precipitation records for the 

period 1949-57 are published by the U.S. Weather Bureau (1949-57). 

All other gages used were oil cans placed at various localities within 

the study area. Evaporation loss was minimized by maintaining a 

film of oil on the water surface and by checking the accumulation of 

rain as soon as possible after every storm.

602715 O 61 2
A-6 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

FIGURE 2. Two views of the valley of Box Creek showing typical dikes used to divert flow from channel

and irrigate the flood plain.
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~7

RUNOFF MEASUREMENTS

To measure inflow from the upper part of the drainage basin, a 

gaging station equipped with a water-stage recorder was established 

in July 1956 on Box Creek at the bridge on State Route 59, and it is 

designated Box Creek near Bill, Wyo. In 1956 no measurable flow 

passed this gaging station; the 1957 record is discussed on page A-14. 

Another gaging station was established July 5, 1956, on Box Creek 

just above the confluence with Lightning Creek. It was equipped 

with a water-stage recorder in August 19,56. All surface outflow 

from Box Creek basin is measured at this site. This site was clearly 

not well suited for a gaging station because of the poorly defined 

channel and dense vegetation, but is was the only site possible for 

determining the outflow from the water-spreading area. Construction 

of a control to improve the record was too costly.

Both gaging stations were rated by current-meter measurements, 

and discharges were computed by use of the gage-height record and 

rating table.

For a more positive determination of disposition of water on the 

water spreader, it would have been desirable to have placed the upper 

gaging station at the head of the water spreader, rather than at 

State Route 59. This was precluded, however, by the lack of a 

suitable site and the relative inaccessibility of the upper part of 

the water spreader during storms.

Recognizing that significant quantities of runoff could enter the 

area from tributaries between the two gaging stations, estimates were 

made of these contributions by measuring runoff to stock reservoirs 

wherever available and by applying the unit runoff measured to the 

intervening tributary basins. The reservoirs were surveyed, a stagecapacity curve was constructed for each, and the runoff was computed 

volumetrically by noting the change in stage plus spill, which was 

computed by methods developed in making measurements at other 

reservoirs throughout the West (Kennon and Peterson, 1960, p. 87). 

In 1956, measurements were made on eight reservoirs; and in 1957, 

measurements were started on nine reservoirs. However, one dam 

(No. 9) was breached after the heavy storm of July 18, 1957, and the 

record for it, therefore, is not complete for the season. Observations 

of runoff at reservoir 1 were discontinued in 1957 because the spillway 

was badly eroded and storage reduced considerably. The station 

descriptions for each of these reservoirs and the record of runoff for 

individual runoff periods are given on pages A-39 to A-44.

OBSERVATION WELLS

After reviewing the data obtained in 1956, it was decided that 

several observation wells would be drilled on the valley floor in 1957
A-8 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE.

in order to define the position of the ground-water level as a means of 

determining if inflow to the water spreader resulted in recharge to 

ground-water storage. Five shallow wells were drilled by the U.S. 

Geological Survey in July. (See fig. 1.) Although the water-level 

records cover only part of a season, some data on the depth, to water 

level and fluctuations were obtained.

SEDIMENTATION MEASUREMENTS

In order to determine the quantity of sediment being deposited or 

trapped in the water-spreading area, two types of measurements were 

made. First, a system of six sedimentation ranges was established 

across the flood plain, virtually perpendicular to the line of flow. 

Kecurrent surveys were made on these ranges to determine amounts 

of deposition or erosion. The original surveys were made in July 

1956 and repeat surveys were made in Sepember 1956 and November 

1957. Location of the ranges is shown in figure 3.

4000 8000 12,000 16,000 

DISTANCE, IN FEET

20,000 24,000

EXPLANATION

Spreader dike

2 -----2

Sedimentation range

Boundary of flood plain

+ M2 

Soil-moisture sampling site

FIGURE 3. Map and profile of Box Creek water spreader, showing location of difces, sedimentation ranges,' 

and sites for sampling soil moisture.
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~9

In addition to the sedimentation ranges, the suspended-sediment 

load was measured during runoff periods at both the upper and lower 

stream-gaging stations. Inasmuch as the resident observer located at 

the Downs ranch could not make measurements at both stations during 

any single storm, a stationary sediment sampler, of the type recently 

developed by the Quality of Water Branch of the U.S. Geological 

Survey, was installed at the upper station on State Route 59. This 

sampler collected samples at intervals of 0.5 foot during each rise in 

stage. Samples also were collected manually when discharge measurements were made. At the lower station the sediment samples were 

obtained during each runoff period with a hand sampler in conjunction 

with discharge measurements. The suspended-sediment load for the 

1957 season was computed from these samples and the runoff record.

INFILTRATION TESTS

To obtain preliminary information on the rate at which flood water 

might penetrate the valley floor, several infiltration tests were run 

with single- and double-ring infiltrometers. Data from these tests are 

presented in table 2.

The single-ring infiltrometer is an open-ended cylinder forced into 

the ground. Water is poured into the cylinder and the rate at which 

it infiltrates into the ground is measured. The double-ring infiltrometer consists of two concentric open-ended cylinders. Water is added 

to the same height in the smaller cylinder and in the annular space 

between cylinders. The moisture front moving downward below the 

annular space is supposed to restrain lateral spreading of the moisture 

front moving downward below the smaller cylinder where the infiltration rate is measured.

SOIL-MOISTURE OBSERVATIONS

To obtain information on the fluctuation of soil moisture in the 

spreading area, soil samples were taken at regular intervals in selected 

localities during the two seasons of observation. The soil-sampling 

points were distributed throughout the water-spreading area to 

provide a representation of the general conditions. (See fig. 3 for 

location.)

Samples were taken with a 2-inch cylinder-type soil auger in 6-inch 

increments generally to a depth of 30 inches; but at some sites, where 

moisture conditions warranted it, sampling was continued to depths 

of as much as 42 inches. For most of the season each of the sites was 

sampled at intervals not exceeding 10 days, and as soon as possible 

after runoff occurred. Moisture-content determinations were made 

for the individual samples. Moisture-tension relationships also were 

determined for samples collected during 1957.
A-10 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

ANALYSIS OF PRECIPITATION DATA

Daily precipitation records are presented in table 1 for the period 

of observation for all the gages operated in the study area during 1956 

and 1957, including the record for the U.S. Weather Bureau gage Bill 

14 SE. An inspection of this table shows the erratic distribution of 

rainfall in an area of only 15 square miles. Because of the limited 

record of both precipitation and runoff in the study area, the only 

means of appraising the data collected during the two seasons of this 

study, with respect to the probable long-term mean for the area, is by 

analyzing the longer records available for the U.S. Weather Bureau 

stations nearby. An examination of several records of precipitation 

and streamflow in eastern Wyoming shows that about §0 percent of 

the precipitation and about 85 percent of the runoff occur during the 

6-month period, April through September. Experience in the Cheyenne River basin in recent years has substantiated this relationship. 

Therefore, in place of annual precipitation figures, seasonal precipitation figures for the stations at Dull Center and Douglas, Wyo., whose 

records are for more than 25 years, were used for this study. They 

were compared with the record for Bill 14 SE, which has been in 

operation for 9 years (1949-1957).

The first step in the analysis involved a comparison of the seasonal 

precipitation for Bill 14 SE, assumed to represent the Box Creek study 

area, with the seasonal precipitation covering the same period at 

Douglas and Dull Center to determine if the precipitation records 

were similar. The seasonal precipitation at Bill 14 SE was plotted 

against the seasonal precipitation for Douglas and Dull Center in 

the double-mass diagram shown in figure 4. As shown, relationships 

for Bill 14 SE and Douglas and Bill 14 SE and Dull Center practically 

coincide. The line in figure 4 shows that the precipitation for Bill 14 

SE is 1.10 of that for Douglas or Dull Center. Therefore, in the next 

step, which involved the use of the long-term records for Douglas and 

Dull Center, to determine the recurrence interval of the precipitation 

for the 1956 and 1957 seasons at Bill 14 SE, the amounts for Bill 14 SE 

were divided by 1.10.

The seasonal precipitation at Bill 14 SE was markedly different 

during the 2 years of observation. In 1956 the total precipitation in 

the April-September period was 8.31 inches and in 1957 it was 12.22 

inches, which when adjusted for the relationship in figure 4 become 7.55 

and 11.10 inches, respectively. The recurrence interval of the 1956 

seasonal precipitation, taken directly from the average of the Douglas 

and Dull Center frequency curves (fig. 5) is about 1.3 years. Therefore, although the precipitation in 1956 and resultant runoff, which is 

discussed on p. A-14, were sufficient to bring about only one complete 

wetting of the water spreader, the frequency analysis shows that the
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A-ll

TABLE 1. Precipitation in Box Creek area for periods July 11 to September 21,1956, 

and May 16 to September IS, 1957

[No precipitation on days not listed. T, trace]

Date

1956 

Julyll _ 

July 16-.. .................

July 22... ..... ............

July 26-. ______

July 29-.------.---.-.-.. __ .

Aug. 18. . ... ............

Aug. 19...-----------.-.---....-.

Aug. 20 . .. ......

Sept. 10.....---- _ -------- _ .

Sept. 21...- -. -----------------

Total.. - .....

1957 

May 16 _______________

May 18 

May 20 

May 23 ---------------- _ ..

May 24 ________ _____

May 26 ---.-------- -._- _ ..

May 27 

May 30.. _____________

May 29 to June 8 _ . __ . ......

June 10 

June 30 __ . . . 

July 7 ...

July 16...- -... .

July 17- 

July 18... -- 

July 23-... . 

July 24. ... ... .

July 25. 

July 29. -_-

Aug. 17 

Aug. 27 

Ann- 9Q

Sept. 8...- . ......

