Surface Water Supply 

of the United States 

1956

Part 6-A. Missouri River Basin above Sioux 

City, Iowa

Prepared under the direction of J. V. B. WELLS, Chief, Surface Water Branch 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1439

Prepared in cooperation with the States 

of Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North 

Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, 

and with other agencies

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1958
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

FRED A. SEATON, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Thomas B. Nolan, Director

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

Washington 25, D. C. - Price $1.50 (paper cover)
PREFACE

This report was prepared by the Geological Survey in cooperation 

with the States of Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South 

Dakota, and Wyoming, and with other agencies, by personnel of the 

Water Resources Division, C. G. Paulsen, chief, succeeded by L. B. 

Leopold, under the general direction of J. V. B. Wells, chief, Surface Water Branch, and B. J. Peterson, chief, Basic Records Section.

The data were collected and computed under supervision of district 

engineers, Surface Water Branch, as follows:

F. M. Bell_____________________________Denver, Colo. 

V. R. Bennion________________________Iowa City, Iowa 

H. M. Erskine________________________Bismarck, N. Dak. 

D. D. Lewis _______ _________Lincoln, Nebr.

T. R. Newell _ _________________ Boise, Idaho

Frank Stermitz_______ ____________Helena, Nont.

in
CALENDAR FOR WATER YEAR 1956

OCTOBER 1955

S M T W T P S 

1

2345678

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

JANUARY 1956

S M T W T P S

1234567

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

APRIL 1956

S M T P S

123

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30

JULY 1956

S M T W T P S

1234567

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

IV

NOVEMBER 1955

5 M T W T P S 

12345

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

FEBRUARY 1956

S M T W T P S 

1234

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

MAY 1956

5 M T W T P S 

12345

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

AUGUST 1956

S M T W T P S 

1234

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 

26 27 28 29 30 31

DECEMBER 1955

S M T W T P S 

123

4 5 6 7 £ 9 10 

11 12 13 14 IE 16 17 

18 19 20 21 2? 23 24 

25 26 27 28 2S 30 31

MARCH 1956

S M T W T P S 

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 £ 9 10 

11 12 13 14 IE 16 17 

18 19 20 21 2? 23 24 

25 26 27 28 2E 30 31

JUKE 19E6

5 M T W T P S 

1 2

3 4 5 6 T 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 2£ 29 30

SEPTEBHER 1956

S M T W T P S 

1

2345678

9 10 11 12 II 14 15

16 17 18 19 2C 21 22

23 24 25 26 2T 28 29

30
CONTENTS

Page 

Scope of work........................................................................ 1

Cooperation.......................................................................... 1

Division of work..................................................................... 2

Definition of terms and abbreviations................................................ 2

Downstream order of listing gaging stations.......................................... 3

Explanation of data.................................................................. 3

Accuracy of field data and computed results.......................................... 7

Publications......................................................................... 8

Records of discharge collected by agencies other than the Geological Survey.......... 12

Hydrologic conditions................................................................ 12

Gaging-station records............................................................... 14

Red Rock River (head of Missouri River) at Kennedy Ranch, near Lakeview, Mont...... 14

Red Rock River below Lima Reservoir, near Monida, Mont............................. 15

Red Rock River near Dell, Mont..................................................... 16

Beaverhead River (continuation of Red Rock River): 

Grasshopper Creek basin 

Grasshopper Creek near Dillon, Mont.............................................. 17

Beaverhead River at Barratts, Mont................................................. 18

Blacktail Creek basin

Blacktail Creek near Dillon, Mont................................................ 19

Beaverhead River at Blaine, Mont................................................... 20

Ruby River basin

Ruby River above reservoir, near Alder, Mont..................................... 21

Ruby River near Alder, Mont...................................................... 22

Ruby River at Laurin, Mont....................................................... 23

Ruby River near Twin Bridges, Mont............................................... 24

Big Hole River basin

Big Hole River near Melrose, Mont................................................ 25

Birch Creek near Glen, Mont.................................................... 26

Jefferson River (continuation of Beaverhead River): 

Whltetall Creek basin 

Whltetall Creek near Whitehall, Mont............................................. 27

Boulder River basin

Boulder River above Rock Creek, near Basin, Mont................................. 28

Boulder River near Boulder, Mont...............'.................................. 29

Jefferson River at Sappington, Mont................................................ 30

Willow Creek basin

Willow Creek near Harrison, Mont................................................. 31

Willow Creek near Willow Creek, Mont............................................. 32

Madison River basin

Madison River near West Yellowstone, Mont........................................ 33

Madison River below Hebgen Lake, near Grayling, Mont............................. 34

Madison River near Cameron, Mont................................................. 35

Madison River below Ennis Lake, near McAllister, Mont............................ 36

Missouri River (continuation of Jefferson River): 

Gallatln River basin 

Gallatln River: 

Taylor Creek near Grayling, Mont............................................... 37

Gallatin River near Gallatin Gateway, Mont....................................... 38

East Gallatin River at Bozeman, Mont........................................... 39

Bridger Creek near Bozeman, Mont............................................. 40

Hyalite Creek at Hyalite ranger station near Bozeman, Mont................... 41

Gallatin River at Logan, Mont.................................................... 42

Missouri River at Toston, Mont..................................................... 43

Canyon Ferry Reservoir near Helena, Mont........................................... 44

Prickly Pear Creek basin

Prickly Pear Creek near Clancy, Mont............................................. 45

Tenmile Creek near Rimini, Mont................................................ 46

Missouri River below Holter Dam, near Wolf Creek, Mont............................. 47

Dearborn River basin

Dearborn River near Craig, Mont.................................................. 49

Smith River basin 

Smith River: 

Newland Creek near dam site, near White Sulphur Springs, Mont.................. 50

Sheep Creek near White Sulphur Springs, Mont................................... 51

Smith River near Eden, Mont......"................................................ 52

Sun River basin

North Fork of North Fork Sun River near Augusta, Mont............................ 53

Sun River:

Muddy Creek at Vaughn, Mont.................................................... 54

Sun River near Vaughn, Mont...................................................... 55

Belt Creek basin

Belt Creek near Monarch, Mont.................................................... 56

Missouri River at Fort Benton, Mont................................................ 57

Marias Riyer basin

Two Medicine River (head of Marias River) near Browning, Mont.................... 58

Badger Creek near Browning, Mont............................................... 59

Cut Bank Creek at Cut Bank, Mont............................................... 60

Marias River near Shelby, Mont................................................... 61

Tiber Reservoir near Chester, Mont............................................... 62

Marias River near Chester, Mont.................................................. 63

Marias River near Brinkman, Mont................................................. 64

Teton River near Dutton, Mont.................................................. 65

V
VI CONTENTS

Gaging-station records Continued Page

Missouri River at Virgelle, Mont................................................... 66

Judith River basin

Judith River near Utica, Mont.................................................... 67

Ross Fork near Hobson, Mont.................................................... 68

Big Spring Creek near Lewistown, Mont.......................................... 69

Wolf Creek near Stanford, Mont................................................. 70

Missouri River at powerplant ferry, near Zortman, Mont............................. 71

Musselshell River basin

North Fork Musselshell River near Delpine, Mont.................................. 72

South Fork Musselshell River above Martinsdale, Mont........................... 73

Big Elk Creek at Twodot, Mont.................................................. 74

Musselshell River at Harlowton, Mont............................................. 75

American Fork below Lebo Creek, near Harlowton, Mont........................... 76

Musselshel1 River near Ryegate, Mont............................................. 77

Musselshell River near Roundup, Mont............................................. 78

Musselshell River at Musselshell, Mont........................................... 79

Box Elder Creek:

McDonald Creek at Winnett, Mont.............................................. 80

Platwillow Creek near Flatwillow, Mont....................................... 81

Musselshell River at Mosby, Mont................................................. 82

Dry Creek basin

Dry Creek near Van Norman, Mont.................................................. 83

Fort Peck Reservoir at Fort Peck, Mont............................................. 84

Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam, Mont........................................... 85

Milk River basin

South Fork Milk River near international boundary................................ 86

North Fork Milk River above St. Mary Canal, near Browning, Mont................ 87

North Fork Milk River near international boundary.............................. 88

Milk River at Milk River, Alberta................................................ 89

Milk River at eastern crossing of international boundary......................... 90

Wild Horse Lake closed basin:

Sage Creek at "Q" Ranch, near Wildhorse, Alberta. ............................ 91

Sage Creek at international boundary......................................... 92

Milk River at Havre, Mont........................................................ 93

Lodge Creek below McRae Coulee, at international boundary...................... 94

North Chinook Canal near Havre, Mont......................................... 95

Battle Creek above Cypress Lake west inflow canal, near West Plains,

Saskatchewan............................................................. 96

Cypress Lake west Inflow canal near West Plains, Saskatchewan................ 97

Cypress Lake west outflow canal near West Plains, Saskatchewan............... 98

Battle Creek at international boundary......................................... 99

Woodpile Coulee near international boundary.................................. 100

East Fork Battle Creek near international boundary........................... 101

Lyons Coulee at international boundary..................................... 102

Matheson Canal near Chinook, Mont............................................ 103

Peoples Creek near Dodson, Mont................................................ 103

Whitewater Creek near international boundary................................... 104

Belanger Creek (head of Frenchman River):

Belanger Creek diversion canal near Vidora, Saskatchewan..................... 105

Cypress Lake east outflow canal near Vidora, Saskatchewan.................... 106

Frenchman River above East End Reservoir, near Ravenscrag, Saskatchewan........ 107

East End Canal at East End, Saskatchewan..................................... 108

Frenchman River below East End Reservoir, near East End, Saskatchewan.......... 109

Val Marie west gravity canal near Val Marie, Saskatchewan.................... 110

Val Marie Canal near Val Marie, Saskatchewan................................. Ill

Frenchman River at international boundary...................................... 112

Frenchman Canal near Saco, Mont.............................................. 113

Reservoirs in Frenchman River basin in Saskatchewan............................ 114

Rock Creek at international boundary........................................... 115

Horse Creek at international boundary........................................ 116

McEachern Creek at international boundary.................................... 117

Willow Creek near Glasgow, Mont................................................ 118

Milk River at Nashua, Mont....................................................... 119

Missouri River near Wolf Point, Mont............................................... 120

Redwater Creek basin

Kedwater ureeK at Circle, Mont................................................... 121

Poplar River basin

Middle Fork Poplar River at international boundary............................... 122

East Fork Poplar River at international boundary............................... 123

Poplar River near Poplar, Mont................................................... 124

Big Muddy Creek basin

Big Muddy Creek at Daleview, Mont................................................ 125

Yellowstone River basin

Yellowstone Lake at Lake Hotel, Yellowstone National Park........................ 126

Yellowstone River at Yellowstone Lake Outlet, Yellowstone National Park.......... 127

Lamar River near Tower Falls ranger station, Yellowstone National Park......... 128

Gardiner River near Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park......................... 129

Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs, Mont........................................ 130

Mill Creek near Pray, Mont..................................................... 131

Yellowstone River near Livingston, Mont.......................................... 132

Shields River near Wilsall, Mont............................................... 133

Shields River at Clyde Park, Mont.............................................. 134

Brackett Creek near Clyde Park, Mont......................................... 135

Boulder River near Contact, Mont............................................... 136

Boulder River at Big Timber, Mont.............................................. 137

Sweetgrass Creek above Melville, Mont.......................................... 138

Stillwater River:

Rosebud Creek near Absarokee, Mont........................................... 139

Stillwater River near Absarokee, Mont.......................................... 140

Clarks Fork below Crandall Creek, near Painter, Wyo............................ 141

Sunlight Creek near Painter, Wyo............................................. 142
CONTENTS VII

Gaging-station records Continued 

Missouri River Continued

Yellowstone River basin Continued Page

Clarks Pork at Chance, Mont.................................................... 143

Clarks Pork at Edgar, Mont..................................................... 144

Rock Creek near Red Lodge, Mont.............................................. 145

West Pork Rock Creek below Basin Creek, near Red Lodge, Mont............... 146

Red Lodge Creek above Cooney Reservoir, near Boyd, Mont.................... 147

Willow Creek near Boyd, Mont............................................. 148

Red Lodge Creek below Cooney Reservoir, near Boyd, Mont.................... 149

Yellowstone River at Billings, Mont.............................................. 150

Wind River (head of Bighorn River) near Dubois, Wyo............................ 151

East Pork Wind River near Dubois, Wyo........................................ 152

Dinwoody Creek near Burris, Wyo.............................................. 153

Bull Lake Creek near Lenore, Wyo............................................. 154

Wind River near Crowheart, Wyo................................................. 155

Wyoming Canal near Lenore, Wyo............................................... 156

Wind River at Riverton, Wyo.................................................... 157

Popo Agie River:

North Popo Agie River near Milford, Wyo.................................... 158

Little Popo Agie River near Lander, Wyo.................................... 159

Popo Agie River near Riverton, Wyo........................................... 160

Muskrat Creek near Shoshoni, Wyo............................................. 161

Pivemile Creek above Wyoming Canal, near Pavillion, Wyo. ..................... 162

Fivemile Creek near River-ton, Wyo. ........................................... 163

Pivemile Creek near Shoshoni, Wyo............................................ 164

Poison Creek near Shoshoni, Wyo.............................................. 165

Badwater Creek at Lybyer Ranch, near Lost Cabin, Wyo......................... 166

Badwater Creek at Bonneville, Wyo............................................ 167

Muddy Creek near Pavillion, Wyo.............................................. 168

Muddy Creek near Shoshoni, Wyo............................................... 169

Wind River below Boysen Reservoir, Wyo......................................... 170

Bighorn River:

South Pork Owl Creek above Curtis Ranch, near Thertnopolis, Wyo............... 171

North Pork Owl Creek near Anchor, Wyo...................................... 172

Owl Creek near Thermopolis, Wyo.............................................. 173

Gooseberry Creek near Grass Creek, Wyo....................................... 174

Pifteenmile Greek near Worland, Wyo.......................................... 175

Bighorn River near Manderson, Wvr o.............................................. 176

Nowood Creek:

Tensleep Creek near Tensleep, Wyo.......................................... 177

Paintrock Creek:

Medicine Lodge Creek near Hyattville, Wyo................................ 178

Greybull River near Pitchfork, Wyo........................................... 179

Wood River at Sunshine, Wyo................................................ 180

Greybull River at Meeteetse, Wyo............................................. 181

Greybull River near Basin, Wyo............................................... 182

Dry Creek at Greybull, Wyo................................................... 183

Shell Creek near Shell, Wyo.................................................. 184

Bighorn River at Kane, Wyo..................................................... 185

Shoshone River below Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Wyo............................. 186

Shoshone River at Byron, Wyo................................................. 187

Sage Creek near Lovell, Wyo................................................ 188

Bighorn River near St. Xavier, Mont............................................ 189

Little Bighorn River at State line, near Wyola, Mont......................... 190

Pass Creek near Wyola, Mont................................................ 191

Little Bighorn River below Pass Creek, near Wyola, Mont...................... 192

Lodgegrass Creek above Willow Creek diversion, near Wyola, Mont............ 193

Little Bighorn River near Crow Agency, Mont.................................. 194

Little Bighorn River near Hardin, Mont....................................... 195

Bighorn River at Bighorn, Mont................................................. 196'

North Pork Tongue River near Dayton, Wyo....................................... 197

South Pork Tongue River near Dayton, Wyo..................................... 198

Tongue River near Dayton, Wyo.................................................. 199

Little Tongue River near Dayton, Wyo......................................... 200

Wolf Creek at Wolf, Wyo...................................................... 201

East Goose Creek (head of Goose Creek) near Big Horn, Wyo.................... 202

Cross Creek near Big Horn, Wyo............................................. 203

West Goose Creek near Big Horn, Wyo. ....................................... 204

Goose Creek near Sheridan, Wyo............................................... 205

Little Goose Creek in canyon, near Big Horn, Wyo. .......................... 206

Goose Creek below Sheridan, Wyo.............................................. 207

Tongue River near Acme, Wyo.................................................... 208

Tongue River at Tongue River Dam, near Decker, Mont............................ 209

Tongue River- at Miles City, Mont............................................... 210

Yellowstone River at Miles City, Mont............................................ 211

South Pork Powder River near- Kaycee, Wyo....................................... 212

Middle Pork Powder River above Kaycee, Wyo................................... 213

North Pork Powder River near Hazel ton, Wyo................................. 214

North Pork Powder River near Mayoworth, Wyo................................ 215

Middle Fork Powder River near Kaycee, Wyo.................................... 216

Powder River at Sussex, Wyo.................................................... 217

North Pork Crazy Woman Creek below Spring Draw, near Buffalo, Wyo............ 218

North Pork Crazy Woman Creek near Greub, Wyo................................. 219

Middle Pork Crazy Woman Creek near Greub, Wyo.............................. 220

Crazy Woman Creek near Arvada, Wyo........................................... 221

Powder River at Arvada, Wyo.................................................... 222

Clear Creek:

North Pork Clear Creek near Buffalo, Wyo................................... 223

Clear Creek near Buffalo, Wyo................................................ 224

Rock Creek near Buffalo, Wyo............................................... 225

South Piney Creek (head of Piney Creek) at Willow Park, Wyo................ 226
VIII CONTENTS

Gaging-station records--Continued 

Missouri River Continued

Yellowstone River basin Continued

Powder River Continued

Clear Creek Continued Page 

South Piney Creek near Story, Wyo.......................................... 227

North Piney Creek near Story, Wyo........................................ 228

Piney Creek at Kearney, Wyo................................................ 229

Piney Creek at Ucross, Wyo................................................. 230

Clear Creek near Arvada, Wyo................................................. 233

Powder River at Moorhead, Mont................................................. 234

Powder River near Locate, Mont................................................. 235

Yellowstone River near Sidney, Mont.............................................. 236

Reservoirs in Yellowstone River basin in Wyoming................................. 237

Smaller reservoirs in Missouri River basin in Montana.............................. 238

Missouri River near Williston, N. Dak.............................................. 240

Little Muddy Creek basin 

Little Muddy Creek:

Blacktail Creek near Bonetrail, N. Dak......................................... 241

Little Muddy Creek below Cow Creek, near Williston, N. Dak....................... 242

White Earth River basin

White Earth River at White Earth, N. Dak......................................... 243

Little Missouri River basin 

Little Missouri River:

Thompson Creek:

North Creek spreader diversion near Alzada, Mont............................. 244

Little Missouri River near Alzada, Mont.......................................... 244

Little Beaver Creek near Marmarth, N. Dak...................................... 245

Little Missouri River at Marmarth, N. Dak........................................ 246

Little Missouri River at Medora, N. Dak.......................................... 247

Beaver Creek at Wibaux, Mont................................................... 248

Little Missouri River near Watford City, N. Dak.................................. 249

Garrison Reservoir near Riverdale, N. Dak.......................................... 250

Missouri River below Garrison Dam, N. Dak.......................................... 251

Knife River basin

Knife River near Golden Valley, N. Dak........................................... 252

Spring Creek at Zap, N. Dak.................................................... 253

Knife River at Hazen, N. Dak..................................................... 254

Missouri River at Bismarck, N. Dak................................................. 255

Heart River basin

Heart River near South Heart, N. Dak............................................. 256

Dickinson Reservoir near Dickinson, N, Dak....................................... 257

Heart River below Dickinson Dam, near Dickinson, N. Dak.......................... 258

Green River near Gladstone, N. Dak............................................. 259

Heart River near Richardton, N. Dak.............................................. 260

Heart Butte Reservoir near Glen Ullin, N. Dak.................................... 261

Heart River below Heart Butte Dam, near Glen Ullin, N. Dak....................... 262

Antelope Creek near Carson, N. Dak............................................. 263

Muddy Creek near Almont, N. Dak................................................ 264

Heart River near Lark, N. Dak.................................................... 265

Sweetbriar Creek near Judson, N. Dak........................................... 266

Heart River near Mandan, N. Dak.................................................. 267

Apple Creek basin

Apple Creek near Menoken, N. Dak................................................. 268

Cannonball River basin

Cannonball River at Regent, N. Dak............................................... 269

Cannonball River below Bentley, N. Dak........................................... 270

Cedar Creek near Haynes, N. Dak................................................ 271

Cedar Creek near Pretty Rock, N. Dak........................................... 272

Cannonball River at Breien, N. Dak............................................... 273

Beaver Creek basin

Beaver Creek at Linton, N. Dak................................................... 274

Grand River basin

North Fork Grand River at Haley, N. Dak.......................................... 275

North Pork Grand River near White Butte, S. Dak.................................. 276

South Pork Grand River near Cash, S. Dak....................................... 277

Grand River:

Shadehill Reservoir at Shadehill, S. Dak......................................... 278

Grand River at Shadehill, S. Dak................................................. 279

Grand River near Wakpala, S. Dak................................................. 280

Missouri River near Mobridge, S. Dak............................................... 281

Moreau River basin

Moreau River at Bixby, S. Dak.................................................... 282

Moreau River near Faith, S. Dak.................................................. 283

Moreau River near Eagle Butte, S. Dak............................................ 284

Moreau River near Whitehorse, S. Dak............................................. 285

Moreau River at Promise, S. Dak.................................................. 286

Cheyenne River basin 

Cheyenne River:

Lance Creek at Spencer, Wyo.................................................... 287

Cheyenne River near Spencer, Wyo................................................. 288

Beaver Creek near Newcastle, Wyo............................................... 289

Cheyenne River at Edgemont, S. Dak............................................... 290

Hat Creek near Edgemont, S. Dak................................................ 291

Cheyenne River near Hot Springs, S. Dak.......................................... 292

Angostura Reservoir near Hot Springs, S. Dak..................................... 293

Cheyenne River below Angostura Dam, S. Dak....................................... 294

Pall River at Hot Springs, S. Dak.............................................. 295

Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap, S. Dak.......................................... 296

Battle Creek at Hermosa, S. Dak................................................ 297

Spring Creek near Hermosa, S. Dak.............................................. 298
CONTENTS IX

Gaging-station records--Continued 

Missouri River Continued

Cheyenne River basin Continued

Rapid Creek: Page

Castle Creek above Deerfield Reservoir near Hill City, S. Dak................ 299

Deerfield Reservoir near Hill City, S. Dak................................... 300

Castle Creek below Deerfield Dam, S. Dak..................................... 301

Rapid Creek above Pactola Reservoir, at Silver City, S. Dak.................... 302

Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam, S. Dak.......................................... 303

Rapid Creek above Canyon Lake, near Rapid City, S. Dak......................... 304

Rapid Creek at Rapid City, S. Dak.............................................. 305

Rapid Creek near Farmingdale, S. Dak........................................... 306

Cheyenne River near Wasta, S. Dak................................................ 307

Elk Creek near Elm Springs, 3. Dak............................................. 308

Belle Fourche River below Moorcroft, Wyo....................................... 309

Keyhole Reservoir near Moorcroft, Wyo.......................................... 310

Belle Fourche River below Keyhole Reservoir, Wyo............................... 311

Belle Fourche River at Wyoming-South Dakota State line......................... 312

Redwater Creek:

Murray ditch at Wyoming-South Dakota State line............................ 313

Redwater Creek at Wyoming-South Dakota State line............................ 314

Spearfish Creek at Spearfish, S. Dak....................................... 315

Redwater Creek above Belle Fourche, S. Dak................................... 316

Hay Creek at Belle Fourche, S. Dak......................................... 317

Inlet Canal near Belle Fourche, S. Dak....................................... 318

Owl Creek:

Belle Fourche Reservoir near Belle Fourche, S. Dak........................... 319

Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, S. Dak..................................... 320

Belle Fourche River near Sturgis, S. Dak....................................... 321

Bear Butte Creek near Sturgis, S. Dak........................................ 322

Belle Fourche River near Elm Springs, S. Dak................................... 323

Cheyenne River near Plainview, S. Dak............................................ 324

Cherry Creek near Plainview, S. Dak............................................ 325

Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte, S. Dak.......................................... 326

Missouri River at Pierre, S. Dak................................................... 327

Bad River basin

Bad River near Midland, S. Dak................................................... 328

Bad River near Fort Pierre, S. Dak............................................... 329

Medicine Creek basin (upper)

Medicine Creek near Blunt, S. Dak................................................ 330

Medicine Creek basin (lower)

Medicine Creek at Kennebec, S. Dak............................................... 331

White River basin

White River at Crawford, Nebr.................................................... 332

White River below Cottonwood Creek, near Whitney, Nebr........................... 333

White River near Oglala, S. Dak.................................................. 334

White River near Kadoka, S. Dak.................................................. 335

South Fork White River near Rosebud, S. Dak.................................... 336

South Fork White River below White River, S. Dak............................... 337

White River near Oacoma, S. Dak.................................................. 338

Fort Randall Reservoir at Pickstown, S. Dak........................................ 339

Missouri River below Fort Randall Dam, S. Dak...................................... 340

Ponca Creek basin

Ponea Creek at Anoka, Nebr....................................................... 341

Niobrara River basin

Niobrara River at Wyoming-Nebraska State line.................................... 342

Niobrara River above Box Butte Reservoir, Nebr................................... 343

Box Butte Reservoir, Nebr........................................................ 344

Niobrara River below Box Butte Reservoir, Nebr................................... 345

Niobrara River near Hay Springs, Nebr............................................ 346

Niobrara River near Gordon, Nebr................................................. 347

Niobrara River near Cody, Nebr................................................... 348

Snake River near Burge, Nebr................................................... 349

Minnechaduza Creek at Valentine, Nebr.......................................... 350

Niobrara River near Sparks, Nebr................................................. 351

Niobrara River near Norden, Nebr................................................. 352

Plum Creek near Meadville, Nebr................................................ 353

Long Pine Creek near Riverview, Nebr........................................... 354

Keyapaha River at Wewela, S. Dak............................................... 355

Niobrara River near Spencer, Nebr................................................ 356

Niobrara River at Niobrara, Nebr................................................. 357

Bazille Creek basin

Bazille Creek near Niobrara, Nebr................................................ 358

Lewis and Clark Lake near Yankton, S. Dak.......................................... 359

Missouri River at Yankton, S. Dak.................................................. 360

James River basin

James River at New Rockford, N. Dak.............................................. 361

James River near Pingree, N. Dak................................................. 362

Jamestown Reservoir near Jamestown, N. Dak....................................... 363

Pipestem Creek near Buchanan, N. Dak........................................... 364

James River at Jamestown, N. Dak................................................. 365

James River at La Moure, N. Dak.................................................. 366

James River at Columbia, S. Dak.................................................. 367

Elm River at Westport, S. Dak.................................................. 368

James River near Stratford, S. Dak............................................... 369

James River at Ashton, S. Dak.................................................... 370

Snake Creek:

West Branch Snake Creek near Athol, S. Dak................................... 371

Snake Creek near Ashton, S. Dak................................................ 371

Turtle Creek near Tulare, S. Dak............................................... 372
Gaging-statlon records Continued 

Missouri River Continued

James River basin Continued Page 

Turtle Creek at Redfleld, S. Dak............................................... 373

James River near Redfleld, S. Dak................................................ 374

James River at Huron, S. Dak..................................................... 375

Sand Creek near Alpena, S. Dak................................................. 376

James River near Forestburg, S. Dak.............................................. 377

Flresteel Creek near Mount Vernon, S. Dak...................................... 378

James River near Alexandria, S. Dak.............................................. 379

James River near Scotland, S. Dak................................................ 380

Vermllllon River basin

Vermllllon River near Wakonda, S. Dak............................................ 381

Big Sioux River basin

Big Sioux River at Watertown, S. Dak............................................. 382

Big Sioux River near Brooklngs, S. Dak........................................... 383

Big Sioux River near Dell Rapids, S. Dak......................................... 384

Skunk Creek near Sioux Palls, S. Dak........................................... 385

Big Sioux River at Sioux Palls, S. Dak. .......................................... 386

Rock River near Rock Valley, Iowa.............................................. 387

Dry Creek at Hawarden, Iowa.................................................... 388

Big Sioux River at Akron, Iowa................................................... 389

Missouri River at Sioux City, Iowa................................................. 390

Revisions of records for discontinued stations:

Yellowstone River near Canyon Hotel, Yellowstone National Park..................... 391

Tower Creek at Tower Falls, Yellowstone National Park.............................. 391

Gardiner River at Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park............................... 392

White River near Chadron, Nebr..................................................... 393

Niobrara River at Dunlap, Nebr..................................................... 393

Discharge measurements at points other than gaging stations.......................... 394

Index................................................................................ 407

ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 1. Gaging-station structures: A, Niobrara River below Box Butte, Reservoir,

Nebr.; B, North Popo Agie River near Lander, Wyo........................ 4

2. Map of the United States showing areas covered by the 18 annual volumes on

surface-water supply.................................................... 9

3. Comparison of discharge at three key gaging-stations during 1956 water

year with median discharge for 25-year period........................... 13
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY OF MISSOURI RIVER BASIN ABOVE SIOUX CITY, IOWA, 1956

SCOPE OF WORK

This volume is one of a series of 18 reports presenting measurements of stage, discharge, and content of streams, lakes, and reservoirs in the United States during the 

water year ending September 30, 1956. Since 1888, when the United States Geological 

Survey first studied streamflow in relation to problems of irrigation, similar measurements have been made at more than 13,500 gaging stations in the 48 States and at many 

others in the Territories of Alaska and Hawaii. On September 30, 1956, the Geological 

Survey and cooperating organizations were maintaining 6,910 gaging stations, including 

those in Alaska and Hawaii. Discharge measurements only were made at many other points 

in the 1956 water year. The name of each stream measured at points other than gaging 

stations is not listed in the index to this report. Only the major river basins in which 

measurements were made are listed under the item "Discharge measurements" in the index.

COOPERATION

Many State, municipal, and private organizations have cooperated with the Geolcgical 

Survey in this work by either furnishing or helping to collect data. Organizatiors that 

supplied data are acknowledged in station descriptions, and organizations that assisted 

in the collection of data through cooperative agreements with the Survey are:

Iowa: Iowa Geological Survey, H. G. Hershey, director and State geologist; 

and State Highway Commission, J. G. Butter, chief engineer, and Mark Morris, 

director of research; Iowa Natural Resources Council, R. G. Bullard, acting 

director.

Montana: Office of the State Engineer, F. E. Buck; State Water Conservation 

Board; city of Bozeman.

Nebraska: Department of Roads and Irrigation, L. N. Ress, State engineer, 

through" the Bureau of Irrigation, Water Power and Drainage, D. S. Jones, Jr., 

chief, and the Bureau of Highways, H. G. Schlitt, deputy State engineer.

North Dakota: State Water Conservation Commission, M. W. Hoisveen, chief 

engineer.

South Dakota: Water Resources Commission, J. W. Grimes, chief engineer. 

Wyoming: Office of the State Engineer, L. C. Bishop.

Assistance in the form of funds or services was given by the Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, in collecting records published herein for 71 stations, of which 4 were 

in Iowa, 13 in Montana, 4 in Nebraska, 18 in North Dakota, 30 in South Dakota, aM 2 in 

Wyoming.

Assistance was also furnished by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Office of Indian 

Affairs of the United States Department of the Interior; the Soil Conservation Service of 

the United States Department of Agriculture; and the United States Department of State. 

The following organization aided in collecting records:

Montana: The Montana Power Co.

On waters adjacent to the international boundary, certain gaging stations are maintained

1
2 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1956, PART 6-A

by the United States (or Canada) under agreement with Canada (or the United States) and 

the records are obtained and compiled In a manner equally acceptable in both countries. 

These stations are designated herein as "international gaging stations."

DIVISION OP WORK

The stream-gaging work was done by the Water Resources Division of th>3 Geological 

Survey under the direction of personnel shown in the preface. The data for stations in 

the several States were collected and prepared for publication In the district offices 

listed below.

State District office Address

Iowa a/.................. Iowa City................ 508 Hydraulic Laboratory, University

	of Iowa. 

Montana b/............... Helena................... 409 Federal Building.

Nebraska c/.............. Lincoln.................. 510 Rudge-Ouenzel Building.

North Dakota d/.......... Bismarck................. 202? Third Street.

South Dakota e/.......... Bismarck, N. Dak......... 202| Third Street.

Wyoming f/............... Denver, Colo............. Denver Federal Center.

a/ Except for Big Sioux River at Akron. 

b/ Except for Madison River near West Yellowstone, 

c/ Including Keyapaha River at Wewela, S. Dak. 

d/ Including Big Sioux River at Akron, Iowa. 

e/ Except Keyapaha River at Wewela. 

f/ Except for stations in Yellowstone National Park.

Note. Stations In Yellowstone National Park are collected under the supervision of the Boise district, 429 Federal Building, Boise, Idaho.

Information of a more detailed nature than that published for most of the gaging stations given in this report is on file in the district offices listed abo*re. Provisional 

records of discharge prior to publication, and other unpublished data concerning the 

gaging-station records may usually be obtained from the district office.

DEFINITION OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The terms of streamflow and other hydrologic data, as used in this report, are defined 

as follows:

Cubic foot per second (cfs) is the rate of discharge of a stream whose channel Is 

1 square foot In cross-sectional area and whose average velocity is I foot per second.

Cubic feet per second per square mile (cfsm) Is the average number of cubic feet of 

water flowing per second from each square mile of area drained, assuming that the runoff 

Is distributed uniformly in time and area.

Runoff in Inches Is the depth to which an area would be covered if all the water draining from It in a given period were uniformly distributed on Its surface. The term is used 

for comparing runoff with rainfall, which is also usually expressed in irches.

Acre-foot is the quantity of water required to cover an acre to the depth of 1- foot and 

is equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet. The term Is commonly used in relation to storage for 

Irrigation.

Cfs-day is the- volume of water represented by a flow of 1 cubic foot per second for 

24 hours. It is equivalent to 86,400 cubic feet, 1.983471 acre-feet, or 646,317 gallons, 

and represents a runoff of 0.0372 inch from 1 square mile

Stage-discharge relation is the relation between gage height and the amount of water 

flowing in a channel, expressed as volume per unit of time.

Control designates a feature downstream from the gage that determines the stagedischarge relation at the gage. This feature may be a natural constriction of the channel, 

a long reach of the channel, or an artificial structure.
EXPLANATION" OF DATA 3

Contents is the volume of water In a reservoir. Unless otherwise Indicated, volume Is 

computed on the basis of a level pool and does not Include bank storage.

The drainage area of a stream at a specified location Is that area, measured In a horizontal plane, which Is so enclosed by a topographic divide that direct surface runoff from 

precipitation normally would drain by gravity Into the river above the specified point. 

Figures of drainage area given herein Include all closed basins, or noncontrlbutlng areas, 

within the area unless otherwise noted.

WSP Is used as an abbreviation for "Water-Supply Paper" In reference to previously published reports.

DOWNSTREAM ORDER OP LISTING GAGING STATIONS

Beginning with the series of reports for the water year ending September 30, 1951, the 

order of listing gaging-statlon records was changed. In this report, in a downstream 

direction along the main stem all stations on a tributary entering above a main-stem station are listed before that station. If a tributary enters between two main-stem stations, 

It Is listed between them. A similar order Is followed In listing stations on first rank, 

second rank, and other ranks of tributaries. To Indicate the rank of any tributary on 

which a gaging station is situated and the stream to which It Is immediately tributary, 

each Indention in the listing of gaging stations in the table of contents of this report 

represents one rank. This downstream order and system of indention show which gaging 

stations are on tributaries between any two stations on a main stem and the rank of the 

tributary on which each gaging station Is situated.

The order of listing used before the publication of the 1951 report listed first all 

stations on the main stem from headwaters toward mouth, then all stations on the uppermost 

tributary to the main stem from the tributary's source to mouth, and then all stations 

from source to mouth of the uppermost tributary to the tributary.

EXPLANATION OP DATA

The base data collected at gaging stations consist of records of stage and measurements 

of discharge. In addition, observations of factors affecting the stage-discharge relation, weather records, and other Information are used to supplement base data In determining the dally flow. The records of stage are obtained either from direct readings on a 

nonrecordlng gage or from a water-stage recorder that gives a continuous record of fluctuations. Neasurements of discharge are made with a current meter by the general methods 

adopted by the Geological Survey on the basis of experience In stream gaging since 1888. 

These methods are described In Water-Supply Paper 888 and are also outlined In standard 

textbooks on the measurement of stream discharge. Typical structures In use at gaging 

stations are shown In figure 1.

Rating tables giving the discharge for any stage are prepared from stage-discharge 

relation curves defined by discharge measurements. If extensions to the rating curves are 

necessary to define the extremes of discharge, they are made on the basis of indirect 

determinations of peak discharge (such as slope-area or contracted-opening determinations, 

computation of flow over dams or weirs, and by other methods), velocity-area studies, and 

logarithmic plotting. The application of the dally mean gage height to those rating tables 

gives the dally mean discharge, from which the monthly and the yearly mean discharge are 

computed. If the stage-discharge relation Is subject to change because of frequent or
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1956, PART 6-A

NIOBRARA RIVER BELOW BOX BUTTE RESERVOIR, NEBR.

B. NORTH POPO AGIE RIVER NEAR LANDER, WYO.

FIGURE 1. GAGING-STATION STRUCTURES.
EXPLANATION OF DATA 5

continual change In the physical features that form the control, the daily mean discharge 

is determined by the shifting-control method, in which correction factors based on individual discharge measurements and notes by engineers and observers are used in applying 

the gage heights to the rating tables. If the stage-discharge relation for a station is 

temporarily changed by the presence of aquatic growth or debris on the control, the daily 

mean discharge is computed by what is essentially the shifting-control method.

At some gaging stations the stage-discharge relation is affected by backwater from 

reservoirs, tributary streams, or other sources. This necessitates the use of the slope 

method in which the slope or fall in a reach of the stream is a factor in determining 

discharge. Information requisite for determining the slope or fall is obtained by means 

of an auxiliary gage set at some distance from the base gage. At some stations the stagedischarge relation is affected by changing stage. If so, the rate of change in stage is 

used as a factor in the determination of discharge.

At most gaging stations in the northern part of the United States and at soire in the 

mountainous regions of other parts the stage-discharge relation is affected by ice during 

the winter, and it becomes impossible to compute the discharge in the usual marner. Discharge for periods of ice effect is computed on the basis of the gage-height record and 

occasional winter discharge measurements, consideration being given to the available information on temperature and precipitation, notes by gage observers and engineers, and comparable records of discharge for other stations in the same or nearby basins. If the 

stage-discharge relation Is affected by ice, this information is given in a note to the 

table. No mention is made of occasional days of ice effect if the degree of accuracy of 

daily records is not changed.

The data herein presented generally comprise a description of the station, a skeleton 

rating table, and a table showing the daily discharge and monthly and yearly discharge and 

runoff of the stream. Records are published for the water year which begins or October 1 

and ends on September 30. A calendar for the water year 1956 is shown on page IV for the 

purpose of finding the day of the week for any date.

The description of the station gives the location, drainage area, records available, 

type and history of gages, average discharge, extremes of discharge, general remarks, and 

notations of revisions of the previously published record. The location of the gaging 

station and the drainage area are obtained from the most accurate maps available. River 

mileage, given under "Location" for some stations, is that determined and used by the 

Corps of Engineers unless otherwise noted. Under "Records available" are given the periods 

for which there are published records generally equivalent to those at the present site. 

Under "Gage" are given the type of gage currently in use and the datum of the present gage 

above mean sea level, and a condensed history of the types, locations, and datums of previous gages used during the period of records available. Under "Average discharge" is 

given the average discharge for the number of years indicated. It is not given for stations having fewer than five complete years of record or for stations where changes in 

water development during the period of record cause the figure to have little significance. 

Under "Extremes" are given the maximum discharge and gage height; the minimum discharge if 

there is little or no regulation; the minimum daily discharge if there is extensive regulation (also the minimum discharge if Useful); and the minimum gage height {unless it is of 

no importance). In the first paragraph, the data given are for the complete current water 

year unless otherwise specified. In the second paragraph, the data given are for the
6 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1956, PART 6-A

periods of record within the calendar year dates in the heading (not necessarily those for 

the complete years indicated by the heading dates). Reliable information concerning major 

floods that have occurred outside the period of record are given in the third or last paragraph under "Extremes." Unless otherwise qualified, the maximum discharge corresponds to 

the crest stage obtained by use of a water-stage recorder, a crest-stage indicator, or 

a nonrecording gage read at the time of the crest. If the maximum gage height did not 

occur at the same time as the maximum discharge, it is given separately. Information pertaining to the accuracy of the records and conditions which affect the natrral flow at the 

gaging station is given under "Remarks."

Previously published records of some stations have been found to be in error on the 

basis of data or information later obtained. Revisions of such records are usually published along with the current records in one of the annual reports. In order to make it 

easier to find such revised records, a paragraph headed "Revisions (water years}" has been 

added to the description of all stations for which revised records have been published. 

Listed therein are all the reports in which revisions have been published, each followed 

by the water years for which figures are revised in that report. In listirg the water 

years only one number is given; for instance, 1933 stands for the water yerr October 1, 

1932, to September 30, 1933. If no daily, monthly, or annual figures of discharge are 

concerned in the revision, that fact is brought out by notations after the year dates as 

follows: "(M)" means that only the instantaneous maximum discharge was revised; "(m)" that 

only the instantaneous minimum was revised; and "(P)" that only peak discharges were revised. If the drainage area has been revised, the report in which the revised figure was 

first published is given. It should be noted that for all stations for which cubic feet 

per second per square mile and runoff in inches are published, a revision cf the drainage 

area necessitates corresponding revision of all figures based on the drainage area. Revised figures of cubic feet per second per square mile and runoff in inches resulting from 

a revision of the drainage area only, are usually not published in the annual series of 

reports.

Skeleton rating tables are published for all stations except those at which the daily 

discharge for the greater part of the open-water period was determined by the shiftingcontrol method, the slope method, or other special methods involving an equivalent adjustment to the gage height of more than one-tenth foot. Skeleton rating tables are generally 

not published for stations on canals.

For stations equipped with water-stage recorders, except those on streairs subject to 

sudden or rapid fluctuation, the daily table gives the discharge corresponding to the 

daily mean gage height. For stations subject to such fluctuation the daily mean gage 

height may not indicate the true daily mean discharge, which must be obtained by averaging 

the discharge for parts of the day or by using the discharge integrator, an instrument for 

obtaining the daily mean discharge from a continuous gage-height graph and containing, as 

an essential element, a curve representing the stage-discharge relation at the station. 

For stations equipped with nonrecording gages, the table of daily discharge gives the 

discharge corresponding to once-daily readings of the gage, or to the mean of twice-daily 

readings, or to the mean gage height determined from gage-height graphs based on gage 

readings. For periods of rapidly changing stage, the daily mean discharge is determined 

from gage-height graphs based on gage readings, the frequency of which is stated in the 

station description.
ACCURACY OP FIELD DATA' AND COMPUTED RESULTS 7

In the table of dally discharge, the figures for the maximum day and the mlnlnum day 

for each month are underlined. If the figure Is repeated, It Is underlined only on the 

first day of its occurrence.

In the monthly summary below the daily table, the line headed "Total" gives tte sum of 

the daily figures; it Is the total cfs-days for the month. The line headed "Mear" gives 

the average flow in cubic feet per second during the month. Runoff for the montf may be 

expressed in cubic feet per second per square mile (line headed "Cfsm"), or in irches 

(line headed "in."), or in acre-feet (line headed "Ac-ft"). Figures for cubic feet per 

second per square mile and runoff in Inches are omitted if the drainage area includes 

large noncontributing areas, or If the average annual rainfall over the drainage basin is 

usually less than 20 Inches.

In the yearly summary below the monthly summary, the figures of maximum are tVe maximum 

daily discharges, not the momentary discharges when the water was at crest stage. Likewise, the mininums in this summary are the minimum daily discharges.

Peak discharges and the times of their occurrence and corresponding gage heights of 

most stations are listed below the table of daily and monthly discharge. All independent 

peaks above the selected base are given. The base discharge, which is given In parentheses, is selected so that an average of about three peaks a year will be preserted. 

Peak discharges are not published for canals, ditches, drains, or for any stream for which 

the peaks are subject to substantial control by man.

Footnotes to the table of dally discharge Indicate periods when discharge was computed 

or estimated by unusual or special methods during periods of no gage-height record and ice 

effect, or by other effects that reduce the degree of accuracy of the records. Days on 

which discharge measurements were made are Indicated by asterisk and footnote unless they 

were made at frequent regular intervals, in which instance the general frequency of discharge measurements is given under "Remarks" in the station description.

For most gaging stations on lakes and reservoirs the data presented comprise a description of the station and a monthly summary table of stage and contents. For some reservoirs 

a table showing daily contents or stage is given. A skeleton table of capacity at given 

stages is published each year for all reservoirs for which records are published on a 

daily basis, but it is not published for reservoirs for which only monthly data are given.

Discharge measurements and determinations of peak flows made at sites other than gaging 

stations are listed at the end of each report.

ACCURACY OF FIELD DATA AND COMPUTED RESULTS

The accuracy of streamflow data depends primarily on (1) the stability of the stagedischarge relation or, if the control is unstable, the frequency of discharge measurements, 

and (2) the accuracy of observations of stage, measurements of discharge, and interpretation of records.

The station description states the degree of accuracy of the records. "Excellent" Indicates that, in general, the error in the daily records is believed to be less than 5 percent; "good," less than 10 percent; "fair," less than 15 percent; and "poor," probably 

more than 15 percent. The records of monthly and yearly mean discharge and runof." are, 

in general, more nearly accurate than the daily records.

Runoff at some stations, as indicated by the monthly mean, may vary widely from natural 

runoff, owing to diversion, consumption, regulation by storage, increase or decrease in

459735 O -58 -2
8 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1956, PART 6-A

evaporation due to artificial causes, or to other factors. For such stations, figures of 

cubic feet per second per square mile and runoff in inches are not published unless storage or diversion records are included to indicate the extent of the regulation or diversion, or unless satisfactory adjustments can be made for changes in contents of reservoirs 

or for other changes incident to use and control. Evaporation from a reservoir is not 

included in the adjustments for changes in reservoir contents, unless it is so stated. 

Even at those stations where adjustments are made, large errors in computed runoff may 

occur when relatively large negative adjustments are made or when evaporstion is large in 

comparison with the observed discharge.

Many gaging stations on streams in the irrigated areas of the United States are situated 

above most of the diversions from those streams, and therefore the discharge recorded 

does not actually show the water supply available at the stations for further development, 

because water must first be supplied to existing irrigation systems.

PUBLICATIONS

To facilitate publications of the annual series of reports, the area of the United 

States is divided into 14 parts whose boundaries coincide with certain natural drainage 

lines. Formerly, the results of streamflow measurements were published in 14 volumes, one 

for each of the 14 parts. Beginning with the reports for 1951, the records are published 

in 18 volumes, there being 2 volumes each for Parts 1, 2, 3, and 6. The boundaries of the 

various parts are indicated by the following list and the map in figure 2.

Part 1. North Atlantic slope basins, in two volumes:

A, North Atlantic slope basins, Maine to Connecticut. 

B, North Atlantic slope basins, New York to York River.

2. South Atlantic slope and eastern Gulf of Mexico basins, in two volumes: 

A, South Atlantic slope basins, James River to Savannah River. 

B, South Atlantic slope and eastern Gulf of Mexico basins, Ogeechee River 

to Pearl River.

3. Ohio River basin, in two volumes:

A, Ohio River basin except Cumberland and Tennessee River basins. 

B, Cumberland and Tennessee River basins.

4. St. Lawrence River basin.

5. Hudson Bay and upper Mississippi River basins.

6. Missouri River basin, in two volumes:

A, Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa. 

B, Missouri River basin below Sioux City, Iowa.

7. Lower Mississippi River basin.

8. Western Gulf of Mexico basins.

9. Colorado River basin.

10. The Great Basin.

11. Pacific slope basins in California.

12. Pacific slope basins in Washington aud upper Columbia River basin.

13. Snake River basin.

14. Pacific slope basins in Oregon and lower Columbia River basin.

Water-supply papers and other publications of the Geological Survey containing data on 

the water resources of the United States may be purchased or consulted a 3 follows:

1. Copies may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Govsrnment Printing 

Office, Washington 25, D. C., who will, on application, furnish lists giving prices. 

A list of Geological Survey publications may also be obtained by applying to the Director, 

Geological Survey, Washington, D. C.

2. Sets of the reports may be consulted in the libraries of the principal cities in 

the United States.

3. Sets are available for consultation in the offices of the Water Resources Division 

of the Geological Survey. Addresses of the offices in the area covered by this report are 

given on page 2.

Early records of the flow of streams in the United States are published in the reports 

listed on page 10. In many of these reports records for years earlier than those
Figure 2.--Map of the United States showing areas covered by the 18 annual volumes on surface-water supply. The area covered by this

report is shaded.
10 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1956, PART 6-A

indicated have been included for some streams.

Streamflovi data for the years 1884-1901, In reports of the Geological Survey 

(A = Annual Report; B Bulletin)

Report

lOth A, pt. 2

16th A, pt. 2

18th A, pt. 4

19th A, pt. 4

WSP 75... ....

Character of data

Descriptive Information only.

Descriptive Information only.

monthly discharge.

Descriptions, measurements, ratings, and monthly discharge..

of the Mississippi River, and Missouri River and tributaries above Kansas River.

of the Mississippi River, except Missouri River and tributaries atove Kansas River. 

Descriptions, measurements, ratings, and monthly discharge.

the Mississippi River, and Missouri River and tributaries.

the Mississippi River, except Missouri River and tributaries .

Monthly discharge ...........................................

Year

1884-92.

1888-93.

1893-94.

1895.

1896.

1895-96. 

1897.

1897.

1897. 

1898.

1898.

1898.

1899.

1899.

1900.

1900.

1901.

1901.

Reports on surface-water supply containing records from 1899 to date for drainage 

basins in this report are listed below. The data for any particular gaging station will, 

in general, be found in the reports covering the years during which the station was maintained. Before 1951, records for the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, were 

included with those of the other rivers of the Missouri River basin.

Numbers of water-supply papers containing results of stream measurements in Missouri River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, 1899-1956

Year

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907-8

1909

1910

1911

WSP

a36, 37

49

66, 75

84

99

130

172

208

246

266

Z86

306

Year

1912

1913

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919-20

1921

1932

1933

1924

WSP

326

356

386

406

436

456

476

506

526

546

566

586

Year

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1934

1935

1936

WSP

606

626

646

666

686

701

716

731

746

761

786

806

Year

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946

1947

1948

WSP

826

856

876

896

926

956

976

1006

1036

1056

1086

1116

Year

1949

1950

1951

1952

1953

1954

1955

1956

WSP

1146

1176

1209

1239 .

1279

1339

1389

1439

a Gallatin River.

The records at most of the stations discussed in these reports extend over many years. 

Discharge measurements at many points other than regular gaging stations have been made 

each year and are published at the end of each report. The streams and points of measurement are listed in the same order as the streams and gaging stations in the body of 

the report. An index of the records obtained before 1904 has been published in WaterSupply Paper 119.

Each of the reports on the surface-water supply for the year 1939 (Water-Supply Paper 

876 for the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa) contains, for the area included 

in that report, a summary of yearly discharge at gaging stations at which 10 or more 

complete years of record had been collected. These summaries were reprinted separately.

Reports also have been published that are compilations of records for various areas, 

usually a single State or drainage basin. These reports contain records previously published (some of which may have been revised), as well as some records not contained in
PUBLICATIONS 11

the annual series of water-supply papers. The following table lists reports of this type 

for Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa.

Reports containing compilations of records of discharge by States and drainage basins

WSP

230.........

469. ........

491..... ....

917.........

Period

1894-1906

1894-1921

1881-1938

Report

Surface waters of Missouri and St. Mary River basins (Mont.).

Records of discharge have been published also in State reports. Some of these are not 

contained in the publications of the Geological Survey or are revisions of records previously published in its water-supply papers. The following table contains a list of 

these reports for the area covered by this report.

State reports containing compilations of records of discharge

State

Nebraska ......

North Dakota. .

Do......... 

Do .........

Period

1873-1940

1942-50

1894-1914 

1914-28

1919-21 

1882-1925

1882-1938 

1882-1944

Report

and flood flow relating to Iowa streams..

sources of Iowa.

sources of Iowa.

sources of Montana. 

1st hydrographle report ....................

Report to Governor of North Dakota on flood 

control.

12th biennial report). 

Surface water In North Dakota. ............. 

Supplement B, 4th biennial report. .........

Issued ly

Iowa Geological Survey.

Do.

Do.

neer. 

Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. 

Bureau of Water Power, Irrigation, and Drainage.

State engineer. 

Do.

State Planning Hoard. 

State Water Conservation 

Commission.

Note. In addition to the records contained In the reports listed abov 

Issued annual or biennial reports In which are contained records of disc' 

North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

, the following States have 

sharge: Montana, Nebraska,

The reports listed in the foregoing tables contain the customary records of discharge 

collected during the systematic operation of gaging stations. Detailed information on the 

stage and discharge of many streams during major floods has been included in special reports on these floods published by the Geological Survey or other agencies. The more 

recent of these special reports also contain other pertinent hydrologic information and 

analyses and compilations of data relating to earlier notable floods. The follo-iing is 

a list of these reports:

Report

WSP 147: Destructive floods in the United States in 1904. 

WSP 162: Destructive floods in the United States in 1905. 

WSP 520-G: Some floods in the Rocky Mountain region. 

WSP 771: Floods in the United States, magnitude and frequency. 

WSP 847: Maximum discharges at stream-measurement stations

through September 1938. 

WSP 1137-A: Missouri River Basin Floods of April-May 1950 in

North and South Dakota.

WSP 1137-1: Summary of floods in the United States during 1950, 

WSP 1260-B: Floods of 1952 in the Missouri River basin. 

WSP 1320-A: Floods of June 1953 in Northwestern Iowa. 

WSP 1320-B: Missouri River Basin Floods of 1953 In Montana. 

Bull. 1: Iowa floods, magnitude and frequency.

Floods in Nebraska, magnitude and frequency.

Issued b7

U. S. Geological Survey. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Iowa Highway Research

Board.

Nebraska State Department of Roads and 

Irrigation.
12 SURFACE WATER SUPPLY, 1956, PART 6-A

RECORDS OP DISCHARGE COLLECTED BY AGENCIES OTHER THAN THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Records of daily discharge for South Cottonwood Creek near Gallatin Gateway and Rocky 

Creek (East Gallatin River) near Bozernan, Mont., have been collected by Mortana State 

College, Civil Engineering Department, since 1954.

HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS

During the water year 1956 streainflow was in the median range in most of the area 

covered by this report. The only excessive flow was in the upper Yellowstone River basin, 

in almost every month, and in parts of North and South Dakota in March and August. A 

cloudburst on August 10 produced a peak discharge of about 1,700 cubic feet per second per 

square mile from about 0.4 square mile on an area just east of Pierre, S. Dak. Deficient 

streainflow occurred at the key gaging station on Big Sioux River at Akron, Iowa, in all 

except two months; record-low flows for the month were recorded in November and December. 

Bad River near Port Pierre, S. Dak., was dry for the entire month of September. For three 

key gaging stations in the area covered by this report a comparison of monthly and yearly 

mean discharges for the 1956 water year with the median discharges for the 25-year period 

(1921-45) is shown in figure 3 on opposite page.
HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS

Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. The

CannonbaJ] River at Breien, N. Dak. 

Drainage area, 4,100 sq mi.

11,456

Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. The

year

Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. The

Median of monthly mean discharge for 26-year period 1921-46. 

[£8$$8$8$$S8 Monthly mean discharge during water year 1956.

Figure 3. Comparison of discharge at three key gaging stations during 1956 water year with 

median discharge for 25-year period.
14 GAGING-STATION RECORDS

MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 

Red Rock River at Kennedy Ranch, near Lakeview, Mont.

Location. Lat 44°39', long 112°03', near center of sec. 2, T. 14 S., R. 4 W., on right 

bank at Kennedy Ranch, 4 miles upstream from Long Creek and 14 miles northwest of 

Lakeview.

Drainage area. 318 sq mi.

Records available. July 1936 to September 1956 (no winter records 1943-56).

Gage. Water-stage recorder and wooden control. Datum of gage is 6,596.37 ft above mean 

sea level, unadjusted. Prior to Sept. 30, 1936, staff gage and Oct. 1, 1936, to 

Aug. 27, 1942, water-stage recorder, at site 1 mile upstream at different datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge recorded during year, 596 cfs Apr. 24 (gage height, 3.77 ft); 

minimum daily, 25 cfs Nov. 24.

1936-56: Maximum discharge recorded, 1,360 cfs Apr. 30, 1952 (gage height, 5.24 

ft); minimum, 1.5 cfs Sept. 2, 1940.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 6,000 acres above station.

Revisions (water years). WSF 1086: 1946. WSP 1339: 1937.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect ( 

height, In feet, and discharge. In cubic feet per second)

1.5 

1.7

2.0 

2.3

90

160

2.6 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

260

393

535

681

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

45

46

48

*48

48

40

40

49

45

48

45

42

55

60

60

60

63

63

63

60

66

68

65

68

69

71

54

61

55

63

57

1,727

55.7

3,430

Nov.

45

45

42

45

50

55

57

55

57

SB

51

42

40

38

36

32

30

30

32

34

35

33

30

2526"

28

30

30

30

30

1,171

39.0

2,320

Dec.

_

-

-

Jan.

_

-

-

Feb.

_

_

-

Mar.

_

-

-

Apr.

 80

300

550

*584

565

554

543

524

488

463

10,421

347

20, 670

May

426

374

333

330

289

271

271

230

223

230

210

206

203

230

2OO

190

187

181

leT

193

203

210

213

216

230

256

282

285

320

323

320

7,795

251

15,460

June

310

278

*274

282

285

264

249

230

216

213

206

184

169

175

175

166

166

136

119

138

181

131

131

133

122

115

110

106

92

86

5,442

181

10,790

July

S4

88

94

*80

77

79

77

73

66

55

71

80

66

65

58

55

55

51

51

49

48

48

45

45

44

41

41

40

47

47

45

1,865

60.2

3,700

Aug.

44

45

45

41

38

37

38

38

38

39

39

38

38

38

41

40

39

39

39

40

39

37

*36

36

34

34

36

37

34

33

28

1,178

38.0

2,340

Sept.

31

33

28

30

32

32

33

34

34

37

38

41

42

41

38

36

37

40

41

42

42

*36

37

42

42

42

42

44

44

47

1,138

37.9

2,260

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

Water year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 2-6, 13-22. No gage-height record Nov. 23- 

3O; Apr. 1-23; discharge estimated on basis of weather records, storage In Lima Reservoir, and records for station below Lima Reservoir.
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 15

Red Rock River below Lima Reservoir, near Monida, Mont.

Location. Lat 44°39'20", long 112 1) 22 I 00", in SW£ sec. 32, T. 13 S., R. 6 W., or right 

bank Just downstream from Lima Reservoir, 7 miles northwest of Monida.

Drainage area. 560 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. July 1911 to September 1918, May 1925 to September 1956. Nc winter 

records for some years prior to 1941. Prior to October 1950, published as "telow Red 

Rock Reservoir."

,e. Water-stage recorder and 40-foot Cippoletti weir. Altitude of gage is 6,530 ft 

(estimated from spillway elevation based on Montana State Water Conservation Board 

datum). July to December 1911, staff gage at site 900 ft downstream at different 

datum. 1912-13, float gage; 1914-18, 1925-27, reference point; 1928 to Mar. 31, 1934, 

staff gage; all at present site and datum. Apr. 1 to Oct. 21, 1934, staff gage at upstream face of dam at different datum. Oct. 22, 1934, to May 7, 1939, staff gage at 

present site and datum.

Average discharge. 26 years (1911-16, 1917-18, 1925-28, 1929-30, 1934-35, 1941-56), 

154 cfs (111,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 547 cfs May 28 (gage height, 2.42 ft); minimum, 

13 cfs Oct. 29.

1911-18, 1925-56: Maximum discharge observed, 2,500 cfs May 15, 1933 (gage height, 

5.40 ft), estimated release to prevent failure of dam; no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of no gage-height record, which are poor. 

Plow regulated by Lima Reservoir (see p. 238). No storage during 1934. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 10,000 acres above reservoir.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1389: 1912, 1934.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet, and

discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 24 to July ll)

0.2 

.4 

.6

36

66

1O2

1.0 

1.5 

2.0 

2.5

145

273

435

621

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

18

18

18

*18

19

19

19

19

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

16

16

16

17

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

19

16

19

556

17.9

1,100

Nov.

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

20

20

*20

20

20

20

2O

20

21

21

21

574

19.1

1,14O

Dec.

21 1>T

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

23

23

23

23

23

23

*23

23

23

23

683

22.0

1,350

Jan.

23

22

691

22.3

1,370

Feb.

22

638

22.0

1,270

Mar.

, 22

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

18

18

18

18

*18

18

18

17 

16

623

20. 1

1,240

Apr.

16

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

48

64

80

85

85

85

106

121

123

123

*123

145

156

T56

156

156

156

2,188

72.9

4,340

May

159

T59

237

259

259

259

259

259

259

259

259

259

259

259

259

344

360

428

449

449

452

456

456

499

532

'556" 536

536

438

331

347

10,812

349

21,450

June

432

435

*481

524

556

532

536

536

536

532

532

528

528

528

528

524

493

474

470

470

466

446

435

435

422

397

393

393

390

390

14, 322

477

28,410

July

386

386

383

*376

376

376

366

344

34O

337

301

285

266

233

213

213

213

2O5

20O

197

197

197

195

195

192

192

192

222

269

282

282

8,411

271

16,680

Aug.

282

279

276

276

27O

267

265

259

253

247

24O

185

34

26

25

24

24

24

25

32

35

36

*35

35

35

35

35

35

34

34

34

3,696

119

7,330

Sept.

34

34

34

35

35

30

3O

29

29

32

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

36

*36

36

36

36

36

36

36

36

36

1,O26

34.2

2,O40

Calendar year 1955: Max 577 Mln 12 Mean 114 Ac-ft 82,350

Water year 1955-56: Max 536 Mln - Mean 121 Ac-ft 87,72O

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Jan. 1 to Mar. 12; discharge estimated on basis of scattered 

readings.
16 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Red Rock River near Dell, Mont.

Location. Lat 44°47', long 112°43', in NWy sec, 20, T. 12 S., R. 9 W., on right bank 

half a mile downstream from Sage Creek and 4^ miles northwest of Dell.

Drainage area. 1,420 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. June 1942 to September 1956 (no winter records).

Gage. Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage is 5,870 ft (by 

barometer).

Extremes. Maximum discharge recorded during year, 182 cfs Aug. 5 (gage height, 2.83 ft); 

minimum recorded, 17 cfs June 3.

1942-56: Maximum discharge, 1,480 cfs June 9, 1944 (gage height, 4.85 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 600 cfs; minimum daily, 1.6 cfs May 20, 1945.

Remarks. Records fair except those for Nov. 13-30, which are poor. Some regulation by 

Lima Reservoir (see p. 238). Diversions for irrigation of about 35,000 acres of 

which about 2,000 acres lie below station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1339: 1947-49.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and

discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Aug. 11 to Sept. 30)

1.9

2.0 

2.2 

2.4

2.8

58

98

197

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

37

37

37

*37

37

37

39

39

37

37

37

37

39

42

40

40

40

40

39

37

37

37

37

37

39

39

39

40

37

37 

39

1,183

38.2

2,350

Nov.

40

4TJ

40

47

62

62

60

62

64

70

66

56

a54

a54

a47

a44

a50

a63

a75

a83

a92

*97

a93

a85

a78

a78

a80

a80

a76

a74

1,972

65.7

3,910

Dec.

-

-

-

Jan.

_

-

-

Feb.

-

-

-

Mar.

-

-

-

Apr.

.

_

-

..

-

_

-

-

-

-

_

-

-

_

-

.

-

-

-

-

.

-

_

*32

33

33

33

32

30

29

-

-

-

May

27

27

27

32

33

a33

a34

36

36

a34

a34

a36

37

37

37

33

29

a33

a36

39

a37

a39

a42

a45

a49

51

56

64

a86

aBT

a37

1,227

39.6

2,430

June

a33

24

*18

18

18

24

30

30

30

33

36

40

51

54

58

66

72

56

47

53

47

45

49

56

53

47

51

60

54

51

1,304

43.5

2,590

July

54

68

78

*84

86

96

100

102

94

94

100

115

119

113

111

102

94

78

62

56

66

56

54

53

62

56

51

47

68

108

111

2,569

82.9

5,100

Aug.

167

164

162

173

173

160

157

152

152

140

137

133

102

66

66

62

51

44

37

30

24

23

*22

23

23

23

23

30

36

33

26

2,614

84.3

5,180

Sept.

23

22

21

20

23

32

29

24

26

32

30

27

26

34

36

33

34

37

40

40

42

*44

45

47

45

44

44

42

30

26

998

33.3

1,980

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

Water year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

Discharge measurement made on this day.

No gage-height record; discharge Interpolated or estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, 

ther records, and comparison with records for station below Lima Reservoir.
GRASSHOPPER CREEK BASIN 17

Grasshopper Creek near Dillon, Mont.

Location. Lat 4S°07', long 112 0 48', in NW£ sec. 26, T. 8 S., R. 10 W., on left bank 

1$ miles upstream from mouth and 11 miles southwest of Dillon.

Drainage area. 350 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. March 1921 to June 1933, October 1945 to December 1953, March 1955 

to September 1956. Only one year of winter records prior to 1945.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,350 ft (from topographic map).

Prior to June 30, 1933, staff or chain gage at site 1,000 ft downstream at different 

datum. Oct. 11, 1945, to May 15, 1946, staff gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 10 years (1922-23, 1945-53, 1956), 58.0 cfs (41,990 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,870 cfs Mar. 24 (gage height, 6.47 ft in 

gage well, 7.33 ft from outside gage), from rating curve extended above 600 cfs on 

basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; minimum, 7.2 cfs Sept. 17.

1921-33, 1945-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge, that of Mar. 24, 1956; no flew 

July 5-11, Aug. 3, 1930, Aug. 5, 6, 1931 (water diverted for irrigation).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 12,500 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect ( 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.6 

1.8 

2.0 

2.2

6.0

13

25

46

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0

19O 

51O 

950

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

17

17

17

*17

18

19

19

19

19

18

21

21

22

22

22

22

26

29

3O

31

31

31

3O

30

31

34

38

4O

42

45

48

826

26.6

1,640

Nov.

45

50

52

52

51

51

58

57

51

54

61

40

18

15

15

1320-

40

59

65

69

*54

45

42

46

47

47

46

46

45

1,354

45.1

2,690

Dec.

40

45

40

30

25

25

30

35

30

30

30

35

40

30

20

20

20

20

20

20

25

40

50

45

43

*40

38

35

35

1,076

34.7

2,130

Jan.

35

35

37

43

il

45

45

43

40

38

38

38

38

37

35

35

34

33

*35

35

38

38

35

35

30

25

24

23

20

it-Lo

1,068

34,5

2,120

Feb.

18

20

21

23

23

23

23

23

20

20

20

20

20

20

14

10

T5

12

15

20

25

*28

25

28

28

28

26

25

25

616

21.2

1,220

Mar.

24

23

22

21

20

20

20

2O

20

I8.

18

18

18

18

18

20

20

2O

20

20

25

90

350

771

472

267

*133

102

95

131

131

2,965

95.6

5,880

Apr.

107

68

58

62

72

56

59

51

65

96

145

131

114

109

112

125

125

114

100

96

95

100

107

121

135

*112

123

137

121

98

3,014

10O

5,980

May

96

88

83

95

110

1O3

112

121

HO

119

139

141

118

103

98

102

116

131

137

170

195

21O

225

267

356

377

398

586

482

430

370

6,188

2OO

12,270

June

294

*273

264

255

230

198

185

165

133

123

112

98

85

78

80

105

139

110

86

71

91

102

82

71

75

65

50

37

28

21

3,706

124

7,350

July

17

23

53

*T2_

62

54

48

32

23

22

2O

24

28

36

33

27

23

19

16

18

19

20

16

11

13

14

14

29

31

39

36

894

28.8

1,770

Aug.

40

3?

33

33

33

3«.

35

37

35

3?

33

3?

3?

23

29

27

26

26

27

25

24

18

*13

13

13

12

14

16

16

16

16

813

26.2

1.61O

Sept.

19

16

14

13

12

11

11

11

13

12

14

17

14

13

11

8.1

7.5 o:

8.4

8.4

*8.1

8.7

1O

11

11

12

14

14

16

16

362.3

12.1

719

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac -ft -

Water ter year year 1955-56: 1355-56: Max Max 771 771 -'Mln . nin 7.5 /.& Mean raean 62.5 ez.o Ac-ft AC-IS 45,380 40,sou

Peak discharge (base. 110 efs).--Mar. 24 (3:30 a.m.) 1,870 cfs (6.47 ft); Apr. 11 (4 p.m.) 154 cfs 

-.93 ft); May 28 (1 a.m.) 679 cfs (4.49 ft); June 17 (5 to 8 a.m.) 147 cfs (2.88 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 1, 2, 12-18, Dec. 3 to Mar. 23.
18 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Beaverhead River at Barratts, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°07', long 112°45', in SE£ sec. 19, T. 8 S., R. 9 W., on left bank

1 mile upstream from Barratts, 2 miles downstream from Grasshopper Creek, and 8-5 miles 

southwest of Dillon.

Drainage area. 2,740 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. August 1907 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,268.00 ft above mean sea level, datum 

of 1929. Prior to Oct. 19, 1934, staff or chain gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 43 years (1907-11, 1914-31, 1934-56), 408 cfs (295,400 acre-ft per 

year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 1,770 cfs Mar. 25 (gage height, 3.74 ft); minimum, 192 cfs July 28 (gage height, 0.71 ft).

1907-56: Maximum discharge, 3,720 cfs June 20, 1908 (gage height, 6.1 ft); minimum recorded, 69 cfs Jan. 30, 1938.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Some regulation by Lima Reservoir (see p. 238). Diversions for 

irrigation of about 90,000 acres above station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1086: Drainage area. WSP 1279: 1908(M), 1929(M), 1935-36.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

Oct. I to Mar. 24 Mar. 25 to Sept. 30

0.7 

1.0 

2.0 

3.0

198

316

790

1,340

0.8 

1.0 

1.5

224

297

500

2.0 

3.0 

3.6

755

1,330

1,690

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

Z

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

23

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

253

260

260

241

*245

249

249

241

237

237

221

233

241

253

249

245

253

253

253

253

256

260

260

256

264

268

292

296

296

308 

512

7,994

258

15,860

Nov.

308

316

336

353

353

336

341

353

370

374

383

336

325

315

505

310

320

550

366

383

404

*387

374

370

574

578

574

578

387

385

10,642

555

21,110

Dec.

374

587

578

570

560

349

545

353

345

549

545

349

345

340

335

530

350

330

525

316

324

545

436

396

361

549

*557

555

550

540 

530

10,896

551

21,610

Jan.

"STS 320

305

305

308

310

312

312

312

310

310

310

510

510

510

505

300

500

*300

500

502

305

505

502

300

298

295

290

285

280 

275

9,396

305

18,640

Feb.

270

270

270

272

275

278

280

280

280

280

280

280

280

275

265

260

26?

275

285

296

^i2-

*558

500

288

288

292

292

288

288

8,172

282

16,210

Mar.

292

292

292

290

288

285

285

285

285

280

280

282

285

285

288

292

296

500

500

508

524

409

900

1,280

1,510

1,410

*816

575

535

550 

565

14,664

473

29,090

Apr.

159" 510

381

377

589

350

546

351

335

373

442

455

413

593

405

430

464

458

593

573

377

385

413

438

426

*381

438

478

447

393

12,183

406

24,160

May

369

339

316

327

362

369

389

426

438

464

486

6OO

525

442

589

558

558

565

595

496

655

711

766

920

1,200

1,520

1,410

1,620

1,620

1.680

1,470

21,585

696

42,810

June

1.280

*1,140

1,070

1,060

980

870

799

753

635

565

520

455

4O9

377

385

460

560

545

464

405

460

460

421

401

397

365

527

501

505

282

17,451

581

34, 570

July

275

295

413

430

*415

a410

!?407

S404

?401

?598

a595

S.592

389

377

569

354

335

327

508

278

'275

275

260

253

242

235

255

324

282

312

297

10,358

354

20,540

Aug.

320

324

527

359

345

350

354

350

335

350

343

559

327

290

301

275

278

271

264

256

253

246

238

*246

253

249

256

253

246

249

267

9,092

293

18,050

Sept.

278

TZ&5

255

255

249

242

249

256

260

256

256

267

275

260

260

249

249

249

242

246

*249

249

255

255

253

249

249

246

246

238

7,594

253

15,060

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,060 Mln 202 Mean 306 Ac-ft 221,400

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,680 Mln 221 Mean 383 Ac-ft 277,700

Peak discharge (base. BOO efs). Mar. 25 (10:30 a.m.) 1,770 cfs (5.74 ft); May 50 (7 to 11 a.m.) 

1,750 cfs (5.67 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record) discharge Interpolated.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 15-18, Dec. 5, 14-19, Dec. 29 to Feb. 19, 

Mar. 4-14.
BLACKTAIL CREEK BASIN 19

Blacktail Creek near Dillon, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°03', long 112°33', in SE£ sec. 14, T. 9 S., R. 8 ¥., on left bank

 12| miles southeast of Dillon and 14 miles upstream from mouth.

Records available. April 1946 to December 1953, April 1955 to September 1956.

Sage Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,667.59 ft above mean sea level, datum

 of 1929 (levels by Bureau of Reclamation).

Average discharge.-8 years (1946-53, 1955-56), 57.9 cfs (41,850 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.-Maximum discharge during year, 144 cfs May 29 (gage height 2 00 ft); maximum

 gage height, 3.87 ft Mar. 7 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 10 els

Feb i946-53l 1955-56: Maximum discharge, 399 cfs June 11, 1947 (gage height, 2.83 ft); 

maximum gage height, 4.62 ft Feb. 26, 1952 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 

5.6 cfs Nov. 9, 1952.

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions

 for irrigation of about 4,000 acres above station.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

45

42

39

39

*41

44

44

44

42

41

39

38

38

36

36

35

34

32

32

35

35

35

34

34

32

34

35

35

38

39

44

1,171

37.8

2,320

Nov.

55

57

41

34

34

34

34

32

34

39

35

32

29

23

17

13

12

12

17

23

25

25

*25

23

22

23

25

25

25

23

848

28.3

1,680

Dec.

20

20

18

18

20

18

18

18

19

20

22

24

24

20

18

17

16

15

15

20

25

30

30- 35

27

30

30

*28

27

17

15

674

21.7

1,340

Jan.

18

27

35

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

37

34

34

35

*40

11

45

45

40

35

30

25

24

24

23

20

L5

1,071

34.5

2,120

Feb.

12

12

15

20

25

24

22

20

20

20

23

25

25

22

17

10

TcJ

10

12

14

16

*20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

-

534

18.4

1,060

Mar.

27

29

30

29

26

24

23

22

22

18

15

13

13

14

15

15

20

23

27

27

27

36

40

45

3?

32

*26

25

23

26

26

777

25.1

1,540

Apr.

25

M

24

27

27

24

27

27

30

34

36

36

36

36

36

40

54

44

40

36

36

40

45

44

*42

*45

58

65

54

46

1,138

37.9

2,260

May

45

44

42

45

47

50

51

50

51

59

58

66

62

54

51

50

49

51

59

68

70

76

84

95

107

109

118

130

136 Tie

113

2,206

71.2

4,380

June

111

*115

116

TTs

109

105

100

88

82

80

79

74

70

66

66

66

68

60

54

52

56

59

55

54

58

54

49

45

42

40

2,188

72.9

4,340

July

41

41

*49

46

45

42

40

39

39

36

39

41

36

32

33

32

30

28

27

26

26

25

24

22

23

20

24

38

33

41

40

1,058

34.1

2,100

Aug.

38

33

32

31

31

32

31

30

30

31

30

31

30

27

Ts

2B

30

31

30

31

34

*31

27

27

28

31

21

32

31

34

34

955

30.8

1,890

Sept.

32

27

27

30

30

30

30

30

30

28

30

32

28

28

28

27

27

26

26

*26

26

28

30

28

26

26

25

26

28

28

843

28.1

1,670

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft

Water year 1955-56: Max 136 Mln 10 Mean 36.8 Ac-ft 26,700

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 13 to Mar. 18 (no gage-height record Nov. 16-
20 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Beaverhead River at Blalne, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°23', long 112°27', In NW£SE± sec. 22, T. 5 S., R. 7 W., on left bank at 

downstream side of bridge on State Highway 41, llj miles upstream from Ruby River and 

14j miles northeast of Dlllon.

Drainage area. 3.630 sq ml, approximately. 

Records available. August 1935 to September 1956.

Altitude of gage Is 4,810 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

eb. 17, 1949, wire-weight gage at bridge half a mile upstream at different datum. 

28, 1951, wire-weight gage at present site ant? datum.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. 

Feb. 17, 1949, wire-we 

Feb. 17, 1949, to June

Average discharge. 21 years, 394 cfs (285,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,430 cfs Mar. 26 (gage height, 6.68 ft); maximum gage height, 7.23 ft Nov. 20 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 40 cfs 

June 16-17, 20.

1935-56: Maximum discharge observed, 3,130 cfs June 12, 1944 (gape height, 6.76 ft, 

site and datum then in use); maximum gage height, that of Nov. 20, 1955; minimum dally 

discharge, 7.0 cfs May 25, 1940.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Some 

regulation by Lima Reservoir (see p. 238). Diversions for irrigation of about 

115,000 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 17-31, May 25 to June 27)

2.3 

2.6 

3.0 

3.5

40

76

141

254

4.O

5.0 

6.0 

7.0

388

730

1,200

1,770

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

283

259

244

251

251

*275

293

288

275

283

270

231

236

238

264

277

272

257

233

233

228

223

228

233

218

228

259

309

328

352

566

8,185

264

16,230

Nov.

ZOE" 368

435

473

509

515

5O5

512

535

548

542

500

460

45O

440

46O

500

550

590

6OO

610

610

*602

591

580

584

584

576

580

576

15,790

526

31,320

Dec.

573

576

576

570

556

552

548

535

538

522

535

532

525

502

492

482

470

470

480

510

550

580

627

654 ?62~

548

548

*515

469

463 

482

16,522

533

32,770

Jan.

490

496

499

505

456

489

492

489

476

476

473

469

469

466

469

460

469

453

*463

460

463

463

463

450

405

408

432

423

405

423

417

14,311

462

28,390

Feb.

41O

405

400

405

410

420

420

415

430

440

450

465

420

385

300

200 2OO"

320

385

395

400

420

*500 432"

405

435

417

408

411

------

11,503

397

22,820

Mar.

4OO

402

405

394

394

374

382

391

397

377

355

377

397

380

368

382

394

411

4O8

429

423

441

594

934

1,240

*1,350

1.570

839

687

683

664

17,042

550

33,800

Apr.

649

'58T3

515

496

499

496

457

457

438

435

466

519

519

482

476

492

570

545

499

457

426

420

*450

499

489

450

457

515

505

460

14,718

491

29,190

May

426

394

360

366

417

417

420

435

450

466

482

545

584

505

411

344

283

228

19O

T95

204

236

202

216

352

559

703

901

1,030

1,040

1.080

14,441

466

28,640

June

915 *ST?

573

5O9

469

435

385

320

259

209

164

129

96

78

55

4349"

57

52

46

47

55

72

82

107

110

110

91

84

82

6,382

213

12,660

Jvly

84

124

290

423

*4TT

394

397

360

333

264

218

206

181

166

181

147

121

109

85

68

58

58

62

56

53

51

51

52

73

75

84

5,241

169

10,400

Aug.

91

IT?

105

101

107

117

110

126

138

152

150

147

152

139

131

136

138

158

162

158

150

139

186

*177

173

181

209

218

221

236

267

4,787

154

9,490

Sept.

298

322

333

349

363

366

374

391

3§T

377

377

374

391

377

338

325

301

288

275

254

*231

218

223

216

186

192

195

190

195

199

8,909

297

17,670

Calendar year 1955: Max 634 Min 24 Mean 307 Ac-ft 222,200

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,370 Mln 43 Mean 377 Ac-ft 273,400

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12-22, Dec. 17-20, Jan. 1, Feb. 1-23.
RUBY RIVER BASIN 21

Ruby River above reservoir, near Alder, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°11', long 112°09', in SWijSWi sec. 31, T. 7 S., R. 4 W., on left bank 

at Puller Hot Springs, a quarter of a mile upstream from Cottonwood Creek, 6 miles 

above Ruby dam, and 10 miles south of Alder.

Drainage area. 537 sq mi.

Records available .--May 1938 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,440.2 ft above mean sea level (riverprofile survey). Prior to Sept. 9, 1938, wire-weight gage at bridge 1,500 ft downstream at datum 5.2 ft lower. Sept. 9, 1938, to Sept. 30, 1955, at site 500 ft downstream at datum 0.5 ft lower.

Average discharge. 18 years, 160 cfs (115,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 960 cfs May 28 (gage height, 4.70 ft); irinimum, 

74 cfs July 27 (gage height, 2.30 ft).

1938-56: Maximum discharge, 1,230 cfs May 21, 1948; maximum gage height, 3.92 ft 

June 10, 1947; minimum discharge, 47 cfs Aug. 17, 18, 1940 (gage height, 0.92 ft), but 

may have been less during periods of ice effect.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor, 

for irrigation of about 3,000 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Diversions

2.2 

2.5 

3.O 

4.0 

4.6

65 

116 

24O 

630 

910

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Moan

Ac-ft

Oct.

87

87

85

82

83

*82

80

SO

80

82

90

95

94

92

92

92

94

1O1

101

1O1

101

97

99

99

99

101

110

118

120

126

120

2,970

95.8

5,890

Nov.

HO

108

120

129

129

124

126

129

133

133

133

114

blO4

blOO

blOO

blO2

b!07

bl!5

120

129

137 126"

120

120

*120

118

118

118

118

116

3,576

119

7,090

Dec.

116

118

114

112

bllO

bl!2

114

118

112

116

114

116

116

bl!4

bl!2

blOS

b!06

blOS

blOS

112

114

118

135

T33- 155

129

' 129

114

*114

bllS

bl!5

3,624

117

7,190

Jan.

112

114

116

114

116

114

114

114

112

112

112

112

114

112

114

112

114

110

114

112

112

112

112

1O8

blOS

blOS

b!02

blOO

b98

b95

b95

3,411

110

6,770

Feb.

b95

b98

blOO

blO5

bllO

bllO

blO5

*b98

b98

99

99

101

99

99

t>96

b94

b92

b92

b95

blOO

106

99

99

99

97

97

97

97

97

2,873

99.1

5.70O

Mar.

97

97

99

97

97

*97

97

97

95

95

97

99

95

94

92_

94

97

103

110

116

114

135

146

182

275

200

131

118

116

112

1O8

3,602

116

7,140

Apr.

106

97

94

*99

101

9O99"

103

99

110

139

135

135

148

160

172

180

158

158

165

182

198

200

2OO

188

178

195

Zl£

1ST

162

4,446

148

8,820

May

158

*153

153

16O

198

198

210

228

250

258

258

264

25O

234

228

250

314

396

*472

528

*639

729

774

860

885

796

860

900

*860

778

684

13,925

449

27,620

June

6 SO

666

580

544

558

452

380

345

334

310

306

278

258

*234

222

219

216

192

175

175

170

158

146

146

151

139

133

133

129

124

8,553

285

16,960

July

122

124

133

135

133

129

116

114

110

1O8

106

*105

105

97

97

95

92

88

85

83

83

82

80

78

77

77

76

80

83

92

94

3,079

99.3

6,110

Aug.

9^

97

87

83

83

83

87

*90

90

94

95

95

92

92

S5

S4

J4-

so

F2

?2

92

92

88

85

92

95

88

85

85

88

90

2,793

90.1

5,5*0

Sept.

88

88

92

92

92

94

94

92

94

92

9O

87

82

85

88

94

94

90

*88

88

90

92

94

94

90

88

87

90

92

90

2,711

90.4

5,380

Calendar year 1955: Max 870 Min - Mean 165 Ao-ft 119,300

Water year 1955-56: Max 900 Min 76 Mean 152 Ac-ft 110,200

Peak discharge (base, 560 efs). May 28 (4 p.m.) 96O efs (4.70 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
22 RUBY RIVER BASIN

Ruby River near Alder, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°17'30", long 112°06'00", in NW^NE^ sec. 28, T. 6 S., R. 4 W., on left 

bank 200 ft upstream from highway bridge, 2f miles south of Alder, 3 miles downstream 

from Ruby River Reservoir, and 6 miles upstream from Alder Creek.

Records available . April 1929 to June 1939, July 1946 to September 1955.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,190 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

fo Apr. 28, 1932, staff gage at site 1,200 ft downstream at different datum. Apr. 28, 

1932, to June 30, 1939, staff gage at bridge 200 ft downstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--15 years (1929-30, 1934-38, 1946-56), 93.8 cfs (67,910 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge daring year, 389 cfs May 29 (gage height, 3.44 ft); maximum 

gage height, 3.76 ft Dec. 30 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 15 cfs 

Feb. 1-3, 17, 18.

1929-39, 1946-56: Maximum discharge, 1,380 cfs June 11, 1947 (gape height, 5.35 ft), 

from rating curve extended above 800 cfs by logarithmic plotting; minimum daily, 0.3 cfs 

Apr. 12, 1938.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Flow regulated by Ruby River Reservoir (see p. 238). Diversions for 

irrigation of about 9,500 acres of which about 5,000 acres lie below station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Nov. 2)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 5

1.9 

2.2 

2.5 

3.0

35

68

122

262

l.S 

1.9 

2.1

Mar. 6 to Sept. 30

12 2.4

17 2.9

35 3.4

206

374

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

154

103

77

41

77

*64

63

70

68

77

90

92

90

87

85

87

88

97

97

99

103

90

85

82

78

77

82

88 

97

101

101

2,690

86.8

5,340

Nov.

103

109

114

120

122

120

120

120

127

127

129

124

120

110

100

100

105

115

125

150

160

165

160

155

*146

144

141

139 

139

139

3,848

128

7,630

Dec.

141

139

136

130

125

120

115

110

107

104

100

100

100

95

90

80

70

60

50

50

52

54

58

60

58

54

50

45 

*40

35

30

2,558

82.5

5,070

Jan.

30

34

37

40

42

45

45

45

45

43

41

39

37

35

33

30

32

33

35

35

35

35

33

30

28

25

24

22 

20

18

I§

1,042

33.6

2,070

Feb.

15

15

15

16

18

20

22

*25

27

27

27

25

22

20

18

16

15

15

17

20

30

40

43

40

35

30

30

30 

35

708

24.4

1,400

Mar.

40

40

40

40

40

*43

35

32

29

27

25

2T

32

31

30

31

30

32

28

28

28

28

28

29

29

28

28

27 

27

27

27

967

31.2

1,920

Apr.

28

28

28

27

*27

27

27

27

26

31

30

25

22

19

19

26

47

47

47

48

50

50

52

54

52

52

54

54 

54

56.

1,134

37.8

2,250

Hay

56

56

*57

57

58

58

58

58

74

118

114

111

111

111

111

111

111

109

155

192

174

169

177

209

209

374

323

330

359

*334

292

4,836

156

9,590

June

2S2

225

109

*197

183

169

114

60

39

32.

58

85

135

243

247

228

166

145

114

76

76

76

77

77

85

96

89

81 

78

36

3,678

123

7,300

July

29

27

59

174

138

109

100

85

65

54

*30

21

26

43

42

38

28

30

33

32

23

25

25

20

20

28

32

34 

28

26

32

1,461

47.1

2,900

Aug.

47

44

34

30

29

30

32

*35

39

36

42

42

42

44

47

32

30

29

28

27

25

27

26

24

25.

26

26

27 

29

35

39

1,028

33.2

2,040

Sept.

42

43

42

38

33

25

25

24

22

23

23

23

22

21

21

22

22

22

*26

33

31

30

28

23

21

20

19

if

19

775

25.8

1,540

Calendar year 1955: Max 530 Mln 15 Mean 103 Ac-ft 74,910

Hater year 1955-56: Max 374 Mln 15 Mean 67.6 Ac-ft 49,050

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 13-17, Dec. 4 to Feb. 22, Mar. 7, 10-12, 14, 

15, 28, Apr. 6 (no gage-height record Nov. 18-24, Feb. 23 to Mar. 5j discharge estimated on basis of 

weather records).
RUBY RIVER BASIN 23

Ruby River at Laurin, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°21', long 112°07', in SW£SE^ sec. 32, T. 5 S., R. 4 W., on right bank 

200 ft downstream from highway bridge in Laurin and three-quartet's of a mile upstream 

from Alder Creek.

Records available. August 1946 to September- 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,045 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge.--10 years, 87.6 cfs (63,420 acre-ft per year).

Extremes --Maximum discharge during year, 250 cfs May 29 (gage height, 3.98 ft); maximum 

gage height, 4.13 ft Nov. 17 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 10 cfs 

Feb. 15-17.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 980 cfs June 11, 1947 (gage height, 6.43 ft); minimum 

daily, 10 cfs Feb. 19, 20, 1955, Feb. 15-17, 1956.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Flow regulated by Ruby River Reservoir (see p. 238). Diversions for irrigation of about 13,000 

acres of which about 2,000 acres lie below station. The flow of Clear Creek (secondary 

channel of Ruby River) which begins approximately 3 miles upstream and returns to the 

river approximately 3 miles downstream is not included in discharge.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 24 to June l)

2.7 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

61

172

297

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

S

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

~95 119

76

55

67

*61

59

59

59

61

72

72

72

72

76

76

69

78

86

86

84

84

78

76

70

70

72

76

80

84

86

2,330

75.2

4,620

Nov.

86

90

93

95

97

95

95

93

97

103

106

99

95

90

80

80

85

90

95

100

105

110

108

103

*101

97

93

90

90

90

2,851

95.0

5,650

Dec.

90

93

90

85

80

82

83

82

80

77

77

77

77

76

72

65

55

45

40

38

35

33

33

32

30

29

29

29

*27

2525"

1,791

57.8

3,550

Jan.

25

27

28

30

33

35

35

35

34

33

30

30

29

29

28

28

27

27

30

29

29

29

29

28

25

18

17

16

15

15

 ii

837

27.0

1,660

Feb.

12

12

13

14

15

20

*21

23

23

20

20

20

18

13

10

10

10

12

14

15

20

25

26

26

25

25

25

25

 25

537

18.5

1,070

Mar.

25

25

25

25

25

*28

25

23

20

20

22

24

27

25

25

25

28

32

33

34

40

41

43

56

53

47

40

36

33

32

32

969

31.3

1,920

Apr.

32

32

29

30

*30

29

32

32

29

34

34

32

30

27

27

30

50

50

50

50

50

52

53

55

53

55

53

53

53

53

1,219

40.6

2,420

May

52

52

*50

52

52

52

52

52

53

86

86

86

86

86

86

86

84

84

103

126

117

110

117

136

122

227

200

197

227

*197

167

3,283

106

6,510

June

162

143

82

*108

108

115

95

72

52

37_

37

52

63

150

165

162

117

103

86

70

63

56

55

61

61

58

53

52

49

41

2,528

84.3

5,010

July

37

40

59

~9T

82

76

63

53

47

47

*34

29

32

32

32

30

30

32

32

30

29

28

25

27

33

33

28

28

29

1,296

41.8

2,570

Aug.

34

34

28

25

23

2222"

26

*28

28

29

29

28

29

34

36

33

33

29

29

28

26

26

28

27

28

29

28

29

36

38_

902

29.1

1,790

Sept.

41

44

53

41

38

34

32

33

30

29

28

33

29

28

26

23

23

22

*2126"

28

28

26

25

30

29

29

28

28

28

903

30.1

1,790

Calendar year 1955: Max 434 Min 10 Mean 74.9 Ac-ft 54,230

Water year 1955-56: Max 227 Min 10 Mean 53.1 Ac-ft 38,560

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Hote. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov 

Jan. 13-18, Jan. 24 to Mar. 15.

13-22, Dec. 4-21, 25, Dec. 28 to jEn. 10,

459735 O -58 -3
24 RUBY RIVER BASIN

Ruby River near Twin Bridges, Mont.

Location. La t 45°30', long 112°20', near west line of sec. 10, T. 4 S., R. 6 W., on

right bank at upstream side of highway bridge, l£ miles upstream from mouth and 2^ miles 

south of Twin Bridges.

Drainage area. 986 sq mi.

Records available. August to October 1940, July 1941 to June 1943, July 1946 to September

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,670 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Tune 30, 1943, staff gage at same site at different datum.

Average discharge. 11 years (1941-42, 1946-56), 203 cfs (147,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 475 cfs May 30 (gage height, 4.87 ft); minimum, 

13 cfs June 14.

1940-43, 1946-56: Maximum discharge, 1,500 cfs June 12, 1947 (gage height, 6.89 ft); 

minimum daily, 1.8 cfs May 20, 21, 26, 27, 1954.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Some regulation by Ruby River Reservoir, 24 miles above station (see 

p. 238). Diversions for irrigation of about 28,500 acres of which 500 acres lie below 

station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 25 to June 2)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 15 Mar. 16 to Sept. 3O

2.9

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

4.5

74

91

196

324

476

2.3 

2.5 

2.7 

3.O

3.5 

4.0 

5.0

170

291

645

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

367

34T

302

267

227

*247

242

237

232

225

239

265

262

262

257

249

247

249

262

260

252

252

244

249

244

227

239

242

249

260

267

7,964

257

15,800

Nov.

267

273

280

293

304

299

288

291

291

302

291

290

285

280

275

270

270

280

290

300

310

310

*293

291

286

286

285

285

280

280

8,625

288

17,110

Dec.

273

273

270

254

250

240

230

220

210

200

190

190

185

180

170

160

150

140

130

125

125

125

130

135

130

125

120

115

*112

110

105

5,372

173

10,660

Jan.

105

105

107

110

115

120

125

125

130 136"

130

125

125

122

120

115

115

115

115

118

120

122

122

120

118

114

110

108

105

100

95.

3,606

116

7,150

Feb.

l°n

§0

90

95

105

110

115

*1|1|

TT5

115

115

110

105

100

100

95

92

90

90

92

100

105

110

110

105

100

95

95

98

2,953

102

5,860

Mar.

100

102

105

102

95

*94

90

95

95

92

90

90

90

95

100

112

123

138

140

138

142

150

181

213

270

296

230

183

161

148

14O

4,200

135

8,330

Apr.

134

126

121

117

*115

110

115

123

121

115

119

119

117

114

112

114

124

138

136

134

134

136

140

152

TXe

146

152

148

140

136

3,854

128

7,640

May

136

132

*130

140

142

124

123

121

125

150

181

204

192

185

181

177

174

172

172

204

215

218

230

235

278

273

315

321

412

*463 4"0"2~

6,525

210

12,940

June

288" 326

250

*206

177

142

114

77

54

48

38

22

16

T6

41

76

96

76

65

53

66

61

62

79

91

87

85

72

79

71

2,934

97.8

5,820

Jul-r

71

96

177

206

245

270 268"

255

220

183

163

*138

119

114

117

100

88

82

76

8O

98

100

95

88

79

64

66

61

65

64

52

3,90O

126

7,740

Aug.

49

45

43

IB- 40

49

54

53 *53

54

62

64

61

59

62

64

52

46

62

59

53

48

45

43

42

41

49

57

70

83

9_6_

1,703

54.9

3,380

Sept.

ITS- 107

US

123

114

114

117

119

138

148

144

166

185

T70

170

170

174

172

*157

159

168

163

170

174

168

163

157

159

163

163

4,522

151

8,970

Calendar year 1955: Max 457 Mln 74 Mean 186 Ao-ft 134,400

Water year 1955-56: Max 463 Mln 16 Mean 153 Ao-ft 111,400

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Hote.--No gage-height record Nov. 12-22, 27-30. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Dec. 5 

to Mar. 15 (no gage-height record Dec. 19 to Mar. 5). Discharge for periods of no gage-height record estimated on basis of 4 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for nearby streams.
BIG HOLE RIVER BASIN 25

Big Hole River near Melrose, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°32', long 112°42', in SW£ sec. 34, T. 3 S., R. 9 W., on left bsnk at 

dovmstream side of bridge on U. S. Highway 91, an eighth of a mile downstream from 

Rock Creek and 8 miles south of Melrose.

Drainage area. 2,470 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. March 1924 to September 1956 (records for 1924-32 fragmentary).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,031 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

June 14, 1927, water-stage recorder and July 17, 1927, to Sept. 30, 1931, chain gage, 

at site 15 miles upstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--24 years (1932-56), 1,128 cfs (816,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 11,800 cfs May 27 (gage height, 7.19 ft); minimum, 122 cfs Nov. 15 (gage height, 0.99 ft).

1924-56: Maximum discharge, 23,000 cfs June 14, 1927, when Wise River Reservoir 

Dam failed (gage height, 14.0 ft, from floodmark, site and datum then in use), from 

rating curve extended above 8,000 cfs; maximum discharge unaffected by dam failure, 

14,100 cfs June 3, 1948 (gage height, 7.76 ft); minimum observed, 49 cfs Aug. 17, 1931 

(gage height, 0.70 ft, site and datum then in use).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor, 

for irrigation of about 136,000 acres above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height. In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to May 19 May 20 to Sept. 30

Liversions

1.1 160

1.5 313

2.0 620

2.5 1,040

3.0 1,630

3.5 2,360

Note. Same as following 

table above 3.5 ft.

1.2 

1.6 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

255

420

660

1,120

1,690

2,360

3,200

5,340

7,940

11,100

11,500

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

S

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27 

28

29

30

31

Total

Moan

Ao-ft

Oct.

299

299

308

323

*318

333

344

349

354

344

338

333

328

328

349

333

323

313

328

328

328

328

338

333

323

333

370 

364

375

398

450

10,512

339

20,850

Nov.

392

349

414

508

543

529

444

438

515

571

641

543

238

172

333

430

508

543

585

557

*571

585

613

613

578

536

501 

515

522

487

14,774

492

29,300

Dec.

501

494

468

456

403

480

420

403

410

426

474

468

409

370

349

340

335

340

360

400

430

460

550

600

662

648

*706 

64T

564

522

522

14,616

471

28,990

Jan.

543

571 522"

543

508

494

456

468

438

420

438

403

390

380

370

360

350

*345

340

330

330

330

320

300

290

280

270 

260

250

240

Z3O

11,769

380

23,340

Feb.

230

230

230

320

240

250

250

240

230

230

230

230

240

240

240

240

250

260

280

300

320

330

320

310

310

320

330 

335

340

7,785

251

15,440

Mar.

350

360

360

350

*345

340

330

330

320

310

310

300

300

310

320

330

350

370

390

444

474

571

754

904

904

*786

683 

690

714

770 

818

14,887

480

29,530

Apr.

802

778

746

754

746

714

738

738

722

826

1,040

1,440

1,940

2,660

3,240

3,720

3,980

3,560

3,460

3,680

4,000

4,310

*4.510

4,420

3,960

3,460

3,150 

3,160

2,900

2,570

72,724

2,424

144,200

May

2,360

2,180

2,110

2,160

2,520

2,580

2,780

3,110

3,480

3,720

3,840

3,820

3,560

3,130

2,880

2,940

3,360

4,160

5,080

6,290

7,49d

8,540

9,580

10,200

*11,100

11,100

11.400 

11,200

10,900

10,200 

9 350

177,120

5,714

351,300

June

9.220

9,030

8,360

7,770

7,320

6,370

5,360

4,600

4,130

3,900

3,740

3,520

3,220

2,990

2,990

3,720

3,860

3,740

3,070

2,760

3,040

3,060

2,830

2,570

2,390

2,150

1,900 

1,640

1,490

1.340

122,080

4,069

242,100

July

1,250

1,210

*1,300

1,460

1.590

1,500

1,400

1,230

1,090

1,000

960

1,030

1,050

1,060

1,030

960

911

884

812

758

740

724

676

632

611

590

578 604"

646

692 

708

29,686

958

58,880

Aug.

676

639

618

590

572

566

566

560

518

536

536

512

482

455

44,5

455

4?0

400

370

3<,6

350

*318

310

306

2313

302

318 

354

350

3-54 

3<52

13,804

445

27,3"30

Sept.

362

342

330

322

314

306

306

318

318

306

306

310

310

302

294

290

290

286

*286

283

280

286

286

294

290

290

286 

286

298

306

9,083

303

18,020

Calendar year 1955: Max 6,010 Mln 160 Mean 988 Ac-ft 715,500

Water year 1955-56: Max 11,400 Mln 172 Mean 1,363 Ac-ft 989,300

___ ..e (base. 5.400 cfs). Apr. 23 (6 to 8 a.m.) 4,680 cfs (4.72 ft); May 12 (4 to 10 p.m. 

3,900 cfs (4.36 ft); May 27 (4 p.m.) 11.800 cfs (7.19 ft); June 18 (5:30 a.m.) 3,880 cfs (4.35 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 16, Dec. 9, 16-24, Jan. 13 to Mar. 19.

Peak discharge (base.
26 BIG HOLE RIVER BASIN

Birch Creek near Glen, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°23', long 112°48', in SE^SE^ sec. 23, T. 53., R. 10 W., on left bank 

If miles downstream from Sheep Creek and 8 miles southwest of Glen.

Records available . May 1946 to September 1953, April 1955 to September 1956. Prior to 

October 1950, published as "near Reichle."

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,840 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

£0 Nov. 16, 1949, at site If miles upstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 8 years (1946-53, 1955-56), 30.6 cfs (22,150 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 246 cfs June 6 (gage height, 3.78 ft); maximum 

gage height, 4.50 ft Jan. 30 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 2.2 cfs Nov. 15- 

17 (gage height, 1.42 ft).

1946-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge, that of June 6, 1956; maximum gage height recorded, 4.75 ft Dec. 12, 1947, aite and datum then in use (backwater from ice); minimum discharge observed, 1.2 cfs Nov. 22, 1952 (gage height, 1.47 ft), discharge 

measurement.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, no gage-height record, or 

backwater from beaver dams, which are poor. No diversion above statioi. Some regulation at lakes in headwaters. Recorded diversions from Willow and Bond Creeks into 

Birch Creek above station for 1956 "are listed below (additional diversions from Willow 

Creek outside of recorded period unknown).

Date

Apr. 17-30..........

May 1-31............

July 1-31 ...........

The period. .......

Mean 

(cfs)

2.86

11.7

28.9

12.6

15.7

Runoff in 

acre-feet

79

722

3,295

Cooperation. Diversion record furnished by water commissioner.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect 

and backwater from beaver dams (gage height. In feet, and 

discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Aug. 1O to Sept. 30)

1.4 

1.6 

1.8 

2.0

1.8 

4.5

15

2.2 

2.5 

2.9

3.6

24

209

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

11

11

11

11

10

10

9.8

9.8

9.2

12

20

22

21

21

20

20

20

23

22

20

21

21

20

20

20

19

20

20 

20

18

523.8

16.9

1,040

Nov.

15

15

22

22

20

18

17

22

19

26

18

10

5.8

4.8

2.4

2.2

2.5

4.2

6.0

8.0

*9.5

9.5

10

12

13

14

13

13

14 

13

380.9

12.7

756

Dec.

13

13

12

10

8.6

12

11

10

12

11

12

11

7.8

b7

b7

b6

b6

b6

b7

b8

bll

b22

b!6

13

11

12

*11

bll

b9 

b9

b9

324.4

10.5

643

Jan.

a9

alO

alo

alO

blO

10

10

10

9.2

10

9.8

9.5

9.2

10

7.2

9.8

9.8

*b9

b9

8.9

alO

all

all

blO

b9

b8

b8

b8

b7 

b7

b7

286.4

9.24

568

Feb.

a7

a7

a7

a8

a8

a8

a8

a8

a8

a8

a8

a8

a7

a6

a5_

a5

a5

a6

a7

a7

a8

a8

7.4

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.0

7.0

7.0

207.0

7.14

411

Mar.

TTo" 7.0

7.0

7.2

7.2

7.8

8.3

7.6

7.2

7.0

7.2

8.3

8.6

8.0

7.6

7.4

b8

b8

b9

blO

bll

b!6

b!8

b!8

b!4

*b!2

b!2

b!2

b!2 

13 

13

306.4

9.88

608

Apr.

12

13

14

13

13

15

14

15

15

18

18

18

18

19

21

22

21

20

22

24

28

31

*35

38

35

27

24

24

22

21

630

21.0

1,250

May

20

20

20

20

20

21

24

26

27

26

26

25

24

23

26

32

44

*60

86

106

135

146

153

175

*166

161

173

168

161 

163 

173

2,448

79.0

4,860

June

184

206

189

199

194

207

151

150

168

173

175

163

155

148

151

150

122

106

106

122

106

92

86

90

83

76

74

64

53 

52

3,995

133

7,920

July

60

61

*74

62

62

56

54

50

50

50

47

41

40

38

42

53

54

56

61

69

70

66

65

64

64

60

60

58

52 

47 

42

1,728

E5.7

3,430

Aug.

38

36

34

29

18

22

26

26

22

17

17

16

16

15

16

15

15

14

13

12

11

*11

10

9.8

10

11

11

|

> all

534.8

17.3

1,060

Sept.

ir a

, alO

. a9

8.9

9.8

9.5

9.5

*9.5

9.2

8.9

8.9

14

16 

16

306.2

10.2

607

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 207 Mln 2.2 Mean 31.9 Ac-ft 23,150

Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record (stage-discharge relation affect by ice during most of periods Jan. 1-4, 

21-23, Feb. 1-22 ); discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements, recorded range In 

stage, weather records, and records for nearby stations.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.

Note. Backwater from beaver dams, Oct. 1-5.
WHITETAIL CREEK BASIN 27

Whitetail Creek near Whitehall, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°01'22", long 112°12'27", in SE^ sec. 10, T. 3 N., R. 5 ¥., on left bank 

4 miles downstream from Whitetail Reservoir, 12 miles northwest of Whitehall, and 

13-j miles upstream from mouth.

Records available. November 1949 to November 1953, March 1955 to September 1956 (no winter record after 1951).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,640.52 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929, supplementary adjustment of 1952.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during water year, 55 cfs May 29 (gage height, 3.37 ft); minimum not determined.

1949-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge, 126 cfs May 18, 1951 (gage height, 4.22 ft); 

minimum recorded, 0.8 cfs Nov. 15, 1951 (gage height, 1.77 ft).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Plow regulated by Whitetail Reservoir (capacity, 5,500 acre-ft).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Aug. 5 to Sept. 3O)

1.9 

2.1 

2.3 

2.5

0.9 

3.3

6.7

12

2.7 

3.0 

3.4

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13 

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ae-ft

Oct.

Ts~ 15

*15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

14

11 

9.3

9.0

13

12

12

12

9.9

7.8

7.8

6.3

4.6

5.2

3.9

3.0

2.6

4.0

3.8

3.3

319.5

10.3

634

Nov.

3.3

3.3

3.0

2.9

3.0

3.3

3.6

3.2

2.8

*3.6

, b2

72.0

2.40

143

Dec.

1 «

[

bl.5

49.0

1.58

97

Jan.

-

-

-

Feb.

-

-

-

Mar.

-

-

-

Apr.

. a4

*4.5

4.6

5.6

6.3

6.1

5.2

5.0

4.4

4.4

4.2

4.0

3.9

3.9

130.1

4.34

258

May

3.8

3.8

3.9

3.8

3.9

4.4

4.5

5.6

7.6

7.4

6.9

6.1

5.6 

5.8

6.3

7.8

8.8

9.9

10

12

17

22

28

32

35

37

46

*51

52

sT

48

546.9

17.6

1,O8O

June

44

38

35

31

28

26

23

21

19

18

21

32

30 

27

26

26

25

24

23

22

21

20

19

2O

19

19

18

18

18

18

729

24.3

1,450

July

19

19

19

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

*18

22 

35

36

35

35

35

36

39_

38

38

39

39

39

38

39

38

38

38 

37

913

29.5

1,810

Aug.

37

37

37

37

36

19

19

19

*19

19

19

19

18 

18

18

19

19

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

19

18

18

18

19

18

633

21.4

1,3?0

Sept.

18

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17 

17

16

16

17

*17

17

17

17

17

16

16

16

15

Is

15

15

15

496

16.5

984

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

Water year : Max Mln Mean Ao-ft

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
28 BOULDER RIVER BASIN

Boulder River above Rock Creek, near Basin, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°15', long 112°30', in SWv sec. 20, T. 6 N., R. 7 W., on left bank half 

a mile upstream from Rock Creek, 3 miles upstream from Thunderbolt Cresk, and 12 miles

west of Basin.

Records available.--April to September 1936 (published as "at CCC Camp near Bernice"}, 

June 1946 to November 1953, April 1955 to September 1956 (seasonal records only after

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 6,240 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Sept. 12, 1936, staff gage at site a quarter of a mile downstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--7 years (1946-53), 11.7 cfs (8,470 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge recorded during water year, 106 cfs May 22; maximum gage 

height, 2.52 ft Apr. 21; minimum discharge not determined.

1936. 1946-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge, 582 cfs May 19, 1948 (gage height, 

3.72 ft); minimum daily, 0.5 cfs Jan. 28, 29, 1951, Mar. 23, 1953.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of no gage-height record, which are poor. 

No diversion above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and discharge,

In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 22 to June 2O)

i.o

1.2

0.7 

1.2 

3.0 

5.8

1.4 

1.6 

2.0 

2.5 95

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

2.1

2.0

*1.9

1.9

1.9

2.0

2.0

1.9

tt

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.1

2^7

58.8

1.90

117

Nov.

2.2

2.3

2.6

2.6

2.7

5,0

2.8

2.2

2.5 

*3.4

4.2

3.8

2.6

2.2

2.0

1.4

1.2

ii2.0

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

67.8

2.26

134

Dec.

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

(*)

 al.5

47.0

1.52

93

Jan.

_

-

-

Feb.

_

_

-

Mar.

_

_

-

Apr.

a8

a7

a6

a6

a5_

a5

a5

a5

a6 

a!2

a20

a25

a30

a35

a40

a45

a50

a52

*54

a54

55

47

38

31

25

25

22

21

18

17

769

25.6

1,530

May

17

15

14

13

14

16

21

33

61 

65

55

46

43

37

39

50

60

»72

87

87

94

95

90

87

79

74

78

*65

56

48

42

1,653

53.3

3,280

June

38

38

32

29

25

23

22

18

17 

16

14

*14

13

12

13

30

20

14

12

12

17

12

9.5

16

11

9.2

8.2

7.3

6.6

6^2

515.0

17.2

1,020

JUlv

6.2

7.1

12

9.8

6.6

*S.8

5!e

5.2

4.8 

4.4

4.8

6.8

4.7

4.4

4.1

4.0

3.4

3.2

3.1

3. 1

3.2

2.9

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.1

2.6

2.9

2.8

2.8

2 .4

139.1

4.49

276

Aug.

2.5

2.3

2.2

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2 

*2.4

2.1

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.8

1.8

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.8

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.8

2.1

2.4

2.5

2.3

3.4

3.1

64.1

2.07

127

Sept.

2.2

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8 

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.9

2.2

1.9

1.7

1.6

*1 . 6

lie

1.7

1.8

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.8

1.9

1.8

54.2

1.81

108

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

Water year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

Peak discharge (base, 50 cfs). API

3 a.m.) 81 cfs (2.48 ft)j May 22 (2 1

'. 21 (10:30 to 11:30 p.m.) 87 cfs (2.52 ft); May 10 (2 to 

o 3 a.m.) . 106 cfs (2.47 . ft)..

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height records discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measureme-its, engineers' 

notes, weather records, and records for station near Boulder.
BOULDER RIVER BASIN 29

Boulder River near Boulder, Mont.

Location (revised) .--La t 46°12'40", long 112°05'25", in NE£sw£ sec. 3, T. 5 N., R. 4 W., 

on left bank at downstream side of highway bridge, three-quarters of a mile do-mstream 

from Muskrat Creek, and 2 miles east of Boulder.

Records available. --April 1929 to September 1931, March 1934 to September 1956.

Gage. --Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,813 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

A~ug. 29, 1946, chain gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 23 years (1930-31, 1934-56), 112 cfs (81,080 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . Maximum discharge during year, 1,760 cfs May 22 (gage height, 9.71 ft); minimum, 12 cfs Aug. 14-25.

1929-31, 1934-56: Maximum discharge, 2,620 cfs May 22, 1948 (gage height, 10.37 

ft); no flow July 15-17, 21, 1931.

Remarks . Records good. Diversions for irrigation of about 3,500 acres above station. 

Revisions (water years) . WSP 1279: 1931.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet, and

discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 25 to June 2)

7.0

9.0

14

107

191

8.0 

8.5

9.5 

10.0

318

495

710

1,000

1,410

2,080

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

31

30

*28

27

28

29

30

32

32

31

31

32

32

33

32

32

31

31

32

31

32

34 

35

32

31

30

29

30

31

32

31

962

31.0

1,910

Nov.

26

24

33

35

36

25

26

33

34

ii

40

19

15

18

26

24

22

21

23

32

*36

33 

32

32

31

32

31

31

3i

31

874

29.1

1,730

Dec.

31

32

31

30

29

29

30

29

29

29

29

31

28

26

23

22

22

26

26

26

*27

40 

49

47

43

39

43

40

35

33

32

986

31.8

1,960

Jan.

32

31

31

32

32

33

33

33

32

30

30

29

*29

29

30

30

29

30

31

31

31

32 

31

30

32

32

32

31

32

32

32

964

31.1

1,910

Feb.

33

33

32

30

2!

29

29

29

31

31

31

32

31

32

33

34

32

31

30

30

30

30 

30

32

32

32

*32

32

32

-

904

31.2

1,790

Mar.

32

32

32

32

32

31

31

32

32

35

31

31

29

29

29

28

30

32

40

53

59

91

182

212

193

143

89

87

88

128

130

2,055

66.3

4,080

Apr. -

100

*79

83

80

73

66

67

65

69

94

145

197

238

288

357

396

399

340

*300

347

402

427 

357

340

291

263

230

230

214

199

6,736

225

13,360

May

191

180

174

176

183

187

191

250

434

531

519

444

410

385

410

539

725

1,000

1,210

1,240

1,450

1,600 

1,490

1,450

1,260

1,090

1,120

1,020

*899

766

688

22,212

717

44,060

June

634

598

515

455

396

350

312

268

233

217

193

174

157

136

140

282

255

202

160

140

157

141 

125

160

153

124

106

89

79

71

7,022

234

13,930

July

68

75

92

110

89

*88

79

68

61

54

65

74

65

59

53

45

35

32

30

26

26

24

21

21

19

17

19

22

21

21

19

1,498

48.3

2,970

Aug.

18

17

15

14

13

13

13

14

14

*15

15

15

14

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12 

12

12

12

14

16

16

18

21

34

453

14.6

899

Sept.

30

23

22

22

21

21

20

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

18

18

17

*16

15

15

15

15 

16

16

16

16

15

15

16

16

547

18.2

1,080

Calendar year 1955: Max 710 Min 10 Mean 113 Ac-ft 81,850

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,600 Min 12 Mean 124 Ac-ft 89,680

Peak discharge (base. 420 cfs).--Apr. 22 (3 to 6 a.m.) 441 cfs (7.88 ft); 12 p.m. May 10 to 3 a.t 

May 11, 551 cfs (8.14 ft)} May 22 (3 a.m.) 1,760 cfs (9.71 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
30 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

upstream at

Jefferson River at Sappington, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°48'15", long 111°45'05", in SE^ sec. 29, T. 1 N., R. 1 W., on right 

Bank at upstream side of bridge on State Highway 1, 1 mile northeast of Sappington and 

5-| miles upstream from Willow Creek.

Drainage area. 8,980 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. September 1896 to December 1905, August 1938 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,170 ft (from topographic map). 

Sept. 10, 1896, to Dec. 31, 1905, chain gage at railroad bridge l£ miles upstre 

different datum.

Average discharge. 22 years (1896-98, 1902-4, 1938-56), 2,137 cfs (1,547,000 acre-ft per 

year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 13,300 cfs May 29 (gage height, 9.37 ft); maximum gage height, 10.12 ft Dec. 23 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 386 cfs 

Aug. 25 (gage height, 2.14 ft).

1896-1905, 1938-56: Maximum discharge observed, 21,000 cfs June 23, 1899 (gage 

height, 9.65 ft, site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 10.000 

cfs by logarithmic plotting; minimum, 134 cfs Aug. 12, 1940 (gage height, 1.49 ft).

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 345,000 acres above station. Some regulation by Lima Reservoir 

and since 1938 by Ruby River Reservoir (see p. 238), and several minor reservoirs.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1389: 1899, 1900, 1902(M), 1904(M).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height. In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 25 to Apr. 8)

2.1 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0

370

550

87O

1,280

1,820

3,230

6.0 

7.0 

8.0 

9.0 

9.4

4,900

6,83O

9,270

12,200

13,400

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27 

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1,010

1,010

*988

940

926

919

9l8

972

988

980

980

972

980

964

964

972

972

956

948

948

933

948

926

926

948

926

940

1,010

1,040

1,090

1.120

30,144

972

59,790

Nov.

1,170

*1,170

1,230

1,300

1,410

1,460

1,460

1,390

1,380

1,430

1,500

1,490

1,440

905

525

1,000

1,500

1,700

1.800

1,800

1,750

1,750

1,800

1,800

1,800

1,700

1,650 

1,650

1,700

1,700

44,360

1,479

87,990

Dec.

1,650

1,550

1,500

1,450

1,400

1,350

1,350

1,400

1,450

1,500

1,540

*1,670

1.680

1,500

1,230

1,210

1,110

1.100

1,100

1,150

1,300

1,400

1,500

1,600

1,650

1,650

1,650 

1,600

1,550

1,500

1,400

44,690

1,442

88,640

Jam.

1,350

1,350

1,400

1,450

1,500

1.550

1,550

1,550

1,500

1,500

1,450

1,400

1,350

1,300

1,300

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,200

1,200

1,150

1,150

*1,150

1,100

1,100

1,050

1,000 

950

900" 900

900

39,000

1,258

77,360

Feb.

850

850

850

850

900

900

900

950

950

900

900

950

1,000

1,000

950

950

950

1,000

1,000

1,050

1,100

1,150

1,200

1,200

1,250

1,250

1.500 

1,360

1,300

29,700

1,024

58,910

Mar.

1,300

1,300

1.30O

1,300

*1,250

1,200

1,150

1,100

1.050

1,050

1,050

1,050

1,050

1,050

1,100

1,150

1,200

1,250

1,300

1,350

1,450

1,700

2,190

2,580

3,090

5.210

2,940 

2,730

2,390

2,110

2 , 100

50,040

1,614

99,250

Apr.

2,130

2,060

*1,940

1,850

1,770

1,720

1,670

1,680

1,640

1,610

1,660

1,880

2,280

2,740

3,490

4,010

4,600

4,950

4,620

4,500

4,650

5,010

5,340

5,470

5.540

5,100

4,620 

4,500

4,280

4,020

101,110

5,570

200,500

May

*3,680

3,560

3,130

5.070

5,150

5,420

5,450

5,580

3,940

4,450

4,310

5,100

5,040

4,770

4,310

3,970

3,990

4,360

5,030

5,920

7,020

8,160

9,270

10,200

*11,200

11,900

12,400 

12,700

15.200

15,000

*12 ,600

204,180

6,586

405,000

June

11.700

10,900

10,500

9,900

9,O50

8,420

7,580

6,340

5,370

4,760

4,410

4,120

3,810

3,420

3,150

3,070

3,600

3,870

3,760

3,250

2,900

3,040

3,010

2,910

2,780

2,640

2,590 

2,150

1,880

1.660

146,320

4,877

290,200

July

1,480

1,400

1,580

1,760

2,040

2.250

2,160

2,040

*1,880

1,710

1,570

1,430

1,360

1,240

1,150

1,130

1,020

926

870

772

757

676

646

592

545

515

480 

565" 460

500 

545

55,929

1,159

71,260

Aug.

580

59S

598

556

556

*562

562

598

646

658

670

676

658

622

595

586

574

515

495

495

495

475

446

426

426

598

m442

485 

550

16,727

540

53,180

. Sept.

610

64O

676

706

713

751

75ff

800

849

898

*898

863

884

912

87ff

821

786

779

737

706

694

694

688

694

700

682

712

718

751

757

22,752

758

45,090

Calendar year 1955: Max 6,810 Min 257 Mean 1,651 Ac -ft 1,200,OCO

Water year 1955-56: Max 13,200 Mln 394 Mean 2,090 Ac-ft 1,517,OC^

Peak discharge (base. 6.000 cfs). May 29 (7:50 p.m.) 15,300 cfs (9.37 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 18 to Dec. 10; Dec. 18 tc Mar. 22.
WILLOW CREEK BASIN 31

Willow Creek near Harrison, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°43', long 111°44', In NW£ sec. 28, T. 1 S., R. 1 W., on left bank

It miles upstream from Willow Creek Dam, 2j miles northeast of Harrison, and 11 miles 

upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 88.4 sq mi.

Records available. April 1938 to September 1956 (no winter records prior to 1947).

Gage. Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage is 4,750 ft (from 

Fopographic map). Prior to Oct. 8, 1946, at datum 0.22 ft higher.

Average discharge. 10 years (1946-56), 35.8 cfs (25,920 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 242 cfs May 29 (gage height, 2.46 ft); maximum 

gage height recorded, 2.71 ft Feb. 26 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 1.4 cfs 

Sept. 17 (gage height, 0.39 ft).

1938-56: Maximum discharge, 725 cfs June 27, 1944 (gage height, 4.05 ft, datum then 

in use); minimum, that of Sept. 17, 1956.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 12,500 acres above station.

Bating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

0.3 

.4 

.5 

.6

1.4 

3.7 

7.3

1.0 

1.5 

2.0 

2.5

43

101

171

248

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

2O

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

4.1

4.1

3.7

377

4.1

*4.4

4.4

3.7

3.7

3.7

4.4

4.8

4.8

5.1

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.9

6.9

6.9

7.3

8.2

9.6

8.2

7.3

6.9

8.2

8.2

8.2

9.6

1I_

187.6

6.05

372

Nov.

10

20

17

16

*16

14

16

15

16

17

18

16

16

15

14

14

14

15

20

25

25

23

22

23

24

22

21

22

23

23

552

18.4

1,090

Dec.

22

21

20

20

24

28

32

34

36

38

40

»41

32

20

16

15

14

13

12

TT

16

18

18

18

17

16

15

14

13

13

14

664

21.4

1,320

Jan.

14

15

15

16

16

17

17

18

18

ii

19

18

18

17

16

15

15

14

14

15

16

16

15

14

14

13

13

12

12

11

10

472

15.2

936

Feb.

10

10

12

14

15

*16

16

17

17

18

19

20

22

22

20

18

16

15

14

14

15

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

li

504

17.4

1,000

Mar.

25

26

24

22

21

20

*19

19

20

18

16

15

IS

15

16

20

30

40

60

70

52

58

80

713

73

58

45

47

35

33

34

1,104

35.6

2,190

Apr.

34

33

»38

37

39

36

33

34

36

38

39

38

38

37

39

42

41

28

24

26

22

21

23

22

22

18

18

16

TT

18

907

30.2

1,800

May

*18

18

18

18

18

20

22

20

18

17

16

16

16

16

14

12

11

12

22

35

55

71

85

91

115

111

115

*146

226

201

180

1,753

56.5

, 3,480

June

180

186

178

183

168

139

105

88

92

98

109

110

104

96

93

93

79

65

57

45

44

44

40

38

38

38

33

32

32

32

2,639

88. 0

5,230

July

32

32

3838"

32

28

28

27

23

27

*29

29

26

25

24

23

20

18

15

11

9.6

9.2

8.2

8.2

7.3

6.2

5.5

5.5

5.1

4.4

4.1

598.3

19.3

1,190

Aug.

4.4

4.4

4.8

ITT

3.2

*3.2

4.1

5.7

3.7

3.5

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.6

2.8

2.6

2.3

2.3

2.6

2.3

2.1

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.1

2.3

2.3

2.6

2.3

2.6

2.8

90.4

2.92

179

Sept.

2.8

273

2.1

2.3

2.6

2.6

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

*2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

1.9

1.6

ITS

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

2.1

60.4

2.01

120

Calendar year 1955: Max 127 Mln 2.6 Mean 21.6 Ac-ft 15j670

Water year 1955-56: Max 226 Mln 1.6 Mean 26.0 Ac-ft 18,910

Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 10 to Mar. 20 (no gage-height record Nov. 27 

to Dec. 11, Dec. 26 to Feb. 5, Mar. 14, 15; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge meisurements, 

engineer's notes, and weather records).
32 WILLOW CREEK BASIN

Willow Creek near Willow Creek, Mont.

Location. La t 45°45', long 111°39', in SWi sec. 18, T. 1 S., R. IE., on left bank at 

upstream side of highway bridge, 3 miles downstream from Willow Creek Reservoir, 

5z miles south of town of Willow Creek, and 6 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 164 sq mi.

Records available.--September 1919 to December 1932, May 1946 to December 1953, April 

1955 to October 1956 (discontinued). Few winter records prior to 1948.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,340 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to June 14, 1920, staff gage at site half a mile downstream at different datum. 

June 14, 1920, to Dec. 9, 1932, chain gage at present site at different datum. May 9 

to June 30, 1946, staff gage at site 500 ft downstream at datum 1.5 ft higher. July 1, 

1946, to Sept. 30, 1947, wire-weight gage at present site and datum. Oct. 1, 1947, to 

Nov. 28, 1949, staff gage at site half a mile downstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 9 years (1920-21, 1922-23, 1947-53, 1955-56), 52.6 cfs (38,080 acre-ft 

per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 211 cfs June 4 (gage height, 4.43 ft); minimum 

recorded, 17 cfs Mar. 19 (gage height, 2.31 ft), but may have been less during periods 

of no gage-height record.

1919-32, 1946-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge observed, 650 cfs July 31, 1948 (gage 

height,.5.20 ft, site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 140 cfs 

by logarithmic plotting; minimum daily, 0.3 cfs Feb. 1, 1951.

Remarks --Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-t-eight record, 

which are poor. Flow regulated since 1937 by Willow Creek Reservoir (see p. 238). 

Diversions for irrigation of about 12,800 acres above station.

Revisions {water years). WSP 1389: 1920(M), 1926, 1929(M), 1931.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

39

39

39

39

39

*39

39

39

38

39

39

38

37

38

38

38

38

38

39

39

39

39

38

35

35

36

35

35

35

36

36

1,170

37.7

2,320

Nov.

35

34

34

34

*34

34

34

34

34

33

33

31

26

22

18

18

18

20

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

24

24

23

23 

22

824

27.5

1,630

Dec.

(*)

24

744

24

1,480

Jan.

18

558

18

1,110

Feb.

(*)

20

580

20

1,150

Mar.

20

20

20

19

19

19

*19

24

18

20

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

18

19

19

20

19

20

33

47

16

41

42

41

40

755

24.4

1,500

Apr.

47

46

*44

68

83.

74

77

75

75

74

73

75

75

75

75

74

75

75

76

75

76

77

77

77

76

76

69

48

48

48

2,083

69.4

4,13O

May

*48

48

47

48

47

47

47

47

47

47

47

47

46

39

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

36

50

65

78

*91

111

130

155

1,584

51.1

3,140

June

167

176

187

194 189"

177

159

142

132

132

130

133

150

150

153

148

132

120

93

85

68

68

67

66

65

65

65

66

65

58

3,602

120

7,140

July

49

50

50

46

39

39

39

44

*68

78

97

97

97

98

98

38

93

89

79

79

79

79

79

71

49

47

50

52

49

46

51

2,065

6i3.6

4,100

Aug.

37

37

38

40

42

*42

43

55

55

§2.

57

45

31

31

31

31

31

30

24

26

38

38

38

44

52

53

53

52

52

52

51

1,306

42.1

2,590

Sept.

51

51

51

51

51

51

51

51

51

50

51

51

51

*51

51

52

52

52

52

53

53

54

54

54

55.

41

26

26

26

26

1,440

48.0

2,860

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 194 Mln - Mean 45.7 Ac-ft 33,150

Discharge measurement made on this day.

.tlon affect?d by ice during 

 ge measurements, records for

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1956

Day

Oct. 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Runoff 1

Discharge

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

n acre-feet

Day

Oct. 9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Discharge

26

23

19

19

19

19

18Is

Day

Oct. 17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

Discharge

19

19

*20

a20

a20

a20

a.20

a20

Day

Oct. 25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Discharge

a20

a20

a20

a20

a20

a20

a20

667

1,320

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of weather records.
MADISON RIVER BASIN 33

Madison River near West Yellowstone, Mont.

Location. Lat 44°39', long 111°04 I , on left bank a quarter of a mile upstream f-om River-

 side ranger station, l| miles east of West Yellowstone and west boundary of Yellowstone 

National Park, and 12f miles downstream from confluence of Firehole and Gibbon Rivers.

Drainage area. 419 sq mi.

Records available. June 1913 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 6,650 ft (from topographic map). Prior

"to Oct. 20, 1918, staff gage and Oct. 20, 1918, to June 29, 1930, staff gage or waterstage recorder, at sites 2| miles upstream at different datums. Supplementary staff 

gage a quarter of a mile downstream at different datum used at times during 1927-30.

Average discharge. 40 years (1913-17, 1918-21, 1923-56), 474 cfs (343,200 acre-ft per

Extremes! Maximum discharge during year, 2,150 cfs May 24 (gage height, 3.44 ft); minimum,

259 cfs Dec. 15.

1913-56: Maximum discharge, that of May 24, 1956; maximum gage height, about 10.0 ft

Jan. 8, 1937 (ice jam); minimum discharge, 100 cfs (estimated) Feb. 7, 1933.

Revisions.--The maximum discharge for the water year 1942 has been revised to 1,220

cfs May 27, 1942 (gage height, 2.63 ft), superseding figure published in WSP 956. 

Remarks. Records excellent. No regulation or diversion above station. 

Cooperation. Water-stage recorder inspected by officials of National Park Service. 

Revisions. Revised figures of discharge, in cubic feet per second, for high-water period

in the water year 1942, superseding those published in WSP 956, are given her3with:

Date

1942

Apr. 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Discharge

312

312

318

339

358

339

339

345

345

377

397

440

462

Date

1942-Con.

Apr. 14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

Discharge

494

485

433

425

462

455

462

500

600

550

550

500

450

Date

1942-Con.

Apr. 27

28

29

30

May 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Discharge

425

425

425

433

418

418

440

433

447

447

418

425

470

Date

1942-Con.

May 10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

Discharge

510

510

543

518

470

502

510

485

477

447

447

4B5

569

Date

1942-Con.

May 23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Discharge

690

832

897

1,030

1,120

918

801

832

759

Month

April 1942................

Calendar year 1942 ......

Cfs-days

12,757 

18,268 

143,148 

142,933

Maximum

600 

1,120 

1,120 

1,120

Minimum

312 

418 

245 

245

Mean

425 

589 

392 

392

Per square 

mile

1.01 

1.41 

.936 

.936

Runoff

Inches

1.13 

1.62 

12.70 

12.68

Acre-feet

25,300 

36,230 

283,900 

283,500

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

B>tal

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

371

378

378

371

378

378

378

378

364

364

404

391

384

378

378

371

371

371

378

426

411

465

442

391

384

391

398

*384

384

404 

404

12,048

389

0.928

1.07

23,900

Nov.

384

378

384

391

404

384

378

378

378

404

398

384

360

404

371

321

338

398

391

465

540

442

404

404

398

391

398

404

398

404

11,876

396

0.945

1.05

23,560

Dec.

398

*411

404

391

384

398

391

378

391

378

384

384

371

350

298

364

398

391

404

398

404

442

729

836

593

531

514

480

434

440 

457

13,526

436

1.04

1.20

26,830

Jan.

450

442

426

426

442

434

419

419

411

411

411

411

*419

419

419

434

411

411

411

404

404

411

419

411

404

411

434

411

411

404 

398

12,948

418

0.998

1.15

25,680

Feb.

351

321

350

371

398

398

398

384

378

384

391

398

391

398

398

371

370

384

3B4

391

391

391

*398

398

384

398

391

398

398

11,156

385

0.919

0.99

22,130

Mar.

391

391

398

398

404

391

371

398

384

3B4

364

364

384

371

364

364

364

364

378

384

378

391

398

411

442

450

404

384

384

3 84 

*384

12,021

388

0.926

1.07

23,840

Apr.

404

404

384

384

384

364

37T

391

378

391

434

465

457

480

514

548

557

557

574

612

668

709

709

760

729

729

781

709

*688

630

16,165

539

1.29

1.43

32,060

May

593

565

593

630

750

770

781

869

935

990

979

891

803

739

770

869

1,060

1,220

,350

,490

,610

,750

,860

* ,970

,950

,970

,930

,830

,740

,660 

, 650

37,567

1,212

2.89

3.33

74,510

June

1,640

1,660

1,570

1,500

1,430

1,310

1,160

1,110

1,120

1,100

1,070

1,040

1,030

1,010

1,000

979

891

803

792

*803

858

825

729

729

729

678

668

649

649

621

30,153

1,005

2.40

2.68

59,810

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,040 Min 298 Mean 456 Cfsm 1.09 In.

July

612

640

750

649

612

593

574

565

565

557

557

574

548

540

531

522

522

514

514

505

514

514

497

*497

497

497

488

497

514

522 

497

16,978

548

1.31

1.51

33,680

Aug.

497

4SS

497

480

480

473

473

480

473

488

473

473

465

457

465

465

473

465

465

465

457

450

*442

442

442

442

442

457

457

473 

4-57

14,456

466

1.11

1.28

28,670

Sept.

450

442

442

442

434

426

426

434

442

457

480

583

488

450

442

442

442

434

434

434

442

442

442

442

434

434

434

457

*457

450

13,458

449

1.07

1.19

26,690

14.78 Ao-ft 330,100

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,970 Min 298 Mean 553 Cfsm 1.32 In. 17.95 Ac-ft 40l",400

Peak discharge (base. 950 cfs).--Dec. 24 (l a.m.) 1,060 cfs (2.58 ft); May 11 (6 to 8 a.m.) 1,030 

cfs (2.57 ft)j May 24 (9 to 11 a.m.) 2,150 cfs (3.44 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
MADISON RIVER BASIN

Madison River below Hebgen Lake, near Grayling, Mont.

Location. Lat 44°52'00", long 111°20 I 15", near northeast corner of sec. £2, T. 11 S., R. 3 

E., on right bank 500 ft downstream from Hebgen Dam, 8 miles northwest of Grayling, and 

17 miles upstream from West Pork.

Drainage area. 904 sq ml.

Records available.--October 1938 to September 1956. Published as "below Febgen Reservoir" 

prior to Oct. 1, 1949.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 6,455 ft (from topograpHc map). Prior 

Ifo July 13, 1943, staff gage in stilling well at same site and datum.

Average discharge . 18 years 949 cfs (687,000 acre-ft per year), adjusted for storage.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 2,920 cfs June 4 (gage height, 2.82 ft); minimum 

dally, 311 cfs May 25.

1938-56: Maximum discharge observed, 5,980 cfs June 3, 1943 (gage teight, 3.69 ft); 

minimum daily, 5 cfs June 11-24, 1948, when all gates were closed.

Remarks. Records good. Plow completely regulated by Hebgen Lake (see p. 238). Diversions 

for irrigation of about 1,100 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet, and

discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Sept. 21-30)

0.9 

1.1 

1.5

290

440

900

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

1,610

2,450

3,500

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

(t)

Oct.

1,220

1,170

1,150

1,150

*1,140

1,170

1,180

1,220

1,190

1,240

1,190

1,150

1,140

1,180

1,240

1,180

1,150

1,330

1,670

1,630

1,630

1,610

1,610

1,640

1,660

1,580

1,610

1,790

1,710 

1,630

1,670

42,830

1,382

84,950

-45,100

Nov.

1,740

1,710

1,740

*1,710

1,710

1,800

1,720

1,670

1,740

1,750

1,710

1,720

1,670

1,610

1,420

887

783 783"

796

796

809

809

809

822

809

809

809

809

822 

8O9

37,581

1,253

74,540

-30,500

Dec.

809

809

809

809

809

796

796

796

809

809

796

796

*783

783

770

734

698" 686

710

758

796

796

809

835

848

928

998

998

998 

970

984

25,525

823

50,630

+800

Jan.

970

970

956

942

942

928

914

914

900

900

900

900

900

887

887

887

874

874

874

874

861

861

874

874

874

861

861

*861

770 

710

710

27,310

881

54,170

-8,000

Feb.

710

698

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

674

674

674

674

674

*674

674

19,846

684

39,360

+300

Mar.

674

674

674

674

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

686

698

698

698

698

698

686

686

686

686

746

861

,01O

,150

,170

,210 

* ,190

,190

24,317

784

48,230

-9,000

Apr.

,170

,170

,190

,180

,150

,140

,120

,150

,110

,140

,150

,120

,140

,180

,170

,140

,140

,120

934

551

573

540

551

584

551

460

480

*490

510 

520

27,424

914

54,390

+11,400

May

520

540

490

416

440

470

510

470

400

460

480

432

408

408

432

432

424

440

384

408

351

346

450

346

511

440

432

895

*1,450

1,600

2, 080

17,665

570

35,040

+117,400

June

2,470

2,630

2,740

2,800

*2,820

2,590

2,360

1,720

1,350

1,450

1,560

1,330

1,250

1,220

1,100

1,100

1,120

1,100

1,110

887

82~2 796

914

1,050

928

887

914

942

1,040 

1,050

44,050

1,468

87,370

+38,200

July

,070

,100

,260

,280

,280

,140

,050

,050

,040

*398

861

874

900

900

874

874

861

861

874

861

861

848

861

848

848

848

809

770

770 

796

783

29,050

937

57,620

+ 700

Aug.

796

783

900

1,210

1,510

,250

* ,220

,180

,150

,120

,100

,070

,040

,030

,010

984

970

956

942

942

984

,010

,050

,030

,030

,070

,040

,03O

,080 

,110

,080

32,477

1,048

64,420

-20,700

Sept.

1,050

1,010

998

998

1,240

1,510

1,260

1,240

1,250

1,220

1,240

*1,210

1,180

1,180

1,220

1,280

1,240

1,210

1,250

1,210

1,240

1,250

1,220

1,280

1,280

1,280

1,280

1,240

1,250 

1,250

36,366

1,212

72,130

-29,400

Adjusted for change in contents in Hebgen Lake

Mean

Cf sm

In.

Ac-ft

648

0.717

0.83

39,850

740

0.819

0.91

44,040

836

0.925

1.07

51,430

751

0.831

0.96

46,170

689

0.762

0.82

39,660

638

0.706

0.81

39,230

1,106

1.22

1.36

65,790

2,479

2.74

3.16

152,440

2,110

2.33

2.60

125,570

948

1.05

1.21

58,320

711

0.787

0.91

43,720

718

0.794

0.89

42,730

Calendar year 1955 : 

Water year 1955-56 :

Max 

Max

1,800 

2,820

Min 152 

Min 311

Mean 813 

Mean 996

Ac-ft 

Ac-ft

588,900 

722,800

Adjusted

Calendar year 1955 : 

Water year 1955-56 :

Mean 

Mean

848 

1,032

Cfsra 0.938 

Cfsra 1.14

In. 12.75 

In. 15.53

Ac-ft 

Ac-ft

614,100 

749,000

Discharge measurement made on this day. 

t Change in contents in Hebgen lake, in acre-feet, furnished by The Montana Power Co
MADISON RIVER BASIN 35 

Madison River near Cameron, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°14'00", long 111°45'00", at center of south line of sec. 8, T. 7 S., R.I 

W., on right bank 30 ft downstream from Varney Bridge, lj miles downstream from Wigwam 

Creek, and 4 miles northwest of Cameron.

Records available. November 1951 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,135 ft (from topographic map).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 5,980 cfs June 2 (gage height, 4.39 ft); maximum 

gage height recorded, 8.11 ft Feb. 23 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 

730 cfs May 4.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 6,670 cfs June 7, 1952 (gage height, 4.61 ft); maximum 

gage height recorded, 8.37 ft Feb. 27, 1955 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge , 315 cfs Nov. 23, 1954.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Plow regulated at Hebgen Lake (see p. 238). Diversions for irrigation 

of about 5,300 acres above station.

Rating table, wate 

height, in fe

2.2 

2.6 

3.0

year 1955-56, except periods of lee effect (gage

;t, and discharge

730

1,450

2,250

bie feet per second)

4.0 

4.5

4,810

6,320

Discharge, in oubio feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1,510 

1,490

1,430

1,430

*1,410

1,410

1,410

1,450

1,430

1,470

1,510

1,430

1,390

1,410

1,490

1,450

1,390

1,410

1,870

1,890

1,870

1,850

1,870

1,850

1,870

1,810

1,750

2,010

1,910

1,870

1,790

50,130

1,617

99,430

Nov.

,910 

,850

,890

,910

* ,870

,970

,930

,890

,910

,990

,930

,910

,830

,830

,670

,160

890

'§5(5

,030

,030

,070

,030

998

998

1,020

1,020

1,020

1,030

998

998

43,562

1,452

86,400

Dec.

998 

1,030

1,020

980

962

1,030

1,050

998

1,050

1,020

1,030

1,050

*998

9E6

874

b870

b850

842

944

908

,020

,030

,200

,?10

,140

,160

,550

,270

,200

,200

,270

52,460

1,047

64,580

Jan.

,230 

,230

,180

,200

,210

,210

,180

,200

,140

,160

,180

,160

,160

,140

,160

,160

,180

,120

,140

,140

1,120

1,120

1,120

1,070

1,070

1,110

1,140

1,110

1,030

826

794

54,990

1,129

69,400

Feb.

762 

762

794

842

890

890

*890

890

858

874

926

944

944

926

858

778

b760

bTTO"

b780

b790

bSOO

b820

b840

b860

b870

b870

b870

b870

b870

24,598

848

48,790

Mar.

b870 

b860

b850

b850

b840

b850

b820

b820

b820

b810

aSOO

aSSO

aSOO

aSOO

aSOO

a810

a830

a850

a860

a860

a860

a870

a880

a900

al,000

a ,300

a ,350

,390

,410

,430 

' 590

29,360

947

58,250

Apr.

1,410 

1,370

,390

* ,410

,370

,330

,510

,330

,530

,550

,430

,590

,370

,490

,510

,510

,530

1,470

1,490

944

926

962

962

1,020

1,020

858

890

874

858

858

36,962

1,232

75,310

May

842 

*842

858

750

762

842

890

998

926

980

1,090

962

858

762

794

842

1,070

1,230

1,530

1,650

2,010

2,210

2,660

3,070

3,110

5,140

3,550

*3,570

4,290

4,230

4,420

55,718

1,797

110,500

June

5,370 

5,550

5,430

5,520

*5,640

4,980

4,150

3,760

5,160

5,290

3,500

3,370

2,950

2,780

2,610

2,490

2,270

2,010

1,990

1,970

1,870

1,670

1,570

1,810

1,790

1,610

1,570

1,610

1,650

1,730

89,670

2,989

177,900

July

1,650 

1,630

,790

,850

,790

,710

,550

,510

,510

* ,490

,330

,290

,290

,270

,270

,250

1 ,210

,200

,180

,200

,180

,160

,160

,140

,140

,120

,140

,070

,050

1,120

1,070

41,500

1,532

81,920

Aug.

1,C20 

1,C20

1,C30

1,350

1,530

,510

* ,510

,490

,450

,410

,570

,350

,310

,290

,270

,250

,230

,200

,210

,180

,180

,250

,250

,250

,250

,510

,290

,270

,290

1,410

1,370

40,C60

1,292

79,460

Sept.

1,530 

1,290

1,250

1,250

1,410

1,590

1,550

1,510

1,550

1,530

1,590

*1,590

1,550

1,490

1,490

1,570

1,550

1,510

1,550

1,490

1,490

1,550

1,510

1,550

1,590

1,550

1,590

1,590

1,570

1,610

45,200

1,507

89,650

Calendar year 1955: Max 3,370 Min 400 Mean 1,150 Ao-ft 832,600

Water year 1955-56 : Max 5,640 Mln 730 Mean 1,432 Ao-ft 1,039,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record (stage-discharge relation affected by ice during most of this period); discharge estimated on basis of records for station below Hebgen Lake and weather records.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice (no gage-height record Feb. 19, 20, Feb. 27 to Mar. 5).
36 MADISON RIVER BASIN

Madison River below Ennis Lake, near MoAllister, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°29'25", long 111°38'00", in NW£ sec. 17, T. 4 S., R. IE., on right bank 

500 ft downstream from Madison powerplant, ij miles downstream from Ennis Lake, and 

6 miles northeast of McAllister.

Drainage area. 2,180 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. January 1890 to November 1894 (gage heights only 1893-94), August to 

November 1910, October 1938 to September 1956. Published as "near Red Bluff" 1890-94, 

as 'near Norris" in 1910 and as "below Madison Reservoir" 1938-49.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,700 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

To Oct. 1, 1938, staff gages at site 9 miles downstream at different datum. Oct. 1, 

1938, to May 6, 1941, float gage in wooden stilling well at present site at different 

datum. May 7, 1941, to Jan. 13, 1945, float and staff gages in concrete stilling well, 

at present site and datum.

Average discharge. 18 years (1938-56), 1,608 cfs (1,164,000 acre-ft per year), unadjusted.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 6,330 cfs June 3 (gage height, 6.76 ft); minimum daily, 927 cfs Feb. 17-19.

1938-56: Maximum discharge observed, 7,750 cfs June 2,3, 1943 (ga-?e height, 

7.70 ft); minimum daily, 409 cfs Apr. 27, 1941.

Remarks. Records good. Plow regulated by Hebgen and Ennis Lakes (see p. 238) . Diversions 

for irrigation of about 23,000 acres above station.

Rating tatle, water year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet,

and discharge, in cutic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1-21, Apr. 2-4,

July 16 to Sept. 30)

1.3 

1.5 

2.0 

3.0

920

1,060

1,410

2,210

4.0 3,180

5.0 4,250

7.0 6,750

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September

Day

1

2

3 

4 

5

6 

7

8

9

10

11

12 

13

14

15

16

17

18 

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

29 

30

31

Tota]

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1,590

1,610

1,630 

1,59O 

1,580

*1,600 

1,620

1,590

1,590

1,600

1,580

1,630 

1,630

1,630

1,640

1,660

1,660

1,670 

1,660

1,540

1,580

1,770

1,930

2,010

2,000

2,010

2,060

2,070 

2,180 

2,210

2,150

54,270

1,751

107,600

Nov.

2,120

2,210

2,230 

2,160 

*2 , 180

2,190 

2,240

2,260

2,240

2,230

2,230

2,200 

a2,200

a2 , 200

a2,200

a2,200

a2,200

a2 , 200 

a2,200

al,400

1,700

1,700

1,590

1,490

1,460

1,400

1,370

1,520 

1,356 

1,400

58,070

1,936

115,200

Dec.

1,400

1,400

1,340 

1,300 

1,240

1,140 

1,140

1,170

1,170

1,210

1,220

1,240 

*1,260

1,210

1,140

1,110

1,180

1,120 

1..Q90

1,210

1,390

1,620

1,750

1,810

1,750

1,700

1,740

1,690 

1,580 

1,400

1,380

42,100

1,358

83,500

Jan.

1,460

1,460

1,440 

1,480 

1,470

1,520 

1,520

1,500

1,420

1,400

1,420

1,430 

1,440

1,440

1,360

1,280

1,300

1,340 

1,350

1,360

1,370

1,370

1,330

1,330

1,230

1,160

1,160

1,170 

1,130 

1,090

al,070

41,800

1,348

82,910

Feb.

al,050

al,030

al,010 

a990 

976

997 

*1,040

1,070

1,050

1,000

990

1,040 

1,090

1,120

1,100

1,020

9Z7

9Z7 

927

934

941

1,020

1,100

1,160

1,170

1,120

1,120

1,140 

1,110

30,169

1,040

59,840

Mar.

1,150

1,160

1,190 

1,210 

1,190

1,170 

*1,160

1,100

1,070

1,100

1,070

1,030 

1,040

1,060

1,100

1,080

1,100

1,140 

1,240

1,330

1,720

1,910

1,810

1,810

1,850

2.220

2)200

1,930 

1,820 

1,790

1,740

43,490

1,403

86,260

Apr.

1,730

1,700

1,700 

*1,690 

1,660

1,640 

1,630

1,600

1,640

1,630

1,640

1,710 

1,660

1,670

1,720

1,720

1,720

1,680 

1,690

1,630

1,430

1,360

1,330

1,300

1,310

1,300

1,280

1,250 

1,230 

1,210

46,460

1,549

92,150

May

1,200

*1,180

1,190 

1,190 

1,180

1,160 

1,190

1,210

1,240

1,280

1,320

1,420 

1,400

1,340

1,270

1,240

1,260

1,330 

1,480

1,680

1,930

2,670

3,100

3,310

4,030

4,200

4,110

4,600 

5,240 

5,160

5,080

69,190

2,232

137,200

June

5,260

5,600

5,800 

5,890 

*5,930

5,790 

5,220

3,840

3,370

3,360

3,200

3,250 

3,230

3,080

2,730

2,610

2,490

2,200 

2,010

1,680

1,480

1,240

1,260

1,400

1,560

1,470

1,430

1,490 

1,520 

1,540

90,930

3,031

180,400

Jul-r

1,580

1,610

1,720 

1,790 

1,830

1,840 

TTTSo

1,710

1,670

1,620

*1,590

1,550 

1,420

1,280

1,280

1,210

1,190

1,170 

1,200

1,230

1,240

1,240

1,240

1,240

1,240

1,230

1,230

1,230 

1,210 

1,220

1,220

43,810

1,413

86,900

Aug.

1,220

1,190

1,190 

1,160 

1,260

1,490 

1,850

*1,830

1,720

1,690

1,610

1,580 

1,460

1,280

1,310

1,330

1,330

1,330 

1,330

1,330

1,310

1,330

1,310

1,330

1,320

1,310

1,350

1,330 

1,330 

1,350

1,390

43 , 150

1,392

85,590

Sept.

1,380

1,350

1,_260 

1,310 

1,320

1,380 

1,610

1,640

1,550

1,560

1,540

*1,680 

1,840

1,770

1,660

1,600

1,630

1,630 

1,620

1,640

1,640

1,640

1,660

1,650

1,700

1,750

1,720

1,790 

1,880 

1,800

48,200

1,607

95,600

Calendar year 1955: Max 3,800 Min 850 Mean 1,407 Ac-ft 1,019, OOC

Water year 1955-56: Max 5,930 Mln 927 Mean 1,671 Ac-ft 1,213, OOC

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of powerplant outflow record and records for 

nearby stations.
GALLATIN RIVER BASIN 37

Taylor Creek near Grayling, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°04', long 111°12>, In NW^ sec. 11, T. 9 S., R. 4 E., on right bank half 

a mile upstream from mouth and 17 miles north of Grayling.

Records available. June 1946 to November 1953, April 1955 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 6,600 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge.--8 years (1946-53, 1955-56), 97.4 cfs (70,510 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 902 cfs June 1 (gage height, 4.15 ft); minimum 

observed, 7.6 cfs Feb. 24 (discharge measurement).

1946-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge, 1,020 cfs June 6, 1952 (gage height, 4.32 ft); 

minimum observed, that of Feb. 24, 1956.

Remarks. --Records good except those for periods of Ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. One diversion for Irrigation of about 10 acres above station. Natural 

storage at lakes In headwaters.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.2 

1.4 

1.6 

1.8

2.0 

2.3 

3.0 

4.0

145

360

830

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

29

28

27

27

*28

26

27

27

26

26

34

30

28

28 

28

27

26

26

26

27

26

28

26

24

26

25

26

27

28

25

838

27.0

1,660

Nov.

b22

b20

b20

*b23

b24

b25

b26

, a20

650

21.7

1,290

Dec.

a!6

. ill

bl8

> al8

528

17.0

1,050

Jan.

a!6

(*)

496

16.0

984

Feb.

a!2

(*)

348

12.0

690

Mar.

a!6

a20

' 7*^

(*)

590

19.0

1,170

Apr.

a25

,

I

V a40

1

J

a60

*81

68

78

89

92

90

86

71

68

70

63

58

52

1,711

57.0

3,390

May

53

50

5?

62

68

86

97

122

135

129

120

107

93

87 

93

129

190

249

314

372

472

566

*665

690

715

720

760

740

750

695

710

10,091

326

20,020

June

780

780

745

760

715

575

490

521

580

635

715

630

*580

530 

516

472

368

336

353

372

368

283

258

276

262

246

249

249

245

216

14,105

470

27,980

July

190

T§8

175

162

152

158

155

148

145

*150

141

141

139

135 

129

120

113

108

105

104

108

102

98

93

92

88

88

95

95

94

86

3,897

126

7,730

Aug.

82

77

75

71

67

66

*66

64

63

61

60

58

55

54 

57

55

53

52

52

51

49

48

46

46

46

46

47

47

46

57

49

1,766

57.0

3,500

Sept.

46

43

42

42

41

39

39

39

43

46

47

*49

50

47 

40

38

36

35

34

33

35

32

31

31

31

29

29

34

33

31

1,143

38.1

2,270

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 780 Min - Mean 98.8 Ac-ft 71,730

Peak discharge (base, 500 cfs).--May 26 (11 to 12 p.m.) 678 cfs (4.11 ft); June 1 (11 p.m.) 902 

cfs (4.15 ft); June 10 (8:30 p.m.) 750 cfs (3.89 ft); June 21 (12:30 a.m.) 424 cfs (3.19 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record (stage-discharge relation affected by Ice during most of these periods); 

discharge estimated on basis of 6 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for nearby 

streams.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.
38 GALLATIN RIVER BASIN

Gallatln River near Gallatin Gateway, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°30', long 111°16', in NE£ sec. 18, T. 4 S., R. 4 E., on left bank

a quarter of a mile downstream from Spanish Creek and 8 miles south of Gallatin Gateway.

Drainage area. 828 sq mi.

Records available.--August 1889 to June 1894, June 1930 to September 1956. Published as 

West Gallatin River near Bozeman, 1889-94.

e.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,167.7 ft above mean sea level, datum of

929, supplementary adjustment of 1940. August 1889 to June 1894 chain gage at approximately same site and datum. June 1930 to Oct. 20, 1932, wire-weight gages at two 

sites within three-quarters of a mile of present site at different dat-oms.

Average discharge. 29 years (1889-92, 1930-56), 735 cfs (532,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 7,030 cfs May 28 (gage height, 5.57 ft); minimum, 200 cfs Dec. 14 (gage height, 0.95 ft).

1889-94, 1930-56: Maximum discharge observed, 8,060 cfs June 20, 1892, June 2, 1894 

(gage height, 7.70 ft, site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 

3,000 cfs by logarithmic plotting; minimum, 117 cfs Jan. 19, 1935 (gag? height, 

0.68 ft).

Remarks. Records good. Diversions for irrigation of about 1,400 acres above station. 

Revisions (water years).--WSP 896: Drainage area. WSP 1389: 1892(M), 1893-94.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, 

and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

0.9 

1.2 

1.5 

2,0

205 

310 

460 

B20

3.0 

5.0 

5.5

1,380

5,720

6,370

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

330

580

575

*570

535

575

575

575

570

560

405

590

580

375

575

570

565

360

565

370

565

575

570

550

555

555

360

355

355

575 

557

11,452

569

0.446

0.51

22,710

Nov.

298

290

*542

560

555

506

514

524

552

560

546

278

242

265

260

246

260

294

314

565

375

514

282

286

274

282

278

290

282

286

9,098

303

0.366

0.41

18,050

Dec.

294

298

274

260

246

270

260

226

260

256

263

266

249

*208

205

246

256

249

274

270

263

298

365

380 3T9"

302

502

256

220

214

256

3,505

268

0.324

0.37

16,470

Jan.

266

256

252

260

263

263

256

252

249

249

260

263

266

263

256

263

266

260

266

266

270

274

?§2" 282

232

*252

263

265

249

242

242

8,016

259

0.513

0.36

15,900

Feb.

235

249

266

278

282

290" 290

270

266

266

274

278

256

252

246

246

249

252

252

260

266

263

260

*256

256

256

256

256

252

7,578

261

0.315

0.34

15,050

Mar.

256

256

252

246

242

258

232

238

242

232

229

235

246

238

255

258

242

242

249

260

265

266

306

416

458

405

324

286

*274

294

294

8,414

271

0.327

0.38

16,690

Apr.

282

263

256

270

290

252

266

294

294

546

380

370

390

444

502

562

555

555

590

668

780

838

gl2

804

716

684

*684

660

611

569

14,987

500

0.604

0.67

29,730

May

562

541

534

Be?

668

732

796

937

1,080

1,100

1,110

1,020

928

856

865

1,060

1,460

1,920

2,450

2,880

3,680

4,360

*4,890

5,130

5,700

5,480

5,880

6,730

6,500

5,680

5,590

81,481

2,628

3.17

3.66

161,600

June

6,160

6.520

5,880

5,770

5,410

4,460

5,680

3,600

3,900

4,100

4,500

4,100

*3 , 840

3,540

5,400

3,180

2,640

2,290

2,260

2,300

2,370

1,960

1,800

1,780

1,750

1,660

1,650

1,620

1,570

1,480

98,750

5,292

5.98

4.44

195,900

Jul'r

1.370

ilsio

1,230

1,180

1,140

1,140

1,070

1,020

1,020

*1,000

964

955

901

374

847

812

788

764

740

752

708

684

676

660

655

684

660

684

660

27,906

900

1.09

1.25

55,550

Aug.

646 'B2B"

604

590

576

562

576

569

541

554

554

520

508

*490

502

502

490

478

478

472

466

454

449

449

449

479" 444

460

460

527

496

15,900

513

0.620

0.71

31,540

Sept.

466

34?

452

438

432

427

422

427

444

454

460

466

*490

444

427

416

405

405

400

595

416

405

595

395

395

585

580

fSS

405

395

12,675

422

0.510

0.57

25,140

Calendar year 1955: Max 4,000 Mln 205 Mean 626 Cfsm 0.756 In. 10. ?4 Ac-ft 452,900

Water year 1955-56: Max 6,730 Mln 205 Mean 332 Cfsm 1.00 In. 13.67 Ac-ft 604,100

Peak discharge (base, 2,900 efs) . May 28 (11 p.m.) 7,030 cfa (5.57 ft); June 2 (1 a.m.) 6,820 cfs 

(5.49 ft); June 10 (12 p.m.) 4,600 cfs (4.51 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
GALLATIN RIVER BASIN 39

East Gallatin River at Bozeman, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°42'00", long 1110 01'45" > near center of south line sec. 31, T. IS., R. 

6 E., on left bank 100 ft upstream from highway bridge, 500 ft downstream froir Bozeman 

Creek, half a mile upstream from Bridger Creek, and half a mile north of Bozeiran.

Drainage area.--149 sq mi.

Records available. August 1939 to September 1956.

Sage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,701.6 ft above mean aea level, datum of 

1929 (unadjusted).

Average discharge.--17 years, 87.2 cfs (63,130 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 451 cfs May 25 (gage height, 4.18 ft); maximum 

 gage height, 4.33 ft Dec. 19, Feb. 17 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge,

20 cfs Nov. 16.

1939-56: Maximum discharge, 1,240 cfs June 4, 1953 (gage height, 6.09 ft, from

high-water mark in well); minimum, 12 cfs Dec. 9, 1944, Mar. 24-26, 1955.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 4,000 acres above station. Some 

diurnal fluctuation caused by mill above station.

Rating tables water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting control method used Aug. 14-17)

Oct. 1 to Feb. 22 Feb. 23 to Sept. 30

2.3 

2.5 

3.0

38

58

146

2.0

2.1 

2.3 

2.5

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

4.5

156

262

395

562

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

42

41

42

 42

42

42

42

42

39

39

47

49

48

48

47

46

47

47

46

46

46

52

57

54

50

51

57

54

54

57

54

1,470

47.4

2,920

Nov.

52

55

 54

59

56

49

49

50

51

52

47

b45

b40

b30

b25

b20

b25

b35

b50

b60

58

51

b50

49

47

48

b47

b46

b45

45

1,390

46.3

2,76O

Dec.

46

44

b40

b42

b44

b46

47

b46

45

b45

44

48

b45

b35

»b24

b23 b?5"

b25

b25

b40

b60

72

80

6T

b55

52

51

b40

b30

b25

b27

1,332

43.0

2,640

Jan.

b30

b35

b4O

b45

46

45

43

42

b42

42

40

40

41

b40

b37

b35

b35

b38

b40

b40

b40

42

41

»b50

b47

b42

b37

a32

a28

a26

a25

1,206

38.9

2,39O

Feb.

a25

a25

b28

b32

b35

b35

b33

b30

b30

b33

b35

b37

b40

b38

b35

b25

b25

b30

b35

a40

a50

a46

»44

42

b40

b40

b40

38

38

- -----

1,024

35.3

2,030

Mar.

38

38

37

38

39

b37

b36

35

b33

b30

b25

b28

b30

b32

b35

40

42

42

44

47

48

58

104

154

166

143

104

»93

89

104

98

1,887

60.9

3,740

Apr.

82

74

71

1W

114

87

100

116

133

214

174

170

198

226

232

241

2T5I

192

192

213

232

226

196

»186

168

158

158

150

152

150

4,918

164

9,750

Calendar year 1955: Max 395 Mln 12 Mean 83.8

May

148

146

146

143

14T

156

158

182

206

235

257

288

279

246

237

264

298

346

363

363

389

»392

378

363

404

341

324

341

346

304

267

8,455

273

16,770

June

230" 246

215

198

174

158

139

124

109

102

95

»77

61

57

61

62

65

58

52

BT

62

58

58

62

69

61

57

54

56

53

2,925

97.5

5.8OO

July

53

56

57

58

57

56

56

54

49

»44

45

44

42

39

37

35

34

34

34

32

29

29

29

27

27

28

28

29

27

27

26

1,222

39.4

2,420

Aug.

27

29

28

27

27

27

30

29

29

28

28

28

27

*25

27

27

26

27

29

28

28

29

28

28

30

31

32

32

35

41

4T

SOB

2f.3 i.eoo

Sept.

36

34

35

35

36

37

36

32

34

34

37

»43" 44

37

36

34

34

34

33

34

38

36

35

34

34

34

34

40

41

41

1,082

36.1

2, ISO

Ac-ft 60,700

Water year 1955-56: Max 404 Mln 20 Mean 76.0 Ac-ft 55,170

Peak discharge (base. 300 cfs) . Apr. 10 (6 p.m.) 413 cfs (4.06 ft); May 12 (9 to 11 p.ir.) 322 cfs 

(3.74 ft); May 25 (5:30 to 7 a.m.) 451 cfs (4.18 ft).

» Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record (stage-discharge relation affected by Ice during all or part of these periods); discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement and weather records.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.

459735 O -58 -4
40 GALLATIN RIVER BASIN

Bridger Creek near Bozeman, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°42'20", long 110°57'40", In NE^SE^- sec. 34, T. 1 S., R. 6 E., on right 

bank 3 miles upstream from mouth and 3 miles northeast of Bozeman.

Drainage area. 62.2 sq mi.

Records available. January 1946 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,960 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to June 28, 1946, staff gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 10 years, 35.2 cfs (25,480 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 293 cfs May 22 (gage height, 2.64 ft); minimum 

daily, 2.0 cfs Jan. 31.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 902 cfs June 3, 1953 (gage height, 4.90 ft, from reconstructed gage-height graph), from rating curve extended above 380 cfs; minimum, 0.9 cfs 

Mar. 23, 1953, Aug. 30, 1954; minimum gage height, 0.31 ft Mar. 23, 1953.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor, 

for irrigation of about 1,200 acres above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height. In feet, and discharge. In cubic feet per second)

Diversions

Oct. 1 to May 16 May 17 to Sept. 30

1.0 

1.2

5.2

9.0

15

1.5

2.0

2.1

55

136

154 1.0 

1.2

5.2

9.5

17

28

1.5 

2.0 

2.6

58

145

283

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

6.8

6.8

6.6

*676

7.6

7.4

7.0

7.0

6.8

6.8

7.6

8.0

8.0

7.2

7.4

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

8.0

8.4

7.8

7.6

7.8

8.6

8.4

8.4

8.6

9^

233.4

7.53

0.121

0.14

463

Nov.

8.4

8.6

*8.4

9.0

10

9.0

9.5

8.6

8.8

9.0

8.5

8.0

7.5

6.5

5.5

5.0 5-^

5.5

6.5

7.5

8.4

8.5

7.5

7.5

8.1

8.0

7.7

7.5

7.5

7.4

232.9

7.76

0.125

0.14

462

Dec.

7.4

7.3

7.2

7.1

7.0

6.9

6.9

6.7

6.6

6.5

6.2

5.9

5.5

4.5

*4.1

4.0

3.9

3.7

3.6

T^

5.5

6.1

7.0

7.2

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.4

7.0

5.7

5.0

188.4

6.08

0.098

0.11

374

Jan.

5.1

5.8

6.3

6.7

7.0

7.1

77T

7.0

6.9

6.8

6.6

6.5

6.4

6.2

5.6

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.3

4.8

*4.0

3.8

3.5

3.4

3.0

2.4

2jL°,

167.1

5.39

0.087

0.10

331

Feb.

2.3

276

3.3

4,0

5.1

5.5

5.2

4.9

5.2

5.7

5.9

5.8

5.7

5.6

5.3

5.0

5.0

5.4

6.0

6.4

 ^6.9

*6.8

6.5

6.0

5.8

5.5

5.5

5.4

155.2

5.35

0.086

0.09

308

Mar.

5.9

6.0

5.7

5.5

5.1

5.0

5.0

4.7

4.6

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.6

4.7

5.0

5.3

5.5

6.0

7.0

7.6

8.0

9.0

24

44

*48

42

30

29

27

25

24

416.7

13.4

0.215

0.25

827

Apr.

21

19

18

5C

21

18

20

22

25

35

35

33

43

58

72

85

80

79

82

94

109

~5T 112

*88

72

68

65

61

59

58

1,669

55.6

0.894

1.00

3,310

May

58

35

59

58

58

62

65

80

99

116

128

138

131

122

124

152

186

216

252

264

276

*2T5

273

276

257

228

213

204

193

173

156

4,952

160

2.57

2.96

9,820

June

143

T35

117

114

104

93

82

72

68

65

61

*58

56

52

50

50

48

44

41

38

39

35

34

35

33

31

27

24

22

21

1,792

59.7

0.960

1.07

3,550

July

22

21

22

22

21

23

I?

20

20

*19

20

20

18

17

15

14

14

15

14

13

13

12

11

10

10

9.8

8.2

8.0

7.5

TTs 

7)5

476.8

15.4

0.248

0.29

946

Aug.

8.8

11

TT

11

9.5

9.0

9.8

9.5

8.8

8.2

7.8

7.8

7.2

*6.3

6.5

6.1

5.7

5.6

5.7

6.1

6.1

5.7

5.6

5.4

577

5.9

7.2

7.2

7.5

11

11

239.7

7.73

0.124

0.14

475

Calendar year 1955: Max 174 Mln l.o Mean 26.2 Cfsm 0.421 In. 5.71 Ac-ft 18,

Sept.

9.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.2

7.8

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.0

8.0

9.8

*12~9.2

8.0

7.8

8.0

7.8

6.6

6.5

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.0

7.0

6.8

6.5

7.2

7.8

8

C

 3

234.4

7.81

0.1Z6

0.14

465

970

Water year 1955-56: Max 276 Mln 2.0 Mean 29.4 Cfsm 0.473 In. 6.45 Ac-ft 21,330

Peak discharge (base. 75 cfs). Mar. 23 (8:30 a.m.) 1O4 cfs (1.83 ft)j Apr. 22 (12:30 a.m.) 116 

cfs (1.93 ft)j May 22 (1 a.m.) 293 cfs (2.64 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 11 to Mar. 22.
QALLATIN RIVER BASIN 

Hyalite Creek at Hyalite ranger station, near Bozeman, Mont.

41

., R. 5 E., 01 right 

miles south of BozeOa

Location. Lat 45°33'40", long 111°04'10" in NW^SE^ sec. 23, T. 3 

bank three-quarters of a mile south of Hyalite ranger station, 

man, and 20 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area.--48.4 sq mi.

Records available. August 1895 to October 1900 and May 1902 to September 1903 (fragmentary), October to November 1904, September 1934 to September 1956. Published as Middle Creek near Bozeman 1895-1900, 1902-3.

.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,539.6 ft above mean sea level, dqtum of 

929, supplementary adjustment of 1940. August 1895 to October 1900, May 1902 to September 1903, and October to November 1904 staff or wire-weight gages at site about 

half a mile upstream at different datum. Sept. 13, 1934, to May 13, 1948, water-stage 

recorder at site a quarter of a mile downstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 22 years, 57.0 cfs (41,270 acre-ft per year), adjusted for storage.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 516 cfs Mar. 28 (gage height, 2.36 ft); maximum 

gage height, 3.31 ft Dec. 31 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 7 cfs 

Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.

1895-1900, 1902-3, 1934-56: Maximum discharge observed, 956 cfs June 14, 1898 

(gage height, 2.10 ft, site and datum then in use); minimum, 0.4 cfs Feb. 2, 1939 

(gage height, 1.16 ft, site and datum then in use).

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Flow regulated by Middle Creek Reservoir (capacity, 8,070 acre-ft) since March 1951 (see

Revisions (water years). WSP 84: 1898-99.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 8 to June 4, July 15 to Aug. 31)

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.5 

1.7 

2.0 

2.5

135

290

670

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

(t)

Oct.

28

28

27

*27

29

29

29

29

28

28

30

29

29

29

29

29

28

28

28

28

28

29

29

28

28

29

29

29

28 

29

30

885

28.5

1,760

-40

Nov.

33

34

*I5

21

20

23

23

20

20

21

20

18

17

15

14

12

12

12

12

13

13

13

13

13

12

12

12

11 rr

11

503

16.8

998

+130

Dec.

10

10

10

10

10

11

11

10

10

10

11

11

11

11

*11

9

9

8

8

9

11

12

T2

11

11

12

12

11

10 

9

8

319

10.3

633

+740

Jan.

8

8

9

10

11

12

12

13

13

13

13

14

IT

13

12

11

11

11

12

13

13

12

12

*11

11

10

9

9

8 

8

7

343

11.1

680

+470

Feb.

7

7

8

8

9

10

10

9

9

8

9

10

10

9

8

8

8

8

8

9

12

13

*12

12

12

11

11

12

12

279

9.62

553

+320

Mar.

13

13

13

13

14

14

13

12

12

11

10

9

¥

10

12

13

14

13

13

14

14

14

14

17

18

19

56

*110 ~T8~ 

16

17

558

18.0

1,110

+320

Apr.

17

TT

20

17

17

26

17

18

18

20

20

20

23

28

33

36

36

39

45

56

64

54

54

48

39

*39

39

39

37 

34

970

32.3

1,920

+ 800

Hay

34

36

36

36

42

47

52

62

68

70

68

62

44

42

56

87

114

113

113

105

108

*148

165

169

183

178

156

161

139

116

124

2,934

94.6

5,820

+1,370

June

128

120

139

279

585

*332

248

230

214

220

236

248

230

230

230

230

204

178

161

156

169

156

148

144

139

131

128

128

128 

128

5,797

193

11,500

+340

July

128

12S

42

87

87

92

90

90

90

90

*92

95

95

92

90

87

90

92

98

95

87

87

90

105

109

124

120

120

120 

120

124

3,048

98.3

6,050

-2,760

Aug.

113

ITS

98

92

87

84

81

81

81

78

70

68

68

*70

68

68

68

62

52

45

45

47

47

47

45

45

47

47

45

47

42

2,C43

6E.9

4,050

-2,100

Sept.

4040"

40

39

37

37

36

36

34

34

36

36

*34

34

33

33

33

33

32

32

34

32

32

31

31

31

30

3T

31 

30

1,022

34.1

2,030

-180

Adjusted for change in contents in Middle Creek Reservoir

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

28.0

0.579

0.67

1,720

19.0

0.393

0.44

1,130

22.3

0.461

0.53

1,370

18.7

0.386

0.45

1,150

15.2

0.314

0.34

873

233

0.481

0.55

1,430

45.7

0.944

1.05

2,720

117

2.42

2.79

7,190

199

4.11

4.59

11,840

53.5

1.11

1.27

3,290

31.7

0.655

0.76

1,950

31.1

0.643

0.72

1,850

Observed

Calendar ye 

Water year

ar 1955: 

1955-56:

Max 

Max

338 

385

Mln

Win

7.4 

7

Mean 

Mean

57 

51

.3 

.1

Ac-ft 

Ac-ft

41, 

37,

510 

100

Adjusted

Calendar year 1955: 

Water year 1955-56:

Mean 

Mean

56.1 

50.3

Cfsm 

Cfsm

1.16 

1.04

In. 

In.

15. 

14.

75 

16

AC -ft 

Ac-ft

40, 

36,

640 

510

 » Discharge measurement made on this day.

t Change In contents, in acre-feet, in Middle Creek Reservoir, furnished by Montana Water Conserve 

tion Board.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 16 (no gage-height record Jan. 1- 

13j discharge 'estimated on the basis of 1 discharge measurement, weather records, and records for 

nearby streams).
42 GALLATIN RIVER BASIN

Gallatln River at Logan, Mont.

Location. Lat 45 053', long 111°26', in NE£ sec. 35, T. 2 N., R. 2 E., on right bank at

 -highway bridge half a mile west of Logan and 5 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 1,805 sq mi.

Records available. January 1895 to December 1898, January 1900 to December 1905, August 

1928 to September 1956.

 Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,082.3 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

929, supplementary adjustment of 1940. Prior to Aug. 10, 1928, staf:' or wire-weight 

ages at several sites within half a mile of present site at various daturas. Aug. 10, 

1928, to Oct. 7, 1941, wire-weight gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge. 32 years (1895-98, 1902-5, 1928-32, 1934-56), 949 cfa (687,000 acre-ft 

per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 7,190 ofs May 29 (gage height, 7.97 ft); maximum

 gage height, 8.83 ft Dec. 19 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 290 cfs July 25 

Tgage height, 2.64 ft).

1895-1905, 1928-56: Maximum discharge, 7,870 cfs June 5, 1948 (gage height, 

8.40 ft); minimum observed, 130 cfs July 19, 1939 (gage height, 2.04 ft).

Flood of June 21, 1899, reached a stage of 6.25 ft, site and datum then in use 

(discharge, 9,840 cfs).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

 which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 110,000 acres abo-re station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1389: 1898-99, 1903, 1905, 1929(M), 1935-36(M), 1938-39(M), 

194HMJ.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

2.6 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

285

470

760

1,170

5.0 

6.0 

8.0

2,320

3,780

7,240

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

550

550

*550

545

555

570

570

570

555

540

582

618

594

588

576

576

576

588

588

576

582

594

630

618

600

606

624

636

636

654

684

18,281

590

36,260

Nov.

654

*672

802

809

732

690

666

666

704

732

823

767

725

718

624

600

700

900

1,100

1.180

982

918

823

816

802

809

795

788

774

788

23,559

785

46,730

Dec.

781

809

774

753

725

802

760

760

725

732

732

700

650

600

550

*480

450

400

450

600

900

1.100

1,000

750

650

500

450

400

400

400 

450

20,233

653

40,130

Jan.

500

550

600

600

650

650

600

600

600

650

650

650

650

600

600

600

600

600

650

650

650

650

650

*650

600

600

550

500

500

500 

500

18,600

600

36,890

Feb.

500

505

500

550

550

550

550

550

600

650

650

650

600

550

550

550

600

650

650

700

700

*650

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

17,200

593

34,120

Mar.

60O

600

600

600

550

550

550

550

550

550

550

600

600

600

600

600

650

700

750

800

850

950

1,200

2,300

*2 . 700

2,070

1,280

1,020

998

1,230

1,290

28,038

904

55, 610

Apr.

1,050

934

878

894

1,170

942

870

926

974

1,060

1,210

1,050

1,040

1,050

1,120

1,200

1,230

1,180

1,150

1,170

1,240

1,460

*1.570

1,500

1,420

1,330

1,340

1,300

1,250

1,200

34, 708

1,157

68,840

May

1,170

1,110

1.100

1,130

1,200

1,290

1,330

1,440

1,670

1,820

1,880

2,070

1,950

1,720

1,590

1,630

1,920

2,380

2,920

3,360

3,910

4,740

5,370

5,670

*6,140

6,270

6,230

6,410

7.010

6,900

6, 180

99, 510

3,210

197,400

June

6,000

6.210

6,180

5,890

5,690

5,120

3,970

3,080

3,000

3,030

3,140

*2,990

2,720

2,450

2,370

2,360

2,040

1,720

1,440

1,280

1,280

1,250

1,070

998

1,030

950

870

795

732

684

80,339

2,678

159,400

July

654

660

636

600

570

545

525

505

490

*470

465

465

445

420

402

380

370

362

339

330

316

316

312

303 308"

339

339

334

339

357 

375

13,271

428

26,320

Aug.

357

352

348

366

366

381

397

413

429

444

445

445

430

411

*406

425

425

430

440

445

445

440

430

445

475

490

525

525

530

555 

570

13,585

438

26,950

Sept.

582

560

560

570

576

570

565

565

565

565

570

606

*630

642

594

576

565

550

540

530

540

545

540

535

530

525

525

540

550

550

16,861

562

33,440

Calendar year 1955: Max 3,780 Min 294 Mean 846 Ac-ft 612,600

water year 1955-56: Max 7,010 Min 303 Mean 1,050 Ac-ft 762,100

Peak discharge (base. 2.700 ofsi. Mar. 25 (time and discharge unknown); May 29 (8 to 9 p.m.) 

7,190 cfs (7.97 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 16-19, Dec. 12 to Mar. 25. No gage-height 

record Dec. 19, 21, Dec. 25 to Jan. 22, Jan. 29 to Feb. 7, Feb. 16-21, Feb. 25 to Mar. 25, 

Aug. 6-10; discharge estimated on basis of 4 discharge measurements, engineer's notes, weather records, and records for station near Gallatin Gateway.
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 

Missouri River at Toston, Mont.

43

Location. --Lat 46°08'45", long 111 "25 '15", in NW£ sec. 36, T. 5 N., R. 2 E., on left bank 

2 miles southeast of Toston, 4f miles upstream from Crow Creek, and 7 miles downstream 

from Sixteen Mile Creek.

Records available. April 1910 to December 1916, April 1941 to September 1956.

Gage . Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,920 ft (from topographic map).

Ipr. 5, 1910, to Dec. 20, 1916, chain gage at bridge 2 miles downstream at different 

datum.

Average discharge. --15 years (1941-56), 5,077 cfs (3,676,000 acre-ft per year).

25,100 cfs May 30 (gage height, 10.65 ft); 

3.13 ft).

Extremes . Maximum discharge during year,

minimum, 1,600 cfs about July 28 (gage height, . .

1910-16, 1941-56: Maximum discharge, 32,000 cfs June 6, 1948 (gage height, 11.77 

ft); minimum, 562 cfs Apr. 30, 1941 (gage height, 1.68 ft); minimum daily, 1,100 cfs 

Feb. 10, 1914.

Remarks. Records excellent except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height rec 

ord, which are poor. Some regulation by six reservoirs on tributaries (see p. 238). 

Diversions for Irrigation of about 535,000 acres, of which 12,000 acres lie below 

station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1209: 1948.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

5.2 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0

1,640

2,080

2,870

4,780

7,200

7.0 

8.0 

9.0

10.0

11.0

10,200

13,700

17,600

22,000

27,200

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

£0

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

3,140 

3,160

*3,190

3,300

3,340

3,120

3,120

3,140

3,140

3,090

3,140

3,180

3,180

3,140

3,140

3,180

3,190

3,180

3,180

3,160

5.020

3,160

3,370

3,480 

3,520

3,520

3,500

3,500

3,500

3,600

5.700

101,280

3,267

200,900

Nov.

5,800 

*5,960

4,500

4,510

4,510

4,510

4,590

4,550

4,490

4,570

4,720

4,240

5,140

2,500

2,040

2.000

2,410

2,550

5,540

4,220

4,570

4.800

4,460

4,510 

4,650

4,590

4,140

5,900

3,940

4,020

118,510

5,950

255,100

Dec.

4,220 

4,520

4,000

5,720

5,140

2,970

5,570

5,550

5,590

5,410

5,550

5,880

4,000

5,000

2,800

*2,640

2,400

2_,200

2,250

2,820

3,480

4,550

6.450

4,960 

5,070

4,850

5,040

4,700

4,280

5,880

3,500

115,950

5,740

230,000

Jan.

5,200 

5,600

4,000

4,200

4.400

4,400

4,400

4,400

,400

,400

,500

,200

,100

,000

5,800

5,700

5,700

5,700

5,700

5,700

5,700

5,700

*5,740

5,600 

5,400

5,100

2,800

2,600

2,400

2,200

2.000

115,540

5,665

225,200

Feb.