Sept. 13.-.-.---- -------------

Total -------------------

Precipitation, in inches, for indicated gage l

1

T

0.60

T 

.50 

1.30 

T 

0 

0 

0 

.40

.30 

.10

3.20

0 

0 

.40

0 

.20 

0 

.10

0 

.50

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

.20 

1.80 

0 

.10 

0 

0 

.50 

0 

.10 

0 

1.00

4.90

2

T 

0.70

T 

.40 

2.00 

T 

0 

0 

0 

.30

.25 

.15

3.80

0 

0 

.70

0 

0 

0 

.20

0 

.30

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

.20 

1.00 

0 

.20 

0 

0 

.50 

0 

T 

0 

.60

3.70

3

T 

0.80

T 

T 

2.40 

T 

0 

0 

0

T 

0

3.20

.15

0 

0

6

.50 

0 

0 

0 

0 

.20 

1.10 

0 

.10 

0 

0 

.45 

0 

.05 

0 

.35

'2.90

4

.30

0 

0

6 

0 

0 

0 

.20 

0 

.45 

0 

0 

0 

0 

.20 

1.60 

0 

0 

0 

0 

.50 

.10 

0 

0 

.80

4.15

5

.40

0 

0 

1.30

0 

.10 

0 

0 

.10 

.25 

.40 

0 

0

0 

.30 

1.90 

.10 

0 

0 

0 

.55 

0 

.25 

0 

1.00

6.65

6

.40

0 

0 

1.50

0 

.10 

0 

0 

.35 

.20 

.50 

0 

0 

.20

0 

.30 

2.80 

.10 

0 

0 

0 

.60 

0 

.25 

0 

1.10

8.40

7

T 

0.50

T 

T

0 Af\

T 

0 

0 

0 

.30

T 

.10

3.30

1.20

0 

0 

.20

0 

.30 

0 

.10 

0 

.60 

.- -

.10

0 

.30 

2.10 

0 

.20 

0 

0 

.60 

0 

.20 

0 

1.20

7.10

82

0.05 

.38

T 

.22 

1.06

.03 

.08 

.09 

.20 

.04

0

.17

2.32

0 

0

.78

0 

0 

.20 

.10 

0 

.16 

.25 

0 

.15 

0 

0 

.30 

2.70 

0 

.20 

0 

.10 

.43 

0 

0 

0 

1.55

6.92

9

0 

0

0 

0 

0 

0 

.20 

0 

.25 

0 

0 

0 

0 

.30 

2.00

------

------

......

10

0 

0

1.10 

0 

0 

0 

0 

.15 

.35 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

.64 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0

6 

.65

2.89

11

0 

.60 

0 

.26 

1.25 

0 

0 

0 

.47 

0 

.33 

0

2.91

.94 

.19 

.42 

.34 

.60 

.25 

.15 

.16 

.23

0 

0 

0 

.26 

0 

.13 

0 

.66 

.22 

0 

.23 

0 

1.27 

0 

0 

.40 

.10 

.40 0' 

0 

.05 

1.72

8.72

1 See figure 1 for gage location.

2 Standard nonrecording precipitation gage.

seasonal precipitation received in the 1956 season was not extremely 

low; on the average, the precipitation is lower for about 1 year out of 

3 years. The 1957 seasonal precipitation has a recurrence interval of 

2.8 years on the Dull Center curve and 4.0 years on the Douglas curve, 

or about 3.4 years for an average of the two curves.

During both seasons of observation there were some high rates of 

precipitation for periods of less than 24 hours. Because there were no 

recording gages operated in the area, storm intensities for shorter
HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USEi

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 

ACCUMULATED SEASONAL PRECIPITATION, IN INCHES, 

DOUGLAS AND DULL CENTER

FIGURE 4. Double-mass curve comparing seasonal precipitation at Bill 14 SE with that at Douglas and 

Dull Center, Wyo., for the period 1949 to 1957.

periods could not be determined. The largest daily precipitation 

amounts observed in the study area were 2.40 inches at gages 3 and 7 

on July 29, 1956, and 2.80 inches and 2.70 inches at gages 6 and 8 

respectively on July 18, 1957. (See fig. 1 for location.) To obtain an 

indication of the frequency of such amounts in this area, frequency 

curves of annual maximum daily precipitation at Douglas and Dull 

Center were prepared and are shown in figure 6. As indicated, the 

annual maximum daily precipitation amounts for Dull Center for all 

recurrence intervals are considerably higher during the period of 

record (1927-56) than those for Douglas (1924-56). Actually, the 

highest daily precipitation recorded for the State of Wyoming, 5.50
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~13

1.01 1.3 1.5 2 3 4 56789 10 

RECURRENCE INTERVAL, IN YEARS

20 30 40 50

FIGURE 5. Frequency curves of seasonal precipitation at Dull Center and Douglas, Wyo., for the period 

1927-57, except for 1949 at Dull Center.

inches, occurred at Dull Center on May 31, 1927, whereas the maximum, daily precipitation recorded for Douglas is 2.38 inches. On the 

basis of the curve for Dull Center (fig. 6), the amount of precipitation 

of 2.40 inches received in the study area on July 29, 1956, would have 

a recurrence interval of 6 years and the amount of 2.80 inches received 

July 18, 1957, would have a recurrence interval of 9 years. Comparison with the record for Douglas presents a somewhat different 

picture. On the basis of the record for Douglas, the maximum 

amount of precipitation (2.40 inches) received in 1956 in the study 

area would have a recurrence interval of 60 years and the maximum 

amount of precipitation (2.80 inches) received in 1957 would have an 

interval of approximately 100 years. A frequency curve of annual 

maximum daily precipitation at Bill 14 SE is probably not meaningful 

for comparison with similar curves for Douglas and Dull Center 

because the record is only 9 years long. Also, an inspection of the 

precipitation data in table 1 shows that when the maximum amounts

602715 O 61 8
A-14

5.50i 

HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

5.00

,4.50

4.00

o

< 3.50

3.00

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

EXPLANATION

o 

Douglas

Dull Center

0.50

1.01 1.1 1.3 1.5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910 

RECURRENCE INTERVAL, IN YEARS

20 30 40 50

FIGUEE 6. Frequency curves of annual maximum daily precipitation at Douglas and Dull Center, Wyo.,

for the period 1924-57.

of precipitation of 2.40 and 2.80 inches occurred in the Box Creek 

basin in 1956 and 1957, the recorded precipitation at Bill 14 SE was 

less than 1.50 inches both times. The large difference between these 

frequency curves for Dull Center and Douglas raise. considerable 

doubt as to the frequency of storms of the observed magnitude in the 

study area. It is believed, however, that owing to similarities in 

topography the storm conditions in the study area are more like those 

of Dull Center than those of Douglas and that the recurrence interval 

of the maximum storm in 1957 should be closer to 10 years than 100 

years.

RUNOFF DATA

The streamflow records for the two gaging stations, Box Creek near 

Bill and Box Creek at mouth, are shown on pages A-15 and A-16. 

The upper gaging station, near Bill, is a conventional U.S. Geological 

Survey station and the complete record beginning with July 1956 was 

published by the Survey (1958) for water years 1956 and 1957. The
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~15

station at the mouth of Box Creek was operated only for the periods 

July 5 to September 25, 1956, and April 9 to October 31, 1957. Therefore, the records presented here are for the period when both stations 

were in operation.

The only flow passing either gaging station during the 1956 season 

resulted from a storm on July 29, which was concentrated over the 

water spreader and downstream from the upper gage. The flow 

passing the lower station after this storm was computed as 98 acrefeet, based on indirect measurements.

BOX GREEK NEAR BILL, WYO.

Location. Lat 43°06', long 105° 15', in SE}£ sec. 9, T. 36 N., R. 70 W., at bridge

on State Route 59, and 9.7 miles south of Bill. 

Drainage area. 109 sq mi. 

Records available. July 14, 1956 to Oct. 31, 1957 (see Water-Supply Paper 1509,

p. 294, for conplete record). 

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,694.12 ft above mean sea

level (State Highway bench mark). 

Extremes. Maximum discharge during record, 1,190 cfs June 9 (gage height,

7.26 ft); no flow at times. 

Remarks. Records good, except that those showing discharge of more than 70

cfs are fair, and those for period of no gage-height record are poor. No flow

July 14 to Dec. 7, 1956.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, April 1 to October 31, 1957

Day

1 ____________________________

2_-._ ______________________

3 .__ _____

4... ___________ .................

5-__-___ . _________________

6-__._ ______________________

7_-_-_- _ _ _-_- ____________

8 . _____________________

9... 

10...--. ..-.................

11 ....._......

12 . _________._._____

13. _-__-_-__-_.____________

14______________________________

15 . ...._..._..

16... __.__ ...................

I?.-... --------

18- - _ - 

19 _ _ _ _ _________________

W.. ............................

21------------.... ... . .

22-... --- .-_._.........

23. _ .. _................

24--..- ______________ ... .

K... ...........................

26_ ___._-______, ____________

27 __ _____

28 _______________________

29. _______________________

30 _________________________

31-.__ ___________________

Total....... _____________

Acre-ft ___ . __________________

Apr.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.4

.3

.1

0

.3

.5

.4

.2

.1 *0

0

2.3

.08

4.6

May

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.1

.3

.4

1.1

.9

1.4 *7.7

3.8

2.9

3.9

28

6.8

3 a

4.6 *67

13*8.9

6.3 *3.4

37

35

237.5

7.66

471

June

5.7

3.1

1 Q

1.4 *1.2

1.0

1.0

1 9

*51

182

11

*3.4

3.2

2.3

2.3

2.6

4.2

2.6 *1.6

*22

Q 9

4.4

2.7

2.1

2.1

2.0

1.4

208

570.5

1130

July

22*7.2

3.8

2.1

1.4

.9

.5

.4

.3

.1 *. 1

1.3

.6

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

42.8

1.38

85

Aug.

0

0

0

0

*0

0

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

.1

.1*.l

.1

.1

.1

1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.1

2.2

.07

4.4

Sept.

0.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2*.6

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

5.6

.19

11

Oct.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

3.1

.1

6.2

*Discharge measurement or observation of no flow made on this day.

NOTE. No gage-height record for Sept. 14-30; discharge estimated on basis of recorded range in stage.
A-16 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

BOX CHEEK AT MOUTH, WYOMING

Location. Lat 43°07'10", long 105°02'30", in NW^SW^ sec. 4, T. 36 N.,

R. 68 W., on left bank half a mile downstream from the Downs Ranch. 

Drainage area. 158 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. July 5 to Oct. 31, 1956, and Apr. 9 to Oct. 31, 1957. 

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage, 4,996.67 ft, assumed datum. 

Extremes. Maximum discharge during record, 813 cfs July 18, 1957 (gage height,

11.29 ft); no flow at times. 

Remarks. Records fair for periods of low to medium flow; poor for periods of

high flow. 

Water year 1956. No flow July 5 to Oct. 31, 1956, except for July 29 (98

acre-feet).

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, April 9 to October 31, 1957

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 

si

Total .............

Apr.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

May

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.4

0

6.2

57

7.1

5 Q

1.0

41 *sn

*26

#CQ

*1 ^Q

60 *20

*60

qq

1 Q

07

KQO A

IS 7Q

115*

June

34

3.8

.5

0

0

0

0

0

0

*75

*84

i *

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

*33

8.8

qq

6.8

1.0

0

0

0

0

0

299.0

9.96

593

July

*136

36

6.7

.6

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

O

0

0

0

127 *57

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

363.6

11.71

721

Aug.

0

0

0

Sept.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*63

17

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

80.08

2.58

159

Oct.

0

0

0

*Discharge measurement made on this day.

NOTE. No gage-height record for July 5 to Aug. 5,1956, and Sept. 26 to Oct. 31,1956; discharge estimated 

on basis of field observations, weather records, and records for nearby stations.

The record for the upper station, which was in operation for the 

entire month of April 1957, shows a small base flow for 8 days and 

no storm runoff. There was no flow at the lower station from the 

time observations were begun on April 9 to the end of the month. 

The first storm runoff of the season at both stations occurred on 

May 14. The observed flow during May at the upper station was 

471 acre-feet, and the outflow past the station at the mouth of Box 

Creek was 1,155 acre-feet, which indicates a contribution of 684 

acre-feet from the intervening area. The runoff records for the
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~17

observation reservoirs are not complete for the period May 14-31, 

because high runoff made roads impassable and regular measurements 

were impossible. Therefore, the distribution of runoff contributions 

from tributaries between the gaging stations cannot be defined 

reliably for this period.

During June, flow occurred on all days at the upper station and on 

14 days at the lower station. There were two storms in June 1957, 

which were centered in the headwaters of Box Creek basin with no 

inflow to the channel below the upper gaging station. The records 

for both of these runoff periods show a high loss in runoff and suspended-sediment load in the reach between the gaging stations, 

reflecting the effect of the water-spreading system on streamflow and 

sediment discharge when the record is not complicated by tributary 

runoff. The data for these two storms and their significance are 

discussed on pages A-22 to A-23.

After July 5, 1957, flow past the upper gaging station was negligible 

for the remainder of the season, or until the study was concluded on 

October 31. However, two storms occurred on July 18-19 and 

September 14-15 that were limited virtually to the part of the drainage basin directly tributary to the water-spreading area. Both 

resulted in high streamflow at the mouth of Box Creek.

In comparing total flow past the two gaging stations for the 1957 

season, the outflow at the mouth of Box Creek exceeded the inflow 

at the upper station by 922 acre-feet. This is due to contributions 

from the drainage area between the gaging stations. In determining 

the contributions from tributary basins, observations of runoff to 

stock reservoirs were used to construct runoff maps for selected storm 

periods. Data collected at these reservoirs during the 1956 and 

1957 seasons are given on pages A-39 to A-45.

DISPOSITION OF STREAMFLOW ON THE WATER 

SPREADER

COMPUTATIONS BASED ON STREAMFLOW RECORDS

The disposition of streamflow on the water spreader for six selected 

periods during the two seasons of observation was computed from the 

gaging-station records, mapped runoff based on reservoir observations, 

and fluctuations of soil moisture during storm periods. A summary 

of the computations for the disposition of runoff during the six selected 

periods is shown in table 3.

Only two storms produced runoff during the summer of 1956. The 

first, on July 16, was small in areal extent and produced no flow at 

the mouth of Box Creek. The second storm which occurred on July 

29 produced high outflow from the water spreader. The disposition 

of water in both of these storms was computed by mapping the runoff
A-18 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USB

based on reservoir observations and comparing this with outflow 

past the lower gaging station. The distribution of reservoirs was not 

uniform and, therefore, the isograms of equal runoff shown on figure

7 were started from areas of known runoff intensity and extended on 

the basis of precipitation, topography, vegetation, and inspection of 

high-water marks in tributaries where quantitative data were not 

available. Runoff maps were prepared for both the 1956 storms, 

but only the map of the July 29 storm is included here as an example 

of the method used.

The storm of July 16, 1956, produced a net runoff of 16 acre-feet 

from the uncontrolled drainage area tributary to the water spreader. 

In addition, there was a direct contribution of precipitation to the 

spreader of 11 acre-feet, based on the average rainfall measured in 

the gages. Since no outflow occurred at the mouth of Box Creek, a 

total of 27 acre-feet was lost through infiltration and evaporation 

in shallow tributaries and the main stream channel and flood plain. 

Runoff from this storm was spread over an area of less than 10 acres 

and no precise measurements of soil-moisture changes were made.

The storm of July 29, 1956, was intense but of small areal extent, 

producing a net runoff of 243 acre-feet as computed from the runoff 

map (fig. 7). The storm appeared to center near the Downs ranch, 

where the precipitation "was 2.4 inches, and extended upstream about

8 miles. In addition to the runoff entering the water-spreading area, 

precipitation records show that rainfall directly contributed 55 acrefeet of water to the water spreader. Therefore, the total amount of 

water entering the water spreader was 298 acre-feet. The outflow was 

estimated to be 98 acre-feet, which makes an estimated retention by 

the spreader of 200 acre-feet.

Estimates from soil-moisture data (p. A-30) indicate a net increase 

of 200 acre-feet of water in the soil moisture on the water spreader. 

This amount coincides with the estimates from inflow-outflow records.

The infiltration rate as indicated by eight ring-infiltrometer tests 

was 2.26 inches per hour for the interval of 40 to 60 minutes. The 

flow for this storm persisted for 3 to 4 hours. This would indicate 

a possible infiltration on the water spreader of 230 acre-feet, based 

on the above rate. However, the average infiltration rate for 3 or 

4 hours may be less than that of the 40- to 60-minute interval (table 2).

Two intense storms on July 18 and September 13, 1957, were 

centered over the water-spreading area and adjacent slopes, but they 

did not produce runoff at the upper gaging station. The disposition 

of water is shown in table 3.

Owing to the large amount of spill at the observation reservoirs, the 

failure of the dam at reservoir 9 after catching 125 acre-feet of runoff, 

and the general erratic distribution of the runoff, a runoff .map for the
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~19
A-20 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

TABLE 2. Infiltration rates from ring infiltrometer tests

Location and date of test

75 ft. below dike 4, July 5, 1956.. 

150 ft. below dike 4, July 5, 1956. 

100 ft. below dike 16, July 5, 1956. 

200 ft. below dike 16, July 5,1956. 

75 ft. below dike 22, July 6, 1956_ 

Below dike 22, Aug. 16,1956-__ 

Below dike 23, Aug. 16,1956- 

Near mouth of Box Creek, 

Aug. 10, 1956--. 

Infiltration rates, in inches per hour, for indicated

elapsed time (minutes)

2

6

30

6

6

12

36

66

36

4

6

6

6

6

6

18

24

18

10

1.5

2.5

3.5

3.8

3.7

10.8

16.8

10.8

15

1.8

3.5

3.5

4.5

2.4

4.8

9.6

4.8

20

0.5

2.5

2.5

4.5

1.8

3.6

8.4

3.6

25

1.3

1.3

2.5

2.5

1.8

3.6

7.2

3.6

30

1.3

1.3

2.5

3.6

2.5

3.0

4.8

3.6

40

1.3

1.2

2.4

3.6

1.8

3.0

6.6

3.0

50

0.9

1.2

2.4

2.4

1.2

2.4

3.6

3.0

60

0.9

1.2

1.5

2.4

1.8

2.4

2.4

2.4

Average

rate per

hour

during

last

20 min.

1.0

1.2

2.1

2.8

1.6

2.6

4.2

2.8

storm of July 18 was not prepared. Therefore, the disposition of 

runoff had to be obtained in another way.

The outflow at the lower gaging station was 366 acre-feet. The 

soil-moisture records indicate that 66 acre-feet was retained by infiltration in the water spreader. This would make a total of at least 

432 acre-feet available. The precipitation on the water spreader was 

estimated as 57 acre-feet, which leaves 375 acre-feet as the runoff from 

drainage areas tributary to the water spreader.

The storm of September 13, 1957, was centered over the waterspreading area, and because water levels in the observation reservoirs 

were low after a dry period in August, only slight spill occurred and, 

therefore, the records were adequate for the preparation of a runoff 

map (fig. 8). The net inflow into the water-spreading area, as computed from the runoff map, was 250 acre-feet and direct precipitation 

on the water spreader was 29 acre-feet, making a total of 279 acre-feet 

of water available.

The outflow past the lower gaging station was 158 acre-feet; therefore, 121 acre-feet was retained by the water spreader.

TABLE 3. Disposition of streamflow, in acre-feet, in Box Creek during selected

' 1956-57

Kunoff period

1956

July 16 .....................

July 29-30 - . _ ..

1957

June 9-14-.. . ________ ..

June 30 to July 4 .... .........

July 18-20 

Sept. 13-15- _____ . _____ .

Observed

flow at

Box Creek

near Bill

0

0

via

AQt)

0

0

Net runoff

between

gaging

stations

16

243

0

0

Q7K

OKA

Precipitation on

spreading

area

11

55

0

0

29

Sum

27

298

508

482

279

Outflow

past Box

Creek at

mouth

0

298

352

356

366

158

Retention

in water

spreader l

27

200

156

126

«66

121

1 For estimates of infiltration based on soil-moisture observations, see p. A-30.

2 Discharge estimated from indirect measurements.

3 Estimated from soil-moisture changes.
T. 37 N

T. 36 N

R. 70 W 

Base compiled from General Highway map, Converse 

County, Wyo , 1956, and from aerial photographs

FIGURE 8. Map of part of Box Creek Basin showing average runoff for 
A-22 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USB

As previously mentioned, there were two storms during the 1957 

season that centered in the headwaters of Box Creek, and all runoff 

produced by these storms originated above the upper gaging station. 

These runoff periods were June 9-14 and June 30 to July 4. During 

these two periods there was no runoff from tributaries below the 

upper gage.

Before the storm of June 9, the water spreader was flooded several 

times in May by runoff originating from upstream sources and tributaries adjacent to the water spreader. Therefore, soil moisture was 

high and conditions were not ideal for absorption of flood water on the 

valley floor. Data from other runoff periods show that antecedent 

moisture conditions are important in determining how much peak 

discharge and flood volume are reduced in passing through the water 

spreader.

The flood hydrographs at both gaging stations for the period June 

9-14 are shown in figure 9. Runoff from this storm reached the upper 

gage at 11:00 p.m. on June 9, and by 11:30 p.m. the discharge had 

reached an instantaneous peak of 1,190 cfs (cubic feet per second). The 

outflow at the lower gaging station did not begin until 3:30 p.m. on 

June 10, and the instantaneous peak discharge was 276 cfs at 5:30 

p.m. Much of the lag between inflow and outflow may be attributable 

to the impeding action of the diversion dams. The outstanding 

feature of the two hydrographs is the large reduction in peak discharge 

between the gaging stations. The peak discharge at the lower station 

was only 23 percent of that measured at the upper station.

The volume of runoff at the upper gage,, as determined from the 

hydrograph, was 508 acre-feet and the outflow at the mouth of Box 

Creek was 352 acre-feet. Since no measurements are available for 

the volume of water absorbed in the reach of channel between the upper 

gage and head of the water spreader, the loss of 156 acre-feet represents

= 1,200

800

? 400

5 0

Peak discharge of inflow, 1190 cfs

Peak discharge of outflow, 276 cfs

10 II 12 

JUNE

FIGURE 9. Flood hydrographs for gaging stations at Box Creek for the period June 9-14,1957.
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~23

the retention in the entire reach between the two gages. However, it 

is believed that only a small part of the loss is attributable to the channel and flood plain above the water spreader. Also, it is assumed that 

evaporation and transpiration losses are negligible during any single 

runoff period.