1.900 

1,900

2,000

2,200

2,500

2,400

2,500

2,600

2,800

2,940

5,040

5,060

5,110

5,180

5,140

2,710

2,510

2,290

2,290

2,590

2,790

*2,990

5,210

5.570 

5,250

5,250

5,500

5,140

5,210

_ _ _ _ . _

79,550

2,745

157,800

Mar.

5,260 

5,590

5,500

5,440

5,460

5,550

5,190

5,020

5,190

5,010

2.750

2,810

2,870

5,090

5,110

5,090

5,520

4,180

4,510

4,800

5,220

5,970

8,000

10.000 *9,8'00

8,550

7,620

6,370

5,950

5,670

5,720

146,590

4,722

290,400

Apr.

5,460 

5,200

4,960

4,850

5,000

4,780

4,590

4,590

4.570

4,720

4,950

4,910

5,220

5,670

6,520

7,200

7,760

8,220

8,190

7,960

7,980

8,510

*8,700

8.820 

8,760

8,400

7,870

7,510

7,060

6,820

195,150

6,504

587,000

May

6,550 

6,040

5,720

5.650

5,720

5,950

6,140

6,500

6,920

7,820

8,400

9,060

9,060

8,640

7,960

7,400

7,400

8,040

9,180

10,600

12,500

14,500

16,600

* 18, 000 

19, 500

21,100

21,500

22,000

24,000

24.800

*23j 700

566,150

11,810

726,200

June

22.800 

22,400

22,000

21,600

20,800

19,800

18,000

15,100

12,100

11,100

10,800

* 10, 100

9,620

9,000

8,510

8,070

7,790

7,950

7,260

6,660

5,720

5,490

5,200

5,150 

5,200

5,200

4,760

4,420

4,180

3.920

520,480

10,680

655, 700

July

5,700 

5,550

5,680

5,960

4,220

4,440

4.490

4,540

*4,070

5,800

5,500

5,200

5,000

2,800

2,600

2,500

2,500

2; 400

2,400

2,500

2,200

2,100

2,000

1,900 

1,800

1.700

1,700

1,700

1,700

1,800

'

87,950

2,856

174, 400

Aug.

2, DOT 

2,000

2,100

2,100

2,100

2,100

2,200

2,500

2,400

2.500

2,500

2,500

*2,400

2,500

2,200

2,020

2,020

2,000

1,960

1,980

1,990

1,940

1,920

1.860 

1,880

1,920

1,960

2,000

2,020

2,140

2,250

65,540

2,114

150,000

Sept.

2.540 

2,410

2,370

2,410

2,450

2,500

2,610

2,870

2,900

2,890

*2,940

2,990

5,160

5.500

3,190

5,040

2,920

2,890

2,840

2,770

2,820

2,790

2,770

2,770 

2,790

2,850

2,840

2,890

2,970

3,060

84,540

2,811

167,500

Calendar year 1955: Max 13,800 Min 1,600 Mean 3,877 Ac-ft 2,807,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 24,800 Min 1,700 Mean 4,904 Ac-ft 3,560,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Dec. 14-18, Jan. 1 to Feb. 9. No gage-height record Oct. 27 to Nov. 1, Jan. 4 to Feb. 5, Mar. 25, 24, July 10 to Aug. 15j discharge estimated on 

basis of 5 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for stations upstream.
44 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Canyon Ferry Reservoir near Helena, Mont.

Location. La t 46°39'00", long 111°43'40", in SE£SE£ sec. 4, T. 10 N. , R. 1 W. , in block 

17 of Canyon Ferry Dam, 15 miles east of Helena.

Drainage area. 15,860 sq mi (approximately).

Records available. April 1953 to September 1956. 

Sewell available September 1939 to March 1953. 

the present reservoir Apr. 8, 1953.

Gage. Water-stage recorder In powerhouse control room. 

level (levels by Bureau of Reclamation).

Records of month-end contents in Lake 

Old Canyon Ferry Dam vras submerged by

Gage. Datum of gage if at mean sea

Extremes. Maximum daily contents during year, 2,043,000 acre-ft July 2, 5, 6, 8 (elevation, 3,800.00 ft); minimum daily, 1,474,000 acre-ft Mar. 17 (elevation, 3,782.37 ft).

1953-56: Maximum daily contents, 2,043,000 acre-ft July 15-29, 31, 1955, July 2, 

5, 6, 8, 1956 (elevation, 3,800.00 ft); storage began March 1953.

Remarks.--Reservoir is formed by concrete dam; construction began in 1949, completed in 

ISS3~. Storage began in March 1953. Capacity, 2,043,000 acre-ft at controlled spillway elevation (3,800 ft) exclusive of dead storage (8,000 acre-ft) below elevation 

3,650 ft. Minimum operating level, 3,728 ft for on-site power generation (contents, 

428,000 acre-ft, exclusive of dead storage). Figures given herein represent usable 

contents above elevation 3,650 ft. Water is used for power production, flood control 

and irrigation.

Cooperation. Month-end elevations and capacity table furnished by Bureau- of Reclamation.

Month-end elevation and usable contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Nov. 30. ...........................

Dec. 31. ...........................

Calendar year 1955. ..............

Feb. 29. ...........................

Sept. 30. ...........................

Elevation 

(feet)t

3,794.79 

3,792.69 

3,791.85 

3,790.29

-

3,788.04 

3,784.09 

3,785.94 

3,787.72 

3,796.03 

3,799.91 

3,797.95 

3,794.15 

3,791.91

-

Contents 

(acre-feet)

1,867,000 

1,796,000 

1,768,000 

1,715,000

-

1,646,000 

1,526,000 

1,582,000 

1,637,000 

1,909,000 

2,040,000 

1,974,000 

1,846,000 

1,770,000

-

Change ir contents 

(acre-feet)

-71,000 

-28,000 

-53,000

+328,000

-69,000 

-120,000 

+56,000 

+55,000 

+272,000 

+131,000 

-66,000 

-128,000 

-76,000

-97,000

t Mean daily elevation based on readings made at 4-hour intervals.
PRICKLY PEAR CREEK BASIN 45

Prickly Pear Creek near Clancy, Mont.

Location (revised). Lat 46°31'05", long 111°56'45", in NE&SWi sec. 23, T. 9 N., F. 3 W.,

 on right bank 100 ft upstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 91, 3? miles downstream 

from Lump Gulch Creek, 4 miles northeast of Clancy, and 7 miles southeast of Helena.

Records available. July 1908 to January 1909 (gage heights only), January to April 1909,

 July 1910 to September 1916, July 1921 to August 1933, October 1945 to October 1953, 

October 1954 to September 1956. Few winter records in earlier years.

e. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,067.1 ft above mean sea level, datum of

29. Prior to July 12, 1910, staff gage at site H miles upstream at different datum. 

July 12, 1910, to Sept. 30, 1916, and July 28, 1921, to Aug. 12, 1933, staff gage at 

site 2-J- miles upstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 10 years (1945-53, 1954-56), 46.8 cfs (33,880 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year. 180 cfs Mar. 23, May 22 (gage height, 3.05 ft); 

maximum gage height, 3.95 ft Feb. 23 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 

8.8 cfs Aug. 25.

1908-9, 1910-16, 1921-33, 1945-53, 1954-56: Maximum discharge, 586 cfs June 5, 

1948 (gage height, 6.35 ft); minimum, 2.3 cfs Feb. 4, 1955.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor, 

sions for irrigation of about 700 acres above station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1086: 1946(m).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

0.9

1.0 

1.2 

1.4 

1.6 42

1.8 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

56

72

120

174

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

££

22

£1

£1

£0

£0

20

£0

19

19

£0

*19

19

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

19

20

20

20

20

19

19

20

20

601

19.4

1,190

Nov.

20

19

20

20

24.

21

20

20

20

20

18

16

14

13

IS

14

15

16

17

18

20

*22

24

22

20

18

18

18

18

17

554

18.5

1,100

Dec.

17

17

16

16

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

16

16

16

16

16

16

18

20

22

*25

26

27

26

25

24

23

23

22

21

21

590

19.0

1,170

Jan.

21

22

23

24

24

24

23

22

21

20

21

22

22

21

20

20

20

21

22

*23

23

24

24

23

22

21

20

18

17

16

15

659

21.3

1,310

Feb.

14

14

15

15

16

17

18

18

17

17

16

15

15

15

15

16

16

17

18

20

22

23

23

*24

25

26

27

28

2_9

551

19.0

1,090

Mar.

30

29

28

27

26

25

24

22

20

19

18

17

16

T6

17

18

21

24

27

31

35

46

90

112

95

71

49

*42

40

43

46

1,124

36.3

2,230

Apr.

40

34

35

36

37

31

32

32

34

40

35

35

40

45

49

57

62

57

53

56

62

63

*59

60

57

58

53

50

48 

48

1,398

46.6

2,770

May

48

48

48

48

46

50

49

56

98

120

110

90

84

79

79

93

112

*130

142

154

*164

166

164

165

155

141

145

141

*138 

121

110

3,294

106

6,530

June

~96 101

90

87

80

73

68

64

60

55

52

49

48

48

50

78

76

62

55

50

51

48

44

50

*50

43

40

37

33

11

1,769

59.0

3,510

July

30

32

38

40

37

37

35

32

29

27

30

34

30

24

24

22

22

21

19

18

17

16

16

15

li

14

15

17

18 

18

17

758

24.5

1,500

Aug.

*16

15

15

14

14

14

15

16

16

16

14

14

13

12

12

11

11

12

12

12

11

10

9.4

9.1 mi

9.1

*12

13

13 

13

14

396.4

12.8

786

Sept.

14

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

14

12

12

12

12

11

10

10

10

10

10

10

1111

11

1111

1111

12

13 

13

346

11.5

686

Calendar year 1955: Max 198 Min 9 Mean 39.3 Ac-ft £8,480

Water year 1955-56: Max 166 Min 8.8 Mean 32.9 Ac-ft £3,870

Peak discharge (base. 140 efa).--Mar. 23 (7:30 a.m.) 180 cfs (3.05 ft); May 22 (4:30 a.m.) 180 efs

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note..--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 10-24, Nov. 27 to Mar. 23.
46 PRICKLY PEAR CREEK BASIN

Tenmile Creek near Rimini, Mont.

Location.--Lat 46°32', long 112°15', in NE£ sec. 20, T. 9 N., R. 5 W., or left bank at 

Moose Creek ranger station, 500 ft upstream from Moose Creek and 3 miles north of 

Rimini.

Drainage area. 34 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. March 1915 to September 1956 (few winter records pricr to 1935).

Gage. Water-stage recorder and Cippoletti weir. Altitude of gage is 4,£70 ft (by

barometer). Prior to Dec. 17, 1934, at site 40 ft downstream at different datum and 

different control.

Average discharge. 26 years (1916-18, 1920-21, 1923-24, 1934-56), 18.1 cfs (13,100 acreft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 219 cfs May 20 (gage height, 2.73 ft); minimum, 

0.2 cfs Nov. 12, Aug. 24, Sept. 14-20, 23-27.

1915-56: Maximum discharge, 948 cfs May 15, 1917 (gage height, 4.f7 ft, site and 

datum then in use); no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Plow regulated by Chessman Reservoir on tributary above station 

(capacity, 1,750 acre-ft). Small diversion above station for water supply for city 

of Helena.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

.9 

1.4 

2.1 

3.0 

5.0

2.5 

3.0

71

139

325

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September- 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

AC-ft

Oct.

0.5

.5

c

'.5

.5

.4

.4

.4

.5

.5

*.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.5

.4

.4

.5

.4

.5

.5

.7

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

14.6

0.47

29

Nov.

0.6

.5

.6

.8 

1.0

.7

.7

.7

.7

b.7

a. 3

a+2

a. 3

a. 4

a. 5

a. 5

a. 7

a. 9

al.O

al.O

al.O

*1.2

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.3

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

23.6

0.79

47

Dec.

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1 

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.0

.9

b.9

b.9

b.8

b.8

bil

*b.7

bl.4

2.3

2 . 4

2.0

1.6

1.5

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.2

36.9

1.19

73

Jan.

1.2,

T72

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

.8

.8

b.8

b.8

b.8

b.8

b.7

b.7

*b.8

b.8

b.8

b.8

b.8

b.7

b.7

b.7

b.7

b.7

b.7

b.7

26.3

0.85

52

Feb.

bO.6

b.6

b.7

b.7 

b.7

g

78

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

b.8

b.8

b.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

*.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

_ _____

21.9

0.76

43

Mar.

"~7T 0.7

.7

.7 

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.8

.7

.7

.7

.7

.8

.8

.9

1.1

1.1

1.3

1.9

2.8

4.4

7.4

4.4

*3.3

3.1

3.4

4.0

52.0

1.68

103

Apr.

3.3

2.4

1.9

TT5

1.9

1.7

1.8

2.8

4.7

2.9

2.6

6.6

12

19

25

33

28

30

37

40

37

*30

28

23

22

20

19

18

17

474.2

15.8

941

May

16

16

14

13 

14

17

20

34

60

67

65

56

53

54

61

85

110

*149

158

171

185

T74

158

155

142

139

136

134

*115

96

78

2,745

88.5

5,440

June

67

63

53

*45 

40

36

29

24

19

14

12

10

8.6

7.8

9.0

25

18

14

12

11

12

10

9.0

14

*10

8.6

7.8

6.2

5.8

5.0

605.8

20.2

1,200

July

5.0

5.8

6.6

.0 

.7

.0

.4

.0

.4

.0

.1

.3

.1

.0

.0

.9

.9

.8

.8

.7

.7

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

.6

.6

.7

.6

.5

63.9

2.16

133

Aug.

*0.5

.5

.5

.5 

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

. _

. _

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.5

*.6

.4

.5

.8

75

14.0

0.45

28

Sept.

0.4

.4

.4

.4 

.4

.4

.4

.3

.4

.3

.3

.4

.4

.3

.3

.2

73

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.4

.4

.3

9.3

0.31

18

Calendar year 1955: Max 128 Min 0.2 Mean 15.3 Ao-ft 11,080

Water year 1955-56: Max 185 Min 0.2 Mean 11.2 Ac-ft 8,110

Peak discharge (base. 80 cfs). May 20 (9 p.m.) 219 cfs (2.73 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record (stage-discharge relation affected by Ice during most o" period); discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, weather records, and records for nearby 

stations.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 47

Missouri River below Holter Dam, near Wolf Creek, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°59'40", long 112°00'50", in S? sec. 5, T. 14 N., R. 3 W., on left bank 

a quarter of a mile downstream from Holter Dam and 3 miles southeast of Wolf Creek.

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,470 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 11 years, 5,212 cfs (3,773,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--1953-54: Maximum daily discharge during water year, 5,500 cfs Jan. 2; minimum 

dally, 880 cfs July 2.

1954-55: Maximum daily discharge during water year, 6,720 cfs July 18: minimum 

daily, 830 cfs May 22.

1955-56; Maximum discharge during water year, 25,500 cfs June 2 (gage height, 

9.48 ft); minimum daily, 2,790 cfs Apr. 6.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 34,800 cfs June 8, 1948 (gage height, 11.70 ft); minimum daily, that of May 22, 1955.

Remarks. Records good. Diversions for irrigation of about 574,000 acres above station. 

Flow regulated by nine smaller irrigation reservoirs and powerplants (see p. 238) and 

Canyon Perry Reservoir (see p. 44).

Cooperation. Records Jan. 1, 1954, to Sept. 30, 1955 furnished by The Montana Fewer Co.

Rating table, period Oct. 1, to Dec. 31, 1953 and water year 1955-56 (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used June 2 to July 18, Aug. 17 to Sept. 30, 1956)

0.0 

2.0

4.0

400

3,070

7,370

6.0

8.0 

9.0

13,200

20,300

24,100

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1953 to September 1954

Day

1 

2 

3 

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

2,240 

1.580 

2,530 

2,530

2,500

2,510

2,550

2,460

2,180

2,550

2,800

2,740

2,720

2,710

2,520

1,950

2,750

2,700

2,960

3,300

3,270

3,090

2,370

3,320

3,280

3,300

2,920

2,880

3,050

2,300

5.460

84,020

2,710

166,700

Nov.

3,500 

13,660 

3,690 

3,680

3,480

2.480

3,300

3,630

3,580

3,720

3,760

3,640

2,550

3,600

3,830

3,850

3,900

3,860

3,680

2,550

3,840

3,870

3,810

3,840

3,880

3,890

3,330

4,110

4,830

4,980

110,320

3,677

218,800

Dec.

4,410 

4.840 

4, §00 

3,670

3,800

4,690

4,310

4,340

4,400

4,390

3,580

4,380

4,580

4,650

4,660

4,620

4,640

3,650

4,700

4,720

4,760

4,720

3,720

4,030

3,690

4,660

4,610

4,720

4,760

3,730

4,120

135,150

4,360

268,100

Jan.

2.650 

5.500 

4,850 

4,800

4,570

4,800

4,800

4,000

4,800

4,800

5,000

4,800

4,800

5,000

4,600

4,800

4,800

4,800

4,800

4,800

4,800

4,400

4,800

4,800

4,800

4,800

4,720

4,600

4,000

4,800

4,800

145,090

4,680

287,800

Feb.

4.800 

4,790 

4,800 

4,400

3,800

4,200

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,590

4,600

4,200

4,600

4,600

4,400

4,200

4,400

4,200

3,800

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,190

4,000

3,980

5,200

3,800

3,800

_

118,550

4,234

235,100

Mar.

4,400 

4,400 

4,400 

4,000

3,200

3,800

5,800

3,800

5,800

3,800

3,600

5.000

3,800

3,850

4,400

4,400

4,200

3,800

3,000

4,200

4,200

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,000

5,400

4,500

4,500

4.690

4,640

4j 500

125,280

4,041

248,500

Apr.

4,200 

4,190 

4.500

4,260

4,200

4,200

4,200

5,200

1,800

5,400

5,400

5,400

5,400

5,400

5,400

2,000

5,200

3,200

3,000

3,000

5,000

2,800

1.600

2,800

5,000

3,000

5,000

3,000

2,800

2,000

96,490

5,216

191,400

May

5.000 

5,000 

5,000 

3,000

3,000

2,770

2,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

2,800

2,800

2,400

1,500

2,500

2,490

2,400

2,500

2,000

1,500

1.000

1,000

1,000

1,910

2,000

2,000

1,070

1,000

1,000

1,000

2,000

66,240

2,137

131,400

June

2,000 

2,000 

1,500 

1.000

1,000

1,000

2,000

2,000

2,000

1,790

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,700

2,000

2,000

2,000

1,050

1,000

1,200

2.500

2,500

2,020

1,020

1,020

1,050

1,000

1,940

2,000

2,070

47,520

1,577

95,860

July

1,800 

880 

1,000 

1,000

1,060

2,000

2,200

2,200

1,500

1,500

2,500

2,800

5,000

5,000

2,500

2,000

5,500

5.800

5,600

5,600

5,600

5,000

2,020

5,600

5,600

3,600

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

2,400

76,060

2,454

150,900

Aug.

2,400 

2,400 

2,400 

2,500

2,100

1,700

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2.520

2,100

1,800

2,400

2,400

2,500

2,500

2,500

1,800

1,200

1,000

1,410

2, COO

2, COO

1,600

1,200

l.COO

1,COO

1,COO

1,600

2, COO

61.C30

1,S69

121,100

Sept.

2,000 

1.000 

1,000 

1,000

2,000

2,000

2,400

2,500

2,500

1,200

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5.200

2,800

1,600

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,200

2,800

1,400

3,000

3,000

5,200

3,200

3,200

2,800

75,000

2,500

148,800

Calendar year 1953: Max 10,800 Mln 1,540 Mean 3,881 Ac-ft 2,810,000

Water year 1953-54: Max 5,500 Mln 880 Mean 3,125 Ac-ft 2,262,000
48 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Missouri River below Holter Dam, near Wolf Creek, Mont. Continued

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1954 to September 1955

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1,200 

3,OOO

3,000

3,300

3,300

3,300

3,000

2,000

3,300

3,300

3,300

3,300

3,300

3,000

Z.OOO

3,490

3,500

3,500

3,500

3,500

3,000

2,400

3,500

3,500 

3,700

3,800

3,800

3,200 

2,400

4,020

4,000

98,410

3,175

195,200

Nov.

4,000 

4,000

4,270

3,800

Z ,500,

4,20O

4,200

4,300

4,100

4,100

3,800

2,700

4,300

4,300

4,300

4,300

4,300

3,600

2.400

4,300

4,300

4,300

3,600

4,300 

3,800

Z,470

4,300

4,400 

4,400

4,690

118,330

3,944

234,700

Dec.

4,860 

4,000

2,600

4,370

4,400

4,500

4,500

4,500

4,200

3,030

4,500

4,500

4,500

4,600

4,600

4,000

3,400

4,700

4,700

4,700

4,700

4,700

3,800

3,600 

4,700

4,740

5,000

5,070 

5,600

4,000

4,000

135,070

4,357

267,900

Jan.

4,600 

4,600

4,600

4,800

4.850

4,700

3,600

4,600

4,600

4,600

4,600

4,600

3,600

3,600

4,500

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,000

3,600

4,500

4,500

4,500 

4,400

4,400

4,000

5,500 

4,400

4,380

4,400

134,610

4,342

267,000

Feb.

4,300 

4,400

4,000

5.600

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,800

4,000

4,000

4,600

4,400

4,030

4,000

4,000

3,600

5,600

4,200

4,200

4,200

4,400

4,590

4,400 

4,000

4,400

4,400

4,400

117,920

4,211

235,900

Mar.

4,200 

4,200

4,000

4,400

4,400

4,200

4,200

4,200

3,800

3,500

3,200

3,600

4,000

4,000

4,000

5,980

3,800

5,200

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,200

4,550

4.800 

4,400

4,150

5,800

3,800 

5,800

3,400

2.600

122,560

5,947

242,700

Apr.

2. OOP 

5.500

5,500

5,500

3,200

3,200

2,800

2,500

3,000

5,000

3,000

5,000

5,500

2,800

2,500

3,500

3,500

3,500

3,500

5,500

5,000

2,200

5,270

5,500 

5,500

3,500

5,500

5,500 

2,000

5,400

93,670

5,122

185,800

May

5.400 

3,40O

3,400

3,200

2,800

1,600

5,200

5,200

3,200

3,200

3,200

2,600

1,600

2,800

2,500

2,000

2,000

1,700

:,600

1,600

1,030

830

1,000

900 

1,000

1,070

1,500

1,070 

950

950

1,500

65,960

2,065

126,900

June

1,5OO 

1,000

1,060

1,580

1,410

1,540

1,480

1,480

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,000

970

1,500

1,500

1,000

1,250

1,000

940

1,750

1,500

2,000

1,620

2,000 

2,000

2,140

2,810

2,850 

2,500

2,040

46,000

1,555

91,240

July

2,13O 

2,020

3,010

3,010

2,600

2,600

2,600

1.500

2,010

2,600

2,800

3,350

3,000

3,320

4,960

5,850

6,270

6,720

67060"

5,220

4,340

4,270

3,500

4,000 

4,000

4,000

4,000

3,600 

2,760

4,740

3,880

114,720

3,701

227,500

Aug.

4,000 

4,250

4,400

4,200

3,400

4,40O

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,400

3,800

3,000

4,550

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,400

5,600

2,800

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000 

3,400

2.400

4,000

3,790 

4,000

4,000

4,000

122,990

3,967

245,900

Sept.

5,400 

3.4OO

2,400

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

5,600

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,400

4,400

3,800

4,500

4,500

4,500

4,500

4,500

4,500

4,500

3,700 

4,700

4,700

4,600

4,600 

4,650

4,600

125,050

4,168

248,000

Calendar year 1954: Max 5,600 Mln 880 Mean 3,186 Ac-ft 2,307,003

Water year 1954-55: Max 6,720 Mln 830 Mean 3,543 Ac-ft 2,565,003

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17 

18 

19

20

21

22

25

24

25

26

27

28

29 

50

51

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

4.450 

4,450

4,610

4,630

*4,600

4,870

4,980

*4,950

4,760

4,840

4,880

*4,850

4,750

4,910

5.060

4,860

4,820 

4,890 

4,870

4,880

4,920

4,990

4,880

4,890

4,900

4,960

4,920

4,940

4,900

4,980 

4,950

150,080

4,841

297,700

Nov.

4,840 

4,920

4,880

4,880

4,810

5,020

4,840

4,900

4,920

4,770

4,860

4,790

5,090

5,990

6.050

5,150

5,100 

4,810 

5,170

5,110

4,850

4,970

5,520

5,010

4,750

5,520

5,280

5,280

5,080

5,100

151,840

5,061

501,200

Dec.

4,960 

5,180

5,160

5,180

5,190

5,150

5,160

4,950

5,010

5,180

5,180

5,150

5,220

5,120

5,150

5,120

5,150 

5.240 

5,200

5,140

4,910

4.690

4,820

4,860

5,160

4,900

5,170

5,210

4,950

4,950 

4,980

157,530

5,075

312,100

Jan.

5,120 

5,110

5,160

5,190

5,250

5,250

5,160

5,240

5,170

5,180

5,250

5,250

5,250

5,300

5,480

5,480

5, 180 

5.080 

5,080

5,260

5,260

5,280

5,560

*5,240

5,220

5,520

5,480

5.560

5,550

5,450 

5,500

165,860

5,286

525,000

Feb.

5,500 

5,250

5.040

5,510

5,520

5,110

5,100

5,520

5,200

5,080

5,070

5,520

5,510

5,540

5,650

5,530

5,290 

5,300 

5,310

5,260

5,300

5,340

5,090

5,150

5,360

5,280

5,290

5,320

5,520

------

153,440

5,291

304,300

Mar.

4,980 

4,960

*5,270

5,310

5.460

5,260

5,310

5,130

5,400

5,500

5,440

5,550

5,580

5,240

5,190

4,700

4,880 

4,950 

4,860

4,870

4,800

4,880

3,670

3,980

4,030

3,960

5,100

4,420

4,020

5.100 

5,630

148,810

4,800

295,200

Apr.

4,020 

4,060

3,960

4,090

5,390

2,790

4,050

3,950

4,000

5,140

*6,090

5,350

4,970

5,200

5,580

5,090

5,040 

5,020 

6,720

7,800

7,860

8,420

7,220

7,520

7,400

7,580

7,400

7,400

7,420

7,420

171,530

5,711

339,800

May

7,450 

7,840

7,240

6,660

6,580

6,560

6,660

6,730

6,740

6,900

*6,840

6,900

6,100

6,900

6,840

6,740

7,050 

7,010 

7,040

6,520

7,200

7,220

7,140

7,240

7,020

6,790

6,590

11,400

14,900

17,100 

21.100

250,600

8,084

497,100

June

22,600 

25.400

17,200

*16,100

15,900

11,400

15,400

*15,500

10,800

10,500

15,000

10,500

6,450

4,700

4,910

5,820

5.760 

4,960 

4,810

5,800

5,040

5,070

5,900

4,170

5,840

5,470

5,540

5,650

5,570

4,160

267,500

8,917

550,600

July

4,030 

3,560

4,330

4,330

*3,960

5,970

4,380

4,270

4,230

*4,250

4,220

3,780

3,800

4,490

4,580

4,250

4,180 

4,250 

3^040

3,100

4,010

4,000

4,140

4,280

4,340

*4,200

3,370

4,360

4,420

4,280 

4,280

126,420

4,078

250,800

Aug.

4,310 

4,030

3,460

4,290

4.340

4,310

4,290

4,270

4,120

5,470

4,290

4,280

4,290

4,280

4,270

4,070

5,580 

3,860 

4,140

4,190

*4,190

4,120

3,750

3,470

4,050

4,250

4,250

4,240

4,550

5,950 

5.000

125,480

4,048

248,900

Sept.

5.050 

4,130

4,270

4,260

4,260

4,120

3,270

4,190

4,280

*4,440

4,390

4,400

4,170

3,560

4,270

4,550

4.480 

4,390 

4,420

4,570

3,830

4,430

4,440

4,450

4,460

4,460

4,460

4,560

4,410

4,480

126,810

4,227

251,500

Calendar year 1955: Max 6,720 Mln 850 Mean 3,857 Ac-ft 2,778,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 25,400 Mln 2,790 Mean 5,447 Ac-ft 3,954,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
DEARBORN RIVER BASIN 49

Dearborn River near Craig, Mont.

Location. Lat 47°12i, long 112°05', in SE^ sec. 27, T. 17 N., R. 4 W., on right bank 

20 ft upstream from bridge on State Highway 33, 5 miles downstream from South Pork, 

10 miles northwest of Craig, and 12 miles upstream from mouth.

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,440 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

X5ct. 1, 1946, wire-weight gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge. 11 years, 225 cfs (162,900 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,080 cfs May 22 (gage height, 4.75 ft); maximum gage height, 5.06 ft Dec. 22 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge observed, 

12 cfs Aug. 2.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 7,960 cfs June 4, 1953 (gage height, 9.58 ft); minimum 

observed, that of Aug. 2, 1956.

Remarks. Records poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 9,000 acres, of which 6,600 

acres lie below station.

Rating table, water- year 1955-56, except periods of loe effect or backwater from

beaver dams (gage height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, Nov. 3-11, Aug. 3 to Sept. 15)

2.3

2.4

2.5 

2.7

7

13

23

55

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0

123

290

540

1,220

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

34

34

35

34

35

32

34

»29

28

28

28

26

 56 24

26

29

46

57

61

50

41 

41

40

38

36

40

53

65

67

67

15

1,257

40.5

2,490

Nov.

71

70

71

69

73

73

69

65

69

71

61

30

25

25

20

25

30

30

40

90

»75 

60

50

50

60

60

50

40

40

40

1,602

53.4

3,180

Dec.

45

45

40

40

40

45

50

60

70

75

80

90

70

50

40

40

35

35

40

50

100 

300

»350

355

300

250

200

150

120

100

90

3,330

107

6,600

Jan.

100

110

130

T50" 150

130

110

110

10O

100

110

100

90

70

60

50

50

60

70

75

80 

80

80

80

70

60

50

40

35

"SO 30

2,560

82.6

5,080

Feb.

 so 30

40

50

60

 50

45

45

50

55

60

60

50

40

35

30

35

40

45

60

80 

75

60

50

45

45

»45

50

55

1,415

48.8

2,810

Mar.

60

65

70

65

60

55

SB- 50

60

50

50

50

55

60

65

80

95

160

200

TS5

150 

115

103

120

126

126

»110

103

100

103

110

2,866

92.5

5,680

Apr.

106

98

S5

103

106

100

103

103

106

113

113

116

118

136

156

177

198

198

201

218

258 

234" 298

270

243

 232

»226

212

204

198

5,102

170

10,120

May

190

198

194

190

187

194

226

306

410

528

600

594

534

486

474

469

698

847

916

»951

1.050 

1,030

972

937

888

840

814

750

756

678

6O6

18,493

597

36,680

June

639

 SEE 704

632

620

522

425

385

380

410

425

380

»322

294

298

370

400

348

330

294

270 

246

222

212

201

»177

168

156

145

128

10,768

359

21,360

July

116

91

187

IK

174

147

134

120

150

123

123

100

100

96

59

80

59

43

43

61

63 

63

57

»59

50

48

40

34

26

24

11

2,636

85.0

5,230

Aug.

17

12

T*

ts

21

23

Z4

It

18

15

35

16

:a

F2

?0

17

18

18

17

19

»20 

14

15

17

19

24

24

14

14

21

20

5f>5

19.2

1,180

Sept.

18

16

15

21

15

23

21

19

19

»19

18

20

21

20

21

21

20

20

19

19

18 

17

17

16

16

16

17

17

17

17

565

18.8

1,120

Calendar year 1955 : Max 1,760 Mln 20 Mean 192 Ac-ft 138,800

Water year 1955-56 : Max 1,030 Mln 12 Mean 140 Ac-ft 101,500

Peak discharge (base. 600 cfs). Hay 22 (6 to 7 a.m.) 1,080 cfs (4.75 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

constuccea gage-neignt grapn. uiscnarge computed rrom once-aaiiy suarr-gage reading^ juj.y j. co 

-_. 29. Stage-discharge relation affected by backwater from beaver dams Sept. 16-30J dls-sharge computed on basis of gage-height record and weather records.
50 SMITH RIVER BASIN 

Newland Creek near dam site, near White Sulphur Springs, Mont.

Location.--Lat 46°38', long 110°57', in NW£ sec. 14, T. 10 N., R. 6 E., on right bank

50 ft upstream from farm bridge, 4 miles downstream from U. S. Highway 89, and 6 miles 

north of White Sulphur Springs.

Records available. August 1950 to September 1956.

Gage.--Wire-weight gage read once daily. Altitude of gage is 5,100 ft (ty barometer). 

Prior to June 14, 1951, staff gage at site 50 ft downstream at datum 0.52 ft lower.

Average discharge.--6 years, 9.79 cfs (7,090 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge observed during year, 43 cfs Mar. 25 (gage Veight, 1.33 ft); 

minimum dally, 1.0 cfs at times.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 227 cfs June 5, 1953 (gage height, 3.F3 ft, from graph 

based on gage readings); minimum daily, 0.6 cfs Mar. 7, 1953.

Remarks. Records poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 200 acres above station. Flow 

may be supplemented by diversion from Sheep Creek, in sec. 26, T. 12 J"., R. 7 E., which 

enters 8 miles upstream.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ioe effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in oubio feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Feb. 23, Mar. 22 to 

Apr. 28, May 13-26)

0.6 

.7 

.8

4.4

6.7

10

1-0 

1.5 

2.0

18

42

71

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

S

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

9.3

9.3

*9.3

9.3

9.3

10

15

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

9.3

9.3

9.3

9.3

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.

8.

8.

8.

8.

8.

288.1

9.29

571

Nov.

7.4

^7Z

5.8

5.8

5.8

4.9

4.9

5.0

5.0

4.9

4.9

4.5

3.5

3.0

 3775

3.5

4.0

4.5

*5.0

4.5

4.0

4.0

3.5

3.5

3.7

4.0

3.5

3.0

3.2

3.3

131.8

4.39

261

Dec.

3.5

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.2

*3.4

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.5

2.2

2.0

T35

2.0

2.5

4.0

5.0 ire

4.0

4.5

4.5

4.0

3.0

2.8

2.5

98.6

3.18

196

Jan.

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.7

2.9

3.0

3775

3.0

2.8

2.5

2.5

2.7

2.9

2.7

2.0

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.7

1.9

2.0

2.0

1.8

1.5

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.0

64.9

2.09

129

Feb.

1.0

T7C

1.2

1.3

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.5

2.5

3.0

*3.3

275

2.0

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

45.5

1.57

90

Mar.

1.6

1.7

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.0

1.0

1.2

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

2.5

2.8

3.0

3.4

12

26

43

39

25

16

4.9

11

16

232.1

7.49

460

Apr.

15

8.0

*is 5.8

11

9.7

6.5

12

12

20

16

16

20

21

24

25 23

22

22

24

24

24

24

25

24

23

21

21

20

19

550.0

18.3

1,090

May

20

19

19

18

15

19

19

*20

20

23

28

28

30

30

30

30

30

*30

31

?3

28

28

26

25

23

22

20

20

21

23

22

750

24.2

1,490

June

22

tt

21

21

21

22

22

21

21

19

19

20

20

20

20

20

19

19

19

19

18

18

17

17

17

17

*17

17

17

17

579

19.3

1,150

July

17

17

17

17

11

15

15

17

16

17

18

18

17

15

14

14

14

13

13

13

11

10

T5

10 *11

10

10

12

15

15

14

443

14.3

879

Aug.

13

12

12

12

12

12

16

U

13

13

13

12

12

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

*11

11

11

10

10

12

12

12

12

12

367

11.8

728

Sept.

12

IT

11

11

11

10

10

10

10

9.7

9.7

9.7

9.7

9.7

9.0

8.7

8.7

8.0 877

8.7

*9.7

8-7

9.3

10

10

10

10

10

12

11

297.0

9.90

589

Calendar year 1955: Max 28 Mln 0.8 Mean 8.80 Ac-ft 6,370

Water year 1955-56: Max 43 Mln i.o Mean 10.5 Ac-ft 7,630

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note --Stage-discharge relation affected by ioe Nov. 12 to Mar. 21 (no gage-height record Jan. 29 

to Feb. 24; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement and weather records).
SMITH RIVER BASIN 51

Sheep Creek near White Sulphur Springs, Mont.

Location. Lat 46° 46', long 110° 49' (revised), in SWlrSEir sec. 26, T. 12 N., R. 7 E., on 

right bank 7 miles upstream from Moose Creek and 16 miles north of White Sulphur 

Springs.

Drainage area.--35.5 sq mi.

Records available. July 1941 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,820 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Sept. 4, 1942, wire-weight gage at site 1,000 ft upstream at datum 7.03 ft higher and 

Sept. 4, 1942, to May 3, 1955, .wire-weight gage at site 700 ft upstream at datum 5.33 ft 

higher.

Average discharge.--15 years, 29.9 cfs (21,650 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 163 cfs May 26 (gage height, 3.76 ft): nlnimum daily, 7 cfs Feb. 18, Mar. 10, 11.

1941-56: Maximum discharge observed, 420 cfs June 3, 4, 1953 (gage height, 5.58 ft 

site and datum then In use); minimum daily, 3.5 cfs Jan. 18-20, 1943.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 200 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.1 

2.3

8.6

11

14

18

25

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

34

78

132

192

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

I

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

2O

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

18

TB

*17

18

18

17

17

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

14

14

14

15

14

14

14

15

11

483

15.6

958

Nov.

11

12

14

15

13

12

16

TI

14

16

15

11

10

9.5

775

11

13

14

*14

14

14

13

12

13

13

12

12

10

10

11

378.0

12.6

750

Dec.

11

TT

11

10

11

11

11

11

11

11

11 *H

11

11

10

9.5

9.5

9.5

9

9

10

10

11

10

10

1111

10

9

8-5 Q ." 8*5

318-5

10.3

632

Jan.

8.5

3T5

9

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9

9

9

9

9

9

9.5

9.5

10

11

TT

*11

11

10

10

9.5

g

299.5

9.66

594

Feb.

9

9

9

9.5

F^

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9-5

9.5

8

7-5

7

7.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

*8.5

8-5

8

8

8

8

8

253.5

8.74

503

Mar.

8

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8

7-5

T_

7

7-5

7.5

7.5

8

8

8

8

8

7-5

7.5

7-5

7.5

8.5

9.5

12

17

TJ

16

10

9.7

277-7

8.96

551

Apr.

9.5

9-5

9.5

*9.5

9.5

9.5

9-5

 as 9.4

11

13

14

16

17

20

21

21

21

24

28

32

?§

25

23

21

20

19

18

18

18

514.9

17.2

1.O2O

May

18

17

TB- 16

17

17

20

24

30

46

4O

35

32

32

34

49

70

*91

1O6

113

130

133

138

144

142

144

149

W

132

119

108

2,304

74-3

4,570

June

103

~9f 104

92

83

79

72

66

61

57

53

5O

48

46

48

60

57

43

40

43

46

41

38

39

37

34

*32

32

30

35

1,661

55.4

3.29O

July

29

29

32

35

28

27

27

26

25

25

25

25

24

24

24

22

21

21

20

19

19

18

18

17

*16

16

18

18

17

16

16

692

22.3

1,370

Aug.

15

15

15

15

15

16

18

T5

16

15

15

15

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

JL3

13

*13

13

13

13

15

16

15

16

16

14

454

14-6

90O

Sept.

14

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

12

TZ

12

12

12

12

12

*15

13

13

12

12

12

13

16

T?

13

387

12.9

768

Calendar year 1955: Max 168 Mln 4 Mean 29.6 Ao-ft 21,400

Water year 1955-56: Max 149 Min 7 Mean 21-9 Ac-ft 15,900

* Discharge measurement made on this day*

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 11 to Mar. 29, Apr. 1-7, 9, 12, 13 (no gageheight record Nov. 15 to Dec. 11; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements and 

weather records).
52 SMITH RIVER BASIN

Smith River near Eden, Mont.

Location. Lat 47°12i, long 111023', in SWlrSWi sec. 29, T. 17 N., R. 3 E., on left bank 

a quarter of a mile upstream from Mullens Creek, 2 miles upstream from Hound Creek, and 

1 miles southwest of Eden.

Drainage area. 1,601 sq mi.

Records available. April 1951 to September 1956

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,500 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge. 5 years, 297 cfs (215,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,020 cfs May 25 (gage height, 2.88 ft); maximum gage height, 4.12 ft Dec. 24 (bacwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 30 cfs 

Nov. 14, 15.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 12,300 cfs June 4, 1953 (gage height, 10.46 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 3,800 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak 

flow; minimum daily, 26 cfs Jan. 18, 19, 1954.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 24,500 acres above station. Plow affected by storage in Smith 

River Reservoir (usable contents, 10,700 acre-ft).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (ga^e 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

0-3 

 5

1-0

24

47

77

141

1.5 

Z.O 

3-0

290

500

1,130

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

144

T3T

1S6

134

136

144

*141

139

136

134

132

130

T3Z

132

134

134

132

130

134

134

132

134

132

130

130

132

134

134

134

136 

139

4,176

135

8,280

Nov.

141

120

120

146

154

148

130

111

144

161

100

75

40

30

TO

40

60

90

115

*120

115

105

95

90

90

90

85

75

75

75

2,970

99.0

5,890

Dec.

80

85

80

75

80

85

85

85

85

90

90

90

85,

80

80

75

70

75

*75

80

85

90

90

SB- 95

95

95

90

85

85 

85

2,615

84.4

5,190

Jan.

90

SB- 95

95

95

90

90

95

95

95

95

95

95

90

85

75

75

80

90

95

95

95

95

*95

95

90

85

75

75

75

75

2,760

89.0

5,470

Feb.

70

75

80

85

90

90

90

90

90

90

90

90

80

75

65

60

55

75

75

80

80

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

2,285

78-8

4,530

Mar.

80

80

80

75

75

*75

75

70

65

60

60

60

70

70

75

75

75

75

80

85

90

100

110

125

135

145

160

180

225

265 Z-l Q

OJ.O

3,313

107

6,570

Apr.

294

290

248

238

238

222

192

m

198

210

*261

276

286

334

354

386

390 "356"

338

334

350

382

386

370

374

362

342

310

294

286

9,112

304

18,070

May

283

255

294

283

290

318

338

322

334

*419

578

556

486

437

398

386

432

510

605

677

770

888

941

983

*1.020

983

962

983

955

914

816

18,447

595

36,590

June

738

713

725

689

653

605

556

491

428

390

370

354

330

302

306

338

446

398

338

294

272

283

258

228

213

*192

179

161

146

jjO

11,526

384

22,860

July

123

125

139

151

156

146

144

127

120

111

107

94

90

90

83

79

74

69

71

67

64

61

55

*53

53

48

47

5T

57

57 

58

2,770

89.4

5,490

Aug.

57

54

51

48

47

45

46

47

60

66

66

66

64

60

55

54

53

53

54

54

*51

54

51

47

37

33

55

-5T 118

88 

90

1,819

58-7

.3,610

Sept.

86

71

66

64

64

66

66

61

60

58

58

60

61

60

57

55

51

So" 50

*50

57

63

67

66

64

63

63

63

66

74

1,863

62-1

3,700

Calendar year 1955 : Max 1,680 Mln 30 Mean 277 Ac-ft 200,700

Water year 1955-56 : Max 1,020 Mln 30 Mean 174 Ac-ft 126,200

Peak discharge (base. 1.100 cfs). No peak above base-

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note» Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 11 to Mar.
SUN RIVER BASIN 53

North Pork of North Pork Sun River near Augusta, Mont.

Location.--Lat 470 38'30", long 112°51'40", near SE£ sec. 22 (revised), T. 22 N., R. 10 W., 

on left bank 400 ft upstream from Medicine Creek, 1 mile upstream from confluence with 

South Pork of North Pork, and 25 miles northwest of Augusta.

Drainage area. 258 sq mi.

Records available. May 1911 to September 1912 {no winter records), October 1945 to 

September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,785.72 ft above mean sea level (levels 

b~y Bureau of Reclamation). May 27, 1911, to Sept. 30, 1912, staff gage near present 

site at different datum. Oct. 1, 1945, to July 22, 1946, wire-weight gage at rite 

three-quarters of a mile downstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 11 years (1945-56), 373 cfs (270,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 4,170 cfs June 2 (gage height, 6.73 ft); minimum daily, 45 cfs Dec. 18-20.

1911-12, 1945-56: Maximum discharge, 4,580 cfs May 20, 1954; maximum gage height, 

7.03 ft June 3, 1948; minimum discharge, 27 cfs Nov. 21, 1949 (gage height, 0.79 ft).

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. No 

regulation or diversion above station.

Rating table, water year 1355-56, except period of lee effect 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Hay 22 to July 9)

1-1 

1-2 

1-3 

1-5 

2.0 

2-5

78

80

94

128

240

410

3.0 

4.0

650

1,350

2,300

3,430

4,070

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

102

100

99

99

100

99

97

97

*102

108

108

102

100

97

96

94

94

93

93

96

94 

99

96

96

100

100

97

96

94

97

6j3

3,033

97-8

0.379

0.44

6,020

Nov.

S3

94

104

114

154

99

94

105

102

114

70

64

59

55

50

50

55

70

85

35

85 

80

75

70

78

78

70

60

60

60

2,402

80.1

0.310

0.35

4,760

Dec.

62

65

68

70

75

*80

82

84

85

B5

85

82

76

69

60

55

47

45

fS

45

49 

55

61

66

71

75

78

78

75

70

68

2,111

68.1

0.264

0.30

4,190

Jan.

70

75

84

*87

17

86

86

86

86

85

84

82

75

66

60

60

65

71

72

73

74 

74

70

66

62

58

55

52

57

55 

62

2,220

71.6

0.278

0.32

4,4OO

Feb.

70

77

80

W

*78

75

71

69

68

67

65

62

58

54

50

50

55

64

65

65

64 

62

60

58

58

58

57

58

60

1,858

64.1

0.248

0-27

3,690

Mar.

64

64

62

*60

60

62

63

62

58

58

55

53

66

65

64

62

62

64

63

62

62 

65

71

82

89

87

82

S2

87

90

94k

2,126

68.6

Of zee

0.31

4,220

Apr.

90

37

87

*88

83

78

87

83

90

102

99

104

124

154

200

252

264

279

342

480

662 

710 5"9"0"

510

418

370

327

297

282

261

7,600

253

0.981

1-10

15,070

May

*246

838

220

218

206

218

252

358

590

662

746

656

560

535

656

1,140

1,890

2,470

2,800

3,180

*5.600 

*3,420

3,140

3,050

2,870

2,800

2,740

2,600

2,580

2,540

2,580

49,763

1,605

6.22

7-17

98,700

June

3,010

5.710

2,970

2,910

2,760

1,990

1,540

1,460

1,740

2,070

2,110

1,660

1,400

1,330

1,520

2,130

1,830

*1,450

1,360

1,410

1,180 

935

886

914

865

776

716

752

734 

640

48,808

1,627

6.31

7.04

96,810

July

585

570

740 '598"

635

605

570

535

505

495

495

455

438

450

406

370

342

324

312

300

297 

288

*279

264

255

246

240

232

225 

220

218

12,594

406

1-57

1-82

24,980

Aug.

218

220

230

TOT

200

19f

200

200

193

202

ISA

177

172

16i3

163

16?

160

153

153

*149

144 

14?

133

TT5

143

145

177

IS?

150 

172

154

5,383

17}

0«67<

0.71

10,680

Sept.

-341 135

134

136

138

132

128

121

119

115

115

114

112

110

108

107

105

105

104

104

105 

105

104

102

*102

100

W

112

107 

128

3,452

115

0.446

0.50

6,850

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,740 Mln 40 Mean 324 Cfsm 1.26 In. 17-05 Ac-ft 234,800

Water year 1955-56: Max 3,710 Mln 45 Mean 3S6 Cfsm 1-50 In. 20.40 Ac-ft -2'»0,400

Peak discharge (base. 1.250 cfs) . May 21 (12 p.m.) 4.060 ofs (6.50 ft)} June 2 (9:30 a-nr.) 4,170 

sfs (6.73 ft)} June 11 (l to Z a-m.) 2,410 cfs (5.31 ft); June 16 (l to 2 p.m.) 2,520 cfs (5.44 ft)

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note* Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 11 to Mar. 29 (no gage-height record 

No7TT4-18) 
54 SUN RIVER BASIN

Muddy Creek at Vaughn, Mont.

Location (revised) . Lat 47 0 33'40", long 111 0 32'30", near center of S|NF£ sec. 24, T. 21 

N., R.I E., near center of span on upstream side of old highway bridge at Vaughn and 

lj miles upstream from mouth.

Records available. May 1925 to February 1926, April 1934 to September 1956.

;e_. Wire-weight gage and crest-stage indicator: gage read once or twice daily. Altitude of gage is 3,350 ft (from topographic map). May 21, 1925, to Feb. 8, 1926, staff 

gage at site 500 ft downstream at different datum. Apr. 19, 1934, to Sept. 30, 1955, 

at present site at datum 1.00 ft higher.

Average discharge. 22 years (1934-56), 109 cfs (78,910 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 590 cfs June 16 (gage height, 3.28 ft, from 

graph based on gage readings); minimum daily, 20 cfs at times.

1925-26, 1934-56: Maximum discharge, 7,600 cfs June 4, 1953 (gage height, 16.7 ft 

from floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 3,000 cfs on basis of slope-area 

determination of peak flow; minimum observed, 4.9 cfs Jan. 24, 1936.

Flood in June 1908 reached a stage of about 24 ft (discharge not determined); flood 

in June 1932 reached a stage of about 19 ft (discharge not determined), from information by local residents.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Natural flow increased by return flow from irrigation. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 500 acres above station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 856: 1937.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of lee effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used June 12 to Aug. 2, Sept. 2O-30)

1.1

1.2 

1.4 

1.6 

1.8

2.0 

2.2 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

120

154

236

430

640

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

196 

174

*174

145

119

128

141

165

156

152

116

103

98

98

95

93

90

116

122

119

116

106

114

114

114

111

108

111

108

103

103

3,808

123

7,550

Nov.

67 

47

90

88

78

76

67

71

69

69

76

45

25

20

20

35

50

60

65

*70

70

65

60

55

50

50

50

50

50

50

1,738

57.9

3,450

Dee.

50 

50

50

50

50

50

45

40

4O

40

40

40

40

40

35

30

30

30

30

*25

25

25

25

25

25

30

30

35

40

40

45

1,150

37.1

2,280

Jan.

5O 

50

55

60

60

60

60

60

55

50

45

40

30

30

25

20

20

20

20

20

20

25

25

30

*30

30

30

25

25

25

25

1,120

36.1

2,220

Feb.

20 

20

20

20

20

20

25

3O

35

40

40

40

40

35

25

20

20

20

20

30

40

45

50

50

50

50

40

35

35

935

32.2

1,850

Mar.

30 

35

35

40

40

4O

35

30

30

30

25

20

25

40

70

130

165

190

200

200

200

190

170

120

70

35

*25

30

35

45

45

2,375

76.6

4,710

Apr.

43 

36

41

39

38

31

3O

32

34

32

32

30

31

29

30

29

29

29

1

29

29

30

38

38

38

36

31

32

32

31

32

991

33.0

1,970

May

30 

31

36

36

41

38

36

32

38

*35

31

30

33

34

60

58

53

65

128

156

167

116

111

*163

172

141

204

'520 220

138

136

2,789

90.0

5,530

June

115 

133

167

184

174

190

165

136

136

167

198

255

207

190

278

510

346

226

179

174

161

156

156

172

150

*149

133

126

120

117

5,570

186

11,050

July

117 

120

210

278

240

282

358

370

362

308

293

240

174

179

207

220

190

161

149

156

165

184

184

*187

179

161

156

210

247

312

578

6,977

225

13,840

Aug.

402 

426

474

538

506

530

482

442

402

402

462

398

414

339

301

327

259

293

342

304

226

*240

184

158

161

230

446

382

362

327

£85

11,044

356

21,910

Sept.

236 

226

210

207

201

217

210

195

190

185

180

170

175

175

170

165

165

160

160

*156

143

143

136

143

165

152

145

156

165

176

5,277

176

10,470

Calendar year 1955: Max 378 Mln - Mean US Ae-ft 81,340

Water year 1955-56: Max 538 Mln 20 Mean 120 Ac-ft 86,830

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Sept. 7-19; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement 

and records for Sun River near Vaughn. Stage-discharge relation affected by le? Nov. 11 to Mar. 31.
SUN RIVER BASIN 55

Sun River near Vaughn, Mont.

Location (revised) .--Lat 47°31'35", long 111°29'05", in SE£SW£ sec. 33, T. 21 N R 2 E 

on right bankT miles downstream from Muddy Creek, 4 miles southeast of Vaughn, and ' 

13 miles upstream from mouth.

Records available. July to September 1897 (gage heights and discharge measurements only, 

published as Sun River near Great Falls), April 1934 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,315 ft (from topographic map). 

July 11 to Oct. 30, 1897, staff gage at site three-quarters of a mile upstream at 

different datum. Apr. 19 to Aug. 3, 1934, staff gage.at present site and datum.

Average discharge. 22 years, 713 cfs (516,200 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 7,660 cfs June 4 (gage height, 8.96 ft): minimum 

daily, 150 cfs Mar. 11.

1934-56: Maximum discharge, 17,900 cfs June 4, 1953 (gage height, 16.38 ft', from 

high-water mark on gage house); minimum, 21 cfs May 10, 1941.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. F'ow reeulated by Gibson, Pishkun, Willow Creek, and Nilan Reservoirs (see p. 238). Diversions 

for irrigation of about 110,000 acres above station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 786: 1934.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 2S to May 28, June 24 to July 3)

1.2 

1.5 

2.0

260

500

950

4.0 

8.0 

8.5

2,750 

6,70O 

7,200

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6 

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

AC- ft

Oct.

386

386

37S

354

330

338 

*354

370

378

362

330

309

302

316

338

330

330

338

346

346

346

346

354

354

362

346

346

346

338

330 xp't

OcG

10,712

346

21,250

MOV.

362

394

356

394

362

354 

346

338

338

346

338

290

250

240

250

270

290

310

320

*330

330

300

280

270

280

290

270

240

230

220

9,218

307

18,280

Dec.

220

220

210

210

200

210 

210

210

210

210

220

230

230

210

190

180

Tso

180

180

*190

220

240

250

Ho

230

240

250

240

230

220

220

6,680

215

13,250

Jan.

230

230

240

240

240

240 

240

230

220

220

230

230

240

220

200

200

200

210

210

210

210

220

230

230

*230

22.0

200

180

180

180

180

6,740

217

13,370

Feb.

180

T§6

210

2lO

210

210 

210

210

210

210

200

190

190

180

180

180

180

190

200

200

210

210

210

210

200

200

200

200

200

5,780

199

11,460

Mar.

200

200

200

190

190

180 

180

170

170

160

150

170

200

250

*260

270

280

290

320

350

390

430

500

482

464

428

*346

316

316

323

323

8,698

281

17,250

Apr.

309

295

288

288

323

330 

330

338

338

338

346

338

338

338

338

338

346

323

295

378

482

509

527

797

1,140

1,210

1,230

1,250

1,250

1.270

16,220

541

32,170

May

1,300

1,310

1,300

1,260

1,230

1.210 

1,230

1,260

1,300

*1,480

1,600

1,570

1,430

1,370

1,330

1,280

1,210

1,210

1,320

2,600

4,740

6,230

6.980

*6,740

6,340

5,970

5,650

5,410

4,740

4,520

4,270

89,390

2,884

177,300

June

4,280

5,280

6,910

7.080

5,950

5,700 

4,070

2,690

2,110

1,720

1,920

3,840

3,210

2,610

2,260

2,600

3,320

4,120

3,890

3,230

3,000

2,990

2,780

2,290

1,790

*1,730

1,470

1,310

1,150

959

96,259

3,209

190,900

July

788

680

725

914

1,170

1.180 

1,140

1,010

896

824

797

752

626

554

545

536

509

437

402

354

323

323

338

330

*330

'323 316

378

402

518

536

18,956

611

37 , 600

Aug.

£18

£63

779

815

743

T34 

734

725

716

 98

689

626

£99

572

527

500

500

491

527

509

446

*437

402

37S

378

446

653

680

644

626

563

18,218

588

36,130

Sept.

536

500

5O9

518

536

545 

518

491

482

473

437

419

446

428

402

394

378

378

362

*338

354

362

354

354

370

346

330

3?S

354

402

12,654

422

25,100

Calendar year 1955: Max 5,340 Mln 160 Mean 713 Ac-ft 516,500

Water year 1955-56: Max 7,080 Mln 150 Mean 818 Ac-ft 594,100

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 22 (no gage-height record Nov. 16,

459735 O - 58 -5
56 BELT CREEK BASIN

Belt Creek near Monarch, Mont.

Location. Lat 47°12', long 110°56', in SE£NW£ sec. 26, T. 17 N., R. 6 E., on left bank 

half a mile south of Riceville and 9 miles northwest of Monarch.

Records available. April 1951 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,960 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge. 5 years, 161 cfs (116,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 565 cfs May 28 (gage height, 3.41 ft); minimum 

daily, 10 cfs Jan. 28-30.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 11,000 cfs June 4, 1953 (gage height, 10.12 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 2,500 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; 

minimum daily, 4 cfs Jan. 19, 1954.

Flood in 1908 was several feet lower than in 1953, according to local resident.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of iee effect (g^ge 

height. In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.0

1.1 

1.3

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

129

250

400

615

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

a58

a57

*55

55 

59

60

¥9

58

55

54

56

55

54

53

53

52

52

52

51

51

51

51

47

48

48

48

49

48

49

49

48

1,635

52.7

3,240

Nov.

43

40

42

H

42

40

46

48

48

48

37

20

15

15

20

26

35

*37

36

32

29

25

25

30

32

29

27

27

30

1,024

34.1

2,030

Dec.

24

23

23

25 

25

27

29

30

30

30

32

34

*25

20

20

19

18

17

15

17

25

35

40

30

20

25

25

20

15

15

17

750

24.2

1,490

Jan.

20

22

25

30 

25

23

25

23

20

20

20

18

15

13

13

15

17

20

20

19

19

20

21

20

16

*13

11

10

To

10

11

564

18.2

1,120

Feb.

12

13

15

17 

20

21

20

21

22

22

21

20

18

16

15

15

16

17

20

25

35

35

30

25

23

24

*25

26

28

617

21.3

1,220

Mar.

33

34

33

31 

29

25

23

22

21

18

15

16

18

19

20

25

30

40

45

40

a30

a30

a40

a50

aSO

a40

a30

a25

*20

34

34

920

29.7

1,820

Apr.

30

26

26

27- 

27

22

22

28

27

28

29

26

29

35

41

50

58

56

56

58

70

82

81

71

66

60

59

55

53

51

1,349

45.0

2,680

May

49

48

48

41 

48

47

48

*52

73

123

185

187

171

162

148

178

242

325

380

407

467

498

516

542

*534

516

520

552

sSo

480 

432

8,545

276

16,950

June

 3B1 407

359

337 

310

290

267

245

226

207

189

178

166

159

155

185

164

137

127

120

144

140

118

116

106

*97

90

86

81

78

5,668

189

11,240

Jul-r

76

76

84

79 

71

71

67

61

58

54

55

97

75

67

66

60

55

53

49

48

45

43

41

40

*3_9

39

40

45

41

41 

40

1,776

57.3

3,520

Aug.

38

37

37

35 

34

33

37

38

34

34

34

32

30

28

27

27

27

27

27

26

25

*24

23

23

23

44

83

54

53

55 

56

1,105

35.6

2,190

Sept.

48

T3

41

41 

41

40

38

36

34

33

34

35

36

36

33

32

32

30

29

29

*37

38

35

33

33

32

32

36

38

36

1,071

35.7

2,120

Calendar year 1955; Max 1,170 Mln 11 Mean 169 Ac-ft 122,100

Water year 1955-56: Max 552 Mln 10 Mean 68.4 Ac-ft 49,620

Peak discharge (base. 600 cfs). No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements, weather records, 

and records for nearby stations.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by lee Nov. I, 2, Nov. 13 to Mar. 20 (no gage-height record Nov. 16-18, Jan. 13-25, Feb. 15-26, Mar. 10-12, 15-17; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for nearby stations).
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 57

Missouri River at Port Benton, Mont.

Location (revised). Lat 47°49'03", long 110 0 39'59", in SE^SEf sec. 23, T. 24 N., R. 8 E., 

on left bank at downstream side of highway bridge at Port Benton, 4 miles upstream 

from Shonkln Creek.

Drainage area. 24.600 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. October 1890 to September 1956. Records for June 1881 to September 

1890, published in WSP 546 and 761 have been found to be unreliable and should not be 

used.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,614.05 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Oct. 11, 1921, several types of manually operated gages and Oct. 11, 

1921, to Apr. 25, 1924, water-stage recorder, all at present site and at datvm 1.00 ft 

higher.

Average discharge. 66 years (1890-1956), 7,628 cfs (5,522,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 31,100 cfs June 4 (gage height, 7.86 ft); maximum gage height not determined; minimum daily discharge, 3,000 cfs Nov. 15.

1890-1956: Maximum discharge observed, about 140,000 cfs June 6, 1908 (gfge height, 

18.5 ft, present datum), from rating curve extended above 63,000 cfs; mininruir, 320 cfs 

July 5, 1936 Cgage height, -0.50 ft); minimum daily, 627 cfs July 5, 1936.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of Ice effect or no gage height record, 

which are fair. Diversions for Irrigation of about 730,000 acres above station. Plow 

regulated by 18 smaller irrigation reservoirs and powerplants (see p. 238) ard Canyon 

Perry Reservoir (see p. 44).

ReviBlons (water years). WSP 746: 1932. WSP 1146: 1891-1918, 1908(M) , 1937-c8. 

WSP 1209:1948(P). See also Records available.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Nov. 5-14)

1.5 

2.0 

4.0

2,600

4,OOO

1O,6OO

6.O 

8.0

20,OOO 

32,OOO

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12 

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

5,43O 

5,930

5,390

*5.170 

5,530

5,51O 

5,800

5,740

5,65O

6.O3O

6,010

5,800 

5,910

6,O9O

5,740

5,680

6.55O 

5,960

6,260

6,OOO

5,57O

5,570

5,750

6,290

5,960

6,010

5,75O

5,65O

5,310

6,220

6,120

180,160

5,812

357,300

Nov.

5,580 

5,800

6.OOO

6,100 

5,500

5,250 

*6,400

5,960

5,880

5,930

5,710

5,610 

5,310

3,210

5.000

5,OOO

6,000 

6,000

5,800

6,500

7,000

7.500

5,800

4,8OO

6,300

6.OOO

5,500

5,OOO

5,000

6,000

169,440

5,648

336,100

Dec.

6,OOO 

6.5OO

6,5OO

6,000 

6,2OO

6,300 

6,300

6,3OO

6,5OO

6,500

6.OOO

7,OOO 

7,000

6,500

4.8OO

5,000

5,000 

5,300

5,200

5,200

5,700

6,700

7,3OO

7.500

7,3OO

6,5OO

7,000

7,400

6,700

6,300

5,800

194,300

6,268

385,400

Jan.

5,OOO 

6,000

6,5OO

7,OOO 

7,300

7.700 

6.8OO

6,800

7,200

6,500

6,300

6,300 

6,3OO

6,200

4,700

4,500

4.5OO 

6,100

6,30O

6,500

6,5OO

6,700

7,000

7,3OO

6,800

5,80O

6,000

5,600

5,6OO

5,500

5,30O

192,400

6,206

381,600

Feb.

5,800 

5,800

6.OOO

6,300 

6,000

7.OOO 

7,000

6,8OO

6,700

6.5OO

6,500

6,500 

6,500

6,500

6,200

5,700

5.000 

5,800

6.OOO

6,300

6,5OO

6,500

7.0OO

7.2OO

6,400

6,200

6,200

6,200

6.2OO

------

183,300

6,321

363,600

Mar.

6,200 

6,200

6.2OO

6,400 

6,5OO

6,5OO 

6,500

6,300

*6,20O

6,200

5,200

4.500 

6,OOO

6.7OO

6,890

7.0OO

6,68O 

6,080

7.080

6,46O

6,51O

6,500

6.28O

6.54O

5,56O

6,52O

6,320

6,090

6,29O

6,160

5,640

194,200

6,265

385,200

Apr.

4.46O 

5,170

4,940

5,490 

5,190

5,02O 

4,530

4,640

4,710

5,260

5,100

5,740 

7,270

6,180

5,98O

*7,2OO

7,060 

6,460

6,700

6,770

7,460

9,060

9,75O

9,760

9.57O

9,920

9,920

9,640

9,88O

LO.OOO

208,830

6,961

414,200

May

9,880 

9,780

9,780

9,S20 

9,430

9,040 

9.O1O

9,080

9,150

9,500

9,850

10,20O 

10,300

1O.20O

9,360

9,680

9,570 

9,600

10,200

10,9OO

13,900

15,OOO

17,300

17,OOO

17,OOO

16,500

15,800

*15,200

15,2OO

19,500

21.2OO

377,930

12,190

749,600

June

23,200 

25,800

28,300

29,700 

25,800

24,OOO 

20,6OO

17,500

18,100

17,900

13,400

16,000 

17,400

13,400

10,2OO

8,660

8,660 

9,260

9,410

8,49O

9,300

9,4OO

*8 , 90O

8,53O

7,38O

6.540

7,44O

7,380

6,92O

6,990

424,360

14, ISO

841,700

July

6,36O 

6.28O

5,500

4,220 

6,150

6.60O 

6,000

5,710

6,45O

6,320

5,88O

5,990 

6,14O

5,350

4,160

6,060

5,370 

5,300

5,O9O

4,880

4,460

5.550

4,260

4,610

4,840

4,940

*4,52O

4,730

4,220

4,860

5,090

163,670

5,280

324,600

Auft.

5,070 

5,020

5,300

5,27O 

3.870

6.15O 

5,460

5,460

5,28O

5,500

5,O7O

4,88O 

5,66O

5,350

5,46O

5,120

5,290 

4,910

4,22O

5,300

5,010

5,180

5.06O

*5,020

4,29O

4,420

5,360

5,540

5,40O

5,500

5,15O

159,550

5,147

316,500

Sept.

4,96O 

4,68O

5.640

5,21O 

5,260

4,960 

5.710

4,980

4,460

5,220

4,870

5,140 

5,220

5,340

5.1OO

4,660

4,960 

5,020

5,100

5,130

5,O6O

4,960

4,74O

5,100

4,71O

5,260

4,780

5,22O

5,OOO

5.14O

149,590

4,986

296,700

Calendar year 1955: Max 12,90O Mln 2,350 Mean 5,894 Ac-ft 4,267,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 29,70O Mln 3,000 Mean 7,098 Ac-ft 5,152,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 15 to Mar. 14 (no gage-height record Nov. 2-4, 

6-2O, Dec. 6-13; discharge estimated on basis of powerplant records).
58 MARIAS RIVER BASIN

Two Medicine River near Browning, Mont.

Location. ~Lat 48°28'30", long 112°48'10", in rSW£ sec. 5, T. 31 N., R. 9 W., on right bank 

800 ft upstream from new bridge on U. S. Highway 89, 15 miles (revised) upstream from 

Badger Creek, and 11 miles southeast of Browning.

Drainage area. 316 sq mi.

Records available. April 1907 to October 1924, May 1951 to September 19.56. Published as 

''at Family" 1907-24.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,930 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

£b Nov. 1, 1924, chain gage at several sites within 3 miles of present site at various 

daturns.

Average discharge. 17 years (1907-8, 1909-11, 1914-23, 1951-56), 400 of a (289,600 acre-ft 

per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 5,020 cfs May 22 (gage height, 5.66 ft); minimum 

daily, 40 cfs Feb. 16.

1907-24, 1951-56; Maximum discharge observed, 7,600 cfs June 9, 1909 (gage height, 

8.15 ft, site and datum then in use), but flood in June 1908, which destroyed gage, was 

larger; minimum observed, 4.4 cfs Sept. 6-8, 1919.

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversion 

above station into Two Medicine Canal for irrigation of about 10,000 acres below station. 

Flow affected by storage in Lower Two Medicine Lake (see p. 238). Records of chemical 

analyses and water temperatures for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except for periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Nov. 8-12, May 11-24)

Oct. 1 to May 24 May 25 to Sept. 3O

1.2 

1.5 

2.0 

2.5

85

141

294

504

3.0 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0

850

1,800

3,170

5,000

0.9 

1.2 

1.5 

2.0 

2.5

57

135

240

450

750

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

5.0

1,140

1,690

2,570

4,500

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6 

7

8 

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 

ZZ

23

24

Z5

Z6

27

ze

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

99

101

99

99

99

*99 

95

93 

99

179

227

168

141

135

125

123

123

121

123

125

119 

115

117

113

113

117

113

111

113

117

111

3,732

120

7,400

Nov.

105

101

143

168

285

227 

234

238 

227

*231

159

101

90

90

90

90

90

90

95

100

110 

120

130

135

140

145

150

155

155

160

4,352

145

8,630

Dec.

145

130

110

115

120

125 

130

135 

140

150

155

150

140

125

110

100

Too

105

115

130

150 

*170

175

180

185

185

180

175

170

165

160

4,425

143

8,780

Jan.

160

160

165

170

175

180 

185

190 

T90

185

180

170

165

160

150

140

130

130

130

135

140 

140

140

140

130

120

110

100

90

90

90

4,540

146

9,000

Feb.

90

*90

95

100

100

105 

105

110 

TT6

110

110

105

95

80

60

40

45

50

55

55

60 

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

60

2,250

77.6

4,460

Mar.

60

60

60

55

55

50 

50

41 

45

50

50

50

55

*55

60

80

120

150

200

300

400 

450

400

370

345

321

256

227

231

231

227

5,108

165

10,130

Apr.

195

166

168

184

173

T56~

166 

189

286

294

306

384

521

748

1,040

986

914

*1,020

1,240

1.560 

1,090

834

674

544

527

466

430

405

384

15,998

533

31,730

May

376

568

549

349

341

560 

454

655 

1,540

1,450

1,590

1,250

1,060

1,160

1,420

2,010

2,710

2,900

2,890

5,490

4.540 

4,500

5,890

*5,620

*5,540

5,410

3,080

2,950

2,820

2,490 

*2,500

65,240

2,040

125,400

June

2,560

2.820

2,650

2,380

2,280

1,870 

,590

,380 

,320

,570

,460

,380

1,250

1,140

1,140

1,380

1,460

1,510

*1,270

1,250

1,200 

1,120

1,050

940

872

799

729

708

708

667

41,813

1,594

82,950

Jvly

634

615

1,160

1.560

1,200

1,060 

962

865 

799

756

694

667

628

597

567

528

50O

470

456

410

392 

369

344

*328

312

£84

260

236

219

208 

226

18,266

589

56,250

Aug.

216

212

250

205

184

174 

166

170 

165

177

174

166

163

152

146

142

142

149

146

142

*129 

117

114

108

108

126

191

152

129

129 

129

4,851

156

9,620

Sept.

123

TIT

117

117

117

117 

111

105 

102

97

92

89

87

84

77

72

72

70

68

68

66 

64

66

64

64

66

*66

75

72

84

2,589

86.5

5,140

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,310 Min 34 Mean 350 Ac-ft 253,400

Water year 1955-56: Max 4,340 Min 40 Mean 468 Ac-ft 339,400

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 13 to Mar. 24 (no gage-height record Dec. 

19, Mar. 21-24; discharge estimated on basis of weather records and records for Marias River nea 

Shelby).

3-
MARIAS RIVER BASIN 59 

Badger Creek near Browning, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°21'00", long 112°50'20", in NE£ sec. 24, T. 30 N., R. 10 W., on right 

bank just upstream from point of diversion to Four Horns Canal, 15 miles upstream from 

mouth and 17 miles southeast of Browning.

Drainage area. 133 sq mi.

Records available. May 1951 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and control consisting of concrete diversion dam anc1 two 

Ifaintor gates (regularly closed). Datum of gage is 4,179.26 ft above mean sea level 

(Bureau of Reclamation benchmark).

Average discharge. 5 years, 244 cfs (176,600 acre-ft per year).

Ext remes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,150 cfs May 22 (gage height, 5.29 ft); minimum daily, 70 cfs at times.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 4,220 cfs June 4, 1953 (gage height, 6.28 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 1,900 cfs; minimum daily, 40 cfs Jan. 23, 1952, Far. 24-26, 

1955.

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Water diverted into Pour Horns Canal at station for irrigation of 

about 6,000 acres below station. Figures of discharge given herein are sum of flow 

over diversion dam and that diverted by Four Horns Canal.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Obtal

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

116

116

115

115

118

*118

115

121

113

110

146

128

123

120

120

117

117

114

114

114

112 

112

112

109

109

109

109

109

109

109

107

3,576

115

0.865

1.00

7,090

Nov.

116

120

123

130

149

134

127

123

123

120

*110

80

70

70

70

70

70

75

80

90

95 

100

100

100

100

100

90

80

80

85

2,980

99.3

0.747

0.83

5,910

Dec.

90

90

90

90

90

95

100

100

105

110

115

120

120

110

100

90

80

80

80

100

120

125

130

135

140

140

140

135

130

130

130

3,410

110

0.827

0.95

6,760

Jan.

130

130

135

140

140

145

145

150

150

150

150

145

140

135

130

120

120

120

120

125

130 

130

130

130

125

110

100

90

75

70

70

3,880

125

0.940

1.08

7,700

Feb.

75

80

80

80

85

90

95

95

100

100

100

95

90

80

70

70

70

75

75

80

85 

95

100

100

95

95

90

90

90

2,525

87.1

0.655

0.71

5,010

Mar.

95

95

100

100

100

95

95

90

85

75

70

75

75

80

85

100

120

140

175

200

250 

300

250

225

200

175

150

125

120

120

120

4,085

132

0.992

1.14

8,100

Apr.

110

100

100

100

100

90

90

100

110

130

140

150

160

170

186

274

290

274

*304

334

377 

359

336

306

267

251

*227

214

206

198

6,053

202

1.52

1.69

12,010

May

195

188

179

176

169

168

189

247

369

415

463

432

385

372

406

598

963

1,180

1,220

1,380

1.750 

1,750

*1,450

1,350

1,280

1,340

1,280

1,270

1,260

1,200

1,140

24,764

799

6.01

6.92

49,120

June

1,320

1.610

1,240

1,140

1,050

745

612

597

703

782

780

634

571

550

606

706

655

571

*542

542

502

466

442

436

418

395

372

383

371

549

20,090

670

5.04

5.62

39,850

July

332

332

611

658

560

513

468

444

427

409

406

375

369

358

341

324

317

300

276

271

266 

262

258

*240

226

230

229

224

224

219

212

10,681

345

2.59

2.99

21,190

Aiv;.

215

227

232

220

209

200

204

204

200

204

204

190

190

184

178

171

170

169

164

163

*156 

152

152

152

156

172

183

165

159

162

159

5,666

183

1.38

1.58

11,240

Sept.

151

151

155

151

151

148

145

145

137

137

137

137

131

128

128

127

124

124

124

124

127 

124

124

121

121

*121

124

130

130

139

4,016

134

1.01

1.12

7,970

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,230 Mln 40 Mean 218 Cfsm 1.64 In. 22.25 Ac-ft 157,800

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,750 Mln 70 Mean 251 Cfsm 1.89 In. 25.63 Ac-ft 182,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 10 to about Mar. 25 (no gage-height record 

Nov. 18 to Dec. 21, Jan. 9-25, Feb. 2 to Apr. 14; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for Two Medicine River near Browning).
60 MARIAS RIVER BASIN

Cut Bank Creek at Cut Bank, Mont.

Location.--Lat 48°38'00", long 112°20'40", in NE£ sec. 11, T. 33 N , R. 6 W., on right 

bank at highway bridge half a mile west of Cut Bank and 12 miles upstream from confluence with Two Medicine River.

Drainage area. 971 sq mi.

Records available. August 1905 to September 1919 and May 1922 to October 1924 (no winter 

records), May 1951 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 3,550 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Oct. 31, 1924, staff or chain gages at several sites a quarter of a mile upstream 

in vicinity of Great Northern Railway bridge at various datums.

Average discharge.--5 years (1951-56), 245 cfs (177,400 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,720 cfs July 4 (gage height, 5.22 ft); maximum 

gage height, 6.05 ft Mar. 31 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 10 cfs 

Feb. 16-18.

1905-19, 1922-24, 1951-56: Maximum discharge observed, 8,810 cfs June 5, 1908 (gage 

height, 10.0 ft, site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 1,200 

cfs; minimum, 5 cfs Nov. 29, 30, 1905, Dec. 28, 1954.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Few minor 

diversions for irrigation of hay meadows above station. Natural flow of stream affected 

by water from Two Medicine Canal which irrigates land above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height. In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1-3O, Aug. 8 to Sept. 30)

1.9

2.0 

2.2 

2.5 165

3.O

4.0 

5.0

348

830

1,540

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

45

45

45

41

4T

*42

45

46

48

52

66

234

5TO

177

153

148

150

156

148

145

159

177

174 

162

150

145

148

148

150

145

136

3,731

120

7,400

Nov.

139

150

180

168

145

187

177

159

126

*111

72

40

40

45

50

55

60

60

65

65

65

60

60 

60

65

65

60

60

60

55

2,704

90.1

5,360

Dec.

55

55

55

55

55

55

60

60

60

60

65

65

60

55

45

*35

30

25

25

25

25

30

35 

40

45

45

45

45

40

40

45

1,435

46.3

2,850

Jan.

50

50

50

50

50

55

55

55

55

55

55

50

45

40

35

30

30

30

30

35

35

35

40 

40

40

40

35

35

30

30

25

1,290

41.6

2,560

Feb.

*25

20

2O

25

25

30

30

3~5~ 35

30

30

25

20

15

15

10

10

10

15

15

20

25

30 

30

35

35

30

30

30

705

24.3

1,400

Mar.

35

35

40

40

40

35

35

35

35

30

30

30

*35

35

40

80

100

120

150

200

250

300

350 

400

500

480

460

400

300

240

200

5,060

163

10,040

Apr.

20O

240

300

352

271

283

234

184

184

199

234

227

223

252

294

352

408

404

*382

399

458

512

46T 

412

373

327

310

283

263

256

9,278

309

18,400

Way

245

2sT

252

260

294

314

331

352

512

740

722

628

525

458

440

502

660

940

1,080

1,260

1,300

1,440

*l'290

1,150

1,090

1,090

1,050

1,010

988

921

23,556

760

46 , 720

June

876

960

1.070

1,020

914

954

800

624

538

548

638

705

633

556

592

812

967

876

740

*660

656

628

548 

498

471

458

422

390 355-

408

20,352

678

40,370

July

399

394

57O

1^470

1,290

1,000

782

610

498

444

417

458

430

394

365

327

302

275

263

230

216

203

196 

193

*187

180

174

168

156

148

156

12,875

415

25,540

Aug.

134

197

220

187

159

142

136

145

139

268

187

199

153

128

126

139

134

124

114

103

92

*84

78 

78

80

76

157

139

114

105

103

4,210

136

8,350

Sept.

98

95

92

94

94

92

SB

82

74

74

72

68

66

66

63

59

56

56

54

54

56

56

57 

57

57

59

*63

70

76

78

2,119

70.6

4,200

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,370 Mln 1O Mean 209 Ac-ft 151,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,470 Mln 10 Mean 239 Ac-ft 173,200

Peak discharge (base, 660 cfs). Mi

1,500 cfs (4.94 ft); June 3 (6 p.m.)

ly 10 (11 to 12 p.m.) 812 cfs (3.97 ft); May 23 (11 a.m.) 

1,470 cfs (4.91 ft); June 12 (3:30 p.m.) 728 cfs (3.83 ft);

June 17 (11 a.m. to 12 m.) 1,030 cfs (4.30 ft); July 4 (4!30 p.m.) 1,720 cfs (5.22 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 12 to Apr. 3.
MARIAS RIVER BASIN 61

Marias River near Shelby, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°26' , long 111°53', in SE£ sec. 20, T. 31 N., R. 2 W., on left bank 

200 ft downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 91, 7 miles south of Shelby, end 

24 miles downstream from Cut Bank Creek.

Drainage area. 2,610 sq mi, approximately.

Records available . April 1902 to January 1908, April 1911 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,087.72 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Dec. 23, 1947, chain or wire-weight gage or water-stage recorder at 

several sites within 1,000 ft of present site at approximately the same datum.

Average discharge. 25 years (1902-4, 1931-32, 1934-56), 952 cfs 

year). 3,200 acre-ft per

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 8,660 cfs May 22 (gage height, 7.88 ft); minimum, 78 cfs Nov. 12.

1902-8, 1911-56: Maximum discharge, 40,000 cfs June 18, 1948 (gage height, 17.75 

ft, from floodmark); minimum observed, 10 cfs Aug. 20, 1919. 

Flood in June 1908 may have exceeded that of June 18, 1948.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Inversions 

Tor irrigation of about 50,000 acres above station and about 15,000 acres below station. 

Low flow regulated by Lake Frances (see p. 238) and three other reservoirs hrving 

a combined capacity of 176,000 acre-ft.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 26 to Apr. 26, May 16 to 

June 17, Sept. 23-30)

1.7 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

4.0

154

250

525

875

1,820

5.0 

6.0 

7.0

8.0

3,000

4,500

6,170

8,420

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 195f

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

306

322

316

311

*295

300

306

311

506

306

377

549

606" 704

551

489

460

454

460

443

416

421

426

421

394

372

366

366

372

344

306

12,356

399

24,510

Nov.

183

170

251

567

471

460

507

573

*531

519

350

145

140

130

150

140

160

180

180

190

200

200

210

210

220

250

230

220

210

220

8,107

270

16,080

Dec.

230

240

240

230

220

250

230

240

250

260

270

280

290

280

270

*260

240

220

210

220

230

240

260

260

E80

300

310

sSo

280

270

260

7,900

255

15,670

Jan.

260

270

280

300

520

330

340

510

520

510

300

290

290

280

280

270

260

260

270

280

280

270

280

280

270

260

*250

220

180

140

120

8,400

271

16,660

Feb.

T5o" 120

160

180

200

210

220

230

240

250

260

260

240

220

200

180

160

140

140

130

130

130

140

140

140

150

150

150

160

- ---. .

5,170

178

10,250

Mar.

180

190

200

210

210

210

200

190

170

160

180

200

*220

280

400

500

600

700

800

880

960

980

1,100

1,500

1.500

1,380

1,430

1,010

1,060

1,140

1,140

19,680

635

39,030

Apr.

1,020

915

835

835

760

634

551

501

501

525

627

697

704

774

980

1,280

1,700

*1,720

1,650

1,780

2,130

2,280

2,030

1,720

1,550

1,350

1,290

1,180

1,140

1,120

34,739

1,158

68,900

May

1,110

1,110

1,100

1.090

1,160

1,160

1,180

1,350

2,030

3,190

3,440

3,350

2,820

2,480

2,620

3,000

4,150

5,420

6,170

6,560

7,510

8.520

8,130

7,220

6,710

*6,460

6,130

5,850

5,690

*5,420

5,160

127,070

4,099

252,000

June

4,920

5,330

5.760

5,280

5,000

4,640

4,040

3,570

3,010

2,990

3,190

5,310

3,080

2,740

2,690

5,500

5,890

5,540

3,140

*3,000

2,910

2,820

2,540

2,320

2,170

2,040

1,880

1,720

1,660

1.650

98,110

3,270

194,600

July

1,600

1,550

1,920

3,880

4.150

3,280

2,910

2,580

2,260

2,060

1,950

2,070

1,810

1,810

1,700

1,560

1,440

1,330

1,250

1,140

1,030

964

907

867

*803

755

752

718

685

655

S±2-

50,949

1,644

101 , 100

Aug.

615

704

1^200

885

753

655

627

662

676

851

859

803

753

676

627

585

549

561

585

575

543

*519

501

477 vn

519

732

803

697

620

599

20,682

667

41,020

Sept.

579

54T

525

545

555

549

551

507

489

465

460

448

448

448

421

404

594

382

377

372

377

372

388

382

582

372

*344

560

394

404

13,215

440

26,210

Calendar year 1955: Max 6,640 Min 150 Mean 995 Ac-ft 718,700

Water year 1955-56: Max 8,320 Min 150 Mean 1,110 Ac-ft 806,000

Peak discharge (base, 2,900 efs). May 10 (7 to 8 p.m.) 5,770 cfs (5.48 ft); May 22 (10 to 11 p.m.) 

8,660 cfs (7.88 ft); June 17 (2 to 5 p.m.) 4,050 cfs (5.62 ft); July 4 (7:50 p.m.) 4,760 cfs (6.10 

ft); July 12 (1 a.m.) 2,960 cfs (4.92 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 13 to Mar. 25 (weekly wire-weight-gage readings only Jan. 8 to Feb. 29j discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, weather records, and records for nearby stations).
62 MARIAS RIVER BASIN 

Tiber Reservoir near Chester, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°19', long 111°06', in NWij sec. 33, T. 30 N. , R. 5 E. , in control house 

of river outlet tunnel at Tiber Dam, 15 miles southwest of Chester.

Drainage area. 4,375 sq mi (determined by Bureau of Reclamation). 

Records available.--October 1955 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and staff gages. Datum of gage is at mean sea level (levels 

by Bureau of Reclamation).

Extremes.--Maximum daily contents during year, 637,100 acre-ft Sept. 12 (elevation, 

2,974.13 ft); storage began Oct. 28, 1955.

Remarks. Reservoir formed by rolled earth-fill dam with concrete spillway chute; construcETon began September 1952, completed March 1956. Storage began Oct. 23, 1955. Capacity, 

1,313,000 acre-ft at controlled spillway elevation (3,012.5 ft) exclusive of dead 

storage below elevation 2,870 ft (24,000 acre-ft). Minimum operating level to enable 

canal to deliver a full head of water, 2,967 ft (contents, 551,000 acre-ft, exclusive of 

dead storage). Figures given herein represent usable contents above elevation 2,870 ft. 

Water is used for irrigation and flood control.

Cooperation. Month-end elevations and capacity table furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Monthly elevations and contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Sept. 30.. ..................

Mar. 31....................

Sept. 30.. ..................

Water year 1955-56 .......

Elevation 

(feet)t

*2,973.25

.

Contents 

(acre -feet)

0

626,100

_

Change In contents 

(acre-feet)

_

0

+12,640

+31,090

+167,100

+82,700

+31,200

-6,800

+626,100

First day of following month. 

Gage read at 8:30 a.m.
MAKIAS RIVER BASIN 63

Marias River near Chester, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°18', long 111°05' , in SWpSW^ sec. 34, T. 30 N., R. 5 E., on left bank 

1 mile downstream from Tiber Dam, 4 miles upstream from Pondera Coulee, and IS miles 

southwest of Chester.

Drainage area. 4.375 sq mi (determined by Bureau of Reclamation).

Records available. April to September 1921, October 1945 to September 1946, October 1955 

to September 1956.

Page. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,814.03 ft above mean sea level (Bureau 

of Reclamation benchmark). Prior to Oct. I, 1921, wire-weight gage at bridge 2? miles 

downstream at different datum. Oct. 4, 1945, to Sept. 30, 1946, wire-weight gage at 

site 3 miles downstream at different datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,080 cfs Oct. 27 (gage height, 5.36 ft); minimum not determined.

1921, 1945-46, 1955-56: Maximum discharge observed, 5,070 cfs May 27, 1921 (gage 

height, 6.19 ft, site and datum then in use); minimum not determined. 

Flood in June 1948 reached a stage of 16 ft, present datum.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

whTch are poor. Flow completely regulated by Tiber Reservoir (see preceding page). 

Some regulation by Lake Francis (see p. 238) and three other reservoirs having a combined capacity of 177,870 acre-ft.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.1

5.0 

9.0

2.2 

2.4 

2.6 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

57

103

160

320

590

915

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

^I

\ 380

1

J

'

. 340

1

> 380

J

540

500

480

470

*476

470

450

430

440

435

260

334

1

T2" .2

.2

ID, 786. 6

348

21,390

Nov.

' 0.2

(»»)

4

.6

12.0

0.40

24

Dec.

0.8

) 

»»1

1

5

18

30

55

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

487.0

15.7

966

Jan.

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

»35

35

35

35

35

35

1,085

35.0

2,150

Feb.

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

1,015

35.0

2,010

Mar.

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

*35

35

40

45

45

50

50

55

65

70

65

61

61

57

55

53

55

51

49

46

46

48

48

AQ

1,478

47.7

2,930

Apr.

IB" 48

46

44

41

46

48

48

48

48

48

48

46

46

46

46

44

*44

44

44

44

46

46

44

46

46

46

48

48

48

1,384

46.1

2,750

May

48

TS

48

49

49

49

49

51

51

51

51

49

49

49

51

51

51

51

49

48

48

49

51

53

53

55

55

55

55

»55

59.

1,580

51.0

3,130

June

57

5T

59

59

72.

72

59

64

66

57

55

55

55

57

57

59

59

59

59

57

59

»57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

1,766

58.9

3,500

July

59

59

61

31

12

31

122

Ta

59

55

39

12.

12

11

10

10

23

53

77

79

79

79

79

79

81

»81

86

84

84

84

84

1,781

57.5

3,530

Aug.

81

81

81

81

81

81

84

84

84

81

81

81

81

62

42.

59

59

64

66

64

68

79

*81

81

81

81

79

61

84

TTc" 268 

J.J.D

2,557

82.5

5,070

Sept.

145

142

148

145

145

145

145

145

145

145

145

145

198

395

668

768

894

866

756

638

506

410

380

380

380

380

450

*596

674

674

11,753

392

23,310

Calendar year 1955: Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 894 Mln - Mean 97.5 Ac-ft 70,760

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Oct. 1-18, Oct. 28 to Dec. 14, Jan. 17-25; discharge estimated on 

basis of weather records and records for station near Brinkman. Stage-discharge relation affected 

by Ice Dec. 15 to Mar. 18.
64 MARIAS RIVER BASIN

Marias River near Brinkman, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°16 I , long 110°42', in SEpSE^ sec. 17, T. 29 N., R. 8 E., on left bank 

4 miles southwest of Brinkman Post Office, 14 miles (revised) downstream from Cottonwood Creek, and 30 miles north of Port Benton.

Drainage area. 6,400 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. October 1921 to September 1956 (discontinued).

Gage (revised).--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2.677.S5 ft above mean sea 

level, adjustment of 1912. Prior to Oct. 6, 1931, cantilever gage at site 2,800 ft 

downstream at datum 0.64 ft higher. Oct. 6, 1931, to July 1, 1939, water-stage recorder at site 1,600 ft downstream at present datum.

Average discharge. 24 years (1928-29, 1931-32, 1934-56), 885 cfs (640,700 acre-ft per 

year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 874 cfs Sept. 18 (gage height, 5.28 ft); maximum gage height, 6.12 ft Feb. 29 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 1 cfs 

Dec. 17, 18.

1921-56: Maximum discharge, 50,700 cfs June 19, 1948 (gage height, 21.0 ft, from 

floodmark); minimum daily, that of Dec. 17, 18, 1955.

Maximum discharge known, about 70,000 cfs (gage height, about 24.0 ft, present 

datum), occurred during flood in 1908.

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 65,000 acres above station. Plow regulated TO? Tiber Reservoir 

(see p. 62). Some regulation by Lake Prances (see p. 238) and three other reservoirs 

having a combined capacity of 177,870 acre-ft.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 956: 1929.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 31 to Nov. 9)

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5 

3.7

6.0

13

80

4.0 

4.5

5.0 

5.5

165

365

660

1,120

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

400

380

370

360

*356

352

347

342

347

356

356

352

356

420

562

569

520

490

460

460

466

466

445

435

430

425

386

276

80

46 

34

11,644

376

23,100

Nov.

31

27

23

20

17

16

13

*11

14

12

8

5

3

3

4

5

6

7

8

8

6

6

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

289

9.63

573

Dec.

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

4

*2

2

2

1

T

2

4

10

20

30

38

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

456

14.7

904

Jan.

40" 40

40

40

40

40

40

38

36

34

32

30

30

30

30

31

33

34

35

37

38

36

34

30

27

*25

22

20

16

15

15

988

31.9

1,960

Feb.

15

15

20

24

28

32

40

44

46

48

48

48

46

44

42

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

44

47

50

52

1,136

39.2

2,250

Mar.

56

60

60

57

56

54

52

*50

46

42

40

W

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

80

90

110

150

240

340

380

3~SO" 400

356

324

307

4,155

134

8,240

Apr.

266 g-g?

ZOO

190

152

165

162

122

90

75

66

59

57

57

53

51

*49

48

46

44

46

48

46

40

42

42

SB- 35

35

40

2,584

86.1

5,130

May

46

51

51

51

57

55

49

59

80

TC

53

48

46

46

44

48

51

48

44

40

37

35

36" 34

48

48

46

46

44

*42 

42

1,493

48.2

2,960

June

38

40

48

40

35

34

53

55

53

62

57

51

49

49

64

100

85

71

64

53

115

*127 -55

92

80

62

62

68

66

59

1,933

64.4

3,830

July

57

57

64

71

71

40

20

69

75

F5

62

f4

42

£1

16

12

9.5

7.4

34~6.0

59

62

64

66

68

*68

71

73

73

73 

75

1,602.9

51.7

3,180

Aug.

71

73

71

68

68

73

73

90

108

122

105

95

90

88

85

59

SB" 51

66

68

64

57

*66

78

80

82

90

88

75

75 

270

2,617

84.4

5,190

Sept.

139

TS2

162

165

165

165

165

162

162

162

162

162

165

230

472

653

756

856

7BT

660

576

450

392

378

378

374

374

*450

590

670

11,113

370

22,040

Calendar year 1955: Max 4,440 Mln 1 Mean 965 Ac-ft 698,900

Water year 1955-56: Max 856 Mln 1 Mean 109 Ae-ft 79,360

* Discharge measurement wade on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 10 to Mar. 28.
MARIAS RIVER BASIN 65

Teton River near Dutton, Mont.

Location. Lat 47°55 I 55", long 111 033'05", in SE£SVf£ sec. 12, T. 25 N., R. 1 E., on left 

bank 300 ft downstream from Kerr bridge, 1 mile downstream from Hunt Coulee, and 

10 miles northeast of Dutton.

Records available. August 1954 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,235 ft (from topographic map).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 875 cfs Aug. 4 (gage height, 5.12 ft); maximum 

gage height, 5.74 ft Mar. 21 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 25 cfs 

Nov. 13.

1954-56: Maximum discharge, 1,040 cfs July 17, 1955 (gage height, 5.41 ft); maximum 

gage height, that of Mar. 21, 1956; minimum daily discharge, 25 cfs Mar. 25, Nov. 13, 

1955.

Remarks. Records good except those for* periods of ice effect, which are poor. Water is 

diverted on left bank in sec. 34. T. 25 N., R. 7 W., for storage in Bynum Reservoir 

(usable capacity, 75,000 acre-ft). Diversions for irrigation of about 35,000 acres. 

Records of water temperatures, chemical analyses, and suspended sediment loads for 

the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Sept. 12-30)

2.3

2.4 

2.6 

3.0

62

72

92

148

3.5 

4.0 

4.5 

5.0

250

412

830

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1916

Day

1

2

3

4

b

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

85

82

79

76

73

71

*71

68

67

68

68

65

55

75

78

77

82

83

82

73

74

80

81

80

78

77

83

87

92

99

55

2,421

78.1

4,800

Nov.

75

*80

124

134

10T

84

79

85

84

83

*55

40

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

55

55

55

50

45

45

45

45

50

50

50

1,850

61.7

3,670

Dec.

50

50

50

50

50

55

55

55

60

60

65

S5

60

55

45

40

35

30" 30

40

50

*55

60

60

60

60

60

60

55

55

55

1,630

52.6

3,230

Jan.

60

60

65

*70

70

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

70

65

60

60

60

65

65

65

65

65

60

55

45

35

30

35

35

40

1,895

61.1

3,760

Feb.

45

*50

*55

55

55

60

60

60

60

60

55

55

50

40

35

30" 30

30

35

40

50

60

65

S5

65

60

60

60

60

_

1,505

51.9

2,990

Mar.

80

85

S5

85

85

80

*80

75

75

75

75

*75

75

75

75

80

85

90

105

125

140

165

185

210

240

280

300 TOO"

290

280

270

4,325

140

8,580

Apr.

245

213

192

185

179

176

165

151

143

142

140

135

129

128

124

123

120

*118

118

*117

116

117

129

142

146

153

148

145

145

145

4,429

148

8,780

May

TSS" 146

169

185

229

270

335

380

467

668

677

53T

444

398

342

284

256

264

296

332

356

434

*498

*506

478

452

441

423

390

366

*335

11,518

372

22,850

June

332

369

482

514

*44T

412

362

302

264

240

229

232

215

200

206

332

423

502

*416

362

339

366

*342

290

267

242

224

206

178

158

9,450

315

18,740

July

145

148

179

383

558

452

352

290

242

222

202

200

209

183

176

179

176

*178

176

165

150

140

130

*124

122

113

106 106"

107

107

110

6,130

198

12,160

Aug.

116

134

440

502 2~75

213

189

179

192

178

187

196

187

174

170

155

148

145

142

143

*138

118

114

107

99_

102

137

155

153

145

123

5,456

176

10,820

Sept.

120 HE

107

103

107

109

107

102

96

94

94

94

95

93

98

87

81

77

75

72

71

69

67

66

68

*67

65

15

69

74

2,608

86.9

5,170

Calendar year 1955: Max 890 Min 25 Mean 147 Ac-ft 106, 6OO

Water year 1955-56: Max 677 Min 35 Mean 145 Ac-ft 105,600

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1, 2, Nov. 11 to Mar. 30.
66 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Missouri River at Virgelle, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°00'14", long 110°15'19", in SW^SE^ sec. 13, T. 26 N., R. 11 E., on 

left bank a quarter of a mile upstream from Virgelle ferry, half a mile southwest 

of Virgelle, and 3 miles downstream from Spring Coulee.

Drainage area.--34.300 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. February 1935 to September 1956. Published as "at Lcma" February 

1935 to September 1953.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,507.50 ft above mean aee level, datum 

of 1929. Prior to Sept. 30, 1953, water-stage recorder at Loma (18 miles upstream) 

at datum 2,543.40 ft above mean sea level.

Average dlscharge.--21 years 7,780 cfs (5,632,000 acre-ft).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 31,600 cfs June 4 (gage height, 9.87 ft); minimum daily, 3,000 cfs Nov. 16.

1935-56: Maximum discharge, 122,000 cfs June 5, 1953 (gage height, 23.4 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve for former site at Loma extended above 66,000 cfs, 

adjusted to present site; minimum daily, 638 cfs July 5, 1936.

Flood in June 1908 reached a stage of about 2 ft higher than that of June 5, 1953, 

from information by local residents.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 830,000 acres above station. Flow regulated by 23 smaller 

irrigation reservoirs and powerplants (see p. 238), Canyon Ferry Reservoir (see p. 44), 

and Tiber Reservoir (see p. 62).

Rating table, water year- 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

2.7 

3.0 

4.0

3,830

4,460

6,950

6.0

8.O

10.0

13,600 

22,000 

32.0OO

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16 

17

18 

19

2O

21

22

23

24

25

26 

27

28

29

30

31

Tota:

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

5,6OO

5,640

5,840

*6,000

5,850

5,580

5,620 

6,210

6,210

5,680

6,O2O

6,120

6,010

6,04O

6,26O

6,220 

5,780

6,750 

6,430

6,410

6,340

6,120

6,O60 

5,980

6,380

5,9OO 

6,240

5,760

6,55o

5,020

5,710

186,310

6,O1O

369,500

Nov.

5,880

5,360

5,620

5,720

6,000

5,560

5,520 

*6,050

5.8OO

5,800

6,OOO

5,960

6, ISO

4,520

3,500

5,OOO 

5,000

6,000

6,200

6,OOO

6,800

7,200

TjSOO 

6 , 5OO

5,300

6,500 

6,300

5,9OO

5,2OO

5,30O

- ---- -

172,470

5,749

342,100

Dec.

6,200

6,200

6,900

6,900

6,200

6.4OO

6,4OO 

6,4OO

6.4OO

6,700

6,900

6,5OO

7,400

7,40O

6,900

5,500 

5,300

5,300 

5,600

5,400

5,4OO

6,200

6,900 

7.6OO

7.8OO

7,60O 

6,900

7,40O

7,700

7,2OO

6,700

2O4,1OO

6,584

4O4.8OO

Jan.

6,200

5,600

6.4OO

6,900

7,400

7,70O

8,000 

7,200

7,200

7,600

6,9OO

6,700

6,6OO

6,600

6,600

5,300 

4,9OO

4,800 

6,4OO

6,600

6,800

6,8OO

6,900 

*7,2OO

7.6OO

7,20O 

6,300

6,600

5,9OO

5,800

5,7OO

2O4,4OO

6,594

405,400

Feb.

5,600

6,10O

6,100

6,200

6,600

6,400

7,40O 

7,2OO

7,10O

6,900

6,800

6,800

6,800

6.9OO

6,90O

6,500 

6,OOO

5,40O 

6,100

6.4OO

6,6OO

6,9OO

6.9OO 

7,3OO

7.700

6.90O 

6,600

6,60O

6,600

------

192,300|

6,631

381,400

Mar.

6,60O

6,6OO

6,600

6,700

6,900

6,900

6,900 

6,900

6,600

6,6OO

6,600

5,700

4,900

6.4OO

7,100

7,200 

7,40O

7,100 

6.70O

7.4OO

6,900

6,900

7,OOO 

6,400

6,700

6,02O 

7,010

6,850

6,610

6,87O

6,610

2O7,67O

6,699

411,900

Apr.

6,290

4.22O

6.OOO

5,6OO

5,780

5,620

5,430 

5,370

3,970

5,890

5,580

5,520

6,600

7,01O

6,120

6,220 

*7,28O

6,850 

6,960

6,860

7,220

8,490

9,620 

10,OOO

$,730

9,930 

10, 000

9,790

9,930

10,OOO

213,880

7,129

424,200

May

10,1OO

10,000

10,100

9,73O

10,100

9,250

9, ISO 

9,220

9,450

9,76O

1O,3OO

11,000

11,OOO

10,900

10,100

1O.OOO 

1O.10O

9,960 

10,400

11,100

13,400

15,000

16,800 

17,70O

17,500

17,400 

16,90O

16,30O

*15,900

18,5OO

21,600

388,750

12.54O

771,100

June

22,800

25,6OO

28,400

5O.500

28,500

25,400

22,9OO 

19,000

18,100

19,300

15,20O

14,900

17,700

15.6OO

11,600

9,38O 

8,750

9,180 

9.9OO

8,94O

*9,640

9,69O

9,320 

8,980

7,820

6.98O 

7,120

7,7OO

7,360

7,100

443,360

14,780

879,400

July

7,16O

! 5,940

5,980

5,900

4,380

6,890

6.79O 

6,870

5,430

5,780

6,280

6,320

5,870

6,370

5,270

4,510 

6,280

5,690 

5,580

4,920

5,210

4,000

3,980 

57356-

5,060

*5,250 

5,120

4,750

4,920

4,360

5,480

171,340

5,527

339,800

Aug.

5,130

15,440

5,540

5,26O

6,070

5,360

6,460 

5,370

6,280

5,810

5,70O

5,110

5,600

6,060

5.70O

5,660 

5.58O

5,380 

5.O9O

4,800

5.48O

5,340

5,170 

*5,350

5,350

4.510 

5,270

5,930

5.75O

5,63O

5,28O

17O.320

5,494

337, 8OO

Sept.

5,830

5,480

4.560

4,700

5,500

5,550

5,430 

5.58O

5,O3O

5,320

4,930

5,410

5,450

5.41O

5,450

5,510 

5,050

6.14O

B7750

5,840

5,700

5,560

5,440 

4,980

5,130

5,72O 

5, ISO

5.1OO

5,520

5,56O

161,780

5,393

320, 9OO

Calendar year 1955; Max 17,500 Min 3,OOO Mean 7,089 Ac-ft 5,133,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 3O,5OO Win 3,OOO Mean 7,423 Ac-ft 5,388,OOO

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note_.-_Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 15 to Mar. 25 (no gage-height record Dec. 19 

to Jan. 23; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, weather records, and records 

for nearby stations).
JUDITH RIVER BASIN 67

Judith River near Utica, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°54', long 110°14', in NW£ sec. 17, T. 13 N., R. 12 E. , on left bank at 

Noel Ranch, 3| miles downstream from confluence of South and Middle Forks and 10 miles 

upstream from Utica.

Drainage area. 331 sq mi.

Records available. October 1919 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage is 4,790 ft (by barometer). Prior to June 6, 1937, wire-weight gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge.--34 years (1919-23, 1924-32, 1934-56), 53.1 cfs (38,440 acre-ft per 

year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 363 efs May 28 (gage height, 3.57 ft); minimum 

daily, 0.5 cfs Mar. 12-14.

1919-56: Maximum discharge, 1,100 cfs May 25, 1942 (gage height, 5.56 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 500 cfs; no flow Mar. 19-21, 1933.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Few minor diversions fop irrigation of hay meadows above station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 896: 1939.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of lee effect 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0

1.0

4.0

9.0

17

2.2 

2.5

3.0 

3.6

209

371

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

8.4

8.4

8.4

8.4

8.4

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.6 976"

9.6

9.6

9.6

9.6

9.6

9.0

9.0 9.01

8.7

8.3

7.9

7.5

7.1

*6 . 7

266.4

8.59

528

Nov.

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.8

77S

7.3

7.3

7.3

6.7

6.0

5.8

5.7

5.7

5.8

6.0

6.1

6.2

6.2

5.7

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.2

4.9

479

4.9

*4.9

187.1

6.24

371

Dec.

4.9

474

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.3

3.3

3.3

2.9

279

2.9

*2.9

2.9

115.7

3.73

229

Jan.

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

3.3 373-

3.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.0

2.0

*2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.7

2.0

*2.0

2.0

70.4

2.27

140

Feb.

1.6

)"

)'"

1.4

(*)

40.6

1.40

81

Mar.

1.0

.8

.8

.8

.8

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

7£

.5

.6

.6

.6

.6

.8

1.0

1.5

1.2

1.7

1.7

2.0

2.0

1.7

1.5

*1.2

1.5

1.5

31.0

1.00

61

Apr.

1.5

TTs

1.2

TT?

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

*1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

44.4

1.48

88

May

1.5

T75

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

2.0

27

52

48

50

54

79

134

189

225

245

284

295

295

312

309

301

321

351

31*9"

*307

279

4,501.5

145

8,930

June

258

25T

245

230

217

199

184

164

150

136

124

118

111

*102

102

120

102

90

82

77

82

75

66

63

*58

53

50

46

41

40

3,636

121

7,210

July

38

41

46

3S

34

33

32

29

27

25

26

28

27

25

21

18

16

16

15

14

14

12

13

12

12

11

11

11

11

11

*10

677

21.8

1,340

Aug.

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.6

9.6

9.6

9.0

13

10

9.6

9.6

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

8.4

8.4

7.8

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.3

7.8

7.3

*7.3

7.3

7.3

E69.8

8.70

535

Sept.

6.7

677

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.2

6.2

6.2

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.2

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

*4.4

4.0

470

166.3

5.54

330

Calendar year 1955: Max 397 Min 0.8 Mean 42.5 Ac-ft 30,790

Water year 1955-56: Max 351 Min 0.5 Mean 27.3 Ac-ft 19,840

Peak discharge (base. 120 cfs). May 28 (4 p.m.) 363 cfs (3.57 ft); June 16 (ll a.m. to 1 p.m.) 

131 cfs (Z.6& ft) .

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Oct. 26-30, Nov. 13-19; discharge interpolated. Stage-discharge 

relation affected by ice Jan. 25 to Feb. 29, Mar. 11-13.
68 JUDITH RIVER BASIN 

Ross Pork near Hobson, Mont.

Location. Lat 46 059', long 109°48', in NW£ sec. 11, T. 14 N., R. 15 E., on left bank 

1 mile downstream from Hauck Coulee, 3j miles east of Hobson, and 7 miles upstream 

from mouth.

Drainage area. 330 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. June 1946 to December 1953, March 1955 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder.

Average discharge. 8 years, 15.9 cfs (11,510 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 389 cfs Mar. 21 (gage height, 5.27 ft), but 

may have been higher on Mar. 20; maximum gage height, 6.38 ft Mar. 20 (backwater from 

ice); no flow Oct. 1-12, July 26, 27, Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.

1946-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge, 1,160 cfs Mar. 22, 1947 (gage height, 

7.80 ft), from rating curve extended above 360 cfs by logarithmic plotting; no flow at 

times.

Remarks. Records poor. Small diversions for irrigation of hay meadows above station. 

Flow may be augmented by operation of Ackley Lake (see p. 238 ), which receives water 

from Judith River.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

0

5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.5

.6

.6

.6

.8

.8

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.5

2

2

2

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

22.9

0.74

45

Nov.

 1.5

1.5

2.5

2

1.5

1

T

1.5

2

1.5

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

3

5.5

3

2.5

2.5

3

2.5

2

2

2.5

3

3

57.5

1.92

114

Dec.

*3

3

2.5

2

2.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

4.5

5

6

5

4

3.5

4.5

4

2.5

3.5

5

6

88"

5

4

6

5

4.5

4

*4

5

134.0

4.32

266

Jan.

6

6

6.5

7.5

STS

6

6

6

6

6.5

6.5

6

6

5

4

3

T

4

4

3

3.5

4

5

4.5

3.5

3

4

4.5

4

*3.5

3

151.0

4.87

300

Feb.

2.5

3.5

4.5

5

5.5

5

4.5

3.5

4.5

4.5

5

6

5

4

3

23~

3.5

4

5

6

7

7.5

STS

6

6

6.5

*6.5

6.5

------

142.0

4.90

282

Mar.

7

7

7.5

7.5

6.5

6.5

7

7.5

6.5

5.5

4B-.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

8

12

20

60

200

336

5T3

164

182

186

164

93

48

41

*36

34

1,891.5

61.0

3,750

Apr.

35

37

31

30

30

28

27

28

26

26

26

25

24

23

21

21

20

19

18

TF

18

18

19

20

21

24

24

23

22

23

721

24.0

1,430

May

24

29

31

3T

31

30

28

*25

*23

23

23

22

20

19

18

17

T7

17

17

18

18

18

18

19

19

18

24

27

24

*24

22

694

22.4

1,380

June

18

17

17

15

14

15

15

15

14

14

13

12

12

11

15

51

Ta- 124

il

7.9

7.4

6.6

6.4

STF

*6.6

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.6

6.8

496.5

16.6

98.5

July

7.0

7.2

8.2

87^

7.7

7.2

7.2

6.8

6.5

5.4

4.8

5.6

6.4

5.3

5.2

5.6

4.7

3.2

2.8

2.4

2.0

1.7

1.2

.6

.2

0

0

.4

.6

.6

 ' 

124.7

4.02

247

Aug.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft

Water year 1955-56: Max 336 Mln 0 Mean 12.1 Ac-ft 8,800

Peak discharge (base. 150 cfs). Mar. 21 (ll p.m.) 389 ofs (5.27 ft)j June 17 (3 a.m.) 293 cfE 

(5.19 i.19 ft). ft) -

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Oct. 22 to Mar. 20.
JUDITH RIVER BASIN 69

Big Spring Creek near Lewistown, Mont.

Location. Lat 47 0 01', long 109°21' , in NW£ sec. S, T. 14 N., R. 19 E., on upstream side 

of left wing wall of old highway bridge, half a mile downstream from Big Springs and 

5 miles southeast of Lewistown.

Records available . June 1932 to September 19S6.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,130 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Apr. 27, 1955, staff gage on downstream left wing wall read 2 or 3 times weekly.

Average discharge. 24 years, 107 cfs (77,460 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . Maximum discharge recorded during year, 117 cfs Oct. 4; maximum gage height 

recorded, 0.76 ct June IS; minimum daily discharge, 102 cfs May 17 to June 1.

1932-56: Maximum discharge, 250 cfs May 30, 1953 (gage height, 1.95 ft, from highwater mark), from rating curve extended above 120 cfs; minimum observed, 76 cfs Feb. 1- 

8, 1938.

Remarks . Records poor. 

supply.

City of Lewistown diverts water above station for municipal

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

116

Tie

116

115

114

114

114

114

113

112

112

112

112

111

110

110

110

109

109

108

108

108

108

107

106

106

106

106

105

104 

*104

3,415

110

6,770

Nov.

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

105

105

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

103

103

103

103

104

104

104

3,118

104

6,180

Dec.

*104

al04

gl04

g!04

a 104

a!05

g!05

a 105

a!04

a!04

g!04

a 104

a 104

a 104

a 104

a 104

a 104

a 104

a 104

al04

g!04

a 104

a 104

g!04

a 104

a 104

g!04

a!04

*104

104

3,227

104

6,400

Jan.

105

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

105

105

105

105

105

105

*105

105

105

104

aTOi"

g!05

a 105

a 105

g!05

al05

al05

a!05

g!05 

a 105

3,263

105

6,470

Feb.

a!05

a!05

a!05

g!05

a 105

al06

al06

al06

al07

g!08

a!07

a!06

a 105

al04

g!04

al04

S 104

a 104

a!04

g!04

a!04

al04

al04

g!04

al04

a 104

g!04

*103

103

3,038

105

6,030

Mar.

103

134

104

104

103

103

103

104

104

103

103

104

104

104

104

104

104

105

106

105

104

105

105

105

104

104

103

104

104

*105 

106

3,227

104

6,400

Apr.

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

107

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

107

a 107

al07

al07

al07

a 107

a!07

g!07

3,188

106

6,320

May

al06

a 105

a 105

g!04

a 104

a!04

al03

a!03

*103

103

104

104

103

103

103

103

102

102

102

102

102

102

102

102

102

102

102

102

102

102 

*102

3,190

103

6,330

June

102

103

103

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

104

105

106

106

106

109

107

108

108

108

108

109

108

109

109

*109

108

108

109

109

3,189

106

6,330

July

108

108

108

109

108

108

108

108

108

108

108

108

108

108

107

107

108

108

108

107

107

107

106

106

106

106

107

107

107

106 

106

3,329

107

6,600

Av*.

*106

106

107

108

108

108

109

110

110

110

111

111

111

110

110

110

111

111

112

111

111

111

111

111

112

113

114 *TTT

114

114 

114

3,429

111

6,800

Sept.

114

113

113

113

112

112

112

112

111

111

111

111

111

111

111

110

110

110

110

110

110

allO

a!09

a!09

al09

a 108

*108

108

108

107

3,314

110

6,570

Calendar year 1955 : Max 136 Mln 95 Mean 112 Ac-ft 81,060

Water year 1955-56 : Max lie Mln 102 Mean 106 Ac-ft 77,200

* Discharge measurement made on this day

a No gage-height record; discharge Interpolated.

g Computed from staff-gage readings.
70 JUDITH RIVER BASIN

Wolf Creek near Stanford, Mont.

Location. Lat 47°07', long 110°17', in NE^SE^ sec. 26, T. 16 N., R. 11 E. , on right bank 

half a mile downstream from confluence of Dry Wolf and Running Wolf Creeks and 4 miles 

southwest of Stanford.

Drainage area. 118 sq mi.

Records available. March 1950 to November 1953, March 1955 to September 1956. March 1920 

to September 1926 (few winter records) at site a quarter of a mile upstream; records not 

equivalent due to diversions.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,490 ft (by barometer).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 9.0 cfs Aug. 26 (gage height, 1.95 ft); maximum 

gage height, 2.24 ft Feb. 1, 2 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 0.1 cfs Mar, 28 

(gage height, 1.38 ft).

1950-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge, 578 cfs (does not include an estimated 50 cfs 

in bypass channel on left bank) June 4, 1953 (gage height, 4.51 ft), from rating curve 

extended above 52 cfs on basis of velicity-area study; no flow Nov. 17, 1951 (result of 

ice jam upstream).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Some regulation from a small dam a quarter of a mile upstream. Several diversions for irrigation 

of hay meadows above station.

Revisions. WSP 1176: Drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.3 0 1.6 2.4

1.4 .4 1.7 4.1

1.5 1.2

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

5

6 

7

8

9

10

11

12

13 

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

2.1

2TO

1.9

1.9 

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.6

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.3

TTT

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4 

1.4

1.4

*1.4

50.3

1.62

100

Nov.

1.3

1.5

1.6

1.5 

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.2

1.0 

. 8

.6

.8

1.2

1.6

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.6 

1.7

*1.8

43.2

1.44

86

Dec.

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.4 

1.6

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.0

2.0 

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.4

1.8

2.0

2.5

2.8

3.0

3.0

2.8

2.6

2.6

2.8 

3.0

*3.3

2.8

66.5

2.15

132

Jan.

2.2

2.0

2.0 

2.2

2.3 

2.4

z'.z

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

*1 .6

1.6

58.1

1.87

115

Feb.

1.6

1.6

1.6 

1.6

1.5

1.5 

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.0

1.9

2.0

2.1

*2TT

1.8

45 .'8

1.58

91

Mar.

1.8

1.8

1.5 

1.4

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.6

1.3

1.2

1.0

.9

.8

.7

.7

.7

.8

.8

.4

.6

1.3

1.3

37.1

1.20

74

Apr.

1.3

1.3

1.3 

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.8

40.4

1.35

80

May

1.8

1T9

1.8 

1.9

2.0 

2.1

*2.1

2.2

2.5

3.0

27F

2.1

2.5

2.4

2.2

2.1

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.9

2.1

2.1

1.9

2.2

2.7

2.7

*2.1

2.2

67.5

2.18

134

June

1.9

T76

1.8 

1.6

1.5 

1.5

.9

.9

.7

.7

1.4

1.4

1.6

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.5

1.9

1.8

1.6

1.8

 1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

45.2

1.51

90

July

1.6

1.6

1.8 

1.5

1.5 

1.4

1.1 

.9

.9

i§

.9

1.0

1.1

1.6

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.5

1.5

1.6

1.9

1.5

1.3

*1.4

42.3

1.36

84

Aug.

1.5

1.4

1.4 

1.2

1.1 

1.3

1.3 

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.0

_JL

1.6

1.9

1.2

1.0

.9

38.1

1.23

76

Sept.

0.9

i!o

1.0

1.0 

1.1

1.1 

1.2

1.3

1.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

.4

.2

.2

.4

.5

.5

.5

.5

1.6

1.4

1.5

*1.6

1.6

1.6

39.7

1.32

79

Calendar year 1955 : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft -

Water year 1955-56 : Max 3.3 Min O.4 Mean 1.57 Ao-ft 1,140

Peak discharge (base, 22 cfs). No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 9 to Feb. 22, Feb. 25, Mar. 4-13 (no ga 

height record Nov. 14-29; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement and weather 

records).
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 71 

Missouri River at power-plant ferry, near Zortman, Mont.

Location. Lat 47=44', long 108°56', In E|NE£ sec. 30, T. 23 N., R. 22 E. , on left bank at 

powerplant ferry, 5 miles downstream from Cow Creek and 22 miles southwest of Zortman.

Drainage area. 40,600 sq ml, approximately. 

Records available. February 1934 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage Is 2,273.02 ft above mean sea level (levels by 

Corps of Engineers). Prior to Feb. 7, 1935, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--22 years 8,413 cfs (6,091,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 40,700 cfs June 16 (gage height, 10.64 ft); minimum dally, 3,800 cfs Nov. 17.

1934-56: Maximum discharge, 137,000 cfs June 6, 1953 (gage height, 22.20 ft, from 

graph based on gage readings); maximum gage height, 30.16 ft Mar. 19, 1947 (Ice jam), 

from floodmark; minimum discharge, 1,120 cfs July 8, 1936 (gage height, 1.92 ft); minimum dally, 1,220 cfs Dec. 13, 1936.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of Ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for Irrigation of about 850,000 acres above station. Flow 

regulated by 24 smaller Irrigation reservoirs and powerplants (see p. 238 ) , Canyon 

Ferry Reservoir (see p. 44 ) t and Tiber Reservoir (see p. 62).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

3.8 3,780 6.0 11,200

4.0 4,240 8.0 22,200

5.0 7,520 10.0 35,900

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19 

20

21

22

23

24

25

26 

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

6,500

6,380

6,350

6,660

6,580

6,560

6,330

6,380

6,970

6,900

6,240

6,520

6,620

6,900

6,920

7,120

7,060

6,720

7.720 

7,300

7,340

7,160

6,860

6,910

6,970

7,470 

7,180

6,990

6,790

7,320

6.070

211,790

6,832

420,100

Nov.

6,690

6,820

6,200

6,730

6,650

6,920

6,410

*6,120

6,880

6,660

6,690

6,920

6,720

7,000

5,200

4,200

5,800

5,700

6,700 

7,000

6,700

7,500

8,000

8,500

7,200

6,000 

7,300

6,800

6,500

6,000

196,510

6,550

389,800

Dee.

6.000

7,000

7,000

7,700

7,700

*7,000

7,000

7,000

7,000

7,000

7,400

7,500

7,200

8,200

8,200

7,700

6,000

6,000

6,OOC 

6,300

6,200

6,100

7,000

7,600

8,300

8.500 

8,300

7,800

8,000

8,500

8,000

225,200

7,265

446,700

Jan.

7,500

7,000

6,500

7,000

7,500

8,000

8,500

8.700

8,000

8,000

*8,200

7,500

7,400

7,400

7,400

7,400

6,000

5,500

5.400 

7,000

7,400

7,500

7,500

7,500

7,800

8,500 

7,800

7,000

7,400

6 ,500

6 ,500

227,300

7,332

450,800

Feb.

6,400

6,300

7,000

7,000

7,000

7,400

7,100

8,200

8,000

7,900

7,800

7,700

7,700

7,700

7,700

7,700

7,300

6,700

6,200 

6,800

7,200

7,500

7,700

7,700

8,000

8,500 

7,500

7,300

7,300

214,300

7,390

425,100

Mar.

,300

,300

,300

,300

,300

,500

,500

,500

,500

,300

,300

,300

,200

.700

,200

7,800

7,800

8,200

7,800 

7,400

8.500

7,700

7,700

7,700

7,200

7,500 

6,800

7,700

7,500

7,500

7,500

229,600

7,406

455,400

Apr.

7,300

7,200

5.000

6,700

6,520

6,760

6,600

6,350

*6,020

5,040

6,680

6,510

6,180

7,250

8,130

7,040

6,920

8,520

7,720 

7,670

7,610

7,900

9,220

10,700

11,000

10,800 

10,800

10,900

10,800

10,800

256,440

7,881

469,000

May

11,100

11,200

11,200

11,200

11,000

11,200

10,400

*10,500

10,400

10,600

10,800

11,500

11,900

12,000

11,900

11,000

10,900

10,900

10,800 

11,200

12,000

15,100

16,600

19,500

19,500

19,600 

19,600

19,400

18,100

17,900

21^700

420,100

15,550

855,300

June

23,900

26,100

28,600

31,000

*52,200

28,700

27,000

*24,000

20,500

20,700

20,800

15,900

17 , 100

19,700

17,300

22,400

11,000

10,200

10,400 

10,900

10,000

10,600

10,500

10,200

9,720

8,880 

8,010

7.420

8,420

7,960

510,110

17,000

1,012,000

July

7,620

7,740

6,600

6,920

6,350

4,760

7,390

7,550

7,050

*5,990

7,460

6,800

6,660

6,300

6,880

5,760

4,540

6,840

5,910 

5,650

5,260

5,580

4,460

5.960

5,110

5,120 

5,460

5,560

5,120

5,600

4,910

186,510

6,016

569,900

Aug.

5,720

5,480

5,760

5,890

5,590

6,240

4,900

7,180

5,700

*7.760

6,480

6,000

5,600

6,200

6,600

6,200

6,200

6,000

5,800 

5,600

5,400

6,000

5,800

5,600

5,800

5,800 

5,000

5,710

6,180

6, 620

6,?40

185,050

5,F69

567,000

Sept.

5,840

6,150

5,800

4,960

4.820

6,000

6,040

5,760

6,200

5,510

5,300

5,540

*5,820

5,910

5,920

5,970

5,860

5,620

6,580 

6,5ZO

6,580

6,240

6,140

6,100

5,600

5,740 

6,160

5,890

5,680

6,210

176,040

5,868

549,200

Calendar year 1955 : Max 20,200 Mln 3,800 Mean 8,142 Ao-ft 5,895,000

Water year 1955-56 : Max 32,200 Mln 3,800 Mean 8,248 Ao-ft 5,988,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 14 to Apr. 4. No gage-height record Aug. 12- 

27 ; discharge estimated on the basis of weather records and records for station at Vlrgelle.

459735 O -58 -6
72 MOSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN

North Fork Musselshell River near Delpine, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°38' , long 110 0 35', in SWiSE^ sec. 22, T. 10 N., R. 9 E., on right bank 

half a mile upstream from flow line of Durand Reservoir, 1 mile downstream from Lion 

Creek, and 4 miles northwest of Delpine.

Drainage area. 38.4 sq mi (revised).

Records available. May 1940 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,380 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge. 16 years, 12.4 cfs (8,980 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . Maximum discharge during year, 54 cfs Apr. 15 (gage height, 1.51 ft); maximum 

gage height, 2.03 ft Dec. 28 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 3.1 cfs Sept. 3.

1940-56: Maximum discharge, 423 cfs Apr. 1, 1950 (gage height, 4.63 ft), from rating 

curve extended above 60 cfs; minimum, 1.6 cfs Aug. 16, 1941 (gage height, 0.32 ft).

Remarks . Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Small 

diversions for irrigation of hay meadows above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, excpet periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

0.4 

.5 

.6

3.3

4.6 

6.8

0.8 

1.0 

1.5 56

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.6

4.5

4.3

4.3

4.2

4.2

4.1

4.1

4.0

3.8

3.8

4.0

4.1

4.0

4.0

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.2

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.8

4.8

5.0

5.5

4 . 8

134.2

4.33

266

Nov.

5.5

*4.5

4.5

6.1

8.0

8.3

8.9

774

7.7

8.6

7.7

7.5

6.5

6.1

5.9

6.1

6.6

7.4

8.6

8.9

8.6

8.3

8.3

7.4

7.1

6.6

5.9

7.4

6.8

6.6

213.8

7.13

424

Dec.

6.6

*6.4

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.6

6.4

6.1

6.4

6.1

6.1

5.9

4.8

4.6

4.6

5.0

6.0

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

675

6.0

5.5

5.5

 5.5

5.5

5.0

6.0

182.9

5.90

363

Jan.

6.6

e!i

6.1

6.1

5.9

5.9

5.7

5.5

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.5

4.6

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.5

5.0

5.0

4.5

4.5

4.0

4.0

4.5

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

159.2

5.14

316

Feb.

3.5

4TO

4.5

4.8

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

*4.8

4.6

4.5

4.2

4.8

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.3

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.3

5.5 5-75

*5.3

140.4

4.84

278

Mar.

5.3

5.3

5.0

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.5

5.3

4.8

4.5

575

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.5

5.5

6.4

8.6

16

17

28

17

16

16

15

16

267.3

8.62

530

Apr.

18

15

13

14

*18

15

12

12

17

55

20

18

27

50

26

28

21

20

21

22

25

21

20

20

19

18

17

17

17

17

589

19.6

1,170

May

17

17

16

16

20

20

19

20

21

*25

23

22

21

21

21

22

22

23

24

22

24

25

26

29

31

32

35

34

36

56

754

24.3

1,500

June

*31

29

26

24

23

24

23

21

20

18

16

16

15

15

16

19

15

15

13

12

14

13

12

13

12

*11

10

9.8

8.9

379

503.6

16.8

999

July

8.6

8.9

12

9.8

9.5

9.2

8.9

8.3

8.3

S.9

11

9.2

8.6

8.3

7.7

7.1

7.1

7.1

6.8

6.4

5.9

5.7

5.7

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.9

6.1

6.4

6.6

5.9

256.2

7.62

468

Aug.

4.6

*4.3

5.5

5.9

5.7

6.1

6.4

5.9

5.7

5.5

5.0

4.8

4.5

4.2

473

4.5

9.2

9.5

9.2

8.5

8.0

7.7

7.4

7.4

7.4

8.0

~8.3 11

8.3

8.3

*7.7

208.6

6.75

414

Sept.

7.7

570

3.3

4 '.3

4.5

4.0

3.7

3.8

5.7

3.8

4.5

4.0

5.8

3.6

4.0

3.6

3.7

3.6

4.2

4.5

3.7

3.6

4.1

3.7

3.6

3.7

4.5

4.8

4.0

122.9

4.10

244

Calendar year 1955 : Max 29 Mln 1.9 Mean 7.23 Ao-ft 5,230

Water year 1955-56 : Max 36 Mln 3.3 Mean 9.6O Ao-ft 6,970

Peak discharge (base, 50 cfs).--Apr. 15 (8 p.m.) 54 cfs (l.51 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12, 13, Dec. 16-31, Jan. 17 to Feb. 3.
MUSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN 73

South Pork Musselshell River above Martinsdale, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°27', long 110°23', in NVf£ sec. 17, T. 8 N., R. 11 E., on left tank

2 miles downstream from Cotbonwood Creek, 3 miles west of Martinsdale, and 6 miles upstream from confluence with North Pork.

Records available.--October 1941 to September 1956 (no winter records 1941-42). 

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,900 ft (by barometer). 

Average discharge. 14 years (1942-56), 84.9 cfs (61,470 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 916 cfs May 29 (gage height, 5.53 ft); minimum, 

4.2 cfs Sept. 20.

1941-56: Maximum discharge, 1,240 cfs June 5, 1948 (gage height, 6.56 ft); minimum, 

0.1 cfs Aug. 28-31, Sept. 2, 1949, Mar. 29, 1950.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 6,600 ceres of which 250 acres lie 

below station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Sept. 22-30)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 23

5.1

10

18

Mar. 24 to Sept. 30

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3 

2.5

2.0

5.1

10

18

43

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0 

5.5

132

261

412

736

906

Discharge, in oubio feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

As- ft

Oct.

10

9.3

8.8

878

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.S

8.S

8.8

8.8

9.3

9.9

9.9

9.9

11

11

11

11

12

12

12

11

11

11

12

12

13

13

318.1

10.3

631

Nov.

13

*13

12

16

19

20

22

20

21

22

21

20

17

16

15

16

17

18

20

21

20

19

19

18

17

16

15

17

17

18

535

17.8

1,060

Dec.

18

*18

18

18

18

19

18

18

18

17

17

18

17

16

16

17

18

16

17

18

18

30

50

35

30

30

32

*33

32

25

27

692

22.3

1,370

Jan.

29

28

25

20

20

19

18

17

19

17

17

17

16

15

14

16

18

19

19

18

18

17

15

14

14

13

13

14

14

14

13

540

17.4

1,070

Feb.

TB" 13

16

16

16

16

16

15

15

15

15

16

15

*14

13

13

15

16

17

18

20

21

21

20

20

19

18

18

*18

480

16.6

952

Mar.

18

18

17

16

15

14

16

16

14

JL5.

13

15

15

15

15

18

20

13

15

20

25

30

40

80

102

105 ~89

89

80

77

73

1,106

35.7

2,190

Apr*.

65

54

48

49

*46

393~9

42

44

65

77

70

90

119

162

210

178

146

141

162

195

205

160

130

117

107

105

92

89

92

3,138

105

6,220

May

89

98

94

87

95

162

122

128

*235

314

338

264

210

190

188

238

353

*453

507

588

680

720

743

763

763

736

733

111

865

756

*644

12,936

417

25,660

June

594

611

55S

513

462

403

335

267

218

208

202

190

175

155

*148

153

137

126

109

100

122

103

89

82

85

75

61

56

52

49

6,438

215

12,770

July

49

52

60

56

54

55

46

40

38

35

40

39

33

32

29

27

21

17

16

14

13

12

10

10

9.9

8.8

9.9

12

11

10

10

869.6

28.1

1,720

Aug.

10

*9.9

10

9.9

9.3

8.8

9.3

9.3

9.3

9.9

9.3

8.8

8.3

7.8

7.2

6.7

6.7

7.2

7.8

7.2

6.7

6.2

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

7.2

8.3

8.3

8.3

*9.3

247.4

7.98

491

Sept.

8.3

772

6.7

7.8

8.3

8.3

7.8

7.2

7.8

7.2

7.2

6.2

6.2

6.2

5.6

5.1

5.1

4.5

475

4.5

5.1

5.1

5.1

4.8

5.1

4.8

5.1

5.1

5.6

6.2

183.7

6.12

364

Calendar year 1955: Max 312 Min 4.5 Mean 40.7 Ac-ft 29,470

Water year 1955-56: Max 865 Mln 4.5 Mean 75.1 Ac-ft 54,5OO

Peak discharge (base, 48O cfs). May 24 (9 a.m.) 784 cfs (5.14 ft); May 29 (8 a.m.) 916 cfs 

(5.53 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Nov. 3 to Dec. 1; dis'charge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements and record for North Fork Musselshell River near Delpine. Stage-discharge relation affected 

by ice from about Nov. 12 to Mar. 23.
74 MUSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN

Big Elk Creek at Twodot, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°25', long 110"04', in NE^NW-J- sec. 35, T. 8 S., R. 13 E., on right bank 

on upstream pile bent of private bridge, three-quarters of a mile so-nth of Twodot 

and 1 mile upstream from mouth.

Records available. March 1953 to September 1956 (discontinued).

Gage. Staff gage read once daily. Altitude of gage is 4,450 ft (by barometer).

Extremes. Maximum discharge observed during year, 242 cfs May 27 (gage height, 3.20 ft); 

minimum observed, 0.9 cfs Aug. 24-26 (gage height, 1.50 ft).

1953-56; Maximum discharge observed, that of May 27, 1956; minimum, 0.3 cfs May 22, 

1955 (gage height, 1.42 ft, from graph based on gage readings).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 4,700 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

0.3 

1.0 

2.0 

4.6

8.4

14

2.0 

2.2 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

22

43

102

202

302

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

S

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

5.4

577

6.1

7.3

7.6

7.3

6.9

7.3

6.9

6.5

6.9

7.3

7.3

5.4

7.3

7.3

6.9

6.9

7.6

8.4

8.4

9.5

775

8.0

8.0

8.0

9.0

8.4

8.4

8.4

8 . 0

231.9

7.48

460

Nov.

*7.6

5.7

5.7

5.7

6.5

5.7

6.5

6.1

4.3

5.4

6.9

7.3

6.5

6.5

6

5.5

6.5

7

9.5

12_

8

6.5

5.5

6.5

8.4

8.4

7.5

8

8

9

208.7

6.96

414

Dec.

9.0

*9.5

8.5

8.5

10

10

7.5

7

6.9

773

6.9

11

9

8.5

10

9.5

8.5

8

9

10

11

13

16

15

14

13

12

no

9

9

10

306.6

9.89

608

Jan.

10

To

10

10

10

9

9

8

8

8

10

10

10

9

7

6

5

4

6

5

3

9

9

9-

8

7

7

7

7

6

7

248

8.00

492

Feb.

8

8

8

8

8

7

7

7

8

8

8

9

*8

7

6^

7

8

8

8

8

9

10

To

9

8

6

6

6.5

*6.5

225.0

7.76

446

Mar.

7

5

7

8

7

5

6

7

5

6

7

10

12

12

12

15

15

14

14

16

18

19

20

22.

21

16

14

14

13

9.5

8.4

364.9

11.8

724

Apr.

8.4

8.4

10

13

*14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

15

15

15

16

20

T7

15

15

15

15

16

423.8

14.1

841

May

20

23

23

23

29

33

32

26

*30

41

45

43

35

24

22

23

29

*49

66

84

138

162

160

148

142

144

208

228 22~2"

220

178

2,650

85.5

5,260

June

*146

147

144

146

144

102

70

66

51

47

39

28

18

13

*12

33

16

13

13

16

13

11

7.3

7.3

7.3

6.5

6.1

5.4

5.0

4.1

1,334.0

44.5

2,650

July

3.6

3.3

5.7

6.9

8.0

8.4

8 .4

7^3

6.1

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.4

5.0

3.3

2.3

2.3

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.0

119.3

3.85

237

Aug.

2.8

*2.5

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

79

.9

1.0

1.2

1.3

1.3

*1.3

45.5

1.47

90

Sept.

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.5

174

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.2

TTs

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

37.9

1.26

75

Calendar year 1955: Max 106 Mln 0.5 Mean 12.3 Ac-ft 8,930

Water year 1955-56: Max 228 Mln 0.9 Mean 16.9 Ac-ft 12,300

* Discharge measurement made on this day 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected 

'-- 25 to Mar. 23.

by Ice Nov. 13-18, 22-24, 27-30, Dec. 2-4, 7, 8, 13-23,
MUSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN 75

Musselshell River at Harlowton, Mont.

Location. La t 46°26', long 109°51', in NE-? sec. 28, T. 8 N., R. IS E., on left lank 

300 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 19, 1 mile southwest of Harlowton, and 

6 miles upstream from American Fork.

Drainage area. 1. 130 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. July 1907 to September 1956.

Ga .--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,170 ft (by barometer). Prior to Dec. 8, 

937, chain gage at site l£ miles downstream at different datum. Dec. 8, 1937, to 

Aug. 26, 1955, wire-weight gage at bridge 300 ft upstream at datum 2.00 ft higher.

Avera 

19

ge discharge . 32 years (1909-12, 1914-15. 

34-56), 148 cfs (107,100 acre-ft per year).

1917-19, 1924-26, 1927-28, 1931-32,

Extremes . --Maximum discharge during year, 1,150 cfs May 30 (gage height, 4.94 ft); maximum 

gage height, 5.62 ft Mar. 24 (ice jam); minimum daily discharge, 22 cfs Aug. 25, 26.

1907-56: Maximum discharge observed, 4,530 cfs June 24, 1938 (gage height, 8.72 ft, 

datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 2,100 cfs by logarithmic plotting; 

no flow at times .

Remarks . Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Some regulation by Durand and Martinsdale Reservoirs (see p. 238 ). Diversions for irrigation of 

about 37,000 acres above station, of which 2,300 acres are flood irrigated.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.8 

2.1 

2.5 14,2

3.0 

4.0 

5.0

265

640

1,190

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

AO-ft

Oct.

58

60

W

46

37

39

42

42

42

48

47

39

36

36

39

40

40

39

39

40

39

40

41

47

47

48

52

49

46

53

58

1,389

44.8

2,760

Nov.

*52

48

60

73

68

65

58

60

60

61

59

56

50

48

46

44

16

48

50

54

56

54

52

54

56

54

52

56

60

64

1,664

55.5

3,300

Dec.

*66

66

65

65

64

66

68

66

66

66

64

64

66

64

62_

62

64

66

62

64

66

66

86

110

100

90

80

80

*79

76

66

2,195

70.8

4,350

Jan.

70

7472-

66

60

60

58

56

54

58

54

54

54

52

50

48

52

54

56

56

54

54

52

50

48

48

46

56

48

48

48

1,700

54.8

3,370

Feb.

46" 46

48

50

50

50

50

50

48

48

48

48

50

*48

48

46

46

50

52

54

58

63

66

SB

64

63

62

*62

62

1,542

53.2

3,060

Mar.

62

62

62

61

60

58

56

60

60

56

54

5T

58

58

58

58

60

62

66

70

80

90

200

500 455"

342

249

209

202

204

196

3,867

125

7,670

Apr.

187

170

156

154

*163

147

133

135

133

137

149

151

149

172

175

204

236

20T

170

156

167

199

219

196

184

170

163

158

151

151

5,039

168

9,990

May

158

TTO

184

179

179

219

219

194

*196

274

360

423

378

286

232

214

247

350

*482

586

650

780

856

884

884

862

845

900

*1,020

1,120

988

15,319

494

30,380

June

765

675

636

586

514

438

319

242

175

126

98

70

60

*60

81

234

187

128

108

83

73

77

63

57

72

61

56

52

47 48"

6,191

206

12,280

July

48

70

121

94

81

77

70

61

56

50

50

53

65

54

49

46

42

41

39

40

39

41

52

58

61

65

83

77

61

63

61

1,868

60.3

3,710

Aug.

*68

65

*63

52

43

39

34

34

35

36

36

35

36

33

33

35

36

46

54

56

48

34

27

24

22.

22

27

*29

28

36

47

1,213

39.1

2,410

Sept.

44

46

56

61

65

57

42

39

32

33

47

44

42

42

40

36

39

41

43

41

36

34

34

33

35

35

36

36

34

34

1,237

41.2

2,450

Calendar year 1955: Max 238 Mln 26 Mean 55.1 Ac-ft 39,890

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,120 Mln 22 Mean 118 Ac-ft 85,730

Peak discharge (base, 450 cfs). Mar. 24 (10:40 a.m.) 5.62 ft (discharge unknown); May 12 (7 a.m.) 

434 cfs (3.51 ft)j May 30 (5 a.m.) 1,150 cfs (4.94 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1-3, 7, 8, Nov. 11 to Mar. 25 (no gage-height 

records Nov. 13-30j discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements and records for South 

Fork Musselshell River above Martinsdale).
76 MUSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN

American Fork below Lebo Creek, near Harlowton, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°24', long 109°46', In NE^ sec. 6, T. 7 N., R. 16 E., on left bank

2 miles upstream from mouth, 2 miles downstream from Lebo Creek, and 5 miles southeast 

of Harlowton.

Records available. July 1946 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 4,170 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge.--10 years, 34.3 cfs (24,830 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 506 cfs May 30 (gage height, 4.93 ft); minimum, 

0.2 cfs July 25, 26 (gage height, 1.37 ft).

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 741 cfs July 11, 1948 (gage height, 5.67 ft); minimum, 

that of July 25, 26, 1956.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of Ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for Irrigation of about 7,500 acres, of which 300 acres lie below station. During 

Irrigation season, natural flow Is supplemented by release from Lake Lebo (capacity, 

about 3,000 acre-ft).

Revisions (water years). WSP 1116: 1947.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 29 Mar. 30 to Sept. 30

1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.1

1.5

3.0

5.4

9.1

14

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8 

2.0

0.3

1.1

2.2

3.8

6.0

13

2.3 

3.0 

4.0

4.5 

5.0

195

310

545

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1.956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

AC-ft

Oct.

10

8.6

7.8

7.8

5.4

4.3

4.3

4.6

5.1

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.8

4.3

3.8

3.6

3.0

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.8

2.6

2.6

3.4

4.0

4.6

5.4

5.4

143.4

4.63

284

Nov.

*4.0

5.0

10

11

11

9

9.5

10

10

10

8.5

8

7

6

5

7

8

9

11

12

11

10

10

9

9

8

7

9

9

10

263.0

8.77

522

Dec.

10

*10

9

10

11

10

9

10

10

10

11

12

11

10

9

10

10

8

9

10

11

15

25

20

15

15

*16

14

10

12

14

366

11.8

726

Jan.

14

15

15

16

IS

14

12

10

8

9

10

10

9

8

7

9

11

11

12

10

10

9

9

8

7

6

8

9

8

10

12

322

10.4

639

Feb.

12

13

15

18

21

20

19

18

20

20

20

21

20

*17

12

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

23

25

2T

20

21

*22

22

_ _____

534

18.4

1,060

Mar.

23

21

20

21

20

18

21

20

18

17

Te- 15

ie

18

20

22

25

30

90

140

160

100

92

60

40

35

30

25

30

32

1,223

39.5

2,430

Apr.

27

27

28

32

*33_

27

27

28

29

27

28

27

28

27

27

27

26

25

25

25

27

28

31

33

33

30

28

27

28

30

845

28.2

1,680

May

33

40

37

37

43

58

42

37

*36

36

44

56

45

34

22

18

25

53

*77

99

130

160

179

202

220

228

228

260

400

*3~5"3~ 468

3,700

119

7,340

June

283

268

258

239

210

175

128

84

56

43

31

27

20

12

16

42

26

30

26

16

14

11

8.7

8.4

14

*14

13

11

11

13

2,108.1

70.3

4,180

July

13

12

15

16

15

16

17

15

14

14

16

16

16

13

7.4

12

11

9.4

8.1

7.4

5.0

5.0

4.5

4.0

1.0

.4

IT?

3.4

3.8

3.6

4.4

300.3

9.69

596

Aug.

*4.4

4.5

7.4

9.4

OJ

9.4

9.0

8.4

8.7

6.3

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

6.3

8.4

9.0

8.4

7.8

6.3

4.2

2.4

2TT

5.7

7.2

*7.4

5.7

4.0

5.7

201.6

6.50

400

Sept.

6.9

6.6

7.2

7.8

7.4

8.1

7.2

7.4

8.1

8.4

8.7

9.0

8.1

8.1

7.2

4.4

3.1

5.2

4.0

3.4

5.4

4.2

2.8

2.1

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.3

.9

.4

160.1

5.34

318

Calendar year 1955: Max 73 Min 0.6 Mean 12.3 Ac-ft 8,920

Water year 1955-56: Max 468 Min 0.4 Mean 27.8 Ac-ft 20,180

Peak discharge (base. 150 efs). May 30 (l a.m.) 506 cfs (4.93 ft),

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1, 2, 6, 7, Nov. 11 to Mar. 29 (no gageheight record Nov. 12-30, Jan. 31 to Feb. 13; discharge estimated on basis of 4 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for South Pork Musselshell River above Mar"--insdale).
MUSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN 77

Musselshell River near Ryegate, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°18', long 109°12', in lot 6, NWij sec. 2, T. 6 N., R. 20 E., on left bank 

1 mile upstream from Careless Creek and 3 miles east of Ryegate.

Records available.--July 1946 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,580 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge.--10 years, 185 cfs (133,900 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 1,400 cfs May 31 (gage height, 6.87 ft); minimum, 6.1 cfs Nov. 1 (gage height, 2.41 ft).

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 6,260 cfs June 17, 1948 (gage height, 10.92 ft); no 

flow Aug. 17-28, 1946.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Water is diverted on left bank in sec. 8, T. 7 N., R. 17 E., for 

storage in Deadmans Basin Reservoir (see p. 238) and can be returned to the stream by 

canal at a point about 10 miles above station or through Careless Creek 1 mile below. 

Some regulation by Durand and Martinsdale Reservoirs (see p. 238 ). Diversions for 

irrigation of about 45,200 acres above station, of which 2,700 acres are flood 

irrigated.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

3.0 

3.2 

3.5

34

55

110

4.0 

5.0 

6.0 

7.0

230

573

1,000

1,470

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

10

9.6

9.2

9.6

10

11

11

11

10

10

10

11

10

8.0

8713

9.6

11

10

11

12

13

15

I?

12

12

*12

11

11

14

15

15

346.8

11.2

688

Nov.

10

10

11

12

12

11

10

11

12

12

13

14

16

18

20

22

20

18

20

22

20

22

26

32

36

32

36

38

38

4JL

615

20.5

1,220

Dec.

40

40

42

40

38

40

38

38

*38

38

36

34

33

22

28

28

26

24

22

21

20

30

38

42

46

46

*45

40

42

44

46

1,105

35.6

2,190

Jan.

46

46

44

42

40

40

40

40

40

40

38

36

32

30

34

38

38

38

34

32

32

30

30

28

24

26

22

24

20

16 

TaJ.O

1,038

33.5

2,060

Feb.

20

24

26

28

28

26

26

26

26

28

30

30

*2S

20

12.

16

18

16

14

22

24

24

22

22

24

24

26

28

52.

- -----

687

23.7

1,360

Mar.

32

32

36

40

44

40

36

32

30

26

28

28

28

28

32

54

90

300

500

600

500

440

400

500

300

96

86

64

55

45

45

4,567

147

9,060

Apr.

45

43

43

a40

a38

a37

*37

36

35

54

48

165

174

179

196

198

108

96

75

42

36

35

36

48

53

45

39

36

66

172

2,235

74.5

4,430

May

193

216

244

167

*134

132

162

119

82

68.

114

364

463

421

328

278

250

283

391

545

693

822

*964

1,030

874

848

857

879

1,040

1,210

1.570

15,541

501

30,850

June

1.180

866

*740

668

756

651

529

575

278

198

148

102

68

48

*38

312

554

255

205

155

117

100

90

86

86

96

79

68

55

50

8,729

291

17,510

July

44

41

55

104

92

86

102

104

104

108

106

*90

57

a55

a43

a43

a47

a49

a60

a86

a!04

a!55

a!50

a!26

121

119

125

128

150

128

184_

2,898

95.5

5,750

Aug.

159

130

128

117

106

106

108

102

137

146

155

141

157

146

*146

146

146

144

195

141

55

18

19

11

8.4

24

25

14

9.6

12

14

2 , 902 . 0

93.6

5,760

Sept.

14

14

15

12

22

25

21

21

25

*27

25

26

42

59

54

20

15

15

12

12

12

11

10

9.2

8.8

9.2

8.8

10

10

10

527.0

17.6

1,050

Calendar year 1955: Max 214 Min 4 Mean 35.5 Ao-ft 25,670

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,370 Min 8.0 Mean 113 Ao-ft 81,710

Peak discharge (base, l.OOO cfs). --May 24 (9 p.m.) 1,060 cfs (6.12 ft); May 31 (1 p.m.) 1,400 cfs

(6.87 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
78 MUSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN

Musselshell River near Roundup, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°26', long 108°34 I , in SE£ sec. 22, T. 8 N., R. 25 E., on left bank at old 

highway bridge Just downstream from Half Breed Creek, Z\ miles west of Roundup.

Records available. May 1946 to September 1947, October 1949 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,188.22 ft, datum of 1939. May 22, 1946, 

to Sept. 30, 1947, wire-weight gage on bridge at same datum.

Average discharge. 8 years (1946-47, 1949-56), 178 cfs (128,900 acre-f; per year).

Extremes. Maximum aischarge during year, 2,520 cfs May 28; maximum gage-height, 7.29 ft 

Mar. 18 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 4 cfs Nov. 7.

1946-47, 1949-56: Maximum discharge, 3,840 cfs Aug. 30, 1951 (gage height, 7.20 ft); 

minimum, 2.0 cfs July 10, 1953.

Flood of June 18, 1948, reached a stage of 11.0 ft, from floodmar'-cs (discharge, 

7,460 cfs).

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Some regulation by Durand, Martinsdale, and Deadmans Basin Reservoirs (see p. 238). Diversions 

for irrigation of about 59,600 acres above station, of which about 11,000 acres are 

flood irrigated.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1086: 1946.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of loe effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 20 to Nov. 5)

Oct. 1 to May 27 May 28 to Sept. 30

0.9

1.0

1.1

1.2 

1.4 

1.6

6.0

9.0

13

20

41

73

1.8 

2.0 

2.2 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

123

178

237

375

670

980

1.1

1.2 

1.4 

1.7 

2.1

19

111

236

2.5 415

3.0 700

4.0 1,300

5.0 1,960

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11 

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

AC-ft

Oct.

32 

26

24

22

18

15

14

13

13

12

13 

11

11

10

9.8

9.0

8.7

8.1

7.8

7.2

5.6

5.4

5.6

6.0

6.0

*5.6

5.2

4.8

576

6.6 5 8

346.8

11.2

688

Nov.

5.4 

5.4

5.6

6.0

5.8

5

4

5

6

6

6 

7

8

10

12

14

16

14

12

16

20

24

22

26

32

36

32

38

*43

40

482.2

16.1

956

Dec.

44 

42

42

44

42

40

42

40

40

40

40 

38

36

35

24

30

30

28

26

24

*23

22

32

40

44

48

48

46

42

44

46

1,162

37.5

2,300

Jan,

48 

48

48

46

44

42

42

42

42

42

42 

40

38

34

32

36

40

40

40

36

34

34

32

32

30

26

28

24

26

22

18

1,128

36.4

2,240

Feb.

20

22

26

28

30

30

28

28

28

28

30 

32

32

28

22

14

18

20

18

*16

24

26

26

24

24

26

26

28

30

~ ~

732

25.2

1,450

Mar.

34 

34

34

38

42

46

42

38

34

32

28 

30

30

30

30

34

60

loo

500

1,000

790

610

532

466

436

652

616

386

222

190

161

7,277

235

14,430

Apr.

142 

134

126

115

107

104

*104

94

87

80

78 

80

195

204

210

222

225

158

131

115

75

64

64

62

64

78

73

68

64

73

3,396

113

6,740

May

192 

222

259

297

*237

210

198

207

184

156

m408

490

454

392

320

283

320

490

664

790

856

*922

928

814

814

1.720

1,110

1,150

1,240

16,619

536

32,960

June

1.270 

*1,080

862

778

730

760

658

536

395

290

185 

116

78

50

38

30

389

604

380

294

221

168

142

142

165

156

156

142

118

100

11,033

368

21,880

July

86 

76

84

93

136

116

134

118

116

124

126 

*111

97

72

68

58

58

61

63

74

100

128

148

145

145

145

148

162

179

179

185

3,535

114

7,010

Aug.

218 

203

192

159

136

118

109

102

88

116

131 

286

150

114

*136

148

153

162

159

192

142

104

104

97

100

93

82

102

93

93

84

4,166

134

8,260

Sept.

74 

72

66

56

54

58

56

53

53

*53

54 

58

63

61

76

63

60

46

39

35

27

25

25

25

24

25

24

25

25

36

1,411

47.0

2,800

Calendar year 1955: Max 306 Min 4 Mean 63.5 Ac-ft 45,960

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,720 Min 4 Mean 140 Ac-ft 101,700

Peak discharge (base. l.OOo cfs). Mar. 18 (7:2O p.m.) 7.29 ft (discharge unknown); May 28 

(9:30 a.m.) 2.52O cfs (5.80 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 6 to Mar. 20 (no gage-height record Feb. 9-19; 

discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for nearby 

stations).
MUSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN 79

Musselshell River at Musselshell, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°32', long 108 0 06', in S|SW£ sec. 20, T. 9 N., R. 29 E., on left bank 

three-quarters of a mile upstream from Hawk Creek and 1 mile west of Musselshell.

Records available. August 1928 to September 1932 (no winter records 1928-31). August 

1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,980 ft (by barometer). Aug. 15, 1928, 

to Sept. 30, 1932, chain gage and Aug. 3, 1945, to Oct. 7, 1949, wire-weight gage, at 

site 1 mile downstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 12 years (1931-32, 1945-56), 184 cfs (133,200 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,210 cfs Mar. 21 (gage height, 6.12 ft); maximum gage height, 9.94 ft Mar. 20 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 

4.9 cfs Oct. 21.

1928-32, 1945-56: Maximum discharge, 4,790 cfs June 19, 1948 (gage height, 8.5 ft, 

from graph based on gage readings, site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 2,300 cfs; no flow at times.

Maximum stage known, about 12 ft May 19, 1917, at former site at datum used August 

1945 to September 1949, from information by local residents.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Some regulation by Durand, Martinsdale, and Deadmans Basin Reservoirs (see p. 238). Diversions 

for irrigation of about 63,300 acres above station, of which 12,500 acres are flood 

irrigated.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of lee effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Nov. 1)

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8 

2.0 

2.2

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0

125

257

445

705

1,360

2,120

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13 

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

31 

33

32

28

26

26

22

17

15

12

10

10

11 

10

7.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

6.3

5.6

4,1

6.3

7.0

6.3

5.6

*5.2

5.6

6.6 

7.0

7.6

7.6

389.0

12.5

772

Nov.

6.6 

6

7

6.5

6

6

6

6

7

7

7

7

6 

8

10

12

14

16

15

18

22

23

24

22

28

34

35

32 

*31

36

464.1

15.5

921

Dec.

40 

44

43

42

44

44

43

42

41

40

42

43

40

36

30

31

30

26

28

28

*26

24

?8

36

42

47

48

47 

45

43 

45

1,188

38.3

2,360

Jan.

47 

M

49

48

46

44

43

41

41

43

43

42

4O

37

34

35

39

42

42

38

36

35

35

34

34

30

26

28 

26

22 

20

1,169

37.7

2,320

Feb.

21 

24

28

30

32

31

28

26

28

29

32

33

33 

30

25

20

20

21

24

*26

28

28

28

29

29

28

28

29 

30

798

27.5

1,580

Mar.

33 

35

36

39

41

44

45

42

37

33

29

32

32 

32

32

40

80

150

400

1,500

1.840

694

590

510

432

490

622

472 

344

244

216

9,166

296

18,180

Apr.

201 

198

171

148

*136

129

127

125

119

111

103

99

109 

192

204

210

222

219

155

140

125

99

88

86

82

82

96

90

86

82

4,034

134

8,000

May

101

195

228

274

*290

222

210

201

210

182

159

144

195 

424

436

390

325

290

274

325

441

578

661

*789

851

795

747

1.510 

1,190

1,050

1,110

14,597

471

28,950

June

1.230 

*1,200

1,000

858

783

753

741

666

556

436

325

251

192 

153

127

99

81

419

411

294

254

201

155

142

146

159

142

150

138

123

12,185

406

24,170

July

111 

111

103

105

103

117

107

111

88

84

96

*235

129 

103

79

66

58

54

49

15

44

64

84

103

99

92

92

105 

113

129

133

3,010

97.1

5,970

Aug.

136 

150

161

140

127

125

113

109

103

82

79

103

m*90

107

121

129

133

133

138

117

84

81

,66

73

77

92 

96

90

92

3,426

111

6,800

Sept.

92 

81

73

72

68

65

62

60

56

*50

48

49

50 

52

53

62

59

53

49

41

37

32

28

26

26

26

25

25

26

25

1,471

49.0

2,920

Calendar year 1955: Max 270 Min 4.9 Mean 53.3 Ac-ft 38,600

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,840 Mln 4.9 Mean 142 Ac-ft 102,900

Peak discharge (base. 1.000 efa). Mar. 21 (2 a.m.) 2,210 cfs (6.12 ft); May 28 (9 p.m.) 2,110 cfs 

(5.99 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 2 to Mar. 20.
80 MUSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN

McDonald Creek at Wlnnett, Mont.

Location. Lat 47°00', long 108°20', in NE£ sec-. 6, T. 14 N., R. 27 E., at Winnett, about 

12 miles upstream from mouth.

Records available. April 1930 to December 1932, February 1934 to September 1945, February 

1953 to September 1956 (discontinued).

Gage. Wire-weight gage and crest-stage indicator; gage read twice daily. Altitude of 

gage is 2,930 ft (by barometer). Apr. 18, 1930, to Dec. 5, 1932, and Feb. 4, 1934, 

to Sept. 30, 1945, at sites within 1 mile of present site at different daturas.

Average discharge.--13 years (1930-31, 1934-36, 1938-45, 1953-56), 14.4 cfs (10,430 acreft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 88 cfs Aug. 3 (gage height, 2.55 ft, from creststage indicator), but may have been higher in March; maximum gage height, 3.03 ft in 

March, from crest-stage indicator; no flow for many days.

1930-32, 1934-45, 1953-56: Maximum discharge, 900 cfs May 15 or 16, 1942 (gage 

height, 8.48 ft, from floodmark, present site and datum) , from ratirg curve extended 

above 500 cfs; no flow at times.

Remarks. Records poor. Small reservoirs in headwaters, 

several thousand acres above station.

Diversions fcr irrigation of

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect or backwater from

beaver dam (gage height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet pe- second)

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 21-27)

.9

0

.3 

1.0 

2.4 

4.5

1.0 

1.2 

1.5 

2.0 

2.5

7.0

13

24

47

83

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

0

0

0

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

.1

.1

^2

0.4

0.01

0.8

Hov.

0.2

.2

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

a. 2

4.4

0.15

8.7

Dec.

aO.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1 *.l

.1.1

a.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

2.9

0.09

5.8

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

0

0

O

aO

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

aO

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

_._! "

0.1

0.003

0.2

Mar.

1

3

5

1

2

1

.5

.2

0

aO

aO

0

0

.1

.2

.6

1

2

4

6

7.9

49

57

52

39

*29

38

21

33

34

26

413.5

13.3

820

Apr.

a20

16

7.9

7.0

7.0

10

8.8

6.5

6.2

5.2

5.8

4.5

3.4

2.6

a2.0

al.8

al.6

al.4

al.Z

al.l

al.O

a. 9

*.8

.9

.9

1.0

.9

1.0

.9

.9

129.2

4.31

256

May

1.1

1.5

1.9

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.6

1.9

1.6

1.7

1.6

1.7

1.7

2.0

1.5

1.0

.8

.6

.4

.4

.3

.3

.4

*.3

^2

.2

7.0

13

3.9

2.2

1.7

56.4

1.82

112

June

~79 1.1

.5

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

a.l

0

O

0

o

0

0

o

.2

.1

0

.3

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4.5

0.15

8.9

July

0

0

0

aO

.1

.2

.1

.1

0

O

0

.1 *.l

.1.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.9

0.03

1.8

Aug.

aO

0

58

1.2

.1

O

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

aO

0

0

0

0

0

59.3

1.91

118

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 217 Mln 0 Mean 7.50 Ac-ft 5,430

Water year 1955-56- Max 58 Mln 0 Mean 1.83 Ac-ft 1,330

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

a No gage-height recordj discharge estimated.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 7 to Mar. 20. Backwater from beaver dams 

Oct. 1 to Nov. 6; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements and weather records.
MOSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN 81

Platwillow Creek near Platwillow, Mont.

Location.--Lat 46°47', long 108°371 , in NE£ sec. 19, T. 12 N., R. 25 E., on left bank at 

Zimmerman Ranch, 12 miles upstream from Platwillow and 14 miles upstream from Pike Creek.

Drainage area. 195 sq mi.

Records available. May 1911 to September 1932, February 1934 to September 1956 (discontinued).No winter records for several years prior to 1935.

Gage. Wire-weight gage and masonry control; gage read twice daily. Altitude of gage is 

£,560 ft (by barometer). Prior to Apr. 17, 1918, staff gage at site 4 miles downstream 

at different datum. Apr. 17, 1918, to Sept. 30, 1938, chain gage at site 300 ft upstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--33 years (1913-16, 1918-19, 1920-21, 1922-23, 1924-26, 1927-28, 1930- 

32, 1934-56), 20.5 cfs (14,840 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum daily discharge during year, 45 cfs Mar. 24, 25; maximum gage height, 

2.00 ft Mar. 22 (backwater from ice); no flow for many days.

1911-32, 1934-56: Maximum discharge observed, 954 cfs June 4-10, 1917; no flow at 

times.

Remarks. Records good except those for the period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 9,000 acres above station when water is available.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 23 to Apr. 3)

1.0

1.1

1.2

0

.2

.6

1.3

2.5

4.1

1.4 

1.6 

1.8 

2.0 

2.5

9.6

17

27

38

68

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18 

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

0 

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

.2

.3

0

0

0

0 

0

3.0

5,0

4.6

3.4

3.2

*3.6

3.0

2.5

3.0

3.4

4.0

39.2

1.31

78

Dec.

3.5 

3.5

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.O

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.5

3.5

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

frf

2.5

3.0

*3. 6

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.5

2.5

2.5 

3.0

92.6

2.99

184

Jan.

3.0 

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6 

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.8

2.5

2.7

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

*2.9

92.5

2.98

183

Feb.

2.9 

2.9

3.0

3.2

3.4

3.4

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.O

3.0

3.0

2.8

2.6

276

2.6

2.6

2.6 

2.6

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.6

*3.8

377

3.6

- - --

88.7

3.06

176

Mar.

4.0 

4.4

4.4

4.0

3^

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

4.4

5.0

5.0

5.0

7.5

10

15 

20

25

30

32

32

45

45

*44

32

21

19

19

18

477.3

15.4

947

Apr.

17 

IT

9.0

8.7

6.9

5.8

5.6

5.4

4.6

4.4

4.4

3.5

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.4

2.3

2.3 

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

129.7

4.32

257

May

2.3 

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4 

1.4

3.0

6.1

3.0

2.1

 1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

2.7

3.8

6.1

5.8

73.6

2.37

146

June

fcf

4.4

4.4

4.4

3.3

3.3

3.5

3.5

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.3

1.7

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.2 

1.2

.8

1.3

 1.2

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.0

.6

*2

65.8

2.19

131

July

oa

O

O

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.1

0.003

0.2

Aug.

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955 : Max 94 Mln 0 Mean 18.1 Ac-ft 13,120

Water year 1955-56 : Max 45 Mln 0 Mean 2.89 Ac-ft 2,100

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 14 to Mar. 22.
82 MUSSELSHELL RIVER BASIN

Musselshell River at Mosby, Mont.

Location. Lat 47°00', long 107°54', in NW£ sec. 11, T. 14 N., R. 30 E., on downstream side 

of highway bridge, half a mile west of Mosby and 6 miles downstream from Box Elder 

Creek.

Drainage area. 8,010 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. May 1929 to September 1932, February 1934 to September 1956.

g.. Wire-weight gage read twice daily. Altitude of gage is 2,500 ft (by barometer), 

^ater-stage recorder at same site and datum used periodically during high stages in 

the years 1935-44.

Average discharge. 24 years (1930-32, 1934-56), 230 cfs (166,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,310 cfs Mar. 22 (gage height, 5.92 ft, from 

graph based on gage readings); maximum gage height, 7.25 ft Mar. 22 (backwater from 

ice); minimum daily discharge, 0.2 cfs Oct. 22, 23; minimum gage height, 1.40 ft 

Aug. 1.

1929-32, 1934-56: Maximum discharge, 18,000 cfs June 18, 1944 (gage height, 14.43 

ft), from rating curve extended above 10,000 cfs; no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Some regulation by Durand, Martinsdale, and Deadmans Basin Reservoirs (see p. 238). Diversions 

for irrigation of about 103,000 acres above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 12-31, Sept. 25-30)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 22

1.3 0

1.4 .5

1.5 2

1.6 4

1.7 8

1.8 16

Mar. 23 to Sept. 30

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.9

2.0 

2.2

0.5 2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0 

5.5

145

330

575

880

1,620

2,010

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

10

11

To

8.8

8.8

8.0

11

8.8

6.8

3.6

3.0

2.4

1.2

.8

.5

.4

.6

.4

.4

.3

.3

.2

.2

.3

*.4

.4

.4

.4

.3 

.4

.4

100.5

3.24

199

Nov.

0.3 

.3

.4

.5

.5

.8

.8

1.2

2.0

2.0

1.5

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

6.0

14

24

24

20

*19

26

30

31

34 

34

283.5

9.45

562

Dec.

40 

42

44

43

42

45

45

44

42

41

40

42

44

40

34

30

29

28

26

28

26

*19"26

30

38

44

48

48

46 

44

44

1,182

38.1

£,340

Jan.

46 

48

49

49

48

46

44

42

41

41

43

43

42

40

38

36

36

40

43

43

39

37

36

36

34

32

30

27

26 

23

*15

1,193

38.5

2,370

Feb.

20 

23

26

29

31

33

31

28

27

28

30

33

34

33

30

26

22

22

23

25

27

29

29

29

30

30

*28

29

29

814

28.1

1,610

Mar.

30 

33

36

38

40

42

44

46

43

38

32

30

33

33

33

33

50

80

300

1,000

1,700

2,000

1,540

776

666

*553

553

602

558 

430

330

11,722

378

23,250

Apr.

285 

245

220

203

186

166

151

145

136

133

130

115

108

99

110

186

200

210

220

196

154

145

*127

110

99

94

94

94

99 

99

4,559

152

9,040

May

104 

99

110

203

245

269

231

206

189

196

192

163

151

163

344

402

370

303

261

228

253

362

505

602

*738

789

782

828

1.590 

1,210

1,060

12,948

418

25,680

June

1,140 

1,270

 1,110

834

690

666

672

608

520

425

321

231

175

124

90

64

58

68

79

326

308

*234

189

166

169

118

106

113

90 

68

11,032

368

21,880

July

66 

60

54

50

79

874

145

42

30

24

18

52

*36

83

47

29

20

12

3.8

2.4

2.2

1.6

1.1

1.2

1.0

.6

1.1

5.6

1.4 

1.0

JLJj

1,744.5

56.3

3,460

Aug.

I"3.0 

154

189

108

90

97

234

104

60

52

38

28

25

79

*56

47

42

52

56

58

56

50

30

25

23

33

60

62 

62

64

2,049.0

66.1

4,060

Sept.

II

41

42

41

41

41

38

33

31

*31

33

35

32

35

32

33

32

31

28

26

24

23

15

15

11

6.4

5.2

6.8 

7.2

869.6

29.0

1,720

Calendar year 1955: Max 976 Mln 0.2 Mean 62.3 Ac-ft 45,080

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,000 Mln 0.2 Mean 133 Ac-ft 96,170

Peak discharge (base. 1.000 cfs).--Mar. 22 (4 p.m.) 2,310 cfs (5.92 ft); May 29 (4 p.m.) 2,050 cfs 

(5.55 ft); July 6(8 a.m.) 1,250 cfs (4.50 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 1 to Mar. 22.
DRY CREEK BASIN 83

Dry Creek near Van Norman, Mont.

Location. Lat 47°21', long 106°22', in NWi sec. 3, T. 18 N., R. 42 E., on left b9nk 

500 ft downstream from Little Dry Creek, 1.2 miles southeast of Van Norman, and 

26 miles east of Jordan.

Drainage area. 2,530 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. October 1939 to September 1956 (discharge measurements only, October 

1947 to March 1949).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,330 ft (by barometer). 

Average discharge. 15 years, 57.1 cfs (41,340 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum daily discharge daring year, 960 cfs Mar. 19; no flow at times.

1939-56: Maximum discharge, 24,600 cfs Mar. 21, 1947 (gage height, 13.39 ft); maximum gage height, 15.26 ft Mar. 21, 1947 (ice jam); no flow at times each year.

Remarks.--Records poor. Few small diversions for irrigation of hay meadows above station. 

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1209: 1947(M).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 14-19)

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7 2.1

1.8

1.9

2.0 

2.5

6.3

15

29

140

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.4

.4

.4

*.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

11.2

O.36

22

Nov.

~74~ 0.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

b.2

b.l

bTT

b.2

b.2

*b,3

b.2

b.l

b.l

b.l

b.4

b.4

b.3

b.2

b.3

b.3

b.2

b.l

b.l

b.l

7.6

0.25

15

Dec.

bO.l

F7T

b.l

*0"O

o

o

o

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

o

0

o

o

0

0

o

0

o

0

o

0

o

o

o

o

0.3

O.O1

0.6

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

(*)

O

O

o

Mar.

a5o

*a450

a520

a58o

*a540

a5OO

a350

*al80

a!4O

3120

a90

a8o

a70

a8O

a80

a!70

a450

a7OO

*a960

a720

a460

*a21o

a!70

a!30

a95

a8o

a 60

a4o

*b20

23

8,140

263

16,150

Apr.

16

TS

14

12

1O

8.4

9.2

7.7

6.9

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.1

4.6

4.6

4.1

4.1

4.1

3.7

3.3

3.0

3.3

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.4

*2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

177.3

5.91

352

May

2.7

3.0

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

2.7

2.4

2.4

6.3

7.7

5.7

19

TS

13

8.4

*5.7

4.6

3.7

3.0

2.1

2.1

1.8

1.4

1.1

1.2

1.1

174" .9

2.4

1.6

139.6

4.5O

277

June

1.4

1.0

1.0

.9

.7

.8

.7

.7

.6

.5

.4

.3

.3

.3

**.4

.3

.2

29

"T.i 35

.7

.9

1.0

.8

.6

.5

.4

.4

.3

.2

81.4

2.71

161

July

O.2

'.&

4.1

1.1

62

76

78

25" 80

10

4.6

3.0

1.8

1.2

1.1 *.9

.9

.8

.8

.8

.7

.6

.5

.4

.3

.2

1O

1.2

.8

 6

368.4

11.9

731

Aug.

0.4

.3

.3

.5

.3

.2

.1

.1

.1

12

14

.8

.9

.7

.5

.4

.3

.3

.2

**.!

.1

.1

O0"

0

o

0

16

6.5

77

3T

163.2

5.26

324

Sept.

2.7

l.O

375" 7.7

2.1

1.2

.9

.8

.6

.5

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

**.3

.3

.3

.2

.1

7?

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

25.4

0.85

50

Calendar year 1955 : Max 916 Min o Mean 24.0 Ac-ft 17,420

Water year 1955-56 : Max 96O Min o Mean 24.9 Ao-ft 18,080

Peak discharge (base. 400 efs). Mar. 4 (time and discharge unknown); Mar. 19 (time and discharge 

unknown).

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

a No gage-height recordj discharge estimated on basis of 6 discharge measurements and weather 

records.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
84 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Fort Peck Reservoir at Fort Peck, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°00'26", long 106°23'49", in sec. 14, T. 26 N., R. 41 E., in No. 4 emergency gate shaft of dam on Missouri River at Fort Peck, 2 miles dowrstream from Bear 

Creek, 9-g miles southwest of Nashua, and about 9-J miles upstream from Milk River.

Drainage area. 57,725 sq mi.

Records available.---October 1938 to September 1956. June 1937 to September 1938 in files 

of office of Missouri River Division, Corps of Engineers.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to 

M~ay 1, 1941, tape gage at same site and datum.

Extremes. Maximum contents during year, 6.312,000 acre-ft Oct. 1 (elevation, 2,181.58 ft); 

minimum, 4,665,000 acre-ft Jan. 25, 26 (elevation, 2,167.36 ft).

1937-56: Maximum contents, 17,550,000 acre-ft July 15, 1948 (elevation, 2,244.80 

ft).

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by earth-fill dam; storage began in 1937; dam completed in 

1939. Usable capacity, 18,800,000 acre-ft between elevations 2,095 ft (lowest outlet) 

and 2,250 ft (top of 25-foot gates). Elevation of crest of spillway, 2,225 ft. Dead 

storage below elevation 2,095 ft, 617,000 acre-ft. Figures given herein represent 

contents above elevation 2,095 ft. Water is stored for navigation, flood control, and 

power generation. Elevations materially affected by wind.

Cooperation. Elevations furnished by Corps of Engineers.

Month-end elevation and contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Feb . 29 .....................

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

Elevation 

(feet)t

-

2,167.96

Contents 

(acre-feet)

6,358,000

-

4,729,000

5,164,000

6,223,000

Change In contents 

(acre-feet)

_

-37,000

-4,694,000

-13,000

+ 52,000

+ 174,000

- 226,000

t Elevations at 12 p.m.
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 85

Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°02'30", long 106°21'10", in NW£ sec. 6, T. 26 N., R. 42 E., on right 

bank about 2 miles upstream from Milk River, 6 miles south of Nashua, and 8 miles downstream from Fort Peck Dam.

Drainage area. 57,800 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--March 1934 to September 1956.

_. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,020.00 ft above meai. sea level, datum of 

929 (Corps of Engineers benchmark). Prior to Apr. 14, 1938, at site 0.7 mile upstream 

at different datum.

Average discharge. 5 years (1934-39, prior to Fort Peck Reservoir reaching operational 

level), 6,347 cfs (4,595,000 acre-ft per year); 13 years (1943-56, after operational 

level in Fort Peck Reservoir was reached), 10,120 cfs (7,327,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 31,500 cfs Oct. 21 (gage height, 8.01 ft); minimum daily, 3,530 cfs June 5.

1934-56: Maximum discharge. 51,000 cfs (includes 32,000 cfs inflow from spillway 

1 mile downstream from station) Aug. 8, 1946; maximum gage height observed, 12.30 ft 

Mar. 10, 1936 (ice jam), site and datum then in use; maximum daily reverse flow, 400 cfs 

Mar. 29, 1943 (backwater from Milk River).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Discharge measurements made at 5-day intervals during open water and 

twice a month during periods of ice effect. Diversions for irrigation of about 

860,000 acres above station. Flow comnletely regulated by Fort Peck Reservoir (see 

preceding page).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1-4, 21-25, Mar. 1 to May 1O,

June 7-16, Sept. 12-16, 27-3O)

Oct. 1 to Feb. 29 Mar. 1 to Sept. 30

1.5 

2.0 

4.0

4,690

5,890

12,800

6.0 21,200

8.0 30,900

8.1 31,400

0.0 

1.0 

2.0

2,900

4,650

6,940

3.0 10,000

3.1 10,400

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19 

20

21 

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Tota:

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

29,600 

29,800

30,000

30,100

30,000

29,800

29,800

29,800

29,600

30,000

30,000

29,800

29,500

30,OOO

29,900

30,000

30,400

30,500

30,600 

30,900

51.100 

31,000

3O,4OO

29,200

28,000

26,800

24,700

24,100

23,300 

22,700

21.500

892,900

28,800

*1,771

Nov.

20, 800 

19,800

19,OOO

17,700

16,600

15,700

14,900

13,800

12,700

11,500

10, 600

9,530

8,500

7,500

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,500 

6,400

6.500 

6,466

6,500

6,800

6,600

6,600

6,800

6,80O

6,800 

6,800

------

505,950

10,130

602,800

Dec.

6,800 

6,700

6,7OO

6.500

6,700

6,700

6,700

6,600

6,800

6,700

6,500

6,600

6,800

6,900

6,900

6,800

6,800

6,900

6,900 

6,800

6,800 

6,700

6,600

6,800

6,800

6,700

6,700

6,800

7.000 

7,666

6,900

209 , 600

6,761

415,700

Jan.

6,900 

6,800

6,900

6,900

6,900

7,000

7,100

7,000

7,OOO

6,90O

7,OOO

7,000

7,000

7,OOO

7,OOO

7,100

7,100

7,100

7,100 

7,100

7.200 

7,266

7,100

7,OOO

7,000

7,000

7,000

6,500

6. OOP 

6,000

6,OOO

215,900

6,900

424,300

Feb.

6.500 

6,566

5,500

5,500

4.500

5,120

6,450

5,760

5,450

5,360

5,190

4,760

5,000

5,500

6,000

5,800

5,7OO

5,500

5,000 

5,500

5,700 

5,600

5,500

5,200

5,500

5,000

5,500

5,500

5,500

------

159,550

5,502

516,500

Mar.

5,570 

5,500

5,350

4,650

4,800

5,620

6.080

5,710

5,680

5,680

5,820

5,820

5,780

5,280

5,520

5,570

5,170

4.000

4,370 

5,170

5,390 

5,410

5,460

5,410

4,550

4,760

5,370

4,880

4,670 

4,690

4,610

161,740

5,217

320,800

Apr.

4,550 

4,780

4,740

5.890

4J740

4,230

5,950

5,800

5,890

5,890

5,800

4,860

4,650

4,470

4,330

4,410

4,650

4,450

4,370 

4,490

5,550 

5,410

5,570

5,890

6,010

5,890

6,010

6,180

6,200 

6.500

- -----

153,690

5,123

304,800

May

5,980 

5,820

5,840

5,870

6,200

5,780

5,960

5,780

6,100

6,570

6,200

6,520

6,570

6,270

6.590

6,180

6,270

6,320

5.680 

5,820

6,080 

6,270

6,250

6,100

6,180

6,100

6,320

6,490

6,180 

6,250

6,490

190,430

6,143

377,700

June

6,250 

6,500

6,270

5,320

5.550

4,040

5,060

5,240

5,280

5,500

5,550

5,410

5,300

6,560

6,O1O

6,010

5,890

6,030

6,080 

6,010

5,940

5,910

5,620

6,590

5,960

6,O6O

6,460

6.690

6,276 

6,150

------

172,690

5,756

542,500

July

8,360 

10.400

10,200

10,100

6,890

5,500

5,350

5.500

8,620

10,200

10,100

10,200

10,100

10,100

10,100

10,100

10,100

10,100

10,100 

10,000

10,100

10,000

10,100

9,760

10,200

10,100

10,300

10,200

10,100

10,100

10,100

292,980

9,451

581,100

Aug.

10, ico

10,100

io,oco

9,830

10,OCO

10,2CO

10.5CO

10,100

10,OCO

10,000

9,970

9,9CO

9,830

9,930

10,000

9,9fO

9,970

10,500

9.7FO

9,916

10,000

10,200

10,500

10,200

10,100

10,000 10,100

9,970

9,8fO 

10,000

9,8TO

510,800

10,030

616,500

Sept.

7.450 

6,370

6,180

6,500

6,340

6,420

6,460

6,520

6,540

6,620

6,690

6,590

6,620

6,620

6,660

6,560

6,620

6,540

6,540

6,540

6,420 

6,420

6,460

5,620

4.450

5,730

6,720

6,740

6,740 

6,720

------

193,200

6,440

383,200

Calendar year 1955: Max 51,1OO Min 4,880 Mean 14,65O Ac-ft 10,61O,OOO

Water year 1955-56: Max 31,100 Min 3,530 Mean 8,895 Ac-ft 6,457,000

* Expressed in thousands.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 22 to Feb. 5, Feb. 14-29 (no gage-height 

record Nov. 13-21).
86 MILK RIVER BASIN

South Pork Milk River near International boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°00'50", long 112°32'20", in NW£ sec. 6, T. 1, R. 19 W. , fourth meridian, 

on left bank 1 mile north of International boundary, 19 miles upstream from mouth, and 

20 miles west of Milk River, Alberta.

Drainage area. 433 sq mi.

Records available . March 1931 to October 1956 (seasonal records only). April 1905 to 

October 1930 at site 27 miles upstream, and 5 miles south of international boundary 

(published as "near Browning, Mont." April 1905 to September 1916); records not 

equivalent .

Sage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,810 ft (from topographic map). Mar. 1, 

T931, to Aug. 8, 1948, at site 500 ft upstream. Prior to Mar. 5, 1954, at datum 1.0 ft 

higher .