The flood hydrographs at both gaging stations for the period June 

30 to July 4, 1957, are shown in figure 10. The instantaneous peak 

discharge at the upper gaging station was 840 cfs and the outflow 

peak discharge was only 247 cfs at the mouth of Box Creek. This 

represents a reduction in peak discharge of 71 percent after passing 

through the water-spreading area.

The volume of observed flow at the upper gage was 482 acre-feet 

during the period June 30-July 4. Outflow at the lower gaging station 

began on July 1 and lasted until July 4, and the volume was only 

356 acre-feet. Again, the loss of 126 acre-feet represents retention in 

the entire reach between gaging stations, but most of this is probably 

attributable to the water spreader.

The infiltration differences in the six runoff periods shown in table 2 

are attributable in some degree to variations in soil moisture and 

ground-water levels. When soil moisture is high, the opportunity for 

storage of water in the spreading area is less than when there is a 

long period between runoff events and the soil is dry.

In summary, the total inflow for the six runoff periods was 2,026 

acre-feet and the outflow was 1,330 acre-feet, which represents a loss 

of 34 percent of surface flow entering the water spreader.

FLUCTUATION OF GROUND-WATER LEVELS

The five observation wells that were drilled in July 1957 reached a 

perched water table within the alluvial fill of Box Creek valley at 

depths ranging from 4 to 13 feet. (See fig. 11.) The thickness and 

lateral extent of the perched water body was not determined, but it is 

assumed that saturation does not extend through bedrock to any

900

 Peak discharge of inflow, 840 cfs

Peak discharge of outflow, 247cfs

 -\ I 

JUNE 30 JULY 1234

PIGXJKE 10. Flood hydrographs for gaging stations at Box Creek for the period June 30 to July 4,1957.
A-24 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

5080

LU 

U_

? 5060

5020

5000

4980

EXPLANATION 

A

1 2 3 

DISTANCE DOWNSTREAM FROM WELL A, IN MILES

FIGGKE 11. Graph showing land surface and water level In Box Creek water-spreading area, July 10,1957.

considerable depth. The depth of Mr. Downs' cased well at the ranch 

headquarters indicates a regional water table at depths of more than 

300 feet, which is probably not connected with the perched water 

within the water-spreading area.

Figure 12 shows hydrographs of five observation wells in the Box 

Creek water-spreading area for a 10-week period. Two floods occurred 

during the period, but there -were no observations made at well D 

from July 18 to August 9 and at well E from July 18 to August 14 

(fig. 12). Therefore, it is not known how the water level in these two 

wells responded to the flood of July 18. Measurable fluctuations in 

water levels were recorded at wells A and B after the flood of July 18. 

Well A showed significant response to the flood of September 13, and 

well E showed a minor response. During the period August 16-20, a 

small rise in water level was noted in well A. This probably was the 

result of infiltration following a small ponding of flow behind dike 4, 

located 30 feet upstream from well A.

It may be inferred from the observational data that some water 

entering the water spreader penetrates to the perched water table at 

the upper end of the dike system. However, this effect is less noticeable downstream.

FLUCTUATIONS IN SOIL-MOISTURE CONTENT AND THEIR 

INTERPRETATION

The purpose of the program of soil-moisture sampling in this study 

was to show the consumptive use of water by the water spreader and
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~25

-A

W © 0.

Well A

Well C

I

Mi LU ii 

Q

12 

ia i i

 -c^cx

Mj-u Q.

i i

 O-^o O 

1 1

0

Well D

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

Well E 

FIGUKE 12. Hydrographs of five observation wells In the Box Creek water-spreading area, 1957.

to check the absorption of water on the water spreader during storms 

as computed from inflow, from precipitation, and from outflow records. 

Complete records of soil-moisture content are given on pages A-44 to 

A-46. Because the zone of usable moisture storage for rangeland 

grasses is concentrated mainly within 12 inches of the surface, records 

for samples taken at the 12-inch depth were plotted in figure 13 for all 

sampling sites for the years 1956 and 1957.
A-26 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

Sampling 

site ' \

\ *

V

/\

V

 " . - 

\

A

/\

g 20 \ /

r\ .

\^ ^\

£25 

z 20

t 1R

/\ /\

 /

I \^~~s \

\

UJ 25

a: 

= 20

A

/

 _/ v\

\ _ _

FIGURE 13. Graphs showing soil-moisture content in the Box Creek water-spreading area at 12-inch sampling depth during the summer seasons 1956-57.

The soil-moisture records show the following general trends:

1. During 1956, soil-moisture content at most sampling points was 

depleted to the permanent wilting point (see table 4) before the 

storm of July 29, thereby limiting plant growth. This storm and 

resultant irrigation wet the soil to an average depth of about 24 

inches. Following the storm of July 29, the moisture content was 

maintained well above the permanent wilting point until after 

the last hay cutting in August.

2. Moisture content during the 1957 season was generally high, except 

for a short period before the storm of September 13. At no time 

should evapotranspiration or plant growth have been limited 

because of soil-moisture conditions.

In addition to the soil-moisture sampling program, data were obtained for the preparation of moisture-retention curves for the soils in
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~27

the water-spreading area. These curves define the limits of usable 

soil moisture and the pore-size characteristics of the soils.

SOIL-MOISTURE RETENTION RELATIONSHIPS

Moisture-retention curves have been used extensively for irrigation 

control. They define the limits of soil-moisture content for optimum 

crop growth. In the present study, they were used to estimate the 

amount of moisture absorbed on the water-spreading area during a 

storm.

A moisture-retention curve is a graph showing the relationship between the moisture content of a soil and the tension force with which 

that moisture is being held by the soil. The force required to remove 

moisture from a soil pore depends upon the pore size. The volume of 

water retained in a soil at a given tension is, therefore, related to the 

total volume of pore spaces that are smaller than a given size. Bradfield (1938) gives the relationship for pore diameters as d=0.30/A, 

where d is the pore diameter, in centimeters, and h is the tension, in 

centimeters of water. Thus, a moisture-retention curve also helps 

to define soil structure.

There are several direct and indirect methods of obtaining the data 

for soil-moisture retention curves. In the direct methods, samples 

of the soil are satruated and then subjected to known tension forces to 

remove moisture. After exposure to a specified tension force for 

sufficient time to reach equilibrium, a standard moisture content test 

is run on the sample.

Indirect methods involve the exposure of an inert porous material 

to the soil until the moisture-tension forces in the soil and the inert 

material are equalized. A physical property of the inert material that 

is a function of the moisture content is then measured. For these 

methods, the inert material must be calibrated in terms of moisture 

tension versus whatever physical property is measured.

Moisture-retention curves for samples of alluvium from Box Creek 

were obtained by using filter paper as the inert material in an indirect 

gravimetric method described by Gardner (1937).

The method was modified to permit the use of partly disturbed field 

samples with natural moisture instead of prepared samples. Also/ 

thymol was used to inhibit the growth of microorganisms instead of 

0.2 percent HgCl2 solution.

The data for moisture-retention curves were obtained from a set of 

moisture samples taken on November 13, 1957. The soil-moisture 

tension of this set of samples was measured at four steps in the drying 

cycle to give four arbitrary points on the moisture-retention curve for 

each sample. These data are given in table 4.
TABLE 4. Soil-moisture retention data for samples fr

Sampling site

Ml.. 

M3 

M5 

M6.. 

M7 -

Average

Depth

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24

Points on the moisture-retention curve '

1

Moisture 

(percent)

26.4 

21.1 

27.6 

25.9 

23.3

22.2 

24.1 

23.8 

25.9 

24.0

26.8 

26.8 

25.5 

23.0 

22.0

23.8 

17.6 

12.4 

10.7 

13.0

27.3 

23.0 

22.3 

21.0

Tension ' 

(atmospheres)

.39 

1.50 

1.2 

1.3 

1.1

1.35 

.90 

.86 

.84 

1.75

2.3 

1.8 

2.0 

.94 

1.5

2.3 

2.6 

3.1

5.4 

5.0

2.5 

1.8 

1.95 

2.45

2

Moisture 

(percent)

24.1 

18.4 

24.7 

23.9 

21.2

18.6 

21.4 

20.6 

23.1 

20.2

24.4 

24.4 

23.4 

20.8 

20.0

21.6 

15.3 

11.0 

9.2 

11.3

25.3 

20.9 

20.4 

19.0

Tension 

(atmospheres)

2.05 

2.6 

2.2 

2.4 

2.3

2.15 

1.8 

1.95 

1.6 

2.3

3.4 

3.1 

2.3 

1.9 

2.0

3.8 

4.7 

5.3 

12.0 

10.0

2.8 

2.3 

1.95 

2.55

3

Moisture 

(percent)

19.4 

13.6 

19.6 

20.3 

16.4

14.1

18.0 

16.6 

18.8 

15.8

19.8 

19.6 

18.9 

16.1 

15.7

17.5 

12.8 

9.1 

6.9 

9.0

20.5 

16.5 

15.5 

15.2

Tensio

(atmo

phere

2

4

3

3

3

2

2

2

2

3

4

3

2

2

3

5

7

15

27

18

5

4

3

3

i Each point on a moisture-retention curve consists of a moisture percentage and a corresponding tension

2, 3, and 4 are successively dryer points on the curve.
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~29 

SIGNIFICANCE OF MOISTURE-RETENTION LIMITS

The lower limit of water available for plant growth is usually considered to be the permanent-wilting percentage. Test plants growing 

in a sample of soil become permanently wilted when the moisture 

content of the soil is reduced to this value.

For a wide variety of soils, this permanent-wilting percentage has 

been found to correspond closely to the amount of water retained at a 

tension of about 15 atmospheres. It is generally accepted that the 

moisture content of a soil, when the tension is about 15 atmospheres, 

is the lower limit of usable soil moisture.

The upper limit of available soil moisture or field capacity has been 

defined as the amount of water held in the soil after the excess water 

has drained away by gravity and after the rate of downward movement of water has materially decreased (Lyon, Buckman, and Brady, 

1952, p. 190). This value is determined not only by the properties of 

the soil but also by the conditions of drainage as influenced by underlying materials and other field conditions. The moisture content at 

one-third atmosphere tension as determined in the laboratory has been 

used as a tentative field capacity and then adjusted on the basis of 

field moisture samples to include the effects of local differences in 

drainage. Field capacities given in table 4 have been adjusted for 

field conditions on the basis of 2 years of moisture sampling.

MOISTURE-RETENTION DATA

Moisture-retention data for selected moisture-sampling sites on the 

Box Creek water spreader are presented in table 4. Also, the permanent-wilting percentage, the field capacity, and the storage capacity 

of the soils are given. Moisture-retention curves for sampling site 

M3 are given in figure 14. The permanent-wilting percentage was 

obtained from the moisture-retention curves. The field capacity was 

obtained from the moisture-retention curves and adjusted on the 

basis of the soil-moisture record. The storage capacity is the difference between the permanent-wilting percentage and the field capacity.