Extremes . Maximum discharge during season, 1,110 ofs July 4 (gage height, 3.84 ft); minimum daily, 4 cfs Mar. 8.

1931-56: Maximum discharge, 4,750 cfs June 18, 1948 (gage height, 6.83 ft, site and 

datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 1,300 cfs; no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no ga^e-height record, 

which are fair. Several small diversions for irrigation above station.

ggoperation. This is one of the international g

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and comstations maintained jointly by the 

Treaty. Records collected and

piled Jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and

National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1389: 1934(M), 1935, 1936(M), 1937, 1949(M), 1947-48(M).

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.3

1.4 

1.6 

1.8 

2.0

13.7

19.9

38.4

67

107

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

237

494

834

1,260

Discharge, In cubic feet per second. March to October

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ae-ft

Mar.

a!2

*12

a8

5

a6

8

a6

4

al?

21

a!7

a!3

9

a!3

17

a23

29

a40

a51

»62

68

76

109

127

256

*445

514

a35o~

187

277

pCQ £33

3,036

97.9

6,020

Apr.

a265

a271

277

273

178

a!32

87

allT

»147

213

a214

216

a236

256

a298

339

*373

SOT

244

255

295

318

230

184

169

143

154

125

114

114

6,541

218

12,970

May

103

157

103

103

120

134

179

237

266

564

427

373

255

220

230

295

»397

513

507

445

451

513

439

385

339

318

304

282

270

251 

230

9,360

302

18,570

June

214

214

205

193

174

169

162

147

136

122

114

*107

107

98

118

299

358" 469

187

145

125

127

129

103

88

70

53

42.0

40.8

59.6

4,525.4

151

8,980

July

43.2

47.1

187

895

7BT

308

202

145

*118

100

90

114

103

86

74

69

70

62

54

51

47.1

43.2

37.2

32.8

28.8

25.2

21.3

19.2

17.9

T77?

17.9

3,908.8

126

7,750

Aug.

17.9

23.6

54

72

70

49.8

39.6

31.8

29.8

36.1

114

~5TJ 143

*58

44.5

36.1

30.8

29.8

29.8

35.0

32.8

27.9

24.4

22.8

24.4

22.0

28.8

49.8

69

54 

445

1,436.0

46.3

2,850

Sept.

59.6

35TTJ

29.8

27.9

28.8

31.8

30.8

28.8

27.0

24.4

22.8

*22.0

22.0

22.8

22.0

22.8

21.3

18.5

16.7

15.5

16.1

16.7

16.7

17.3

17.9

17.3

17.3

17.9

18,5

20.6

686.6

22.9

1,360

Oct.

26.1

24.4

24.4

25.2

23.6

21.3

21.3

20.6

19.9 lO"

19.9

19.9

21.3

22.0

22.0

22.8

23.6

*23.6

24.4

25.2

25.2

23.6

24.4

24

23

24

29

2T

28

*23 

23

719.6

23.2

1,430

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The he season: season: : : Max Max - - Mln Mln - - Mean Mean - - Ac-ft Ac-ft 59,930 59,930

Peak discharge (base. 250 cfs). Mar. 27 (time and discharge unknown)} Apr. 17 (l a.m.) 421 cfs 

2.88 ft); AprT 22 [7 to 9 a.m.) 355 cfs (2.77 ft); May 10 (l p.m.) 636 cfs (3.22 ft)j May 18 

(10 to 11 a.m.) 570 cfs (3.12 ft); June 17 (l to 3 p.m.) 500 cfs (3.01 ft); July 4 (ll p.m.) 1,110 

cfs (3.84 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge Interpolated.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Mar. 1 to Apr. 15 and Oct. 24-31.
MILK RIVER BASIN 87

North Pork Milk River above St. Mary Canal, near Browning, Mont. 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 48°59', long 113°03', in NEi sec. 16, T. 37 N., R. 11 W., on left bank 

If miles upstream from outlet of canal, 2 miles south of international boundary, and 

29 miles north of Browning.

Drainage area. 62 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.-^lay 1911 to July 1912, June to July 1918, June 1921 to October 1956. 

Published as "near Browning" 1911-12, 1918. Records usually obtained at this station 

only when St. Mary Canal is in operation.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage 4,220 ft (from topographic map). May 8, 1911, to July 6, 1912, and June 18 to July 19, 1918, staff gages 

within 1 mile of present site at different datums.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during season, 243 cfs July 3 (gage height, 3.16 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 110 cfs on basis of slope-area determination at gage height 

7.55 ft; minimum recorded, 16.1 cfs Sept. 26 (gage height, 1.23 ft), but may have been 

less during periods of no gage-height record.

1911-12, 1918, 1921-56: Maximum discharge, 2,120 cfs Apr. 22, 1953 (gag* height, 

7.55 ft, from floodmarks in gage house), from rating curve extended above 110 cfs on 

basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow Oct. 29, 1942.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of no gage-height record, which are fair. 

Several small diversions for irrigation above station.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Record collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Rating table, Apr. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956 (gage height, in feet, 

and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.2 

1.5 

2.0 

2.5

17.2

38.8

150

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, April to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

2O

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Apr.

 a42

*38.0

37.2

44.0

47.6

51

49.4

*43.1

37.2

38.8

42. Z

41.3

32.4

30.0

29.2

29.2

30.8

27.1

26.4

26.4

27.1

1,148.4

38.3

2,280

May

27.1

28.5

27.8

28.5

31.6

38.0

46.7

45.8

77

5T

49.4

43.1

40.4

39.6

39.6

*44.9

47.6

44.9

41.3

42.2

42.2

38.8

37.2

34.0

34.0

33.2

32.4

31.6

30.0

29.2

27.1

1,210.7

39.1

2,400

June

27.1

27.1

26.4

25.0

25.0

24.3

22.9

22.9

22.2

21.5

22.2

22.2

*22.2

22.2

29.2

65

JS.7

28.5

24.3

22.9

27.8

25.7

22.2

22.2

21.5

20.8

21.5

20.8

20.2

52T2~

774.7

25.8

1,540

July

27.1

26.4

~58" 133

42.2

34.8

27.8

24.3

22.9

*21.5

22.2

22.9

20. S

20.8

20.8

20.2

22.2

20.8

19.6

19.6

18.4

17.8

T778-

17.8

18.4

18.4

20.2

19.0

19.0

19.6

18.4

862.7

27.8

1,710

Aug.

19.0

25.0

36.4

22.2

20.2

19.0

19.6

20.2

24.3

66

31.6

23.6

20.8

19.6

*19.0

. a!9

690.5

22.3

1,370

Sept.

> a!9

*18.4

17.8

16.6

17.8

17.8

17.2

17.2

17.8

17.8

17.8

17.2

17.2

17.2

17.2

18.4

20.2

19.0

18.4

549.0

18.3

1,090

Oct.

17.8

17.8

18.4

18.4

18.4

18.4

18.4

18.4

18.4

19.0

19.0

19.0

19.0

19.0

19.6

19.6

*19.6

. a21

-1

612.2

19.7

1,210

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac -ft

The season: : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft 11,600

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements and records for 

station near international boundary and St. Mary Canal at Hudson Bay Divide.

459735 O -58 -7
88 MILK RIVER BASIN

North Pork Milk River near international boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°02', long 112°58', in NE^ sec. 11, T. 1, R. 23 ¥., fourth meridian, on 

left bank 50 ft I downstream"from highway bridge, 2 miles north of international boundary, 

2 miles east'of Whiskey Gap, Alberta, and 11 miles southeast of Kimball, Alberta.

Drainage area. 101 sq mi.

Records available. July 1909 to October 1956. Seasonal records only except for 1912-22.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,120 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

Fo May 1913, staff gage at site 2 miles downstream at different datum. May 1, 1913, to 

Apr. 11, 1930, water-stage recorder 800 ft upstream at different datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during season, 1,020 cfs July 3 (gage height, 3.98 ft); minimum, 10 cfs Mar. 11 (gage height, 1.23 ft, backwater from ice).

1909-56: Maximum discharge, 2,170 cfs June 17, 1948 (gage height, 6.47 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 700 cfs; no flow Mar. 1, 2, 1940.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Several 

small diversions for irrigation above station. Recorded diversions from St. Mary River 

into North Pork Milk River above station for 1956 are listed below:

Month

April ...................

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

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

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

The season ............

Mean 

(cfs)

104

515

587

578

566

541

263

-

Runoff in 

acre-feet

6,200

31,650

34,930

35,530

34,810

32,210

16,160

191,500

For daily flow refer to records for St. Mary Canal at Hudson Bay Divide near Browning, Mont, (see WSP 1438).

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained Jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Rating table, Mar. I to Oct. 31, 1956, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 16-22)

1.0 

1.2 

1.5 

2.0

24.0

41.0

169

2.5

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

295

481

736

1,020

Discharge, In cubic feet per second., March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

El

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

*29

45

47

36

23

17

14

16

18

16

12

12

14

15

26

65

167

176

144

*111

83

89

146

189

184

*127

52

51

*43

59 

71

2,097

67.6

4,160

Apr.

52

46

47

58

46

45

47

49

*65

64

47

44

51

59

64

67

*59

51

52

52

54

104

337

380

422

*422

418

422

418

418

4,460

149

8,850

May

418

426

418

418

426

430

451

481

582

562

543

538

548

538

538

562

*582

602

623

644

649

641

639

628

613

613

613

602

597

597 

608

17,133

553

33,980

June

618

618

618

618

628

623

618

608

613

618

633

*613

618

618

639

714

68T

618

613

608

613

613

597

592

555

587

592

582

582

587

18,415

614

56,520

July

602

602

819

786

665

649

628

618

615

*608

608

608

608

608

602

597

602

602

597

592

592

587

582

582

582

582

582

587

582

582 

582

19,056

614

37,760

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean

Aug.

577

582

597

587

572

567

562

562

562

628

602

592

587

*587

587

587

582

587

582

582

582

577

572

572

567

567

572

572

572

582

'

17,978

580

35,660

Sept.

567

567

577

5TZ

572

567

562

562

552

552

552

548

*55Z

552

548

548

548

548

552

552

552

548

552

548

552

552

552

562

557

557

16,682

556

55,090

Oct.

557

552

545

548

528

523

522

522

528

528

5 IS

SOS

477

447

363

272

18?

*111

43.0

35.5

33.5

33.3

2E.4

2f.2

2?

24

2C

ze

2e

*23 

23

8,597.5

277

17,050

Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 207,100

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Mar. 1 to Apr. 15, Oct. 25-31.
MILK RIVER BASIN 89

Milk River at Milk River, Alberta 

(International gaging station)

Location Lat 49"09i, long 112°OS', in SE? sec. 28, T. 2, R. 16 W., fourth meridian, on 

left bank 700 ft downstream from highway bridge at village of Milk River, Alberta, and 

20 miles downstream from confluence of North and South Forks.

Drainage area. 1,104 sq mi.

Records available.--July 1909 to December 1917 and October 1920 to September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. July 1909 to September 1956 in reports of Department of 

Northern Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,402.78 ft above mean sea level (Geodetic 

Surveys of Canada datum). Prior to June 17, 1919, staff or chain gages at several sites 

about 1,000 ft upstream from present site at datum 0.61 ft higher. June 17, 1919, to 

Nov. 2, 1921, water-stage recorder at site 1,000 ft upstream at datum 0.61 ft higher. 

Nov. 3, 1921, to Aug. 28, 1947, water-stage recorder at site 60 ft upstream at present 

datum.

Average discharge.--40 years (1916-56), 302 cfs (218,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 2,080 cfs July 4 (gage height, 4.7 ft, from 

partly estimated gage-height record); maximum gage height, 6.86 ft Mar. 27 (ice jam); 

minimum discharge, 10 cfs Nov. 27 (gage height, 1.92 ft, backwater from ice).

1909-56: Maximum discharge, 7,460 cfs May 22, 1927 (gage height, 11.41 ft), by 

slope-area determination; no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Since 1917, 

flow increased during irrigation season by water from St. Mary Canal (see preceding 

page). Several small diversions for irrigation above station.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge. In cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Apr. 12

1.6

1.7

Apr. 13 to Sept. 30

2.3 

2.5 

3.0

376

491

792

4.0 

4.5

1,470

1,900

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17 

18

19

20

21

22 

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

71

63

65

62

62

62

65

68

62

62

62

62

62

77

74

71

68 

65

65

68

68

68 

80

68

71

65

65

65

65

68

60

2,064

66.6

4,090

Nov.

»25

36

24

29

32

29

29

52

45

36

30

29

30

28

24

19

*17 

25

29

29

32

34 

39

30

32

22

16

30

36

46

914

30.5

1,810

Dec.

46

48

*39

38

41

58

50

34

32

45

52

52

*54

52

29

39

38 

33

46

60

65

68 

28

27

45

38

33

27

24

29

27

1,297

41.8

2,570

Jan.

27

26

25

24

27

24

27

25

28

26

21

20

ZS

29

29

29

»29 

30

24

33

32

43 

56

54

38

28

46

43

43

36

36

978

31.5

1,940

Feb.

46

45

 41

46

46

48

46

62

58

68.

46

56

46

45

36

33

*30 

30

29

30

29

26 

22

2J

27

29

29

30

32

1,134

39.1

2,250

Mar.

33

43

50

45

43

36

36

27

33

33

32

30

27

43

52

94

90 

102

 548

762

671

458 

397

408

419

486

518

930

156" 994

835

9,131

295

18,110

Apr.

624

480

386

359

343

327

586" 316

381

»402

463

430

393

393

450

509

580 

550

474

422

456

503

491

628

664

676 670"

670

634

622

14,682

489

29,120

May

616

616

622

610

634

652

670

768

811

1,000

1,110

981

936

854

817

835

 911 

,050

,110

,100

,090

,150 

,130

,070

,010

975

949

923

898

879

854

27,631

891

54,810

June

835

848

835

811

798

780

774

762

743

737

725

*719

707

707

749

917

1,120

1,110

898

811

755

743 

743

725

694

628

670

670

664

664

23,342

778

46 , 300

July

688

719

829

1,540

1,840

1,210

949

823

*755

725

707

700

725

713

688

676

688 

676

664

658

646

634 

622

616

610

610

610

622

622

628

622

23,815

768

47,240

Aug.

628

652

682

676

676

652

628

616

616

646

707

755

715

 676

658

640

628 

622

616

604

610

598 598"

598

610

610

634

616

646

713

658

19,988

645

39,650

Sept.

634

62T

610

610

610

604

604

598

598

592

592

*586

598

592

586

586

580 

580

580

580

586

574 

568

574

574

574

574

586

586

592

17,730

591

35,170

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,730 Mln 11 Mean 327 Ac-ft 236,700

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,840 Mln 16 Mean 390 Ac-ft 283,100

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Oct. 31 to Apr. 12.
90 MILK RIVER BASIN

Milk River at eastern crossing of international boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°00'00", long 110°35'30", in NEir sec. 6, T. 37 N., R. 9 E., on right bank 

400 ft south of international boundary, 500 ft downstream from Canada Coulee, 30 miles 

north of Rudyard, Mont., and 37 miles south of Many Berries, Alberta.

Drainage area. 2,514 sq mi.

Records available.--August 1909 to September 1956 (few winter records).

Gage. Water-stage recorder and rock control. Datum of gage is 2,698.4 ft above mean sea 

level (International Boundary Survey datum). Prior to Aug. 13, 1913, staff gages at 

several sites within a quarter of a mile of present site at various datiuns. Aug. 13 

1913, to June 13, 1917, water-stage recorder and staff gages at site 200 ft downstream 

at datum 2.34 ft lower.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,230 cfs July 6 (gage height, 3.68 ft)- no 

flow Mar. 1-13.

1909-56: Maximum discharge, 9,530 cfs Mar. 31, 1952 (gage height, 9.34 ft) from 

rating curve extended above 2,600 cfs, but may have been higher Mar. 28, 1952- maximum 

gage height, 13.65 ft Mar. 28, 1952 (backwater from ice); no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record 

which are poor. Since 1917, flow increased during irrigation season by discharge of 

St. Mary Canal (see p. 88 ). Small diversions for irrigation above station.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1086: 1927, 1935.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

-0.2

0.0

.2

.3

65

87

116

136

-0.2

0.0

.2

.5 

1.0

116

188

346

7 to Sept. 30

3 1.5 

2.0 

3.0 

3.5

570

890

1,650

2,070

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6 

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19 

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

118 

TIT

106

100

95

90

87

83

80

76

*77

79

75

75

74

73

72

T9

80 

81

80

76

74

72

74

73

72

72

74

75

73

2,526

81.5

5,010

Nov.

t59

.

-

-

Dec.

_

-

-

Jan.

_

_

-

Feb.

-

_

-

-

Mar.

 0

(*)

b60

a!40

a220

b300

a390

a480 

a560

*b650

a745

*b840

b790

a770

b745

a610

a480

*b350

a560

b770

9,460

305

18,760

Apr.

bl,020 

a870

*b720

b835

b640

*590 

546

a507

a468

428

a431

a434

437

450

378

339

339

*386

455 

492

450

394

394

424

450

464

590

615

620

620

15,786

525

31,310

May

585 

580

590

575

Mo

620 

605

632

656

750

834

1,090

1,020

939

855

799

757

813

904 

1,070

1,060

1,040

*1,060

1,140

1,100

1,060

1,000

990

932

897

869

26,432

853

52,430

June

897 

876

848

827

806

785 

743

736

736

715

694

674

662

656

697

1,050

799

904

1,120 

*1,020

946

a813

680

743

743

715

662

600

620

680

23,447

782

46,510

July

715 

650

855

855

1,050

1,980 

1,410

1,140

960

*869

820

764

785

778

750

785 74^5

694

674 

674

662

656

644

639

615

610

600

595

610

610

615

24,806

800

49,200

Aug.

615 

722

855

968

a870

a775 

a680

a650

620

a620

620

632

*674

694

715

662

632

632

615 

615

605

590

590

600

605

632

615

626

656

778

785

20,948

676

41,550

Sept.

694 

650

610

a604

a597

a591 

585

580

570

580

580

570

575

575

555

565

*550

536

541 

555

555

570

560

565

546

541

541

550

565

570

17,226

574

34,170

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

Water year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

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

t Result of discharge measurement.

a No gage-height record; discharge Interpolated or estimated on basis of 7 discharge measurements, 

weather records, and records for station at Milk River, Alberta, 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.
MILK RIVER BASIN 

Wild Horse Lake closed basin

91

Sage Creek at "Q," Ranch, near Wildhorse, Alberta 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°07', long 110 0 13', in NW£ sec. 9, T. 2, R. 2 W., fourth meridian, in 

Alberta, on right bank at "Q" Ranch, 3j miles north of ranchhouse, 1\ miles north of 

Wildhorse customs post at international boundary, and 12f miles (revised) rorth of 

Simpson, Mont.

Drainage area. 164 sq mi.

Records available. March 1952 to October 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. March 1935 

to October 1944 and March 1946 to October 1956 in reports of Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada. Seasonal records only.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage 2,900 ft (from topographic map). Mar. 1 to 

July 31, 1935, staff gage at same site and datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during season, 352 cfs July 7 (gage height, 7.81 ft); no flow 

at times.

1935-56: Maximum discharge, 3,510 cfs Mar. 29, 1943 (gage height, 15.OC ft); no 

flow most of each year.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Many diversions above station for irrigation.

Cooperation.--\This is one of the international gaging stations maintained joirtly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been 

collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 6-8, 11, 12)

1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0 

2.2 

2.4 

2.6

2.7 

5.6 

9.6

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0 

7.0

20.0

35.0

54

109

174

259

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Mar.

0

75

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*o

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

o

0

0

0

*o

0

b5

b6l

*b45

a 40

a50 

a60

261

8.42

518

Apr.

a70

a80

a!40

*168

205

*121

49.4

*35.3

36.8

58

*82

43.6

34.1

42.6

49.5

*32.0

24. 8

15.7

*10.6

8.0

8.4

*8.7

7.2

4.2

2.5

1.7

1.1

*.9

.8

.9

1,340.8

44.7

2,660

May

0.7

.6

.5

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

**.3

4.5

2.7

1.8

1.0

.6

.3

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

O

0

Q

0 

0

15.4

0.50

31

June

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.2

85

20.8

5.8

2.4

0.9

0.6

0.4

0.3

0.3

19.7

6.6

2.3

.8

.5

146.6

4.89

291

July

0.3

.3

4.8

132

127

158

254

52

16.8

7.8

*4.0

2.1

1.1

12.3

57

16.0

5.1

2.1

.8

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.1

0

CT

0

o

0

0

855.3

27.6

1,700

Aug.

0

0

0

0

2.2

1.9

.4

.1

0

*0

~4^ 10.6

.5

1.4

.9

.3

.1

.1

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

22.5

0.73

45

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Oct.

(*)

(*)

0

o

0

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 5,240

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement and weather records .

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.
92 MILK RIVER BASIN 

Wild Horse Lake closed basin

Sage Creek at international boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location. La t 49°00'10" > long 110°11'30", in SE^ sec. 3, T. 1, R. 2 W., fourth meridian, 

in Alberta , on right bank a quarter of a mile north of international boundary, 1 mile 

east of Wild Horse customs post, and 5 miles (revised) north of Simpson, Mont.

Records available. March 1947 to October 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. March 

1946 to October 1956 in reports of Department of Northern Affairs and National 

Resources, Canada. Seasonal records only.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and concrete low-water control. Altitude of page is 2,800 ft 

(from international boundary map). Prior to Sept. 22, 1950, at site half a mile downstream at different datum.

Extremes . Maximum daily discharge during season, 35 cfs Apr. 11, 12; maximum gage height, 

4.65 ft July 9 (backwater from irrigation checks); no flow at times.

1947-56: Maximum discharge, 52 cfs Sept. 6, 1951 (gage height, 4.7£ ft); no flow 

most of each year.

Remarks . Records poor. Many diversions for Irrigation above station. All of the flow 

may be diverted at times. During the spring, high-water natural overflow occurs at 

many points along channel above and below gage.

Cooperation. This is one of the international 

U

aging stations maintained jointly by the

nited States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records- have been 

collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

(*)

0

0

0

Apr.

0

0

0

*0

0

*0

0

0

0

**4

*35

35

30

26

26

*27

*27

20

*13

9

7

*5

7

7

4

2

1

**.7

.4

.2

286.3

9.54

568

May

0.2

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

.8

.5

.4

.3

.2

.3

.3

.2

.2

.1

.1

**.!

0

0

0

O

0 

0

6.0

0.19

12

June

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*3

4

.5

.3

.2

.1

.1

2

10

4

1

25.2

0.84

50

July

1

1

.7

.8

20

34

34

34

34

31

*18

10

6

3

2

24

22

9

4

2

1

.9

.8

.8

.4

.2

.1

.1

0

0 

0

294.8

9.51

585

Aug.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*.l

.3

.2

.7

3

1

.7

.4

.5

.5

.3

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

7.8

0.25

15

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Oct.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft 1,230

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected at all times by varying amounts of backwater from irrigation checks, weeds, brush and debris in the channel.
MILK RIVER BASIN 93

Milk River at Havre, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°33'30", long 109°40'10", in SE^SE^ sec. 5, T. 32 N., R. 16 E., on up-

 sTream side of highway bridge on 7th Avenue East in Havre, 30 ft downstream from Bull 

Hook Creek, 9 miles downstream from Big Sandy Creek, and 17 miles downstream from 

Fresno Dam.

Records available. May 1898 to September 1922 (no winter records), August 1954 to September 1956.

. Wire-weight gage. Datum of gage is 2,461.11 ft (revised) above mean sea level, 

atum of 1929 (livels by Corps of Engineers). Prior to Nov. 2, 1902, wire-weight gage 

at site half a mile upstream at different datum. Nov. 4, 1902, to Nov. 25, 1910, 

chain gage at datum 0.47 ft higher, Mar. 9, 1911, to July 13, 1920, chain gage at 

present datum, and July 14, 1920, to Sept. 30, 1922, chain gage at datum 4.00 ft higher, 

all at site 30 ft downstream.

Average discharge. 17 years (1899-1916), prior to operation of St. Mary Canal, 273 cfs

 (197,600 acre-ft per year); 6 years (1916-22), 336 cfs (243,300 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge observed during year, 1,280 cfs July 19 (gage height,

 9.56 ft); minimum daily, 20 cfs Dec. 18, 19.

1898-1922, 1954-56: Maximum discharge, about 20,000 cfs Apr. 12, 1899 (gage height, 

19.3 ft, present datum, from floodmarks), from rating curve extended above £,200 cfs 

by'logarithmic plotting; no flow at times in several years.

Flood of Apr. 3, 1952, reached a stage of 18.6 ft (discharge, about 11.4CO cfs).

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Bull Hook

 Creek flood-control project is designed to bypass damaging floods to Milk River channel 

several miles downstream. Diversions for irrigation of about 6,000 acres atove station. 

Since 1917, flow increased during irrigation season by water from St. Mary Canal, which 

diverts from St. Mary River near Babb (see p. 88). Plow regulated by Fresno Reservoir 

which was completed in 1939 (see p. 238).

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 

1O

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

556

560

564

567

427

424

4O5

399

396 

369

336

315

330

327

327

348

351

33O

26

45

38

35

96

58

72

85

1O8

107

106

107 

106

8,320

268

16.5OO

Nov.

110

77

78

124

108

122

*5o~ 126

68 

65

6O

45

4O

35

50

30

35

40

45

45

45

40

40

35

35

30

30

3O

30

30

1,708

56.9

3,390

Dec.

30

30

35

35

35

35

40

4O

40 

45

50

50

5O

*45

35

30

25

20

20

25

35

40

40

40

35

35

35

35

35

40

40

1,125

36.3

2,230

Jan.

45

45

50

50

50

50

45

45

40 

40

40

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

40

40

45

45

45

45

*45

45

4O

40

35

35

30

1,275

41.1

2,530

Feb.

30" 30

35

45

45

50

50

5O

50 

50

5O

50

45

40

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

40

4O

45

45

1,175

40.5

2,33O

Mar.

60

75

75

75

70

70

*70

70

65 

60

60

65

65

65

65

65

70

80

85

90

90

90

90

95

1OO

105

110

110

115

115

12O

2,540

81.9

5,O40

Apr.

126

124

108

 142

120

104

120

118

98 

95

91

92

91

300

354

384

384

381

387

381

384

393

*387

402

693

720

732

736

728

716

9,391

33O

19,620

May

704

616

578

129

438

588

588

532

511 

525

536

522

542

539

50O

525

532

522

508

514

539

588

700

848

885

875

940

945

955

970

950

19,644

634

38,960

June

950

9O5

905

890

*900

816

808

sSo

940 

920

1,160

1,140

1,140

1,140

1,180

1,210

1.260

1,210

1,19O

1,220

1,200

 1,010

1,01O

1,040

1,030

1,O2O

997

975

915

895

30,866

1,029

61,220

July

875

844

866

895

92O

910

826

794

790 

862

905

*1,010

1,050

1,050

1,200

1,220

1,25O

1,260

1.280

1,220

1,200

1,190

1,190

1,190

1,18O

 1,180

1,140

1,160

1,200

1,210

1,19O

33,057

1,066

65,570

Alg.

1.170

1,160

1,120

997

986

97O

940

945

935 

925

920

925

*895

940

960

895

895

895

895

905

935

955

 945

960

950

950

935

905

812

821

80^

29,244

943

58,000

Sept.

682

679

693

693

693

69O

690

690

693 

690

693

686

'690 712

644

634

644

637

630

630

637

630

63O

630

644

626

542

553

 539 536

19,460

649

38,60O

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,550 Min 20 Mean 486 Ao-ft 351,800

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,280 Min 20 Mean 433 Ac-ft 314,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 11 to Mar. 31.
94 MILK RIVER BASIN

Lodge Creek below McRae Coulee at international boundary 

(international gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°00'20", long 109°43'05", in SW-£ sec. 5, T. 1, R. 28 W., third meridian, 

in Saskatchewan, on right bank a quarter of a mile downstream from McRqe Coulee, 

0.4 mile north of international boundary, three-quarters of a mile northeast of Willow 

Creek customs post, and 31 miles north of Havre, Mont.

Drainage area. 850 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. October 1951 to October 1956 (seasonal records only). Prior to October 1951, records were collected on both McRae Coulee and Lodge Creek above McRae 

Coulee. Summations are equivalent to records at this site.

Sage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,731.0 ft above mean sea level (International Boundary Survey datum).

Extremes . Maximum discharge during season, 577 cfs July 4 (gage height, 5.23 ft); no 

flow at times.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 5,570 cfs (includes inflow from Battle Creek drainage) 

Apr. 13, 1952 (gage height, 12.50 ft); maximum gage height, 12.73 ft Apr. 7, 1952 

(backwater from ice); no flow at times in each year.

Maximum discharge determined at this site, about 5,700 cfs Mar. 30, 1943, on basis 

of records for Lodge Creek at international boundary and McRae Coulee at international 

boundary.

Remarks. Records good. Natural flow affected by storage reservoirs, diversions for 

irrigation and return flow from irrigated areas.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and 

compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

0.8 

.9

1.0

1.1

1.2 

1.4 

l.fi

.2 

.6

1.2

3.0

11.1

24.5

1.8 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0

39.4

55

101

162

322

531

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October- 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23 

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.6

3

*20

46

70

6(J

*55

60

*46

360.6

11.6

715

Apr.

60

*70

60

*72

*170

*245

240

130

*105

100

*185

185

*125

260

265

*235

195

*150

113

*102

89

87

81 

*65

57

41.7

34.8

29.6

31.8

*26.0

3,609.9

120

7,160

May

21.0

18.9

16.2

16.2

18.2

20.3

20.3

26.0

36.4

53

*97

95

81

61

48.8

43.3

37.9

32.6

28.9

26.7

23.8

20.3

16.9 

15.6

15.6

11.1

7.3

6.0

4.8

3.9

3.J5

927.5

29.9

1,840

June

3.2

2.6

2.6

*2.1

1.6

1.8

3.0

2.4

1.8

1.5

1.2

.9

.8

.6

.6

.8

.7

.7

.6

.5

.6

.6

2279

TS72

10.6

6.4

3.9

2.4

1.5

97.5

3.25

193

July

1.4

1.4

23.8

417

300

148

60

195

82

41.7

*21.7

11.1

6.0

3.2

2.1

4.3

5.5

5.2

6.8

4.3

2.8

1.5

1.2 

.9

.7

.7

.6

.5

.6

.5

.5

1,351.0

43.6

2,680

Aug.

0.5

.4

.4

.3

.2

5.3

-§78 15.6

7.3

5.2

*4.5

2.1

1.8

2.4

1.3

.8

.6

.6

.5

.4

.4

.4

3.9 

2.1

1.2

.8

.6

.5

.4

.4

.3

70.0

2.26

139

Sept.

1.6

2.8

1.0

.7

.6

.4

.3

.2

.2

.1

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

7.9

0.26

16

Oct.

0

0

0

0

o

o

o

0

0

*o

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

0

0

0

0

.4

.9 *,9

2.2

0.07

4.4

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 12,750

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

Note.. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 23 to Apr. 19.
MILK RIVER BASIN 95

North Chinook Canal near Havre, Mont.

Location.--Lat 48°49', long 109°28', in SEij sec. 2, T. 35 N., R. 17 E., on right bank 

1 mile downstream from headworks of canal, 4 miles upstream from North Chinook Reservoir, and 20 miles northeast of Havre.

Records available. May 1928 to October 1956 (seasonal records only).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Prior to September 1929, staff gage at same site and datum.

Extremes. 1928-56: Maximum daily discharge, 148 cfs Apr. 14, 15, 1952; no flow at times 

each season.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Canal diverts water from left bank of Lodge Creek in sec. 3, T. 35 N., 

R. 17 E.; this water is then stored in North Chinook Reservoir for irrigation of lands 

north of Chinook between Lodge Creek and Battle Creek.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

alO

b20

**22

*b28

b63

a48

a30

b46

267

8.6

530

Apr.

b56

b44

*b53

53

*53

92

106

101

*88

84

76

100

100

92

58

94

91

*88

83

80

61

48

31

.6

.3

0

0

0

0

0

1,732.9

57.8

3,440

May

0

O

13

20

16

14

15

17

18

21

*32

43

43

42

41

40

26

5.3

3.3

2.6

2.0

1.4

1.2

.7

14

14

12

12

9.2

6.3

5.3

490.3

15.8

972

June

2.8

2.0

.8

*.2

g_

0

0

2.2

1.4

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3.1

5.0

17.5

0.58

35

July

1.9

1.8

2.8

6.5

82

92

83

68

91

80

49

*30

20

15

12

10

6.0

3.3

1.5

3.3

4.6

4.6

2.5

.6

.1

0<y

0

0

0

0

671.5

21.7

1,330

Aug.

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Oct.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 6,310

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge Interpolated or estimated.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
96 MILK RIVER BASIN

Battle Creek above Cypress Lake west inflow canal, near West Plains, Saskatchewan 

(International gaging station)

Location. La t 49°26', long 109 °41', in NE£ sec. 34, T. 5, R. 28 W., third meridian, on 

right bank 1^ miles north of West Plains and 10 miles north of Senate.

Drainage area. 240 sq mi.

Records available. March 1947 to October 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. March 

1939 to October 1956 in report of Department of Northern Affairs and National Besources, 

Canada. Seasonal records only.

Gage. --Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,230 ft (information furnished by 

Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, Canada). Prior ot Oct. 13, 

1939, at site li miles downstream at different datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during season, 199 cfs Apr. 16 (gage height, 4.06 ft, backwater from ice); minimum, 6.4 cfs Sept. 18 (gage height, 1.95 ft).

1939-56: Maximum discharge, 3,020 cfs (reduced by overflow into Lodge Creek basin 

by about 700 to 1,000 cfs) Apr. 14, 1952 (gage height, 10.00 ft, from floodmark), from 

rating curve extended above 1,500 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak 

flow; no flow at times in most years.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of no gage-height record, which are poor. 

Several small diversions for irrigation above station.

Cooperation . This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Tre'aty. The records have been 

collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except periods of Ice effect

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 20-22, Aug. 10 to Oct. 27)

1.4

1.5

6.4

9.6

13.8

25.1

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

38.3

78

124

174

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24 

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

*18

18

18

13

18

18

17

TT

17

17

17

17

17

*17

17

20

30 

46

66

48

**51

68

62

**23

851

27.5

1,690

Apr.

78

75

102

**100

94

*76

87

*83

79

*91

85

*83

110

**146

155

*149

136

*118

113

*113

103

90

78

68 

*63

56

53

50

TT2" 47.2

 

2,726.4

90.9

5,410

May

45.7

45.7

*44.2

45.0

47.2

51

53

58

75

93

133

*T25

100

91

82

76

75

73

67

64

60

56

53

51 

55

58

53

50

48.0

39.8

36.9

2,004.5

64.7

3,980

June

34.2

32.1

32.8

28.2

*25.1

23.9

22.8

22.2

21.6

20.5

18.8

17.1

14.4

12.5

T370-

16.0

26.4

36.2

30.1

25.7

25.7

26.4

45.0

*39T8

35.5

31.4

28.2

28.2

31.4

 

810.9

27.0

1,610

July

32.8

36.2

39.0

45.7

.§£

*56

53

50

40.5

34.2

29.5

27.0

25.1

23.9

27.0

32.8

33.5

*36.2

32.8

27.6

22.8

19.9

18.2

16.0 

13.0

10.9

10.0

11.3

10.4

10.4

9.6

904.3

29.2

1,790

Aug.

10.0

10.9

17.6

18.2

19.9

14.9

12.5

*14.4

15.4

13.4

17.1

17.1

19.3

14.4

10.4

^6

10.4

13.0

12.1

12.5

17.6

17.6

17.1

15.4 

17.6

19.9

22.8

iTTtJ

19.3

18.8

18.2

487.4

15.7

967

Sept.

21.6

21.6

19.3

17.1

16.0

16.6

14.9

12.5

10.9

9.6

9.6

*10.9

14.9

12.5

10.9

9.0

8.3

TO

9.0

9.6

10.9

11.7

17.6

22. 2

TO

*16.6

14.9

14.9

15.4

16.0

------

422.6

14.1

838

Oct.

If. 6

16.0

16.6

15.4

16.0

15.4

U.8 1*4.

1479"

15.4

15.4

*14.4

15.4

16.0

16.0

16.6

17.1

17.6

19.3

19.3

19.9

20.5

2?. 8

IW

25.1

26.4

25

25

2*

24

586.9

18.9

1,160

Nov.

tZ3

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 17,440

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

t Result of discharge measurement.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Mar. 1 to Apr. 19, Oct. 28-31 (no gage-height rec- 

 d Mar. 1-7, 9-20, 22-24, Oct. 29-31: discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements,

engineer's notes, and weather records).
MILK RIVER BASIN 97

Cypress Lake west Inflow canal near West Plains, Saskatchewan 

(International gaging station)

Looatlon.--Lat 49°28' , long 109°37', In SE£ sec. 18, T. 6, R. 27 W., third meridian, on 

left bank 2 miles downstream from canal headgates, 4| miles northeast of West Plains, 

and 13 miles northwest of Consul. Prior to Oct. 16, 1956, at site 2 miles upstream.

Records available. March 1947 to October 1956 In reports of the Geological Survey. March 

1939 to October 1956 in reports of Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources , Canada. Irrigation seasons only.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Prior to Oct. 16, 1956, at site 2 miles upstream at different datum.

Extremes. 1939-56: Maximum daily discharge, 663 cfs June 27, 1942; no flow at times 

each year.

Remarks. Records poor. Canal diverts water from Battle Creek for storage in Cypress 

Lake. Part or all of flow may be returned to Battle Creek at wasteway 2 miles downstream.

Cooperation.--This is one of the international gaging stations maintained Jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been 

collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department cf Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Bay

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Z2

Z3

24

25

26

27

28

Z9

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

*0

0

0

0

**.5 **1 **1

11 

1

5.5

0.18

11

Apr.

1

**3

**ZO

30

**40

45

45

**50

60

**65

65

**65

35

**100

1Z5

*149

1Z1

*93

76

*59

59

59

55

49

*4Z

4Z

38

35

35

34

1,745

58. Z

3,460

May

34

33

*33

33

33

33

Zl

(**)

.4

. .3

J

ZZ8.9

7. 33

454

June

(**)

0.3

9.0

0.30

18

July

(**)

(**)

0.3

(**)

9.3

0.30

18

Aug.

(**)

0.3

9.3

0.30

18

Sept.

(")

0.3

(**)

9.0

0.30

18

Oct.

> 0.3

5

34

T5

*14

15

15

15

15

16

ZO

19

*19

19

19

16

17 

16

293. Z

9.46

58Z

Nov.

tl.5

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft 4,58O

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

t Result of field estimate.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Mar. 1 to Oct. 31; discharge estimated on the basis of 7 discharge 

measurements, 19 field estimates of flow, 1 observation of no flow, and observer's notes.
MILK RIVER BASIN

Cypress Lake west. outflow canal near West Plains, Saskatchewan 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°28', long 109°35', in SW£ sec. 16, T. 6, R. 27 W., third meridian, on 

right bank 1 mile downstream from Cypress Lake West Dam, 7 miles northeast of West 

Plains, and 12 miles north of Consul.

Records available. March 1947 to October 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. July 

1940 to October 1956 in reports of Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, Canada. Irrigation seasons only.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Prior to Sept. 18, 1952, at site 1 mile upstream and 300 ft 

oelow Cypress Lake West Dam at different datum.

Extremes . 1940-56: Maximum daily discharge, 304 cfs May 4, 1951; no flaw at times each 

year.

Remarks . Records good except those for period of no gage-height record, which are poor. 

Canal diverts water from Cypress Lake for irrigation of lands in Battle Creek basin in 

Saskatchewan.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been 

collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Mar.

(*)

0

0

0

Apr.

0

U

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.5

**1.0

.7

**.5

.4

**.3

, 4 (**)

 ^**l

9.3

0.31

18

May

12.8

32.6

*31.0

29.1

26.8

21.1

19.0

3.6

*9.2

13.3

22.2

13.3

5.3

*4.2

2.2

2.5

7.8

7.2

6.6

6.0

5.5

3.8

2.9

3.1

*3.4

2.4

2.3

2.0

275

9.3

328.5

10.6

652

June

16.0

16.3

16.3

16.6

32.8

*64

73

72

71

70

70

69

70

75

70

70

72

65

*61

56

44.0

34.2

47.4

57

57

47.8

36.2

23.2

11.6

2.2

1,486.6

49.6

2,950

July

2.2

174

3.1

*3.6

2.9

3.2

2.8

2.8

2.9

4.3

5.7

5.0

4.0

*7.4

11.4

18.8

32.2

29.1

28.3

29.5

40.1

48.8

51

59

55

*59

59

59

59

52

41.3

778.8

25.4

1,560

Aug.

41.7

41.7

40.8

41.3

39.6

28.3

27.9

28.7

29.1

23.6

13.0

12.8

12.8

*13.0

16.3

25.0

24.3

22.2

21.8

21.4

21.1

21.4

21.1

21.4

12.3

2.8

2.9

2.3

2.2

2.2

1.9

636.9

20.5

1,260

Sept.

1.8

1.7

1.5

*1.7

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

16.0

*26.8

25.7

24.6

24.6

21.1

17.7

18.3

18.7

18.0

17.7

10.9

*6.4

6.4

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

292.2

9.74

580

Oct.

IT!

4.8

n.a

4.8

4.7

4.7

4.7

2.2

.7

.7

**.7

.6

.6

.3

.2

.1

**.!

.1

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0 

0

45.3

1.46

90

Nov.

(*)

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 7, 110

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Apr. 13-30; discharge estimated on "basis of 5 field estimates, 

1 observation of no flow, engineers' notes, and weather records.
MILK RIVER BASIN 99

Battle Creek at international boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°00'10", long 109°25'20", in SE^ sec. 4, T. 1, R. 26 W., third meridian, 

on left bank 600 ft north of international boundary in Saskatchewan, 8 miles upstream 

from Woodpile Coulee, and 30 miles north of Chinook, Mont.

Drainage area. 726 sq ml.

Records available. April 1917 to October 1956 (seasonal records only most years).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,729.8 ft above mean sea level (International Boundary Survey datum).

Extremes. Maximum dally discharge during season, 200 cfs Mar. 27; maximum gage height, 

5.14 ft Mar. 28 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 5 cfs Mar. 10.

1917-56: Maximum discharge, 5,820 cfs Apr. 15, 1952 (gage height, 10.56 ft); no 

flow at times during most years.

Remarks.--Records excellent except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-hnight record, which are poor. Natural flow of stream affected by storage reservoirs, diversions for irrigation and return flow from Irrigated areas. Water may be div3rted Into 

or from Frenchman River basin through Cypress Lake. Peak discharge for 1952 affected 

by loss to Lodge Creek basin (see records for Battle Creek above Cypress Lake west 

inflow canal, near West Plains, Saskatchewan).

Cooperation.--This is one of the International gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collectei and complied Jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years) .--WSP 1389: 1935(M), 1936, 1937(M), 1938(M).

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

2.3

2.4

2.5

4.1

9.3

16.2

2.6 

3.0 

3.5

25.2

71

163

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

7

*6

6

5_

9

10

10

30

45

70

90

100

120

150

175

150

145

125

120

**130

200

105

**55

70

2,055

66.3

4,080

Apr.

90

100

115

130

**155

165

135

135

*105

95

75

*85

125

135

140

126

*136

134

*80

57

56

48.4

*52

46.0

*45.0

37.6

*32.3

31.3

29.3

27.5

2,723.2

90.8

5,400

May

26.2

25.2

21.3

25.2

42.8

41.8

40.8

46.0

*42.8

58.0

88

90

111

122

97

82

77

70

77

77

74

67

61

*59

54

46.0

49.6

53

49.6

43.9

39 7

1,857.9

59.9

3,690

June

39.7

32.3

26.2

19.5

14.0

10.6

8.0

8.6

6.8

22.2

24.2

24.2

22.2

19.5

1'7.8

17.8

24.2

24.2

19.5

18.6

*24.2

23.2

52

48.4

48.4

49.6

52

45.0

40.8

43.9

827.6

27.6

1,640

July

39.7

38.6

40.8

45.0

*42.8

46.0

43.9

57

52

47.2

47.2

40.8

35.5

*33.3

33.3

23.2

19.5

17.0

22.2

34.4

32.3

28.3

24.2

20.4

24.2

24.2

*28.3

28.3

29.3

34.4

29.3

1,062.6

34.3

2,110

Aug.

29.3

30.3

31.3

29.3

24.2

21.3

29.3

31.3

30.3

29.3

34.4

29.3

27.3

*25.2

22.2

17.8

17.0

14.6

13.4

T7^

18.6

18.6

17.0

16.2

15.4

18.6

19.5

22.2

18.6

20.4

14. 6

703.8

22.7

1,400

Sept.

14.6

14.0

13.4

12.6

*12.6

14.6

16.2

14.6

14.0

14.0

13.4

12.6

11.8

*10.6

9.3

8.6

10.6

17.8

17.0

18.6

21.3

17.8

15.4

16.2

*17.0

17.8

19.5

26.2

24.2

21.3

467.6

15.6

927

Oct.

18.6

17.0

16.2

15.4

16.2

15.4

14.6

15.4

14.6

14.0

14.6

*12.6

10.0

8.6

12.6

14.6

14.6

15.4

17.0

26.2

19.5

17.0

14.6

14.0

15.4

15.4

16.2

16.2

13.4

11.2

16 . 2

472.7

15.2

938

Nov.

t!4.4

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ao-ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft 20,180

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

T Result of discharge measurement.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note.--Ko gage-height record Mar. 1-7; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement 

weather records. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 1 to Apr. 15.
100 MILK RIVER BASIN

Woodpile Coulee near International boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 48°59'00", long 109°31'50", in NW£ sec. 8, T. 37 N., R. IT E., on right 

bank 600 ft downstream from Antelope Coulee, l£ miles south international boundary, 

7 miles upstream from mouth, and 30 miles north of Havre, Mont.

Drainage area. 70 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. March 1927 to October 1956 (seasonal records only mort years).

Gage . Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage is 2,740 ft (from topographic map). Prior to Aug. 27, 1927, staff gage at site 4 miles dovnstream at different datum.

Extremes . Maximum discharge during season, 24.4 cfs May 11 (gage height, 2.66 ft); no 

flow most of period.

1927-56: Maximum discharge, 3,090 cfs Mar. 30, 1943 (gage height, 8.6 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 330 cfs on basis of slope-area determination at gage height 8.50 ft; no flow most of each year.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Stock-water reservoir constructed in summer of 1947 s quarter of a 

mile upstream; capacity not more than 30 acre-ft. Seepage from reservoir produces 

long periods of flow under 0.05 cfs.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained Jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs andnited States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treat 

iled jointly with the Wate 

National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1209: 1943(M). WSP 1389: 1935(M), 1936, 1937(M), 1939,

1940-4l(M), 1943-44, 1947, 1950 (M).

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.7

1.8

2.0 

Z.I

.5 

1.0 

1.8

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.6

3.0 

4.9

8.5 

20.0

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, March to Octobe

Day

1

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0

0

0

0

O

0

0

0

O

0

0

O

0

0

O

0

o

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

*aO

a3

alO

as

*b5

a5

*b5

36

1.16

71

Apr.

as

a6

a5

*b6

*6^5

4.2

3.8

1.9

1.0

.8

.6

.4

**.3

.3

.2

.2 4 **. i

.1.1

.1.1.1

a.l

44.6

1.49

88

May

**0.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

4.8

*16.8

6.9

3.3

2.1

1.4

1.0

.8

.6

.5

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.6

.5

.3

.3

44.0

1.42

87

June

0.2

.2

.2

**.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.3

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

4.7

0.16

9.3

July

0.1

.2

.4

.3

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

*0

0

o

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

o

0

o

0

.1

.1

0

1.7

0.05

3.4

Aug.

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

(*)

0

o

0

Oct.

(*)

(*)

0

o

o

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac -ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft 259

* Discharge measurement or observation of flo

** Field estimate made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge interpolated.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.

made on this day.
MILK RIVER BASIN 101

East Fork Battle Creek near international boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location.--Lat 48°58', long 109°08', in NWi sec. 17, T. 37 N., R. 80 E., on right bank 

2 miles south of international boundary, 5^ miles upstream from Lyons Coulee, and 

26 miles north of Chinook, Mont.

Drainage area. 95 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. March 1927 to October 1956 (seasonal records only most years).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,760 ft (from topographic irap). Prior 

To Sept. 3, 1927, chain or staff gage at site half a mile downstream at different datum. 

Sept. 3, 1927, to Oct. 18, 1952, water-stage recorder at site 300 ft downstream from 

former gage at different datum.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during season, 50 cfs Mar. 27 (gage height, 4.00 ft, backwater from ice); no flow most of period.

1927-56: Maximum discharge, 2,300 cfs July 12, 1955 (gage height, 11.24 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 230 cfs on basis of slope-area determination msde in 1952 

at former site converted to present site and datum; no flow most of each year.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-heigl-t record, 

which are poor.

Cooperation.--This is one of the international gaging stations maintained joirtly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1176: 1939-40. WSP 1389: 1927, 1937(M), 194l(M), 1943-44.

Rating table. Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

3.0 

3.2 

3.4

1.7

6.3

12.3

20.9

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27 

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

*0

0

o

0

o

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

*b6

b!8 

a!2

*b6

b3

b5

51

1.65

101

Apr.

9.4

11.3

a!2.7

*14.2

15.0

9.7

*6.0

3.0

*1.6

1.7

1.9

1.9

al.7

al.4

al.2

a. 9

.7

**. 5

.4

.4

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

**_.!

.1

.1

9T.4

3.25

193

May

0.1

.2

.1

.1

.2

.1

.1

.2

.2

.3

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.1

0

0

2.8

0.09

5.6

June

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

0

0

0

0

0

July

( )

0

0

0

Aug.

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

C)

0

0

0

Oct.

(»)

0

0

0

Nov.

(*)

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ao-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ao-ft 300

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

a Ho gage-height record; discharge interpolated.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
102 MILK RIVER BASIN

Lyons Coulee at international boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location.--Lat 49°00', long 109°14', in NW£ sec. 1, T. 1, R. 25 W., third meridian, on 

right bank half a mile north of international boundary, 8 miles south of Arena, 

Saskatchewan, and 28 miles north of Chinook, Mont. Prior to Nov. 3, 1955, at site 

300 ft upstream.

Records available. March 1927 to October 1956 (seasonal records only most years).

Gage. Staff gage. Altitude of gage is 2,800 ft (from international boundary map). Prior 

to Oct. 19, 1935, chain and staff gages at site half a mile south of international 

boundary at different datum. Oct. 19, 1935, to Oct. 31, 1940, staff gage at site l£ 

miles north of international boundary at different datum. Nov. 1, 1940,to Nov. 2, 

1955, staff gage at site 300 ft upstream at same datum.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge observed during season, 19.1 cfs Apr. 4 (gage height, 2.94 ft); 

no flow most of year.

1927-56: Maximum discharge, 1,220 cfs July 6, 1955 (gage height, 8.38 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 600 cfs; no flow most of each year.

Remarks. Records poor. Natural flow of stream affected by small stock-water dams above 

station.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by 

the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and 

compiled Jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1389: 1929(M), 1936, 1937(M), 1939, 1940-41(M), 1946(M).

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956 (gage height, in feet, antf 

discharge, in cubic feet per second)

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

.2

.7

1.8

2.6

2.7

2.8 

3.0

3.8

6.8

11.1

23.1

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

e

9

10

11

1Z

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

ZZ

Z3

24

25

Z6

27

Z8

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*o

11

7

*3

2 1 ? ? Le: ' c

35.2

1.14

70

Apr.

3.8

7.5

14.3

17.2

*10.0

10.0

5.5

3.3

*2.6

4.6

3.3

2.1

2.0

1.8

1.3

1.0

.7

*.6

.5

.4

.2

.2

.2

.1

**.!

0

0

0

0

0

93.3

3.11

185

May

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

.1

.1

2.1

1.2

.4

.3

.2

.1

.1

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

o

o

o

0

0

0

0

0

4.6

0.15

9.1

June

(*)

0

o

0

July

(*)

0

0

0

Aug.

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

0

0

o

Oct.

(*)

0

0

o

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac -ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 264

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

* Field estimate made on this day.
MILK RIVER BASIN 103

Matheson Canal near Chinook, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°35'40", long 109"08"25", in SE^NW^ sec. 29, T. 33 N., R. 20 E., on right 

Bank 75 ft downstream from headworks of canal and 3.9 miles east of Chinook.

Records available . April 1905 to October 1921, May 1928 to September 1949, October 1950 

to October 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Prior to Apr. 12, 1930, staff gage at site 65 ft upstream at 

same datum.

Extremes. 1905-21. 1928-49, 1950-56: Maximum daily discharge, 30 cfs Apr. 1, 1915, caused 

By washing out of canal headgates; no flow at times each year.

Remarks. Daily discharge not computed because of indeterminate stage-discharge relationship. Canal diverts water from right bank of Battle Creek for irrigation of lands between Battle Creek and Milk River. Estimated total diversion 340 acre-ft. Discharge 

measurements, in cubic feet per second, obtained during season are listed below.

May 9..... o

24.......... 9.7

....... 4.7

....... 5.0

July 13.......... .1

June

July 26. 

Aug. 1.

17. 0

Sept.16.......... 0

Oct. 14.......... .

Nov. 2.......... 2

Peoples Creek near Dodson, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°21" , long 108°21', in N| sec. 21, T. 30 N., R. 26 E., on right bank

a quarter of a mile upstream from Indian Service diversion, 6| miles southwest of Dodson, 

and 7 miles upstream from mouth. Prior to Aug. 12, 1956, at site 300 ft downstream.

Records available . April 1918 to July 1919, May to September 1921, June 1951 to September 

1956.

Sage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,310 ft (by barometer). Prior to June 

1951, chain gage at site 2 miles downstream at different datum. June 1, 1951, to 

Aug. 11, 1956, water-stage recorder at site 300 ft downstream at present datim.

Average discharge. 5 years (1951-56), 44.2 cfs (32,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum daily discharge during year, 100 cfs Mar. 25; no flow at times.

1918-19, 1921, 1951-56: Maximum daily discharge, 3,500 cfs Mar. 30, 1952; maximum 

gage height, 17.05 ft Mar. 29, 1952 (ice jam), from floodmark in gage house; no flow 

at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record 

and those after July 24, which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 700 acres 

above station.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

oa

.1.1

.1.1

.1

.2

1.0

.4

.6

.9

.9

1.0

1.2

1.2

1*8

1.9

1.9

2.2

*2.6

3.1

2.2

2.1

1.7

1.4

1.7

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.1 

2.4

42.8

1.38

85

Nov.

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.4

2.8

5.0

5.5

7.5

9.0

778

4

2

1

*.6

.5

.5

.4

.4

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.2

.1

.1

0

0

57.5

1.92

114

Dec.

(*)

0

o

0

Jan,

(*)

O

0

0

Feb.

-

0

0

0

Mar.

*0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

o

5

15

50

*60

50

45

50

70

90

100

*85

75

50

30

40 

5O

865

27.9

1,720

Apr.

45

35

30

40

*35

32

29

39

38

42

31

30

31

32

28

26

23

20

19

17

16

15

14

13

13

12

11

12

12

12

752

25.1

1,490

May

11

11

11

11

15

15

14

*13

12

11

11

9.7

9.0

8.2

7.5

6.4

5.8

5.0

4.2

4.2

4.8

3.5

3.0

2.4

2.4

2.8

4.0

5.2

4.8

3.8

3.3

235.0

7.58

466

June

3.0

2.6

1.9

*1.4

1.0

.7

.6

.4

.2

.2

.1

.2

1.3

.6

.2

.1

3.9

9.7

5.2

8.8

10

3.8

3.0

1.9

1.0

.5

.3

.2

.1

£

62.9

2.10

125

July

0

0

.3

36

12

5.5

2.6

1.2

*.7

.4

.2

.2

.1

0

0

0

3.0

.9

.4

.2

.1

O

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

63.8

2.06

127

Aug.

0

C

c

0

0

c

c

c*c

c

**4

.3

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

o

0

.1

o

5.3

0.17

11

Sept.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

o

0

.9

1*0

.3

.1

.1

0

0

O

o

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

2.4

0.08

4.8

Calendar year 1955: Max l,28O Mln 0 Mean 63.8 Ac-ft 46,200

Water year 1955-56: Max loo Mln o Mean 5.70 Ac-ft 4,140

Peak discharge (base. 500 cfa). Ho peak above base.

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 11-3O. Ho gage-height record Dec. 1 to Apr. 

July 25 to Aug. 11; discharge estimated on basis of 5 observations of no flow, 3 discharge measurements, 1 field estimate of flow, and weather records.

459735 O - 58 -8
104 MILK RIVER BASIN

Whitewater Creek near international boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 48°57', long 107°51', in NW^ sec. 24, T. 37 N., R. 29 E., on left bank 

500 ft dovmstream from North Fork, 3^ miles south of international boundary, 11 miles 

north of Loring, Mont., and 14 miles south of Orkney, Saskatchewan.

Records available. March 1927 to October 1956 (seasonal records only most years).

Gage. Water-stage recorder and V-notch weir in concrete control. Altitude of gage is 

2,500 ft (from international boundary map). Prior to Aug. 31, 1927, staff gage and 

Aug. 31, 1927, to Oct. 31, 1948, water-stage recorder, at site 300 f": upstream at 

present datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during season, 2.5 cfs Mar. 24 (gage height, 1.96 ft, backwater from ice);, no flow at times.

1927-56: Maximum discharge, 3,500 cfs Apr. 14, 1952 (gage height, 6.15 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 2,100 cfs on basis of conveyance study; no flow at times 

during most years.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gag<?-height record, 

which are poor.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and 

compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources , Canada.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1389: 1928, 1931(M), 1936, 1939-41(M), 1943, 1950(M).

Rating table. Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 13-21)

1.0

1.2 

1.4 .5

1.0 

1.9

Discharge., in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

bo

b.l

b.3

b.5

b.S

b.6

b2.2

bl.4

b.9

b.S

*b.8

a. 9

*bl.O

a. 3

10.9

0.35

22

Apr.

aO.8

a. -8

al.O

al.O

a. 9

a. 8

a. 7

a. 8

a. 9

*bl.O

bl.O

bl.O

b.9

b.S

b.S

b.7

.6

.6

.5

*.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

*.5

.5

.5

.7

.7

21.6

0.72

43

May

0.8

.7

.7

.6

.9

1.3

1.2

1.5

1,1

1.8

1.7

1.4

1.2

1.1

.9

.8

*.7

.7

.6

.5

.5

.4

.4

^

.3

.3

.6

.7

.6

.5

.4

26.0

0.84

52

June

0.3

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

.1.1

.1

.1.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

2.4

0.08

4.8

July

O

0

.1

71

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

*0

0.5

0.02

1.0

Aug.

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

li

0.2

0.01

0.4

Sept.

oa

.1

o

0

.1

.1 *.i

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.5

0.02

1.0

Oct.

*o

0

0

o

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

*.l

0.2

0.01

0.4

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft 125

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

a No gage-height record; discharge interpolated or estimated on basis of 3 weir readings, records 

or nearby stations, and weather records, 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
MILK RIVER BASIN 105

Belanger Creek diversion canal near Vldora, Saskatchewan 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°30', long 109°22', in SW-J- sec. 30, T. 6, R. 25 W., third meridian, on 

left bank 1,000 ft downstream from diversion weir and 12 miles north of Vldora.

Records available. March 1947 to October 1956 In reports of Geological Survey. March 1946 

to October 1956 (published as "diversion to Cypress Lake") In reports of Department of 

Northern Affairs and National Resources, Canada. Irrigation seasons only.

Gage. Water-stage recorder.

Extremes. 1946-56: Maximum dally discharge, 555 cfs Apr. 29, 1951; no flow at times In 

each year.

Remarks. - - Records fair. Canal diverts water from right bank of Belanger Creek for storage 

In Cypress Lake Reservoir.

Cooperation. This Is one of the International gaging stations maintained Jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

1

*7

**3

1

*0

*0

0

12

0.39

24

Apr.

*0

0

0

*0

0

0

2

7

**13

*39

*13.4

7.1

15.6

*10.4

0

39.0

*62

45.5

*39.7

41.1

42.9

28.8

*23.3

21.1

18.1

16.8

15.0

15.0

14.8

*14.5

545.1

18.2

1,080

May

14.5

14.5

13.7

13.4

15.6

17.8

17.8

25.2

56

41.1

42.9

32.1

28.0

*26.8

24.1

23.3

22.9

19.8

18.4

17.5

17.2

15.6

*15.0

15.6

20.1

18.7

16.5

8.4

3.4

2.2

619.9

20.0

1,230

June

1.4

**2.3

5.0

5.3

7.0

6.2

5.9

1.3

1.3

1.4

*1.5

0.8

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

39.4

1.31

78

July

(*)

0

0

0

Aug.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

0

0

0

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Ncv.

(*)

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac -ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft 2,410

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

** Field estimate made on this "day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 24 to Apr. 10 (no gage-height reco-d Mar. 27 

to Apr. 6j discharge estimated on the basis of 1 field estimate, 4 observations of no flo-i, and 

weather records).
106 MILK RIVER BASIN

Cypress Lake east outflow canal near Vldora, Saskatchewan 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 490 29' , long 109°21', in sec. 19, T. 6, R. 25 W. , third m?ridian, on right 

bank 500 ft upstream from Belanger Creek and 11 miles north of Vidora.

Records available.--May 1947 to October 1956 in reports of Geological Su-vey. July 1940 

to October 1956 in reports of Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, 

Canada. Irrigation seasons only.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder.

Extremes.--1940-56: Maximum daily discharge, 202 cfs Apr. 19, 1952; no flow at times each 

year.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for periods of no gage-height record, which are poor. 

Canal diverts water from Cypress Lake for irrigation of lands in Frenchman River basin 

in Saskatchewan.

Cooperation.--This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Discharge, in cubic 1 feet per second , March to October 1956

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

26

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

3

3

**3

3

3

3

3

3

2

2

2

2

2

**2

2

2

2

2

2

*2

2

2

2

**2

2

**1

**1

1

**1

**1

1

64

2.06

127

Apr.

**1

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

**2

2

2

2

38

*76

*82

86

*79

68

*55

19.6

6.7

3.1

*2.2

2.2

2.5

2.6

2.4

2.3

2.6

*2.8

552.0

18.4

1,090

May

3.3

3.6

4.0

3.5

3.5

4.1

4.4

5.3

10.3

4.3

3.3

3.0

2.9

*2.8

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.6

*2.8

2.9

3.9

3.9

3.8

5.0

16.4

20.3

164.1

5.29

325

June

35.4

*132

142

55

11.0

5.8

5.8

15.3

7.4

5.4

*6.1

19.9

32.5

47.2

165

122

34.7

3.5

2.6

2.4

2.7

2.9

2.9

2.9

*2.8

3.2

3.0

2.7

3.0

3.1

880.2

29.3

1,750

July

3.2

*2.9

3.6

5.1

4.1

3.3

2.8

2.6

2.5

2.2

2.0

*2.0

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.2

1.1

.9

.8

**.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.8

1.0

1.0

57.0

1.84

113

Aug.

1.1

**1.2

1.1

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.1

**1.0

.9

.8

.8

.9

.8

.7

.6

**.5

.5

.6

.6

1.1

1.8

1.1

1.1

1.3

1.3

29.6

0.95

59

Sept.

.2

.2

.4

* .7

.6

.5

.5

.4

.2

.4

.3

.4

.4

** .5

.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.5

.7

.8

.7

* .6

.6

.6

.7

.9

.0

.8

45.7

1.52

91

0;t.

1.7

1.6

1.6

*1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.7

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.4

2.4

2.7

2.8

2.8

3.0

3.2

*2.9

2.9

3.1

3.5

3.4

3

3

4_

75.0

2.42

149

Nov.

t3.6

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ae-ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ae-ft 3,700

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

t Result of discharge measurement.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Mar. 1 to Apr. 13, Oct. 29; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, 9 field estimates, and weather records.
MILK RIVER BASIN

Frenchman River above East End Reservoir, near Ravenscrag, Saskatchewan 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°29', long 109°00', in MT sec. 23, T. 6, R. 23 W., third meridian, on 

right bank 2 miles downstream from North Pork, 4 miles east of Ravenscrag, and 8 miles 

west of East End, Saskatchewan.

Drainage area.--598 sq mi.

Records available. July 1912 to October 1917 and March 1947 to October 1956 in reports of 

Geological Survey. July 1912 to October 1917 and March 1937 to October 1956 in reports 

of Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, Canada. Published as "at 

Phillips Ranch" 1912-17. Seasonal records only.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,040 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

£o Nov. 1, 1917, staff gage at site about half a mile downstream at different datum. 

Mar. 1, 1937, to Aug. 11, 1938, staff or chain gages at several sites within 5 miles of 

present site at various daturas.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during season, 1,260 cfs Apr. 15 (gage height, 4.43 ft); minimum, 11.7 cfs Sept. 20.

1912-17, 1937-56: Maximum discharge, 12,600 cfs Apr. 16, 1952 (gage height, 12.25 

ft, from floodmark), from rating curve extended above 3,200 cfs on basis of slope-area 

determination of peak flow; minimum recorded, 0.3 cfs (revised) Aug. 27, 1937.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of Ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Natural flow of stream affected by diversion in Belanger Cre3k diversion canal near Vidora, Saskatchewan (see p. 105), return in Cypress Lake east outflow 

canal near Vidora, Saskatchewan (see preceding page), diversions for irrigation at many 

other points along the stream, and return flow from irrigated areas. Water may be 

diverted into or from Battle Creek basin through Cypress Lake.

Cooperation.--This is one of the international gaging stations maintained Jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and compiled Jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.2

1.3 

1.5 

1.7 

2.0

13.2

19.3

38.5

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0

119 

Discharge, in cubic

255

455

995

1,660

feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

13

15

11

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Mar.

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

*23

23

22

22

21

21

*20

20

21

21

21

22

*22

24

27

30

32

*34

35

36

38

39

40

798

25.7

1,580

Apr.

41

42

44

*45

34

23

222~9

*74

123

220

**300

*639

1,020

*1 J 140

810

*563

363

300

*266

242

185

*136

116

104

94

83

71

*65

63

7,257

242

14,390

May

62

62

58

*60

68

81

88

103

171

219

225

Iff

145

134

119

114

108

104

94

83

73

63 *54

53

58

74

73

69

62

54

57

2,965

95.6

5,880

June

58

68

130

~94 174

51

36.3

35.2

38.5

38.5

29.9

26.9

*3T79

47.2

62

122

136

74

38.5

30.9

39.7

36.2

45.9

48.5

49.8

45.9

42.1

40.9

39.7

37.4

1,749.0

58.3

3,470

July

38.5

37.4

39.7

43.3

47.2

*44.6

38.5

34.1

31.9

29.9

28.9

27.9

26.9

27.9

26.9

27.9

29.9

29.9

27.9

26.0

23.3

21.6

*19-.3

18.6

17.2

16.5

16.5

17.2

19.3

26.0

30.9

891.6

.28.8

1,770

Aug.

30.9

29.9

33.0

"2879

26.0

21.6

19.3

17.9

*17.9

17.9

20.8

23.3

24.2

20.8

17.9

16.5

15.9

16.5

17.9

19.3

17.2

15.9

14.2

13.2

1372

14.2

14.2

17.2

21.6

20.0

17.9

616.2

19.9

1,220

Sept.

*17.9

1772

15.3

15.3

15.9

16.5

15.9

15.9

15.3

14.2

13.7

13.2

12.7

13.2

13.2

13.2

13.2

12.7

12.2

1272

12.7

13.2

15.3

*15.9

15.9

14.7

13.7

14.7

14.7

16.5

--.--.

436.2

14.5

865

Oct.

16.5

15.9

14.7

14.7

13.7

13.2

13.2

13.7

*13.7

14.2

14.7

14.7

16.5

17.2

17.9

17.9

17.2

17.9

18.6

19.3

21.6

20.8

22.4

21.6

21.6

20.8

21.6

22

20

24

2T

552.8

17.8

1,100

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ao-ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ao-ft 30,280

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 1 to Apr. 13, Oct. 28-31 (no gage-teight 

record Mar. 1 to Apr. 3, Apr. 5; discharge estimated on basis of 5 discharge measurements, engineers 

notes, and weather records).
108 MILK RIVER BASIN

East End Canal at East End, Saskatchewan 

(International gaging station)

Location.--Lat 49°30', long 108°S1>, in NW£ sec. 25, T. 6, R. 22 W., third meridian, on 

left bank 100 ft downstream from headgates and 2 miles west of East End.

Records available.--March 1947 to October 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. April 1937

 to October 1956 in reports of Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, 

Canada. Published as "Eastend Irrigation District main canal" April to September 1937. 

Seasonal records only.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Prior to Sept. 19, 1949, at site a quarter of a mile downstream at different datum.

Extremes.--1937-56: Maximum daily discharge, 62 cfs May 11, 12, 1949; no flow at times in 

each year.

Remarks.--Records fair. Canal diverts water from East End-Reservoir on right bank for irrigation in Frenchman River basin in Saskatchewan.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained Jointly by the

 United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been collected and compiled Jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0

0

0

Apr.

(*)

0

0

0

May

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

5.5

10.0

*17.8

25.8

26.2

30.2

31.8

31.4

29.0

29.8 

32.2

269.7

8.70

535

June

41.3

42.2

42.6

*42.6

40.1

40.9

39.7

35.9

34.3

35.5

39.7

44.7

*46.4

46.4

47.7

48.1

46.8

45.5

45.5

43.9

21.4

21.4

20.7

19.5

*19.5

19.5

19.2

19.2

19.5

16.2

1,045.9

34.9

2,070

July

11.2

3.0

*0

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

3.6.

6.4

6.7

*11.5

17.7

19.9

19.5

*20.7

23.8

27.0

31.4

31.8

2978

28.2

23. 0 

15.2

330.4

10.7

655

Aug.

15.5

15.9

*15.5

18.0

19.9

19.5

19.2

19.9

21.4

21.8

21.8

21.8

23.0

*24.2

24.2

23.8

21.1

20.3

19.9

18.8

17.7

*17.7

17.3

16.2

16.2

12.2

0

0

0

o

0

502.8

16.2

997

Sept.

*0

0

O

0

1.1

16.8

7 .7

0

O

0

0

2.6

7.9

*9.3

10.6

10.6

10.3

10.3

9.2

0

0

0

O

*0

0

0

o

0

0

o

96.4

3.21

191

Oct.

(*)

O

0

0

Nov.

(*)

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ao-ft 4,450

Discharge measurement or observation of no flow made on this day.
MILK RIVER BASIN

Frenchman River below East End Reservoir, near East End, Saskatchewan 

(International gaging station)

Location --Lat 49°31', long 108°50', in SE^ sec. 36, T. 6, R. 22 W., third meridian, on 

Rp,pj£X three-quarters of a mile west of East End, 1 mile downstream from East End 

Reservoir, and 100 miles upstream from international boundary

Drainage area.--648 sq mi.

109

,'T ?. " $" '"' j-=w i-u UUUUUBI- j.330 in reports or department of Northern 

nH« QnQfi ? ^ 5escTSeB { c fnada. Seasonal records only. Published as "at East End 1909-16 in reports of Geological Survey and published as "near East End" 1909-10 

as at Engright and Strong's Ranch" 1911, as "at Strong and Day's Ranch" 1912-13 and' 

as at East End" 1914-16, 1918-36 in reports of Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada; records prior to April 1939 not equivalent owing to diversion in East End Canal since 1937.

Gage. --Water-stage recorder Altitude of gage is 2,960 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to July 1941, staff or chain gages at several sites within lj miles of present site at 

vs-Fious Ucituins ,

.

Remarks. --Records good except those for period of no gage-height record, which are fair 

Natural flow of stream affected by storage reservoirs, diversions for irrigation and 

return flow from irrigated areas. Water may be diverted into or from Battle Creek 

basin through Cypress Lake.

Cooperation --This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

UniteS~States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been 

collected and compiled Jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Rating table, Mar, 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except period of ice e-ffeet (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

2.9

6.9

12.8

20.9

44.6

1.7 

2.0 

3.0 

5.0 

8.0

139

291

594

1,170

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Feb.

t!7.8

Mar.

18

18

17

17

17

16

16

16

17

*17

17

17

17

18

*18

19

20

*36

36

12

*36

57

30

*38

42

*39

32

59

33

*46

*44

835

26.9

1-.660

Apr.

39

38

26

*49

61

59

54

54

*70

145

*220

*358

608

*866

1.150

*834

504

*149

232

216

201

190

104

56

53

*53

56

82

72

70

6,649

222

13,190

May

67

56

51

*54

58

69

69

84

109

176

213

217

T74

117

115

103

99

87

84

76

61

36.3

*17.4

TO

20.9

24.8

46.1

40.3

33.8

32 .6

2,437.5

78.6

4,830

June

20.9

20.0

20. 9

56

105

82

32.6

16.6

14.2

12.8

11.4

9.0

*9.0

7.4

7.4

7.4

10.8

20.9

28.1

14.2

29.2

36.3

20.0

14.2

17.4

18.2

21.8

25.9

27.0

30.3

746.9

24.9

1,480

July

35.0

35.0

35.0

40.3

43.1

*43.1

44.6

41 .7

40.3

40.3

38.9

37.6

27.0

24.8

22.8

24.8

24.8

24.8

*25.9

25.9

24.8

22.8

21.8

20.9

13.5

12.8

12.1

11.4

12.1

11.4

10 . 8

850.1

27.4

1,690

Aug.

8.4

3.8

*4.1

3.8

3.8

6.4

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

5.4

5.4

4.1

4.1

4.1

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

5.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.8

4.9

4.5

26.2

35.0

3FT6

27 .O

25 9"

262.1

8.45

520

Sept.

*25.9

24.8

21.8

21.8

20.0

13.5

12.8

13.5

13.5

13.5

13.5

13.5

14.2

13.5

13.5

13.5

13.5

13.5

13.5

18.2

28.1

24.8

25.9

*27.0

27.0

28.1

28.1

51

65

23.8

650.3

21.7

1,290

Oct.

21.8

21.8

19.1

19.1

20.9

17.4

17.4

17.4

18.2

18.2

19.1

20.0

20.0

21.8

*20.0

20.0

18.2

19.1

20.9

20.9

21.8

20.9

21.8

22.8

2T7S

20.0

22.8

22.8

19.1

16.6

20.9

622.6

20.1

1,230

Nov.

t!4.2

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 25,890

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

t Result of discharge measurement.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 1 to Apr. 11 (no gage-height record Mar. 1- 

16; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements and weather records).
110 MILK RIVER BASIN

Val Marie west gravity canal near Yal Marie, Saskatchewan 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°22', long 107°53', in SW£ sec. 7, T. 5, R. 14 W., third meridian, on 

right bank at outlet of Yal Marie West Reservoir, 11 miles northwest of Yal Marie.

Records available. March 1947 to October 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. March 

1946 to October 1956 in reports of Department of Northern Affairs and National 

Resources, Canada. Seasonal records only.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Prior to Sept. 27, 1949, at site half a rrile downstream at 

different datum.

Extremes. 1946-56: Maximum daily discharge, 28.9 cfs June 21, 1952; no flow at times 

each year.

Remarks. Records poor. Canal diverts water from Yal Marie West Reservoir on left bank 

for irrigation in the Frenchman River basin in Saskatchewan.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintaired jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been 

collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, March to October 195(5

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12 

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0

0

0

Apr.

(*)

0

0

0

May

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

8.5

17.5

21.0

17.3

14.2

14.6

14.9

12.4

11.2

*10.4

17.0

21.5

23.3

204.2

6.59

405

June

26.0

2573

15.5

14.2 

8.9

9.6

*12.5

17.6

18.4

7.6

23.3

21.7 

15.9

12.1

17.3

16.1

16.5

*9.5

11.0

13.7

13.3

10.7

4.2

2.9

678

8.5

*8.6

8.9

8.6

7.5

392.7

13.1

779

July

6.7

7.5

8.5

4.1 

£

0

*3.7

5.2

5.6

6.5

8.9

8.0 

3.3

10.4

10.0

10.6

10.4

10.4

10.4

*10.4

10.6

10.7

10.7

10.6

10.4

10.4

10.2

*10.8

11.9

11.2

12.2

260.3

8.40

516

Aug.

17.9

21.5

22.0

22.7 

22.0

19.6

*16.5

13.3

11.2

11.0

11.3

11.0 

10.0

10.2

9.8

9.8

*9.8

8.9

8.9

7.4

6.5

9.2

14. 8

14.4

14.8

14.6

13.3

13.0

*12.4

10. 0

7.5

405.3

13.1

804

Sept.

7.8

8.6

8.8

8.9 

9.0

9.0

*5.2

0

0

0

14.7

17^5 

16.9

16.5

11.6

7.8

*7.5

7.5

7.5

7.4

5.3

0

0

0

8.7

5.5

*5.9

5.6

5.5

5.5

------

214.2

7.14

425

Oct.

o 1.8

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

1.8

0.06

3.6

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season, : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 2,93C

Discharge measurement or observation of no flow made on this day.
MILK RIVER BASIN 111

Val Marie Canal near Val Marie, Saskatchewan 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°18', long 107 "47', In NE£ sec. 13, T. 4, R. 14 W., third meridian, on 

left bank 2 miles downstream from Val Marie Reservoir and 4i miles northwest cf Val 

Marie.

Records available. April 1947 to October 1956 In reports of Geological Survey. April 

1937 to October 1956 in reports of Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, Canada. Published in Canadian reports as "Val Marie Irrigation District 

Canal" April to July 1937, as "Val Marie Main Canal" April 1946 to October 1.56. 

Seasonal records only.

Gage. Water-stage recorder.

Extremes . 1937-56 : Maximum daily discharge, 90 cfs June 2,3, 1951; no flow at times 

each year.

Remarks . Records good. Canal diverts water from Val Marie Reservoir on left bark for 

irrigation in the Frenchman River basin in Saskatchewan. Approximately 280 acre-ft 

were diverted from canal during the season for use above station.

Cooperation. This is one of the International gaging stations maintained Jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have teen 

collected and compiled Jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3 

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26 

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Mar.

(*)

0

0

0

Apr.

(*)

0

0

0

May

0

0

0 

0

0

0

0

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*.l

2.6

2.8

4.7

*7.8

15.5

23.9

27.9

30.6

36.8 

45.4

*52

43.4

45.4

49.8

388.8

12.5

771

June 1

51

52

52 

55

54

47.8

*47.8

51

56

59

59

58

58

58

57

56

53

*46.6

46.2

46.2

39.1

26.0

19.5

19.5

19.5

19.2 

*11.4

6.5

6.5

6.5

_______

1,237.3

41.2

2,450

July

6.5

6.5

4.3 

1.3

1.1

.6 «7T

.1

.1

.3

9.9

16.6

25.3

30.9

31.3

31.3

31.7

31.3

*31.7

31.3

33.7

35.2

36.4

41.1

fct

*37.2

34.5

33.7

31.7

661.5

21.3

1,310

Aug.

32.9

37.6

frf

38.8

38.0

*37.6

34.8

29.4

24.6

13.4

10.1

11.4

10.8

11.6

11.6

12.9

11.8

11.6

*11.6

11.6

11.6

11.8

11.8

6.5

2.3 

2.2

2.2

*2.2

2.1

2.0

539.8

17.4

1,070

Sept.

1.3

.6

.2 

.2

.1

.1

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1.7

1.4

1.4

*1.4

1.6

1.6

1.6

.7

.3

.2

2.3

7.6

7.4 

*5.0

3.6

3.4

3.3

------

47.0

1.57

93

Oct.

3.4

3.4

2.8 

2.9

2.9

2.3

2.1

+2.1

2.1

2.3

2.6

2.5

3.6

4.8

4.8

4.7

*4.3

1.4

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

3.0

5.9 

*273

.2

.2

.1

*0

68.0

2.19

135

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 5,830

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

* Field estimate made on this day.
112 MILK RIVER BASIN

Frenchman River at International boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 49°00'00", long 107"18'10", in SE£ sec. 5, T. 1 R. 10 W., third meridian, 

 on left bank 50 ft upstream from international boundary and 22 miles northeast of 

Whitewater, Mont.

Drainage area. 2,020 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. April 1917 to October 1956 (seasonal records only most years).

.--Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage is 2,420 ft (from 

topographic map). Prior to June 23, 1937, at site about half a mile upstream at different datum and June 23, 1937, to October 1952, at site 100 ft downstream at present

rtatiim

Gage

E<

datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during season, 788 cfs Apr. 23 (gage height, 7.08 ft), minimum dally, 1.2 cfs Oct. 23.

1917-56: Maximum discharge, 22,700 cfs Apr. 15, 1952 (gage height, 19.90 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 2,300 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow at times during most years.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record,

 which are poor. Natural flow of stream affected by storage reservoirs, diversions for 

irrigation, and return flow from irrigated areas. Water may be diverted into or from 

Battle Creek basin through Cypress Lake.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained Jointly by the

 United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been

collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1389: 1938(M), 1939-41, 1942(M), 1943, 1950(M).

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 3L, 1956, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5 

3.7

0.6

2.3

5.0

8.8

14.2

29.5

4.0

4.5 

5.0 

6.0 

7.0

64

151

273

531

770

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

10

10

10

10

10

10

*10

10

10

10

10

11

11

*12

13

16

19

19

120

120

95

*65

65

135

145

325

515

*460

280

*175

185

2,896

93.4

5,740

Apr.

210

240

190

135

235

*250

220

190

155

*105

137

179

184,

164,

220

218

220

250

411

*514

614

742

732

387

205

*112

102

99

97

*94

7,611

254

15,100

May

92

94

92

91

92

91

69

70

94

114

*104

97

94

112

166

166

166

164

164

166

*166

114

40.7

32.3

34.3

37.4

35.3

33.3

32.3

39.6

2,895.5

93.4

5,740

June

30.4

30.4

30.4

29.5

25.9

24.3

27.7

26.8

22.7

2473

25.1

29.5

33.3

32.3

37.4

29.5

34.3

58

59

*59

72

204

270

213

102

75

66

60

83

66

1,880.8

62.7

3,730

July

48.8

32.3

23.5

21.1

20.4

19.7

18.3

15.5

13.6

*11.2

10.7

11.2

10.7

10.7

10.2

10.7

12.4

25.9

24.3

*26.8

34.3

41.8

41.8

34.3

34.3

31.3

28.6

36.3

40.7

40.7

39.6

781.7

25.2

1,550

Aug.

44.0

36.3

36.3

36.3

31.3

28.6

30.4

25.9

25.9

*29.5

24.3

19.0

19.0

16.9

13.0

10.2

8.4

7.5

7.1

*7.1

6.7

6.7

8.4

7.1

6.4

7.1

8.8

9.3

9.7

10.7

8.8

546.7

17.6

1,080

Sept.

6.7

5.3

5.3

5.3

4.7

3.8

3.3

2.3

2.3

*1.9

1.7

1.9

2.1

1.9

1.7

1.6

2.6

22.7

22.7

*21.1

21.1

20.4

21.1

22.7

21.9

21.9

21.9

22.7

24.3

23.5

342.4

11.4

679

Oct.

17.6

10.7

7.1

5.7

7.1

8.8

8.8

7.9

9.7

*8.4

8.4

7.5

6.7

6.3

4.1

3.3

2.6

1.9

1.6

 1.6

1.4

1.4

1.2

378

5.7

5.7

6.0

6.7

7.1

7.9

*10.7

193.4

6.24

384

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac -ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ao-ft 34,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Mar. 1 to Apr. 9 (no gage-height record Mar. 1-13. 

16, 21, 29, Apr. 7, 8; discharge estimated on basis of 6 discharge measurements and weather records).
MILK RIVER BASIN 113 

Frenchman Canal near Saco, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°36', long 107°15', near southwest corner of NW£ sec. 26, T. 33 F., R. 

34 E., on left bank two-thirds of a mile downstream from point of diversion an<? 

lot miles northeast of Saco.

Records available.--May 1928 to October 1956. Seasonal records only most years.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Prior to Mar. 1, 1953, at site about 800 ft downstream at 

different datum.

Extremes. 1928-56; Maximum daily discharge, 132 cfs Apr. 11, 1954; no flow at times each

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of no gage-height record and those after 

June 4, which are poor. Canal diverts water from left bank of Frenchman River for 

irrigation in the Frenchman Valley.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Mar.

(*)

0

0

0

Apr.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*3.9

8.2

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.6

8.6

8.6

8.7

8.9

8.9

8.6

6.7

a7.4

8.2

 a8.5

183.8

6.13

365

May

*4.6

4.7

4.6

4.6

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.8

3.6

2.4

2.7

3.3

3.5

3.1

3.1

3.8

5.7

12

16

16

16

16

15

13

16

26

28

30

24

23

30

350.5

11.3

695

June

30

31

30

*32

33

34

34

36

2T

22

20

17

14.

15

15

16

16

17

17

Cl9

19

20

22

28

29

26

24

22

21

22

708

23.6

1,400

July1

19

19

14

13

13

7.7

1.8

.7

*1.9

7.6

4.2

2.8

2.3

.9

.JL

1.4

1.5

o!7

c!9

CIS

CIS

17

c!9

C21

26.

26

26

26

26

26 

26

422.1

13.6

837

Aug.

*26

25

25

23

23

22

24

23

*23

22

22

22

22

21

18

18

9.9

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.1

2.3

1.1

.6

0

0

0

4.5

9.1

9.0

412.5

13.3

818

Sept.

5.9

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

.1

.3

.2

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

1.1

4.2

5.4

5.9

3.7

27.1

0.90

54

Oct.

0.9

1.2

.4

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.2

1.1

1.1

1.0

.7

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

1.2

1.4

1.3

1.5

TTs

1.4

15.0

0.48

30

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft 4,200

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

a No gage-height record; discharge interpolated.

c Stage-discharge relation affected by pumping for Irrigation; discharge estimated on basis of 

records for previous years.
114 MILK RIVER BASIN

Reservoirs in Frenchman River basin in Saskatchewan 

(International gaging stations)

Cypress Lake water diverted from Belanger Creek and Battle Creek at points 12 miles northwest of Consul and 12 miles northeast of Vidora, completed in 1938 for irrigation has 

usable capacity of 79,750 acre-ft. Records partly furnished by Prairie Farms Rehabilitation Administration, Canada.

East End Reservoir on Frenchman River, 2 miles west of East End, completed in 1939 for

 irrigation, has usable capacity of 1,460 acre-ft. Records partly furnished by Prairie 

Farms Rehabilitation Administration, Canada.

Val Marie West Reservoir on Frenchman River, 12 miles northwest of Val Marie, completed in

 1939 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 2,130 acre-ft. Records partly furnished by 

Prairie Farms Rehabilitation Administration, Canada.

Val Marie Reservoir on Frenchman River, 5j miles northwest of Val Marie, completed in 1938

 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 8,430 acre-ft. Records partly furnished by 

Prairie Farms Rehabilitation Administration, Canada.

These are international stations maintained jointly by the United States and Canada 

under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been collected and compiled jointly 

with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, 

Canada.

Month-end contents, in acre-feet, October 1955 to October 1956

Date

Nov 30. ...........................

Oct. 31. ...........................

Cypress Lake

_

96,060

East End 

Reservoir

_

506

Val Kerie 

West Reservoir

1,120

_

_

8E5

1,870

889

Val Marie 

Reservoir

_

_

4,820

Note. Contents for Cypress Lake computed from graph based on gage readings made several 

times weekly prior to May 14, from water-stage recorder thereafter. Contents for other reservoirs computed from daily gage readings or graphs based on gage readings mad-5 several times 

weekly.
MILK RIVER BASIN 115

Rock Creek at International boundary 

(international gaging station)

Location. Lat 48°59'20", long 106°47'30", in SEi sec. 1, T. 37 N., R. 37 E., on right 

bank three-quarters of a mile south of international boundary, 2 miles upstream from 

Horse Creek, and 9 miles northeast of Thoeny, Mont.

Drainage area. 242 sq mi.

Records available. May 1914 to October 1915, March 1927 to October 1956. Seasonal records only most years. March 1916 to October 1917 in reports of Geological Survey and 

March 1916 to October 1926 in reports of Department of Northern Affairs and National 

Resources, Canada, at site 3 miles downstream; records not equivalent owing to inflow 

from Horse Creek. Published as "near Barnard, Mont.", 1914-26.

Qage. Water-stage recorder. Timber control since Sept. 10, 1937. Altitude of gage is 

2,550 ft (from topographic map). Prior to Oct. 31, 1915, staff gage near present site 

at different datum. Mar. 18, 1927, to Sept. 9, 1937, staff or chain gage at site 

200 ft downstream at present datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during season, 604 cfs Mar. 27 (gage height, 7.90 ft, backwater from ice); no flow at times.

1914-15, 1927-56: Maximum discharge, 3,310 cfs Apr. 15, 1952 (gage height, 11.91 ft), 

from rating curve extended above 1,400 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak 

flow; no flow at times.

Remarks. Records fair. Several small diversions for irrigation above station.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records have been collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1209: 1939(M).

Rating table, Mar.l to Oct . 31, 1956, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.7

0.2 

.5 

1.1 

2.1 

4.4 

8.0

2.8 

3.0 

3.2 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0

13.

25.

41.

73

130

254

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0 

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

20

70

*65

250

*310

500

*400

220

150

120

85

2,190

70.6

4,340

Apr.

75 

55

*55

65

75

70

60

50

50

54

*47.0

43.0

41.0

40.2

34.6

29.2

24.8

21.0

19.0

17.8

17.3

16.1

15.5

13.8

12.7

12.1

11.6

11.0

9.4

9.4

1,055.5

35.2

2,090

May

10.4 

11.0

11.6

11.6

12.1

14.9

19.6

17.8

17.8

20.3

22.2

24.8

19.6

17.3

16.1

*14.9

13.2

12.1

10.4

10.0

9.0

8.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.5

9.0

12.1

30.8

27.0 

17^3

453.9

14.6

900

June

12.7 

11.0

8.5

8.0

7.6

*6.4

5.7

5.1

4.8

4.4

4.2

3.6

3.3

2.8

2.8

2.4

2.4

2.8

2.6

2.6

3.6

9.0

194

60

28.5

17.8

12.7

*10.0

33.2

41.4

513.9

17.1

1,020

July

20.3 

11.6

8.5

7.6

6.4

6.0

5.4

4.8

4.4

3.9

3.3

3.1

2.3

2.0

1.8

2.1

2.1

1.8

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.0

.i!

1.1

1.0

1.2

1.2

1.1

g

112.3

3.62

223

Aug.

0.9 

.9

.9

.7

.7

.6

.7

.9

.8

.7

.6

.8

.7

.7

.5

.5

.5

.6

.5

.5

.5

.3

.4

.4

.4

.3

.2

.5

.7

2.2

2.5

21.9

0.71

43

Sept.

3^6 

2.3

1.6

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.2

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.0

.9

ITT

1.2

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.4

39.8

1.33

79

Oct.

H1.8

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.3

2.1

2.1

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.8

2.8

3.1

3.3

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.9

3.9

3.9

4.2

4.4 4T4"

4.2

4.2

*4.4

92.8

2.99

184

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ao-ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ao-ft 8,880

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 22 to Apr. 5.
116 MILK RIVER BASIN

Horse Creek at international boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 48°59'20", long 106°50'10", in SE^ sec. 3, T. 37 N., R. 37 E., on right 

bank three-quarters of a mile south of international boundary, li iriles upstream 

from mouth, and 8 miles northeast of Thoeny, Mont.

Drainage area. 71 sq mi, approximately.

Records available . May 1914 to October 1917 and March 1927 to October 1956 in reports 

of Geological Survey. May 1914 to October 1956 in reports of Department of Northern 

Affairs and National Resources, Canada. Seasonal records only most years. Published 

as "near Barnard, Mont." May 1914 to October 1926.

Gage . Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage 2,540 ft (from topographic map). Prior to Sept. 9, 1937, staff gage and natural control at same site 

and datum.

Extremes . Maximum daily discharge during season, 90 cfs Mar. 27; no flow part of season. 

l9~14-56: Maximum discharge, 1,800 cfs Apr. 15, 1952 (gage heigtt, 11.79 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 800 cfs by logarithmic plotting; no flow most of each year.

Remarks . Records fair except those for periods of no gage-height record, which are poor. 

No reported diversion above station.

Cooperation. --This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by 

the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and 

compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years 

1943-45, 1950 (M).

) . WSP 1209: 1943(M). WSP 1389: 1928(M), 1933, 1936, 1939,

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956 (gage height, In feet, and

discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 1-19)

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

.2 

.3 

.5 

.8 

1.1

3.0

3.1

3.2 

3.4 

3.7 

4.0

1.8

2.9

4.7

10.4

21

35

Discharge, in cubic feet per second. March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

March

0

5

o

o

0

0

*0

o

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

a.l *.l

.1

»7

65

a90

a^S

alO

a20 

a!5

227.3

7.33

451

April

a!5

21.0

*23.0

26,0

28. 0

22.6

14.7

11.4

10.7

16.7

*16.7

12.0

10.7

11.7

10.4

8.O

6.6

4.9

3.8

3.2

2.8

2.6

2.4

1.8

1.3

1.1

1.0

75" .9

.9

292.8

9.76

581

May

0.9

.9

.7

.7

.9

1.4

1.1

2.1

1.6

1.4

2.4

T7?

1.9

1.3

1.1

».9

.8

.6

.5

.4

.3

.2

.2

.1

TT

.1

.2

.6

.5

.3

.2

26.3

0.85

52

June

0.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

*00"

O

O

0

0

O

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

.1

.1

.3

.1

.5

.9

*.6

1.2

1.4

6.0

0.2O

12

July

~~ 1.07s"

.4

.3

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

2

0

O

0

0

0

0

O

0

0

O

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

3.0

0.10

6.0

Aug.

0

0

0

'Sept.

(*)

Oct.

(*)

0 0

0 0

O 0

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 1,100

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

a No gage-height records discharge Interpolated or estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements, 

weather records, and records for nearby streams.
MILK RIVER BASIN 117

McEachern Creek at International boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location. Lat 48°59'30", long 106°55'40", in SW£ sec. 1, T. 37 N., R. 36 E., on left 

bank half a mile downstream from East Pork, half a mile south of international 

boundary, and 8 miles north of Thoeny, Mont.

Drainage area. 160 sq mi.

Records available. March 1927 to October 19S6 in reports of Geological Survey. April 

1924 to October 1956 in reports of Department of Northern Affairs and National 

Resources, Canadai. Seasonal records only most years. Published as at Dolson's 

Ranch" April 1924 to October 1926.

Gage. Wire-weight gage read once daily. Concrete control since October 1938. Altitude 

of gage is 2,540 ft (from topographic map). Prior to October 1938, staff gage at 

site 350 ft upstream at same datum.

Extremes. Maximum(discharge observed 1 during season, 180 cfs Mar. 27 (gage height, 

4.08 ft, backwater Trom ice); no flow most of season.

1924-56: Maximum discharge, 7,080 cfs Apr. 15, 1952 (gage height, 13.85 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 2,800 cfs on basis of slope-area 

determination of peak flow; no flow at times each year.

Remarks. Records fair. Several diversions for irrigation above station.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by 

the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. The records ha-re 

been collected and complied Jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of 

Northern Affairs and National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1176: 1939(M). 

1938(M), 1939, 1942(M), 1943, 1944-45(M).

WSP 1389: 1927, 1931(M), 1933-36,

Rating tables, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except periods of loe effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

Mar. 1 to May 16 May 17 to Oct. 31

1.3

1.4

1.5

.1

.3

.5

.9

1.4

2.2

2.0

2.1

2.2 

2.4 

2.6 

2.8 

3.0

3.4

5.2

8.0

16.0

27.0

44.0

65

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

IS

19

2O

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

00"

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

*b20

b90

*b!40 B30"

22.2

35.0 

27.0

364.2

11.7

722

Apr.

33.4

b40

*40.4

42.2

54

b47

35.0

27.8

19.0

22.2

*32.6

27.0

17.0

15.2

17.0

12.8

7.2

5.5

a3.6

1.7

1.2

al.O

a. 9

a. 8

.6

a. 5

a. 3

.2

a. 2

_a

506.4

16.9

1,000

May

0.1

a.l

a. 2

a. 2

a. 3

.3

.3

.3

.3

a. 3

a. 2

.2

a. 5

a. 8

1.1

*.8

a. 6

.3

a. 3

a. 3

a. 3

a. 3

a. 2

a. 2

a. 2

a. 2

.2

.2

a. 2

.1

a.l

9.7

0.31

19

June

aO.l

a.l

00"

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

a.l

a.l

0

0

*0

0

0

0.5

0.02

1.0

July

0

0

0

Aug.

0

O

0

Septj

(*)

0

0

0

Oct.

0

0

0

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft 1,740

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

a No gage-height record; discharge Interpolated or estimated on basis of records for nearly 

stations, 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.
118 MILK RIVER BASIN

Willow Creek near Glasgow, Mont.

Location. Lat 48°07', long 106°40', In OTjNEi' sec. 10, T. 27 H., R. 39 E., on right bank 

about 6 miles south of iGlasgow and about 8 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 536 sq mi.

Records available. October 1953 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 747 cfs Aug. 31 (gage height, 8.23 ft); no 

flow at times.

1953-56: Maximum discharge, 3,280 cfs Apr. 6, 1954; maximum gag3 height, 17.26 ft 

May 17, 1955; no flow at times ,each year.

_'ks. Records fair. A total cf 152 stockwater, diversion and det3ntion reservoirs 

upstream have an aggregate capacity of about 6,800 acre-ft; hay or pasture lands 

amounting to 3,460 acres are served by flood or water spreader irrigation to lextent of 

available flow. Records of water temperatures and suspended sediment loads for the 

water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451,

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and discharge,

in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 4-9, May 6-12, June 24)

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

.2

.5

1.1

2.0

3.2

2.0

2.3 

3.0 

4.0 

6.0 

8.0

5.0

16

54

133

400

708

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3 

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

5"0

0 

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

*0

10

154

*403

SOT

*246

*128

62

*41

32

24

15

*6

5

*4.3

2.6

1,532.9

49.4

3,040

Apr.

2.2

1.6

H.6

.4

.3

.1

0

*S

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

8.6

0.29

17

May

5"0

*0 

0

0

.9

*27

47

*20

14

*21

9.6

3.7

1.8

.4

.5

*.l

0

0

0

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

*18

~J7 148

30

389.0

12.5

772

June

12

4.3

2.5 

1.1

.6

.4

.1

0

<5

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

o

*0

0

0

*356

*280

*498

*T5T

*46

25

*12

4.6

2.1

1.0

1,366.7

45.6

2,710

July

0.5

.4

*.4 

3.7

30

19

6.8

6.2

4.3

*2.1

1.6

.7

.4

.2

0

*0

1.6

3.9

1.9

1.4

.5

.2

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

85.8

2.77

170

Aug.

5"0

0 

0

0

0

*.2

51

6.8

1.9

2.5

108

30

10

3.5

1.6

*.7

.6

.4

.2

0

0

*0

0

3.3

2.4

1.0

.6

22

178

600

1,024.7

33.1

2,030

Sept.

~?S 145

6.2 

4.6

2.1

1.4

.7

.6

.5

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

188.5

6.28

374

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,440 Min o Mean 73.5 Ac-ft 53,180

Water year 1955-56: Max 600 Min o Mean 12.6 Ac-ft 9,110

Discharge measurement or observation of no flow made on this day.
MILK RIVER BASIN 

Milk River at Nashua, Mont.

119

Location. Lat 48°07'50", long 106°21'50", in NE&ffii sec. 1, T. 27 N., R. 41 E., on 

right bank at downstream side of highway bridge, 0.6 mile southwest of Nashua and 

5 miles upstream from Porcupine Creek.

Drainage area. 23,300 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. October 1939 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,027.75 ft (revised) above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929, adjustment of 11948.

Average discharge. 17 years, 775 cfs (561,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum daily discharge during year, 3,170 cfs Mar. 28; maximum gage height, 

13.34 ft Mar. 29 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 45 cfs June 14 (gafe height, 

2.48 ft).

1939-56: Maximum discharge, 45,300 cfs Apr. 18, 1952 (gage height, 31.38 ft); 

minimum observed, 4.6 cfs Apr. 18, 1946 (gage height, 1.54 ft).

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 140,000 acres above station. Plow regulated by Presno and 

Nelson Reservoirs (see p. 238).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used July 4-16, Aug. 19, 20)

2.5

2.6 

2.8 

3.0 

3.3

65

115

180

300

3.6 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0 

6.4

490

740

1,100

1,400

1,540

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 19f6

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

505

542

565

54?

505

462

427

400

355

350

350

*350

344

350

344

316

306

*300

300

296

286

282

282

278

268

*268

278

278

278

273 

264

10,944

353

21,710

Nov.

264

268

260

247

286

316

*448

750" 754

374

243

200

T55" 150

150

150

150

150

200

250

250

*282

282

273

227

219

250

270

260

250

8,273

276

16,410

Dec.

*239

243

247

219

227

219

223

223

223

215

208

201

212

227

235

*235

231

243

260 2S§"

239

212

190

162

IB?

201

204

194

215

235

247

6,851

221

13,590

Jan.

227

204

190

208

235

239

247

247

*227

201

187

184

173

TT3

175

175

175

175

175

175

180

180

185

*185

185

185

180

180

180

180 

180

5,988

193

11,880

Feb.

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

*180

176

159

160

160

160

160

160

159

156 IBS"

170

176

180

187

190" 194

184

190

190

187

184

5,088

175

10,090

Mar.

190

194

187

176

176

180

235

*231

212

194

162

136

136

139

145

176

212

208

159

223

300

500

720

*956

1,360

1,560

2,350

5.170

3,160

*2,620

2,400

22,767

734

45,160

Apr.

2.100

1,800

1,530

*1,400

1,370

1,290

1,170

1,110

1,010

*817

666

617

542

520

512

490

462

*455

427

322

194

148

T5T

215

187

194

476

801

769

660

22,461

749

44,550

May

512

420

381

*388

476

542

528

558

584

5ST

558

462

400

*381

374

368

362

362

362

374

374

344

311

300

*322

316

278

251

328" 223

273

12,296

397

24,390

June

247

273

239

173

148

136

*148

212

142

124

127

95

68

*53

50

55

53

63

78

90

SO

226

565

695

762

994 *57o

900

833

715

9,314

310

18,470

July

604

558

469

441

*400

381

400

368

394

374

381

420

441

462

434

*374

306

204

166

136

118

108

105

*TCS

108

112

118

124

124

159 

223

9,120

294

18,090

Avg.

260 *fSa

282

300

311

296

333

388

498

558

558

578

654

630

604

591

578

572

542

*528

542

505

*455

420

362

333

316

300

273

296

374

13,505

436

23,790

Sept.

762

m

374

344

355

*368

362

344

333

300

282

260

235

212

190

184

*190"

212

215

223

227

227

231

231

*223

208

212

212

204

201

8,538

285

16,930

Calendar year 1955: Max 10,200 Mln - Mean 1,565 Ac-ft 1,133,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 3,170 Mln 50 Mean 369 Ac-ft 268,100

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Apr. 2.

459735 O -58 -9
120 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Missouri River near Wolf Point, Mont.

Location.--Lat 48°04', long 105°32', in NWi sec. 28, T. 27 N., R. 48 E., on right bank 

500 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 13, 6 miles southeast of Wolf Point, 

and 6 miles downstream from Wolf Creek.

Drainage area. 83.200 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. September 1928 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and wire-weight gage read twice daily. Datum of gage is 

T,958.57 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to Apr. 13, 1930, staff and 

chain gages at Wolf Point ferry landing 6 miles upstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--11 years (1928-39, prior to Fort Peck Reservoir reaching operational 

level), 7,219 cfs (5,226,000 acre-ft per year); 13 years (1943-56, after operational 

level was reached), 11,010 cfs (7,970,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 31,500 cfs Oct. 19 (gage height, 9.22 ft); minlmum daily, 3,640 cfs June 6.

1928-56: Maximum discharge, 66,800 cfs Mar. 25, 1939 (gage height, 14.4 ft, ice 

present), from rating curve extended above 39,000 cfs; maximum gage height observed, 

17.45 ft Mar. 30, 1930 (ice jam); minimum daily discharge, 320 cfs Dec. 10, 1941.

Remarks . Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Discharge 

measurements made at 5-day Intervals during open water and 10-day intervals during 

periods of ice effect. Diversions for irrigation of about 1,000,000 acres above 

station. Flow regulated by Fort Peck Reservoir (see p.84).

Revisions (water years). WSP 876: Drainage area. WSP 1146: 1931.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septeriber 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19 

20

21

22

23

24

25

26 

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

29,800 

29,800

30,000

29,800

30,100

29,900

29,600

29,800

29,800 

29,700

30,000

30,200

30,300

30,500

31,200

30,700

30,500

30,900

51,400 

31,100

31,000

30,900

30,400

29,300

28,100

27,600 

26,600

24,800

23,800 

23,100

22.400

903,100

29,130

*1,791

Nov.

21.100

19I500

18,800

17,800

16,800

15,800

15,100

14,100 

13,000

11,800

10,700

9,750

8,500

6,800

5,900

5.800

6,300

7,200 

7,500

7,600

7,600

7,400

7,300

7,200

7,100 

7,000

7,000

7,100 

7,200

325,150

10,840

644,900

Dec.

,300 

,800

7,400

,900

,100

,800

,200

,900

,900 

,700

,300

,100

,600

,600

,700

,000

,600

,300

,300 

,300

,300

,100

,200

,000

,900

,800 

,700

,500

,500 

,700

6, 700

215,200

6,942

426,800

Jan.

,000 

,OOO

,300

,400

,500

,000

,200

,500

,000 

,000

,800

,400

,000

,000

,500

,500

,000

,500

,800 

,000

,700

,500

,300

,300

,300

,200 

,100

,000

,500 

6,000

6,200

220,500

7,113

437,400

Feb.

6,500 

6,700

7.200

6,200

5,700

5,400

6,600

6,100

5,900 

5,700

5,500

5,400

5,000

i.500

5,200

5,900

5,600

6,700

6,400 

5,800

5,400

6,000

6,000

5,700

5,400

5,700 

5,000

5,200

5,400

167,600

5,779

332,400

Mar.

5,700 

6,000

6,000

5,700

5,500

5,500

5,500

5,500

6,000 

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000 

5,500

6,000

6,200

6,500

6,700

7,000

7,200 

7,600

8,300

8,500 

8,306

8,000

197,200

6,361

391,100

Apr.

7.500 

7,000

6,900

6,700

6,370

6,200

5,730

5,150

6,730 

7,070

6,920

6,610

5,690

5,270

5,040

4,870

4,800

5,250

5,120 

5,030

4,910

5,900

5,840

5,840

6,080

6,270 

6,030

6,180

6,510 

6,750

180,260

6,009

357,500

May

6,780 

6,520

6,250

6,150

6,300

6,850

6,630

6,760

6,580 

6,730

6,980

6,780

6,730

6,700

6,470

6,700

6,580

6,440

6,440 

6,050

6,130

6,300

6,540

6,490

6,290

6,440 

6,300

6,470

6,660 

6,370

6,290

201,680

6,506

400,000

June

6,560 

6,270

6,180

6,240

5,540

3,640

3,690

4,800

5,230 

5,370

5,370

5,390

5,490

5,390

6,100

6,120

6,130

6,070

6,100 

6,050

6,130

6,270

6,410

6,170

7,180

6,750 

6,800

7,230

7,430 

7,210

179,310

5,997

355,700

July

6,870 

7,810

10,200

10,200

9,930

8,430

6,460

6,130

5,980 

71910

9,980

10,200

10,300

10,400

10,335

10,300

10,300

10,300

10,200 

10,000

10,000

10,100

10,000

9,980

9,860

10,000 

10,100

10,000

9,980 

10,000

10,000

292,220

9,426

579,600

Aug.

10,100 

10,100

10,400

10,500

10,200

10,400

10,500

10,500

10,500 

10,600

10,600

10,500

10,500

10,500

10,500

10,500

10,500

10,500

10,600 

10,100

10,400

10,400

10,400

10,400

10,500

10,400 

10,300

10,400

10,400 

10,300

10,800

323,300

10,430

641,300

Sept.

10.300 

8,890

7,700

7,270

7,140

7,090

7,050

7,010

7,000 

7,000

6,850

6,780

6,700

6,660

6,680

6,730

6,680

6,700

6,710 

6,730

6,800

6,760

6,700

6,750

6,150

4,820 

5,400

6,270

6,340 

6,360

206,020

6,867

408,600

Calendar year 1955: Max 31,400 Min 4,960 Mean 16,180 Ac-ft 11,720,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 31,400 Min 3,640 Mean 9,321 Ac-ft 6,766,000

* Expressed in thousands.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 14 to Apr. 4.
REDWATER CREEK BASIN 

Redwater Creek at Circle, Mont.

121

Location.--Lat 47°25', long 105°35" , In SWi sec. 11, T. 19 N., R. 48 E., on left bank at 

Circle, three-quarters of a mile upstream from Horse Creek.

Drainage area. 534 sq ml.

Records available.--Apr11 1929 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 2,380 ft (by barometer). Sharp-crested 

 weir since Sept. 24, 1938. Prior to June 1, 1941, and Mar. 23, 1943, to Feb. 16, 1948,

chain gage at site a third of a mile upstream at same datum. June 1, 1941, to Mar. 22,

1943, staff gage at site 200 ft upstream from present site at datum 2.8 ft lower.

Feb. 17, 1948, to May 7, 1950, staff or wire-weight gage at site 200 ft upstream from

present site at present datum.

Average discharge.--20 years (1931-32, 1935-36, 1938-56), 15.7 cfs (11,370 acre-ft per 

year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge observed during year, 538 cfs Mar. 20 (gage height, 7.88 ft, 

ice present), discharge measurement; maximum gage height, 8.51 ft Mar. 19 (lackwater 

from ice); no flow at times.

1929-56; Maximum discharge, 6,220 cfs June 17, 1944 (gage height, 18.5 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 2,500 cfs; no flow at times in most years.

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Few minor 

diversions for irrigation of hay meadow above station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1006: 1929-30, 1932-39.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge In cubic feet per second)

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.7

2.1 

3.3

3.8

3.9

4.0 

4.5 

5.0 

6.0

5.9

9.8

16

55

105

243

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

0.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

.1

.1

0

0

.1.1

.1.1

0

0

.1 

.1

2.5

0.08

5.0

Nov.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l o'

5"

0

0

.2

.1

.1

O

o

.1

0

0

0

o

2.1

0.07

4.2

Dec.

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

o

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

.2

.2

0

.2

if 0

0 

0

1.1

0.04

E.2

Jan.

0

0

*0

.2

.1!

.2

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0.8

0.03

1.6

Feb.

0

*0

0

0

.1

if

.1

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

1.5

0.05

3.0

Mar.

*30

*200

250

230

*220

170

120

*90

80

60

40

20

15

10

10

15

30

200

450

*550

200

*90

52

34

24

20

15

7.5

8.6

8.2 

7.5

3,236.8

104

6,420

Apr.

7.1

6.7

5.9

5.6

5.1

*4.6

4.1

3.6

3.3

3.0

2.9

2.7

2.6

2.5

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.6

*1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

90.1

3.00

179

May

1.5

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.7

1.9

1.7

1.6

1.4

1.9

2.2

2.1

2.2

2.1

2.1

*1.9

1.7

1.4

1.1

1.2

1.0

.8

.7

.6

.6

.5

.4

7T

.7

.8

42.0

1.35

83

June

0.7

.5

.4

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

0

0

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.3

.2

.2

*.l

.1

0

0

0

4.8

0.16

9.5

July

0

0

0

0

0

.1

9

IT.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

o

0.5

0 02

1.0

Aug.

(*)

0

o

0

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 950 Mln 0 Mean 10.6 Ac-ft 7,710

Water year 1955-56: Max 530 Mln 0 Mean 9.24 Ac-ft 6,710

Peak discharge (base. 80 cfs). Mar. 2 (time and discharge unknown); Mar. 19 (time and discharge 

unknown).

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Dec. 23 to Mar. 22 (no gage-height record Jan. 13 

to Mar. 18 except scattered days; discharge estimated on basis of 2 observations of no flow, 4 discharge measurements, and weather records).
122 POPLAR RIVER BASIN

Middle Fork Poplar River at international boundary 

(International gaging station)

Location.--Lat 48°59'30", long 105°41'40", in SE^ sec. 6, T. 37 N., R. 46 E., on left bank 

half a mile south of international boundary, l| miles upstream from Coal Creek, and 

18 miles northwest of Scobey, Mont.

Drainage area.--381 sq mi.

Records available.--March 1931 to October 1956 (no winter records most years).

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage 2,460 (from topographic mao).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during season, 324 ofs Mar. 27 (gage height, 4.44 ft, backwater from ice); no flow Mar. 1-19.

1931-56: Maximum discharge, 12,700 cfs Apr. 6, 1954 (gage height 10.25 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 2,500 ofs on basis of slo^-area determination of peak flow; no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair, and those 

for periods of no gage-height record, which are poor.

Cooperation. This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and compiled Jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1389: 1931, 1935-37(M), 1939-40, 1942(M), 1943, 1948(M), 

1950(M).

Rating table, Mar. 1 to Oct. 31, 1956, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.2 

2.3 

4.2 

6.5

1.7 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

13.2

25.2

49.5

94

159

247

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, March to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Mar.

0

0

0

0

*0

0

O

0 

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

a2O

a30

a80

*bllO

a!15

b!20

b!65

*b265

aZZQ 

a!50

alOO

a90

1,465

47.3

2,910

Apr.

a80

a 50

*40.3

a35

a 40

a70

a!20

a!70 

a!50

allO

a90

alio

*101

42.8

28.6

23.2

23.2

21.6

18.8

16.8

15.2

14.4

13.2

12.5

12.1

11.7

11.4

10.6 

TDT6

11.0

1,464.0

48.8

2,900

May

*11.7

13.2

13.2

12.5

14.0

19.2

19.6

20.8 

21.2

21.2

32.7

33.2

28.6

26.1

24.8

23.2

20.8

18.8

17.2

16.0

14.4

*13.2

12.8

12.5

13.2

13.6

14.8

23.6 

30.4

35.0

33.6

625.1

20.2

1,240

June

26.9

21.6

18.8

16.0

12.8

11.4

9.9

8.2 

7.0

5.7

5.0

4.0

*3.4

3.1

2.9

2.7

2.3

275

3.8

4.0

8.0

15.2

24.4

26.5

24.4

16.8

12.5

9.5 

7.6

6.5

323.4

10.8

641

July

5.7

5.2

4.8

5.2

5.7

5.5

5.2

4.8 

4.2

3.4

2.7

*2.3

1.9

1.4

1.2

1.1

1.2

.9

1.2

2.3

1.3

.9

.7

77

.7

.7

.7

.7 

.7

.7

. 8

74.5

2.40

148

Aug.

1.3

1.4

2.9

1.9

1.6

1.2

1.1

1.0 

.9

.9

.9

.7

.5

.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

7f

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4 

.4

.7

.7

23.5

0.76

47

Sept.

0.6

.5

.4

.4

.5

.5

.4

.4 

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.4

.4

.6

.7

.7

.7

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

* . 5

.5 

.7

1.0

15.0

0.50

30

Oct.

1.2

T72

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.3

1.3 

1.4

1.5

1.8

1.9

2.1

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.3

2.5

2.7

2.7

3.2

2.9

3.1

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.6 

3.6

3.4

3.4

71.1

2.29

141

Nov.

t4.3

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft 8,060

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

t Result of discharge measurement.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 4 discharge measurements, weather records, 

and records for nearby stations.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
POPLAR RIVER BASIN 123

East Fork Poplar River at international boundary 

(international gaging station)

Location.--Lat 49°00'00", long 105°24'30", in SW^ sec. 3, T. 1, R. 26 W., second meridian,

 on Left bank 10 ft north of international boundary, 400 ft southwest of Canadian custom 

post of East Poplar, 14 miles upstream from mouth, and 14 miles north of Scobey, Mont.

Drainage area. 256 sq mi.

Records available.--March 1931 to October 1956 (no winter records most years).

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,410.92 ft above mean sea level (Inter-

 national Boundary Surveys datum). Prior to Oct. 5, 1953, at site 80 ft upstream at 

same datum.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during season, 281 cfs Mar. 25 (gage height, 6.93 ft, backwater from ice); no flow Feb. 28, 29.

1931-56: Maximum discharge, 2,760 cfs Mar. 22, 1939 (gage height, 12.40 ft); maximum gage height, 12.8 ft Mar. 25, 1943, from floodmark (backwater from ice); no flow at 

times.

Remarks.--Records fair. Several diversions for irrigation above station.

Cooperation.--This is one of the international gaging stations maintained jointly by the 

United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty. Records collected and compiled jointly with the Water Resources Branch, Department of Northern Affairs and 

National Resources, Canada.

Revisions (water years) . WSP 1389: 1932, 1939, 1942-43, 1947.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, February to October 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

£2

23

24

25

26

£7

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Feb.

_

-

_

-

-

_

-

-

-

-

_

-

-

-

-

_

-

-

-

-

_

-

_

_

-

_

-

0

*o

-

_

_

-

Mar.

1.5

> 2

20

*25

40

90

95

185

180

*110

90

80

95 

75

1,118.5

36.1

2,220

Apr.

70

70

*65

50

50

70

85

65

55

42.2

18.2

19.6

*19.2

18.2

14.9

12.0

10.8

10.5

10.2

9.9

9.3

8.6

0. 6

8.3

6.9

7.6

7.6

7.6

8.1

8.1

846.4

28.2

1,680

May

*8.6

8.8

8.6

8.8

9.1

9.6

9.6

11.4

11.1

11.1

11.4

12.0

11.1

10.5

9.6

10.2

8.3

8.6

8.1

7.9

8.3

*7.4

7.1

7.9

8.1

7.6

7.9

8.1

7.1

7.9 

6.5

278.3

8.98

552

June

6.5

6.7

6.9

6.5

7.4

6.3

6.5

6.3

6.1

6.1

5.9

5.1

*5.1

4.4

5.6

4.3

4.3

4.4

4.3

3.9

4.6

5.5

5.5

5.1

5.7

4.9

4.6

4.4

4.6

4.3

159.8

5.33

317

July

3.9

3.8

4.1

4.3

4.1

4.6

4.7

4.3

3.8

3.6

3.2

*3.2

2.7

3.1

2.5

2,7

2,8

2.6

2.6

2.7

2.3

2.2

2.1

1.6

1.5

1.8

1.9

2.9

3.1

2.5 

2.2

93.4

3.01

185

Aug.

2.0

1.9

2.2

272

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.9

1.9

1.7

1.6

1.7

1.4

1.2

1.1

1.1

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

.8

*.8

1.1 

1.0

38.7

1.25

77

Sept.

1.1

171

1.2

1.1

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.5

1.9

1.8

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.0

2.5

2.2

2.0

2.5

2.2

2.5

3.1

2.9

2.3

2.8

2.8

3.2

**3.3

2.9

3.2

5.5

65.8

2.19

131

Oct.

3.5

3.2

3.2

2.9

375

3.2

3.6

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.3

3.8

3.9

3.6

3.2

3.2

3.8

4.1

3.6

4.4

4.3

3.9

4.9

4.6

4.1

3.6

4.7

4.9

4.9 

5.5

118.2

3.81

234

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ac-ft

The season : Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft 5,400

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Mote.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 1 to Apr. 9 (no gage-height record Map. 10-19; 

discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, weather records and records for nearby 

stations).
124 POPLAR RIVER BASIN

Poplar River near Poplar, Mont.

Location.--Lat 48°10'10", long 105°10'40", in NE^NEj sec. 19, T. 28 N., f. 51 E., on right 

bank 4 miles north of Poplar and about 8 miles upstream from mouth.

Records available. August to November 1908 (gage heights only), March 1909 to October 

1924 (no winter records), August 1947 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,970 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

fo May 1, 1911, staff gage at site 3j miles upstream at different datvra. May 1, 1911, 

to Oct. 4, 1913, at site 14 miles upstream at different datum. Oct. 5, 1913, to 

Oct. 31, 1924, at site 2 miles upstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 9 years (1947-56), 190 cfs (137,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum daily discharge during year, 580 cfs Mar. 27; minimum observed, 0.9 cfs 

Mar. 15, but may have been less during periods of no gage-height record.

1908-24, 1947-56: Maximum discharge, 37,400 cfs Apr. 6, 1954 (gage height, 17.86 ft, 

from floodmark); no flow at times.

Flood of July 10, 1946, reached a stage of 18.1 ft, from floodmark (discharge, 

40,000 cfs, from slope-area determination of peak flow made at site 2C miles upstream).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 8,000 acres above station.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1176: 1948. WSP 1389: 1911.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.6 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0

78

150

388

690

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

14

14

14

14

15

15

14

14

14

15

15

*15

15

16

17

17

18

18

18

18

18

19

19

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

_27

547

17.6

1,080

Nov.

.28

27

21

26

30

27

22

30

34

11

32

19

88"

12

14

17

18

20

21

23

*24

24

24

23

22

21

21

20

19

672

22.4

1,330

Dec.

17

16

15

14

13

*12

12

11

9

8

10

13

14

8

14

16

17

13

6

3

3

3

4

6

8

7

6

6

6

7

8

305

9.84

605

Jan.

6

4

3

3

*3

3

3

3

3

3

3

97

3.13

192

Feb.

2

(*)

1

------

39

1.34

77

Mar.

1

(*)

2

5

5

10

15

150

*350

430

5OO

530

*560

42~0" 580

380

390

400

4,742

153

9,410

Apr.

410

420

430

*450

317

*265

209

209

186

220

213

186

160

152

148

134

146

140

123

114

102

92

83

80

75

75

70

68

6ff

68

5,413

180

10,740

May

68

68

68

*67

72

78

78

80

81

93

109

110

109

110

112

109

102

95

86

80

73

70

65

64

60

60

58

56

56

56

59

2,452

79.1

4,860

June

67

61

62

60

*54

56

53

48

42

35

33

29

28

27

25

21

20

27

30

24

22

21

24

27

29

31

32

34

30

28

1,083

36.1

2,150

Jul-r

27

31

35

35

35

*39

39

35

31

28

31

35

40

73

34

23

21

19

19

27

21

18

19

17

14

13

13

13

13

14

14

826

23.6

1,640

Calendar year 1955: Max 9,000 Min 3 Mean 233 Ac-ft 168,700

Aug.

12

12

13

13

19

18

21

17

14

13

16

17

16

14

13

11

11

12

11

11

11

10

9.3

9.3

9.3

8.7

1T5~ 8.0

12

24

15

430.6

13.9

854

Sept.

35

?8

25

22

19

18

IS

17

16

15

13

13

13

13

13

12

11

11

11

11

9.3

TT3

10

*10

10

10

10

10

10

11

433.6

14.5

860

Water year 1955-56: Max 580 Min - Mean 46.6 Ac-ft 33,800

Peak discharge (base, 5OO cfs). Mar. 27 (time and discharge unknown).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 13 to Apr. 3. No gage-height record Jan. 11 

to Apr. 5; discharge estimated on basis of 6 discharge measurements, engineer's notes, and weather 

records.
BIG MUDDY CREEK BASIN 125

Big Muddy Creek at Daleview, Mont.

Location.--Lat 48°55', long 104°57', near center of north line sec. 5, T. 36 N., R. 52 E., 

on right bank half a mile west of Daleview, half a mile upstream from Whitetail Creek, 

and 6 miles north of Bedstone.

Records available.--August 1947 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,120 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge. 9 years, 22.1 cfs (16,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum daily discharge during year, 60 cfs Mar. 26; Maximum gage height 

observed, 6.03 ft Mar. 26 (backwater from ice); no flow at times.

1947-56; Maximum discharge, 6,360 cfs Apr. 7, 1952 (gage height, 17.15 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 1,300 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; 

no flow at times.

Remarks. Records poor. No known regulation. Diversions for irrigation of about 90 acres 

above station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1209: 1948(M). WSP 1389: 1948.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18 

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

0.8 "Ts

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.4

1.6

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.4

1.6 

*1.6

1.8

1.9

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.9

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.5

275

2.0

48.7

1.57

97

Nov.

1.9

*2.0

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.0

2.0

2.3

272

1.8

1.5

1

1

1

1

1

1 

1.2

1.2

1.2

1

.8

.8

.8

.8

.6

76

.6

.6

40.4

1.35

80

Dec.

0.7

T7

.6

.5

.5

.6

.6

.7

.7

.6

.6

.6

.5

.4

.2

.1

.1

.1 

0

s

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

8.8

0.28

17

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

(*)

------

0

0

0

Mar.

 50

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

10 

20

50

55

40

25

30

40

60 soso

20

30

25

485

15.6

962

Apr.

20

25

18 *16

15

15

14

13

12

14

12

12

*13

15

13

12

10

9.8 

9.0

9.0

8.2

6.8

6.3

6.2

5.9

5.6

5.1

5.0

4.9

F7T

330.9

11.0

656

May

*5.1

5.2

5.0

4.5

4.6

5.5

5.5

5.2

5.4

5.5

6.9

6.5

5.9

5.9

5.5

5.0

4.0

3.5 

3.0

2.8

2.6

2.3

2.1

2.0

2.0

1.9

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.6

122.5

3.95

243

June

1.6

1.4

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.0

.8

.8

*.8

.7

.7

.8

.7

1.0

1.5

1.6

2.2

2.2

? c -?s 

2.5

2.1

1.5

1.3

1.1

1.0

1.0

40.3

1.34

80

July

0.8

.8

.8

.9

1.0

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.1

.8

.7

*.8

.8

.7

.7

.7

.7 

.9

1.4

2.0

2.2

2.5

275

2.3

2.4

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.2

2.1

43.9

1.42

87

Aug.

2.5

2.5

3.1

2.9

2.6

2.0

1.8

1.4

.9

.6

.6

.5

.4

.5

.4

.4

.3

^2

.6

.6

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

1.0

*2.9

17

14

62.2

2.01

123

Sept.

8.7 174"

5.1

4.3

3.7

3.5

2.9

2.7

2.5

2.4

2.3

1.8

1.9

1.6

1.8

1.9

1.8

1.6 

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.3

1.0

T70

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.4

1.6

72.1

2.40

143

Calendar year 1955: Max 4,840 Min 0 Mean 36.3 Ac-rt 26,260

Water year 1955-56: Max 60 Min 0 Mean 3.43 Ac-ft 2,490

Peak discharge (base, 50 cfs). About Mar. 26 (time and discharge unknown). 

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

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Apr. 7 (no gage-height record Jan. 17 

o Mar. 21, Mar. 23; discharge estimated on basis of 3 observations of no flow and weatlier records).
126 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 

Yellowstone Lake at Lake Hotel, Yellowstone National Park

Loeatlon.--Lat 44°33', long 110°25', at National Park Service boat dock, 1,500 ft southwest of Lake Hotel and 2 miles southwest of lake outlet.

Drainage area.--1,010 sq ml, approximately. 

Records available.--October 1921 to September 1956.

Gage.--Staff gage read once dally. Datum of gage is 7,729.45 ft above mean sea level, 

Saturn of 1929. Prior to June 17, 1940, staff gage at Lake Hotel dock 1,500 ft northeast and at same datum.

Extremes. Maximum gage height observed during year, 6.54 ft June 18; minimum observed, 

0.90 ft Dec. 7-14.

1921-56: Maximum gage height observed, that of June 18, 1956; mirimum observed, 

-0.1 ft Dec. 7, 8, 1931.

Remarks.--Wo regulation.

Cooperation.--Gage readings furnished by National Park Service except during winter.

Gage height, In feet, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Oct.

1.48

1^46

1.44

1.44

1.42

1.40

1.36

.34

.32

.30

.26

.24

1.22

1.22

1.20

1.18

1.18

1.16

1.16

1.20

1.20

1.26

1.22

1.20

1.18

1.16

1.16

1.14

1.12

T7T2

1.12

Nov.

1.10

1.10

1.10

1.08

1.08

1.08

1.06

1.04

1.02

1.02

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

.98

.96

.94

.92

79?

.94

.94

.98

.98

.96

.96

.96

.96

.96

.94

.94

Dec.

0.94

.94

.94

.92

.92

.92

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

.90

-

_

_

_

_

-

_

_

-

1.16

-

_

_

-

..

1.26

Jan.

_

.

_

-

-

_

1.30

_

_

-

_

_

_

1.28

-

_

_

_

_

-

1.30

_

-

.

-

.

_

1.38

_

-

Feb.

_

_

_

1.30

-

_

_

_

-

-

1.26

_

_

_

-

_

_

1.26

-

_

_

1.20

_

-

_

_

_

_

Mar.

_

-

1.30

-

-

_

-

_

_

1.32

_

_

_

_

-

_

1.30

_

_

-

.

_

-

1.20

-

_

_

_

..

1.08

Apr.

_

-

-

-

-

_

1.08

_

.

-

_

_

_

1.04

-

_

_

_

_

-

1.04

_

_

_

-

.

_

1.18

_

1.24

May

_

_

_

-

1.28

_

_

_

_

-

_

1.54

_

_

-

_

_

_

1.86

-

_

_

2.66

3.12

3.22

3.34

3.66

3.86

4.02

4. -24

4.36

June

e4.60

e4752~

5.04

5.18

5.41

5.51

5.60

5.68

5.74

5.86

5.96

6.06

6.16

6.23

6.36

6.42

6.52

6.54

6,46

e!46

6.48

6.46

6.46

6.36

6.36

6.32

6.26

6.20

6.20

6.14

July

6.09

t 06

6.06

5.96

5.96

5.76

5.73

5.68

5.64

5.58

5.54

5.46

5.41

5.36

5.26

5.18 r.ie

5.11

5.04

4.96

4.86

4.81

4.76

4.71

4.62

4.56

4.46

4.44

4.41

4.36

Aug.

4.27

4TI8-

4.11

4.05

3.96

3.92

3.86

3.78

3.74

3.68

3.64

3.55

3.49

3.44

3.41

3.36

3.31

3.26

3.16

3.16

3.11

3.04

e2.99

2.92

2.91

2.86

2.86

2.84

2.77

2.74

2.71

Sept.

2.66

2T5B"

2.54

2.51

2.49

2.46

2.44

e2.40

e2.37

e2.34

e2.31

e2.28

e2.25

e2.22

e2.19

2.15

2.12

2.09

2.07

2.09

2.01

1.96

1.91

1.86

1.86

1.86

1.81

1.81

1.80

1 .80

e Gage height estimated by comparison with gage heights for Yellowstone River at lake outlet.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 127

Yellowstone River at Yellowstone Lake Outlet, Yellowstone National Park

Location. Lat 44°34', long 110°23', on left bank 550 ft downstream from Fishing Bridge 

and a quarter of a mile downstream from outlet of Yellowstone Lake.

Drainage area. 1,010 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. December 1922 to September 1956 (prior to October 1926, gage-height 

records only).

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 7,727.77 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. Prior to Oct. 2, 1928, staff gage at site 550 ft upstream at datum 1.07 ft 

higher.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 7,610 cfs June 21 (gage height, 7.55 ft); minimum, 313 cfs Nov. 13 (gage height, 1.82 ft), but may have been less during period of 

ice effect.

1926-56: Maximum discharge, that of June 21, 1956; minimum daily, 165 cfs Jan. 24 

to Feb. 3, 1950, but may have been less during periods of ice effect; minimum gage 

height, 1.45 ft Dec. 17, 1936.

Remarks. Records excellent except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. No 

artificial regulation.

Cooperation.--Water-stage recorder inspected by National Park Service during summer.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect ( 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 24 to May 2, June 7-18)

Oct. 1 to June 18 June 19 to Sept. 30

3.5

306

417

585

860

1,270

6.0 

7.0 

7.7

1,850

3,180

4,610

6,260

7,600

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0

1,270

1,740

2,950

4,510

6,420

7,720

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Ibtal

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

791 

779

768

768

750

732

716

716

700

688

683

673

658

652

647

642

637

632

627

652

652 

663

658

647

642

632

623

613

608

6l3

608

20,870

673

0.666

0.77

41,400

Nov.

599 

594

585

585

572

562

554

554

549

544

562

544

402

400

400

450

475

500

531

540

562 

554

549

531

544

544

540

536

527

*536

15,925

531

0.526

0.59

31,590

Dec.

531 

531

525

475

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

425

425

425

425

425

450

475

500 

525

575

650

650

625

600

600

575

575

550

15,587

503

0.498

0.57

30,920

Jan.

550 

550

550

550

550

550

550

550

575

600

625

650

650

650

650

650

650

650

650

675

675 

675

675

650

600

600

575

575

575

575

575

18,825

607

0.601

0.69

37,340

Feb.

600 

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

575

550

525

525

525

525

525

550 

*540

550

550

550

550

550

575

575

16,540

570

0.564

0.61

32,810

Mar.

575 

575

575

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

600

625

625

650

650

650

663

658

658

658

642

632

627

623

19,086

616

0.610

0.70

37,860

Apr.

627 

642

637

632

632

632

627

627

623

613

608

608

604

599

599

594

599

599

599

599

599

604

613

632

642

658

673

688

710

*722

18,841

628

0.622

0.69

37,370

May

727 

727

722

727

727

732

738

744

768

803

835

841

854

860

874

894

921

966

1,050

1,170

1,320 

1,530

1,780

2,060

*2,340

2,730

3,040

3,320

3,560

3,800

4.050

46,210

1,491

1.48

1.70

91,660

June

4,540 

4,640

4,940

5,260

5,510

5,760

5,920

6,030

6,170

6,330

6,500

6,710

6,920

7,100

7,320

7,440

7,520

7,560

*7,520

7,5OO

7.570 

7,540

7,410

7,320

7,260

7,170

7,080

7,020

6,950

6,880

199,190

6,640

6.57

7.33

395,100

July

6.760 

6,710

6,670

6,550

6,400

6,270

6,130

6,010

5,910

5,790

5,670

5,590

5,520

5,400

5,290

5,150

5,020

4,900

4,790

4,680

4,580 

4,490

*4,370

4,290

4,170

4,090

3,990

3,910

3,820

3,740

5.660

160,320

5,172

5.12

5.90

518,000

A-ig.

5.580 

5,510

3,440

3,330

3,220

5,120

3,030

2,940

2,870

2,800

2,740

2,650

2,590

2,520

2,480

2,420

2,370

2,300

2,250

2,200

2,160 

2,110

2,070

*2 , 050

1,980

1,950

1,920

1,870

1,840

1,800

1.760

77,850

2,511

2.49

2.87

151,400

Sept.

1.730 

1,690

1,640

1,600

1,550

1,530

1,500

1,470

1,450

1,430

1,410

1,400

1,380

1,550

1,520

1,300

1,280

1,250

1,220

1,220

1,210 

1,170

1,150

1,130

1,100

1,090

1,070

*1,050

1,020

1.010

39,720

1,524

1.31

1.46

78,780

Calendar year 1955: Max 4,090 Min 290 Mean 1,129 Cfsm 1.12 In. 15.17 Ac-ft 817, OOO

Water year 1955-56: Max 7,570 Min 400 Mean 1,773 Cfsm 1.76 In. 23.88 Ac-ft 1,287, OOO

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Hote. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 14-18, Dec. 3 to Mar. 23.
128 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Lamar River near Tower Palls ranger station, Yellowstone Nations! Park

Location. Lat 44°56', long 110°22', on left bank 0.5 mile north of Cooke City highway, 

three-quarters of a mile upstream from mouth, and 2 miles northeast of Tower Falls 

ranger station.

Drainage area. 640 sq mi.

Records available. September 1922 to September 1956 (no winter records 1922-25, 1935-46).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,910 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

To Sept. 16, 1925, staff gages and Sept. 16, 1925, to July 29, 1927, water-stage recorder, at same site and at datum 1.00 ft higher.

Average discharge.--20 years (1925-35, 1946-56), 834 cfs (603,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 11,300 cfs June 2 (gage height, 9.11 ft); minimum daily, 80 cfs Dec. 14.

1922-56: Maximum discharge recorded, 13,600 cfs May 25, 1928 (gage height, 9.75 ft); 

minimum observed, 40 cfs (discharge measurement) Mar. 16, 1945, but may have been less 

during periods of no gage-height record in winter.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. No regulation or diversion.

Cooperation.--Water-stage recorder inspected by officials of National Park Service. 

Revisions (water years) .--WSP 1176: 1949.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gaje

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 2O to June 29)

1.0 

1.3 

1.6 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

109

173

275

462

732

1,110 9.0

2,200

3,520

5,120

6,990

9,030

11,400

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

145

141

141

139

139

143

139

136

139

139

141

143

139

139

136

134

132

130

130

136

165

173

185

147

134

132

136

130

*128

139

126

4,356

141

0.220

0.25

8,640

Nov.

110

110

120

120

130

115

115

115

120

120

120

100

105

110

95

95

110

125

130

155

135

125

120

115

110

110

110

110

110

110

3,455

115

0.180

0.20

6,850

Dec.

*108

105

100

100

100

100

100

loo

100

100

100

100

90

80

90

110

105

100

105

105

105

160

220

250

Teo

170

160

150

120

120

140

3,773

122

0.191

0.22

7,480

Jan.

140

TTO

130

130

130

125

120

120

110

120

120

120

120

120

*115

115

115

115

110

110

110

110

110

105

loo

105

110

100

100

100

90

3,565

115

0.180

0.21

7,070

Feb.

1TO" 90

105

105

105

105

105

100

100

100

loo

100

100

100

100

95

100

100

100

100

100

105

100

*95

95

95

95

95

95

2,885

99.5

0.155

0. 17

5,720

Mar.

95

95

90

90

95

90

90

95

95

90

85

85

85

85

85

90

95

10O

110

115

120

130

140

170

200

210

Teo

150

140

*150

170

3,600

116

0.181

0.21

7,140

Apr.

170

140

140

160

16O

130

150

160

150

190

240

270

290

340

420

550

530

520

650

1,010

1.200

1,200

966

1,020

890

818

825

750

*690

650

15,369

512

0.800

0.89

30,480

May

62O

600

600

620

832

860

982

1,280

1,370

1,480

1,400

1,190

990

874

966

1,480

2,570

3,440

4,160

4,880

5,810

6,670

7,310

7,770

*8,110

8.250

7,890

7,950

7,590

7,130

7,550

113,224

3,652

5.71

6.58

224,600

June

8,990

9.740

8,840

9,050

8,570

6,860

5,230

5,700

6,440

6,860

6,880

7,230

6,910

6,080

6,420

5,960

4,290

4,000

4,180

*4,340

4,310

3,480

3,040

3,420

3,350

3,060

3,140

3,110

3,000

2.740

165,220

5,507

8.60

9.60

327,700

July

2,280

2, ,500

2,180

1,780

1,650

1,650

1,860

1,690

1,600

1,530

1,480

1,530

1,340

1,220

1,110

1,030

950

897

853

804

771

764

*738

708

702

656

618

618

586

607

529

37,031

1,195

1.87

2.15

73,450

Aug.

529

503

503

442

417

393

383

374

350

350

341

314

292

279

275

267

260

264

264

248

234

223

217

*210

210

203

223

223

217

296

279

9,583

309

0.483

0.56

19,010

Sept.

227

206

194

191

182

176

176

176

217

206

260

292

292

223

197

185

176

170

165

165

163

163

163

157

152

150

150

*155

168

168

5,665

189

0.295

0.33

11,240

Calendar- year 1955: Max 5,940 Mln 7O Mean 674 Cfsm 1.05 In. 14.29 Ac-ft 488,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 9,740 Mln 80 Mean 1,005 Cfsm 1.57 In. 21.37 Ac-ft 729,400

Peak discharge (base, 5.5OO cfs). June 2 (1 a.m.) 11,3OO cfs (9.11 ft); June 12 (12 p.m.) 

8,110 cfs (7.70 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 1 to about Apr. 15. No ga-*e-helght record 

Nov. 2-30, Dec. 2 to Mar. 29, Mar. 31 to Apr. 19, Apr. 28, Apr. 30 to May 4; discharge estimated on 

basis of 4 discharge measurements, weather records, records for Qardiner River near Mammoth, and Inflow to Yellowstone River between stations at Lake Outlet and at Corwin Springs.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 

Gardiner River near Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park

129

Location. Lat 45°00', long 110 0 42', on lei't bank at Wyoming -Mont ana State Line, 400 ft 

upstream from highway bridge, three-quarters of a mile downstream from Boilirg River, 

l\ miles north of Mammoth, and 2| miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 200 sq mi.

Records available. October 1938 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,580 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. --18 years, 211 cfs (152,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . --Maximum discharge during year, 2,080 cfs June 4 (gage height, 4.46 ft); minimum, 

60 cfs Mar. 11 (gage height, 1.33 ft).

1938-56: Maximum discharge, that of June 4, 1956; maximum gage height, 4.55 ft 

June 20, 1943; minimum discharge, 35 cfs Mar. 28, 1942 (gage height, 1.08 ft).

Remarks . Records good. No regulation or diversion.

Cooperation. Water-stage recorder inspected by officials of National Park: Service.

Rating table, waber year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet, 

and discharge, In cubic 

(Shifting-control method

and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

used Sept. 5-30)

1.4 

1.6 

1.9 

2.4

103

186

413

2.8 

3.3 

3.8 

4.3

630

925

1,370

1,900

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

 total

Mean

Cfsm

Ac-ft

Oct.

112

112

110

110

110

112

110

108

110

110

110

112

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

112

110

112

110

110

107

110

110

*107

107

110

101

3,402

110

0.550

0.63

6,750

Nov.

88

92

107

105

110

103

103

103

105

107

103

86

88

99

81

79

99

114

116

121

120

110

105

loo

loo

100

100

101

103

103

3,051

102

0.510

0.57

6,050

Dec.

*103

101

90

92

95

95

94

95

97

92

95

94

81

68

78

101

95

92

97

97

94

103

176

141

125

118

114

105

84

86 

118

3,116

101

0.505

0.58

6,180

Jan.

114

TI2

107

107

105

103

95

97

90

101

101

99

99

*97

99

99

99

97

97

95

95

95

95

90

84

94

97

86

88

86 

82

3,005

96.9

0.484

0.56

5,960

Feb.

78

88

97

99

97

95

95

92

90

92

92

92

92

90

90

81

90

94

92

94

97

100

95

*90

86

88

90

90

90

2,656

91.6

0.458

0.49

5,270

Mar.

88

88

86

86

90

86

82

88

88

82

79

80

80

80

82

86

90

92

93

93

93

96

100

105

110

114

Too

90

92

*95

92

2,806

90.5

0.452

0.52

5,570

Apr.

92

90

86

88

88

84

86

88

90

94

97

101

103

110

118

125

125

125

133

147

166

172

179

198

217

217

206

209

*217 

186

4,037

135

0.675

0.75

8,010

May

176

172

183

198

251

274

363

470

487

455

429

349

269

251

325

476

608

663

773

890

,140

,460

,470

,460

* ,600

,700

,600

,720

,850

,570 

1,540

25,152

811

4.06

4.68

49,890

June

1,600

1,850

1,740

1,810

1,720

1,440

1,140

1,080

1,230

1,290

1,340

1,330

1,320

1,260

1,170

1,070

918

773

762

*768

843

746

696

707

707

663

652

646

630 

592

32,473

1,082

5.41

6.O4

64,410

July

536

526

520

476

444

449

460

439

378

358

353

353

329

325

325

320

310

306

292

283

278

274

251

*243

238

238

234

238

247

2 60

234

10,517

339

1.70

1.96

20.860

Avg.

229

225

217

209

206

194

198

190

190

190

186

179

172

169

162

166

169

166

162

162

159

155

152

*152

152

152

155

155

155 

169

159

5,463

176

O.88O

1.02

10,840

Sept.

152

147

147

147

144

144

144

144

147

152

155

176

15T

144

138

136

133

133

133

133

133

133

130

130

133

130

133

136

*138 

133

4,230

141

0.705

0.79

8,390

Calendar year 1955: Max 928 Min 67 Mean 179 Cfsm O.895 In. 12.15 Ac-ft 129, 7OO

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,830 Min 68 Mean 273 Cf3m 1.36 In. 18.59 Ac-ft 198, 2OO

Peak discharge (base. 7OO cfs).--June 4 (3 a.m.) 2,O80 cfs (4.46 fb). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Ho gage-height record Oct. 4-17, Nov. 21-27, Feb. 21-23, Mar. 12-25, 27-29; discharge 

estimated on basis of weather records and records for nearby streams.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs, Mont.

Location.--Lat 45°07' , long 110°48' , in NWlr sec. 30, T. 8 S. , R. 8 E. , on left bank 20 ft 

downstream from highway bridge at Corwin Springs, Ij miles upstream from Mol Heron 

Creek, and 7 miles (revised) northwest of Gardiner.

Drainage area.--5.630 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. September 1910 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder and supplemental wire-weight gage read once daily. Altitude 

of gage is 5,090 ft (by barometer). Prior to April 1935, chain and staff gages on 

bridge at same datum.

Average discharge.--46 years, 3,026 cfs (2,191,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 23,700 cfs June 2 (gage height, 9.39 ft); minimum daily, 500 cfs Nov. 15.

1910-56: Maximum discharge observed, 26,500 cfs June 14, 15, 1918 (gage height 

11.5 ft), from rating curve extended above 18,000 cfs; minimum discharge observed, 

389 cfs Feb. 23, Mar. 5, 9, 1937 (gage height, 0.05 ft).

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Natural 

storage in Yellowstone Lake. Diversions for irrigation of about 960 acres, of which 

40 acres lie below station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (ga.ge 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used June 27-3o)

0.5

1-0

2-0

3-0

630

930

1,960

3,420

5,320

10,700

22,000

22,400

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2 

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26 

27 

28

29

30

31

Tbtal

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

1,550 

1,320 

1,300

1,290

1,300

1,270

1,260

1,240

1,250

1,220

1,260

1,250

1,220

1,200

1,180

1,170

1,150

1,140

1,130

1,150

1,220

1,250

1,290

1,210

1,170

1,150 

1,150 

1,140

1,120

1,140

*1,120

37,610

1,213

0-461

0-53

74,600

Nov.

1,010 

930 

1,120

1,100

1,150

1,020

1,010

1,000

1,020

1,040

1,030

994

650

b540

b500

b600

881

1,030

970

994

1,100

1,100

1,040

1,030

970

1,000 

994 

1,000

1,010

*1,030

28,843

961

0-365

0-41

57,210

Dec.

1,030 

1,030 

954

874

b840

b800

777

783

860

874

881

840

771

640 'BTo"

867

909

874

909

867

847

388

1,350

1,510

1,160

1,120 

1,110 

1,060

*923

847

994

28,359

931

0.354

0.41

57,240

Jan.

1,030 

1,010 

994

994

1,030

1,020

1,010

1,000

978

986

1,020

1,030

1,050

1,060

1,050

1,070

1,070

1,080

1,090

1,080

1,080

1,100

1,110

1,066

1,010

b980 

b900 

b850

b800 

bS5o~

*b930

31,322

1,010

0.384

0.44

62,130

Feb.

b970 

1,020 

1,060

1,070

1,100

1,020

1,040

1,030

1,010

1,010

1,010

1,010

1,020

bl,020

bl,000

b950

b930

b910 b32~0~

b940

962

962

978

978

946

946 

970 

*978

994

28,804

993

0.378

0-41

57,130

Mar.

1,000 

1,010 

1,020

1,010

1,020

1,010

U9~4" 938

1,000

1,020

994

978

1,000

994

962

970

1,010

1,060

1,070

1,110

1,140

1,160

1,200

1,240

1,380

1,420 i,26o

*1,190

1,120

1,140

1,210

33,570

1,083

0.412

0.47

66,590

Apr.

1,200 

1,070 

1,070

1,140

1,170

986

l/SSTJ

1,120

1,090

1,160

1,270

1,350

1,380

1,510

1,710

1,940

1,840

1,820

2,000

2,320

2,730

2,940 '2~, 640

2,760

2,680

2,530 

2,540 

2,420

2,360

*2,220

54,016

1,801

0.685

0-76

107,100

May

2,130 

2,050 

2,060

2,090

2,610

2,860

3,130

3,410

4,050

4,270

4,160

3,810

3,370

3,120

3,290

4,160

6,050

7,900

9,400

11,000

12,800

14,700

16,200

17,200

17,700

18,200 

18,200 

18,600

18,400

17,400

*18,100

272,720

8,797

3-34

3-86

540,900

June

20,500 

22,200 

21,106

*21,600

21,500

19,100

15,900

16,300

17,900

18,600

18,800

19,400

19,300

17,600

18,100

18,000

15,400

14,600

14,700

15,100

15,000

14,000

12,900

13,100

13,200

*12,500 

13,200 

13,100

12,800 

12,200

497,700

16,590

6-31

7-04

937,200

July

11,400 

11*400

10,500

9,950

9,280

9,370

8,990

8,700

8,430

8,390

2,370

8,040

7,720

7,450

7,190

6,930

6,700

6,500

6,360

6,220

6,120

5,930

5,770

5,700

5,520 

5,360 

5,280

5,170 

*5,150

4,920

233.310

7,542

2-87

3-31

463.800

Aug.

4,840 

4,720

4,640

4,460

4,330

4,200

4,080

4,010

3,900

3,830

3,740

3,640

3,520

3,440

3,390

3,320

3,260

3,210

3,130

3,080

3,020

2,920

2,850

2,800

2,760

2,720 

2,720 

*2,670

2,610

2 , 610

107,120

3,455

1-31

1-51

212,500

Sept.

2,510 

2,430 

2,330

2,260

2,210

2,170

2,120

2,090

2,100

2,120

2,160

2,250

2,210

2,040

1,940

1,890

1,850

1,820

1,770

1,730

1,740

1,730

1,680

1,660

1,620

1,600 

1.560 

* 1,5 70

1,590 

1,570

58,320

1,944

0-739

0.82

115,700

Calendar year 1955: Max 13,600 Mln 500 Mean 2,556 Cfsm 0-972 In. 13.19 Ac-ft 1,850,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 22,200 Mln 500 Mean 3,860 Cfsm 1-47 In. 19.97 Ac-ft 2,802,000

Peak discharge (base, 12.000 efs)---June Z (4:30 to 6 a-m.) 23,700 cfs (9-39 f-,); June 13 (4 to 

5 a-m.) 20,700 cfs (8-68 ft)-

* Discharge measurement made on this dayb Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice-
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 13: 

Mill Creek near Pray, Mont.

Location.--JLat 45°21', long 110°37', in SE-jNW^ sec. 33, T. 5 S., R. 9 E., on downstream

side of left abutment of private bridge, a quarter of a mile downstream from Davis

Creek, 4^ miles upstream from mouth, and 4j miles southeast of Pray.

Records available.--March 1951 to September 1956 (discontinued).

Gage.--Staff gage read twice daily. Altitude of gage is 5,090 ft (by barometer).

Extremes.--Maximum daily discharge during year, 1,600 cfs May 23; maximum gage t eight 

observed, 4.6 ft Nov. 17; minimum daily discharge, 10 cfs Dec. 29.

1951-56: Maximum discharge observed, 2,300 cfs June 6, 1952 (gage height, 3.20 ft, 

from graph based on gage readings); minimum observed, 3.9 cfs Nov. 9, 1952, Feb. 9, 

1953 (gage height, 0.28 ft).

Maximum stage known, about 6.0 ft in May 1948, from information by local residents.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 3,500 acres, of which 2,600 acres lie downstream from 

station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 31 to Nov. 2)

Oct. 12 to Sept. 30

1.2

1.3

0.9

1.1

1.2

1.3 

1.5 90

1.8 

2.2 

2.7 

3.5

190

440

1,030

2,400

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

AC- ft

Oct.

39

39

39

40

37

39

39

42

40

42

42

43

40

38

35

34

31

29

31

30

28 55

28

28

29

30

30

30

30

32

*28

1,070

34.5

2,120

Nov.

30

31

55

67

63

51

35

30

21

20

28

59

19

19

25

30

40

50

55

57

58

57

56

55

54

52

45

40

39

*39

1,280

42.7

2,540

Dec.

40

35

32

31

30

29

28

26

26

28

27

22

15

13

16

26

33

38

39

40

40

39

38

37

38

39

35

20

*10

25

40

935

30.2

1,850

Jan.

40

36

38

39

38

38

39

38

35

31

31

27

32

31

30

29

32

29

34

42

43

45

38

25

18

25

29

28

27

24

*26

1,014

32.7

2,010

Feb.

26

30

33

33

29

29

30

30

30

30

30

31

35

36

29

"27 24

28

30

34

32

31

31

32

32

31

30

*28

28

879

30.3

1,740

Mar.

28

27

28

28

27

26

32

40

36

28

26

26

26

27

30

31

33

32

32

31

35

34

35

39

49

65

51

*40

27

32

33

1,043

33.4

2,050

Apr.

32

33

34

35

35

28

26

29

35

45

46

51

67

81

99

120

99

96

117

150

190

183

140

133

130

102

78

81

72

*65

2,432

81.1

4,820

May

61

65

74

76

120

183

195

220

210

183

175

146

164

215

282

388

618

736

1,120

1,520

1.600

1,550

1,390

1,320

1,360

1,210

1,080

1,020

*988

18,379

593

36,450

June

1,360

1,370

1,440

1,470

1,370

1,290

1,210

1,090

1,030

1,020

974

904

864

825

760

676

640

596

521

494

476

432

402

372

*352

332

320

306

288

264

23,448

782

46,510

July

252

252

246

230

235

205

183

186

175

153

140

123

114

108

105

90

83

83

76

74

69

61

59

*63

61

55

57

53

55

55

55

3,756

121

7,450

Aug.

49

48

46

45

45

42

40

38

36

35

33

32

32

30

29

28

29

29

30

28

29

32

33

31

30

29

28

*30

28

27

28

1,049

33.8

2,080

Sept.

28

28

28

28

27

27

28

28

28

29

30

29

15

18

25

27

30

30

28

27

28

29

28

28

30

30

30

*29

29

28

827

27.6

1,640

Calendar year 1955: Max 908 Mln 10 Mean 100 Ac-ft 72,690

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,600 Mln 10 Mean 153 Ac-ft 111,300

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 10, Nov. 13 to Dec. 14, Dec. 23-31, Jan. 24 to 

Feb. 11, Feb. 15, 19, 24-29, Mar. 12, 13, 29.
132 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Yellowstone River near Llvlngston, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°36', long 110°34", In NWii sec. 12, T. 3 S., R. 9 E., 01 right bank 

50 ft downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 89, 2 miles downstream from Suce 

Creek, and 5 miles south of Livingston.

Drainage area.--3,580 sq ml, approximately.

Records available.--May 1897 to December 1905, August 1928 to September 1932, March 1938 

to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,545 ft (from topograohic map). May 2, 

T897, to Dec. 31, 1905, chain gage on highway bridge at different datum. Aug. 23, 

1928, to Sept. 30, 1932, and Mar. 14, 1938, to Feb. 3, 1951, chain gage on highway 

bridge at present datum.

Average discharge.--30 years, 3,649 cfs (2,642,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 25,800 cfs June 2 (gage height, 8.57 ft); minimum daily, 850 cfs Nov. 16, Dec. 15.

1897-1905, 1928-32. 1938-56: Maximum discharge observed, 30,600 cfs June 20, 1943 

(gage height, 9.34 ft); minimum daily, 590 cfs Jan. 22, 1940.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Diversions 

Tor~irrigation of 24,200 acres, of which 2,000 acres lie below station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Nov 25 to Dec- 3)

Oct- 1 to June 1 June 2 to Sept- 30

 3 1,110

 6 1,500

 5 3,000

4-0 6,800

7-0 17,400

8.0 21,900

2-1

3-0

4-0

1,880

3,480

6,480

6-0 14,400

25,500

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septe-nber 1956

Day

1 

2 

5

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 

23

24 

25

26 

27 

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

1,900 

1,880 

1,850

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,790

1,780

1,740

1,740

1,760

1,780

1,760

1,730

1,720

1,720

1,680

1,670

1.640

1,640

1,680

1,740 

1,790

1,740 

1,700

1,670 

1,680 

1,670

1,660

1,670

1,700

53,940

1,740

107,000

Nov.

*1,630 

1,510 

1,560

1,730

1,720

1,720

1,630

1,630

1,660

1,680

1,740

1,570

1,300

950

900

850 '9~0~0"

1,200

1,500

1,700

1,800

1.850 

1,760

1,720 

1,660

1,680 

1,680 

1,700

1,700

*1,720

46,550

1,545

91,930

Dec.

1,720 

1,730 

1,660

1,500

1,300

1,450

1,400

1,300

1,350

1,400

1,440

1,460

1,560

1,170

850

1,000

1,050

1,050

1,050

1,250

1,600

1,500 

1,500

1.800 

1,600

1,550 

1,550 

1,500

*1,500

1,100

1,150

42,640

1,375

84,580

Jan.

1,400 

1,400 

1,400

1,420

1,440

1,460

1,440

1,420

1,370

1,400

1,420

1,440

1,460

1,470

1,400

1,300

1,350

1,400

1,450

1,450

1,450

1,450 

1,450

1,450 

1,350

1,300 

1,250 

1,200

1,200

*1,200

1,200

42,790

1,580

84,870

Feb.

1,150 

1,100 

1,150

1,250

1,400

1,430

1,440

1,430

1,400

1,360

1,370

1,400

1,430

1,550

1,300

1,200

1,150

1,150

1,250

1,300

1,550

1,590 

1,420

1,400 

1,390

1,370 

*1,570 

1,560

1,320

38,380

1,323

76,130

Mar.

1,320 

1,550 

1,520

1,520

1,510

1,320

1,200

1,200

1,250

1,250

1,150

I *250

1^250

1,200

1,250

1,300

1,560

1,400

1,440

1,500

1,500 

1,600

1,640 

1,780

1,840 

1,680 

*1,490

1,460

1,470

1,550

45,030

1,388

85,550

Apr.

1,560 

1,510 

1,390

1,440

1,500

1,460

1,550

1,456

1,440

1,490

1,600

1,670

1,760

1,850

2,020

2,240

2,560

2,260

2,310

2,590

2,980

5,560 

3,280

3,150 

3,190

3,000 

5,020 

2,860

2,760

2,700

65,510

2,184

129,900

May

*2,570 

2,470 

2,450

2,480

2,670

3,190

3,360

3,810

4,360

4,560

4,650

4,360

3,930

3,580

3,540

4,120

5,630

7,760

8,900

10,200

12 , 100

14,500 

16,600

18,000 

19,000

19,200 

19,100 

20,200

20.600

19,500

*19,400

286,790

9,251

568,800

June

21,100 

24.300 

23,800

*23,700

23,900

22,200

19,100

18,500

19,500

20,200

20,700

21,500

21,300

20,000

20,100

20,100

18,000

16,700

16,600

17,000

16,900

16,200 

15,000

14,900 

*15,100

14,300 

14,100 

15,900

13,600

15.500

555,400

18,510

*1,102

July

12.600 

12 , 100 

12,400

11,600

11,200

10,900

10,900

10,300

9,980

9,660

9,460

9,380

9,120

8,810

8,550

8.240

7,900

7,640

7,340

7,130

6,950

6,840 

6,620

6,410 

6,280

6,110 

5,940 

5,800

5,660

*5,650

5,400

262,850

8,479

521,400

Aug.

5,270 

5, 170 

5,040

4,880

4,700

4,550

4,410

4,350

4,210

4,080

4,030

3,900

3,770

3,700

3,650

3,580

3,520

5,460

5,410

3,330

3,300

5,220 

5,150

5,080 

3,020

3,000 

2,960 

*3,026

2,960

2,980

5,000

116,710

5,765

251,500

Sept.

2,860 

2,780 

2,680

2,600

2,550

2,500

2,440

2,410

2,400

2,400

2,450

2,480

2,570

2,580

2,270

2,220

2,200

2,150

2,120

2,080

2,070

2,050 

2,020

2,000 

1,980

1,940 

1.950 

*1,930

1,940

1,960

68,540

2,278

155,600

Calendar year 1955: Max 13,900 Mln 850 Mean 2,901 Ac-ft 2,100,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 24,300 Mln 850 Mean 4,434 Ac-ft 5,219,000

Peak discharge (base, 13.500 efs). June 2 (12:15 p.m.) 25,800 cfs (8.57 ft).

* Discharge measurements made on this day.

* Expressed In thousands.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 15-22, Dec. 4-10, Dec. 15 to Jan. 3. Jan. 15 

to Feb. 4, Feb. 14-20, Mar. 7-16.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 

Shields River near Wilsall, Mont.

133

Location. Lat 46°09' , long 110°35', in SE^NW^ sec. 34, T. 5 N., R. 9 E., on left bank 

11 miles northeast of Wilsall and 12 miles upstream from Flathead Creek.

Records available . May 1935 to September 1956.

Gage --Wire-weight gage read once daily. Altitude of gage is 5,590 ft (by barometer).

Ray 10, 1935, to Oct. 12, 1942, staff gage at site 800 ft downstream at different

datum. Oct. 13, 1942, to May 21, 1948, staff gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge . 21 years, 60.2 cfs (43,580 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge observed during year, 718 cfs May 28 (gage height, 4.18 ft); 

minimum daily, 9 cfs Jan. 26-31.

1935-56: Maximum discharge, 1,770 cfs June 4 or 5, 1948, from rating curve extended 

above 730 cfs; maximum gage height observed, 5.02 ft June 3, 1953; minimum daily discharge, 2.3 cfs Feb. 11-15, 1936.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of 3,100 acres, of which 830 acres lie below station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Mar- 20 to Apr- 1, Apr- 20 to May 15)

2-0 

2-1 

2-2 

2-4

2-6

3-0

3-5

4-0 

4-5

172

380

630

920

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1936

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

T3~ 14

15

»15

15

15

16

15

15

15

15

16

IS

T8

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

14

15

15

15

14

482

15-5

956

Nov.

»13

13

14

14

14

14

13

14

14

14

13

12

11

To- 10

ll

12

14

16

r?

17

16

15

14

14

13

11

14

16

16

409

13-6

811

Dec.

»15

15

14

13

12

13

13

13

13

13

15

15

12

12

12

12

10

TC

12

15

15

15

13

14

16

16

14

15

15

»15

15

422

13-6

837

Jan.

15

15

15

15

14

13

14

15

15

15

15

15

15

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

12

12

12

10

10

 s9

9

9

9

9

392

12-6

778

Feb.

10

»TT

12

13

14

TB- 15

13

13

13

14

14

12

11

10

10

11

11

12

13

14

15

14

13

12

11

»11

11

11

359

12-4

712

Mar.

11

11

11

11

11

12

12

12

11

10

10

10

11

12

12

11

11

10

9-8

9-6

9-8

10

10

10

12

19

28

28

»24

20

19

408-2

13-2

810

Apr.

16

15

14

13

12

13

12

13

13

14

20

31

36

74

111

120

TT5

113

118

120

118

111

109

94

82

74

68

67

59

54

1,830

61.0

3,630

May

*48

45

45

45

45

54

63

80

94

120

138

130

111

105

120

153

210

308

390

410

450

535

610

646

630

605

595

'558 685

652

505

9,295

300

18,440

June

*490

IBO" 505

440

415

345

229

193

181

175

178

169

156

138

142

153

135

128

»109

105

98

92

78

70

67

54

45

35

33

11

5,469

182

10,850

July

31

25

29

29

28

26

26

26

26

27

27

27

25

28

29

29

28

27

26

26

27

27

26

24

»23

22

24

27

26

26

26

826

26-6

1,640

Aug.

-Z5 26

24

24

24

22

22

24

24

24

24

21

18

16

13

11

TI

11

12

14

14

13

14

14

15

15

16

16

»16

20

19

562

18-1

1,110

Sept.

16

T5

14

14

14

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

11

10

9-8

9-8

9-6

9.2

9-4

10

11

10

»9-8

9-6

9-6

10

10

11

340-8

11-4

676

Calendar year 1955= Max 495 Min 8 Mean 46-8 Ac-ft 33,880

Water year 1955-56: Max 685 Mln 9 Mean 56-8 Ac-ft 41,250

» Discharge measurement made on this dayNote- Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct- 27 to Nov- 7, Nov- 10-28, Dec- 3 to Mar- 18-
134 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Shields River at Clyde Park, Mont.

Location.--Lat 45°53'10", long 110°37'05", in NW^NWs- sec. 33, T. 2 N., R. 9 E., on right 

bank just downstream from highway bridge, three-quarters of a mile west of Clyde Park 

and 2 miles upstream from Brackett Creek.

Drainage area.--544 sq mi.

Records available.--March 1921 to September 1923, April 1929 to December 1932, February

1934 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,780 ft (from topographic map).

Mar. 31, 1921, to Sept. 30, 1923, wire-weight gage at present site at different datum. 

Apr. 27, 1929, to Jan. 5, 1951, wire-weight gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge.--25 years (1929-32, 1934-56), 155 cfs (112,200 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 1,900 cfs Mar. 26 (gage height, 4.65 ft); maximum gage height, 5.77 ft Mar. 25 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 14 cfs 

Sept. 20, 21, 22.

1921-23, 1929-32, 1934-56: Maximum discharge, 4,450 cfs Mar. 29, 1943; maximum gage 

height observed, 7.39 ft June 5, 1948; minimum discharge observed, 1.8 cfs Aug. 29,

1935 (gage height, 0.72 ft).

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 19,500 acres, of which 500 acres 

lie below station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gape

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Mar- 26 to Apr- 4)

1-5 

1-7

Oct. 1 to Hay 29

75

165

395

700

1,450

1-5 

1-6

May 30 to Sept- 30

11 2-0

18 J

33 ;

115

380

700

1,4E"0

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Tota:

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

46

46

46

*46

48

46

48

42

40

.5§

42

44

46

44

44

42

40

40

40

42

44

48

50

52

55

58

60

SB

58

55

54

1,460

47-1

2,900

Nov.

*40

50

50

55

58

52

45

47

48

50

50

55

54

40

.51

45

55

60

65

70

65

60

55

50

50

50

60

70

72

7Z

1,619

54-0

3,210

Dec.

*60

58

55

50

45

50

55

50

55

55

53

50

40

38

.51

40

40

38

40

45

60

75

90

75

70

65

60

70

70

*73

75

1,735

56.0

3,440

Jan.

75

75

75

77

75

72

70

68

65

60

63

63

62

62

60

60

58

58

57

56

55

55

55

52

50

53

55

52

50

48

i§

1,881

60.7

3,730

Feb.

55

*61

65

70

75

72

70

70

67

67

65

62

57

55

45

35 38-

40

43

45

48

50

43

41

40

45

*47

48

50

1,569

54-1

3,110

Mar.

50

50

48

55

55

57

55

60

60

55

50

60

65

65

60

70

75

80

75

75

80

90

100

200

500

1,250

462

276

*266

340

462

5,241

169

10,400

Apr.

276

176

162

T98

252

169

162

206

227

310

362

305

325

362

390

444

444

412

395

406

462

498

510 T74"

422

390

384

356

346

340

10,165

339

20,160

May

*340

3415

340

340

351

384

384

384

422

558

648

654

596

540

522

552

668

826

932

1,000

1,140

1,260

1,310

1,330

1,590

1,320

1,290

1,330

1,390

1,310

1,130

24,981

806

49,550

June

*1,050

1,060

1,000

940

854

749

616

466

422

374

356

338

290

238

232

272

238

210

*180

170

160

147

131

123

115

98

80

72

61

53

11,095

370

22,010

Jul*r

51

45

47

51

47

49

45

41

43

39

45

45

43

45

49

45

41

39

37

30

28

33

37

39

*37

39

37

37

35

33

33

1,269

40-9

2,520

Aug.

4133"

33

35

33

28

32

33

33

35

37

37

35

28

27

26

24

22

21

22

20

20

20

20

20

18 25

21

*22

26

22

844

27-2

1,670

Sept.

22

21

20

20

21

21

21

21

21

20

20

22

24

21

18

18

17

17

17

M

14

15

16

16

*15

15

15

17

26

27

572

19-1

1,130

Calendar year 1955: Max 750 Win 22 Mean 123 Ac-ft 88,830

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,390 Mln 14 Mean 171 Ac-ft 123,800

Peak discharge (base, 400 cfs)---Har- 26 (3:30 a-m-) 1,900 cfs (4.65 ft); Mar- 31 (9 a.m-) 540 cfs 

(2-87 ft); Apr- 22 (8 p-m-) 510 cfs (2.71ft); Hay 25 (7:30 a-m-) 1,430 cfs (3-98 ft) 

* Discharge measurement made on this dayNote Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Oct. 30 to Mar- 25 (no gage-height record Dec- 31 

to Feb. 1, Feb- 3-26; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements, weather records, and 

records for station near Wllsall).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 135

Brackett Creek near Clyde Park, Mont.

Location. -Lat 45°52'00", long HO'40'10", in SEfcffii sec. IT. 1 N., R. 8 E rear right

 bank on upstream side of private bridge, 3f miles (revised) southwest of Clyde Park and 

4 miles upstream from mouth.

Records available.--March 1921 to September 1923, April 1934 to September 1956.

Gage. Wire-weight gage read once dally. Altitude of gage Is 4,930 ft (from topographic 

"map) Mar 30, 1921, to Sept. 30, 1923, staff gage at site three-quarters of a mile 

upstream at different datum. Apr. 5, 1934, to May 24, 1949, staff gage and ¥ay 25, 

1949, to Dec. 14, 1953, wire-weight gage, at site 25 ft upstream at present datum.

Average discharge. 22 years (1921-23, 1934-35, 1937-56), 29.1 cfs (21,070 acre-ft per 

year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge observed during year, 263 cfs May 21 (gage height, 2 92 ft);

 maxTium observed gage height, 3.40 ft Dec. 31 (backwater from ice); minimum daily disch.3.i*£6 4 cfs MSI* 7 10 11 1921-23 1934-56:' Maximum discharge, 1,400 cfs May 22, 1948 (gage height, 4.9 ft, 

from floodmark), from rating curve extended above 330 cfs; minimum daily, 0.5 cfs 

Dec. 23, 24, 1952.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of Ice effect, which are poor. Diversions

 for irrigation of 650 acres above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 24

0.7 7.0

.9 14

1.0 19

Mar. 25 to Sept. 30

6.6

10

1.4 

2.0 

3.0

50

126

275

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

8.5

8.2

8.8

*8.5

10

11

10

9.4

8.8

8.8

9.1

9.1

9.7

10

9.1

8.8

8.8

8.8

8.5

8.2

8.2

9.1

12

13

14

12

10

10

10

9

297.4

9.59

590

Nov.

*7

7

9.5

11

14

12

14

14

11

12

11

9.5

9

8.5

8

8.5

8.5

9

10

12

13

13

12

11

10

9

10

11

12

12

318.5

10.6

632

Dec.

*12

10

11

11

10

12

11

11

11

9.5

11

12

11

10

8.5

12

11

10

11

12

15

17

18

17

16

16

16

15

15

*15

14

391.0

12.6

776

Jan.

15

16

17

17

17

15

13

12

10

9.5

10

9

8.5

7.5

7.5

8

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8

6

5.5

6

6.5

6.5

6

5.5

5.5

298.5

9.63

592

Feb.

5.5

*6.5

7

7.5

8

8.5

875

8

8

8.5

8.5

8.5

7.5

7.5

6.5

5.5

5

5

6.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

8

7.5

7

7

*6.5

6.5

6.5

208.0

7.17

413

Mar.

6.5

6.5

7

7

5.5

4.5

4

5.5

5.5

4

4

4.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

6

6.5

6.5

7

7.5

9

13

30

50

Zi

46

32

28

*22

25

26

466.5

15.0

925

Apr.

25

22

21

22

23

25

22

22

24

32

39

37

48

70

92

99

100

103

105

121

134

T2T

116

99

84

80

82

77

78

78

2,007

66.9

3,980

May

*75

79

79

78

78

86

90

112

130

127

148

154

149

140

149

164

214

230

240

228

254 2"4Q222

212

196

174

170

166

168

161

152

4,865

157

9,650

June

*150

154

139

132

125

116

106

101

97

95

90

86

94

91

66

66

66

57

*50

46

48

52

46

47

46

42

40

40

39

31

2,364

78.8

4,690

July

37

37

40

46

38

29

30

29

29

25

26

29

26

24

25

26

23

21

22

18

17

15

12

12

*13

13

13

14

13

13

12

727

23.5

1,440

Auf .

12

11

12

11

9.6

8.5

8.5

8.9

9.3

10

9.3

9.3

9.3

7.0

7.0

8.1

7.7

7.0

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.6

7.0

8.5

8.9

9.3

10

9.3

*10

12

13_

273.9

9.03

555

Sept.

12

10

12

15

15

15

14

13

12

11

13

12

13

12

9.6

9.6

8.9

8.1

8.9

8.9

8.9

8.9

8.9

8.1

*7.7

7.4

774

7.7

9.6

11

318.6

10.6

632

Calendar year 1955: Max 136 Mln 1.5 Mean 24.6 Ac-ft 17,830

Water year 1955-56: Max 254 Mln 4 Mean 34.3 Ac-ft 24,880

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Mote.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, Nov. 7, Nov. 11 to Mar. 24.

459735 O - 59 - 10
136 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Boulder River near Contact, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°33'20", long 110°12'00", In SE£ sec. 23, T. 3 S., R. 12 E., on left 

bank half a mile below Boulder Falls, 3 miles north of Contact, 6 miles upstream from 

East Fork of Boulder River, and 22 miles southwest of Big Timber.

Records available.--May 1910 to September 1916, April to August 1929, October 1950 to 

September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 4,930 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to July 15, 1951, staff gages at site l| miles downstream at different datums.

Average discharge.--? years (1910-11, 1950-56), 362 cfs (262,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge, 3.490 cfs June 2 (gage height, 5.84 ft); minimum, 22 cfs 

Jan. 9 (gage height, 1.37 ft).

1910-16, 1929, 1950-56: Maximum discharge observed, 4,750 cfs Jun? 27, 1916 (gage 

height, 8.4 ft, site and datum then In use); minimum, 6.5 cfs Feb. 20, 1954 (gage 

height, 0.95 ft).

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of Ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for Irrigation of about 10 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 21 to June 5)

1.5 

1.8 

2.1 

2.4

134

220

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

6.0

545

930

1,330

3,880

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

95 

¥5

93

91

*89

87

89

89

86

87

89

89

87

89

S7

86

86

82

82

86

87

86

86

86

84

80

80

78

80

84

2,673

86.2

5,300

Nov.

70 

*6S

82

87

87

71

78

80

78

84

78

40

345~6

54

54

60

70

80

86

92

8?

75

77

71

71

68

71

70

71

2,147

71.6

4,260

Dec.

70 

*68

60

63

56

67

68

65

67

65

62

65

60

50

50

58

56

55

60

66

71

80

84

84

82

82

84

73

50

45

2,039

65.8

4,040

Jan.

74 

66

60

70

70

67

65

62

53

67

65

63

63

56

45

45

61

59

58

55

58

56

56

53

46

48

53

53

52

55

55

1,809

58.4

3,590

Feb.

*55 

61

61

59

56

54

52

52

54

53

56

56

54

50

44

52

60

58

54

52

54

56

54

53

50

52

52

48

50

1,562

53.9

3,100

Mar.

50 

*51

52

52

52

48

43

47

50

47

53

48

48

48

47

47

49

48

50

5£

53

56

62

67

Z-5

73

63

57

50

*57

57

1,650

53.2

3,270

Apr.

56 

52

48

56

54

49

48

54

52

57

62

60

65

75

86

105

103

103

116

142

175

199

T73

164

149

146

142

132

127

122

2,974

99.1

5,900

May

120 

*116

113

111

T2T

136

142

175

216

234

242

229

199

182

188

265

443

662

947

1,290

1,610

1,980

2,250

2,410

2,620

2,600

2,560

5.260

2,860

2,300

2,370

32,952

1,063

65,360

June

*2,860 

5,100

2 , 800

2,970

3,030

2,430

1,810

1,920

2,380

2,650

2,720

2,910

2,810

2,420

2,670

2,640

1,800

»1,580

1,800

1,960

1,890

1,390

1,240

1,440

1,520

1,340

1,410

1,430

1,380

1,240

65,540

2,118

126,000

July

1,070 964"

845

758

750

794

904

845

811

820

S20

768

700

670

652

590

552

515

497

491

485

485

461

437

443

*414

403

598

381

364

TTC7 JJ I

19,364

625

38,410

Aug.

337 

310

295

265

242

229

220

213

206

206

202

199

185

180

182

182

180

IBS

182

175

167

162

156

152

152

152

*152

149

14?

172 

167

6,105

197

12,110

Sept.

156 

144

136

134

152

127

120

116

118

116

134

13 £

164

TK

127

118

113

109

107

103

101

105

99

*95

95

91

89

59

101

99

5,520

117

6,980

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,550 Min 33 Mean 287 Ac-ft £08,100

Water year 1955-56: Max 3,260 Min 34 Mean 383 Ac-ft £78,300

(base, 2,200 efs). Hay 28 (12 m.) 3,420 cfs (5.78 ft); June 2 (1:30 a.m. 

ne 12 (3 a.m.) 3,520 cfs (s.62 ft); June 16 (2 a.m.) 5,200 cfs (5.50 ft);

Peak discharge

cfs (5.84 ft); June ^ v - .. , 

(2 a.m.) 2,230 cfs (4.74 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 11-21, Dec. 16-20, Dec 

to Feb. 8, Feb. 14-20, Feb. 28 to Mar. 2, Mar. 11-15.

30 a.m.) 3,490 

June 20

29 to Jan. 2, Jan. 14
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 137

Boulder River at Big Timber, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°50'05", long 109°56'20", In NEfSEij- sec. 14, T. 1 N., R. 14 E., on left 

bank 1 mile east of Big Timber and 2 miles upstream from mouth.

Records available. April 1947 to December 1953, March 1955 to September 1956. 

Average discharge. 7 years (1947-53, 1955-56), 570 cfs (412,700 acre-ft per year). 

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 4,060 ft (from topographic mai).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 9,840 cfs May 28 (gage height, 7.84 ft); minimum, 

62 cfs Mar. 12 (gage height, 2.29 ft).

1947-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge, that of May 28, 1956; minimum daily, 45 cfs 

Dec. 25, 1952.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor, 

for irrigation of 13,300 acres, of which 250 acres lie below station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 9 to Nov. 10, Mar. 27 to May 10, 

May £5 to June 1)

Diversions

Oct. 1 to June 21 June 22 to Sept. 30

2.5 

2.7 

3.0 

3.5

95

160

320

680

4.0 

5.0 

6.0 

7.0

1,150

2,600

4,780

7,190

3.1 

3.4 

3.7

111

210

390

4.0 

4.5 

5.0

75O 

1,630 

2,600

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

187

187

169

*156

169

182

196

187

169

153

169

182

174

169

164

164

169

164

160

156

169

164

174

160

145

138

I4T

138

142

145

160

5,103

165

10,120

Nov.

127

117

*142

156

153

142

127

134

134

134

130

120

110

130

140

140

150

155

160

170

180

175

165

170

170

165

16O

170

*172

200

4,498

150

8,920

Dec.

180

165

155

160

150

160

175

170

170

160

165

17O

140

10O

100

110

125

105

140

150

160

165

175

175

170

170

165

160

 130

100

120

4,640

150

9,200

Jan.

140

125

115

120

115

105

100

120

140

160

150

150

140

135

100

80

100

140

130

120

14O

130

120

110

100

110

120

115

105

95

*86

3,716

120

7,370

Feb.

75

85

95

100

100

95

95

85

90

100

100

95

90

85

80

85

95

100

105

115

125

135

130

125

120

120

125

 122

120

2,992

103

5,930

Mar.

115

110

115

105

95

90

80

85

90

85

75

85

100

110

100

135

142

142

169

182

169

156

187

192

210

210

 187

156

134

134

142

4,087

132

8,110

Apr.

153

134

123

117

134

123

115

130

127

130

145

149

142

160

192

232

266

254

266

302

387

457 4~50

401

374

344

350

314

308

308

7,087

236

14,060

May

302

 308

308

308

314

394

415

464

584

664

698

707

672

640

632

734

970

1,270

1.69O

2,230

2,840

3,400

3,770

4,100

4,780

5.02O

5,020

6,840

6,890

 4,880

4,420

66,264

2,138

131,400

June

4,780

*5,550

4,950

5,000

5,O70

4,190

3,330

3,270

3,710

3,950

3,970

4,080

3,990

3,550

3,750

3,790

2,920

2,530

2,680

*2,960

2,920

2,380

2,O10

2,120

2,420

2,180

2,240

2,320

2,260

2,120

100,770

3,359

199,900

July

1,880

1,710

1,500

1,310

1,240

1,280

1,480

1,390

1,300

1,330

1,370

1,300

1,170

1,080

961

846

750

660

576

504

444

435

408

366

350

*334

318

326

299

299

£b_6

27,482

887

54,510

Aug.

272

250

246

214

199

184

177

163

160

156

147

137

131

128

134

134

134

143

147

140

128

128

128

123

T26

128

*126

126

126

134

150

4,819

155

9,560

Sept.

140

134

134

128

131

128

128

123

120

123

131

143

177

ISO

156

150

16O

150

166

163

156

150

143

 137

137

128

126

131

137

140

4,250

142

8,430

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 6,890 Min 75 Mean 644 Ac-ft 467,500

Peak discharge (base, 5,000 cfs). May 28 (9 p.m.) 9,840 cfs (7.84 ft); Jt 

cfs (6.42 ft); June 12 (9:3O a.m.) 4,370 cfs (5.83 ft).

2 (11:30 a.m.) 5,790

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 11 to Mar. 16 (no gage-height record Nov. 13- 

17, 27, 28).
138 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Sweetgrass Creek above Melville, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°09', long 110°05' 

9 miles northwest of Melville.

in NWi sec. 27, T. 5 N., R. 13 E., en right bank

Drainage area. 59.6 sq mi.

Records avail able. --May 1907 to December 1924, April 1937 to September 1?56.

Gage . Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,490 ft (by barometer). May 5, 1907, 

to Sept. 30, 1912, staff gage at site 6 miles upstream at different dptum. Aug. 21, 

1913, to Dec. 31, 1924, staff gage at site 1,500 ft downstream at different datum. 

Apr. 17, 1937, to Sept. 25, 1951, water-stage recorder at site 1,000 ft downstream at 

different datum.

Average discharge . 21 years (1918-19, 1920-21, 1937-56), 82.6 cfs (59,800 acre-ft per 

year ) .

Extremes . Maximum discharge during year, 2,060 cfs May 28 (gage height, 3.93 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 800 cfs; minimum, 4.1 cfs Apr. 3 (gage height, 0.78 ft).

1907-24, 1937-56: Maximum discharge, that of May 28, 1956; minimum, 2.1 cfs Mar. 15, 

1954 (gage height, 0.67 ft).

Remarks. --Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. 

for irrigation of 200 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (g-age 

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Diversions

0.9 

1.0 

1.2 

1.4

1.6

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

114

243

473

873

1,480

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

29

30

31

Total

Mean

AC- ft

Oct.

23

2Z

21

21

*21

21

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20 

20

21

21

631

20.4

1,250

Nov.

19

*20

21

20

20

20

20

20

20

21

20

19

19

19

19

20

21

22

2Z

21

20

19

18

19

19

19

19

19 

»19

19

593

19.8

1,180

Dec.

19

18

16

18

20

20

19

20

20

20

21

18

8

is

20

20

20

19

18

19

20

23

24

22

24

20

18

13 

12

18

*23

585

18.9

1,160

Jan.

20

20

18

21

^0

19

19

18

16

18

19

17

16

13

12

13

14

15

14

14

13

14

14

12

11

10

10

10 

9

9

9

457

14.7

906

Feb.

*9

10

IE

13

12

11

11

10

1011

11

12

11

10

9

9

11

12

14

15

15

14

13

12

10

10

10

9 

11

- -----

327

11.3

649

Mar.

10

*10

10

9

9

9

9

9

9

8.

8

8

9

9

9

9

11

13

13

13

13

13

15

18

2Ji

17

13

14 

14

*12

12

356

11.5

706

Apr.

12

10

10

10

10

9.0

9.0

10

11

12

12

11

12

14

14

15

14

13

13

14

14

15

14

13

13

13

14

13 

14

15

373.0

12.4

740

May

18

*17

Te

17

20

27

30

33

37

42

44

44

44

44

46

49

50

76

236

383

527

596

568

582

554

521

533

1,260 

1,010

575

458

8,459

273

16,780

June

561

*603

503

527

527

408

279

267

378

433

428

428

368

368

438

4S8

306

259

251

*283

255

190

161

187

232

204

201

222 

222

190

10,117

337

20,070

July

164

151

145

134

128

125

122

120

114

117

122

122

131

131

128

122

117

114

109

104

96

96

94

89

*87

85

87

85 

83

81

S3

3,486

112

6,910

Aug.

87

85

81

78

76

74

72

70

72

70

66

63

61

59

59

57

57

59

57

55

50

50

47

47

49

49

52

49 

*47

46

43

1,887

60.9

3,740

Sept.

39

39

39

39

39

35

34

34

33

33

32

33

33

32

29

27

25

25

25

24

24

24

24

*24

25

24

24

25

25

24

892

29.7

1,770

Calendar year 1955: Max 557 Kin 5 Mean 62.5 Ac-ft 45,220

Water year 1955-56; Max 1,260 Min 8 Mean 76.9 Ac-ft 55,860

Peak discharge (base, 540 cfs).--Hay 22 (3 a.m.) 719 cfs (2.84 ft)j May 28 (5 p.m.) 2,060 cfs 

(3.93 ft); June 2 (2 a.m.) 773 cfs (2.90 ft)j June 5 (2 a.m.) 619 cfs (2.73 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 2 to Dec. 24, Jan. 4-17, 21, Jan. 25 to 

Mar. 24.
YELLOWSTOHE RIVER BASIN 

Rosebud Creek near Absarokee, Mont.

139

Location. Lat 45 0 29', long 109°27', in NWj- sec. 13, T. 4 S., R. 18 E. , on right bank 

80 ft downstream from Smith Bridge, half a mile downstream from confluence of East and 

West Rosebud Creeks, and 2 miles south of Absarokee.

Records available.--April 1935 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,160 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

July 14, 1942, staff gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 21 years, 404 cfs (292,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 3,820 cfs May 29 (gage height, 4.42 f';); minimum 

daily, 80 cfs Jan. 30.

1935-56: Maximum discharge observed, 4,850 cfs June 22, 1937 (gage height, 6.36 ft), 

from rating curve extended above 2,000 cfs; minimum observed, 31 cfs May 25, Dec. 29, 

1936.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Large fluctuations in flow caused by powerplant at Mystic Lake on West 

Rosebud Creek. Diversions for irrigation of about 16,000 acres above station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1036: 1944.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to May 27 May 28 to Sept. 30

1.3 117

1.6 218

2.0 455

3.0 

3.5

1,330

2,030

1.2 127

1.6 275

2.0 505

2.5 880

3.0 1,360

4.0 2,810

4.5 4,040

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September

Day

1

2 

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

210 

210 

174

193

189

*185

181

174

147

150

170

147

136

136

139

133

130

160

189

202

214

223

170

167

232

232

210

160

147

154

144

5,388

174

10,690

Nov.

141 

130 

*154

167

154

141

141

151

151

151

154

122

117

128

151

170

141

170

218

202

198

177

160

170

144

151

125

*139

151

202

4,671

156

9,260

Dec.

181 

164 

133

130

128

139

181

181

189

170

160

167

210

218

218

230

230

200

175

240

220

250 24~0

220

210

200

*200

190

150

140

170

5,834

188

11,570

Jan,

190 

160 

150

190

195

175

175

175

125

170

155

145

120

120

120

100

90

110

110

110

110

100

95

90

100

90

100

100

90

80

120

3,960

128

7,850

Feb.

140 

130 

150

150

150

150

160

150

*150

155

160

150

140

150

150

140

130

140

130

120

140

140

140

140

140

110

100

TTo

130

4,045

139

8,020

Mar.

130 

130 

110

100

9£

120

*110

110

110

120

110

90

110

110

110

130

150

170

200

*266

350

500

731

49T

399

294

232

185

185

198

202

6,349

205

12,590

Apr.

167 

147 

167

189

206

181

185

214

193

277

252

232

223

193

206

170

210

206

185

185

202

189

206

223

266

 282

316

288

288

232

6,480

216

12,850

May

327 

321 

379

372

372

359

334

294

334

372

353

327

294

242

256

266

299

347

427

548

*748

1,060

1,180

1,270

1,400

1,440

1,440

2,360

*3,000

2,110

1,760

24,591

793

48,780

June

1,750 

1,920 

1,830

1,820

1,830

1,540

1,200

1,020

1,080

1,120

1,150

1,180

1,260

1,230

1,480

1,730

1,540

1,220

1,060

1,120

1,210

1,120

920

872

1,010

1,030

1,010

1,070

1,180

1,210

38,712

1,290

76,780

July

1,110 

978 

880

*792

732

688

800

912

936

944

996

1,070

1,050

978

928

888

856

785

755

748

778

792

785

680

688

680

710

808

880

896

856

26,379

851

52,320

Aug.

856 

856 

785

710

665

598

526

485

426

*432

432

438

350

313 366"

360

401

533

526

505

478

438

426

420

414

377

328

322

322

344

372

14,804

478

29,360

Sept.

355 

308 

231

240

303

271

*271

271

235

208

249

271

313

308

303

275

257

271

266

257

244

240

212

168

189

197

189

189

186

154

7,431

248

14,740

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,060 Mln 70 Mean 258 Ac-ft 187,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 3,000 Mln 80 Mean 406 Ac-ft 294,800

Peak discharge (base, 1,600 cfs).--May 29 (2 a.m.) 3,820 cfs (4.42 ft); June 16 (2 p.m.) 1,780 cfs 

(3.36 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Dec. 16 to Mar. 19 (no gage-height record Jan. 14 

to Feb. 8, Feb. 10 to Mar. 6, Mar. 8-19, 21, 22; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for Mystic Lake powerplant).
140 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Stillwater River near Absarokee, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°33', long 109°23', in SEfc sec. 21, T. 3 S., R. , 19 E. , on right bank 

3 miles downstream from Rosebud Creek, 4 miles northeast of Absarokee, and 10 miles 

southwest of Columbus.

Records available. July 1910 to September 1914, March 1935 to September 1956.

Gage.. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,875 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Oct. 1, 1942, staff or wire-weight gages at site 2 miles upstream at different 

datum.

Average discharge.--21 years (1935-56), 910 ofs (658,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 8,600 cfs May 28 (gage height, 6.03 ft); minimum daily, 190 cfs Jan. 31.

1910-14, 1935-56: Maximum discharge, 10,600 cfs June 3, 1948 (gage height, 6.63 ft)' 

minimum observed, 58 cfs Apr. 2, 1936.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Flow partly regulated by powerplant at Mystic Lake on West Rosebud 

Greek. Diversions for irrigation of about 24,300 acres, of which 400 acres lie below 

station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.1 300 3.5 2,560

1.5 460 4.5 4,400

2.0 790 6.0 8,500

2.5 1,220

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

438

427

396

396

396

*387

392

378

351

330

357

345

339

339

339

330

327

34§

374

387

396

405

364

351

405

400

387

342

330

336

339

11,431

369

22,670

Nov.

312

309

*327

348

339

327

321

339

339

342

340

290

260

27O

270

270

270

290

3LO

320

350

330

300

300

310

310

280

*270

270

280

9,193

306

18,230

Dec.

300

290

260

250

250

260

280

260

280

260

260

280

250

250

250

270

260

250

250

280

300

350

375

450

449

432

*460

449

340

310

340

9,545

308

18,930

Jan.

380

350

3ZO

400

410

370

340

330

270

32O

310

300

290

290

260

230

270

290

290

270

270

260

260

250

240

240

250

240

230

210

±2 

8,930

288

17,710

Feb.

210

230

250

250

260

260

260

230

*220

25O

260

260

260

250

240

220

240

250

250

270

280

280

280

280

270

250

230

240

250

7,280

251

L4,440

Mar.

270

270

250

240

230

220

*230

220

220

220

230

220

220

220

220

240

300

400

500

659

562

645

782

708

606

496

410

354

354

357

354

11,207

362

22,230

Apr.

348

321

339

357

378

348

345

374

364

449

438

405

387

364

382

378

422

427

392

400

449

484

532

526

568

*580

659

606

619

568

13,209

440

26,200

May

701

687

738

738

738

782

790

768

854

934

926

894

830

738

738

775

934

L.220

L.570

2,100

*2,750

3,550

3,990

4,300

4,580

4,600

4,550

6,650

*7.460

5,500

4,980

71,365

2,302

141,600

June

5,530

6.220

5,650

5,730

5,860

4,860

3,700

3,420

3,830

4,090

4,110

4,400

4,510

4,050

4,510

5,020

3,850

3,150

3,100

3,440

3,380

2,940

2.450

2,510

3,040

2,820

2,840

3,030

3,110

3,030

118,160

3,939

234,400

July

2.720

2,370

2,100

*1,770

1,630

1,630

1,960

2,120

2.1OO

2,100

2,220

2,300

2,200

2,020

1,910

1,820

1,730

1,590

1,510

1,490

1,5OO

1,520

1,500

1,360

1,370

1.550

1,360

1,460

1,540

1,540

L.480

55,270

1,783

109,600

Aug.

1.440

1,420

1,370

1,250

1,180

1,090

1,010

950

878

*870

862

862

768

694

722

730

752

926

934

918

862

798

760

738

730

687

645

632

6L2

632

680

27,402

884

54,350

Sept.

632

586

496

502

562

526

*502

478

449

427

472

502

612

606

568

520

508

496

496

472

449

454

427

387

382

387

374

382

396

378

L4,428

481

28,620

Calendar year 1955: Max 4,01O Min 140 Mean 66O Ac-ft 478,200

Water year 1955-56: Max 7,460 Mln 190 Mean 977 Ac-ft 709,000

Peak discharge (base. 4,400 cfs).--May 28 (9 p.m.) 8,6OO cfs (6.O3 ft); June 2 (9 a.m.) 6,710 cfs 

(5.42 ft); June 16 (8:3O a.m.) 5,500 cfs (4.98 ft).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 

Clarks Fork below Crandall Creek, near Painter, Wyo.

141

Location. Lat 44°52', long 109°34', in sec. 1, T. 56 N. , R. 106 W. , on right bank 2 miles 

downstream from Crandall Creek, 4 miles east of Crandall Creek guard station, and 

9 miles north of Painter.

Drainage area.--446 sq mi.

Records available. August 1929 to September 1932, August 1949 to September 1956 (no 

winter records).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 6,160 ft (from topographic map). 

Aug. 9, 1929, to Sept. 30, 1932, at same site at different datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 7,740 cfs June 1 (gage height, 9.67 ft); minimum not determined, probably occurred during period of no gage-height record.

1929-32, 1949-56: Maximum discharge, that of June 1, 1956; minimum not determined, 

probably occurred during period of no gage-height record.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Some small diversions for irrigation of hay meadows above station.

Revisions.--WSP 1389: Drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used July 5 to Sept. 3)

2.4 

2.7 

3.0

3.5

50

126

231

480

4.0 

6.0 

8.0 

9.4

810

2,720

5,340

7,340

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2 

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

M 

81 

79

*74

74

71

71

71

67

67

65

63

63

63

60

58

56

56

54

65

65

71

69

60

60

58

60

56

56

55

55

2,007

64.7

3,980

Nov.

55 

55 

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

_

_

-

-

_

_

_

_

-

_

_

-

-

-

_

-

-

-

-

_

-

-

Dec.

_

-

-

Jan.

_

-

-

Feb.

_

-

-

Mar.

_

_

-

Apr.

_

_

-

May

350 

 355 

400

*420

528

579

691

834

890

954

898

789

705

650

726

1,080

1,630

1,990

2,330

2,700

3,300

*4,580

4,860

5,090

4,960

6,080

*5,910

6,450

6,290

5,870

6,080

78,944

2,546

156,600

June

6,940 

7,240 

6,700

*6,960

6,770

5,440

4,080

4,110

5,020

5,450

5,720

6,220

6,240

5,490

6,150

5,940

4,160

3,550

*3,760

4,090

3,780

3,040

2.640

3,160

3,400

3,240

3,420

3,620

3,650

3,370

143,350

4,778

284,300

July

2.850 

2,5dO 

2,150

1,840

1,720

1,750

2,010

2,060

2,060

2,060

*2,110

2,230

2,030

1,840

1,660

1,540

1,490

1,600

1,650

1,620

1,420

1,440

1,360

1,350

1,300

1,260

1,240

1,270

1,250

1,200

3^.100

52,940

1,708

105,000

Aug.

1,140 

1,130 

997

834

719

618

540

492

456

*450

432

420

415

415

420

432

432

444

456

444

415

388

366

351

337

327

327

308

£86 3~6l

£94

15,446

498

30,640

Sept.

264 

235 

223

216

201

*197

186

182

235

216

235

290

Tf?

260

252

247

235

223

212

204

197

190

179

165

152

145

136

145

148

148

6,190

206

12,280

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac -ft

Water year : Max Min Mean Ac-ft

Peak discharge (base. 5.1OO efs). June 1 (9 p.m.) 7,740 cfs (9.67 ft); June 15 (7 p.m.) 6,890 cfs 

(9.10 ftj.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 30 to Nov. 11. No gage-height record May 1-3.
142 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Sunlight Creek near Painter, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°45'00", long 109°31'40", in NE£ sec. 16, T. 55 N., R. 105 W., on left 

bank l^ miles downstream from Painter Gulch and 4? miles west of Painter.

Drainage area. 135 sq mi.

Records available. August 1929 to September 1932, July 1945 to September 1956 (no winter 

records 1951-52).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 6,700 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge.--12 years (1929-32, 1945-50, 1952-56), 117 cfs (84,760 acre-ft per 

year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,220 cfs June 2 (gage height, 3.41 ft); minimum not determined.

1929-32, 1945-56: Maximum discharge, 2,110 cfs June 26, 1932 (gage height, 

4.31 ft), from rating curve extended above 660 cfs; minimum observed, 11 cfs Jan. 17, 

1946 (discharge measurement), but may have been less during period of no gage-height 

record.

Maximum stage known, about 5.8 ft during 1918.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gag'3-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 500 acres above station.

Revisions. WSP 1389: Drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 18-24, May 29 to June 6, 

June 25 to July 16)

1.5 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

283

470

710

1,020

1,390

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septemb 1956

Day

1

2 

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

34

33 

32

*32

33

31

29

29

30

31

31

30

29

29

29

29

29

27

23

25

25

25

25

24

24

24

25

24

24

24

24

863

27.8

1,710

Nov.

24

25 

27

28

27

25

25

25

25

28

27

23

723

24.1

1,430

Dec.

(*)

24

744

24.0

1,480

Jan.

22

682

22.0

1,350

Feb.

21

609

21.0

1,210

Mar.

21

21

21

25

25

25

25

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

25

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

25

25

25

25

25

25

778

25-1

1,540

Apr.

oc ±2.

25 

25

25

25

25

25

30

35

*40

40

35

40

40

55

60

66

68

84

108

129

119

88

82

72

66

66

62

63

60

1,683

56.1

3,340

May

62

63 

63

*72

108

122

145

197

197

207

182

171

149

137

147

207

340

466

570

690

788

*884

932

971

950

938

*884

985

950

872

908

14,357

463

28,480

June

1,040

1.080 

1,030

*1,040

978

782

650

655

788

818

902

985

978

896

985

872

615

*590

640

680

615

450

390

474

546

528

595

635

645

605

22,487

750

44,600

July

502

450 

390

346

350

390

418

422

422

414

*426

430

370

358

343

326

305

286

280

280

286

293

286

277

277

277

268

268

271

262

242

10,515

339

20,860

Aug.

228

217 

194

175

160

147

141

131

128

*137

128

122

119

120

120

120

115

117

115

108

100

95

93

90

90

88

90

85

8298"

85

3,838

124

7,610

Sept.

74

70 

68

66

63

*59

55

57

63

58

57

60

59

54

53

53

52

52

50

50

51

51

46

32

32

33

34

36

42

42

1,572

52.4

3,120

Calendar year 1955: Max 675 Min - Mean 89.7 Ac-ft 64,940

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,080 Min - Mean 161 Ac-ft 116,700

Peak discharge (base, 700 cfs). --June 2 (12:30 a.m.) 1,220 cfs (3.41 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, Nov. 6-7, Nov. 12 to Apr. 16

(no gage-height record Nov. 13-20, Nov. 29 to Dec. 21, Jan. 18 to Apr. 16; discharge estimated on

basis of 2 discharge measurements and weather records).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Clarks Fork at Chance, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°00', long 109°05', in EjNEi sec. 31, T. 9 S., R. 22 E., on left bank 

0.4 mile upstream from Sand Coulee and 1 mile north of Wyoming-Montana State line.

Records available.--July 1921 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,980 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

£o Nov. 15, 1934, staff gage and Nov. 15, 1934, to July 26, 1951, water stage recorder, 

at bridge 0.4 mile downstream at different datum. July 27, 1951, to Sept. 30, 1953, 

water-stage recorder at present site at datum 0.98 ft higher.

Average discharge.--22 years (1934-56), 916 cfs (663,200 acre-ft per year).

Extreme s. Maximum discharge during year, 8,800 cfs June 2 (gage height, 7.54 ft); minimum, 48 cfs Oct. 19 (gage height, 0.74 ft).

1921-56: Maximum discharge observed, 10,900 cfs May 26, 1928 (gage height, 6.5 ft), 

site and datum then in use); minimum, 48 cfs Jan. 16, 1943, Oct. 19, 1955.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 10,000 acres above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 29 to June 21)

Oct. 1 to May 20 May 21 to Sept. 30

0.7

.9

1.4

1.8

40

80

235

425

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0

895

1,380

2,730

4,450

1.3 

1.7 

2.5 

3.0

200

370

895

1,380

4.0 

6.0 

7.5

2,700

6,100

9,000

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

114

123

*120

114

111

105

88

88

88

82

80

80

78

78

76

66

66

54

50

52

54

56

58

60

54

54

56

58

58

62

68

2,351

75.8

4,660

Nov.

108

126

159

214

210

210

207

200

195

190

185

180

180

185

190

200

*200

195

275

295

320

295

265

265

275

275

255

265

255

255

6,629

221

13,150

Dec.

265

255

240

230

220

240

250

240

230

230

230

240

230

220

230

250

240

220

250

*320

310

350

380

367J

300

290

280

260

250

240

260

8,110

262

16,090

Jan.

280

275

265

275

270

250

260

280

263

263

288

298

284

250

210

220

*240

250

255

240

240

240

240

240

220

220

220

210

190

200

210

7,646

247

15,170

Feb.

210

220

250

280

285

250

220

215

205

205

E05

210

E10

205

170

200

225

260

280

285

243

239

243

*235

220

220

220

218

224

6,652

229

13,190

Mar.

224

228

228

228

224

221

204

210

200

190

185

255

210

215

225

235

247

259

325

365

*325

330

386

381

420

485 4SS~

311

298

306

320

8,593

277

17,040

Apr.

325

275

255

267

284

255

247

259

255

271

345

355

*335

420

527

638

593

551

612

740

887

972

003

755

740

677

657

638

638

638

15,234

508

30,220

May

*599

599

593

'69T 581

785

863

1,020

1,160

1,260

1,240

1,130

1,010

855

831

998

1,610

2,310

2,910

3,460

4,000

4,040

5,060

5,700

5,830

6,190

6,330

*6,800

7,700

6,910

6,870

89,935

2,901

178,400

June

7,680

8,540

7,840

7,740

7,820

6,680

4,800

4,390

5,360

5,600

*6,260

6,950

7,360

6,390

6,750

7,040

5,130

4,200

4,190

4,750

4,570

3,770

3,040

3,320

3,930

3,710

3,850

4,160

4,090

4,170

163,880

5,463

325,100

July

5.580

3,040

2,800

2,320

*2,060

2,050

2,300

2,500

2,500

2,510

2,510

2,750

2,570

2,300

2,180

2,010

1,840

1,720

1,610

1,590

1,620

1,700

1,650

1,570

1,590

1,500

1,440

1,460

1,480

1,470

1.510

63,530

2,049

126,000

Aug.

*1,290

1,300

TV'220

1,030

887

785

698

650

593

587

569

539

521

503

503

521

605

624

599

612

575

539

509

485

479

467

461

443

425

449

461

19,929

643

39,530

Sept.

392

360

340

325

311

*306

298

288

293

330

306

316

370

330

325

302

302

E98

E88

E80

271

267

263

247

224

214

207

210

214

214

8,691

290

17,240

Calendar year 1955: Max 5,220 Mln 50 Mean 677 Ac-ft 490,300

Water year 1955-56: Max 8,340 Min 50 Mean 1,096 Ac-ft 795,800

Peak discharge (base. 5,400 cfs). June 2 (5 a.m.) 8,800 cfs (7.54 ft); June 13 (5 a.m.) 7,780 cfs 

(7.07 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 9 to Jan. 7, Jan. 14 to Feb. 20, Feb. 24-27, 

Mar. 9-15.
144 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Clarks Fork at Edgar, Mont.

Location.--Lat 45°28i, long 108°51', in SWv sec. 24, T. 4 S., R. 23 E., on right bank just 

downstream from highway bridge, half a mile east of Edgar and 6 miles upstream from 

Rock Creek.

Records available. July 1921 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,440 ft (by barometer). July 29,1921, 

to Sept. 17, 1940, chain gage and Sept. 18, 1940, to Aug. 31, 1953, wire-weight gage, 

at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--23 years (1930-31, 1934-56), 1,028 cfs (744,200 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 9,080 cfs June 2 (gage height, 7.99 ft); minimum, 218 cfs Oct. 22.

1921-56: Maximum discharge observed, 10,900 cfs June 2, 1936 (gage height, 8.62 ft), 

minimum observed, 41 cfs July 25, 1931.

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 41,500 acres, of which about 840 acres lie below station. In 

addition, about 6,300 acres of land lying above station are irrigated by diversions 

from the adjoining Rock Creek basin.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.5 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

215

360

575

875

4.0 

5.0 

6.0 

8.0

1,810

3,140

4,840

9,100

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 

23

24

25

26

27 

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

384

384

*378

351

348

339

342

324

321

309

303

276

276

273

264

249

261

240

235

323

228

252 

270

291

297

285

300 

*294

303

312

333

9,234

298

18,320

Nov.

360

378

378

444

466

458

471

458

458

450

420

390

370

400

400

420

440

450

460

480

460

450 

440

450

460

470

450 

450

450

460

13,091

436

25,970

Dec.

480

470

450

460

480

460

470

460

470

480

470

*470

460

450

440

430

420

410

430

460

500

520 

540

520

480

430

420 

400

380

370

3STO

14,060

454

27,890

Jan.

400

390

380

590

400

380

380

400

380

380

390

390

370

330

290

250

*280

320

350

330

330

330 

350

350

330

330

330 

330

320

300

320

10,800

348

21,420

Feb.

320

340

380

400

410

380

550

350

350

350

350

360

360

340

500

530

360

390

410

430

440

450 

460 *"450~

430

400

400 

400

400

11,090

382

22,000

Mar.

420

420

420

420

410

400

370

400

380

360

370" 340

400

450

500

550

600

700

900

942

*716

540 

595

625

647

605

636 

516

440

419

423

15,914

513

31,560

Apr.

489

466

411

403

458

435

392

453

476

444

440

507

*480

489

585

669

792

680

680

772

935

1_,_090 

1,090

920

928

861

812 

805

779

786

19,527

651

38,750

May

*753

710

704

692

658

835

905

1,030

1,240

1,320

1,380

1,290

1,180

1,050

912

928

1,300

2,000

2,610

3,110

3,800

4,520 

5,160

5,680

6,060

6,240

6,700 

6,860

*7.910

7,560

7,360

92,455

2,982

183,400

June

7,820

8,640

8,730

8,370

8,570

7,980

6,080

5,160

5,760

6,350

*6,810

7,100

7,580

7,100

7,190

7,600

6,280

4,800

4,500

4,700

4,710

4,320 

3,440

3.190

3,780

3,780

3,700 

3,840

3,940

3,940

175,760

5,859

348,600

July

3,640

3, ISO

*2,920

2,550

2,270

2,090

2,210

2,510

2,590

2,520

2,500

2,690

2,690

2,470

2,310

2,190

1,930

1,710

1,550

1,450

1,470

1,590 

1,620

1,440

1,440

1,400

1.360 

1,440

1,550

1,650

1,460

64,340

2,075

127,600

Aug.

*1,410

1,450

1,390

1,240

1,100

965

805

722

664

590

595

656

605

540

555

555

585

805

875

854

812

754 

692

642

615

625

656 

590

540

545

600

23,932

772

47,470

Sept.

610

516

494

466

*444

431

411

415

415

431

419

565

575

555

525

512

507

484

471

453

458 

471

471

435

392

357 

351

364

399

13,932

464

27,630

Calendar year 1955: Max 4,730 Mln 162 Mean 784 Ac-ft 567, SCO

Water year 1955-56: Max 8,750 Mln 228 Mean 1,268 Ac-ft 920,600

Peak dlacharge (base. 5,500 cfs).--June 2 (4 p.m.) 9,080 cfs (7.99 ft); June 16 (l p.m.) 8,070 cfs 

(7.53 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Mote. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 10 to Mar. 19.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 145

Rock Creek near Red Lodge, Mont.

datum of

Location. ],at 45°07', long 109°18', in SW£ sec. 17, T. 8 S., R. 20 E., on left bank at 

downstream side of bridge, 3 miles upstream from West Pork and 4 miles southwest of 

Red Lodgf!.

Records available.--April to December 1932, May 1934 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 6,100.52 ft above mean sea level, 

1929. Prior to Oct. 1, 1937, staff gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 22 years, 167 cfs (120,900 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,800 cfs June 16 (gage height, 4.02 ft); minimum dailj , 24 cfs Feb. 15, 16, Mar. 11.

1932, 1934-56: Maximum discharge, 2,590 cfs June 5, 1952; maximum gage height observed, 4.80 ft June 16, 1937; minimum discharge observed, 14 cfs Nov. 29, 1954 (discharge me asurement).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage height record, 

which are poor. Plow partly regulated by Glacier Lake. No diversion above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1-10, June 10 to July 15}

Oct. 1 to Hay 28 May 29 to Sept. 30

.

1.5 

2.0 

2.4

24

47

115

205

2.7 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

315

475

795

1,430

1.8 

2.1 

2.5 

3.0

93

145

254

486

3.5 795

4.0 1,430

4.5 2,440

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

58

57

55

54

*52

50

51

49

49

48

50

1Z

49

47

48

48

48

47

49

50

51

51

50

50

50

49

51

48

49

51 

48

1,554

50.1

3,080

Nov.

43

48

49

54

52

48

47

50

50

50

47

37

34

32

40

42

44

*49

56

58

58

52

50

46

46

44

42

42

42

42

1,394

46.5

2,760

Dec.

40

38

36

38

40

42

42

40

40

38

40

40

38

36

40

42

40

38

36

*44

43

46

56

52

47

46

45

43

42

40 

42

1,290

41.6

2,560

Jan.

42

41

41

41

40

38

37

36

40

38

36

36

36

34

34

32

34

34

38

39

38

36

36

36

35

33

36

*35

36

34 

32

1,134

36.6

2,250

Feb.

32

32

34

36

36

34

32

30

30

30

28

30

28

26

M.

24

30

32

34

36

38

38

34

*29

28

26

27

29

30

897

30.9

1,780

Mar.

30

31

30

30

29

29

28

30

28

26

24

26

26

26

28

30

30

30

31

32

32

*32

39

42

A5.

42

36

36

36

36 

36

984

31.7

1,950

Apr.

36

35

36

35

34

35

36

34

34

36

36

36

37

41

43

48

48

49

*51

57

63

63

61

63

61

61

58

56

56

54

1,393

46.4

2,760

May

54

55

54

55

63

64

70

82

90

96

98

97

92

92

97

109

136

169

223

306

392

475

554

626

689

689

676

1.310

1,080

*890

10,373

335

20,570

June

1,040

1,120

1,080

1,180

1,130

842

595

595

709

967

1,060

1,110

1,230

1,080

1,330

1,490

1,020

912

912

956

731

641

612

635

635

641

646

*671

747

696

27,013

900

53,580

July

641

612

562

540

529

535

573

556

562

556

578

573

573

568

556

540

524

497

491

491

497

491

497

491

497

497

508

518

508

486 

475

16,522

533

32,770

Aug.

175

*423

378

336

306

285

262

251

244

237

230

227

227

237

230

2*7

231

232

244

227

217

214

208

208

208

211

194

184

*186

I!?.

8,001

261

16,030

Sept.

160

152

149

143

139

134

130

130

141

141

141

154

158

149

139

136

130

128

126

124

124

121

116

111

107

*104

104

107

106

105

3,907

130

7,750

Calendar year 1955: Max 524 Mln 22 Mean 115 Ac-ft 83,530

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,490 Mln 24 Mean 204 Ac-ft 147,800

Peak dischame (base, 660 cfs). --May 28 (5:30 p.m.) 1,430 cfs (4.00 ft); June 5 (1 a.m.) 1,310 cfs

(3.85 ft); June 16 (4 a.m.) 1,800 cfs (4.02 ft); June 29 (3 a.m.) 842 cfs (3.38 ft).

Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 13 to Dec. 20, Dec. 29-31, Jan. 15, 16, 20, 

25, 26, Jan. 28 to Feb. 26, Mar. 7-17 (no gage-height record Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, Feb. 5-10, 12-17, 

19-23; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements and weather records).
146 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

West Fork Rock Creek below Basin Creek, near Red Lodge, Mint.

Location. Lat 45°09', long 109°23', near center of sec. 3, T. 8 S., R. 19 E. , on left 

bank an eighth of a mile downstream from Basin Creek and 6 miles west of Red Lodge.

Records available. July 1937 to October 1956 (no winter records), discontinued.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 6,290 ft (from topographic map).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 727 cfs May 28 (gage height, 3.56 ft); minimum 

daily, 17 cfs Nov. 5-8.

1937-56: Maximum discharge, 933 cfs June 6, 1952 (gage height, 3.88 ft); minimum 

recorded, 10 cfs Dec. 19, 1939.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of no gage-height record, which are poor.

Rating table, Oct. 1, 1955, to Oct. 31, 1956 (gage height, In feet, and 

discharge, In cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1, 1955, to May 27, 1956 

0.8 13

1.0

1.3

1.6 73

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

143

290

483

1.1 

1.4 

1.8

May 28 to Oct. 31, 1956

31

65

138

2.5 

3.5

330

700

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year 0ictober 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

28

27

25

25

*24

23

24

23

23

23

23

22

23

23

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

21

22

21

22

22

21

707

22.8

1,400

Nov.

21

22

22

19

11

17

17

17

19

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

*21

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

600

20.0

1,190

Dec.

_

_

-

Jan.

.

_

-

Feb.

_

_

-

Mar.

_

_

-

Apr.

_

_

-

-

-

_

-

-

-

-

_

-

-

-

-

_

-

-

*23

24

27

28

26

26

26

26

25

24

23

23

_

-

-

May

23

23

23

23

26

28

30

35

39

41

43

41

39

36

39

45

56

73

101

157

200

250

280

315

348

386

426

678

561

483 

469

5,317

172

10,550

June

480

486

458

462

472

405

336

*324

345

369

384

402

408

366

414

430

333

288

285

315

300

258

233

264

282

258

270

291

300

285

10,503

350

20,830

July

256

*230

208

186

176

186

224

224

221

227

250

253

247

238

227

213

205

194

194

200

205

210

202

200

205

205

213

233

221

205 

202

6,660

215

13,210

Aug.

221

213

*183

160

142

132

123

117

115

115

115

113

109

111

113

121

123

134

128

117

107

101

99

95

95

94

95

87

78

77

_76

3,709

120

7,360

Sept.

74

72

70

68

66

64

62

*61

65

65

65

70

78

76

71

68

65

62

60

58

58

57

53

49

45

43

42

44

42

42.

1,813

60.4

3,600

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac -ft

Water year : Max Min Mean Ac-ft

Peak discharge (bass. 280 cfs).--May 28 (1:30 p.m.) 727 cfs (3.56 ft); June 16 (4 a.m.) 472 ofs 

(2.95 ft); June 29 (6 a.m.) 312 cfs (2.44 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--No gage-height record Nov. 12-17, 19-30, Aug. 30 to Sept. 7; discharge Interpolated or 

estimated on basis of weather records.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, 1956

Day

Oct. 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Runoff

Discharge

38

37

36

35

36

35

35

34

Ln acre-feet.

Day

Oct. 9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Discharge

34

35

34

34

34

33

33

33

Day

Oct. 17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

Discharge

32

31

31

29

30

29

30

31

Day

Oct. 25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Discharge

*29

a30

a30

a30

a 30

a30

a30

1,008

32.5

2,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated basis of weathe
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 147

Red Lodge Creek above Cooney Reservoir, near Boyd, Mont.

Location. Lab 45°26', long 109°16', in SW£ sec. 34, T. 4 S., R. 20 E., on right bank Just 

upstream from Cooney Reservoir, 9 miles west of Boyd.

Records available . --May 1937 to September 1956 (no winter records).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4.248.0 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929.

Extremes . Maximum discharge during year. 353 cfs May 29 (gage height, 3.10 ft); minimum, 

9.0 cfs Oct. 16 (gage height, 0.86 ft).

1937-56: Maximum discharge recorded, 1,150 cfs June 3, 1948, from rating curve extended above 500 cfs, but may have been higher on June 27, 1944; maximum gage height 

observed, 6.03 ft June 17, 1944, from floodmark; no flow for many days in 1949.

Remarks . Records good except those for periods of no gage-height record, which are poor. 

Some return flow from lands irrigated by water diverted from Rock Creek and East Rosebud Creek basins. Diversions for irrigation of about 5,100 acres above station.

Rating tables, wate year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet, and discharge, 

in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Apr. 23 Apr. 24 to Sept. 30

1.0

1.1 

1.3

1.0 

1.3 

1.6

2.0 

3.0 

3.5

123

329

452

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 *° September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

ZO

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

a35

a35

a35

*34

33

32

33

34

33

32

26

30

24

29

29

21

18

26

27

29

35

37

a35

334

a33

a32

a30

a30

a29

a27

a25

942

30.4

1,870

Nov.

t!2

_

_

-

Dec.

_

_

-

Jan.

_

_

-

Feb.

_

^

-

Mar.

_

^

-

Apr.

_

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

.

-

-

-

-

_

-

-

*58

59

58

79

70

85

79

-

-

"

May

94

85

82

82

78

76

76

80

96

115

101

91

85

78

73

71

*72

75

79

88

94

110

109

105

107

115

112

*184

'5T8 336

274

3,541

114

7,020

June

248

226

210

190

167

150

132

117

93

67

55

*40

39

37

34

28

30

36

26

26

33

29

27

22

28

25

24

25

20

20

2,204

73.5

4,370

July

20

*24

32

34

33

31

46

IT

36

31

30

29

30

29

28

24

22

23

22

22

20

24

24

19

19

20

18

18

18

23

31

821

26.5

1,630

Aug.

28

30

31

29

27

"7

£4

*?8

32

36

36

39

37

36

36

38

37

64

71

67

66

58

55

48

47

46

49

51

49

49

49

1,320

42.6

2,620

Sept.

50

46

47

48

*52

43

43

40

38

36

36

35

41

37

36

32

33

30

29

28

26

26

29

a28

a28

a27

a27

a26

a26

a25

1,048

34.9

2,080

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac -ft

Water year : Max Min Mean Ac-ft

Peak discharge (base. 140 efs).--May 29 (4 p.m.) 353 cfs (3.10 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

t Result of discharge measurement.

a No gage-height record; discharge Interpolated.
148 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Willow Creek near Boyd, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°26' , long 109°14', in SW£SW£ sec. 2, T. 5 S., R. 20 E., on left bank 

half a mile upstream from Cooney Reservoir and 8 miles west of Boyd.

Records available. June 1937 to September 1956 (no winter records).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,260 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Apr. 23, 1948, at site half a mile downstream at different datum.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 80 cfs July 7 (gage height, 2.52 ft); minimum, 

11 cfs June 12, 14.

1937-56: Maximum discharge, 469 cfs June 27, 1944 (gage height, 7.17 ft, site and 

datum then in use) , from rating curve extended above 100 cfs; maximum gage height, 

7.24 ft May 29, 1942 (backwater from Cooney Reservoir), site and datum then in use; 

minimum discharge recorded, 0.4 cfs Nov. 26, 1948 (gage height, 1.6C ft).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gape height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of about 1,800 acres above station. Some 

return flow from lands irrigated by water diverted from Rock Creek tasin.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.9 

2.2 

2.5 79

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

24

23

21

*21

21

22

22

20

20

20

20

20

18

20

20

20

20

15

T?

17

20

20

21

22

22

21

22

22

22

b20

b20

633

20.4

1,260

Nov.

t27

.

_

-

Dec.

_

_

-

Jan.

_

_

-

Feb.

- .

_

_

-

Mar.

_

_

-

Apr.

_

_

-

-

-

_

_

-

_

-

_

_

-

-

-

_

-

-

-

-

_

_

-

*27

28

26

37

35

38

36

-

-

-

May

40

37

36

36

35

34

34

35

40

50

40

35

33

31

30

28

*27

25

24

23

22

21

21

20

23

26

26

32

58

46

42

1,010

32.6

2,000

June

42

42

34

32

28

27

27

28

24

20

22

*14

15

13

21

21

26

33

29

29

39

47

43

44

51

57

53

57

56

67

1,041

34.7

2,060

July

67

*63

70

61

64

60

73

66

67

53

56

60

58

57

51

51

49

44

49

43

42

43

44

39

39

39

36

36

36

37

1,591

51.3

3,160

Aug.

36

38

40

38

35

35

35

*35

33

37

39

46

47

46

47

49

51

70

72

72

73

76

76

74

70

68

67

64

61

60

60

1,650

53.2

3,270

Sept.

60

60

60

60

*64

66

60

56

53

54

56

49

54

54

51

44

43

43

42

39

42

42

42

42

40

37

34

32

30

14

1,433

47.8

2,840

Calendar year : Max Mln Mean Ao-ft

Water year : Max Mln Mean Ao-ft

Peak discharge (base. 80 cfs).--July 7 (1 p.m.) 80 ofs (2.52 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

t Result of discharge measurement, 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.

Mote.--Ho gage-height record Apr. 28 to May 16, July 24 to Aug. 7; disehari 

eeorfls for Red Lodge Creek above Cooney Reservoir, near Boyd.

'g"i estimated on basis of
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 149

Red Lodge Creek "below Cooney Reservoir, near Boyd, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°27', long 109°11', in SW^ sec. 30, T. 4 S., R. 21 E., on right bank an 

eighth of a mile upstream from Cottonwood Creek, half a mile downstream from Cooney 

Dam, and 6 miles west of Boyd.

Records available. September 1937 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,140 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 19 years, 90.1 cfs (65,230 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 357 cfs May 29 (gage height, 3.69 ft); minimum, 

5.0 cfs Feb. 11 (gage height, 1.21 ft).

1937-56: Maximum discharge, 1,510 cfs May 30, 1942, from rating curve extended 

above 800 cfs by logarithmic plotting; maximum gage height, 3.16 ft June 7, 1942 (backwater from Cottonwood Creek); no flow Oct. 6, 7, 1948.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Some return.flow from lands irrigated by water diverted from Rock Creek and East Rosebud 

Creek basins. Flow completely regulated by Cooney Reservoir (see p. 238). Diversions 

for irrigation of about 6,900 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.2 

1.4 

1.6 

2.0

5.0

14

28

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

135

210

318

450

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

44

43

43

*41

37

36

37

37

37

38

38

38

38

39

39

39

39

39

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

41

41

41 

41

1,226

39.5

2,430

Nov.

42

42

43

43

42

42

43

43

42

42

42

42

42

41

41

26

9.5

9.4

8.6

8.2

* .8

.8

.8

.8

_-4

.5

.5

.4

.4

.5

769.6

25.7

1,530

Dec.

.4

.4

.5

.5

.5

.8

.8

.5

.0

.O

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.4

.4

.0

. 5

* .0

.0

.0

.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.0

.0

* 8

225.0

7.26

446

Jan.

"7T8 7.8

7.8

7.8

12

8.6

8.2

7.8

7.8

7.8

8.2

8.2

7.8

8.2

8.0

8.0

8.2

8.2

8.6

8.6

8.6

8.6

8.6

8.6

8.6

8.6

8.6

*8.6

8.6

8.5

8.

259.8

8.38

515

Feb.

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.6

7.0

7.8

8.6

8.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

*8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.5

9.0

238.5

8.22

473

Mar,

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

10

11

12

26

34

41

17

*22

26

40

39

49

57

57

57

57

57

736.0

23.7

1,460

Apr.

59

59

59

59

68

86

86

88

88

90

88

88

86

86

86

86

86

86

86

86

86

86

86

*85

85

85

99

113

113

113

2,557

85.2

5,070

May

113

113

113

113

114

115

115

115

115

117

115

114

120

125

125

124

*117

100

90

92

92

89

90

90

90

92

96

128

264

344

547

3,987

129

7,910

June

339

195

115

128

134

150

150

148

100

72

72

*73

75

48

36

37

38

38

38

39

39

40

39

39

43

55

54

52

52

51

2,489

83.0

4,940

July

50

*49

48

48

46

45

45

51

65

67

67

73

76

76

79

79

78

78

79

80

79

79

79

79

113

131

T5T

96

56

56

55

2,233

72.0

4,430

Aug.

55

57

57

56

56

57

57

*37

141

141

115

115

114

114

114

110

110

83

62

62

62

62

62

62

64

64

64

64

64

64

67

2,442

78.8

4,840

Sept.

84

84

84

84

*93

120

121

121

121

121

118

120

120

120

120

118

118

118

120

118

120

120

118

118

106

93

93

93

93

93

3,270

109

6,490

Calendar year 1955: Max 257 Mln 6.5 Mean 67.2 Ac-ft 48,660

Water year 1955-56: Max 347 Mln 6.5 Mean 55.8 Ac-ft 40,530

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 17, 26, 27, 30, Dec. 3-5, 

22, 23, 29, 30, Jan. 15, 16, Jan. 30 to Feb. 9, Feb. 14 to Mar. 16.

3, 13-15, 18, 19,
150 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Yellowstone River at Billings, Mont.

Location. --Lat 45°48', long 108°28', in NE^- sec. 34, T. IN., R. 26 E. , on left bank 30 ft 

downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 87, 1 mile northeast of Billings, and 12 miles 

upstream from Pryor Creek.

Drainage area.--11,870 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--May 1904 to December 1905, August 1928 to September 1956.

Gage. --Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,083.33 ft above mean sea level (Northern 

Pacific Railway benchmark). May 1904 to December 1905 chain gage at bridge 30 ft upstream at different datum. Aug. 24, 1928, to June 30, 1932, wire-weight gage at bridge 

30 ft upstream at present datum. July 1, 1932, to Oct. 12, 1937, water-stage recorder 

at old diversion dam 3 miles upstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--25 years (1928-29, 1930-32, 1934-56), 6,621 cfs (4,793,000 acre-ft 

per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge observed during year, 56,200 cfs May 29 (gage height, 11.65 

ft); minimum, T.,010 cfs Nov. 15 (gage height, 0.50 ft).

1904-5, 1928-56: Maximum discharge observed, 64,800 cfs June 27, 1944 (gage height, 

12.5 ft); minimum, 430 cfs Dec. 12, 1932.

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Discharge 

measurements generally made three times a month. Diversions for irrigation of about 

350,000 acres above station. Records of chemical analyses and water temperatures for 

the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating, tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Sept. 23-E8)

1.7 

2.0 

3.0

5.0

Oct. 1 to Aug. 7

2,600

3,190

5,650

12,800

Aug. 8 to Sept. 3O

21,900

34,900

54,700

1.7 

2.5 

3.5

3,050

4,580

7,150

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

5 , 490

3,440

3,360

3,210

3,130

3,130

3,150

3,110

3,030

2,910

2,890

2,890

2,890

2,890

2,850

2,830

2,750

2,730

2,730

2,730

2,700 

2,790

2,970

2,990

3,030

3,010

3,030

Nov.

3,400

3,340

3,340

3,300

3,470

3,530

3,550

3,440

3,420

3,420

3,550

3,000

1,500

1,300

1,150

1.050

1,050

1,150

2,000

3,000

4.000 

4,000

3,500

3,400

3,200

3,000

2,600

2,970 2,350

2,910 2,350

2,990

3,360

92,890

2,996

184,200

2,400

83,760

2,792

166,100

Dec.

2,800

3,300

3,000

2,350

2,300

2,400

2,650

2,900

2,800

2,900

2,800

3,200

3,150

2,500

1,900

1,750

1,700

1,500

1.400

1,500

1,900

3,000

3,500

4.000

4,000

3,900

3,800

3,700

3,400

3,000

2,500

85,500

2,758

169,600

Jan.

2,400

2,900

3,100

3,100

3,000

3.500

3,300

3,200

3,100

2,900

2,800

2,900

2,850

2,850

2,600

2,000

1,700

1,500

2,000

2,800

2,800 

2,800

2,800

2,700

2,600

2,500

2,300

2,000

2,000

1,850

1,600

80,450

2,595

159,600

Feb.

1,550

1,650

1,700

1,750

2,000

2,500

2,900

2,900

2,900

2,700

2,700

2,800

2,900

2,750

2,500

2,200

1,700

1,550

1,650

1,950

2,300 

2,900

3,500

5,600

3,400

3,100

2,800

2,900

3,000

72,750

2,509

144.300

Mar.

3,050

3,050

3,100

3,050

2,900

2,700

2,600

2,500

2,450

2,550

2,250

1.800

1,800

2,300

2,800

3,050

3,400

4,000

5,000

5,500

5,800 

5,600

5,900

7,000

8,400

8.720

6,960

5,330

4,320

3,900

3,970

125,750

4,056

249,400

Apr.

4,420

4,440

3,850

3,670

3,710

3,850

3,740

3.640

3,800

3,850

4,040

4,290

4,360

4,440

4,640

5,030

5,520

5,760

5,490

5,490

5,870 

6,640

7.480

7,410

7,090

7,050

6,890

6,800

6,710

6,490

156,460

5,215

310,300

May

6,520

6,220

6 , 1 50

6,220

6,250

6,400

7,280

7,550

8,240

9,950

10,000

10,300

9,920

9,010

8,240

7,960

8,830

12,200

15,600

18,800

23,100 

29,200

34,600

37,300

39,500

40,600

41,300

43,400

51,600

51.900

44,600

618,720

19,960

*1,227

June

42,700

46,400

49 . 500

47,900

47,000

46,200

39,300

31,300

30,300

33,200

34,700

35,400

37,100

37,000

34,800

36,800

35,900

29,000

26,100

26,100

27,000 

26,300

23,100

20,900

22,000

22,300

20,900

20,900

21,200

20.700

972,000

32,400

*1,928

July

19. BOO

18,300

17,400

16,900

15,600

14,700

14,700

15,400

15,100

14,500

14,300

14,400

14,300

13,600

13,000

12,400

11,500

10,800

10,100

9,690

9,460 

9,460

9,380

8,830

8,460

8,350

8.210

8,460

8,720

8,790

8,570

383,180

12,360

760,000

Aug.

8,280

8,240

8,140

7,750

7,450

6,930

6,400

6,030

5,720

5,560

5,470

5,650

5,420

5,060

4,820

4,710

4,800

5,650

5,650

5,420

5,170 

4,870

4,600

4,410

4.240

4,290

4,330

4,280

4,260

4,290

4,390

172,280

5,557

341,700

Sept.

4.650

4,450

4,220

4,050

3,990

3,930

3,780

3,720

3,650

3,520

3,400

3,530

3,990

4,260

4,140

3,930

3,820

3,670

3,590

3,530

3,460 

3,420

3,520

3,590

3,460

3,340

3,190

3.180

3,210

3,230

------

111,420

3,714

221,000

Calendar year 1955: Max 30,700 Win 1,050 Mean 5,341 Ac-ft 3,867,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 51,900 Min 1,050 Mean 8,074 Ac-ft 5,861,000

Peak discharge (base. 25.700 cfs). --May 29 (11 p.m.) 56,200 ofs (11.65 ft); June 3 (10 p.m.) 

50,800 cfs (11,07 ft); June 16 (7 p.m.) 38,000 ofs (9.45 ft).

* Expressed in thousands.

Note. --Stage -discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 25.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 151

Wind River near Dubois , Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°34'40", long 109°45'30", in NW^NEij sec. 25, T. 42 N., R. 108 W., on 

left bank 2 miles upstream from Warm Springs Creek and 7 miles northwest of Dubois.

Drainage area. 233 sq mi.

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage . Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 7,188.71 ft above mean sea level (levels 

by Bureau of Reclamation) .

Average discharge. --11 years, 184 cfs (133,300 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . Maximum discharge during year, 1,910 cfs June 2 (gage height, 5.66 f';); minimum daily, 40 cfs Feb. 2.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, that of June 2, 1956; minimum daily, 30 cfs Dec. 12, 

1949, Jan. 5, 1950.

Remarks . Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 900 acres above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 2O to Nov. 11)

Oct. 1 to July 3 July 4 to Sept. 30

2.3 

2.6 

2.9 

3.2 

3.5

49

87

159

265

400

4.0 

4.5 

5.0 

5.6

670

1,000

1,380

1,860

2.6 

2.9 

3.4 

4.0

73

139

340

670

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

70

*73

71

70

67

63

65

67

67

65

66

60

63

63

61

59

59

58

59

60

61

63

59

*53

56

58

61

54

59

61

61

1,932

62.3

3,830

Nov.

60

55

60

60

64

60

60

60

57

j>5

65

60

55

50

15

45

50

50

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

50

50

*50

50

1,661

55.4

3,290

Dec.

50

50

50

50

_45

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

55

55

50

45

50

50

55

55

60

60

70

70

65

65

60

60

60

55

50

1,685

54.3

3,340

Jan.

50

50

*50

50

50

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

45

45

45

1,585

51.1

3,140

Feb.

45

40

45

50

50

50

*55

55

55

50

50

50

55

55

55

50

50

50

50

50

55

55

55

60

60

60

60

*65

65

1,545

53.3

3,060

Mar.

65

65

65

65

70

65

65

65

65

70

60

55

55

55

55

60

60

60

65

65

65

65

65

70

70

65

65

65

65

65

65

1,975

63.7

3,920

Apr.

65

65

65

*66

70

71

73

76

77

105

117

97

105

114

165

162

134

126

139

165

197

225

197

*174

168

162

165

151

142

131

3,769

126

7,480

May

126

139

159

159

197

200

214

257

2S9

277

253

214

197

168

190

257

360

490

628

782

*902

1,060

*1,270

1,320

1,280

1,220

1,140

1,240

1,400

1,340

*V,410

19,138

617

37,960

June

1,760

1,790

,720

,630

,600

,440

,170

* ,190

,240

1,210

1,280

1,320

1,340

1,250

1,320

1,280

958

881

847

860

802

676

599

628

670

610

610

622

604

582

32,489

1,083

64,440

July

516

500

*475

423

412

401

406

406

401

401

390

406

396

370

345

335

320

310

300

300

290

290

276

272

268

258

258

268

258

254

245

10,750

347

21,320

Aug.

*254

229

217

198

188

177

170

164

164

154

151

148

145

145

145

145

145

139

142

145

134

131

129

123

123

123

126

118

123

126

123

4,744

153

9,410

Sept.

113

109

106

104

102

*102

100

104

106

98

98

106

102

95

89

89

87

86

87

86

86

84

82

86

86

86

86

91

93

91

2,840

94.7

5,630

Calendar year 1955: Max 762 Mln 42 Mean 118 Ac-ft 85,500

water year 1955-56: Max 1,790 Mln 40 Mean 230 Ac-ft 166,800

Peak discharge (base, 850 cfsi.--June 2 (4 a.m.) 1,910 cfs (5.66 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1-4, 6-8, Nov. 12 to Apr. 3 (no gage-height 

record Jan. 12-23, Feb. 3-7, 18-28; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements and 

weather records).

459735 O - 58 - 11
152 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

East Fork Wind River near Dubois, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43 0 27'20", long 109°27'55", in SW^NWtj- sec. 34, T. 6 N., R. 6 W., on left 

bank 1.1 miles upstream from mouth and 10 miles southeast of Dubois.

Drainage area. 439 sq mi.

Records available. April 1950 to September 1956. Prior to October 1953, published as 

North Fork Wind River near Dubois.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 6,450 ft (from topographic map). 

Average discharge. 6 years, 286 cfs (207,200 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 5,350 cfs June 1 (gage height, 7.92 ft); minimum daily, 27 cfs Jan. 3.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 5,700 cfs June 26, 1954 (gage height, 7.72 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 3,400 cfs; maximum gage height, that of June 1, 1956; minimum daily discharge, 25 cfs Dec. 1, 1954.

Remarks. Records good except those above 2,500 cfs and those for periods of ice effect 

or no gage-height record, which are fair. Diversions for irrigation of about 2,000 

acres above station.

Rating tables, water- year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 22)

Oct. 1 to May 21 May 22 to Sept. 30

4.0 35

4.2 74

4.6 190

5.0 395

5.5 780

6.0 1,47O

6.2 1,840

3.4 

3.7 

4.0 

4.5 

5.0

70

101

143

260

440

685

1,170

1,920

2,920

4,150

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

55

*57

53

49

51

48

46

48

49

51

55

57

57

57

57

59

57

55

53

57

57

59

57

*51

49

48

51

48

53

57

55

1,656

53.4

3,280

Nov.

46

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

40

40

40

40

40

40

45

50

J>5

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

55

*55

50

1,431

47.7

2,840

Dec.

50

50

45

4O

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

40

35

35

35

30

30

30

30

30

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

30

30

1,100

35.5

2,180

Jan.

30

28

*27

29

30

30

35

35

35

35

35

35

40

40

40

40

40

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

40

40

1,204

38.8

2,390

Feb.

40

35

35

40

40

40

*40

45

45

40

40

45

45

45

45

40

35

35

35

35

35

35

40

50

50

50

50

*50

50

1,210

41.7

2,400

Mar.

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

45

40

40

45

50

*50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

51

55

51

49

48

49

1,523

49.1

3,020

Apr.

49

48

44

*44

45

50

5O

55

60

90

120

100

110

120

170

170

140

130

140

170

200

230

210

*180

170

170

170

160

150

130

3,675

122

7,290

May

125

149

218

186

313

313

302

502

467

395

330

280

255

210

235

359

614

780

1,030

1,650

*1,820

2,350

*2,790

2,510

2,740

2,350

2,180

2,700

2,550

2,310

*2,970

35,983

1,161

71,370

June

5,740

3,420

2,68O

2,970

2,620

1,850

1,410

*1,620

1,940

2,060

2,180

2,120

2,060

1,820

1,990

1,650

1,250

1,050

1,290

1,440

1,200

823

823

1,070

1,110

1,050

1,170

1,150

1,150

1,100

51,806

1,727

102,800

July

86O

823

*699

615

699

741

789

755

8O6

772

755

798

727

649

605

555

550

520

507

498

502

502

472

480

460

448

456

464

516

412

540

18,975

612

37,640

Aug.

*416

380

432

318

275

251

239

225

212

210

208

198

198

195

188

185

182

176

210

287

195

176

170

168

165

160

150

160

160

155

150

6,794

219

13,480

Sept.

140

135

130

125

125

*125

125

135

130

125

130

140

*135

125

117

111

109

105

104

96

81

80

76

76

21

77

78

79

81

80

3,249

108

6,440

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,100 Mln 28 Mean 144 Ao-ft 104,400

Water year 1955-56: Max 3,740 Mln 27 Mean 351 Ao-ft 255,100

Peak discharge (base, 2,500 ofs).--June 1 (12:30 a.m.) 5,350 cfs (7.92 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 2 to Mar. 25. No gage-height record Nov. 15 

to Mar. 25, Apr. 4-30, Aug. 23 to Sept. 13; discharge estimated on basis of 9 discharge measurements, 

weather records, and records for Wind River near Dubois.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 153

Dinwoody Creek near Burris, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°25 I 55", long 109°21'01", In NE^NE^ sec. 9, T. 5 N., R. 5 W., on left 

bank 1,000 ft upstream from mouth and 6 miles northwest of Burris.

Drainage area. 114 sq ml.

Records available.--January to October 1909, May 1918 to July 1930, April 1950 to September 

1956.Published as "near Crowheart" 1909 and as "near Lenore" 1918-24.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage Is 6,196.63 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. Jan. 16 to Oct. 30, 1909, chain gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--6 years (1950-56), 99.0 cfs (71,720 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 817 cfs June 5 (gage height, 2.95 ft); minimum 

dally, 0.6 cfs Oct. 7, 8.

1909. 1918-30, 1950-56: Maximum discharge, 1,710 cfs July 25, 1923 (gage height, 

3.75 ft); no flow May 8-13, 1955.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of Ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Three canals above station divert water for Irrigation of about 1,700 

acres below station since 1936.

Revisions (water years). WSF 1279: 1951-52.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Sept. 27-30)

-0.6

-.5

-.3

-.1 

.1 

.3 

.7

0

.4

2.0

4.0

6.5

10

26

1.0 

1.3 

1.5 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

92

130

261

525

630

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

IS

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1.6

 1.1

1.2

1.1

1.0

.9

.6

.6

.7

.8

1.1

1.1

2.7

3.6

5.8

6.8

8.2

10

12

13

15

15

16

*15

16

17

14

9.8

18

16

14

239.7

7.73

475

Nov.

13

22

17

15

14

9^2

15

15

13

15

19

18

17

15

13

12

12

12

15

17

18

17

17

17

17

17

17

16

*16

16

466.2

15.5

925

Dec.

16

16

16

16

14

12

13

14

14

14

14

14

16

14

13

12

13

14

15

15

15

16

18

19

19

19

17

17

17

15

16

473

15.3

938

Jan.

11

17

*17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

15

15

15

15

15

15

14

12

500

16.1

992

Feb.

12

12

14

16

17

18

*18

18

17

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

14

12

*11

12

447

15.4

887

Mar.

12

12

12

14

14

13

13

13

14

14

13

13

14

14

14

15

15

15

16

17

18

17

17

17

17

17

10

13

18

li

17

457

14.7

906

Apr.

19

21

20

*18

21

18

17

17

18

17

17

16

15

15

15

16

19

19

19

19

19

20

21

*25

28

32

37

41

41

IS

662

22.1

1,310

May

41

42

42

40

40

45

51

58

69

62

55

53

51

41

35

30

30

30

37

70

200

*313

454

574

628

640

604

558

580

569

547

6,589

213

13,070

June

616

706

*739

706

772

739

598

*492

520

586

622

676

700

700

670

658

604

486

375

370

420

442

356

285

293

325

356

410

428

470

16,120

537

31,970

July

470

385

321

289

256

235

242

277

*305

330

339

352

380

395

380

365

347

343

347

321

321

330

321

321

339

361

370

365

365

380

365

10,517

339

Aug.

*385

330

285

256

219

182

154

137

128

120

112

105

101

108

114

122

132

130

124

118

103

90

82

78

78

79

76

72

60

42

li

4,156

134

20,860 8,240

Sept.

26

21

16

12

10

*9.0

7.8

7.6

7.8

8.0

10

15

22

27

12.

28

26

21

17

15

13

17

14

11

8.8

6.0

3.3

z*2.

2.2

2.6

415.3

13.8

824

Calendar year 1955: Max 670 Mln 0 Mean 65.1 Ac-ft 47,100

Water year 1955-56: Max 772 Mln 0.6 Mean 112 Ac-ft 81,40O

Peak discharge (base 700 cfs).--June 5 (7 p.m.) 817 cfs (2.95 ft); June 13 (4:3O p.m.) 732 cfs

(2.82 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 13 to Mar. 19. No gage-height record Jan. 27 

to Feb. 27, Sept. 2-6; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements, weathe- records, and 

records for nearby stations.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Bull Lake Creek near Lenore, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°14'33", long 109°01'20", in NE^NW-J- sec. 17, T. 3 N., R. 2 W. , on left 

bank 700 ft upstream from mouth, 2f miles downstream from Bull Lake, and 8| miles 

southeast of Lenore.

Drainage area. 222 sq mi.

Records available. 1909 (discharge measurements only, published as "near J. K. ranch 

post office") , May 1918 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,654 ft (from topographic map). 

May 18, 1918, to Sept. 30, 1922, at site 300 ft upstream at datum 0.86 ft higher. 

Oct. 1, 1922, to Oct. 3, 1934, at present site at datum 2.00 ft lower.

Average discharge.--38 years (1918-56), 284 cfs, unadjusted (205,700 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,340 cfs July 2 (gage height, 2.72 ft); minimum daily, 43 cfs Nov. 6, 7.

1918-56: Maximum discharge, 6,200 cfs Aug. 8, 1951 (gage height, 7.09 ft), result 

of automatic spillway gates releasing on Bull Lake Dam, from rating curve extended 

above 2,000 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; minimum (prior to 

construction of Bull Lake Dam), 8.6 cfs Dec. 17, 1933; no flow Feb. 28 to Apr. 7, 1937 

(result of regulation).

Remarks. Records good. Diversions above station for irrigation of about 600 acres downstream. Flow completely regulated by Bull Lake (see p. 237).

Revisions. WSP 716: Drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and 

discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.0 

1.3 

1.6 

2.0

58

114

225

2.5 

3.0

3.7

450

760

1,350

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, waber year October 1955 bo September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

131

*143

136

131

128

128

110

51

48

48

47

47

48

48

48

48

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

*50

50

50

50

50

50 

50

2,090

67.3

4,150

Nov.

48

48

47

47

44

43

43

47

52

54

56

53

64

99

107

180

210

210

178

131

101

101

99

126

154

154

154

143

112

*110

3,015

100

5,980

Dec.

107

110

110

110

180

190

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

190

210

210

210

210

210

210

210

210

210

210

110

55

55

110

150 

150

4,927

159

9,770

Jan.

150

150

*154

151

151

141

105

105

124

130

133

136

138

138

133

133

133

133

180

200

200

200

200

2OO

200

200

200

200

200

200 

2OO

5,018

162

9,950

Feb.

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

190

*190

190

190

190

190

190

200

220

220

220

220

210

200

200

200

210

*220

5,740

198

10,390

Mar.

220

220

220

220

110

55

120

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

154

151

150

150

150 

148

4,840

156

9,600

Apr.

148

148

148

148

146

*146

146

146

146

146

146

146

146

146

146

146

146

146

146

143

141

TIT

141

141

141

141

143

141

141

141

4,337

145

8,600

May

*143

143

124

124

124

124

124

124

126

128

131

128

128

131

131

126

126

128

128

131

133

156

136

136

126

138

143

154

156

156 

155

4,142

134

8,220

June

156

159

161

164

167

170

173

178

212

260

272

272

276

*280

280

280

280

350

564

558

*558

676

838

846

870

974

1,070

 1,110

1,100

1.180

14,434

481

28,630

July

1.530

1,320

1,270

1,220

1,120

910

838

838

838

*846

846

845

846

846

845

846

846

846

846

846

846

846

846

846

846

646

646

646

646

646 

645

28,?86

912

56,100

Aug.

*846

846

846

846

846

788

747

741

727

727

727

708

708

701

708

708

7O8

708

708

708

715

715

708

7O8

7O8

701

701

695

576

612

 

22,591

729

44,810

Sept.

600

594

594

600

552

*516

516

516

510

510

510

510

510

510

510

510

510

510

510

510

462

428

428

428

428

428

422

417

417

412

14,878

496

29,510

Calendar year 1955: Max 676 Mln 33 Mean 210 Ac-ft 152,200

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,320 Mln 43 Mean 312 Ac-ft 225,700

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record from Nov. 16-18, Dec. 3 to Jan. 2, Jan. 19 to Mar. 14, Mar. 28 to 

Apr. 9; discharge computed on basis of 3 discharge measurements and record of gate settings at Bull 

Lake.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 155

Wind River near Crowheart, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°14'33", long 109°00'35", in NW^NWlj sec. 16, T. 3 N., R. 2 W. , on right 

bank 0.9 mile downstream from Bull Lake Creek and 9 miles southeast of Crow'ieart.

Drainage area.--1,920 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,635 ft (from topographic imp).

Average discharge. 11 years, 1,273 cfs (922,200 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 10,200 cfs June 2 (gage height, 8.58 ft); minimum daily, 364 cfs Mar. 11.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 10,800 cfs June 14, 1953 (gage height, 8.63 ft); maximum gage height, 8.90 ft July 17, 1951; minimum daily discharge, 230 cfs Mar. 25, 1955.

Flood of June 29, 1927, reached a discharge of 13,000 cfs, from discharge measurement 

by Bureau of Reclamation at site 1 mile downstream.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Diversions for irrigation of about 18,000 acres above station. Some 

regulation by Bull Lake (see p. 237).

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1116: 1946-47.

Rating tables water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage height, in 

feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used June 5-9)

Oct. 8 to June 6 June 7 to Sept. 30

3.6

3.7

475

545

3.3 

3.5 

4.0

5.0

340

465

850

1,880

6.0 3,380

7.0 5,400

8.0 8,08O

8.4 9,480

4.3 840

5.0 1,470

6.0 2,740

7.0

8.0

4,540

6,960

7,250

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

524

*545

538

510

503

503

489

465

465

465

465

484

484

498

491

484

484

484

478

484

498

498

498

472

*452

446

446

Nov.

413

406

413

452

465

432

420

439

446

478

530

500

500

550

550

550

6QQ

600

600

550

500

500

500

500

550

550

550

439 500

432

T52

465

14,941

482

29,640

450

*450

14,944

498

29,640

Dec.

450

450

450

450

40Q

400

450

500

500

500

500

500

500

450

450

500

500

500

500

500

544

565

616

724

624

530

478

465

450

450

400

15,276

493

30,300

Jan.

450

450

500

500

*500

524

504

491

498

530

510

510

510

530

498

504

504

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

450

450

450

450

450

450

15,213

491

30,170

Pel-.

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

450

450

450

450

450

*450

500

500

450

450

450

450

450

450

500

550

500

500

500

491

498

*530

13,269

458

26,320

Mar.

504

517

524

524

472

388

394

465

465

439

364

426

446

432

432

439

484

510

517

*572

586

600

696

712

720

736

572

498

491

510

544

15,979

515

31,690

Apr.

572

498

452

452

484

*452

420

452

452

472

544

517

504

510

544

640

680

586

579

656

778

S49

913

805

796

*752

760

760

720

680

18,379

613

36,450

May

664

656

744

736

877

967

958

1,190

1,340

1,290

1,190

1,090

1,080

958

931

1,000

1,400

1,840

2,340

3,200

*4,120

5,000

*6,070

6,420

6,630

6,500

6,040

6,200

6,740

6,340

6,580

91,091

2,938

180,700

June

8,670

'9.210

8,740

8,340

8,300

7,830

6,050

5,590

6,100

6,410

6,680

7,050

7,080

*6,410

6,710

6,540

4,770

4,060

4,320

4,730

4,480

3,930

5.650

3,760

4,120

4,100

4,400

4,640

4,670

4,750

-----

176,050

5,868

349,200

July

4,440

4,200

5,910

5,620

5,380

3,160

3,180

3,200

3,280

*3,350

3,250

3,370

3,370

3,200

5,080

2,950

2,850

2,770

2,720

2,660

2,650

2,660

2,620

2,590

2,540

2,560

2,540

2,590

2,640

2,580

2,660

94,570

3,051

187,600

Aug.

*2.620

2,480

2,440

2,240

2,080

1,910

1,800

1,710

1,660

1,640

1,590

1,560

1,510

1,470

1,450

1,460

1,470

1,510

1,550

1,620

1,580

1,490

1,460

1,450

1,440

1,420

1,410

1,400

1,500

1,300

1.260

51,260

1,654

101,700

Sept.

1.180

1,140

1,090

1,100

1,070

*1,040

1,040

1,050

1,050

1,070

1,070

1,090

1,140

1,110

1,070

1,050

1,040

1,040

1,000

992

920

880

880

872

864

856

856

840

864

872

50,116

1,004

59,750

Calendar year 1955: Max 3,560 Min 230 Mean 860 Ac-ft 622,700

Water year 1955-56: Max 9,210 Min 364 Mean 1,506 Ac-ft 1,093,000

Peak.discharge (base. 5.000 efs).--June 2 (10:50 a.m.) 10,200 cfs (8.58 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 13 to Dec. 20, Dec. 29 to Jan. 5, Jan. 18 to 

Feb. 26. No gage-height record Nov. 12-30, Jan. 19 to Feb. 13, Aug. 28-30; discharge estimated on 

basis of 2 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for Bull Lake Creek near Lenore.
156 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Wyoming Canal near Lenore, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°13'45", long 108 0 53'40", In SE^SEir sec. 17, T. 3 N., R. 1 W., on right 

bank 3.3 miles downstream from diversion dam on the Wind River and 15 miles southeast 

of Lenore.

Records available.--May 1949 to September 1956 In reports of Geological Survey. 1942-45 

(irrigation season only) In reports of State engineer.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage Is 5,560.85 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. May 1, 1941, to Sept. 30, 1945, staff gage at site 3-f miles upstream at different 

datum. May 3, 1949, to Oct. 2, 1952, water-stage recorder at site 3.0 miles upstream at 

different datum.

Average discharge .--7 years (1949-56), 541 cfs (391,900 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--1949-56: Maximum dally discharge, 1,580 cfs June 23, 1953; no flow at times In 

most years.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of Ice effect, which are fair. Flow used 

for Irrigation and power on Rlverton project.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

IS

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

465

*462

462

459

454

453

452

60

0

0

0

0

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3,267

105

6,480

Nov.

O

189

369

324

326

330

315

*322

314

328

348

338

297

345

310

262

348

412

411

400

378

327

303

340

346

332

351

346

334

*336

9,681

323

19,200

Dec.

342

344

322

310

287

300

3OO

320

340

340

340

340

320

280

280

300

320

340

340

340

368

378

404

426

386

354

318

326

287

308

3OO

10,260

331

20,350

Jan.

280

300

300

320

*320

320

300

300

300

320

300

300

300

300

300

280

280

260

280

280

280

280

280

280

280

280

280

280

280

280

280

9,020

291

17,890

Feb.

260

260

260

260

260

260

260

260

260

260

260

260

*260

260

260

240

220

220

220

240

260

280

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

7,680

265

15,230

Mar.

300

300

300

300

300

280

300

320

300

300

300

300

320

340

*340

340

340

340

360

380

378

362

352

357

357

357

338

370

340

338

346

10,255

331

20,340

Apr.

340

338

332

122

432

*422

381

392

387

376

423

440

432

432

435

44O

442

442

442

442

444

447

446

464

477

476

476

476

477

500

12,573

419

24,940

May

496

494

484

*484

486

488

428

502

572

574

570

568

568

548

586

602

626

652

674

700

756

882

910

882

910

900

872

878

830

766

730

20,418

659

40 , 500

June

920

902

858

860

905

932

916

960

1,060

1,060

1,070

1,090

930

*1,270

1,330

1,450

1,370

1,330

1,400

1,420

1,420

1,390

1,360

1,380

1,410

1,410

1,440

1,460

1.480

1,470

36,235

1,208

71,870

July

1,490

1,490

1,490

1*£QQ

1,440

1,470

1,470

1,480

*1,470

1,470

1,470

1,480

1,480

1,470

1,460

1,450

1,450

1,440

1,430

1,300

1,000

1,000

1,08O

1,320

1,320

1,330

1,340

1,350

1,360

1,350

1,360

43,010

1,387

85,310

Aug.

*1.360

1,340

,340

,330

,340

,320

,240

1,180

1,150

1,130

1,130

1,120

1,060

1,000

990

990

990

988

990

992

945

932

912

848

798

800

790

774

760

720

66Q

31,939

1,030

63,350

Sept.

682

682

682

682

658

*648

650

650

650

656

656

658

648

612

612

612

612

614

616

620

620

616

616

618

620

620

620

618

618

638

19,104

637

37,890

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,310 Min 0 Mean 530 Ac-ft 383,500

Water year 1955-56 : Max 1,500 Min 0 Mean 583 Ac-ft 423,400

* Discharge measurement or observation of no flow made on 

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Dec. 6-2O,

this day. 

Dec. 31 to Mar. 20.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 157

Wind River at Riverton, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43 000'36", long 108°22'35", in NW^NW^- sec. 2, T. 1 S. , R. 4 E., en right 

bank 8 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 320, 1.1 miles southeast of post 

office in Riverton, and Ij- miles upstream from Popo Agie River.

Drainage area. 2,320 sq mi, approximately.

Records available . May 1906 to November 1908, May 1911 to September 1927, Octotifr 1928 

to September 1956. Published as Big Wind River near Arapahoe Agency, Wyo., If06, and 

as Big Wind River near Riverton, Wyo., 1907-8.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,903.56 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. May 14, 1906, to Nov. 6, 1908, staff gage at sites about 1 mile upstream at 

different daturns. May 15, 1911, to Apr. 3, 1917, June 13 to Sept. 30, 1927, Oct. 1 to 

Dec. 5, 1928, chain gage and Apr. 4, 1917, to June 12, 1927, water-stage recorder, at 

site 600 ft downstream at different daturns. Apr. 26, 1929, to Oct. 12, 1930, chain 

gage at present site and datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 8,200 cfs June 3 (gage height, 8.64 ft); maximum 

gage height observed, 8.90 ft Dec. 23 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 

127 cfs May 16.

1906-8, 1911-27, 1928-56: Maximum discharge, 12,300 cfs June 14, 1906 (gfge height, 

6.00 ft, estimated, site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 9,500 

cfs; minimum daily, 10 cfs May 18, 1955.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Diversions for irrigation of about 92,000 acres above station. The 

major diversion began in 1926 for the Riverton project. Waste water, comprising most 

of flow in Pivemile and Muddy Creeks, returns to river below station. Some regulation 

by Pilot Butte Reservoir, beginning 1926, and Bull Lake, beginning 1936 (comtined 

capacity, 182,000 acre-ft). Records of water temperatures and suspended sediment loads 

for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)" 

(Shifting-control method used May 20-22)

2.9 

3.2 

3.6 

4.0

4.5

120

230

430

710

1,160

5.0 

6.0 

7.0 

8,0 

8.5

1,700

3,100

4,750

6,740

7,860

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

280

275

280

262

275

345

350

448

774

758

734

702

670

630

602

574

553

532

518

511

518

525

525

518

*490

478

478

478

460

466

484

15,493

500

30,730

Nov.

472

335

190

270

222

239

226

222

248

345

402

460

408

408

402

325

365

400

400

400

450

500

500

525

*511

546

532

504

511

490

11,808

394

23,420

Dec.

504

504

472

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

460

490

650

600

550

520

520

500

500

450

450

14,820

478

29,400

Jan.

450

470

500

*520

520

520

520

520

540

540

520

500

500

500

500

500

500

500

470

470

470

470

470

470

450

450

450

450

450

420

420

15,030

485

29,810

Feb.

420

400

400

400

400

420

450

*450

450

450

450

450

450

480

480

450

450

420

420

420

420

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

450

12,730

439

25,250

Mar.

450

450

450

450

*420

20

20

20

20

20

400

360

380

380

380

360

360

340

*320 "370

400

581

630

686

638

678

623

518

466

*478

478

14,146

456

28,060

Apr.

511

518

454

553

424

380

402

414

419

448

460

490

424

414

414

454

546

532

454

442

525

646

742

654

*581

595

560

574

546

386

14,962

499

29,680

May

345

355

335

419

360

518

602

454

694

670

567

472

436

355

198

127

262

766

1,240

1,950

*2,920

*3,480

4,290

*5,080

*5,250

5,290

4,890

4,680

5.580

5,560

*5,420

63,565

2,050

126,100

June

5,940

*7,470

7,600

*7,250

7,140

6,960

5,520

4,440

4,420

4,930

5,080

5,160

5,250

4,990

4,660

4,770

3,800

2,830

*2,650

2,880

2,950

2,580

2,320

2,210

2,220

2,440

2,530

2, 110

2,820

2 , 800

129,380

4,313

256,600

July

2,760

2,500

2,360

1,870

1,770

1,440

1,330

1,340

*1,310

1,280

1,350

1,530

1,500

1,480

1,280

1,190

1,080

979

943

898

1,160

1,200

1,200

907

853

*844

808

844

919

1,090

997

41,012

1,323

81,350

Aug.

1,040

997

952

808

630

484

*340

260

220

190

170

170

172

183

214

198

194

210

226

*270

345

305

257

266

330

340

330

355

386

345

360

11,547

372

22,900

Sept.

355

315

285

285

*340

320

315

305

310

335

345

345

360

397

375

365

365

355

330

330

315

234

218

218

206

198

206

198

198

206

8,929

298

17,710

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,930 Min 10 Mean 323 Ac-ft 233,700

Water year 1955-56: Max 7,600 Min 127 Mean 966 Ac-ft 701,000

» Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 18, 19, 22, 23, Dec. 4 to Mar. 21. No gageheight record Nov. 20-21, Dec. 8 to Feb. 9, Feb. 11-13, Aug. 8-12; discharge estimated on basis of 

2 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for nearby stations.
158 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

North Popo Agie River near Milford, Wyo.

Location. Lab 42°51'50", long 108°54'25", In SW^NE^- sec. 3, T. 33 N., R. 101 W., on right 

bank at Pine Bar Ranch, 2-J- miles downstream from Paradise Creek, 6^ miles southwest of 

Milford, and 8i miles northwest of Lander.

Drainage area.--99 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--August 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 6,190 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge.--11 years, 125 cfs (90,560 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,460 cfs June 5 (gage height, 5.92 ft); minimum 

daily, 9.6 cfs Mar. 2-5.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 2,060 cfs June 7, 1952 (gage height, 6.59 ft); minimum 

dally, 8 cfs Dec. 17, 1946.

Remarks.--Records good. Two small diversions above station for Irrigation of hay meadows.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet, and discharge,

in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, Apr. 26 to May 22)

1.0 

1.5 

2.0

2.5 

3.0 

4.0

5.0 

6.0

229

350

604

940

1,520

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

29

28

*26

25

24

21

25

24

24

21

23

21

20

20

20

20

19

20

21

26

24

25

26

20

20

19

22

18

16

21

686

22.1

1,360

Nov.

14

11

18

20

18

14

EO

*21

20

22

22

17

12

24

15

17

24

26

25

25

26

23

22

22

20

20

18

17

18

16

587

19.6

1,160

Dec.

17

17

16

16

18

16

16

16

15

15

14

14

*14

14

14

13

13

13

14

15

16

19

38

58

40

31

30

28

20

23

631

20.4

1,250

Jan.

28

28

24

24

22

 19

19

18

15

17

16

16

15

14

13

15

14

14

14

13

13

13

13

12

12

12

14

14

15

16 

15

507

16.4

1,010

Feb.

16

16

15

15

15

*15

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

12

12

12

12

11

10

 10

387

13.3

768

Mar.

10

9.6

9.6

9.6

9.6

10

10

10

11

10

11

11

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

11

12

12

15

19

20

14

15

 18

14 

15

366.4

11.8

727

Apr.

15

ii

14

14

15

14

15

15

17

19

21

20

22

24

28

33

29

26

30

40

51

61

61

61

74

83

86

82

73

69

1,126

37.5

2,230

May

*05

82

99

118

129

158

185

200

266

209

167

144

132

119

120

139

190

275

408

532

652

*1,120

916

*904

995

932

792

774

1,070

868

13,636

440

27,050

June

*1,100

1,120

1,080

1,120

1.250

912

732

788

884

960

980

972

952

888

836

744

590

*562

624

638

569

455

418

468

538

512

505

492

470

468

22,627

754

44,880

July

408

365

348

310

*305

292

295

288

285

282

257

290

290

 252

225

215

201

196

190

183

179

176

172

170

172

176

169

164

162

181 

*185

7,383

238

14,640

Aug.

176

164

157

128

115

102

95

90

87

82

79

77

73

72

72

72

77

84

82

87

78

70

66

62

60

59

56

52

49

48

46.

2,617

84.4

5,190

Sept.

44

40

40

41

*36

32

30

30

30

30

34

44

42

37

34

30

29

28

28

26

27

24

24

26

27

24

24

26

26

28

941

31.4

1,870

Calendar year 1955: Max 582 Min 8.8 Mean 86.3 Ac-ft 62,500

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,250 Min 9.6 Mean 141 Ac-ft 102,100

Peak discharge (base. 600 cfa).--Jime 5 (1 a.m.) 1,460 cfs (5.92 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 159

Little Popo Agie River near Lander, Wyo.

Location. Lat 42°43'00", long 108°38'34", In NE^SE^ sec. 27, T. 32 N., R. 99 V'., on left 

bank 700 ft downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 287, 2i miles downstream from Red 

Canyon Creek, and 9j miles southeast of post office in Lander.

Drainage area.~-130 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. March 1946 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,436.49 ft above mean sea level, datum of T929.

Average discharge. 10 years, 83.0 cfs (60,130 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 671 cfs May 29 (gage height, 4.56 ft); maximum 

gage height, 4.88 ft Dec. 16 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 19 cfs 

Nov. 2, Feb. 26-29, Apr. 3, 4, 6, 7.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 1,160 cfs June 7, 1952 (gage height, 5.83 ft); minimum 

daily, 16 cfs Aug. 20, 1946, Feb. 27, 1947.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Diversions 

for "irrigation of about 600 acres above station.

Revisions.--WSP 1339: Drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used June 1-16)

2.1 

2.3 

2.6

3.0

3.5

4.0 

4.5

315

475

650

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1£56

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

26

26

*26

26

24

24

25

25

24

23.

24

23

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

25

26

28

26

25

25

28

25

24

zfs" 29

777

25.1

1,540

Nov.

21

19

23

31

29

24

26

*28

29

29

30

28

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

27

29

30

30

30

29

28

26

25

25

23

794

26.5

1,570

Dec.

23

23

22

21

2T

21

22

22

22

22

22

22

*22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

29

32

62

81

57

45

41

40

35

30

25

916

29.5

1,820

Jan.

28

28

28

28

28

*26

26

26

26

26

25

25

25

25

25

25

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

22

778

25.1

1,540

Feb.

21

20

22

24

24

*24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

22

21

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

19

19

19

*19

_

626

21.6

1,240

Mar.

22

21

22

22

22

22

21

21

21

23

22

21

21

21

21

22

25

25

25

30

28

28

33

48

50

45

33

31

*22

22

24

814

26.3

1,610

Apr.

23

21

19

19

20

19

19

21

21

24

25

23

26

30

33

37

32

29

31

36

44

52

51

48

57

65

68

68

60

56

1,077

35.9

2,140

May

*57

60

70

75

85

96

102

122

109

106

loo

94

98

90

90

90

111

144

189

249

321

*327

366

*366

433

468

447

416

604

514

426

6,825

220

13,540

June

*510

562

545

520

556

492

366

369

381

390

390

375

*378

375

357

321

255

237

246

249

231

187

164

170

181

173

164

162

154

154

9,614

320

19,070

July

144

131

127

115

*106

102

100

96

94

92

86

88

86

81

75

68

67

63

60

58

56

56

56

52

ii

52

51

51

56

60

*62

2,442

78.8

4,840

Aig.

60

57

57

54

46

42

40

37

36

36

35

41

48

46

46

46

51

52

57

70

60

56

52

51

48

46

46

42

41

40

40

1,479

47.7

2,930

Sept.

38

37

36

36

*36

33

32

32

31

30

31

32

31

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

26

26

28

921

30.7

1,830

Calendar year 1955: Max 219 Mln 18 Mean 47.2 Ac-ft 34,150

Water year 1955-56: Max 604 Mln 19 Mean 73.9 Ac-ft 53,570

Peak discharge (base, 550 cfs). May 29 (10:30 a.m.) 671 cfs (4.56 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note_.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 13-25, Nov. 28 to Dec. 21, Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, 

Jan. 9, 10, Jan. 15 to Feb. 29, Mar. 6-8, 11-16.
160 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Popo Agie River near Riverton, Wyo.

Location. Lat 42°59'51", long 108°22i29", in NjNWi; sec. 11, T. 1 S., R. 4 E., on right 

bank 1-J miles upstream from mouth and 1.9 miles southeast of Riverton. Prior to 

Sept. 19, 1956, at site 600 ft downstream.

Drainage area.--2,010 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--May 1941 to September 1956.

Page. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,915 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

Hfo Sept. 19, 1956, at site 600 ft downstream.

Average discharge. 15 years, 602 cfs (436,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 5,430 cfs June 6 (gage height, 6.53 ft); minimum daily, 87 cfs Sept. 26, 27.

1941-56: Maximum discharge, 9,820 cfs June 22, 1947 (gage height, 8.57 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 7,600 cfs; minimum daily, 56 cfs Sept. 16, 1955.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Diversions for irrigation of about 43,000 acres above station. Records 

of water temperatures and suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in 

WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 23-26, July 5 to Sept. 30)

1.5

1.6 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

101

245

420

740

4.0 

5.0 

6.0 

6.4

1,560

2,960

4,560

5,210

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

166

155

152

150

142

137 145"

169

166

*166

160

155

155

158

155

155

155

152

150

150

150

152

155

158

160

160

169

183

190

186 

190

4,946

160

9,810

Nov.

190

174

163

169

190

190

180

180

183

196

200

190

180

180

180

180

180

190

190

200

230

260

270

270

*272

270

260

250

250

240

6,257

209

12,410

Dec.

240

240

230

200

150

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

170

150

160

170

170

170

170

190

240

300

260

240

220

220

220

200

180

170

6,020

194

11,940

Jan.

180

190

190

*200

200

200

210

210

210

210

210

210

210

210

200

200

190

180

180

170

170

170

170

170

170

160

160

160

150

140

130

5,710

184

11,330

Feb.

130

120

130

130

130

130

130

130

*140

140

140

140

150

150

150

140

140

130

140

140

140

140

140

140

140

140

140

140

140

3,990

138

7,910

Mar.

140

140

140

160

*160

160

160

160

160

160

150

140

150

150

160

180

200

230

*280

310

320

330

330

320

320

284

298

325

268

*240

240

6,765

218

13,420

Apr.

222

226

219

219

208

205

196

205

222

230

268

264

244

240

233

268

294

272

256

240

264

325

385

380

*361

390

400

442

448

395

8,521

284

16,900

May

380

338

357

405

475

535

614

*670

712

719

642

568

600

607

523

505

517

614

775

1,120

1,510

*1,930

2,460

*2,760

*3,440

3,940

3,790

3,470

4,130

4,900

3,970

47,976

1,548

95,160

June

3,970

*4,510

4,780

4,670

4,640

5,120

4,340

3,460

3,540

3,810

4,050

3,980

3,820

3,700

3,460

3,150

2,600

2,000

*1,820

1,980

2,000

1,650

1,280

1,160

1,260

1,410

1,380

1,350

1,330

1,270

87,490

2,916

173,500

July

1 250

1 , 160

1,050

929

*873

852

719

691

691

670

663

635

635

607

548

Ell

470

436

390

343

307

289

£80

268

240

*226

£26

£26 2-28

464 

390

17,265

557

34,240

Aug.

5,95

570

380

366

325

*298

252

216

199

186

171

171

174

166

150

142

150

166

193

*219

248

233

212

196

193

183

174

160

147

145 

150

6,730

217

13,350

Sept.

171

152

147

145

*145

145

135

130

128

125

123

121

128

128

125

123

*121

112

105

*103

97

93

93

99

97

87

87

99

99

95

3,558

119

7,060

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,960 Min 56 Mean 328 Ac-ft 237,500

Water year 1955-56: Max 5,120 Min 87 Mean 561 Ac-ft 407,000

Peak dlseharKe (base. 5,160 cfs).--June 6 (5 p.m.) 5,430 cfs (6.53 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 11-24, Nov. 26 to Mar. 24 (no gage-height 

record Nov. 13-24, Nov. 27 to Mar. 21j discharge estimated on basis of 4 discharge measurements, 

weather records, and records for nearby stations).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 161

Muskrat Creek near Shoshoni, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°08'55", long 108°09'30", in NWySWi sec. 15, T. 2 N., R. 6 E., on right 

bank 2 miles upstream from mouth and 7 miles southwest of Shoshoni.

Drainage area. 760 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--June 1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,770 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge.--6 years, 0.86 cfs (623 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,450 cfs May 29 (gage height, 3.22 ft); no flow 

most of year.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 3,600 cfs July 24, 1955 (gage height 4.90 ft, from 

floodmarks), by slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow most of each year.

Flood of July 24, 1923, reached a discharge of 6,400 cfs, by slope-area determination of peak flow.

Remarks.--Records poor. Discharge measurements, observation of no flow, or field estimates 

of flow made several times a month during periods of possible flow. Records of suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

0

Nov.

0

0

0

Dec.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

18

alO

a3

0

0

0

0

0 

0

31

1.0

61

Jan.

0

0

0

Feb.

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

a 10

a5

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

15

0.5

30

Apr.

0

0

0

May

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

36

9

0

14

485

58

a

609

19.6

1,210

June

0

0

0

July

0

0

0

Au3 .

0

0

0

Sept.

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 113 Mln o Mean 0.98 Ac-ft 712

Water year 1955-56: Max 485 Mln o Mean 1.79 Ac-ft 1,300

Peak discharge (base. 100 cfs). Dec. 23 (8:30 a.m.) 123 cfs (2.52 ft); May 25 (10 p.m.) 748 cfs 

(2.70 ft); May 29 (1:30 p.m.) 1,450 cfs (3.22 ft).

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 1 field estimate, weather records, 

normal recession, and records for nearby stations.
162 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Fivemile Creek above Wyoming Canal near Pavillion, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 43° 18'04", long 108°42'04", in M^NE? sec. 25, T. 4 N. , R. 1 E., on right 

bank 1,400 ft upstream from Wyoming Canal siphon and 4 miles north of Pavillion.

Drainage area.--143 sq mi.

Records available. October 1949 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder, Altitude of gage is 5,495 ft (from topograohic map).

Average discharge.--? years, 1.00 cfs (724 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 87 cfs May 28 (gage height, 2.77 ft); maximum 

gage height observed, 3.17 ft Mar. 15 (backwater from ice); no flow at times.

1949-56: Maximum discharge, 1,750 cfs Sept. 6, 1951 (gage height, 5.60 ft, from 

floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 350 cfs; no flow at times each year.

Flood in September 1948 reached a stage about half a foot higher than that of 

Sept. 6, 1951 (discharge, 2,600 cfs, by slope-area determination of peak flow).

Remarks.--Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Discharge measurements, observation of no flow, or estimates of flow 

generally made once a week in springtime and twice monthly at other times. Records of 

suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

0

Nov.

0

0

0

Dec.

0

0

o

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

a4

a3

a4

0

0

O

0

0

0

11

0.35

22

Jan.

0

0

O

Feb.

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

a3

a3

al

0

0

a2

b3

b2

bO

bO

bo

bO

bO

b.l

b3

b5

b5

b8

b!2

b!3

14

8.8

6.8

3.3

.Z

2.2

1.6

1.5

1.3

99.8

3.22

198

Apr.

1.8

1.8

1.4

1.1

1.5

1.3

1.3

2.3

3.2

179

2.0

1.8

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

2.0

1.6

1.7

1.5

1.2

1.2

1.8

1.8

1.4

1.4

1.7

1.7

1.9

1.0

50.4

1.68

100

May

0.7

.4

.1

.6

.4

.5

1.0

.6

.2

.6

.4

.7

2.6

1.3

.8

.2

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

7.8

4.7

11

35

ZZ

a7

a3

101.6

3.28

202

June

al

a. 5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

0

0

0

o

1.5

0.05

3.0

July

OC

0

0

Aug.

0

0

0

Sept.

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 7.9 Min o Mean 0.28 Ao-ft 204

Water year 1955-56: Max 35 Mln o Mean 0.72 Ao-ft 525

Peak discharge (base

a No gage-height record) discharge 

records.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ic

500 efa).--Ho peak above base.

stimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements and weather
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Fivemile Creek near Riverton, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 43°12'14", long 108°23'54", in SW&3w£ sec. 27, T. 3 N., R. 4 E., on right 

bank '12? miles north of Riverton and 13 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 342 sq mi.

Records available.--September 1949 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,020 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Apr. 4, 1951, wire-weight gage at site 50 ft downstream at same datum.

Average discharge. 7 years, 73.0 cfs (52,890 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge daring year, 420 cfs May 31 (gage height, 7.44 ft); minimum 

daily, 8.8 cfs Apr. 6.

1949-56: Maximum discharge, 1,690 cfs July 25, 1950 (gage height, 11.0 ft, from 

floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 1,100 cfs on basis of velocity-area study 

and logarithmic plotting; minimum daily, 2.0 cfs Nov. 17, 18, 1951.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Discharge measurements generally made every two weeks. Records of 

water temperatures and suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in 

WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 26 to Apr. 6, June 11 to Aug. 12)

4.1 

4.4 

4.6 

5.0

5.5

6.0 

6.5

122

184

251

65

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 195S

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

B

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

134

T32

130

116

97

91

89

70

58

54

50

48

48

47

47

45

44

43

43

42

41

40

38

38

38

39

38

40

37

^c" 36

jb

1,849

59.6

3,670

Nov.

36

35

40

40

39

35

34

33

39

40

40

34

31

33

28

28

28

29

31

34

37

38

38

38

38

38

38

36

32

28

1,048

34.9

2,080

Dec,

28

28

33

32

30

29

28

31

33

33

33

33

33

33

31

32

35

38

38

30

26

33

170

100

32

31

29

28

28

28

26

1,172

37.8

2,320

Jan,

28

30

5U

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

29

28

28

27

26

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

24

23

22

21

20

20

821

26.5

1,630

Feb.

20

20

20

21

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

21

20

19

18

18

18

18

17

15

13

12

11

10

To

10

10

10

11

496

17.1

984

Mar.

11

12

12

12

IE

11

12

15

13

12

12

12

12

11

11

12

13

15

16

17

18

19

18

17

15

15

11

11

15

16

15

423

13.6

839

Apr.

14

13

13

13

13

8.8

9.2

11

11

11

10

10

10

13

40

55

57

34

32

53

62

62

65

65

61

58

53

62

57

52

1,028.0

34.3

2,040

May

50

43

43

43

42.

42

50

46

47

68

57

53

62

56

46

51

57

63

74

70

74

94

89

91

94

104

108

170

244

T70

96

2,403

77.5

4,770

June

80

99

100

100

106

91

89

95

161

140

144

138

179

193

184

170

176

175

200

193

190

194

197

207

207

201

193

192

187

171

4,752

158

9,430

July

183

200

194

193

213

214

210

202

201

185

187

202

213

201

209

211

214

215

205

207

202

202

2OO

193

193

183

179

190

211

223

220

6,255

202

12,400

Aug.

227

226

216

204

204

2OO

187

187

174

157

167

181

179

179

170

174

179

179

181

183

168

163

144

136

136

151

151

146

147

152

152

5,400

174

10,700

Sept.

152

167

154

153

146

148

136

146

168

154

151

140

138

140

126

110

108

106

104

108

104

104

112

111

105

97

95

96

98

106

3,783

126

7,500

Calendar year 1955: Max 431 Mln 23 Mean 84.9 Ac-ft 61,490

Water year 1955-56: Max 244 Mln 8.8 Mean 80.4 Ac-ft 58,360

Peak discharge (base, 500 efs). No peak above base.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 15 to Mar. 25 (no gage-height record 

Nov. 15-23, Feb. 4-10j discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement and weather r ecords).
164 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Fivemile Creek near Shoshoni, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 43°13'20", long 108°13'06", in NW^SW^ sec. 19, T. 3 N., R. 6 E., on right 

bank If miles upstream from normal high-water line of Boysen Reservoir and 5 miles west 

of Shoshoni.

Drainage area. 397 sq mi.

Records available.--May 1941 to September 1942, August 1948 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,750 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Sept. 30, 1942, chain gage at site 1 mile downstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 9 years, 121 cfs (87,660 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 968 cfs Mar. 3 (gage height, 5.33 ft); maximum 

gage height, 7.50 ft Dec. 23 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge. 20 cfs 

Mar. 28.

1941-42, 1948-56: Maximum discharge observed, 3.200 cfs Aug. 7, 1941 (gage height, 

8.03 ft, from floodmark, site and datum then in use), by slope-area dstermination of 

peak flow; maximum gage height, 9.61 ft Dec. 27, 1954 (backwater from ice); minimum 

daily discharge, 1.0 cfs Jan. 4-6, 1942.

Flood of July 24, 1923, discharge 3,500 cfs, estimated by Bureau of Reclamation.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Records of water temperatures and suspended sediment loads for the 

water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1-8, June 8-26, Aug. 18-29)

2.7 

3.0 

3.3 

3.7 

4.1

20

68

135

270

420

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

214

207

207

211

190

193

200

193

141

101

92

*88

84

86

82

82

82

82

80

80

80

80

76

*76

76

76

76

74

72

72 

68

3,521

114

6,980

Nov.

64

63

72

*74

72

66

66

66

66

74

80

6F

61

50

50

50

50

50

55

60

65

*65

65

65

65

65

65

B5

57

50

1,884

62.8

3,74O

Dec.

50

50

60

57

55

52

50

70

70

7O

70

*70

70

70

50

55

62

70

70

70

120

185

*300

250

190

138

99

84

59

*58 

5B

2,780

89.7

5,510

Jan.

55

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

55

57

60

60

60

60

*60

60

60

60

60

BO

60

60

BO

60

57

54

52

50

47 

45

1,744

56.3

3,460

Feb.

40

35

35

37

40

40

42

43

43

40

*41

43

40

37

35

30

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

24

25

25-

*25

28

32

934

32.2

1,850

Mar.

36

37

~55~ 183

53

52

52

64

B8

52

52

47

47

45

47

47

50

66

47

50

50

47

54

47

45

*34

23

20

35

31 

30

1,561

50.4

3,100

Apr.

31

28

30

30

30

27

27

24

*24

24

24

23

21

23

40

97

78

70

72

76

92

125

133

T33

125

103

*101

118

115

110

1,954

65.1

3,880

May

103

90

88

90

§i

95

108

97

92

128

123

118

120

118

97

*99

99

108

138

144

141

232

2B7

*239

228

200

214

291

412

372 

323

5,056

163

10,030

June

277

246

214

204

214

183

193

172

235

246

256

211

242

27O

*267

249

277

291

295

284

291

302

305

323

323

312

298

288

305

284

7,857

262

15,580

July

312 346~

340

333

360

356

372

368

*380

356

352

360

376

368

368

372

360

372

368

372

372

376

376

360

356

344

333

352

372

400 

*408

11,234

362

22,280

Aug.

408

412

454

388

360

352

333

337

330

326

326

333

326

319

309

302

312

319

323

32B

291

*277

267

263

263

277

277

284

291

305 

309

9,949

321

19,730

Sept.

326

337

330

344

312

277

*256

263

284

284

288

277

256

*256

232

218

214

218

214

218

218

211

211

214

197

186

172

172

172

193

7,350

245

14,580

Calendar year 1955: Max 910 Mln 35 Mean 148 Ac-ft 107,500

Water year 1955-56: Max 412 Mln 20 Mean 153 Ac-ft 110,720

Peak discharge (base. 500 cfs).--Dec. 23 (6 p.m.) 950 cfs (7.5O ft); Mar. 3 (4:3O p.m.) 968 cfs 

(5.33 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 14 to Dec. 24, Dec. 30 to Feb. 29. No gageheight record Feb. 5-29, Mar. 5; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements, weather 

records, and records for station near Rlverton.
YELLOWSTOWE RIVER BASIN 165

Poison Creek near Shoshoni, Wyo .

Location . Lat 43°14'15", long 108°08'20", In SW^NEij sec. 29, T. 38 N., R. 94 W. , on left 

bank half a mile upstream from normal high-water line of Boysen Reservoir and 1 mile 

west of Shoshoni.

Drainage area. 519 sq mi.

Records available. March 1949 to December 1953 (monthly discharge only, Oetobsr 1950 to 

September 1952), October 1955 to September 1956 (discontinued).

Gage_. --Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,750 ft (from topographic map). 

Average discharge .--5 years (1949-53, 1955-56), 0.65 cfs (471 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . Maximum discharge during year, 1,560 cfs May 25 (gage height, 3.23 ft), by 

slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow for many days.

1949-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge, that of May 25, 1956; no flow at times each 

year.

Flood of July 24, 1923, discharge, 3,000 cfs, estimate by Bureau of Reclamation.

Flood of July 24, 1955, discharge, 2,350 cfs (gage height, 4.38 ft), by slope-area 

determination of peak flow.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Discharge measurements or estimates of flow generally made once a 

week. Records of water temperatures and suspended sediment loads for the water year 

1956 are given In WSP 1451.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1S56

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12 

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.1

.2

4.0

0.13

7.9

Nov.

. 0.2

' 0

2.2

0.07

4.4

Dec.

0

1.0

0

1.1

0.04

2.2

Jan.

0

0

0

Feb.

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

.3

8.0

IP.

.5

.5

3.0

1.0

.5

.1

.1 

.1

.1

.1

.3

1.0

2.0

4.0

5.0

3.0

2.0

.3

44.3

1.43

88

Apr.

eO.3

9.0

0.3

18

May

eO.3

27

f274

5

3

f!30

5

4

455.2

14.7

903

June

3

1

.5

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

5.1

0.17

10

July

0

0

0

^ug.

0

0

0

Sept.

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max - Min - Mean - Ac-ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 274 Mln 0 Mean 1.42 Ac-ft 1,030

e Stage-discharge relation indefinite.

f Fragmentary gage-height record.

Note. No gage-height record Oct. 1 to Apr. 17, May 27, 28, May 30 to Sept. 30; discfrarge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements, 31 field estimates of flow, 36 observations of no flow, 

weather records, and typical recession.
166 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Badwater Creek at Lybyer Ranch, near Lost Cabin, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°21'02", long 107°33'22", In SE^NE^ sec. 18, T. 39 N., R. 89 W., on right 

bank 2 ,000 ft downstream from Sioux Creek and 6 miles northeast of Lost Cabin.

Drainage area.--138 sq ml.

Records available.--September 1948 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,715.42 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Average discharge.--8 years, 5.05 cfs (3,660 acre-ft per year).

Extremes --Maximum discharge during year, 154 cfs May 26 (gage height, 6.20 ft); maximum 

gage height observed, 6.30 ft Mar. 22 (backwater from ice); no flow for many days.

1948-56: Maximum discharge, 445 cfs July 8, 1949 (gage height, 7.35 ft); maximum 

gage height, 8.88 ft Mar. 30, 1952 (backwater from ice); no flow at times each year.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 350 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used June 14-21)

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7 

5.0

5.3

5.4 48

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

.2

.4

.6

.9

1.0

1.0

1.6

3.6

4.8

5.6

6.0

6.0

6.8

772" 7.2

7.2 

5 ' 2

65.3

2.11

130

Nov.

3.6

4.4

3.2

4.4

5.2

4.4

4.8

4.4

5.6

6.4

6.4

5

3

2

^

2

2

2

2

2

3

3

3

3

*2

2

2

2

2

2

98.8

3.29

196

Dec.

2

?

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

4

5

F

5

4

4

3

2 

2

79

2.5

157

Jan.

2

2

Z

*2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

T

60

1.9

119

Feb.

1' '

;

*

31

1.1

61

Mar.

*1

T

l

2

3

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

5

10

15

20

*15

12

12

12

12

12

10

10

10

10

187

6.0

371

Apr.

9.0

7.6

6.4

4.4

4.8

*4.0

4.0

5.6

4.8

5.6

16

7.6

12

12

16

20

18

8.8

9.2

11

12

11

6.8

4.0

*4.4

5.6

4.4

3.6

2.4

?7T

243.4

8.11

483

May

1.2

.9 79"

2.0

8.4

8.8

8.8

8.8

9.2

9.2

8.8

8.0

9.2

9.2

9.2

8.8

7.2

6.4

6.4

6.4

*7.2

7.6

9.2

7.2

9.2

50" 42

7.2

9.2

5.2

3.6

265.4

8.56

526

June

2.0

'.5

.4

.1

.2

.6

.7

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.3

.3

.4

.4

.3

.4

.3

.3

**.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

00"

0

0

9.1

0.30

18

July

0

TJ

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

7T

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.2

0.06

0.4

Aug.

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 112 Mln 0 Mean 10.1 Ac-ft 7,330

Water year 1955-56: Max 42 Mln o Mean 2.84 Ac-ft 2,060

Peak discharge (base. 150 efs).--May 26 (2 a.m.) 154 cfs (6.20 ft).

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Apr. 1 (no gage-heigtt record Nov. 15- 

25, Dec. 18 to Jan. 4, Jan 16 to Apr. 1; discharge estimated on basis of 5 discharge measurements 

and weather records).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 167

Bad-water Creek at Bonneville, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43° 16 '09", long 108° 04 '46", in NW^NE^ see. 14, T. 38 N., R. 94 W., on right 

bank at Bonneville, 3 miles upstream from normal high-water line of Boysen Resarvoir.

Drainage area.--790 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. April 1947 to September 1956.

~Gage . --Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,774.17 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

Average discharge. --9 years, 8.37 cfs (6,060 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 7,260 cfs May 25 (gage height, 6.6 ft, from

f loodmarks ) , from rating curve extended above 1,100 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow for many days.

1947-56: Maximum discharge, that of May 25, 1956; no flow for many days each year. 

Flood of July 24, 1923, reached a discharge of 18,600 cfs, by slope-area determination 

of peak flow.

Remarks. --Records fair. Diversions for irrigation of about 800 acres above station. Discharge measurements, field estimates of flow, or observation of no flow generally made 

once a week. Records of suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in 

WSP 1451.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

0

Nov.

0

0

0

Dec.

0

0

0

Jan.

0

0

0

Feb.

0

0

0

Mar.

0

$

0

2

20

30

5

13

17

14

0

0

0

0

0

5

25

69

100

110

139

138

284

286

203

155

55

14

18

18

18

1,738

56.1

3,450

Apr.

18

16

16

12

12

14

14

14

14

12

12

13

14

12

12

11

16

814

g9

7

7

6

5-£

6

6

5

6

7

5

321

10.7

637

May

5

g2

0

0

0

0

3

3

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

484

g383

g267

g30

g771

g44

g24

2,017

65.1

4,000

June

f!6

To

6.0

2.5

1.0

.5

.2

.2

0

TJ

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

g2

gl

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

39.4

1.31

78

July

0

0

0

Aug.

0

0

0

Sept.

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 267 Mln 0 Mean 9.82 Ac-ft 7,110

Water year 1955-56: Max 771 Mln 0 Mean 11.2 Ao-ft 8,160

Peak discharge (base, 1.000 of a). Hay 25 (11:30 p.m.) 7,260 cfs (6.6 ft); May 29 (1:30 p.m.) 

2,900 ofs (4.13 ft).

f Fragmentary gage height record.

g Computed from twice-daily staff-gage readings.

459735 O - 58 -12
168 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Muddy Creek near Pavillion, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°22il9", long 108°36'39", in NWirNWlT sec. 35, T. 5 N., R. 2 E., on left 

bank l£ miles upstream from Wyoming Canal siphon, 3 miles downstream from Sheep Creek, 

and 9| miles northeast of Pavillion.

Drainage area.--257 sq mi.

Records available.--March 1949 to December 1953, October 1954 to September 1956. 

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,370 ft (from topographic map). 

Average discharge.--6 years (1949-53, 1954-56), 5.53 cfs (4,010 acre-f; per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 919 cfs May 29 (gage height, 6.96 ft, from 

floodmark); no flow for many days.

1949-53, 1954-56: Maximum discharge, 2,300 cfs June 5, 1949 (gage height, 9.70 ft, 

from floodmark), from rating curve extended above 1,100 cfs on basis of slope-area 

determination of peak flow; no flow at times most years.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, fragmentary and no gageheight record, which are poor. Discharge measurements or field estimates generally 

made once a week during spring and summer and twice a month at other times. Records 

of water temperatures and suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given 

in WSP 1451.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.7

.7

.8

.8

.7

.8

.0

.0

.0

.9

.9

.0

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.2

.2

.0

.4

.4

.4

.8

37T

50.5

1.63

100

Nov.

2.2

Ko

2.0

2.0

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.0

1.0

1.0

.5

.4

.3

.2

.1

.1

0

S

0

0

.1

. i

.1.1.1

.2

.4

.6

.8

1.0

20.8

0.69

41

Dec.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.8

.6

.5

75

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

1.0

5.0

or

2.0

1.0

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

31.4

1.01

62

Jan.

0.5

.7

.8

78

.8

.8

.7

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.4

.4

.3

73

.3

.3

16.8

0.54

33

Feb.

~7Z~ 0.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

.4

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

75" .6

.6

13.0

0.45

26

Mar.

T7o~ 0.7

2.0

3.0

3.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

10

TO" 12

10

9

9

8

8

8

154.7

4.99

307

Apr.

7.0

6.2

6.8

6.8

4.6

5.0

6.8

6.2

5.0

8.0

6.6

7^4

6.8

6.8

6.2

6.2

6.2

5.6

5.6

6.8

6.8

7.4

7.4

7.4

7.4

7.4

7.4

6.8

6.2

200.2

6.67

397

May

6.2

6.2

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.2

3.8

3.8

4.2

5.0

5.0

4.2

3.8

4.2

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.4

3.8

4.2

3.0

f!67 

f21

f86

f38

f!78

fTOT

alO

707.2

22.8

1,400

June

a5

a5

al

a. 5

f.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.1

00"

o

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

11.7

0.39

23

July

0

tr

0

o

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

f57

a26

a3.0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

a7.6

a23

f42

158.6

5.12

315

Aug.

a2.0 TT~

0"

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2.0

0.06

4.0

Sept.

0

TT

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

a.l

a.5

a.B

al.O

al.O

al.O

al.O

al.O

al.O

7.4

0.25

15

Calendar year 1955: Max 104 Mln o Mean 3.14 Ac-ft 2,270

Water year 1955-56: Max 178 Mln o Mean 3.75 Ac-ft 2,723

Peak discharge (base, 1,000 cfs). No peak above base.

f Fragmentary record; discharge computed on basis of partly estlmi 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 2 to Apr. 1.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 169

Muddy Creek near Shoshoni, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 43°17'10", long 108°16'30", in NE^NW^ sec. 34, T. 4 N., R. 5 E., on left 

bank 2-^ miles upstream from normal high-water line of Boysen Reservoir and 9 miles 

northwest of Shoshoni.

Drainage area . 340 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--March 1949 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,780 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 7 years, 18.1 cfs (13,190 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,040 cfs May 30 (gage height, 6.78 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1949-56: Maximum discharge, 1,430 cfs July 22, 1951 (gage height, 7.50 ft); no flow 

at times in most years.

Flood of July 24, 1923, reached a discharge of 16,300 cfs, from slope-area determination of peak flow.

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Discharge 

measurements, observations of no flow, or field estimates of flow generally made once a 

week in springtime and twice a month at other times. Records of water temperatures and 

suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge. In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Nov. 11, Mar. 25 to

Apr. 14, May 25, 26)

2.6 

2.8 

3.0 

3.3

7.0

11.5

20

44

3.6 

4.0 

5.0

133

315

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

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

21

2B

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

5.2

576

5.8

5.8

5.8

6.2

7.0

6.6

6.2

6.6

6.2

6.4

6.6

8.0

770

7.0

7.0

7.4

6.8

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.2

6.2

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.4

6.2

6,2 

6.4

198.6

6.41

394

NOV.

5.4

5.6

6.6

7.6

6.6

5.6

5.6

5.0

5.6

6.6

4-70- 7.8

3.5

2.5

2.0

T70" 1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.5

2.0

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

100.7

3.36

200

Dec.

1.5

1.5

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

1.1

1.3

1.5

1.2

.5

.3

.2

0o0

3.5

10

12

15

15

15

15

7.0

3.5

3.0

115.3

3.72

229

Jan.

2.5

OT

.8

.6

.5

.4

.3

.1

.O

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.4

.3

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

3

0

0

0

0

20.0

0.65

40

Feb.

0

0

0

Mar.

Oo~

.1

.5

5.0

1.0

1.0

1.3

1.6

2.0

.5

.5

.5

1.0

2.0

4.0

8.0

15

25" 26

24

23

22

22

21

18

18

15

18

15 

15

306.0

9.87

694

Apr.

14

1313-

14

13

13

13

14

13

13

16

16

15

16

16

16

18

18

19

34

 2T 47

20

19

16

13

13

27

34

28

559

18.6

1,110

May

18

13

51

34

21

14

14

16

14

15

22

38

29

29

26

21

18

14

14

12

13

8.8

15

31

54

35

63

117

230

TT

1,056.8

34.1

2,100

June

18

14

59

111 ^TT

40

30

15

11

10

10

12

11

14

12

12

14

15

18

33

47

53

54

49

43

40

35

33

34

21

939

31.3

1,860

July

24

33

29

27

37

44

47

41

39

39

36

28

44

33

32

37

40

40

29

23

21

18

18

22

19

22

24

28

29

49" 50 

1,002

32.3

1,990

Aug.

34

36

50

63

63

85

93

58

50

40

44

52

52

28

29

40

44

58

58

66

76

52

46

43

49

40

32

29

40

43 

36

1,529

49.3

3,030

Sept.

40

29

20

18

32

27

17

13

12

11

16

18

20

19

12

10

10

12

10

7.8

7.4

778

8.0

8.0

7.8

7.8

7.8

7.6

8.6

12

436.6

14.6

866

Calendar year 1955: Max 351 Mln 0 Mean 15.5 Ac-ft 11,190

Water year 1955-56: Max 230 Mln o Mean 17.1 Ac-ft 12,510

Peak discharge (base, 500 cfs).--May 30 (8:3O a.m.) 1,04O cfs (6.78 ft).

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 12 to Mar, 24 (no gage-height record Dec. 

to Mar. 20; discharge estimated on basis of 16 field estimates, 10 observations of no flow, and 

weather records).
170 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Wind River below Boysen Reservoir, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°25'30", long 108°10'42", In NWij-SWlr sec. 9, T. 5 N., R. 6 E., Wind River 

meridian, on right bank 0.6 mile downstream from Boysen Dam and 13 miles north of 

Shoshoni.

Drainage area. 7,741 sq mi.

Records available.--May 1951 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,608.58 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929, supplementary adjustment of 1940.

Average discharge. 5 years, 1,099 cfs (796,200 acre-ft pep year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 4,170 cfs July 12 (gage height, 7.90 ft); minimum daily, 363 cfs Nov. 6.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 11,100 cfs June 19, 1951 (gage height, 11.90 ft); minimum daily, 33 cfs Oct. 12, 1951.

Remarks ..--Records good. Flow regulated by Boysen Reservoir since October 1951 (see p. 237). 

Natural flow also affected by Bull Lake, Pilot Butte, and Washakie Reservoirs (combined capacity, 190,000 acre-ft), and diversions for irrigation of abcut 140,000 acres 

above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and 

discharge, in cubic feet per second)

3.2

4.0 

5.0 

6.0 

7.0

345

640

1,200

1,930

2,910

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2 

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

735

696 

696

691

691

*691

681

663

SBT

686

691

696

764

691

681

681

691

691

691

691

691

802

691

691

691

*705

696

681

691

700

992

21,910

707

43,460

Nov.

1,210

1,200 

1,200

1,210

1,200

363

1,725

1,210

1,220

1,230

1,220

1,220

375

1,240

1,340

1,690

1,250

1,130

1,270

415

1,240

1,350

1,240

678

1,460

1,540

798

1,500

1,450

1,480

------

35,149

1,172

69,720

Dec.

*1,480

1,470 

1,490

1,490

1,490

1,520

1,500

1,520

1,530

1,520

1,540

1,130

1,510

1,740

1,770

1,630

1,570

990

1,540

1,390

1,530

1,530

1,640

1,560

996

854

1/605

1,580

1,520

1,540

1,620

45,790

1,477

90,820

Jan.

996

1,010 

*1,550

1,560

1,580

1,730

2,030

2,020

2,030

2.050

2,040

2,030

2,030

2,030

2,030

2,020

2,000

2,020

2,030

2,010

1,990

1,980

1,980

1,860

1,530

1,530

1,530

1,570

1,030

1,520

1,520

54,836

1,769

108,800

Feb.

1,520

1,520 

1,600

1.890

 1,890

1,890

1,650

1,890

1,890

1,890

1,880

1,870

*1,870

1,870

1,870

1,870

1,850

1,860

1,580

1,780

1,840

1,830

1,830

1,600

1,090

1,250

1,810

*1,820

1,830

_

_.--..

50,830

1,753

100,800

Mar.

1.850

1,820 

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,680

1,040

942

936

936

936

942

942

942

*942

936

936

936

569

552

936

960

948

954

948

924

930

930

930

930

34,487

1,112

68,400

Apr.

942

948 

930

930

930

924

918

930

924

918

930

924

912

918

912

936

948

*942

936

936

936

936

948

954

948

948

960

954

960

954

28,086

936

55,710

May

954

954 

936

930

930

930

924

930

930

936

942

942

948

942

942

1,020

1,160

1,150

1,170

1,340

1,440

1.470

*1,460

1,460

1,470

1,460

1,470

1,300

1,430

1,160

1,100

35,130

1,133

69,680

June

1,050

1.040 

1,040

1,080

1,120

1,130

1,120

1,110

1,070

1,060

1,070

1,060

1,090

1,150

1,580

1,580

1,580

1,580

1,570

1,570

1,570

1,570

1,550

1,560

1,560

1,120

1,250

1,260

1,260

1,260

------

38,610

1,287

76,580

Ju3y

1,260

1,270 

*1,270

1,270

1,270

1,270

1,270

1,270

1,290

1,290

1,300

*1,260

*i,330

1,300

1,300

1,300

1,300

1,290

1,290

1,280

1,280

1,270

1,270

1,270

1,260

1,260

1,260

1.250

1,250

1,250

1,250

39,550

1,276

78,450

Aug.

1,250

1,260 

*1,240

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,260

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,250

1,580

1.800

1,800

1,800

1,800

41,290

1,330

81,900

Sept.

1,790

1,800 

1,810

1,800

1,820

1,800

*1.830

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,820

1,800

1,820

1,830

1,820

1,820

1,830

1.500

1,810

1,810

1,810

1,820

1,690

1,800

1,800

1,810

1,810

1,820

1,820

------

53,970

1,800

107,000

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,970 Mln 363 Mean 1,186 Ac-ft 858,300

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,050 Mln 363 Mean 1,310 Ac-ft 951,300

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Nov. 13-16, Jan. 31 to Feb. 9j discharge computed on basis of valve 

settings at Boysen Dam furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 171

South Fork Owl Creek above Curtis Ranch, near Thermopolis, Wyo.

Location. La t 43°41', long 108 °44', In NW£ sec. 11, T. 8 N., R. IE., on right bank 

1.7 miles southwest of Curtis Ranch, 5 miles upstream from Red Creek, and 26 miles 

northwest of Thermopolis.

Drainage area. 139 sq ml.

Records available.--October 1943 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 5,840 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge.--13 years, 26.3 cfs (19,050 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 394 cfs June 5 (gage height, 2.65 ft); no flow 

at times during fall and winter.

1943-56: Maximum discharge, 1,520 cfs June 24, 1945 (gage height, 4.25 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 350 cfs; no flow at times during winter months 1943-56.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of Ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Two diversions above station for Irrigation of about 400 acres.

Revisions (water years) .--WSP 1209: 1945-47(M), 19-48(P).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to June 12 June 13 to Sept. 30

0.3 

.4

.5 

.6 

.7 

.9 

1.1

0

.5

1.0

2.0

4.0

10

19

1.3 

1.5 

1.7 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

32

50

79

144

295

510

1.0 

1.2 

1.4

Z.O 

3.5 

8.0

15

29

1.6 

1.8 

Z.O 

2.4

52

85

130

255

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 195*3

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

5.5

5.2

*5.5

4.6

4.6

3.8

2.6

3.2

3.4

4.3

4.6

4.6

4.0

4.3

4.3

4.6

4.9

5.2

5.5

5.8

6.4

E7T

6.1

2.0

2.4

3.4

4.3

1.1

.5

ITT

3,0

127.5

4.11

253

Nov.

0

»<J

0

0.3

1.1

0

.1

.6

2.6

TTe

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

6.3

0.21

12

Calendar year 1955: 1

Dec.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3.4

5.2

T7T

.8

.4

1.7

.8

C

0

0

14.0

0.45

28

Jan.

0

0

.8

1.0

2.0

1.5

 1.0

.5

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

7.0

0.23

14

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

»»T

l

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

*1

1

5

7

10

11

13

15

15

15

*15

12

10

5

1

1

149

4.8

Apr.

o-0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.5

1.0

2.5

10

25

30

w26

*24

26

23

18

16

14

12

254.0

8.47

296 | 504

May

12

T?

21

21

37

39

37

53

50

42

37

36

31

26

30

33

51

76

98

130

*167

184

213

204

225

219

210

225

*198

184

219

3,120

101

6,190

June

306 30"5"

*284

292

281

219

170

192

198

201

207

219

202

185

241

199

118

110

132

*142

122

93

9T

110

112

110

110

112

108

101

5,279

176

10,470

July

87m

80

69

72

78

78

72

*72

71

64

67

55

52

49

46

40

38

35

3S

37

36

42

39

38

36

38

42

49

39

42

1,686

54.4

3,340

Aug.

49

43

37

29

25

23

23

*21

19

19

19

16

15

14

13

13

28

20

19

18

17

17

16

14

13

12

12

11

10

11

9.8

605.8

19.5

1,200

Sept.

8.0

7TO

6.8

7.0

*6.8

6.2

5.5

5.5

6.8

8.0

8.0

5.5

3.7

3.0

2.5

4.5

4.5

5.1

4.1

5.3

4.7

5.3

4.7

4.3

3.2

4.1

4.3

4.9

5.5

4.5

159.1

5.30

316

fex 92 Mln o Mean 10.1 Ac-ft 7.340

Water year 1955-56: Max 306 Min 0 Mean 31.2 Ac-ft 22^620

Peak discharge (base, 320 efs).--June 5 (3 a.m.) 394 cfs (2.65 ft).

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Jan. 3-7. No gage-height record Jan. 8, 9, Mar. 1 

to Apr. 20, Aug. 18-22; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements, 1 field estimate 

of flow, 1 observation of no flow, and weather records.
172 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

North Pork Owl Creek near Anchor, Wyo.

Location. --Lat 43°42', long 108°55' , in sec. 12, T. 43 N. , R. 101 W. , on left bank half 

a mile upstream from Cup Creek and 4f miles west of Anchor.

Drainage area. --54. 9 sq mi.

Records available. May 1941 to September 1956 (no winter records 1941-44).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 6,720 ft (by barometer). Prior to

Aug. 29, 1948, water-stage recorder at site half a mile downstream at different datum.

Average discharge. --12 years (1944-56), 13.4 cfs (9,710 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . --Maximum discharge during year, 277 cfs Aug. 17 (gage height, 4.86 ft); no flow 

Nov. 18.

1941-56: Maximum discharge, 3,200 cfs July 23, 1955 (gage height £.0 ft, from floodmark) , from rating curve extended above 320 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of 

peak flow; no flow at times during most winters.

Remarks . Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. One small diversion for irrigation of hay meadows above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet,- and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used' Mar. 23-27, May 22-28, Sept. 6-11)

Oct. 1 to May 19 May 20 to Sept. 30

2.8

2.9

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.3

1.0 

4.0

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

1.5 

2.0

2.5

3.7

3.8 

4.0 

4.3 

4.6 

4.9

97

175

295

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

.9

.9

* .6

.6

.3

.7

.8

.9

.9

.9

1.0

.8

.9

.9

1.0

.9

.0

.0

.0

.3

.9

.3

.3

.2

.2

.3

.4

.4

.6

.7

'

30.4

0.98

60

Nov.

0.9

*.9

1.0

1.0

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

.3

O

.3

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

*1.1

1.1

28.7

0.96

57

Dec.

.2

.5

.5

.2

.0

.0

.0

.2

.5

.5

.5

.5

.7

.7

.3

.4

.5

.5

.5

.5

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.8

.6 

.5

48.6

1.57

96

Jan.

.3

.1

.1

.1

. 1

.3

* .3

.3

.3

.O

.7

.5

.4

.3

j.1

.2

.2

.2

.3

.6

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.8

.6

.5

.4

.3

.2

23.3

0.75

46

Feb.

O.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.Z

.4

.5

.5

.5

.5

.4

.4

.4

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

11.5

0.40

23

Mar.

0.4

*.4

.4

.4

.6

1.0

1.0

.0

.0

.0

.O

.O

.0

.0

.0

** .0

.0

.0

.0

10

20

30

32

29

30

30

19

18

17

16 

15

286.2

9.23

568

Apr.

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

*16

16

17

11

15

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

*14

14

13

12

10

To

10

418

13.9

829

May

10

10

10

12

15

15

15

20

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

15

20

25

30

40

*50

57

86

80

61

34

41

178

55

80

1,145

36.9

2,270

June

68

40

*51

61

41

23

20

31

32

33

34

37

41

41

44

20

8.6

11

17

*18

16

11

10

11

11

11

12

8.6

8.2

10

780.4

26.0

1,550

July

9.0

14

16

9.4

9.0

8.6

8.6

8.2

*7.4

6.2

6.0

6.2

5.2

4.8

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.0

3.0

4.0

4.0

7.0

10 

14

196.8

6.35

390

Aug.

5.0

4.0

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

*3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.8

3.8

17

8.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.5

3.5

3.5 

3.0

137.3

4.43

272

Sept.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

*2.8

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.4

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.8

67.6

2.25

134

Calendar year 1955: Max 90 Min 0 Mean 4.77 Ac-ft 3,450

Water ateyear 1955-56: isss-ob: Max w178 i/u Min roin0 uMean m8.67 Ac-ftc-n 6,300

Peak discharge (base, 165 cfs).--May 28 (4 p.m.) 226 cfs (4.84 ft); Aug. 17 (3 p.m.) 277 of 

4.86 ft).

Discharge me 

Field esti

surement made on this day. 

" Field estimate made on this this day. day.

Note. --Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 25 to Mar. 22. No gage-lreight record Jan. 1- 

7, Jan. 15 to Mar. 18, Mar. 28 to May 21, May 30-31, July 16-29, Aug. 4-13, Aug. 19 to Sept. 5; discharge estimated on basis of 8 discharge measurements, 1 field estimate of flow, and weather records.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 173

Owl Creek near Thermopolis, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°41', long 108°18', In sec. 19, T. 43 N., R. 95 W., on right bank at

McCumber Ranch, ij miles downstream from Mud Creek and 6 miles northwest of Thermopolis.

Drainage area.--484 sq mi.

Records available. July 1910 to October 1912, April 1915 to November 1917, November 1931 

to November 1932 , and May 1938 to September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. 

March 1911 to November 1917, November 1931 to November 1932, and May 1938 to September 

1956 in reports of State engineer. No winter records prior to 1932.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,560 ft (by barometer). Prior to May 

1938, staff or chain gages at several sites within 3 miles of present site at various 

daturas. May 1938 to October 1938 chain gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge.--18 years (1938-56), 34.0 cfs (24,630 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 215 cfs May 29 (gage height, 2.15 ft); minimum 

daily, 0.7 cfs Sept. 18-21.

1910-17, 1931-32, 1938-56: Maximum discharge, 1,190 cfs June 4, 1944 (gage height, 

5.61 ft), from rating curve extended above 750 cfs; no flow at times during irrigation 

seasons of 1912, 1916, 1939-40.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Diversions above station for irrigation of about 14,000 acres.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height. In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

0.4

.5

0.6 

1.0 

2.0 

4.0 

7.0

1.0 

1.2

1.5 

Z.O

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

3

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

13

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

33

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

1.5

1.3

*1.2

1.2

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.6

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.5

1.2

1.9

1.3

1.0

1.2

1.2

2.2

2.8

2.6

1.7

2.0

2.4

2.2

48.2

1.55

96

Nov.

2.4

*3.0

2.0

1.7

1.4

1.8

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.5

1.5

T7o

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.5

4.0

3.5

3.5

4.0

4.5

4.5

3.5

*3.5

3.5

71.8

2.39

142

Dec.

4.0

4.0

3.5

3.0

375

3.0

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

5.0

7.0

10

12

11

13

12

10

9.0

8.0

7.0

177.5

5.72

352

Jan.

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

8.0

8.0

*8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.0

3.0

2.5

2.0

174.0

5.61

345

Feb.

2.0

1T75

2.5

3.0

3.5

3.5

3.5

*3.5

3.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

5.0

5.0

4.5

3.0

3.0

3.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

8.0

875

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

- _ _ _ - _

138.0

4.76

274

Mar.

8.0

*8.5

9.0

9.0

9.0

8.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

9.0

7.0

6.0

6.0

7.0

9.0

*10

To

7.0

5.0

3.0

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

*2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

'275 2.0

181.5

5.85

360

Apr.

2*5.

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.8

3.2

3.0

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.8

3.8

4.0

3.4

9.0

28

25

*22

12

9.5

9.0

7.5

6.7

5.5

190.3

6.34

377

May

4.3

3.4

2.6

12

16

22

17

16

17

14

17

16

14

S.5

4.6

4.0

6.4

12

31

43

*50

51

38

62

56

*78

53

56

145

89

56

1,014.8

32.7

2,010

June

78

117

*81

83

115

71

56

46

71

76

72

71

62

59

61

80

41

32

36

*56

56

46

35

35

41

38

43

44

42

36

1,780

59.3

3,530

July

31

24

30

22

20

24

29

25

*25

25

20

22

18

15

14

12

10

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

5.6

5.2

4.6

3.6

2.4

1.8

2.4

5.5

9,0

9.5

441.6

14,2

876

Aug.

6.7

12

10

7.0

4.0

3.4

2.0

*1.9

1.8

3.6

3.2

2.8

3.2

3.8

4.0

4.0

3.4

10

17

15

4.0

1.8

1.1

T7I

1.1

1.0

1.3

2.6

3.6

5.5

142.9

4.61

283

Sept.

6.1

3.8

2.8

2.2

 1.4

1.6

2.0

1.7

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.6

1.7

1.5

.9

.8

.7

.7

.7

.7

.8

.8

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

44.2

1.47

88

Calendar year 1955: Max 134 Mln 0.1 Mean 5.93 Ac-ft 4,290

Water year 1955-56: Max 145 Mln O.7 Mean 12. 0 Ac-ft 8,730

Peak discharge (base, 250 efs). No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 2, 3, 8, Nov. 11 to Mar. 25. No gag-e-helght 

record Nov. 14 to Jan. 7, Jan. 31 to Apr. 8, July 9-23; discharge estimated on basis of 7 discharge 

measurements, weather records, and records for nearby stations.
174 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Gooseberry Creek near Grass Creek, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°00'00", long 108°41'10", In SEj-NW^- sec. 36, T. 47 N., R. 99 W., on right 

bank 15 ft downstream from bridge, 3 miles downstream from Enos Creel', and 4§- miles 

northwest of town of Grass Creek.

Drainage area. 155 sq mi.

Records available. July 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,522.15 ft above mean sea level, unadjusted. 

Prior to Apr. 23, 1953, at datum 1.35 ft higher.

Average discharge. 11 years, 12.7 cfs (9,200 acre-ft per year).

Extremes Maximum discharge during year, 295 cfs May 29 (gage height, 3.53 ft); maximum 

gage height observed, 3.62 ft (water running over ice): no flow Jan. 30 to Feb. 11.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 593 cfs June 22, 1948 (gage height, 4.97 ft, present 

datum), from rating curve extended above 150 cfs; no flow at times during 1950-56.

Remarks. Records good except those above 100 cfs, which are fair, and those for periods 

of ice effect, backwater from beaver dam, or no gage height record, which are poor. 

Many small diversions for irrigation of hay meadows above station.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1209: 1949(M), 1950(P).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect or bickwater 

from beaver dam (gage height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet 

per second)

.9

1.0

1.1

1.2

0.1 

.5 

1.0 

2.0 

3.5 

6.0

1.4 

1.6 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

135

208

290

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

1.8

1.5

*1.3

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.0

.9

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.4

1.5

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.6

2.0

2.3

2.8

273

2.2

2.0

1.5

1.0

.J5

45.2

1.46

90

Nov.

0.5

*.5

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

1.0

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

1.0

1.0

1.5

1.5

2.0

2.5

2 .5

2.0

*1.5

1.5

31.0

1.03

61

Dec.

.5

.5

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

'

.5

1.5

1.5

46.5

1.50

92

Jan.

1.5

2.0

2.5

2.5

5.0

*3.0

3.0

3.0

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

£

0

51.0

1.65

101

Feb.

0

0

0

0

0

0

O

*0

0

0

0

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

1.0

ITS' 1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

15.5

0.53

31

Mar.

1.5

*1.5

1 .5

3

5

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

5

5

10

*15_

15

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

no

10

10

184.5

5.95

366

Apr.

10

2.9

2.0

1.6

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.3

2.2

1.1

1.8

2.2

4.8

13

12

8.0

8.0

9.6

14

u

14

*9.6

9.6

9.2

12

9.2

6.4

9.6

193.7

6.46

384

May

11

8.4

8.4

8.4

13

16

14

14

16

16

15

15

16

9.2

8.0

6.8

776

8.8

12

13

*16

27

30

27

30

32

35

87

245

TST

112

1,030.6

33.2

2,040

June

M

*50

38

31

27

21

19

16

14

12

9.2

6.4

4.5

5.0

4.2

2.4

2.3

2.4

*2.0

2.4

4.0

1.9

1.4

1.2

1.0

.8

.8

.9

437.5

14.6

868

July

0.5

.8

1.5

1.8

1.4

1.5

.8

.6

*.4

1.0

.8

.8

2.3

270

1.6

1.4

1.6

1.5

1.3

1.0

.7

.5

.3

.1

.1

.1

.1

.5

.7

.8

.8

29.3

0.95

58

Aug.

1.1

.8

.6

.4

(**)

.1

1.7

.9

.4

.1

.1

8.3

0.27

16

Sept.

0.1 ~7T

.1

.1

**.!

.1

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

7.6

0.25

15

Calendar year 1955: Max 78 Mln 0 Mean 2.15 Ac-ft 1,560

Water year 1955-56: Max 245 Mln 0 Mean 5.68 Ac-ft 4,120

Peak discharge (base, 150 cfs).--May 29 (6 a.m.) 295 cfs (3.53 ft).

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Oct. 27 to Mar. 29. Stage-discharge relation affected by beaver dam Sept. 5-30. No gage-height record Nov. 16 to Mar. 26, July 24-27, Aug. 5-26, 

Aug. 30 to Sept. 4; discharge estimated on basis of 4 discharge measurements, 1 field estimate, 

1 observation of no flow, and weather records.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 175

Fifteenmile Creek near Norland, Wyo.

Location. -Lat 44°01'15", long 108°00'45" , in NE±NW£ sfc . 27, T. 47 N R. 93 W on right

 bank 700 ft upstream from Bighorn Canal spillway, If miles upstream from mouth, and 

2f miles west of Worland .

Drainage area. --594 sq mi.

Records available . -March 1951 to September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. October

 1941 to September 1944 in reports of State engineer at site 1,500 ft downstream, not 

equivalent owing to inflow.

Average discharge. --5 years (1951-56), 6.93 cfs.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage is 4,080 ft (by barometer) . 

Extremes. -Maximum discharge during year, 492 cfs Sept. 13 (gage height, 2.28 ft); no flow

f0ri9^56?ySMlximunischarge, 3,300 cfs May 22, 1952 (gage height, 5.77 ft); no flow 

for many days each month.

Remarks Records fair prior to Mar. 19, good thereafter. Discharge measurements generally 

SSSlIai'dally w of tener each time there was flow. Bureau of Land Management has extensive

spreader systems on some of the tributaries above station. Records of suspended sediment

loads for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 19)

0.8 

1.1 

1.4

121

202

27

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1955

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

0

O

0

Nov.

0

o

0

Dec.

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

a200

a55

a!3

**a4

0

O

O

0

272

8.8

540

Jan,

O

0

0

Feb.

0

0

O

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

a!7

a50

a31

a38

a36

**a!4

a24

210

7.2

417

Mar.

**a38

a32

a29

a!40

a55

a 10

a6

a!9

a!7

a2

0

0

0

0

0

a2

a3

aSO

73

45

11

9.3

1.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

572.5

18.5

1,140

Apr.

0

0

0

May

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2.8

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

2.8

0.09

5.6

June

O

0

O

July

0

3.3

2.8

O

0

o

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

o

6.1

0.20

12.1

Aug.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

 37 39

6.0

3.0

2. 4

87.4

2.82

173

Sept.

1.5

.6

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

108

15

7.2

3.0

.9

0

0

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

136.2

4.54

270

Calendar year 1955: Max 279 Mln 0 Mean 9.68 Ac-ft 7,010

Water year 1955-56: Max 200 Mln 0 Mean 3.52 Ac-ft 2,56O

Peak discharge (base. 4OO cfs).--Dec. 24 (about 11 a.m.) about 490 cfs; Sept. 13 (9:3O a.m.) 492 

efs (2.28 ft).

** Field estimate made on this day.

a No gage-height record (stage-discharge relation affected by ice during most of periods); discharge estimated on basis of 11 discharge measurements and 3 field estimates of flow.
176 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Bighorn River near Manderson, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°12 I , long 107°55', in sec. 28, T. 49 N., R. -92 W. , on downstream wing 

wall on left bank, a quarter of a mile west of Rairden, l£ miles downstream from Fivemile Creek, and 6 miles southeast of Manderson.

Records available.--April 1949 to September 1953, October 1955 to September 1956 (discontinued).

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,924.39 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929, supplementary adjustment of 1929. Prior to June 2, 1953, wire-height gage at 

same site and datum.

Average discharge. 5 years (1949-53, 1955-56), 1,325 cfs (959,900 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 4,940 cfs Feb. 24; maximum gage height observed, 

11.10 ft Feb. 6 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 255 of3 May 17.

1949-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge observed, 10,600 cfs June 1, 1951 (gage height 

10.15 ft): minimum daily, 180 cfs Apr. 13, May 8, 1952.

Flood of Feb. 19, 1948, reached a stage of 16.45 ft (ice jam) from floodmark (discharge, about 9,500 cfs).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of no gage-height record, which are fair. 

Diversions for irrigation of about 213,000 acres above station. Flow largely regulated 

by Boysen Reservoir beginning on Oct. 11, 1951 (see p. 237). Records of water temperatures and suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and discharge)

in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 2-3, May 36-29)

3.7 

4.0 

4.5 

5.0

240

340

590

950

6.0 

7.O 

8.0

2,O50 

3,520 

5,260

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

814

769

*614

614

578

*542 "560

560

548

554

572

727

806

870

838

814

814

814

838

830

838

814 

838

838

838

822

854

846

846

846

*830

23,286

751

46,190

Nov.

1,150

1,400

1,420

1,460

1,460

1,490

685

1,270

1,460

1,470

1,520

1,530

1,490

830

1,630

1,960

2,240

1,770

1,570

1,640

785

*1,330 

1,540

1,480

910

1,620

1,680

950

1,820

1,530

43,090

1,436

85,470

Dec.

1,680

* ,660

,680

,960

,710

,920

,920

* ,060

,030

,960

,890

,890

,490

,110

,240

,270

,520

,310

,500

,000

,200

,700 

,3BO

* ,90O

,890

,200

,030

,680

,780

,860

,890

61,310

1,978

121,600

Jan.

1,920

1,370

1,430

1,890

1,890

*1,680

2,030

2,300

2,100

2,130

2,140

2,240

2,140

2,170

2,170

2,170

2,200

2,200

2,130

2,110

2,170

2,140 

2,110

*2,110

1,890

1,680

1,620

1,650

1,750

1,290

1 , 820

6O,540

1,953

120,100

Feb.

1,750

1,800

1,800

1,800

2,000

2,200

2,200

2,200

2,200

2,500

2,800

2,800

2,600

2,450

2,240

2,140

2,100

2,200

2,300

2,30O

2,200

2,130 

2,350

*3.850

1,920

1,290

1,450

*2,030

2,030

63,630

2,194

126,200

Mar.

2,100

2,100

2,130

2,420

2,490

2,390

2,280

2,050

1,350

1,130

1,130

1,310

*1,250

1,160

1,160

1,160

1,140

*1,410

1,250

1,300

894

846 

1,200

1,230

1,210

1,210

*1,140

1,100

1,080

1,080

1,090

44,790

1,445

88,840

Apr.

1,090

1,110

,100

,090

,090

* ,070

,060

,080

,100

,080

,080

,060

,050

894

854

762

762

727

727

699

678

678 

734

644

590

542

*530

536

515

505

25,437

848

50,450

May

455

415

415

385

360

348

352

320

312

364

340

294

316

324

297

279

255

380

425

440

590

720 

755

692

748

*769

790

1,010

886 liiiOat

15,838

511

31,410

June

542

475

465

445

405

455

475

475

470

480

475

470

460

475

525

942

950

*1,050

942

862

1,050

*986 

934

942

950

878

460

536

505

455

19,534

651

38,750

July460

50O

536

530

53O

500

475

480

480

475

475

510

*548

530

505

530

510

505

505

520

542

572 

*602

572

554

554

548

584

678

626

602

16,538

533

32,800

Aug.

596

590

590

572

*572

572

560

572

638

608

584

*608

584

584

578

560

572

584

602

620

614

608 

602

578

578

608

760

1,210

1,360

1,440

1,440

21,544

695

42,730

Sept.

1,460

1,480

1,480

1,500

1,500

1,550

1,540

1,550

1,560

1,560

1,550

1,530

1,670

1,530

1,510

1,510

1,520

1,520

1,480

1,080

1,480

1,510 

1,560

1,560

1,440

1,520

1,530

1,570

1,610

1,67£

45,530

1,518

90,310

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 3,850 Min 255 Mean 1,205 Ac-ft 874,800

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Ho gage-height record Nov. 12 to Mar. 4, Mar. 12-18; discharge estimated on basis of Pure 

Oil Co. gage readings 4 miles upstream and records for Wind River below Boysen F°servoir.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 177

Tensleep Creek near Tensleep, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°03'40", long 107°23'10", in NW£ sec. 12, T. 47 N., R. 88 W., on left bank 

a quarter of a mile downstream from Canyon Creek and 4 miles northeast of Tensleep.

Drainage area.--228 sq mi.

Records available. September 1910 to December 1912, April 1915 to November 1924, October 

1943 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,667.59 ft above mean sea level, datum of. 

1929. Prior to Oct. 1, 1916, staff gage at same site at datum 1.00 ft higher. Oct. 1, 

1916, to May 10, 1918, staff gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--22 years (1915-24, 1943-56), 150 cfs (108,700 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,340 cfs May 27 (gage height, 5.09 ft); minimum 

daily, 30 cfs Feb. 1.

1910-12, 1915-24, 1943-56: Maximum discharge, 2,890 cfs June 15, 1924 (gag3 height, 

7.05 ft), from rating curve extended above 2,400 cfs; minimum daily, 30 cfs, Jan. 31, 

Feb. 1, 1951, Feb. 1, 1956.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of no gage-height record, which ar3 fair. 

Diversions for Irrigation of about 500 acres above station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1239: 1916, 1918(M), 1924{M) , 1945(M) , 1948(M) .

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and discharge,

In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to May 9, May 23 to June 6)

1.6

1.7 

2.0 

2.5

3.0 

4.0 

5.0

326

770

1,350

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

e

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

33

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Tota:

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

45

41

40

*"41 39

42

42

40

40

40

40

41

44

42

42

41

42

42

42

45

45

46

51

48

51

49

52

T9

52

48 

*52

1,374

44.3

2,730

Nov.

46

45

48

47

48

46

46

46

47

49

52

46

40

47

38

33

37

48

52

52

53

53

49

48

47

47

47

46

46

46

1,395

46.5

2,770

Dec.

45

*45

44

41

41

45

44

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

40

40

45

45

45

45

45

45

50

50

50

45

45

45

45

40 

40

1,380

44.5

2,740

Jan.

40

45

*45

44

42

42

42

42

41

41

41

41

41

42

42

41

40

41

41

41

41

41

41

41

41

41

42

42

40

36 

36

1,277

41.2

2,530

Feb.

30

32

36

37

40

*41

41

41

40

40

40

40

40

40

39

38

42

41

39

39

39

39

40

41

40

40

40

*40

40

------

1,135

39.1

2,250

Mar.

40

40

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

50

50

50

50

50

45

45

45

45

*45

40

41

41 

41

1,393

44.9

2,760

Apr.

42

42

42

41

42

40

39

41

42

41

42

42

42

42

42

45

46

47

48

49

51

56

58

62

62

67

*76

79

76

68

1,512

50.4

3,000

May

67

66

78

74

94

103

108

120

137

164

166

150

139

105

103

99

110

143

186

428

645

892

*950

968

1,010

*1,050

1,080

853

805

650

12,168

393

24,130

June

831

864

*844

815

696

725

491

444

478

486

482

474

440

416

420

404

302

242

*254

239

213

210

186

157

150

152

148

148

148

145

12,206

407

24,210

July

141

130

154

174

143

126

118

114

108

99

94

92

*90

90

85

82

78

73

67

64

60

58

57

56

54

51

51

52

52

53 

56

2,722

87.8

5,400

Aug.

56

53

54

52

47

*44

42

41

39

37

38

35

33

32

32

32

33

38

56

68

64

53

49

45

42

40

44

44

41

47 

53

1,334

44.6

2,750

Sept.

51

53

53

53

51

47

46

*44

44

44

44

44

45

46

41

40

39

37

37

37

37

37

36

37

37

36

36

36

37

37

1,262

42.1

2,500

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,190 Mln 31 Mean 123 Ac-ft 89,310

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,080 Mln 3O Mean 107 Ac-ft 77,770

Peak discharge (base. 1,300 efs). May 27 (4 a.m.) 1,340 cfs (5.O9 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Ho gage-height record Dec. 8 to Jan. 3, Feb. 29 to Mar. 27, May 23, July 13-15; d'scharge 

stlmated on basis of 4 discharge measurements and records for Medicine Lodge Creek near Hrattville.
178 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Medicine Lodge Creek near Hyattville, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°18' , long 107°33', in NW-jj sec. 22, T. 50 N., R. 89 W. , on left bank 

a quarter of a mile downstream from North Fork and 4| miles northeast of Hyattville.

Drainage area. 86 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. June 1943 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,770 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge. 13 years, 34.5 cfs (24,990 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 408 cfs May 27 (gage height, 2.29 ft); minimum 

daily, 9.4 efs Feb. 6-8.

1943-56: Maximum discharge, 1,160 cfs June 24, 1945 (gage height, 4.10 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 550 cfs; minimum daily, 8.2 cfs Feb. 13-16, 

1955.

Remarks. Records good. Small diversion for irrigation of hay meadows above station. 

Revisions (water years). WSP 1239: 1945, 1946(M) .

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and 

discharge, in cubic feet per second)

0.4 

.5

1.1 

1.4 

1.7 

2.1

142

230

365

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

12

IZ

12

12

*12

12

12

12

11

TT

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

*12

370

11.9

734

Nov.

12

IT

T2

12

12

12

11

11

11

12

12

12

11

12

11

11

12

12

12

12

12

12

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

345

11.5

684

Dec.

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

372

12.0

738

Jan.

11

TT

11 *11

11

11

11

10

To

10

10

10

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

324

10.5

643

Feb.

9.

9.

9.

9.

9.

*9.

37T

9.

9.

9.

9.

9.

9.

9.

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

*10

10

284.9

9.82

565

Mar.

10

10

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

14

14

14

14

14

13

13

14

12

12

*12

11

11

11

11

378

12.2

750

Apr.

11

TT

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

12

12

12

12

13

14

14

14

13

13

13

*13

12

12

12

356

11.9

_ 706

May

12

T2

13

13

15

16

17

19

22

27

32

32

30

26

25

24

30

53

122

215

330

340

*354

302

330

*323

334

284

239

230

248

4,069

131

8,070

June

312

31?

*267

260

278

227

150

159

164

162

148

134

124

112

101

92

71

88

*71

60

62

72

72

57

53

49

46

43

39

38

3,823

127

7,580

July

3736"

33

32

29

28

27

26

26

24

23

23

*22

21

21

21

20

20

20

19

18

17

16

16

16

16

15

IF

16

15

15

683

22.0

1,350

Aug.

14

14

14

14

14

*13

14

14

14

14

14

13

12

1?

12

12

12

13

15

TT

14

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

13

403

13.0

799

Sept.

13

IS

12

12

12

12

12

*12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

11

11

10

To

356

11.9

706

Calendar year 1955: Max 354 Mln 8.2 Mean 34.2 Ac-ft 24,790

Water year 1955-56: Max 354 Mln 9.4 Mean 32.1 Ac-ft 23,320

Peak discharge (base, 55O cfs). May 27 (2:30 a.m.) 408 cfs (2.29 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 179

Greybull River near Pitchfork, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°06" , long 109"10' , in SEij sec. 24, T. 48 N. , R. 103 W. , on left bank at 

downstream side of Z Bar T Ranch bridge, a quarter of a mile upstream from Rose Creek 

and 4 miles west of Pitchfork.

Drainage area. 309 sq mi.

Records available. April 1946 to September 1949, May 1951 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 6,709.33 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to May 9, 1951, water-stage recorder at site 300 ft downstream at different datum. May 9, 1951, to June 7, 1952, at site 30 ft upstream at same datum.

Average discharge. 8 years, 162 cfs (117,400 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 2,120 cfs June 4 (gage height, 5.57 ft); minimum daily, 20 cfs for several days during October to February.

1946-49, 1951-56: Maximum discharge, 4,000 cfs June 6, 1952 (gage height, 6.10 ft, 

site then in use), from rating curve extended above 1,200 cfs; minimum daily, 8 cfs 

Mar. 17-23, Apr. 12-14, 1953.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Diversions for irrigation of about 1,000 acres above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge,"in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 17 to May 4, May 24-30)

Oct. 1 to May 3O May 31 to Sept. 30

2.5 

2.7 

3.0 

3.4

22

185

3.7 

4.0 

4.5 

5.0

305

485

900

1,580

2.9

3.0 

3.3 

3.6

49

62

115

195 .

4.0 

4.5 

5.0 

5.5

365

700

1,170

1,970

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12 

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

292~6~

*26

25

25

24

24

22

22

22

23

23

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

26

26

27

28

25

26

25

26

24

24

22 

20

765

24.7

1,520

Nov.

*20

20

22

22

22

25

25

27

55

25

25

25 

22

20

20

20

20

20

20

22

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25 

*25

697

23.2

1,380

Dec.

25

25

25

25

20

20

25

25

25

25

25

25 

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

30

35

35

30

25

25

25

20 

25

790

25.5

1,570

Jan.

25

55

25

25

25

*25

25

25

25

25

25

25 

25

25

25

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

20 

5o

20

721

23.3

1,430

Feb.

20

50

20

20

20

25

55

*25

25

25

25

25 

25

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

22

25

25

25

22

22

22

22

645

22.2

1,280

Mar.

22

*22

22

25

30

30

30

25

25

25

25

25 

25

25

25

25

25

30

35

*40

45

45

45

45

45

40

35

35

*35

35

35

976

31.5

1,940

Apr.

32

33

32

42

30

32

32

32

31

33

41

34 

34

35

41

55

46

34

38

48

64

68

57

64

*64

61

58

51

50

50

1,332

44.4

2,640

May

52

54

67

67

92

96

86

108

110

110

102

90 

83

77

84

108

170

240

332

492

*646

860

977

1,030

1,060

*1,110 '966

1.250

1,050

922

1,010

13,481

435

26,740

June

1,510

1,530

*1,360

1,510

1,590

1,210

960

1,090

1,290

1,430

1,560

1.650 

1,540

1,400

1,560

1,190

825

780

897

*990

825

565

5S5

678

740

678

756

852

852

756

33,119

1,104

65,690

July

610

543

474

444

522

565

595

565

588

*543

536

588 

529

480

468

438

420

404

392

387

376

365

370

355

325

330

365

387

515

414

398

14,291

461

28,350

Aug.

350

550

300

250

200

180

170

165

16?

160

152 

152

149

141

141

133

131

133

131

120

115

113

103

103

103

103

103

93 

lO?

10T

4,860

157

9,640

Sept.

95

93

99

97

*91

76

74

74

76

76

76

88 

82

72

66

66

66

66

64

65

65

57

57

57

54

54

54

54

54

53

2,121

70.7

4,210

Calendar year 1955 : Max 89O Mln 18 Mean 96.3 Ac-ft 69,720

Water year 1955-56 : Max 1,630 Min 2O Mean 202 Ac-ft 146,400

Peak discharge (base, 1,200 cfs). --June 4 (10 p.m.) 2,120 cfs (5.57 ft).
180 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Wood River at Sunshine, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°01', long 109°01' , in sec. 29, T. 47 N., R. 101 W., on left bank 30 ft 

upstream from bridge on county road, half a mile northeast of Sunsl ine, and 3 miles 

downstream from Dick Creek.

Drainage area. 200 sq mi, approximately.

Records available . August 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 6,537.45 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Sept. 18, 1952, water-stage recorder at present site and datum. 

Sept. 18, 1952, to Oct. 27, 1953, chain gage at site 30 ft downstream at same datum.

Average discharge. 11 years, 109 cfs (78,970 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,140 cfs May 28 (gage height, 3.88 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 500 cfs; minimum daily, 16 cfs Oct. 24, 25.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 2,260 cfs June 5, 1952 (gage height, 4.85 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 1,300 cfs; minimum daily, 11 cfs Nov. 16-19, 1954.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Diversions for irrigation of about 1,500 acres above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 26)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 15 Mar. 16 to Sept. 30

1.4

1.5 

1.8

1.4 

1.6 

1.8 

2.1

19

36

69

150

2.2 

2.5 

2.9 

3.5

162

215

370

780

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

24

24

*24

23

24

27

31

29

30

26

21

20

20

17

17

17

19

20

17

17

17

17

17

TB- 16

17

18

20

20

32

35

667

21.5

1,320

Nov.

*30

30

30

30

28

31

34

37Soso

31

30

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

30

30

30

30

25

25

25

25

25

25

*25

841

28.0

1,670

Dec.

25

25

25

25

20

20

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

20

25

25

25

25

30

30

30

35

35

35

405Q40

35

35

30

875

28.2

1,740

Jan.

35

35

35

35

35

*35

35

35

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

930

30.0

1,840

Feb.

20

25

20

20

20

20

20

*25

25

25

25

25

25

30

35

25

25

25

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

_ _____

755

26.0

1,500

Mar.

30

*30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

25

25

25

25

30

30

30

35

40

40

40

45SB45

40

35

35

25

*20

2<J

20

975

31.5

1,930

Apr.

22SB25

25

24

24

26

31

26

36

49

40

52

58

82

82

67

58

67

85

92

~55 102

77

*77

82

72

63

63

60

1,677

55.9

3,330

May

58

5T

72

69

98

106

98

116

120

102

82

87

77

74

87

116

142

162

ISO

206

*245

345

375

365

426

*420

360

780 7B-5-

620

636

7,441

240

14,760

June

732 554"

*599

606

578

395

308

340

390

432

462

494

487

474

536

432

239

189

215

*230

199

163

160

TTET

192

184

199

190

185

180

10,649

355

21,120

July

167

166

155

151

TBT

162

166

165

167

*166

172

175

166

161

158

162

171

175

172

171

172

170

168

177

177

172

174

174

199

175

178

5,238

169

10,390

Aug.

166

T5Z

154

144

132

120

112

112

*109

106

102

95

90

85

82

87

102

92

106

102

87

82

74

67

65

61

61

52

42

49

44

2,944

95.0

5,840

Sept.

40

43

44

44

*47

49

47

46

46

46

46

49

47

43

40

40

40

39

39

37

36

35

35

35

36

37

37

39

39

36

1,237

41.2

2,450

Calendar year 1955: Max 246 Mln 16 Mean 46.1 Ac-ft 33,400

Water year 1955-56: Max 780 Mln 16 Mean 93.5 Ao-ft 67,890

Peak discharge (base. 830 efs). Hay 28 (8 p.m.) 1,140 cfs (3.88 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Mote. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Oct. 30 to Nov. 4, Nov. 11 to Apr. 1 (no gageheight record Feb. 10-29, discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, weather records, 

and records for nearby stations).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 181

Greybull River at Meeteetse, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°09'20", long 108°52'35", In sec. 4, T. 48 N., R. 100 W., on left bank 

at Meeteetse, 1,800 ft upstream from bridge on State Highway 120 and 3 miles upstream 

from Meeteetse Creek.

Drainage area. 690 sq ml, approximately.

Records available.--June to September 1897, April to October 1903, July 1920 to September 

1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,741.42 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929, supplementary adjustment of 1943. Prior to Aug. 29, 1920, staff gage.s Ft several 

sites within half a mile of present site at various daturas. Aug. 29, 1920, tc Apr. 29, 

1938, water-stage recorder at several sites within half a mile of present site at 

various datums.

Average discharge. 36 years (1920-56), 346 cfs (250,700 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,290 cfs June 5 (gage height, 4.20 ft); minimum daily, 30 cfs Feb. 3.

1897, 1903, 1920-56: Maximum discharge, 10,500 cfs June 20, 1937 (gage height, 

7.47 ft, site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 1,500 cfs; minimum daily, 28 cfs Feb. 16, 1933, Nov. 27, 1954.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Slight regulation by upper Sunshine Reservoir beginning May 1940 (capacity, 53,000 acre-ft). 

Diversions for irrigation of about 6,000 acres above station. Records of water temperatures and suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 18-22)

Oct. 1 to May 25 May 26 to Sept. 30

0.8 

1.0 

1.5

40

71

167

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

310

540

900

1.6 

2.0 

2.5

135

250

480

3.0 

3.6

840

1,410

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

76

78

*80

80

78

76

78

74

74

73

69

71

73

71

69

68

68

66

6¥

68

69

69

76

73

66

68

73

69

69

76 

33

2,249

72.5

4,460

Nov.

68 *50~

60

68

57

55

60

57

58

60

61

50

45

40

TO

40

40

40

45

50

55

60

55

55

55

55

55

50

*50

50

1,584

52.8

3,140

Dec.

50

55

55

50

45

40

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

45

50

50

50

50

55

60

70

7575-

70

65

65

65

65

60 

55

1,720

55.5

3,410

Jan.

55

60

5ff

55

55

*55

55

55

*50

50

55

55

55

50

50

50

50

50

50

55

55

55

55

50

50

50

50

50

45

IS 

45

1,620

52.3

3,210

Feb.

40

35

35- 30

35

*35

45

*5050"

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

1,200

41.4

2,380

Mar.

40

*40

40

45

45

45

45

45

50

50

45

40

35

TO

50

60

70

100

130

*130

140

150

160

7®5

160

*160

120

90

*76

76

2,517

81.2

4,990

Apr.

74

65

55

50

*B5

55

52

60

52

74

86

63

80

85

101

108

83

61

*73

92

152

188

167

*160

169

160

158

147

147

141

3,018

101

5,990

May

141

137 156-

152

210

218

198

224

239

224

198

188

181

174

183

202

275

373

546

719

*852

740

860

876

852

776

*760

1,080

1,120

760 

840

14,454

466

28,670

June

1,180

1,270

*1,150

1,240

1.520

784

610

728

744

856

864

938

938

784

965

832

624

652

696

*728

744

645

B56- 554

776

666

624

666

659

704

24,637

821

48,870

July

645

680

624

610

652

645

673

659

666

*704

704

736

688

617

582

610

631

638

638

610

631

624

645

680

652

645

680

696

784

EBT 

610

20,290

655

40,240

Aug.

645

638

624

568

589

659

65?

645

*561

534

534

528

510

498

462

4<>2

4<?8

492

468

426

395

4?0

410

415 4-56

444

450

400

343

330

521

15,334

495

30,410

Sept.

289

268

264

264

*274

278

246

240

243

246

264

309

T9T

158

148

160

268

268

289

293

289

285

285

274

257

260

274

293

297

301

7,775

259

15,420

Calendar year 1955: Max 804 Mln 35 Mean 151 Ac-ft 109,300

Water year 1955-56; Max 1,320 Mln 30 Mean 263 Ac-ft 191,200

Peak discharge (base. 1.750 cfs). June 5 (11 a.m.) 2,290 cfs (4.20 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 2, 3, Nov. 12 to Mar. 28 (no gage-lielght 

record Nov. 14-29; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, weather records, and 

records for nearby stations).
182 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Greybull River near Basin, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°25', long IDS 0 !! 1 , in NW£ sec. 8, T. 51 N., R. 94 W., on left bank

250 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 130, 2 miles upstream from Dorsey Creek, 

and 8 miles west of Basin.

Drainage area. 1,130 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available . April 1930 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,990 ft (by barometer). Apr. 14 to 

"iTept. 30, 1930, chain gage at site 250 ft upstream at datum 2.92 ft higher. Oct. 1, 

1930, to Sept. 20, 1934, chain gage and Sept. 21, 1934, to Apr. 14, 1936, water-stage 

recorder, at site 250 ft upstream at datum 1.92 ft higher. Apr. 15, 1936, to Aug. 13, 

1951, water-stage recorder at site 200 ft upstream at present datum.

Average discharge . 26 years, 178 cfs (129,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,250 cfs July 13 (gage height, 4.66 ft); maximum gage height, 5.16 ft Dec. 24 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 6.5 cfs 

Oct. 26.

1930-56: Maximum discharge, 5,390 cfs Aug. 12, 1941 (gage height, 8.48 ft, site 

then in use), from rating curve extended above 950 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; maximum gage height, 8.60 ft Mar. 26, 1943, site then in use 

(ice jam); no flow at times in 1931-34, 1936, 1939.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gags-height record, 

which are fair. Diversions above station for irrigation of about 39,000 acres. Slight 

regulation by upper Sunshine Reservoir beginning May 1940 (capacity, 53,000 acre-ft).

Revisions (water years). WSP 826: 1936.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Feb. 29 Mar. 1 to Sept. 30

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.4

2.7 

3.0 

3.6

64

145

245

520

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ae-ft

Oct.

8.5

10

9.5

9.5

*11

11

11

13

13

16

16

15

16

16

22_

18

17

13

10

9.5

8.5

B.O

7.0

7.0

7.0

6.5

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.5 

*9.5

347.0

11.2

688

Nov.

12

l¥

16

15

15

14

14

15

13

13

20

35

70

100

110

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

110

1OO

100

2,226

74.2

4,420

Dec.

100

*100

loo

90

90

90

90

90

90

90

90

95

100

90

90

90

90

90

90

100

110

120

150

180 14"0~

110

110

100

90

80

75

3,120

101

6,190

Jan.

7075-

75

*75

75

80

W

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

70

75

75

75

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

70

70

70

2,395

77.3

4,750

Feb.

70

75

80

80

80

*80

80

80

80

80

80

80

85

55

85

70

65

65

65

70

70

70

70

70

75

70

70

60 *S5-

2,155

74.3

4,270

Mar.

65

65

65

70

80

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

85

85

130

*200

210

220

210

220

245 z"3T

203

*154

110

96

96

93

3,686

119

7,310

Apr.

93

~69 107

41

38

41

33

34

48

48

50

54

31

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

*15

16

15

12

940

31.3

1,860

May

10

9.0

8.5

10

11

9.0

9.0

9.0

8.5

11

11

9.0

8.5

8.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

9.0

8.5

14

28

13

*8.5

56

50

28

18

178

504

23T

60

1,362.0

43.9

2,700

June

261

470

*487

32T

482

253

58

28

26

IS

58

74

69

48

91

121

*52

33

27

34

62

157

66

54

148

169

96

64

50

38

3,945

132

7,820

July

36

33

50

50

48

34

15

15

24

17

14

*2T

~3S 190

15

14

14

22

23

16

15

21

16

15

20

15

15

23

38

64

24

955

30.8

1,890

Aug.

28

38

42

41

*34

38

26

24

22

22

22

38

28

15

15

14

21

26

28

34

21

14

18

14

15

18

23

44

31

34

54

842

27.2

1,670

Sept.

56

3?

27

24

23

23

22

18

15

15

16

23

50

54

34

30

26

24

26

23

22

20

20

22

20

18

18

20

26

27

781

26.0

1,550

Calendar year 1955: Max 336 Min 3.9 Mean 49.5 Ac-ft 30,220

Water year 1955-56: Max 504 Min 6.5 Mean 62.2 Ac-ft 45,12O

Peak discharge (base. 1,500 cfs). No peak above base. 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1-6, Nov. 11 to Mar. 23. No gage-height 

record Apr. 14-27; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 183

Dry Creek at Greybull, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°30', long 108 0 03', in sec. 5, T. 52 N., R. 93 W., on left bank half 

a mile north of Greybull and half a mile upstream from mouth.

Records available. April 1951 to December 1953, October 1955 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,780 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Nov. 12, 1952, at site 1 mile upstream at different datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 360 cfs Mar. 19 (gage height. 6.78 ft, backwater 

from ice); maximum gage height, 6.84 ft Mar. 19 (backwater from ice ; no flow Oct. 3-9, 

May 15-19.

1951-53; 1955-56: Maximum discharge, 860 cfs July 17, 1951 (gage height, 4.06 ft, 

site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 500 cfs; maximum gage 

height, that of Mar. 19, 1956; no flow Oct. 3-9, May 15-19, 1956.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions above station for irrigation of about 800 acres.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used June 5 to July 2, Sept. 7-13)

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

.5 

1.5 

3.0 

5.0

3.6

3.7 

4.0 

4.3

8.0

12

33

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.2

.1

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

.4

.4

.3

.1

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.4

^

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.4

.4

6.5

0.21

13

Nov.

*0.

'A

.3

TF

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3 -.3

.3

.3

.6

.8

1.0

2.0

4.0

7.0

8.0

8^

7.0

7.0

52.4

1.75

104

Dec.

*7.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

10

T§- 15

15

15

15

13

12

10

261.0

8. 42

518

Jan.

To" 10

10

*10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

9.0

8.0

7.0

7.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

6.0

5.0

4.5

4.0

261.5

8.44

519

Feb.

4.0

4.0

4.0

5.0 5~0

**5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

3^

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3,0

3.0

3.0

3.0

*3.0

115.0

3.96

228

Mar.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.0 r^r

2.0

2.0

2.0

10

20

60

*90

80

60

35

20

10

7.0

5.0

4.0

*4.0

4.0

4.5

4.6

458.1

14.8

909

Apr.

.6

.4

.2

.4

.4

.0

.0

.0

.0

.2

4.4

4.6

4.4

19

12

7.7

4.0

4.0

3.8

3.4

3.8

4.4

5.6

5.6

4.4

*5.0

4.6

3.0

1.5

1.5

148.9

4.96

295

May

1.4

1.5

1.4

.1

.6

.4

.3

.2

.5

**.2

**.2

.3

.2

.2

*0

0

0

*0

0

.3

.4

.6

**.2

.2

.4

.4

1.3

.6

8.4

To

2.7

32.0

1.03

63

June

3.2

4.6

3_.0 *OJ

29

23

22

13

22

22

34

31

29

32

36

53

43

37

*41

34

36

52

46

29

52

53

37

33

34

36

927.8

30.9

1,840

July

39

41

47

46

44

24

17

22

17

16

14

*16

23

20

12

10

5.3

5.9

5.0

STS

6.5

8.4

8.0

9.2

14

13

16

22

33

47

35

645.1

20.8

1,280

Aug.

23

35

54

62

*42

38

39

40

31

30

31

36

31

19

18

14

11

IT

30

28

18

14

13

12

15

22

32

39

37

31

38

900

29.0

1,790

Sept.

30

24

20

22

24

26

22

*23

23

28

28

31

34

17

11

8.8

17 8.4

22

22

22

31

32

25

22

22

20

19

19

17

670.2

22.3

1,330

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft

Water year 1955-56: Max 90 Mln 0 Mean 12.2 Ac-ft 8,890

Peak discharge (base. 550 efs). Mar. 19 (6 p.m.) 360 cfs (6.78 ft).

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Oct. 24 to Mar. 30 (no gage-height record Nov. 13- 

19, Dec. 3 to Feb. 29, Mar. 6-18; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements, 1 field 

estimate of flow, and weather records).

459735 O -58 - 13
184 YELLOWSTOME RIVER BASIN

Shell Creek near Shell, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°34', long 107°42', in sec. 17, T. 53 N., R. 90 W., on right bank 

if miles upstream from White Creek and 5 miles northeast of Shell.

Drainage area. 148 sq mi.

Records available.--January 1941 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,367.20 ft above mean sea level (U. S. 

Bureau of Public Roads benchmark).

Average discharge. 15 years, 120 cfs (86,940 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 1,190 cfs June 1 (gage height, 4.88 ft); minimum daily, 22 cfs Dec. 29.

1941-56: Maximum discharge, 3,020 cfs June 24, 1945 (gage height, 7.49 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 1,600 cfs; minimum daily, 18 cfs Mar. 5, 7, 1950, Jan. 30, 

31, 1951.

Remarks. Records good. Diversions above station for irrigation of abcut 100 acres. 

Revisions (water years). WSP 1239: 1941, 1945(M).

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and 

discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.4 

1.6 

2.0 

2.5 150

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

4.5

280

460

690

980

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

44

44

43

42

*42

43

42

43

41

40

41

41

40

41

42

41

42

43

42

44

45

TI

44

41

44

41

44

40

44

43

*42

1,313

42.4

2,600

Nov.

32

29

44

51

45

40

41

42

42

44

42

30

25

IS

29

33

44

51

53

51

49

44

40

42

41

42

35

42

42

42

1,227

40.9

2,430

Dec.

41

*40

38

37

38

43

41

40

40

39

39

39

35

30

38

43

41

38

41

40

40

41

44

44

40

39

40

37

22

IS

i§

1,216

39.2

2,410

Jan.

 55 42

39

*39

38

38

37

37

37

37

37

37

37

37

34

34

38

38

38

37

37

37

37

37

35

37

38

35

32 "55

34

1,145

36.9

2,270

Feb.

35

35

40

40

40

40

*39

38

40

40

40

40

40

39

38

40

41

4U

39

40

40

40

40

40

39

39

40

39

*38

1,143

39.4

2,270

Mar.

36

36

38

37

36

35

34

36

37

35

30

35

39

37

37

38

40

40

42

43

43

43

45

47

49

46

*39

35

34

37 

36

1,195

38.6

2,370

Apr.

36

34

34

34

34

28 55

34

34

36

36

36

36

40

42

45

45

45

47

53

58

60

35

51

49

*52

53

51

53

51

1,293

43.1

2,560

May

51

50

35

51

65

68

74

94

118

132

107

112

96

86

92

98

146

208

310

512

890

932

*956

932

980

962

*974

890

725

685 

776

12,225

394

24,250

June

914

165

764

740

725

585

440

448

460

452

396

370

342

324

298

277

241

262

232

*212

229

235

215

182

172

164

156

150

146

159

11,130

371

22,100

July

134 is?

132

120

113

110

107

104

99

98

94

*99

92

87

81

80

68

78

84

84

84

84

81

78

77

77

78

77

76

76 

69

2,853

92.0

5,660

Aug.

78

77

76

74

71

*70

68

65

63

60

59

83

87

93

B5

76

66

59

55

53

51

50

51

51

51

56

54

52

49

47 

49

1,982

63.9

3,930

Sept.

48

48

47

47

47

47

47

*47

45

44

44

44

44

45

45

45

45

44

44

44

44

44

43

43

43

42

42

42

41

4T

1,336

44.5

2,650

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,260 mn 22 Mean 117 Ac-ft 84.73C

Water year 1955-56: Max 98O Mln 22 Mean 104 Ac-ft 75.50C

Peak discharge (base. 750 of a). June 1 (3 a.m.) 1.19O cfs (4.88 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Mote. Mo gage-height record Aug. 3O to Sept. 7, Sept. 14-30; discharge estimated on basis of recorded range in stage.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 185

Bighorn River at Kane, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 44°45', long 108 0 12', in sec. 9, T. 55 N., R. 94 W., on right bank 2 miles 

upstream from Five Springs Creek and 6-J miles south of Kane. Prior to May 17, 1956, at 

site 12|- miles downstream.

Drainage area. 15,900 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. August 1928 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,660 ft (from Fairchild Aerial Survey 

map made for the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation). Prior to Apr. 25, 1932, chain gage on 

highway bridge 12-| miles downstream at different datums. Apr. 25, 1932, to Nov. 25, 

1943, water-stage recorder 150 ft upstream from bridge at different datum. Nov. 26, 

1943, to May 16, 1956, water-stage recorder 26 ft downstream from bridge at different 

datum.

Average discharge. 28 years, 2,288 cfs (1,658,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 4,950 cfs May 27 (gage height, 3.80 f';); maximum 

gage height observed, 9.88 ft Feb. 25 (backwater from ice, site and datum then in use); 

minimum daily discharge, 716 cfs May 8, 9, 18.

1928-56: Maximum discharge, 25,200 cfs June 16, 1935 (gage height, 11.10 ft, site 

and datum then in use); minimum daily, 179 cfs July 22, 1934.

Maximum stage known, 14.8 ft Sept. 30, 1923, sites and datum of April 1932 to May 

1956.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 275,000 acres above station. Some regulation by Boysen Reservoir since October 1951 (see p. 237). Records of chemical analyses, water temperatures, 

and suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect ( 

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. £5 to Nov. 15, Apr. 26, 

May 4-16, 27-29)

Oct. 1 to May 16 May 17 to Sept. 30

2.9

3.0 

4.0 

5.0 

5.5

710

770

1,400

2,190

2,650

1.1 

1.5 

2.0 

3.0 

3.7

7OO 

1,040 

1,640 

3,430 

4,950

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1955

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1.650

1,410

1,390

*1,140

*1,190

1.020

1,060

1,070

1,070

1,120

1,120

1,080

1,110

1,120

1,230

1,180

1,150

1,170

1,250

1,260

1,200

1,320

1,320

1,340

1,330

1,350

1,340

1,390

1,410

1,340

1,440

38,550

1,244

76,460

Nov.

*1,380

1,360

1,800

*2,170

2,170

1,570

1,990

980

l,TfO~

1,850

1,910

2,370

1,930

1,930

1,010

1,200

*1,400

2,100

2.500

2,100

2,000

2,000

1,500

1,900

1,900

1,700

1,800

2,000

1,900

*2 , 000

53,890

1,796

106, 900

Dec.

2.000

2,100

2,200

2,100

2,000

2,300

2,200

2,400

2,500

2,400

2,500

2,300

2,200

2,400

2,500

2,400

2,600

2,700

2,800

2,700

2,400

2,600

2,800

3,000

3.200

2,800

*2,400

2,000

2,500

2,600

2,600

76,200

2,458

151,100

Jan.

2.600

2,600

2,400

2,200

2,200

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

*2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,300

2,200

2.100

2,100

2,100

75,300

2,429

149,400

Feb.

2,100

1.800

2,000

2,100

2,100

2,100

2,100

2,300

2,600

2,600

2,600

2,600

3,000

3,200

3,200

3,000

2,900

2,700

2,600

2,500

2,600

2,700

2,700

2,700

5.500

2,900

2,500

2,500

*2 , 300

74,300

2,562

147.4OO

Mar.

2,300

2,400

2,600

2,700

5.100

3,000

3,000

2,800

2,800

2,500

2,200

2,000

2,000

2,000

2,000

2,000

2,000

2,400

*2,700

2,400

2,200

2,100

2,060

2,240

2,240

2,080

2,020

*1,830

1,710

1.630

1,630

70,640

2,279

140,100

Apr.

1.650

1,630

1,620

1,590

1,560

1,550

1,530

1,550

1,530

*1,560

*1,540

1,550

1,510

1,480

1,450

1,400

1,400

1,370

1,400

*1,380

1,350

1,360

1,390

1,430

1,410

*1,360

1,250

1,220

1,220

1.190

43,410

1,447

86,100

May

1,170

1,120

986

884

860

842

734

*716

716

764

1,010

998

914

878

902

950

*724

716

1,010

1,570

2,780

3,990

*4,420

4,450

*4,310

4,630

*4,720

4.770

4,540

3,930

3,630

64,634

2,085

128,200

June

3,690

4.270

4,180

3,820

3,760

3,730

2,800

2,190

2,120

2,190

2,290

2,240

2,140

1,970

1,890

2,020

2,340

2,040

*2,140

*1,900

1,810

2,240

2,050

1,820

1,780

1,840

1,700

1,260

1,240

1.150

70,610

2,354

140, 100

July

1,090

1,060

1,080

1.150

1,140

1,100

959

887

869

*878

836

*812

914

941

836

780

788

756

748

748

748

756

788

*860

796

780

772

764

820

941 

950

27,347

882

54,240

Calendar year 1955: Max 6,360 Min 560 Mean 1,925 Ao-ft 1,392,000

Aug.

844

844

869

887

860

*844

836

804

812

*860

852

828

878

820

780

780

756

825

860

914

932

887

860

852

828

836

878

1,070

1,490

1,500 

1.510

28,391

916

56,310

Sept.

1,540

1,610

1,640

1,660

1,720

1,740

*1,810

*1,810

1,820

1,840

1,820

1,840

1,870

2.040

1,820

1,820

1,810

1,820

1,820

1,790

1.490

1,780

1,820

1,840

1,820

1,720

1,790

1,790

1,840

1,900

53,430

1,781

106,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 4,770 Min 716 Mean 1,849 Ao-ft 1,342,OOO

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 17 to Mar 

daily wire-weight-gage readings Oct. 1 to May 16.

22. Discharge computed from twice-
186 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Shoshone River below Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44"31'00", long 109°05'50", in lot 71, sec. 3, T. 52 N., R. 102 W., on 

left bank half a mile downstream from Trail Creek, 1 mile west of Cody city limits, 

and 5| miles downstream from Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

Drainage area. 1,570 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. January 1921 to September 1956. Prior to October 1944, published as 

"below Shoshone Reservoir."