ESTIMATION OF MOISTURE ABSORPTION

The average moisture content of the soils on the water spreader, 

following an extended period of dry weather, may be close to the 

permanent-wilting percentage. If enough water is contributed by 

precipitation and waterspreading, the moisture content of the soil 

will be increased to the field capacity. The depth of this increased 

moisture content will depend upon the infiltration rate and the time 

that water is applied.

The moisture records indicate that for storms preceded by low soilmoisture content the average depth of wetting did not exceed 2.5 feet. 

An increase in the moisture content for this depth from the permanent-
A-30 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

do

1-

55 

525

aa

0

ii i ^_

a:

s

z

LU 

1- 1(-

o 

o

a:

ft

i 10

~~- :; 

-<-.,,__

"-

 -

i)

^

^

^-\.

^N"'N

^v>A

\S

\

\

k*

\v>\

v^

\^n*v

\

\

'". ^^

Nv

N

s'&.

s

\

X.-;

s

x~

.

^

 ^

v^

« 

o.

~-

"

1"1*^,

'&C

.£

5

'c

c

§

a.

-~.^.

^-

5 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 

TENSION, IN ATMOSPHERES

EXPLANATION

18 inches 

24 inches 

30 inches

FIGURE 14. Moisture-retention curves for sampling site M3.

wilting point to the field capacity may be assumed to represent the 

maximum absorption for a single storm and resultant irrigation. If 

we assume the dry unit weight of soil at 95 pounds per cubic foot, 

then the depth to which moisture could be absorbed per foot of wetted 

soil would be 17.3 percent (the average storage capacity) multiplied 

by 95/62.4X100 or 0.263 foot. For the 2.5-foot wetted zone, for 

an area of 360 acres, the absorption would be as much as 240 acre-feet 

of water.

By using the average moisture content preceding a storm and comparing it with the field capacity of sediments in the depth at which 

the moisture content had increased, the absorption by the water 

spreader was computed for runoff periods as follows: July 29-30,

1956. 200 acre-feet; July 18-20, 1957, 66 acre-feet; September 13-15,

1957. 95 acre-feet. Moisture records were not adequate for periods 

preceding other storm events to compute moisture absorption.

The retention by the water spreader for the July 29-30, 1956, 

period computed from inflow, outflow, and precipitation records 

was 200 acre-feet, which happens to agree exactly with the figure 

obtained from changes in soil moisture. The agreement is doubtless 

partly coincidental. The retention by the water spreader for the 

period September 13-15, 1957, was 121 acre-feet. For the period 

July 18-20, 1957, it was not possible to compute the precipitation 

from inflow-outflow computations because of reservoir spill and the
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~31

failure of reservoir 9; therefore, absorption was estimated from 

moisture records.

The difference between the water spreader retention computed 

from inflow-outflow data and the moisture absorption computed from 

moisture records in the period September 13-15, 1957, can be attributed to filling of ponds behind the dikes during the storm. These 

ponds were empty or nearly empty before the storm.

MOISTURE USB

The moisture records for 1957 indicate an uncommonly high moisture content through the growing season. Moisture tension did not 

reach 15 atmospheres (permanent wilting point), so growth should not 

have been limited at any time by moisture stress. The total evapotranspiration during the growing season was greater than normal 

because more moisture was available. However, the water spreader 

did not absorb much moisture from each storm, because the moisturestorage capacity was filled most of the time. The percentage of the 

available moisture that was used by the water spreader was probably 

less during 1957 than in earlier years.

INTERPRETATION OF SEDIMENT MEASUREMENTS

Determining the effectiveness of the Box Creek water spreader in 

causing the deposition of suspended sediment from storm runoff 

was one of the primary objectives of the study. Resurveys of six 

sedimentation ranges and sediment samples taken at both gaging 

stations during storm periods in 1957, to determine the suspendedsediment load both in inflow and outflow, furnished some data on the 

disposition of sediment during the two runoff seasons. Because much 

of the sediment load and runoff passing the lower gaging station were 

derived from tributary areas between the upper and lower gaging 

stations, the measurement of all sediment loads entering the spreading 

area would have been possible only with an extensive system of automatic samplers. However, the data from resurvey of the sedimentation ranges and from suspended-sediment records for two storm periods 

in 1957, when there was no runoff from the area between gaging 

stations, permit some measure of sediment retention on the water 

spreader.

SEDIMENTATION RANGES

The six sedimentation ranges are distributed along the entire 

length of the water spreader and are representative of general conditions on the flood plain. (See fig. 3.)

The ranges were surveyed originally on July 2, 1956, at the beginning of the study. They were resurveyed for the first time at the 

close of the runoff season on September 24, 1956, and again with the
A-32 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

termination of the study on November 13, 1957. As would be expected, owing to the small amount of runoff in 1956, the sedimentation 

ranges showed only slight changes. In 1957 noticeable deposition and 

erosion were observed on most ranges. The comparative changes in 

the six ranges revealed by resurveys are shown in figure 15.

As a means of determining the total sedimentation or erosion in the 

water-spreading area, differences shown by the surveys in the elevation of individual stations along each range were computed and added 

algebraically to give a net figure for the overall change on each rangeThe area between ranges was planimetered from the maps of the 

water-spreader prepared by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on a 

scale of 1 inch to 200 feet. Assuming that the net depth of erosion or 

deposition for each pair of ranges was fairly representative of the 

intervening area, the volumetric changes in acre-feet were computed- 

(See table 5.)

During the period July 2 to September 24,1956, the net deposition on 

the spreading area was 1.1 acre-feet, and between September 25 

1956, and November 13, 1957, the net deposition was 16.7 acre-feet. 

Therefore, during the period of study the measured sedimentation was 

17.8 acre-feet on the 360 acres included in the water spreader, or an 

average of 0.049 foot on the area.

SUSPENDED-SEDIMENT MEASUREMENTS

The suspended-sediment records for the gaging stations were computed for the 1957 runoff season, but direct comparison is meaningless 

because of the unmeasured load that was contributed from the intervening drainage area. Some generalized interpretations may be 

made for selected storm periods when there was no runoff from the 

area between gaging stations. The seasonal totals also show that

TABLE 5. Sedimentation on Box Creek water spreader from July 2, 1956, to November 13, 1957

Sedimentation range

1 - . - .. -_.

2.

3 ._ . -_

4

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

6..

Total.... ...............

Average depth of erosion ( ) or deposition 

(+) during period (foot)

July 2 to 

Sept. 24, 

1956

+0.034 

-.069 

+.005 

-.027 

+.059 

+.001

Sept. 25, 

1956 to Nov. 

13, 1957

+0.327 

-.039 

+.014 

+.116 

-.008 

+.082

Area 

between 

ranges 

(acres)

36.5 

74.5 

55.5 

84.6 

110.4

Volume of erosion ( ) 

or deposition (+) during period (acre-ft)

July 2 to 

Sept. 24, 

1956

-0.6 

-2.4 

-.6 

+1.4 

+3.3

+1.1

Sept. 25, 

1956, to Nov. 

13, 1957

+5.3 

-.9 

+3.6 

+4.6 

+4.1

+16.7

Net volume 

(acre-ft)

+4.7 

-3.3 

+3.0 

+6.0 

+7.4

+17.8
100 0 1

DATUM IS ASSUMED 

FIGURE 15 Sedimentation ranges in the Box Creek basin showing erosion and deposition d
A-34 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

most of the sediment deposited on the water spreader came from the 

area below the upper gaging station.

During the 1957 season there were two periods in the Box Creek 

basin when runoff originated in the headwaters above the upper 

gaging station. The two periods were June 9-14 and June 30 to July 

4. The hydrographs showing runoff have been discussed alreadyIn the period June 9-14, the measured suspended-sediment load passing the upper station, Box Creek near Bill, was 2,712 tons, while that 

at the lower station, Box Creek near mouth, was only 829 tons. (See 

fig. 16.) Therefore, 1,883 tons was deposited in the channel and on 

the flood plain between the gages. In the runoff period June 30 to 

July 4, the suspended-sediment load at the upper station was 1,801 

tons, whereas at the lower station it was only 290 tons, representing a 

depletion by deposition of 75 percent or 1,511 tons. (See fig. 17.) 

Becuase of the lack of observations in the reach of Box Creek between 

the upper limit of the water-spreading area and the upper gaging

1000 -

500 -

10 11

JUNE

FIGURE 16. Histograms of suspended-sediment load at gaging stations on Box Creek for period June 9-14,'

1957.
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~35

§ 500

-Box Creek at mouth -

30 1 2 

JUNE-JULY

2 3

JULY

FIGURE 17. Histograms of suspended-sediment load at gaging 

stations on Box Creek for period June 30 to July 4,1957.

station, it was not possible to determine what proportion of the sediment was deposited on the water spreader during these two storms. 

Therefore, the differences in suspended-sediment load at the two gaging stations represent the depositional losses for the entire intervening 

area.

The data on suspended-sediment loads measured at Box Creek near 

Bill and Box Creek at mouth during the period April 9 to October 31, 

1957, are presented on pages A-36 and A-37. There was no measurable 

suspended sediment at the lower station in April, but the estimated 

suspended-sediment load at the upper station was 1.5 tons. In May, 

the suspended-sediment load at both stations was considerably higher, 

because storm runoff occurred on most days after May 13. However, 

most of the sediment passing the lower gaging station came from the 

area between the two stations. The suspended-sediment load was 

419 tons at the upper station and 3,898 tons at the lower station. The 

runoff and suspended-sediment load during June was relatively high 

at the upper station, but there was a large sediment depletion between 

the upper and lower stations. The suspended load was 4,631 tons at 

Box Creek near Bill and only 1,029 tons at the mouth. From July 5 

to October 31 the suspended-sediment load passing the upper station 

was insignificant. The load at the lower station, however, resulting 

from local storms was 2,146 tons on July 18-20 and 519 tons on 

September 13-14.
Measurements of suspended sediment, April 9 to October 

[The asterisk (*) indicates computation from estimated concentration graph. The d

Day

April

Mean 

discharge 

(cfs)

Suspended 

sediment

Mean 

concentration 

(ppm)

Tons 

per 

day

May

Mean 

discharge 

(cfs)

Suspended 

sediment

Mean 

concentration 

(ppm)

Tons 

per 

day

June

Mean 

discharge 

(cfs)

Suspended 

sediment

Mean 

concentration 

(ppm)

Tons 

per 

day

July

Mean 

discharge 

(cfs)

Suspended 

sediment

Mean 

concentration 

(ppm)

Tons 

per 

day

Box Creek near Bill, Wyo.

2 

3 ~

4 -----

6 

7___ .....

8 

9 ~

10 

11... _ .

13. 

14 - 

15 

16- 

17. 

18- 

1Q

22

23 -

94

OK

26 

27- 

28- 

29. 