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,900 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Oct. 1, 1949, at site 2| miles upstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 35 years, 1,234 cfs (894,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 5,770 cfs June 17 (gage height, 8.10 ft); minimum daily, 306 cfs Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 1-19.

1981-56: Maximum discharge, 14,700 cfs May 28, 1928 (gage he Wit, 10.62 ft, site 

and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 7,500 cfs; minimum daily, 

14 cfs Nov. 19, 1933.

Maximum flood known since construction of Buffalo Bill Reservoir, 18,700 cfs 

June 15, 1918, by computation of flow over dam.

Remarks. Records good. Plow completely regulated by Buffalo Bill Reservoir (see p. 237). 

ETveYsions above station for irrigation of about 20,000 acres above and 40,000 acres 

below station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, 

and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

4.5 

5.0

175

330

540

820

1,190

6.0 

7.0

8.0

8.1

2,150

3,580

5,550

5,770

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2 

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13 

14

15

16

17 

18

19

20

21

ZZ

23 

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

784

790 

790

*790

790

790

796

796

796

869

974

974

974 

981

712

465

410 

342

350

358

354

354

350 

346

323

323

326

326

326

326

326

18,210

587

36,120

Nov.

*323

326 

326

326

326

326

326

326

326

326

326

326

326 

326

326

326

326 

326

326

326

326

326

320 

312

309

306

356

309

309

309

9,649

322

19,140

Dec.

 306

306 

306

306

306

306

306

306

306

306

306

306

306 

306

306

306

306 

306

306

346

418

414

m422

422

422

418

418

382

330

10,718

346

21,260

Jan.

394

338 

334

338

338

*338

338

338

338

338

338

338

338 

338

338

338

342 

342

346

402

446

446

513 

646

7 IS

718

718

724

724

736 ct- 0

658

13,939

450

27,650

Feb.

560

"555 

5SO

575

575

575

*575

575

580

585

585

585

585 

585

585

585

580 

580

580

580

580

580

585 

590

595

595

595

595

595

16,900

583

33,520

Mar.

590

 590 

590

590

590

590

595

595

595

600

595

658

855 

682

555

555

555 

555

550

545

545

545

540 

540

540

540

540

*540

540

545

545

17,995

580

35,690

Apr.

550

897

855

808

834

890

890

841

808

808

808

834 

890

890

890

820 

848

834

890

897

904

904

*9Tl

904

890

890

890

890

25,570

852

50,720

May

890

195 

946

1,030

1,030

1,030

1,030

1,180

1,530

1,540

1,540

1,530

1,540 

1,540

2,120

2,890

3,080 

3,100

3,150

3,160

3,210

 3,230

3,310 

3,370

3,400

3,470

3,530

3.550

3,520

3,500

3,480

72,316

2,333

143,400

June

3.500

3,550 

3,610

3,600

3,580

3,580

3,520

3,580

3,600

3,610

3,630

3,650

3,650 

3,630

3,610

*5,050

*5.750 

5,370

4,880

5,220

5,590

5,190

4,550 

4,210

4,390

4,450

4,610

4,900

5,110

5,180

128,350

4,278

254,600

July

4.840

4,430 

4,050

3,560

3,130

3,010

3,000

3,060

3,040

3,060

*3,010

3,000

2,980 

2,790

2,630

2,400

2,250 

2,060

1,950

1,840

1,770

1,720

1,650 

1,580

1,500

1,430

1,470

1,630

1,550

1,480

1.400

77,290

2,493

153,300

Aug.

1.350

1,320 

1,310

1,320

1,320

1,320

1,320

1,320

1,320

1,310

1,310

1,310

1,310 

 1,300

1,300

1,300

1,300 

1,300

1,300

1,300

1,300

1,100

m918

918

918

918

918

918

932

36,896

1,190

73,180

Sept.

946

946 

946

946

946

946

939

 932

932

932

932

932

932 

"925 925

925

925 

925

925

925

925

925

925 

925

925

925

925

932

932

932

27,953

932

55,440

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,580 Min 191 Mean 742 Ac-ft 537,100

Water year 1955-56: Max 5,750 Min 306 Mean 1,245 Ac-ft 904,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 187

Shoshone River at Byron, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°47', long 108°31', in sec. 35, T. 56 N., R. 97 W., on left bank at 

Byron, 450 ft downstream from highway bridge and three-quarters of a mile dovnstream 

from Coon Creek.

Drainage area.--2.300 sq ml, approximately. 

Records available.--January 1929 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 3,960 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

A~pr. 23, 1932, chain gage at bridge 450 ft upstream at same datum.

Average discharge.--27 years, 931 cfs (674,500 acre-ft per year).

Extrerc es. Maximum discharge during year, 5,880 cfs June 21 (gage height, 4.62 ft); minimum daily, 360 cfs Oct. 26.

1929-56: Maximum discharge, 13,900 cfs June 25, 1932 (gage height, 6.45 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 9,500 cfs; maximum gage height, 8.12 ft Jan. 29, 1949 

(ice jam); minimum discharge observed, 29 cfs Feb. 14, 1932 (discharge measurement).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Diversions 

above station for irrigation of about 133,000 acres. Flow regulated by Buffrlo Bill 

Reservoir (see p. 237).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of loe effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Nov. 11, Nov. 21-27, 

May 20 to June 1, Sept. 21-30)

1.7 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

355

540

1,030

1,680

3.5 

4.0 

4.6

2,530

3,730

5,800

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 195>

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Tota:

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

464

477

464

»440

422

440

440

446

404

366

377

410

416

434

464

533

458

422

410

410

404

388

382

388

377

360

3BT

372

410

399

12,982

419

25,750

NOV.

*394

T55

416

416

410

404

410

422

484

491

464

460

460

460

460

480

480

480

480

480

491

519

4T3T

477

458

452

491

500

500

»500

13,829

461

27,430

Dec.

491

484

480 4"50

480

480

480

480

480

480

500

526

526

519

519

519

540

570

612

720

730

683

750" 854

608

596

596

600

600

52 O

500

17,373

560

34,460

Jan.

572

556

548

519

*498

491

491

491

491

512

484

151

484

484

491

484

512

556

556

505

491

526

540

604

780

780

790

800

832

920

9j42

18,214

588

36,130

Feb.

821

810

810

854

SET

740

»740

730

720

730

730

750

730

730

730

780

821

854

821

760

'BSB" 665

701

740

683

674

674

665

674

21,656

747

42,950

Mar.

»674

683

692

701

683

683

683

683

401

683

730

730

730

865

770

720

740

843

920

SET

780

760

780

790

760

692

647

»629

620

612

596

22,434

724

44,500

Apr.

612

596

730

'556" 986

898

953

975

975

898

887

887

821

843

887

887

865

810

760

740

730

790

730

604

*580

596

564

BITT

572

604

23,330

778

46,270

May

596

638

638

701

710

720

674

526

715

740

665

596

604

596

750

1,580

1,860

1,880

1,930

1,940

2,040

*2,080

2,040

2,090

2,140

2,230

2,32O

2,490

2.650

2,590

2,630

44,384

1,432

88,030

June

2,570

2,51O

2,550

*2,550

2,380

2,340

2,210

2,210

2,230

2,290

2,250

2,180

2.180

2,230

2,510

3,170

5,240

*5,050

4,520

4,450

5.61O

5,610

4,660

4,060

3,880

3,940

3,820

3,940

4,130

4,060

101,330

3,378

201,000

July

5.820

3,326

3,O20

2,610

2,290

2,110

1,970

2,060

2,110

*2,060

2,020

2,040

2,020

1,930

1,8OO

1,670

1,460

1,260

1,090

942

832

832

821

683

612

533

750" 477

854

854 

701

49,551

1,598

98,280

Aup.

692

629

656

656

683

701

638

629

647

740

790

832

865

730

»H74

629

638

821

843

951

909

832

512

458

477

505

519

470

484

519 

564

20,673

667

41,000

Sept.

604

S55

588

588

556

»548

540

548

533

548

533

491

458

452

458

477

484

458

446

440

470

512

519

498

446

422

455

428

452

498

15,013

500

29,780

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,070 Win 244 Mean 512 Ac-ft 370,500

Water year 1955-56: Max 5,610 Min 360 Mean 986 Ac-ft 715,600

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 12-20, 28-30, Dec. 3-11, 17-18, 28-31.
188 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Sage Creek near Lovell, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°51', long 108°27 I , in sec. 8, T, 56 N., R. 96 W., on right bank 200 ft 

downstream from bridge on D. S. Highway 310, ij miles upstream from mouth, and 3 miles 

west of Lovell.

Records available. April 1951 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,870 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge. 5 years, 100 cfs (72,450 acre-ft per year).

Extremes,. Maximum discharge during year, 491 cfs June 21 (gage height, 4.04 ft); minimum daily, 14 cfs Feb. 1.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 769 cfs July 10, 1951 (gage height, 5.00 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 360 cfs by logarithmic plotting; minimum daily, 10 cfs 

some days during winter period of 1952.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

220

218

210

210

*206

200

200

196

182

167

153

173

200

208

212

220

151

112

98

91

92

92

92

92

94

90

90

81

77

73

TL

4,572

147

9,070

Nov.

*70

70

76

TT

71

71

70

66

65

63

59

50

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

45

47

50

50

50

50

50

50

45

40

*38

1,597

53.2

3,170

Dec.

38

38

38

35

32

32

33

34

35

35

35

33

31

28

25

25

25

25

25

25

27

28

29

30

30

30

30

30

25

22

22

930

30.0

1,840

Jan.

22

22

22

23

*24

25

55

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

20

17

T7

17

17

18

20

20

20

20

20

20

18

17

17

17

658

21.2

1,310

Feb.

14

T5

15

15

15

15

*15

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

17

18

18

17

16

454

15.7

900

Mar.

*16

17

17

20

20

17

17

17

17

17

16

15

15

15

15

15

20

30

*40

50

45

40

39

38

37

37

37

37

*37

39

36

828

26.7

1,640

Apr.

44

37

40

44

37

27

 2T 24

31

30

56

45

43

51

55

55

56

58

59

59

58

59

58

66

78

*92

122

120

136

159

1,806

60.2

3,580

May

141

130

110

111

99

92

88

83

5T

92

118

162

157

128

105

91

90

90

90

94

105

110

*102

108

110

123

128

146

173

180

T Of\ iou

3,623

117

7,190

June

175

160

167

*164

162

167

162

146

150

171

175

148

133

T53

169

173

186

208

204

*192

"3"10" 341

284

282

282

280

269

238

208

186

6,045

202

11,990

July

T9~5 198

190

186

192

167

158

166

169

*162

158

171

164

146

TB75

151

150

146

150

158

155

158

157

158

166

162

158

169

171

167

167

5,110

165

10,140

Aug.

173

T55

190

190

*196

198

200

218

230

251

247

232

226

204

202

212

218

249

258

275

240

264

275

269

273

289

308

'2Tfi3

269

282

28O

7,404

239

14,690

Sept.

266

260

269

262

271

258

*240

245

234

234

228

232

230

240

238

236

247

249

243

238

218

186

179

T88

196

180

186

196

212

216

6,877

229

13,640

Calendar year 1955: Max 269 Kin 13 Mean 101 Ac-ft 73,260

Water year 1955-56: Max 341 Kin 14 Mean 109 Ac-ft 79,160

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Mote.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 27 (no gage-height record Nov. 12 

to Mar. 19j discharge estimated on basis of 5 discharge measurements and weather records).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 189

Bighorn River near St. Xavier, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°19', long 107°56', in NE£ sec. 17, T. 6 S., R. 31 E., on right bank 

50 ft upstream from diversion dam of Bighorn Canal of Crow Agency, 5 miles downstream 

from Black Canyon Creek, and 15| miles southwest of St. Xavier.

Records available. October 1934 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,170 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge. 22 years, 3,542 cfs (2,564,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 8,820 cfs June 22; minimum daily, 1,230 cfs 

Nov. 17.

1934-56: Maximum discharge, 37,400 cfs June 16, 1935; minimum, 228 cfs Dec. 9, 1937.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Figures of 

discharge given herein are sum of flow over diversion dam and that diverted by Bighorn 

Canal. Major regulation by 14 reservoirs in Wyoming with combined usable storage of 

about 1,400,000 acre-ft (for records of storage in Bull Lake, Buffalo Bill and Boysen 

Reservoirs see p. 237). Diversions for irrigation of about 375,000 acres above station.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6 

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

2,440

2,580

2,460

2,430

2,280

2,220 

2,120

2,120

2,120

2,090

1,990

1,980

2,080

2,170

2,200

2,260

2,300

*2,240

2,020

2,000

1,980

2,010

2,020

2,020

2,070

2,020

2,050

2,050

2,120

2,120

2,120

66,680

2,151

132,300

Nov.

2,070

2,080

2,120

2,230

2,240

2,180 

2,110

1,990

1,810

2,150

2,220

2,150

1,950

1,850

1,750

1,550

1,230

1,650

1,860

2,960

3,160

*5,360

2,660

2,760

2,960

2,630

2,330

2,530

2,530

2,330

------

67,400

2,247

133,700

Dec.

2,530

2,530

2,530

2,430

2,230

2.150 

2,130

2,230

2,330

2,430

2,430

2,530

*2,430

2,430

2,430

2,450

2,230

2,330

2,430

2,630

2,720

2,620

2,920

3,520

4,020

4.520

3,800

2,500

2,220

2,520

2,220

81,400

2,626

161,500

Jan.

1,790

2,090

2,220

2,060

2,120

2,400 

2,780

3,020

3,020

3,300

3,220

3,220

3,540

3,500

3,220

5,120

2,720

2,640

2,780

5,180

5,220

5,120

3,120

3,120

3,120

3,220

2,820

2,920

2,820

2,520

2,120

87,660

2,828

173,900

Feb.

1,690

1,690

1,840

1,960

2,110

*2,740 

5,110

3,210

3,210

3,110

3,160

5,210

3,160

3,110

3,010

2,810

2,610

2,610

2,910

3,010

3,110

3,170

3,530

4,060

4,370

4,510

5,650

3,010

3,090

------

86,770

2,992

172,100

Mar.

3,570

3,610

3,650

3,750

3,850

4,510 

3,750

3,530

3,410

2,610

1,710

2,010

1,910

2,010

2,510

2,850

3,150

5,130

*3,790

4,470

4,510

3,970

5,210

5,050

5,250

5,210

3,090

2,970

2,770

2,630

2,560

98 , 960

5,192

196,500

Apr.

2,510

2,460

*2,450

2,570

2,770

2,740 

2,650

2,650

2,650

2,670

2,650

2,570

2,610

2,550

2,500

2,490

2,410

2,410

2,410

2,380

2,310

2,280

2,310

2,280

2,190

2,130

2,150

2,040

2,010

2,040

- -----

72,720

2,424

144,200

May

2,010

2,000

1,910

1,850

1,880

1,850 

1,760

*1,740

1,620

1,920

2,030

2,070

2,000

1,870

1,770

2,000

2,940

3,110

3,140

3,780

4,540

6,030

7,000

7,360

7,390

7,640

7,400

7,920

8,090

7,830

6,870

121,520

5,914

240,600

June

6,650

7,080

7,190

7,070

6,870

6,950 

6,850

*5,580

5,550

5,640

6,000

5,820

5,700

5,600

5,400

5,710

7,240

8,080

7,560

6,600

6,760

7,700

7,820

6,500

5,940

5,970

5,980

6,060

5,810

5,850

------

195,130

6,438

383,100

July

5,580

5,470

4,900

4,340

4,120

3,780 

3,650

3,450

3,550

5,450

3,500

3,180

3,250

3,160

5,070

*2,840

2,660

2,470

1,950

2,100

2,240

2,120

2,190

2,190

2,110

1,970

1,890

1,810

2,100

2,500

2,500

95,670

3,022

185,800

Aug.

2,2FO

2,110

2,040

2,OFO

2,200

2,160 

2,130

2,060

2.0FO

2,OZO

2,160

2,2CO

2,2CO

2,230

l,9fO

1,820

1.7FO

1.8FO

2,060

2,150

*2,310

2,310

2.1FO

l,8fO

1,820

1,810

l,9fO

2,130

2.3ZO

2 , 640

2,620

65,410

2,110

129, 7CO

Sept.

2,720

2,880

2,890

2,920

2,850

2,920 

2,880

2,920

2,920

2,850

3,100

*2,S50

2,850

2,860

2,910

2,800

2,840

2,840

2,820

2,780

2,650

2.400

2,750

2,820

2,880

2,760

2,610

2,680

2,760

2,790

------

84,500

2,817

167,600

Calendar year 1955: Max 7,540 Mln 1,190 Mean a, 701 Ac-ft 1,956,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 8,090 Mln 1,230 Mean 3,059 Ac-ft 2,221,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 3-8, 10-16, Nov. 18 to Dec. 15, Dec. 18-26, 

30, 31, Jan. 15-17, 21-26, 28-31, Feb. 7-21, 26, Mar. 9-15.
190 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 

Little Bighorn River at State line, near Wyola, Mont.

Location.--Lat 45°01i, long 107°37', in SW^-NWi sec. 36, T. 9 S., R. 33 E., on right bank 

half a mile north of Montana-Wyoming State line, 1 mile downstream from North Fork, and 

13 miles southwest of Wyola.

Drainage area.--199 sq mi.

Records available. March 1939 to September 1956. Prior to October 1940, published as 

Little Horn River at State line, near Wyola.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,450 ft (from topographic map). 

Average discharge.--17 years', 143 cfs (103,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 936 cfs May 28 (gage height, 3.64 ft); minimum, 

STTcTs Mar. 11 (gage height, 1.65 ft).

1939-56: Maximum discharge, 2,730 cfs June 3, 1944 (gage height, 4.87 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 800 cfs; maximum gage height recorded, 5.93 ft June 9, 1944 

(log Jam); minimum discharge, 21 cfs Dec. 27, 1954.

Remarks. Records good. No known diversion above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to June 5 June 6 to Sept. 30

1.7 

1.9 

2.1 

2.4 136

2.7 

3.1 

3.5

240

490

810

1.9 

2.2 

2.6

60

127

238

3.0 

3.5

415

810

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

73

73

73

75

75

73

75

76

76

76

82

76

76

76

76

75

75

75

*73

71

71

71

68

68

70

68

70

66

70

70 

67

2,259

72.9

4,480

Nov.

58

61

68

71

70

66

67

67

70

71

68

46

36

40

37

40

45

55

65

J34

78

71

64

67

66

64

58

*57

61

63

1,834

61.1

3,640

Dec.

66

66

58

56

51

64

67

63

63

62

61

62

S6

41

*45

58

56

49

50

60

67

67

66

64

62

61

61

59

42

44

50

1,797

58.0

3,560

Jan.

60

62

58

58

58

58

57

57

56

56

56

56

57

56

46

42

55

56

56

57

59

57

57

54

*52

54

54

48

40

40

42

1,674

54.0

3,320

Feb.

40

45

52

58

62

60

58

56

57

58

58

56

56

55

42

36

48

48

52

56

60

59

57

56

55

52

52

53

54

1,551

53.5

3,080

Mar.

54

54

54

54

54

*54

50

56

55

50

38

T5

55

54

54

57

54

54

55

55

55

55

56

58

61

62

59

56

55

56

57

1,690

54.5

3,350

Apr.

59

56

55

56

56

54

54

56

55

55

*56

55

56

58

61

64

63

63

63

67

73

73

67

67

66

66

66

64

64

63

1,831

61.0

3,630

May

63

64

67

66

76

82

85

108

*126

154

131

128

115

102

104

120

166

224

280

364

420

448

522

586

594

594

634

802

778

650

610

9,263

299

18,370

June

626

602

570

546

546

482

*409

379

355

342

324

310

294

282

270

260

248

248

232

222

232

226

207

198

195

190

184

178

*175

,173

9,505

317

18,850

July

170

168

173

162

157

155

152

144

142

137

137

137

134

130

127

125

*125

122

120

117

115

113

113

110

110

110

110

108

108

108

105

4,044

130

8,020

Aug.

103

103

101

98

97

96

94

94

94

94

94

92

89

87

85

87

87

~94 105

39

85

*82

82

82

82

82

87

89

87

96

89

2,825

91.1

5,600

Sept.

85

aS

80

80

82

80

78

76

76

74

76

80

*80

80

78

76

76

74

74

74

76

76

74

74

74

74

74

76

78

74

2,311

77.0

4,580

Calendar year 1955: Max 702 Min 35 Mean 136 Ac-ft 98,430

Water year 1955-56: Max 802 Min 36 Mean 111 Ac-ft 80,480

Peak discharge (base. 510 cfs).--May ze (11:30 p.m.) 936 cfs (3.64 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 18, 19, Dec. 19, 20, Dec. 30 to Jan. 

Jan. 16, 19, 20, Jan. 24 to Feb. 8, Feb. 15-21, 26-28.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 191

Pass Creek near Wyola, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°03', long 107°21', in sec. 13, T. 9 S., R. 35 E. , on right bank 100 ft 

upstream from highway bridge, 1 mile downstream from Twin Creek, 5 miles south of 

Wyola, and 6 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area.--119 sq mi.

Records available. June 1935 to September 1956 (winter records incomplete prior to 

1939) , discontinued.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,860 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Dec. 21, 1950, wire-weight gage on highway bridge 100 ft downstream at same datum.

Average discharge.--18 years (1938-56), 36.1 cfs (26,140 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 247 cfs May 29 (gage height, 2.34 ft); maximum 

gage height, 3.87 ft Mar. 19 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 0.1 cfs Aug. 1 

(gage height, 0.57 ft).

1935-56: Maximum discharge observed, 1,150 cfs June 4, 1944 (gage height, 4.82 ft), 

from rating curve extended above 400 cfs; maximum gage height observed, 6.22 ft Mar. 25, 

1943 (ice jam); no flow Aug. 3, 9, 10, 1935 (pool stage).

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 2,500 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height. In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.0

4.0

8.0

19

1.2 

1.5 

2.0 176

310

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

7.2

7.6

8.0

8.0

7.6

12

17

17

15

14

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

*15

15

15

15

16

16

15

15

17

17

17

16

17

439.4

14.2

872

Nov.

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

16

15

14

13

14

15

16

16

17

18

16

14

*13

14

15

15

12

14

15

16

468

15.6

928

Dec.

16

16

15

14

13

14

15

14

14

14

13

14

13

12

*ii

13

12

11

12

14

14

15

15

14

13

12

12

12

11

12

12

412

13.3

817

Jan.

13

15

14

15

M

15

14

15

14

15

15

15

15

15

13

14

15

15

16

16

16

16

16

16

*15

15

14

14

13

12

13

455

14.7

902

Feb.

13

12

13

15

16

16

16

15

14

14

14

14

14

13

12

12

14

16

16

16

16

17

18

20

23

20

19

18

19

455

15.7

902

Mar.

22

20

22

25

23

*22

21

23

23

20

18

20

23

25

22

25

30

40

50

55

60

65

65

61

54

51

39

26

23

29

28

1,030

33.2

2,040

Apr.

31

30

26

29

45

32

28

28

28

35

36

*32

36

31

29

27

25

25

25

24

23

23

25

24

24

22

23

22

21

21

828

27.6

1,640

May

21

20

21

21

19

17

17

18

21

*51

46

58

42

36

32

29

30

36

41

47

51

91

81

67

62

59

64

115

233

154

154

1,794

57.9

3,560

June

128

109

96

88

81

*76

70

62

57

50

44

38

36

36

37

35

35

35

32

30

35

37

30

25

26

25

23

21

18

JL6

1,431

47.7

2,840

July

16

17

21

18

16

14

13

12

11

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

8.0

*9.0

8.0

8.0

7.6

7.2

6.4

4.8

2.6

.5

75

.8

.5

.8

.5

273.2

8.81

542

Aug.

0.2

.8

.5

.2

.5

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.2

.8

.8

.5

.5

.5

.5

.2

.2

1.9

3.0

5.6

7.E

*4.8

4.0

3.6

4.4

4.8

5.6

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.4

82.7

2.67

164

Sept.

6.0

6.0

5.6

6.4

7.6

8.0

7.2

8.5

7.2

6.4

6.8

6.0

6.8

*7.2

6.8

5.6

5.2

5.6

6.0

6.4

7.6

9.0

9.5

975

9.5

8.5

9.0

8.5

7.6

9.0

219.0

7.30

434

Calendar year 1955 : Max 175 Mln 1.2 Mean 31.3 Ac-ft 22,680

Water year 1955-56 : Max 233 Mln 0.2 Mean 21.6 Ac-ft 15,640

Peak discharge (base. 100 efs).--May 22 (10 a.m.) 106 cfs (1.68 ft); May 29 (3 p.m.) 247 cfs 

(2.34 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 2, 3, Nov. 10 to Mar. 22.
192 YELLOW3TONE RIVER BASIN

Little Bighorn River below Pass Creek, near Wyola, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°11', long 107°23', in WjsWi- sec. 35, T. 7 S ., R. 35 E. , on right bank 

2u miles downstream from Pass Creek and 3| miles north of Wyola.

Drainage area. 429 sq mi.

Records available. March 1939 to September 1956. Prior to October 1940, published as 

Little Horn River below Pass Creek, near Wyola.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,600 ft (from topographic map). 

Average discharge. 17 years, 188 cfs (136,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 1,200 cfs May 29 (gage height, 4.41 ft); minimum 

daily, 40 cfs Dec. 15; minimum gage height, 1.19 ft Aug. 15.

1939-56: Maximum discharge, 3,200 cfs June 4, 1944 (gage height, 7.00 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 1,500 cfs; minimum, 27 cfs Sept. 9, 1940 (gage height, 

0.87 ft).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 7,700 acres above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 1, 

June 8 to Sept. 30

Mar. 2 to June 7

1.2 

1.6 

2.0

105

179

2.5 

3.0

329

527

1.4 

1.8 

2.5

149

335

3.5 

4.5

749

1,240

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

99

98

96

90

90

99

105

108

105

102

108

110

105

102

99

99

99

100

*99

99

100

98

99

98

99

98

104

99

100

99

104

3,110

100

6,170

Nov.

96

94

99

107

107

104

107

105

107

111

115

95

90

80

10

90

100

110

120

150

120

110

100

110

105

100

105

*110

105

115

3,117

104

6,180

Dec.

120

T05

105

100

95

100

110

115

115

105

110

100

105

80

»40

80

100

90

100

110

120

120

110

105

100

95

95

100

95

85

90

3,100

100

6,150

Jan.

100

100

110

100

100

96

95

95

90

90

85

85

85

80

70

65

85

100

100

110

110

110

105

105

*105

100

95

85

75

80

85

2,895

93.4

5,740

Feb.

85

90

100

110

115

115

110

110

105

105

110

110

100

100

90

75

95

95

95

100

110

130

140

150

130

125

115

115

130

3,155

109

6,260

Mar.

140

125

141

160

132

*113

101

104

106

101

94

90

110

105

115

108

216

315

411

400

299

208

199

192

172

164

147

127

115

122

120

5,052

163

10,020

Apr.

132

134

125

138

180

149

128

128

125

128

*130

127

123

123

122

120

120

116

116

115

116

120

123

120

115

113

Tie

115

113

116

3,746

125

7,430

May

113

112

115

116

120

132

127

134

*153

332

242

248

206

180

170

166

187

232

281

328

432

472

519

565

594

565

590

795

1^140

1,020

860

11,246

363

22,310

June

'758" 805

708

648

598

548

*464

412

377

359

362

336

315

285

279

266

245

251

224

221

233

260

239

192

189

172

149

146

140

131

10,312

344

20,450

July

126

136

157

121

121

105

93

92

90

86

88

84

74

72

66

71

75

*76

78

84

86

85

86

76

63

60

65

66

67

78 

82

2,710

87.4

5,580

Aug.

58

52

55

57

52

54

51

56

56

55

58

58

58

57

51

52

52

62

66

65

65

61

56

*57

57

61

66

74

72

78

74

1,846

59.5

3,660

Sept.

68

68

70

75

81

82

78

78

78

78

78

75

76

*78

75

75

72

70

66

61

55

58

60

61

60

65

63

62

62

63

2,091

69.7

4,150

Calendar year 1955: Max 726 Mln 40 Mean 168 Ac-ft 121,800

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,140 Min 40 Mean 143 Ac-ft 103,900

Peak discharge (base, 580 cfa).--Mar. 17 (9 p.m.) 598 cfs (3.17 ft); May 29 (10 to 12 a.m.) 

1,200 efs (4.41 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 2, Mar. 12-15.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 193

Lodgegrass Creek above Willow Creek diversion, near Wyola, Mont.

Location. Lab 45°07' , long 107°36', In W^NWi sec. 19, T. 8 S., R. 34 E., on left bank 

half a mile upstream from Willow Creek diversion canal, lj miles downstream from 

Spring Creek, and 10 miles west of Wyola.

Drainage area. 83 sq ml, approximately.

Records available. March 1939 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 4,360 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 17 years, 43.6 cfs (31,570 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 427 cfs May 29 (gage height, 4.45 ft); minimum 

dally, 9 cfs Feb. 14-16.

1939-56: Maximum discharge, 762 cfs June 4, 1944 (gage height, 5.68 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 400 cfs; minimum dally, 3.0 cfs Jan. 17, 18, 25, 30, 31, 

1950, Jan. 15, 16, 1954.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of loe effect or of no gage-helfht record, 

which are poor. Diversions for Irrigation of about 400 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of loe effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.7

1.8

1.9

9.0

14

23

2.5 

3.5 

4.5

108

268

437

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4 

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12 

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

16

16

15

14 

14

15

15

15

13

13

14

13 

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

*14

14

14

15

14 

14

15

16

16

16

15 

14

448

14.5

889

Nov.

13

12

13

14 

14

14

15

15

15

1Z

17

15 

13

11

IP.

11

12

13

14

15

14

14

*12

13 

12

11

10

11

12

13

395

13.2

783

Dec.

12

12

11

11 

1°

11

12

12

12

12

12

M11 *n

1110

1011

12

13

12

11

11 

11

11

12

13

12

11 

11

356

11.5

706

Jan.

12

12

13

14 

!§

15

14

14

14

14

14

14 

14

13

12

11

12

13

13

13

13

13

12

12 

12

12

11

11

10

To 

11

393

12.7

780

Feb.

11

11

12

12 

13

12

*12

12

12

12

12

11 

10

9

9

9

10

10

11

12

12

13

13

13 

13

13

14

14

14

341

11.8

676

Mar.

15

15

15

16 

15

15

*16

15

13

12

11

13

14

13

13

13

14

17

25

35

27

30

35

35 

30

25

20

18

17

19

589

19.0

1,170

Apr.

19

19

16

17 

18

17

17

17

17

17

*18

18 

17

16

16

15

15

15

16

16

17

18

18

18 

18

18

18

18

18

18

515

17.2

1,020

May

17

17

18

18 

18

18

18

21

*31

88

43

42 

39

35

33

33

41

53

70

83

92

102

130

159 

167

154

164

252

406

328 

268

2,958

95.4

5,870

June

271

265

244

225 

222

190

*164

148

140

129

122

114 

106

100

95

89

82

78

76

71

74

67

62

59 

59

55

53

49

48

.46

3,503

117

6,950

July

46

46

46

42 

39

38

36

34

31

30

30

30

28

27

24

24

*23

23

23

22

22

21

20

20 

JL8

18

18

19

19

20 

18

855

27.6

1,700

Aug.

17

16

17

16 

15

15

15

16

15

15

14

14 

14

14

14

14

14

20

19

18

16

*15

13

if

12

14

14

13

15 

15

463

14.9

918

Sept.

13

13

13

it

13

12

12

11

11

10

10

*11

12

11

11

12

11

10

10

11

11

12

11 

11

12

12

12

13

12

351

11.7

696

Calendar year 1955: Max 210 Mln 6 Mean 37.2 Ac-ft 26,910

Water year 1955-56: Max 406 Mln 9 Mean 30.5 Ac-ft 22,160

Peak discharge (base. 270 cfs).--Hay 29 (9 a.m.) 427 cfs (4.45 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Mar. 22 to Apr. 10; discharge estimated on basis of records for Pass 

Creek near Wyola. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12-20, Nov. 23 to Mar. 7, Mar. 10- 

19.
194 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Little Bighorn River near Crow Agency, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°34', long 107°27', in E|SE£ sec. 13, T. 3 S., R. 34 E., on right bank 

at Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad bridge, 2 miles south of Crow Agency and 

14 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 1.190 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. April 1912 to September 1924, August 1928 to Decembe- 1932, April 

1938 to September 1956 (few winter records in earlier years). Octobe- 1915 to September 1940 published as Little Horn River near Crow Agency.

Gagje.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,045.00 ft above mean sea level, datum 

of 1929. Apr. 11, 1912, to Sept. 30, 1918, staff or chain gage; Oct. 1, 1918, to 

Sept. 30, 1924, Aug. 26, 1928, to Sept. 30, 1930, water-stage recorder; Oct. 1, 1930, 

to Dec. 5, 1932, Apr. 1, 1938, to May 6, 1947, wire-weight or chain gage; all at same 

site and datum.

Average discharge. 20 years (1928-39, 1931-32, 1938-56), 260 cfs (188,200 acre-ft per 

year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,960 cfs Mar. 22 (gage height, 8.33 ft); maximum gage height, 10.60 ft Mar. 32 (ice jam); minimum discharge, 35 cfs Aug. 27 (gage 

height, 3.92 ft).

1912-24, 1928-32, 1938-56: Maximum discharge observed, about 8,200 cfs July 23, 

1923 (gage height, 14.0 ft); no flow July 28 to Aug. 6, 1921.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for "irrigation of about 13,700 acres above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 23-27, June 2-26)

3.9 

4.1 

4.5 148

5.0 

6.0 

7.5

300

780

1,560

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13 

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

73

82

82

82

78

74

82

85

96

91

91

93

105 

98

96

91

89

89

93

*100

98

102

105

110

112

112

119

126

124

124

129

3,031

97.8

6,010

Nov.

129

126

114

122

138

136

136

136

136

138

143

120

110 

100

90

100

115

120

130

150

140

130

120

115

125

115

105

*105

125

130

3,699

123

7,340

Dec.

135

140

125

120

110

115

125

130

130

130

125

125

120 

»120

100

80

90

110

100

120

130

140

145

160

145

130

110

110

110

105

100

3,735

120

7,410

Jan.

95

105

120

T20

115

115

115

110

110

110

105

105

110 

110

100

90

85

95

110

120

120

120

120

115

115

115

110

105

100

95

100

3,360

108

6,660

Feb.

105

110

120

130

140

140

*130

125

125

120

120

125

125

115

115

105

95

110

115

115

130

140

150

160

170

160

150

145

140

3,730

129

7,400

Mar.

160

150

160

180

190

170

150

130

125

120

115

110

105 

125

150

175

250

400

500

700

1,000

1,300

1,450

1,120

895

*625

485

349

258

221

218

12,066

389

23,930

Apr.

235

261

258

229

242

289

254

215

204

196

193

196

193 

182

179

176

170

168

165

162

156

159

162

165

165

165

162

165

159

159

5,784

193

11,470

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,200 Min 40 Mean 220

May

162

156

159

159

165

165

170

170

*182

238

595

412

376 

300

261

238

215

226

258

300

376

510

555

*620

685

695

655

780

1,140

1.500

1, 280

13,703

442

27,180

June

1.040

945

870

805

*720

670

600

495

403

358

332

320

282 

245

226

215

204

204

207

182

182

207

226

210

187

170

146

114

98

98

10,961

365

21,740

July

122

112

124

159

T24

114

93

62

56

48

45

40

56 

52

43

44

*45

57

58

58

52

58

62

58

54

52

51

76

93

78

85

2,231

72.0

4,430

Aug.

89

69

57

51

45

50

50

50

45

54

50

50

52 

46

48

45

43

56

71

82

82

*65

56

46

38

31

46

57

67

"93 93 

1,783

57.5

3,540

Sept.

96

73

65

67

74

87

93

85

74

73

73

80

*82 

87

93

91

87

85

64

64

56

52

50

46

44

43

43

45

45

46

2,063

68.8

4,090

Ac-ft 159,600

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,500 Min 37 Mean 181 Ac-ft 131,200

Peak discharge (base. 920 efs). Mar. 22 (10 p.m.) 1,960 cfs (8.33 ft); May 30 (7:30 a.m.) 1,590 

cfs (7.59 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 22.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 195

Little Bighorn River near Hardin, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°44', long 107 C 34 I , on line between SE£ sec. 18 and NE£ sec. 19, 

T. 1 S., R. 34 E., on right bank 425 ft upstream from highway bridge, a quarter of 

a mile upstream from mouth, and 2.4 miles east of Hardin.

Records available. June 1953 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,880 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Set. 7, 1953, wire-weight gage on bridge 425 ft downstream at different datvm.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,780 cfs Mar. 23 (gage height, 7.17 ft); maximum gage height, 11.16 ft Mar. 20; minimum discharge, 4.2 cfs Aug. 10 (gage height, 

2.74 ft).

1953-56: Maximum discharge, that of Mar. 23, 1956; maximum gage height, that of 

Mar. 20, 1956 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, that of Aug. 10, 1956.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor, 

for irrigation of about 17,100 acres above station.

Diversions

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 24-27, May 24-30)

Oct. 1 to June 25 June 26 to Sept. 3O

3.5

3.7 

4.4

117

351

5.0 

6.5

625

1,500

2.7

2.8 

3.0 

3.2

3.5 

3.S 

4.0

147

207

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

75

S6

90

88

86

84

84

88

88

96

101

103

103

131

139

120

115

112

*112

115

117

117

128

125 

128

125

134

137

145

137

148

3,457

112

6,860

Nov.

145

139

128

128

142

145

148

148

151

154

154

130

115

105

100

110

120

125

135

150

*125

120

115

120

130

120

110

110

130

135

3,887

130

7,710

Dec.

140

145

130

125

115

120

130

135

135

135

135

130

125

*12O

105

85

95

110

105

115

130

145

150

160

T55

135

115

115

110

105

105

3,855

124

7,650

Jan.

100

HO

125

125

120

115

110

110

110

115

115

110

110

105

100

95

95

100

105

120

115

115

110

120 

120

115

110

105

105

100

105

3,415

110

6,770

Feb.

110

115

125

130

100

*75 100"

120

130

125

120

130

130

125

120

115

105

100

no

120

135

150

155

170 

170

165

155

155

160

3,720

128

7,380

Mar.

170

160

170

185

190

195

165

145

135

130

125

120

115

110

175

200

300

450

600

750

1,100

1,300

1.400

1,080 

9O6

*658

520

406

321

258

241

12,780

412

25,350

Apr.

272

291

306

269

258

291

3O6

255

227

221

207

214

217

210

207

204

197

188

181

172

169

166

166

163 

166

169

169

169

169

166

6,365

212

12,620

May

166

163

160

160

160

160

160

*160

US

221

434

430

390

328

287

255

231

210

231

272

324

406

458

*466 

520

560

565

625

867

1.270

1,270

12,057

389

23,910

June

1.080

955

900

834

757

658

581

480

414

363

340

324

298

266

241

221

207

197

204

201

204

197

234

252 

221

204

169

129

*102

89

11,322

377

22,460

July

89

106

1O6

116

126

98

98

76

65

31

18

18

13

15

16

 16

16

8.4

6.0

16

20

14

15

27 

24

21

13

19

48

80

60

1,394.4

45.0

2,770

Aug.

62

70

46

29

24

20

21

14

15

6.0

1,1

7.2

16

19

13

6.0

12

9.6

12

54

*60

57

36

16 

9.6

11

18

30

31

51

70

850.8

27.4

1,690

Sept.

89

78

65

60

73

76

91

85

73

66

63

*62

69

76

76

82

80

75

71

58

57

45

39

37 

35

33

27

26

31

37

1,835

61.2

3,640

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,250 Mln 18 Mean 222 Ac-ft 160,800

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,40O Min 5.4 Mean 177 Ac-ft 128,800

Peak discharge (base. 1.000 cfs). Mar. 23 (4 a.m.) 1,780 cfs (7.17 ft); May 30 (3:30 p.m.) 1,380 

cfs (6.48 ft),

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 23.
196 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Bighorn River at Bighorn, Mont. 

(Formerly published as Bighorn River near Custer)

Location.-Lat 46°08'50", long 107°27'20", in NE^NE^ sec. 33, T. 5 N R 34 E on 

right bank just downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 10, three-quarters of a mile 

upstream from mouth, 1 mile southwest of Bighorn, and 4 miles east of Custer. Prior 

to Oct. 7, 1955, at site 4 miles upstream.

Records available. May 1945 to September 1956. Published as "near Custer" 1945-55.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,690 ft (by barometer). May 11 to 

Dec 6, 1945, wire-weight gage and Dec. 7, 1945, to Oct. 6, 1955, water-stage recorder, at site 4 miles upstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 11 years, 3,778 cfs (2,735,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum daily discharge during year, 9,490 cfs May 30; maximum gage height 

observed, 6.83 ft Mar. 7 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 1,020 cfs July 29 

(gage height, 1.89 ft, backwater from Yellowstone River).

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 26,200 cfs June 24, 1947 (gage height, 8.79 ft, site 

and datum then in use) , from rating curve extended above 12,500 cfs b;r logarithmic 

plotting; maximum gage height recorded, 10.65 ft Mar. 20, 1947 (ice jam), site and 

datum then in use; minimum discharge, 756 cfs Dec. 13, 1949, corrected (gage height, 

0.89 ft, site and datum then in use).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Major 

regulation by 14 reservoirs in Wyoming and 1 in Montana with combined usable storage 

of about 1,400,000 acre-ft (for records of storage in Bull Lake, Buffalo Bill, and 

Boysen Reservoirs see p. 237). Diversions for irrigation of about 465,000 acres above 

station. Records of chemical analyses, water temperatures, and suspended sediment 

loads for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

2,580

2,670

2,690

2, 620

2,260

2,220

2,140

2,050

2,050

2,050

2,000

1,920

1,920

*2,040

2,090

2,130

2,180

2,240

2,140

2,040

1,970

1,970

2,000

2,000

2,000

2,050

2,050

2,050

2,040

2,050 

2,110

66,320

2,139

131,500

Nov.

2,070

2,050

2,130

2,450

2,480

2,580

2,500

2,480

2,280

2,050

2,430

2,250

2,100

2,000

1,900

1,800

1,700

1,600

1,800

2,200

*3,100

3,200

5,400

3,400

3,000

2,700

2,600

2,500

2,700

2,700

72,150

2,405

143,100

Dec.

2,600

2,700

2,700

2,700

2,500

2,400

2,500

2,300

2,350

2,500

2,600

2,700

2,800

2,700

2,600

2,600

2,600

2,500

2,500

2,700

2,850

3,000

3,000

3,400

4,200

4,800

5.000

*4,650

3,000

2,500 

2,300

90,050

2,905

178,600

Jan,

2,400

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,400

*2,520

2,800

3,000

3,200

3,500

3,500

3,500

5,600

3,600

3,300

3,000

2,800

2,800

2,700

*2,680

3,000

3,300

3,300

3,200

3,000

3,100

3,000

2,900

2,700 

2,500

91,100

2,939

180,700

Feb.

2,200

2,000

1,800

2,000

2,000

2,350

3,000

3,500

3,600

3,600

3,400

3,200

3,400

3,500

3,300

3,200

3,100

3,000

2,950

3,000

3,100

*3,150

3,500

4,000

4,600

4,800

4,600

3,900

3,500

...III

93,250

3,216

185,000

Mar.

3,500

4,000

4,200

4,400

4,400

4,000

4,600

4,100

3,700

3,600

2,900

2.500

2,900

3,000

3,200

3,500

3,800

4,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

*5,700

4,000

3,400

3,200

3,100

3,000

2,950

2,900

2,860 

2,750

115,160

3,715

228,400

Apr.

2,810

2,840

*2,880

2,790

2,840

5,240

3,060

3,000

2,980

3,000

3,040

2,940

2,920

2,920

2,860

2,840

*2,810

2,840

2,940

2,920

2,710

2,660

2,560

2,580

2,540

2,460

2,280

2.220

2,220

2,240

82,940

2,765

164,500

May

2,200

2,180

2,110

2,050

2,040

2,050

2,040

1,930

*1.920

2,220

2,710

2,790

2,730

2,520

2,350

2,130

2,200

2,860

3,080

3,300

3,990

5,130

6,480

7,320

*7,510

7,560

7,640

8,030

8,540

9.490 

9,160

128,260

4,137

254,400

June

*8,120

7,950

8,570

8,860

8,430

8,030

7,950

*6,450

5,550

5,370

5,78O

5,880

5,850

6,100

6,020

6,000

6,320

7,130

7,430

*7,320

7,210

7,700

7,870

7,560

6,730

6,320

6,120

*5,800

5,540

5,420

205,180

6,839

407,000

July

5,250

5,040

4,830

4,580

4,260

3,950

3,620

3,260

*3,060

3,020

2,940

2,790

2,660

2,710

2,690

2,670

*2,540

2,450

2,390

2,180

1,580

1,460

 1,460

1,350

1,310

1,250

1,130

1,030

1,020

1*760

81,530

2,630

161,700

Aug.

1,900

1,880

1,600

1,410

1,410

1,580

*1,530

1,440

1,380

1,360

1,380

1,560

1,810

1,850

1,850

1,710

1,440

1.540

1,470

1,710

1,970

2,130

2,200

2,140

1,900

1,580

1,480

*2,200

2,290

2,310 

2,660

54,470

1,757

108,000

Sept.

2,690

2,790

2,850

2,810

2,790

2,770

2,790

2,790

2,770

2,750

2,640

*2,560

2,520

2,540

2,520

2,620

2,660

2,670

2,690

2,710

2,730

2,690

2,560

2,560

2,620

2,670

2,710

2,670

2,670

2,690

80,480

2,683

159,600

Calendar year 1955: Max 8,350 Min S52 Mean 2,934 Ac-ft 2,124,OOC

Water year 1955-56: Max 9,490 Min 1,020 Mean 3,172 Ac-ft 2,302,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 29. Discharge computed on basis 

f once- or twice-dally wire-weight-gage readings Oct. 1-7, Nov. 3-7, 9-13, Nov. 15 to Feb. 1.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 197

North Pork Tongue River near Dayton, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°45'25", long 107°37'20", in sec. 7, T. 55 N., R. 89 W., on left bank 

half a mile downstream from Hideout Creek and 19J miles southwest of Dayton.

Drainage area. 32.4 sq mi.

Records available. September 1945 to September 1956 (no winter records prior to 1950).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 8,146.70 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929 (Bureau of Reclamation benchmark). Prior to Sept. 28, 1950, at site 300 ft downstream at datum 5.80 ft lower.

Average discharge. 7 years (1949-56), 32.7 cfs (23,690 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 207 cfs June 4 (gage height, 3.27 ft); minimum 

not determined.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 560 cfs May 21, 1948 (gage height, 2.55 ft, site and 

datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 170 cfs; minimum daily, 9 cfs 

Mar. 2, 1954, but may have been less during years of no winter records.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. No diversion above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.2

1.3 

1.6 

2.0

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

100

165

248

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

22

52

*21

16

15

14

13

14

14

15

16

15

15

16

16

16

16

17

17

18

18

19

17

15

16

15

16

13

16

15

14

502

16.2

996

Nov.

*12

12

14

IB- 16

13

14

14

14

14

14

13

10

T2

12

13

14

15

15

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

410

13.7

813

Dec.

13

403

13.0

799

Jan.

12

372

12.0

738

Feb.

11

319

11.0

633

Mar.

10

310

10.0

615

Apr.

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

11

11

12

12

13

13

14

14

15

18

25

2?

20

18

17

17

20

19

19

18

428

14.3

849

May

18

18

18

19

21

23

25

29

35

*39

34

21

17

16

_15

17

22

31

46

63

91

117

153

149

*159

160

168

185

TS5

162

178

2,214

71.4

4,390

June

*196

190

182

*180

174

156

139

131

126

122

116

*113

108

101

96

89

82

80

*75

72

74

68

64

63

62

61

58

57

~SS 56

3,147

105

6,240

July

53B~3

52

49

*48

46

45

44

44

42

42

41

41

40

39

*38

37

36

35

34

34

32

32

31

31

*30

*31

32

32

33

33

1,210

39.0

2,400

Aug.

*3332"

32

31

31

30

29

29

29

29

29

29

28

27

27

27

28

28

26

26

26

25

25

24

?4

24

24

24

24

26 

24

850

27.4

1,690

Sept.

24

24

24

*24

23

22

2?

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

669

22.3

1,330

Calendar year 1955: Max 152 Mln 10 Mean 31.3 Ao-ft 22,650

Water year 1955-56: Max 196 Mln - Mean 29.6 Ac-ft 21,490

Peak discharge (base, 150 ofs).--June 4 (8 p.m.) 207 cfs (3.27 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice most of period Oct. 23 to May 10 (no gage-height 

record Nov. 16-21, Nov. 27 to May 10; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, 

weather records, and records for Tongue River near Dayton).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

South Pork Tongue River near Dayton, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°47', long 107°28', in sec. 33, T. 56 N., R. 88 W., on left bank 60 ft 

downstream from Johnson Creek and 12 miles southwest of Dayton.

Drainage area. 85.0 sq mi.

Records available. September 1945 to September 1956 (no winter records prior to 1950).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 7,621.78 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929 (Bureau of Reclamation benchmark).

Average discharge.--? years (1949-56), 74.3 cfs (53,830 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 1,120 cfs May 28 (gage height, 5.62 ft); minimum not determined.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, that of May 28, 1956; minimum daily, 7.0 cfs Mar. 25, 

Apr. 4, 1955, but may have been less during years of no winter records. 

Maximum stage known, about 6.36 ft, date unknown.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. No diversion above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 26 to June 2)

2.0 

2.5

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.1

170 

290 

44 a 

920

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

302~6

*24

20

20

19

19

21

19

18

20

19

19

20

20

19

19

18

18

20

21

20

19 

17

19

18

19

15

T5

19

18

612

19.7

1,210

Nov.

*18

20

2424"

22

20

21

23

20

21

21

19

15

T7

17

18

19

20

21

20

19

19

19 

20

20

20

17

18

19

19

590

19.7

1,170

Dec.

17

16

511

16.5

1,010

Jan.

> 15

14

449

14.5

891

Feb.

13

12

363

12.5

720

Mar.

' 11

» 10

325

10.5

645

Apr.

10

To

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

11

11

12

13

15

17

18

18

20

30

40

35

30 

28

26

26

30

29

29

29

567

18.9

1,120

May

282~8

28

30

46

58

74

96

121

*143

120

113

86

76

78

93

145

194

276

354

413

459

486 

483

*534

538

577

920

711

590

569

8,467

27.3

16,790

June

*616

569

538

*524

496

420

354

339

330

315

290

*265

252

236

224

205

190

212

*180

166

180

186

156 

139

136

123

114

106

102

J36

8,059

26.7

15,980

July

92

92

1C 3

85

*79

76

73

71

67

65

64

65

65

58

53

*51

50

so

49

46

46

46

43 

42

42

*42

48

42

40

40

44

1,829

59.0

3,630

Aug.

*44

43

43

49

60

58

54

50

47

45

33

26

26

24

24

24

26

41

38

36

26

24

23 

22

22

22

22

24

22

26

27

1,051

33.9

2,080

Sept.

25

2%

21

*21

22

23

21

20

20

19

20

20

19

18

18

17

17

17

16

T3

16

17

17 

16

16

16

16

16

17

16

555

18.5

1,100

Calendar year 1955: Max 771 Mln 7.0 Mean 77.7 Ac-ft 56,240

Water year 1955-56: Max 920 Win _ Mean 63.9 Ac-ft 46,350

Peak discharge (base, 650 cfs). May 28 (2:30 p.m.) 1,120 cfs (5.62 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 22-30, Nov. 12 to Apr. 30 (no gage-height record Feb. 6-20; discharge estimated on basis of weather records and records for Tongue River near 

Dayton).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 

Tongue River near Dayton, Wyo.

199

Location.--Lat 44°51" , long 107 "19' In sec. 11, T. 56 N., R. 87 W., on left bank l£ miles 

upstream from Amsden Creek and 3| miles southwest of Dayton.

Drainage area.--204 sq mi.

Records available.--November 1918 to September 1929, November 1940 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,060 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 26 years (1919-29, 1940-56), 193 cfs (139,800 acre-ft per year), uriadjusted.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,790 cfs May 28 (gage height, 4.90 ft); minimum, 32 cfs Nov. 13 (gage height, 1.41 ft), result of freezeup; minimum gage height, 

1.38 ft Nov. 1.

1918-29, 1940-56: Maximum discharge, 3,400 cfs June 3, 1944 (gage height, 6.45 ft), 

from rating curve extended above 1,300 cfs; minimum daily, 18 cfs Nov. 29, 1919.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Small

diversion above station for Dayton municipal supply. Figures of daily discharge do not 

include water diverted above station by Highline ditch for irrigation.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 26-29, July 1-5)

1.4 

1.6 

1.9 

2.2 

2.5

92

145

230

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

4.5

440

735

1,110

1,530

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

(t)

Oct.

67

63

60

54

53

53

53

54

50

50

53

51

51

53

53

53

51

51

50

55

58

55

50

48

55

51

58

43

58

54

*48

1,656

53.4

3,280

20.6

Nov.

38

40

53

69

67

51

56

59

70

77

69

43

b35

b4O

b40

b48

b55

*b62

b65

b62

b60

b60

59

63

63

64

56

60

69

*69

1,722

57.4

3,420

1.24

Dec.

64

60

59

60

55

58

60

59

60

60

58

62

50

42

56

*69

66

62

70

71

64

63

64

64

62

59

58

56

36

*41

63

1,831

59.1

3,630

0

Jan.

64

60

59

60

60

62

60

60

59

59

59

59

*59

55

47

53

63

59

60

54

56

55

56

58

54

55

58

56

46

47

*53

1,765

56.9

3,500

0

Feb.

50

45

50

57

60

55

55

54

53

54

55

55

54

54

b50

b45

b40

b55

b55

b55

b53

54

54

55

55

55

55

55

55

1,542

53.2

3,060

0

Mar.

*54

54

53

51

53

53

50

50

50

50

49

54

53

50

49

50

50

49

50

51

51

51

54

58

66

56" 67

42

53

62

60

1,643

53.0

3,260

0

Apr.

63

*55

51

50

54

46

49

53

50

55

59

56

*56

64

71

80

83

83

90

103

115

113

95

94

90

97

103

102

102

*94

2,276

75.9

4,510

0

May

97

100

108

98

147

165

195

258

293

376

305

301

240

209

*223

244

337

415

506

599

716

777

812

820

*872

858

925

1.410

*1,24O

1,030

1,010

15,686

506

31,110

0

June

*1,040

1,000

925

880

858

742

638

593

557

540

496

460

*430

410

390

358

333

363

321

E97

321

337

285

258

265

269

262

251

230

209

14,318

477

28,400

13.9

July

206

*209

234

195

186

174

168

161

157

153

149

149

147

137

132

128

126

126

122

117

112

112

106

103

102

100

102

102

 gg- 97

*100

4,310

139

8,550

21.3

Aug.

10O

100

100

97

106

105

103

102

98

98

94

83

80

77

76

74

74

98

92

88

74

71

70

70

70

70

70

71

70

76

*78

2,655

85.0

5,230

19.4

Sept.

70

67

66

66

67

67

64

64

63

62

60

60

60

60

59

56

56

55

55

54

51

53

53

53

51

50

49

51

53

51

1,746

58.2

3,460

16.7

Adjusted for diversion

Mean 

Ac-ft

74.0 

4,550

58.6 

3,490

59.1 

3,630

56.9 

3,500

53.2 53.0 75.9 506 

3,060 3,260 4,510 31,110

491 160 104 74.9 

29,230 9,860 6,420 4,450

Observed

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,140 Mln 29 Mean 161 Ac-ft 116,900 

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,410 Mln 35 Mean 140 Ac-ft 101,400

Adjusted

Calendar year 1955 : Mean 170 Ac-ft 123,200 

Water year 1955-56: Mean 147 Ac-ft 107,100

Discharge measurement made on this day. 

t Diversion above station by Highline ditch, equivalent in cubic feet per second, 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.

459735 O -58 - 14
200 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Little Tongue River near Dayton, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°48 t 45n , long 107°17'00", in sec. 24, T. 56 N., R. 87 W., on right bank 

a quarter of a mile downstream from entrance of main tributary and 4.5 miles south of 

Dayton.

Drainage area. 25.1 sq mi.

Records available.--January 1951 to December 1953, March 1955 to September 1956.

Gage_. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,380 ft (from topographic map).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 161 cfs May 28 (gage height, 2.01 ft); minimum 

daily, 1.0 cfs Aug. 13-16.

1951-53, 1955-56: Maximum discharge, 181 cfs May 23, 1952 (gage height, 2.09 ft), 

from rating curve extended above 120 cfs by logarithmic plotting; minimum daily, that 

of Aug. 13-16, 1956.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Two water 

rights totaling 1.5 cfs (priorities 1883, 1903) for irrigation of 10" acres adjudicated 

for diversion above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

0.1 

1.2

1.3 

1.5

7 3.0 1.7 93

9 8.2 1.9 144

11 15

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

IS

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

1.7

1.7

1.7 *T77

1.7

1.7 

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

2.1

271

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

56.8

1.83

113

Nov.

1.9

 1.9

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1 

2.1

2.1

2.5

2.1

1.9

1.7

bl.6

bl.5

bl.6

bl.7

*bl.8

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.3

2.3

*2.3

59.3

1.98

118

Dec.

2.1

1.1

1.2

1.9

2.3

2.3

1.9

2.1

2.1

2.3

2.1

bl.7

bl.6

bl.5

bl.7

bl.5

bl.8

b2.1

2.1

*2.1

2.1

2.5

2.6

273

2.3

2.3

2.3

bl.7

b2.0

2 3

62.0

2.00

123

Jan.

2.1

1.9

*1.7

1.7

1.7

1.9

1.9 

2.1

2.3

2.3

2.3

*2.1

1.7

bl.5

bl.4

bl.8

bl.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

bl.8

bl.6

bl.4

bl.7

bl . 9

57.2

1.85

113

Feb.

*b2.0

bT7§

bl.8

bl.7

bl.6

bl.6

1.6 

1.6

1.6

*1.6

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.6

*bl.4

bl.2

bT74

bl.5

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.9

.9

48.1

1.66

95

Mar.

 1.7

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

bl.5

bl.4 

1.6

1.6

bl.5

bl.4

bl.2

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.9

2.3

2.1

2.3

2.6

3.0

3.5

4.2

372

2.8

2.6

2.6

2 . 6

64.9

2.09

129

Apr.

3.2

*2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6 

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.6

2.8

2.6

*2.8

3.2

4.2

4.4

4.2

4.2

4.7

5.2

6.0

675

5.2

.9

.7

.9

.9

.4

.7

* .4

114.9

3.83

228

May

4.4

4.7

4.9

5.2

6.8

7.6 

9.6

12

15

23

23

26

22

20

*20

24

34

44

54

62

65

70

*70

65

69

65

70

124

*122

117

105

1,364.2

44.0

2,700

June

103

*103

95

89

85

*78 

74

69

69

65

64

*60

55

50

43

36

33

30

25

20

20

17

16

15

14

13

13

12

11

10

1,387

46.2

2,750

July

10

10

^.9

9.3

8.8 

8.2

7.6

7.4

6.8

6.S

6.5

6.2

5.7

4.9

4.4

3.7

4.0

3.7

3.7

3.5

3.0

2.6

2.5

275

2.6

2.6

2.8

2.6

2.5

2 5

168.3

54.3

334

Aug.

*2.3

2.3

2.3

1.9

1.9

1.7 

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0 1.1

1.6

1.9

1.7

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.1

2.1

1.9

2.1

2.1

49.8

1.61

99

Sept.

1.9

1.7

1.9

*2.1

2.3

2.3 

2.1

1.9

1.

1 -

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

1.

49.1

1.64

97

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 124 Mln 1.0 Mean 9.50 Ac-ft 6,900

Peak discharge (base. 100 efs). Hay 28 (1 p.m.) 161 cfs (2.01 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b State-discharge relation affected by ice.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 201

Wolf Creek at Wolf, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°36'30", long 107°14'00", in sec. 4, T. 55 N., R. 86 W., on left bank at 

Wolf, half a mile downstream from Red Canyon Creek.

Drainage area. 37.8 sq mi.

Records available. April 1945 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,550 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

Eb May 26, 1945, staff gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 11 years, 28.3 cfs (20,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 586 cfs May 28 (gage height, 3.93 ft); minimum 

daily, 3.7 cfs Mar. 12.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, that of May 28, 1956, from rating curve extended above 

310 cfs; minimum daily, 1.8 cfs Feb. 26, 1947.

Maximum stage known, about 5.00 ft May 18, 1944.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. One small diversion above station for irrigation of hay meadow during 

spring runoff only.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 21-27, June 17-22)

.9

1.2 

1.5

3.2 

4.9 

7.4

2.0 

2.5

3.0 

3.6

168

286

470

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 195S

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

8.1

77e

7.4

*7.4

7.8

7.8

7.8

8.1

7.2

7.4

8.1

8.1

8.1

7.8

7.8

7.4

7.4

7.2

6.9

7.4

7.8

7.4

7.4

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

6. 4

772

7.2

6. 9

232.1

7.49

460

Nov.

5.9

*5.9

6.4

6.9

6.9

6.2

6.4

6.6

6.6

7.2

6.6

4.6

3.9

4.7

4.9

5.2

5.2

5.9

6.6

6.6

6.4

6.4

6.2

6.2

5.9

b5.6

b5.4

5.6

5.6

5.6

178.1

5.94

353

Dec.

*5.6

5.6

5.6

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.9

b5.2

b5.6

5.9

5.9

5.9

b5.8

b5.8

b5.8

*5.9

6.2

6.4

6.6

674

6.2

6.2

6.2

b4.5

bS.O

5.4

177.6

5.73

352

Jan.

5.4

5.2

*4.9

4.9

4.9

5.2

5.2

5.2

4.9

5.2

5.2

5.2

*5.2

5.2

b4.5

4.9

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

b4.5

b4.7

4.9

5.0

160.5

5.18

318

Feb.

*5.1

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.1

5.0

4.8

*4.8

4.8

5.0

*4.9

4.9

b4.5

b4.0

bTTT

b4.2

b4.2

b4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

133.4

4.60

265

Mar.

4.2

*4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.0

4.1

4.2

4.1

4.0

3.8

3.7

379

4.0

4.0

4.3

4.5

4.7

4.8

*5.1

5.4

6.6

7.2

7.4

9.2

9.9

8.8

7.4

6.9

6.6

6. 4

166.0

5.35

329

Apr.

7.4

6.4

6.4

*6.2

679

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.9

7.4

7.4

*8.1

9.9

13

15

15

14

15

17

18

19

17

16

16

16

17

16

15

15

352.6

11.8

699

May

15

15

16

16

20

24

26

35

42

52

51

55

48

46

*46

51

70

88

107

123

136

147

*154

153

176

160

183

456

417

*333

278

3,539

114

7,020

June

258

*240

210

192

172

144

121

112

105

100

91

84

80

76

72

67

64

72

*62

57

61

60

51

47

46

42

38

36

33

11

2,824

94.1

5,600

July

30

29

*30

26

25

25

24

22

22

22

21

21

20

19

18

17

17

17

16

15

15

15

14

14

13

14

14

13

13

13

12

586

18.9

1,160

Aug.

12

T2

*12

11

9.9

10

10

10

10

10

10

9.6

9.6

8.8

8.8

8.5

8.5

11

12

11

9.2

8.5

8.1

7.4

774

7.4

7.8

8.8

8.5

9.6

9.6

297.0

9.58

589

Sept.

8.5

7.4

7.8

7.4

8.5

*8.1

7.2

6.9

6.4

6.6

6.9

6.9

7.2

6.6

6.4

6.2

6.4

6.4

5.9

5.6

6.2

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.6

7.2

6.9

204.6

6.82

406

Calendar year 1955: Max 178 Mln 3.0 Mean 24.4 Ac-ft 17,650

Water year 1955-56: Max 456 Mln 3.7 Mean 24.2 Ac-ft 17,550

Peak discharge (base. 180 cfs). May 28 (4 p.m.) 586 cfs (3.93 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.

Note. No gage-height record Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, Feb. 5-13, Feb. 21 to Mar. 20; discharge estimated 

on basis of 5 discharge measurements and weather records.
202 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

East Goose Creek near Big Horn, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 44°32'50", long 107°13'00", In NE£ sec. 21, T. 53 N., R. 86 W., on right 

bank at upper end of Park Reservoir, about 500 ft upstream from Cross Creek and 

14^- miles southwest of Big Horn.

Drainage area. 20.9 sq mi.

Records available. October 1953 to September 1956.

_. Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage is 8,270 ft (from 

topographic map). Supplementary water-stage recorder at site a quarter of a mile upstream at different datum used for periods of backwater from Park Reservoir at regular 

gage, since June 15, 1955.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 511 cfs May 28 (gage height, 3.44 ft); minimum 

daily, 2.5 cfs Apr. 4, 6-8.

1953-56: Maximum discharge, 552 cfs June 14, 1955 (gage height, 3.75 ft); minimum 

daily, 2.0 cfs Mar. 26 to Apr. 10, Apr. 12-14, 1955.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. No diversion above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge. In cubic feet per second)

(Backwater from Park Reservoir June 3 to July 24)

.7

1.0 

1.5 

Z.O 

3.0 

3.5

50

122

205

405

525

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Bay

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

2B

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

6.2

5.9

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5,3

5.3

5.1

5.6

*6.5

6.2

5.9

5.9

5.9

5.9

5.3

5.3

5.9

5.9

5.9

5.9

5.3

*5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

174.3

5.62

346

Nov.

5.3

5.3

4.9

5.1

4.9

4.6

4.6

4.4

4.4

4.4

4.2

4.0

3.8

3.6

5.5

3.7

3.9

4.1

4.3

4.0

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.B

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.B

3.8

3.8

125.0

4.17

248

Dec.

3.8

378

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.B

3.5

3.5

3.3

3.3

3.1

3.5

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.3

3.5

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.0

2.9

2.B3~7T

10B.9

3.51

216

Jan,

3.1

3.1

3.8

4.0

375

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.1

2.B

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.B

2.8

2.8

2.6

776

2.B

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.B

2.8

2.8

2.B

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

91.4

2.95

1B1

Feb.

2.7

278

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.B

2.B

2.8

2.8

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

83.9

2.89

166

Mar.

2.8

^78

2.B

2.B

2.8

2.B

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.B

2.8

2.6

276

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.8

*2.8

2.6

84.2

2,72

167

Apr.

2.8

2.6

2.6

2.5

¥78

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.6

3.0

3.0

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

3.0

3.1

3.3

3.5

4.4

4.9

5.6

5.6

5.6

6.2

7.5

7.8

7.5

7.2

7.2

123.0

4.10

244

May

7.5

778

8.1

7.8

11

13

14

22

32

42

40

39

32

26

27

28

43

32

138

205

2B1

*319

307

*284

332

340

345

441

28B

237

4,258.2

137

8,450

June

321

338 214"

305

*336

239

148

169

192

203

*190

180

171

167

159

148

114

»144

126

120

120

98

75

70

BO

78

80

78

75

70

4,B88

163

9,700

Jvly

65

58

56

51

47

 47

47

42

38

36

36

37

35

33

29

28

27

*26

24

22

21

21

21

19

19

19

18

19

20

19

16

998

32.2

1,980

Aug.

17

 16

14

12

11

11

10

9.8

9.5

10

10

10

9.5

9.5

8.8

9.1

9.5

18TI

14

12

11

9.8

9.1

8.8

8.8

10

10

9.5

10

11

346.7

11.2

6B8

Sept.

11

9.8

9.1

9.5

»9.5

9.1

8.1

7.8

7.5

7.2

7.5

7.5

7.8

7.8

7.2

7.2

6.8

6,8

6.B

6/5

6.5

7.2

7.2

6.8

6.5

6.2

T7f

6.8

7.2

6.8

227.9

7.60

452

Calendar year 1955: Max 430 Mln 2.0 Mean 33.3 Ac-ft 24,080

Water year 1955-56: Max 441 Mln 2.5 Mean 31.4 Ac-ft 22,840

(2.80 Peak ft). discharge (base, 175 cfs).--May 28 (12 m.) 511 cfs (3.44 ft); June 5 (1:30 a.m.) 456 cfs 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note_.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Oct. 29, 30, Nov. 10-12, Dec. 28-30, Jan. 31 to 

Feb. 2. No gage-height record Nov. 13-29; discharge estimated on basis of weather records.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 203

Cross Creek near Big Horn, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°31'20", long 107°12'20", in NEij sec. 34, T, 53 N., R. 86 W., on left 

bank about 200 ft upstream from Big Horn Reservoir and isj miles southwest of Big Horn.

Drainage area. 10.9 sq mi.

Records available. October 1953 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage is 8,770 ft (from 

topographic map).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 140 cfs June 4 (gage height, 2.87 ft); minimum 

daily, 1.2 cfs Apr. 1-9.

1953-56: Maximum discharge, 178 cfs May 21, 1954 (gage height, 2.47 ft); minimum 

daily, 0.6 cfs Mar. 26 to Apr. 14, 1955.

Remarks Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. No diversion above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height. In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

.9

1.4 

2.0 

2.9 

5.0

1.1 

1.5 

2.0 

3.0 153

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1955

Day

1 

2

3

4

5 

5

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

25

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

2.7 

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.2

3.0

*3.9

375

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.6

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

*2.4

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.2

2.2

2.2

79.7

2.57

158

Nov.

2.2 

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.1

271

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

55,8

2.19

131

Dec.

2.2 

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2,2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.0

270

2.0

2.0

66.0

2.13

131

Jan.

2.0 

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1 . 7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7 

1.7

56.4

1.82

112

Feb.

1.6 

176

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

45.8

1.58

91

Mar.

1.4 

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

41.9

1.35

83

Apr.

fcf

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.9

2.3

2.4

2.2

2.1

2.1

46.0

1.53

91

May

2.2 

273

2.4

2.3

3.8

4.0

6.0

9.0

13

12

11

9.0

7.6

8.0

8.3

9.0

15

30

50

70

90

85

*80

83

86

90

 102

66 

*79

1,115.9

36.0

2,210

June

108 

108

103

104

*115 

83

55

60

65

69

*64

59

54

51

51

45

36

*39

34

32

32

32

24

21

22

20

20

20

20

19

1,563

52.1

3,100

July

18 

18

16

14

13 

*12

12

12

11

10

11

12

11

9.9

9.6

9.2

8.5

*8.2

7.8

7.1

6.8

6.4

6.0

5.7

6.0

4.0

4.4

5.7

6.0

6.4 

6.4

294.1

9.49

583

Auj.

6.0 

*6.8

7.1

6.0 

5.4

5.0

4.6

4.4

4.2

4.4

4.2

4.0

3.5

3.5

5.5

5.5

5.3

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.4

4.O

3.7

3.5

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.5

3.3

3.7 

3.7

132.5

4.27

263

Sept,

3.7 

3.5

3.3

3.3

*3.3

5.1

2.9

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.7

2.5

2.5

2.4

274

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

80.5

2.68

160

Calendar year 1955: Max 156 Mln O.6 Mean 11.6 Ac-ft 8,39O

Water year 1955-56: Max 113 Mln 1.2 Mean 9.80 Ac-ft 7,110

. Peak discharge (base. 100 cfs).--May 28 (ll a.m.) 157 cfs (2.84 ft); June 4 (12 p.m.) 140 cfs 

(2.87 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Oct. 1-25, Jan. 18 to May 27; discharge estimated on basis of 5 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for station on East Goose Creek. Stage-discharge 

relation affected by Ice Oct. 31 to Nov. 11, Nov. 16-21.
204 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

West Goose Creek near Big Horn, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°36'45", long 107°17'50", in KW^ sec. 36, T. 54 N., R. 87 W., on right 

bank about quarter of a mile downstream from Twin Lakes Branch and 16 miles west of 

Big Horn.

Drainage area. 24.4 sq mi.

Records available. October 1953 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 8,440 ft (from topographic map).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 582 cfs May 28 (gage height, 4.32 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 380 cfs; minimum daily, 3.8 cfs Mar. 29.

1953-56: Maximum discharge, that of May 28, 1956; minimum daily, 1.0 cfs Oct. 4-6, 

1954.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of shifting control, which are fair, and 

those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, which are poor. Some regulation by Twin Lake (capacity, 1,200 acre-ft) and Dome Lake Reservoir (capacity, 

1,800 acr.e-ft). No diversion above station.

Rating tatles, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect or shifting 

control (gage height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per seiond)

Oct. 1 to May 21 May 22 to Sept. 30

0.9

1.0

1.1 

1.4

3.3 

4.6 

6.9

1.7 

2.0 

2.5

58

126

1.1 

1.3 

1.5 

1.7 

2.0

4.1

7.7

13

23

49

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.2

120

202

304

560

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

9.2

8.7

10

9.5

8.2

8.2

7.9

7.7

7.7

7.7

7.9

*6.9

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.6

4.8

5.1

5.1

5.5

4.8

*4.6

4.6

4.5

475

4.5

4.5 

4.5

190.0

6.13

377

Nov.

4.2

4.5

5.0

6.0 577

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.8

5.5

5.0

4.5

4.3

4.0

4.3

4.7

5.0

5.4

5.2

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

152.1

5.07

302

Dec.

4.8

4.8

4.5

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.7

4.5

4.4

4.3

4.4

4.3

4.2

4.3

4.5

4.7

4.9

5.3

572

5.1

5.0

4.9

4.9

4.8

4.6

4.7

144.1

4.65

286

Jan.

4.8

4.9

5.0

5.2

5.1

5.1

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.5

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

141.7

4.57

281

Feb.

4.3

473

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.1

121.9

4.20

242

Mar.

4.0

4.2

4.5

4V7

4.4

4.0

3.8

4.0

4.0

125.6

4.05

249

Apr.

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.2

4.5

4.7

4.6

4.6

5.0

6.0

7.0

9.0

9.0

8.0

9.0

11

13

13

12

11

12

13

14

13

12

11

238.6

7.95

473

May

11

IT

14

13

20

25

30

35

40

46

45

47

40

35

35

40

50

60

80

80

90

*94

112

254

431

439

467

551

467

343

*315

4,321

139

8,570

June

e366

e401

e366

e340

*e315

e265

e210

6202

178

146

*192

190

178

163

157

141

141

*146

144

125

122

117

80

68

66

71

72

75

75

70

5,182

173

10,280

July

66

59

58

58

53

*49

45

47

38

36

34

39

40

37

37

38

48

*45

40

40

44

43

42

39

33

36

36

35

34

34

34

1.317

42.5

2,610

Aug.

31

*18

34

34

27

26

25

25

25

26

26

25

24

24

23

23

26

29

27

26

26

29

28

35

27

17

13

12

6.7

6.1

5_a

728.9

23.5

1,450

Sept.

5.7

7.7

6.7

6.3

*7.7

7.9

7.5

7.3

7.3

6.5

6.3

6.1

8.2

7.3

5.4

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.7

4.6

4.9

7.5

5.5

4^4

5.5

5.9

5.9

5.4

8.4

8.4

189.7

6.32

376

Calendar year 1955: Max 471 Mln 2.3 Mean 33.7 Ac-ft 24,410

Water year 1955-56: Max 551 Mln 3.8 Mean 35.1 Ac-ft 25.5OO

Peak discharge (base. 130 cfs). May 28 (6 p.m.) 582 cfs (4.32 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

e Shifting-control method used.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected ty Ice Oct. 27 to Nov. 6, Nov. 11-29, Dec. 3, 4, Dec. 

to Jan. 4. No gage-height record Feb. 7 to May 22; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge 

measurement, weather records, and records for nearby stations.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 205

Goose Creek near Sheridan, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°42', long 107°11', in sec. 35, T. 55 N., R. 86 W., on right bank half a 

mile upstream from Cave Creek and 14 miles southeast of Sheridan.

Drainage area.--120 sq mi.

Records available.--September- 1929 to September 1956.

gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,530 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 27 years, 82.0 cfs (59,410 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,630 cfs May 28 (gage height, 4.65 ft); minimum 

daily, 3.1 cfs Nov. 12.

1929-56: Maximum discharge, 1,900 cfs June 18, 1937 (gage height, 4.89 ft); minimum 

daily, 1.6 cfs Nov. 29, 1954.

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Natural

flow of stream affected by transbasin diversions, storage reservoirs, diversions for irrigation and return flow from irrigated areas (for details on adjudication of diversions, 

see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Revisions.--WSP 1006: Drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.0 

1.5

2.0 

5.3 

7.7

71

1.8 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

4.6

108

144

290

490

1,110

1,590

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

18

15

15

*15

13

12

11

12

13

13

16

17

16

14

14

7.0

877

9.7

9.7

12

12

12

13

12

11

10

12

9.6

10

11

10

383.7

12.4

761

Nov.

3.5

*5.1

17

15

13

9.7

12

14

13

15

12

3.1

575

15

11

13

12

12

14

14

14

13

11

12

*11

11

11

12

11

11

345.4

11.5

685

Dec.

*11

11

11

10

10

10

10

9.4

10

12

12

13

10

9.7

13

13

13

13

13

13

*13

13

14

14

13

12

12

11

3.5

14

11

361.6

11.7

717

Jan.

12

11

11

11

*11

10

10

10

10

11

11

11 *n

10

7.2

12

12

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

b7.7

b7.0

b8.5

314.4

10.1

624

Feb.

*blO

bio

blO

blO

blO

10

9.

9.

9.

*9.

9.

9.

9.

9.

9 .

9.

9.

8.

8.

8.

8.

8.

8.

8.

7.

8.

8.

8. C

8.0

- ..-.-

262.1

9.04

520

Mar.

.7

* .7

.7

.2

.2

.7

.0

. 2

.2

.5

.0

.7

.2

.2

.O

.0

.7

5

775

7.7

7.0

8.4

10

13

19

25

20

12

10

11

11

291.0

9.39

577

Apr.

13

10

9.4

*11

11

7.8

11

11

12

14

13

13

15

19

22

27

27

26

28

35

40

40

33

31

33

36

38

35

33

31

685.2

22.8

1,360

May

31

*35

38

36

59

70

76

98

113

126

121

128

110

101

*102

114

156

200

245

249

286

300

*311

405

635

832

1,300

1.560

1,400

*1,080

904

11,221

362

22,260

June

877

*838

858

981

960

858

610

413

341

276

377

369

337

297

233

206

223

217

*200

171

168

184

128

105

90

94

89

87

83

76

10,746

358

21,310

July

72

68

*63

61

55

50

45

47

38

34

32

37

38

35

33

33

41

41

37

38

42

43

41

40

41

49

46

44

43

44

43

1,374

44.3

2,730

Aug.

43

29

*37

39

36

36

43

50

46

46

45

43

38

37

36

34

38

47

45

38

33

33

32

43

39

31

26

24

20

1919"

1,125

36.3

2,230

Sept.

17

17

16

15

16

*17

15

13

13

13

11

10

9.4

lT5~ 8.7

15

16

17

22

21

22

26

20

10

9.4

12

14

16

19

21

461.5

15.4

915

Calendar year 1955: Max 877 Mln 2.0 Mean 68.4 Ac-ft 49,520

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,560 Mln 3.1 Mean 75.3 Ac-ft 54,690

Peak discharge (base, 760 cfs). May 28 (l p.m. J 1,630 cfs (4.65 ftj. 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
206 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Little Goose Creek in canyon, near Big Horn, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°35', long 107°03', in sec. 1, T. 53 N., R. 85 W., on left bank 100 ft 

upstream from headgate of lower Peralta ditch and 7 miles southwest of Big Horn.

Drainage area. 51.0 sq mi.

Records available.--April 1941 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,880 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge.--15 years, 62.1 cfs (44,990 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 889 cfs May 28 (gage height, 5.83 ft); minimum 

daily, 6.5 cfs Nov. 12, Dec. 29, Jan. 25, 28.

1941-56: Maximum discharge, 1,080 cfs June 24, 1946 (gage height, 6.13 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 650 cfs; minimum recorded. 2.2 cfs Dec. 4, 1949 (gage 

height, 0.71 ft). & 6

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of shifting control, which are fair, and 

those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Two small diversions above station 

for irrigation. Diversions into drainage basin above station from East Goose Creek 

basin diverted below station for irrigation (for details on adjudication of diversions, 

see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209). Three small reservoirs above station 

(combined capacity, about 720 acre-ft) two of which store some of the imported water.

Revisions. WSP 1006: Drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect or shifting 

control (gage height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

0.8 

1.0 

1.2 

1.5 

2.0

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

6.0

128

204

410

935

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year- October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

13

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

19

16

15

14

*14

14

13

13

13

12

15

15

14

13

13

14

13

13

13

13

14

15

15

14

13

13

14

12

14

13 

13

429

13.8

851

Nov.

8.2

*9.8

15

15

14

10

11

11

11

*12

10

b6. 5

b'sTS *11

*10

9.5

8.7

9.0

10

10

10

9.8

9.2

9.5

9.5

b8.0

b8.5

9.2

9.2

9.0

302.1

10.1

599

Dec.

*9.0

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

9.0

9.0

8.7

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.5

b7.0

bS.O

b8.5

9.2

9.2

b8.5

9.2

9.5

*9.5

10

13

12

11

9.5

11

9.8

b6.5

9.8 

9 . 8

288.0

9.29

571

Jan.

9.5

9.2

9.0

9.0

*9.0

9.0

8.7

8.7

8.5

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

b7.0

*b7.5

7.9

7.7

7.4

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.4

b6. 5

7.7

7.7

b6.5

b7.0

b7.5 

b7.5

248.2

8.01

492

Feb.

7.7

*7.2

7.2

7.4

7.7

7.9

7.9

7.4

7.7

7.7

7.9

8.2

8.5

8.7

*b8.5

b9.0 "970

9.0

9.0

9.0

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.7

8.5

8.2

8.2

8.2

8.2

238.7

8.23

473

Mar.

8.2

*8 . 2

8.2

8.2

7.9

8.2

b7.5

7.7

8.2

bS.O

b7.5

bS.O

8.2

8.2

8.2

8.2

8.2

8.2

8.7

9.0

8.7

9.5

11

13

17

21

17

14

12

*13 

*13

311.9

10.1

619

Apr.

14

13

13

*13

14

12

13

13

14

15

15

15

17

20

24

30

30

30

32

38

43

43

37

34

32

34

36

32

32

32

740

24.7

1,470

May

32

*34

34

34

43

51

*60

81

101

127

125

139

124

114

111

114

139

*177

220

261

315

337

333

328

333

*315

360

*760

665

e597 

e561

7,025

227

13,930

June

e528

*e490

e422

e365

337

282

*244

237

223

214

201

186

172

155

162

155

142

149

124

*114

119

115

107

118

100

79

75

69

69

70

5,823

194

11,550

Jlly

70

69

*65

54

50

49

52

47

66

62

68

*69

71

75

80

86

91

89

100

100

101

100

100

101

105

103

105

106

107

107 

108

2,556

82.5

5,070

Aug.

106

99

92

82

79

76

*84

88

94

101

102

102

102

101

96

86

83

98

86

79

77

74

72

73

74

74

80

76

68

58 

53

2,615

84.4

5,190

Sept.

50

49

48

45

*46

42

37

35

34

27

25

30

30

32

32

31

30

28

22

18

17

18

18

16

15

14

14

14

15

14

846

28.2

1,680

Calendar year 1955: Max 308 Mln 5.7 Mean 54.8 Ac-ft 39.68C

Water year 1955-56: Max 760 Mln 6.5 Mean 58.5 Ac-ft 42.50C

Peak discharge (base. 420 cfs). May 28 (8 a.m.) 889 cfs (5.83 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice. 

e Shifting-control method used.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 207

Goose Creek below Sheridan, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 44°49'25", long 106°57'40", in SE&SW* sec. 15, T. 56 N., R. 84 W., on right 

bank 700 ft north of Sheridan city limits and 1,200 ft downstream from Soldier Creek.

Drainage area.--398 sq mi.

Records available. January 1942 to September 1956.

Sage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,701.36 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Aug. 3, 1951, wire-weight gage at site 600 ft upstream at ditum 

2.18 ft lower.

Average discharge. 14 years, 194 cfs (140,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 3,360 cfs May 29 (gage height, 6.97 ft); minimum 

daily, 11 cfs July 15-17, 19.

1942-56: Maximum discharge observed, 4,040 cfs June 4, 1944 (gage height, 11.26 ft); 

minimum daily, 6.9 cfs July 31, Aug. 1, 1954.

Remarks. Records good. Some regulation by many small reservoirs (combined capacity, 

15,000 acre-ft). Diversions above station for irrigation (for details on adjudication 

of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and discharge,

In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Aug. 1-26)

Cat. 1 to May 29 May 30 to Sept. 30

0.7

1.0 

1.5 

2.0

36

83

182

318

3.0 

5.0 

6.0 

7.0

720

1,710

2,380

3,390

1.1 

1.5

5.0

13

50

124

2.0 

3.0 

5.0 

6.0

265

650

1,640

2,380

Note.--Same as preceding 

table above 6.0 ft. 

Discharge, In cubic feeb per second, water year October 1955to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

67

75

70

62

54

54

50

56

57

54

48

57

62

52

62

61

51

51

*51

56

61

61

69

73

73

75

75

77

78 

77

*8Q

1,959

63.2

3,890

Nov.

83

69

78

92

86

83

80

83

88

93

97

73

48

62

57

67

65

69

80

107

95

92

72

83

*80

83

59

72

80

78

2,354

78.5

4,670

Dec.

80

80

72

70

64

*80

81

78

80

81

72

88

88

64

62

*75

83

77

78

81

88

140

162

ITT

104

88

93

88

59 

56

64

2,587

83.5

5,130

Jan.

92

85

*77

83

88

88

78

75

77

72

81

*78

77

73

50

54

62

72

72

65

65

61

*62

70

64

67

65

62

59

54 

*61

2,189

70.6

4,340

Feb.

59

57

57

59

62

64

64

59

*57

59

61

64

65

62

54

54

56

57

57

61

61

62

69

78

88

85

78

81

.§5

1,885

65.0

3,740

Mar.

*126

132

145

175

124

83

73

92

83

70

64

69

a72

a75

a76

*72

95

140

242

598

*396

249

260

284

249

228

186

126

114 

128

122

4,748

153

9,420

Apr.

151

*145

120

122

132

116

105

116

113

116

122

*120

118

120

122

136

138

134

134

138

151

164

169

160

149

147

164

158

151 

*156

4,087

136

8,110

May

158

151

164

160

173

202

216

249

294

359

352

377

359

315

308

*291

328

403

462

519

582

628

611

598

*830

895

1,200

*2,090

*2,970

*2, 240 

1,780

20,264

654

40,190

June

1.610

1,420

1,330

*1,360

1,380

*1,210

1,020

726

598

438

550

530

*494

438

332

279

300

346

276

218

186

251

178

128

98

*89

81

66

58 

53

16,043

535

31,820

July

52

*52

56

55

49

35

27

23

*21

18

14

14

13

12

11

11

11

12

11

15

14

18

19

13

13

14

14

15

20 

20

*20

692

22.3

1,370

Aug.

21

18

18

20

20

18

12

14

17

21

27

15

13

14

15

15

17

31

41

40

32

25

20

20

25

29

39

56

49 

46

*44

792

25.5

1,570

Sept.

44

32

33

40

46

47

47

46

47

42

44

45

46

49

47

45

42

40

37

38

38

40

44

46

41

37

33

32

44 

44

1,256

41.9

2,490

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,220 Mln 13 Mean 145 Ac-ft 104,600

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,970 Mln 11 Mean 161 Ac-ft 116,700

Peak discharge (base. 1.200 cfs).--May 29 (2:30 a.m.) 3,360 cfs (6.97 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of records for station near Sheridan.
208 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Tongue River near Acme, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°57 I , long 106°56', in sec. 1, T. 57 N., R. 84 W., on right bank just upstream from Ash Creek, 400 ft downstream from highway bridge and 3.2 miles northeast of 

Acme.

Drainage area. 894 sq mi.

Records available. October 1938 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,530 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 18 years, 401 cfs (290,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 6,280 cfs May 29 (gage height, 8.24 ft); minimum 

daily, 24 cfs July 25.

1938-56: Maximum discharge, 9,110 cfs June 4, 1944 (gage height, 10.50 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 5,700 cfs; maximum gage height, 10.68 ft Mar. 16, 1947 (ice 

jam); minimum daily discharge, 3.4 cfs Aug. 24, 1940.

Remarks. Records excellent except those prior to May 29, which are good, and those for 

periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, which are fair. Diversions above 

station for irrigation (for details on adjudication of diversions, see Remarks for 

this station in WSP 1209). Some regulation by many small reservoirs (combined capacity, 

about 15,000 acre-ft). Records of chemical analyses for the water year 1956 are given 

in WSP 1451.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gag1;

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 24-28, Apr. 6-30, May 24-27)

Oct. 1 to May 28 May 29 to Sept. 30

2.7

2.8 

3.2 

3.5

83

116

274

445

4.0 

5.0 

7.0

810

1,750

4,150

31

58

110

190

3.5 350

4.O 72O

6.0 2,720

8.0 5,800

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

146

153

149

138

123

120

120

123

131

123

123

131

138

142

142

142

138

131

*131

131

142

149

157

161

157

168

164

176

164

176

*18C

4,469

144

8,860

Nov.

176

146

146

164

183

176

161

164

161

180

199

164

86

120

*115

125

135

145

160

180

165

160

140

160

*160

160

130

145

160

160

4,626

154

9,180

Dec.

155

150

145

145

130

*145

150

145

150

150

140

160

150

110

120

*135

160

150

160

170

190

250

300

240

220

180

200

180

110

115 

16G

5,065

163

10,050

Jan.

220

200

*195

200

205

210

200

190

190

180

190

*180

175

165

110

170

170

180

190

170

175

170

*170

180

170

190

180

160

110

10C *iio

5,405

174

10,720

Feb.

110

110

130

150

200

190

190

180

*170

175

180

185

180

170

150

130

120

140

140

150

140

120

140

150

170

160

150

165

180

4,525

156

8,980

Mar.

*210

220

240

300

220

150

140

160

150

140

130

160

165

165

165

*167

225

300

450

*800

*1.050

540

560

*589

527

459

365

261

223

270

304

9,805

316

19,450

Apr.

336

*324

227

203

207

215

176

191

199

203

227

*240

195

176

164

164

180

183

180

191

215

244

274

248

244

244

270

279

284

*299

6,782

226

13,450

Calendar year 1955; Max 2,160 Mln 30 Mean 340

May

284

284

299

a290

a350

a400

a470

a 600

a700

810

826

810

770

655

633

*618

715

932

1,120

1,290

1,540

1,720

1,820

1,820

1,970

*2,180

2,280

3,250

*5.680

4,350

3,440

42,906

1,384

85,100

June

*3.160

2,9OO

2,610

2,540

2,520

2,210

1,910

1,550

1,340

1,120

1,090

1,030

*943

848

736

640

600

672

616

528

466

576

496

398

362

*344

315

292

250 

220

33,282

1,109

66,010

July

205

*200

240

195

177

160

140

128

*121

107

101

101

101

98

107

98

86

86

80

73

58

39

30

31

24

28

27

29

56

69 

*52

3,047

98.3

6,050

Aug.

46

48

48

50

46

52

46

50

37

33

36

39

36

30

28

31

36

41

67

32

83

71

60

52

46

50

55

83

92 

89

1,662

53.6

3,300

Sept.

89

86

76

78

86

83

86

80

86

83

78

80

78

83

80

76

71

69

65

60

60

60

65

71

73

73

71

67

76 

89

2,278

75.9

4,520

Ac-ft 247,800

Water year 1955-56; Max 5,680 Mln 24 Mean 338 Ac-ft 245,700

Peak discharge (base. 1,800 cfs).--May 29 (10:30 a.m.) 6,280 cfs (8.24 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of records for station near Dayton and 

Goose Creek below Sheridan.

Mote.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 14 to Mar. 23 (no gage-height record Nov. 27 

to Dec. 6, Feb. 3-9, Feb. 18 to Mar. 1; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements and 

records for station near Dayton and Goose Creek below Sheridan).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 209

Tongue River at Tongue River Dam, near Decker, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°08' , long 106°46' , in NE£ sec. 13, T. 8 S., R. 40 E., on left bank half 

a mile downstream from Tongue River Dam, 4 miles upstream from Post Creek, 7 miles 

northeast of Decker, and 15 miles southeast of Kirby.

Records available.--May 1939 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,050.00 ft above mean sea level (Corps of 

Engineers benchmark).

Average discharge. 17 years, 439 cfs (317,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 3,300 cfs May 31 (gage height, 5.64 ft); minimum daily, 37 cfs Oct. 20, 21.

1939-56: Maximum discharge, 6,180 cfs June 5, 1944 (gage height, 7.46 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 3,500 cfs; minimum, probably less than 0.5 cfs during 

period of no gage-height record, Apr. 17, to May 8, 1940, when gates at dam were closed.

Remarks. Records good. Diversions for irrigation of about 57,500 acres above station. 

Flow regulated by Tongue River Reservoir (see p. 238), and by eight smaller reservoirs 

in Wyoming with a usable capacity of 14,200 acre-ft.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet, and discharge,

in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Dec. 18, Sept. 7-30)

0.3

1.1

1.7

28

76

155

340

2.5 

3.5 

4.5 

6.0

710

1,380

2,220

3,700

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

IS

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

"219 219 

*219

216

216

216

216

213

213

213

213

213

210

210

210

213

213

216

162

57

37

87

160

72

113

201

198

195

198

198

195

5,711

184

11,330

Nov.

195 

198

198

198

198

201

201

201

195

192

195

195

192

186

186

189

186

186

186

189

189

189

*189

189

189

189

189

189

189

189

5,757

192

11,420

Dec.

189 

189

189

189

189

186

189

189

189

189

192

T92

189

189

189

189

189

189

192

192

189

186

186

186

186

186

192

192

189

189

192

5,862

189

11,630

Jan.

192 

192

192

195

195

192

189

192

192

192

189

189

189

186

186

189

189

189

189

192

192

192

192

195

195

*195

195

195

192

189

189

5,931

191

11,760

Feb.

192 

192

192

192

192

189

189

189

189

189

189

189

189

189

189

189

189

186

186

185

186

186

186

186

183

185

186

186

186

5,451

188

10,810

Mar.

185 

186

186

186

186

186

*186

186

186

186

186

186

175

175

178

178

178

178

180

189

168

152

216

222

261

447

677

721

804

798

695

9,019

291

17,890

Apr.

1,040 

1,040

1,050

1,030

1,040

1,110

1,100

1,080

1,080

868

570

»1,070

1,050

1,040

1,020

1,000

987

959

655

519

404

280

170

128

IP70

72

130

228

234

21,074

702

41,800

May

264 

284

330

355

555

556

400

400

420

»488

528

704

704

710

704

704

704

704

770

886

1,180

1,550

1,440

1,480

1,420

1,420

1,480

1,770

2,590

5,180

5j_500

31,316

1,010

62,110

June

5^270 

2,530

2,420

2,410

2,050

*1,760

1,660

1,460

1,390

938

532

434

429

429

429

424

416

420

420

416

424

424

424

424

424

424

424

416

294

280

28,195

940

55,920

July

258 

267

284

298

512

512

308

2T74

219

186

183

168

162

152

150

210

213

*228

219

90

89

82

82

82

72

54

54

55

55

55

65

5,258

169

10,390

Aug.

130 

150

148

302

526

550

550

550

330

550

330

330

530

526

275

192

201

198

195

195

195

195

*198

195

195

195

195

195

195

192

192

7,400

259

14,680

Sept.

192 

192

195

192

195

192

195

195

192

192

192

192

189

*189

189

192

195

195

198

195

195

198

215

215

198

168

165

168

168

165

5,709

190

11,520

Calendar year 1955: Max 3,080 Mln 37 Mean 368 Ac-ft 266,200

Water year 1955-56: Max 3,300 Mln 37 Mean 373 Ac-ft 271,100

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
210 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Tongue River at Miles City, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°21', long 105°48', in SE^ sec. 23, T. 7 N., R. 47 E., on right bank 

4 miles south of Miles City and 8 miles upstream from mouth.

Records avail able.--April 1938 to April 1942, April 1946 to September 1956. Published as 

"near Miles City" April 1938 to April 1942. Not equivalent to records published as 

"near Miles City" May 1929 to September 1932.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,370 ft (by barometer). April 1938 to 

April 1942 wire-weight gage at site 8 miles upstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--12 years (1938-39, 1940-41, 1946-56), 388 cfs (280,900 acre-ft per 

year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 3,080 cfs June 3 (gage height, 4.87 ft); maximum 

gage height observed, 9.00 ft Mar. 23 (backwater from ice); minimum d^ily discharge, 

4.6 cfs Oct. 1.

1938-42, 1946-56: Maximum discharge, 12,000 cfs Mar. 6, 1949 (gage height, 10.6 ft), 

float measurement; maximum gage height, 11.80 ft Mar. 6, 1949 (ice jam); no flow July 9- 

19, Aug. 13, 14, Sept. 28, 1940.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 90,000 acres above station. Flow regulated by Tongue River 

Reservoir (see p. 238 ), and by eight smaller reservoirs in Wyoming with a usable capacity of 14,200 acre-ft. Records of chemical analyses and water temperatures for the 

water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Nov. 11, Apr. 30 to May 14)

-0.1

0.0

.1

.2

.5

16

45

112

1.3 

2.0 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0

229

630

1,330

2,120

3,170

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septe-nber 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

4.6

^76

22

22

*22

32

41

43

46

46

51

53

55

49

51

65

65

64

65

65

64

61

50

43

29

24

24

26

20

21 

43

1,273.2

41.1

2,530

Nov.

44

51

94

178

146

148

146

154

146

148

154

140

120

100

*75

100

120

130

150

150

140

130

140

150

160

160

150

140

130

140

3,934

131

7,800

Dec.

140 140-

140

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

160

160

160

160

150

160

160

140

150

150

*150

150

160

160

160

160

160

150

150

170 

T73

4,760

154

9,440

Jan.

170

155

T65

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

150

150

150

160

160

160

*155

155

155

155

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

170

4,920

159

9,760

Feb.

170

TTO

170

170

170

165

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

*150

150

150

150

155

160

165

170

4,595

158

9,110

Mar.

160

T90

200

200

200

200

200

200

190

180

180

180

180

180

180

180

190

200

220

300

500

750

1,500

*1,390

1,110

1,480

1,080

830

754

795

921

15,040

485

29,830

Apr.

991

949

1,100

1,130

1,120

1,120

1,100

1,150

1,170

1,160

1,170

1,160

914

956

1,120

1,110

1,100

*1,100

1,100

1,080

970

788

662

541

492

367

321

294

242

222

26,719

891

53,000

May

215

174

168

178

269

284

260

*264

269

414

444

361

373

397

516

547

566

566

554

541

579

598

740

921

1,080

1,120

1,220

1,240

1,280

1,500

1,960

19,598

632

38,870

June

2,700

2,980

5,060

2,860

2,280

2,360

2,080

*1,700

1,620

1,400

1,350

1,100

823

598

462

420

373

361

315

310

289

294

289

269

289

247

233

233

238

222

31,755

1,058

62,990

July

218

190

474

326

159

187

157

128

143

*114

108

94

69

40

26

16

13

19

25

13

11

11

12

*16

12

9.0

9.7

18

16

7.5 

775

2,648.7

85.4

5,250

Aug.

6.9

9.0

33

11

6.9

6.0

670

6.0

6.6

13

33

42

45

52

46

44

40

53

74

31

*14

12

11

11

12

8.4

10

1,042

795

480

598

3,557.8

115

7,060

Sept.

273

T28

86

74

72

76

66

44

44

51

49

*51

50

47

56

57

57

56

49

49

51

51

51

52

56

66

69

70

70

69

2,040

68.0

4,050

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,400 Mln 4.6 Mean 329 Ac-ft 238,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 3,060 Mln 4.6 Mean 330 Ac-ft 239,700

Peak discharge (base, 2,600 cfs). Mar. 23 (3:05 p.m.) discharge unknown (9.0C ft); June 3 (9 to 

11 p.m.) 3,080 cfs (4.87 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 23. Discharge computed from oncedaily staff-gage readings Oct. 1 to Nov. 2, July 11 to Aug. 27.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 211

Yellowstone River at Miles City, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°25', long 105°51', in NW£ sec. 28, T. 8 N., R. 47 E., on left bank 

50 ft upstream from bridge on State Highway 22 at Miles City and three-quarters of 

a mile downstream from Tongue River.

Records available . September 1922 to August 1923, August 1928 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,330.20 ft above mean sea level (Montana 

State Highway benchmark). Prior to May 6, 1929, staff gages at pumping plant l£ miles 

downstream at different datums. May 6, 1929, to Sept. 30, 1931, wire-weight gage and 

Oct. I, 1931, to Nov. 10, 1937, water-stage recorder at present site and datum. 

Nov. 11, 1937, to Sept. 30, 1946, water-stage recorder at pumping plant l£ miles downstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--27 years (1929-56), 10,740 cfs (7,775,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 60,700 cfs June 1 (gage height, 12.08 ft); maximum gage height, 12.42 ft Mar. 26 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 

1,700 cfs Nov. 18.

1922-23, 1928-56: Maximum discharge, 96,300 cfs June 19, 1944 (gage height, 

12.74 ft); maximum gage height, 21.7 ft (present site and datum) Mar. 20, 1944 (ice jam), 

from floodmark; minimum discharge, 996 cfs Dec. 14, 1932.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Some regulation by reservoirs on tributary streams. Diversions for irrigation of about 

1,100,000 acres above station (does not include flood irrigation).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 26 27 to Sept. 30

1.1 

2.0 

3.0 

3.5

1,760

3,070

5,390

6,910

3.1 

4.0 

6.0

5,350

8,210

16,500

8.0

10.0

12.0

29,000

43,700

60,000

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

6,070

6,130

6,160

6.280

*6,070

5,830

5,590

5,590

5,590

5,560

5,480

5,300

5,220

*5,160

5,360

5,560

5,590

5,560

5,590

5,480

5,300

5,160

5.150

5,240

5,510

5,480

5,650

*5,650

5,590

5,560

5,590

173,030

5,582

343,200

Nov.

5,740

5,860

5,950

5,890

6,130

6.340

6,590

6,650

6,620

6,560

6,040

6,470

6,150

2,320

1,840

2,000

1,800

*1.700

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,500

7.500

7,500

7,000

6,500

5,500

4,000

3,000

152,160

5,072

301,800

Dec.

4,000

5,000

5,000

6,000

6,500

5,500

5,000

5,000

5,500

5,500

5,500

5,500

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

5,500

5,000

4,000

*2,750

4,500

4,500

5,000

6,000

7,000

9,000

10,000

11.500

10,000

8,500

7,500

188,750

6,089

374,400

Jan.

6,000

5,000

5,000

5,500

5,700

5,700

5,700

6,000

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,500

*5,000

4.500

5,000

5,000

6,000

6,500

7.000

7,000

6,500

6,500

6,000

6,000

5,500

5,000

184,600

5,955

366,100

Feb.

5,000

4,500

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,500

6,000

7,000

7,000

7,000

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,000

6,000

6,000

5,500

*5,250

5,500

6,000

6,500

7,000

8,500

9,500

9,750

10.000

178,500

6,155

354,000

Mar.

10,000

9,500

9,000

9,500

9,500

8,500

8,000

7,500

8,000

7,500

6,500

6,500

5,500

5,500

5,500

6,000

6,500

7,500

8,500

10,000

12,000

*13,800

14,000

13,000

11,000

20,000

22.900

15,800

12,800

10,000

8 , 960

309,260

9,976

613,400

Apr.

8,510

8,430

8,620

8,770

8,400

8,250

8,400

8,540

8,280

8,280

8,320

*8,280

8,210

8,250

8,360

8,360

8,510

*8,880

9,230

9,420

9,110

9,040

9,260

9,890

10.700

10,200

*10,000

9,920

9,610

9,420

267,450

8,915

530,500

May

9,460

9.190

9,070

8.770

8,960

9,070

9,040

*9,230

9,920

11,700

14,500

14,300

14,000

13,600

12,700

11,700

*10,900

11,000

12,800

17,000

21 , 600

26,900

33,400

38,800

*43,600

46,100

48,100

49,400

50,900

53,300 

58 . 200

697,210

22,490

* 1,383

June

*59.100

53 ,*700

54,000

57,300

58,600

57,100

56,300

*52,600

42,200

37,400

39,400

41,200

41,800

42,600

43,100

41,300

41,800

43,900

39,600

35,000

*33,900

35,300

35,800

33,800

30,200

28,800

29,600

* 28, 300

26,900

26,600

*1,247

41,570

*2,474

July

26.500

25,800

24,900

23,600

21,700

20,100

18,500

17,800

17,600

*17,600

16,800

16,200

15,900

16,200

15,700

15,000

14,300

13,900

13,100

12,100

11,300

10,700

*10,500

10,300

10,000

9,540

9,150

9,070

9.040

*9 , 460 

9,770

471,930

15,220

936,100

Aug-.

10,000

9,770

9,540

9,420

9,150

8,810

*8,540

7,920

7,350

7,000

6,620

6,550

6,760

6,900

6,550

6,170

5,860

5,730

5,970

7,040

*7,380

7,320

7,070

6,620

6,170

5,700

5^520

6,230

*8,210

8,250 

7,920

228,040

7,356

452,300

Sept.

8,030

7,810

7,760

7,810

7,740

*7,350

7,210

7,070

6,900

6,790

6,520

*6,110

6,060

6,590

6,550

7,000

7,070

6,820

6,720

6,620

6,390

6,170

6,000

*5,760

6,110

6,260

6,200

6,060

5.730

5,860

201,110

6,704

398,900

Calendar year 1955: Max 36,400 Min 1,700 Mean 8,618 Ac-ft 6,240,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 59,100 Min 1,700 Mean 11,750 Ac-ft 8,528,000

Peak discharge (base. 36.700 cfs). June 1 (3 a.m.) 60,700 cfs (12.08 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

* Expressed in thousands.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 16 to Mar. 26. Discharge computed from graph 

based on gage readings Apr. 18-26, May 12-18, July 19-23, Aug. 1-7, Sept. 8-10, 16-21.
212 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

South Fork Powder River near Kaycee, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°37' , long 106°35', in SE^ sec. 9, T. 42 N., R. 81 W., on left bank 

600 ft upstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 87, lj miles upstream from Murphy Creek, 

6.6 miles southeast of Kaycee, and 7 miles upstream from confluence vith Middle Fork.

Drainage area. 1,150 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. May to December 1911 (gage heights only), April 1933 to June 1940, May 

1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. May 11 to Dec. 31, 1911, chain gage at site 2 miles downstream at different datum. Apr. 9, 1938, to June 30, 1940, chain gage at present site 

at datum 1.90 ft lower. May 16 to June 6, 1950, staff gage at present site and datura.

Average discharge.--? years (1938-39, 1950-56}, 35.1 cfs (25,430 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,550 cfs Mar. 19 (gage height, 3.60 ft); minimum daily, 3.4 cfs July 25, 26.

1938-40, 1950-56: Maximum discharge, 14,400 cfs May 22, 1952 (gage height, 7.87 ft, 

from floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 140 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow Feb. 9, 10, 1939.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Discharge measurements generally made four times a month. Diversions 

for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication of diversions, see Remarks 

for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1-22, Nov. 4, 5, 7, 9,

Dec. 23-28, Mar. 4-6, June 2-4, Aug. 1, 2)

Oct. 1 to May 26

0.9

1.0

1.1

1.7

7.0

19

1.3

1.5

1.9

140

340

0.6 

.7

1.0

May 27 to Sept. 30

1.0 1.2

5.7 1.5

12 2.1

70

155

460

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11 

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

14

14

14

13

14

18

*19

17

15

15

18 

19

*19

19

19

19

19

19

18

18

18

18

30

19

15

15

»23

23

17

17

553

17.8

1,100

Nov.

15

19

21

*32

18

14

18

10

18

20

8.0 

6.5

5.5

4.5

4.0

5.0

*6.0

7.0

9.0

13

20

15

17

20

23

25

22

»20

18

15

448.5

15.0

890

Dec.

12

10

5.0

6.0

»7.0

8.5

10

12

15

18

21 

25

19

15

*12

13

15

13

14

*15

23

18

197

260

92

56

25

»14

5.0

7.0 

10

972.5

31.4

1,930

Jan.

15

20

30

*43

40

35

40

30

25

»20

16

13

12

11

10

15

*19

22

24

26

28

30

31

*24

20

17

15

13

11

*9.2 

8.0

672.2

21.7

1,330

Feb.

7.0

7.5

8.5

9.5

10

*11

13

14

16

18

20 

22

20

»19

14

9.0

10

10

11

»12

15

40

70

65

60

55

»48

55

60

------

729.5

25.2

1,450

Mar.

70

90

125

228

*219

127

110

90

50

25

15 

»24

30

35

40

45

50

56

»312

250

176

123

88

72

63

53

»36

27

23

23

19

2,694

86.9

5,340

Apr.

18

17

»14

45

53

32

40

50

*70

123

172 

106

82

76

63

48

34

*25

23

21

18

19

25

25

»23

23

23

27

27

32

1,354

45.1

2,690

May

30

25

18

17

12

11

17

*11

20

40

35 

28

27

»23

9.4

8.0

7.0

6.0

775

10

*65

83

200

111

*36

207

»288

»416

150

53 

»41

2,011.4

64.8

3,990

June

28

20

15

*11

19

11

9.0

*7.0

6.0

5.5

5.0 

111

6.3

*13

13

11

8.8

8.2

7.6

6.3

5.7

5.7

5.2

4.8

*67

54

19

14

12

11

413.8

13.8

821

Jily

10

»15

16

12

10

8.8

8.8

8.2

8.8

8.8

9.2 

*7.0

4.8

4.3

4.3

4.3

3.8

*4.3

6.3

3.8

3.8

4.3

4.3

*4.3

3^4

3.4

9.8

43

23

28 

97

382.8

12.3

759

Aug.

*56

16

12

12

8.8

7.6

»6.3

6.3

5.2

4.8

33 

36

*11

10

10

10

9.5

26

17

16

15

12

*8.8

8.2

7.6

7.0

5.7

5.7

*5.7

6.3 

5.7

401.2

12.9

796

Sept.

5.7

5.7

5.2

7.0

7.6

7.6

»8.2

872

7.6

7.0

7.0 

*7.0

7.0

5.2

5.2

5.

*5.

5.

5.

4.

5.

5.

5.

5.

5.

6.

*5.

5.

5.

5.

184.4

6.15

366

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,560 Min 3.0 Mean 46.7 Ac-ft 33,830

Water year 1955-56: Max 416 Min 3.4 Mean 29.6 Ac-ft 21,460

Peak discharge (base, 1.000 cfs).--Mar. 19 (2 p.m.) 2,550 cfs (3.60 ft); May 27 (10:30 p.m.) 2,470 

cfs (3.55 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1-3, 6, 8, Nov. 10 to De-i. 22, Dec. 29 to 

Jan. 16, Jan. 23 to Feb. 4, Feb. 27 to Mar. 3, Mar. 7-17. No gage-height record Jan. 17-22, Feb. 5- 

26, May 9-12, 16-20, June 5-12; discharge estimated on basis of 5 discharge measurements, weather 

records, and records for Powder River at Sussex.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 213

Middle Fork Powder River above Kaycee , Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°39', long 106°49' , in SW£ sec. 33, T. 43 N., R. 83 W., on right bank 

2 miles upstream from Red Fork, 2 miles downstream from Beaver Creek, and 10 miles 

southwest of Kaycee.

Drainage area.--450 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. April 1949 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,874.76 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929.

Average discharge. 7 years, 58.4 cfs (42,310 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 367 cfs May 27 (gage height, 3.85 ft); minimum 

daily, 21 cfs Sept. 10, 21.

1949-56: Maximum discharge, 1,020 cfs May 18, 1950 (gage height, 5.68 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 680 cfs; minimum daily, 12 cfs Aug. 28, 29, 1954. 

Maximum stage known, about 11.7 ft, date unknown.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication 

of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, ana discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used July 3, 4)

1.9

2.0 

2.2 36

2.5 

2.8 

3.2

105

187

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 19E6

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27 

28 

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

43

43

43

42

42

42

43

42

40

40

41

43

*42

42

43

43

44

42

41

41

42

45

48

48

48

48

52 

50 

50

51 

_56

1,380

44.5

2,740

Nov.

50

52

56

55

54

52

53

50

*51

48

50

44

42

40

28

32

47

58

75

76

*67

62

43

50

45

48

37 

56 

48

47

1,516

50.5

3,010

Dec.

45

39

30

30

35

47

48

44

*4S

48

45

52

48

ZZ

*2S

45

51

45

51

64

64

74

76

70

58

48

49 

49 

*42

38 

47

1,480

47.7

2,940

Jan.

46

38

38

46

48

46

46

48

48

48

*48

48

48

46

44

35

40

50

47

*44

42

42

45

47

30

39

42 

36

36

1,313

42.4

2,600

Feb.

30

35

47

55

56

56

50

*46

38

46

54

51

48

38

37

29

45

48

45

53

54

57

52

*48

37

38

38 

38 

39

1,308

45.1

2,590

Mar.

40

46

44

44 *50

47

51

60

49

40

35

45

48

51

44

50

51

51

50

56

56

60

65

71

86

74

*79 

52 

54

65 

72

1,686

54.4

3,340

Apr.

71

61

56

55

60

51

49

60

57

58

*62

55

58

60

70

83

86

*79

86

99

109

114

99

88

95

*109

a!15 m

alOS

2,397

79.9

4,750

May

alOS

a!02

allo

alOS

a!20

a!30

a!40

a!50

*a!65

170

148

148

138

121

116

109

110

116

116

119

*119

121

118

109

112

131

171 

129 

112

91

3,836

124

7,610

June

76

70

66

64

*65

63

57

55

52

50

46

42

38

*40

54

42

38

38

36

34

32

32

30

29

28

29

28 

28 

26

26

1,314

43.8

2,610

July

28

38

*57

36

32

28

28

27

25

*25

26

36

31

28

26

26

28

*29

27

26

26

26

26

26

25

25

25 

25 

25

28 

28

892

28.8

1,770

Avg.

28

*28

37

29

28

26

26

26

26

26

28

28

25

24

ZZ

23

24

26

27

28

26

24

24

24

22

22

22 

22 

22

23 

24

790

25.5

1,570

Sept.

23

22

23

24

24

24

*23

23

22

11

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

21

22

24

24

24

24

24 

If

24

687

22.9

1,360

Calendar year 1955: Max 617 Min 20 Mean 80.9 Ac-ft 58,590

Water year 1955-56: Max 171 Min 21 Mean 50.8 Ac-ft 36,890

Peak discharge (base. 500 cfs). May 27 (8:30 p.m.) 367 cfs (3.85 ft); July 2 (11:30 p.m.) 322 cfs 

(3.78 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement and records for 

station on North Fork Powder River near Mayoworth.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 13 to Jan. 10, Jan. 15 to Mar. 4, Mar. 10-12.
214 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

North Pork Powder River near Hazelton, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°01', long 107°04', in SE^ sec. 21, T. 47 N., R. 85 W., on right bank 

3 miles upstream from Twin Creek and 7.5 miles southwest of Hazelton.

Drainage area. 25.0 sq mi.

Records available. September 1946 to September 1956 (no winter records prior to 1949). 

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 8,150 ft (from topographic map). 

Average discharge. 8 years (1948-56), 12.2 cfs (8,840 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 287 cfs May 24 (gage height, 3.13 ft), from

rating curve extended above 110 cfs on basis of slope-area determination at gage height 

4.34 ft; minimum not determined.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 886 cfs June 15, 1953 (gage height, 4.34 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 110 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; 

minimum daily, 1,2 cfs Jan. 22, 1952, but may have been less during years of no winter 

records.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. No diversion above station.

Revisions (water years) . WSP 1279: 1947-48(M) , 1949, 1950-51(M) , 1952.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height. In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

0.8 

.9

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.0

2.7

5.3

8.7

13

1.4 

1.8 

2.2 

2.6

90

156

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septe-nber 1956

Day

I

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1=5

3.5

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.0

*3.0

3.2

3.0

3.2

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.7

2.7

3.0

3.2

3.0

3.1

3.0

2.9

3.0

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.0 

3.0

95.5

3.08

189

Nov.

3.0

3.1

3.5

4.0

4.2

4.0

*3.8

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.7

3.5

3.3

3.1

Y 3.0

98.4

3.28

195

Dec.

2.8

86.8

2.8

172

Jan.

2.6

80.6

2.6

160

Feb.

2.4

------

69.6

2.4

138

Mar.

2.2

68.2

2.2

135

Apr.

2.0

2.2

2.4

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.5

4.0

3.7

3.5

3.7

4.0

4.0

3.9

3.8

3.7

80.8

2.69

16O

May

3.7

3.6

4.0

5.0

7.0

10

15

25

40

45

35

30

25

21

*23

33

56

78

109

124

104

96

103

115

130

97

»134

152

125

101 

90

1,939.3

62.6

3,850

June

90

81

74

68

64

*56

49

44

41

40

35

30

30

29

28

27

25

29

23

21

*22

23

20

18

18

17

17

16

15

15

1,065

35.5

2,110

July

15

15

15

14

13

13

13

12

12

*11

11

12

10

8.7

7.7

7.7

*7.0

7.0

6.7

6.7

6.3

7.3

7.0

6.0

5.6

5.6

10

7.7

6.0

5.6

230.9

9.38

577

Aug.

5.0

5.3

6.3

5.0

4.5

*4.3

4.3

4.3

4.0

4.0

4.3

3.7

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.2

4.3

5.3

*5.0

4.0

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.2

3.2

3.7

3.7

3.5

4.0 

5.0

125.8

4.06

250

Sept.

4.3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.7

3.2

3.2

3.0

*3.0

3.0

3.2

4.0

3.2

2.7

"275 2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

3.0

2.7

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

3.0

3.2

3.2

90.6

3.02

180

Calendar year 1955: Max 159 Mln 2.7 Mean 14.3 Ac-ft 10,360

Water year 1955-56: Max 152 Mln - Mean 11.2 Ac-ft 8,120

Peak discharge (base, 190 efsl.--May 20 (8:30 p.m.) 202 cfs (2.81 ft); May 24 (9 p.m.) 287 cfs 

(3.13 ft); May 27 (7 p.m.) 253 cfs (3.01 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice most of period Oct. 22 to May 15 (no gage-height 

record Oct. 31 to Nov. 7, Nov. 13 to May 15; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for station near Mayoworth).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 215

North Fork Powder River near Mayoworth, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°54', long 106°53', in sec. 6, T. 45 N., R. 83 ¥., on right bank 2 miles 

downstream from Pass Creek and 6 miles northwest of Mayoworth.

Drainage area.--106 sq mi.

Records available.--November 1940 to September 1956 (no winter records prior to 1943).

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,590 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to May 12, 1948, at site 300 ft downstream at datum 4.43 ft lower.

Average discharge. 14 years (1942-56), 33.6 cfs (24,340 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 486 cfs June 14 (gage height, 4.89 ft); minimum 

daily, 10 cfs Nov. 2, 3.

1940-56: Maximum discharge, 1,270 cfs Aug. 11, 1941 (gage height, 7.64 ft, site 

and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 72 cfs on basis of slope-area 

determination of peak flow; minimum daily, 5.6 cfs Nov. 5, 1954.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Two small 

diversions above station for irrigation of 223 acres on Hat Ranch.

Revisions.--WSP 1209: Drainage area.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Apr Apr. 21 to Sept. 30

2.1

2.2 

2.4

2.2 

2.5 

2.9

3.3 

3.8

124

224

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

19

19

19

19

19

19

18

18

18

16

16

14

*15

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

18

16

13

11

12

11

11

11

11

487

15.7

966

Nov.

11

10

TO

11

11

11

11

11

 11

19

24

20

16

21

14

13

19

23

23

24

21

21

22

21

21

21

19

19

21

21

520

17.3

1,030

Dec.

21

21

20

16

16

19

22

22

 21

20

20

20

19

11

15

19

19

19

19

21

20

20

21

21

19

19

19

19

13

14 

21

586

18.9

1,160

Jan.

21

Ti

20

20

19

19

19

19

19

19

*19

19

19

19

16

16

17

19

19

 19

17

17

18

17

13

16

17

19

b!6

b!4

b!2

554

17.9

1,100

Feb.

b!4

16

19

Is

19

19

18

*17

17

16

16

16

17

17

b!6

b!4

bl5

bl6

bl6

16

16

16

17

18

17

18

17

16

16

------

483

16.7

958

Mar.

16

16

16

16

16

16

b!5

b!6

b!6

b!6

b!5

b!6

b!6

16

b!5

16

16

16

*18

18

18

19

T9

19

19

19

19

18

18

19

19

527

17.0

1,050

Apr.

19

19

19

19

19

18

17

19

18

19

»19

19

19

19

19

21

22

23

24

26

31

32

28

27

29

*30

30

29

27

26

686

22.9

1,360

May

26

25

29

26

39

51

56

65

*75

77

64

62

49

42

43

40

61

87

121

147

*147

124

126

116

185

130

159

211

T75

135

109

2,802

90.4

5,560

June

105 -95

86

78

*72

65

58

53

48

47

43

39

37

*60

42

35

33

57

36

33

32

35

32

30

28

28

27

26

25

24

1,409

47.0

2,790

July

24

25

*26

24

23

19

19

20

20

 20

22

22

21

20

18

18

18

*18

18

18

18

18

20

18

18

17

17

20

15

15

16

605

19.5

1,200

Aug.

18

*17

18

17

17

17

16

TT

16

17

18

17

17

16

16

16

17

18

18

19

18

18

17

17

17

18

18

18

18

18

19

538

17.4

1,070

Sept.

19

18

18

18

19

19

*18

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

17

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

13

13

14

14

14

480

16.0

952

Calendar year 1955: Max 174 Kin 10 Mean 30.3 Ac-ft 21,910

Water year 1955-55: Max 211 Min 10 Mean 26.4 Ac-ft 19,200

Peak discharge (base, 330 cfs). June 14 (6:30 p.m.) 486 cfs (4.89 ft); June 18 (1 a.m.) 394 of 

(4.52 .. FC? ft). fti -

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.

459735 O - 58 - 15
216 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Middle Pork Powder River near Kaycee, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 43°42', long 106°31, in sec. 13, T. 43 N., R. 81 W, on left bank at Jay Bar 

U Ranch, If miles downstream from North Pork Powder River and 6 miles east of Kaycee.

Drainage area. 980 sqmi, approximately.

Records available. October 1933 to August 1934, April 1938 to June 1940, October 1940 to 

September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,533.76 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Nov. 16, 1940, chain gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--17 years (1938-39, 1940-56), 133 cfs (96,350 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 402 cfs about May 10 (gage height, 3.20 ft); 

minimum daily, 0.1 cfs July 23, 24, Aug. 2.

1933-34, 1938-56: Maximum discharge, 5,230 cfs Aug. 11, 1941 (gage height, 12.57 

ft), from rating curve extended above 1,900 cfs on basis of slope-area determinations 

at gage heights 8.98, 11.17, and 12.57 ft; no flow July 14-16, Aug. 1-11, 14, 1938, 

Aug. 8, 1953.

Maximum stage known, about 18.0 ft Sept. 30, 1923. Flood of June 3, 1936, reached 

a stage of 14.3 ft.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication 

of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.0

1.1 7.2

1.2

1.5 

1.7

2.0 

3.0

105

350

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

17

17

17

11

14

13

*14

14

12

9.1

9.1

11

13

11

11

12

11

11

9.1

7.2

8.2

12

IS

21

24

29

33

38

37

43

- M.

555.7

17.9

1,100

Nov.

56

62

62

*81

94

92

88

90

88

99

111

105

60

50

40

50

70

90

110

140

*165

TT5

80

75

70

70

50

35

43

70

2,411

80.4

4,780

Dec.

80

85

55

55

58

70

85

95

»95

100

95

100

115

90

*50

65

80

70

85

100

125

175

300

225

200

165

150

140

*90

50

60

3,308

107

6,560

Jan.

165

170

175

180

185

190

195

100

105

*116

145

136

132

132

92

61

*78

100

110

120

125

130

135

140

125

118

110

100

85

70

60

3,885

125

7,710

Feb.

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

*100

90

70

78

74

80

78

60

55

60

80

75

85

95

110

105

*97

125

100

100

85

100

2,462

84.9

4,880

Mar.

115

125

140

210

*185

150

120

100

85

77

70

60

7U

80

100

120

150

200

*250

^50

200

180

160

150

160

170

130

140

160

155

150

4,392

142

8,710

Apr.

145

145

*145

134

136

134

136

136

*143

200

*165

138

129

13?

136

157

176

179

179

196

214

242 239"

214

192

*160

180

210

200

190

5,082

169

10,080

May

180

170

150

170

150

200

280

*290

305

520

250

190

200

*185

160

143

127

127

138

157

194

206

179

157

150

204

204

286

262

202

*157

6,093

197

12,090

June

127

109

88

*66

53

40

25

14

3.9

1.0

.9

.7

.4 *i7o

36

2.5

.6

.6

.7

.7

.7

.7

.6

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.5

.8

.7

580.9

19.4

1,150

July

0.8

.8

*36~2.3

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

*.9

21

3.9

.6

.4

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.2

.2

.1 *7T

.2

.2

.2

22

11

3.9

.2

110.7

3.57

220

Aug.

0.2

*.l 40~

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

*.7

.7

.7

.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.4

».4

.4

.4

.5

.5

.5

*.5

.5

.3

55.6

1.79

110

Sept.

CK.

* .

* .

* t

'.4

.4

11.9

0.40

24

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,020 Mln 0.5 Mean 122 Ac-ft 88,040

Water year 1955-56: Max 320 Mln 0.1 Mean 79.1 Ac-ft 57,410

Peak discharge (base, 950 cfs).--No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Mote.--Mo gage-height record Feb. 16-24, Mar. 10 to Apr. 3, Apr. 10, 11, Apr. 26 to May 14; discharge estimated on basis of 7 discharge measurements, weather records, recorded range In stage, an 

records for Powder River at Sussex. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Mov. 13 to Jan. 9, 

Jan. 18 to Feb. 15, Feb. 25 to Mar. 9.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 217

Powder River at Sussex, Wyo.

Location.--43°42", long 106°17', In sec. 13, T. 43 N., R. 79 W., on left bank at Sussex, 

3 miles downstream from Salt Creek.

Drainage area. 3,090 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. April 1938 to June 1940, February 1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage Is 4,362.16 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929 (Bureau of Reclamation benchmark). Apr. 10, 1938, to June 30, 1940, chain gage 

at site 100 ft upstream at datum 1.07 ft higher.

Average discharge. 7 years (1938-39, 1950-56), 151 cfs (109,400 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 1,660 cfs May 28 (gage height, 5.45 ft); minimum 

dally, 5.0 cfs Sept. 23.

1938-40, 1950-56: Maximum discharge, 32,500 efs May 23, 1952 (gage height, 12.6 ft, 

from floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 1,500 cfs on basis of slope-area 

determination of peak flow; minimum dally, 1.5 cfs Aug. 25, 1939.

Maximum stage known, about 13.3 ft Sept. 30, 1923, from Information by local 

resident.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of Ice effect and doubtful or no gageheight record, which are poor. Diversions for Irrigation above station (for details 

on adjudication of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of loe effect (gage height, In feet,

and discharge. In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Dec. 27, 28, Mar. 5-15, 19-29, Apr. 8 to

May 26, July 31 to Aug. 3, Aug. 12, 13) 

Oct. 1 to May 27, 

July 30 to Sept. 30 May 28 to June 14 June 15 to July 29

3.1 

3.3

3.6

23

50

103

3.9 210

4.2 370

4.5 610

3.5

3.9 56

4.0 

4.2 

4.5 

5.0 

5.5

90

195

430

990

1,750

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

4.5 

9.0

3.7 

3.9 

4.1 

4.4

51

120

215

415

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 195iB

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

3O

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

41

34

33

33

30

31

*31

33

31

30

28

31

*33

34

33

31

33

31

30

29

28

28

34

42

40

42

*47

62 

67

71

80

1,181

38.1

2,340

Nov.

aSl

a 91

a96

*a!30

125

130

142

130

119

122

75

60

50

40

30

45

*62

100

150

200

250

200

150

160

160

150

85

*115 

130

150

3,538

118

7,020

Dee.

160

125

90

60

*73

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

130

115

*100

110

100

80

90

*103

150

250

500

750

255

210

182

*166 

125

100

110

4,899

158

9,720

Jan.

120

130

140

*145

160

180

200

220

250

*290

270

250

230

150

10O

80

*106

115

125

130

135

140

145

*150

140

130

12O

110 

105

*101

95

4,762

154

9,450

Feb.

85

90

95

100

105

*109

115

120

130

140

150

160

135

*120

90

60

80

70

80

*90

100

125

200

370

410

285

*200

220 

250

4,284

148

8,500

Mar.

300

350

500

1,000 *B64

260

220

202

190

142

119

*111 T5B"

138

178

230

275

352

*580

g583

g472

g334

g270

g250

g275

g260

*g220

g240 

g269

g255

g235

9,439

304

18,720

Apr,

g230

g240

*g!78 5TO"

235

206

260

255

*255

398

565

352

255

235

194

194

215

*£15

202

206

215

26O

290

225

194

*194

220

260 

245

235

7,438

248

14,750

May

215

198

154

178

150

202

270

*2S5

310

316

300

235

250

*245

182

142

116

108

157

134

*182

332

521

346

*265

452

*583

*1.050 

563

376

*276

9,043

292

17,940

June

*190

156

135

120

146

110

6.3

 46

32

26

22

19

17

*18

246_

86

41

25

17

14

13

a!2

all

a 10

*93

123

34

20

13

9.6

1,867.6

62.3

3,700

July

9.6

*16

63

56

14

10

7.2

6.8

6.3

6.8

7.6

*71

14

10

7.2

6.3

6.8

6.8

*6.3

5.8

5.8

5.4

5T8

*5.8

5.8

5.8

23

342

151

693

gTST

1,734.9

56. 0

3,440

Aug.

*gl!4

103

96

71

47

30

*15

12

10

19

47

99

*g47

a!5

a!4

a!3

a!2

a35

a21

a!9

a!7

a 13

*9.5

7.4

7.4

6.7

6.7

6.0 

*5.5 STS"

6.0

929.7

30. 0

1,840

Sept.

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.7

7.4

*8.1

en:

7.4

6.7

6.7

6.7

*6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

*5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

 eTo 5.0

6.7

6.7

*8.1

7.4 

7.4

8.1

194.2

6.47

385

Calendar year 1955: Max 5,020 Mln 9.8 Mean 225 Ac-ft 162,600

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,030 Mln 5.0 Mean 135 Ao-ft 97,810

Peak discharge (base, 2,000 efs]. No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a Doubtful or no gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, recorded range In stage, typical recession, and records for stations on Middle Pork and So'ith Pork 

Powder Rivers.

g Computed from twice-daily wire-weight-gage readings.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 11 to Dec. 26, Dec. 29 to Mar. 4.
218 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

North Fork Crazy Woman Creek below Spring Draw, near Buffalo, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 44°11'50", long 106°46'25", in NW&IWif sec. 30, T. 49 N., R. 82 W., on right 

bank 1 mile upstream from Little North Fork and 11 miles southwest of Buffalo.

Drainage area. 51.7 sq mi.

Records available. October 1949 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,320 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 7 years, 15.1 cfs (10,940 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 166 cfs May 28 (gage height, 4.09 ft); minimum 

daily, 1.5 cfs Jan. 29, Feb. 16.

1949-56: Maximum discharge, 446 cfs June 15, 1953 (gage height 4.96 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 70 cfs on basis of slope-area determination at gage height 

5.42 ft; minimum daily, 1.0 cfs Nov. 27, 1952.

Flood of June 6, 1949, reached a stage of 5.42 ft, from floodmark (discharge, 

610 cfs).

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication 

of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Sept. 5-8)

2.8

2.9

3.0

3.1

2.4

4.5

7.4

11

3.2

3.4 

3.6 

4.0

17

34

59

142

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septe-nber 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

5.6

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.1

5.1

5.4

5.4

5.4

*5.1

4.8

4.8

4.8

5.1

5.1

5.4

5.4

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.6

5.4

6.2

5.9

5.9

5.1

5.4

5.4

6.5

165.9

5.35

329

Nov.

b4.5

b4.0

b4.5

5.4

5.4

5.1

4.5

*4.3

4.5

4.8

b4.8

b4.5

b4.2

b3.8

b3.5

b4.0

b4.5

b5.0

b5.B

5.9

5.4

*5.1

4.8

4.5

4.5

4.3

b3.5

b3.8

b4.0

b4.2

137.1

4.57

272

Dec.

b4.4

b4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

*4.3

4.5

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.3

b3.3

bTTTj

b4.2

b4.4

b4.5

b4.7

4.8

4.8

5.1

*5.6

5.9

5^

5.1

5.1

b4.3

b4.0

b3.5

b4.0

140.3

4.53

278

Jan.

b4.5

4.5

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.0

4.0

4.0

*b4.0

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

b3.3

b3.0

b4.0

4.8

*5.4

5.9

7.7

8.7

8.3

5.4

b4.2

b3.2

b2.5

bl.9

bl.5

bTTT

bl.9

130.3

4.20

258

Feb.

b2.1

2.3

2.6

2.8

2.7

2.6

*2.5

b2.5

b2.6

b2.7

2.5

2.7

2.5

2.2

1.8

1.5

2^0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

+5.0

4T7

4.5

4.0

3.5

+3.3

3.3

86.4

2.98

171

Mar.

3.3

3.3

3.5

3.1

3.1

2.9

2.7

2.9

3.1

b2.5

b2.0 275-

3.0

3.5

+4.2

5.0

5.5

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10

11

12

14

13

12

*11

b9.0

7.1

6.8

192.0

6.19

381

Apr.

8.0

7.1

6.5

5.6

5.9

b5.0

b4.5

5.4

4.8

+5.1

5.4

4.5

3.5

T35

4.5

7.4

8.7

9.4

11

16

19

17

12

9.8

16

19

18

16

13

9.4

281.5

9.38

558

May

9.4

10

15

+12

29

33

29

34

36

34

29

30

23

19

26

26

+ 38

56

66

74

87

109

104

+ 86

113

111

118

132 10"6

91

*86

1,771.4

57.1

3,510

June

93

93

95

95

11

82

66

*66

62

61

59

56

51

49

56

55

45

58

46

40

37

+ 37

32

31

31

30

28

25

24

23_

1,623

54.1

3,220

July

23

23

+21

18

18

19

18

17

+ 16

15

15

17

16

13

12

12

12

12

*12

12

11

12

11

11

11

11

10

12

11

11

12

444

14.3

881

Aug.

11

+ 12

12

11

9.4

8.7

8.7

8.0

8.0

7.7

7.7

7.7

7.1

5.9

5.6

5.9

5.9

9.4

13

11

+8.7

7.4

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.5

7.4

8.7

8.3

8.0

9.0

260.1

8.39

516

Sept.

8.7

8.3

8.0

8.0

8.7

+ 9.0

87T

8.3

7.7

7.1

7.1

7.4

7.7

7.7

6.8

6.5

6.5

5.9

5.6

5.6

5.4

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.4

5.1

STT

5.4

5.9

204.3

6.81

405

Calendar year 1955: Max 128 Min 1.2 Mean 13.0 Ac-ft 9,400

Water year 1955-56: Max 132 Min 1.5 Mean 14.9 Ac-ft 10,780

Peak discharge (base. 160 cfs).--May 28 (2 a.m.) 166 cfs (4.09 ft). 

* Discharge measurements made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.

Note. No gage-height record Feb. 1-7, 11-28, Mar. 12-28; discharge estimated on basis of 5 dls 

charge measurements and weather records.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 219

North Pork Crazy Woman Creek near Greub, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 44°05', long 106°39', in SWtr sec. 36, T. 48 N., R. 82 W., on left bank 

1 mile upstream from Middle Pork Crazy Woman Creek, 5 miles northeast of Greub, and 

6 miles upstream from confluence with South Fork Crazy Woman Creek.

Drainage area. 174 sq mi.

Records available. March 1950 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 4,650 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Sept. 13, 1950, staff gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--6 years, 11.4 cfs (8,260 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 199 cfs May 27 (gage height, 3.20 ft); no flow 

July 18-24.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 619 cfs June 15, 1953 (gage height, 7.00 ft, from 

floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 190 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow Sept. 3-5, 10, 14-17, 1955, July 18-24, 1956.

Remarks. Records good except those after July 5, which are fair, and those for periods 

of ice effect, backwater from beaver dam. or no gage-height record, which are poor. 

Diversions for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication of diversions, 

see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect and backwater from

beaver dam (gage height In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used June 28 to July 17)

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.4 

2.8 

5.0

2.0 

2.5

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1^3

4.8

4.3

4.1

3.9

2.7

2.7

2.7

3.2

2.2

*2.2

2.4

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.8

3.0

2.8

3.7

3.7

2.5

3.0

3.2

3.2

3.7

3.9

4.3

4.3

4.6

4.6

3.7

106.6

3.44

211

Nov.

4.1

4.5

4.8

4.6

4.1

3.7

3.7

3.5

*3.9

3.9

3.8

3.6

3.4

3.2

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.8

8.5

25

*16

10

7.6

8.7

11

14

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

193.9

6.46

385

Dec.

7.0

6.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

8.0

7.5

*7.0

6.0

6.3

6.6

6.9

6.6

6.0

6.5

6.0

5.5

5.0

6.0

8.0

12

20

*30

17

14

13

14

8.5

5.0

5.5

6.5

276.4

8.92

548

Jan.

6.0

6.3

6.5

7.0

7.5

7.0

8.0

8.0

*7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.5

5.0

6.0

«6.2

6.2

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

7.0

6.0

5.5

5.0

4.5

4.0

5.5

194.7

6.28

386

Feb.

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

*5.9

5.8

6.0

6.5

6.0

6.5

6.0

4.5

3.5

2^5

3.5

5.0

7.0

9.0

11

12

13

*11

10

12

19

19

22

------

232.2

8.01

461

Mar.

22

19

18

21

17

10

7.0

9.0

8.0

6.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

6.7

«7.3

12

21

35

60

50

43

31

27

21

17

15

12

10

9.0

*12

549.7

17.7

1,090

Apr.

7.2

7.6

6.0

7.2

7.2

4.5

5.6

5.6

5.6

" 7.2

6.9

4.8

4.3

4.1

3.9

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.2

1*1

4.8

7.2

5.6

4.1

3.5

7.2

7.6

5.6

5.0

158.2

5.27

314

May

4.8

4.6

4.1

*4.3

6.6

8.3

18

21

*25

17

14

7.6

6.0

5.0

4.3

4.3

*^Z

3.2

13

19

35

44

63

51

*45

72

70

89

*86

71

57

876.3

28.3

1,740

June

55

*54

48

43

*45

45

32

26

26

22

24

17

*19

14

14

17

15

11

17

9.2

6.9

*6.9

6.0

4.8

4.3

4.6

3.9

3.2

3.0

2,5

599.3

20.0

1,190

July

2.2

2.1

*2.4

1.8

1.5

1.3

1.1

1.0

.9

.8

.9

.9

1.0

.6

.2

.2

.1

0

o

0

o

0

0

0

6.4

9.2

10

M

12

9.6

8.2

87.4

2.82

173

AUJ-.

9.6

*<3.7

8.7

8.7

7.6

6.0

4.3

4.8

3.5

4.6

4.3

4.3

4.1

4.1

3.2

2.8

2.8

3.9

6.0

15

10

6.9

3.2

2.4

2.2

2.0

JL1

1.7

1.7

1.7

2.1

150.4

4.85

298

Sept.

2.1

3.9

3.9

2.8

2.2

*3.2

6.3

4.3

3.0

3.0

3.2

3.0

3.7

3.2

3.9

4.6

4.3

3.9

3.0

2.5

2.4

2.5

2.5

c2.5

c2.5

02.4

C2.3

c2.4

c2.4

c2.7

94.6

3.15

188

Calendar year 1955: Max 216 Min 0 Mean 8.39 Ac-ft 6,o80

Water year 1955-56: Max 89 Min O Mean 9.62 Ac-ft 6,980

Peak discharge (base. 180 cfsl.--May 27 (5 p.m.) 199 cfs (3.2O ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

c Backwater from beaver dam.

.Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, Nov. 8, 11-17, Nov 

Dec. 23, Dec. 28 to Feb. 26 (no gage-height record Feb. 11-17), Mar. 6-2O, 28, 29, Apr.
220 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Middle Fork Crazy Woman Creek near Greub, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 44°03' , long 106°48 I , in sec. 11. T. 47 N., R. 83 W., on left bank a quarter 

of a mile downstream from Poison Creek and 2-j miles west of Greub.

Drainage area. 82.7 sq mi.

Records available.--October 1944 to September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. January 1943 to September 1944 in files of Bureau of Reclamation.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,190 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

To June 7, 1952, at site 30 ft downstream at datum 0.86 ft lower.

Average discharge.--13 years (1943-56), 21.9 cfs (15,870 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 215 cfs May 28 (gage height, 2.28 ft); minimum 

daily, 5.3 cfs Aug. 15, 16.

1944-56: Maximum discharge, 4,520 cfs May 2, 1947 (gage height, £.77 ft, site and 

datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 110 cfs by logarithmic plotting; 

minimum, 3.2 cfs Aug. 31, 1954 (gage height, 0.48 ft).

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of no gage-height recorc', which are poor. 

No diversion above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height in feet, and discharge, 

in cubic feet per second)

0.6 

.7

1.1

1.4 

1.7 

2.2

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

7.5

7.5

7.2

6.7

6.7

6.5

6.7

6.5

6.5

6.5

*6.7

7.0

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.5

7.2

7.2

6.7

7.2

7.0

7.2

9.1

8.6

8.3

8.9

9.8

8.3

7.8

8.6

8.9

231.9

7.48

460

Nov.

7.0

6.3

8.0

8.6

8.9

7.5

7.2

7.2

*8.0

6.7

6.2

7.2

7.0

6.7

6.2

6.2

6.5

7.8

8.6

U,

8.6

8.0

7.8

7.5

7.5

7.0

7.5

7.8

7.8

7.8

224.2

7.47

445

Dec.

8.0

8.0

8.0

7.8

8.0

S.O

.8

* .8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.6

.5

.5

.8

.8

.8

.8

8.3

8.0

S.2

*8.5

10

9.4

8.3

8.3

7.5

6.0

8.0

8 . 3

244.2

7.88

484

Jan.

8,0

7.8

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

7.5

*7.2

7.0

7.0

7.0

6.7

6.7

6.0

6.3

6.3

6.5

*6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.7

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

212.2

6.85

421

Feb.

6.5

1,3

6.5

6.7

6.7

6.7

*6.7

6.3

6.3

6.3

6.3

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.3

6.5

6.6

6.6

6.6

7.0

7.4

774

7.0

7.0

6.8

6.6

6.7

6.8

192.6

6.64

382

Mar.

6.8

6.8

6.6

6.8

6.8

6.6

6.4

6.8

6.6

6.4

^0

6.2

6.4

6.8

*7.0

7.0

7.0

7.2

8.3

9.4

9.S

11

12

13

13

12

11

10

10

11

12

262.7

8.47

521

Apr.

11

10

101111

10

111111 *12

14

13

15

15

14

14

15

16

20

25

30

32

29

28

27

26

26

25

25

25

542

18.1

1,080

May

25

25

27

*25

38

44

40

45

45

47

44

43

40

37

37

34

*40

47

52

61

65

78

73

*73

99

105

124

176

*137

126

105

1,957

63.1

3,880

June

97

*89

82

76

*73

68

62

54

51

50

45

41

*38

38

38

38

34

42

33

28

26

*26

24

22

22

21

19

18

17

16

1,288

42.9

2,550

July

17

*19

19

16

15

14

14

13

*12

12

12

13

12

10

9.1

8.9

8.9

*8.9

9.4

8.9

8.3

8.3

9.1

8.0

7.2

7.0

7.0

16

12

8.9

8.3

352.2

11.4

699

Aug.

8.3

*7.8

8.9

8.3

6.7

6.3

6.3

6.3

6.2

6.0

6.3

6.5

6.0

5.4

5.3

5.3

5.6

7.5

11

10

8.3

6.5

6.0

6.0

5.8

6.3

6.5

6.5

6.7

6.7

7.2

212.5

6.85

421

Sept.

7.2

6.5

6.3

6.2

7.0

*7.0

6.7

6.2

6.0

5.8

6.0

6.2

7.5

1^8

6.3

6.0

6.0

5.8

5.6

5.4

5.8

6.2

6.5

6.2

6.2

6.0

6.2

6.3

6.5

6.7

190.1

6.34

377

Calendar year 1955: Max 138 Mln 4.5 Mean 15.9 Ac-ft 11,480

Water year 1955-56: Max 176 Mln 5.3 Mean 16.1 Ac-ft 11,720

Peak discharge fbase. 140 cfs).--May 28 (5 a.m.) 215 cfs (2.28 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--No gage-height record Dec. 10-23, Feb. 18 to Mar. 15, Mar. 21 to Apr. 10, Apr. 12 to May 4; 

discharge estimated on basis of 4 discharge measurements, weather records and records for station 

on North Fork Powder River near Mayoworth.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 221

Crazy Woman Creek near Arvada, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°29', long 106°09', in sec. 17, T. 52 N., R. 77 W., on left bank a quarter 

of a mile upstream from mouth and 12 miles south of Arvada.

Drainage area.--956 sq mi.

Records available.--October 1939 to December 1943, January 1950 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,737.07 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Oct. 1, 1939, to Dec. 31, 1943, chain gage at site about half a mile upstream at 

different datum.

Average discharge. 10 years, 39.5 cfs (28,620 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, about 900 cfs Mar. 20; maximum gage height, 

11.45 ft Mar. 20 (ice jam); no flow for many days in summer and fall.

1939-43, 1950-56: Maximum discharge, 1,890 cfs Aug. 7, 1955 (gage height, 10.39 ft, 

from floodmark), from rating curve extended above 700 cfs on basis of discharge from 

rating at former site about half a mile upstream at gage height 9.7 ft for present site; 

no flow at times in 1939-40, 1942, 1950-56.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, backwater, or no gageheight record, which are poor. Diversions for irrigation above station (for details 

on adjudication of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect and backwater from

Powder River (gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 17 to Nov. 11, May 3O to June 4)

2.2 

4.8

2.5

2.7 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

4.5 

5.0

20 

40 

80 

138 

Z01 

296

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

*0

0

*0

0

.1

0

0 

0

1.3

0.04

2.6

Nov.

0

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.2

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

4.1

5.0

5.3

*5.6

6.0

28.5

0.10

57

Dec.

6.5

6.0

5.0

5.3

5.6

6.0

6.3

6.7

7.0

7.2

7.0

*7.5

7.0

6.5

6.0

5.5

6.0

5.5

*6.5

8.0

10

20

200

100

45

30

*40

30

15

10

11

638.1

20.6

1,270

Jan.

12

13

*15

17

20

17

15

17

15

16

17

16

15

14

10

9.0

10

11

*13

11

10

10

10

11 *11

1111

10

9.0

8.0 

7.5

391.5

12. S

777

Feb.

7^0

*10

11

12

13

13

13

13

11

12

13

11

9.5

8.0

*7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

10

11

12

17

30

*40

35

30

*26

30

437.5

15.1

868

Mar.

40

53

75

90

50

40

45

50

*46

25

10

12

15

*20

22

25

30

100

500

700

*350

*282

168

137

112

*82

64

56

53

47 

47

3,346

108

6,640

Apr.

48

44

39

*3S

36

35

33

32

29

28

28

27

25

26

25

20

17

17

27

27

24

23

*30

33

31

28

26

25

22

24

867

28.9

1,720

May

23

20

18

16

15

14

13

*12

11

11

13

15

18

20

20

18

*16

11

11

32

18

12

*10

22

46

55

49

97

137

179 

161

1,113

35.9

2,210

June

142

*115

108

100

88

79

*69

65

55

48

40

32

25

21

*c20

c!7

13

12

10

8.4

8.0

7.6

11

6.8

*5.6

4.3

3.2

2.7

2.2

l^S

1,120.6

37.4

2,220

July

1.2

9.8

30

9.8

15

*6.8

4.0

1.9

.9

.7

*.6

.5

.4

.2

.1

.1

.4

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

24

8.8 

*3.0

118.4

3.82

235

Aug.

.9

.7

.6

1.2

.6

.2

.1

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

4.3

0.14

8.5

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 600 Min 0 Mean 24.4 Ac-ft 17,660

Water year 1955-56: Max 700 Min 0 Mean 22.0 Ac-ft 16,000

Peak discharge (base. 500 efs).--Dec. 23 (6 p.m.) about 800 cfs; Mar. 20 (9 p.m.) about 90C cfs. 

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

c Backwater from Powder River.

Note.--Sbage-dlscharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 21. No gage-height record May 3-17; 

discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements and records for nearby stations.
222 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Powder River at Arvada, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°39', long 106°08", in sec. 16, T. 54 N., R. 77 W., on left bank at Arvada, 

three-quarters of a mile upstream from Wildhorse Creek.

Drainage area.--6.050 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--September 1915 to September 1956 (no winter records prior to 1916) 

Published as "near Arvada" 1915-19.

gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,622.01 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Nov. 17, 1915, staff gage at site 16 miles downstream at different datum. 

May 4, 1916, to Apr. 29, 1919, chain gage at site 17 miles downstream at different datum. 

May 4, 1919, to Oct. 23, 1938, chain gage at site half a mile downstream at present 

datum.

Average discharge.--40 years (1916-56), 382 cfs (276,700 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 8,380 cfs June 16 (gage height, 8.70 ft)- maximum gage height, 10.00 ft Mar. 20 (ice jam); no flow Aug. 29 to Sept. 12, Sept. 17-30 

1915-56: Maximum discharge, 72,000 cfs Sept. 29, 1923 (gage height, 23.7 ft, from 

floodmarks, site then in use), from rating curve extended above 2,000 cfs on basis of 

slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow at times during summers of many years.

Rem|rk| Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation above station (for detSile on adjudication 

°n/^^°n?' ps^m|^ks for this station in WSP 1209)/ Records of water temperatSres 

and suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in_WSF 1451.

Revisions (water years1.--WSP 731; 1923(M).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge. In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 12-2O, June 18 to July 1,

July 30 to Aug. 3)

Oct. 1 to Apr. 15, 

une 17 to Sept, 30

2.0

3.0

12

55

102

Apr. 16 to Ju

160

250

450

780

1,240

1,790

2.2 29

2.3 46

2.6 130

3.0 280

16

3.5 555

4.0 930

6.0 3,400

8.0 6,800

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

66

54

40

33

30

*23

21

20

17

13

13

*12

9.6

11

11

11

14

17

20

21

*22

22

23

23

25

*24

24

25

30

32 

34

740.6

23.9

1,470

Nov.

25

*23

80

102

76

56

73

*S1

81

84

84

50

25

*15

12

10

8

9

10

10

*11

15

20

30

35

40

40

38

*36

40

1,219

40.6

2,420

Dec.

39

.35

40

45

50

55

*58

64

70

73

76

*78

76

74

74

74

74

73

*72

90

200

400

600

800

700

600

*1.000

300

100

50

55

6,295

203

12,490

Jan.

60

65

70

*68

*65

70

80

100

120

*148

160

170

125

98

80

70

60

70

*86

80

90

100

110

120

*132

130

110

90

74

60

55

2,916

94.1

5,780

Feb.

*50

54

58

62

64

67

69

*71

72

74

76

78

80

82

*84

84

84

84

63

83

82

81

*81

200

*570

450

300

*200

205

3,626

125

7,200

Mar.

210

225

240

250

265

250

225

*320

*375

250

150

100

110

*115

100

150

250

500

1,200

*4 J 500

*3,100

*1,750

1,040

668

536

*439

378

330

295

282

222

18,825

607

37,340

Apr.

191

206

*232

266

250

250

254

246

236

276

*250

368

468

395

325

263

226

*211

218

207

184

188

*218

251

272

238

218

234

263

280

7,651

255

15,180

May

276

255

*255

242

211

199

199

*222

246

276

294

327

327

272

267

*263

215

188

162

159

204

203

*560

614

549

531

396

648

867

876

*634

10,937

353

21,690

June

483

380

*338

294

267

218

180

152

130

130

114

88

61

43

*42

*5.650

411

*194

132

*89

67

54

53

48

*38

31

28

26

25

35

7,801

260

15,470

July

31

100

*lj5GO

*175

86

a60

a45

a35

a27

a21

*a!7

15

12

9.6

7.3

6.0

25

«18

22

11

7.3

4.3

2.4

*1.0

.8

.5

.5

2.2

15

254

*474

3,C44.9

98.2

6,040

Aug.

412

180

362

162

107

*83

68

43

*160

68

75

42

25

20

67

*42

27

22

16

12

8.2

*4.7

2.7

1.6

.5

1.0

1.0

*.5

0

0

0

2,013.2

64.9

3,990

Sept.

c

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

11

20

1.9

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

33.1

1.10

66

Calendar year 1955: Max 3,460 Min o Mean 266 Ac-ft 192,500

Water year 1955-56: Max 4,500 Min 0 Mean 177 Ac-ft 129,100

Peak discharge (base. 2.200 cfs).--June 16 (6 a.m.) 8,380 cfs (8.70 ft); July 3 (5 a.m.) 5,130 cfs 

(6.88 ft).

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

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement and typical recession.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 1, 2, Nov. 12 to Mar. 21.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 223

North Fork Clear Creek near Buffalo, Wyo.

Location.--La t 44°19'12", long 106°54'35", in SWtjNE^ sec. 12, T. 50 N. , R. 84 W. , on left 

bank 1 mile upstream from confluence with South Fork Clear Creek, if miles esst of 

Hunter ranger station, and 10.5 miles west of Buffalo.

Drainage area.--29.0 sq mi.

Records available.--October 1949 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 6,950 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge.--7 years, 12.9 cfs (9,350 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 129 cfs June 5 (gage height, 2.51 ft); minimum 

daily, 3.5 cfs Feb. 16.

1949-56: Maximum discharge, 407 cfs June 7, 1952 (gage height, 3.22 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 74 cfs by logarithmic plotting; maximum gage height, 

4.91 ft Apr. 7, 1952 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 1.5 cfs Tec. 28, 

1954.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Two diversions for irrigation above station into French Creek (for 

details on adjudication of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Apr Apr. 7 to Sept. 30

1.1 2.1

1.2 3.6

1.3 5.7

1.5

1.6

1.2

1.4 

1.6

1.8 32

2.0 51

2.4 110

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

i

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

4.6

4.4

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

1*0

*4.0

4.0

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.0

4.0

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.4

4.2

b4.0

b4.2

b4.5

b5.0

5.5

134.2

4.33

266

Nov.

5.5

5.7

14

6.5

6.2

b5.5

*6.8

6.8

6.0

6.0

b5.6

b5.3

b5.0

b4.7

a4.5

a4.8

a5. 2

a5.7

aB. 5

a6.0

a5.S

»a5.3

5.3

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

174.1

5.80

345

Dec.

5.1

5.1

5.1

4.9

4.9

4.9

*4.9

4.9

5.1

5.3

5.7

6.2

*7.0

6.8

6.8

7.0

7.0

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.8

7.0

7.6

8.1

7.0

6.8

6.8

6.5

b5.0

b5.5

b6.0

190.2

6.14

377

Jan.

6.2

672

6.2

6.0

5.7

«5.7

5.7

5.5

5.5

5.3

5.3

5.1

5.3

5.3

5.1

5.1

4.9

*4.9

5.1

5.3

6.0

6.2

6.2

6.E

6.0

6.0

*5.7

5.5

5.3

5.3

b5.0

172.8

5.57

343

Feb.

b5.4

b5.8

*b6.4

b6.0

b5.5

5.1

5.1

4.9

4.6

4.4

4.4

4.2

4.2

4.0

b3.7

b3.5

b3.8

b4.0

b4.3

b4.6

b4.8

b5.0

*5.1

4.2

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

_ -----

133.0

4.59

264

Mar.

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

4.0

4.0

4.4

4.2

4.0

4.2

4.6

4.9

*5.1

5.3

5.3

4.9

4.4

4.9

4.9

5.3

bS.O

b7.0

bS.O

blO

b9.0

8.1

7.3

8.1

*7.3

7.3

171.5

5.53

340

Apr.

6.8

6.0

6.2

6.5

5.5

*b6.0

b5.5

b5.7

b5.8

b6.0

6.2

6.7

9.0

11

12

13

12

12

13

16

16

14

IE

12

14

15

15

12

11

10

301.9

10.1

599

May

ll

12

*13

13

19

23

24

27

30

31

27

28

21

19

19

*23

35

37

27

32

51

81

100

*81

96

87

*98

82

53

44

43

1,287

41.5

2,550

June

58

*70

75

84

105

*69

37

36

45

52

57

58

56

55

*68

52

28

31

24

23

21

*16

14

14

14

12

13

14

13

13

1,228

40.9

2,440

July

13

14

18

13

12

12

12

11

10

*10

10

10

10

9.7

9.3

9.3

*9.3

9.3

9.0

8.4

8.4

8.7

8.0

8.0

9.0

26

28

36

36

35

35

457.4

14.8

724

Aug.

3T

23

33

28

24

*23

21

20

18

17

Sept.

&*1

7.7

6.2

6.2

*6.2

6.2

5.7

5.4

5.1

5.4

16 5.4

16 5.4

14 5.9

14 5.7

12 5.1

7.0 5.4

11 5.1

41 5.1

36 5.1

*31 4.9

22

18

14

12

11

10

12

10

9.0

11

10

579.0

18.7

1,150

5.1

5.4

5.1

5.4

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.4

5.7

5.1

168.4

5.61

334

Calendar year 1955: Max 115 Mln 2.0 Mean 11.2 Ac-ft 8,110

Water year 1955-56: Max 105 Kin 3.5 Mean 13.6 Ac-ft 9,910

Peak discharge (base, 150 cfs). No peak above base. 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement and weather 

records.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
224 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Clear Creek near Buffalo, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°20", long 106°46 ! , In sec. 6, T. 50 N., R. 82 W., on left bank at mouth 

of canyon, 500 ft upstream from Mountain States Power Co.'s powerplant and 4 miles 

west of Buffalo.

Drainage area.--120 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. June to September 1894, May 1896 to February 1900, June 1917 to October 1927, April 1938 to September 1956 (no winter records prior to 1918).

e_.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 5,184.83 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

929. June to September 1894 and May 1896 to February 1900, staff gage at site 1 mile 

upstream at different datum. June 16, 1917, to Oct. 31, 1927, chain gage at site 

160 ft downstream at different datum. Apr. 8 to Sept. 30, 1938, staf* gage at site 

40 ft upstream at datum 2.00 ft higher.

Average discharge. 28 years (1917-27, 1938-56), 62.3 cfs (45,130 acrerf"-, per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 462 cfs May 27 (gage height, 3.83 ft); minimum 

daily, 0.2 cfs Sept. 20, 21.

1894, 1896-1900, 1917-27, 1938-56: Maximum discharge observed, 1,380 cfs June 28, 

1927 (gage height, 4.78 ft, site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended 

above 600 cfs; no flow Feb. 14-16, 1939, Nov. 12, 13, 1940.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. An average daily flow of about 7 cfs is diverted if miles above station into Mountain States Power Co.'s pipeline. Diversions above station for irrigaWSP tion 1209). (for details on adjudication of diversions, see Remarks for this station in 

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.7 

2.9 

4.9 

7.6

1.9 

2.2 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

15

33

63

158

302

525

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 19SS to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.4

 £

1.1

.5

^ c

*1.4

1.9

1.5

.9

.6

1.0

1.3

1.2

.8

.6

1.7

1.8

2.4

1.1

1.9

2.6

3.1

4.0

3.3

2.5

3.4

3.4

3.4

6.2

4.0

5.1

64.4

2.08

128

Nov.

1.8

.6

272

11

6.2

2.4

3.1

*2.2

7.1

5.1

5.1

2.2

.9

.8

.7

1.0

2.0

4.0

7.0

12

11

*9.0

8.0

7.6

6.2

7.4

5.0

5.5

6.5

6.5

1S0.1

5.00

298

Dec.

5.6

6.2

^72

4.5

4.7

4.9

*4.7

4.4

4.4

3.8

3.6

3.3

*3.4

3.0

3.2

3.1

3.0

2.5

3.0

4.0

5.0

5.5

6.0

5.8

5.5

6.0

6.0

5.0

3.5

3.8

3.5

137.1

4.42

272

Jan.

4.3

4.7

5.0

4.8

4.6

*4.4

4.2

5.1

5.4

470

4.0

3.8

3.8

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.4

*2.8

2.5

2.S

3.4

2.9

2.5

2.5

2.0

2.1

*2 . 8

2.8

2.4

2.0

1.7

108.4

3.50

215

Feb.

1.7

1.8

*1.9

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.0

1.9

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.6

275

2.2

2.1

1.8

1.7

1.8

1.6

1.7

1.9

*1.8

1.8

1.6

1.1

l!l

1.2

53.7

1.85

107

Mar.

1.1

1.1

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.0

.8

1.0

.8

.9

.9

.6

17T

*1.1

1.1

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.8

3.4

3.3

4.7

9.6

16

24

28

18

*6.2

14

B.8 5 9

160.9

5.19

319

Apr.

9.6

3.3

7.1

4.4

4.2

*2.8

871

5.1

4.7

5.2

6.3

2.8

7.5

13

21

23

20

18

19

28

35

30

17

13

24

30

33

26

17

14

452.8

15.1

898

May

15

18

24

*16

44

60

67

79

92

109

86

92

67

58

60

*58

86

134

168

223

320

353

361

*330

395

395

422

*427

349

296 

260

5,484

177

10,880

June

326

*353

349

349

590

323

218

*198

204

218

223

223

212

209

*226

226

176

184

161

141

134

*120

94

84

82

78

75

72

71

.68.

5,787

193

11,480

jviy

68

70

76

66

62

58

55

53

50

*47

45

45

42

39

34

32

29

27

*25

23

21

21

18

16

15

29

34

40

42

*42 

44

1,268

40.9

2,520

Aug.

38

37

40

35

29

*25

24

22

19

17

30

27

24

22

20

16

17

46

55

50

40

35

26

17

13

11

14

14

10

IT 

14

798

25.7

1,580

Sept.

~8.7 11

6.5

7.1

*5.9

6.8

4.4

2.8

1.9

2.2

1.8

1.4

2.1

2.9

1.1

.8

1.4

.8

.3

.2

.2

.8

1.1

.8

.4

.7

.5

.4

1.0

1.7

77.7

2.59

154

Calendar year 1955: Max 310 Mln o.l Mean 27. 3 Ac-ft 19,740

Water year 1955-56: Max 427 Mln 0.2 Mean 39.7 Ac-ft 28,850

Peak discharge (base, 380 cfs). May 27 (11:30 p.m.) 462 cfs (3.83 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 14-20, 23, 27, 28, Dec. 4, 5, Jan. 15, 25, 

Jan. 29 to.Feb. 3. No gage-height record Dec. 14 to Jan 5; discharge estimated on basis of weather rec 

ords.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 225

Rock Creek near Buffalo, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°27', long 106°52', in NW^- sec. 29, T. 52 N., R. 83 W., on left bank 

300 ft downstream from confluence of North Fork and South Pork and 11.5 miles northwest of Buffalo.

Drainage area. 60.0 sq mi.

Records available. October 1944 to September 1956 (no winter records 1944-45) in 3'eports 

of Geological Survey. April 1941 to September 1944 in files of Bureau of Reclanation.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,260 ft (from topographic map). 

Average discharge. 11 years (1945-56), 31.7 cfs (22,970 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 324 cfs May 28 (gage height, 5.72 ft); minimum 

daily, 0.7 cfs Sept. 20, 21.

1944-56: Maximum discharge, 1,810 cfs June 24, 1945 (gage height, 7.60 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 450 efs; minimum daily, 0.5 cfs Sept. 19, 1954.

Maximum stage known, about 8.05 ft, probably during 1944.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversion for irrigation from South Piney Creek into drainage basin 

above station. Diversions for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication 

of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used June 14-25)

2.8

2.9

3.0 

3.2 

3.4

1.4 

3.5 

7.2

3.7 

4.0 

4.5 

5.0 

5.6

160

294

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

4.3

4.1

3.8

3.7

4.3

*4.6

4.6

4.5

4.0

4.0

4.1

4.8

4.6

4.6

3.7

3.5

3.8

3.7

3.4

3.8

5.5

6.2

b5.9

5.9

5.5

5.3

5.3

b4.5

b4.7

b5.0

b4 5

140.2

3.36

207

Nov.

b3.0

b3.5

b4.0

b5.0

b4.8

4.5

4.8

*4.8

5.5

6.2

5.7

b4.5

b4.0

b3.5

b2.5

b3.5

b4.5

b5.5

b7.0

6.6

5.9

5.5

*5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

147.2

4.91

292

Dec.

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

5.3

*5.3

4.9

4.8

4.6

4.3

4.8

*4.6

b4.5

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.8

4.6

4.6

4.6

6.8

7.8

676

5.3

4.6

4.9

b4.5

b4.0

b4.5

b4.7

156.6

5.05

311

Jan.

4.9

4.8

5.1

479

4.8

*4.6

4.6

4.6

b4.5

4.6

4.6

4.3

4.3

b4.0

b3.5

3.3

3.8

*3.7

3.4

3.4

3.5

3.8

4.0

3.8

3.8

3.7

*a3.6

a3.5

a3.4

a3.3

a5.2

125.3

4.04

249

Feb.

a4.0

a5.0

*a5.7

6.8

6.8

6.4

6.2

6.2

5.9

5.9

5.9

5.7

5.5

5.1

4.9

4.8

4.8

4.6

4.5

4.6

4.8

5.1

*6.6

5.5

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.5

157.2

5.42

312

Mar.

5.3

5.1

5.1

5.1

5.1

.9

.8

.9

.9

.8

.8

*~.6

.8

.8

.8

.9

.9

7.8

11

8.3

6.6

9.2

10

12

12

b7.5

bS.O

b5.0

5.5

*5.7

195.8

6.32

388

Apr.

7.0

5.7

5.9

4.8

4.8

*5.3

7.0

4.8

4.8

5.5

5.9

5.3

6.8

9.2

12

15

14

13

14

17

20

20

14

12

13

16

16

15

13

12

318.8

10.6

632

May

1213"

*14

12

22

28

37

46

51

63

*49

51

38

34

37

41

67

89

115

154

*199

199

189

178

197

178

197

280

208

*184

180

3,162

102

6,270

June

195

184

173

169

167

152

133

*160

157

155

146

138

133

130

135

127

112

130

120

109

*91

83

74

73

70

57

35

36

34

JLZ

3,505

117

6,950

July

24

26

26

21

*18

17

16

14

12

11

9.7

10

*11

12

27

 J3 46

44

44

43

43

43

43

44

44

44

45

46

45

*45

46

962.7

31.1

1,910

Aug.

46

47

47

47

47

46

46

*47

46

44

8.2

4.1

5.1

3.7

5.5

3.5

4.0

6.6

9.4

7.5

*5.7

4.8

4.3

4.1

4.0

4.0

4.3

4.6

4.1

4.1

4.6

567.2

18.3

1,130

Sept.

4.1

3.0

1.9

2.0

*2.1

2.7

2.9

3.0

2.9

2.0

1.5

1.4

1.1

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.1

.9

.8

.7

.7

.8

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

1.0

1.3

2.8

3.0

51.4

1.71

102

Calendar year 1955: Max 178 Min 1.6 Mean 26.6 Ac-ft 19,247

Water year 1955-56: Max 280 Min 0.7 Mean 25.8 Ac-ft 18,750

Peak discharge (base, 440 cfs). No peak above base. 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements and W3ather records.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

South Piney Creek at Willow Park, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°27', long 107°02 ' , in sec. 26, T. 52 N., R. 85 W., on left bank at 

lower end of Willow Park, 1.5 miles downstream from Penrose Creek and 11 miles southwest of Story.

Drainage area. 28.9 sq mi.

Records available. September 1945 to September 1956 (no winter records prior to 1948). 

gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 8,550 ft (from topographic map). 

Average discharge.--9 years (1947-56), 42.1 cfs (30,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 340 cfs May 28 (gage height, 3.71 ft); minimum 

not determined.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 642 cfs June 7, 1952 (gage height, 4.77 ft); minimum 

daily, 4.5 cfs Mar. 1 to Apr. 5, 1955, but may have been less during years of no winter 

records.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Some regulation by Cloud Peak Reservoir (capacity, 2,720 acre-ft), 

storage of which is diverted into Rock Creek just below station by Roik Creek & Piney 

Reservoir & Ditch Co.'s canal.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.5

1.6

1.7 

2.0

2.5 

3.0 

3.6

108

186

314

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

17

17

16

16

16

16

16

16

15

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

13

13

14

14

14

12

13

13

13

13

11

T2

12 

11

435

14.0

863

Nov.

10

11

11

11

11

10

10

10

10

10

9.5

9.0

975

9.5

9.5

*9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.2

9.2

9.2

9.2

9.2

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

290.0

9.67

575

Dec.

8.5

263.5

8.50

523

Jan.

8.0

248.0

8.00

492

Feb.

7.5

--

217.5

7.50

413

Mar.

7.0

217.0

7.00

430

Apr.

7.0

775

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.5

9.0

10

11

11

11

12

13

14

T4

13

12

12

13

14

12

11

10

298.0

9.93

591

May

10

To

10

10

14

18

20

25

30

35

32

30

25

22

22

23

30

40

55

70

100

140

175

170

165

*162

184

304

T75

142

149

2,397

77.3

4,750

June

177

216

238

262

288

244

179

158

165

181

188

186

179

182

199

199

160

154

132

115

126

121

*85

88

89

86

86

90

90

91

4,754

158

9,430

July

90

90

90

79

71

67

66

65

61

58

58

62

64

62

92

83

83

80

77

74

72

70

74

74

76

77

77

78

76

76

76

£,298

74.1

4,560

Aug.

77

80

80

78

73

71

71

88

75

*68

58

48

38

34

32

30

33

41

40

40

39

35

34

33

33

33

33

31

29

31 

30

1,520

49.0

3,010

Sept.

28

26

25

25

25

23

22

21

20

19

18

18

18

17

16

16

16

16

15

14

14

14

14

14

14

13

13

12

13

13

532

17.7

1,060

Calendar year 1955: Max 242 Mln 4.5 Mean 31.9 Ac-ft 23,100

Water year 1955-56: Max 304 Mln - Mean 35.7 Ac-ft 26,700

Peak discharge (baae. 200 cfs). May 28 (12:30 p.m.) 340 ofs (3.71 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 6, 7, 11, 12, Oct. 23 to about May 1. No 

gage-height record Oct. 26 to May 25; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, 

weather records, and records for station near Story and East Qoose Creek.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 227

South Plney Creek near Story, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44 0 33'25", long 106°56'10", in NE£ sec. 23, T. 53 N., R. 84 W., on left 

bank 2.3 miles southwest of Story and 3.3 miles upstream from confluence wit'i North 

Plney Creek.

Drainage area. 70.5 sq mi.

Records available. June 1951 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 5,700 ft (from topographic mao). Prior 

to Oct. 1, 1951, staff gage at site 500 ft upstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--5 years, 66.3 cfs (48,030 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 805 cfs May 28 (gage height, 3.43 ft); minimum 

daily, 14 cfs Nov. 15, Jan. 16, Mar. 11, 12, 29.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 1,260 cfs June 7, 1952 (gage height, 4.36 ft), :rrom 

rating curve extended above 370 cfs on basis of records for Piney Creek at Kearney; 

minimum daily, 8.0 cfs Mar. 2, 1952.

Remarks. Records good except those for period Mar. 26 to June 6, which are fair, and 

those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Some regulation during spring runoff 

and irrigation season by Kearney Lake (capacity, 1,860 acre-ft) and Cloud Peak Reservoir (capacity, 2,720 acre-ft). Diversion for irrigation above station (for details on 

adjudication of diversions see Remarks for this station, in WSP 1209).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect and indefinite stae

relation (gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 30 to Apr. 7, May 8-15, May 24 to June 2

'-discharge

Oct. 1 to May 29 May 30 to Sept. 30

1.2 

1.5 

1.8 

2.0

54

78

2.3 

2.6 

3.2

135

258

570

1.1 

1.3 

1.6

19 1.9 

2.2 

2.6

134

230

440

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 19513

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

31

30

30

29

*28

28

27

26

25

25

27

27

26

25

25

25

25

24

24

25

25

25

25

24

24

23

24

 SI 20

24

21

790

25.5

1,570

Nov.

17

17

*27

27

24

21

22

23

23

23

21

b!7

b!6

b!5

b!4

b!7

b22

28

30

27

24

21

*22

24

24

23

21

21

21

21

653

21.8

1,3OO

Dec.

21

*22 22

22

21

21

20

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

b!8

b!7

b!6

b!7

b!8

19

19

*2O

20

20

19

b!8

b!8

b!7

b!6

b!5

biff

585

18.9

1,160

Calendar year 1955: Max 40O

Jan.

b!7

18

17

17

*16

16

15

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

b!5

b!4

blS

b!6

b!7

blS

18

18

18

17

17

*18

18

17

17

17

17

515

16.6

1,02O

Feb.

17 *T7

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

16

15

15

15

15

16

16

16

16

16

*16

16

15

15

17

17

17

17

*17

-

473

16.3

938

Mar.

17

16

17

17

17

16

blS

b!6

b!6

blS

b!4

b!4

b!6

*18

18

17

16

15

16

15

15

15

17

18

19

21

bT7

b!5

b!4

15

15

5O2

16.2

996

Apr.

15isis

15

15

*16

18

16

17

19

19

19

20

21

24

25

26

25

28

32

35

35

31

29

30

32

33

29

27

24

705

23.5

1,400

May

25

25

25

24

4O

48

54

66

77

104

*80

77

66

60

60

62

81

HO

142

178

*244

330

375

365

*365

35O

360

564

*4Tf

305

295

5,384

174

10,680

June

315

341

385

412

407

434

*325

196

*215

245

29O

295

290

300

358

374

280

255

211

*179

157

144

132

120

122

120

127

139

139

137

7,444

248

14,760

July

142

147

142

ISO

*129

120

112

99

101

101

105

*110

110

110

99

78

76

69

68

*63

60

76

*94

99

97

97

97

101

101

99

97

3,149

102

6,250

Aug.

96

99

97

97

94

92

*94

124

115

1O8

157

142

134

137

112

70

*63

78

79

81

79

72

68

65

61

58

61

58

55

57

56

2,759

89. 0

5,470

Sept.

M

50

49

48

48

46

*43

40

38

36

35

34

35

32

31

30

29

28

27

27

27

28

28

27

26

25

25

25

26

25

1,022

34.1

2,030

Min 10 Mean 59.1 Ac-ft 42,83O

Water year 1955-56 : Max 564 Min 14 Mean 65.5 Ac-ft 47,570

Peak discharge (base. 25O ofs). May 28 (1O a.m.) 805 cfs (3.43 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.

Note. Stage-discharge relation indefinite Mar. 26 to June 6; discharge computed on 

shift ing-contro1 method.
228 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

North Plney Creek near Story, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°34'50", long 106°55'55", in NW^SW^ sec. 12, T. 53 N., R. 84 W. , on left 

bank 2.1 miles west of Story and 3.2 miles upstream from confluence with South Plney 

Creek.

Drainage area.--37.7 sq mi.

Records available.--June 1951 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,290 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Sept. 14, 1951, staff gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 5 years, 33.7 cfs (24,410 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 1,230 cfs May 28 (gage height, 4.57 ft); minimum daily, 3.0 cfs Mar. 12.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, that of May 28, 1956; minimum daily, that of Mar. 12, 

1956.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. No diversion above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Nov. 19-25, Apr. 2, 3, 5)

Oct. 1 to Apr. 9 Apr. 10 to Sept. 30

0.4 

.5 

.7 

.9

4.0 

5.1 

9.1

15

0.6 

.7

.9 

1.1

5.6

7.2

9.5

13

27

1.5 

2.0 

3.5 

3.0 

4.0

63

124

255

443

920

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

8.0

8.0

7.5

7.5

*7.7

8.2

8.2

8.2

7.7

7.7

9.4

~~9.7 10

9.4

9.1

8.9

8.6

8.6

8.4

8.9

9.4

9.4

9.7

9.7

10

9.1

8.0

6.5 

77S

7.5

7.0

263.0

8.48

522

Nov.

7.0

7.5

*8.6

9.1

8.9

6.8

fl^2

8.2

8.2

9.1

8.0

7.0

6.5

6.3

6.0

6.5

7.5

8.0

9.1

8.6

7.7

7.5

*6.8

6.8

6.6

6.5

6.4

6.0 

6.5

7.0

222.9

7.43

442

Dec.

7.3

*7.0

6.6

6.6

6.5

6.6

6.8

6.6

6.8

6.6

6.6

6.5

6.3

6.2

6.0

6.4

6.3

6.0

6.8

6.6

6.5

*7.3

9.4

tt

7.7

7.0

7.0

6.6 

6.6

6.0

7.0

210.8

6.80

418

Jan.

7.7

7.3

7.0

7.0

*7.0

7.0

6.6

6.8

6.6

6.6

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.0

5.0

*5.6

5.8

5.6

5.4

5.1

5.1

5.0

4.8

4.9

4.9

*4.8

4.8

4.7 

ii5

5.0

5.5

182.5

5.89

362

Feb.

5.8

*6.1

6.3

6.5

6.8

6.5

6.2

6.0

5.8

5.9

6.0

6.4

6.0

5.5

«4.9

5.3

5.5

5.7

6.1

6.3

6.6

6.8

7.0

6?7

6.5

6.3

6.2

6.3 

*6.5

178.5

6.16

354

Mar.

6.1

6.1

6.3

6.3

6.3

5.0

4.0

5.0

4.5

3.5

3.2

3.0

*374

3.7

4.0

4.5

4.7

4.9

5.3

5.3

5.1

5.6

*6.3

7.3

9.4

12

15

Is

11

9.4

9.4

200.6

6.47

398

Apr.

11

10

10

9.1

*11

8.6

7.3

7.3

6.8

^9

7.0

7.4

9.0

12

15

21

18

20

23

30

37

36

30

27

25

29

32

27 

25

24

542.4

18.1

1,080

May

 ss 24

*25

25

37

47

59

75

92

143

*128

122

104

98

98

114

152

193

240

276

*312

330

315

304

312

*258

249

*891 536"

*414

344

6,342

205

12,580

June

'S62" 308

222

193

162

137

*114

106

99

92

84

76

70

70

65

59

54

59

49

*45

48

46

39

36

36

35

32

31 

 Sa 28

2,685

89.5

5,330

Jvly

28

28

30

^5

*23

22

23

20

17

17

17

*17

16

15

14

14

13

13

13

*12

12

12

*12

12

11

11

11

11 

11

11

10

501

16.2

994

Aug.

9.5

9.8

9.8

9.0

9.0

8.8

*8.8

10

9.5

9.0

15

T2

10

9.4

9.0

a.5.

8.5

10

14

12

10

9.0

8.5

9.0

9.0

9.0

10

9.5 

9.0

9.5

9.0

303.1

9.78

601

Sept.

8.7

8.4

8.2

8.2

9.0

9.0

*8.5

7.9

7.7

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.0

7.2

7.0

6.6

6.6

6.7

6.6

6.6

6.4

6.4

6.9

6.9

6.7

6.6

6.4

fci 6.4

216.4

7.21

429

Calendar year 1955: Max 374 Min 4.0 Mean 34.3 Ac-ft 24,850

Water year 1955-56 : Max 891 Min 3.0 Mean 32.4 Ac-ft 23,510

Peak discharge (base, 200 cfs). May 28 (l p.m.) 1,230 cfs (4.57 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 229

Piney Creek at Kearney, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°32 T , long 106°49 T , in sec. 26, T. 53 N., R. 83 W., on right bank 1,000 

ft south of Kearney and half a mile upstream from Little Piney Creek.

Drainage area. 106 sq mi.

Records available. September 1902 to June 1906, May 1911 to July 1917, May 1919 to September 1923 (no winter records), November 1940 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,655.11 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. Sept. 6, 1902, to June 30, 1906, chain gage at site 50 ft upstream at different 

datum. May 13, 1911, to July 31, 1917, and May 1, 1919, to Sept. 30, 1923, chain gage 

at site 50 ft upstream at same datum.

Average discharge.--15 years (1941-56), 89.1 cfs (64,550 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,840 cfs May 28 (gage height, 4.95 ft); minimum 

daily, 10 cfs Sept. 27, 28.

1902-6, 1911-17, 1919-23, 1940-56: Maximum discharge, 2,570 cfs June 3, 1944 (gage 

height, 5.32 ft), from rating curve extended above 1,400 cfs; minimum daily, 5.4 cfs 

Sept. 28-30, 1949, Sept. 27, 28, 30, Oct. 1, 3, 1952.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Some regu1ation by Cloud Peak Reservoir (capacity, 2,720 acre-ft) and Kearney Lake (capacity, 

1,860 acre-ft). Diversions for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication 

of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Revisions (water years). WSP 926: Drainage area. WSP 1176: 1944.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.3

1.4

1.5 

1.7 

1.9 

2.2

54

105

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0

180

333

565

910

1,900

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

16

16

16

16

16

*16

16

14

13

13

16

16

15

14

14

14

13

12

11

11

12

12

11

12

13

13

12

12

12

13

12

422

13.6

837

Nov.

11

13

*13

19

17

12

14

16

16

19

30

28

25

30

25

30

33

36

40

38

35

30

*20

25

30

35

20

22

25

28

735

24.5

1,460

Dec.

30

*27

23

25

20

25

28

30

32

33

30

35

30

25

20

23

25

28

30

32

34

*35

32

30

28

25

27

24

22

20

22

850

27.4

1,690

Jan,

25

27

30

32

30

*27

26

30

27

29

29

28

26

23

21

22

24

*27

30

29

28

27

26

26

25

*24

23

22

21

20

11

803

25.9

1,590

Feb.

21

23

*24

26

26

26

24

23

24

25

26

28

26

23

20

18

20

21

22

23

*24

26

28

27

25

23

22

21

*25

690

23.8

1,370

Mar.

26

25

27

26

25

20

22

25

23

20

19

21

*24

25

26

27

28

29

29

30

31

31

*33

38

46

50

44

35

30

35

35

905

29.2

1,800

Apr.

39

57

32

34

*36

37

39

36

36

39

39

39

44

46

51

53

51

50

52

57

64

64

58

55

54

58

61

55

53

51

1,440

48.0

2,860

May

52

51

*52

51

67

83

105

131

162

236

*200

202

175

157

151

162

211

265

337

434

*540

614

674

609

620

550

515

*1,450

1,130

*854

694

11,514

371

22,840

June

614

570

570

604

592

495

*341

225

214

225

230

211

188

162

159

144

87

78

54

39

45

48

33

28

31

*30

35

36

39

44

6,171

206

12,240

July

44

44

44

38

*33

31

36

33

32

29

29

36

*32

34

36

24

24

24

24

*23

18

25

31

28

26

26

23

26

27

27

931

30.0

1,850

Aug.

23

24

22

22

21

21

22

*29

28

26

42

33

28

29

28

18

2(T

33

38

33

28

26

25

29

29

29

32

31

28

31

30

858

27.7

1,700

Sept.

28

25

24

24

28

*28

23

23

24

21

20

18

19

19

16

16

15

14

13

12

12

13

14

12

12

11

10

10

11

11

526

17.5

1,040

Calendar year 1955: Max 539 Min 9.1 Mean 61.6 Ac-ft 44,620

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,430 Min 10 Mean 70.6 Ac-ft 51,280

Peak discharge (base, 750 efs). May 28 (1:30 p.m.) 1,840 cfs (4.95 ft) . Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 23 to Nov. 2, Nov. 11 to Mar. 

Apr. 3, 6.

21, Mar. 28, 29,
230 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Piney Creek at Ucross, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°33'45", long 106°32'25", in SWi sec. 18, T. 53 N., R. 80 W., on left bank 

at Ucross, 190 ft upstream from bridge on U. S. Highways 14 and 16 and half a mile upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 267 sq mi.

Records available. May 1917 to September 1923 (no winter records), January 1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,066.83 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. May 12, 1917, to Sept. 30, 1923, chain gage at approximately same site at different datum.

Average discharge.--6 years (1950-56), 69.6 cfs (50,420 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum and minimum discharges for the water years 1953-56 are contained in the 

following table:

Water 

year

1953 

1954 

1955 

1956

Maximum

Date

June 15, 1953 

May 21, 1954 

May 22, 1955 

May 28, 1956

Discharge 

(cfs)

1,340 

587 

535 

1,640

Gage height 

(feet)

4.92 

3.98 

3.97 

5.88

Minimum daily

Date

July 2, 1953 

June 1, 1954 

Sept. 22, 23, 1955 

Oct. 12-26, 1955, 

Sept. 28, 1956.

Discharge 

(cfs)

1.7 

1.7 

1.2 

.6

1917-23, 1950-56: Maximum discharge observed, 2,580 cfs Sept. 28, 1923 (gage height, 

6.0 ft, datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 1,500 cfs; minimum daily, 

0.6 cfs Oct. 12-26, 1955, Sept. 28, 1956.

Maximum stage known, 10.9 ft June 1, 1929 (present datum), from floodmark, from information by local resident.

Revisions. The maximum discharge for the water year 1952 has been revised to 1,240 

cfs July 13, 1952 (gage height, 4.80 ft), superseding figure published in WSP 1239.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, backwater from beaver dams, 

or no gage-height record, which are poor. Some regulation by Lake De Smet (capacity, 

32,250 acre-ft), Cloud Peak Reservoir (capacity, 2,720 acre-ft), and Kearney Lake (capacity, 1,860 acre-ft). Diversions for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Revisions. WSP 1176: Drainage area. Revised figures of discharge, in cubic feet per second, for high-water periods in the water year 1952, superseding those published in 

WSP 1239 are given herewith:

1952 

May 3.......... 668

4.. ........ 788

5. ......... 810

6. ......... 652

1952-Con. 

June 7.......... 944

8.......... 802

July 13.......... 1,050

14.......... 976

Month

May 1952. .

July. .....

Water ye 

Calendar year 1952. ........

Cfs-days

11,844 

7,537 

5,679

Maximum

810 

944 

1,050 

1,050 

1,050

Minimum

75 

12 

47 

12 

12

Mean

382 

251 

183 

118 

113

Runoff In 

acre-feet

23,490 

14,950 

11,260 

85,430 

82,000

Revised peak discharge.--1951-52: May 5 (6 a.m.) 936 ofsj June 7 (2 p.m.) 

1,150 ofsj July 13 (7 p.m.) 1,240 cfs.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 231

Piney Creek at Ucross, Wyo.--Continued 

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1952 to September 1953

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

40

20

19

18

19

23

c28

c25

c24

c24

c25

c25

c23

o26

c25

*c26

25

24

21

21

25

25

26

26

27

27

27

26

25

25

25

765

24.7

1,520

Nov.

25

25

24

23

25

28

27

27

26

21

21

25

25

22

*19.

20

21

21

21

23

24

21

26

31

5T

30

28

29

30

31

750

25.0

1,490

Dec.

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

*32

32

32

33

34

35

35

34

33

33

33

33

33

32

32

31

30

2_9

30

31

32

33

34

34

1,004

32.4

1,990

Jan.

34

34

35

35

32

34

35

36

37

38

39

*39

37

34

30

32

33

34

34

34

34

34

34

35

36

35

*32

32

33

34

37

1,072

34.6

2,130

Feb.

36

35

35

35

*34

32

30

28

27

26

*25

30

34

36

35

38

40

40

35

25

28

29

30

30

30

*30

30

30

-

893

31.9

1,770

Mar.

29

28

*28

29

30

30

33

40

50

60

70

*67

66

64

64

62

*57

50

58

62

64

50

44

42

50

57

57

43

33

38

41

1,496

48.3

2,970

Apr.

76

64

48

60

54

53

54

53

44

38

44

43

42

43

38

*42

30

24

a21 a22"

a25

a28

a36

a66

a39

a37

a47

a66

a74

a70

1,381

46.0

2,740

May

a54

a45

a39

*35

33

32

57

95

140

137

113

88

79

61

43

43

50

35

35

66

91

81

78

116

240

227

415

573

*880

*788

705

5,474

177

10,860

June

742

735

750

587

421

367

294

333

316

*463

582

469

438

802

1.100

840

*496

445

391

355

204

123

99

66

48

*30

21

11

6.9

*2 .8

11,537.7

385

22,880

July

2.1

1.7

8^

26

8.2

9.1

16

32

*33

53

86

80

61

66

81

97

99

83

70

67

61

57

60

62

64

64

79

84

84

-95- 103

1,792.7

57.8

3,560

Aug.

84

113

180

143

118

113

101

81

76

78

83

72

72

73

70

66

66

60

57

51

48

48

47

*44

47

46

44

43

39

28

14

2,205

71.1

4,370

Sept.

11

11

22

35

30

22

20

18

15

13

*13

11

11

14

19

19

18

20

19

18

18

18

17

17

18

11

7.7

6.9

6.2 c~5"

D . C

485.0

16.2

962

Calendar year 1952: Max 1,050 Mln 12 Mean 113 Ae-ft 82,000

Water year 1952-53: Max 1,100 Mln 1.7 Mean 79.1 Ae-ft 57,240

Peak discharge (base, 750 cfs).--May 29 (11 a.m.) 1,050 cfs (4.67 ft); June 15 (4 p.m.) 1,340 ofs 

(4.92 ft).* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of records for station at Kearney. 

c Backwater from beaver dam. 

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 23 to Mar. 14.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1953 to September 1954

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

6.2

5.2

3.7

9.7

15

13

11

11

11

9.6

9.1

9.6

*11

11

11

13

14

15

15

15

19

29

2T

21

24

23

23

24

24

25

25

477.1

15.4

946

Nov.

25

25

26

26

24

24

23

23

*22

22

22

21

21

18

21

*20

21

23

19

17

18

23

31

30

28

28

26

30

26

24

707

23.6

1,400

Dee.

27

26

*22

2Z

25

28

35

35

37

38

35

37

35

33

35

32

35

37

37

39_

36

32

34

35

36

35

35

37

35

34

36

1,036

33.4

2,050

Jan.

37

35

36

35

36

37

*37

33

30

30

28

26

25

27

25

15

17

*18

17

15

17

25

22

20

22

27

30

32

35

37

39

863

27.8

1,710

Feb.

40

41

42

*43

44

45

46

47

45

40

35

40

43

45

*47

45

43

40

30

31

32

33

33

36

31

30

24

26

-

1,077

38.5

2,140

Mar.

25

23

30

*36

40

35

32

32

32

32

25

13

19

26

*34

32

33

15

15

20

22

24

25

23

22

25

24

22

23

24

25

808

26.1

1,600

Apr.

2728"

29

31

35

46

32

*30

29

30

28

28

29

32

37

32

32

40

47

40

37

32

33

33

40

50

53

65

7366"

1,144

38.1

2,270

May

58

52

42

48

47

*57

68

61

56

92

143

222

355

403

457

451

457

397

391

451

524

427

278

135

*81

56

41

22

5.4

2.0

2.0

5,881.4

190

11,670

June

1.7

*27f

6.0

18

13

20

19

*10

8.4

28

28

30

30

33

35

32

35

36

28

26

32

33

37

50

69

93

84

~78 120

46

1,081.8

36.1

2,150

July

32

41

56

48

45

37

60

65

*61

61

61

61

62

55

62

66

64

60

60

*Ii

43

26

19

13

27

24

21

24

27

24

33

1,409

45.5

2,790

Aug.

45

52

48

48

55.

53

17

3.6

3.6

4.3

6.0

6.8

6.8

5.7

5.4

4.1

15

*36

38

35

37

33

32

30

28

28

24

21

24

24

27

796.3

25.7

1,580

Sept.

24

18

10

26

51

3.4

2.7

*2.5

277

3.2

2 z'.s. 9

2.5

5.5

13

12

14

13

14

15

12

7.8

c7.2

C6.6

c6.2

c6.0

*c5.7

c5.6

c6.0

c5.8

284.8

9.49

565

Calendar year 1953: Max 1,100 Mln 1.7 Mean 78.2 Ae-ft 56,640

Water year 1953-54: Max 524 Mln 1.7 Mean 42.6 Ac-ft 30,870

Peak discharge (base, 750 cfs). No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day. c Backwater from beaver dam.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Dec. 4 to Feb. 22, Mar. 1-13, Mar. 18 to Apr. 3.

459735 O - 58 - 16
232 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Piney Creek at Ucross, Wyo.--Continued 

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1954 to September 1955

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

8.0

10

11

10

10

10

11

11

11

11

12

12

13

13

*13

14

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

16

16

17

17

18

18

20.

426.0

13.7

845

Nov.

20

*20

20

18

18

16

16

14

13

13

13

13

13

14

15

16

16

*16

23

2?

23

21

22

23

22

23

23

17

16

16

536

17.9

1,060

Dec.

13

15

17

19

21

23

25

25

23

20

22

25

*27

28

27

26

27

28

29

30

30

30

27

23

20

17

*15

13

15

17 

20

697

22.5

1,380

Jan.

25

25

24

23

22

21

20

Zl

21

*21

21

21

25

24

23

24

25

26

*27

26

26

26

30

28

28

28

28

25

27

31

771

24.9

1,530

Feb.

29

27

25

22

24

26

28

30

25

JJL

17

19

21

23

25

27

25

20

15

17

18

19

15

*17

19

17

19

22

-

606

21.6

1,200

Mar.

23

25

23

15

9.0

11

13

*15

19

25

30

28

26

27

27

*28

27

30

27

25

28

30

27

23

20

25

30

40

50

60 

IP856.0

27.6

1,700

Apr.

*80

90

50

10

5.0

*5.0

10

30

50

250

*207

190

*180

167

*191

144

142

155

174

114

112

112

114

108

99

95

105

61

51

60

3,159.0

105

6,270

May

65

110

151

99

65

63

80

93

90

70

*60

76

105

106

140

257

300

180

144

162

238

386

361

*198

155

134

132

119

98

96 

87

4,420

143

8,770

June

95

88

*65

56

45

68

41

35

42

38

26

1822"

67

162

201

*217

214

134

93

82

98

115

138

185

271

252

234

175

119

3,396

113

6,740

July

84

84

62

52

42

*17

4.0

2.1

2.1

1.7

1.6

4.0

12

20

19

20

16

20

29

37

47

76

87

101

103

106

*88

85

74

69 

69

1,434.5

46.3

2,850

Aug.

73

74

70

60

*56

53

52

52

52

51

51

49

47

39

26

23

19

18

*18

18

16

IF

23

23

23

25

31

27

23

29 

*29

1,168

 37.7

2,320

Sept.

25

26

29

29

31

33

31

30

31

30

31

33

19

6.4

4.8

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

*1.5

1.4

1.2

1.2

2.4

3.8

3.8

3.5

3.2

2.7

2.4

427.3

14.2

848

Calendar year 1954: Max 524 Mln 1.7 Mean 41.1 Ac-ft 29,760

Water year 1954-55: Max 386 Min 1.2 Mean 49.0 Ac-ft 35,510

Peak discharge (base, 750 cfs).--No peak above base. * Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Dec. 1 to Apr. 13 (no gage-heifht record Feb. 17- 

24"]H Backwater from beaver dam Oct. 1 to Nov. 2, Sept. 16-19.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

25

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

2.4

2.2

2.2

2.1

1.9

*1.7

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.0

.9

.6

76

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.9

1.4

6.9

23

23

82.4

2.66

163

Nov.

24

13

*23

29

30

29

26

27

29

31

25

20

15

12

10

15

25

35

45

55

45

55

*32

35

40

45

50

31

35

35

879

29.3

1,740

Dec.

40

36

32

30

33

*36

34

30

28

27

26

*29

20

15

12.

13

14

12

20

30

4:0

60

100

150

TTo

80

50

40

30

20

22

1,219

39.3

2,420

Jan.

24

25

26

*27

27

26

26

27

29

30

32

*3452"

25

20

17

18

19

20

21

22

25

*24

24

24

25

21

18

15

15

11

723

23.3

1,450

Feb.

10

12

15

20

24

25

22

21

*20

21

23

25

20

15

12

10

12

15

17

19

*20

22

25

23

21

20

21

22

23

553

19.1

1,100

Mar.

22

22

25

22

20

17

18

20

18

15

12

10

T5

15

14

*15

15

25

55

175

*515

160

*125

105

150

*168

125

72

82

89

2,013

64.9

3,990

Apr.

87

57

44

69

57

40

35

56

35

36

43

*38

36

37

39

39

38

54

53

33

37

41

43

58

35

35

37

38

35

54

1,239

41.3

2,460

'May

*56

34

34

34

52.

41

56

66

120

187

175

173

157

128

122

*111

134

195

290

570

510

612

*732

654

*630

594

492

*1,050

*1.180

*960 

*750

10,659

344

21,140

June

582" 656

*576

618

618

515 *555

205

165

169

*177

165

142

124

*124

116

85

75

*55

35

26

27

18

8.1

*6.0

5.1

44

68

65

56

5,852.2

195

11,610

July

59

54

58

F2

42

*E4

14

6.0

6.0

5.4

18

35

*38

49

eo

eo

eo

83

eo

£i

£2

eo

83

62

*38

35

36

37

15

11

'

1,261.2

40.7

2,500

Aug.

8.5

28

38

55

36

32

25

*24

32

30

30

54

31

31

38

36

32

56

50

4l

50

20

7.7

4.2

5.5

3.7

6.6

12

8.5

7.5

12

766.0

24.7

1,520

Sept.

15

14

15

*14

18

21

18

12

8.1

6.5

6.0

6.0

5.1

5.7

4.8

5.7

5.5

3.1

2.4

1.4

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.2

.9

.8

.8

.6

.9

.9

192.4

6.41

382

Calendar year 1955: Max 386 Mln 0.6 Mean 50.5 Ao-ft 36,550

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,180 Mln 0.6 Mean 69.5 Ac-ft 50,460

Peak discharge (base, 750 cfs).--May 23 (8 a.m.) 846 cfs (4.66 ft); May 28 (7 E.m.) 1,640 cfs

(5.88 ft). * Discharge measurement made on this day.

. 

records).
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 233

Clear Creek near Arvada, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44"52', long 106°05', in SE-j sec. 36, T. 57 N. , R. 77 W., on right bank 

300 ft downstream from Cabin Creek, 1^ miles upsti

of Arvada.

tream from mouth, and 16 miles north

Drainage area. 1,110 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--August 1915 to April 1919, April 1928 to May 1929, September 1939 to 

September 1956. No winter records prior to 1939,

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,506.51 ft above mean sea leve], datum of 

~^929. Aug. 8, 1915, to Apr. 30, 1919, chain gage at about same site at different 

datum. Apr. 16, 1928, to May 26, 1929, chain gage at site about a quarter cf a mile 

upstream at different datum. Sept. 13, 1939, to Jan. 14, 1951, chain gage st present 

site and datum.

Average discharge.--17 years (1939-56), 189 cfs (136,900 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 8,560 cfs Mar. 21 (gage height, 10.10 ft), from 

rating curve extended as explained below; minimum daily, 1.1 cfs July 21.

1915-19, 1928-29, 1939-56: Maximum discharge, 9,600 cfs Aug. 5, 1954 (grge height, 

10.45 ft), from rating curve extended above 2,500 cfs on basis of slope-arer determination at gage height 10.17 ft; no flow July 22, 1954.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Some regulation by Lake DeSmet (capacity, 32,250 acre-ft), Cloud Peak 

Reservoir (capacity, 2,720 acre-ft) and Kearney Lake (capacity, 1,860 acre-ft). Diversions for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication of diversions, see 

Remarks for this station in WSP 1209).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Nov. 10, 

Mar. 21-27, June 5-20, Aug. 20 to Sept. 2)

2.0 

2.5

3.0 

4.0 

6.0

166

320

540

1,090

2,520

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

a

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

3.4

7.4

9.2

7.9

6.8

6.8

5.6

6.2

7.4

8.5

10

*14

19

14

18

19

20

20

20

21

20

21

23

25

25

*24

25

27

32

36 

39

541.2

17.4

1,070

Nov.

44

39

43

34

50

54

65

*62

62

65

60

55

47

*42

35

40

50

60

65

67

*69

6?

60

62

64

60

50

55

*53

65

1,649

54.9

3,270

Dec.

65

60

55

52

55

60

65

65

62

66

70

*73

65

60

55

62

66

62

*74

80

85

90

100

120

180

200

*155

120

90

60 

65

2,537

81.8

5,030

Jan.

70

75

*82

90

100

90

75

77

30

*83

85

87

90

80

65

60

65

70

75

74

73

72

71

71

*71

70

72

65

57

54

52

2,301

74.2

4,560

Feb.

50

*56

58

59

60

60

60

*60

58

60

62

66

64

60

45

50

52

52

54

56

58

60

*60

58

55

60

70

*85

90

1,738

59.9

3,450

Mar.

90

95

100

105

110

120

120

115

*106

80

60

65

70

76

*33

90

100

150

250

500

2.050

*1,100

690

575

606

*545

436

320

209

198

203

9,417

3O4

18,680

Apr.

182

174

192

*13T

135

127

105

90

88

97

88

97

99

94

94

101

112

118

107

101

95

101

*122

131

116

103

103

110

110

105

3,428

114

6,8OO

May

103

99

97

92

95

95

101

*144

166

244

356

344

328

306

247

214

*184

184

285

432

575

839

*966

1,100

940

988

874

1,000

*2.000

*1,530

1,160

16,088

519

31,910

June

934

874

828

356

392

380

*725

490

299

257

268

257

247

247

*217

223

229

195

164

149

99

78

58

43

*30

20

12

7.9

IS" 5.6

9,597.5

320

19,040

July

18

10

8.5

7.9

12

*14

30

11

21

21

*16

18

6.8

4.5

15

5.6

8.5

6.8

5.1

2.0

1.1

2.0

2.8

*3.9

2.2

2.5

52

36

59" 78

21

502.2

16.2

996

A'lg.

7.4

2.5

1.4

 1.4

2.5

2.2

8.5

7.4

*7.4

7.4

6.2

10

7.9

7.4

6.2

2.8

2.2

9.2

12

18

22

22

15

11

11

7.9

6.8

*6.2

14

15

7.4

268.3

8.65

532

Sept.

5.6

5.1

6.2

8.5

11

12

13

16

16

14

*12

6.8

6.2

5.1

4.5

5.6

6.2

6.2

6.2

6.8

6.2

5.6

3.9

2.8

2.8

2.2

2.2

2.0

T5

3.4

206.6

6.89

410

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,720 Mln 0.3 Mean 98.1 Ao-ft 71,010

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,050 Mln 1.1 Mean 132 Ao-ft 95,75O

Peak discharge (base. 1.50O cfs).--Mar. 21 (3 a.m.) 8,560 cfs (10.1O ft); May 29 (3:3T p.m.) 2,260 

cfs (5.50 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 11 to Mar. 20 (no gage-height reiard Feb. 9- 

23; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement and weather records).
234 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Powder River at Moorhead, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°04', long 105°51', in sec. 8, T. 9 S., R. 48 E., on left bank 500 ft

downstream from post office at Moorhead and 6^ miles upstream from Buffalo Creek. Prior 

to Mar. 22, 1956, at site three-quarters of a mile upstream; Mar 22 tc July 24, 1956, 

at site a quarter of a mile downstream.

Records available. May 1929 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,334.6 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. Prior to Aug. 28, 1931, staff gage at site a quarter of a mile upstream at different datum. Aug. 28, 1931, to Mar. 21, 1956, water-stage recorder three-quarters of 

a mile upstream at different datum. Mar. 22 to July 24, 1956, staff gage at site 

a quarter of a mile downstream at different datum. July 25, to Sept. 12, 1956, staff 

gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge.--22 years (1934-56), 468 cfs (338,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year not determined; maximum gage height, 17.7 ft

Mar. 21, site and datum then in use (ice jam); minimum daily discharge, 4.4 cfs July 26.

1929-56: Maximum discharge, 15,300 cfs May 25, 1952 (gage height, 10.67 ft, site 

and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 4,000 cfs on basis of slopearea determination of peak flow; maximum gage height, that of Mar. 21, 1956; no flow 

at times in 1931-34.

Flood of Sept. 30, 1923, reach a stage of 19 ft, site and datum used 1931-56, from 

information by local residents.

Remarks.--Records good except those above 1,500 cfs, which are fair, and those for periods 

of ice effect or no gage-height record, which are poor. Diversions for irrigation of 

about 50,000 acres above station. Some regulation by three reservoirs in Wyoming with 

combined usable capacity of 36,800 acre-ft. Records of chemical analyses and water 

temperatures for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating table

Oct. 1 to Mar. 26

1.9 18

2.1 40

2.3 81

2.6 173

ater year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage height, in 

feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

Mar

0.5 150

1.0 250

2.0 520

2.4 720

27 to July 24

3.0 1,360

5.0 4,000

7.0 7,200

July 25 to Sept. 30

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.0

5.5

10

16

25

2.4

2.5 

2.7 

3.0 

3.5 900

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

63

56

56

*51

39

38

34

29

27

26

29

29

29

35

32

32

33

32

33

36

40

40

40

44

45

45

*49

51

54

58 

70

1,277

41.2

2,530

Nov.

55

60

100

110

95

125

131

141

151

159

120

90

75

60

75

70

65

70

75

80

80

75

75

80

95

95

90

90

80

70

2,737

91.2

5,430

Dec.

*70

80

90

90

85

100

120

130

140

140

140

150

130

110

90

100

120

110

120

140

150

*140

140

140

300

1,000

1.200

300

200

150

100

6,075

196

12,050

Jan.

100

120

120

140

150

140

130

150

175

210

220

230

200

160

130

120

120

130

140

*140

160

160

170

180

190

190

170

140

120

90

80

4,675

151

9,270

Feb.

65

65

90

100

120

120

120

120

120

120

130

140

140

140

130

100

100

120

130

*140

140

140

140

200

300

600

300

280

260

4,670

161

9,260

Mar.

280

300

340

360

380

370

360

420

500

450

300

260

200

200

200

250

300

300

500

6.200

3,500

3,000

2,000

1,500

1,000

900

*810

650

520

499

496

27,345

882

54,240

Apr.

451

427

445

439

445

435

430

418

382

388

385

403

457

511

430

400

388

376

345

360

348

342

373

397

391

*394

355

355

365

400

12,035

401

23,870

May

376

345

345

34O

335

320

330

350

400

475

508

517

568

502

454

430

424

350

400

430

685

664

1,030

1,480

1,430

1,310

1,170

2,040

2,580

2, 910

1,790

25,288

816

50,160

June

1,360

1,140

1,310

1,070

1,030

*1,030

800

596

457

400

394

370

362

335

370

7,200

1,360

514

391

335

300

238

236

178

166

100

55

50

40

35

22,222

741

44,080

July

100

528

5.100

706

200

100

80

60

45

50

40

35

30

20

15

25

15

30

25

30

15

10

8

7.5

*7.3

4.4

5.0

82

18

71

198

5,660.2

183

11,230

Aug.

878

42

173

224

198

192

102

*71

54

173

102

97

37

27

35

37

39

37

35

27

42

22

22

21

14

12

14

15

8.2

14

15

2,779.2

89.7

5,510

Sept.

12

8.2

9.1

8.2

9.1

8.6

*12

13

15

15

16

8.6

8.6

8.2

6.8

9.6

10

8.2

7.8

7.8

9.1

9.1

8.2

8.6

8.2

7.3

6.0

4^8

7.3

7.3

277.7

9.26

551

Calendar year 1955: Max 3,000 Min 2.8 Mean 355 Ac-ft 256,800

Water year 1955-56: Max 7,200 Min 4.4 Mean 314 Ac-ft 228,200

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Feb. 21-25, Feb. 27 to Mar. 4, Mar. 6-26, Apr. 6, 7, May 4, 8, 9, 18, 

19, June 26 to July 1, July 5-24, 27, Aug. 15, 27; discharge estimated on basis o<" records for Powdei 

River at Arvada, Wyo., and Clear Creek near Arvada, Wyo. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice 

Nov. 1-5, Nov. 11 to Feb. 20, Feb. 26, Mar. 5. Discharge computed from staff-gage readings (recorder shelter and well destroyed Mar. 21) Mar. 27 to Sept. 12, Sept. 22-30.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 235

Powder River near Locate, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°26', long 105°18' , in NEi: sec. 26, T. 8 N. , R. 51 E., on right bank 50 ft 

downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 12 at present site of Locate (5 miles west of 

former site of Locate), 3 miles upstream from Locate Creek, and 25 miles east of Miles 

City.

Records available. March 1938 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and wire-weight gage read once daily. Altitude of gage is 

£",400 ft (by barometer). Prior to July 11, 1947, wire-weight gage at bridge 50 ft upstream at same datum.

Average discharge. 18 years, 639 ofs (462,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 24,000 cfs Mar. 23 (float measurement); maximum 

gage height observed, 12.3 ft Mar. 23 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 

2.6 cfs Sept. 23.

1938-56: Maximum discharge observed, 31,000 cfs Feb. 19, 1943 (gage heigtt, 11.23 

ft), from rating curve extended above 14,000 cfs; no flow Jan. 16 to Feb. 12, Feb. 22- 

24, 1950.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 52,000 acres above station. Some regulation by three reservoirs in Wyoming with combined usable capacity of 36,800 acre-ft. Records of chemical 

analyses and water temperatures for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Revisions (water years). WSP 926: 1939.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1-31, Nov. 4-10, Mar. 25, 26,

July 21-26, Aug. 15 to Sept. 2, Sept. 15-30)

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7 

2.0

2.2 

2.5

4.0 

5.0

54

83

170

320

815

1,800

3,950

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23 

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

6.4

6.6

6.6

6.4

5.5

5.0

4.7

T7f

5.5

5.0

6.8

12

12

13

15

15

14

15

16

15

16

16

15 

14

16

20

22

*26

28

29

32.

424.2

13.7

841

Calendar yea

Nov.

25

20

20

34

39

28

33

34

55

92.

70

50

40

50

50

40

20

*15

40

50

40

40

40 

40

50

50

40

40

40

50

1,235

41.2

2,450

Dec.

50

50

50

50

50

60

60

60

60

60

70

80

70

70

70

70

70

60

60

*65

70

80

90

110

100

110

120

120

110

110

110

2,365

76.3

4,690

Jan.

120

120

120

120

110

100

110

130

140

TRJ

140

140

140

130

110

100

100

100

110

120

12O

120

120 

130

130

130

120

110

90

80

70

3,620

117

7,180

Feb.

70

70

70

70

80

90

90

90

90

90

90

100

100

90

90

80

80

80

80

80

*80

80

100 

110

120

110

140

160

180

2,760

95.2

5,470

Mar.

200

240

280

300

500

*900

800

900

700

600

550

500

450

400

300

400

500

450

400

350

600

800

*7,000

6,000

3,650

2,810

2,360

1,820

1,360

1,240

1,060

38,420

1,239

76,200

Apr.

882

793

716

680

620

604

572

572

548

548

564

540

532

525

495

572

*572

525

472

420

383

376

362 

362

348

334

398

420

398

355

15,488

516

30,720

May

362

376

383

376

355

341

341

320

314 612"

458

465

518

637

662

637

*612

564

502

465

420

390

495

671

1,020

1,520

1,630

1,780

2,220

2,040

2,640

24,126

778

47,850

June

2,620

2,140

1,670

1,380

1,280

1,200

1,100

1,080

1,020

842

705

588

480

405

348

334

327

1,760

1,430

842

*572

458

369 

296

255

230

170

145

117

99

24,262

809

48,120

July

71

61

62

66

123

828

502

255

178

178

141

117

83

272

327

138

145

88

59

34

31

27

27 

*27

21

16

15

54

76

61

65

4,148

134

8, 230

Au? .

50

33

33

114

170

194

210

186

117

92

80

65

58

58

66

62

64

78

104

90

69

62

56 

53

49

49

109

1,040

*420

230

604

4,665

150

9,250

Sept.

284

123

88

68

61

52

39

33

34

31

30

28

23

30

20

15

12

12

7.0

3.4

4.7

3.0

2.6 

*77f

7.0

6.8

6.8

8.0

8.5

8.5

1,054.0

35.1

2,090

f 1955: Max 5,210 Min 4.7 Mean 425 Ac-ft 307,600

Water year 1955-56: Max 7,000 Min 2.6 Mean 335 Ac-ft 243,100

Peak discharge (base, 5,000 efs). Mar. 23 (9:30 a.m.) 24,000 cfs.

Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1-3, Nov 

from once-daily wire-weight-gage readings Oct. 1 to Mar. 7, Mar 

July 1 to Aug. 2, Aug. 6-21, 27, Aug. 31 to Sept. 30.

11 to Mar. 24. Discharge compute 

12, 13, 23, Apr. 12, May 13, 14,
236 YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN

Yellowstone River near Sidney, Mont.

Location.--Lat 47°37', long 104°11', in NWljNWi sec. 5, T. 21 N., R. 59 E., on right bank 

at Montana Water Conservation Board pumping plant, 2| miles upstream from Fox Creek, 

4-2 miles upstream from bridge on State Highway 23, and 7 miles south of Sidney.

Drainage area.--69,450 sq mi, approximately (at highway bridge).

Records available.--April 1934 to September 1956. Monthly discharges for period October 

1897 to March 1934, based on records for other Yellowstone River stations and records 

for Missouri River at Fort Benton, in Circular 108.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,895 ft (from topographic map). Supplemental wire-weight gage, read twice daily at bridge 4| miles downstream. Apr. 9, 

1934, to May 16, 1945, water-stage recorder at two sites within 500 f1: of highway bridge 

4-2 miles downstream and May 17, 1945, to Apr. 3, 1952, wire-weight gage on same bridge 

at datum about 10 ft lower.

Average discharge. 22 years (1934-56), 11,730 cfs (8,492,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 64,600 cfs June 2 (gage height, 14.39 ft); maximum gage height, 15.84 ft Mar. 26 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 

1,500 cfs Nov. 16-18.

1934-56: Maximum discharge, 138,000 cfs Mar. 31, 1952 (gage height, 18.1 ft, site 

and datum then in use, from graph based on wire-weight-gage readings); maximum gage 

height observed, 21.85 ft Mar. 22, 1947, site and datum then in use (backwater from ice); 

minimum daily discharge, 860 cfs Dec. 31, 1934.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Discharge 

measurements made at 5-day intervals during open water and twice a month during period 

of ice effect. Diversions for irrigation of about 1,250,000 acres above station. Some 

regulation on tributary streams. Records of chemical analyses and water temperatures 

for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage height, in feet,

and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 12-18, Apr. 9-14, May 2O to June 4, June 20, 

July 23-26, 31, Aug. 7-12, Aug. 26 to Sept. 6, Sept. 26-29)

Oct. 1 

Apr. 9

5.0 4,200

6.0 6,600

7.O 9,800

Mar. 6, 

June 20

9.0 19,500

12.0 41,400

15.0 68,300

Mar. 7 to Apr. 8

3.0 9,300

4.0 13,100

5.0 17,100

June 20 to Sept. 30

5.0 4,200

7.0 9,500

9.0 16,600

10.0 22,100

11.0 30,200

11.5 34,700

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

5,650

5,300

5,420

5,550

5,580

5,620

5,420

5,650

5,600

5,300

5,720

5,620

5,500

5,080

5,400

5,100

5,400

5,650

5,820

5,800

5,580

5,320 

5,000

5,120

4.900

5,050

5,520

5,500

5,500

5,450 

5.920

169,040

5,453

335,300

Nov.

5,980

5,8OO

6,020

6,05o

5,920

5,780

6,08O

6,280

6,520

6,520

6,450

6,28o

5,000

3,000

2,000

1.500

1,500

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

4,000 

4,500

5,500

6,500

7,000

7.500

7,500

7,000

6,000

151,180

5,039

299,900

Dec.

3,900

3,500

4,000

4,500

5,500

6,000

6,500

6,000

5,200

5,OOO

5,000

5,000

5,200

5,500

5,500

5,500

5,500

5,000

4,500

4,300

4,000

3,500 

3,500

4,000

4,000

5,000

6,500

8,500

10,500

11.000

11,000

172,600

5,568

342,300

Jan.

10 . 500

8.9OO

7,OOO

5,800

5,500

5,500

5.5OO

6,OOO

6,000

6,000

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,500

6,000

6,100

6,200

6,200

6,000

5,500

5,000

4^500 

5,000

5,500

5,800

6,500

7,000

6,900

6,800

6,500

6,400

194,600

6,277

386,000

Feb.

6,100

6,OOO

5,500

5,500

5,000

5,000

4,500

4.100

4,100

4,600

5,500

6,400

7,000

7,200

7,000

6,700

6,800

6,800

6,500

6,200

6,000

5,500 

5,500

5,500

5,900

6,000

6,800

7,500

8.400

173, .600

5,986

344,300

Mar.

10,000

10,500

10,500

10,500

10,500

11,000

11,500

11,000

10,500

10,000

10,000

9,000

8,500

8,000

7,500

7.000

7,000

7,500

8,500

10,000

12,500

15,000 

17,500

20,000

23,000

21,500

21,000

27.500

20,000

14,000

13,500

394,500

12,730

782,500

Apr.

12.900

11,300

10,300

10,600

10,800

10,300

9,580

9,300

9,760

9,590

9,310

9,240

9,310

9,380

9.100

9,340

9,240

9,380

9,620

9,800

10,300

9,800 

9,280

9,200

9,800

10,900

10,700

10,200

10,100

9,900

298,330

9,944

591,700

May

9,380

9,450

9,240

8,920

8,720

8,750

8,720

8.540

8,540

9,420

11,100

13,400

14,200

14,200

13,800

13,600

12,500

11,500

10 , 800

11,800

15,600

19,800 

23,900

28 , 800

34,900

40, 200

45,000

48,300

51,100

52,800

55,100

632,080

20,390

*1,254

June

61,400

65.50O

57,800

56,300

59,000

59,700

58,7OO

57,000

54,400

44,500

37,800

37,900

39,100

39,800

40,600

41,800

40,600

43,500

45,300

40,600

34,100

32,300 

32,500

33,400

33,000

29,500

27,400

28,200

27,400

25.600

*1,282.7

42,760

*2,544

July

25 . 200

24 , 600

24,300

24,000

22,500

21,000

20, 400

19,300

18,000

17,500

17,300

16,700

15,700

15,300

15,400

15,600

14,600

13,800

13,000

12,000

11,100

10,400 

9,650

9,080

8,810

8,750

8,420

8,540

8.560

8,390

8,690

466,390

15,040

925 , 100

Aug.

8,870

9.25O

9,080

9,110

8,630

8,570

8,180

7,790

7,370

6,750

6,320

6,020

5,900

5,900

6,120

6,200

5,820

5,420

5,120

5.100

5,720

6,480 

6,680

6,480

6,280

5,900

6,280

6,180

7,130

8,030

9,080

215,740

6,959

427,900

Sept.

8.780

8,630

8,060

7,760

7,880

7,610

7,220

6,950

6,880

6,750

6,400

6,120

5,920

5,480

5,620

5,920

5,920

6,180

6,100

5,880

5,680

5,450 

5,500

5,120

4,850

4.620

4,920

5,080

5,020

4,950

187 , 250

6,242

371, 400

Calendar year 1955 : Max 38,100 Min 1,500 Mean 8,802 Ac-ft 6,373,000

-Water year 1955-56 : Max 63,500 Min 1,500 Mean 11,850 Ac-ft 6,604,000

* Expressed in thousands.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 13 to Mar. 31. 

daily wire-weight-gage readings Mar. 7 to Apr. 8.

Discharge computed from twice-
YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 237

Reservoirs In Yellowstone River basin in Wyoming

Bull Lake. Lat 43°12'35", long 109°02'00", in sec. 30, T. 3 N. , R. 2 W., at reservoir 

dam on Bull Lake Creek, 10 miles s'outh of Lenore. Records available, October 1938 to 

September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. December 1936 to September 1938 in 

files of Bureau of Reclamation. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is at mean sea 

level (Bureau of Reclamation datum . Maximum daily contents during year, 148 900 acref*t- Tnvirt *an «Trt,.n*-^_^ c nr\A r\r fn- __ j __ . _i _ . , " .- - ~~ *. _ . °_ _" _* . , * **«»-* w ft June 30 

5,767.60 ft

elevation, 5,804.05 ft minimum daily, 51,730 acre-ft May 3, 4 (elevation,

Maximum daily contents during period 1938-56, 152,100 acre-ft July 9 

10, 31, Aug. 6-8, 1951 (elevation, 5,805.05 ft); minimum observed, 5,470 acre-ft 

Mar. 15, 1950 (elevation, 5,742.56 ft).

Reservoir is formed by rock-fill dam completed by Bureau of Reclamation ir December 

1936. Capacity, 152,000 acre-ft between elevations 5,739.00 ft (invert of ovtlet gate) 

and 5,805.00 ft (crest of spillway). Dead storage unknown. Records given herein 

represent usable contents. Water used for irrigation near Riverton. Records furnished 

by Midvale Irrigation District.

Boysen Reservoir.--Lat 43°25'00", long 108°10'37", in NW^NW^ sec. 16, T. 5 N F 6 E

Wind Kiver meridian, at dam on Wind River 13 miles north of Shoshoni. Records available 

October 1951 to September 1956. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is at mean sea 

level, datum of 1933 (levels by Bureau of Reclamation). Maximum daily contents during 

year, 752,700 acre-ft Aug. 5, 6 (elevation, 4,724.74 ft); minimum daily, 189,800 acreft Mar. 18, 19 (elevation, 4,684.18 ft). Maximum daily contents during period 1951-56 

761,700 acre-ft July 21-23, 1954 (elevation, 4,725.20 ft); minimum daily contents since 

normal use of water started, that of Mar. 18, 19, 1956.

Reservoir is formed by rock-fill dam completed by Bureau of Reclamation in October 

1951. Capacity, 757,800 acre-ft between elevation 4,657.00 ft (invert of penstock 

pipe) and 4,725.00 ft (top of spillway gate). Dead storage, 62 000 acre-ft Records 

given herein represent usable contents. Water is used for irrigation, flood control, 

and power development. Records furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Lat 44°30'05", long 109°11'00", in sec. 12, T. 52 N. F. 103 W 

at dam on Shoshone River, 5 miles upstream from Trail Creek and 6 miles southwest of'' 

Cody. Records available, October 1938 to September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. January 1910 to September 1938 in files of Bureau of Reclamation. Prior to 

October 1944, published as Shoshone Reservoir near Cody, Wyo. Staff gage. Datum of 

gage is at mean sea level (Bureau of Reclamation datum). Maximum contents otserved 

during year, 460,600 acre-ft June 20, 21 (elevation, 5,363.0 ft); minimum observed 

170,400 acre-ft Mar. 17-19, Apr. 9-14 (elevation, 5,304.7 ft). Maximum contents observed during period 1938-56, 490,100 acre-ft June 23, 1943 (elevation 5 364 9 ft)- 

minimum observed, 19,080 acre-ft Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 2, 1941 (elevation, 5,225.4 ft). '

Reservoir is formed by masonry dam completed by Bureau of Reclamation in'1909 

Capacity, 439,900 acre-ft between elevations 5,140.00 ft (gate sill) and 5,360.00 ft 

(crest of spillway). Dead storage negligible. Records given herein represent usable 

contents. Water used for power development and Irrigation of lands east of Cody. Gage 

read once daily. Records furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Revisions (water years). WSP 896: 1939(M) .

Month-end elevation and contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Dec. 31... ............

Calendar year 1955. .

Sept. 30.. .............

Water year 1955-56..

Date

Calendar year 1955. .

Sept. 30. ....... .......

Water year 1955-56..

Bull Lake

Elevation 

(feet)

5,784.85 

5,783.75 

5,782.05 

5,779.60

-

5,776.70 

5,772.35 

5,769.25 

5,767.70 

5,782.00 

5,804.05 

5,802.90 

5,796.00 

5,788.20

-

Contents 

(acrefeet)

93,330 

90,430

86,010 

79,790

-

72,630 

62,330 

55,330 

51,950 

85,880 

148,900 

145,300 

124,400 

102,400

-

Change In 

contents 

(acre-feet)

-2,900 

-4,420 

-6,220

+1,750

-7,160 

-10,300 

-7.OOO 

-3,380 

+33,930 

+63,020 

-3,600 

-20,900 

-22,000

+9,070

Buffalo Bill Reservoir

5,318.5 

5,312.7 

5,313.5 

5,314.5

-

5,312.7 

5,307.9 

5,306.5 

5,310.2 

5,336.5 

5,362.8 

5,360.1 

5,351.6 

5,343.5

-

221,900 

199,200 

202 , 300 

206 , 100

-

199,200 

181,600 

176,700 

189,900 

301,900 

459,200 

440,500 

386,100 

338,800

-

-22,700 

+3,100 

+3,800

-14,200

-6,900 

-17,600 

-4,900 

+13,200 

+112,000 

+157,300 

-18,700 

-54,400 

-47,300

+116,900

Boysen Reservoir

Elevation 

(feet)

4,704.14 

4,704.40 

4,701.92 

4,698.75

-

4,693.19 

4,686.42 

4,685.32 

4,685.00 

4,699.91 

4,721.59 

4,724.51 

4,723.22 

4,719.61

-

Contents 

(acrefeet)

412,600 

416,200 

382,700 

342,900

-

279,900 

211,100 

20O,5OO 

197,500 

357,100 

692,700 

748,200 

723,300 

656,700

-

Change In 

contents 

(acre-feet)

+3 , 600 

-33,500 

-39,800

-244,500

-63,000 

-68,800 

-10,600 

-3,000 

+159,600 

+335,600 

+55,500 

-24,900 

-66,600

+244,100
238 SMALLER RESERVOIRS IN MONTANA

Smaller reservoirs in Missouri River basin in Montana

Lima Reservoir on Red Rock River, 8 miles northwest of Monida, completed in 1902 for irrigation and flood control, has usable capacity of 84,000 acre-ft. Records furnished by 

Waters Users Irrigation Co.

Ruby River Reservoir on Ruby River, 5 miles south of Alder, completed in 1938 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 38,850 acre-ft. Records furnished by Montana Water Conservation Board. Reservoir empty Oct. 1 to Dec. 13, 1955; no other record available.

Willow Creek Reservoir on Willow Creek, 4 miles east of Harrison, completed in 1937 for 

irrigation, has usable capacity of 17,730 acre-ft. Records furnished by Montana Water 

Conservation Board.

Hebgen Lake on Madison River, 18 miles northwest of West Yellowstone, completed in 1915 for 

power, has usable capacity of 345,000 acre-ft. Records furnished by The Montana Power 

Co.

Ennis Lake on Madison River, 8 miles south of Morris, completed in 1900 for power, has 

usable capacity of 41,020 acre-ft. Records furnished by the Montana Power Co.

Middle Creek Reservoir on Hyalite Creek, 8 miles south of Bozeman, completed in 1951 for 

irrigation, has usable capacity of 8,030 acre-ft. Records furnished ty Montana Water 

Conservation Board.

Lake Helena, since April 1945 separated from Hauser Lake by control works permitting independent regulation, has usable capacity of 10,400 acre-ft. Records furnished by The 

Montana Power Co.

Hauser Lake on Missouri River, 13 miles northeast of Helena, completed ir 1907 for power, 

has usable capacity of 52,100 acre-ft. Records furnished by The Montana Power Co.

Holter Lake on Missouri River, 26 miles north of Helena, completed in 1918 for power, has 

usable capacity of 81,900 acre-ft. Records furnished by The Montana Power Co.

Gibson Reservoir on Sun River, 20 miles northwest of Augusta, completed in 1929 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 105,000 acre-ft (88,560 acre-ft prior to 1941). Records 

furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Pishkun Reservoir, water diverted from Sun River at point 18 miles northvrest of Augusta, 

completed in 1925 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 32,050 acre-ft (lesser capacities prior to 1940). Records furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Willow Creek Reservoir on Willow Creek, 5 miles northwest of Augusta, completed in 1911 

for irrigation, has usable capacity of 32,300 acre-ft (16,700 acre-ft prior to 1941). 

Supplemental supply diverted from Sun River at point 18 miles northwest of Augusta. 

Records furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Nilan Reservoir, water diverted from Smith and Ford Creeks at points about 10 miles southwest of Augusta, completed in 1951 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 10,090 acre-ft. 

Records furnished by Montana Water Conservation Board.

Horqny Reservoir on Missouri River, 10 miles northeast of Great Falls, ccmpleted in 1930 

for power, has usable capacity of 7,900 acre-ft. Records furnished by The Montana 

Power Co.

Lower Two Medicine Lake on Two Medicine River, 4 miles northwest of town of East Glacier 

(formerly Glacier Park), completed in 1913 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 

16,620 acre-ft. Records furnished by Office of Indian Affairs.

Four Horns Lake, water diverted from Badger Creek at a point 6 miles north of Heart Butte, 

completed in 1932 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 19,250 acre-ft. Records furnished by Office of Indian Affairs.

Swift Reservoir on Birch Creek, 18 miles west of Dupuyer, completed in 1915 for irrigation, 

has usable capacity of 30,000 acre-ft. Records furnished by Pondera County Canal and 

Reservoir Co.

Lake Frances, water diverted from Birch and Dupuyer Creeks at points 8 miles northwest and 

9 miles northeast of Dupuyer, completed about 1913 for irrigation, has usable capacity 

of 112,000 acre-ft (25,000 acre-ft prior to 1927). Records furnished by Pondera County 

Canal and Reservoir Co.

Ackley Lake, water diverted from Judith River at a point 4 miles east of Utica, completed 

in 1939 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 5,820 acre-ft. Records furnished by 

Montana Water Conservation Board.

Durand Reservoir on North Fork Musselshell River, 1 mile northwest of Delpine, completed 

in 1939 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 7,000 acre-ft. Some water diverted from 

Checkerboard Creek into Durand Reservoir. Records furnished by Montana Water Conservation Board.

Martinsdale Reservoir, water diverted from South Fork Musselshell River at a point 1 mile 

west of Martinsdale, completed in 1939 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 23,100 

acre-ft. Records furnished by Montana Water Conservation Board.

Deadmans Basin Reservoir, water diverted from Musselshell River at a point 6 miles northwest of Shawmut, completed in 1941 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 52,500 

acre-ft. Records furnished by Montana Water Conservation Board.
SMALLER RESERVOIRS IN MONTANA 239

Smaller reservoirs In Missouri River basin In Montana Continued

Fresno Reservoir on Milk River, 15 miles west of Havre, completed in 1939 for irrigation, 

has usable capacity of 127,200 acre-ft. Records furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Nelson Reservoir, water diverted from Milk River at a point about 6 miles west of Dodson, 

completed in 1922 for irrigation, has usable capacity of 66,800 acre-ft. Records furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Mystic Lake on West Rosebud Creek, 25 miles southwest of Absarokee, completed in 1925 for 

power, has usable capacity of 20,800 acre-ft. Records furnished by The Montana Power 

Co.

Cooney Reservoir on Red Lodge Creek, 6 miles west of Boyd, completed in 1936 for- irrigation, has usable capacity of 27,400 acre-ft. Records furnished by Montana Water Conservation Board.

Tongue River Reservoir on Tongue River, 7 miles northeast of Decker, completed in 1939 for 

irrigation, has usable capacity of 68,000 acre-ft. Records furnished by Montana Water 

Conservation Board.

Other Reservoirs are operated for irrigation and municipal use.

Month-end contents, in acre-feet, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Oct. 31...............

Sept . 30 ...............

Date

Nov. 30...............

Mar. 31...............

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

Aug. 30....... ........

Sept. 30...............

Date

Oct. 31...............

Sept. 30. ..............

Date

May 31 ...............

June 30 ...............

Sept . 30 ...............

Lima 

Reservoir

7,390 

10,720 

13,140 

16,290 

a!9,920 

b!9,960 

25,630 

46,920 

44,720 

26,780 

12,470 

4,710 

5,060

Hauser 

Lake

52,470 

48,300 

53,240 

51,700 

50, 560 

54,020 

43,580 

47,550 

50,940 

49,420 

49,800 

52,860 

52,470

Lower Two 

Medicine 

Lake

a5,200 

aO 

0 

aO 

aO 

bO 

aO 

0 

b7,270 

alO,530 

b9,900 

7,270 

4,310

Deadmans 

Basin 

Reservoir

a23,750 

a25,500

a31,500 

a41,040 

345,310 

a50, 140 

48,700 

a38,900 

a28,000 

c27,220

Ruby 

River 

Reservoir

0 

0

(3

Holter 

Lake

73,510 

75,810 

66,670 

65,760 

50, 580 

44,240 

44,440 

73,050 

73,740 

76,740 

75,350 

80,260 

80,020

Four Horns 

Lake

a7,890 

a8,510 

8,840 

39,070 

39,140 

b9,090 

39,210 

9,740 

blO,900 

alO,270 

b9,870 

8,640 

9,090

Fresno 

Reservoir

88,100 

76,830 

75,060 

72,950 

69,550 

66,600 

93,520 

108,600 

129,000 

115,200 

99,880 

82,030 

81,880

Willow 

Creek 

Reservoir

12,600 

10, 100 

319,890 

a!3,900 

a!5,310 

a!6,030 

a!7,600 

316,420 

316,090 

316,090 

313,330 

310,140 

38,750

Qibson 

Reservoir

42,270 

48,000 

55,190 

62,410 

69,210 

70,690 

74,590 

77,050 

95,540 

101,300 

74,000 

45,970 

28,960

Swift 

Reservoir

18,020 

12,550 

14,530 

19,060 

20,990 

22,700 

24,560 

30,040 

30,270 

b 30, 120 

29,260 

23,840 

17,800

Nelson 

Reservoir

40,280 

46, 700 

45,160 

42,880 

41,390 

39,910 

38,460 

41,760 

40,280 

34,210 

34,900 

39,910 

45,160

Hebgen 

Lske

267,700 

222,600 

192,100 

192,900 

184,900 

185,200 

176,200 

187,600 

305,000 

343,200 

343,900 

323,200 

293,800

Plshkun 

Reservoir

24,370 

16,970 

16,970 

16,840 

16,840 

16,580 

16,250 

23,630 

29,830 

28,060 

18,130 

17,360 

22,260

Lake 

Frances

91,260 

91,960 

92,420 

92,360 

92 , 460 

92,360 

91,720 

92,260 

104, 900 

b!06,300 

101,400 

96,540 

93,680

Mystic 

Lake

19,490 

16, 340 

15,040 

11,960 

9,480 

6,200 

4,120 

1,990 

9,750 

19, 930 

21,030 

20,760 

20,730

Ennis 

Lake

31,800 

36,280 

33,610 

33,760 

31, 700 

32,530 

29,890 

27,930 

29,050 

33,470 

37,140 

37,140 

37,170

Willow 

Creek 

Reservoir

26,140 

26,410 

26,540 

26,680 

26,680 

26,680 

28,180 

28,180 

28,860 

28,990 

27,360 

23,820 

23,010

Ackley 

Lake

b4,580 

b4, 150 

b4, 150 

a4, 150 

b4, 150 

b4,150 

b4,150 

b4, 150 

b4,580 

5,250 

a4, 140 

b3, 950 

a3, 950

Cooney 

Reservoir

5,600

b 20, 000 

a20,480 

b20,620 

b20,620 

b!9,000

Middle 

Creek 

Reservoir

bl,730 

bl,690 

bl,820 

32,560 

a3,030 

33,350 

3,670 

a4,510 

a5,760 

b6, 180 

b3,420 

bl,320 

31,130

Milan 

Reservoir

5,800 

4,600 

4,600 

4,600 

4,600 

4,600 

4,600 

b4,900 

b4,820 

b5,200 

b4,700 

b4,250 

b3, 950

Durand 

Reservoir

2,140 

1,630 

1,830

3,890 

35, 770 

7,030 

7,030 

6,490 

a4, 740 

b4,250

Tongue 

River 

Reservoir

13,360 

10,400 

9,500 

9,500

35,770 

18,860 

29,390 

40, 880 

36,800 

26,750 

20,910

Lake 

Helena

10,670 

8,450 

11,110 

10,240 

9,620 

11,560 

6,210 

8,080 

9,820 

9,020 

9,220 

10,890 

10,670

Morony 

Reservoir

6,030 

6,750 

6,930 

6,510 

7,050 

5,530 

6,210 

7,900 

7,540 

6,630 

6,990 

7,050 

7,720

Martinsdale 

Reservoir

4,160 

4,090 

4,300

5,890 

38,700 

15,090 

16,780 

13,150 

37,960 

b6,140

a Interpolated on basis of readings made weekly or less frequently.

b Figure of contents for first day of following month.

c Sept. 29, 1956.

d Reservoir empty Dec. 1-13; no record for remainder of month.
240 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 

Missouri River near Williston, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 48°07', long 103°44', in sec. 31, T. 154 N. , R. 101 W., on left bank 10 ft 

downstream from Lewis and Clark Highway bridge, 5 miles southwest of Williston, 

25 miles downstream from Yellowstone River, and at mile 1,650.2.

Drainage area. 164,500 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--April 1905 to May 1907 (fragmentary, considered unreliable), September 

1928 to September 1956. Monthly discharge for period October 1897 to September 1928 

(including revised figures for 1905-7), based on records for station at Port Benton, 

Mont., in Circular 108. Gage-height records collected in this vicinity 1908-11 and 

since 1913 are contained in reports of U. S. Weather Bureau.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,830.20 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. April 1905 to May 1907 chain and staff gages at site 15 miles downstream, at 

different datum.

Average discharge.--28 years (1928-56), 20,560 cfs (14,880,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 67,800 cfs June 3 (gage height, 8.55 ft); maximum gage height, 11.65 ft Mar. 29 (affected by ice); minimum daily discharge, 6,400 cfs 

Nov. 17.

1928-56: Maximum discharge, 231,000 cfs Apr. 4, 1930 (gage height, 18.6ft), from 

rating curve extended above 80,000 cfs; maximum gage height, 19.78 ft Mar. 28, 1943 

(ice jam); minimum daily discharge, 1,320 cfs Dec. 28, 1939.

Maximum stage known, about 28 ft in April 1912 from information by local residents.

 Remarks. Records excellent except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Many 

diversions above station. Plow regulated by Port Peck Reservoir. Measurements made 

at about 5-day intervals Oct. 1 to Nov. 9, Apr. 6 to Sept. 30; at about 10-day intervals Dec. 21 to Mar. 13. Records of chemical analyses and water temperatures for the 

water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Revisions (water years1.--WSP 716: 1929-30.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2 

3 

4 

5

6 

7 

8 

9 

10

11 

12 

13 

14 

15

16 

17 

18 

19 

20

21 

22 

25 

24 

25

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31

Total 

Mean 

Ac- ft

Oct.

35,300 

35,200 

34,500 

34,500 

35,000

35, 600 

36, 000 

35, 700 

35, 600 

34, 800

34, 900 

35, 400 

36,100 

36,000 

35,200

35,600 

36,000 

36,400 

36,700 

36,800

36,700 

36,400 

36,000 

36,000 

35,000

33,300 

33,000 

33,200 

31,600 

30,200 

29,600

tl,082 . 3 

34,910 

*2,147

Nov.

29.100 

28,30O 

26,900 

26,800 

25,900

25,400 

23,900 

23,000 

22,400 

22,100

21,600 

19,500 

17,000 

12,000 

10,000

8,000 

6.400 

7,200 

7,700 

8,200

8,800 

10, 100 

11,300 

12 , 000 

12 , 600

13,100 

13,200 

13,000 

14 , 000 

14 , 000

493,500 

16,450 

978,800

Dec.

12,100 

11,300 

11,500 

11,500 

11,400

12,400 

12,600 

12 , 500 

12,700 

13,100

13,000 

12,700 

12,400 

12,500 

12 , 500

12,600 

12,200 

11,300 

11,700 

12,800

12,800 

12 , 100 

11,500 

11,100 

10,900

11,000 

11,500 

12,200 

13,300 

14,800 

15.700

381,700 

12,310 

757,100

Jan,

16, 300 

16,600 

16,400 

15,300 

14,000

13,200 

12,900 

12,800 

13,100 

13,000

13,100 

13,400 

13,400 

13,600 

13,700

13,700 

13,600 

13,200 

13,000 

13,000

12,800 

12,300 

12,100 

12,200 

12,400

13,100 

13,700 

14,100 

14,100 

14,000 

13,700

421,800 

13,610 

836,600

Feb.

13,200 

12,700 

12,300 

12,000 

12,000

11,900 

11,200 

10, 500 

10.000 

10,100

10,800 

11,300 

11,800 

12,100 

12,300

12,000 

11,600 

12,100 

12,500 

12,600

12,700 

12,200 

11,600 

11,300 

11,700

12,200 

12,700 

13,400 

14 . 500

347,100 

11,970 

688,500

Mar.

15,200 

15,500 

15,700 

16,100 

16,100

16,000 

16,500 

16,900 

17,000 

16,600

16,400 

16,400 

15,900 

14, 700 

14,000

13, 900 

13,300 

12.900 

14,200 

16,100

18,200 

20,700 

23, 600 

26, 500 

27, 900

29,200 

29,400 

31,000 

34.000 

29,000 

26,000

604, 900 

19,510 

*1,200

Apr.

24,000 

22,000 

20,000 

20,000 

24,000

25,000 

18,000 

17,000 

16,900 

17,400

17,400 

19,200 

20,800 

17,000 

16,000

15,000 

14, 700 

14,500 

14, 300 

14,600

14, 800 

15, 000 

14,600 

14, 100 

14, 400

15,400 

16,600 

17, 300 

17,100 

16,900

524,000 

17,470 

*1,039

May

17,000 

16, 900 

17,100 

16,800 

16,100

15.600 

15,600 

15, 700 

16,000 

15, 900

16,500 

18,400 

21,400 

23,200 

22,700

21,900 

21,400 

20,300 

18,900 

17, 600

17,800 

20,800 

25,100 

30, 800 

36,800

42,700 

47,900 

52,000 

55, 700 

56, 900 

57.900

809,400 

26,110 

*1,605

June

61,900 

66,400 

66.800 

64,700 

65,OOO

65,000 

63,500 

60,600 

58,200 

54,000

45,800 

43,700 

45,400 

46,500 

47,100

47,100 

45,700 

44 , 400 

48,400 

48 , 600

43,500 

38 , 600 

37,800 

38 , 800 

40 , 400

38,500 

35,000 

33,700 

34,100 

55,500

«,462.7 

48,760 

*2,901

July

52,400 

52 , 100 

51, 900 

51,900 

52,700

55.500 

52,500 

31,200 

27,700 

24,400

23,500 

23,700 

25,300 

26,400 

26,100

26,600 

27,100 

25,900 

25,000 

24,100

23,000 

21,800 

21,000 

20,000 

19,400

19,000 

18,800 

18,600

18^600 

18,600

781,400 

25,210 

* 1,550

Aug.

18,400 

18,500 

18,800 

19,000 

19,100

19,000 

19,000 

18,700 

18,600 

18,400

17,900 

17,400 

17,200 

16,900 

16,600

16,600 

16,700 

16,500 

16,500 

15.900

15,900 

16,100 

16,600 

16, 900 

16,900

16,600 

16,500 

16,800 

17,000 

17,400 

18,200

540,400 

17,450 

*1,072

Sept.

19,200 

19.400

18^ 100 

16,200

15,200 

14, 500 

14, 100 

13,800 

13,800

13, 500 

13,200 

15, 100 

12,900 

12,700

12,600 

12,900 

12,900 

15,000 

12 , 900

12 , 700 

12,600 

12,600 

12,500 

12,400

12,100 

12,000 

11,700 

11,500 

11,800

414,500 

15,820 

822,100

Calendar year 1955: Max 68,000 Mln 6,400 Mean 25,370 Ac-ft 18,360,000 

Water year 1955-56: Max 66,800 Mln 6,400 Mean 21,490 Ac-ft 15,600,000

* Expressed In thousands.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 15 to Apr. 8.
LITTLE MUDDY CREEK BASIN 241

Blacktall Creek near Bonetrall, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 48°25 I , long 103°43' ) In NW^ sec. 15, T. 157 JJ., R. 101 W. , on rifht bank 

half a mile upstream from unnamed tributary, 5 miles east of Bonetrail, and ? miles 

upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. --30 sq ml, approximately.

Records available . October 1955 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder.

Extremes . Maximum discharge during year, 100 cfs (estimated) July 14 (gage height, 

4.05 ft) ; no flow for many days.

Remarks . Records poor. Some storage in stock ponds.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 195f

Day

1

2

5

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16 

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

0.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1 

71

*.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.4

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2 

.2

6.0

0.19

12

Nov.

0.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

1'

*.2

.2

.1

5.2

0.17

10

Dec.

 0.1

0

0

0

0

0

o

o

0

0

o

o

0

*o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

1.0

0.03

2.0

Jan,

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

*0

0

o

2 

10

25

*50

30

*10

9.5

*9

15

20

10

5

*3

2.5

203.5

6.56

404

Apr.

"275 2.4

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.8

 1.7

1.6

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.0

.8

.6 

*.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

32.8

1.09

65

May

0.4

.6

.5

.5

.6

.6

.6

.7

.7

.8

~1.0

.6

.5

*.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.5

.5

.4

.4

.3

.3

15.0

0.48

30

June

0.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.2

*0

.1

.1

2.0

2.5

2.2

2.8

4.0

3.0

3.5

5.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.5

2.0

44.4

1.48

88

July

1.5

1.0

.8

.6

.5

.4

.3

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.3

"1.0 20

.2

71

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1 *.i

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

29.1

0.94

58

Aug.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.2

.5

.4

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

4.2

0.14

8.3

Sept.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

3.0

0.10

6.0

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 5O Mln 0 Mean 0.94 Ac-ft 683

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation Indefinite due to beaver dams during the year; discharge determined 

graphically on basis of gage-height record, discharge measurements, observation of no flow, hydrographer's notes, weather records, and records for nearby stations.
242 LITTLE MUDDY CREEK BASIN

Little Muddy Creek below Cow Creek, near Williston, N. Dik.

Location.--Lat 48°17' , long 103°34' ) in NE^NW^ sec. 5, T. 155 N., R. 100 W., on left bank 

37 ft downstream from center line of highway, 1 mile downstream from Cow Creek, 4 miles 

upstream from Camp Creek, 10 miles northeast of Williston, and 13 miles upstream from 

mouth.

Drainage area. 875 sq mi, .approximately, of which about 100 sq mi is probably noncontributing.

Records available. May 1954 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,863.18 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, about 400 cfsMar. 21 (gage height, 8.28 ft, 

affected by ice); minimum, 2.1 cfs Feb. 3, 4 (gage height, 3.97 ft).

1954-56: Maximum discharge, 3,750 cfs Mar. 30, 1955 (gage height, 12.15 ft); minimum, that of Feb. 3, 4, 1956; minimum gage height, 2.26 ft July 26, 1954.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage height record, 

which are fair. Some small diversions for irrigation. Some regulation by Lake Zahl, 

Fish and Wildlife Reservoir.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.4

6.8

6.8

6.8

8.5

7.8

7.1

6.8

7.1

7.1

7.4

*7.8

7.8

8.1

8.1

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.9

9.3

9.3

9.3

9.3

9.7

11

242.3

7.82

481

Nov.

11

8.5

8

9

10

8.9

9

9

9

10

8.1

8

7

7

7

8

8

8.1

8.5

9

9

9

*9.3

7.4

7.4

8.5

7.1

5.1

3.9

s±e

241.4

8.05

479

Dec.

4

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

4

4

4

4

3.6

3.0

2.5

2.4

2.5

*3.0

3.2

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

124.7

4.02

247

Jan.

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.1

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

102.0

3.29

202

Feb.

2.7

*2.2

2.1

271

2.5

2.8

3.0

3.0

3.2

3.2

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

*3.7

7T5

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.1

3.0

3.0

91.5

3.16

181

Mar.

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.5

3.6

3.8

4.0

4.2

4.5

5.0

5.5

*5.5

6.0

8.0

15

45

 140

300

250

200

*150

90

70

80

40

90

100

95

1,738.1

56.1

3,450

Apr.

76

60

54

44

41

*41

39

53

35

*33

29

27

*27

26

25

23

21

20

*20

20

20

19

18

18

18

17

17

17

17

17

892

29.7

1,770

May

17

18

18

18

18

20

20

20

19

20

23

28

24

22

20

*19

17

17

16

15

15

14

14

13

13

13

12

12

12

12

12

531

17.1

1,050

June

11

11

11

10

10

10

*10

10

9.6

9.3

9.0

8.8

*8.6

8.4

8.2

8.2

7.9

11

16

14

13

13

14

20

21

22

20

20

17

14

376.0

12.5

746

July

11

9.5

11

12

10

12

14

13

12

11

10

*9.2

8.6

9.2

12

11

19

13

11

10

9.8

8.6

7.6

*6.8

6.2

6.5

6.5

6.8

7.1

7.3

7.1

316.8

10.2

628

Aug.

6.5

6.5

6.8

6.0

5.7

5.7

5.4

*7.3

6.8

V.I

7.3

7.1

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.2

6.5

6.2

6.0

5.7

*5.7

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.7

6.2

7.3

Jiri

194.9

6.29

387

Sept.

6.8

7.3

7.3

6.8

7.1

6.8

*6.5

6.5

6.5

6.2

6.5

6.8

6.8

7.1

7.6

7.9

7.6

7.3

7.3

6.8

*6.8

6.8

6.8

7.3

7.3

7.1

7.3

7.9

8.6

172

213.6

7.12

424

Calendar year 1955; Max 2,600 Mln 2.4 Mean 48.5 Ac-ft 35,140

Water year 1955-56; Max 300 Mln 2.1 Mean 13.8 Ac-ft 10,040

Peak discharge (base, 250 efs). Mar. 21 (time unknown) about 400 cfs.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 3-5, 7-10, 12-17, 20-22, Dec. 1-17, Dec. 25 

to Jan. 24; Feb. 6 to Mar. 31. Ho gage-height record May 18 to June 14; discharge estimated on basis 

of recorded range in stage, 2 discharge measurements, and weather records.
WHITE EARTH RIVER BASIN 243

White Earth River at White Earth, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 48°23', long 102"46', in NE£sw£ sec. 36, T. 157 N., R. 94 W., near center 

of span on downstream side of Great Northern Railway bridge, a quarter of a mile east 

of White Earth.

Drainage area.--490 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. August 1954 to September 1956.

Gage.--Wire-weight gage, read twice daily at high stages and once daily otherwis3. Supplemental staff gage since Aug. 9, 1955. Datum of gage is 2,071.64 ft above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 504 cfs Apr. 4 (gage height, 10.1 ft, from graph 

based on gage readings); minimum, 0.8 cfs Feb. 1-4.

1954-56: Maximum discharge, 1,270 cfs Mar. 30, 1955 (gage height, 15.2 ft, affected 

by ice), from rating curve extended above 700 cfs; minimum, 0.2 cfs Feb. 21 to Mar. 8, 

1955.

Flood in 1929 reached a stage of 21.8 ft, from information by local residents.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 2-22., June 19-30, July 3,4,

July 19 to Aug. 8)

1.7 

1.9 

2.1 

2.3 

2.5

1.4 

3.9

7.4

12

19

3.0 39

80

180

314

510

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1.6

1 . 5

1.7

1.7

1.8

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.0

1.8

2.0

1.8

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.3

*2.4

2.5

2.6

2.8

2.9

2.8

2.9

3.2

3.6

3.8

3.6

±

74.4

2.40

148

Nov.

4

4

4

4

j5

5

4

3.5

3.5

3.5

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3.5

3.5

3.5

*3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3

3

3

3

3

105.0

3.50

208

Dec.

3

3

3

3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

*1.7

1.5

1.5

1.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

62.7

2.02

124

Jan.

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

38.0

1.23

75

Feb.

0^

.8

.8

*.8

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1.5

2

2

2

2

2

2

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

*1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

40.2

1.39

80

Mar.

1+5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

1.5

*1.8

2

2

3

5

10

80

*260

200

*72

130

400

400

*300

170

180

*220

250

2,705.3

87.3

5,370

Apr.

380

308

312

448

423

304

258

241

210

186

175

*165

150

135

125

115

105

95

*86

80

75

70

66

62

58

*54

51

50

48

4g

4,881

163

9,680

May

47

47

45

45

45

45

45

46

42

42

47

45

41

37

36

*32

30

25

24

22

20

18

19

17

16

17

15

A!

17

17

974

31.4

1,930

June

16

13

14

16

14

14

+12

11

10

9.2

8.8

8.3

7.9

7.0

6.6

6.3

6.6

8.3

*61

23

28

31

35

28

39

53

31

21

20

17

576.0

19.2

1,140

July

16

13

21

23

18

15

15

18

15

*14

13

12

12

16

12

9.0

13

9.7

11

9.0

7.2

8.1

7.2

*6.3

6.3

5.9

4.9

4.7

4.5

4.7

4.7

350.2

11.3

695

Aug-.

4.5

4.9

4.7

5.3

4.9

9.2

*11

9.0

7.4

6.4

5.3

6.1

5.3

5.0

4.1

3.3

3.6

3.3

3.1

2.8

*2.3

1.8

1.6

1.7

1.6

1.5

2.4

2.2

1.5

2.5

4.1

132.4

4.27

263

Sept.

3.3

2.5

2.1

2.0

2.1

*2.1

1.6

1.4

1.6

1.5

2.2

1.7

2.1

1.5

3^

3.5

2.9

2.8

2.6

*2.3

2.1

2.0

1.8

2.0

2.1

2.6

2.4

2.6

3.2

3.2

69.6

2.32

138

Calendar year 1955: Max 900 Min 0.2 Mean 31.0 Ac-ft 22,480

Water year 1955-56: Max 448 Mln 0.8 Mean 27.3 Ae-ft 19,850

Peak discharge (base. 150 efs).--Mar. 21 (time unknown) 350 cfs; Mar. 25 (time unknown) 440 cfs; 

Apr. 1 (time unknown) 460 cfs; Apr. 4 (7 p.m.) 504 cfs (10.1 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Wohe. stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 30 to Apr. 1. No gage-height record 

Apr. 11-25; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements and weather records.
LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER BASIN 

North Creek spreader diversion near Alzada, Mont.

Location. La t 45°04' , long 104°30' , in NW^SWi sec. 8, T. 9 S., R. 59 E. , on right bank

 Just upstream from lower end of diversion dike, 5| miles northwest of Alzada.

Drainage area. --1. 39 sq mi.

Records available . May 1952 to September 1956 (no winter records), discontinued.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,470 ft (by barometer). Prior to

~T?r. 13, 1954, at datum 0.75 ft higher.

Extremes. --Maximum discharge during year, 130 cfs July 3 (gage height, 2.44 ft); no flow

most of the time.

1952-56: Maximum discharge, 130 cfs Aug. 5, 1954, July 3, 1956 (gage height,

2.44 ft); no flow most of the time. 

Remarks. --Records poor. Peak flows and total acre-feet were as follows:

Date

July 3-4........

Duration 

( hours)

5

36

22

19

Peak stage 

(feet)

0.62

1.37

2.12

2.44

Peak flow 

(cfs)

2.3

28

95

130

Total 

acre-feet

C.2B

15.4

15.8

2£. 5

Peak discharge (base. 10 cfs).--June 16 (2:20 a.m.) 28 cfs (1.37 ft); 

July 2 (7:40 pYm.) 95 cfs 12.12 ft)j July 3 (6:20 p.m.) 130 efs (2.44 

ft).

Hote. Flow occurred only on days listed above.

Little Missouri River near Alzada, Mont.

Location. Lat 45°05', long 104°24', in NE^SWij sec. 6, T. 9 S. , R. 60 E. , on right bank

1.9 miles downstream from Thompson Creek and 4 miles north of Alzada. 

Drainage area. 780 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--June 1911 to September 1925, August 1928 to Septembsr 1932, March 1935

to September 1956. 

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,367 ft above mean sea level (river-profile

survey). Prior to June 14. 1947, staff or chain gage at same site aid datum. 

Average discharge.--S8 years (1915-16, 1917-19, 1923-25, 1930-32, 1935-56), 78.4 cfs

(56,760 acre-ft per year). 

Extremes . Maximum daily discharge during year, 886 cfs Mar. 23; maximum gage height,

9.50 ft Mar. 22 (backwater from ice); no flow for many days.

1911-25, 1928-32, 1935-56: Maximum daily discharge, 6,000 cfs Apr. 4, 1944; no

flow at times. 

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gag^-height record,

which are poor. Several diversions of floodwaters for irrigation of hay meadows above

station. Some storage in coulees. 

Revisions (water years).--WSP 976: 1942.

Discharge, in cubic feet' per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

~TT 0.1

.1 *o

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

1.9

0.06

3.8

Nov.

0~0.1

0

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

2.7

0.09

5.4

Dec.

0.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

0

0

0

0

10

30

50

40

35

30

197.2

6.36

391

Jan.

25

20

15

12

10

9

8

7

6

6

6

6

6

5

4

3

3

3

2

*2

1.5

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

..5.

169.0

5.45

335

Feb.

~0.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5 *.5

.5

.5

.5

1

2

3

4

5

6_

32.5

1.12

64

Mar.

7

8

10

20

30

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

10

10

10

30

50

100

300

700

7^0" 886

482

412

251

150

96

63

33

4,648

150

9,220

Apr.

15

7.5

4.4

7.2

21

52

53

34

37

24

8.6

6.7

4.8

3.0

1.9

1.5

1.3

1.1

1.1

.9

.9

.9

.8

78

.8

*.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

294.2

9.81

584

May

0.9

.9

1.1

.9

.9

.8

.8

.5

.5

.8

26

9.2

7.8

7.0

4.1

2.3

1.5

1.1

.9

.8

.6

3.7

21

6.2

3.0

1.6

1.1

1.2

1.1

402

175

685.3

22.1

1,360

June

45

7

5

3

Z

1

*.8

.5

.3

.2

3

.3

.3

303

660

428

165

73

29

14

8.3

5.0

3.2

2.1

1.3

5.9

2.6

1.2

.4

1,767.6

58.9

3,510

July

0.4

.5

.9

.5

21

10

42

30

13

12

7.8

4.4

2.1

.8

.4

9.5

1.6

5.2

.8

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

164.2

5.30

326

Aug.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.3

1.3

*75

.2

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3.3

0.11

6.5

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,690 Min 0 Mean 60.5 Ac-ft 43,810

Water year 1955-56: Max 886 Min 0 Mean 21.8 Ac-ft 15,810

Peak discharge (base, 1,100 efs). No peak above base. 

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

Note. No gage-height record May 31 to June 6; discharge estimated on basis of reconstructed 

height graph and weather records. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Dec. 26 to Mar. 22.
LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER BASIN 245

Little Beaver Creek near Marmarth, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°16' , long 103°58', in NE-J- sec. 7, T. 132 N., R. 106 W., on left bank 

150 ft upstream from concreted ford, three-quarters of a mile downstream from Corral 

Creek, 3 miles southwest of Marmarth, and 5 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 615 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. April 1938 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,739 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Mar. 15, 1941, wire-weight gage at site half a mile upstream at datum 0.57 ft higher. 

Mar. 15, 1941, to May 20, 1947, staff or wire-weight gages at present site and datum. 

May 21, 1947, to June 27, 1951, staff and wire-weight gages at site half a mile upstream, at present datum.

Average discharge. 18 years, 46.1 cfs (33,380 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 38 cfs (27,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,070 cfs July 29 (gage height, 4.98 ft); no 

flow at times.

1938^56: Maximum discharge, 12,700 cfs Apr. 6, 1952 (gage height, 13.9 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 4,500 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow at times.

Remarks. Records fair. No regulation. Some small diversions for irrigation. 

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1279: 1939(M) , 1940, 1943-44(M), 1945. 1948.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 19be

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

C)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

*0

0

6.0

*22

6

4

Z

Z

2

1

.3

*.Z

.Z

.Z

.Z

.4

23

*75

79

38

*30

18

18

17

17

17

8.6

5.2

11 

16

419.3

13.5

832

Apr.

15

14

9.2

11

*8.1

5.5

5.0

5.5

5.4

3.5

3.5

3.0

3.0

2.5

2.7

3.3

2.9

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.6

2.5

2.7

*2.7

2.9

3.0

3.8

5.0

4.4

4.2

144.4

4.81

286

Calendar year 1955: Max 706 Min 0 Mean 15.2

May

4.2

4.6

8.8

4.9

4.0

3.6

3.4

3.0

3.0

30

27

11

8.1

5.0

3.9

2.5

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.4

*1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

79

65

122

Toe

64

499.8

16.1

991

June

M

20

13

11

8.4

5.7

4.9

4.4

3.8

2.5

2.1

1.5

.7

.4

.3

.2

.1

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

113.0

3.77

224

July

0

0

0

0

4.1

*2.6

.8

.4

.2

0

*0

.5

1.8

.2

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

70

56

214

111

6.8

468.4

15.1

929

Ac-ft 10,970

Aug.

1.6

.5

.1

C

c

C

c

*ie

1.4

.5

.3.1

c

c

c

c

c

c

c

c

c

c

c

c

c

5.9

*14

7.6

1.0

.4

.6

5C.O

1.61

99

Sept.

0.8

.3

.4

.4

.3

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2.5

0.08

5.0

Water year 1955-56: Max 214 Mln 0 Mean 4-64 Ac-ft 3J370

Peak discharge (base. 600 cfs).--July 29 (10 p.m.) 1,070 cfs (4.98 ft). 

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Mar. 6-17.
246 LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER BASIN

Little Missouri River at Marmarth, N. Dak.

Location.--Lat 46°18', long 103°54', in SE£ sec. 30, T. 133 N., R. 105 W., on upstream 

side of highway bridge in Marmarth, 1^ miles downstream from Little Beaver Creek.

Drainage area.--4.570 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. March 1938 to September 1956.

. Wire-weight gage read once daily, and crest-stage indicator. Datum of gage is 

,686.32 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to June 23, 1950, various wireweight gages on former highway bridge 75 ft downstream, at same datum.

Average discharge. 18 years, 359 cfs (259,900 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 310 cfs (224,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,810 cfs Mar. 23 (gage height, 6.05 ft); no 

flow at times.

1938-56: Maximum discharge, 45,000 cfs Mar. 23, 1947 (gage height, 21.7 ft); maximum gage height, 23.4 ft Mar. 31, 1952 (backwater from ice); no floiv for part of most 

years.

According to local residents the greatest known flood occurred in June 1907 (stage 

unknown). Other major floods occurred in March 1913, May 1929, and March 1920, and 

reached stages of about 21.5, 20.2, and 19.7 ft, respectively. (Th<?se stages are not 

comparable to stages during the period of record, owing to construction of levees.)

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no ga.^e-height record, 

which are poor. Some small diversions above station for irrigation.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 896:

1945-46, 1948. Revised figures of discharge for the calendar year 1950, superseding

those published in WSP 1209, are as follows: 

615 cfs; runoff, 445,000 acre-ft.

1938-39. WSP 1086: 1943-44. WSF 1279: 1943(M),

ipersedinf. 

Maximum, 16,900 cfs; minimum, 0; mean,

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

Z

4

5

6

7

S

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

El

22

23

24 

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.2

.5

.8

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.5

1.7

T7?

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.3

1.3

 1.5

1.5

1.7

1.5

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1 

1.1 

1.1

40.7

1.31

81

Nov.

0.9

a. 5

a. 2

a. 2

a. 5

al.O

.9

.7

.7

.8

a. 5

a. 2

aO

aO

aO

aO

0

.2

.5

.8

1.0

*.8

a. 5

a. 2

aO

aO

aO

aO

aO

aO

11.1

0.37

22

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

o

0

0

Feb.

(*)

------

0

0

0

Mar.

5

*40

40

50

*200

100

50

50

40

30

20

10

*10

10

20

100

500

600

*500

450

402

*318

1,380

1.950

1,760

1,770

868

684

482 

1,080

299

13,798

445

27,370

Apr.

230

235

205

190

*195

132

allO

a90

a80

a75

a70

a65

a60

a55

a52

a48

a46

44

44

38

33

30

27

*33 

27

27

27

27

27 

27

2,349

78.3

4,660

May

33

50

50

50

48

48

48

44

44

81

64

50

46

40

31

24

21

15

13

15

*20

16

20

13 

12

8.4

7.8

186

157 

468

288

2,611.2

84.2

5,180

June

174

123

126

117

129

64

36

26

22

22

11

7.8

6.2

5.5

5.2

5.2

3.9

3.5

2.6

*2.8

1.2

155

820

173 

86

70

45

26

5.8 

21

2,295.7

76.5

4,550

July

36

33

63

921

308

*1,110

2.080

TTISo

791

490

*336

288

388

302

158

*117

93

66

42

48

40

21

15

21 

20

9.8

255

341

364 

513

200

1C ,649. 8

344

21,120

Aug.

150

921

1 . 200

716

528

430

348

*195

235

220

200

190

162

154

141

81

57

59

59

53

51

45

42

40 

36

36 *46

48

44 

46

64

6,597

213

13,080

Sept.

70

61

48

34

34

36

39

38

33

9.8

6.5

5.2

4.8

3.9

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.8

0

0

1.0

2.8

*3.0 

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.3

1.3 

1.3

453.4

15.1

899

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,140 Min 0 Mean 155 Ac-ft 112,300

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,080 Min 0 Mean 106 Ac-ft 76,960

Peak discharge (base, 1,500 cfs). Mar. 23 (3 p.m.) 2,810 cfs (6.05 ft); Mar. 30 (5 p.m.) 2,360 cfs 

(5.65 ft); July 4 (2 p.m.) 1,720 cfs (5.09 ft) July 7 (7 p.m.) 2,550 cfs (5.82 ft); Aug. 2 (7 p.m.) 

1,510 cfs (4.83 ft).

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

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated from adjacent record, weather records, and records for 

station at Medora.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 2-6, Nov. 11 to Mar. 20
LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER BASIN 247

Little Missouri River at Medora, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°55', long 103°32', in NE^ sec. 27, T. 140 N., R. 102 W., on left bank 

600 ft downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 10 and 1 mile upstream from Andrews 

Creek.

Drainage area.--6.190 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--May 1903 to October 1908, October 1921 to September 1924, August 1928 

to September 1934, October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and wire-weight gage on upstream side of highway bridge 600 ft 

above recording station, read once daily. Datum of gage is 2,246.75 ft abovi3 mean sea 

level, datum of 1929. Prior to Oct. 9, 1945, staff, chain, or wire-weight gages at 

several sites within a quarter of a mile upstream from present site at various datums. 

Oct. 9, 1945, to Aug. 22, 1951, wire-weight gage at site 600 ft upstream at same datum.

Average discharge.--14 years (1923-24, 1932-34, 1945-56), 469 cfs (339,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,030 cfs Mar. 27 (gage height, 4.05 ft); no flow 

Dec. 6 to Mar. 3.

1903-8, 1921-24, 1929-34, 1945-56: Maximum discharge, 65,000 cfs Mar. 23, 1947 

(gage height, 20.5 ft); no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Some small 

diversions above station for irrigation.

Revisions 1934 (water years).--WSP 546: Drainage area. WSP 1279: 1903-7, 1923-24, 1930-31, (M). 

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

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

3O

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

2.9 276"

2.6

2.6

2.2

2.2

1.8

T^

1.8 

1.8

2.2

2.2

*2.2

2.2

2.2

1.8

2.2

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.2

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.2 

2.6

2.6

2.6

2 . 6

66.5

2.15

132

Nov.

1.8

1.5

2.6

2.9

2.9

2.6

2.2

2.9

3.2 

5.6

2.6

2.6

1.8

1.8

1.4

1.5

1.0

.9

1.0

2.2

2.6

3.6

*2.9

1.8

1.5

1.5

1.2 

.4

.3

73

59.1

1.97

117

Dec.

0.2

!i.1.1

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

0.7

0.02

1.4

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

0

1

*3

5

3

3

*5 

5

4

3

*2

2

2

2

3

100

*400

600

800

910

*693

567

1,580

1,800

*1,690 

1,570

974

500

437

12,864

415

25,520

Apr.

657 576"

429

312

240

192

165

171

153 

135

122

114

114

106

100

98

98

94

*89

86

81

74

71

65

64

62

59 

56

55

55

4,693

156

9,310

May

60

64

67

*75

86

86

89

84

86 

81

75

74

92

108

*94

89

78

77

65

60

55

48

47

45

40

39

40 

68

122

89 

*504

2,687

86.7

5,330

June

390

233

183

141

116

98

82

77

87 

77

67

56

48

*46

44

35

30

27

26

24

21

23

20

38

195

153

*133

110

94

122

2,796

93.2

5,550

July

150

131

137

141

350

854

468

*1,570

*1,640 

1,010

775

684

476

468

437

330

*259

212

177

155

139

131

116

102

95

89

87 

94

108

*1,260 

974

13,619

439

27,010

Ai'g.

819

350

222

518

1,240

1,220

998

524

508 

500

429

356

285

255

205

171

*120

106

126

118

106

100

94

94

82

87

244 

126

*94

97 

110

10,304

332

20,440

Sept.

104

72

69

69

69

67

67

64

59 

54

54

54

52

49

45

40

*27

24

21

19

17

14

11

11

10

9.0

*8.0 

8.5

8.0

7.0

1,182.5

39.4

2,350

Calendar year 1955: Max 16,300 win 0 Mean 262 Ac-ft 189,600

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,890 win 0 Mean 132 Ac-ft 95,760

Peak discharge (base, 3,000 cfs). No peak above base.

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 30 to Mar. 21. Discharge for Dec. 6 to 

Mar. 17, 18, June 30 to July 17, Aug. 4-16, computed from wire-weight-gage readings with some 

assistance by shape of recorder graph after Mar. 17.

459735 O -58 -17
248 LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER BASIN 

Beaver Creek at Wibaux, Mont.

Location. Lat 46°59', long 104"II 1 , in NE£ sec. 12, T. 14 N., R. 59 E., on upstream side 

of bridge on U. S. Highway 10 at Wibaux, 12 miles upstream from Little Beaver Creek.

Records available.--April 1938 to September 1956.

Gage.--Wire-weight gage read once daily and crest-stage indicator. Altitude of gage is 

3",650 ft (by barometer). Prior to Sept. 21, 1940, staff or wire-weight gages at sites 

about 500 ft upstream at different datums.

Average discharge. 18 years, 25.2 cfs (18,240 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum daily discharge during year, 44 cfs Mar. 24; no flow at times.

 1^38-56: Maximum discharge 3,780 cfs Mar. 21, 1939 (gage height, 10.8 ft, site and

datum then in use, from graph based on gage readings), from rating curve extended above

2,400 cfs; maximum gage height observed, 13.44 ft Mar. 24, 1943 (ice Jam); no flow at

times.

Flood of June 7, 1929, reached a discharge of about 30,000 cfs, from the average

of three indirect determinations made at different sites.

Remarks.--Records poor. A few small diversions above station for irrigation.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

5.5

5.6

5.7

5.8

5.9

6.1

3.1

5.4

12

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

0

o

*o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.1

.2

.1.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

_'.52

.6

.7

g

4.8

0.15

9.5

Nov.

0.9

.8

.8

.8

1.0

1.0

.9

.8

.6

.8

.6

.5

.4

.4

.3

*.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.3

.3

.4

.4

.4

.4

15.3

0.51

30

Dec.

.4

.4

.4

.4

*.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5.7

0.18

11

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

*0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.4

.7

1.5

*25

38

36

38

44

26

15

13

11

*10

10

10

278.6

8.99

553

Apr.

11

11

9.6

7.9

6.3

4.9

6.6

5.5

4.9

5.2

5.2

4.2

4.0

3.8

3.6

3.3

2.8

2.5

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.0

*1.9

1.9

1.8

1.9

125.9

4.20

250

May

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.4

2.0

1.8

1.4

1.5

1.4

1.4

*1.4

1.4

1.3

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.6

.6

.9

1.6

1.4

43.3

1.40

86

June

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.1

.6

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

**.2

.2

.1

.1 **.!

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

8.3

0.28

16

July

(*)

0

0

0

Aug.

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

4.2

12

4.7

4 .2

3.8

28.9

0.93

57

Sept.

2.6

1.1

.7

.5

.5

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

.2

.5

.7

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

7.1

0.24

14

Calendar year 1955 : Max 1,000 Mln 0 Mean 14.5 Ac -ft 10,490

Water year 1955-56 : Max 44 Mln 0 Mean 1.42 Ac-ft 1,030

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 31.
LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER BASIN 249

Little Missouri River near Watford City, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 47°36', long 103°16', in NW^- sec. 35, T. 148 N., R. 99 W., on left bank 

at downstream side of bridge on U. S. Highway 85, 17? miles south of Watford City and 

18 miles upstream from Cherry Creek.

Drainage area. 8,490 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. October 1934 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and supplemental wire-weight gage read one or more times 

daily. Datum of gage is 1,929.03 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to 

June 9, 1939, water-stage recorder at present site and datum. June 9, 1939, to 

Apr. 15, 1943, water-stage recorder at site 700 ft upstream at present datum.

Average discharge. 22 years, 613 cfs (443,800 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 510 cfs (369,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 2,770 cfs July 30 (gage height, 6.00 ft); no 

flow at times.

1934-56: Maximum discharge, 110,000 cfs Mar. 25, 1947 (gage height, 24.0 ft, from 

floodmark); no flow at times.

Remarks. Records fair. Some diversions above station for irrigation. 

Revisions (water years).--WSP 926: 1935. WSP 1279: 1943.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septembei 1956

Day

1 

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27 

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

4.7 

6.9

5.7

5.7

4.2

3.2

4.2

4.2

3.7

4.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.7

3.2

4.2

3.7

4.2

3.7

3.7

*4.2

2.S

ZTB

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

5,2

5,2

6.3

2_

129.0

4.16

256

Nov.

6 

6

6

6

6

6

5

5

5

5

5

4

3

2

2

2

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

*1.2

1

1

1

1 

1

1

1

91.2

3.04

181

Dec.

1 

1

1

1

1

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.4

.4

,4

.4

.4

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

*.l 

.1

.1

.1 

.1

15.6

0.50

31

Jan.

0.1 

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

,1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

O

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

0

0 

*0

1.5

0.05

3.0

Feb.

( )

0

0

0

Mar.

0 

0

5

1

0

O

O

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

*0

5

100

5OO

*900

1,200

1,450

*1,500

1,300

1,200

1,000

1,200

*2,000 

2,000

*1,700

*1,300 

1,000

18,361

592

36,420

Apr.

852 

733

940

740

635

512

410

330

275

*230

218

189

164

138

126

124

116

112

106

*102

96

loo

85

85

80

76

74 

76

11

72

7,867

262

15,600

May

72 

78

74

74

83

89

91

94

100

114

136

106

102

104

83

*69

96

96

87

78

69

59

56

56

44

38

36 

50

87

93

 

2,583

83.3

5,120

June

161 

157

398

350

238

196

167

129

114

106

89

94

76

67

62

62

47

321

224

*83

56

65

89

69

72

56

41 

48

96

98

3,831

128

7,600

July

89 

80

129

250

175

192

487

820

908

*1,340

1,270

1,120

1,020

812

593

621

780

670

386

315

250

192

153

133

*116

102

94 

350

288

1,470 

1,120

16,325

527

32,380

Aug.

998 

836

*'?72

380

265

629

1,060

*1,140

884

663

628

712

452

340

250

255

242

196

150

131

114

*114

106

98

104

140

833 

593

482

476 

828

14,671

473

29,100

Sept.

470 

230

172

145

122

104

98

94

89

85

78

67

*59

54

53

51

51

50

47

40

36

33

30

27

27

25

f

24

24

2,432

81.1

4,820

Calendar year 1955: Max 13,000 Mln o Mean 397 Ac-ft 287,100

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,000 Mln o Mean 181 Ae-ft 131,500

Peak discharge (base, 8,000 cfs). No peak above base. 

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 31 to Mar. 31 (wire-weight-gage readings used 

Nov. 12 to Mar. 21, June 8-15).
250 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Garrison Reservoir near Riverdale, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 47°30'10", long 101°25'50", in s| sec. 31, T. 147 M., R. 84 W., in control 

structure of Garrison Dam 2| miles west of Riverdale and 14 miles upstream from Knife 

River.

Drainage area. 181,400 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. October 1953 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Extremes. Maximum contents during year, 6.948,000 acre-ft July 9 (elevation, 1,788.89 ft); 

minimum, 4,800,000 acre-ft Nov. 24, 25 (elevation, 1,774.38 ft). 

1953-56: Maximum contents, that of July 9, 1956.

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by earth-fill dam; storage began in November 1953; dam incomplete. Capacity, 23,000,000 acre-ft, of which 4,250,000 acre-ft is designated for 

flood control, and 13,850,000 for other uses. Elevation of crest of spillway, 1,825 ft, 

surmounted by taintor gates. Figures given herein represent total contents.

Cooperation. Elevations and capacity table furnished by Corps of Engineers.

Month-end elevations and contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Dec. 31. .....................

Calendar year 1955

Apr . 30 ......................

June 30 ..........

Sept .3a. .....................

Water year 1955-56 .........

Elevation 

(feet)

,776.11

-

,781.23

-

Contents 

(acre-feet)

4,898,000

5,029,000

-

5 , 400 , 000

6,352,000

6,152,000

6,885,000

5,750,000

-

Change in contents 

(acre-feet)

+95,000

-55,000

+186,000

3,558,000

+371,000

+607,000

-200,000

-170,000

+903,000

-554,000

-373,000

+947,000
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 251

Missouri River below Garrison Dam, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 47°23'08", long 101°23'36", in NW£ sec. 16, T. 145 N. , R. 84 W. , on right 

bank 4.3 miles north of Stanton, 5 miles upstream from Knife River, 9 miles downstream 

from Garrison Dam, and at mile 1,445.9.

Drainage area.--181,400 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. April 1948 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929. Apr. 27, 

1948, to July 4, 1949, May 1, 1951, to June 24, 1952, wire-weight gage at site 8| miles 

upstream at same datum; July 5, 1949, to Apr. 30, 1951, water-stage recorder 0.6 mile 

upstream, at same datum.

Average discharge. 8 years, 23,920 cfs (17,320,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year about 55,000 cfs Dec. 13 (elevation, 1,679.20 ft); 

minimum, 3,500 cfs Feb. 3 (elevation, 1,669.27 ft).

1948-56: Maximum discharge, 348,000 cfs Apr. 5, 1952; maximum elevation, 1,701.90 

ft Apr. 5, 1952, backwater from ice, at site then in use; minimum daily disefarge, 

3,000 cfs Nov. 24, 1950.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Many diversions above station. Plow regulated by Garrison Peservoir 

(see preceding page). Measurements generally made at 5-day intervals.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1176: 1948 (maximum elevation only).

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27 

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

51,800

31,800

31,900

31,900

31,900

31,800

32,000

31,900

32 , 000

32,000

31,900

32,000

32,000

32 , 100

32,100

32,200

32 , 100

52.500

32,200

52,500

52,500

52,100

52,100

32,100

51,900

31,900

31,900 

31,900

51,900

52 000 

32*000

992,500

52,010

*1,968

Nov.

51,900

51,700

50,200

28,400

25,900

24,000

22,200

20,500

18,700

18,100

17,900

18 , 000

18,000

17,500

15,000

15,800

13,500

12,900

11,000

9,500

9,500

9,900

9,900

9,900

9,100

8,500

6,000 

8,500

7,500

8 , 000

485,500

16,180

962,600

Dec.

8,000

9,600

9,200

8,700

8 , 800

8,400

8,300

8,700

10,000

9,200

9,400

9,200

9,700

9,500

10,000

9,500

9,500

9,400

9,500

9,400

9,300

9,200

9,200

9,200

9,100

8,100

7,000 

8,000

10,000

9,000

9,000

281,100

9,068

557,600

Jan.

9,000

8,800

9,200

9,500

9,400

9,000

9,000

9,000

6,200

6,500

8,500

7,400

7,200

6,800

7,000

7,400

7,400

7,300

7,100

7,000

7,000

7,000

7,200

7,000

7,000

6,800

7,100 

6,800

7,100

7,400

6,600

235,700

7,603

467,500

Feb.

8,500

6,700

6,500

5,600

5,500

6,000

5,600

5,700

5,700

5,700

5,800

6,000

5,600

4,500

5,000

5,300

5,600

5,400

5,000

5,000

5,300

6,000

6,800

6,000

5,800

5,800

5,800 

5,900

6,000

168,100

5,797

355,400

Mar.

6,000

6,900

7,000

6,900

6,700

6,500

5,800

5,700

5,800

6,900

7,200

7,200

7,000

7,000

7,400

7,500

7,200

7,800

7,800

7,200

6,600

6,200

6,000

6,500

10,000

13,000

a!6,000 

a!9,000

a20,000

a20,500

20,200

281,300

9,074

558,000

Apr.

22,300

21,000

24,000

24,400

a25,000

a25,400

a25,600

a25,600

a25,000

a25,500

a26,000

a25,800

a25,600

a25,400

25,200

25,400

25,100

24,400

24,200

24,400

25,900

23,800

24,700

25,300

25,000

25,000

25,400 

25,300

26,100

28,300

748,100

24,940

*1,484

May

29,000

28,200

27,800

27,600

28,100

27,900

28,100

28,500

28,200

28,600

28,000

28,400

28,200

28,400

28,400

27,600

27,100

26,700

27,800

27,200

27,600

27,600

28,200

29,400

30,900

30,800

29,600 

50,800

51,100

29 ',900

885,500

28,560

*1,756

June

50,600

30,100

28,800

30,700

29,800

31,000

50,500

29,800

50,000

32,900

34,900

54,900

54,500

33,600

34,600

36,300

34,900

54,000

54,700

35,100

35,300

35,100

55,800

54,400

54,700

55 , 400

52,900 

50,500

51,400

50,900

987,900

52,950

*1,959

July

30,200

30,100

30,700

29,600

30,200

51,900

30,300

30,200

50,100

29,100

30,300

30,100

50,100

50,100

29,800

30,000

29,900

29,900

30,200

50,200

30,200

29,200

29,900

30,400

29,200

29,600

24,500

50^200

29,900

29,400

926,100

29,870

*1,837

Aug.

29,900

31,000

30,600

52,400

29,200

50,200

30,400

30,400

30,100

50,500

50,600

29,400

50,300

30,400

29,800

26,400

24,700

25,500

26,400

25,200

26,500

25,600

24,800

25,000

24,500

25,100

25,800 

22,700

20,700

20,500

20,400

844,400

27,240

*1,675

Sept.

20,500

19,900

20,100

21,000

22,500

22,200

22,100

22,400

22,400

22,700

22,400

22,400

22,300

21,600

25,800

22,700

21,900

19,700

18,500

18,600

18,800

17,700

17,500

19,500

17,800

18,900

18,500 

19 , 200

16 , 800

15 ,400

609,600

20,520

*1,209

Calendar year 1955: Max 47,000 Min 4,700 Mean 19,960 Ac-ft 14,450,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 36,300 Mln 4,500 Mean 20,340 Ac-ft 14,770,000

* Expressed In thousands.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 5 discharge measurements, r 

release from Garrison Reservoir, record for station at Bismarck, and weather records. 

Note.. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 16 to Mar. 26.
252 KNIFE RIVER BASIN

Knife River near Golden Valley, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 47°09', long 102°03', in SE£ sec. 34, T. 143 N., R. 90 W., on left bank 

6 ft downstream from highway bridge, 4| miles downstream from Elm Creek, and 9 miles 

south of Golden Valley.

Drainage area. 1,230 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--May 1903 to November 1904 (published as "at Broncho"), March 1905 to 

October 1919 and October 1921 to September 1924 (published as "near Broncho"), and 

April 1943 to September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. May 1903 to December 

1919, October 1921 to September 1925, March to September 1927 and April 1943 to September 1956 in reports of State engineer.

J_~'CJ _L, uu uc^o. ci\j t ±JG<± , ciicij.il £a&e ciL. a_i_ufc; o nu__Lea upauietim ao Uiiiereiiu uaouni. 

Apr. 24 to Oct. 27, 1943, staff gage and Oct. 28, 1943, to May 1, 1946, wire-weight 

gage, at present iii> OJ.UG site euiu andua datum. uuin

Average discharge .. 19 years (1909-11, 1921-25, 1943-56), 103 cfs (74,570 acre-ft per

year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year about 2,300 cfs Mar. 20; maximum gage height, 

19.55 ft, Mar. 20 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 0.3 cfs Jan. 31 to Feb. 29, 

minimum gage height, 2.12 ft Feb. 28 to Mar. 1, July 26, Sept. 27.

1903-19, 1921-25, 1943-56: Maximum discharge, 10,900 cfs Apr. 16, 1950 (gage height, 

26.37 ft, from floodmarks in well); no flow Sept. 6-8, 1905, Sept. 18, 19, 1908.

Flood of Mar. 26, 27, 1943, reached a stage of 26.7 ft, from floodmark (discharge 

11,500 cfs). The flood of 1943 was the only major flood in period 1903-49, according 

to local residents.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1006: Drainage area. WSP 1279: 1904, 1914-19(M), 1922- 

24(M), 1944.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

5.2

4.6

4.2

4.6

5.8

5.8

4.8

4.0

3.5

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.2

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.8

3.0

3.0

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.9

*3.0

3.0

3.0

3.3

108.1

3.49

214

Nov.

3.3

2.3

2.8

2.6

3.3

2.3

2.8

3.0

3.5

3.5

2.6

2.8

2.9

2.9

2.8

3.5

2.9

3.2

2.9

2.9

3.3

3.6

4.4

4.6

*4.4

4.5

5.5

5.5

4

3

101.6

3.39

202

Dec.

3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

3

3

3

3

3

3

3.5

4.5

5

5

4.5

3.5

2

1

.7

 .6

.6

.6

.6

.6

*.6

.6

.6

71.1

2.29

141

Jan.

~0.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

*.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

.4

-ii

17.8

0.57

35

Feb.

0.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

*.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

8.7

0.30

17

Mar.

0.5

1

20

100

70

*120

90

70

90

30

30

30

30

35

40

*45

80

700

900

*1,950

1,500

*1,000

*700

620

600

510

420

220

100

150

*140

10,391.5

335

20,610

Apr.

160

130

125

*107

97

70

67

66

*60

55

50

45

41

37

33

30

27

25

24

22

21

20

18

17

16

16

16

T.4

14

15

1,436

47.9

2,850

May

13

13

13

*12

12

13

12

12

12

13

13

13

12

12

12

11

11

10

9.8

9.3

9.0

*8.7

8.4

8.4

8.1

7.6

7.4

68

96

92

76

627.7

20.2

1,250

June

58

45

34

25

20

286

325

44

26

23

22

15

12

11

9.6

8.4

7.8

16

11

6.6

9.8

72

22

19

15

*11

8.1

6.6

5.8

18

1,192.7

39.8

2,370

July

10

12

25

18

22

18

19

32

28

27

21

17

119

34

22

16

13

*14

12

10

9.0

7.4

6.4

5.4

4.8

4.8

5.4

6.1

7.1

12

8.1

565.5

18.2

1,120

Aug.

7.8

31

92

64

42

51

28

18

14

12

10

10

9.3

9.0

7.8

*6.8

5.8

6.6

5.8

5.6

6.8

8.4

9.8

10

11

11

11

11

8.4

12

16

551.9

17.8

1,090

Sept.

9.3

9.6

18

24

13

9.0

6.4

4.6

3.6

3.8

3.6

3.2

2.9

2.6

2.3

1.8

1.5

1.4

1.3

*1.6

1.9

1.8

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.5

1.9

1.9

138.9

4.63

276

Calendar year 1955: Max 680 Mln 0.6 Mean 30.9 Ac-ft 22,340

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,950 Mln 0.3 Mean 41.6 Ao-ft 30,180

Peak discharge (base. 1,500 cfs). Mar. 2O (time

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage -discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 26 to Ap

known) about 2,300 cfs. 

3.
KNIFE RIVER BASIN 253

Spring Creek at Zap, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 47°17', long 101 °55', in SW£ sec. 14, T. 144 N., R. 89 W., on right bank 

250 ft downstream from Northern Pacific Railway bridge in Zap and 9 miles upstream from 

mouth.

Drainage area. 545 sq mi.

Records available. March to September 1924 and October 1945 to September 1956 in reports 

of Geological Survey. January to December 1924, August to December 1925, and October 

1945 to September 1956 in reports of State engineer. March to December 1924, July 1925 

to December 1927 in House Document 238, 73d Congress, 2d session.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder and wire-weight gage read once daily. Datum of gage is

T,819.39 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (levels by Corps of Engineers). Mar. 4 

to Sept. 30, 1924, staff gage at site 250 ft upstream at different datum. Oct. 1, 1945, 

to Sept. 30, 1947, staff gage 250 ft upstream at datum 1.12 ft higher than present datum.

Average discharge.--11 years (1945-56), 47.8 cfs (34,610 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,650 cfs Mar. 19 (gage height, 13.57 ft, backwater from ice); minimum, 0.5 cfs Jan. 17 to Feb. 7.

1924, 1945-56: Maximum discharge, 6,130 cfs Apr. 7, 1952 (gage height, 2C.03 ft); 

no flow at times.

Maximum stage known occurred in about 1902, from ice jam. Floods in February 1913 

and March 1943 reached stages of about 20 ft and 19 5 ft, respectively, from information 

by local residents.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor, 

lated by Ilo Lake (capacity, 7,130 acre-ft).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

Plow regu2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3 

2.5 

3.0

Oct. 1 to Mar. 24

0.7 4.0

1.6 6.0

3.1 8.0

5.4 10.0

13 12.5

Mar. 25 to Sept. 30

107

285

530

910

1,520

2.1 2.1

2.2 4.3

2.3 7.5

2.5 16

3.0 45

4.0 114

5.5 244

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Bay

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

4.4

4.4

4.4

4.4

4.6

5.1

4.9

4.9

4.6

4.9

5.1

4.6

5.1

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.6

4.6

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

.6

* .6

.6

.6

.9

147.8

4.77

293

Nov.

5.4

4.4

4.9

5.1

16

13

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.4

3.7

3.1

2.6

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.8

3.3

3.9

4.4

4.4

4.4

*4.4

4.1

4.0

3.8

3.6

3.4

139.0

4.63

276

Dec.

3.2

3.0

2.8

2.6

2.4

2.2

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

*1.5

1.5

1.4

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

48.6

1.57

96

Jan.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

.7

i.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

*.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

23.1

0.75

46

Feb.

0.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.6

.6

.7

.7

.8

.8

1.0

*1.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

27.7

0.96

55

Mar.

10

20

30

25

22

*25

60

50

45

70

50

30

25

25

20

45

450

900

*1,150

*1,500

1,100

420

*180

110

220

180

120

68

75

56 

*52

7,133

230

14,150

Apr.

56

47

44

*39

41

36

32

37

*34

30

30

29

26

26

23

21

19

18

17

16

16

14

13

13

13

13

13

12

13

13

754

25.1

1,500

May

13

14

14

*12

12

13

13

12

12

12

14

13

12

13

12

12

10

10

10

9.0

8.2

*8.2

8.2

10

12

10

9.8

18

30

24

21

401.4

12.9

796

June

16

13

12

10

9.0

14

13

9.4

7.5

6.8

6.8

6.5

5.8

5.2

5.2

5.2

4.9

5.2

4.9

4.6

6.1

63

101

29

17

*12

9.8

7.9

7.1

9.8

427.7

14.3

848

July

10.0

8.6

16

IT

7.9

8.2

8.6

9.0

9.0

8.2

8.6

12

9.8

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.1

*5.5

5.2

4.9

4.6

4.3

3.8

3.3

3.1

2.9

2.9

3.8

5.2

15

15

232.9

7.51

462

Aug.

13

17

14

11

9.4

8.2

7.9

6.8

6.1

5.2

5.2

5.8

5.2

4.6

4.1

*3.8

3.8

3.8

4.1

4.1

3.6

3.1

3.1

3.1

2.9

7.5

7.5

6.5

5.5

6.5

'

2C2.2

6.52

401

Sept.

9.0

8.2

9.4

11

9.0

7.5

6.5

5.8

5.2

4.6

4.6

4.9

5.2

5.5

5.2

4.9

4.6

4.3

4.3

*4.1

3.8

4^3

4.6

4.1

3.8

3.8

3.8

4.1

5.2

5.2

166.5

5.55

330

Calendar year 1955: Max 408 Mln 1.0 Mean 16.1 Ac-ft 11,650

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,500 Mln 0.5 Mean 26.5 Ac-ft 19,250

Peak discharge (ba 1,000 efs).--Mar. 19 (11 p.m.) 1,650 cfs (13.57 ft).

charge measurement made on this day. 

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 27 to Mar. 27 (no gage-height record Dec. 29- 

31, Jan. 1-13, 15-23; discharge estimated on basis of weather records and records for Knife River

stations).
254 KNIFE RIVER BASIN

Knife River at Hazen, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 47°17', long 101°37', In SE^ sec. 18, T. 144 N., R. 86 W., on right bank 

at upstream side of highway bridge, half a mile south of Hazen and 2 miles upstream 

from Antelope Creek.

Drainage area.--2,350 sq ml, approximately.

Records available.--October 1928 to August 1933 (fragmentary), August 1937 to September 

1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and wire-weight gage read once dally. Datum of gage Is

1,712.35 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to Sept. 25, 1947, wire-weight 

or chain gages at same site and datum.

Average discharge . 19 years (1937-56), 208 cfs (150,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 6,630 cfs Mar. 21 (gage height, 23.76 ft, 

affected by ice); minimum, 4 cfs Jan. 22 to Mar. 4; minimum gage height, 3.14 ft 

Sept. 27, 28.

1928-33, 1937-56: Maximum discharge, 26,500 cfs Mar. 26 or 27, 1913 (gage height, 

26.3 ft, from floodmarks); no flow (estimated) Jan. 21 to Feb. 5, 1933.

Floods in 1943, 1950, and 1952 are the only major floods known sime 1884.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. 

Revisions (water years) . WSP 1146: 1943. WSP 1279: 1930-31, 1932-33('r ) .

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 17 to Nov. 1, Apr. 30 to May 29)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 30 Mar. 31 to Sept. 30

3.2

3.3

3.4 17

3.1 

3.5 

4.0 67

5.0 

6.0 

7.0

195

346

520

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

15

14

11

11

12

12

13

16

16

14

14

16

11

1~9.6

9.6

11

11

11

11

12

12

12

13

12

12

13

*15

14

16

16

397.2

12.8

788

Nov.

16

16

16

16

14

14

16

16

16

16

14

14

14

14

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

*16

16

16

14

14

14

462

15.4

916

Dec.

14

TT

14

13

12

11

11

10

10

10

10

9

9

9

9

*9

9

9

8

8

9

9

10

10

10

10

9

9

9

9

°

310

10.0

615

Jan.

8

8

8

8

8

:

*

179

5.8

355

Feb.

*

116

4.0

230

Mar.

4

4

4

4

45

*135

170

220

210

210

190

190

180

180

170

170

200

1,000

*3,100

4,900

*6,200

3,300

1,600

*1,000

1,500

1,650

1,200

620

*280

240

335

29,211

942

57,940

Apr.

484

381

*332

314

319

*317

228

224

209

202

*220

209

181

163

150

128

112

99

90

85

79

75

70

65

61

57

55

54

51

51

5,065

169

10,050

May

51

52

52

*49

48

50

50

48

47

48

49

53

51

48

44

42

40

39

37

36

34 *32

31

34

34

34

33

44

229

234

TQC

J.O3

1,858

59.9

3,690

June

153

128

104

92

84

297

477

444

149

94

75

69

55

47

43

41

40

40

149

65

40

71

187

139

82

*61

49

40

36.

41

3,392

113

6,730

July

61

51

50

85

67

55

69

105

107

80

67

102

90

"82" 116

55

44

38

*34

33

31

28

25

23

22

2020"

21

24

39

59

1,703

54.9

3,380

Aug.

42

33

35

100

87

74

66

60

42

36

33

31

28

27

24

*23

21

20

20

19

18

18

15

14

13

12

14

18

16

18

25

1,002

32.3

1,990

Sept.

28

30

24

23

3_9

39

33

28

24

22

20

19

20

20

20

18

18

17

16

*14

14

13

12

12

12

11

10

10

12

14

592

19.7

1,170

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,100 Mln 8.0 Mean 68.1 Ac-ft 49,310

Water year 1955-56: Max 6,200 Mln 4 Mean 121 Ac-ft 87,850

Peak discharge (base, 1,500 cfs). --Mar. 21 (8:35 a.m.) 6,630 cfs (23.76 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note_. --Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 2 to Mar. 30.
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 255

Missouri River at Bismarck, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°48'51", long 100°49'12", in SE& sec. 31, T. 139 N., R. 80 W., on left 

bank 40 ft upstream from Bismarck city water filter plant, 2,100 ft downstreejn from 

Northern Pacific Railway bridge, 1.6 miles northwest of Bismarck Post Office, 3.6 miles 

upstream from Heart River, and at mile 1,377.8.

Drainage area. 186,400 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. September 1904 to December 1905 (records considered unrelialle), October 1927 to September 1956. Gage-height records collected in this vicinity February 

1881 to October 1882 and May 1886 to December 1899 are contained in reports of Missouri 

River Commission. Gage-height records collected in this vicinity since June 1891 are 

contained in reports of U. S. Weather Bureau.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,618.38 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Oct. 17, 1928, chain gage at site 2,100 ft upstream at datum 4.24 ft 

higher. Oct. 17, 1928, to Apr. 9, 1936, water-stage recorder at present site, at datum 

4.24 ft higher prior to Oct. 1, 1934, and at present datum thereafter. Apr. 10, 1936, 

to Sept. 30, 1937, at site 2,000 ft downstream at datum 0.47 ft lower, water-stage recorder Apr. 5 to July 23, 1937, and wire-weight gage remainder of period.

Average discharge. 28 years (1928-56), 21,440 cfs (15,520,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 38,200 cfs June 17 (gage height, 9.46 ft); maximum gage height, 10.70 ft Apr. 2 (affected by ice); minimum discharge, 3,980 cfs 

Feb. 15 (gage height, 4.03 ft).

1904-5, 1927-56: Maximum discharge, 500,000 cfs Apr. 6, 1952 (gage height, 27.90 

ft); minimum, about 1,800 cfs Jan. 3, 1940; minimum gage height, 1.35 ft Sept. 4, 1934, 

present site and datum.

Maximum stage known, 31.6 ft, present site and datum, Mar. 31, 1881 (ice Jam).

Remarks.--Records excellent except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Measurements made at about 5-day intervals. Many diversions from tributaries. Regulated 

by Garrison Reservoir (see p. 250).

Revisions (water years).--WSP 716: 1929, 1930. WSP 1279: 1929(M).

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 

9

10

11

12

13

34

15

16 

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

31,700

31,700

32,200

32,200

52,600

32,000

31,600

32,000 

31,900

31,900

32,500

31.500

31,900

31,600

32,400

32,200 

32,500

32,400

32,500

32,200

32,400

32,500

32,000

31,700

31,900

31,900

32,500

32,000

32,000

32,200

32,600

995,000

32,100

*1,974

Nov.

55.100

32,400

31,300

29,800

28,600

25,600

23,900

22,400 

21,000

19,300

18,700

18,400

18,000

17,500

17,000

16,000 

14,000

10,000

10,000

13,000

11,500

8,500

9,500

8,000

8,000

8,500

9,000

7,000

6.000

7,500

------

503,500

16,780

998,700

Dec.

8,040

7,920

7,980

9,060

9,210

8,820

9,060

8,460 

9,090

9,360

9,180

9,600

9,600

9,270

8,970

9,060 

9,660

9,510

9,330

9,240

9,300

9,420

9,330

9,330

9,150

9,420

9,420

8,820

7.860

10.200

9,330

282,000

9,097

559,300

Jan.

9.480

9,480

9,270

9,360

9,450

9,420

8,790

8,550 

8,940

7,360

5.790

8,100

8,100

7,640

7,390

6,030 

6,230

7,500

7,920

7,750

7,500

7,420

7,360

7,280

7,670

7,720

7,420

7,190

7,350

6,580

6,970

242,990

7,838

482,000

Feb.

6,630

8.640

6,470

7,470

5,350

5,710

5,920

5,640 

5,770

5,770

6,080

6,180

6,050

5,510

4,410

5,400 

5,220

5,400

6,000

6,050

5,870

5,560

5,090

5,450

6,260

5,820

5,610

5,640

5,640

_

.-.--.

170,610

5,883

338,400

Mar.

5,740

5,920

7,000

7,330

7,580

7,640

7,300

5.710 

5,790

6,520

6,770

6,030

6,910

7,840

8, '040

7,980 

7,950

8,160

8,490

9,400

12,000

14,000

15,500

14,000

11,500

12,500

16,000

18,200

18,500

18,500

19.000

313,800

10,120

622,400

Apr.

23.000

26,000

28.000

26,000

26,000

26,200

25,400

25,500 

25,700

25,100

25,200

26,000

25,900

25,900

25,700

25,300 

25,500

25,100

24,500

24,600

24,500

24,000

23,700

24,500

25,400

25,100

25,000

25,400

25,600

26,400

760,200

25,340

*1,508

May

28,600

28,800

27,900

27,500

27,400

28,000

27,700

28,000 

28,200

27,800

29,000

28,000

28,500

28,500

28,500

28,700 

27,400

27,600

27.200

28,100

27,700

27,800

27,800

28,200

29,500

30,500

30,500

30,000

30,700

51.500

29,300

884,900

28,550

*1,755

June

29.600

30,800

30,600

30,500

31,500

30,700

30,400

30,600 

30,000

30,200

32,900

35,600

35,700

34,600

33,700

35,100 

57.400

34,900

33,700

34,600

34,500

35,500

35,200

35,400

34,400

34,300

35,400

33,200

30,300

32,000

------

993,300

33,110

*1,970

July

31,600

30,500

30,600

31,600

29,800

30,100

32.400

31,500 

30,300

29,600

28,500

30,200

30,100

30,100

30,600

30,000 

29,600

29,700

29,800

29,800

30, 000

30,000

29,200

29,300

30,100

29,700

28,000

24.700

28,800

30,600

30,500

927,300

29,910

*1,839

Aug.

28,900

29,200

30,700

30,500

52.100

29,600

29,400

29,600 

30,200

30,000

30,300

31,000

29,800

29,600

30,500

30,100 

26,900

24,600

25,000

26,600

25,100

25,700

25,700

24,800

25,100

24,800

25,500

25,900

23,300

20,700

20.600

851,800

27,480

*1,690

Sept.

20,000

19,900

19,600

19,500

20,200

22,000

22,200

21,900 

22,200

22,500

22,400

22,400

22,400

22,100

22,000

25.500 

22,700

22,000

19,800

18,300

18,200

18,300

17,600

17.100

18,100

17,700

18,700

18,000

18,400

17,100

------

606,800

20,250

*1,204

Calendar year 1955: Max 46,700 Min 4,000 Mean 20,010 Ac-ft 14,490,000

Water year 1955-56; Max 37,400 Mln 4,410 Mean 20,580 Ac-ft 14,940,000

* Expressed in thousands.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 15 to Apr. 5.
256 HEART RIVER BASIN

Heart River near South Heart, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°52' ) long 102°57', in SW^ sec. 8, T. 139 N., R. 97 W., on left bank 

half a mile downstream from North Creek and 2 miles east of South Heart.

Drainage _area.--316 sq mi.

Records available. June 1946 to September 1956. Prior to June 1947, published as "near 

Dickinson."

;e. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,429.45 ft above mean sea level, datum of

"929 (levels by Corps of Engineers). June 21, 1946, to May 31, 1947, wire-weight gage

at site 6 miles downstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 10 years, 33.1 cfs (23,960 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 251 cfs July 31 (gage height, 6.38 ft); minimum, less than 0.05 cfs part of Aug. 22.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 5,030 cfs Apr. 6, 1954 (gage height, 21.73 ft); minimum, that of Aug. 22, 1956.

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of no gage-height record, which are poor. 

Revisions (water years). WSP 1389: 1950, 1954 (M).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used July 10-29)

1.9

2.0

2.1 

2.3

0

.6 

1.4 

3.6

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

6.0

7.3

24

70

215

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.4 

.3

74

.5

.3

.5

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

*.4

.6

.6

tf

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.7

.7

.7

16.0

0.52

32

Nov.

0.7 

.6

».6

.8

.8

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.8

.7

.8

.8

.7

.8

.9

.9

.8

.7

.6

.7

.7

.6

».6

...5

20.5

0.68

41

Dec.

0.6 

.8

.9

.9

.9

.8

.8

.8

.8

.9

.9

.8

1.0

1.0

».8

.6

.6

.6

.4

.4

.3

.4

.3

.3

.3

.7

*.9

.6

.3

.2

.3

19.9

0.64

39

Jan.

*1

t

..

f .

(*)

> .5

14.0

0.45

28

Feb.

> «0.4

(*)

> .3

9.9

0.34

20

Mar.

*0.3

*2

20

»10

5

2

1

1

1

.8

.8 *.e

.5

.5

1

10

30

50

100

170

TTo

 80

60

40

30

*20

15

10

10

10

792.5

25.6

1,570

Apr.

 68 

4.1

3.4

3.2

2.5

2.0

1.9

1.7

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

.8

».8

.9

.9

.9

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

52.7

1.76

105

May

1.0 

1.1

1.0

*1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

1.0

1.1

1.0

2.3

1.8

1.0

».8

.6

.6

.5

.4

.3

.3

.3

y

tt

.2

.2

.3

1.3

*18~9.8

»3.0

53.2

1.72

106

June

2.0 

1.3

1.0

.8

.6

.5

.3

.3

.3

jl

.2

.3

.3

*.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.2

.2

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

».3

IP.

22.2

0.74

44

July

27 

23

16

24

6.5

3.1

21

20

15

5.0

3.1

7.4

13

5.0

2.9

2.1

 5.6

3.5

2.6

1.8

1.4

1.3

1.0

.8

.6

.6

.6

.9

7.5

12

*199

433.3

14.0

859

Aug.

90

2^

14

7.1

4.9

3.0

3.0

2.1

1.5

1.2

1.0

.6

.6

.5

.4

.3

*.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.1

.1

.1

.2

.3

.9

29

 17

5.6

3.6

214.5

6.92

425

Sept.

H

1.0

.8

.6

.5

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.5

.5

.5

.4

*.5

.4

.4

.3

.2

.1

7T

.2

.2

.3

*.3

.3

.3

.4

14.1

0.47

28

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,750 Min 0.1 Mean 14.5 Ac-ft 10,460

Water year 1955-56: Max 199 Min o.l Mean 4.54 Ao-ft 3,300

Peak discharge (base, 200 cfs). Mar. 21 (time unknown! about 200 cfs; July 31 (4:30 P.m.) 251 cfs

(6.38 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Jan. 17 to Apr. 2 (stage-discharge relation affected by Ice most of 

period); discharge estimated on basis of 9 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for 

nearby stations.
HEART RIVER BASIN 

Dickinson Reservoir near Dickinson, H. Dak.

257

Location. Lat 46°52', long 102°50' 

southwest of Dickinson.

near west line of sec. 8, T. 139 H., R. 9f W., 2 miles

Drainage area.--400 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. May 1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Staff gage read once daily. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929 

(levels by Bureau of Reclamation).

Extremes. Maximum contents observed during year, 6,030 acre-ft Mar. 29 to Apr. 10 (elevation, 2,415.5 ft); minimum, 3,630 acre-ft Mar. 3-7 (elevation, 2,411.8 ft).

1950-56: Maximum contents, 9,920 acre-ft Apr. 7, 1954 (elevation, 2,419.6 ft); minimum since initial filling of reservoir, 3,630 acre-ft Dec. 16, 1954, to Mar. 9, 1955, 

Mar. 3-7, 1956 (elevation, 2,411.8 ft).

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by earth-fill dam; storage began May 23, 1950; dam completed 

Aug. 9, 1950. Total capacity is 25,700 acre-ft at maximum pool, elevation, 2,429.3 ft. 

Dead storage is 1,100 acre-ft below lowest point of outlet, elevation, 2,40<.7 ft. 

Conservation storage is 5,900 acre-ft between elevation 2,404.7 ft and crest of spillway, elevation 2,416.5 ft. Figures given herein represent total contents. The reservoir is for flood control, irrigation, and municipal supply.

Cooperation.--Record of gage heights and contents furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Month-end elevations and contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

May 31......................

Sept . 30 ......................

Water year 1955-56 .........

Elevation 

(feet)

2,414.9

2,413.6

-

Contents 

(acre-feet)

5,570

4,690

-

Change In contents 

(acre-feet)

_

-120

-50

-270

-350

0

-130

+380
258 HEART RIVER BASIN 

Heart River below Dlckinson Dam, near Dickinson, N. Dak.

Location.--Lat 46°52', long 102°49', in SEir sec. 8, T. 139 N., R. 96 W., on left bank 

1 mile downstream from Dickinson Dam and 1-f miles southwest of Dickinson.

Drainage area. 404 sq mi.

Records available. October 1951 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,378 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge. 5 years, 22.8 cfs.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 9.5 cfs Sept. 12 (gage height, 3.20 ft); minimum, 0.1 cfs at times.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 4,050 cfs Apr. 7, 1954 (gage height, 13.64 ft); minimum, 0.1 cfs at times in most years.

Flood in April 1950 reached a stage of 14.5 ft from drift marks.

Remarks. Records good. Low flow regulated by one 24-inch gate in Dickirson Dam (see preceding page). Some diversions above station by city of Dickinson, anf for irrigation.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

0.2 

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.6

if

.9

.9

7.2

0.23

14

Nov.

"73

if

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.5

.5

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.2

*.2 

.2

8.8

0.29

16

Dec.

^if

73~

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

*.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.2 

.2

.2

8.0

0.26

16

Jan.

^ff

!2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.2

.3

73

.3

.2

.2

.2

.3

.2 

.2

*.2

6.6

0.21

13

Feb.

"T2 0.2

.3

.3

.5

*1.2

2.2

2.9

3.2

3.8

3.5

3.3

3.3

*3.2

3.2

3.2

3.7

4.4

2.4

2.3

2.8

3.3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.7

78.1

2.69

155

Mar.

*4.0 

378

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.3

3.2

*3.3

3.2

3.3

3.5

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.2

2.8

2.2

1.6

*1.4

1.3

1.2

1.0

.9

.9

'.7

83.9

2.71

166

Apr.

0.8 

*. 7

.6

.6

.5

.5

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.2

.1

72

.2

.3

.3

*. 5

.2

.2

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2 

*. 2

9.7

0.32

19

May

0.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

*.4

2is

3.5

3.1

1.8

3.3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.7

3.7

4.2

3.7

.7 

.6

*.4

48.3

1.56

96

June

&$

'.9

1.0

1.4

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.8

2.8

2.9

*3.0

3.3

3.5

3.3

3.5

3.5

5.1

3.3

3.0

2.9

2.9

3.0

1.8

.9

.9

*.6 

1.0

70.4

2.35

140

July

1.3 

1.2

1.7

.9

.il

.5

1.9

3.5

3.7

4.0

2.4

3.2

5.5

6.1

6.2

6.3

*6.5

7.0

6.5

5.9

6.3

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.3

6.5

6.7

6.8

6.8 

6.8

*6.8

146.9

4.74

291

Aug.

6.8 

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.3

6.3

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.1

5.8

5.8

*5.8

5.6

5.2

4.9

4.7

4.9

4.7

4.5

4.4

4.4

4.5

4.7

4.9 

5.6

*3.2

171.7

5.54

341

Sept.

0.2

. 1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

**.!

.3

8.0

5.0

.5

.3

.3

.3

*.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3 

.3

20.3

0.68

40

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,050 Mln 0.1 Mean 10.9 Ac-ft 8,030

Water year 1955-56: Max 8.0 Mln 0.1 Mean 1.80 Ac-ft 1,310

Discharge measurement made on this day. 

* Field estimate made on this day.
HEART RIVER BASIN 259

Green River near Gladstone, N. Dak.

Location.--Lat 46°53', long 102°37', In SW^ sec. 36, T. 140 N., R. 95 W., on right bank 

half a mile upstream from bridge on D. S. Highway 10, 3-g- miles northwest of Gladstone, 

3-=r miles upstream from mouth, and 8 miles downstream from Spring Creek.

Drainage area.--356 sq mi.

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,320 ft (by barometer). Prior to

June 27, 1953, wire-weight gages at datum 4.15 ft lower; Oct. 1, 1945, to July 5, 1949, 

on former Highway 10 bridge over former channel 700 ft east of present bridge, and 

July 6, 1949, to June 26, 1953, on Highway 10 bridge half a mile downstream from present site.

Average discharge. 11 years, 39.1 cfs (28,310 aere-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, about 250 cfs Mar. 19 or 20; no flow at times.

TS45-56: Maximum discharge, 5,260 cfs Apr. 15, 1950 (gage height, 18.3 ft, from 

floodmark); no flow at times in 1946, 1955-56. 

Maximum stage known, about 20 ft March 1943.

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. A few diversions above the station for irrigation of hay meadows, and washing of sand and gravel.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect ( 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Sept. 22-30)

Oct. I to Apr. 21 Apr. 22 to Sept. 30

1.9

2.0 2.4

3.7

6.7

16

1.8

1.9

2.0 26

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1£56

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1 *.l

.1

.1

.1

.2

.1

.1

.2

.2

\Z

.2

.2

.2

.3

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

5.5

0.18

11

Nov.

0.6

.6

*.6

.6

.8

.8

.7

.7

.8

1.0

1.0

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.6

.7

.7

.7

.7

.6

.6

.8

1.0

*.9

.6

20.1

0.67

40

Dec.

0.6

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

5.6

0.18

11

Jan.

0.1

. 1

2

!z

.2

.3

.3

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

*.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

10.0

0.32

20

Feb.

0.2

_2

\Z

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

5.1

0.18

10

Mar.

10

50

*30

30

*14

12

10

8

6

6

4

2

1

.5

.2

**.!

20

100

200

200

120

*9G

**100

*90

75

60

*47

40

35

32

30

1,422.8

45.9

2,820

Apr.

28

**25

22

20

18

16

14

13

12

11

10

9.5

8.7

7.9

7.1

6.7

6.1

*5.5

5.2

3.0

1.7

3 . 2

3.5

3.5

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.5

3.5

3.2

282.2

9.41

560

May

2.1

3.5

3.5

*3.2

3.8

4.1

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

4.1

3.5

2.7

3.5

3.2

3.0

*1.9

1.9

1.9

2.1

2.3

1.7

1.4

1.1

1.0

.9

.6

3.9

15

9.6

106.1

3.42

210

June

7.0

7.0

8.3

sT5

*7.0

5.4

3.2

2.5

2.1

1.6

1.2

1.1

.9

*.7

.7

.5

.5

.5

.4

.4

.7

.9

. 7

.6

.5

.4

.3

.2 * ?"

.2

64.0

2.13

127

July

1.6

1.9

1.9

1.7

1.9

2.3

2.1

7.4

5.8

9.1

7.4

4.7

3.0

1.7

1.1

.9

.7

.5

.3

*.2

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.1

.1 *.l

56.8

1.83

113

A'lg.

0

0

0

.7

5.8

5.8

4.4

3.2

2.1

1.4

1.1

.7

.5

.4

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.3

20

14 

*10

71.7

2.31

142

Sept.

7.0

4.1

3.0

2.5

2.5

2.1

1.7

1.6

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.0

.9

.7

.6

.5

.4

.4

.3

.2

.2

.2

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

36.9

1.23

73

Calendar year 1955: Max 175 Min 0 Mean 10.0 Ac-ft 7,240

Water year 1955-56: Max 200 Min 0 Mean 5.70 Ac-ft 4,140

Peak discharge (base 500 cfs). Mo peak above base.

Discharge me rvation of no flow made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Mote. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 2 to Apr. 10 (no gage-height record Feb. 2 to 

Mar. 15, Mar. 18-20, 25-31, Apr. 1-10; discharge estimated on basis of 4 discharge measurements, 

3 field estimates, weather records, and records for stations on Heart River).
260 HEART RIVER BASIN

Heart River near Rlchardton, N. Dak.

Location.--Lat 46°44'46", long 102°18'27", in NE£ sec. 29, T. 138 N., R. 92 W., on right 

bank 10 ft upstream from bridge on State Highway 8, half a mile downstream from Blacktail Creek, and 9^ miles south of Riohardton.

Drainage area. 1,240 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--May 1903 to September 1922 (few winter records), April 1943 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,153.67 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. May 18, 1903, to Sept. 30, 1922, staff or chain gage at 3 sites in 1-mile reach 

below present, site at different datums. "Apr. 14, 1943, to July 7, 1947, wire-weight 

gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge. 14 years (1920-21, 1943-56), 122 cfs (88,320 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, about 500 cfs Mar. 20 (gage height, 11.55 ft, 

backwater from ice); maximum gage height, 12.92 ft Mar. 19 (ice jam); no flow for many 

days during winter.

1903-22, 1943-56: Maximum discharge, 23,400 cfs Apr. 16, 1950 (gage height, 28.05 

ft, from high-water mark in gage house); no flow at times.

Flood of July 5, 1938, reached a stage of about 26 ft, from information of local 

resident (discharge, 16,000 cfs). Flood of Mar. 25, 1943, reached a stage of 24.2 ft, 

from floodmarks (discharge, 11,700 cfs).

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or backwater from bank 

slides, which are poor. Flow regulated by Dickinson Reservoir (see p. 257).

Revisions (water years). WSP 1209; Drainage area. WSP 1239: 1906, 1918(M), 1947(M). 

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

Z

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

3.0

2.5

1.9

2.1

3.2

3.6

3.2

2.5

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.4

*1.9

5.0

4.4

1.2

1.6

1.9

2.3

2.5

2.3

2.1

1.8

1.9

1.9

2.5

3.2

3.8

3.8 

 4.1

78.9

2.55

156

Nov.

3.5

3.0

3

3

3

1

2.5

3

3

3

3

3

3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

*1.5

7E.5

2.42

144

Dec.

1.5

1.5

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

*2.0

2.0

2.0

1.5

1.5

1.0

.5

.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

*.4 

.4

42.0

1.35

83

Jan.

0.4

.4

.4

.4

_._5

.5

.4

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0 

*0

5.9

0.19

12

Feb.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

100

*250

220

*130

100

70

80

80

70

70

50

4O

30

20

<50

200

250

300

400

360

**330

300

*270

220

180

150

120

100

*90

4,710

152

9,340

Apr.

60

*40

40

40

35

35

35

35

35

36

34

33

26

21

22

23

*21

18

21

20

17

16

10

7.2

12

13

12

16

14

*13

760.2

25.3

1,510

May

16

17

18

16

14

13

14

14

14

15

15

14

16

16

15

*12

10

10

15

16

13

10

14

15

14

14

15

27

31

42 

*41

526

17.0

1,040

June

 21 28

18

15

14

16

16

16

10

6.8

3.5

3.5

3.2

*4.1

5.7

5.7

5.0

6.0

6.4

6.4

6.0

7.7

28

18

12

6.4

4.7

4.4

*3.2

11

311.7

10.4

618

July

16

30

172

T?

45

35

55

40

23

19

21

19

2T

16

10

7.2

*5.7

3.5

3.2

Cl

Cl

Cl

C5

C5

C^

07

C5

Ci

C7

CIO 

*16

70S. 6

22.8

1,400

Aug.

82

36

23

17

13

11

10

10

10

9.5

7.7

7.2

5.7

5.0

4.4

3.5

*4.4

4.7

4.4

6.0

8.6

10

12

13

14

16

19

20

24

31 

*28

470.1

15.2

932

Sept.

24

18

16

10

9.5

9.0

7.0

6.8

6.8

6.4

6.4

6.4

6.8

6.4

6.4

6.9

7.7

*5.3

4.1

2.8

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.1

*1.0

1.0

1.0

184.2

6.14

365

Calendar year 1955 : Max 1,05O Min 0.4 Mean 34.7 Ac-ft 25,150

Water year 1955-56: Max 400 Min 0 Mean 21.5 Ac-ft 15,600

Peak discharge (base, 1,500 efs). No peak above base.

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

c Stage-discharge relation affected by bank slides.

Note. --Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 3 to Apr. 7. Discharge De-i. 18 to Feb. 29 

estimated on basis of once-weekly wire-weight-gage readings, weather records, and records for upstream stations. Discharge Mar. 14-15, Apr. 2 to May 5 computed from once-daily wire-weight-gage 

readings.
HEART RIVER BASIN 261

Heart Butte Reservoir near Glen Ullin, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°35'48", long 101°48'34", in SW^NEi sec. 13, T. 136 N., R. 89 W., 10 miles 

upstream from Heart Butte Creek, 14 miles south of Glen Ullin, and 14 miles north of 

Elgin.

Drainage area. 1,710 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. August 1949 to September 1956.

Gage. Staff gage read once daily. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929 

(levels by Bureau of Reclamation).

Extremes.--Maximum contents during year, 77,600 acre-ft Apr. 6 (elevation, 2,035.05 ft); 

 minimum, 51,760 acre-ft Mar. 1-4 (elevation, 2,056.71 ft).

1949-56: Maximum contents, 174,000 acre-ft Apr. 9, 1952 (elevation, 2,036.23 ft); 

minimum since first reaching spillway level, that of Mar. 1-4, 1956.

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by earth-fill dam; storage began Sept. 29, 1949; dam comfileFed Dec. 9, 1949. Total capacity is 428,000 acre-ft at maximum pool, elevation, 

2,118.2 ft. Dead storage is 6,750 acre-ft below lowest point of outlet, elevation, 

2,030.0 ft. Active conservation storage is 69,040 acre-ft between elevation 2,030.0 ft 

and crest of spillway, elevation, 2,064.5 ft. Figures given herein represent total 

contents. Controlled releases are through 4- by 5-foot slide gate. The spillway is 

uncontrolled "glory hole" type and discharges through a conduit 14 ft in diameter. The 

reservoir is for flood control, irrigation, and incidental water supply.

Cooperation. Record of gage heights and contents furnished by Bureau of Recla-nation.

Month-end elevations and contents, water year October 1955 to September 19!f6

Date

Feb. 29............... .......

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

Sept. 30. .....................

Water vear 1955-56 .........

Elevation 

(feet)

2,062.84

62,060.25

2,061.5

2,061.3

2,060.2

_

Contents 

(acre-feet)

70,390

61,960

51,760

66,030

65,380

61,800

_

Change In contents 

(acre -feet)

_

-4,070

-1,950

-2,500

-4,950

-650

-2,600

-8,590

e Estimated.
262 HEART RIVER BASIN

Heart River below Heart Butte Dam, near Glen Ullln, N. Dak.

Location.--La t 46° 35'50", long 101° 48'05", in NEij sec. 13, T. 136 N., R. 89 W., on right 

bank 0.5 mile downstream from Heart Butte Dam, 10 miles upstream from Heart Butte 

Creek, 14 miles south of Glen Ullln, and 14 miles north of Elgin.

Drainage area.--1.710 sq ml, approximately.

Records available.--Apr11 1943 to September 1956. Prior to October 1948, published as 

"near Glen Ullln".

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage Is 1,998.87 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929 (levels by Corps of Engineers). Prior to Aug. 24, 1943, wire-weight gage and 

Aug. 24, 1943, to May 31, 1947, water-stage recorder, at site 4 miles upstream at 

different datum.

Average discharge.--13 years, 163 cfs (118,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 228 cfs May 4 (gage height, 2.23 ft); minimum, 

0.2 cfs Mar. 24 (gage height, 1.21 ft).

1943-56: Maximum discharge, 25,000 cfs Mar. 24, 1947 (gage height, 21.5 ft, site 

and datum then In use, from floodmark . backwater from Ice); no flow at times.

Flood of Mar. 25, 1943, reached a stage of 18.77 ft, former site and datum (discharge, 20,000 cfs, by slope-area determination).

Remarks. Records good. Flow regulated by Heart Butte Reservoir (see preceding page).

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and discharge, 

In cubic feet per second)

.6

2.1

5.0

10

1.7

1.8

2.0

2.1

110

150

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septerber 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

*54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54 

*54

1,674

54.0

3,320

Nov.

54

54

54

54

56

56

56

66

79

79

79

79

79

79

79

79

79

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

73

*73

2,143

71.4

4,250

Dec.

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

79

79

79

*79

79

76

76

76

76

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

*73 

73

2,341

75.5

4,640

Jan.

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

73

70

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

*40

1,980

63.9

3,930

Feb.

17

17

34

48

48

48

48

48

48

41

29

29

29

29

*29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

*29

948

32.7

1,880

Mar.

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

31

34

21

14

14

*15

14

13

11

9.0

.5

*.3

.3

.2

73

.5

.5

2.8

4.6

6.5 

22

504.5

16.3

1,000

Apr.

46

*62

65

68

70

70

68

68

76

83

83

110

118

110

107

100

*93

103

130

T26

126

126

126

126

126

126

104

126

126

*126

2,994

99.8

5,940

May

126

126

126

125

126

126

126

126

126

126

126

126

126

122

90

*90

90

90

90

90

90

90

90

86

70

70

70

70

70

70 

*i§.

3,140

101

6,230

June

65

62

62

62

65

65

65

65

65

68

68

68

68

*68

58

36

36

34

34

34

34

31

31

35

70

70

70

70

*70

70

1,719

57.3

3,410

JUlT

70

70

70

70

45

31

32

31

31

34

36

34

34

34

34

34

*34

36

36

36

36

36

36

36

36

36

38

38

38

38 

*38

1,238

39.9

2,460

Aug.

36

36

36

36

36

36

36

38

38

38

38

38

21

11

11

11

*29

34

34

34

34

34

34

34

34

34

31

31

21

31 

*31

986

31.8

1,960

Sept.

31

31

31

31

29

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

29

*29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

*29

29

29

845

28.2

1,680

Calendar year 1955: Max 172 Mln 8.0 Mean 41.4 Ac-ft 29,930

Water year 1955-56: Max 130 Mln 0.2 Mean 56.0 Ac-ft 40,700

Discharge measurement made on this day.
HEART RIVER BASIN 263

Antelope Creek near Carson, N. Dak.

Location.--Lat 46°32', long 101°39' , in NWitffi£ sec. 8, T. 135 N., R. 87 W., near center 

of span on upstream side of county road bridge, 4 miles upstream from mouth and 8 miles 

northwest of Carson.

Drainage area. 221 sq mi.

Records available. June 1948 to September 1956.

Gage.--Wire-weight and staff gages and crest-stage indicator. Gage read once weekly during 

winter and once daily at other times. Altitude of gage is 1,974 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge. 8 years, 20.5 cfs (14,840 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 870 cfs Mar. 20 (gage height 11.50 ft, affected 

by ice); maximum gage height, 12.03 ft Mar. 20 (affected by ice); no flow for many 

days during winter; minimum observed gage height, 1.29 ft July 26.

1948-56: Maximum discharge, 11,100 cfs Apr. 16, 1950 (gage height, 17.95 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 1,100 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow at times.

The flood of Mar. 25, 1943, reached a stage of 17.1 ft, the highest known prior to 

1950.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

3.0

278

2.5

2.2

1.7

1.1

1.0

.9

1.0

.8

.4

*.5

.5

.5

.5

.3

.6

.5

.5

.6

.6

.7

.5

.4

.5

.5

.9

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.4

31.4

1.01

62

Nov.

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.

41.8

1.39

83

Dec.

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.0

*1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

. 8 

 o

» o

35.0

1.13

69

Jan.

0.8

^8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.6

.4

.4

.4

**.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

8.1

0.26

16

Feb.

0

0

0

0

.1

,2

.2

.2

.2

**.!

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

1.2

0.04

2.4

Mar.

0.1

*T4

2

10

8

6

30

35

20

60

50

45

*40

20

25

*50

200

300

6OO

*700

*650

*340

130

*75

80

75

70

50

30

*20

15

3,736.5

121

7,410

Apr.

15

15

20

25

a20

*17

15

16

15

11

12

10

11

9.6

8.7

7.6

7.4

7.6

6.4

a6.0

5.8

5.4

5.1

5.1

6.0

4.9

5.3

5.1

6.0

6.0

310.0

10.3

615

May

6.4

7.0

6.4

6.4

6.4

a6 .5

6.6

6.4

*6.2

a6.5

8.9

7.0

7.0

a8.0

a5.0

3.6

3.1

2.2

2.5

a3.0

3.6

3.4

3.2

3.0

*2.5

a2.0

al.5

4.5

5.1

a5.0

4.9

153.8

4.96

305

June

4.7

3.0

a3.0

3.1

*3.2

3.8

3.8

3.1

3.1

a2.5

2.1

1.9

1.2

.8

2.6

3.8

a3.0

2.2

1.8

.9

*.3

.2

.2

a. 2

.1

.1

.1

.1

a.l

6.0

61.0

2.03

121

July

a3.0

*1.4

5.6

alo

3.6

4.4

6.2

ae.o

4.5

3.8

1.3

*1.6

1.2

1.2

a. 8

.5

.5

1.0

.9

.5

.2

a. 2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

a3.0

a8.0

5.3

*3.1

78.3

2.53

155

Aug.

1.2

1.2

.8

e.e

a 4 .0

1.6

3.7

2.8

2.4

f.l

6.0

2?

a20

ie

4.2

1.8

1.1

.5

al.5

a?.0

1.9

1.8

1.1

.4

.7

£.8

.5

*1.0

.9

sli

121.1

3.91

240

Sept.

2.4

a2.2

1.7

2.1

2.2

2.4

2.4

1.3

al.2

1.1

.5

.8

.8

.4

.9

al.O

.7

1.1

.6

.5

.5

*.2

a72

a.2

a. 2

.3

.2

.2

a. 2

a. 2

28.7

0.96

57

Calendar year 1955: Max 155 Mln 0 Mean 5.44 Ac-ft 5,940

Water year 1955-56: Max 700 Mln 0 Mean 12.6 Ac-ft 9,140

Peak discharge (base, 200 cfs). Mar. 20, 870 cfs.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of adjacent record, weather record's, and 

records for other Heart River tributaries.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1, Nov. 16 to Apr. 4 (gage read about once 

weekly Nov. 27 to Mar. 6; discharge estimated on basis of 12 discharge measurements, 2 field estimates, existing gage-height record, weather records, and records for other Heart River tributaries).

459735 O - 58 - 18
264 HEART RIVER BASIN

Muddy Creek near Almont, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°42', long 101"28', In SW£ sec. 7, T. 137 N., R. 85 W., on right bank 

450 ft downstream from highway bridge, 2 miles downstream from Hailstone Creek, 3 miles 

southeast of Almont, and 12 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area.--456 sq ml.

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 1,864 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Sept. 5, 1952, wire-weight gage or staff gage at same site and datuir.

Average discharge. 11 years, 43.7 cfs (31,640 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 36 cfs (26,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,190 cfs Mar. 21 (gage height, 18.87 ft, affected by ice); no flow Oct. 1, 2, 4, 5; minimum gage height, 2.76 ft Sept. 28, 29.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 20,200 cfs Apr. 17, 1950 (gage height, 30.7 ft, from 

floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 2,300 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6 

7 

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 

22

23

24,

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

.2

0

0

.1

.2

.2

.2

.2

**.2

.6

.7

.7

.6

.7

.9

1.0

1.1

1*3 

1.3

1.0

.9

.8

.8

.9

1.0

1.1

1.3

1.3

19.4

0.63

38

Nov.

1.1

1.3

1.1

1.0

T73

1.3

1.1

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.4

1.5

2.0

*1.7

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.7

1.8 

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.4

*1.4

44.4

1.48

88

Dec.

.7

.8

.8

.8

.8

.7 

.7

.5

.5

.5

.5

.7

.8

.8

.8

.7

.7

.1

_.J3

.8 

.0

.2

.2

.4

.3

.4

.5

.4

.1

.1

47.8

1.54

95

Jan.

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.4

1.4

T~4 1.5 

1.0

1.1

1.3

*1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.0

1.0

.8

.8

.8 

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

30.3

0.98

60

Feb.

0.5

*'.5

.5

.6

. 6 

.6 

.8

1.0

*1.4

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8 

.8

.8

.8

.8

.6

.6

.6

.6

------

23.4

0.81

46

Mar.

1.0

*T^6

10

20

18

15 

5 

4

6

20

40

35

*30

20

20

*30

*85

300

*850

*1,570

 "2,080 

*1,570

*680

380

*470

715

670

300

110

*85

100

10,240.6

330

20,310

Apr.

127

*193

192

138

130

132 

115

89

70

55

45

40

35

32

30

27

*25

23

21

19

18 

16

14

12

11

10

9.8

9.0

8.0

7.0

1,652.8

55.1

3,280

May

6.6

*6.8

5.7

4.7

4.5

4.3 

3.9 

3.3

3.1

*2.6

4.7

4.7

3.1

4.1

3.5

2.2

1.4

.8

.8

.8

.9 

1.0

.9

.9

1.0

1.1

1.4

3.5

6.4

*9.5

23

121.2

3.91

240

June

19

13

11

8.5

7.0 

12

13 

13

10

9.5

11

6.8

4.7

3.5

3.0

2.8

2.5

2.0

1.8

1.7

*1.3 

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.7

1.4

.9

.9

454

599.6

20.0

1,190

July

110

32

*40

70

50 

30

25 

25

20

20

20

*80

52

35

28

21

15

11

9.0

9.0

6.4 

4.7

3.9

3.0

2.5

2.0

2^0

2.2

2.2

2.5 

*2.3

735.7

23.7

1,460

Aug.

2.2

1.7

1.7

3.0

3.0 

2.2

1.5 

1.5

1.1

1.3

1.3

1.4

2.5

2.0

1.4

1.7

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.3 

1.0

.8

.7

.9

1.1

2.0

*3.7

8.0

6.8

.11

72.3

2.33

143

Sept.

7.0

5.7

11

9.8

7.5 

5.3

3.5 

2.6

2.3

1.7

1.4

1.4

*1.5

3.1

2.2

1.8

1.7

1.5

1.3

1.3

1.1 

1.0

.8

.8

.8

.8

*.B

.7

7T

1.0

82.1

2.74

163

Calendar year 1955 Max 448 Mln 0 Mean 13.2 Ae-ft 9,590

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,080 Mln 0 Mean 37.3 Ae-ft 27,110

p.m. 2,190 cfs 18.87 ft; Mar. 27 7 a.m.) 790 cfs 

(12.15 ft); June 30 (2 a.m.) 956 cfs (12.98 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Jan. 15 to Mar. 30. No gage-height record Apr. 9- 

20, July 3-12; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements, adjacent record, a few outside gage readings, weather records, and records for other Heart River tributaries.
HEART RIVER BASIN 265

Heart River near Lark, N. Dak.

Location.--Lat 46°36'00", long 101°22'30", in Si sec. 9, T. 136 N., R. 85 W., on right 

bank 20 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 31, 1 mile downstream from Muddy 

Creek, and 10 miles north of Lark.

Drainage area. 2,750 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. June 1946 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,802.83 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929 (levels by Corps of Engineers). Prior to Nov. 16, 1948, wire-weight gage at same 

site and datum.

Average discharge.--10 years, 259 cfs (187,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, about 12,000 cfs Mar. 20 (result of sudden breaking of ice Jam downstream); maximum gage height, 16.27 ft Mar. 20 (affected by ice); 

minimum discharge, 20 cfs Feb. 4-6; minimum gage height, 2.98 ft Sept. 28.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 29,200 cfs Apr. 17, 1950 (gage height, 20.70 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 11,000 cfs on basis of contracted-opening determination of 

peak flow; no flow Jan. 16 to Mar. 4, 1950.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Flow regulated by Heart Butte Reservoir (see p. 261).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge. In cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 27

3.4

3.6 

3.8

2.9 

3.2 

3.5 

4.0

Mar. 28 to Sept. 30

23 4.5

44 5.0

78 6.0

154

262

410

835

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

52

53

52

55

54

54

53

54

55

54

54

*54

53

55

55

56

57

57

57

59

59

59

59

57

59

59

60

61

60

60 

*60

1,746

56.3

3,460

Nov.

60

33

68

79

74

39

50

50

50

6O

60

60

6O

60

60

*60

60

60

60

60

65

65

65

60

60

65

65

60

60

*65

1,793

59.8

3,560

Dec.

65

65

60

6O

60

60

60

6O

60

55

55

60

60

60

55

55

55

55

55

*55

60

60

60

65

65

65

70

75

*75

65 

70

1,900

61.3

3,770

Jan.

75

75

75

70

75

70

70

60

65

65

*65

65

65

65

60

50

50

50

50

40

40

40

40

45

45

45

50

50

50

40 

40

1,745

56.3

3,460

Feb.

45

40

*30

20

20

20

25

30

*30

35

40

40

40

35

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

»30

900

31.0

1,790

Mar.

3030"

35

35

35

35

35

40

60

50

60

70

*80

90

110

*130

200

1,200

*2,000

*4,500

*4,000

*2,800

*1,400

800

*700

1,100

1,200

745

331

*274

26

22,444

724

44,520

Apr.

322

*337

353

tTST

308

281

244

223

223

216

232

*205

209

216

198

181

*165

156

152

173

167

162

160

158

158

158

154

144

146

154

6,252

208

12,400

May

154

*158

152

151

149

149

147

147

*146

151

167

T54

149

146

144

124

118

116

115

114

114

112

112

109

112

102

92

153

110

*116

110

4,043

130

8,020

June

109

100

96

93

93

100

100

89

86

85

82

82

78

77

77

79

61

44

41

36

*35

31

32

32

33

56

62

61

58

565

2,573

85.8

5,100

July

276

132

*127

169

147

13?

102

92

85

68

61

*85

108

85

69

69

92

79

63

57

53

46

42

40

39

40

38?Q46

52

*50

2,584

83.4

5,130

Aug.

44

42

42

73- 93

55

46

42

43

43

48

61

75

77

54

38

32

30

33

42

42

39

38

37

39

38

40

*47

63

52

55

1,503

48.5

2,980

Sept.

65

53

48

50

50

47

43

36

35

34

32

32

*32

31

33

32

31

30

30

30

29

29

28

28

29

29

*E8

28

29

30

1,061

35.4

2,100

Calendar year 1955: Max 850 Mln 7 Mean 65.6 Ac-ft 47,490

Water year 1955-56: Max 4,500 Mln 20 Mean 133 Ac-ft 96,290

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 7 to Mar. 27.
266 HEART RIVER BASIN

Sweetbriar Creek near Judson, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46 0 51', long 101°15', in SW£ sec. 14, T. 139 N., R. 84 W., on right bank 

80 ft downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 10, 2 miles northeast of Judson, and 

j.6 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 157 sq mi.

Records available. July 1951 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,886 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

July 20, 1955, wire-weight gage 80 ft upstream at same datum.

Average discharge. 5 years, 14.2 cfs (10,280 acre-ft).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, about 1,300 cfs Mar. 21 (gage height, 8.10 ft, 

affected by ice); no flow at times during winter; minimum gage height, 2.06 ft Aug. 10.

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 3,400 cfs (revised) June 2, 1955 (gaze height, 11.11 ft, 

at present site); no flow at times.

Maximum stage known, 12.5 ft Apr. 17, 1950, from floodmarks at present site (discharge, 5,910 cfs, from rating curve extended above 2,000 cfs on basis of contractedopening determination of peak flow).

Revisions. The maximum discharge for the water year 1955 has been revised to 3,400 

cfs June 2, 1955 (gage height, 11.11 ft, at present site), superseding figure published 

in WSP 1389.

Remarks. Records fair. No regulation or diversion.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.1

.1

.2

.3

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

*.5

4.b

.6

.6

.4

.1

.1

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.3

.4

.5

.5

.5

.6

10.7

0.35

21

Nov.

0.6

.2

.4

.5

.5

.3

.4

.4

.6

*.6

.6

.6

.6

.7

_.B_

*.8

.7

.6

.6

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.6

.7

*.7

18.1

0.60

36

Dec.

0.7

.8

.7

.7

.7

.6

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.8

.7

.7

.8

.7

.8

.7

*.S

.6

.7

.7

.7

.8

.8

.8

.8

.7

.7

.7

22.2

0.72

44

Jan.

0.6

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.6

.6

.6

.6

*.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

.4

.4

.4

.3

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

O

0

12.1

0.39

24

Feb.

0

0

0

0

.1

.4

75

**.2

.3

.3

.4

.2

*.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2.5

0.09

5.0

Mar.

0

*.l

.7

.9

.8

.7

.5

.5

.6

.7

.7

*.5

.5

.6

.6

*2

*25

50

*250

840

 1,020

*400

*160

110

*250

400

250

110

*40

38

33

3,986.4

129

7,910

Apr.

34

43

57

54

55

*51

44

44

33

27

28

*25

25

22

18

14

12

10

9.0

6.9

6.5

5.9

5.3

*5.0

4.7

4.2

4.0

3.8

3.8

3.6

658.7

22.0

1,310

May

3. -8

3.8

*3.8

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.2

3.2

4.0

5.3

*4.7

3.8

3.4

3.2

2.8

2.6

2.4

2.0

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.5

T79

2.0

1.8

1.9

2.8

*2.8

2.8

2.2

90.5

2.92

180

June

1.9

1.9

3.4

4.4

3.8

5.6

5.0

7.7

10

5.3

3.4

2.2

1.6

1.1

.8

.9

1.2

.8

.9

.7

*.7

"97 163

43

23

14

8.5

5.6

4.4

30

451.8

15.1

896

July

24

25

18

49

*35

16

9.5

6.9

5.6

8.5

16

14

7.3

7.3

6.5

4.7

3.2

2.1

1.8

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.1

.9

.9

.8

.8

1.1

1.2

1.5

1.3

273.8

8.83

543

Aug.

1.3

*1.1

i!o

.9

.7

.6

.5

.4

.2

.2

.3

.7

.4

.5

.5

.4

.2

.2

.2

_._!

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.4

.5

.7

.7

*.9

1.2

15.4

0.50

31

Sept.

1.5

1.7

1.8

2.0

770

1.9

1.6

1.4

1.3

1.1

*1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.1

.9

.8

.7

.5

.3

.4

.2

.3

*.2

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

27.9

0.93

55

Calendar year 1955: Max 840 Min 0 Mean 7.11 Ac -ft 5,150

Water year 1955-56 : Max 1,020 Min o Mean 15.2 Ac-ft 11,060

349 cfs (5.08 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Jan. 15 to Mar. 28.
HEART RIVER BASIN 

Heart River near Mandan, N. Dak.

267

Location. Lat 46°50'01", long 100°58'22", in NWij-NEj sec. 25, T. 139 N., R. 82 W. , on 

right bank 25 ft downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 10, 3 miles west of Mandan, 

and 4 miles downstream from Sweetbriar Creek.

Drainage area. 3.310 sq mi, approximately

Records available. April to September 1924, March 1928 to June 1933, August 1937 to 

September 1956. Published as "at Sunny" 1924, 1928-33.

Gage. Water stage recorder and wire-weight gage read once or twice daily. Datum of gage 

is 1,638.70 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929, and 1,632.03 ft above Northern 

Pacific Railway datum. Apr. 6 to Sept. 30, 1924, staff gage on old highway bridge, 

close to present site, at datum 2.79 ft lower. Mar. 26, 1929, to Mar. 27, 1943, chain 

or wire-weight gages on old highway bridge at present datum. Apr. 9, 1943, to Mar. 16, 

1948, wire-weight gage on Northern Pacific Railway bridge 300 ft upstream at same 

datum. Mar. 17 to Sept. 12, 1948, wire-weight gage on present highway bridge, at same 

datum.

Average discharge. 33 years (1928-32, 1937-56), 276 cfs (199,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, about 12,000 cfs Mar. 21 (ice jam moved); maximum gage height, 21.6 ft Mar. 22 (affected by ice); minimum daily discharge, 17 cfs 

Feb. 28, 29, Mar. 1; minimum gage height, 3.64 ft Sept. 23.

1924, 1928-33 1937-56: Maximum discharge, about 30,500 cfs Apr. 19, 1950 (gage 

height, 23.64 ft); maximum gage height, 25.75 ft Apr. 4, 1952 (ice jam); no flow for 

many days.

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Flow regulated by Heart Butte Reservoir (see p. 261). Some diversions above station.

Revisions (water years) . WSP 926: 1938. WSP 1209: Drainage area. WSP 1239: 1924, 

1928-29, 1948.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 18

4.1 26

4.5 77

5.0 160

Mar. 19 to Sept. 30

3.6

4.0 

4.5

5.0 

6.0

125

218

493

7.0 

8.0 

9.0 

11.0

13.0

862

1,390

2,200

4,510

7,290

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

28

42

50

51

49

40

30

28

33

37

45

*54

55

54

54

54

54

55

55

55

55

56

55

54

55

56

60

59

59

56

*58

1,546

49.9

3,070

Nov.

58

54

49

51

55

62

60

64

*66

li

71

63

50

40

40

40

40

42

44

50

51

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

*52

52

1,592

53.1

3,160

Dec.

53

53

53

53

53

53

53

*53

53

53

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

50

*46

45

45

45

45

46

46

46

47

47

*47

46

46

1,541

49.7

3,060

Jan,

45

45

44

44

43

43

42

42

41

41

40

*40

39

39

38

38

37

37

36

36

35

35

34

34

33

33

32

32

32

31

31

1,172

37.8

2,320

Feb.

*31

30

30

30

29

29

29

*29

30

30

30

30

30

29

28

26

24

22

20

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

17

*17

714

24.6

1,420

Mar.

17

18

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

*20

20

22

25

30

**160

200

500

*2,300

**6.200

*6,100

*3,550

* 1,880

* 1,550

*2,000

1,600

1,400

1,300

 1,000

720

30,792

993

61,080

Apr.

500

*470

480

520

490

500

470

440

412

400

394

*380

365

343

332

308

265

241

220

207

207

211

203

*203

194

194

192

190

186

168

9,685

323

19,210

May

184

188

*188

184

176

178

176

172

166

176

200

*200

188

174

161

157

147

132

126

124

120

118

117

*120

118

117

117

120

122

124

122

4,712

152

9,350

June

125

116

113

108

*107

117

116

116

107

104

99

93

87

88

86

88

88

87

80

65

*63

62

161

113

84

69

61

65

74

 550

3,292

110

6,530

July

467

536

295

223

*234

232

194

163

131

117

107

108

104

111

116

102

93

90

100

90

78

70

65

59

54

51

50

53

55

55

59

4,262

137

8,450

Aug.

59

*56

55

57

53

70

76

61

54

52

51

62

54

57

66

75

60

50

45

42

38

41

44

42

44

43

45

51

51

*53

69

1,676

54.1

3,3?0

Sept.

67

60

63

59

58

57

57

54

51

46

*43

40

42

46

43

39

38

38

37

35

33

33

32

32

*32

32

32

32

32

33

1,296

43.2

2,570

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,250 Min 4 Mean 76.6 Ac-ft 55,450

Water year 1955-56: Max 6,200 Min 17 Mean 170 Ac-ft 123,500

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 13 to Apr. 8.
268 APPLE CREEK BASIN

Apple Creek near Menoken, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°47'40", long 100°39'25", in NW^NEv sec. 9, T. 138 N., R. 79 W., on left 

bank 75 ft downstream from bridge on former U. S. Highway 10, 4 miles upstream from 

Hay Creek, 6.3 miles west of Menoken, and 6.4 miles east of Blsmarcl'.

Drainage area. 1,680 sq mi, approximately, of which about 500 sq mi is probably noncontributing.

Records available. March to June 1905, October 1945 to September 1956. Published as 

"near Bismarck" 1905.

. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,638.61 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

~i29. Mar. 1 to June 21, 1905, at site 2 miles upstream at dlfferert datum. October

1945, to Mar. 31, 1950, staff gage and Apr. 1, 1950, to Sept. 30, 1953, wire-weight

gage, at site 75 ft upstream at present datum.

Average discharge. 11 years, 62.3 cfs (45,100 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 37 cfs (26,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 665 cfs Apr. 8 (gage height, 10.82 ft); minimum, 

0.2 cfs many days; minimum gage height, 0.55 ft Oct. 10-12.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 6,750 cfs Apr. 18, 1950 (gage height, 17.07 ft); no 

flow Aug. 25 to Sept. 17, 1946.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. 

Revisions.--WSP 1209: Drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height. In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 11-17)

0.5

.6

.7

.8

.9

1.0

1.5

2.0

.3

8

1.6

2.6

3.9

12

22

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0 

7.0 

9.0 

11.0

34

50

94

148

288

475

685

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.1

.6

.4

47?

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.3

.6

.7

.7

.6

.7

.7

.9

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

23.6

0.76

47

Nov.

1.0

tl

.9

.8

.8

1.0

1.3

*1.2

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

*1.5

34.9

1.16

69

Dec.

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

n.o

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.6

.6

. .8

.8

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.8

.8

.8

30.7

0.99

61

Jan.

0.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

*.5

.5

.5

47£

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

12.2

0.39

24

Feb.

0.2 "72

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.2

.4

74

.4

.4

.4

.4

**.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.2

.2

.2

8.0

0.28

16

Mar.

"72 0.2

.2

.2

.2

**,2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

**.5

3

8

10

*20

120

*130

80

*60

*100

*290

350

*350

430

420

*310

2,684.5

86.6

5,320

Apr.

240

240

*210

220

250

415

*569

646

*6TT

547

*512

498

447

329

240

194

160

129

*110

99

90

80

71

*66

64

59

54

50

47

44

7,291

243

14,460

May

44

43

41

39

*38

37

36

34

34

34

36

*33

39

42

41

36

32

28

26

24

*22

20

19

20

19

18

TS

22

24

29

37

965

31.1

1,910

June

40

41

37

32

32

116

180

204

110

76

61

50

40

35

32

30

29

28

*28

29

28

28

27

28

42

50

41

34

31

34

1,573

52.4

3,120

July

33

32

37

~~§4 120

55

49

56

59

*66

65

52

45

42

37

33

30

28

26

25

24

22

23

15

14

16

15

14

14

14

13

1,158

37.4

2,300

Aug.

12

Tl

11

11

8.9

8.3

*7.3

6.8

6.8

7.8

7.6

10

9.8

8.9

6.8

5.2

4.2

3.6

3.2

3.0

2.6

2.2

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.3

^ f 3

1.5

3.4

173.1

5.58

343

Sept.

5.0

5.4

5.4

5.1

5.0

*4.6

4.0

4.2

4.4

4.0

3.8

3.4

3.2

3.1

3.0

2.7

2.5

2.3

2.1

1.9

1.7

1.5

1.4

1.4

*1.4

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.1

89.0

2.97

177

Calendar year 1955: Max 200 Mln 0.2 Mean 10.8 Ac-ft 7,790

Water year 1955-56: Max 646 Min 0.2 Mean 38.4 Ac-ft 27,850

Peak discharge (base, 200 efs). Mar. 30 (9 a.m.) 440 cfs (10.6 ft)j Apr. 8 (9 a.m.) 665 cfs 

(10.82 ft); June 7 (11 p.m.) 260 cfs (6.67 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Mote. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 1, 2, 5-7, Nov. 11 to Apr. 6.
CANNONBALL RIVER BASIN 269

Cannonball River at Regent, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°26', long 102°33' , In NE^-NE^ sec. 13, T. 134 N., R. 95 W., on right bank 

400 ft upstream from bridge on county highway and 0.3 mile north of Regent.

Drainage area. 580 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. September 1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage Is 2,422.90 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929.

Average discharge. 6 years, 33.5 cfs (24,250 acre-ft per year).

Extremes..--Maximum discharge during year, 453 cfs Aug. 28 (gage height, 5.93 ft); maximum 

gage height observed, 7.85 ft Mar. 20 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 0.1 cfs 

June 25 (gage height, 1.87 ft).

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 5,420 cfs Apr. 7, 1952 (gage height, 15.77 ft); no 

flow at times.

Maximum stage known, 26.1 ft Apr. 16, 1950, from floodmarks discharge, 20,300 cfs, 

on basis of slope-area determination at site 4 miles downstream).

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of Ice effect, which are poor.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 8 to May 7)

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.2 

2.5

0.4 

2.0 

4.4 

7.6

21

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0

84

131

268

468

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23 

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

2.4

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.4

T74

1.4

1.6

1.6

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.8

*1.8

2.0

2.0 

1.8

2.0

2.0

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.6

58.6

1.89

116

Nov.

2.2

2.4

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2.5

2.5

2.5

2

2

2

2.5 

3

3

2

2

*1.5

1.5

1.5

63.1

2.10

125

Dec.

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.1

*1.1

1.1

1.1

1.2

42.2

1.36

84

Jan.

1.2

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1,4

1.8

2.0

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

.8

.6

.5 

.4

(*)

.3

49.8

1.61

99

Feb.

0.3

(*)

. -4

1

5

16.0

0.55

32

Mar.

20

*30

100

250

*220

220

210

200

180

140

80

60

40

*12

8

10

20

140

210

560

*270

160

100 

*60

60

60

45

40

50

*50

55

3,460

112

6,860

Apr.

60

55

50

42

37

34

30

28

25

23

19

17

15

14

12

11

10

9.9

9.1

8.7

8.0

7.3

7.3 

*6.9

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.6

6.2

579.6

19.3

1,150

May

6.9

6.9

6.6

6.2

5.9

5.6

5.3

5.0

4.7

5.3

5.0

5.0

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.1

4.1

4.1

3.8

3.8

3. a

3.6

*3.3 

3.6

5.0

3.0

5.0

11

14

T2

9.1

171.8

5.54

541

June

6.9

5.5

4.4

5.8

5.8

4.7

4.7

4.4

5.8

3.3

3.3

5.0

2.8

2.6

5.0

3.5

2.8

2.4

2.2

2.2

1.8

1.8

1.4 

1.1

*1.1

5.0

5.5

2.2

1.6

9.1

101.1

3.37

201

July

99

61

78

131

94

*69

82

58

46

34

25

20

15

12

9.1

6.9

5.9

5.0

4.7

3.8

3.6

3.3

2.6 

2.6

*2.6

2.8

3.0

4.4

5.0

33

30

952.3

30.7

1,890

Aug.

17

10

8.0

182

51

*26

If

9.1

6.2

5.5

4.7

4.1

3.3

2.6

2.2

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.2

*1.8

1.6

1.4 

1.2

i.1

1.2

9.5

273

83

31

3^

80.3.9

25.9

1,590

Sept.

14

9.5

7.5

5.9

5.0

4.4

3.6

3.5

2.4

2.4

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.0

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.4

*1.4

1.4

1.4

fcf

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.4

1.6

89.8

2.99

178

Calendar year 1955: Max 828 Min 0.4 Mean 11.9 Ac-ft 8,65O

Water year 1955-56: Max 360 Min - Mean 17.5 Ao-ft 12,670

Peak discharge (base, 4OO cfs). Aug. 28 (8 a.m.) 453 cfs (5.93 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 2 to Apr. 7 (no gage-height record Nov. 14- 

18, Jan. 17 to Mar. 3, Apr. 1-7; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements, weather 

records, and records for nearby stations).
270 CANNONBALL RIVER BASIN

Cannonball River below Bentley, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°21'30", long 102°02<30", in SW^-SWi sec. 6, T. 133 N., R. 90 W., on left 

bank a quarter of a mile downstream from Thirty Mile Creek and 2 miles northeast of 

Bentley.

Drainage area. 1,140 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. April 1943 to September 1956. Published as "near New Leipzig" April 

1943 to June 1952. Records published for both sites October 1951 to June 1952.

Gage. Water-stage recorder at present site and datum since Oct. 1, 1951. Altitude of gage 

~i!s 2,250 ft (by barometer). Prior to Nov. 7, 1947, wire-weight gage and Nov. 7, 1947, 

to June 16, 1952, water-stage recorder, at site 8 miles downstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 13 years, 102 cfs (73,840 acre-ft per year); median of annual mean discharges, 76 cfs (55,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, about 1,400 cfs Mar. 20 (gage height, 12.29 ft, 

backwater from ice); minimum daily, 0.8 cfs Feb. 4-8; minimum gage height, 1.53 ft 

Aug. 25.

1943-56: Maximum discharge, 51,800 cfs Apr. 17, 1950 (gage height, 34.0 ft, from 

floodmark in well, site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 12,000 

cfs on basis of slope-area determination at gage height 26.9 ft and slope-area and 

contracted-opening determinations at gage height 34.0 ft; no flow at times.

Maximum stage known since at least 1889, that of Apr. 17, 1950. Flood of Mar. 25 

or 26, 1943, reached a stage of 26.9 ft, site and datum then in use (discharge, 15,000 

cfs by slope-area determination).

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor, 

sions and some storage in small lakes above station.

Revisions. WSP 1116: Drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 5 to Nov. 4, Apr. 6-15, 

June 1-30, July 5-9, Aug. 6, 7, 29-31, Sept. 9-30)

Some diver1.3

1.4 

1.6 

1.8 

2.0

1.7

2.9

6.7

14

26

2.2 

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0

109

194

328

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

~.8 10

8.8

8.8

7.6

7.6

7.6

6.5

5.9

5.9

5.2

4.4

4.4

4.3

4.3

3.8

3.4

3.1

2.5

2.5

*2.5

2.4

2.3

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5 

2 5

141.9

4.58

281

Nov.

2.3

2.1

2.1

2.2

3

4

5.5

4

6

5.5

2

2.5

2.5

2

2

2

2

3

3

3.5

4

4

3.5

3

3

3

3

*2

2

2

90.7

3.02

180

Dec.

2.5

3.5

3.5

3

3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2

2

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

2

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4

*4.5

B 5.5

4.5

86.5

2.79

172

Jan.

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4

4

4

4

4

3

3

5

6

5

3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2

1.5

*T^

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5 

1.5

99.5

3.21

197

Feb.

1.5

1.2

1.0

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

1.0

1.5

2

2

2

*2

2.5

3

3

3,5

3.5

4

6

8

~810

6

5

5

6

5

96.7

3.33

192

Mar.

4.5

*3

F

100

*360

550

360

320

280

280

220

180

160

**120

10O

120

400

620

850

»1,250

1,200

*900

600

350

200

150

120

150

140

*130 

80

10,302.5

332

20,430

Apr.

50

80

80

65

65

81

ET

34

29

29

26

26

23

23

21

22

20

20

20

18

18

18

18

*17

16

16

16

15

15

15

957

31.9

1,900

May

15

16

15

15

15

14

14

13

13

13

11

10

9.7

9.7

9.4

8.2

.9

.9

.6

.6

.0

.0

* .0

.7

.7

.3

.0

10

18

25 2<y

353.7

11.4

702

June

17

15

12

10

8.8

8.8

7.9

7.3

6.1

5.6

5.0

4.8

5.4

5.4

6.3

6.7

7.0

5.9

5.0

5.0

4.6

4.3

"473 4.1

*4.3

4.1

4.1

4.3

4.3

8.8

202.2

6.74

401

Jily

9.7

9.7

28

79

78

*147

131

128

119

84

66

59

39

29

24

19

16

14

13

11

10

8.8

*8.5

7.9

7.3

7.6

8.8

10

10

30

40

1,252.3

40.4

2,480

Aug.

74

103

67

45

58

179

90

40

24

61

78

32

17

13

11

9.4

8.5

8.5

7.9

7.6

*7.0

6.7

6.5

6.1

5.4

6.1

6.7

8.5

17

201 

1OO

1,304.9

42.1

2,590

Sept.

48

21

20

17

18

15

12

11

9.1

7.3

6.1

5.0

4.6

4.6

4.1

3.6

3.2

2.9

3.2

*3.8

3.6

3.6

3.8

3.9

4.1

4.3

4.6

4.3

4.8

5.0

268.5

8.95

533

Calendar year 1955: Max 805 Mln 2 Mean 21.0 Ac-ft 15,200

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,25O Mln 0.8 Mean 41.4 Ac-ft 30,060

Peak discharge (base, 50O efs). Mar. 6 (1O p.m.) about 900 cfs; Mar. 20 (1O p.m.) about 1,400 cfs.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

**Pleld estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 5 to Apr. 5.
CANNONBALL RIVER BASIN 

Cedar Creek near Haynes, N. Dak.

271

Location. Lat 46°09', long 102°26', in Wi sec. 20, T. 131 N., R. 94 W., on left bank 

30 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 8 and 12? miles north of Haynes.

Drainage area. 553 sq mi.

Records available. October 1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,470 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

May 20, 1951, wire-weight gage on former bridge, 400 ft upstream at same datun.

Average discharge. 6 years, 30.2 cfs (21,860 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 350 cfs Mar. 18 (gage height, 9.60 ft, backwater from ice); minimum, 0.1 cfs June 13, 24, 25, 28, 29; minimum gage height, 

2.71 ft June 25.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 7,870 cfs Apr. 7, 1952 (gage height, 21.25 ft); minimum, 0.1 cfs in some years; minimum gage height, 2.38 ft Aug. 8, 1951.

Flood of Apr. 17, 1950, reached stage of about 23 ft (discharge 26,900 cfs, by 

slope-area determination at site 9 miles upstream).

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Dec. 14-21, Mar. 26 to Apr. 9, Aug. 1, 

5-1O, Aug. 29 to Sept. 4)

2.8

2.9

3.0 

3.2 

3.5 

4.0

0.1

.4

1.1

2.4

5.3

10

20

4.5 

5.0 

6.0 

7.0 

8.0

34

54

112

192

292

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27 

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

2.5

lie

1.2

1.2

1.6

1.2 

1.0

.9

.8

.8

.7

.7

.6

T¥

.7

.7

.7

.8

.8

*.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.1 

1.4

32.6

1.05

65

Nov.

1.8

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.6

2.1

1.4 

1.4

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.8

1.5

2.3

3.0

3.4

"277 3.8

2.1

2.0

2.1

*2.4

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.0

iff 1.2

1.8

60.1

2.00

119

Dec.