30 

31- 

Total.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.3

.1

0

.3

.5

.4

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

t.2

t-1

M

t.2

}

o

0

4. O

t.l

0

0

1.5

0

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.1

.1

q

.4

1.1

.9

1.4

7.7

3

0

9 Q

3 9

00

6

Q

3 9

4.6

67

13

8.9

6.3

3 

A

37

35

17

97

401

77

7Q

557

358

252

140

60

920

0

tO. 05

t-1

M

K.05

K.05

t-1

t-1

f 3

t.2

+ Q

M* 2

* 3

1 234

*9 Q

* ft

* 9

i 2124

*19 ft

*6.1

*9 4

.6

i 2109

41Q

5 7

3.1

1 S

1.4

1 9

1.0

1.0

1.2

182

11

5.0

3.4

3.2

2.3

2

Q

2.6

4.2

2.6

29

99

9 9

2 7

2

1

2.1

2 f\

1.4

260

105

100

90

or

80

78

74

9000

740

Qlft

170

145

120

150

50

00

con

1OC

110

100

95

no

91

2430

*4.0

* Q

*.5

*.3

*.2

1743

121 Q4n

*4 2

i ft

*1.5

*1.0

* 9

* a

*1. 7

i ^23

137

*0 1

*1 ^

*.7

*.6

* t\

* 3

i 21740

4631. 0

99

7 9

3.8

2.1

1.4

.9

.4

.1

.1

1 3

.6

.2

.1

.1

.1

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

970

150

20

18

16

15

i q

19

11

OQ

41

10

1 3

1 3

1Q

1 Q

1 3

1Q

 to

1 3

1 Q

1 Q

14

15

16

17

91

*co

2 Q

* 9

*. i

»<.05

».3

»*.!

*<.05

*<.05

62.8
Box Creek at mouth, Wyoming

1-. 

2 ..

4.. 

g

7 

g

10 .

11.... 

10

iq

14 

15 

16 

17 

ID

19

20 

21. 

99

OQ

24 

25

26 -

27_.- 

00

QA

01

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.4

0

6.2

57

7.1

5 9

1.0

41

30

26

138

60

20

60

33

1.8

37

1410

905

2270

3010

3065

2365

2040

1480

350

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

t(t)

0

tl.5

t350

f2.0

tl.O

t(t)

1*189

1*83

2183

2393

21340

*516

1134

2 388

*169

1*2.0

1*147

3898. 5

34

3.8

0

0

0

0

0

75

84

1 K

2.8

0

0

0

33

8.8

33

6.8

1.0

0

0

0

0

0

960

360

100

885

995

225

Qf)

15

0

0

65

210

135

475

65

25

1*97

*3. 7

*. 1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1532

1*282

114

i *.8

*(t)

0

0

i * 2

0

0

0

136

1*13

1*49

1*1.4

*(t)

0

0

0

0

0

1029. 3

136

36

6.7

.6

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

127

57

.3

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

615

125

76

55

1555

2120

125

1275

1*13

1*1.4

*. 1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

i 1880

1266

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2435. 6

1 Computed by subdividing the day.

2 Computed from partly estimated concentration graph.
A-38 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USB

The total suspended-sediment load at the station Box Creek near 

Bill for the 1957 season (April through September) was 5,118 tons, 

and for the station Box Creek at mouth it was 7,882 tons. For 

comparing the suspended-sediment data with the volumetric measurements along the sedimentation ranges, the figures may be converted 

from tons to acre-feet by using an arbitrary value of 80 pounds per 

cubic foot, or about 1,742 tons per acre-foot, as the weight of sediment. 

On this basis, about 2.94 acre-feet of sediment passed the upper gage 

and 4.52 acre-feet was measured leaving the basin at the mouth 

during the 1957 season. The resurvey of the sedimentation ranges 

showed that 16.7 acre-feet of sediment was deposited on the water 

spreader from September 24, 1956, to November 13, 1957. If all 

sediment passing the upper gage during that period was trapped in 

the spreading area, it would only account for about 18 percent of the 

measured aggradation. Therefore, a major part of the sediment 

deposited on the water spreader came from the slopes adjacent to 

the water spreader.

Sediment samples taken during the two periods in 1957, when 

there was no runoff between the gaging stations, show reductions 

in the sediment load of 70 and 84 percent. The average concentration of sediments in the water passing through the water spreader 

during these two runoff periods was reduced 53 and 76 percent.

CONCLUSIONS

Some general conclusions may be drawn from the hydrologic data 

gathered during two runoff seasons in the Box Creek area, and the 

results may be applied in a general way to other areas in the Cheyenne 

River basin where similar treatment has been proposed. Certain 

limitations are placed on the interpretations of data that are discussed in this report as to the disposition of runoff and sediment on 

the Box Creek water spreader. The short period of observation 

available for the study limited the range of data that could be gathered, 

and a long-term study might have shown somewhat different results. 

The nonuniform distribution of observation reservoirs used to map 

inflow from tributaries between gaging stations resulted in inadequate 

measurements of runoff for some storms. Because of the difficulty 

of making observations in the reach of the valley between the upper 

gaging station and the head of the water spreader, the effect of the 

water spreader on runoff and sediment retention could not be determined accurately for storms concentrated in the headwaters of 

Box Creek.

It has been shown in other studies (Culler, 1961; Hadley and 

Schumm, 1961) that there is a natural depletion of both streamflow 

and sediment during storm runoff periods in the ephemeral streams
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~39

of the Cheyenne River basin. As might be expected, this loss is 

increased by diverting flood flows out of the channel and spreading 

the water over a permeable flood plain having many times the surface 

area of the channel. However, these data from Box Creek probably 

cannot be applied directly to other areas where water spreading has 

been proposed. The Box Creek water spreader has been in operation 

for about 30 years and the channel has been completely filled in 

places. Also, repeated flooding of the valley floor has undoubtedly 

improved growth of vegetation and laid down a considerable deposit 

of silt and clay that retains moisture better than coarser material. 

Furthermore, the perched water table in the Box Creek water spreader 

is shallow, because the valley is not now drained by a deep gully. 

All these factors contribute to maintaining high moisture contents 

on the water spreader; consequently, the amount of infiltration in 

this area is less during storm runoff than that in a newly established 

water-spreading area. In all the additional areas proposed for treatment, the flood plains are trenched by deep gullies 10 to 15 feet 

deep. These natural drainage ditches tend to lower the local water 

table and decrease the soil moisture so that most of the alluvial terrace bordering the channel is deficient in moisture. The vegetation 

on the valley floor is also sparse because overbank flooding occurs 

rarely. If a series of diversion dikes are placed across these channels, 

the absorption of storm runoff is expected to be greater than that 

observed in Box Creek until the moisture deficiency is overcome. 

Therefore, the depletion of runoff observed in the study area, despite 

the large use by vegetation, is probably lower than that which might 

be anticipated initially in the several proposed areas.

RECORDS

RUNOFF INTO RESERVATION RESERVOIRS

Station descriptions for 10 observation reservoirs and the records 

of runoff for individual runoff periods are given in the following table.

Reservoir (

Location. SE^SW^ sec. 6, T. 36 N., R. 68 W., near Bill, Wyo.

Gage. Reference mark; crest stages observed; gage read once weekly or oftener.

Drainage area. 0.56 sq mi.

Records available. 1956, summer months only.

Runoff and discharge determinations. Contents of reservoir and volume of inflow

computed from a stage-capacity curve of the reservoir. 

Capacity. 3.2 acre-ft at spillway (gage height of 46.1 ft), August 1956. 

Maximums. Maximum storm inflow volume 5.84 acre-ft, 10.4 acre-ft per sq mi,

July 29, 1956. 

Remarks. Records good, except that those for spill are poor.
A-40 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

Seasonal storm runoff, 1956

Date of flow

1956 Julyl6 _ ___

July W .................................

A.ug.17.... ...............................

Aug. 20-- 

Sept. 10 

Water-surface

elevation (ft)

Before

Inflow

43.4

43.7

45.4

44.9

After

Inflow

45.5

45.5

45.0

Inflow

stored

(acre-ft)

2.16

.10

.10

.08

Spill

(acre-ft)

0

3.68

0

0

0

Total

inflow

(acre-ft)

0.44

5.84

.10

.10

.08

Inflow

(acre-ft

per

sqmi)

0.8

10.4

.2

.2

.1

Reservoir 2

Location. NW#NE# sec. 12, T. 36 N., R. 69 W., near Bill, Wyo.

Gage. Reference mark; crest stages observed; gage read once weekly or oftener.

Drainage area. 0.39 sq mi.

Records available. 1956-57, summer months only.

Runoff and discharge determinations. Contents of reservoir and volume of inflow

computed from a stage-capacity curve of the reservoir. 

Capacity. 12.0 acre-ft at spillway (gage height of 46.1 ft), August 1956. 

Maximums. Maximum storm inflow volume 8.1 acre-ft, 20.8 acre-ft per sq mi,

July 29, 1956. 

Remarks. Records good.

Seasonal storm runoff, 1956-57

Date of flow

19S6

July 29

1967 

July 18 - . .^. ............

Aug. 17 _ 

Water-surface 

elevation (ft)

Before 

inflow

41.20 

41.30

42.35 

43.30 

42.60

After 

inflow

41.60 

45.20

45.00 

43.70 

43.95

Inflow 

stored 

(acre-ft)

0.5 

8.1

5.9 

.9 

2.8

Spill 

(acre-ft)

0 

0

0 

0 

0

Total 

inflow 

(acre-ft)

0.5 

8.1

5.9 

.9 

2.8

Inflow 

(acre-ft 

per 

sqmi)

1.3

20.8

15.1 

2.1 

7.4

Reservoir 3

Location. SW#SW# see. 36, T. 37 N., R. 69 W., near Bill, Wyo.

Gage. Reference mark; crest stages observed; gage read once weekly or oftener.

Drainage area. 0.53 sq mi.

Records available. 1956-57, summer months only.

Runoff and discharge determinations. Contents of reservoir and volume of inflow

computed from a stage-capacity curve of the reservoir. 

Capacity. 25.0 acre-ft at spillway (gage height of 47.3 ft), August 1956. 

Maximums. Maximum storm inflow volume 14.0 acre-ft, 26.4 acre-ft per sq

mi, July 18, 1957. 

Remarks. Records good.
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~41

Seasonal storm runoff, 1956-57

Date of flow

1966 

July 16. .._.. _ .... 

July29 _ ..--

1957

June 20.. ___________________

July 18 ._- -_ ............

Sept. 13.. - 

Water-surface 

elevation (ft)

Before 

Inflow

35.10 

35.00

44.75 

44.20 

44.90 

43.00 

41.95

After 

inflow

36.40 

41.90

46.10 

45.10 

45.80 

47.05 

45.60

Inflow 

stored 

(acre-ft)

0.7 

7.5

5.0 

3.0 

3.5 

14.0 

10.4

Spill 

(acre-ft)

0 

0

0 

0 

0 

0 

0

Total 

inflow 

(acre-ft)

0.7 

7.5

5.0 

3.0 

3.5 

14.0 

10.4

Inflow 

(acre-ft 

per 

sq mi)

1.3 

14.2

9.4 

5.7 

6.6 

26.4 

19.6

Reservoir 4

Location. NE%NW}£ sec 1, T. 36 N., R. 69 W., near Bill, Wyo.