2.4 

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.1

2.1 

2.0

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.5

1.2

1.0

1.1 1.1

l.O

.8

.6

.6

.8

 1.2

1.5

1.2

1.2

1.6 

2.1

1.6

1.4

1.5

48.5

1.56

96

Jan.

1.9 

2.5

2.7

2.3

2.4

3.0

1.5 

1.4

2.3

3.0

1.9

2.7

3.2

'57T 3.4

2.3

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

.8

.6

*.5

.5

.5

.5 

.5

.5

.5

.5

51.0

1.65

101

Feb.

0.5

T5

.5

.5

.8

1.0

1.0 

1.0

1.0

1.2

2.0

2.5

3.0

*1.2

.8

1.0

.8

1.0

1.8

3.0

3.5

5.5

7.O

6.5

4.0

2.5

8.0 

8.5

8.5

------

79.1

2.73

157

Mar.

9 

10

*30

80

*100

105

95 

70

70

75

65

45

30

*18

10

20

120

300

310

*?90

3OO

270

220

*190

155

113

87 

51

52

68

3,406

110

6,760

Apr.

32 

23

17

19

16

14

11 

11

10

9.4

9.1

8.4

7.3

6.6

6.0

5.6

5.2

4.8

4.7

4.4

4.0

3.8

3.7

*3.4

3.4

3.5

3.4 

3.5

3.5

3.5

260.2

8.67

516

May

4.0

4.4

4.4

4.2

4.1

4.0

3.8 

3.8

3.5

3.4

4.0

3.8

3.7

4.0

3.5

3.5

3.1

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.0

*1.5

1.4

1.2

1.8

1.8 

2.4

3.2

2.7 

2.4

95.2

3.07

189

June

"2TT 2.5

1.9

1.6

1.4

2.0

1.9

1.2

1.1

.9

.6

.3

.3

.3

.4

.4

.5

.5

.5

.5

.4

.2

.2

.1

*.l

.2

.2 

.1

.1

.5

23.0

0.77

46

July

0.2 

.3

1.6

2.1

2.7

4.4

14 

15

8.1

6.0

5.3

4.7

4.0

10

7.8

5.8

4.6

3.5

3.0

2.7

2.5

2.0

1.6

 1.2

1.0

.9

1.8 

2.1

2.1

2.4

123.3

3.98

245

Aug.

1:1 !f .8

!f.3 iee

*143

221

182

8F

4P

33

23

17

14-

i:

8.7

7.6

7.1

6.4

5.6

*4.8

4.1

3.8

2.3

2.3

2.4

86*ITT

53 

*30

1,206.3

38.9

2,390

Sept.

20

T4

9.9

8.2

7.1

5.8

4.7 

4.6

4.2

4.2

4.0

3.4

3.0

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.0

1.6

1.1

*1.2

.9

.8

.8

.7

.8

.8

.7

Tff

.8

114.0

3.80

226

Calendar year 1955: Max 284 Mln 0.1 Mean 4.59 Ao-ft 3,320

Water year 1955-56: Max 310 Mln 0.1 Mean 15.0 Ao-ft 10,910

Peak discharge (base, 400 cfs). No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, Jan. 17 to Mar. 23.
272 CAMONBALL RIVER BASIN

Cedar Creek near Pretty Rook, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°02', long 101°49', in S? sec. 33, T. 130 N., R. 89 W., on left bank on 

downstream side of highway bridge 7 miles north of Keldron, S. Dak., 10? miles south 

of abandoned town site of Pretty Rook, and 15 miles downstream from Timber Creek.

Drainage area. 1,340 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. April 1943 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,155.17 ft above mean sea level (levels 

by Corps of Engineers). Prior to Oct. 17, 1947, wire-weight gage at same site and 

datum.

Average discharge.--13 years, 95.2 cfs (68,920 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 72 cfs (52,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,400 cfs Mar. 20 (gage height, 10.79 ft, backwater from ice); minimum, 0.2 cfs June 28, 29; minimum gage height, 2.71 ft June 29.

1943-56: Maximum discharge, 48,000 cfs Apr. 17, 1950 (gage height, 26.5 ft, from 

floodmark in gage house), from rating curve extended above 7,800 cfs on basis of 

slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow at times.

Maximum stage known, that of Apr. 17, 1950. Flood of Mar. 24, 1943, reached a 

stage of 21.8 ft, from floodmarks (discharge, 14,300 cfs).

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1146: 1944, 1947. WSP 1209: Drainage area. WSP 1389: 

1951.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Mar. 4)

2.7

2.8

2.9

3.0

0.1

.8

3.0

8.0

3.2 

3.6

4.0 

4.5

26

78

146

251

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.6 

.5

.5

2.2

3.0

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.4

3.8

3.4

2.4

1.6

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.1

1.3

*1.1

1.1 

1.3

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.3

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.4

1.4

54.9

1.77

109

Nov.

1.4 

1.0

1.1

.3

.4

.4

.6

.4

.4

.4

1.4

1.6

1.6

2.4

2.7

3.0

2.7

2.7

3.0

3.0

1*1 2.7

2.7

3.0

2.7

-»2.7

1.9

1.0

1.1

1.1

59.8

1.99

119

Dec.

1.1 

1.6

1.9

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.4

272

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.4

1.9

1.3

1.4

1.3

1.3

.8

.6

tf

*.8

1.1

1.4

1.3

1.4

1.9

1.4

1.3

1.3

48.7

1.57

97

Jan.

1.4 

1.6

1.9

1.9

1.9

? <? £-i±.

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.9

1.6

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.1

1.1

1.0 

.8

il

.8

*.8

.8

.8

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

41.6

1.34

82

Feb.

0.8 

.7

77

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.8

1.0

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.1

1.1

*1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1 

1.0

1.0

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.1

1.3

30.0

1.03

60

Mar.

fci

*2.2

3.4

15

50

**150

250

230

260

230

120

180

**100

**100

80

400

900

1,200

1.550

*1,150 

1,000

*670

500

340

270

200

170

109

*91

114

10,238.7

330

20,310

Apr.

~56 102 

72

56

55

49

43

39

37

35

31

28

28

27

25

23

22

19

17

17

17 

15

14

14

15

*12

12

11

IP.

11

942

31.4

1,870

May

12 

13

13

13

13

13

12

12

12

12

14

14

14

14

13

13

11

10

9.4

9.4

8.0 

7.4

*6.8

6.8

5.7

5.1

5.7

8.0

11

17

13

341.3

11.0

677

June

13

TT

8.7

6.8

6.3

5.7

4.7

4.3

3.8

3.0

3.4

2.7

2.2

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.4

1.1

1.1

.7

.7

.6

.4

.5

*.6

.4

.3

4.2

.3

88.9

2.96

176

July

0.3 

3.0

5.1

3.4

1.9

2.7

3.4

2.7

2.2

2.2

1.9

1.4

1.3

1.3

12

9.4

8.7

*6.3

5.1

4.3

3.4 

5.7

5.7

4.7

3.4

3.0

5.1

7.4

10

13

TT

151.0

4.87

300

Aug.

8.0 

6.8

5.7

5.7

5.1

3.8

*3.0

2.7.

97

169

133

92

68

50

39

32

26

23

19

16

13 

12

8.7

6.8

5.7

5.1

5.1

6.8

5.7

4.3

*5, 7

883.7

28.5

1,750

Sept.

5.1 

6.3

38

28

23

19

15

12

9.4

6.8

5.7

4.7

4.3

3.4

3.0

2.4

2.2

1.6

1.4

1.3

1.0 

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.0

*1.0

1.3

1.4

1.6

1.9

205.0

6.83

407

Calendar year 1955: Max 142 Mln 0 Mean 9.63 Ac-ft 6,980

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,35O Mln o.2 Mean 35.8 Ac-ft 25,960

Peak dlaeharge (base, 500 cfs).--Mar. 20 (time unknown) 1,40O cfs.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 5-28.
CANNONBALL RIVER BASIN

Cannonball River at Breien, N. Dak.

Location.--Lat 46°23 I long 100°56', in sec. 36, T. 134 N., R. 82 W., on right bank 600 ft 

upstream from bridge on State Highway 6, 950 ft downstream from Louise Creek, and 

0.5 miles south of Breien.

Drainage area. 4,100 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. August 1934 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,676.54 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929.

Average discharge. 22 years, 273 cfs (197,600 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 210 cfs (152,000 acre-ft per year;.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 9,000 cfs Mar. 21 (gage height, 11.1 f 1:, affected 

by Ice); no flow Feb. 13 to Mar. 3.

1934-56: Maximum discharge, 94,800 cfs Apr. 19, 1950 (gage height 22.30 f 1:, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 16,000 cfs on basis of slope-area and 

contracted-opening determinations of peak flow; no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Some diversions above station. Some regulation In several small lakes above station.

Revisions (water years). WSP 786: 1934. WSP 1146: 1943. WSP 1279: 1936-37n), 

1947(M).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

0.6

.7

.8

1.0

1.5

2.0

3.2

5.4

12

42

141

283

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0

480

745

1,360

2,130

3,070

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

23

19

16

13

11

8.3

7.6

7.6

7.6

7.6

7.6

*8.3

8.3

7.6

6.5

6.1

6.1

6.1

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.4

574

5.4

5.4

5.7

6.5

7.0

7.0 

*6.5

254.4

8.21

505

Nov.

6.5

57T

4.5

5.4

6.1

5.7

4.5

4.8

5.7

5.7

4.1

3.0

2.8

2.5

*2.5

2.5

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4

*1.2

T72

93.7

3.12

186

Dec.

~79 1.0

.8

.8

.8

.8

.7

.7

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

*.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.4

74

.4

.4

*.4

.4

.4 

.4

17.5

0.56

35

Jan.

 

0.4I

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

*.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

71 *.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

**.! 

.1

6.4

0.21

13

Feb.

0.1

!i.1.1

.1.1.1 **.!

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

1.2

0.04

2.4

Mar.

0

0

0

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

10

150

*380

*420

520

*800

1,750

*3,300

*6,500

*aioo

*5,366

3,500

*2, 670

2,52O

*3,050

2,540

1,620

*730

650 

610

45,120.8

1,456

89,500

Apr.

600

658

*55T

458

415

407

333

308

258

239

*220

209

193

175

165

155

146

139

*132

123

112

105

97

93

*89

87

83

83

81

li

6,833

228

13,550

May

*77

81

85

81

75

73

72

70

*87

132

THE" 209

108

93

85

73

66

59

52

47

44

39

36

*34

31

29

3T

57

194

120 

120

2,515

81.1

4,990

June

108

83

64

56

*59

194

332 123-

87

66

56

*47

39

32

29

26

23

19

16

12

20

34

15

10

10

8.3

6.5

571

6.5

*28

1,618.4

53.9

3,210

July

66

68

70

61

54

148

193

325 2"20

178

143

*139

120

103

85

75

70

63

56

49

42

36

29

23

19

*16¥2"

73

64

54 

*42

2,726

87.9

5,410

Aug.

40

40

35

31

50

130

110

*105

85

127

103

110

143

170

135

134

101

85

72

61

52

44

*36

28

29

23

22

*22

37

42 

66

2,296

74.1

4,550

Sept.

101

73

105

TOB" 127

89

80

70

56

50

45

40

*39

36

32

28

26

24

23

19

16

13

11

11

9.1

8.3

*8.3

77&- 7.6

7.6

1,267.5

42.2

2,510

Calendar year 1955: Max 690 Mln 0.4 Mean 57.8 Ac-ft 41,840

Water year 1955-56: Max 8,100 Mln o Mean 171 Ac-ft 124,500

Peak discharge (base. 1.000 cfs). Mar. 21 (3 p.m.) 9,000 cfs (11.1 ft).

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 25, Mar. 28-30 (fragmentary gageheight record Nov. 27 to Mar. 13; discharge estimated on basis of 7 discharge measurements, 

or observations of no flow, 2 field estimates, existing gage-height record, and weather records).
374 BEAVER CREEK BASIN 

Beaver Creek at Linton, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°16', long 100°14', on line between sees. 17 and 18, T. 132 N., R. 76 W., 

near center of span on downstream side of bridge on U. S. Highway 83, 0.7 mile south 

of railway station In Linton and 1 mile upstream from Spring Creek.

Drainage area. 717 sq ml, of which about 100 sq ml is probably noncont-'ibuting. 

Records available. August 1949 *to September 1956.

Gage. Wire-weight gage read once daily. Datum of gage is 1,690.55 ft above mean sea 

level, datum of 1929.

Average discharge. 7 years, 72.1 cfs (52,170 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 1,520 cfs June 22 (gage height, 13.40 ft); minimum, 0.02 cfs Jan. 15 to Feb. 6; minimum gage height observed, 1.86 ft Mar. 14-15. 

1949-56: Maximum discharge, 9,800 cfs Apr. 8, 1952 (gage height, 17.50 ft); no 

flow Jan. 10-31, 1950.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of Ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair. Small diversions above station for Irrigation.

Revisions (water years ).--WSP 1209: Drainage area. WSP 1239: 19i50(M).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect 

height, In feet, and-discharge, In cubic feet per second 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 3-9, June 6, 7, 21-27

2.2

2.3 

2.5 

2.7 

3.0

1.4

2.2

5.8

11

22

4.0 

5.0 

7.0 

9.0 

11.0

118

270

518

940

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

2.9

2.9

2.5

2.9

1.8

2.0

2.1

2.0

2.0

 1.7

2.2

2.0

*2.0

1.7

1.4

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.7

1.8

1.8

1.9

2.0

*2.4

5.0

2.7

2.5

2.5

2.7

2.9

2.7

67.8

2.19

134

Nov.

2.7

2.9

2.7

2.5

2.7

2.2

*2.0

2.2

2.5

2.5

2.2

2.2

2

2

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

2

2.5

*3

2.5

2.5

2

2

2

1.5

1.5

1

*T

62.8

2.09

125

Dec.

1

T

1

1

1

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

*.8

.8

.8

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

*.5

.4

.4

^_3

22.2

0.72

44

Jan.

0.2

'.I

.1

.05

.05

.04

.04

*.04

.04

.03

.03

.03

.03

.03

.02

.02

.02

*.02

.02

.02

.02

.02

.02

.02

.02

.02

.02

.02

**.02

.02

1.23

O.O4O

2.4

Feb.

0.02 ~705

.02

.02

.02

.02

.03

**.03

.05

.05

.1

TT

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.08

.08

.06

.06

.06

.05

.05

.05

.05

.05

*.05

.05

.05

1.62

0.056

3.2

Mar.

0.06

.06

.06

.06

.06

.06

*.06

.06

.06

.06

.05

.05

.05

.04

ToT

.1

.1

.5

1

*30

*110

60

45

*65

*110

*160

250

290

no*55

85

1,372.53

44.3

2,720

Apr.

100

70

*50

46

70

82

92

82

*107

158

144

145

*133

106

87

81

68

*60

55

50

44

43

*41

38

36

35

33

32

32

30

2,150

71.7

4,260

May

29

31

31

30

31

32

*30

28

29

29

36

41

58

a?5

a35

*31

27

26

24

22

*20

20

18

17

15

14

14

15

14

18

*24

834

26.9

1,650

June

aSO

28

28

*25

40

*748

*501

387

*144

94

68

50

39

32

33

32

28

*25

a23

20

110

*878

37o

288

alSO

66

46

40

32

29

4,384

146

8,7OO

July

25

*22

a25

a5O

a35

*28

a35

a5o

a60

a50

*45

a40

a36

a33

a3o

28

a24

a21

a!8

16

a!2

alo

a8.5

*7.1

5.8

11

8.0

12

11

10

11

777.4

25.1

1,540

Aug.

-g-.8 11

8.0

8.8

8.0

7.6

*7.3

7.1

6.7

6.2

5.8

5.8

4.7

4.5

4.5

4.7

4.3

4.1

3.9

3.9

*3.6

3.0

2.9

2.9

2.7

2.5 372"

3.0

3.4

3.4

4.3

160.6

5.18

319

Sept.

12

8.0

12

2420-

*15

11

9.4

8.

6.

5.

5 .C

5.

4.

5.

3.

3 ,C

*3.

3.

3.

4.

4.

3.

3.

3 ,C

2.

2.

27Z

2.

2.

200.4

6.68

397

Calendar year 1955; Max 534 Mln O.3 Mean 34.0 Ac-ft 24,600

Water year 1955-56; Max 878 Mln O.02 Mean 27.4 Ac-ft 19,89O

Peak discharge (base, 500 cfs). June 6 (12 m.) 1,350 cfs (12. 7O ft); June 7 (5 p.m.) 740 cfs

(10.15 ft); June 22 [6 a.m.) 1,520 cfs (13. 4O ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day. 

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of adjacent record, weather records, and 

records for Apple Creek near Menoken.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 13 to Apr. 2.
GRAND RIVER BASIN 

North Pork Grand River at Haley, N. Dak.

275

Location. Lat 45°57', long 103 0 07', at southwest corner of sec. 30, T. 129 N., R. 99 W., 

on left bank 10 ft downstream from highway bridge, about 300 ft south of post office 

at Haley, and 1 mile north of South Dakota State line.

Drainage area. 509 sq mi.

Records available. May 1908 to December 1910, March 1912 to September 1917 (no winter 

records), October 1945 to September 1956. May 1908 to October 1920 in House 

Document 76, 73d Congress, first session.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,664 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

"liar. 29, 1912, staff gage at site 100 ft upstream at different datum. Mar. 22, 1912,

 bo September 1917 reference mark on highway bridge at same datum as staff gage.

Oct. 23, 1945, to June 18, 1951, wire-weight gage on downstream side of bridge near

left abutment at present datum.

Average discharge. 11 years (1945-56), 42.7 cfs (30,910 acre-ft per year); median of 

yearly mean discharges, J!2 cfs (15,900 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 60 cfs Aug. 27 (gage height, 5.57 ft); maximum gage height, 6.18 ft Mar. 16 (affected by ice); minimum discharge, 0.1 cf£ on 

many days.

1908-10, 1912-17, 1945-56: Maximum discharge, 14,100 cfs Apr. 7, 1952 (gage height, 

17.03 ft), from rating curve extended above 4,500 cfs on basis of discharge measurement 

at gage height 15.09 ft, half of which was indirect determination of flow over roadway 

outside of main channel; maximum gage height, 17.10 ft Apr. 15, 1950; no flow at times. 

Maximum discharge known, that of Apr. 7, 1952.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. 

Revisions (water years). WSP 1239: 1908-10, 1913-15(M), 1917(M).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Aug. 8, 27, 28)

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

0.1

.9

2.5

4.8

4.6 

4.8 

5.0 

5.5

8.1

18

72

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.2

'.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

*.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.5

75

.5 

.4

9.3

0.30

18

Nov.

0.3 ~7S"

.4

.6

.7

.4

.5

.6

.6

.6

.4

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.4

.4

.5

.6

.7 *7T

.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

16.4

0.55

33

Dec.

~X0.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.272"

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2 

.2

8.4

0.27

17

Jan.

~7S 0.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

7T

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1 *.i

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1 

.1

4.6

0.15

9.1

Feb.

0.1

TT

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.4

.7

1

1

1.5

2

------

9.1

0.31

18

Mar.

3

*4

5

6

6

*15

8

5

3

Z_

2

2

*2

2

6

20

20

15

*20

25

35

45

40

50

44

37

30

12

10

12 

16

504

16.3

1,000

Apr.

12"9.4

7.8

7.8

*6.8

5.8

4.6

3.9

3.6

3.4

3.2

2.7

2.3

2.2

1.9

1.9

1.7

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.2

*T72

1.2

1.2

1.5

1.5

1..5

1.5

99.4

3.31

197

May

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

2.0

2.0

1.9

2.2

2.0

1.9

1.7

1.9

1.7

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.2

1.1

*1.1

.9

ITT

.9

.9

1.1

1.2

2.2

575" 2.5

2.2

52.3

1.69

104

June

276" 2.0

1.9

1.2

.9

1.1

.8

.7

.5

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.7

.6

.8

*.4

.3

.3

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

16.9

0.56

34

July

0.2

.4

1.9

1.4

.9

.7

.7

.6

.6

.4

.3

.5

.4

.3

.2

*.l 274"

5.1

37T

2.2

1.7

1.1

.7

.6

.4

.3

1.4

1.9

1.7

1.5 

1.4

35.4

1.14

70

Aug.

1.1

.8

.8

1.1

1.1

1.7

1.2

34 *TT

9.9

7.4

5.8

4.1

3.0

2.3

1.9

1.4

1.9

1.9

1.4

1.1

.8

.7

.6

.4

.3

1C

*2C

9.4

4.3 e.i

153.5

4.95

304

Sept.

3.6 275"

1.9

1.7

1.5

1.2

.9

.8

.7

.6

.5

.5

.5

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.1

7T *.i

.2

.1

.1

.2

.3

.3

20.8

0.69

41

Calendar year 1955: Max 139 Min 0 Mean 1.97 Ae-ft 1,430

Water year 1955-56; Max 50 Min 0.1 Mean 2.54 Ae-ft 1,850

Peak discharge (base, 400 cfs). No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 16 to Mar 24, Mar. 28-30.
276 GRAND RIVER BASIN

North Fork Grand River near White Butte, S. Dak.

-Lat 45°48'10", long 102°21'35", at line between sees. 10 and 11, T. 21 N., 

!., on left bank 100 ft upstream from highway bridge, a quarter of a mile upfrom nearest tributary, and 9f miles south of White Butte.

Location. Lat 45°48'10", long 102°21'35

 ^ *£2£ g r\r> 1 c,-P1- V^artlr 1 fid ft: m-iest-.r>&a

stream fr

Drainage area. 1,190 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available . November 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,275 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

~^Jct. 27, 1946, chain gage; Oct. 27, 1946, to Aug. 28, 1947, wire-weight gage; Aug. 29,

1947, to Apr. 16, 1950, water-stage recorder; and Apr. 17, 1950, to June 11, 1951,

wire-weight gage; all at site 100 ft downstream at same datum.

Average discharge. 10 years (1946-56), 93.2 cfs (67,470 acre-ft per year); median of

 yearly mean discharges, ,52 cfs (37,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 310 cfs Mar. 20 (gage height, 5.67 ft, affected 

by ice); no flow at times.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 30,900 cfs Apr. 16, 1950 (gage height, 20.0 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 4,300 cfs on basis of logarithmic plotting 

and slope-area determination of peak flow; no flow at times in some years.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. 

Revisions (water years). WSP 1279: 1947, 1950.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second;

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 3 to Nov. ZZ,

Mar. Z7 to Apr. 13, May Z9-30)

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

.4 

1.8 

4.0 

7.4

3.6 

4.0 

4.4 

4.8

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Z2

23

24

25

26

27

28

Z9

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

570" z.z

1.8

1.7

1.5

1.4

l.Z

1.1

1.1

.9

.8

.6

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.2 *72~

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.6

.6 

.7

24.0

0.77

48

Nov.

0.7

.7

.7

.6

77

.8

.7

.8

.9

.9

.8

.8

.9

1.1

1.1

1.1

.9

.9

1.1

l.Z

1.4

1.5

T7S

1.5

*1.5

1.5

1

1

1

1

30.3

1.01

60

Dec.

1

.5

(*)

20.0

0.65

40

Jan.

0.5

(*)

15.5

0.5

31

Feb.

0.5

(*)

1

15.0

0.5Z

30

Mar.

1

T

 1.5

5

40

*80

50

40

40

40

35

30

35

*30

30

30

60

1ZO

180

**230

**Z50

250

*Z20

ZOO

175

150

*133

63

57

49 

58

Z,683.5

86.6

5,3ZO

Apr.

50

40

34

3Z

Z9

Z8

Z5

ZZ

Z2

21

ZO

18

18

17

16

14

13

1Z

1Z

12

11

9.Z

8.8 575'

*8.8

9.2

9.6

9.6

9.6

11

550.6

18.4

1,090

May

1Z

12

1Z

1Z11

11

10

10

9.2

8.8

8.8

8.3

8.3

8.3

7.4

7.4

6.6

5.8

5.5

4.8

4.5

4.0

*3.7

3.2

3.0

2.8

3To

5.8

8.1

21

252.3

8.14

500

June

8.8

6.6

4.5

3.5

3.5

3.2

Z.8

2.4

Z.Z

1.7

1.4

1.4

1.1

.9

8.3

3.2

Z.4

1.8

1.4

.9

l.Z

.9

.4

.Z

*.l

00"

0

0

0

64.8

2.16

1Z9

July

0

0

0

.1

.1

tt

.Z

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

l.Z

0.04

2.4

Aug.

00"

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 

25

25

0.8

50

Sept.

Zl

19

16

14

13

9.6

8.8

7.4

6.6

6.2

5.5

4.8

4.8

4.2

4.0

3.5

Z.4

Z.O

1.8

1.4

.9

.4

.2

.1

*0

0

0

0

0

0

157.6

5.25

313

Calendar year 1955: Max 36 Min 0 Mean 3.64 Ac-ft Z,640

Water year 1955-56: Max Z50 Min 0 Mean 10.5 Ac-ft 7,610

Peak discharge (base, 400 cfs). No peak above base.

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 23 to Mar. 26.
GRAND RIVER BASIM 277

South Fork Grand River near Cash, S. Dak.

Location . Lat 45°38'55", long 102°38'45", in NEiSWfrSE^ sec. 33, T. 20 M. , R. 12 E. , on 

downstream end of left pier of highway bridge, 1 mile upstream from Little Nasty 

Creek, 4 miles north of Cash, 10 miles south of Lodgepole, 12 miles northwest of 

Bison, and 16 miles downstream from Big Nasty Creek.

Drainage area. 1,350 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. November 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and wire-weight gage read once daily. Altitude of gaje is 

2,416 ft (by barometer). Prior to Oct. 25, 1946, chain gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge . 10 years (1946-56), 79.3 cfs (57,410 acre-ft per year); median of 

yearly mean discharges, 45 cfs (32,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,040 cfs Mar. 19 (gage height, 5.75 ft); no 

flow during most of winter.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 27,000 cfs Apr. 15, 1950 (gage height, 15.40 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 14,000 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak 

flow; no flow at times.

Remarks . Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1-31)

3.1

3.2

0

.6 

2.1

5.0 

9.8

16

3.4 

3.7 

4.0 

4.5 

5.0 

5.5

151

286

495

830

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

9.8

a9

8.4

10~8.4

8.4

7.4

7.9

a7.5

7.4

6.9

4.0

4TO

5.0

4.7

a6

7.4

*8.4

7.4

6.4

8.4

8.4

a6

4.0

7.9

6.9

6.4

7.4

7.9

a7.5 

7.4

222.6

7.18

442

Nov.

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

6

5

4

4

3

3

2

2

1

1

1

1

*1

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

107

3.6

212

Dec.

(»)

0

0

0

Jan.

( )

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

00"

*4

15

100

*90

70

50

30

25

20

15

15

*15

15

20

25

50

500

*528

645

*33?

350

238

226

215

*194

196

176

90

67

4,416

142

8,760

Apr.

60

60

26

64

71

27

52

a 60

54

43

35

30

30

27

a25

22

20

19

19

19

20

a2o

17

17

*16_

18

18

18

a!8

18

943

31.4

1,870

May

20

22

30

34

32

a30

27

26

22

18

20

21

a24

26

27

28

26

14

11

alO

11

12

12

*10

9.3

8.2

alO

18

36

215

100

909.5

29.3

1,800

June

48

34

a32

31

16

18

13

12

11

alO

7.2

7.7

5.0

6.7

17

31

46

55

3T

22

14

11

9.8

a8. 5

7.2

*5.8

5.4

5.0

5.0

3.3

528.6

17.6

1,050

July

a4.0

BTo

99

375

339

149

73

43

29

28

31

*27

75

118

86

52

*55

92

82

35

23

a!5

9.8

9.8

7.2

6.7

8.7

9.8

a!5

21

16

1,939.0

62.5

3,850

Aug.

10

23

28

67

a50

37

22

14

*14

16

16

a30

103

-65 160

31

21

16

a!5

13

28

24

16

10

10

alO

9.8

10

*7.2 ¥78-

12

898.8

29.0

1,780

Sept.

16

a!7

als

19

T6

14

14

12

all

10

8.7

12

8.7

8.7

7.7

a7

6.3

7.2

6.7

6.3

5.8

5*0

a5^5

5.8

*5.4

6.3

5.4

5.8

6.3

a6.0

283.6

9.45

563

Calendar year 1955: Max 200 Min 0 Mean 14. 0 Ac-ft 10,140

Water year 1955-56: Max 645 Min 0 Mean 28.0 Ac-ft 20,33O

Peak discharge (base, 500 cfs). Mar. 19 (2 p.m.) 1,040 cfs (5.75 ft)j July 4 (5 a.m.) 512 cfs 

(5.03 ft).

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

a No gage-height record; discharge interpolated.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1 to Mar. 19.
278 GRAND RIVER BASIN

Shadehill Reservoir at Shadehill, S. Dak.

Lat 45°46', long 102°12', in NW£ sec. 30, T. 21 N., R. 16 E., three-quarters of 

west of Shadehill and 4 miles downstream from confluence of North and South 

f Grand River.

Location. Lat 45°46', long 

a mile w^^^ n f .^hariohiii 

Forks of

Drainage area. 3,120 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--June 1950 to September 1956.

Gage.--Stevens contact type gage read once daily. Prior to Apr. 3, 1952, occasional elevations obtained by level circuits.

Extremes.--Maximum contents during year, 142,765 acre-ft Mar. 28 (elevation, 2,272.63 ft); 

minimum, 128,026 acre-ft Mar. 3 (elevation, 2,269.55 ft).

1950-56: Maximum contents, 318,101 acre-ft Apr. 10, 1952 (elevation, 2,297.86 ft); 

minimum since first filling to spillway level, that of Mar. 3, 1956.

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by earth-fill dam; storage began July 1, 1950; dam completed 

Aug. 15, 1951. Total capacity is 409,000 acre-ft at maximum pool, elevation, 2,312 ft. 

Dead storage is 58,231 acre-ft below lowest point of canal outlet, elevation, 2,250.8 

ft. Conservation storage is 84,000 acre-ft between elevation 2,250.8 ft and crest of 

spillway, elevation, 2,272 ft. Figures given herein represent total contents. The 

reservoir is for irrigation supply and flood control.

Cooperation. Record of elevations and contents furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Month-end elevation and contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Dec. 31.....................

Calendar year 1955. .......

Jan. 31.... .................

Mar. 31..... ................

Apr. 30. ....................

June 30 .....................

Sept. 30.. ...................

Water year 1955-56 ........

Elevation 

(feet)

2,270.81

2,269.88

-

2,269.75

2,272.20

2,271.81

2,271.47

-

Contents 

(acre-feet)

133,941

129,560

-

128,955

142,321

140,651

138,749

137,103

-

Change Ir contents 

(acre-feet)

_

-1,410

-934

-4,619

-605

+14,249

-1,670

-98

-1,804

+779

-779

-1,646

+3,162
GRAND RIVER BASIN 279

Grand River at Shadehill, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 45°46', long 102°11', in SEtr sec. 19, T. 21 N., R. 1'6 E., near left bank 

on downstream side of pier of bridge on State Highway 73 at Shadehill, 1 mile downstream from Shadehill Dam, 5 miles downstream from confluence of North and South Porks, 

and 12 miles south of Lemmon.

Drainage area. 3,120 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. February 1943 to September 1956. Records for July 1904 tc October 

1906 collected at site 5 miles upstream and published as "at Seim" in WSP 130, 172, and 

208 have been found to be unreliable and should not be used.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,186.46 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

~1929. Feb. 23, 1943, to June 12, 1946, wire-weight gage on old highway bridge 50 ft 

upstream at present datum. June 13, 1946, to Aug. 30, 1947, wire-weight gfge at present site and datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year. 169 cfs Mar. 29 (gage height, 4.02 ft); minimum, 

5.2 cfs June 27 (gage height, 2.88 ft).

1943^-56: Maximum discharge, 58,000 cfs Apr. 16, 1950 (gage height, 21.0 ft, from 

floodmarks upstream from bridge; 19.06 ft, from floodmark in gage well, unreliable); no 

flow for many days in most years.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Small diversion above station. Flow completely regulated by Shadehill Reservoir (see preceding 

page) since July 1, 1950. Records of chemical analyses and water temperatures for the 

water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1279: 1943(M). See also Records available.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1O

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

14

14

14

15

14

14

14

13

13

15

13

»14

14

13

14

13

13

13

13

13

13

14

13

417

13.5

827

Nov.

13

13

16

16

15

16

16

16

15

16

15

16

16

14

16

16

16

16

16

15

15

16

16

16

*16

16

16

16

16

16

467

15.6

926

Dec.

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

*15

15

15

15

15

15

14

14

14

14

461

14.9

914

Jan.

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

*14

14

14

14

14

14

434

14.0

861

Feb.

14

U

14

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

*15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

------

432

14.9

857

Mar.

16

16

16

16

16

16

*16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

17

18

18

20

*2O

50

100

150

*155

160

Tee' 169

160

1,491

48.1

2,960

Apr.

160

160

162

153

143

132

125

118

111

106

104

94

82

70

65

61

59

52

48

45

48

42

37

41

51

*33

34

33

34

34

2,417

80.6

4,790

May

42

43

44

42

42

41

42

43

57

J35

64

59

57

55

48

51

42

38

37

33

29

27

*26

23

20

19

15

75

29

33

32

1,223

39.5

2,430

June

42

52

70

54

37

37

32

27

24

21

18

13

11

10

21

19

16

14

13

12

15

23

11

7.8

*9.6

7.4

6.7

5.8

6.7

7.0

643.0

21.4

1,280

July

6.7

778

12

13

14

22

33

33

30

29

27

28

26

25

26

28

28

29

*24

*21

20

19

18

16

16

15

15

15

14

13

12

635.5

20.5

1,260

Aug.

13

13

12

13

14_

14

*14

14

13

13

13

13

13

12

14

14

14

14

14

14

14

13

12

13

13

12

14

14

13

*13

*14

413

13.3

819

Sept.

13

13

14

14

14

14

14

14

12

9.3

9.6

9.3

9.3

8.9

973

8.9

8.9

8.9

8.9

9.6

9.3

9.3

9.3

8.9

9.3

*9.3

9.6

10

10

10

317.9

10.6

631

Calendar year 1955: Max 22 Min 0 Mean 10.4 Ao-ft 7,530

Water year 1955-56: Max 169 Min 5.8 Mean 35.6 Ac-ft 18,560

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 2, 6, 7, Nov. 23 to Mar. 26. D'.scharge computed from wire-weight-gage readings Nov. 21 to Apr. 25.

459735 O - 58 - 19
280 GRAND RIVER BASIN

Grand River near Wakpala, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 45°39'55", long 100"38'20", in NWiSEij sec. 26, T. 20 N. , R. 28 E. , on downstream side of left pier of bridge on U. S. Highway 12, 5 miles west of Wakpala, 8 miles 

upstream from Deep Bank Creek, and 21 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 5,510 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--April 1912 to March 1918, August 1928 to September 1956 (no winter 

records prior to March 1930).

Gage. Water-stage recorder and supplemental wire-weight gage read once daily. Altitude 

of gage is 1,584 ft (by barometer). Prior to Mar. 18, 1918, chain gage at site 

12 miles downstream at different datum. Aug. 26, 1928, to Mar. 11, 1937, chain or 

wire-weight gage at site 17 miles downstream at different datums. Mar. 12, 1937, to 

Mar. 30, 1944, water-stage recorder at site 17 miles downstream at diferent datum 

(this gage destroyed by flood of April 1944). Mar. 31, 1944, to June 29, 1948, wireweight gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge.--26 years (1930-56), 304 cfs (220,100 acre-ft per year); median of 

yearly mean discharges, 225 cfs (163,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 6,260 cfs Mar. 20 (gage height, 9.94 ft); maximum gage height, 10.95 ft Mar. 18, affected by ice; no flow Nov. 28 to Mar. 10.

1912-18, 1928-56: Maximum discharge, 82,200 cfs Apr. 18, 1950 (gage height, 22.75 

ft); no flow during long periods of most years.

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Plow regulated by Shadehill Reservoir (see p. 278). One small diversion above gage for irrigation.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 786: Drainage area (site 17 miles downstream). WSP 1116: 

Drainage area (site 12 miles downstream). WSP 1279: 1914-15(M), 1928-30, 1932, 

1933(M), 1935(M).

Rating tabl .ter year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage height, 

in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 21-23, Aug. 19 to Sept. 2)

Oct. 1 to Mar

5.0

5.1

5.2

5.3 

5.5

2.6 

4.9 

8.0

4.9

5.0 

5.2

0.7

1.7

3.1

5.2

7.8

15

11 to Sept. 30

5.5 

5.8 

6.1 

6.4 

6.7 

7.0

81

143

252

470

790

7.5

8.0

9.0

10.0

1,430

2,190

4,120

6,400

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septemler 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26 

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

23

21

19

16

15

12

11

9.9

9.1

8.4

*7.7

7.0

6.4

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.5

5.8

5.8

6.1

6.1

4.9

4.9

4.9

4.9 

5.8

6.7

7.7 

7.3

7.3

272.4

8.79

540

Nov.

8.0

4.9

3.8

4.3

5.2

3.4

3.6

*3.0

3.4

7.3

7.0

5

4

3

3

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

1

1 

1

0

0 

0

87.9

2.93

174

Dec.

(')

(*)

0

o

0

Jan.

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

(*)

(*)

0

O

0

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

50

150

300

400

*250

500

*1,000

3,500

*4,500

*5.640

4,690

*3,080

*1,860

*1,110

702

862 

994

874

394

370 

394

31,620

1,020

62,720

Apr.

550

520

*453

348

312

327

282

234

212

*186

176

163

155

149

141

133

117

111

*103

99

92

83

79

76

"15

75 

76

78

78

75

5,558

185

11,020

May

78

86

92

90

95

113

97

83

*75

79

97

105

117

121

107

105

86

76

67

61

57

51

44

*38

35

1

41

55

51 

5O

2,320

74.8

4,600

June

54

67

51

43

37

55

44

107

105

67

44

*35

28

25

65

83

303

207

124

86

62

44

31

24

31

24 

23

*24

39

35

1,967

65.6

3,900

July

29

20

21

17

170

234

152

182

107

78

57

43

35

30

25

21

22

*21

18

17

14

13

11

9.7

JL._8

*9.1 

11

13

13

*45 

52

1,498.6

48.3

2,970

Aug.

49

33

45

30

93

173

78

172

196

225

160

99

59

43

30

22

17

15

13

10

8.1

6.8

*5.5

4.0

3.5

3.3

3.1

175

3.8

3 . 8 

9.4

1,617.8

52.2

3,210

Sept.

8.1

7.0

23

36

27

22

17

14

20

21

14

10

9.1

8.1

6.8

5.7

4.5

3.8

*3.3

2.6

2.8

2.1

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.7 

1.7

1.3

JUO

1.0

280.2

9.34

556

Calendar year 1955 : Max 

Water year 1955-56 : Max

542

5,640

23.6

124

Ac-ft 17,110 

Ac-ft 89,690

* Discharge measurement or observation of no flow made on

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 t(

Sept. 20-30 computed on basis of wire-weight-gage readings.

this day. 

Mar. 19. Discharge No
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 

Missouri River near Mobridge, S. Dak.

281

Location. Lat 45°32', long 100°29', in sec. 7, T. 18 N., R. 30 E., on downst-eam end of 

second pier from right bank of bridge on U. S. Highway 12, 3 miles west of Mobridge, 

3 miles downstream from Grand River, and at mile 1,250.6.

Drainage area. 208,700 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. August 1928 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,527.19 ft above mean sea Iev3l, datum of 

1929 (levels by Corps of Engineers). Prior to Mar. 28, 1929, chain gage at site 

3 miles upstream (above Grand-River, but including flow thereof) at datum about 3 ft 

higher. Mar. 28, 1929, to Sept. 30, 1931, chain and wire-weight gages at present site 

at datum 0.80 ft higher. Oct. 1, 1931, to Feb. 18, 1934, and Nov. 26, 1942, to May 12, 

1944, wire-weight gage at present site and datum. Feb. 19, 1934, to Nov. 25, 1942, 

water-stage recorder at present site and datum.

Average discharge.--28 years, 22,430 cfs (16,240,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 41,200 cfs Apr. 5 (gage height, 7.8? ft); maximum gage height, 10.16 ft Mar. 25 (affected by ice); minimum daily discharge, 4,800 cfs 

Feb. 18; minimum gage height, 3.6 ft Nov. 17.

1929-56: Maximum discharge, 443,000 cfs Apr. 9, 1952 (gage height, 25.07 ft); minimum daily, 2,600 cfs Jan. 8, 9, 1940; minimum gage height, 1.00 ft Sept. 6, 7, 1934.

Remarks. Records excellent except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Discharge measurements made at about 5-day intervals during open water and three times 

a month during ice period. Flow regulated by Garrison Reservoir. Many diversions 

above station.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 716: 1929-30. WSP 761: Drainage area.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

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

3O

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

32.OOO

31,800

31,800

32,000

32,000

32,200

32,100

32,000

32,200

32,300

32,200

32,200

32,000

31,800

31,700

31,800

31,900

31,800

32,100

32,500

32,700

32,900

32,900

33,000

33,000

53,100

32,900

32,500

32,500

32,500

32 ,400

tl, 000.8

32,280

*1,985

Nov.

32,400

32,50O

52,700

32, loO

31,300

29,200

27,100

25,600

24,300

23,000

21,600

20,400

18,500

17,500

15,500

13,500

12,000

12,000

12,000

12,500

12,500

12,200

11,600

10,400

9,700

8,800

7,600

6,500

6,800

7,500

539,300

17,980

*1,070

Dec.

7,570

6,900

6,960

7,610

8,150

8,420

8,740

9,130

8,820

8,590

8,480

8,480

8,530

8,630

8,980

9,420

9,400

9,220

9,060

9,060

9,200

9,350

9,280

9,080

9,440

9,670

9,580

9,510

9,530

9,510

9,170

273,470

8,822

542,400

Jan.

9,130

9,690

9,620

9,600

9,580

9,530

9,580

9,600

9,390

9,020

8,930

8,760

7,810

7,410

8,020

8,020

7,750

7,370

6.770

6,850

7,230

7,410

7,430

7,350

7,330

7,330

7,410

7,490

7,530

7,430

7,350

253,720

8,185

503,200

Feb.

7,190

7,060

7,040

7,270

7,370

7,150

6,750

6,200

6,170

6,150

6,100

6,100

6,100

5,960

5,720

5,420

5,050

4,800

4,980

5,220

5,500

5,750

5,900

5,950

5,900

5,860

5,900

5,880

5,860

176,300

6,079

349,700

Mar.

5,860

5,860

5,900

6,000

6,190

6,470

6,660

6,750

6,770

6,540

6,030

6,000

6,220

6,290

6,400

7,000

9,000

10,500

15,000

19,000

22,000

24,000

28,000

28,500

29,000

27,000

25,000

23,000

22,500

23,000

24,000

430,440

13,890

853,800

Apr.

30,000

28,000

27 ,000

32,000

35,200

32,000

30,100

31,200

32,100

56,500

27 , 100

25,500

26,400

26,400

26,700

26,400

26,100

25,900

26,000

25,600

25,100

25,000

24 , 60O

24,500

24,400

25,300

25,800

25,500

25,400

25,500

826,900

27,560

tl,640

May

25,800

26,600

28,300

28,500

28,100

27,700

27,800

28,100

28,200

29,100

29,100

29,400

29,300

28,600

28,500

28,100

28,400

28,400

27,300

27,000

27,000

27 , 600

27,600

27,800

28,100

29,100

30,400

31,500

31,800

31,600

52,500|

887,300

28,620

tl,760

June

31,800

30,400

50,100

3O,600

30,600

31,000

32,500

32,500

31,600

31,400

31,400

31,700

33,600

35,200

35,700

34,700

34,300

35,700

57,000

36,000

35,700

35,200

35,200

35,500

36,000

35,500

34,900

34,600

34,500

32,900

tl,007.8

33,590

tl,999

July

51,800

31,800

31,800

31,300

31,800

31,700

30,700

30,600

31,500

30,900

30,200

29,500

29,300

29,900

30,100

30,200

30,300

30,000

29,900

29,800

29,800

29,800

29,900

29,800

29,400

29,300

30,200

29,900

27,900

26,700

28,800

934,600

30,150

*1,854

Aug.

30,400

30,300

29,700

30,000

30,700

31,100

51,600

30,700

30,200

30,300

30,200

30,100

30,000

30,100

29,600

29,500

30,000

29,300

27,200

25,500

25,800

26,100

25,500

25,500

25,300

24,900

24,800

24,600

25,000

25,000

25,800

872,800

28,150

*1,731

Sept.

22,000

21,000

20,300

20,000

19,700

19,600

20,200

21,400

21,800

21,800

21,900

22,200

22,200

22,200

22,000

22,OOO

22,100

22,900

22,800

22,000

20,200

18,900

18,500

18,400

18,000

17 , 600

18,100

18,300

18,200

18,100

614,400

20,480

*1,219

Calendar year 1955: Max 47,700 Min 4,990 Mean 20,230 Ac-ft 14,650,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 37,000 Min 4,8OO Mean 21,360 Ac-ft 15,510,000

* Expressed in thousands.

Mote.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Apr. 4.
MOREAU RIVER BASIN

Moreau River at Bixby, S. Dak.

Location. --Lat 45°08'35", long 102°33'35", in SEvSW^ sec. 29, T. 14 N., R. 13 E., on right 

bank a quarter of a mile downstream from county highway bridge, about half a mile south 

of Bixby, and 3-g miles downstream from proposed Bixby dam site.

Drainage area. 1. 570 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. June 1904 to November 1906 (no winter records), April 1948 to September 1956.

Sage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,431.02 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929 (Bureau of Reclamation benchmark). June 1904 to November 1906 staff gage within 

a quarter of a mile of present site at different datum. Apr. 17 to Juns 24, 1948, and 

Oct. 1, 1950, to Sept. 9, 1952, reference points or wire-weight or staf" gage, all at 

or on old county highway bridge a quarter of a mile upstream from present site at same 

datum. June 25, 1948, to Sept. 30, 1950, water-stage recorder at site 300 ft downstream from old bridge at same datum (recorder operated to Mar. 31, 1952; record of 

little value after Sept. 30, 1950). Sept. 10 to Oct. 11, 1952, staff gage at present 

site and datum.

Average discharge. 8 years (1948-56), 91.1 cfs (65,950 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . --Maximum discharge during year, 1,840 cfs July 5 (gage height, 6.60 ft); maximum 

gage height, 7.39 ft Mar. 21 (affected by ice); no flow Feb. 18-29.

1904-6, 1948-56: Maximum discharge, 15,300 cfs Apr. 1, 1952 (gage height, 17.8 ft, 

from floodmark), from rating curve extended above 12,000 cfs on basis of slope-area 

determination of peak flow; no flow at times.

Revisions. The maximum discharge for the water year 1953 has been revised to 2,980 

cfs June 17, 1953 (gage height, 8.03 ft), superseding figure published in WSP 1279.

Remarks . --Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair.

Revisions. Revised figures of discharge, in cubic feet per second, for high-water period 

in the water year 1953, superseding those published in WSP 1279, are given herewith:

Month

Calendar year 1953.....

Revised peak discharge

cfs (6.36 ft); June 17 (8

Maximum

2,480 

2,480 

2,480

(base, 500 cfs) .--1952-5

p.m.) 2,980 cfs (8.03 f

Minimum

14 

1.9 

1.9

3:

t)

Mean

366 

74.6 

74.8

Runoff in 

acre-feet

21,750 

53,980 

54,170

June 15 (12:30 p.m.) 1,670 

; June 21 (7 p.m.) 1,100 cfs

(5.47 ft)

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septembe 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1O

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

6.3

4.6

3.4

3.2

2.4

2.1

1.9

1.6

1.5

1.3

1.2

TT3

1.2

1.3

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.6

*1.5

1.6

1.8

1.8

1.8

2

2

2

2

3

3

2.5

2

66.1

2.13

131

Nov.

1.5

1.5

2

3

3

2

1.5

1.5

2

3

3

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

2

*2

1

.5

.5

.5

.2

.2

.2

45.1

1.50

89

Dec.

0.2

(*)

6.2

0.2

12

Jan.

0.2

(*)

6.2

0.2

12

Feb.

0.2

*.l

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 ------

3.0

0.10

6.0

Mar.

0.1 *io'

80

ISO

 380

270

180

180

180

140

100

80

60

*50

60

100

150

400

500

*600

550

*450

302

234

195

169

150

120

100

80

6,050.3

195

12,000

Apr.

65

49

44

36

36

*25

30

32

51

39

28

22

18

14

13

11

9.7

8.4

7.9

6.6

5.9

5.6

4.9

5T2

5.2

*4.9

5.2

7.0

8.4

7.5

605.4

20.2

1,200

May

9.3

11

11

10

9

8

8

8

8

8

7

6

5

5

4

4

4

4

3

3

2.5

2.5

2.5

 Z.I

1.8

1.8

2.2

4.6

12

52

83

302.3

9.75

600

June

59

33

20

15

12

9.7

7.5

5.9

7.9

7.5

4.6

3.0

1.9

1.8

1.0

1.8

1.5

.9

135

^4

31

22

8.8

16

9.7

*7.5

4.6

2.8

3.4

4.0

512.8

17.1

1,020

July

14

12

267

1,140

1,190

405

182

135

82

58

40

32

22

31

26

18

16

*12

8.8

7.0

5.9

4.6

3.0

2.2

1.5

1.2

1.0

.9

1.8

12

138

3,869.9

1Z5

7,6fO

Aug.

135

52

30

77

455

131

48

*54

39

38

107

281

487

13T

77

44

27

21

23

18

20

15

11

8.4

6.3

5.6

4.3

7.5

5.6

*6.6

6 . 6

2,371.9

76.5

4,700

Sept.

4.3

377

3.0

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.2

1.9

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.0

.8

.7

.6

.6

.4

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.1

72

.2

34.8

1.16

69

Calendar year 1955: Max 217 Mln 0 Mean 6.69 Ac-ft 4,840

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,190 Mln 0 Mean 37.9 Ac-ft 27,520

Peak discharge (base, 500 cfs). Mar. 21 (time unknown) 650 

ft); Aug. 5 (2 a.m.) 1,160 cfs (5.62 ft); Aug. 13 (2 a.m.) 93 

# TMtanViaT»<ro meaaii-nomont- made on this day.

cfs; July 5 (1 a.n 

935 cfs (5.17 ft).

1,840 cfs (6.60

28-31. Ko gage-height 

orded range in stage (for 

River.
MOREAU RIVER BASIN 283

Moreau River near Faith, S. Dak.

_^__ _ '09'10", in NjNW£ sec. 10, T. 14 N., R. 16 E^, on upstream side of bridge on State Highway 73, 2* miles downstres

Location. Lat 45"11'50", long 102 

stream side of bridge on S 

13-j- miles northwest of Faith.

Drainage area. 2,660 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. March 1943 to September 1956.

ream from Rabbit Creek and

Gage.--Wire-weight gage read once daily and_crest stage indicator.

,235 ft (by barometer), 

at same datum.

Altitude of gage is 

Prior to Oct. 5, 1949, at bridge a quarter of a mile upstream

Average discharge. 13 years, 190 cfs (137,600 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 140 cfs (101,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,520 cfs July 5 (gage height, 6.28 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1943-56: Maximum discharge, 26,000 cfs Apr. 9, 1944 (gage height, 20.9 ft at former 

site, from floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 12,000 cfs on basis of slopearea determination of peak flow; no flow during long periods.

Remarks. Records fair.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1176: 1944. WSP 127-9:' 1946(M).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage height,

in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 20-29, Sept. 14-30)

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

2.0 

8.0

1.9

2.0 

2.3 

2.6 

3.0

23

62

115

230

3.5 

4.0 

5.0

6.0

460

770

1,500

2,300

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Tota]

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

19

23

T9

11

*8.0

6.8

5.0

3.8

2.0

1.6

1.4

1.2

.5

.4

74

.4

.4

.5

.5

*1.8

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

*2.0

2.0

2.0

3.2

4.4

3 

2

133.3

4.30

264

Nov.

2

1.5

2

3

i_

3

2

2

3

3

3

3

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

*2

1

*1

1

.5

.5

.5

.2

72

51.4

1.71

102

Dec.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

(»)

0

0

0

Mar.

1

5

*35

140

190

190

*340

340

430

320

180

*160

120

100

*BO

100

120

150

200

750

*940

875

*S61

756

445

338

279

200

150

140

160

9,095

293

18,040

Apr.

142

68

*70

61

*51

30

31

38

33

54

49

37

31

24

23

21

20

20

19

18

17

*13

14

14

*11

10

T3

28

17

1,061

35.4

2,110

May

24

31

28

30

24

20

20

18

20

21

20

18

14

14

*11

11

10

11

11

6.2

6.2

8.0

»6.2

6.2

5.0

3.8

2.0

876

34

30

25

497.2

16.0

986

June

42

83

62

45

*25

35

22

21

15

9.3

3.8

1.7

2.6

6.2

1.7

1.6

9.3

3.8

2 1.1

80

45

27

23

*76

*51

26

13

8.6

2.0

765.7

25.5

1,520

July

49

83

128

420

2,110

1,160

471

238

155

102

73

62

54

35

27

38

38

*27

*25

20

17

13

9.3

6.8

2.6

1.8

1.4

1.2

1.0 34 

14

5,417.1

175

10,740

Aug.

13

183

80

111

274

728

*238

*180

254

160

73

115

385

460

158

92

65

49

34

30

28

22

20

20

14

13

11

11

*6.8

*5.6

3,844.4

124

7,630

Sept.

18

17

13

9.3

9.3

8.6

7.4

5.0

5.0

2.0

1.6

1.6

3.8

2.6

1.6

1.6

*1.4

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.0

.4

.4

.4

.4

*.4

.4

.3

74

.4

116.9

3.90

232

Calendar year 1955: Max 454 Min 0 Mean 11.3 Ac-ft 8,170

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,110 Min 0 Mean 57.3 Ac-ft 41,610

Peak discharge (base, 700 efs).--Mar. 21 (1 a.m.) 1,200 cfs (4.70 ft); July 5 (1 p.m.) 2,520 cfs 

(6.28 ft); AugT 6 (9 a.m.) 1,340 cfs (4.83 ft); Aug. 13 (8 p.m.) 1,220 cfs (4.64 ft). 

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 30 to Mar. 21, Mar. 28-31.
284 MOREAU RIVER BASIN

Moreau River near Eagle Butte, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 45°11'20", long 101°13'05", in NW£NW£SW£ sec. 8, T. 14 N., R. 24 E., on 

right bank at dovmstream side of bridge on State Highway 63, 4 miles downstream from 

Meadow Creek and 13 miles north of Eagle Butte.

Drainage area. 4,320 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. March 1943 to September 1956.

gage. Water-stage recorder and wire-weight gage read once daily above 2 ft gage height 

and 2 or 3 times a week during period of low flow. Altitude of gage is 1,792 ft (by 

barometer). Prior to June 19, 1946, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 13 years, 319 cfs (230,900 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 250 cfs (181,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, about 4,500 cfs Mar. 20; maximum gage height, 

about 9.2 ft Mar. 18 (backwater from ice); no flow at times.

1943-56: Maximum discharge, 30,300 cfs June 15, 1953 (gage height, 22.01 ft, from 

floodmark); maximum gage height, 23.0 ft Apr. 9, 1944, from floodmarks; no flow for 

many days during most years.

Remarks. Records fair above 30 cfs and poor below except those for the period of ice 

effect, which are poor.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1146: 1944. The figures of peak discharge for the water 

year 1951 have been revised as shown below, superseding those published in WSP 1209.

Revised peak discharge.--1950-51: Aug. 14 (2:30 a.m.) 3,040 cfs (7.50 ft); Aug. 31 

(2 a.m.) 2,920 cfs (7.40 ft).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gaje

height, in feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 21 to May 5, July 10 to Aug. 6)

2.0

2.3

.4

1.5

4.0

7.0

16

30

64

2.6 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0 

8.0

114

206

364

575

1,220

2,080

4,310

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

23

20

17

15

13

11

9

7.0

6

5.5

»5.2

3.5

2.5

2

1.8

2.0

1.5

1.5

1.2

1

1.0

.8

.7

.6

.6

.5

.4

.3

.4

.3

^1

154.4

4.98

306

Nov.

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

0

0

0

Mar.

0

*0

0

0

0

10

50

500

500

400

300

300

250

250

200

*200

2,000

 3,800

*3,800

4.000

*3,890

2,800

*1,720

1,480

1,180

1,010

*865

450

286

237

30,704

990

60,900

Apr.

223

220

209

*196

143

109

91

79

72

 60

55

51

44

40

46

46

37

31

28

24

24

24

24

*20

21

20

21

20

24

24

2,026

67.5

4,020

May

28

31

30

28

27

27

23

*21

21

23

32

30

28

29

25

15

11

8

6

5

4

3.5

 3.0

2.5

2

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.8

23 

1 P^ 1B3

685.3

22.1

1,360

June

128

59

39

31

25

34

36

56

63

43

25

*14

10

7

5

3

2

1

.5

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

6.7

36

624.4

20.8

1,240

Julv

28

18

14

9.4

28

441

1.580

846

452

264

183

141

103

81

67

49

41

40

35

30

20

15

12

9

*6.7

5

4

3

2.5

2

1^1

4,531.1

146

8,990

Aug.

*1.1

1

1

1

8.8

70

214

416

237

237

161

152

128

103

211

476

252

168

116

84

60

*42

35

28

22

21

18

16

15

14

13

3,321.9

107

6,590

Sept.

12

12

12

11

9.8

9

7.8

7.0

6

6

5.5

5

4.5

4.3

4

3.5

3

2

1.5

*2.0

1

.5

.4

.3

.2

.1

0

o

0

0

131.4

4.38

261

Calendar year 1955 : Max 310 Min 0 Mean 12.7 Ac-ft 9,190

Water year 1955-56 : Max 4,000 Min 0 Mean 115 Ac-ft 83,670

Peak discharge (base. 1,100 cfs).--Mar. 20 (time unknown) about 4,500 cfs; July 6 (12 p.m.) 1,980 

cfs (5.95 ft).

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

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar, 6-19. No gage-height reco-d May 15-28, 

June 13-28, July 18 to Aug. 4; discharge estimated on the basis of 3 discharge measurements, 1 obser 

vation of no flow, weather records, and records for other Moreau River stations.
MOREAU RIVER BASIN 285

Moreau River near Whltehorse, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 45°15'2l", long 100 050'33", in SW&3E£ sec. 17, T. 15 N., R. 27 E., on left 

bank 30 ft downstream from bridge, 2-| miles southeast of Whitehorse, 8 miles downstream 

from Little Moreau River, and 17 miles southeast of Timber Lake.

Records available. June 1954 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Prior to Nov. 23, 1954, wire-weight gage at same site and 

iTatuni.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 5,000 cfs Mar. 21 (gage height, 10.90 ft, affected by ice); maximum gage height, 12.67 ft Mar. 18 (ice jam); no flow for many days.

1954-56: Maximum discharge, that of Mar. 21, 1956; maximum gage height, that of 

Mar. 18, 1956; no flow for many days each year.

Flood in June 1953 reached a stage of about 26.2 ft. Flood in March 1947 was 

probably higher.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are fair.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 14 to Nov. 6, Apr. 9 to

May 10, June 6-21, July 3-7)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 7 ar. 8 to Sept. 30

3.1 0 2.8 0 4.0 79

3.2 1.5 2.9 1.0 4.5 150

3.3 4.5 3.0 2.9 5.0 275

3.4 9.5 3.1 5.4 6.0 720

3.6 25 3.2 8.4 8.0 2,110

4.0 67 3.3 13 10.0 4,350

3.5 28 10.5 5,050

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

63

55

45

37

33

a25

a20

a!5

all

8.5

*6.5

2.7

2.4

2.4

1.5

1.2

.6

.4

.3

.2

.3

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1 

.1

332.3

10.7

659

Nov.

0.1

.1

.2

72

.2

.2

**.!

.1

.1

.2

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1.8

0.06

3.6

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

00~

0

0

0

0

0

300

500

400

350

300

300

250

200

*200

*300

*1,400

*4,300

*4,600

*4,600

*3,400

*2,020

*1,430

1,240

1,190

*1,040

750

500

300

250

30,120

972

59,740

Apr.

334

370

326

*282

229

172

124

115

101

*91

77

70

63

55

48

50

51

45

40

34

31

27

25

*22

19

18

18

18

19

19

2,893

96.4

5,740

May

22

27

27

27

29

27

26

*26

25

52

268

74

38

31

26

22

16

12

8.4

6.9

5.7

4.8

*3.8

2.9

2.5

2.3

279

3.6

4.8

4.6

5.4

833.6

26.9

1,650

June

98

96

56

36

25

17

12

20

29

53

39

*28

16

11

8.1

6.3

4.3

3.1

2.3

1.5

1.0

.4

.1

.1

.3

.2

.1

*0

0

0

563.8

18.8

1,120

July

0

0

1.5

8.4

10

8.1

905

815

408

232

148

122

110

103

96

91

87

85

48

35

27

21

19

16

*11

10

7.2

6.0

5.1

6.6

*6 .0

3,447.9

111

6,840

A'lg.

4.S

4.3

173

8.4

11

7.8

44

227

310

TM

176

152

121

118

96

234

261

163

132

96

76

*56

42

32

25

20

16

12

10

8 .4

9.8

2,665.8

86.0

5,290

Sept.

~9.8 11

6.6

8.1

9.8

8.1

6.6

5.4

4.3

3.6

3.1

2.5

2.1

1.9

1.9

1.4

.9

.3

.2

**.!

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

87.7

2.92

174

Calendar year 1955: Max 380 Min 0 Mean 15.7 Ac-ft 11,380

Water year 1955-56: Max 4,600 Min 0 Mean 112 Ac-ft 81,220

Peak discharge (base, 1,000 cfs).--Mar. 21 (10 a.m.) 5,000 cfs; July 7 (l p.m.) 1,800 cfs (7.63 ft).

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge interpolated.

Note . Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 7 to Mar. 21, Mar. 28-31.
286 MOREAU RIVER BASIN

Moreau River at Promise, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 45°20', long 100°36', in sec. 17, T. 16 N., R. 29 E., on vpstream side of 

highway bridge, 170 ft downstream from Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad bridge, 0.5 mile downstream from Virgin Creek, and three-quarters of a mile north 

of Promise.

Drainage area.--5,223 sq mi.

Records available. August 1928 to September 1956 (no winter records prior to April 1930).

Gage.--Wire-weight gage read once daily. Datum of gage is 1,587.01 ft above mean sea 

level, datum of 1929. Prior to Nov. 8, 1934, chain gage at same site and datum. 

Nov. 8, 1934, to July 20, 1944, water-stage recorder at site 150 ft upstream at same 

datum. July 21, 1944, to July 11, 1948, wire-weight gage at present site and datum. 

July 12, 1948, to May 20, 1953, water-stage recorder on left bank at downstream side of 

bridge at same datum.

Average discharge.--26 years (1930-56), 294 cfs (212,800 acre-ft per year); median of 

yearly mean discharges, 205 cfs (148,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 5,540 cfs Mar. 21 (gage height, 10.85 ft); no 

flow for many days; minimum gage height observed, 1.63 ft Nov. 1, 2.

1928-56: Maximum discharge, 36,900 cfs Apr. 5, 19S2; maximum gage height, 24.4 ft 

Mar. 25, 1947; no flow for many days during most years.

Remarks. Records fair.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 926: 1928-30, 1933. WSP 1279: 1935, 1945.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 7 Mar. 8 to Sept. 30

.2

1.2 

3.0 

5.0

2.2 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5

1.9

2.0 

2.2 

2.4 

2.7 

3.0 

3.5

12

27

51

109

4.0 

5.0 

6.0 

7.0 

9.0 

11.0

203

510

1,060

1,850

3,750

5,810

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

112

91

55

40

28

24

21

18

13

11

*8.4

5.8

3.8

2.7

2.0

2.1

2.1

2.2

2.0

2.0

1.2

.7

.3

.2

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0 

0

448.8

14.5

890

Nov.

a0

0

0

0

0

*0

.1

.1.1

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.6

0.02

1.2

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

50

500

400

350

320

300

*300

250

250

400

**3,200

4,000

3,800

*5.270

4,250

2,740

*1,620

1,130

1,400

*1,210

665

374

336 

252

33,367

1,076

66,180

Apr.

398

402

*360

324

240

166

110

110

106

108

90

81

79

74

68

59

53

47

42

38

34

37

33

*27

23

23

22

22

21

22

3,219

107

6,380

Calendar year 1955 : Max 450 Mln 0 Mean 18

May

28

28

28

27

27

28

28

*26

25

30

26

149

76

44

36

30

22

21

17

14

11

8.2

*7 .6

6.8

6.5

6.0

6.0

7.3

8.2

9.7

51

838.3

27.0

1,660

June

64

62

59

55

52

49

46

46

43

41

41

36

*28

27

25

23

18

14

9.7

7.3

5.7

3.4

1.6

1.0

.6

.4

.4

*.4

.2

.2

759.9

25.3

1,510

July

0.2

.2

.4

.7

.9

2.8

54

2.570

1,220

519

250

160

99

90

74

68

65

61

62

43

25

19

17

14

*13

12

11

9.4

8.7

9.4 

*°.2

5,486.9

177

10,880

Aug.

8.2

7.3

7.0

7.9

7.6

7.3

6.8

19

196

210

164

143

139

139

129

127

152

196

190

139

79

»68

51

38

30

24

22

19

17

16 

14

2,373.1

76.6

4,710

Sept.

13

11

10

8.4

7.6

6.5

5.7

5.2

4.5

3.6

3.2

2.6

2.4

2.2

1.7

1.5

1.1

.7

.4

*.4

.2

.2

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

92.3

3.08

183

.7 Ac -ft 13,540

Water year 1955-56 : Max 5,270 Mln. 0 Mean 127 Ac-ft 92,390

Peak discharge (base. 1,500 cfs). Mar. 21 (8 a.m.) 5,540 cfs (10.85 ft)s July S (4 a.m.) 3,16O efs 

(8.4 ft).

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 20.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 287

Lance Creek at Spencer, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°22', long 104°16', in sec. 14, T. 39 N., R. 62 W. , on right bank threeeighths of a mile south of Spencer, 1 mile upstream from mouth, and 34 miles south of 

Newcastle.

Drainage area. 2,070 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. April 1948 to September 1954, August to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Prior to Aug. 14, 1948, chain gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--6 years, 24.0 cfs (17,390 acre-ft per year).

Extremes, Maximum discharge during period August to September 1956, 134 cfs Aug. 11 (gage 

height, 2.79 ft); no flow for many days.

1948-54, 1956: Maximum discharge, 5,250 cfs June 28, 1952 (gage height, 8.3 ft, 

from floodmarks); no flow for many days each year.

Remarks.--Records fair. Diversions for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication of diversions, see Remarks for this station In WSP 1209). There are 2,120 small 

reservoirs above the station used for storage of stock and irrigation water (total 

capacity, about 12,800 acre-ft).

Revisions (water years). WSP 1209: 1948(P), 1950.

Rating table, Aug. 11 to Sept. 30, 1956 (gage height, In feet, 

and discharge, In oublo feet per second)

1.9 O

2.0 .8

2.1 3.2

2.2 9.5

2.3 19

2.4 31

2.5 47

Discharge, In oublo feet per second, August to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 

10

11 

12 

13 

14 

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Tota

Mean

Ac-f

Oct. Nov.

Calendar year : 

Water year :

Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June

------

July Aug.

-

-

t55.8

47 

23 

12 

*6.4 

2.2

.6 

.4

" ^

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

*0

O

0

0

O

-

_

Sept.

C)

(*)

0 

0

0

Max Mln Mean Ac -ft 

Max Mln Mean Ac -ft

Peak discharge (base, 750 cfsl. No peak above base.

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

t Result of discharge measurement.
288 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Cheyenne River near Spencer, Wyo.

Location. Lat 43°25' , long 104°07' , in sec. 24, T. 40 N., R. 61 W., on right bank about 

1| miles downstream from Robbers Roost Creek, 7\ miles northeast of Spencer, and 

30 miles south of Newcastle. Prior to Oct. 18, 1955, at site 2,100 ft downstream.

Drainage area. 5,270 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--October 1948 to September 1956. Published as South Pork Cheyenne 

River near Spencer October 1949 to September 1951.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Prior to Aug. 22, 1948, wire-weight gage at bridge 2,500 ft 

downstream at datum 4.04 ft lower. Aug. 22, 1948, to Oct. 17, 1955, at site 2,100 ft 

downstream at datum 4.04 ft lower.

Average discharge. 8 years, 50.4 cfs (36,510 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 3,030 cfs June 18 (gage height, 4.85 ft); no 

flow for many days.

1948-56: Maximum discharge, 9,840 cfs June 28, 1952 (gage height, 8.6 ft, from 

floodmark); no flow for many days each year.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Diversions for irrigation above station (for details on adjudication 

of diversions, see Remarks for this station In WSP 1209). There are 5,400 small 

reservoirs above station used for storage of stock and irrigation water (total capacity, 

about 33,900 acre-ft).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (ga-;e

neignt, in leet, and discharge, in cubic reet per second ) 

(Shifting-control method used May 31, June 21-25, June 29 to

Oct. 1

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

to Nov. 9

0

.3

2.2

6.2

11

July 3, July 5)

Nov. 10

1.6 0

1.7 .9

1.8 3.3

1.9 7.7

2.0 17

2.5 92

to Sept. 30

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

120

215

335

800

1,400

2,250

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18 

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

9.1

9.1

a7.0

a5.5

*4.2

a2.5

1.2

1.6

1.4

1.2

.9

.7

*.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.1 

*.l

0

0

0

.2

.3

.2

.1

.1

0

.2

.1

.1

47.2

1.52

94

Nov.

0

0

0

*0

0

0

*0

0

*0

_._!)

.8

.7

.6

.5

.5

.5

.4

.4 

.4

.3

.3

*.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

0

0

7.6

0.25

15

Dec.

0

TS

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2.1

3.6

2.1

1°

9.6

8.6

*2.2

1.0

.5

" 

39.9

1.29

79

Jan.

(*)

(*)

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

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

*i,0

7.9

*7.8

23.7

0.82

47

Mar.

8.0

9.0

10

12

15

14

*12

14

10

5.0

2.2

1.0

.5

.3

*_ii

.4

1.5

5.0 

18.0

*16

15

*11

*27

18

13

6.8

1.5

.3

*.4

2.0

1 9

250.9

8.09

498

Apr.

1.9

2.6

3.3

*4.6

*2.1

4.2

2.8

3.3

4.6

3.1

2.6

*2.1

1.6

.8

.9

.9

.9

.7 

.7

*.7

^6

.8

1.6

1.6

*1.4

1.4

1.6

4.2

4.6

5.1

67.3

2.24

133

May

*4.2

3.3

3.3

3.1

2.3

3.7

4.6

3.1

*1.9

.9

.8

.9

4.2

5.5

4.2

5.1

3.3

*2.1 

2.6

3.7

3.3

*4.2

3.7

3.3

3.1

7.7

113

592

1.020

*446 

*290

2,549.1

82.2

5,060

June

95

72

*50

40

36

24

*10

11

6.8

4.6

*3.3

2.8

2.1

1.6

1.1

*.7

59

*1,640 

1,220

*363

180

90

*43

27

16

12

*7.7

4.2

1.4

.4

4,224.7

141

8,380

July

0

*0

14

2f

2.8

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

4.4

*0

0

2.0

1.2

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

7.5

57.9

1.87

115

Aug.

89

*500

*112

31

11

5.5

3.7

*19

65

62

33

31

*11

11

*5.5

2.8

.8

.7 

.7

.4

.2

 50

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0 

0

995.3

32.1

1,970

Sept.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 5,630 Mln 0 Mean 125 Ac-ft 90,560

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,840 Mln 0 Mean 22.6 Ac-ft 16,390

Peak discharge (base, 2,000 cfs^.--June 18 (7 p.m.) 3,030 cfs (4.85 ft). 

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

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of typical recession. 

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 11-28, Dec. 28-31, Feb. 27 to Mar. 19, 

Mar. 27-30. Discharge computed from twice-daily wire-weight-gage readings Oct. 1, 2, 5, 7-31.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 289

Beaver Creek near Newcastle, Wyo.

Location.--Lat 43°32'05", long 104°06'35", In NW£ sec. 18, T. 41 N., R. 60 W., on right 

bank 1 mile downstream from Sheep Creek and 23 miles south of Newcastle.

Drainage area. 1,320 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--February to September 1943, October 1944 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,650 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Nov. 1, 1945, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--12 years (1944-56), 25.7 cfs (18,610 acre-ft per year).

Extreme s. - -Maximum discharge during year, 653 cfs Feb. 25 (gage height, 9.67 f';, backwater 

from ice); no flow July 15, Aug. 22 to Sept. 30.

1943, 1944-56: Maximum discharge observed, 1,840 cfs Mar. 27, 1943 (gage height, 

14.0 ft, from floodmark); no flow at times in 1943, 1945, 1950, 1952-56.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

above station for irrigation (for details on adjudication of diversions, se? Remarks 

for this station in WSP 1209). There are 1,350 small reservoirs above station used for 

storage of stock and irrigation water (total capacity, about 11,000 acre-ft). Records 

of water temperatures and suspended sediment loads for water year 1956 are given in 

WSP 1451.

Revisions (water years). WSP 1209: 1943, 1946, 1948-49.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect ( 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used May 28)

17

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

4.5

34

72

126

194

265

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

AC- ft

Oct.

8.5

4.3

3.1

1.8

 1.6

1.8

1.6

1.5

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

 1.5

1.6

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.6

2.6

2.9

3.1

2.2

3.7

4.3

2.2

1.5

73.6

2.37

146

Nov.

1.3

1.2

 1.1

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

*.9

3.0

7 o

Li£-

6.0

5.5

4.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

5.7

6.0

*6.2

6.1

6.0

5.8

6.1

5.5

5.0

5.4

5.8

6.0

124.6

4.15

247

Dec.

6.3

5.5

5.0

5.3

5.7

6.0

*6.3

6.2

6.0

6.2

6.0

6.5

6.2

*5.9

5.6

5.9

5.5

5.0

4.5

BTo

6.0

10

20

40

100

200

100

*35

11

10

11

657.6

21.2

1,300

Jan.

13

14

*15

15

16

15

14

12

11

9.5

*8.7

8.5

8.0

7.5

6.0

5.0

7.0

*8.3

9.0

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Te

15 

*13

11

365.5

11.8

725

Feb.

8.0

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

*23

25

25

25

24

20

17

*15

13

15

20

25

30

38

50

*250

*370

480

*450

200

*125

2,360.0

81.4

4,680

Mar.

80

90

100

110

100

95

*85

90

*40

25

10

4.0

4.5

5.0

*5.2

*15

15

20

*190

*580

175

*140

*150

100

71

63

56

34

*18

15

2,303.7

74.3

4,570

Apr.

12

7.9

7.6

5.7

*1.5

*1.6

1.8

25

17

11

6.6

*5.4

5-4

4.8

3.4

3.1

2.4

1.8

1.8

*1.3

1.1

.9

1.0

.9

*.9

.8

.7

1.0

1.2

2.4

138.0

4.60

274

May

*4.3

1.8

1.3

1.1

1.0

2.0

1.8

.9

*.8

.8

.7

1.0

32

6.9

1.5

.9

1.6

*1.2

1.2

.8

.6

*4.5

10

2.0

.7

1.5

15

232

*87

25

479.9

15.5

952

June

53

15

*7.6

4.8

2.6

3.7

*3.7

3.7

3.4

2.6

*2.0

 1.5

1.3

1.1

_.£

 1.8

*2.9

4.6

5.7

4.3

19

14

5.7

2.4

1.6

1.3 54

32

12

5.4

273.5

9.12

542

July

2.0

1.5

*1.2

1.8

111

50

15

7.2

2.2

.9

.2

.3

.1

*.l

0

15

*18

"J2 126

11

4.6

1.1

 1.0

.6

.6

.8

.5

.2

.3

*.3

.7

416.2

13.4

826

A-ig.

1.8

8.2

3.7

*2.0

.9

.4

.3

*8.6

1.2

.7

.5

49

*62

TT

*3.4

.9

.6

 7

.4

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0 

0

0

156.6

5.05

311

Sept.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,260 Mln 0.3 Mean 35.3 Ac-ft 25,530

Water year 1955-56: Max 480 Mln o Mean 20.1 Ao-ft 14,570

Peak discharge (ba-'e. 500 cfs).--Feb. 25 (8:30 a.m.) 653 cfa (9.67 ft); Mar. 20 (5 a.m.) 532 cfs 

(8.88 ft); May 28 (5 a.m.) 586 cfs (6.90 ft).

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 13 to Mar. 24.
290 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Cheyenne River at Edgemont, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°18'20", long 103°49'15" , in SWiSE^SEir sec. 36, T. 8 S., R. 2 E., near

right bank on downstream side of pier of bridge on U. S. Highway 18 at Edgemont, 300 ft

downstream from Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad bridge and 600 ft upstream from

Cottonwood Creek. 

Drainage area. 7,143 sq mi. 

Records available June 1903 to November 1906 (no winter records), April 1928 to February

1933, October 1946 to September 1956.

Gage . Water-stage recorder supplementary wire-weight gage read once daily. Datum of gage 

~^^s 3,416.56 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. June 7, 1903, to May 16, 1905,

staff gage and May 17, 1905, to Nov. 30, 1906, chain gage attached to former highway

bridge, about 20 ft upstream at datum 2.7 ft lower, Apr. 11, 1928, to Feb. 28, 1933,

chain gage and Oct. 4, 1946, to Oct. 23, 1947, wire-weight gage, at present site and

datum. 

Average discharge .--14 years (1928-32, 1946-56), 113 cfs (81,810 acre-ft per year); median

of yearly mean discharges, 95 cfs (68,800 acre-ft per year). 

Extremes . --Maximum discharge during year, 2,820 cfs June 19 (gage height, 4.12 ft); no

flow for many days .

1903-6, 1928-33, 1946-56: Maximum discharge, 13,000 cfs July 30, 1905 (gage height,

8.5 ft, present datum); no flow for many days.

Maximum stage known, 12.0 ft May 1, 1922 (present datum), from floodmarks at railroad bridge. Flood of May 12, 1920, reached a stage of 11.0 ft (present datum), from

floodmarks at railroad bridge . 

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. A few

small diversions above station for irrigation. 

Revisions (water _years ) .--WSP 1086: Drainage area. WSP 1116: 1947.

Hating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

-

, n ee, an scarge, n cuc ee per 

(Shifting-control method used June 18, 19)

Oct. 1 to May 29

1.2

May 30 to Sept. 3O

1.0

1.1

.4

1.6 

4.5 

9

15

1.4 

1.6 

2.0 

2.5

111

270

540

Note.--Same as following 

table above 2.5 ft.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, wate

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

.3

1.8

4.4

8

16

32

1.6 

1.8 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

4.0

150

242

£50 

2,100

year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19 

20

21

22

S3

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

25

18

9

7

4.5

S.8

3.5

4.2

S.2

2.1

1.2

.9

.6

.4

.4

.3

*.4

.3

.3 

.3

.4

.8

.6

1.0

1.0

.6

.6

.6

.8 

1.4 

1.4

94.6

3.05

188

Nov.

0.9

1.0

.0

.0

.0

.O

.0

.0

* .0

.6

.6

. 2

.5

.5

.5

1 

3

5

5

4

3.5

3

2

1

.5

.3

47.3

1.58

94

Dec.

0.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

> '.22

.2

^1

.1

.1

.1

.1 

.2

.5

2

50

80

90

120

270

130

50 

20 

14

830.0

26.8

1,650

Jan,

16

14

14

*14

16

14

12

10

10

10

10

12

10

9

8

5

6

e

e

6

6

6

5

5

5

5

5

5

4 

4

*4

262

8.5

520

Feb.

3

4

5

10

15

20

20

15

10

9

10

20

25

20

15

15

10

10

10 

10

15

20

25

30

40

100

*75O

400

300

1,936

66.8

3,840

Mar.

2OO

100

so

279

540

167

73

172

*204

125

35

25

20

20

20

25

26

40

*77 

182

340

200

142

128

96

66

54

52

101 

28

23

3,640

117

7,220

Apr.

18

14

16

17

16

9

9

12

*20

2J>

15

12

10

6

2.4

2.9

4.2

3.2

2.6 

2.9

3.2

3.2

3.2

4.2

3.5

3.2

3.2

3.8

3.8 

4.8

254.3

8.48

504

May

7

8

*8

7

7

14

16

15

13

6

3.2

16~ 2.4

57

24

20

10

8

4.5 

4.5

*4.2

6

4.8

6

3.8

3.5

13

422

*1,270 

*487

345

2,815.9

90.8

5,590

June

233

218

137

90

65

45

20

11

11

6

*6

2.8

2.6

2.8

2.6

5

4.8

*1,180

*1,860 "537

242

141

86

32

16

8

5

12

6 

6

4,993.6

166

9,900

Jul-r

1.5

.2

*.7

.7

4.7

40

2 3

4.4

2.8

1.6

1.4

1.0

1.0

.1

0_

23

21

14

73 

13

6

1.4

.3

0

*.2

.1

0

0

0 

0 

.2

243.3

7.85

483

Aug.

13

268

309

79

6

2.0

.5

1.1

1.8

46

24

24

19

*53

10

5

3.0

2.0

1.8 

1.2

.5

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

*0 

0

870.1

28.1

1,730

Sept.

(*)

(*)

0

O

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 4,380 Min 0 Mean 147 Ac-ft 106,500

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,860 Min 0 Mean 43.7 Ac-ft 31,720

Peak discharge (base. 1.50O cfs). May 29 (8:30 a.m.) 1,560 cfs (3.56 ft); June 19 (3 a.m.) 

2,820 cfs (4.12 ft).

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 13 to Mar. 3, Mar. 12-16. Discharge computed 

from water-stage recorder record Oct. 26-29, Nov. 3-9, 12, 16-18, Mar. 21, 24-27, Mar. 30 to Apr. 3, 

Apr. 10, 30, May 11-15, 26, July 26 to Sept. 30; discharge for remainder of the year computed from 

once-daily wire-weight-gage readings and partial recorder record.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 291

Hat Creek near Edgemont, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°14'46", long 103°35'14", in SWiSEj-SE^ sec. 24, T. 9 S., R. 4 E., on left 

bank at downstream side of bridge on State Highway 87, 2 miles upstream from mouth, 

2 miles west of Heppner, and 12| miles southeast of Edgemont.

Drainage area. 1,044 sq mi.

Records available.--April 1905 to July 1906, October 1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,295.71 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. Apr. 8, 1905, to May 2, 1906, staff gage at site about 1,000 ft downstream at 

different datum. May 3 to July 7, 1906, staff gage at site three-quarters cf a mile upstream at different datum. Nov. 6, 1950, to May 1, 1951, wire-weight gage at present 

site and datum.

Average discharge. 6 years (1950-56), 19.6 cfs (14,190 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 628 cfs June 18 (gage height, 5.84 ft); maximum 

gage height, 6.64 ft Dec. 24 (backwater from ice); no flow for many days.

1905-6, 1950-56: Maximum discharge, 9,430 cfs May 23, 1954 (gage height, 11.98 ft), 

from rating curve extended above 2,600 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak 

flow; no flow for many days each year.

Revisions.--The maximum discharge for the water year 1955 has been revised to 3,170 

cfs Aug. 12, 1955 (gage height, 9.68 ft), superseding figure published in WSP 1389.

Remarks.--Records poor prior to May 30, good thereafter. A few small diversions above 

station for irrigation.

Revisions.--Revised figures of discharge, in cubic feet per second, for high-water periods 

in the water year 1955, superseding those published in WSP 1389, are given herewith:

Month

Water vear 1954-55. ........

Cfs-days

2,121.0

2,103

11,125.9

Maximum

1,330

1,320

1,330

Minimum

0

0

0

Mean

70.1

30.5

Runcff in 

acre-feet

4,210

4,170

22,080

Revised peak discharge.--1954-55: Aug. 12 (4 p.m.) 3,170 cfs (9.68 ft); Sept. 21 

(6 a.m.) 1,720 cfs (8.25 ft).

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

17

14

10

6

4

3

3

3

2

2

1.5

1.5

1.2

.8

.5

.3

*.2

.2

74.8

2.41

148

Nov.

0.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

*.5

.6

.7

.7

.8

.8

.8

.6

.6

.6

.7

.9

.9

.9

.7

1.0

1.0

.9

1.0

.5

1.0

.9

21.1

0.70

42

Dec.

0.6

.4

.3

.4

.7

.9

 1.3

1.6

1.6

.9

1.3

1.0

.9

1.0

1

1

1

.8

.8

1.5

2.2

2.5

10

190

100

40

35

29

24

22

21

494.7

16.0

981

Jan.

25

25

10

*6

4.0

4

4

4

3

3.1

3.1

2.5

1.6

1.0

.8

.9

1

1

1

1

1.0

1.3

1.0

1.0

.9

1.6

1.0

1.0

.6

.7 

*1 . 6

113.7

3.67

226

Feb.

2.5

275

2.5

2.5

2.8

3.4

3.7

2.8

2.5

2.5

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.5

3.7

3.1

3.1

3.1

3'. 1

3.4

3.7

4.0

4.6

4.3

4.0

4.0

*3.7

3.5

5

------

94.9

3.27

188

Mar.

35

30

25

15

12

10

10

10

*10

8

5

5

5

5

5

5

6

6

*6

6

7

10

30

20

10

8

6

5

5

4

4

328

10.6

651

Apr.

3

2

2

2

1

1

I

.8

*.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.6

.5

.5

.4

.4

.5

.8

.8

23.9

0.80

47

May

1

26

*15

*8

*4

8

7

3

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

*.5

Ts

.5

.5

.5

.7

145

150

85

*59

95

631.2

20.4

1,250

June

38

22

16

8

*2.4

3.5

2.0

1.4

.7

.4

*4.6

3.8

2.9

2.6

2.0

33

99

*241

42

22

14

8

5

3.5

2.6

2.2

1.1

.5

.2

.2

584.6

19.5

1,160

July

0.2

.3

*.3

8

6

2.2

.4

186

72

1.4

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.2

.2

.2

.2

30

.7

.2

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

0

.1 

.1

310.1

10.0

615

AJg.

0.1.1

58

113

.4

.8

.6

23

1.0

.3

.2

.2

.2

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0_

.1

.1

.1

.1

0 

0

199.4

6.43

396

Sept.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,330 Mln 0 Mean 32.1 Ac-ft 23,240

Water year 1955-56: Max 241 Mln 0 Mean 7.86 Ac-ft 5,700

Peak discharge (base, 1,000 cfs).--No peak above base.

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation indefinite due to temporary dams and/or ice effect Oct. 2-16, 

Oct. 25 to Nov. 8, Dec. 15-20, 24, Jan. 3, 6-9, 17-20, Feb. 1-3, Feb. 28 to May 29; discharge computed on basis of 14 discharge measurements, gage heights, weather records, observer's and engineers' 

notes, and records for nearby stations (once-daily wire-weight-gage readings used Dec. 27-31, Jan. 3, 

4, May 27-29).
292 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Cheyenne River near Hot Springs, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 43°18'19", long 103°33'43", in SE^SE^ see. 31, T. 8 S., R. 5 E., near right 

bank on downstream side of bridge on State Highway 87, a quarter of a mile downstream 

from Cascade Creek and 10 miles southwest of Hot Springs.

Drainage area.--8,710 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--September 1914 to September 1920, March 1943 to September 1956. Published as "near Cascade Springs" 1914-15.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,190.89 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Sept. 11, 1914, to Apr. 1, 1915, water-stage recorder and Apr. 2, 1915, to 

Sept. 30, 1920, staff gage, at site 3 miles downstream at different datum. Mar. 1,1943, 

to June 17, 1954, wire-weight gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge.--19 years, 308 cfs (223,000 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 160 cfs (116,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,870 cfs June 19 (gage height, 8.59 ft); minimum, 10 cfs July 24 to Aug. 2; minimum gage height, 4.83 ft Sept. 6-8.

1914-20, 1943-56: Maximum discharge, 114,000 cfs May 12, 1920 (gage height, 29.2 ft, 

from floodmarks, site and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 19,000 

cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak flow; minimum observed, 2.8 cfs May 25, 

26, 1947.

Remarks.--Records good. Some diversion above station for irrigation during summer months. 

Records of water temperatures and suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are 

given in WSP 1451.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 976: 1920, drainage area. WSP 1339: 1953.

Hating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Dec. 24, Feb. 27 to Mar. 1, Mar. 21, 

22, May 31, June 19, Sept. 2-9)

Oct. 1 to Dec. 24, June 1-19

5.0 9 6.5 535

5.2 30 7.0 925

5.5 79 8.0 1,920

5.8 157 9.0 3,260

6.1 285

25 to May 31, June 19 to Sept. 3O

4.8

4.9

5.0 

5.2 

5.5

5.8 

6.1 

6.5 

7.0 

9.0

191

335

640

1,09O

3,390

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3-

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

81

62

58

50

40

36

34

36

31

30

29

29

28

28

27

 24

*24

24

24

24

23

23

26

26

26

26

26

27

27

27

26

1,002

32.3

1,990

Nov.

26

26

24

26

21

18

19

*20

21

23

24

22

27

26

26

24

22

23

26

27

30

31

26

24

24

27

26

24

24

24

731

24.4

1,450

Dec.

26

26

24

24

26

26

*26

26

26

26

26

24

26

C4

24

23

23

23

23

23

23

24

28

250

551

127

175

248

85

42

58

1,906

61.5

3,780

Jan.

59

61

57

*54

56

52

52

52

47

44

41

41

44

42

40

42

35

32

26

26

26

26

26

25

24

24

24

- 24

25

25 

*25

1,177

38.0

2,330

Feb.

24

24

24

22

24

25

27

28

28

30

38

44

44

44

35

44

44

44

36

38

36

36

41

i7

49

 49

*193

*555

273

------

1,946

67.1

3,860

Mar.

221

197

151

198

283

203

113

152

265

122

41

b40

b40

b45

b55

83

85

79

*75

113

385

*390

272

218

166

130

89

41

67

106

74

4,499

145

8,920

Apr.

56

49

50

46

46

42

34

34

*35

41

59

49

41

35

31

27

25

25

24

22

19

20

25

27

24

22

21

24

31

35

1,019

34.0

2,020

May

36

*38

56

42

36

38

42

40

31

27

22

19

30

40

76

55

36

27

19

15

*15

17

16

14

12

18

66

609

1.240

*1,120 

618

4,470

144

8,870

June

413

240

151

103

87

68

52

36

£8

22

*20

23

21

22

24

34

50

567

«2.520

1,090

498

225

133

102

77

74

59

47

41

54

6,681

223

13,250

July

35

*31

27

24

25

25

40

52

47

28

18

16

14

12

11

12

24

22

13

43

38

22

16

12

*10

10

10

10

10

10 

10

677

21.8

1,340

Aug.

10

IT

419

221

76

36

30

27

25

16

74

50

*42

36

53

24

EO

26

24

20

18

16

14

14

15

15

14

18

16

15 

15

1,407

45.4

2,790

Sept.

16

15

15

15

15

*14

14

15

16

15

16

17

17

17

17

21

21

21

20

17

14

13

15

*15

15

16

16

16

17

18

489

16.3

970

Calendar year 1955: Max 4,260 Mln 7 Mean 225 Ac-ft 163,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,32O Mln 1O Mean 71.0 Ac-ft 51,570

Peak discharge (base. 2.OOP cfs).--June 19 (11 a.m.) 2,870 cfs (8.59 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.

Note. Discharge computed from graph based on once- or twice-daily wire-weight-gage readings 

Oct. 1, Nov. 12-30, Dec. 14, 15, 26-30, Jan. 16-18, Feb. 15-20, Feb. 28 to Mar. 2O, Mar. 25 to Apr. 9, 

May 28-30, June 3-11, 22-25, Aug. 9, 10, Aug. 16 to Sept. 5.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 293

Angostura Reservoir near Hot Springs, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°20'35", long 103°26'15", at dam on Cheyenne River In SW^-NW^ sec. 20, 

T. 8 S., R. 6 E., and 65 miles southeast of Hot Springs.

Drainage area.--9.100 sq ml, approximately.

Records available. October 1949 to September 1956.

Gage.--Reference point read once dally. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, c'atum of 1929.

Extremes. Maximum contents observed during year, 136,100 acre-ft Oct. 1 (elevation, 

3,187.14 ft); minimum observed, 71,110 acre-ft Sept. 30 (elevation, 3.171.AO ft).

1949-56: Maximum contents observed, 137,200 acre-ft May 20, 1955 (elevrtlon, 

3,187.37 ft); minimum observed since normal operating level was reached, ttat of 

Sept. 30, 1956.

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by a rolled earth-fill dam with concrete overflow section; 

dam completed Dec. 7, 1949; storage began Oct. 3, 1949. Conservation capacity, 136,300 

acre-ft between elevations 3,139.75 ft (bottom of power outlet) and 3,187.?. ft (top of 

outlet gates). Dead storage below elevation 3,139.75 ft, 23,830 acre-ft. Maximum 

pool elevation, 3,198.1 ft (capacity, 194,200 acre-ft). Figures given herein represent 

usable contents above elevation 3,139.75 ft. Water Is stored for flood control, Irrigation, and power generation. Diversions from reservoir for Angostura irrigation 

project (see table below).

Cooperation.--Elevations. capacity table, and records of diversion to Angostura project 

furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Month-end elevation and usable contents, and diversions, 

water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Sept .30. ...................

Oct. 31. ..................

Nov. 30. ...................

Feb . 29 ....................

Mar. 31....................

May 31........... .........

June 30 ....................

Sept. 30. ...................

Water vear 1955-56 .......

Elevation 

(feet)

3,187.17

3,185.20

3,183.00

3,171.40

_

Contents 

(acre-feet)

136,200

71,110

_

Change in contents 

(acre-feet)

.

-4,800

+2,000

-11,970

-65,090

D'-versions 

(a-: re-feet)

_

1,353

_

_

_

_

607

5,614

11,197

17,389

14,845

10,683

61,688
294 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Cheyenne River below Angostura Dam, S. Dak.

Location.--La t 43°20'45", long 103°26'10, in NEiNW^NW^- sec. 20, T. 8 S., F. 6 E. , on right 

bank"800 ft downstream from Angostura Dam, 4-f miles upstream from Fall River, and 

65- miles southeast of Hot Springs.

Drainage area. 9,100 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,058.02 ft above mean sea level (Bureau of 

Reclamation benchmark). Nov. 8, 1945, to Oct. 16, 1946, wire-weight gfge and Oct. 17, 

1946, to July 7, 1953, water-stage recorder, at site 4-J miles downstream at different

datum.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 186 cfs Sept. 4 (gage height, 5.38 ft); maximum 

gage height, 5.45 ft Nov. 28 (backwater from ice); minimum daily dischfrge, 0.5 cfs 

Sept. 16, 29, 30.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 9,520 cfs June 22, 1947 (gage height, 9.45 ft, site and 

datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 3,100 cfs by logarithmic plotting; 

maximum gage height, 10.4 ft June 20, 1947, site and datum then in use (backwater from 

Fall River); no flow Oct. 9, 1949, to Feb. 5, 1950, Apr. 28, Aug. 26, 30, 1951.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of no gage-height record, which are fair. 

Flow regulated by Angostura Reservoir (see preceding page). Diversion of 61,690 acre-ft 

for the water year 1956 at Angostura Dam 800 ft upstream, for use on Angostura irrigation project (see preceding page). Records of suspended sediment loads for the water 

years 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet, and discharge, 

in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Dec. 19, May 15 to Aug. 2

31

98

115

4.0

4.1

4.2

4.3

1.0 

3.7

4.5

5.0

5.1

Dec. 20 to May 14, Aug. 3 to Sept. 30 

0.4

14

3.95

4.0

4.1

4.2

4.3

54

4.5

4.7

3.6 5.0 99

8 5.1 118

14

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

68

10

66

67

66

64

65

69

63~ 2.0

64

67

66

67

63

2.6

65

*66

66

65

68

66

3.2

69

65

66

64

67

69

2.6

67

1,738.4

56.1

3,450

Nov.

102

102

103

93

105

3.2

105

*105

101

103

103

100

2.9

102

102

102

102

103

103

3

103

103

103

102

100

103

2.6

102

102

102

2,667.7

88.9

5,290

Dec.

102

102

101

3

101

*101

101

100

98

100

2.3

95

102

102

102

102

102

2

102

102

102

102

102

102

2

2

102

102

95

102

102

2,637.3

85.1

5,230

Jan.

2

2

*102

102

102

105

104

1.6

105

104

105

103

102

104

1.9

105

102

104

105

101

101

2.2

106

105

104

105

106

105

2.2

*105

105

2,608.9

84.2

5,170

Feb.

98

106

106

107

2.2

104

102

107

104

104

104

1.9

107

105

104

104

104

106

2.2

102

105

103

103

100

103

1.9

*105

102

102

2,605.2

89.8

5,170

Mar.

102

102

102

1.9

103

103

101

102

105

103

1.9

98

103

101

100

101

102

1.9

98

*96

103

102

100

100

1.5

100

102

102

102

100

103

2,743.0

88.5

5,440

Apr.

1.6

104

105

103

105

107

107

1.9

102

*111

108

107

107

105

1.6

107

106

107

106

107

106

1.1

109

106

107

109

110

109

1.6

109

2,676.8

89.2

5,310

May

108

*110

112

110

112

2.2

109

110

106

109

108

107

1.9

106

107

107

106

106

105

2.3

105

*105

108

106

100

109

3.4

112

107

2.0

106

2,807.8

90.6

5,570

June

54

1.8

1.6

52

55

55

53

52

1.4

1.4

52

*55

53

54

53

2.3

2.0

54

54

54

55

54

2.0

2.0

54

5753"

51

55

1.8

1,145.3

38.2

2,270

July

2 .0

*53

5E

1.8

57

54

2 .0

2.0

5?

54

55

55

55

1.4

2.3

54

57

se

5f

55

2.3

2 .0

54

5f

54

*5E

52

? .6

?.9

58

57

1,183.3

38.2

2,350

Aug.

32

34

33

1.3

1.6

33

31

32

31

32

3.6

3.2

*31

34

33

32

32

1.1

ITT

33

33

34

33

32

1.9

1.9

32

31

31

32

33

759.7

24.5

1,510

Sept.

1.9

2.2

2.2

33

*3T

31

31

.7

.6

30

30

33

32

30

.6

.5

32

30

31

33

30

.6

.6

30

*32

31

29

30

.5

.5

599.9

20.0

1,190

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,440 Min 0.8 Mean 84.8 Ac-ft 61,400

Water year 1955-56: Max 112 Min 0.5 Mean 66.0 Ac-ft 48,000

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Nov. 14-23, Nov. 28 to Dec. 6, Dec. 13 to Jan. 3; (Jischarge estimated 

on basis of 2 discharge measurements, recorded range in stage, and powerplant records.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 295

Fall River at Hot Springs, S. Dak.

Location.--La t 43°25'50", long 103° 28' 35" , in NWlj sec. 24, T. 7 S., R. 5 E. , on left bank 

30 ft downstream from Seventh Street Bridge in Hot Springs and 6 miles upstream from 

mouth.

Drainage area.--137 sq mi.

Records available.--November 1937 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,413.20 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. Prior to June 2, 1939, wire-weight gage at site one block upstream at datum 

3.00 ft higher.

Average discharge.--18 years (1938-56), 28.0 cfs (20,270 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 46 cfs May 26 (gage height, 2.25 ft); maximum 

gage height, 2.27 ft June 17; minimum discharge, 14 cfs July 6 (gage height, 2.07 ft); 

minimum gage height, 1.79 ft Jan. 4.

1937-56: Maximum discharge, 13,100 cfs Sept. 4, 1938 (gage height, 18.4 ft, site 

and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 51 cfs on basis of weir formula 

and slope-area determination of peak flow; minimum, 4 cfs Sept. 23, 1940.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of no gage-height record, which are fair. 

Diversions above station for water supply of town of Hot Springs. Slight regulation 

caused by hydroelectric plant, bath houses, and sanitariums in Hot Springs.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1279: 1938, 1941(M), 1947(M).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet, and discharge,

in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Dec. 23 to Jan. 16, June 22 to July 4)

May 18 to Sept. 30, 

Oct. 1 to Nov. 18

2.0 16

2.1 28

2.2 44

Nov. 19 to May 18 

1.9 20

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

25

25

25

26

27

27

27

27

26

26

26

27

27

26

26

26

*25

25

24

24

24

22

22

22" 21

24

24

24

24

24 

24

772

24.9

1,530

Nov.

24

25

25

26

26

24

24

*24

24

22

22

22

22

22

22

21

21

21

21

22

23

23

23

23

21

23

24

23

23

24

690

23.0

1,370

Dec.

26

24

24

26

24

*23

23

24

23

23

23

23

21

23

23

23

24

24

24

26

26

26

27

26

26

26

26

26

26

26 

27

762

24.6

1,510

Jan.

26

27

*26

27

26

26

26

27

30

32.

29

30

30

29

29

30

30

30

30

29

29

29

28

28

28

27

27

27

26

*25 

26

869

28.0

1,720

Feb.

24

23

23

24

24

24

26

26

24

24

24

24

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

24

24

24

24

24

24

*24

26

24

716

24.7

1,420

Mar.

26

24

23

23

23

23

23

23

21

21

24

24

24

24

23

26

24

23

*24

24

24

24

23

21

23

23

23

21

23 

23

719

23.2

1,430

Apr.

21

23

21

20

2T

20

20

23

*23

2_4

23

23

21

21

23

21

21

21

21

20

21

23

21

23

24

23

23

23

23

23

658

21.9

1,310

May

23

23

*23

23

23

27

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

24

21

20

20

20

21

22

*21

22

24

24

25

26

26

25

18

18

719

23.2

1,430

June

17

18

22

24

25_

25

24

22

22

18

*22

21

22

22

24

22

21

21

22

22

22

21

21

22

22

20

20

20

20

20

644

21.5

1,280

July

El

*21

20

20

20

17

16

16

16

17

20

20

22

22

22

24

24

24

22

22

24

24

24

22

*22

22

24

24

24

24

22

662

21.4

1,310

Aug.

24

21

21

20

M

21

21

22

21

22

24

24

*24

22

24

24

25

26

26

26

26

26

26

£6

27

£7

£7

27

21

27 

27

749

24.2

1,4°0

Sept.

24

21

22

24

*24

25

24

24

24

24

24

22

25

25

26

26

26

26

26

25

26

25

25

25

*24

24

24

25

25

25

735

24.5

1,460

Calendar year 1955: Max 64 Min 20 Mean 24.4 Ac-ft 17,640

Water year 1955-56: Max 32 Min 16 Mean 23.8 Ac-ft 17,260

Peak discharge (base, 155 cfs). No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Ho gage-height record Nov. 13-22, Jan. 18-30, Apr. 27 to May 1; discharge estimated on 

basis of 1 discharge measurement, fragmentary gage heights, weather records, and engineers' and 

observers' notes.

459735 O - 58 -20
296 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 43°28'00", long 103°18'20", in NE^SET sec. 5, T. 7 S., R. 7 E., on left 

bank lj miles south of Buffalo Gap and 4? miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area.--130 sq ml, approximately.

Records available.--November 1937 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage Is 3,150 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

£o June 20, 1939, staff or wire-weight gage at site three-quarters of a mile downstream 

at different datum.

Average discharge.--18 years (1938-56), 7.01 cfs (5,080 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 13 cfs Dec. 23 (gage height, 3.39 ft); maximum 

gage height, 3.73 ft Feb. 1 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 0.2 cfs July 28, 

29, Aug. 6; minimum gage height, 2.60 ft Sept. 27.

1937-56: Maximum discharge, 11,700 cfs Sept. 4, 1938 (gage height, 16.46 ft, site 

and datum then in use), from rating curve extended above 11 cfs on basis of slope-area 

determination of peak flow; no flow at times during 1950, 1952. 1954-55.

Maximum stage known, 18.0 ft in 1927 (former site and datum), from information by 

local residents.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Nearly all 

flow is diverted above station during irrigation season.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 956: 1941.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

12

12

12

12

12

12

11

11

11

10

6

4.8

5

3.7

3.7

3.8

2.7

*2.3

2.3

1.9

2.4

3.6

3.7

3.8

4.0

4.8

4.7

4.7

4.5

4.7

4.7

196.8

6.35

390

Nov.

5

5

5

5

6

7

9

*9

9

9

9

11

10

10

10

9

9

10

11

IS.

12

12

12

12

11

10

9

9

9

10

276

9.2

547

Dec.

10

10

9

9

9

*10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

9

9

10

11

12

13

12

12

12

11

12

11

10 

10

321

10.4

637

Jan.

12

12

*12

12

12

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

12

11

10

To

n

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11 *n

345

11.1

684

Feb.

10

11

12

12

12

12

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

10

11

11

11

11

11

12

12

11

11

11

*11

11

323

11.1

641

Mar.

11

11

11

11

10

10

10

10

*11

10

10

10

1011

11

11

11

12

11

*12

12

11

11

11

11

11

10

9

9

fi 

8

325

10.5

645

Apr.

8

8

8

7

IP.

9

8

7

8

*10

10

10

10

10

10

10

9

7

6

6

4.8

4.2

1.9

2.0

1.4

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.8

2.0

193.0

6.43

383

May

2.2

*3.9

2.3

1.0

.8

1.3

3.6

3.8

1.8

1.0

.8

.8

1.1

1.0

.8

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

*.7

.6

.6

1.1

1.3

1.4

4.4

4.7

4.7

4.7

54.6

1.76

108

June

4.7

3.9

3.4

3.5

1.9

1.8

1.8

2.0

2.1

2.7

3.5

*1.8

1.9

1.9

1.4

1.8

2.6

2.1

2.1

2.3

2.0

1.8

1.9

2.1

2.4

1.8

1.6

2.6

1.7

1.0

68.1

2.27

135

July

0.7

*.8

.8

1.0

1.4

1.0

.7

.4

.5

.7

1.1

2.6

2.5

2.6

2.1

2.6

3.2

2.8

1.5

1.3

1.6

2.0

2.6

1.8

1.3

*1.2

.4

.2

.2

.3

.3

42.2

1.36

84

Aug.

0.4

.6

.4

-3

.3

73- .2

.5

.6

.4

.7

.6

*.4

.4

.3

.4

.4

.6

.7

.6

.6

.5

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.4

.3

.3

.3

13.3

0.43

26

Sept.

0 3

!s

.4

.4

*.5

.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

.6

.5

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

*.4

.4

.4

.4

.5

.5

14.2

0.47

28

Calendar year 1955: Max 313 Mln 0.2 Mean 7.51 Ac-ft 5,430

Water year 1955-56: Max 13 Mln 0.2 Mean 5.93 Ac-ft 4,310

Peak discharge (base, 24 cfs). No peak above base. 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 16-19, Nov. 27 to Dec. 6, Dec. 8-21, 30, 31, 

Jan. 16-19, Jan. 30 to Feb. 4, Feb. 16-19, Mar. 11-13.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 297

Battle Creek at Hermosa, S. Dak.

Location. La t 43°49'45", long 103° 11 "15", in SW^SW^ sec. 32, T. 2 S., R. 8 E., on right 

bank 250 ft downstream from Chicago and North Western Railway bridge, three-quarters of 

a mile south of Hermosa, and 2f miles downstream from Squaw Creek.

Drainage area. 178 sq mi.

Records available.--August to December 1903 (gage heights only), July 1949 to September 

1956.

Gage. Wire-weight gage read once daily; crest-stage indicator since Sept. 17, 1954.

Iltitude of gage is 3,290 ft (from topographic map). August to December 1903 staff gage 

at site 250 ft upstream at different datum. July 7, 1949, to Nov. 2, 1950, wire-weight 

gage at site half a mile upstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--7 years, 5.10 cfs (3,690 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 869 cfs July 2 (gage height, 7.90 ft); no flow 

Sept. 25-30.

1903, 1949-56: Maximum discharge, 2,950 cfs May 22, 1952 (gage height, 14.00 ft); 

no flow at times during 1954-56.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor.

Hating tables, water year 1955-56 except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Nov. 10, July 3,

Aug. 26 to Sept. 30)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 15 Mar. 16 to Sept. 30

.9

1.0

0.1 

.2

0.8 

.9

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

.6 

1.0 

1.8 

3.7

1.5

1.6 

1.8 

2.0 

3.0 

4.0

18f 

316

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1 

.1

3.1

0.10

6.1

Nov.

0.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

*.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

.4

.4

.4

.1

TT

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

6.9

0.23

14

Dec.

0.3

.3

.2

.3

.3

*.4

.4

.3

.3

.2

.2

.3

.3

.3

.2

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.3

.4

.5

.5

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.3 

.4

9.7

0.31

19

Jan.

<X5

. b

,7

*.8

.8

.7

.7

.8

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

.9

.8

.7

.8

.9

1.0

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0 

*1.0

27.7

0.89

55

Feb.

1.0

T7T

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.3

*1.3

1.4

35.0

1.21

69

Mar.

1.4

1.4

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.7

E.8

2.8

2.6

2.8

*2.4

2.4

1.8

1.7

1.2

.9

^

1.0 

.9

47.5

1.53

94

Apr.

0.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

*1.2

.9

.9

.8

.8

.8

.9

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.9

.8

,9

.9

1.2

1.4

1.2

1.0

28.3

0.94

56

May

0.9 *.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.9

1.0

.9

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.9

198

¥47

*6

8

4.5

4.3

3.7

67

45

34 

32

467.1

15.1

926

June

29

2T

20

17

4.3

.9

.9

.7

.7

.7

.7

*.7

.9

1.0

1.1

1.1

.4

.4

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.2

.2

. £

.2

.3

.3

103.9

3.46

206

July

0.2

*148

*Te

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.7

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

.4

.4

,4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

* . 3

1.6

.7

.7

.6

.6

181.4

5.85

360

Aug.

0.6

.8

.8

14

1.2

.7

28

14

29

2.0

1.0

.9

.8

*.6

.7

,7

.7

.7

.7

.6

.6

.5

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3 

.3

10?. 4

3.30

203

Sept.

0.3

.3

.3

.3

*.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2'.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1 *°.

0

0

0

0

0

4.8

0.16

9.5

Calendar year 1955: Max 13 Min o Mean 0.79 Ac-ft 575

Water year 1955-56: Max 198 Min o Mean 2.78 Ac-ft 2,020

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 11 to Mar. 15 (no gage-height reco-d 

Nov. 15-22, Nov. 28 to Dec. 20, Jan. 15 to Feb. 9; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements, weather records, engineers' and observers' notes).
298 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Spring Creek near Hermosa, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 43°56'35", long 103°09tlO", in SE^SEiSEi sec. 21, T. 1 S., R. 8 E., on 

right bank 150 ft upstream from highway bridge, a quarter of a mile upstream from 

Chicago and North Western Railway bridge, and 7? miles north of Hermosa.

Drainage area.--199 sq mi.

Records available.--July 1949 to September 1956.

Gage.--Staff gage read once daily; crest-stage indicator since Sept. 17, 1954. Altitude 

of gage is 3,275 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 7 years, 1.68 cfs (1,220 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 3.8 cfs July 3 (gage height, 0.80 ft, from graph 

based on gage readings); no flow for many days.

1949-56: Maximum discharge, 580 cfs May 23, 1952 (gage height, 4.56 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 110 cfs by logarithmic plotting; no flow for many days during most years.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Considerable 

loss in sinkholes in reach 10 to 15 miles above station. Flow regulated by Lake 

Sheridan (capacity, 12,657 acre-ft), 24 miles above station.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1279: 1950.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used July 2-4)

0.25 0 0.7 3.8

.3 .1 .8 6

.4 .6 .9 9

.5 1.4 1.0 14

.6 2.4

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

OCt.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0 

0

0.4

0.01

0.8

Jan.

0

0

*0

.1

.1

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

0.2

0.01

0.4

Feb.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

o

.1

0

0

0

*.l

.1

.1

1.3

0.04

2.6

Mar.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

0_

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.1

.1

.1

*. 1

,2

72

.1

0

0

0

0

0

1.4

0.05

Z .8

Apr.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.2

.2

0.5

0.02

1.0

May

0.3

* . 1

.3

.3

.3

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.3

.3

.1

0

0

o

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

.1

.3

.3

.3

.1

3.4

0.11

6.7

June

0

0

0

July

0

.2

*1.3

.2

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

1.7

0.05

3.4

Aug.

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 0.5 

Water year 1955-56: Max 1.3

Mean 0.09 Ac-ft 63 

Mean 0.02 Ac-ft 18
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 299

Castle Creek above Deerfield Reservoir, near Hill City, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°00'50", long 103°49'25", in SWir sec. 25, T. 1 N., R. 2 E., on right bank 

50 ft downstream from highway bridge, 250 ft downstream from South Fork Castle Creek, 

600 ft upstream from high-water line of Deerfield Reservoir, 2^ miles southwest of 

Deerfield Dam, and 14 miles northwest of Hill City.

Drainage area. 83 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. June 1948 to September 1956. Prior to October 1953, published as 

"above Deerfield Reservoir, near Deerfield."

Gage.--Water-stage recorder and grouted rock control. Altitude of gage is 5,910 ft (from 

reservoir elevation). Prior to Aug. 31, 1948, staff gage at site 50 ft upstream at 

datum 2.05 ft higher.

Average discharge.--8 years, 8.'96 cfs (6,490 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 32 cfs May 28 (gage height, 2.30 ft); maximum 

gage height, 3.25 ft Mar. 24 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 4 cfs for 

many days; minimum gage height, 1.41 ft Jan. 14.

1948-56: Maximum discharge, 615 cfs May 22, 1952 (gage height, 5.81 ft); minimum, 

3.1 cfs Feb. 19, 1954; minimum gage height, 1.35 ft Nov. 12, 1949, Feb. 19, 1954.

Remarks.--Records excellent except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair.

Rating table, 

height,

r year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

et, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.4

1.5 

1.7 

1.9

3.2 

4.8 

9.0

15

2.2 

2.5 

3.0

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.9

7.2

6.9

6.9

6.9

*6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.7

6.9

7.2

6.9

7.2

6.9

6.9

6.5

6.7

7

6.9

211.9

6.84

420

Nov.

*6

6

7

7.6

7.4

7

7

7

7

7

S

5

5

5

4_

4

4

5

6

7

7

7

6

6

6

7

6

5

*4

4

178.0

5.93

353

Dec.

5

5

5

5

4_

5

5

5

5

5

5

6

6

5

5

6

6

6

6

7

7

7

13

16.

11

7

7

6

5

*6

7

199

6.4

395

Jan.

7

7

7

7

7

6

7

7

6

6

6

7

7

6

5

5

5

6

6

6

5

5

*5

5

5

5

5

5

4

4

4

178

5.7

353

Feb.

4

5

5

6

6

7

7

6

6

6

6

6

6

5

5

5

5

5

5

*6

7

8

8

7

6

5

5

5

5

_ _____

168

5.8

333

Mar.

5

5

5

5.0

4.8

4.6

4.5

5.E

5.0

4.8

4.8

4.8

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.8

5.0

5.2

6

7

8

9

*9

10

10

10

11

10

9

10

10

207.5

6.69

412

Apr.

12

11

11

10

9

8

8

9

10

11

12

12

14

14

16

*15

13

13

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

15

13

13

13

358

11.9

710

May

13

13

13

15

14

13

13 *14

14

14

13

14

16

16

14

13

12

12

12

12

13

12

11

10

9.6

10

12

22

16

15

*13

413.6

13.3

820

June

13

13

12

12

12

10

8.8

8.3

8.3

8.5

8.5

8.3

8.3

9.0

8.3

9.9

9.0

12

9.3

8.3

*6.9

6.5

6.5

6.7

7.2

6.9

6.3

6.1

67T

6.1

262.1

8.74

520

July

7.9

9.9

9.8

7.8

7.6

*7.2

9.2

7.6

7.4

7.2

6.7

7.2

6.5

6.5

6.5

8.5

7.4

6.9

6.7

6.5

6.3

6.7

6.3

6.1

67T

6.1

7.2

7.2

7.6

*8.1

7.2

225.9

7.29

448

Aug.

6.9

6.9

6.7

6.5

6.1

5.9

6.1

6.3

6.1

6.1

6.7

6.7

6.3

6.1

6.1

6.3

7.4

7.8

7.2

6.9

*6.3

6.1

6.1

6.1

6.3

6.3

6.3

6.3

6.3

6.5

7.2

200.9

6.48

398

Sept.

6.7

675

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.3

6.1

*5.9

5.9

5.9

5.9

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.8

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.4

5.8

5.8

179.4

5.98

356

Calendar year 1955: Max 40 Min 4 Mean 8.49 Ac-ft 6,150

Water year 1955-56: Max 22 Min 4 Mean 7.60 Ac-ft 5,520

Peak discharge (base, 50 efs). No peak above base. 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Oct. 30, Nov 

Apr. 10.

6 to Mar. 3, Mar. 19 to
300 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Deerfield Reservoir near Hill City, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°01'50", long 103°46'50", at dam on Castle Creek in NE^SW^ sec. 20, T. 

1 N., R. 3 E., 1,300 ft upstream from Dutchman Creek and 12J- miles northwest of Hill 

City.

Drainage area. 95 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. June 1947 to September 1956. Five elevations were obtained during 

period December 1945 to March 1946. Prior to October 1953, published as "near Deerfield."

Gage.--Staff gage read once daily May 1 to Nov. 1 and about once weekly during other periods. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929 (levels by Pureau of Reclamation) .

Extremes.--Maximum contents observed during year, 11,940 acre-ft May 2^ (elevation, 

5,899.50 ft); minimum observed, 7,880 acre-ft Sept. 30 (elevation, 5 887.12 ft).

1947-56: Maximum contents observed, 15,340 acre-ft May 22, 1952 (elevation, 5,908.50 

ft), from capacity table extended above elevation 5,908.00 ft (crest of spillway); minimum observed, that of Sept. 30, 1956.

Remarks.--Reservoir is formed by earth-fill dam; dam completed Nov. 1, 1945; storage began 

Dec. 3, 1945. Usable capacity, 15,143 acre-ft between elevations 5,839 ft (lowest outlet) and 5,908 ft (crest of spillway) above mean sea level. Dead storage below elevation 5,839 ft, 575 acre-ft. Figures given herein represent contents above elevation 

5,839 ft. Water is used to supplement city water for Rapid City, S. Dak., and supply 

for irrigation in Rapid Creek basin below Rapid City.

Cooperation. Records of elevations and capacity table furnished by Bureau of Reclamation. 

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1176: 1949 (maximum contents).

Month-end elevation and usable contents, water year 

October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Oct. 31. ...................

Dec . 31. ...................

Calendar year 1955 .......

Feb. 29. ...................

Mar. 31. ...................

May 31.... ................

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

Sept. 30. ...................

Water year 1955-56 .......

Elevation 

(feet)

5,891.74

-

5,887.12

-

Contents 

(acre-feet)

8,740

9,350

-

10,620

7,880

-

Change In contents 

(acre-feet)

_

+320

-610

+250

+650

+530

-1,320

-450

-720
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 301

Castle Creek below Deerfield Dam, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°01'50", long 103°46'35", in NW-fSE^ sec. 20, T. 1 N., R. 3 E., on right 

bank at downstream side of highway bridge, 500 ft upstream from Dutchman Creek, 800 ft 

downstream from Deerfield Dam, and 12-j miles northwest of Hill City.

Drainage area. 96 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. --July 1946 to September 1956.

Gage . Water-stage recorder and grouted rock control. Altitude of gage is 5,805 ft (from 

topographic map). Prior to Oct. 15, 1947, water-stage recorder at site 700 ft downstream at datum 3.77 ft lower. Oct. 15, 1947, to Sept. 1, 1948, water-stage recorder 

at site 850 ft downstream at datum 5.77 ft lower.

Average discharge. 10 years, 9.56 cfs (6,920 acre -ft per year).

Extremes . Maximum discharge, during year, 53 cfs Aug. 3 (gage height, 2.68 ft); minimum 

daily, 1.8 cfs Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

1946-56: Maximum daily discharge, 200 cfs May 22, 1952; maximum gage height, 3.87 

ft May 23, 1952 (backwater from spillway overflow); no flow Sept. 9, 1948,

Remarks. Records excellent except those for period of no gage-height record, which are 

good. Plow regulated by Deerfield Reservoir (see preceding page).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and discharge, 

In cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 20 Mar. 21 to Sept. 30

10 1.2 1.5 1.7 10

20 1.3 2.5 2.0 20

1.5 5.7 3.0 70

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

1.1 1.1

1.2 1.9

1.4 4.2

1.7 

2.0

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

7.8 

7.8

7.8

7.8

7.8

4.7

2.7

2.7

2.8

*2.7

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.6 

2.6

109.4

3.53

217

Nov.

*2.6 

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

 1.8

1.8

67.3

2.24

133

Dec.

tt

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.1

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

 273 2.3

2.3

*2.3

2.3

64.0

2.06

127

Jan.

Z.3. 

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

*2.4

2.4

2.4

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5 2 5

75.2

2.43

149

Feb.

ftf

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.8

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.2

a3

a3

33

33

33

a3

*3.5

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.3

87.9

3.03

174

Mar.

3.3 

3.3

3.3

ITS" 3.4

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.3

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.8

2.8

*2.5

2.4

376

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.9

94.7

3.05

188

Apr.

2.9 

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.2

3.2

3*5

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.3

*2.7

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

83.7

2.79

166

May

2.3 

2.3

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

*2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

12

.21

21

21

21

21

21

*10

198.3

6.40

393

June

fir

2.1

2.2

2.2

13

20

22

35

45

*44

44

454"5~

45

38

27

27

27

26

*25

23

23

23

22

22

23

23

28

34

759.7

25.3

1,510

July

34 

34

37

40

40

*31

24

24

24

24

25

25

34

41

41

41

37

37

30

25

25

25

23

21

2T

21

28

34

34

*34

34

948

30.6

1,880

Aug.

37 

40

47

52

52

50

34

20

20

13

1=1

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

7.2

*22

49

49

49

49

49

27

8.0

8.0

8.0

8.0

763.0

24.6

1,510

Sept.

7.8 

7.8

7.8

7.6

7.2

7.2

6.8

6.3

6.3

6.5

*6.5

*6.8

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.8

6.8

11

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

301.4

10.0

598

Calendar year 1955: Max 57 Mln 1.8 Mean lo.l Ac-ft 7,28O

Water year 1955-56: Max 52 Mln 1.8 Mean 9.71 Ao-ft 7,040

Dlschsrge messurement msde on this day. 

a Bo gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of recorded range In stage and engineer' 

notes.
302 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Rapid Creek above Pactola Reservoir, at Silver City, S. Dak.

Location. --Lat 44°05'05", long 103°34'45", in SW^SE-f sec. 36, T. 2 N., R. 4 E., on right 

bank 0.8 mile west of Silver City and 3 miles downstream from Slate Creek.

Drainage area. 292 sq mi.

Records available. --October 1953 to September 1956.

Gage. --Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,620.00 ft above mean sea level (Bureau 

of Reclamation benchmark).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 175 cfs Mar. 24; maximum gage height, 7.32 ft 

Mar. 21 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 6 cfs Dec. 30; minimum gage 

height, 4.69 ft Sept. 19, 20.

1953-56: Maximum discharge, 1,520 cfs July 28, 1955 (gage heigl:^, 8.90 ft, from 

floodmark); minimum daily, that of Dec. 30, 1955; minimum gage height, 4.52 ft Dec. 26, 

1954.

Remarks . --Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or indefinite stagedischarge relation, which are poor. Flow regulated by Deerfield Reservoir (see p. 300).

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October- 1955 to Sentember 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1O

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

e27

e?6

e23

e21

e2O

el 9

e2O

e!7

e!6

*15

e!6

e!6

e!6

*16

17

16

16

16

17

16

17

17

18

18

18

18

18

17

18

16

15

556

17.9

1,100

Nov.

*14

12

13

17

18

18

18

17

20

T9

18

14

13

12

12

10

To

11

12

14

16

16

13

13

13

13

12

11

*11

12

422

14.1

837

Dec.

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

11

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

12

15

20

35

25

15

13

10

8

*6

_7_

391

12.6

776

Jan,

18

16

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

13

10

10

11

12

13

15

15

15

*15

15

15

15

15

15

14

13

12

442

14.3

877

Feb.

12

13

15

15

15

15

15

14

14

13

13

13

13

12

12

11

11

12

13

*15

15

15

15

14

13

12

12

12

12

386

13.3

766

Mar.

12

12

12

12

12

11

11

11

11

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

12

25

50

*90

110

120

T2o

100

80

60

40

30

50

50

1,121

36.2

2,220

Apr.

45

40

35

30

30

25

25

30

30

35

35

30

30

33

32

30

26

*26

26

24

25

26

26

25

26

26

32

32

34

32

901

30.0

1,790

May

30

29

30

30

33

32

30

*30

28

29

29

30

46

43

38

34

30

29

28

27

29

32

29

26

44

65

68

102

100

94

*80

1,304

42.1

2,590

June

68

r?

52

50

54

48

49

49

49

58

e58

e58

e58

e58

e58

e58

54

53

49

43

*42

39

37

34

39

37

34

31

30

e38

1,442

48.1

2,860

July

e43

e46

e48

e51

e49

e45

e4o

e36

e35

*33

32

32

11

64

56

56

53

50

47

e44

e38

e36

e37

e33

e32

e32

e33

e36

37

40

*38

1,283

41.4

2,540

Aug.

38

e40

e42

e44

e46

e48

e48

44

e4o

e38

e32

e33

e30

e!8

15.

20

31

24

23

22

18

*41

64

65

65

6865-

30

21

19

20

1,150

37.1

2,280

Sept.

20

18

16

17

17

16

16

16

15

14

*14

14

*16

16

15

15

15

14

14

17

20

21

21

21

21

21

22

23

23

24

532

17.7

1,060

Calendar year 1955 : Max 228 Mln 6 Mean 32.5 Ac-ft 23,510

Water year 1955-56 : Max 12O Mln 6 Mean 27.1 Ac-ft 19,700

Peak discharge (base, 120 cfs). Mar. 24 (1 a.mTT 175 cfs (6.85 ft); May 28 (8:30 p.m.) 146 cfs 

(6.48 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

e Stage-discharge relation Indefinite; discharge estimated on basis of 3 discharge measurements 

and records for nearby stations.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Oct. 31 to Apr. 11 (no gage-height record Jan. 3O 

to Feb. 21; discharge estimated on basis of 2 discharge measurements, weather records, and records 

for nearby stations).
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 303

Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°04'35", long 103°28'55", in SW^NEt sec . 2, T. 1 N. , R. 5 E. , on right 

bank 2,000 ft downstream from Pactola Dam, 4 miles upstream from Deer Creek, aid 

13 miles west of Rapid City.

Drainage area. --320 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. --April 1929 to June 1932 (combined records of creek and Dakota Power 

and Light Co. flume), July 1946 to September 1956. Prior to October 1953, published as 

"near Pactola."

Gage . --Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,406.00 ft above mean sea level (Bureau 

of Reclamation benchmark). Apr. 19, 1929, to June 30, 1932, staff gage at site 3,500 

ft upstream at different datum. July 24, 1946, to Aug. 24, 1947, wire-weight gage and 

Aug. 25, 1947, to Nov. 18, 1953, water-stage recorder at site 2 miles upstream at different datum.

Average discharge . 12 years (1929-31, 1946-56), 43.1 cfs (31,200 acre-ft per year).

Extreme s . Maximum discharge during year, 178 cfs Mar. 25 (gage height, 6.87 ft); maximum 

gage height, 7.36 ft Dec. 25 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 8 cfs 

Dec. 30, 31, Sept. 11, 12; minimum gage height, 3.31 ft Jan. 15.

1929-32, 1946-56: Maximum discharge, 2,170 cfs May 22, 1952 (gage height, 6.74 ft, 

site and datum then in use); minimum, 1.4 cfs Oct. 27, 1954; minimum gage height, 

1.56 ft Nov. 23, 1950, site and datum then in use.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Flow regulated by Deerfield Reservoir (see p. 300), and by Pactola Reservoir since Aug. 22, 

1956 (capacity, 55,700 acre-ft).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 30 to May 16, June 8 to 

July 26, Aug. 17 to Sept. 22)

Oct. 1 to Feb. 19, 

July 26 to Sept. 3O Feb. 2O to July 26

3.4 

4.0

4.5 

5.0

4.4 

5.0 

5.5

6.0 

6.4 

6.7

104

144

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

24

^3

22

22

21

22

22

20

19

*18

17

17

16

16

17

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16

16 

16 

17

553

17.8

1,100

Nov.

*16

14

12

15

17

16

16

14

16

17

18

17

15

14

13

12

11

12

13

14

16

17

16

16

15

13

11

11

*12 

13

432

14.4

857

Dec.

12

12

12

12

12

13

12

11

12

11

10

12

10

1O

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

12

20

35

25

18

16

13

*8

396

12.8

785

Jan.

14

16

20

16

14

14

16

16

16

16

16

15

13

10

.9

10

11

13

13

13

13

13

*13

13

13

13

13

13

12

12 

12

421

13.6

835

Feb.

12

13

14

15

15

15

14

13

13

13

13

13

13

12

1O

10

10

10

12

*12

13

13

13

12

12

12

12

12

12

363

12.5

720

Mar.

13

13

13

14

14

14

13

13

13

11

1O

To

10

10

10

1011

13

15

2O

*60

85

110

130

133

95

76

40

25 

40

45

1,089

35.1

2,160

Apr.

49

44

35

3O

35

30

25

29

26

31

38

32

32

35

34

32

30

*27

27

25

25

26

27

27

28

30

36

39

32 

39

955

31.8

1,890

May

35

33

34

35

36

36

34

*33

32

33

33

33

49

51

45

41

36

33

30

2£

32

37

33

29

35

67

70

10O

110 

91

*80

1.4O5

45.3

2,790

June

70

60

54

5O

52

48

47

53

53

58

62

62

61

64

64

65

61

56

53

49

*45

42

38

35

38

38

35

32

i

1,510

50.3

3,000

July

42

45

48

50

50

50

47

41

37

*36

34

34

34

47

52

M

53

52

51

46

40

39

40

35

34

38

38

40

42 

43

*43

1,335

43.1

2,650

Aug.

42

44

47

50

51

52

53

48

42

*41

37

36

33

29

15

21

30

27

26

25

23

*20

20

20

20

20

21

20

20 

20

20

973

31.4

1,930

Sept.

19

19

18

18

14

14

16

18

16

9

*8

8

11

11

12

14

14

14

15

16

19

20

2O

21

21

21

21

21

21 

22

491

16.4

974

Calendar year 1955 : Max 225 Mln 8 Mean 32.0 Ac-ft 23,2OO

Water year 1955-56 : Max 133 Mln 8 Mean 27.1 Ac-ft 19,69O

Peak discharge (base. 120 cfs). Mar. 25 (8:3O a.m.) 178 cfs (6.87 ft); May 28 (11:30 p.m.) 133 cfs 

(6.63 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 2, 3, Nov. 13 to Mar. 24, Mar. 28-31, Apr. 3- 

7, 29.
304 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Rapid Creek above Canyon Lake, near Rapid City, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°03'05", long 103°18'50", in NE^NE^ sec. 18, T. 1 N., R. 7 E., on right 

bank at bridge on Rapid Canyon Road, 1 mile southwest of city limits of Rapid City and 

2f miles downstream from Victoria Creek.

Drainage area. 371 sq mi.

Records available.--July 1946 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,407.39 ft above mean sea level (levels by 

Corps of Engineers). Prior to Oct. 6, 1947, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 10 years, 38.4 cfs (27,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 130 cfs May 29 (gage height, 2.49 ft); maximum 

gage height, 3.04 ft Jan. 20 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 2 cfs 

Dec. 4-19, Jan. 16; minimum gage height, 0.85 ft Jan. 16.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 2,600 cfs May 23, 1952 (gage height, 8.08 ft); no flow 

for part of Nov. 24, 1950, and Dec. 8, 1951; minimum gage height, 0.58 ft Dec. 28, 

1954.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Flow regulated by Deerfield Reservoir (see p. 300), and by Pactola Reservoir since Aug. 22, 1956 

(capacity, 55,700 acre-ft).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Sept. 27-30)

1.1

1.2

1.3 

1.5 17

1.9 

2.2

2.5

46

78

125

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1O

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23 

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

 si 23

19

18

17

18

20

19

15

*13

11

11

11

11

10

11

10

10

10

10

9

9

10 

11

11

11

1O

10

10 

10

400

12.9

793

Nov.

11

10

9

9

11

13

1O

10

9

12

14

8

5

4

3

*3

3

4

5

6

6

5

4 

3

3

3

3

*3

 275 2.5 

194.0

6.47

385

Dec.

2.5

2.5

2.5

2

Z

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

8

20

f

25

25

20

15

*10

7 

7

229.5

7.40

455

Jan.

£

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

7

7

7

7

6

4

2

3

7

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

5

5

4 

4 

4

193

6.23

383

Feb.

4

4

4

5

6

7

8

9

~910

9

8

8

7

7

7

7

7

7

*7

7

8

8 

7

6

5

g5

5

5

196

6.76

389

Mar.

5

6

6

5

5

5

4

4

3

3

3

3

4

6

10

15

20

30

*g40

g60

85

no

*gl!8

g92

g66

g49

g3O 

25 

38

856

27.6

1,700

Apr.

36

32

27

27

27

21

22

24

23

26

3O

25

26

27

*25

25

23

23

22

21

21

21 

22

22

23

26

30

29 

29

771

25.7

1,530

May

29

27

27

27

27

29

*27

27

26

27

27

27

33

39

36

33

30

27

25

25

26

27

28 

25

24

38

56

78

*123 

106 

89

1,195

38.5

2,370

June

76

60

53

47

45

46

41

46

47

47

58

59

59

62

64

65

66

*56

54

49

46

41

38 

35

34

37

36

32

38

1,459

48.6

2,890

July

36

41

45

46

47

46

45

38

*34

32

30

29

29

29

46

45

46

43

41

40

32

29

28 

28

24

21

21

24

32 

*35 

37

1,099

35.5

2,180

Aug.

36

38

46

49

54

59

62

59

43

38

34

28

27

22

17

7

15

30

26

23

*21

17

14 

15

16

16

18

20

20 

20 

20

910

29.4

1,800

Sept.

20

18

19

20

16

11

11

15

21

*15

5

4.0

4. 6

6

4.6

5

7

7

7

7

8

12

13 

14

13

13

13

12

12 

12

345.2

11.5

685

Calendar year 1955: Max 185 Mln 2 Mean 25.7 Ac-ft 18,59O

Water year 1955-56: Max 123 Mln 2 Mean 21.4 Ac-ft 15,56O

Peak discharge (base, 230 efs). No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

g Computed from graph based on wire-weight-gage readings.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 2, 3, 7, 3, Nov. 12 to Mar. 20.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 305

Rapid Creek at Rapid City, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°05'10", long 103°14'2S", in SW&SEi sec. 35, T. 2 N., R. 7 E., on right 

bank 200 ft downstream from Oskosh Street Bridge in Rapid City and 3.7 miles downstream 

from Canyon Lake.

Drainage area. 410 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--June 1903 to November 1906, July 1942 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,230.8 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929 (levels by Corps of Engineers). June 10, 1903, to November 30, 1906, staff gage 

at site 1 mile downstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--14 years (1942-56), 63.2 cfs (45,750 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 182 cfs Oct. 15 (gage height, 2.32 ft), release 

from Canyon Lake; maximum gage height, 2.48 ft Feb. 2 (backwater from ice); minimum 

discharge, 16 cfs Sept. 7, 16, 17; minimum gage height, 1.19 ft Sept. 7.

1942-56: Maximum discharge, 2,560 cfs May 23, 1952 (gage height, 6.20 ft); minimum 

recorded, 14 cfs Jan. 20, 1954; minimum gage height, 0.86 ft Oct. 13, 1950. 

Flood of May 12, 13, 1920, reached a stage of 13.6 ft, from floodmark.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Several 

small diversions above station for irrigation of about 320 acres and to municipal park 

pools. Flow regulated by Deerfield Reservoir (see p. 300), Pactolo Reservoir since 

Aug. 22, 1956 (capacity, 55,700 acre-ft), and by Canyon Lake (occasionally, for recreational purposes).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.1

1.3

1.4 

1.6

1.8 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

73

109

230

387

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

38

36

34

30

30

30

34

35

31

*30

29

28

29

49

63

39

37

35

32

SI

27

28

31

31

31

30

29

29

28

29

*28

1,017

32.8

2,020

Nov.

28

^3

28

27

26

27

27

26

26

26

26

28

27

26

b25

b23

b22^3~

23

23

24

25

26

26

26

b25

b25

*b26

b24

24

766

25.5

1,520

Dec.

24

24

25

24

25

24

24

25

25

25

25

25

24

b24

b24

24

24

b24

b24

24

24

24

25

29

30

34

*35

36

36

33

30

823

26.5

1,630

Jan.

30

30

32

31

33

35

34

34

34

34

31

31

33

34

b33

b30

b27

25

1?5

27

27

28

28

*28

29

29

28

28

b28

b27

b25

928

29.9

1,840

Feb.

b24

b25

26

15

25

25

25

*25

24

24

24

24

25

*b24

b23

b22

b22

b23

b23

23

23

23

23

*24

24

24

24

24

25

695

24.0

1,380

Mar.

24

25

25

26

27

28

29

26

25

b24

b24

b24

b24

b25

b26

27

27

27

29

38

39

*45

56

86

*115

107

88

72

51

40

43

1,272

41.0

2,520

Apr.

51

54

52

46

45

47

43

43

44

43

39

42

44

43

44

*43

42

39

36

34

30

30

32

32

32

33

37

43

45

43

1,231

41.0

2,440

May

45

44

44

42

43

43

*43

42

38

40

42

40

49

52

52

49

45

42

37

35

36

36

37

36

32.

36

62

100

*124

100

1,586

51.2

3,150

June

87

69

58

50

47

47

43

45

47

47

54

58

59

65

67

72

76

*66

62

59

55

50

46

42

39

40

40

36

34

33

1,593

53.1

3,160

July

37

45

52

56

59

59

58

51

*46

42

38

36

36

34

47

54

55

54

51

49

43

38

36

34

32

30

30

30

35

*40

43

1,350

43.5

2,680

Aug.

43

47

54

58

63

67

78

Ts

62

5*

49

47

39

35

32

30

2i3

3i3

40

*39

3'3

32

30

"2~5 25

25

25

25

23

23

27

1,273

41.2

2,530

Sept.

27

27

26

28 ia

25

22

22

25

*25

21

20

19

17

17

16

16

18

18

18

19

21

24

24

24

24

24

24

25

25

670

22.3

1,330

Calendar year 1955: Max 162 Mln 21 Mean 42.2 Ac-ft 30,540

Water year 1955-56: Max 124 Mln 16 Mean 36.1 Ac-ft 26,200

Peak discharge (base. 260 efs). No peak above base. 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.
306 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Rapid Creek near Farmingdale, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°56'35", long 102°51 I 15", in SWijSWvSWi; sec. 19, T. 1 S. , R. 11 E., on 

right bank at downstream side of highway bridge, 2 miles southeast of Farmingdale and 

3-f miles downstream from Antelope Creek.

Drainage area. 602 sq mi.

Records available. July 1946 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is about 2,740 ft (from Bureau of Reclamation topographic map). Prior to Sept. 19, 1947, wire-weight gage at same site and 

datum.

Average discharge. 10 years, 50.7 cfs (36,710 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 449 cfs July 4 (gage height, 4.88 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 2,640 cfs June 21, 1947 (gage height, 8.4 ft, from 

floodmarks); no flow at times in 1949, 1952-56'.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 10,000 acres above station. Flow regulated by Pactola Reservoir 

since Aug. 22, 1956 (capacity, 55,700 acre-ft). Records for chemical analyses and water 

temperatures for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect ( 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(ShiftIng-control method used Oct. 1 to Nov. 27)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 10

2.4 15

2.6 27

3.0 60

Mar. 11 to Sept. 30

1.65

1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.1

.2

.9

2.0

3.6

5.7

2.3 

2.6 

3.0 

3.5 

4.5

30

64

134

350

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

32

29

26

26

24

21

22

26

30

30

*26

27

26

23

21

44

40

29

22

20

20

17

15

18

26

26

22

17

19

23 

23

770

24.8

1,530

Nov.

*22

26

28

30

30

31

30

31

35

35

36

38

36

38

34

33

38

38

44

42

47

*3F

33

33

31

30

19

3o

35

35

1,006

33,5

2,000

Dec.

34

32

30

30

32

35

35

35

35

34

34

34

34

34

30

33

35

35

34

33

31

32

34

37

45

42

*42

42

41

38

36

1,086

35.0

2,150

Jan.

38

40

39

38

41

42

40

40

40

40

40

40

39

39

38

37

37

38

38

38

37

37

37

35

*35

33

33

32

33

32

32

1,160

37.4

2,300

Feb.

32

31

33

34

35

38

40

40

38

37

36

35

32

32

32

32

30

35

38

42

*46

43

43

42

40

38

37

37

38

1,066

36.8

2,110

Mar.

40

41

41

37

35

34

35

32

28

25

27

29

32

33

36

38

51

77

131

107

*89

70

67

71

89

132

*126~

101

80

76

52

1,862

60.1

3 , 690

Apr.

49

53

60

62

61

66

60

55

51

50

50

50

50

50

49

49

*49

50

45

35

33

29

26

26

27

20

18

16

24

35

1,298

43.3

2,570

May

36

34

28

24

20

18

*16

16

17

16

16

17

19

30

27

29

25

22

16

12

10

9.4

8.0

4.2

2.8

2.5

278

5.5

*10

44

51

588.2

19.0

1,170

June July

35 1.0

29 2.7

23 167

16 256

11 49

9.4 20

5.1 14

2.2 9.8

2.0 7.7

2.0 *6.4

2.0 4.6

1.7 3.0

1.7 2.7

1.7 1.8

1.2 1.8

1.2 2.0

5.1 .9

18 1.5

12 1.2

24 1.7

20 1.6

*10 1.6

8.3 1.0

7.0 2.2

4.6 4.2

7.4 1.8

7.7 1.5

5.7 1.4

4.0 .2

1.7 0

------ *Q279.7 570.3

9.32 18.4

555 1,130

Aug.

0o0

0

0

0

g!5

g28

g44

*g97_

g67

g42

g58

g31

g29

g24

g23

g25

g29

*32

29

29

25

23

19

16

15

11

9.4

8.7

7.0

736.1

23.7

1,460

Sept.

7.7

573

2.4

2.4

3.4

5.3

7.0

7.0

4.4

*3.2

2.5

5.7

5.7

4.9

3.0

1.7

.4

0

.5

0

0

0

0

0

0

.9

.6

0

0

.4

74.4

2.48

148

Calendar year 1955 : Max 131 Mln 0 Mean 26.5 Ac-ft 19.210

Water year 1955-56; Max 256 Mln 0 Mean 28.7 Ac-ft 20,610

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

g Computed from once-daily wire-weight-gage readings.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 28 to Mar. 16.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 307 

Cheyenne River near Wasta, S. Dak.

location. Lat 44°04'48", long 102°24'00", in NE^NE^NW^ sec. 2, T. 1 N., R. 14 E., on downstream side of third pier from left bank of bridge on U. S. Highway 16, 200 ft downstream from Chicago and North Western Railway bridge, 3 miles east of Wasta, and 7 miles 

downstream from Box Elder Creek.

Irainage area. 12,800 sq mi, approximately.

Pecords available. July 1914 to June 1915, August 1928 to June 1932, March 1934 to September 1956.

Cage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,262.78 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. July 16, 1914, to June 30, 1915, and Aug. 17, 1928, to July 31, 1940, chain gage 

at site 50 ft upstream at same datum. Aug. 1 to Dec. 3, 1940, wire-weight gage at 

present site and datum.

Average discharge. --25 years (1928-31, 1934-56), 387 cfs (280,200 acre-ft per year); median 

of yearly mean discharges, 335 cfs (243,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, about 5,000 cfs Dec. 24 (gage height, 9.55 ft, 

backwater from ice); minimum, 43 cfs June 15 (gage height, 1.02 ft).

1914-15, 1928-32, 1934-56: Maximum discharge observed, 46,300 cfs May 6, 1932 (gage 

height, 11.28 ft), from rating curve extended above 11,000 cfs on basis of an incomplete 

discharge measurement at gage height 8.65 ft; maximum gage height observed, 12.5 ft 

June 13, 1915; minimum discharge, 0.8 cfs July 17, 1954 (gage height, 0.59 ft). 

Flood of May 1920 reached a stage of 16 ft, from information by local residents.

Femarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Discharge 

measurements generally made once a week. Flow regulated by Angostura Reservoir (see 

P. 293) .

Revisions (water yearsJ.--WSP 786: Drainage area. WSP 1279: 1930(M), 1931, 1937. Records of chemical analyses and water temperatures for the water year 1956 are given in 

WoP 1451.

tcept periods of ice

Oct. 1 to Mar. 19

1.3 

1.5 

1.7 

2.0

1Z1 

188 

333

2.3 

2.7 

3.0

535

990

1,450

1.0 

1.3

1.6

2.4

3.0 

4.0

671

1,450

3,090

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septembe

Fay

2

3

5

(5

7

8

13

10

1".

12

13

I 1 ',

15

113

17

18

113

20

2'

22

23

24

215

215

27

28

Z'9

303'.

T-ital

f»an

A--ft

Oct.

177

170

166

163

1Z1

149

15Z

156

156

156

154

114

156

133

130

130

143

146

104

118

130

118

121

124

124

94

118

1Z4

1Z1

1Z1

1Z1

4,190

135

8,310

Nov.

121

85

8Z

159

156

152

140

159

106

146

120

90

75

60

55

55

60

70

80

90

90

85

80

80

85

75

70

65

70

75

2,836

94.5

5,630

Dec.

80

75

75

75

80

90

85

80

75

75

80

100

140

1ZO

100

90

85

75

80

85

90

100

600

1,600

g371

g306

g536

300

750

130

140

6,668

215

13,230

Jan.

160

180

ZOO

240

Z40

ZOO

210

2ZO

Z10

200

ZOO

200

Z10

190

170

120

90

90

90

90

85

85

85

85

85

85

85

85

8080"

80

4,430

143

8,790

Feb.

85

85

85

85

90

100

1ZO

140

160

170

170

170

160

160

120

100

100

100

110

120

140

160

T90" 190

180

160

160

190

190

3,990

138

7,910

Mar.

200

200

220

240

280

300

280

250

200

150

120

100

100

100

120

150

200

500

800

gl,060

g913

g489

g324

g292

g284

g274

250

230

230

240

274

9,370

302

18,590

Apr.

239

239

248

190

298

450

359

261

235

218

157

239

227

214

210

194

g!83

g!22

183

190

179

171

175

179

120

164

187

190

198

537

6,756

225

13,400

May

1,340

gl,040

g227

g252

g223

g206

496

g251

g!31

g!94

g!64

g!83

g209

g730

g235

gzio gzio

g206

g!75

g!61

g!64

g!68

g!25

gL42"

g!47

g!36

g!51

1,690

794

388

334

11,082

357

21,980

June

g295

g223

g227

g!79

gl!7

g91

106

97

86

75

67

g54

g69

58

57

74

102

360

216

gl!4

g!27

g!32

gl!4

g!22

glOl

g69

g62

g95

83

83

3,655

122

7,250

July

81

79

478

305

g421

g!51

79

134

g79

63

55

6T

55

g74

62

62

g!36

g!54

glOl

101

96

95

g97

g74

g69

g66

g73

g77

g74

g!73

g!40

3,765

121

7,470

Aug.

g84

g84

g88

g97

g!79

175

1,210

g341

536

g480

g572

g613

g!71

g!37

gill

g274

g!79

g!90

g!68

161

147

g!47

g!44

g!31

gl!7

gl!4 gioe

g99

g99

97

99

7,152

231

14,190

Sept.

97

90

82

74

g79

g78

g88

114

106

99

79

84

104

88

79

83

83

68

65

76

79

87

81

83

71

72

88

90

97

90

2,554

85.1

5,070

Calendar year 1955: Max 9,890 Mln 25 Mean 274 Ac-ft 198,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,690 Mln 54 Mean 182 Ac-ft 131,800

Peak discharge (base, 3,300 cfs).--Dec. 24 (time unknown) about 5,000 cfs; May 28 (10:30 a.m.) 

j',740 cfs (4.34 ft); Aug. 7 (5 a.m.) 3,320 cfs (4.17 ft).

g Computed from once-daily wire-weighfc-gage readings.

Note . Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 11 to Dec. 24, Dec. 28 to Mar. 19, Mar. 2; 

(once-daily wire-weight-gage readings used Nov. 14 to Dec. 24, Dec. 28 to Mar. 19, Mar. 27-29).
308 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Elk Creek near Elm Springs, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44 0 14'50 n , long 102°39'55", in NE£sw£ sec. 1, T. 3 N. , R. 13 E. , near center of span on downstream side of highway bridge, 2 miles downstream from small tributary, 5 miles southeast of Elm Springs, and 7 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 540 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--July 1949 to September 1956.

Gage. Wire-weight gage read once daily; crest-stage indicator since Sept. 29, 1954. 

Datum of gage is 2,304.49 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to Sept. 16, 

1954, on upstream side of bridge at same datum.

Average discharge. 7 years, 16.0 cfs (11,580 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 48 cfs July 3 (gage height, 4.00 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1949-56: Maximum discharge 8,540 cfs Mar. 29, 1952 (gage height, 10.61 ft, from 

floodmark), from rating curve extended above 5,100 cfs; no flow for long periods during 

each year.

Maximum stage known, about 17 ft in May 1920, from information by local residents.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Considerable loss in limestone sinkholes above station.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.5 

3.7

4.0

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(»)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

o

Jan.

(*)

0

0

o

Feb.

0

EF

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

al.5

1.5

0.05

3.0

Mar.

3

7

11

10

8

*6

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

.5

.1

.1

.1

.1

10

10

12

*^4

14

14

14

14

14

11

11

8

8

8 

7

224.9

7.25

446

Apr.

a2~ a4

al

a. 5

*.2

a. 2

a. 2

a. 2

a. 2

a. 2

a. 2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

a.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

a. 3

.4

11.5

0.38

23

May

4.1

a4.5

3T2- 4.7

3.2

a2.5

1.8

.6

.1

.1

.1

.1

a.l

*.2

.9

1.5

.9

.6

.2

.2

.2

.1

0

O

0

0

0

.1 *.l

.1

0

30.2

0.97

60

June

(*)

0

0

0

July

0

0

25

23

1.5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

o

*0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

o

49.5

1.60

98

Aug.

(*)

O

0

0

Sept.

(*)

O

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 55 Min O Mean 0.53 Ac-ft 386

Water year 1955-56: Max 25 Mln 0 Mean 0.87 Ac-ft 630

Peak discharge (base, 400 cfs). No peak above base. 

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

a No gage-height record; discharge interpolated or estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, 

weather records, and engineer's notes.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Feb. 29 to Mar. 19, Mar. 28, 29.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 309

Belle Fourche River below Moorcroft, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°18', long 104°58', In SW£ sec. 24, T. 50 N., R. 68 W., on left bank 10(1 ft 

upstream from Trail Creek, three-quarters of a mile downstream from Donkey Creek, and 

2.8 miles northwest of Moorcroft.

Orainage area.--1,670 sq ml, approximately. 

Records available.--May 1943 to September 1956.

"age. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage Is 4,118.4 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929 (Bureau of Reclamation benchmark). Prior to Mar. 28, 1947, wire-weight gage and 

Mar. 28, 1947, to Jan. 16, 1951, water-stage recorder, at site 5j miles downstream at 

different datum.

Average discharge. 13 years, 20.0 cfs (14,490 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 717 cfs Aug. 12 (gage height, 9.09 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1943-56: Maximum discharge, 1,800 cfs May 23, 1952 (gage height, 12.30 ft); no 

flow at times each year.

Flood of Apr. 7, 1924, reached a stage of 12.6 ft at site of a former gaging station 2 miles upstream at different datum (discharge, 12,500 cfs). Flood in June 1908 

reached a stage about 2.5 ft higher than that of Apr. 7, 1924.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, backwater from beaver dam, 

or no gage-height record, which are poor. Diversions for irrigation above station 

(for details on adjudication of diversions, see Remarks for this station in WSP 1209). 

Numerous small stockwater and soil conservation reservoirs above station. Records of 

chemical analyses for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect and backwater from

beaver dam (gage height in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used May 29, 30, July 9)

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5 1.5

1.7 

2.0 

2.5 

3.0

3.9

9.5

23

47

4.0 

6.0 

8.0

128

330

575

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19"0

;:i

2Z"3

"4

"6

;:7"0.

 '9

"0

"1

Total

"ean

'c-ft

Oct.

0.8

.6

.4

.3

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

2.9

0.09

5.8

Nov.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.4

1.5

.£8

3.2

2.8

2.4

2.1

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.3

27.4

0.91

54

Dec.

1.2

1.1

1.0

.9

.8

.8

.7

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

*.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.3

73

.3 

5.0

150

250

100

80

50

25

*8.0

6.0

4.5

691.2

22.3

1,370

Jan.

3.0

2.5

2.0

*1.6

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.8

1.6

*1.4

1.4

1.5

1.0

.6

.8

*1.0

1.2

1.4

1.7 

1.4

1.4

2.1

1.2

2.1

1.2

.9

"

50.0

1.61

99

Feb.

0.6

.6

*.5

.474"

.5

.6

.6

*.8

.9

1.1

1.3

1.4

1.6

1.3

*.8

.6

.6

.6

.5

.6 

1.3

3.7

*58

96

99

*59

47

44

-

424.3

14.6

842

Mar.

33

26

22

16

14

21

22

*25

13

15

15

3.7

2.1

*276

3.2

6.4

18

49

230

420

*412 

*132

74

*49

28

17

12

8.0

*8.5

5.4 

3.3

1,706.2

55.0

3,380

Apr.

3.0

3.0

3.1

3.1

*3.2

4.5

6.0

6.2

5.0

6.0

16

*24

a!6

alO

a6.5

a4.0

*a2.4

2.2

1.9

1.7

1.5 

1.3

1.1

1.0

*.8

.8

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

138.1

4.60

274

May

*1.0

iTo

.8

.9

.8

.8

.8

.7

*.4

.4

.3

.6

.8

.4

.2

.4

.5

*1.0

.2

.1

.2 

*.4

.1

.2

.2

.3

.5

.6

.6

.6

*1.0

16.8

0.54

33

June

3.2

*1.5

.6

.3

.3

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

*0

0

0

0

.1

*70

*49!

*50

16

*80

102 

14

4

*1.8

1.2

5.5

*6.4

3.0

1.4

.6

859.5

28.6

1,700

July

0.3

.1

*.2

13

9.3

3.8

1.7

.6

.2

0

0

0

0

*0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

29.2

0.94

58

Aug.

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

8.4

*519 -93

13

4.6

*.7

.3

.3

43

23

8.6 

3.8

1.2

.6

1.9

7.1

*1.5

.6

.3

.1

0

731.0

23.6

1,450

Sept.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

6.3

174

.9

.3

.2

.1

.1

0

0 

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

12.3

0.41

24

Calendar year 1955 : Max 1,010 Min 0 Mean 46.0 Ac -ft 33,300

Water year 1955-56 : Max 519 Min o Mean 12.8 Ac-ft 9,300

Peak discharge (base. 560 efs). Mar. 21 (4:30 a.m.) 576 cfs (7.68 ft); June 17 (4 p.m.) 591 cfs 

(8.12 ft); Aug. 12 (1:30 p.m.) 717 cfs (9.09 ft).

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

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement and weather rec- 

'^rds.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 18 to Mar. 20, Mar. 28, 29. Backwater from 

beaver dam Oct. 1-10, Mar. 31 to Apr. 12, Apr. 18-24, Apr. 26 to May 1.
310 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Keyhole Reservoir near Moorcroft, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°23' , long 104°47', in sec. 27, T. 51 N., R. 66 W., at reservoir dam on 

Belle Fourche River, 12 miles northeast of Moorcroft.

Drainage area. 2.000 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--March 1952 to September 1956.

Gage. Electric tape gage. Datum of gage is at mean sea level (Bureau of Reclamation 

datum). Prior to Oct. 28, 1952, staff gage at same site and datum.

Extremes. Maximum contents observed during year, 25,310 acre-ft Mar. 23 (elevation, 

4,062.44 ft); minimum observed, 12,960 acre-ft Sept. 28-30 (elevation 4,054.15 ft).

1952-56: Maximum contents observed, 35,620 acre-ft Apr. 20, 1955 (elevation, 

4,067.48 ft); minimum observed since appreciable storage was attained, 6,030 acre-ft 

Mar. 8, 9, 1955 (elevation, 4,046.35 ft).

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by earth-fill dam completed by Bureau of Reclamation Oct. 25 

1952. Capacity 199,900 acre-ft between elevations 4,036.0 ft (invert of 24-inch hole) 

and 4,099.3 ft (crest of spillway). Dead storage (below elevation 4,036.0 ft), 1,230 

acre-ft. Records given herein represent total contents. Water is used for irrigation 

near Belle Fourche, S. Dak., and a small amount below reservoir in Wyoming.

Cooperation. Records furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Month-end elevation and contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Sept. 30.. ..................

Oct. 31. ...................

Nov. 30. ...................

Dec. 31. ...................

Calendar year 1955 .......

Feb . 29 ....................

Apr . 30 ....................

May 31. ...................

June 30 ....................

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

Aug. 31. ...................

Sept .30. ...................

Water year 1955-56 .......

Elevation 

(feet)t

4,057.18

4,058.97

-

4,059.93

4,057.17

4,054.50

4,054.15

-

Contents 

(acre-feet)

16,990

16,730

16,780

19,420

-

20,950

16,770

13,700

13,360

12,960

-

Change In contents 

(acre-feet)

-260

+50

+2,640

+12,930

+30

+1,500

-410

-2,130

-340

-400

-4,030

t Elevation at 8 a.m.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 311

Belle Fourohe River below Keyhole Reservoir, Wyo.

Location. Lat 44°23'05", long 104°46'50", in NEpSE^SEi sec. 21, T. 51 N. , R. 66 W. , on 

right bank a quarter of a mile downstream from Keyhole Dam, 1 mile downstream from 

Mule Creek, 2j miles upstream from Spring Creek, 'and 12 miles northeast of Moorcroft.

Drainage area. 2,000 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available . April 1951 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 4,-031.26 ft above mean sea level, datum 

of 1929.

Average discharge. 5 years, 22.4 cfs (16,230 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 423 cfs Mar. 28 (gage height, 3.35 ft); minimum 

daily, 0.7 cfs Dec. 1-20, May 16-25 (seepage flow).

1951-56: Maximum discharge, 1,020 cfs Sept. 5, 1951 (gage height, 6.30 ft); minimum daily since appreciable storage in Keyhole Reservoir, 0.4 cfs Nov. 1-20, 1952, 

Jan. 21-31, 1954; no flow at times in 1951-52.

Remarks. Records good. Flow regulated by Keyhole Reservoir (see preceding page). Discharge computed on basis of discharge measurements and records of gate openings at 

Keyhole Reservoir.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total)

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

*.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

24.8

0.80

49

Nov.

0.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

*.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

24.0

0.80

48

Dec.

0.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

*.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.8

78

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

. 8

22.8

0.74

45

Jan.

0.8

.8

.8

*.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

. 8

24.8

0.80

49

Feb.

0.8

.8

*.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

23.2

0.80

46

Mar.

0.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

*.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

*1.0

*67

*173

203

203

203

*342

*419

*T88

76

1,893.1

61.1

3,750

Apr.

75

74

74

73

*73

73

73

73

73

73

73

72

72

72

72

72

*81

90

90

90

90

89

89

*89

89

89

88

88

88

88

2,405

80.2

4,770

May

*88

29

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

*.9

.9

.9

.8

.8

.8

.8

~ "

*[

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

140.1

4.52

278

June

0.9

.9

*.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

16

*75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

*75

75

75

26

.8

.8

.8

1,030.2

34.3

2,040

July

0.8

.8

.8

*.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

27

56

56

*56

56

18

.8

.8

.8

.8

24

*75

75

75

75

75

75

75

26

856.8

27.6

1,700

Aug.

0.8

.8

.8

*.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

51

Ii

*76

76

76

76

76

31

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

*.9

.9

.9

.9

g

557.4

18.0

1,110

Sept.

0.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

*.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

.0

28.0

0.93

56

Calendar year 1955: Max 157 Min 0.7 Mean 50.8 Ac-ft 35,810

Water year 1955-58: Max 419 Min 0.7 Mean 19.2 Ac-ft 13,940

Discharge measurement made on this day.

459735 O - 58 - 21
312 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Belle Pourche River at Wyoming-South Dakota State line

Location. Lat 44°45'00", long 104°02'45", in NE£NW£lJW£ sec. 18, T. 9 N. , R. 1 E., on left 

bank a quarter of a mile downstream from State line, 3j miles downstrea-n from Oak Creek, 

and 11 miles northwest of Belle Pourche, S. Dak.

Drainage area. 3,280 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--December 1946 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,095.7 ft above mean sea level (datum of

Average discharge . 10 years, 86.6 cfs (62,700 acre-ft per year).

Extremes Maximum discharge during year, 509 cfs Mar. 24 (gage height, 5.69 ft); maximum 

gage height, 7.12 ft Mar. 9 (backwater from ice); no flow for many days.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 3,620 cfs June 23, 1947 (gage height, 12.51 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 1,700 cfs by logarithmic plotting; maximum gage height, 

14.33 ft Mar. 22, 1947 (ice jam); no flow for many days most years.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Small

diversions above station for irrigation. Plow regulated by Keyhole Reservoir (see p. 310).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per secondj 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 1-16, Apr. 20 to May 10)

Z.09

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0

20

73

207

353

572

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

152

151

*145

88

56

43

36

32

26

24

20

18

16

15

15

14

*13

12

12

12

12

12

12

15

15

14

14

14

15

15

15

1,053

34.0

2,090

Nov.

14

*6

7

10

10

8

8

8

10

10

8

*

*

215

7.2

426

Dec.

5

5

5

5

4^

6

6

7

5

6

4

7

7

*7

6

6

6

5

7

8

10

15

50

300

220

200

100

75

50

30

30

1,197

38.6

2,370

Jan.

30

35

*40

50

45

35

30

35

30

25

20

20

20

12

8

*5

5

8

7

6

5

5

8

10

15

14

13

12

10

*12

10

580

18.7

1,150

Feb.

12

14

15

15

15

15

15

14

15

17

18

20

15

13

*12

10

10

10

12

12

12

14

15

20

18

17

*16

20

40.

451

15.6

895

Mar.

50

60

140

150

12U

90

70

70

70

60

50

50

60

*65

70

70

80

110

130

180

190

*300

400

409

307

*334

371

334

288

323 

389

5,390

174

10,690

Apr.

335

187

168

*161

189

158

140

151

138

134

130

129

126

120

116

114

*114

113

111

114

122

123

124

123

123

124

122

123

124

*124

4,180

139

8,290

May

124

124

129

130

T15

78

64

54

50

50

68

58

52

46

*42

38

36

34

32

32

34

32

36

34

32

30

28

43

67

53

*43

1,788

57.7

3,550

June

38

42

41

38

34

36

26

24

20

18

18

16

14

*14

83

~9Z 118

67

66

63

63

64

60

67

70

79

75

*67

63

63

1,539

51.3

3,050

July

50

38

36

32

26

24

22

18

18

15

14

12

10

8

7

*72

28

11

6

17

30

30

22

14

10

7

4.7

3.3

43~2.7

*58

688.7

22.2

1,370

Aug.

46

45

44

39

39

22

16

14

11

8

6

4.7

3.3

2.0

1.0

*.3

0

0

0

0

29

40

38

40

37

22

14

8

7

*4.7

3.9

544.9

17.6

1,080

Sept.

3.3

1.4

.8

.3

.3

.1

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

6.2

0.21

12

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,460 Mln 0.5 Mean 105 Ac-ft 76,250

Water year 1955-56: Max 409 Mln 0 Mean 48.2 Ac-ft 34,970

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 2 to Mar. 23.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 313

Murray ditch at Wyoming-South Dakota State line

Location.--Lat 44°34'40", long 104°03'00", in SW^SW^ sec. 7, T. 7 N., R. 1 E., on right 

bank about 15 ft downstream from State line and 12 miles southwest of Belle Pourche.

Records available.--June 1954 to September 1956 (irrigation seasons only).

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,440 ft (from topographic map).

Extremes. 1954-56: Maximum daily discharge, 17 cfs Aug. 18, 1956; no flow for many days 

each year.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of no gage-height record, whiih are fair. 

Ditch diverts water from left bank of Redwater Creek about 2 miles upstream for irrigation of 700 acres. Plow maintained and records collected during the irrigation 

season only.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

IE

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

4.4

4.2

4.0

*3.6

3.4

3.4

3.0

2.9

3.5

3.3

3.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.6

1.4

1.2

*.5

3.0

5.4

4.4

4.2

3.6

a3.0

a3.5

a3.0

a2.5

a2.0

a2.5

2.0

1.9

92.9

3.00

184

Nov.

1.7

1.3

*0

0

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

3.0

0.10

6.0

Dec.

.

-

-

Jan.

_

-

-

Feb.

.

-

-

Mar.

.

-

-

Apr.

.

-

-

May

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

o

*a8.0

7.5

6.2

6.2

27.9

0.90

55

June

*6.1

5.9

6.4

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.4

7.1

6.9

6.9

6.8

10

12

13

*14

14

14

14

13

14

13

13

12

9.9

8.0

5.5

5.4

5.0

*5.0

3JD

273.2

9.11

542

July

0

5.1

14

12

11

11

8.0

14

13

13

13

15

16

16

15

15

*15

15

14

12

12

12

12

11

8.6

4.1

4.1

2.8

0

O

0

313.7

Aug.

*0

O

0

0

O

9.0

12

13

12

11

12

15

14

11

12

12

*15

17

16

13

13

11

6.5

6.6

6.6

6.3

6.2

6.0

5.9

5.8

*G , 2

274.1

10.1 8.84

622 544

Sept.

6.6

8.1

7.6

7.6

6.4

5.2

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.6

4.6

4.4

4.4

4.4

4.4

4.4

*4.4

4.4

9.6

li

14

11

7.4

6.6

5.5

6.0

8.9

9.6

11

11

210.2

7.01

417

Calendar year : Max Min Mean Ac-ft

Water year : Max Mln Mean Ao-ft

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

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, fragmentary 

gage-height record, recorded range in stage, engineers' and observers' notes, and records for Redwater Creek at State line.
314 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Redwater Creek at Wyoming-South Dakota State line

Location. Lat 44°34'30", long 104°02'5U", in NW^NW^ sec. 18, T. 7 N., R. 1 E., on left 

bank about 8UO ft downstream from State line, 3 miles upstream from Crow Creek, and 

12 miles southwest of Belle Fourche.

Drainage area.--471 sq mi.

Records available.--April 1929 to September 1931, February 1936 to July 1937, June 1954 

to September 1956. Published as ! 'near Beulah, Wyo." 1929-31, 1936-37.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,410 ft (from topographic map).

Apr. 25, 1929, to Jan. 7, 1931, staff gage and Jan. 8 to Sept. 30, 1931, Feb. 28, 1936, 

to July 31, 1937, chain gage, at site 2 miles upstream at different daturas.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 123 cfs July 7 (gage height, 3.70 ft); maximum 

gage height, 3.72 ft Feb. 2 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 7 cfs Aug. 16, 17; 

minimum gage height, 2.11 ft June 12.

1929-31, 1936-37, 1954-56: Maximum discharge, 3,250 cfs July 17, 1937 (gage height, 

about 11.5 ft, from floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 200 cfs; no flow 

Aug. 13-15, 1929.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Large 

diversion for irrigation above station. Total flow passing State line may be obtained 

by adding flow of Murray ditch (see preceding page).

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

32

31

32

*31

32

33

32

32

32

31

31

32

32

31

32

32

33

*33

31

30

29

29

30

30

30

30

30

31

31

31

31

967

31.2

1,920

Nov.

31

31

*3Z

31

31

31

31

31

32

33

33

32

33

32

*b35

b30

b30

b32

b33

30

30

30

29

29

29

29

b28 vie,

b28

b29

923

30.8

1,820

Dec.

*b32

29

28

29

29

28

29

28

28

29

29

29

29

b28

*b27

b28

b28

b27

b27

b28

30

38

36

32

31

30

30

31

30

b31

31

919

29.6

1,820

Jan.

31

30

31

*31

31

30

31

31

30

31

31

32

31

31

b31

b30

*b31

b31

31

31

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

29

bze

b28

*b27

939

30.3

1,860

Feb.

b28

b30

b3230"

30

30

29

29

29

30

30

30

30

30

b31

*b27

b28

b30

30

30

30

30

31

31

31

30

31

*30

30

867

29.9

1,720

Mar.

31

31

31

31

32

32

32

32

33

33

b33

b32

34

34

*34

34

34

36

34

36

35

34

34

33

33

32

33

33

33

33

33

1,025

33.1

2,030

Apr.

33

33

33

32

*33

32

32

32

32

32

32

33

32

32

32

33

33

*34

33

33

33

33

34

34

33

34

34

34

33

33

986

32.9

1,960

May

*33

33

34

33

33

33

33

33

33

33

33

33

33

31

*32

32

32

32

32

32

32

31

31

30

31

30

31

29

27

27

26

978

31.5

1,940

June

*25!5"

4

4

3

2

1

1

1

22

21

18

15

12

*12

13

14

15

14

16

15

15

16

16

19

19

20

19

*20

22

559

18.6

1,110

July

29

20

10

11

10

11

32

10

10

10

10

10

9

9

9

10

*10

9

10

10

11

12

12

14

18

24

23

26

28

28

27

472

15.2

936

Aug.

*27

27

27

26

24

15

10

11

12

12

13

11

9

9

8

8

*8

9

10

12

15

19

24

23

23

23

23

23

25

25

*25

536

17.3-

1,060

Sept.

25

ZZ

23

23

24

24

24

24

23

23

24

25

24

24

24

24

*24

24

21

15

16

19

22

22

23

19

14

IS

16

14

644

21.5

1,280

Calendar year 1955: Max 170 Mln 14 Mean 31.7 Ac-ft 22,920

Water year 1955-56: Max 38 Min 8 Mean 26.8 Ac-ft 19,500

Peak discharge (base, 150 cfs). No peak abc 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 315 

Spearfish Creek at Spearfish, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 44°29'00", long 103°51'15", in SE^NW^ sec. 15, T. 6. N., R. 2 E., on right 

bank in city park in Spearfish, 300 ft downstream from fish hatchery and nearest tributary and 12 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area.--168 sq mi.

Records available.--October 1946 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,640 ft (from topographic nap). Prior 

to Dec. 5, 1946, staff gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--10 years, 45.3 cfs (32,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 300 cfs July 16 (gage height, 5.61 ft); maximum 

gage height, 5.86 ft Feb. 2 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 18 cfs Dec. 5 

(gage height, 4.25 ft); minimum daily, 25 cfs Nov. 16, 17, 27, Dec. 30.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 947 cfs May 22, 1952 (gage height, 6.81 ft); maximum 

gage height, 7.£9 ft Jan. 24, 1952 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 7 cfs 

Mar. 14, 1948; minimum daily, 20 cfs Mar. 14, 1948; minimum gage height, 3.89 ft 

Dec. 17, 1946.

Flood of June 5, 1904, reached a stage of 7.00 ft, site and datum of former gage 

near Spearfish, 1 mile upstream (drainage area, 157 sq mi), discharge, about 5,000 cfs.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Regulation 

by fish hatchery and by hydroelectric plant half a mile upstream causes diurnal fluctuation, but since storage capacity is small, daily flows are not affected anpreciably.

Revisions.--WSF 1116: Drainage area.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 27 Mar. 27 to May 24

4.3 

4.5 

4.7 

5.0 108

4.4 

4.6 

4.8 

5.0 125

May 25 to Sept. 3O

4.4 26

4.6 40

4.8 61

5.0 96

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

35

37

39

*37

36

41

40

38

37

38

37

38

36

36

36

35

37

*35

36

36

36

35

36

37

36

37

36

36

36

36

38

1,139

36.7

2,260

Nov.

36

34

*36

35

39

38

37

36

38

39

40

37

b31

b31

*b31

b25

b25

b33

b40

b38

b38

37

37

37

36

b29

b25

b26

b28

36

1,028

34.3

2,040

Dec.

*38

37

37

36

33

38

36

36

36

36

S3

37

35

b35

*b36

33

37

b37

b38

35

34

33

35

39

35

36

33

34

31

25

34

1,088

35.1

2,160

Jan.

35

33

34

*34

34

34

34

33

32

34

32

34

34

34

27

b29

*32

37

34

34

34

33

34

35

30

37

36

34

b32

b32

*b36

1,037

33.5

2,060

Feb.

b36

b37

b37

b38

38

40

38

36

35

33

33

33

33

33

32

*b29

b29

b30

31

32

33

34

34

33

33

33

33

*33

33

982

33.9

1,950

Mar.

31

35

33

33

33

32

33

33

32

33

32

38

35

33

*35

36

36

34

37

37

38

38

44

46

45

58

53

41

41

48

46

1,179

38.0

2,340

Apr.

47

46

40

42

*41

41

38

40

40

41

46

41

43

47

46

47

44

*44

43

43

44

45

44

44

44

43

46

46

42

42

1,300

43.3

2,580

May

*40

40

45

45

46

47

45

46

48

49

50

51

54

54

52

*52

48

49

46

46

47

43

42

3738-

38

40

*78

9492"

84

1,586

51.2

3,150

June

*73

67

61

58

54

53

50

45

46

45

43

42

39

44

*40

42

41

46

40

39

39

39

38

36

42

38

38

37

*37

3J5

1,347

44.9

2,670

July

38

36

38

39

37

37

47

40

40

37

36

34

35

35

34

43

*33

35

34

33

33

33

35

32

33

33

33

36

34

37

36

1,116

36.0

2,210

Aug.

*34

35

40

36

34

36

38

34

33

32

31

34

36

31

32

34

*36

39

37

40

37

35

35

34

36

34

38

33

36

36

*41

1,097

35.4

2,180

Sept.

37

36

36

38

39

35

36

37

33

35

34

34

39

36

36

34

37

*35

35

35

35

34

34

39

36

38

36

38

42

21

1,076

35.9

2,130

Calendar year 1955: Max 164 Mln 25 Mean 45.8 Ao-ft 33,140

Water year 1955-56: Max 94 Mln 25 Mean 38.2 Ac-ft 27,730

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
316 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Redwater Creek above Belle Fourche, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 44°40'05", long 103°49'55", in NWiSE^ sec. 11, T. 8 N., R. 2 E., on right 

bank at upstream side of bridge on U. S. Highway 212 in Belle Fourche, a quarter of 

a mile upstream from Hay Creek and half a mile upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 920 sq mi.

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,000 ft (from topograptic map). Prior 

tfo Dec. 13, 1946, chain gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 11 years, 131 cfs (94,840 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 480 cfs Dec. 23 (gage height, 8.35 ft, backwater 

from ice); minimum, 1.8 cfs Aug. 4, 11 (gage height, 2.90 ft).

1945-56: Maximum discharge observed, 2,800 cfs June 22, 1947 (gage height, 8.98 ft); 

maximum gage height, 9.45 ft between Jan. 22 and Feb. 1, 1954 (ice jam; from recorded 

range in stage); minimum discharge, 0.6 cfs July 8, 1952; minimum gage height, that of 

Aug. 4, 11, 1956.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Diversions 

for irrigation of about 5,000 acres above station.

Revisions [water years1.--WSP 1389: 1954 (maximum gage height only).

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gige 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Dec. 23 

3.9 71

4.0 

4.5 

5.0

191

346

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.3

Dec. 24 to Sept. 30

3.2 3.5

5 3.9

8 4.4

14 5.0

190

362

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

88

101

*107

109

107

116

TIT

114

105

98

105

105

101

96

100

96

*93

94

98

101

101

103

109

105

105

103

107

105

107

103

107

3,203

103

6,350

Nov.

105

*103

107

111

107

111

109

112

111

112

120

116

105

*100

100

95

95

100

130

150

125

115

112

110

110

115

105

105

105

*110

3,311

110

6,570

Dec.

115

115

110

115

120

140

135

120

100

95

90

110

120

*83

85

85

85

80

90

100

130

200

400

T9TT

154

142

142

140

135

125

135

3,986

129

7,910

Jan.

142

136

*138

136

136

134

132

132

132

129

115

127

134

125

100

*100

110

125

120

115

110

110

115

120

125

120

115

110

110

*110

110

3,773

122

7,480

Feb.

115

120

150

180

180

150

127

127

121

123

125

127

127

123

*115

115

115

120

125

135

135

135

127

147

123

119

*125

121

119

3,771

130

7,480

Mar.

121

123

123

127

127

125

121

129

125

125

121

115

T23

*129

123

129

134

129

127

123

127

125

127

132

132

129

138

132

115

125

123

3,904

126

7,740

Apr.

127

127

129

*127

132

132

134

127

113

121

123

123

121

127

127

125

*125

121

123

123

121

129

123

121

117

121

123

125

129

*125

3,737

125

7,410

May

119

119

129

127

134

123

123

119

123

125

127

127

138

T34

*129

129

125

123

125

119

108

85

57

40

27

23

23

42

85

80

*76

3,163

102

6,270

June

72

65

65

56

51

37

28

22

16

18

13

12

12

*12

10

27

47

49

46

33

23

24

15

11

92

40

27

*27

28

16

994

33.1

1,970

July

12

17

12

11

10

8

28

43

IS

10

8

6

5

4.8

6

*8

8

6

4.4

4.5

4.6

6

6

4.8

4.5

4.3

4.1

TS

4.6

5

*6

284.1

9.16

564

Aug.

4.4

3.5

3.5

3.3

3T6

5

6

6

4.8

5

3.4

4.6

4.4

3.9

3.9

*4.5

4.3

6

5

6

5

5

6

7

10

12

12

8

10

*12

20

198.1

6.39

393

Sept.

25

23

23

31

41

55

57

56

57

51

41

41

38

36

41

42

*55

64

53

41

41

42

45

47

46

44

37

31

38

44

1,286

42.9

2,550

Calendar year 1955 : Max 422 Mln 3.4 Mean 107 Ac-ft 77,290

Water year 1955-56 : Max 400 Mln 3.3 Mean 86.4 Ac-ft 62,690

Peak discharge (base, 500 cfs). No peak above base. 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 15-22, Nov. 24 to Dec. 13, Dec. 15-23, 28-31, 

Jan. 14 to Feb. 6, Feb. 15-22.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Hay Creek at Belle Fourche, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°40'05", long 103°50'25", in NW^SW^ sec. 11, T. 8 N. , R. 2 E. , on right 

bank at the intersection of Tenth Avenue and Jackson Street in Belle Pourche and half 

a mile upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 121 sq mi.

Records available. --October 1953 to September 1956.

Gage. --Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,005.18 ft above mean sea level (city of 

Belle Pourche benchmark). Prior to Dec. 8, 1953, staff gage at site 300 ft downstream 

at same datum.

Extremes .--Maximum discharge during year, 15 cfs July 16 (gage height, 3.52 ft), from

rating curve extended above 4 cfs by logarithmic plotting; maximum gage height, 3.89 ft 

Dec. 23 (backwater from ice); no flow for many days.

1953-56: Maximum discharge, 29 cfs Apr. 9, 1955 (gage height, 3.77 ft), from rating 

curve extended above 4 cfs by logarithmic plotting; no flow for many days each year.

Remarks . Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Minor 

diversion to the stream at times from city r.eservoir overflow, which enters stream 

above gage.

'Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, ana discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 12-30)

2.63

2.7

2.8

2.9

3.1

1.5 

4.4

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September l?56

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

IS

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1.0

.7

*.9

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.7

.6

.6

.6

.4

.2

.1

.1

*0

0

0

0

.1

.1

.1

0

0

.1

.2

.1

.1

0 

0

10.7

0.35

21

Nov.

0

*0

.2

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

**.!

4.4

0.15

8.7

Dec.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1 *.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.5

1.0

. 7

.2

.1

.1

.1

0

0 

0

4.8

0.15

9.5

Jan.

0

O

*.l

.1

_._2

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.1

.1

.2

.2

.2

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

**.! 

0

3.4

0.11

6.7

Feb.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1.1

.1.1

0

0

.1 *.l

.1

.1

.2

.3

.4

.6

.7

*.8

.3

.2

.3

.2

.8

.7

.9

1.1 

1.5

10.2

0.33

20

Apr.

1.2

1.3

1.5

*.4

.4

.4

.4

.6

.5

.5

.5

.4

.3

.2

.2

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.2

.2

.3

.2

.2

.3

.3

.4

.4

.4

*.3

12.4

0.41

25

May

0.4

.2

.3

.3

.1

.3

.1

.4

.1

.4

.4

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.3

.2

.1 *2

5.3

0.17

11

June

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

July

0

0

0

.2

.2

.2

.2.