Gage. Reference mark; crest stages observed; gage read once weekly or oftener.

Drainage area. 0.14 sq mi.

Records available. 1956-57, summer months only.

Runoff and discharge determinations. Contents of reservoir and volume of inflow

computed from a stage-capacity curve of the reservoir. 

Capacity. 2.0 acre-ft at spillway (gage height of 45.0 ft), August 1956. 

Maximums. Maximum storm inflow volume 3.85 acre-ft. 22.6 acre-ft per sq

mi, July 29, 1956. 

Remarks. Records good, except that those for spill are poor.

Seasonal storm runoff, 1956-57

Date of flow

1956 

July 16... .................................

July 29 .... ... ................ .. ... 

1957

JulylS 

Sept. 13.. _ .-... _ .-.-- - _ - ___ - _ .

Water-surface 

elevation (ft)

Before 

inflow

43.30 

43.20

44.70 

44.15 

43.55

After 

inflow

43.60 

45.00

45.00 

45.00 

45.00

Inflow 

stored 

(acre-ft)

0.18 

1.31

.28 

.72 

1.10

Spill 

(acre-ft)

0 

2.54

.16 

.96 

.15

Total 

inflow 

(acre-ft)

0.18 

3.85

.44 

1.68 

1.25

Inflow

(acre-ft 

per 

sqmi)

1.1 

22.6

2.59 

9.89 

7.36

Reservoir 5

Location SE^SE# sec. 36, T. 37 N., R. 69 W., near Bill, Wyo.

Gage. Reference mark; crest stages observed; gage read once weekly or oftener.

Drainage area. 0.72 sq mi.

Records available. 1956-57 summer months only.

Runoff and discharge determinations. Contents of reservoir and volume of inflow

computed from a stage-capacity curve of the reservoir. 

Capacity. 19.6 acre-ft at spillway (gage height of 46.5 ft), August 1956. 

Maximums. Maximum storm inflow volume 9.0 acre-ft, 12.5 acre-ft per sw mi,

July 29, 1956. 

Remarks. Records good, except that those for spill are poor.
A-42 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USB 

Seasonal storm runoff, 1956-57

Date of flow

1956

July 16... ... 

July 29 .. . .

1957

July 18 .... .....

Water-surface

elevation (ft)

Before

inflow

39.60

39.20

4fi 9S

AK KK

45.10

44.20

After

inflow

44.00

dfi i<\

AK QC

46.51

46.50

46.50

Inflow

stored

(acre-ft)

0 9

9.0

1.10

1 80

2.85

5.50

8.35

Spill

(acre-ft)

0

0

0

0

0

2.79

.50

Total

inflow

(acre-ft)

0 9

9 0

1.10

1 80

2.85

8.29

8.75

Inflow

(acre-ft

per

sq mi)

1.2

12.5

1.6

2.5

3.96

11.5

12.2

Reservoir 6

Location. NW#NW# sec. 6, T. 36 N., R. 68 W., near Bill, Wyo.

Gage. Reference mark; crest stages observed; gage read once weekly or oftener.

Drainage area. 0.17 sq mi.

Records available. 1956-57, summer months only.

Runoff and discharge determinations. Contents of reservoir and volume of inflow

computed from a stage-capacity curve of the reservoir. 

Capacity. 7.0 acre-ft at spillway (gage height 48.4 ft), August 1956. 

Maximums. Maximum storm inflow volume 5.41 acre-ft, 31.8 acre-ft per sq

mi, July 18, 1957. 

Remarks. Records good, except that those for spill are poor.

Seasonal storm runoff, 1956-57

Date of flow

1956 

July 29... . 

1957 

May28-~ 

July 18-.. 

Sept. 13 

Water-surface 

elevation (ft)

Before 

inflow

42.80

47.10 

47.15 

47.50 

47.40

After 

inflow

47.50

47.25 

48.25 

48.40 

47.90

Inflow 

stored 

(acre-ft)

4.72

0.25 

2.10 

1.75 

.9

Spill 

(acre-ft)

0

0 

0 

3.66 

0

Total 

inflow 

(acre-ft)

4.72

0.25 

2.10 

5.41 

.9

Inflow

(acre-ft 

per 

sq mi)

27.8

1.47 

12.4 

31.8 

5.3

Reservoir 7

Location. NE%SE% sec. 31, T. 37 N., R. 68 W., near Bill, Wyo.

Gage. Reference mark; crest stages observed; gage read once weekly or oftener.

Drainage area. 0.17 sq mi.

Records available. 1956-57, summer months only.

Runoff and discharge determinations. Contents of reservoir and volume of inflow

computed from a stage-capacity curve of the reservoir. 

Capacity. 4.4 acre-ft at spillway (gage height 47.78 ft), August 1956. 

Maximums. Maximum storm inflow volume 4.50 acre-ft, 16.1 acre-ft per sq

mi, July 29, 1956. 

Remarks. Records good, except that those for spill are poor.
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~43

Seasonal storm runoff, 1956-57

Date of flow

1956 

July 23.... ...... ........... - ._

July 29 

1957

July 18 ... ...

Water-surface 

elevation (ft)

Before 

Inflow

46.20 

46.40

47.75 

47.15 

47.60 

47.15 

46.65

After 

inflow

46.50 

47.70

47.78 

47.75 

47.78 

47.78 

47.35

Inflow 

stored 

(acre-ft)

0.35 

1.85

.05 

.95 

.30 

1.0 

.95

Spill 

(acre-ft)

0 

2.65

2.90 

0 

0 

.40 

0

Total 

inflow 

(acre-ft)

0.35 

4.50

2.95 

.95 

.30 

1.40 

.95

Inflow 

(acre-ft 

per 

sq mi)

1.2 

16.1

10.5 

3.4 

1.1 

5.0 

3.4

Reservoir 8

Location. NE^NWK sec. 5, T. 36 N., R. 68 W., near Bill, Wyo.

Gage. Reference mark; crest stages observed; gage read once weekly or oftener.

Drainage area. 0.40 sq mi.

Records available. 1957, summer months only.

Runoff and discharge determinations. Contents of reservoir and volume of inflow

computed from a stage-capacity curve of the reservoir. 

Capacity. 3.3 acre-ft at spillway (gage height 48.50 ft), August 1956. 

Maximums. Maximum storm inflow volume 2.14 acre-ft, 5.35 acre-ft per sq

mi, July 18, 1957. 

Remarks. Records good, except that those for spill are poor.

Seasonal storm runoff, 1957

Date of flow

19B7 

July 18 

Water-surface 

elevation (ft)

Before 

inflow

47.72 

47.54

After 

inflow

48.50 

48.15

Inflow 

stored 

(acre-ft)

0.93 

.77

Spill 

(acre-ft)

1.21 

0

Total 

inflow 

(acre-ft)

2.14 

.77

Inflow 

(acre-ft 

per 

sq mi)

5.35 

1.92

Reservoir 9

Location. SW#NE# sec. 6, T. 36 N., R. 68 W., near Bill, Wyo.

Gage. Reference mark, crest stages observed; gage read once weekly or oftener.

Drainage area. 2.47 sq mi.

Records available. 1957, June to July only.

Runoff and discharge determinations. Contents of reservoir and volume of inflow

computed from stage-capacity curve of the reservoir.

Capacity. 125.0 acre-ft at spillway (gage height 50.60 ft), November 1957. 

Maximums. Maximum storm inflow volume 101.5 acre-ft, 41.0 acre-ft per sq mi,

July 18, 1957, dam breached. 

Remarks. Records good.
A-44 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

Seasonal storm runoff, 1957

Date of flow

1957 

July 18.... . ... ................

Water-surface 

elevation (ft)

Before 

inflow

42.25

After 

inflow

50.50

Inflow 

stored 

(acre-ft)

1 101. 49

Spill 

(acre-ft)

0

Total 

inflow 

(acre-ft)

101. 49

Inflow 

(acre-ft 

per 

sq mi)

41.0

1 Dam breached July 18, 1957 after storm.

Reservoir 41

Location. NE^SE1^ sec. 21, T. 36 N., R. 70 W., near Bill, Wyo.

Gage. Reference mark; crest stages observed; gage read once weekly or oftener.

Drainage area. 1.26 sq mi.

Records available. 1956-57, summer months only.

Runoff and discharge determinations. Contents of reservoir and volume of inflow

computed from a stage-capacity curve of the reservoir. 

Capacity. 6.9 acre-ft at spillway (gage height 29.0 ft), August 1956. 

Maximums. Maximum storm inflow volume 2.05 acre-ft, 1.63 acre-ft per sq mi,

June 9, 1957. 

Remarks. Records good.

Seasonal storm runoff, 1956-57

Date of flow

1956

July 13 __ ...... 

Sept. 10 ..... .... ... .....

1957

July 18 

Water-surface

elevation (ft)

Before

inflow

oq on

22.05

26.65

27.25

26.65

After

inflow

oq CA

99 Qft,

28.22

27.80

27.55

Inflow

stored

(acre-ft)

0.02

.064

2.05

.72

1.10

Spill

(acre-ft)

0

0

0

0

0

Total

inflow

(acre-ft)

0.02

.064

2.05

.72

1.10

Inflow

(acre-ft

per

sq mi)

0.016

.05

1.63

.57

.87

SOIL-MOISTURE OBSERVATIONS

Data on the fluctuation of soil moisture are given in the table 

below for seven sampling sites in the Box Creek water spreader.

Soil-moisture observations 

[Location of sampling sites shown on figure 3]

Date of sampling

1956 

July T. ....... .....................

July U. ................... ........

Depth 

(inches)

6 

12 

24 

30

6 

12 

24 

36

Soil moisture as percent of dry weight for indicated 

sampling site

Ml

11.3 

9.6 

15.8

M2 M3

9 2

19.2

21.2

M4 M5

18.2 

21.1 

23.4

M6

13.7 

16.8 

14.8 

12.2

M7

18.7 

19.7 

30.6 

26.7
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A~45

Soil-moisture observations Continued

Date of sampling

July 13.

July 19_

July 26 _

Aug. 3.

Aug. 9.

Aug. 17.

Aug. 23.

Aug. 30-

Sept. 27-

June 9.

June 19-

June 29.

1967

Depth 

(inches)

6 

12 

18 

24

6 

12 

18 

24 

30 

42

12 

18 

24 

30 

36 

40

6 

12 

18 

24 

30 

36 

42

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

3fr

Soil moisture as percent of dry weight for indicated 

sampling site

Ml

13.7 

10.5

19.4 

18.0 

19.7

9.6 

8.2 

10.0 

14.7

26.8

24.6 

18.4 

23.0

21.1 

22.1

22.2 

19.4

19.9 

23.6

19.3 

21.5

22.8 

18.6

20.2 

23.4

15.3 

19.2 

4.7 

19.4

25.5 

22.8 

22.0 

26.0 

26.2

M2

23.4 

19.7 

11.3

11.5

11.9 

12.0 

8.6

22.2

14.7 

14.0

18.6 

21.8

13.9

8.9 

10.4

9.6

11.1 

11.2 

10 9

10.0

26.8 

25.5 

23.2 

7.5

311.4

22.3 

21.9 

22.5 

20.7 

15.1

M3

"""ill"

12.6 

19.7

13.3

17.3 

19.3

23.9

21.3 

15.7 

14.4

20.2 

22.8

15.4 

12.6

18.5 

17.5

17.5 

14.3

19.5 

19.4

19 7

20.1 

20.3

18.2 

18.2

12.3

11.0

8.6

8.7

26.2 

24.7 

24.2 

24.4 

22.5

22.8 

26.2 

24.8 

24.3 

23.6

24.7 

27.7 

26.7 

22.4 

24.9

M4

16.5

IK 1

15.4

17.0

10.5 

15.8

10.5 

11.9

11.3

Q &

12.3 

22.9

27.7

24.1 

19.5 

16.4

25.9 

23.2 

17.4

13.0

23.5 

24.4

10.1

22.2 

23.6 

17.7

18.1 

27.1

99 9

18.1

(2) 

(a) 

(a) 

(2) 

(2)

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(2)

(2) 

(2) 

« (2) 

(2)

M5

""ieT

18.2 

22.2

13.0

11.4 

25.3 

21.6

26.1

24.0 

18.6 

24.6

25.3 

23.2

16.7 

16.6

21.2 

20.5

16.7

17.7

20.7 

23.8 

20.8 

22.6

29.2 

26.2 

28.1 

23.0 

21.2

28.2 

25.9 

27.7 

27.4 

24.5

M6

13.9 

16.3

16.5 

15.6

0) 

16.2 

18.5 

11.5

30.9

27.3 

20.6 

13.7

27.8 

27.7 

18.0

21.8

16.6 

21.4 

19.0

17.2 

10.0

19.5 

25.3 

24.4 

16.2

12.2 

14.3

11.9 

12.3

14.4 

15.9 

15.5 

10.3

« (2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(2)

(2) 

(2) 

(2)

(2) 

(2)

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(2)

M7

17.6 

13.7

24.3

14.3 

14.6 

22.8 

19.7

18.2

31.1 

27.4 

33.5 

31.8 

23.7 

20.5

26.8 

25.5

29.8 

22.1

23.7 

23.8

26.0 

24.1

18.9 

23.9 

30.4 

23.3

18.7 

19.8

29.3 

25.6

13.9 

10.7 

23.3 

19.2

28.4 

28.6 

28.8 

28.8 

27.2

27.3 

28.2 

28.9 

22.2 

26.2
A-46 HYDROLOGIC EFFECTS OF LAND USE

Soil-moisture observations Continued

Date of sampling

Julys... 

July 10... 

July 24- .

Aug. 1. -- --

A n D" 14

Aug. 21.. 

Oct. 2-.. ... ... ... ... ... ..... 

Nov. 13.....-..-. __ . _ . _ ....

Depth 

(inches)

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

6 

12 

18 

24 

30

Soil moisture as percent of dry weight for indicated 

sampling site

Ml

27.0 

28.6 

26.4 

26.2

20.4 

22.4 

26.2 

27.2 

22.1

26.9 

22.5 

25.3 

25.5 

28.2

28.1 

23.1 

23.8 

22.2 

27.5

17.6 

22.9 

22.8 

21.6 

21.0

14.5 

14.9 

16.1 

18.0 

17.6

16.3 

21.0 

25.4 

21.7 

25.4

12.8 

15.1 

19.3 

20.5 

27.2

25.0 

24.8 

27.5

21.6 

19.1 

24.7 

23.0 

17.9

26.4 

21.6 

28.0 

25.8 

23.5

M2

21.4 

18.5 

20.8 

16.2 

11.0

20.9 

17.3 

17.6 

15.6 

17.3

18.5 

17.4 

10.6 

14.8 

22.4

11.4 

10.4 

11.1 

9.7 

8.7

19.5 

13.1 

10.0

M3

27.0 

28.9 

27.5 

25,2 

25.4

23.6 

23.9 

24.2 

25.2 

22.7

23.8 

25.8 

25.6 

26.4 

24.4

22.6 

22.7 

23.4 

23.8 

21.4

19.1 

22.9 

23.5 

21.9 

24.0

22.4

23.6

23.6

22.3

19.7

17.7

20.6

18.6

17.3

23.2

11.1

11.0

22.0

22.4

26.8 

24.1 

25.6 

22.8

17.8

23.5

23.9

22.8

22.2

22.5

24.3

23.8

26.0

24.3

M4

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(")

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(2)

27.7 

27.9 

25.6 

21.5 

20.9

22.0 

21.2 

24.2 

18.0 

10.4

21.0 

18.1 

21.5 

20.7 

22.3

M5

27.6 

25.6 

27.6 

26.2 

26.4

27.2 

26.3 

26.0 

25.9 

26.4

25.6 

27.5 

28.7 

25.8 

25.7

24.5 

25.6 

21.8 

21.8 

25.1

23.9 

23.2 

24.3 

27.4 

21.7

22.0

27.4 

25.9 

21.6 

26.2

21.6 

19.4 

24.0 

21.9 

23.8

21.1 

24.2

23.8 

24.2

26.2 

25.4 

25.9 

25.6

26.3 

25.8 

26.4 

27.4 

25.1

27.0 

27.1 

25.7 

23.2 

22.3

M6

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(2) 

(2)

29.6

28.0 

27.0

24.9 

28.0 

26.1 

26.9 

28.9

16.7 

23.8 

24.1 

28.5 

27.7

17.1 

25.3 

27.6 

31.0 

30.3

19.9 

23.8 

27.7 

30.4 

29.7

18.2 

21.2 

26.0

23.2 

31.1

27.0 

25.9 

28.2 

27.8

26.6 

27.6 

26.4 

30.1 

29.8

23.8 

17.7 

12.6 

11.1

12.7

M7

28.7 

22.6 

24.9 

26.6 

29.3

21.9 

23.3 

23.2 

25.3 

26.3

28.1 

24.7 

27.3 

24.8 

29.5

20.7 

20.8 

17.8 

17.5 

14.5

12.6 

13.8 

17.8 

19.2 

25.5

16.0 

13.4 

17.4 

18.3 

20.1

16.9 

19.0 

17.2 

15.6 

25.9

23.8 

22.8 

22.9 

23.5 

20.9

25.7 

24.3 

22.4 

25.2 

22.0

27.5 

22.9 

22.5 

21.4

»Dry.

2 Flooded.

s 9.8 percent at 36-inch depth, site M2 on June 19,1957.
WATER SPREADING IN BOX CREEK BASIN, WYOMING A-47

REFERENCES CITED

Bradfield, R. and Jamison, V. C., 1938, Soil structure . . . Attempts at its

quantitative characterization: Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., v. 3, p. 70-76. 

Culler, R. C., 1961, Hydrology of Upper Cheyenne River basin: U.S. Geol.

Survey Water-Supply Paper 1531-A. 

Gardner, Robert, 1937, A method of measuring the capillary tension of soil

moisture over a wide moisture range: Soil Sci., v. 43, p. 277-283. 

Hadley, R. F. and Schumm, S. A., 1961, Hydrology of Upper Cheyenne River

basin: U.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 1531-B. 

Kennon, F. W. and Peteron, H. V., 1960, Hydrology of Cornfield Wash, New

Mexico: U.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 1475-B, p. 87. 

Lyon, T. L., Buckman, H. O., and Brady, N. C., 1952, The nature and properties

of soils: New York, The Macmillan Co., p. 190. 

U.S. Geological Survey, 1958, Surface water supply of the United States, 1957,

pt. 6-A, Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa: U.S. Geol. Survey

Water-Supply Paper 1509, 454 p. 

U.S. Weather Bureau, 1949-57, Climatological data, Wyoming.
INDEX

Page

Abstract____________________.. A-l 

Acknowledgments_..__...._____..... 2-3 

Agriculture....___...______.__.... 5 

Angostura Reservoir, sediment reduction__ 1-2

Bibliography__________________ 47 

Box Creek at mouth, streamflow data.--._... 16

suspended-sediment measurements....... 34-38

Box Creek near Bill, streamflow data__.... 15

suspended-sediment measurements.___ 34-38

Conclusions.--.-..._________...__ 38-39

Dikes. See Water-spreading system.

Douglas, precipitation data_________ 10-14

Dull Center, precipitation data.______.. 10-14

Field capacity, definition. 

Flood plain, description.. 

Fort Union formation....

Ground-water levels, fluctuation___..._. 23-24 

Hydrographs__________________ 22,23,24

Infiltration tests_______..______ 9,18,20 

Instrumentation______________ 5-9

Introduction...________________ 1-4 

Investigation, methods.._______.__. 5-9

Location .

Moisture-retention curve, definition..... _.. 27 

Observation wells....___________ 7-8,23,24

Permanent-wilting percentage, definition_.. 

Permanent-wilting point....___.._..._. 

Physiography..______.__...._____.

A-48

Precipitation, analysis of data.. _______ 10-14

data______________________ 11,20

largest daily_________________ 12-14

measurements______ ... - 5

Procedures.___________ 5-9

Purpose and scope of study. .--------------- 1-2

Reservoirs, description and runoff.-.._.__ 39-44 

Runoff, data.-- 14-17,39^4

disposition......___________... 17-22

map______________________ 18,20 

measurements________.______ 7

Sedimentation, measurements. ___. ___ 8-9,32 

ranges.-..------.-.-.---.----------.---. 8, 31-32

Soil moisture, absorption.__ __-..__. 29-31 

fluctuations.....-.---...-----.----- 24-27,44-46

limits -------------------------------- 29

retention data________________ 28,29 

retention relationships.._- --- 27-28 

trends.-----.-_..- --.-.. ..-.-------- 26

use in water spreader. __ __. _ _ __ 31

Spreader dikes. See Water-spreading system.

Storage capacity, definition....... 29

Streamflow, computations based on records.. 17-23 

data._____________________ 15-16

Suspended-sediment measurements __. 32-38

U.S. Weather Bureau gage Bill 14 SE., location...____.. -.--. .

Vegetation, effect.

Wasatch formation___ ___ 4 

Water-spreader system, sedimentation .... 32

soil-moisture fluctuation...___.-..---. 44-16 

soil-moisture retention.._ . 30-31 

streamflow data..___---------- -... 20

description.._________.---._-... 4-5

4 ' Wells. See Observations wells.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1961 O-602715