.4

.2

0

O

0

0

0

.2

*4.1 ~J3

.1

0

0

.1

.3

.3

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

*0

7.5

0.24

15

Aug.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

0

o

0

p

7T

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.3

0.01

0.6

Calendar year 1955; Max 19 Mln 0 Mean 0.42 Ac-ft 302

Water year 1955-56: Max 4.1 Mln 0 Mean 0.16 Ac-ft 118

Peak discharge (base, 50 efs). No pe

measurement or observatio

k above base. 

Disch of no flow made on this day.

** Field estimate made on this day. 

Note .--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 3-24 

an. 21-23, 25, Jan. 27 to Mar. 19.

27, Dec. 14-18, Dec. 21 to Jan. 2,
318 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Inlet Canal near Belle Fourche, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°42'15", long 103°49'00", in NW£ sec. 36, T. 9 N, R. 2 E., on right bank 

1 mile (revised) downstream from Crow Creek, 1 mile downstream from diversion dam on 

Belle Fourche River, and 2| miles northeast of Belle Fourche.

Records available.--October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,985.22 ft above mean see level, datum of 

TT929. Prior to Dec. 10, 1946, staff gage and Dec. 10, 1946, to Nov. 26, 1949, waterstage recorder, at sites three-quarters of a mile upstream at same datum.

Average discharge.--11 years, 148 cfs (107,100 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 130 cfs (94,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--1945-56: Maximum daily discharge, 1,330 cfs Mar. 29, 1952; no flow for many 

days during 1946-49.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Records 

show actual diversions to Belle Fourche Reservoir (see following page) from Belle 

Fourche River and Crow Creek, except for 7,600 acre-ft which was diverted for irrigation from the canal between station and reservoir. Records of diversion from the 

canal furnished by the Bureau of Reclamation.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29 

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

(t)

Oct.

260

254

*264

255

194

175

159

151

135

124

128

118

121

75

130

114

*108

109

108

111

112

113

119

119

118

115

118

121

121

121 

120

4,390

142

8,710

0

Nov.

124

*121

119

123

123

129

130

129

138

133

147

139

124

110

110

100

100

110

130

140

130

120

120

115

120

120

115

110

110

 115

3,654

122

7,250

0

Dec.

120

120

115

115

120

140

145

130

110

105

95

110

120 *ioo

95

95

95

90

90

110

150

250

450

500

400

350

300

220

200

155

5,375

173

10,660

0

Jan.

155

155

*160

170

180

175

170

170

165

160

150

150

155

140

120

110

120

130

125

120

115

115

120

130

140

135

125

120

115

 110 

110

4,315

139

8,560

0

Feb.

110

125

150

170

180

190

190

160

140

140

145

145

140

130

*125

120

120

125

130

135

135

140

145

150

160

145

*140

135

155

4,175

144

8,280

0

Mar.

161

166

180

209

262

239

212

230

212

190

180

170

180

*208

197

200

214

235

257

301

311

451

662

708

518

*470

532

524

472

444 

542

9,837

317

19,510

0

Apr.

589

452

355

*338

362

358

326

299

283

283

276

269

264

259

255

243

*240

238

233

233

235

247

242

240

233

238

238

242

245

-"-"-

8,553

285

16,960

0

Hay

242

242

259

259

267

225

199

183

180

177

181

207

202

186

*177

174

168

160

156

150

133

112

78

54

43

34

55

49

137

164 

 119

4,952

160

9,820

690

June

112

98

72

92

90

71

80

63

31

29

30

28

33

*31

21

102

186

113

100

92

60

73

76

82

208

114

109

 91

75

2,440

81.3

4,840

2,280

July

79

79

63

53

49

33

29

43

71

40

24

19

17

14

16

*139 "99

38

26

15

13

26

29

24

18

14

12

12

11

IT

*24

1,140

36.8

2,260

1,370

Aug.

50

52

37

34

30

34

41

30

16

13

10

8

6

6

4.7

*5

6

9

10

13

10

12

30

36

34

36

24

20

16

*g!5 

g!9

666.7

21.5

1,320

1,190

Sept.

g24

g24

(gl

g23

g31

g51

65

89

78

76

53

46

g46

g48

g43

41

*g41

g52

76

58

g40

g40

g38

g39

g45

g46

g42

g30

41

g50

1,397

46.6

2,770

2,070

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,160 Hln 56 Mean 216 Ac-ft 156,600

Water year 1955-56: Max 708 Hin 4.7 Mean 139 Ac-ft 100,900

Discharge measurement made on this day. 

t Diversion, In acre-feet, from Inlet Canal between station and reservoir; records furnished by 

Bureau of Reclamation.

g Computed from graph based on wire-weight-gage readings.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 14 to Feb. 28, Mar. 10-13.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 319

Belle Fourche Reservoir near Belle Fourche, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°44'10", long 103°40'10", in SW&SEi (corrected) sec. 18, T. £ N., R. 4 E., 

at dam on Owl Creek, 9f miles northeast of Belle Fourche.

Records available. January 1912 to September 1956.

Gage. Staff gage read once daily. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, adjustment of 1912.

Extremes. Maximum contents observed during year, 123,700 acre-ft May 20 (elevation, 

2,966.6 ft); minimum observed, 2,000 acre-ft Sept. 30 (elevation, 2,929.2 ft).

1912-56: Maximum contents observed, 197,400 acre-ft Apr. 30, 1919, May 20, 1920 

(elevation, 2,974.9 ft); minimum observed, -3,000 acre-ft Sept. 30, 1936 (water was 

lowered below empty level of 2,927.0 ft by opening holes in crib walls).

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by earth-fill dam; dam completed and storage began in 1911. 

Usable capacity, 185,200 acre-ft (1949 survey) between elevations 2,927.0 ft (lowest 

outlet) and 2,975.0 ft (crest of spillway) above mean sea level. Dead storage below 

elevation 2,927.0 ft, 6,800 acre-ft. Figures given herein represent usable contents 

above elevation 2,927.0 ft. Water diverted from Belle Fourche River through Inlet 

Canal (see preceding page) is stored in Belle Fourche Reservoir and used for irrigation 

in the Belle Fourche project.

Cooperation. Records of contents and capacity tables furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Month-end elevation and usable contents, water year 

October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Sept .30. ....................

Oct. 31. ....................

Jan . 3 1 .....................

Apr . 30 .....................

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

Sept. 30. ....................

Water year 1955-56 ........

Elevation 

(feet)

2,929.2

-

Contents 

(acre-feet)

2,000

-

Change in contents 

(acre-feet)

-13,400

-32,610
320 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, S. Dak.

Location (revised) . Lat 44°41'25", long 103°44'15", in NW^NE^ sec. 3, T. 8 N., R. 3 E., 

near right bank on downstream side of pier of bridge on U. S. Highway 212, 2| miles 

northwest of Pruitdale and 8^ miles downstream from point of diversion to Belle Fourche 

Reservoir.

Drainage area. 4.540 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--November 1945 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,925 ft (from topographic map).

Nov. 4, 1945, to Apr. 9, 1947, chain gage ard Apr. 10, 1947, to Oct. 14, 1948, waterstage recorder, at site 100 ft upstream at fame datum.

Average discharge. 10 years (1946-56), 79.7 els (57,700 acre-ft per year); median of 

yearly mean discharges, 20 cfs (14,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, about 320 cfs Dec. 23 (gage height, 4.36 ft, 

backwater from ice); minimum daily, 2 cfs Feb. 16; minimum gage height, 3.08 ft 

Feb. 19, 22, 23.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 7,460 cfs Jine 23, 1947 (gage height, 11.03 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 3,800 cfs by logarithmic plotting; no flow Dec. 18-26, 

1945, Feb. 5-12, July 5-10, 1948.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. At a 

point 8-5 miles above station, water is diveited to Belle Fourche Reservoir (see preceding page) through Inlet Canal (see p. 31t.), with other smaller diversions from the 

main stem and tributaries for irrigation. 1 otal diversions for irrigation of about 

60,000 acres above station.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage height,

In feet, and discharge, In :ublc feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1 to Nov. 11, Mar. 18-23, Sept. 30)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 17 Mar. 18 to Sept. 30

2.9

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.3 

3.5 

4.0

118

344

3.2

3.3

3.4

2.5 

3.7

3.5

3.6

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1O

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

g

£

*£

8

8

8

c

11

14

15

17

26

18

16

19

18

*17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

16

16

16

15

14

14

456

14.7

904

Nov.

14

*14

14

14

14

14

13

12

12

12

12

12

12

*12

12

11

11

11

12

13

14

13

12

12

12

10

9

8

8

*8

357

11.9

708

Dec.

7

6

6

6

5

5

5

5

4

4

4

4

4

*4

4

4

4

4

4

5

5

g

145

7

6

5

5

4

4 

4

309

10.0

613

Jan.

4

4

*5~§

5

4

4

5

4

4

4

4

4

4

*3

3

4

3

3

3

3

4

4

4

3

2

3

*3

3

115

3.7

228

Feb.

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

3

*3

2

3

3

3

3

3

3

4

3

3

3

*3

3

3

99

3.4

196

Mar.

4

4

4

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

*4

4

4

4

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.6

3.6

3.6

*3.6

3.5

3.2

3.6

3.7

3.6

108.5

3.50

215

Apr.

3.7

3.9

3.9

*4.1

4.5

4.3

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.9

4.1

4.1

4.1

3.9

3.7

*3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.7

 375 3.5

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.6

3.5

*3.5

113.9

3.80

226

May

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.6

3.7

3.7

4.1

4.5

4.7

4.7

*4.9

4.9

5

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

8

9

9

*M

164.3

5.30

326

June

9

8

7

8

8

8

8

8

8fa

10

9

8

*14

14

12

10

8

6

6

6

6

6

6

8

9

8

*7

6

8

247

8.2

490

July

8

7

7

7

7

7

7

8

8

9

9

7

6

6

4.9

*7

11

9

6

6

6

6

7

6

6

6

6

5

4.7

5 

*5

209.6

6.76

416

Aug.

6

6

6

6

J5

6

6

6

6

5

6

6

6

6

6

*6

6

7

7

7

6

6

6

6

6

6

7

7

7

*7

193

6.2

383

Sept.

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

9

9

10

11 *TT

10

8

8

8

8

9

8

8

7

9

9

9

8

255

8.5

506

Calendar year 1955: Max 363 Mln 1 Mean 8.75 Ac-ft 6,330

Water year 1955-56: Max 145 Mln 2 Mean 7.18 Ac-ft 5,210

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 17.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 321

Belle Pourohe River near Sturgis, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°30'50" ) long 103°07'50", in SW^NE^ sec. 3, T. 6 N., R. 8 E. , near right 

bank on downstream side of pier of bridge on State Highway 24, half a mile upstream 

from Bear Butte Creek and 20 miles northeast of Sturgis.

Drainage area. 5,870 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,525 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

fo Oct. 31, 1946, chain gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--11 years, 294 cfs (212,800 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 220 cfs (159,300 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,580 cfs July 4 (gage height, 6.72 ft); minimum daily discharge, 15 cfs Dec. 9, Jan. 21, 22, Feb. 1; minimum gage height, 3.20 ft 

Mar. 29.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 17,900 cfs May 24, 1946 (gage height, 13.86 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 11,000 cfs by logarithmic plotting; no flow for many days 

during 1945, 1950.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. At a point 

70 miles above station, water is diverted to Belle Fourche Reservoir (see p. 319) 

through Inlet Canal (see p. 318), with other small diversions from the main stem and 

tributaries for irrigation. Total diversion for irrigation of about 60,000 acres above 

station. Records of chemical analyses, water temperatures, and suspended sediment loads 

for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

3.3 

3.6 

4.0 

4.5

70

165

343

5.0 

5.5 

6.0 

7.0

650

1,060

1,600

3,000

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

141

141

120

111

83

*76

70

64

65

59

57

56

60

82

78

67

67

64

64

65

67

68

68

72

*67

65

68

74

70

65

65

2,339

75.4

4,640

Nov.

60

35

50

80

60

55

55

60

64

60

54

40

40

40

35

30

30

35

50

70

70

*60

50

40

30

40

30

20

20 

20

1,383

46.1

2,740

Dec.

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

15

20

25

25

25

25

25

25

20

20

20

*25

25

25

25

20

20

20

30

25

20

20 

20

680

21.9

1,350

Jan.

20

20

20

25

25

20

20

25

25

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

*20

20

15

15

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20 

20

630

20.3

1,250

Feb.

15

20

20

20

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

*25

25

20

20

20

20

25

25

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

860

29.7

1,710

Mar.

70

80

90

100

110

110

*115

120

120

120

110

100

110

120

120

150

200

260

*320

400

600

*650

*500

*487

320

275

232

*100

55

150 

133

6,427

207

12,750

Apr.

97

82

90

*84

99

118

108

88

76

68

68

67

62

58

52

47

47

46

45

42

41

42

42

*41

43

45

44

48

51

50

1,891

63.0

3,750

May

50

49

64

60

*53

51

51

48

46

42

48

44

51

52

*48

51

44

42

37

39

38

*38

38

109

164

118

131

239

320

259

228

2,652

85.5

5,260

June

213

197

182

160

 141

130

141

162

141

130

162

180

180

239

245

278

267

325

267

203

188

154

141

157

203

*278

210

188

191

182

5,835

194

11,570

July

180

162

171

1,650

1,520

702

480

312

225

210

210

194

191

216

228

210

200

203

*219

206

194

194

200

203

197

177

168

143

157

168

168

Aug.

162

165

160

152

143

154

165

*194

177

188

168

152

152

149

141

149

152

168

213

219

197

180

162

168

138

133

130

123

118 *-, *126oc

146

9,658 4,944

312 159

19,160 9,810

Sept.

162

174

180

162

185

177

136

102

76

61

39

59

76

87

138

126

*113

116

111

118

120

123

113

116

118

104

106

102

164

149

3,613

120

7,170

Calendar year 1955; Max 762 Min 15 Mean 114 Ac-ft 82,750

Water year 1955-56; Max 1,650 Min 15 Mean 112 Ac-ft 81,160

Peak discharge (base, 1,500 gfs).--July 4 (10:30 p.m.) 2,580 cfs (6.72 ft). 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note..--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 2-8, Nov. 13 to Mar. 23, Mar. 28-30. Once 

daily wire-weight-gage readings used Nov. 11 to Mar. 26, Mar. 29, July 9 to Aug. 8, Sept. 10-12.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Location. Lat 44°28'35", long 103°15'50", in SW^SW^ sec. 15, T. 6 N. , R. 7 E. , on upstream side of highway bridge, lj miles downstream from Spring Creek. 8i miles upstream 

from mouth, and 12f miles northeast of Sturgis.

Drainage area. 192 sq mi.

Records available. November 1945 to September 1956.

Gage.--Wire-weight gage read once daily; crest-stage indicator since Feb. 21, 1950. Datum 

of gage is 2,766.12 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to Feb. 20, 1947 

chain gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--11 years, 13.3 cfs (9,630 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 10 cfs (7,200 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 20 cfs May 29 (gage height, 2.73 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1945-56: Maximum discharge observed, 1,420 cfs May 24, 1946 (gage height, 12.07 ft), 

irom rating curve extended above 1,000 cfs by logarithmic plotting; no flow for many 

days during 1949-50, 1952-56.

Flood of May 20, 1883 (maximum known), and one in 1909, were greater than flood of 

May 24, 1946, from information by local residents.

Revis ions.--The maximum discharge for the water year 1951 has been revised to 352 cfs 

May 13, 1951 (gage height, 5.92 ft), superseding figure published in WSP 1209.

Remarka.--Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. 

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1279: 1946-47, 1949(M).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

1.85 0

1.9 .1

2.0 .4

2.1 1.0 2.6 15

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

5

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

0

Nov.

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

0

0

.5

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

*.S

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

16.4

0.53

33

Feb.

0.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.5

.5

.5

.6

.6

.8

*.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.8

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.1

21.3

0.73

42

Mar.

1.1

1.7

5

12

10

6

*4.9

3.5

3.2

1.7

1.4

*1.3

1.0

.8

^7_

.8

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

*3.0

4.0

7

6

5

5

4.6

4.6

2.9

2.2

2.0

110.4

3.56

219

Apr.

2.2

2^2

E.9

*2.6

3 .5

4.6

4.4

3.2

2.9

2.2

2.2

2.2

1.7

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

*1.2

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.2

1.5

56.4

1.88

112

May

.4

.4

.4

.2

.2

,'.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.5

.4

* .4

.4

_o

.1

.0

.8

.8

.8

76~ .6

.6

.7

1.0

*11~6"

3.5

51.4

1.66

102

June

1.5

1.2

1.0

.9

*.6

.5

.3

.2

.2

0_

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

6.4

0.21

13

July

0

0

0

Aug.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 75 Min 0 Mean 2.55 Ac-ft 1,850

Water year 1955-56: Max 12 Min 0 Mean 0.72 Ac-ft 520

* Discharge measurement ur observation of no flow made en this day. 

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 14-22.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 323

Belle Pourche River near Elm Springs, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 44°22'10", long 102°33'55", In NE^NE^ sec. 29, T. 5 N., R. 13 E. , near right 

bank on downstream side of pier of highway bridge, 4| miles northwest of Elm Springs and 

5j miles downstream from Hay Creek.

Drainage area. --7, 210 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. --August 1928 to June 1932 (no winter records prior to Deee~nber 1930), 

March 1934 to September 1956.

Gage . --Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,171.60 ft above mean sea levsl, datum of 

1929. Aug. 19, 1928, to June 30, 1932, and Mar. 4, 1934, to May 25, 1938, chain gage 

at same site and datum. May 26, 1933, to July 27, 1939, wire-weight gage at same site 

and datum.

Average discharge. 25 years (1928-31, 1934-56), 391 cfs (283,100 acre-ft per year); median 

of yearly mean discharges, 330 cfs (239,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . --Maximum discharge during year, 2,600 cfs July 5 (gage height, 4.22 ft); maximum 

gage height, 7.34 ft Mar. 19 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 15 cfs 

Dec. 9, 18, 19, 29, Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 17; minimum gage height recorded, -0.09 ft Nov. 12. 

1928-32, 1934-56: Maximum discharge, 35,700 cfs June 10, 1941 (gage height, 14.3ft); 

no flow for many days during 1936-37, 1939-40.

Maximum stage known, 21.8 ft in May 1927. Flood in spring of 1933 reached a stage 

of about 20 ft, from floodmarks.

Remarks . Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. At a point 

130 miles above station, water is diverted to Belle Fourche Reservoir (see p. 319) 

through Inlet Canal near Belle Fourche (see p. 318 ), with other smaller diversions from 

the main stem and tributaries for irrigation. Total diversions for irrigation of about 

60,000 acres above station.

Revisions (water years) . WSF 786: Drainage area. WSP 926: 1929, 193l(M) , 1935, 1937.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, 

height, In feet, and dischar

2ept period, 

in cubic feet pe

if ice effect (gage 

econd)

Oct. 1 to Au

0.0 

.2 

.5

1.0

38

78

181

1.5 360

2.0 639

3.0 1,360

4.0 2,360

0.4

.6 77

1.0 134

Aug. 6 to Sept. 30 

55

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

142

135

146

135

*114

97

80

76

69

64

62

55

54

53

59

75

70

64

64

63

63

63

64

*63

63

63

66

66

66

70

69

2,393

77.2

4,750

Nov.

63

49

43

38

11

70

40

60

66

66

30

30

20

20

20

20

20

25

25

30

*25

20

20

20

20

25

20

20

20

20

1,026

34.2

2,040

Dec.

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

15

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

15

15

20

*20

25

25

25

20

20

20

20

15

20

25

620

20.0

1,230

Jan.

30

30

30

30

30.

30

25

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

25

25

25

25

25

*25

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

15

780

25.2

1,550

Feb.

15

20

20

20

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

*25

25

20

15

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

50

655

22.6

1,300

Mar.

100

ISO

200

250

300

*300

200

300

300

300

200

200

300

400

500

700

800

1,100

1,500

*1,110

1,150

*1,060

954

921

740

462

370

272

574

1,510

380

17,603

568

34.920

Apr.

164

124

96

112

*112

148

144

133

116

93

90

78

72

68

59

54

50

46

46

44

41

39

*39

39

40

46

45

50

56

55

2,299

76.6

4,560

May

58

53

56

58

63

58

54

44

45

44

43

44

53

*49

49

46

38

43

32

31

27

28

2626"

30

88

139

103

689

589

380

3,086

99.5

6,120

June

276

203

189

167

*137

118

108

118

144

122

103

129

150

159

225

266

288

404

378

248

179

162

135

114

*162

188

248

184

150

135

5,589

186

11,090

July

155

155

175

298

2,050

1,070

721

495

304

225

198

203

187

176

171

201

184

*181

192

198

192

187

187

187

198

195

174

162

142

162

174

9,499

306

18,840

Aug.

167

159

157

150

146

317

*171

186

*183

166

166

162

144

140

138

134

136

147

164

228

248

195

171

155

155

136

116

110

*117

114

116

4,994

161

9,910

Sept.

122

151

157

168

168

*18l

175

136

102

79

62

56

66

72

70

110

114

*105

102

96

102

102

106

1O4

104

110

100

98

102

138

3,358

112

6,660

Calendar year 1955: Max 791 Min 15 Mean 124 Ac-ft 89,800

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,050 Min 15 Mean 142 Ac-ft 103,000

Peak discharge (base, 5,50O cfs).--No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 6-8, Nov. 11 to Mar. 19. Once-daily wireweight-gage readings used entire year except Oct. 6 to Nov. 4, Nov. 7, 8, 11, 12, Mar. 22-25, Apr. 

11, 14-25, May 15, June 9-19, 25, 28, July 2, 3, 5-7, Sept. 21-30.
324 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Cheyenne River near Plainview, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°31'25", long 101°59'30", in HE^SW^: sec. 31, T. 7 N., R. 18 E., on downstream side of third pier from right end of bridge on State Highway 73, if miles downstream from Ash Creek and 10 miles southeast of Plainview.

Drainage area.--21.600 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. October 1950 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,877.65 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Mar. 22, 1951, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--6 years, 462 cfs (334,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 4,220 cfs May 29 (gage height, 5.48 ft); maximum 

gage height, 6.92 ft Mar. 20 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 60 cfs 

Nov. 16-18.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 41,400 cfs Mar. 30, 1952 (gage height, 10.55 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 24,000 cfs by logarithmic plotting; maximum gage height, 

10.62 ft Mar. 29, 1952 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 7 cfs Jan. 26-28, 

1952.

Maximum stage known, about l?i ft, late in May 1920, from information by local residents. Flood in May 1927 reached a stage of about 14 ft, from information by local 

residents.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Natural 

flow of stream affected by storage reservoirs, diversions for irrigation of about 

70,000 acres, and return flow from irrigated areas.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 22, 23)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 21 Mar. 22 to Sept. 30

2.2 

2.4 

2.6 

3.0

122

183

257

455

2.1 

2.3 

2.5 

2.8 

3.1

166

249

382

527

3.5 

3.9

4.4 

5.0

830

1,320

2,170

3,310

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

329

319

310

310

*291

257

253 

241

241

234

226

222

194

197

208

208

218

218

222

208

194

200

194

*197

200

200

197

190

194

197

200

7,069

228

14,020

Nov.

190

157

125

148

161

173

173 

167

166

154

150

130

100

80

70

60

60

60

70

80

*80

90

110

120

130

140

140

140

140

130

3,694

123

7,330

Dec.

130

130

120

120

130

130

130 

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

130

140

160

*170

180

200

210

220

250

'555 700

400

400

300

250

6,270

202

12,440

Jan.

250

260

"280 280

280

270

260 

270

260

250

240

230

230

220

200

150

100

80

*70

70

70

70

80

90

90

90

90

80

80

80

80

5,150

166

10,210

Feb.

80

80

100

110

110

110

120 

130

140

160

170

190

*200

180

170

150

120

130

140

140

150

160 iso

190

210

200

190

190

250

4,450

153

8,830

Mar.

280

350

400

500

700

650

650 

750

700

650

550

*500

500

460

550

700

850

950

*1,000

1,500

*3,000

*2!,640

2,360

1,760

1,460

1,160

860

636

456

559

572

28,653

924

56,830

Apr.

496

428

419

*387

328

405

496 

a460

433

428

346

289

315

311

284

253

271

267

 245 219

249

a238

*228

223

223

a221

219

245

262

267

9,455

315

18,750

May

484

1,340

746

410

a350

275

a270 

391

350

311

a280

236

a230

*297

574

346

a300

a270

249

223

a200

alSO

a!60

151

alSO

alSO

alSO

a250

1,800

1,490

879

13,522

436

26,820

June

545

475

396

387

*337

262

249 

232

223

228

182

alSO

aTB73

198

alSO

280

319

360

"517 652

355

a300

a270

267

*328

a280

297

302

271

240

9,292

310

18,430

July

*2]0

219

32^0

877

2,0*0

2,170

1,200 

6f2

5E7

378

2?3

3E2

a2TO

a2fO

a2fO

a2fO

a260

*453

337

2?3

331

a300

293

a270

a240

223

a2:0

a2:0

a210

328

315

14,521

468

28,800

Aug.

315

a280

a250

a230

a230

a250

*1,410 

446

456

546

553

669

584

a350

a300

a300

364

a280

a280

297

328

a330

a320

306

a280

a250

a220

a200

*182

a!70

166

11,142

359

22,100

Sept.

a!60

198

219

a220

a220

a230

a230 

a200

a!60

133

a!30

126

a!20

182

a!60

a!50

a!70

*186

a!50

133

a!40

a!50

a!60

a!70

178

166

159

159

182

186

5,127

171

10,170

Calendar year 1955 : Max 13,400 Mln 55 Mean 392 Ac-ft 283,700

Water year 1955-56 : Max 3,000 Mln 60 Mean 323 Ac-ft 234,700

Peak discharge (base, 4,500 efs). No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

a No gage-height record; discharge Interpolated or estimated on basis of weather records and 

records for nearby stations.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 11 to Mar. 21. Doubtful gaje-helght record 

Nov. 13 to Mar. 19, Mar. 27-3O, Apr. 2-23, 26, May 5-7, 11-13, 17-28, June 11-15, 22-27, June 29 to 

July 3, July 11 to Aug. 9, Aug. 14 to Sept. 26; discharge computed on basis of once-daily wireweight-gage readings and fragmentary recorder record.
CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN 325

Cherry Creek near Plainview, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°44'35", long 102°03'10", in SW^NE^ sec. 16, T. 9 N., R. 17 E., on left 

bank 5 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 73, a quarter of a mile downstream 

from small tributary, 6£ miles downstream from Red Owl Creek, and 11 miles northeast 

of Plainview.

Drainage area. 1,190 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. November 1945 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,158.06 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. Prior to June 8, 1948, chain or wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 11 years, 65.3 cfs (47,280 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 45 cfs (32,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 940 cfs Mar. 18 (gage height, 9.53 ft, backwater 

from ice); no flow for many days.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 17,500 cfs Apr. I, 1952 (gage height, 22.63 ft); no 

flow for many days each year.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. 

Revisions (water years). WSP 1279: 1949.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1-5)

Oct. 1 to Feb. 29 

0

Mar. 1 to Sept. 30

3.8

3.9

4.0

4.1

4.2

1.3 

2.5 

4.4

3.75

3.8

3.9

4.0 

4.2 

4.4 

4.7

1.0 

2.2

23

5.0 

5.5 

6.0 

6.5

7.0 

8.0

164

270

412

760

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

2.7

1.7

.9

.5

*.l

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5.9

0.19

12

Nov.

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

C)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

------

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

2.1

11

6

b60

b50

blOO

b!30

b!20

bllO

*blOO

blOO

blOO

blOO

blOO

b200

b800

*569

*688

*627

496

400

274

170

80

70

71

66

73

51

5,724.1

185

11,350

Apr.

35

26

21

*19

16

14

12

11

9

8

.3

.1

.3

.1

.6

.2

.9

.6

.9

* .5

.5

.0

.8

.7

.7

.8

1.0

228.0

7.60

452

May

1.5

1.9

1.9

1.7

1.6

1.3

1.2

1.5

.3

2.3

4.3

2.9

2.4

2.1

*1.7

-1.3

.8

.7

.4

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

32.1

1.04

64

June

0

0

0

0

*o

0

1.3

3.9

279

1.1

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

9.4

0.31

19

July Aug.

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

11

13

8

5

3.1

1.5

.5

1 (*) o'

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

o

0

0 52.2

0 1.68

0 104

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 399 Min 0 Mean 3.23 Ac-ft 2,340

Water year 1955-56: Max 800 Mln 0 Mean 16.5 Ac-ft 12,000

Peak discharge (base, 1,000 cfs).--No peak above base. 

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

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.

Note.--Discharge computed from once-daily wire-weight-gage readings Mar. 7-9, 12-17, 19, 22-24, 

26-28, 31, Apr. 23-26, May 9-11.
326 CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN

Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte , S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44 Q 41'40", long 101"13'05", in NE^SE^ sec. 32, T. 9 N., R. 24 E., on downstream side of fourth pier from left abutment of bridge on State Highway 63, 0.5 miles 

upstream from Hermaphrodite Creek and 21 miles south of Eagle Butte.

Drainage area.--24.500 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. August 1928 to September 1956. Published as "near Carlin" 1928-33.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and supplemental wire-weight-gage read once daily. Datum of 

gage is 1,601.57 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to Nov. 23, 1934, chain 

gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--27 years (1929-56), 920 cfs (666,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 6,870 cfs Mar. 22 (gage height, 6.55 ft); maximum gage height, 8.42 ft Mar. 19 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 40 cfs 

Nov. 17; minimum gage height, 2.19 ft Nov. 3.

1928-56: Maximum discharge observed, 104,000 cfs May 24, 1933 (gage height, 15.00 

ft), from rating curve extended above 30,000 cfs; no flow Feb. 14-16, 19^9, Jan. 25 to 

Feb. 4, 1950.

Maximum stage known, 18.9 ft May 13, 1920, from information by local residents. 

Flood of May 9, 1927, reached a stage of 18.1 ft, from information by local residents.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Discharge 

measurements generally made twice a month December to February and once a week during 

remainder of year. Natural flow of stream affected by storage reservoirs and diversions for irrigation of about 70,000 acres above station.

Revisions. WSP 786: Drainage area.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 5, 6, Mar. 31 to 

May 10, July 5, 6)

Oct. 1 to Mar.

2.4 180

2.6 240

2.8 340

3.0 470

Mar. 18 to Sept. 30

2.6 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

580

1,070

4.5

5.0 

5.5 

6.0

1,710

2,470

3,580

5,080

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1955

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

a

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

442

400

376

370

364

340

295

280

260

255

234

231

222

213

198

204

204

210

213

222

216

198

210

210

207

210

204

201

192

201 

204

7,786

251

15,440

Nov.

207

207

180

192

195

222

240

280

257

231

234

210

170

140

110

75

40

45

50

55

60

70

75

85

100

115

130

140

140

140

4,375

146

8,680

Dec.

140

140

140

140

140

140

140

140

130

120

120

130

130

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

135

150

170

190

210

230

250

300

350

320

300

5,300

171

10,510

Jan.

280

260

250

250

260

280

280

280

280

285

285

285

285

280

250

200

160

120

100

80

70

70

70

70

70

70

80

80

80

80 

80

5,570

180

11,050

Feb.

80

80

90

100

100

100

105

110

110

120

130

140

160

160

150

130

110

110

110

110

110

130

150

180

175

170

170

180

190

------

3,760

130

7,460

Mar.

210

230

300

450

750

1,200

1,100

1,000

800

700

600

550

520

520

500

600

1,200

2,500

4,100

4,600

5,400

4,950

3,980

2,600

2,320

2,240

1,950

1,430

1 , 000

652 

750

49,702

1,603

98,580

Apr.

830

750

644

573

545

517

545

644

580

491

447

418

364

353

348

332

322

308

298

270

252

248

243

243

235

239

239

230

274

288

12,070

402

23,940

May

308

440

1,180

760

510

447

379

337

436

430

441

385

327

327

317

566

385

303

261

239

230

230

222

218

195

201

205

235

390

1.580

''"

13,482

435

26,740

June

993

660

580

478

441

401

342

32?

348

298

279

256

226

248

235

214

261

317

342

531

504

358

279

298

270

270

284

270

293

266

10,869

362

21,560

July

266

256

26:

288

638

1.62C

1,640

1,290

77C

588

43C

353

374

327

27£

284

33?

348

317

348

303

288

27C

256

243

23C

23C

23f

25?

3oe

33Z

13,943

45C

27,660

Aug.

293

327

293

266

270

261

266

1,190

819

554

588

598

695

584

374

317

270

284

298

284

322

332

337

308

298

270

252

261

243

209 

°05

11,868

383

23 , 540

Sept.

189

182

178

197

214

222

218

222

235

226

193

182

174

162

197

170

162

158

170

174

155

158

158

162

170

174

166

158

162

174

5,462

182

10,830

Calendar year 1955: Max 10,300 Mln 35 Mean 387 Ac-ft 280,200

Water year 1955-56: Max 5,400 Mln 40 Mean 394 Ao-ft 286,000
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 

Missouri River at Pier-re, S. Dak.

327

Location. Lat 44°22'25", long 100°22'05", in SWjj- sec. 32, T. Ill N. , R. 79 W. , near left 

bank on downstream side of pier of Chicago and North Western Railway bridge at Pierre, 

1.2 miles upstream from Bad River and at mile 1,117.6.

Drainage area.--243.500 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. October 1929 to September 1956. Gage-height records collected in 

this vicinity for 1882, 1895-99 are contained in reports of Missouri River Commission 

and records for 1891-1916, and 1918 to date are contained in reports of U. S. Weather 

Bureau.

Gage.--Water-stage i-ecorder. Datum of gage is 1,414.26 ft (revised) above mean sea

level, datum of 1929. Prior to Mar. 11, 1932, chain gage at same site at datum 2.00 ft 

higher.

Average discharge.--27 years, 23,580 cfs (17,070,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 73,900 cfs Mar. 24 (gage height, 11.11 ft); 

minimum daily, 4,800 cfs Feb. 20; minimum gage height, 3.38 ft Nov. 18.

1929-56: Maximum discharge, 440,000 cfs Apr. 10, 1952 (gage height, 25.35 ft); 

minimum daily, 2,300 cfs Nov. 14-16, 1940; minimum gage height observed, 0.20 ft 

Nov. 27, 1946.

Remarks.--Records excellent except those for period of ice effect, which are good. Discharge measurements generally made two or three times a week during open water and 

once a week during winter period. Many diversions above station for irrigation. Flow 

regulated by Garrison Reservoir (see p. 250). Records of chemical analyses and water 

temperatures for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Revisions (water years). WSF 716: 1930. WSP 761: Drainage area.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan, Feb. Apr. May June July Sept.

8,000

7,400

7,600

7,600

7,500

7,500

8,000

7,800

8,000

7,200

6,600

6,400

6,600

6,000

5,500

5,000

5,400

5,800

6,000

6,400

6,400

6,800

6,300

6,400

6,600 

6,600 

7,000 

7, EDO 

7,400

7,600

7,500

7,400

7,300

7,400

7,600

8,800

10,500

12,000

22,000

45,700

39,000

35,700

25,500

21,600

21,800

Mea: 

Ac-ft

995,900 

32,130 

tl,975

585,500

19,520

268,300

8,655

532,200

274,000

8,839

543,500

188,400

6,497

373,700

556,400 

17,950 

*1,104

880,900 

28,420 

*1,747

*1,017.1 

33,900 

*2,017

623,800 

20,960 

tl,247

Calendar year 1955: Max 

Water year 1955-56: Max

48,600

58,700

5,320

4,800

Mean 

Mean

Ac-ft 14,970,000 

Ac-ft 16,110,000

Peak discharge (ba;

29, July 31 to Aug. 3, Aug. 18 to Sept. 16, Sept. 26-30

,rge computed from twlc 

20, Mar. 29 to Apr. 1,

459735 O - 58 - 22
328 BAD RIVER BASIN

Bad River near Midland, S. Dak.

center of span on downstream side of highway bridge, three-fifths of a mile downstream 

from Ash Creek, ITT miles east of Midland, and 2t miles downstream from

Location. Lat 44°04'05", long 101°07i45", in SE^SEi sec. 5, T. 1 N., R. 25 E., near

'a mile downst 

om Mitchell Creek.

Drainage area.--1,500 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--January 1946 to September 1956.

Gage. Wire-weight gage and crest-stage indicator; gage read once daily. Datum of gage 

~is 1,833.42 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to Apr. 11, 1947, chain 

gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 10 years, 92.1 cfs (66,680 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 55 cfs (38,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 2,460 cfs Mar. 20 (gage height, 6.71 ft); no 

flow for many days.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 11,200 cfs Apr. 2, 1952 (gage height, 14.00 ft); no 

flow for many days each year.

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Records of 

chemical analyses and water temperatures for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ioe effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1-8, Mar. 23-27, Apr. 4-7,

22-28, May 22 to June 7, July 3, 7, 8, Aug. 9, 19-26)

1.88

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

0

.1

1.0

4.0

11

21

35

2.5 

2.7 

3.0 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0

53

113

226

611

1,060

1,770

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

"56

3.2

.5

0

.1

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

16.1

0.52

32

Nov.

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

------

0

0

0

Mar.

*2

207J

500

450

*360

250

110

*75

70

50

30

20

30

50

80

130

110

170

1,160

1,660

*848

568

*389

313

264

*241

188

154

150

53 

21

8,696

281

17,250

Apr.

22

32

28

*28

24

14

8

5

7

1.9

6

11

6

4.0

2.2

.8

.3

.4

*.6

0

0

.1

.2

*.2

0

.3

.3

.8

1.6

3.6

208.3

6.94

413

May

5

16

146

T28

58

27

*19

11

2.5

1.6

.5

1.4

1.9

2.2

*3.6

5

6

8

6

3.6

1.9

3.2

.1

"".2 0

.3

.4

*.8

.7

2.5

1.0

463.4

14.9

919

June

3.2

j_" g

l!2

.7

.3

.1

.3

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

7.7

0.26

15

July

 50

5?

981

76f

619

443

230

*56

18

13

6

6

24

16

10

4.0

1.6

.4

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

3,243.0

105

6,430

Aug.

0

0

0

0

0

0

*.5

*85

150

113

48

15

6

0

0

0

0

.3

0

*.3

0

.5

.1

.2

0

.1

0

0

0

0 

0

419.0

13.5

831

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,610 Min 0 Mean 35.0 Ao-ft 25,300

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,660 Min 0 Mean 35.7 Ac-ft 25,890

Peak discharge (base. 500 cfs). Mar. 2 (570 cfs); Mar. 20 (1 a.m.) 2,460 ofs (6.71 ft); July 4 

(11 a.m.) 1,170 cfs (5^20 ft).

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 11 to Mar. 18.
BAD RIVER BASIN 

Bad River near Fort Pierre, S. Dak.

329

Location. Lat 44°19'40" J long 100°23'00", in NW£ sec. 10, T. 4 N., R. 31 E., on right bank 

on downstream side of pier of highway bridge, 2i miles south of Fort PierrB, 4f miles 

downstream from Willow Creek, and 5 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area.--3.107 sq mi.

Records available.--August 1928 to June 1932, March 1934 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,427.83 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Aug. 22, 1928, to June 30, 1932, and Mar. 1 to Nov. 25, 1934, chain gage at same 

site and datum. Nov. 26, 1934, to July 9, 1951, wire-weight gage at same site and 

datum.

Average discharge. 25 years (1928-31, 1934-56), 176 cfs (127,400 acre-ft per year); median 

of yearly mean discharges, 100 cfs (72,400 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 3,050 cfs Mar. 20 (gage height, 10.41 ft); maximum gage height, 12.25 ft Mar. 17 (backwater from ice); no flow for many days.

1928-38, 1934-56: Maximum discharge, 34,200 cfs May 1, 1942 (gage height, 27.8 ft, 

from floodmark); no flow during long periods each year.

Flood in April 1927 reached a stage of 30.89 ft, from floodmark (discharge, 50,000 

cfs, from rating curve extended above 33,000 cfs). Flood in July 1905 reached a stage 

about 2 ft higher than that in April 1927.

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. 

Revisions (water years).--WSP 786: Drainage area. WSP 856: 19S9(M), 1937.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used July 5-8, Aug. 12, 13,

Aug. 22 to Sept. 30)

Oct. 1 to Mar

3.8 0

3.9

4.0 1.

4.1 3.

4.2 6

4.3 12

4.4 21

3.2

3.3

3.4 

3.6 

3.8 

4.0

Mar. 4 to Sept. 30

0 4.2

1.0 4.6

2.5 5.0

10 6.0

23 8.0

43 10.0

81

190

320

710

1,610

2,800

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Tota]

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

15

To

6

4.3

3.1

2.2

2.0

1.5

1.5

1.0

.4

.2

*.4

.3

.3

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1 

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0 

0

49.5

1.60

98

Nov.

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

*0

0

470

*950

*750

150 

100

80

50

50

40

30

50

60

80

500

1,770

*1,600

*2,630

2,640 

*1,820

1,360

1,020

1,140

*1,180

1,200

678

320

*196

316

21,230

685

42,110

Apr.

376

299

220

179

159

*137

126 

73

55

40

33

30

26

22

19

15

14

13 *11

14

9 

8

8

8

8

9

12

11

14

14

1,962

65.4

3,890

May

*20

142

109

43

39

81

*55 

52

36

22

18

15

14

*15

12

12

11

8

7

7

6 

*12

10

5

5

4.9

5

6

15

9

6

801.9

25.9

1,590

June

11

7

5

*3.7

2.5

2.5

1.6 

1.0

1.0

.5

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

0

0

*0

O

0

0

0

0

35.8

1.19

71

July

0

0

0

4.3

*447

*555

1,040 

ZTZ

*137

123

91

50

31

21

16

*11

6

10

15

11

7 

6

4.6

2.8

1.6

1.4

1.0

.9

.8

*4.0 

1.4

2,971.8

95.9

5,890

Aug.

1.3

1.2

1.2

1.9

1.3

30

18

1.9

.7

.6

122 »<J17

*203

46

29

15

10

6

5

4.0

2.4

1.4

*1.Z

.7

.4

.3

.2

.2

0

*0 

0

1,321.9

42.6

2,620

Sept.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,160 Min O Mean 82.6 Ac-ft 59,780

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,640 Mln 0 Mean 77.5 Ac-ft 56,270

Peak discharge (base, 1,100 efs).--Mar. 4 (5 p.m.) 1,460 cfs (7.71 ft); Mar. 17 (12 p.m.) 2,300 

cfs; Mar. 20 (3:3O a.m.) 3,050 cfs (10.41 ft); Mar. 27 (11 a.m.) 1,330 cfs (7.45 ft); July 6 (12 p.m.) 

1,440 cfs (7.50 ft); Aug. 12 (11:30 a.m.) 1,330 cfs (7.27 ft).

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

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 4-18. Discharge computed from recorder record 

Mar. 4-24 and from once-daily wire-weight-gage readings and partial recorder record, at times,during 

remainder of year.
MEDICINE CREEK BASIN (UPPER)

Medicine Creek near Blunt, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°33'45", long 99°54'40", in NW£ sec. 31, T. 113 N., R. 75 W., on left 

"bank at downstream side of highway "bridge, 3 miles upstream from South Fork Medicine 

Creek and 5 miles northeast of Blunt.

Drainage area. 455 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--March 1950 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,612 ft (by "barometer). Prior to 

(Jet. 31, 1950, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 6 years, 8.72 cfs (6,310 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 12 cfs Mar. 21; maximum gage height, 9.85 ft 

Mar. 19 ("backwater from ice); no flow for many days.

1950-56; Maximum discharge, 1,830 cfs Apr. 5, 1952 (gage height, 12.34 ft, from 

floodmarks); maximum gage height, 13.2 ft "between Mar. 26 and Mar. 29, 1950, from 

floodmark ("backwater from ice) ; no flow for long periods each year.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used June 3-11)

6.88

7.0

7.1

7.2

7.4 

7.7 

8.0

1.2

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(«)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

*1

5

*11-5

*4

4

3

3

2

1

*0

1 

2

43

1.4

85

Apr.

3

2

3

4

*4

4

4

3

*3.0

2.9

2.4

2.2

2.1

1.7

1.4

1.2

1.1

1.1

*1.3

1.2

.8

.8

.8

1.0

.7

.6

.2

TF

.8

.7

55.5

1.85

110

May

0.9

.9

.9

.8

.6

.7

.7

.8

.3

.2

.7

.3

.4

*.7

.4

.5

.3

.2

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.2

.4

.6

.3

12.1

0.39

24

June

0.4

.5

.3

.3

*.3

.4

.3

.4

.2

.3

.3

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

3.7

0.12

7.3

July

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Aug.

(«)

(«)

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 410 Min 0 Mean 5.87 Ac-ft 4,240

Water year 1955-56: Max 11 Min 0 Mean 0.31 Ac-ft 226

Peak discharge (base, 50 cfs). No peak above base. 

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 18 to Apr. 8. Discharg 

daily wire-weight-gage readings Mar. 18 to Apr. 19.

;e computed from once-
MEDICINE CREEK BASIN (LOWER) 331

Medicine Creek at Kennebec, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 43°54', long 99°52', in NWiNEjj- sec. 18, T. 105 N., R. 75 W., on right bank 

4 ft downstream from highway bridge, half a mile west of Kennebec, and half a mile 

downstream from nearest tributary.

Drainage area.--465 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. July 1954 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Prior to Dec. 28, 1954, wire-weight gage read once daily at 

same site and datum.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 271 cfs Mar. 22 (gage height, 5.65 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1954-56: Maximum discharge, 1,840 cfs Mar. 10, 1955 (gage height, 13.54 ft); no 

flow for many days each year.

Flood in April 1952 reached a stage of 17.0 ft, from floodmarks (discharge, about 

3,500 cfs).

Remarks. Records good.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height. In feet, and discharge,

In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 21, 22)

0.65 

.7

1.0 

1.3

1.2

4.2

10

1.6 

2.0 

3.0 

4.0 

6.0

157

324

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1S56

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

0

Nov.

C)

0

0

0

Dec.

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

*0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

g.3

go

0

*2.0

*5

99

*244 '236

186

145

*175

175

147

39

23 

25

1,506.3

48.6

2,990

Apr.

39

164

142

63

58

88

66

45

27

*18

13

10

7

6

4.6

4.9

3.9

2.8

gl.8

Si. 2

gl.O

.6

.2

0 *go

8.2

.1

0

0

0

767.3

25.6

1,520

May

0

8.5

*S2.2

10

To

9

5

3.2

2.0

1.3

1.2

g.7

g.l

g.l

0

0

0

gl.4

.1

0

0

0

*go

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

46.8

1.51

93

June

(*)

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

July

0

(*)

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Aug.

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 gii.

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

0

0.2

0.01

0.4

Sept.

(*)

(*)

( )

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,570 Mln o Mean 22.7 Ac-ft 16, 450

Water year 1955-56: Max 244 Mln o Mean 6.34 Ac-ft 4,600
332 WHITE RIVER BASIN

White River at Crawford, Nebr.

Location.--Lat 42°41', long 103°25', in w£ sec. 3, T. 31 N., R. 52 W., on right bank 

15 ft downstream from bridge in city park; at Crawford.

Drainage area. 313 sq mi.

Records available.--February 1931 to September 1943 and October 1947 to September 1956 

in reports of Geological Survey. January 1924 to December 1927, February 1931 to 

September 1943, and October 1947 to September 1956 in reports of State engineer.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,659.52 ft above mean sea level, datum 

of 1929. Prior to Dec. 31, 1927, staff gage in vicinity of present gage at different 

datum. Feb. 25, 1931, to Oct. 2, 1933, staff gage at old highway bridge half a mile 

upstream at different datum and Oct. 3, 1933, to Sept. 30, 1943, chain gage 1 mile upstream at different datum.

Average discharge.--21 years (1931-43, 1947-56), 21.1 cfs (15,280 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 958 cfs July 2 (gage height, 5.10 ft); from 

rating curve extended above 250 cfs; minimum daily, 7.0 cfs Sept. 3.

1931-43, 1947-56: Maximum gage height, 6.88 ft Mar. 15, 1948 (discharge not determined); minimum daily discharge, 3.9 cfs Aug. 11, 1936.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Discharge 

measurements generally made once a week.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

37

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

14

14

15

15

14

12

14

15

14

14

13

14

16

15

14

13

14

14

14

13

14

14

17

17

17

17

18

18

19

Te

18

468

15.1

928

Nov.

17

17

17

18

17

17

17

18

20

21

20

20

20

19

16

13

13

14

16

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

517

17.2

1,030

Dec.

17

T7

17

17

17

18

18

18

18

18

18

18

19

21

20

20

20

19

20

23

25

22

29

25

23

22

22

22

21

20

20

624

20.1

1,240

Jan.

21

20

19

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

14_

15

16

22

28

24

19

20

20

20

20

21

21

21

20

19

18

618

19.9

1,230

Feb.

17

17

19

21

23

25

22

22

20

20

21

21

22

22

22

20

18

18

20

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

23

22

22

611

21.1

1,210

Mar.

22

22

21

23

23

21

20

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

23

23

29

27

27

25

24

23

23

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

698

22.5

1,380

Apr.

21

22

23

22

22

23

22

22

22

22

21

22

21

20

20

20

20

19

20

19

19

19

22

22

20

20

22

24

23

25.

639

21.3

1,270

May

25

23

21

22

21

20

20

20

20

20

20

17 in?

22

21

17

18

18

18

18

20

20

19

19

18

18

30

22

20

20

19

629

20.3

1,250

June

17

16

16

15

16

15

14

13

16

13

13

12

12

11

14

15

44

17

14

14

11

11

9.5

11

11

12

12

9.0

9.5

9.5

419.5

14.0

832

July

73

93

FT

20

18

15

15

12

12

12

12

14

13

11

9.5

8.5

12

12

11

11

10

10

11

9.5

9.0

9.5

9.5

10

10

12

12

5£5.5

17.0

1,040

Aug.

13

T3~ 15

12

11

11

10

9.5

10

9.5

10

10

9.0

I±l

8.0

8.5

9.0

12

14

15

14

11

10

11

11

10

9.5

10

8.0

7.5

8*5

327.5

10.6

650

Sept.

8.5

7.5

7.0

9.5

11

12

IT

11

9.5

8.5

9.0

9.5

9.5

9.0

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

9.5

10

10

10

11

11

11

11

10

9.5

11

12

296.5

9.88

588

Calendar year 1955: Max 187 Mln 7.5 Mean 18.9 Ac-ft 13,700

Water year 1955-56 : Max 96 Mln 7.0 Mean 17.4 Ac-ft 12,650
WHITE RIVER BASIN 333

White River below Cottonwood Creek near Whitney, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°48'35", long 103°10'05", In NE^NE^ sec. 26, T. 33 N., R. 50 V'., on left 

bank half a mile downstream from Cottonwood Creek and 4|- miles northeast of Whitney.

Drainage area.--676 sq mi.

Records available. October 1948 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder.

Average discharge. 8 years, 20.4 cfs (14,770 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 974 cfs May 27 (gage height, 14.72 ft); no flow 

June 30.

1948-56: Maximum discharge, 1,690 cfs May 23, 1954 (gage height, 19.01 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 250 cfs on basis of slope-area determinations at gage 

heights 15.95 ft and 19.01 ft; no flow Mar. 14-16, 1954, June 30, 1956.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record 

and those below 5 cfs, which are poor. Discharge measurements generally mac'e once a 

week. Natural flow of stream affected by diversions for irrigation, off-stream storage in Whitney Reservoir (capacity 10,000 acre-ft), and return flow from irrigated 

areas.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September I9f6

Day

1

2 

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14 

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

a6.0

aS.O 

4.8

5.2

3.5

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.3

H 

2.0

1.9

1.9

2.9

3.1

2.8

2.3

2.2

2.0

2.2

6.0

3.3

2.3

2.2

2.0

2.5 

2 5

90.2

2.91

179

Nov.

2.9

2.6 

2.8

3.O

3.9

2.8

2.8

2.5

3.1

4.8

8.7

9.0

2.0

H

1.3

2.2

4.1

7.4

2S_

13

11

12

11

8.7

7.8

5.9

4.0

2.6

4.0

173.8

5.79

345

Dec.

6.2

8.2 

1.2

1.1

.9

.8

.8

.9

1.1

1.2

.8

.9

.9

.8 

.8

.7

.9

.8

.9

1.1

1.2

1.2

5.5

43

29

24

23

16

8.3

4.6 

3.5

190.3

6.14

377

Jan.

4.3

5.3 

379

2.8

2.9

2.9

2.3

2.0

2.4

2.8

2.4

2.3

2.4

2.8 

1.8

1.4

1.9

1.7

1.9

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.6

1.5

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.1 

1.0

67.8

2.19

134

Feb.

O.8

.7 

.8

1.0

1.5

2.0

3.0

3.0

2.1

2.1

2.3

2.0

2.2

2.3

.4

tl

.4

.5

.6

.8

1.4

2.1

3.1

3.3

3.9

376

3.3

3.4

53.2

1.83

1O6

Mar.

3.5

3.4 

3.1

2.8

2.4

2.2

1.6

1.3

1.5

1.2

.9

.7

170

1.0

1.6

3.9

7.1

15

18

18

17

20

16

11

9.0

7.8

6.5

6.0

5.2

7.5

202.4

6.53

401

Apr.

6.5

6.5 

6.8

7.3

7.8

6.5

6.8

6.8

6.5

6.8

9.O

5.7

15

18 

18

18

18

18

20

20

20

17

18

27

34

28

22

16

a27

a_50

487. 0

16.2

966

May

64

44 

32

28

27

27

25

13

9.0

6.5

6.0

6.2

9.9

35 

20

9.9

7.3

8.7

8.4

7.8

7.3

23

17

8.4

5.2

416~ 3.9

189

46

127

54

1,291.5

41.7

2,560

June

16

9.0 

8.1

7.5

7.3

7.3

7.0

7.O

7.0

7.0

6.8

a7.0

a7.0

a7.O

11

11

45

32

9.0

7.O

6.0

a4.8

a3.6

a2.4

1.2

al.6

.5

.9

.1

O

247.1

8.24

49O

July

0.5

f

18

36

11

7.5

5.7

4.1

3.7

4.5

6.5

7.3

6.2 

2.9

4.8

5.5

4.5

3.5

2.3

2.2

2.0

2.3

1.7

2.3

3.1

2.8

2.8

3.7

6.0

6.5

313.9

10.1

623

Aug.

5.5

4.5 

12

T.o

2.5

1.9

1.3

.8

.7

576

6.5

4.3

2.3

1.6 

2.2

2.5

2.0

2.0

1.6

7.3

10

3.3

2.8

1.9

1.9

1.7

2.6

2.9

1.6

.8 

2 3

105.9

3.42

210

Sept.

1.2

1.6 

1.6

1.0

.8

6.2

672

5.7

5.2

4.5

3.9

1.9

2.3

2.2 

2.0

1.3

1.0

1.2

1.2

1.0

.8

.9

2.9

3.5

4.3

5.2

5.O

4.3

2.8

2.0

83.7

2.79

166

Calendar year 1955: Max 6OO Min 0.2 Mean 18.9 Ac-ft 13,66O

Water year 1955-56: Max 416 Min o Mean 9.O3 Ac-ft 6,56O

Peak discharge (base, 350 efs). May 27 (l p.m.) 974 cfs (14.72 ft), 

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of weather records, trend of flow, £ 

ords for station at Crawford.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 2-4, 8, Nov. 13 to Mar. 22, Mar. 29.
334 WHITE RIVER BASIN

White River near Oglala, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 43°15'10", long 102°49i30", In SW^NE^ sec. 24, T. 38 N., R. 47 W., on 

right tank at downstream side of highway bridge, 3 miles downstream from Blacktall 

Creek and 7 miles northwest of Oglala.

Drainage area.--S,200 sq ml, approximately. 

Records available.--May 1943 to September 1956.

Sage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage Is 2,853.54 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929, Prior to May 6, 1947, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--13 years, 64,3 cfs (46,550 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 56 cfs (40,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 510 cfs May 30 (gage height, 10.64 ft); maximum 

gage height, 17.04 ft Feb. 24 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 1.0 cfs Nov. 12 

(result of freeneup); minimum gage height, 2.99 ft Oct. 15.

1943-56: Maximum discharge, 5,200 cfs June 21, 1947 (gage height, 23.50 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 2,800 cfs by velocity-area studies; no flow at times 

during 1952, 1954.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Some diversions above station for irrigation.

Eating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 8 to Nov. 12, Apr. 17 to

May 29, Sept. 11-30)

2.6 

2.8 

3.3 

3.8

Oct. 1 to Mar. 18

3.5 4.4

6 5.0

16 7.0

30 9.0

19 to Sept. 30

200

353

3.4 

3.6 

3.8 

4.0 

4.2

8.0 

10.0

28

49

106

263

446

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

58

45

35

32

24

22

21

16

14

24

12

9

9

8

8

8

8

*8

9

14

9

10

12

13

15

17

24

19

21

21

21

566

18.2

1,120

Nov.

24

16

8

11

8

4.6

4.6

*7

9

8

10

6

5

4

3

2

2

3

4

5

6

6

7

8

10

12

10

8

8

9

228.2

7.61

453

Dec.

10

9

8

9

10

*11

9

8

9

10

11

11

11

10

9

10

10

10

9

9

10

14

20

35

60

166

"S50 344

150

75

40

1,357

43.8

2,690

Jan.

35

30

*30

35

40

45

35

30

30

28

26

20

14

10

10

10

9

9

a

8

8

8

9

10

9

9

9

9

10

*9

g

561

18.1

1,110

Feb.

9

9

9

20

40

35

30

28

26

25

25

28

30

28

26

25

26

28

30

32

34

36

75

280

240

180

160

*155

150

1,819

62.7

3,610

Mar.

180

200

160

120

95

85

85

75

65

60

50

40

35

35

50

65

75

90

*165

*260

213

170

119

75

68

64

51

31

23

17

15.

2,836

91.5

5,620

Apr.

15

18

22

22

23

22

23

25

25

*25

23

23

23

22

21

21

22

20

20

18

18

18

20

21

23

22

24

48

45

44

716

23.9

1,420

May

40

*34

58

76

*58

46

40

38

37

37

31

25

31

35

22

23

60

52

35

28

23

*24

26

23

21

62

52

84

144

592

134

1,791

57.8

3,550

June

135

116

59

36

28

22

20

18

17

17

16

*15

15

14

15

16

16

55

83

66

44

22

16

15

14

13

14

13

11

10

951

31.7

1,890

July

9

*11

26

20

89_

48

29

32

24

18

14

16

12

11

11

12

11

10

9

9

9

11

10

9

9

*8

8

8

8

9

g

519

16.7

1,030

Aug.

9

9

17

15

11

9

9

8

8

9

12

13

*9

8

8

8

8

98

148

TT

16

13

10

8

8

10

8

7

6

e

6

535

17.3

1,060

Sept,

7

7

7

7

*8

8

8

8

8

7

7

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

1

9

*8

8

8

7

8

7

234

7.8

464

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,730 Mln 2 Mean 60.8 Ac-ft 44,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 392 Mln 2 Mean 33.1 Ac-ft 24,020

Peak discharge (base, 800 cfs). No peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 13 to Dec. 25, Dec. 29 to Mar. 20.
WHITE RIVER BASIN 335

White River near Kadoka, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°45'10", long 101°31'30", in SE^SE^ sec . 30, T. 3 S., R. 22 E., Black 

Hills meridian, near center of span on downstream side of bridge on State Highway 73, 

Similes upstream from Pass Creek, 5| miles downstream from Cottonwood Creek, and 

5-^ miles south of Kadoka.

Drainage area. 5.OOP sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--July 1942 to September 1956.

Gage. Wire-weight gage read once daily, with additional readings during high-water periods 

Datum of gage is 2,122.18 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to June 14, 

1949, wire-weight gage only and June 14, 1949, to Mar. 8, 1955, water-stage recorder 

and wire-weight gage, at site a quarter of a mile downstream at same datum.

Average discharge. 14 years, 302 cfs (218,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, about 3,000 cfs Feb. 27 (gage height, 12.81 ft, 

from floodmarks, backwater from ice); minimum daily, 0.1 cfs Sept. 25.

1942-56: Maximum discharge, 21,700 cfs June 7, 1951 (gage height, 13.83 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 16,000 cfs by logarithmic plotting; no flow during many 

periods.

Flood of June 4, 1942, reached a stage of 16.24 ft, from floodmarks (discharge, about 

32,000 cfs, from rating curve extended above 16,000 cfs). Floods of Mar. 8, 1905, and 

spring of 1927 were 1 or 8 ft higher than flood of June 4, 1942, from information by 

local residents.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Discharge 

measurements generally made at 2-week intervals during the winter season and weekly 

during the remainder of the year. Some diversions above station for irrigation.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1279: 1944(M), 1948.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect ( 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 1, Nov. 1-4, Mar. 18-23, 

27-30, May 15, 16, June 20, 21, Aug. 9-14)

3.85

3.9

4.0

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

0

42

4.5

6.0 

7.0

62

126

270

540

840

1,790

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

190

161

144

84

70

54

42

32

28

22

20

17

13

13

11

9

6

9

7

7

10

10

10

9

8

8

9

7

7

8

12

1,037

33.5

2,060

Nov.

11

9

11

14

17

22

23

T5

19

20

20

17

12

9

5

3

2

2

3

5

5

6

6

6

7

7

8

9

10

10

317

10.6

629

Dec.

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

B

B

e

B

8

10

50

300

1,200

1,000

500

450

400

350

300

4,752

153

9,430

Jan.

250

200

250

300

300

250

200

150

120

110

100

90

90

80

70

70

60

50

45

40

35

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

25

25

3,145

101

6,240

Feb.

25

25

25

25

30

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

35

40

40

40

150

200

300

1,500

1,400

1,200

------

5,490

189

10,890

Mar.

1,000

1,000

900

900

700

600

400

300

300

280

260

240

220

200

200

190

g400

g903

gl.500

gl,300

gl,090

g875

666

492

395

305

235

135

112

97

_94

16,289

525

32,310

Apr.

94

87

82

73

157

161

157

135

122

84

84

84

84

70

68

62

58

58

54

54

54

54

58

56

54

58

84

94

108

g!44

2,592

86.4

5,140

May

gl,190

gl.SZO

g678

g330

g205

g215

g!57

g88

g265

g!66

gl!5

g94

g94

g460

g480

g290

126

104

90

76

68

76

62

60

60

70

100

g280

g882

g648

g335

9,184

296

18,220

June

205

152

235

152

144

122

101

65

42

33

28

36

28

20

22

g35

g250

g295

g230

g56_8

g410

225

130

60

19

48

30

23

20

IS

3,743

125

7,420

July

14

15

g316

g622

230

148

73

79

87

101

87

gZ33

g!56

46

65

104

56

g39

g!04

84

60

36

13

9

4.5

3.5

1.3

1.0

g5

£7-22

g389

3 , 903 . 3

126

7,740

Aug.

g!04

g90

g44

g68

g315

g355

g984

gl.0_80

g702

g558

g976

gl,050

g768

g768

g375

g462

g420

g390

g255

g65

32

40

52

68

40

70

119

84

65

58 

50

10,507

339

20,840

Sept.

36

28

23

16

16

16

22

25

14

9

9

9

6

3.5

3.0

2.0

2.0

1.5

1.5

1.2

1.2

.8

.8

.3

-il

.2

.2

.5

1.0

1.2

250.0

8.33

496

Calendar year 1955: Max 11,400 Mln 0 Mean 288 Ac-ft 208,200

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,500 Mln 0.1 Mean 167 Ac-ft 121,400

Peak discharge (base, 5,600 efs). No peak above base.

g Computed from graph based on wire-weight-gage readings.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 16.
336 WHITE RIVER BASIN

South Fork White River near Rosebud, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°19'30", long 100°53'05", in NW£ sec. 28, T. 39 N., R. 30 W., on left 

"bank at downstream side of "bridge on U. S. Highway 18, 4^ miles downstream from Rosebud Creek and 6^ miles northwest of Rosebud.

Drainage area. 1,020 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--May 1943 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,295 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

May 11, 1948, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--13 years, 117 cfs (84,700 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 358 cfs Mar. 20 (gage height, 4.58 ft); maximum 

gage height, 7.51 ft Mar. 16 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 45 cfs 

Nov. 16.

1943-56: Maximum discharge, 4,470 cfs May 17, 1944 (gage height, 13.92 ft, from 

floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 810 cfs by velocity-area studies; minimum daily, 10 cfs Jan. 4, 1949, Feb. 20, 1955; minimum gage height observed, 3.22 ft 

Dec. 15, 1943.

Remarks.--Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Some small 

diversions for irrigation and some storage in several small lakes above station.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1056: 1943, drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 18-21, May 15-23)

3.5 

3.7 

4.0 

5.0

47

77

152

442

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1958

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

68

70

70

70

70

68

68

68

67

67

68

70 

70

70

72

72

72

*72

72

72

72

77

 85 90

85

85

88

88

88

83

83

2,320

74.8

4,600

Nov.

83

81

85

81

96

92

88

*83

92

94

92

85 

70

57

50

45

50

60

70

80

90

75

75

80

90

90

75

70

80

90

2,349

78.3

4,660

Dec.

*90

90

85

85

80

80

80

80

75

70

70

70 

70

70

65

65

65

60

55

55

*55

55

60

70

75

80

80

80

70

60

65

2,210

71.3

4,380

Jan.

70

75

80

85

90

90

95

95

95

95

*95

95 

95

95

90

70

80

90

90

90

90

90

90

90

90

90

90

90

85

80

75

2,720

87.7

5,400

Feb.

75

85

90

100

110

115

120

*120

120

120

120

120 

120

110

100

100

90

100

110

120

120

130

150

180

170

160

170

170

175

3,570

123

7,080

Mar.

180

*180

180

170

160

160

140

*140

130

130

120

120 

180

160

280

290

250

227

251

*509

251

*227

224

224

227

236

*239

236

216

216 

233

6,286

203

12,470

Apr,

216

216

227

216

227

227

210

210

198

184

181

178 

166

144

138

130

119

119

119

119

116

114

114

116

 111

116

119

121

124

130

4,725

158

9,370

May

141

152

146

135

130

130

149

152

152

152

144

138 

164

155

138

138

*127

106

103

94

96

96

92

88

85.

90

96

116

*103

94

96

3,798

123

7,530

June

96

94

94

94

90

116

101

90

88

88

81

*77 

77

75

75

79

85

79

74

70

67

65

62

59

59

59

*60

57

55

55

2,321

77.4

4,600

Ji'ly

62

70

70

65

67

67

62

59

56

*59

57

59 

63

62

56

55

55

55

56

54

54

55

55

*50

48

48

47

50

52

60

59

1,787

57.6

3,540

Aug.

62

70

83

79

67

64

81

75

*83

111

164

201 

166

135

116

98

111

130

103

94

*85

79

75

70

67

63

62

62

60

57

57

2,830

91.3

5,610

Sept.

56

56

55

57

62

67

65

67

62

57

*57

60 

59

65

68.

63

62

60

59

57

56

57

57

60

60

62

60

59

65

67

1,817

60.6

3,600

Calendar year 1955: Max 650 Min 10 Mean 114 Ac-ft 82,610

Water year 1955-56: Max 309 Min 45 Mean 100 Ac-ft 72,840

Peak discharge (base. 350 cfs). Mar. 20 (3 a.m.) 358 cfs (4.58 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Mote. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 15 to Mar. 17.
WHITE RIVER BASIN 337

South Fork White River below White River, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°36'00", long 100°43'50", in NEtrSEir sec. 23, T. 42 N., R. 29 W., on 

right bank 1 mile upstream from small tributary, 2 miles downstream from Pine Creek, 

and 2? miles northeast of town of White River.

Drainage area. 1,570 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--October 1949 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,906 ft (by barometer).

Average discharge.--? years, 142 cfs (102,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,960 cfs Aug. 6 (gage height, 3.41 ft); maximum gage height, 6.28 ft Mar. 20 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 9 cfs 

Aug. 16; minimum daily, 22 cfs Nov. 17.

1949-56: Maximum discharge, 5,850 cfs Mar. 29, 1952 (gage height, 6.15 ft); maximum gage height, 10.90 ft Mar. 28, 1952 (backwater from ice); no flow for parts of 

several days during 1952, 1954; minimum daily discharge, 7 cfs July 31, Aug. 31, 

Sept. 1, 1952.

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Pischarge 

measurements generally made at 2-week intervals during winter season and weekly during 

the remainder of the year. Diurnal fluctuations caused by small powerplant reservoir 

3 miles upstream. Several small diversions for irrigation and some storage in several 

small lakes above station. Records of chemical analyses and water temperatures for 

the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, Mar. 22-26, Mar. 28

to May 2, July 29 to Aug. 3, Aug. 26 to Sept. 14)

Oct. 1 to Apr. 5 Apr. 6 to Sept. 30

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

38

53

75

1O9

1.7

1.8 

2.0

162

240

430

1.2 

1.5 

2.0

149 

306 

7OO

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

57

52

59

54

57

5O

52

64

64

55

68

71

62

75

76

82

78

68

79

62

68

64

75

104

102

94

106

114

109

~95 125

2,341

75.5

4,640

Nov.

136

W

102

75

64

65

62

59

50

62

38

32

24

32

36

26

22

60

90

90

85

85

90

90

90

90

90

85

80

85

2,097

69.9

4,160

Dec.

85

80

80

80

80

80

80

75

75

80

80

75

75

75

7O

60

60

70

65

55

65

65

75

75

80

75

75

75

75

60

65

2,265

73.1

4,490

Jan.

70

70

75

70

75

80

90

75

7O

100

90

100

95

100

100

75

95

90

100

80

80

75

75

80

85

85

85

80

75

75

70

2,565

82.7

5,O90

Feb.

75

75

75

85

95

90

75

85

110

90

100

115

115

120

115

95

85

8O

115

120

120

120

125

145

170

160

135

140

145

3,175

1O9

6,300

Mar.

145

210

220

220

200

ISO

ISO

180

180

200

ISO

145

130

180

230

220

230

240

250

420

45O

394

258

240

228

227

217

209

193

201

194

6,951

224

13,79O

Apr.

209

2oT

193

193

201

207

162

162

152

131

132

117

111

103

100

98

96

i5s

126

116

123

113

119

119

126

126

126

126

101

109

4,103

137

8,140

May

158

153

149

142

146

116

125

170

178

174

183

17O

207

249

207

174

166

138

114

106

10O

100

1OO

93

80

133

106

155

127

104

111

4,434

143

8,790

June

108

93

90

93

72

93

98

70

75

79

84

65

72

75

66

61

77

76

67

69

57

60

56

60

53

57

51

48

"46 46

2,117

70.6

4,2OO

July

49

90

67

80

63

62

65

57

64

59

52

55

53

57

57

49

49

54

48

57

49

47

47

46

40

42

38

37

38

54

44

1,669

53.8

3,310

Aug.

45

55

75

88

127

180

621

136

104

78

138

174

186

119

108

87

82

104

112

78

72

64

70

68

67

55

76

59

59

55

55

3,397

110

6,740

Sept.

57

58

56

55

54

65

62

62

60

64

51

52

58

57

54

54

53

50

45

48

41

44

46

46

49

45

50

44

53

52

1,585

52.8

3,140

Calendar year 1955: Max l,5OO Mln 22 Mean 136 Ac -ft 98,200

Water year 1955-56: Max 621 Mln 22 Mean 100 Ac-ft 72,790

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 12 to Mar. 21 (once-daily wire-weight-gage 

readings used Dec. 1O to Jan. 5, Jan. 17 to Feb. 2, Feb. 6-8, 16-19).
338 WHITE RIVER BASIN

White River near Oacoma, S. Dak.

Location. --Lat 43°44'45", long 99°33'20", in NE^NWj- sec. 10, T. 103 N., R. 73 W . , on left 

bank a quarter of a mile downstream from bridge on State Highway 47, 8 miles southwest 

of Oacoma, 8-| miles downstream from Black Dog Creek, and 16 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. --10 .200 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. August 1928 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,375 ft (from topographic map).

Tug. 24, 1928, to May 18, 1934, chain gage, May 19, 1934, to May 9, 1942, water-stage 

recorder (gage destroyed by flood), and May 10, 1942, to Sept. 30, 1951, wire-weight 

gage, at site 12 miles downstream at different datum. Oct. 1, 1951, to May 23, 1955, 

water-stage recorder at site 1 mile downstream at different datum.

Average discharge. 28 years, 542 cfs (392,400 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 470 cfs (340,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . Maximum discharge during year, 5,500 cfs Mar. 9 (gage height, 7.92 ft, backwater from ice); minimum daily, 10 cfs Dec. 9, 15-19; minimum gage hsight, 0.48 ft 

Nov. 3.

1928-56: Maximum discharge, 51,900 cfs Mar. 30, 1952 (gage height, 15.40 ft); maximum gage height, 17.6 ft Mar. 31, 1950 (site and datum then in use), from floodmark 

(ice jam); minimum discharge, 0.5 cfs July 7, 8, 21, 23, Aug. 8, 10, 1936.

Remarks . Records good except those based on wire-weight-gage readings, which are fair, 

and those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Discharge measirements generally 

made at 2 -week intervals during winter period and weekly during remainder of year. 

Some diversions above station.

Revisions. WSP 786: Drainage area.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 26 to Nov. 2, 

Nov. 4-10, Mar. 25-29, May 7-10)

Oct. 1 to May 17 May 18 to Sept. 30

0.7 

1.0 

1.5 

2.0

55

130

300

521

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

814

1,220

1,810

2,610

1.0

1.2 

1.5

11

101

199

2.0 

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

433

760

1,190

1,780

2,580

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

923

590

454

357

296

281

281

237

195

160

142

130

116

100

100

88

80

78

80

g83

86

76

76

69

69

66

76

66

73

73 

71

5,572

180

11,050

Nov.

76

73

70

78

76

83

100

88

98

86

80

75

60

35

21

18

18

19

22

22

22

20

20

18

18

20

18

16

15

T6

1,381

46.0

2,740

Dec.

18

18

16

16

15

14

13

12

10

12

12

14

14

12

10

10

10

10

10

15

25

35

38

40

42

45

46

48

48

50

50

728

23.5

1,440

Jan.

70

100

140

200

180

160

150

140

135

130

100

100

110

110

100

90

85

80

80

80

75

75

75

80

85

90

90

85

80

75

75

3,225

104

6,400

Feb.

75

75

75

75

75

80

80

80

85

85

85

90

90

90

85

90

85

80

85

75

70

60

70

85

100

100

110

120

130

2,485

85.7

4,930

Mar.

140

150

350

1,200

2,000

2,000

1,400

1,000

2,800

2,600

850

g780

g600

g600

g850

gSOO

700

700

1,000

1,400

1,400

3,200

5.400

2,650

g2,140

g2,110

1,420

1,280

755

557

600

41,432

1,337

82,180

Apr.

628

547

516

526

748

807

590

454

482

552

g501

444

413

357

320

300

270

251

240

233

226

209

199

202

202

195

189

186

226

273

11,286

376

22,390

May

300

348

408

2.160

gl,280

gl,020

g794

g651

g542

g477

g444

g454

573

516

408

404

g840

g715

g622

g456

g345

302

279

265

248

223

'227 211

239

248

243

16,242

524

32,220

June

264

g602

g582

g479

g330_

g401

g406

g306

g235

g!95

g!85

g!37

g!30

116

107

110

91

94

81

76

72

427

292

302

350

265

219

220

146

113

7,333

244

14,540

July

118

94

81

86

130

118

298

214

292

235

181

140

110

133

137

140

146

188

150

124

127

110

91

81

88

78

66

53

41

118

118

4,086

132

8,100

Aug.

68

222

g954

g412

g496

563

563

556

1,030

2,250

1,380

g859

g589

g685

gl,480

1,040

782

983

538

365

306

325

223

170

137

116

98

88

113

116

101

17,608

568

34,920

Sept.

86

78

78

76

78

81

76

70

70

70

63

57

50

48

50

44

41

42

39

36

34

31

26

25

g22

g20

21

22

26

37

1,497

49.9

2,970

Calendar year 1955: Max 8,200 Mln 10 Mean 517 Ac-ft 374,500

Water year 1955-56: Max 3,400 Mln 10 Mean 308 Ac-ft 223,900

Peak discharge (base, 5,500 cfs).--Mar. 9 (5 p.m.) 5,500 cfs.

g Computed from once-daily wire-weight-gage readings.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 3, Nov. 11 to Mar. 24.
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 

Fort Randall Reservoir at Piekstown, S. Dak.

339

Location. Lat 43°04', long 98°33', in sec. 8, T. 95 N., R. 65 W., in tower 6 of outlet 

works of dam on Missouri River at Piekstown, 1 mile upstream from Randall Creek and at 

mile 922.0.

Drainage area. 263.500 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. December 1952 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to 

H"ar. 25, 1953, elevations determined from temporary staff gages or reference marks.

Extremes . Maximum contents during year. 3,172,000 acre-ft Apr. 15 (elevation, 1,342.0 ft); 

minimum, 2,023,000 acre-ft Sept. 30 (elevation, 1,323.4 ft).

1952-56: Maximum contents, 3,424,000 acre-ft Mar. 23, 1955 (elevation, 1,345.4 ft); 

minimum since initial filling, that of Sept. 30, 1956.

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by an earth-fill dam; storage began during December 1952; 

initial closure made July 1952. Total capacity is 6,281,000 acre-ft between elevations 

1,240 and 1,375 ft. Active capacity, 4,896,000 acre-ft between elevations 1,310 and 

1,375 ft. Inactive storage below elevation 1,310 ft, 1,385,000 acre-ft (this water may 

be released through the outlet tunnels). Superstorage between elevations 1,375 ft (top 

of spillway gates) and 1,400 ft, 3,425,000 acre-ft. Figures given herein represent 

total contents above elevation 1,240.0 ft. Normal releases are through 12 tunnels 

22 ft in diameter; 8 of these tunnels are scheduled for eventual use for power generation. The spillway consists of 21 taintor gates, each 40 ft wide by 29 ft high; total 

spillway capacity, 620,000 cfs. Crest of spillway is at elevation 1,346 ft. Water is 

used for flood control, navigation, power, and incidental uses.

Cooperation. Elevations and capacity table furnished by Corps of Engineers.

Month-end elevation and total contents, water year October 1955 to September 195f

Date

Sept . 30. .........................

Water year 1955-56. ............

Elevation 

(feet)t

1 337 1

1,323.4

-

Contents 

(acre-feet)

2,023,000

-

Change In content? 

(acre-feet)

-92,000

-850,000

-485,000

t Elevation at 12 p.m.
340 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Missouri River below Fort Randall Dam, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 42°58 1 55", long 98 0 29'35", In SWijNEi sec. 28, T. 35 N., R. 10 W., sixth 

principal meridian, on right bank 6 miles downstream from Randall Creek, 7 miles downstream from Fort Randall Dam, 12 miles south of Lake Andes, and at mile 915.

Drainage area.--263.500 sq ml, approximately. 

Records available. May 1947 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage Is 1,230.00 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929 (Corps of Engineers benchmark).

Average discharge. 9 years, 28,410 cfs (20,570,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 53,400 cfs June 14 (gage height, 7.76 ft); minimum dally, 6,220 cfs Dec. 26.

1947-56: Maximum discharge, 447,000 cfs Apr. 12, 1952; maximum gage height, 20.82 ft 

Apr. 12, 1952; minimum dally discharge, 3,800 cfs Nov. 30, 1950.

Flood In April 1943 reached a stage of about 16.5 ft. Maximum stage known, In April 

1881, was about 5 ft higher than that of April 1943.

Remarks. Records good. Discharge measurements generally made twice a week except for 

winter season when they were made at approximately 10-day intervals. Flow regulated by 

Fort Randall Reservoir (see preceding page). Many diversions above station for Irrigation.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Bay

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

IB

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

31,600

32,200

31,900

32,900

31,700

30,800

30,300

30,300

29,200

30,000

29,500

29,600

29,300

29,200

28,700

28,400

29,000

30,500

31,200

32,100

55,500

55,300

35,100

55,200

51,600

31,600

29,600

28,500

27,800

25,400 

22 , 400

938,200

50,260

*1,861

Nov.

21,400

19,900

16,800

15,700

11,500

8,740

10,100

10,000

9,570

9,720

9,550

9,650

6,950

9 , 650

10,300

10,500

11,100

10,700

10,700

6,950

10,500

12,000

11,500

8,230

9,690

10,400

7,690

11,500

11,200

10,900

331,070

11,040

656,700

Dec.

10,600

10,200

10,600

10,000

10,000

10,200

10,200

10,000

10,000

10,000

8,500

10,000

10 , 500

10,000

10,000

10,500

10,000

8,500

10,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

7,480

6,220

9,420

10,400

11,000

ioUoo

305,620

9,659

606,200

Jan.

6,980

6,880

10,600

10,500

9,500

9,650

10,500

7,160

8,480

10,000

10 , 400

9,920

9,510

9,040

8,410

a9,000

a9,500

a9,500

a9,000

a9,500

a9,000

a8,000

a9 , 000

a9,000

a9,000

a9 , 500

10,600

9,650

7,830

10,100

11,500

286,810

9,252

568,900

Feb.

10,100

a9,500

a9,500

9,760

7,690,

10,500

10,700

10,500

10,300

10,300

10,600

8,160

10,400

10,600

11,000

12,000

12 , 000

10,300

7.850

10,600

11,500

10,900

11,200

10,600

10,700

8,410

10,500

10,600

10 , 200

------

296,550

10,230

588,200

Mar.

9,460

9,550

9,570

7,260

9,460

9,610

9,760

10,500

11,200

15,900

17,700

17,300

16,500

18,100

18,800

18,700

18,500

19,000

17,800

18,000

17,900

20,700

25,000

22 ,400

18,800

20,000

20,400

19,900

20 , 000

20,500

19,500

505,350

16,240

998,400

Apr.

19,900

27,200

25,400

25,900

25,400

25,800

25,800

22,800

24,800

25,100

25,100

24,800

26,600

26,900

27,600

28,800

28,600

28,500

28,000

27,600

28,400

24,900

31,000

30,700

28,100

29,200

29,600

28,900

27,500

50,500

809,400

26,980

*1,605

May

28,4OO

26,900

27,700

28,900

26,800

22,100

25 , 800

27,500

26,600

26,900

25,800

25,400

25,600

28,700

27,800

27,100

51,700

29,700

50,800

29,500

30,200

28,000

27,500

28,800

27,400

26,500

25,500

28,600

51,100

51,000

'

859,700

27,750

*1,705

June

29,000

28,400

25,100

25,900

50,100

28,200

29,200

28,400

28,100

25,500

28,000

28,300

59,300

49,900

47,700

52,500

51,400

31,900

31,000

50,000

30,800

30,300

24,800

21, 100

55,100

49,600

50,500

49,700

July

52,600

31,500

35,400

28,200

27,600

28,500

25,200

22.000

26,600

50,700

31,000

29,000

29,700

29,800

29,500

50,600

29,800

28,100

28,700

50,000

29,500

27,100

28,700

50,500

30,800

52,800

34,700

34,700

45,300 55,500

39,800 55,900

------ 56,600

$1,004.9 940,900

33,500 30,550

tl,993 4:1,866

Aug.

54,800

34,500

30,200

28,900

29,500

34,100

50,800

51,400

31,000

31,000

52,200

30,700

32,500

51,900

52,400

51,900

51,600

51,400

29,500

32,700

30,000

32,600

31,600

52,100

52,900

51,000

54,400

52,800

52,100

35,000 

54,100

989,400

51,920

*1,962

Sept.

54,500

54,500

34,300

35,100

55.500

34,100

34,500

53,900

35,500

52,900

53,800

55,500

55,500

50.800

51,600

32,500

32,600

52,400

52,300

52,500

33,000

33,700

33,100

33,800

34,100

35,100

35,100

35,500

32,700

33,600

tl,001.4

33,580

*1,986

Calendar year 1955: Max 38,700 Min 5,530 Mean 21,420 Ac-ft 15,510,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 50,500 Min 6,220 Mean 22,590 Ac-ft 16,400,000

* Expressed In thousands. 

a No gage-height record; discharge e 

Fort Randall Dam 7 miles upstream. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affe

imated on basis of Corps of Engineers discharge record at 

ed by ice Dec. 8-24.
PONCA CREEK BASIN 341

Ponca Creek at Anoka, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°56'25", long 98°50'30", In NEi sec. 9, T. 34 N., R. 13 W., on downstream 

side of left pier of bridge on U. S. Highway 281, half a mile southwest of Anoka and 

half a mile upstream from Dry Creek.

Drainage area. 410 sq ml, approximately. 

Records available. March 1949 to September 1956.

Gage.--Wire-weight gage read twice dally and water-stage recorder above 3.7 ft gfge 

Height. Prior to Sept. 13, 1950, wire-weight gage only.

Average discharge. 7 years, 62.5 cfs (45,250 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 582 cfs Mar. 18 (gage-height, 4.62 ft), but may 

have been exceeded on Mar. 18 during period of ice breakup; maximum gage height, 5.97 

ft Mar. 18 (Ice jam); no flow for many days.

1949-56: Maximum discharge, 6,770 cfs Apr. 2, 1950 (gage height, 15.0 ft, from 

graph based on gage readings); no flow at times during 1949-50, 1955-56.

Remarks.--Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Discharge 

measurements generally made once a week.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.4

.5

3

.4

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

4.0

0.13

7.9

Nov.

~TT 0.1

.3

1.1

TTT

.6

.5

.6

.9

.7

.6

.6

.5

.4

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.3

.4

.5

.3

.2

.2

.3

.2

.1

.1

11.5

0.38

23

Dec.

0.2

.3

72

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

7*

8.1

0.26

16

Jan.

0.1

.2

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4.8

0.15

9.5

Feb.

- - _ _ - _

0

0

0

Mar.

59 4.8

150

251

278

253

79

72

88

70

46

25

26

26

33

45

62

334

442

337

331

260

224

128

135

133

100

76

37

29

60

4,193.8

135

8,320

Apr.

153

170

164

94

146

248

Tfo

111

107

94

85

79

72

67

58

46

42

37

33

31

29

25

23" 23

25

24

28

28

31

50

2,293

76.4

4,550

May

58

61

82

-7Z 104

52

43

37

34

32

28

25

22

24

23

20

19

16

14

13

12

15

11

9.5

8.6

9.5

8.8

94

48

23

14

1,032.6

33.3

2,050

June

~9.5 11

8.4

7.6

6.8

10

9.5

11

6.8

9.5

9.9

5.7

4.0

3.2

2.1

2.5

3.2

2.3

1.5

1.1

1.1

.5

.4

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

127.7

4.26

253

July

0

0

0

Aug.

0

0

0

Sept.

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,240 Mln 0 Mean 30.2 Ac-ft 21,840

Water year 1955-56: Max 442 Mln 0 Mean 21.0 Ac-ft 15,230

Peak discharge (base. 500 efs). Mar. 18 (12 p.m.) 582 cfs (4.62 ft).

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 1-3, Nov. 6 to Mar. 18.
342 NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN

Niobrara River at Wyoming-Nebraska State line

Location. Lat 42°39', long 104°04', in SW£ sec. 15, T. 31 N., R. 60 W., on left bank 

a quarter of a mile downstream from Van Tassel Creek, 0.3 mile upstream from WyomingNebraska State line, and 3 miles east of Van Tassel, Wyo.

Records available.--October 1955 to September 1956. 

Gage.--Water-stage recorder.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 18 cfs Feb. 24 (gage height, 1.83 ft); minimum 

daily, 2.1 cfs July 24, 25, Aug. 28.

Remarks. Records good.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

5

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

15

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

50

51

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

5.7

5.5

3.7

*5.5

5.5

5.1

3,1

5.1

5.5

5.5

3.5

5.5

*5.3

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.3

3.5

*3.1

5.1

3^9

3.7

5.5

5.3

3.5

3.5

*5.5

5.7

5.5

3.7

5 9

105.5

5.40

209

Nov.

5.9

5.9

4.1

4.5

4.5

4.1

*5.9

5.5

5.7

5.9

4.1

5.7

5.7

5.5

5.5

5.7

*4.1

4.8

5,5

5,8

5.8

5.5

5.2

5.5

5.5

5.5

4.8

4.5

4.1

4.1

152.7

4.42

265

Dec.

4.1

4.1

5.9

3.7

5.5

*5.7

5.7

3.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

3.7

3.7

3.5

3.1

5.1

3.1

2-9

2.9

2.9

5.5

4.1

5.5

"475" 6,0

5.2

*5.5

5.2

5.2

5.2

5.2

124.8

5.90

248

Jan.

6.2

578

5.2

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

4.8

4.5

*4.5

4.5

4.8

4.5

4.5

5.9

5.7

3.9

5.9

4.1

4.1

4.1

5.9

5.9

5.9

*5.9

4.0

5.9

5.8

5.9

3 9

156.9

4.42

272

Feb.

5.8

5.8

5.7

5.6

5.8

5.8

5.9

*5.9

5.9

3.9

4.0

4.0

5.9

5.9

4.0

4.2

3.9

3.9

3.9

3.8

*5.9

5.9

4.8

12

7.4

4.8

4.6

4.4

4.4

127.8

4.41

253

Mar.

4.4

4.6

4.4

4.6

4.6

4.3

4.0

4.0

4.3

4.2

4.0

4.0

*4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.5

4.5

4.4

7.5

4.9

4.0

4.0

5.9

5.8

*5.7

5.8

5.6

3.6

3.7

3.7

150.4

4.21

259

Apr.

5.7

5'. 8

5.9

3.9

5.9

5.0

5.4

5.0

4.9

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.9

5.8

7.2

7.4 *J7z

7.2

7.2

7.4

7.2

6.8

6.2

5.2

4.9

4.9

4.9

5.2

5.2

162.4

5.41

522

May

5.0

5.0

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

5.0

5.4

*5.2

5.2

5.0

5.0

5.5

4.8

4.6

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.6

4.6

4.6

4.6

*4.4

4.3

4.2

4.6

5.6

5.0

4.6

4.3

4.2

148.9

4.80

295

June

Irl

3.7

3.7

3.6

5.5

5.4

*3.5

5.4

5.4

5.5

5.5

5.3

3.2

3.2

5.5

5.4

5.2

5.2

5.1

5.0

5.0

2.9

2.9

*2.9

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.6

275

97.0

5.23

192

July

5.2

5.9

*5.5

2.9

2.9

*2.7

2.3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

*2.7

2.7

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

'271 2.1

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.3

*2.5

2.5

78.8

2.54

156

Aug.

2.5

2.7

2.7

2.5

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.7

2.9

2.9

2.5

*2.3

2.7

2.9

2.9

5.1

5.5

5.1

2.5

2.5

2.7

2.9

2.5

2.5

*2.1

275

2.5

2.5

80.9

2.61

160

Sept.

2.5

2.5

2.3

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.5

2.5

*2.5

2.5

2.9

2.7

2.7

2.7

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.7

*2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.9

*2.9

74.6

2.49

148

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac-ft

Water year 1955-56: Max 12 Mln 2.1 Mean 5.85 Ac-ft 2,781

Discharge measurement made on this day.
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN 343

Niobrara River above Box Butte Reservoir, Nebr.

Location.--Lat 42°27'35", long 103°10'15", in NEi sec. 27, T. 29 N., R. 50 W., on right 

bank 1 mile upstream from high-water line of Box Butte Reservoir and 6 miles east of 

Marsland.

Records available. October 1946 to September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. October 1945 to September 1956 in reports of State engineer.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder and concrete control since Oct. 12, 1953. Datum of gage is 

4,012.47 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to Nov. 27, 1949, staff gage 

at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--10 years (1946-56), 33.6 cfs (24,330 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 82.0 cfs May 27 (gage height, 4.S2 ft); maximum 

gage height, 4.31 ft Dec. 14 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 2.1 cfs 

Sept. 26.

1946-56: Maximum gage height, 10.30 ft July 28, 1951 (discharge not determined); 

minimum daily discharge, 1.6 cfs Sept. 26, 1953.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Many 

small diversions above station for irrigation.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

*31

30

28

28

17

17

15

14

14

15

17

13

10

1~8.7

11

13

16

12

10

10

10 

9.7

13

14

14

15

14

20

28

31

509.4

16.4

1,010

Nov.

*34

32

31

35

36

41

38

38

37

38

40

44

41

42

37

39

37

39

42

46

46

48 

42

47

46

50

50

50

43

40

1,229

41.0

2,440

Dec.

*42

42

34

42

35

35

40

41

40

41

48

41

35

3350"

42

39

42

43

38

38

41 

47

49

48

48

52

57

52

50

*52

1,337

43.1

2,650

Jan.

50

50

48

52

51

50

42

42

36

42

38

42

39

36

54

35

35

36

38

40

39

39 

39

40

40

42

43

39

38

38

38

1,271

41.0

2,520

Feb.

*38

37

38

38

41

41

41

41

43

43

38

41

43

44

45

38

44

38

38

46

42

44 

46

48

46

46

49

47

49

1,233

42.5

2,450

Mar.

54

*56

55

60

60

60

54

54

54

52

50

314?

46

48

49

55

58

55

54

54

54 

54

55

57

56

55

54

49

54

*52

1,647

53.1

3,270

Apr.

51

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

50

49

48

48

47

46

46

44

42

42

38

32

24

31 

32

42

44

42

41

42

45

46

1,322

44.1

2,620

May

*42

35

28

21

25

25

22

17

17

10

8.7

12

18

19

18

13

14

9.7

9.7

9.7

9.2

9.2 

7.8

7.8

6.1

6.1

26

12

11

11

9.7

489.7

15.8

971

June

*6.9

3.7

3.4

4.0

3.1

3.4

3.7

3.7

4.0

3.1

2.8

2.8

2.6

2.8

3.1

4.0

3.1

2.8

3.1

2.6

2.6

2.8 

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.3

^3

2.3

2.3

2.3

93.4

3.11

185

July

2.3

 ITS

2.6

2.8

2.8

2.6

2.6

2.6

3.1

3.7

3.1

3.4

3,7

3.4

3.1

3.4

5.3

5.7

577

5.3

4.7

2.8 

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.1

2.8

2.8

2.8

4.7

5.0

108.4

3.50

215

Aug.

8.7

7.3

*8.3

6.9

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.9

6.9

6.9

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

5.3

3.4

3.4

3.4

5.0

4.0

fci 3.1

4.7

5.3

5.0

4.7

4.0

4.7

4 3

170.7

5.51

339

Sept.

*4.3 374

3.4

3.1

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.1

2. 8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.8

2.6

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.8

2.6

2.3 

2.3

2.8

2.3

2.1

273

2.8

2.8

3.1

84.8

2.83

168

Calendar year 1955 : Max 89 Mln 2.3 Mean 28.5 Ac-ft 2o,670

Water year 1955-56 : Max 60 Mln 2.1 Mean 25.9 Ac-ft 18,840

Peak discharge (base, 150 efs). No peak above base. 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Dec. 14, 15, 

25, 26, Mar. 12-14.

Jan. 5-26, Jan. 28 to F?b. 4, Feb. 1O,

459735 O - 58 -23
344 NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN

Box Butte Reservoir, Nebr.

Location.--Lat 42°27'30", long 103°04'30", in sec. 28, T. 29 N., R. 49 W., in control 

tower on dam near left bank: on Niobrara River, 9 miles north of Hemingford.

Records available.--October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage.--Electric tape gage read once a week or more often. Datum of gage is at mean sea 

level, datum of 1929.

Extremes.--Maximum contents observed during year, 22,330 acre-ft May 10 (elevation, 4,001.0 

ft); minimum observed, 4,480 acre-ft Sept. 20 (elevation, 3,981.5 ft).

1945-56: Maximum contents, 32,210 acre-ft Mar. 26, 1948 (elevation, 4,007.7 ft); 

minimum observed since normal use of water started, that of Sept. 20, 1956.

Remarks.--Reservoir is formed by earth dam; outlet gate first closed Oct. 3, 1945. Usable 

capacity, 30,400 acre-ft between elevations 3,969.0 ft (sill of outlet gate) and 4,007.0 

ft (crest of spillway). Dead storage, 640 acre-ft. Figures given herein represent 

total capacity or contents. Water used for irrigation of Mirage Flats project of Bureau 

of Reclamation.

Cooperation. Records of elevations and capacity table furnished by Bureau of Reclamation. 

Revisions (water years).--WSF 1209: 1946-48.

Month-end elevation and contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Nov. 30. ....................

Calendar year 1955. .......

Feb. 29...... ...............

Apr. 30........ .............

Sept. 30. ....................

Water year 1955-56 ........

Elevation 

(feet)

3,989.5

-

3,981.9

_

Contents 

(acre-feet)

7,290

9,840

-

16,200

5,640

4,690

_

Change In contents 

(acre-feet)

_

+1,050

+2,550

+3,130

+1,620

+2,230

+2,560

+1,810

-4,940

-4,030

-950

-1,550

Estimated from elevation read near last day of month.
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN 

Niobrara River below Box Butte Reservoir, Nebr.

345

Location.--Lat 42°27'25", long 103°04'05", in SE? sec. 28, T. 29 N., R. 49 W., on left 

bank a quarter of a mile downstream from Box Butte Reservoir and 9 miles north of 

Hemingford.

Records available. October 1946 to September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey.

October 1941 to September 1942 and October 1944 to September 1956 in reports of State 

engineer.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Datum of gage is 3,950.08 ft above mean 

sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to October 1945, staff gage at site 125 ft upstream 

at various datums; October 1945 to Apr. 9, 1953, at present datum.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 158 cfs July 12, 13 (gage height, 4.24 ft); 

minimum daily, 0.7 cfs Oct. 16, 18, 20.

1946-56: Maximum discharge, 232 cfs Aug. 14, 1949; maximum gage height, 4.38 ft 

July 13-16, 1954; minimum daily discharge, 0.1 cfs for many days during the water 

years 1947 and 1951.

Remarks.--Records good except those below 2 cfs, which are fair. Flow completely regulated by Box Butte Reservoir.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

*0.9

.9

1.0

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

.8

.8

.7

78

.7

.8

.7

.8

.8

.8

.9

.9

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.9

26.7

0.86

53

Nov.

*0.9 ~9

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.0

1.0

28.1

0.94

56

Dec.

*1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1 1.1

1.1 1.1

1.0

*1.0

31.9

1.03

63

Jan.

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

32.7

1.05

65

Feb.

*1.0

TTo

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1 1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

29.8

1.03

59

Mar.

1.0

n.o

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1 1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

*1.1

33.1

1.07

66

Apr.

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.1

33.4

1.11

66

May

*1.0

-1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.0

.9

.8

1.2

65_

65

65

65

65

65

65

478.7

15.4

949

June

*65

65

65

65

65

58

47

34

30

1.9

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

20

33

40

59

59

61

67

67

67

67

71

80

86

90

119

123

1,609.1

53.6

3,190

July

123

*121

3.1

1.4

1.4

1.3

41

65

74

108

134

TS6" 158

143

143

143

139

134

125

117

106

106

100

99

104

112

119

114

114

114

108

3,127.2

101

6,200

Aug.

108

110

*106

104

102

90

90

99

104

99

90

86

80

82

88

91

88

77

72

64

52

44

37

34

31

36

51

59

64

64

61

2,363

76.2

4,690

Sept.

*57

48

38

38

36

33

30

30

33

38

41

41

37

41

48

49

51

50

39

5.9

el.O

eTTo

el.O

el.O

el.O

el.O

el.O

el.O

el.O

el.O

793.9

26.5

1,570

Calendar year 1955: Max 181 Min 0.6 Mean 23.5 Ac-ft 17,020

Water year 1955-56: Max 158 Min 0.7 Mean 23.5 Ac-ft 17,030

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

e Stage-discharge relation Indefinite because of beaver dam
346 NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN

Niobrara River near Hay Springs, Nebr.

Location.--Lat 42°29'00", long 102°41'40", in NWlj sec. 23, T. 29 N. , R. 46 W., on left 

bank 20 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 87, 4 miles upstream from Box Butte 

Creek, and 14 miles south of Hay Springs.

Records available.--June 1950 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,723.42 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to July 28, 1951, at site 500 ft upstream at 1.5 ft higher datum.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 141 cfs July 3 (gage height, 2.13 ft); maximum 

gage height, 3.12 ft Feb. 25 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 2.7 cfs 

Feb. 16.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 7,330 cfs July 28, 1951 (gage height, 7.2 ft, from 

floodmarks at site and datum then in use), by slope-area determination of peak flow; 

minimum daily, that of Feb. 16, 1956.

Remarks.--Records good except those below 10 cfs, which are fair, and those for periods of 

ice effect, which are poor. Flow regulated by Box Butte Reservoir (see p. 344). Major 

part of release from reservoir diverted 12 miles upstream for irrigation. Records of 

suspended sediment loads for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

27

28

28

25

24

*24

25

24

24

23.

23

23

23

24

23

24

23

24

27

*24

25

24

24

25

25

27

27

25

27

27

25

771

24.9

1,530

Nov.

19

*27

23

17

19

19

*20

22

24

25

20

18

16

14

13

*14

15

17

22

27

30

31

19

25

18

15

15

16

17

599

20. 0

1,190

Dec.

18

20

22

24

24

*23

21

20

18

18

18

18

17

13

*14

17

18

18

18

19

23

29

39

40

39

42

4T

36

29

27

33

756

24.4

1,500

Jan.

37

30

26

*26

23

20

19

19

19

20

21

23

24

24

23

21

19

*21

18

11

18

19

20

20

21

22

24

22

21

20

19

676

21.8

1,340

Feb.

19

17

18

20

25

28

31

*29

21

24

32

25

28

26

14

*2.7

570

9.0

14

20

25

28

32

37

33

32

31

30

30

685.7

23.6

1,360

Mar.

31

31

33

34

35

36

28

*33~ 38

31

33

25

27

*30

32

33

29

27

25

25

25

25

25

25

24

22

22

17

28

24

881

28.4

1,750

Apr.

22

20

*25

24

20

19

19

23

24

22

20

22

22

22

23

24

24

24

*24

24

24

27

33

34

27

23

24

36

40

42^

757

25.2

1,500

May

40

34

*25

25

25

25

27

23

17

11

8.2

11

18

23

*17

14

13

13

12

12

12

12

12

12

*14

23

34

24

18

16

16

586.2

18.9

1,160

June

18

16

18

20

22

*22

20

20

13

19

18

15

12

*11

*13

18

12

12

12

11

9.9

*9.9

9.3

11

12

16

11

8.7

12

14

435.8

14.5

864

July

13

14

54

28

*31

36

28

22

17

12

13

2O

15

14

12

*12

14

15

16

15

13

12

9 . ?

11

9.?

9.?

*12

12

12

12

14

528.7

17.1

1,050

Aug.

14

12

11

9.9

11

11

*11

11

11

12

14

11

11

11

9.5

*9.9

11

12

18

2_4

19

14

13

12

13

12

*11

11

11

9.9

9 3

380.3

12.3

754

Sept.

9.9

11

12

*12

13

13

13

11

11

11

9.9

9.9

9.3

973

9.9

11

12

11

11

*18

24

19

18

17

18

*18

18

18

19

18

415.2

13.8

824

Calendar year 1955: Max 189 Min 8.2 Mean E5.4 Ac-ft 18,380

Water year 1955-56: Max 54 Min 2.7 Mean 20.4 Ac-ft 14,820

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note_.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1-3, 12-22, Nov. 27 to Mar. 5, Mar. 12-18, 

28, 29.
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN 347 

Niobrara River near Gordon, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°38'00", long 102"12'40", in NE£ sec. 26, T. 31 N., R. 42 W., on left 

bank just downstream from bridge on State Highway 27, 4 miles downstream from Rush 

Creek and 11 miles south of Grordon.

Drainage area. 2,595 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--August 1928 to June 1932, December 1945 to September 1956.

Rage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 3,434.49 ft above mean sea level, datum 

of 1929. Aug. 24, 1988, to June 30, 1932, staff gage at bridge 4 miles downstream at 

different datum.

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 202 cfs Mar. 25 (gage height, 1.37 ft); maximum 

'gage height, 2.19 ft Dec. 25 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 47 cfs 

Nov. 16.

1928-32, 1945-56: Maximum discharge, 5,940 cfs July 28, 1951 (gage height, 4.81 ft); 

minimum daily, 18 cfs Mar. 3, 1951.

Remarks. Records poor Oct. 1 to May 31, fair thereafter. Natural flow of stream affected 

by storage in Box Butte Reservoir (see p. 344) for irrigation of Mirage Flats project 

and return flow from irrigated land.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

94

94

94

96

*96

95

94

94

95

96

95

94

94

94

95

95

96

96

95

95

96

98

98

98

96

98

96

98

98

97

97

2,967

95.7

5,880

Nov.

96

94

102

105

111

102

102

105

111

121

135

131

75

60

50

*47

55

90

110

120

110

100

102

145

138

135

80

70

80

85

2,967

98.9

5,880

Dec.

90

92

94

91

85

86

90

92

94

96

98

99

99

98

*97

101

98

95

93

96

102

110

115

130

140

TIB- 150

IS B

130

120

125

3,289

106

6,520

Jan.

125

125

120

120

125

128

131

128

142

145

135

142

138

135

120

100

85

*135

140

140

145

145

145

140

130

115

115

110

110

100

90

3,904

126

7,740

Feb.

90

90

100

115

130

140

150

150

145

140

135

135

135

130

126

*71

80

90

110

130

140

150

160

160

155

150

145

142

142

_

3,736

129

7,410

Mar.

145

157

161

168

161

153

149

149

172

145

130

TST

149

*135

145

149

172

164

149

145

168

172

168

168

184

184

180

153

157

153

161

4,877

157

9,670

Apr.

164

164

161

149

149

138

135

131

138

138

121

118

121

105

102

102

*105

111

111

105

96

91

108

114

114

96

85

88

111

138

3,609

120

7,160

May

111

121

125

125

114

102

99

88

88

82

82

80

105

118

*125

108

99

94

88

85

85

88

88

85

88

111

142

149

128

105

96

3,204

103

6,360

June

91

94

94

94

*102

102

102

99

94

77

75

77

*68

70

77

88

94

77

72

63

56

54

58

65

63

60

68

68

65

65

2,332

77.7

4,630

July

80

96

128

~99 135

*94

96

88

77

65

60

63

75

70

68

*65

68

72

70

60

58

60

60

58

M

54

58

58

60

63

60

2,272

73.3

4,510

Aug.

70

*75

70

70

68

63

65

65

70

82

82

80

72

68

60

*60

72

75

75

102

91

80

75

72

68

65

65

63

60

60

65

2,208

71.2

4,380

Sept.

68

65

63

65

70

68

*65

63

58

56.

58

60

60

60

58

60

65

68

*65

65

72

82

77

80

80

82

82

77

80

82

2,054

68. 5

4,070

Calendar year 1955; Max 410 Min 25 Mean 110 Ac-ft 79,750

water year 1955-56: Max 184 Mln 47 Mean 102 Ac-ft 74,210

* Discharge Discharge measurement measurement made on this day.

Note. No gage-height record Oct. 1-4, Oct. 6 to Nov. 1; discharge estimated on basis of records 

for stations near Cody and Hay Springs. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 13-22, Nov. 

to Jan. 6, Jan. 15 to Feb. 26, Mar. 11.
348 NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN

Niobrara River near Cody, Nebr.

Location.--lat 42°49'50", long 101°17'20 M , in NW^NEv sec. 23, T. 33 N , R. 34 W., on left 

bank a quarter of a mile upstream from Mogle Bridge, 3 miles upstream from Medicine 

Creek, 5 miles downstream from Bear Creek, and 10 miles south of Cody.

Records available.--December 1947 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,770 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge.--8 years (1948-56), 316 cfs (228,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 968 cfs Aug. 8 (gage height, 2.08 ft); minimum 

daily, 95 cfs Jan. 17.

1947-56: Maximum discharge, 4,170 cfs July 29, 1951 (gage height, 6.22 ft); minimum daily, 40 cfs Feb. 19, 1955.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Natural 

flow of stream affected by storage in Box Butte Reservoir and irrigation developments. 

Records of water temperatures for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1209: 1948-49(M).

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

258

262

258

*266

*290

286

274

278

282

290

274

278

282

278

282

286

294

*294

294

302

294

298

310

310

306

298

310

294

310

306

310

8,954

289

17,760

Nov.

*302

302

302

302

302

310

306

294

306

306

314

328

324

302

*246

158

155

186

254

355

405

'505" 430

370

*319

324

b230

bl!3

t208

b240

8,698

290

17,250

Dec.

302

286

b226

b212 2~86~

298

310

302

319

294

294

310

294

b290

b306

*314

298

b282

b290

294

282

282

302

314

332

346

425

420

360

*375

346

9,591

309

19,020

Jan.

380

365

375

346

365

365

324

332

328

328

332

*342

350

350

302

b208

b95

b246

b306

b342

b346

b350

b350

355

324

*319

328

324

278

290

262

9,907

320

19,650

Feb.

262

250

b270

b302

b332

360

346

360

324

*350

346

337

346

350

342

b219

b230

b282

b314

b324

346

375

395

420

b420

b415

425

*395

385

9,822

339

19,480

Mar.

415

*460

490

5OO

522

596

516

*425

420

425

355

b230

b314

390

380

370

400

415

405

*410

400

395

395

390

370

365

380

380

332

324

346

12,515

404

24,820

Apr.

337

346

350

342

337

346

342

342

328

*328

*332

337

324

319

324

319

*314

310

306

*306

314

314

332

350

332

328

346

370

350

595

10,020

334

19,870

May

*400

400

380

375

355

337

*342

342

337

328

332

310

342

337

*332

328

306

306

298

294

*286

282

286

278

274

282

342

395

*400

370

332

10,308

333

20,450

June

324

310

294

286

286

*310

370

328

298

286

266

*250

242

242

230

274

278

270

266

246

*234

223

212 212-

223

*223

219

219

219

212

7,852

262

15,570

July

226

2E2

*2£8

2?0

310

3C6

324

274

246

24-2

226

250

250

258

234

226

219

223

223

*223

219

212

215

219

212

208

208

219

215

219

226

7,482

241

14,840

Aug.

*238

250

258

246

250

230

242

267

242

502

246

238

238

230

226

*223

215

270

258

270

274

274

266

246

230

223

223

223

*215

219

212

7,544

243

14,960

Sept.

212

215

215

223

234

238

250

242

234

226

223

*234

250

242

234

223

219

223

230

230

226

226

230

242

246

246

*250

246

262

258

7,029

234

13,940

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,180 Min 40 Mean 304 Ao-ft 220,200

Water year 1955-56: Max 596 Min 95 Mean 3OO Ao-ft 217,600

Peak discharge (base. 1,500 cfs). No peak above base 

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice.
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN 349

Snake River near Burge, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°39 1 20", long 100«51'00", in NE, Bee. 20, T. 31 N., R. 30 W., on right 

bank 150 ft downstream from Nebraska National Forest boundary, 6f miles southwest of 

Burge, and 22 miles southwest of Valentine.

Drainage are_a.--620 sq mi, approximately, of which about 100 sq mi contribute directly 

to surface runoff.

Records available.--June 1947 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 2,805.36 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929 (levels by Bureau of Reclamation).

Average discharge.--9 years, 251 cfs (181,700 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 491 cfs Aug. 3 (gage height, 2.95 ft); minimum 

daily, 107 cfs Jan. 16.

1947-56: Maximum discharge, 577 cfs May 26, 1955; maximum gage height, 4.04 ft 

Feb. 2, 1951 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 100 cfs Jan. 3, 1949, 

Feb. 19, 1955.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Discharge 

measurements generally made twice a mohth.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1279; 1950(M), 1951(P).

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 19^6

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

232

238

238

243

249

251

246

235

235

235

238

238

238

235

235

235

235

235

235

235

246

235

251

251

238

235

243

249

246

246

238

7,439

240

14,760

Nov.

249

254

251

249

249

251

249

243

240

249

249

251

254

240

b!82

b!47

b!75

238

279

353

359

308

274

262

260

260

bl88

b!96

b!64

b224

7,347

245

14,570

Dec.

257

260

214

152

227

b274

b274

b254

b260

b260

254

268

276

b282

257

238

b238

b250

b219

b224

b249

285

314

335

299

282

285

279

b276

282

268

8,092

261

16,050

Jan.

254

254

251

249

251

254

254

249

243

232

232

235

240

249

b!78

b!07

b!54

b227

b268

b246

b249

b246

b246

b243

b262

260

257

260

b260

b238

b235

7,374

238

14,630

Feb.

b211

b238

b246

b271

b274

285

305

294

302

279

268

254

246

251

246

b!86

b!96

b271

b279

b285

b268

260

262

276

274

265

265

265

271

- _____

7,593

262

15,060

Mar.

282

291

323

359

377

380

34T

308

302

b308

b265

b254

b243

249

246

240

249

262

285

299

288

271

274

271

265

268

b274

b276

246

243

246

8,785

283

17,420

Apr.

246

257

268

249

243

265

249

249

254

246

243

254

243

243

246

249

249

240

243

243

240

254

268

274

260

257

271

311

282

296

7,692

256

15,260

May

305

308

317

299

276

257

251

249

246

249

246

232

260

268

249

246

238

240

235

230

230

232

230

224

217

230

282

288

285

271

251

7,941

256

15,750

June

230

222

219

214

217

251

243

224

211

206

201

201

206

206

206

235

271

243

227

219

227

219

211

209

211

214

214

211

206

206

6,580

219

13,050

July

211

243

265

551

238

227

217

214

211

206

206

214

214

211

209

209

211

217

214

211

211

211

209

209

206

206

211

214

214

214

222

6,726

217

13,340

Ang.

230

243

308

2l9

243

227

222

222

243

262

249

232

224

222

217

217

235

282

260

260

£51

235

227

222

219

217

217

219

217

217

219

7,307

236

14,490

Sept.

214

2lT

217

219

224

227

222

219

217

217

219

227

232

227

224

222

222

222

222

224

222

224

224

224

224

222

219

222

230

232

6,674

222

13,240

Calendar year 1955: Max 504 Min 100 Mean 250 Ac-ft 181,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 380 Min 107 Mean 245 Ac-ft 177,600

Peak discharge (base, 580 efs).--Nov. 21 (9:30 p.m.) 390 cfs (2.56 ft); Mar 

about 400 cfs; Aug. 3 (6:30 a.m.) 491 cfs (2.95 ft), 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.

4-6 (tim? unknown)
350 NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN

Minnechaduza Creek at Valentine, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°53'10", long 100°33'10", in SW£ sec. 30, T. 34 N., R. 27 W. , on right 

bank 500 ft downstream from powerplant in city park at north edge of Valentine and 

4 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 510 sq mi, approximately, of which about 200 sq mi contribute directly to 

surface runoff.

Records available. December 1947 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,470 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 8 years (1948-56), 36.0 cfs (26,060 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 170 cfs Mar. 5 (gage height, 3.03 ft); minimum 

daily, 7.7 cfs Jan. 15.

1947-56: Maximum discharge, 894 cfs Mar. 30, 1952 (gage height, 6.58 ft); minimum 

daily, 2.6 cfs Feb. 22, 1955.

Remarks. Records good. Discharge measurements generally made twice a month. Plow regulated by powerplant 500 ft above station.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

24

27

28

26

.21

24

25

27

22

22

23

24

25

26

22

25

28

26

21

28

23

23

24

28

23

2S

25

25

25

26

32

774

25.0

1,540

Nov.

22

24

29

31

31

35

22

27

28

37

28

35

26

15

19

16

28

31

28

29

12

41

31

35

25

40

18

16

25

28

842

28.1

1,670

Dec.

28

23

19

17

M

26

22

24

32

26

22

34

26

31

30

24

30

24

30

30

29

26

34

38

38

41

45

44

37

30

44

920

29.7

1,820

Jan.

44

39

39

43

43

42

30

30

39

39

39

40

39

35

7.7

20

33

28

30

29

28

30

27

31

32

29

33

30

28

33

27

1,016.7

32.8

2,020

Feb.

31

27

31

31

28

28

38

33

35

32

37

33

39

34

31

21

19

42

33

33

32

40

42

44

38

35

39

43

38

_

987

34.0

1,960

Mar.

48

56

77

111

158

142

77

73

80

76

"40 39

42

47

44

58

62

50

114

106

124

91

104

84

63

43

77

44

48

50

82

2,310

74.5

4,580

Apr.

28

45

51

52

80

44

40

41

42

47

45

42

42

43

38

39

37

38

36

38

40

24

42

42

34

36

40

43

37

49

1,255

41.8

2,490

May

55

63

77

76

89

49

51

49

42

43

37

51

26

41

45

37

39

35

45

32

30

27

29

34

ZZ

33

39

30

56

45

38

1,366

44.1

2,710

June

34

35

29

39

22

26

28

26

25

18

21

11

22

16

19

15

31

18

26

17

18

14

12

17

18

16

15

13

13

14

628

20.9

1,250

July

13

14

25

17

21

17

18

16

14

16

15

14

15

15

14

11

14

15

12

14

15

15

15

11

11

16

8.1

16

12

16

16

461.1

14.9

915

Aug.

19

21

23

29

40

38

50

37

42

39

64

75

81

53

46

38

40

39

40

36

31

29

26

25

21

21

21

22

22

17

18

1,103

35.6

2,190

Sept.

21

17

18

15

19

18

18

19

19

19

16

18

20

19

19

19

14

18

18

12

17

17

13

19

19

18

28

8.0

24

26

545.0

18.2

1,080

Calendar year 1955: Max 451 Mln 2.6 Mean 35.5 Ac-ft 25,700

Water year 1955-56: Max 158 Mln 7.7 Mean 33.4 Ac-ft 24,220
HIOBRARA RIVER BASIN 351

Niobrara River near Sparks, Hebr.

Location. Lat 42"54'10", long 100°21'40", in SE^- sec. 22, T. 34 N., R. 26 W. , on left 

bank 18 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 7, 2£ miles downstream from Big 

Beaver Creek, 5J- miles downstream from Minnechaduza Creek, and 65- miles southwest of 

Sparks.

Drainage area. 6,406 sq mi.

Records available. December 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder.

Average discharge.--10 years (1946-56), 839 cfs (607,400 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year not determined (probably occurred daring ice 

breakup in March); maximum gage height, 6.11 ft Mar. 5 (backwater from ics); minimum 

daily discharge, 330 cfs Nov. 17.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 10,200 cfs Mar. 5, 1949 (gage height, 6.73 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 3,800 cfs; minimum daily, 170 cfs Dec. 12, 13, 1949.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, which are poo~. Discharge 

measurements generally made every two weeks. Natural flow of stream affected by storage 

in Box Butte Reservoir (see p. 344) and irrigation and power developments.

Revisions (water years).--WSF 1209: 1947(M), 1948-50(P) .

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 

23 

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

760

770

782

770

816

828

816

749

760

770

760

816

782

782

770

782

793

793

816

793

828

828 

839 

850

816

839

816

828

816

828

816

24,812

800

49,210

Nov.

816

804

804

816

804

804

816

793

804

816

816

828

816

793

608

356

330

666

921

1,030

1,180

1,200 

1,020 

981

885

897

590

336

403

461

23,194

773

46 , 000

Dec.

726

838

667

440

BTT

726

951

912

1,040

1,020

1,060

1,000

847

1,040

1,070

1,020

1,100

1,140

1,030

952

1,170

1,090 

1,030 

1,040

1,090

1,080

1,010

990

920

911

924

29,405

949

58,320

Jan.

902

933

911

920

942

959

862

849

920

911

902

924

924

920

676

437

380

444

629

790

946

1,030 

1,050 

1,020

1,000

946

846

851

860

800

764

26,248

847

52,060

Feb.

700

700

780

878

900

963

920

910

868

882

860

880

821

814

779

722

598

717

913

1,020

942

873 

953 

981

942

1,050

1,060

1,150

1,250

25,806

890

51,190

Mar.

,180

,310

,450

,670

,670

,440

,270

,180

,110

,150

1,000

909

862

981

993

945

,000

,030

,070

,100

,100

,050 

,050 

,020

981

945

981

993

953

885

909

34,127

1,101

67,690

Apr.

909

933

957

945

933

969

897

909

921

874

850

909

874

839

850

828

828

804

782

795

793

782 

816 

885

839

816

839

981

969

981

26,505

877

52,180

May

,030

,030

,030

,030

,020

909

885

897

885

957

933

862

945

993

935

969

885

885

897

850

839

828 

850 

816

749

749

850

981

993

981

921

28,382

916

56,290

June

839

804

804

793

804

874

839

850

793

770

708

697

676

647

676

656

793

749

718

708

666

647 

637 

63T

666

676

666

647

656

687

21,783

726

43,210

July

687

728

795

816

795

804

770

760

708

708

697

697

697

708

687

676

656

657

637

647

647

647 

666 

647

637

637

647

647

656

656

666

21,459

692

42,560

Aug.

687

759

859

782

874

749

759

718

676

793

885

T60

749

739

687

697

697

760

728

749

749

718 

687 

666

656

647

656

647

637

589

628

22,327

720

44,280

Sept.

618

618

628

637

647

687

666

687

666

697

697

718

728

718

728

718

697

697

687

708

697

718 

697 

697

728

728

728

708

728

759

20,815

694

41,290

Calendar year 1955 : Max 2,860 Min 280 Mean 823 Ac-ft 595,800

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,670 Min 330 Mean 832 Ac-ft 604,300

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 15-18, Nov. 27 to Mar. 5.
352 NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN

Niobrara River near Norden, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°47 I 13", long 100°02'06", in N|SW"£ sec. 33, T. 33 N., R. 23 W. , on left 

bank 15 ft upstream from bridge on county road, 1| miles downstream from Palrfleld 

Creek, and 6 miles south of Norden.

Records available.--October 1952 to September 1956. 

Gage. Water-stage recorder.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 2,130 cfs Mar. 7 (gage height, 3.60 ft); maximum 

gage height not determined, occurred during period of no gage-height record Feb. 3-7 

[backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 440 Cfs Nov. 17.

1952-56: Maximum discharge, 3,730 cfs Mar, 11, 1955 (gage height, 4.41 ft); maximum gage height, 6.81 ft Feb. 23, 1953 (backwater from ice); minimum dally discharge, 

410 cfs Jan. 18, 1954.

Remarks. Records poor. Discharge measurements generally made every two weeks. Flow 

affected by storage in Box Butte Reservoir (see p. 344), regulation by powerplants, 

diversions for irrigation, and return flow from irrigated areas.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct;

833

852

800

826

852

920

962 

885

892

833

899

970

934

1,040

1,070

1,030

948

892

872

774

807

749

788

749

762

755

768

807

820

885 

814

26,788

864

53,130

Nov.

852

846

878

892

a860

a840

a840 

a84O

a850

a850

a860

a860

a860

a840

a700

a460

a440

aSOO

1,000

1,120

1,400

1,560

1,250

1,000

877

800

700

500

600

750

25,925

864

51,420

Dec.

880

1,050

850

740

800

980

1,060 

1,040

1,010

994

929

906

871

822

808

788

808

840

816

816

844

914

955

1,030

1,150

1,110

1,110

1,050

1,080

1,080

1,100

29,231

943

57,980

Jan.

1,100

1,080

1,050

1,050

1,000

1,010

1,050 

949

931

945

945

982

978

932

874

630

552

688

810

955

998

1,020

942

950

1,000

980

930

920

900

880

870

28,901'

932

57,320

Feb.

850

820

900

1,000

1,100

1,140

1,160 

1,120

1,080

1,010

965

958

897

924

973

984

946

882

1,060

1,120

1,060

1,040

1,020

1,020

1,020

998

1,060

1,140

1,130

29,377

1,013

58,270

Mar.

1,190

1,280

1,400

1,560

1,790

1,790

1,700 

1,520

1,430

1,320

1,070

992

1,170

1,250

1,410

1,420

1,410

1,400

1,300

1,300

1,270

1,250

1,240

1,230

1,250

1,160

1,180

1,180

1,100

1,060

1,040

40,662

1,312

80,650

Apr.

1,080

1,020

1,070

1,090

970

1,040

962 

1,000

912

934

892

906

920

885

948

872

913

866

892

899

899

927

906

1,000

955

913

962

al,000

al,060

a.1.100

28,794

960

57,110

May

1.160

1,130

1,140

1,120

1,070

al.010

al,000 

a980

a980

al,060

al,040

a990

al,040

al.080

1,050

978

a980

a980

a980

a950

a930

a920

a910

a880

a850

a830

a960

al.080

al.100

1,080

934

31,172

1,006

61,830

June

840

774

788

768

800

885

885 

885

807

768

788

755

820

826

846

807

885

846

731

774

743

755

707

701

668

719

713

690

701

719

23,394

780

46,400

July

731

731

788

814

743

768

755 

731

707

707

713

743

774

768

731

768

743

743

731

707

69C

.651

69C

673

684

684

737

71?

713

76?

774

22,676

73Z

44.98C

Aug.

800

878

859

814

913

762

762 

788

788

833

'800 978

774

768

788

800

833

878

941

859

878

833

833

859

852

840

859

872

892

878

859

26,071

841

51,710

Sept.

892

892

906

906

906

913

872 

899

885

892

913

906

941

872

820

800

814

807

762

751

762

788

762

774

768

774

807

820

820

807

25,211

840

50,010

Calendar year 1955: Max 3,470 Mln 440 Mean 941 Ac-ft 681,600

Water year 1955-56: Max 1,790 Mln 440 Mean 924 Ac-ft 670,800

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of weather records and records for station 

near Sparks.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 19 to Mar. 5 (no gage-height record Feb. 3-7).
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN 353

Plum Creek near Meadville, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°42'30", long 99°54'40", in NW£NW£ sec. 33, T. 32 N., R. 22 W., on right 

bank a quarter of a mile downstream from powerplant, 4| miles southwest of Meadville, 

and 5 miles upstream from mouth.

Records available. December 1947 to September 1956.

Sage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 2,130 ft (from topographic map).

Average discharge. 8 years (1948-56), 109 cfs (78,910 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum daily discharge during year, 144 cfs May 4; minimum daily, 50 cfs

1947-56: Maximum daily discharge, 790 cfs May 25, 1952; minimum daily, 15 cfs 

Feb. 19, 1955.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, indefinite sta^e-discharge 

relation, or no gage-height record, which are poor. Discharge measurements generally 

made every two weeks. Flow temporarily affected at times by sluicing operations at 

powerplant upstream.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

91

92

e98"96

96

94 

94

92

e94

94

88

88

86

88

e88

e88

92

94

92

94

91

91

92

91

92

e96

89

86

86

88

e88

2,829

91.3

5,610

Nov.

e88

e91

83

88

88

86 

89

86

88

89

91

91

89

89

84

68

84

89

98

105

94

91

89

89

89

89

69

80

89

99

2,642

88.1

5,24O

Dec.

105

92

89

50

70

81 

86

88

89

94

94

96

92

88

83

86

89

91

92

94

94

103

125

142

107

101

96

96

91

92

92

2,888

93.2

5,730

Jan.

94

92

92

94

^6

96 

92

92

91

91

91

91

92

94

70

80

83

84

86

88

88

88

88

86

84

86

88

86

84

78

5T_

2,702

87.2

5,360

Feb.

56

60

70

78

81

86 

89

90

90

91

91

92

92

92

92

89

83

88

94

91

89

89

92

96

92

94

92

91

92

2,522

87.0

5,OOO

Mar.

99

103

108

122

151

122 

1O5

112

120

127

91

99

105

108

101

105

108

114

122

127

120

122

122

118

116

108

107

107

98

99

103

3,449

111

6,840

Apr.

105

105

114

99

116

129 

T29

120

112

108

105

101

99

96

92

89

89

84

84

86

86

88

89

91

89

91

94

105

103

107

3,005

100

5,960

May

112

114

135

144

T40

129 

120

116

110

107

101

99

103

101

99

98

96

96

96

94

94

e96

91

89

89

89

91

96

elOl

92 

88

3,226

104

6,4OO

June

88

88

88

89

88

98 

99

94

94

e98

e80

78

81

81

81

80

91

88

e94

e90

89

86

84

86

e90

e86

e82

8O

81

81

2,613

87.1

5, ISO

July

e81

84

84

84

88

e94

eS8

e83

78

78

76

76

76

78

e84

89

81

78

80

81

80

81

84

81

81

80

a8O

a81

a82

a84

86

2,541

82. 0

5,O4O

Aug.

a8S

a!4O

a 120

a 100

a90

86 

83

81

83

98

120

103

92

89

88

94

e88

e83

83

84

83

81

78

e8O

e74

70

72

75

78

78 

78

2,740

88.4

5,430

Sept.

7S

78

78

81

83

83 

83

81

81

80

76

80

80

80

78

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

76

78

78

8O

78

78

84

83

2,367

78.9

4,690

Calendar year 1955: Max 240 Mln 15 Mean 99.6 Ac-ft 72,140

water year 1955-56: Max 144 Mln 50 Mean 91.6 Ac-ft 66,480

a Ho gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of 1 discharge measurement, weather records, 

and trend of flow.

e Stage-discharge relation Indefinite; discharge estimated on basis of weather records and trend 

of flow.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 16, 17, 27-29, Dec. 4-26, 29-31, Jan. 15 to 

Feb. 12, Feb. 17, 18, Mar. 6, 7, 11-13 (no gage-height record Dec. 21, 22, Feb. 8-12).
354 NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN

Long Pine Creek near River-view, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°41'20", long 99°41'20", in Nj sec. 5, T. 31 N., R. 20 M. ( on right bank 

75 ft upstream from county road bridge, 1 mile downstream from Bone Creek, and Sf miles 

southwest of River-view.

Drainage area.--390 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--April 1948 to January 1954, September 1954 to September 1956,

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,983.34 ft above mean sea level (levels 

by Bureau of Reclamation).

Average discharge. 7 years (1948-53, 1954-56), 134 cfs (97,010 acre-ft pet1 year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,060 cfs June 16 (gage height, 5.37 ft); minimum 

daily, 103 cfs July 24, 25, 27.

1948-56; Maximum discharge, 5,410 cfs Aug. 20, 1951 (gage height, 10.24 ft); minimum daily, 45 cfs Feb. 19, 1955, result of freezeup.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, which are pjor. Discharge 

measurements generally made every two weeks.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second^ Water yea? October 1955 to September 1356

Day

1

2 

3

4

5

6 

7

8

9 

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

134

134 

135

135

134

134 

132

130

129 

130

129

129

124

126

125

124

128

129

126

124

122

119

118

117

114

116

115

116

117

117 

119

3,881

125

7,700

Nov.

120

118 

TT9

122

122

123 

122

123

125 

127

128

127

129

128

127

b!25

b!27

128

134

121

137

137

135

135

135

137

137

b!35

b!36

b!30

3,865

129

7,670

Dec.

b!36

b!33 

b!30

b!36

b!37

137 

137

138

b!38 

138

159

TsS

137

b!30

b!32

135

134

134

b!30

13E

133

135

135

134

131

130

130

130

127

127

4,140

134

8,210

Jan.

128

125 

124

124

125

128 

124

127

128 

128

128

130

130

130

b!24

b!20

b!24

b!28

b!20

b!25

130

130

129

130

128

129

128

129

124

125 

124

3,926

127

7,790

Feb.

bllS

b!24 

b!26

129

129

132 

130

130

129 

130

131

129

129

129

128

128

b!26

b!25

124

127

129

128

129

130

129

129 13-1

129

133

3,717

128

7,370

Mar.

135

140 

126

b!30

b!35

b!35 

b!35

138

140

139

135

135

134

132

132

132

135

141

138

139

139

139

138

140

141

143

142

143

141

142 

144

4,258

137

8,450

Apr.

144

141 

144

143

148

m142

136 

131

129

132

131

130

130

130

129

129

129

129

129

129

130

132

132

129

127

129

129

132

4,040

135

8,010

May

134

147 

154

142

136

134 

136

134

135 

132

131

130

130

128

126

126

125

125

124

127

126

125

124

123

122

123

124

125

126

125 

122

4,023

130

7,980

June

123

123 

122

123

123

143

us

116

115 

114

114

114

114

114

114

166

155

118

118

117

117

115

113

114

114

113

111

110

109

109

3,591

120

7,120

July

111 in 

ill

112

li°

1CB 

1C 7

ice

1C6 

1C6

1C6

106

106

106

106

105

104

105

104

104

104

106

104

103

103

104

103

104

104

104 

105

3,296

106

6,540

Aug.

108

SI

111

111

111

110

111

111 

119

121

116

114

113

113

123

115

115

115

116

114

114

112

111

111

110

110

110

109

108 

108

3,520

114

6,980

Sept.

108

108 

107

108

110

110 

110

107

106 

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

106

107

107

107

108

108

108

110

111

112

114

114

3,240

108

6,430

Calendar year 1955: Max 4.H1 

Water year 1955-56: Max 168

Min 45 Mean 126 

Mean 124

Ac-ft 90,930 

AC-ft 90,250

Peak discharge (base, 650 ofs). June 16 (4 p.m.) 1,060 cfs (5.37 ft), 

b Stage-discharge relation affected by ice.
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIM 

Keyapaha River at Wewela, S. Dak.

355

Creek.

Drainage area. 1 . 070 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available . November 1937 to September 1940, October 1947 to September 1956.

nn gage read once dally. a**3 crest-stage indicator. Datum of gage is 

,049.78 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Average discharge. 11 years (1938-40, 1947-56), 75.1 cfs (54,370 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . --Maximum discharge during year not determined, occurred in March during period 

of backwater from ice; maximum gage height observed, 5.91 ft Mar. 4 (backwater from 

ice); minimum daily discharge, 6.2 cfs Dec. 14.

1937-40, 1947-56: Maximum discharge, 5,430 cfs Mar. 31, 1952 (gage height 

13.08 ft); maximum gage height, 13.5 ft Mar. 25, 1950 (from floodmark, backwater from 

ice); no flow Jan. 10 to Feb. 15, 1949.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record 

which are poor. Discharge measurements generally made every two weeks.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

g

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

27

26

30

30

30

50

29

29

28

27

28

28

27

28

50

50

51

52

52

33

31

32

a35

34

55

35

35

34

33

33

35

955

50.7

1,890

Nov.

32

31

14

10

11

10

9.0

9.2

12

12

11

10

9.2

7.8

12

14

14

14

14

14

17

18

20

20

22

22

23

13

6.8

7.3

439.3

14.6

871

Dec.

7.4

7.9

7.7

7.7

8.4

7.7

7.5

8.0

7.4

6.6

6.6

6.6

6.8

6.2

6.6

6.6

6.5

6.8

7.1

7.0

7.1

7.4

9.2

11

12

13

13

13

14

14

14

270.8

8.74

537

Jan.

14

15

16

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

18

18

17

17

17

18

IS

18

18

18

18

23

29

50

29

29

26

26

26

29

623

20.1

1,240

Feb.

29

27

27

27

28

29

51

51

51

51

51

52

52

32

34

33

32

55

34

55

54

54

55

55

55

55

58

45

4_5

955

32.9

1,890

Mar.

51

54

275

353

350

246

213

184

166

156

146

140

99

95

89

89

186

.589

455

449

446

437

395

350

301

268

241

202

a!55

118

186

7,282

235

14,440

Apr.

192

207

174

109

156

215

 2TT 265

178

a!60

140

156

126

121

115

104

97

93

90

86

76

78

96

a86

78

77

77

78

92

100

3,793

126

7,520

May

140

17S

194

251

202

172

149

146

121

113

alOS

92

92

93

99

82

85

82

75

a69

64

64

5S

56

55

57

61

a65

70

a62

54

3,206

103

6,360

June

55

53

55

95

85

a76

67

64

49

48

47

42

58

57

54

54

59

45

44

a39

34

29

22

27

27

27

27

26

27

24

1,512

43.7

2,600

July

25

26

a28

a29

31

31

32

31

50

30

25

22

21

19

22

20

15

17

17

17

17

17

15

15

14

14

13

13

a!4

15

15

650

21.0

1,290

Aug.

19

28

51

28

24

24

34

99

72

74

58

46

43

41

56

36

a36

57

38

a36

34

28

26

24

21

19

19

19

18

18

18

1,084

55.0

2,150

Sept.

18

18

18

19

19

19

21

21

a20

18

a!8

a!9

19

19

20

21

22

22

19

21

20

21

20

19

21

22

22

21

24

26

607

20.2

1,200

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,250 Min 6.2 Mean 73.1 Ac-ft 52,930

Water year 1955-56: Max 455 Min 6.2 Mean 57.8 Ac-ft 41,990

charge (base. 25O 

Apr. 6 (6:30 p.m.

efs).--Mar. 4 (time and discharge unknown); Mar. . 19 (time and discharge

unknown); Apr. 6 (6:30 p.m.) 314 cfs (3.10 ft); May 4 (ll:5O a.m.) 251 cfs (2.82 ft). 

a No gage-height record; discharge interpolated. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 1 to Mar. 25.
356 KIOBRARA RIVER BASIN

Kiobrara River near Spencer, Kebr.

Location. Lat 42°48'25", long 98°38'55", in S|NE£ sec. 30, T. 33 N., R. 11 W., on left 

bank 700 ft downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 281, 0.4 mile downstream from 

Spencer powerplant dam, and 5 miles southeast of Spencer.

Drainage area. 10,400 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. May to December 1908 (gage heights only), August 1913 to September 

1915 (fragmentary), August 1927 to September 1936, June 1940 to September 1956. Published as "near Lynch" 1913-15.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,464.09 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. May to December 1908, chain gage on former highway bridge 0.3 mile upstream at 

different datum. Aug. 1, 1913, to Sept. 30, 1915, staff gage at highway bridge 

10 miles downstream at different datum. August 1927 to Sept. 30, 1936, and June 14, 

1940, to Sept. 30, 1944, discharge computed as flow through powerhouse and over dam 

0.4 mile upstream. Oct. 1, 1944, to Nov. 10, 1954, water-stage recorder at highway 

bridge 0.3 mile upstream.

Average discharge. 25 years (1927-36, 1940-56), 1,372 cfs (993,300 acre-ft per year). 

Extremes. Maximum daily discharge during year, 2,990 cfs Mar. 18; minimum daily, 210 cfs

1927-36, 1940-56: Maximum discharge, 27,400 cfs Mar. 12, 1955 (gage height, 

12.16 ft), from rating curve extended above 13,000 cfs on basis of slope-area determination of peak: flow; minimum daily, 5 cfs Nov. 14, Dec. 18, 19, 1940.

Remarks. Records poor. Discharge measurements generally made twice a week. Natural flow 

of stream affected by irrigation and power developments.

Revision. WSP 1056: Drainage area.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1,280

1,350

1,390

1,330

1,600

1,750 

1,490

1,210

1,130

969

1,160

1,070

1,040

995

976

995

1,010

1,050

1,100

1,050

1,190

918

1,030

1,030

943

1,060

1,030

1,340

1,070

1,190

1,170

35,916

1,159

71,240

Nov.

1,210

1,170

988

1,180

962

969 

1,070

1,390

1,360

1,260

1,110

1,190

894

640

620

447

396

510

640

900

1,740

2,010

2,010

1,530

1,190

1,080

483

288

452

550

30,239

1,008

59,980

Dec.

392

276

240

210

423

700 

860

930

950

950

1,000

1,120

1,290

1,260

1,250

1,220

1,170

1,170

1,340

1,560

1,390

1,250

1,200

1,140

1,180

1,140

1,260

1,620

1,740

1,590

1,530

33,351

1,076

66,150

Jan.

1,480

1,430

1,470

1,520

1,440

1,490 

1,570

1,480

1,530

1,530

1,460

1,410

1,260

968

794

789

713

746

867

1,010

,100

,200

,320

,350

,320

,290

,260

,220

,310

,260

,160

38,747

1,250

76,850

Feb.

1,110

1,230

1,280

1,200

1,120

1,060 

1,120

1,180

1,210

1,210

1,240

1,230

1,190

1,190

1,200

1,240

1,280

1,210

1,070

946

1,000

1,200

1,260

1,290

1,310

1,340

1,330

1,340

1,380

34,966

1,206

69,350

Mar.

1,460

1,640

1,880

2,070

2,340

a2,400 

a2 , 450

a2,300

a2,050

al,950

al,830

al,720

al,630

1,530

1.450

al,670

a2,200

2,990

2,800

2,360

1,980

a2,000

a2,100

a2,200

a2,300

a2 , 400

a2,500

2,600

1,980

al,900

al,890

64,550

2,082

128,000

Apr.

1,840

1,790

1,770

1,980

2,150

2,050 

1,920

1,810

1,720

1,570

1,550

1,530

1,570

1,490

1,480

1,500

1,450

1,390

1,380

1,400

1,310

1,290

1,320

1,350

1,420

1,280

1,490

1,730

1,910

2,030

48,470

1,616

96,140

May

1,860

1,840

1,840

1,930

1,750

1,680 

1,570

1,390

1,400

1,430

1,480

1,310

1,320

1,450

1,450

1,410

1,220

1,210

1,100

1,200

1,210

1,210

1,220

1,280

1.080

1,100

1,300

1,470

1,320

1,320

1,470

43,820

1,414

86,920

June

,480

,340

,250

,150

,150

,250 

,160

,160

,070

,040

860

746

740

948

1,050

1,220

1,500

1,330

1,150

950

879

910

920

820

763

730

660

739

780

700

30,445

1,015

60,390

July

730

775

880

1,080

1,350

1,460

itioo

960

1,050

971

960

957

960

1,000

1,190

1,020

890

1,000

1,150

1,090

l.OEO

1,060

1,050

9EO

SCO

762

6£0

6STJ

7CO

710

29,955

966

59,410

Aug.

910

1,100

1,260

1,150

1,150

1,420 

1,420

1,400

1,160

980

1,070

1,170

1,240

1,150

1,000

1,020

1,060

1,300

1,390

1,310

1,170

1,050

969

970

980

960

938

910

910

901

J390_

34,308

1,107

68,050

Sept.

910

920

868

870

880

888 

850

830

850

894

850

800

930

1,150

1,030

950

926

940

940

925

970

840

820

866

870

900

1,070

1,040

1,000

970

27,547

918

54,640

Calendar year 1955: Max 14,500 Min 210 Mean 1,277 Ac-ft 924,400

Water year 1955-56: Max 2,990 Mln 210 Mean 1,236 Ac-ft 897,100

a No gage-height record; discharge estimated on basis of records for station at Fiobrara.

Hote.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Dec. 3 to Mar. 5, Mar. 14, 15. Indefinite 

discharge relation or no gage-height record May 24 to Sept. 30; discharge estimate? on basis 

38 discharge measurements and records for stations near Norden and at Niobrara.
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN 357

Niobrara River at Niobrara, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°44'50", long 98 C 03'00", in SW£ sec. 17, T. 32 N. , R. 6 W. , near left 

bank on downstream side of bridge on State Highway 12, 0.8 mile southwest of Hiobrara 

and 1.5 miles upstream from mouth.

Records available . May to October 1902 and August 1910 to July 1913 (gage heights only), 

July 1954 to September 1956.

Gage. Wire-weight gage read once daily. Altitude of gage is 1,230 ft (from topographic 

map). Prior to July 1954, staff or chain gages in same vicinity at different datum.

Extreme s . -'-Maximum discharge during year not determined, probably occurred during highwater period Mar. 30 to Apr. 3; minimum daily, 90 cfs Nov. 29.

1954-56: Maximum discharge observed, 16,900 cfs Mar. 13, 1955 (gage V eight, 

5.80 ft); maximum gage height observed, 6.60 ft Feb. 27, 1955 (backwater from ice); 

minimum daily discharge, that of Nov. 29, 1955.

Remarks . Records poor. Discharge measurements generally made five times a week. 

flow of stream affected by irrigation and power developments.

Natural

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27 

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

1,110

1,120

1,470

1,360

1,210

1,330

1,590

1,580

1,370

1,340

1,190

94O

1,440

1,470

1,570

1,580

1,810

1,500

1,220

1,470

1,370

1,780

1,9OO

1,850

1,670

1,520

2,010 

1,700

2,060

1,690

2,020

47,240

1,524

93,700

Nov.

1,500

1,230

1,460

1,610

2,350

1,920

1,640

1,290

1,500

2,230

2,050

1,500

1,360

940

520

430

150

2OO

330

480

940

2.500

2,250

2,010

1,670

1,680

1,670 

200

90

120

37,820

1,261

75,010

Dec.

600

420

320

240

280

400

540

770

1,070

980

1,O6O

1,350

1,380

1,370

1,360

,460

,440

,350

,290

,280

,340

,450

,440

,600

,680

,510

,480 

,530

,420

,530 

.720

35,660

1,150

70,730

Jan.

,570

,770

,820

,890

,060

.080

,880

,800

,620

,380

,460

,520

,500

,430

,5OO

1,320

1,140

950

960

990

990

1,060

1,140

,290

,350

,340

,330 

,320

,320

,200 

,050

44,030

1,420

87,330

Feb.

,180

,340

,380

,320

,280

,470

,550

,640

,600

,560

,510

,520

,450

,440

,540

,500

,560

,690

,600

,440

,220

,250

,450

,640

,600

,630

.750 

,680

,670

43,440

1,498

86,160

Mar.

1,690

1,830

2,020

2,160

2,150

2,630

2,940

2,480

2,770

2,800

2,520

2,300

2,170

1,910

1,760

1,810

2,1OO

2,270

3,120

3,610

3,500

3,200

2,900

2,900

3,100

3,200

3,400 

3,500

3,700

4,OOO 

4.100

84,540

2,727

167,700

Apr.

4.100

4.OOO

3,750

3,420

3,380

3,330

3,100

3,000

3,010

2,820

2,600

2,020

2,050

2,150

1,890

1,870

2,040

2,O8O

1,870

1,800

1,650

1.550

1,570

1,740

1,830

1,860

1,840 

2,200

2,540

2,790

73,850

2,462

146,500

May

2,530

2,400

2,540

2,480

2,560

2.670

2,440

2,080

2,100

2,200

2,190

2,090

2,310

2,240

2,050

2,170

1,860

1,560

1,840

1,800

1,380

1,520

1,750

1,490

1,270

1,070

1,260 

1,580

1,630

1,600 

1,610

60,270

1,944

119,500

June

1,780

,610

,610

,540

,480

,500

,780

,490

1,620

1,430

1,460

1,300

910

890

860

810

1,440

2.290

1,580

1,190

1,020

1,080

1,120

930

940

820

'830 780 

940

870

37,900

1,263

75,170

July

950

970

1,010

1,130

1,440

1,650

1 . 720

1,100

1,480

1,200

1,040

920

930

960

1,200

1,690

1,150

880

1,030

1,140

960

870

860

840

830

760

680 

690

700

74O 

940

32,460

1,047

64,380

Aug.

970

1,220

.850

,480

,350

,580

,550

,770

,410

,180

,27O

,360

,440

,280

,150

,140

,180

,450

,570

,120

1,060

950

960

880

900

750

750 

750

730

920 

940

56,650

1,182

72,690

Sept.

980

750

750

760

880

1,04O

950

880

930

950

920

870

1,570

1,240

1,260

950

840

1,06O

920

940

990

850

780

950

850

9OO

1,040 

920

860

1,540

28,880

963

57,280

Calendar year 1955: Max 15.7OO Mln 9O Mean 1,652 Ac-ft 1,196,OOO

Water year 1955-56: Max 4.1OO Mln 90 Mean 1,538 Ac-ft 1,116,000

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 14 to Mar. 23.
358 BAZILLE CREEK BASIN

Basille Creek near Niobrara, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°45'00", long 97"56' 10", in NE£ sec. 18, T. 32 N. , R. 5 W., on downstream 

side of right pier of bridge on State Highway 12, 2^ miles upstream from mouth and 

4f miles east of Niobrara.

Drainage area. 440 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. May 1952 to September 1956. Records for October 1931 to September 

1932, published in WSP 731, have been found to be unreliable and should not be used.

Gage. Water-stage recorder for stages above 4.2 ft. Wire-weight gage read once daily. 

Datum of gage is 1,214.83 ft above mean sea level, unadjusted. Prior to Dec. 16, 

1952, wire-weight gage at present site and datum.

Extremes. Maximum discharge observed during year, 237 cfs July 15 (gage height, 3.41 ft); 

maximum gage height, 5.68 ft Mar. 2 (backwater from ice); minimum daily discharge, 

7.7 cfs Aug. 31, Sept. 1, 3.

1952-56: Maximum discharge, 26,100 cfs June 6, 1954 (gage height, 11.51 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 2,000 cfs on basis of contracted-opening determination of 

peak flow at 11.36 ft; minimum daily, 7.2 cfs Aug. 27, 1955.

Flood of June 19, 1951, reached a stage of 11.36 ft, from floodmarks (discharge, 

24,400 cfs on basis of contracted-opening determination of peak flow).

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. Discharge 

measurements generally made twice a week. Minor diversions for irrigation above station.

Revisions [water years). WSP 1279: 1952(P). See also Records available.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

34

43

61

45

42

38

40

37

40

37

34

37

32

32

42

42

37

37

42

38

37

35

40

38

38

40

37

38

40

40

42

1,215

39.2

2,410

Nov.

40

37

19

35

34

20

19

31

45

45

43

43

40

40

38

24

16

26

32

48

52

52

45

34

28

34

11

10

18

13

977

32.6

1,940

Dec.

19

18

16

12

IS

23

26

28

28

27

26

26

26

26

26

26

28

26

26

26

24

19

14

23

37

48

50

57

52

31

40

872

28.1

1,730

Jan.

53

53

62

66

66

57

42

29

42

53

64

61

61

70

46

10

40

53

55

59

57

50

43

38

32

34

41

45

45

42

59

1,528

49.3

3,030

Feb.

55

52

48

48

48

43

48

50

53

66

72

72

77

79

85_

68

68

48

76

72

85

85

74

66

77

55

76

59

59

1,869

64.4

3,710

Mar.

57

152

217

169

195

152

85

46

162

103

17

ag- 11

ios

68

109

122

174

89

101

101

99

91

59

68

74

72

64

23

45

70

2,989

96.4

5,930

Apr.

101

116

220

195

138

111

91

79

81

74

81

72

74

72

66

59

52

52

53

50

52

53

52

48

40

48

48

66

66

77

2,387

79.6

4,730

May

74

66

72

53

61

62

53

52

50

52

79

89

61

61

52

48

46

43

45

43

40

43

43

42

35

38

37

lo- 34

ss

34

1,583

51.1

3,140

June

35

28

34

31

37

59

37

37

32

32

24

20

18

16

16

13

18

32

23

23

15

20

15

14

10

37

19

14

17

12

738

24.6

1,460

July

18

18

18

19

26

20

34

19

16

16

15

14

27

19

154

79

35

26

22

27

17

16

16

15

13

11

9.8

lT~ 8.9

9.3

11

760.0

24.5

1,510

Aug.

19

27

17

15

15

13

32

18

12

11

11

10

10

10

8.9

11

10

45

38

24

20

17

15

13

12

9.8

9.8

10

8.9

8.5

7.7

488.6

15.8

969

Sept.

7.7

sTT

7.7

8.1

9.8

13

16

15

13

11

11

11

15

16

19

16

16

15

14

16

15

13

14

16

16

15

10

8.5

13

22^

400.9

13.4

795

Calendar year 1955: Max 778 Mln 7.2 Mean 54.9 Ac-ft 39,760

Water year 1955-56: Max 220 Mln 7.7 Mean 43.2 Ac-ft 31,350

Peak discharge (base, 1,000 efs).--No peak above 

Note .--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice N 3, 6, 7, Nov. 14 to Mar. 22, Mar. 29, 3O.
MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 359

Lewis and Clark Lake near Yankton, S. Dak. 

(Formerly published as Gavins Point Reservoir near Yankton}

Location. Lat 42°51', Jong 97°29', in SW£ see. 7, T. 33 N., R. 1 W., in powerhouse of dam 

on Missouri River, 3tr miles southwest of Yankton, 11.9 miles upstream from James River, 

db.8 miles downstream from Niobrara River, and at mile 846.5. Prior to Dec 9 1955 

at temporary location on wall of intake structure unit 3. '

Drainage area.--279.500 sq mi (approximately).

Records available. July 1955 to September 1956. Prior to October 1955, published as 

Savins Point Reservoir near Yankton.

. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is at mean sea level, datum of 1929. Prior to 

ec. 9, 1955, recorder at temporary location on wall of intake structure unit 3.

Extremes. Maximum contents during year, 414,200 acre-ft Mar. 4, 6 (elevation 1 205 9 ft)- 

minimum, 46,630 acre-ft Nov. 1 (elevation, 1,186.1 ft). ' ' 

c-, i 5 ~ 56: Maximum contents that of Mar. 4, 6, 1956; minimum since initial filling, 

61,950 acre-ft Apr. 23, 1956 (elevation, 1,188.1 ft).

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by an earth-fill dam; closure made and storage began during 

July 1955. Total capacity is 541,300 acre-ft between elevations 1,170 and 1,210 ft 

Active capacity, 385,100 acre-ft between elevations 1,195 and 1,210 ft. Inactive storage below elevation 1,195 ft, 156,200 acre-ft. Figures given herein represent total 

contents. The spillway consists of 14 taintor gates, each 40 ft wide by 30 ft highspillway capacity, 280,000 cfs (elevation, 1,210 ft). Crest of spillway is at elevation 1,180 ft. Power generation is scheduled for eventual use of 3 power tunnels; 

capacity, 35,000 cfs (elevation, 1,210 ft). Water is used for flood control, navigation, power, and incidental uses.

Cooperat ion.--Elevat ions and capacity table furnished by Corps of Engineers.

Month-end elevation and total contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Calendar year 1955. .............

Mar. 31......................... ..

May 31 ...........................

Sept. 30. ..........................

Water year 1955-56. .............

Elevation 

(feet)t

-

1,203.2

1,204.4

-

Contents 

(acre-feet)

-

91,040

371,800

-

Change In contents 

(acre-feet)

_

-

+86,700

-311,700

+257,000

+24,400

+314,800

t Elevation at 12 p.m.

459735 O -58 -24
360 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM 

Missouri River at Yankton, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 42°52', long 97°24', between sec. 18, T. 93 N., R. 55 W., and sec. 13, 

T. 93 N., R. 56 W., on downstream end of left pier of Meridian Highway Bridge on U. S. 

Highway 281 in Yankton, 5.8 miles upstream from James River, 6.1 miles downstream from 

Lewis and Clark Lake, and at mile 840.4.

Drainage area.--279.500 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. November 1930 to September 1956. Gage-height records collected at 

same site March 1873 to November 1886, March 1905 to May 1908 (fragmertary), August 

1921 to date (except winter months prior to 1932), are contained in reports of the 

U. S. Weather Bureau.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,159.68 ft above mean see level, datum 

of 1929. Prior to Sept. 20, 1932, chain gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge. 25 years (1931-56), 26,590 cfs (19,250,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 47,000 cfs Aug. 24 (gage height, 5.05 ft); minimum daily, 7,500 cfs Jan. 14; minimum gage height, -0.27 ft Nov. 22.

1930-56: Maximum discharge, 480,000 cfs Apr. 13, 1952 (gage height, 15.5 ft); maximum gage height, 15.5 ft Apr. 13, 14, 1952; minimum daily discharge, 2,700 cfs 

Nov. 15, 16, 1940; minimum gage height, -0.78 ft Dec. 15, 1948.

Maximum stage known, 30.5 ft Apr. 5, 1881 (ice Jam), present datum.

Remarks. Records excellent except those for periods of ice effect, which are good. Discharge measurements generally made 2 or 3 times a week during open water and once 

a week during ice period. Flow regulated by Lewis and Clark Lake (see preceding page). 

Many diversions above station for irrigation.

Revisions. WSP 761: Drainage area.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

S

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

32,400 

32,800

33,400

32,600

33, 000

33,000

32,800

32,100

31 , 500

30, 800

30, 900

30, 900

31,500

31,200

31,400

31,500

31,500

31 , 900

32 , 900

33,200

33,300

33, 600 

33, 500

32 , 200

30, 900

32 , 600

31 , 900

33,300

55,700

52 , OOO

29.600

997,900

32,190

*1,979

Nov.

26.500

23,300

20, 500

17,300

14,900

12,100

10,900

10,600

10,900

11,000

10,700

10,400

10,400

10,200

9,740

10, 100

10, 900

10,200

10,400

10,400

10,100

9,460 

9,240

9,150

8,880

9,120

9,150

9,300

9,500

10, 000

------

355, 340

11,840

704,800

Dec.

11,500 

11,700

11.800

10,500

9,500

9,000

8,800

8,700

8,500

8,400

8,300

8,100

8,100

S.OOO

8,000

8,000

9,400

10, 100

10,300

10, 300

10, 300

10,000 

8,800

8,000

8,000

8,000

8,000

8,000

8,300

8,200

8,200

280,800

9,058

557,000

Jan.

8,700 

9,100

9.500

9,400

9,100

8,500

8,800

8,800

8,600

8,400

8,400

8,500

8,500

7,500

8,000

8,100

8,200

8,300

8,300

8,400

8,500

8,600 

8,700

8,800

8,300

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,100

263,100

8,487

521,900

Feb.

8.200 

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

8,200

9,600

10, 500

10,800

11,000

11,000

11,000

10, 500

10,000

11 . 900 

11,200

10,900

11,800

11 , 300

11,700

11,300

10,600

- _____

------

281,700

9,714

558,700

Mar.

10,400 

10,200

10,100

9.820

10, 600

12,400

13,900

15, 300

17,200

17,200

18,100

22,600

26,600

30, 000

30,800

30,200

29,800

29,800

30,100

28,700

28,300

51.400 

28,800

31,300

30, 100

31,200

30, 900

30, 700

30,900

30, 600

30,000

738,020

23,810

*1,464

Apr.

29,400 

£8,800

29,200

29,400

29,100

29,300

29,200

29,000

28,900

27,700

26.900

27,200

27,700

28,000

28,300

28,600

28,800

29,100

29,200

29,200

29,200

28,900 

28,900

30.000

29,600

29,400

29,200

30,000

30,000

28,800

867,000

28,900

*1,720

May

28,400 

28,400

29,500

29,500

29,600

29,100

28,900

29,000

29,100

28,800

28,000

28,000

28,400

28,000

28,000

27,500

27.200

27,600

28,800

29,100

29,000

51.000 

30, 700

30,400

30,800

29,600

30,000

29,500

28,800

28,600

28,700

897,800

28,960

*1,781

June

28,900 

29,400

29,500

30, 000

29,800

29,200

28,4OO

28,600

28,500

28,000

28,400

29,900

30, 600

51,600

32,400

32,000

31,900

51,200

50,900

31,900

52.700

31,100 

29,600

30,500

30,000

28,000

25.300

27 500

28*700

28,900

893,100

29,770

*1,771

Ju.y

29,200 

28,400

26,000

26,000

26,600

24.400

26,600

28,200

29,600

50,600

50, 600

50,400

30, 500

30,800

30, 500

29,000

28,000

28,300

28,600

28,800

28,700

28,600 

29,900

31,900

35,900

54,400

55 , 300

35 - 400

35 ,'300

34, 900

33,200

932,600

50,080

* 1,850

Aug.

51, 700 

51,900

52,500

52 , 400

52,200

32,500

32 , 600

55,600

34,400

33,300

35,100

53, 100

32,800

32,300

32 , 700

55,200

32,800

31,900

51.200

51,900

52,200

52,400 

34,100

57.400

34,000

34, 600

54,000

34,400

34,600

33, 700

32 , 900

*1,026

35,100

*2,055

Sept.

33,000 

55,900

55,800

54, 500

53, 300

52,700

52,900

55,500

54, 500

34,100

52.600

34, 700

35,200

54,900

54,500

33,500

35,600

55, 600

55,800

54,000

54,100

33,200 

33,600

34,600

34,700

54,500

34,600

34,400

55,300

35,300

------

*1,018.3

33,940

*2,020

Calendar year 1955: Max 38,000 Mln 7,000 Mean 22,460 Ac-ft 16,260,000

Water year 1955-56: Max 37,400 Mln 7,500 Mean 23,370 Ac-ft 16,960,000

* Expressed in thousands.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 28 to Dec. i, Dec. 4 to Feb. 25.
JAMES RIVER BASIN 

James River at New Rockford, N. Dak.

361

Location. -Lat 47°41'05", long 99°07'30", on line between sees. 32 and 33, T. 149 N., R. 

66 W., on right bank 90 ft downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 281 at Few Rockford 

and 7 miles upstream from small tributary.

Drainage area. 596 sq mi, of which about 190 sq mi is probably noncontributirg. 

Records available . August 1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,500.00 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. Prior to Aug. 8, 1951, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 6 years, 6.92 cfs (5,010 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 306 cfs Apr. 16 (gage height, 8.70 ft); no flow 

during several months.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 840 cfs Apr. 12, 1951 (gage height, 9.20 ft); no flow 

during several months of each year.

Maximum stage known since at least 1925, about 13 ft in April 1948, from information 

by local resident. Flood in April 1950 reached a stage of 11.3 ft, from floodmarks.

Remarks. Records fair.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

(*)

0

0

0

Apr.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

*0

2

*23

*206

181

160

*148

142

138

127

117

111

*103

96

86

76

69

66

1,851

61.7

3,670

May

59

*58

55

52

47

43

40

36

35

34

*36

35

33

31

30

29

28

27

26

24

23

22

21

21

20

18

15

15

17

15 

*13

958

30.9

1,900

June

13

13

13

13

12

31

*25

22

21

20

19

18

17

17

16

16

16

16

15

15

16

15

15

15

15

14

12

*11

TT

11

483

16.1

958

July

'871 9.0

9.0

8.7

8.1

7.6

7.7

9.0

8.4

8.1

7.9

7.3

6.7

6.4

5.6

4.9

4.3

*3.9

3.6

3.3

3.2

3.0

2.8

2.6

2.3

2.0

1.7

1.6

1.4

1.2

ill

160.5

5.18

318

Aug.

~7S 0.9

.7

.6

.5

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

6.6

0.21

13

Sept.

~7I 0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0_

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0.9

0.03

1.8

Calendar year 1955: Max 74 Mln 0 Mean 4.66 Ac-ft 3,370

Water year 1955-56: Max 206 Mln o Mean 9.45 Ao-ft 6,860

Peak discharge (base. 200 cfs).--Apr. 16 (3:15 p.m.) 306 cfs (8.70 ft).

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

Note.--Discharge Apr. 20 to May 12 computed on basis of once-daily wire-weight-gage readings
362 JAMES RIVER BASIN

James River near Pingree, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 47°08'30", long 98°47'00", In SW^SW^ sec. 3, T. 142 N., R. 64 W., on right 

bank 500 ft upstream from dam at outlet of DePuy Marsh, 6-5- miles southeast of Pingree, 

and 6£ miles northeast of Buchanan.

Drainage area. 1,580 sq ml, approximately, of which about 440 sq ml Is probably noncontrlbutlng.

Records available. October 1952 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and flat-crested rubble-masonry control. Datum of gage Is 

1,400.00 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 175 cfs June 6 (gage height, 37.32 ft); no flow 

for many days; minimum gage height, 33.13 ft Mar. 20-24.

1952-56: Maximum discharge, 237 cfs May 4, 1955, due to strong wind effect (gage 

height, 37.25 ft); no flow for many days each year; minimum gage height, that of 

Mar. 20-24, 1956.

Remarks. Records fair. Estimated leakage through dam (control) Included. Flow regulated 

by Jim and Arrowood Lakes (combined capacity, 16,000 acre-ft) .

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and 

discharge, In cubic feet per second)

36.0

36.4

36.5

36.6

36.7

0.1

.2

.4

1.3

5.3

36.8

36.9

37.0

37.1

37.3

35

62

92

166

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

(*)

0

o

0

Nov.

(*)

0

o

o

Dec.

(*)

0

o

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

0

0

O

Mar.

(*)

o

0

0

Apr.

0

S

0

O

0

o

0

o

0

0

0

*o

0

0

*o

o

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

0

.1

.2

7.3

*40

62 *2i

183.6

6.12

364

May

83

110

116

*106

102

110

89

35 

110

83

~92 120

102

*89

89

86

48

48

16

33

20

30

12

8.1

87T

24

10

20

42

65 

*74

1,980.2

63.9

3,930

June

18

6.6

12

8.4

3.1

77

146

TT6 

106

89

77

86

83

71

59

40

40

42

40

33

22

30

28

15

8.1

15

12

2.9

**?79

12

1,301.0

43.4

2,580

July

10

6.6

5.9

6.6

7.3

5.9

12

1

14

11

9.0

5.9

2.9

3.7

2.9

**2.1

2.5

2.5

1.5

1.3

.9

.6

.9

^

.8

.5

.4

.2

**.4

.4

164.9

5.32

337

Aug.

0.2

.2

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.4 

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

**.l

.1

.1

.4

6.0

0.19

12

Sept.

0.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1 

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.1

.1

** . 1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

**.!

.1

.1

3.7

0.12

7.3

Calendar year 1955: Max 125 Mln O Mean 7.39 Ac-ft 5,350

Water year 1955-56: Max 146 Mln o Mean 9.98 Ac-ft 7,22O

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

** Field estimate made on this day.
JAMES RIVER BASIN 363

Jamestown Reservoir near Jamestown, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°55'50", long 98°42'25", in SW^NW^ sec. 24, T. 140 N., R. 64 V., at

Jamestown Dam on James River, 1.7 miles north of Jamestown Post Office and 4 miles upstream from Pipestem Creek.

Drainage area. 1.670 sq mi, approximately, of which about 460 sq mi is probably noncontributing.

Records available. November 1953 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Reference point used below elevation 1,410.00 ft.

Extremes.--Maximum contents during year, 16,450 acre-ft July 9-23 (elevation, 1,422.1 ft); 

minimum, 7,410 acre-ft Mar. 9 [elevation, 1,413.9 ft). 

1953-56: Maximum contents, that of July 9-23, 1956.

Remarks. Reservoir is formed by earth-fill dam, completed Oct. 1, 1953. Closure made 

May 7, 1953, and filling of dead storage started. Gates initially closed Feb. 8, 1954. 

Usable capacity, 229,470 acre-ft between elevations 1,400 ft (sill of outlet) and 

1,454 ft (crest of spillway). Dead storage below elevation 1,400 ft, 820 acre-ft. 

Maximum design pool, 389,600 acre-ft (elevation, 1,464.4 ft). Figures given herein 

represent total contents. Reservoir is used for flood control and municipal supply.

^Cooperation. Record of elevation and contents furnished by Bureau of Reclamation.

Month-end elevation and contents, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Date

Dec. 31. ....................

Sept. 30... ..................

Water year 1955-56. . ......

Elevation 

(feet)

,414.27

,421.3

-

Contents 

(acre-feet)

8,680

7,530

8,890

12,590

15,760

15,350

-

Change in contents 

(acre-feet)

+830

+3,700

+270

-540

-410

+6,930

Note. During winter months the elevations are interpolated between 

weekly readings.
364 JAMES RIVER BASIN

Pipestem Creek near Buchanan, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 47°03'59", long 98°55'07", at north line of sec. 4 T. 141 N., R. 65 W. , 

on left bank 30 ft downstream from bridge on county road and 4-| miles vest of Buchanan.

Drainage area. 925 sq mi, of which about 450 sq mi is probably noncontributing. 

Records available. March 1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,467.01 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to July 11, 1950, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 6 years, 15.8 cfs (11,440 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 560 cfs June 7 (gage height, 7.06 ft); no flow 

for many days; minimum gage height, 2.12 ft Oct. 13.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 4,480 cfs Apr. 17, 1950 (gage height, 10.77 ft); maximum gage height, 11.89 ft Apr. 9, 1950 (backwater from ice); no flow at times.

Remarks. Records good except those for Mar. 19 to Apr. 12, which are poo^-. Records of 

chemical analyses for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

Oct. 1 to Apr. 9 Apr. 10 to Sept. 30

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.3 

2.5 

2.7 

3.0

0.2

1.6

5.6

12

27

3.5 

4.0 

5.0 

6.0

7.0

91

186

329

545

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

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

.2

.2

.2 

*.2

3.5

0.11

6.9

Nov.

0.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

^1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1 *.l

3.5

0.12

6.9

Dec.

0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0.8

0.03

1.6

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

10

50

*20

8

6

*9

8

7

5

3

2

2

132

4.3

262

Apr.

2

**2

5

10

15

10

5

5

5

15

*21

*27

*45

50

*61

51

71

93

*93

77

63

53

46

41

36

33

*31

28

26

24

1,044

34.8

2,070

May

24

24

24

*22

20

20

18

17

15

18

*17

16

15

15

12

12

11

9.7

9.3

7.9

7.6

7.3

7.0

7.3

7.0

6.5

6.5

104

270

386

154

1,290.1

41.6

2,560

June

*87

59

44

36

30

157

*504

*334

139

80

57

44

36

30

26

24

22

22

20

19

18

17

14

13

12

12

11

10

*9.7

17

1,903.7

63.5

3,780

July

IE

13

13

13

14

14

14-

1?

Ti- If

ll

9.7

8.9

8.2

6.8

5.9

*6.2

5.4

5.2

4.9

5.2

5.6

5.4

5.2

4.3

3.8

3.4

3.6

3.6

*3.6

3.4

260.3

8.40

516

Aug.

3.0

2.7

2.7

2.9

2.9

2.5

2.9

6.5

3.2

2.5

2.3

2.1

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.1

1.1

.7

.7

.6

_._4

.6

.6

*.7

1.0

£ 3 

7JO

63.7

2.05

126

Sept.

4.1

3.4

2.9

2.1

2.1

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.3

2.5

2.7

2.9

3.4

3.2

2.9

2.5

*2.5

2.3

2.1

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.3

**1.0

T7I

1.1

68.7

2.29

136

Calendar year 1955 : Max 400 Min 0 Mean 10.9 Ac-ft 7,920

Water year 1955-56 : Max 504 Min 0 Mean 13.0 Ac-ft 9,470

Peak discharge (base. 200 cfs). Hay 30 (6 a.m.) 516 cfs (6.88 ft); June 7 (4 p.m.) 560 cfs 

(7.06ft).

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

** Field estimate made on this day.
JAMES RIVER BASIN 365

James River at Jamestown, N. Dak.

Location.--Lat 46°53'45", long 98°41'28", in NW£sw£ sec. 31, T. 140 N., R. 63 W., on 

right bank 80 ft downstream from Asylum Bridge at southeast corner of Jamestown and 

2.5 miles downstream from Pipestem Creek.

Drainage area. 2,840 sq mi, approximately, of which about 950 sq mi is probably noncontributing.

Records available.--June 1928 to August 1933, August 1937 to September 1939, March 1943 

to September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey. June 1928 to September 1934, March 

to May 1935 in Corps of Engineers report "James and Sheyenne River basins, North Dakota 

and South Dakota Water Supply and Sewage Disposal."

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,375.27 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Oct. 1, 1949, staff, tape, or wire-weight gages at bridge 80 ft upstream; 1928-35 at datum 5.00 ft lower, and 1937-49 at present datum.

Average discharge.--21 years (1928-34, 1937-39, 1943-56), 56.8 cfs (41,120 acre-ft per 

year); median of yearly mean discharges, 25 cfs (18,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 937 cfs June 6 (gage height, 8.86 ft); minimum, 

1.5 cfs Jan. 13, 14; minimum gage height, 1.48 ft Oct. 1.

1928-35, 1937-39, 1943-56: Maximum discharge, 6,390 cfs May 13, 1950 (gage height, 

15.82 ft); no flow at times in 1933.

Remarks. Records good. Flow regulated by Arrowood and Jim Lakes and Jamestown Reservoir 

(combined capacity, 246,000 acre-ft).

Revisions (water years). WSP 1209: Drainage area. WSP 1239: 1938(M) , 1943-4£.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septei iiber 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

3.1

3.3

3.2

*3.3

3.3

3.6

3.6

3.3

3.1

3.3

3.6

3.8

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.1

3.3

3.1

3.1

3.3

3.6

3.3

3.1

3.1

3.3

3.1

3.1

*3.3

3.3

3.6

3.6

106.1

3.42

210

NOV.

3.1

2.9

2.7

2.9

3.1

3.1

3.1

3.3

3.6

3.1

3.3

3.3

2.9

2.5

2.9

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.2

2.3

2.5

2.2

'275 1.9

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.9

1.9

78.1

2.60

155

Dec.

*1.7

1.9

1.9

1.7

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.3

275

2.2

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.3

*2.3

2.2

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

65.1

2.10

129

Jan.

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.3

275

2.0

2.0

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.7

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.2

*2.0

2.0

2.0

1.9

2.0

2.2

60.9

1.96

121

Feb.

2.2

T72

2.2

2.2

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

'275 1.9

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.0

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.0

*2.0

1.9

2.0

60.0

2.O7

119

Mar.

2.0

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.5

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.5

5.6

5.0

3.3

3.3

3.3

6.6

*33

70

50

~50 104

*45

51

41

26

19

19

22

587.1

18.9

1,160

Apr.

21

19

18

18

24

21

17

25

27

*27

32

68

56

56

45

43

42

45

*86

101

91

75

64

56

52

46

*42

39

37

35

1,328

44.3

2,630

May

34

33

32

*32

30

29

27

25

29

48

*34

32

29

26

24

23

22

22

21

21

19

18

18

19

18

18

19

28

94

311

405

1,540

49.7

3,050

June

*213

129

87

64

53

*589

578

*593

422

214

127

85

63

51

41

38

37

34

32

30

29

39

38

32

29

27

25

23

*21

27

3,770

126

7,480

July

25

23

24

23

22

22

26

"29 29

26

23

21

*19

17

16

15

14

13

13

13

13

12

11

10

10

10

9.2

10

9.6

*13

10

530.8

17.1

1,050

Aug.

8.8

9.6

12

9.2

7.6

5.9

5.6

5.3

4.7

4.7

4.7

6.6

6.6

5.6

4.7

4.1

3.6

3.6

2.9

2.9

2.9

2.7

1^5

2.5

2.7

2.7

2.7

*4.1

4.7

7.3

11

166.5

5.37

330

Sept.

11

13

IT

8.4

6.9

5.9

5.0

4.4

4.1

3.8

3.8

4.1

4.1

4.4

5.0

6.2

5.6

5.9

*5.9

5.9

5.9

4.4

4.1

4.4

4.4

4.1

2.9

*2.7

2.3

2.5

162.1

5.40

322

Calendar year 1955: Max 507 Min 1.3 Mean 18.2 Ac-ft 13,170

Water year 1955-56: Max 593 Min i.e Mean 23.1 Ac-ft 16,760

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
366 JAMES RIVER BASIN

James River at La Moure, N. Dak.

Location. Lat 46°21'20", long 98°18'15", at northeast corner of sec. 11, T. 133 N., 

R. 61 W., on left bank 80 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 13, half a mile 

west of La Moure, and 12 miles upstream from Cottonwood Creek.

Drainage area. 5,740 sq mi, approximately, of which about 2,800 sq mi is probably noncontributing.

Records available. April to July 1903 (gage-height record only), April 1950 to September 

1956. Gage-height records 1902-11 are contained in reports of U. S. Weather Bureau.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder and rubble-masonry control. Datum of gage is 1,290.00 ft 

above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 1902-08, 1909-11, staff gages at site 80 ft upstream at two different datums. Apr. 19, 1950, to Sept. 2, 1951, wire-weight gage on 

bridge 80 ft upstream at present datum.

Average discharge.--6 years (1950-56), 79.3 cfs (57,410 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,150 cfs June 9 (gage height, 9.38 ft); no 

flow for part of day Sept. 30, result of upstream wind.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 5,730 cfs May 16, 1950 (gage height, 15.34 ft); no 

flow for part of day, Sept. 30, 1956.

A long time local resident says flood of May 16, 1950, was the highest since 1882, 

with stage in either 1942 or 1943 being almost as high due to large ice jam.

Remarks. Records good above 20 cfs and fair below. Plow regulated by ^rrowood and Jim 

Lakes and Jamestown Reservoir (combined capacity, 246,000 acre-ft).

Revisions.--WSP 1209: Drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and

discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Jan. 28 to Mar. 2)

7.7 

8.0 

8.5 

9.0 

9.4

121

250

555

915

1,160

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3 

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

14

10

14 

10

17

16

11

8

12

12

18

12

16

7

10

16

14

12

15

14

10

17

15

*10

12

11

16

12

16

7 

9

393

12.7

780

Nov.

15

15

14 

14

ii

9

14

14

16

16

16

12

12

12

12

11

10

10

10

10

11

11

11

10

9

10

10

9

*8

8

358

11.9

710

Dec.

8

8

8 

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

10

11

8

8

8

8

*8

7.

7

7

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8 

8

250

8.1

496

Jan.

8

7

7 

7

8

8

7

8

8

7

7

7

6

6

6

6

5

5

5

5

5

5

*5

5

6

6

6

6

6

6 

6

195

6.3

387

Feb.

6

6

6 

6

6

6

6

6

6

7

7

7

8

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

6

*7

6

7

6

6

7

7

6

190

6.6

377

Mar.

7

7

8 

8

8

9

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

10

11

12

17

*24

30

41

82

151

187

196

147

96

1Z 

74

1,277

41.2

2,530

Apr.

80

82

85 

64

58

62

56

56

64

*80

99

109

121

171

187

179

147

136

121

*115

99

115

115

96

106

*87

82

69

69

60

2,970

99.0

5,890

May

60

64

62 

54

58

56

51

47

62

*47

56

54

56

58

60

60

47

49

37

47

39

43

34

37

39

45

34

41

77

115 

102

1,691

54.5

3,350

June

192

382

388 

266

192

158

*136

625

1,110

1,100

901

618

394

288

205

162

140

125

128

99

93

87

82

72

80

87

74

56

64

56

8,360

279

16,580

July

54

47

45 

54

*56

60

72

60

49

51

56

58

56

47

45

41

39

39

37

35

34

32

30

24

22

34

27

22

21

25 

24

1,296

41.8

2,570

Aug.

19

*25

i22

24

22

25

19

21

19

19

19

18

15

17

17

15

14

15

14

16

12

9

11

12

12

14

12

12 

15

541

17.5

1,070

Sept.

10

21

22 

18

19

19

21

18

18

19

15

14

17

12

15

17

12

14

10

9

11

15

15

11

12

10

*10

10

4

J5

421

14.0

835

Calendar year 1955: Max 597 Mln 5 Mean 38.0 Ac-ft 27,530

Water year 1955-56 : Max 1,110 Mln 3 Mean 49.0 Ac-ft 35,580

* Discharge measurement made on this day.
JAMES RIVER BASIN 

James River at Columbia, S. Dak.

367

Location. -Lat 45°37'05", long 98°19'30", in NE^NWi sec. 29, T. 125 N., R. 62 W., near 

center of span on downstream side of highway bridge, three-quarters of a mile northwest of Columbia, 2| miles upstream from Chicago and North Western Railway bridge, 

and 3| miles upstream from Elm River.

Drainage area. 7,050 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Wire-weight gage read once daily below about 9 ft and twice daily above. Datum of 

gage is 1,274.54 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Supplementary staff gage at 

same datum on right bank, an eighth of a mile from bridge and 50 ft downstream from 

highway, is used at high stages when bridge approach is flooded.

Average discharge. 11 years, 124 cfs (89,770 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 70 cfs (50,700 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 237 cfs June 22, 23 (gage height, 8.93 ft); no 

flow for many days.

1945-56; Maximum discharge, 5,420 cfs May 24, 25, 1950 (gage height, 16.89 ft, from 

graph based on gage readings); maximum daily reverse flow, 1,860 cfs Apr. 8, 1952 

(backwater from Elm River).

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Frequent 

backwater and occasional reverse flow caused by Elm River during most years. Records 

of chemical analyses for the water year 1956 are given in WSP 1451.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

1.0

2.0

5.0

2.5

*1.8

1.5

1.0

.5

0

13.3

0.43

26

Apr.

0.5

1.0

.5

*0

1.0

.5

0

0

0

0

*0

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.4

3.3

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.4

5

7

*10

22

44

65

64

59

311.4

10.4

618

May

58

56

59

60

61

62

64

66

82

103

127

137

145

152

157

*164

172

174

172

174

175

172

152

112

60

24

20

23

17

16

14

3,030

97.7

6,010

June

13

11

9

7

4.8

3.8

*6

30

67

87

93

102

105

108

116

141

173

192

204

219

230

237

235

230

229

229

*225

223

220

208

3,957.6

132

7,850

July

190

180

169

165

165

167

181

179

176

173

173

171

164

152

138

129

118

107

89

*79

74

71

64

58

48

41

32

22

10

5

5.3

3,493.3

113

6,930

Aug.

2.2

1.9

1.8

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.4

*1.2

1.0

.9

.7

.5

.4

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

18.2

0.59

36

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 143 Min 0 Mean 17.9 Ac-ft 12,970

Water year 1955-56: Max 237 Min 0 Mean 29.6 Ac-ft 21,470

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

Note_. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 23 to Apr. 16.
368 JAMES RIVER BASIN

Elm River at Westport, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 45°39'20", long 98°29'50", in SW^NWi sec. 12, T. 125 N., R. 64 W., on 

right bank 12 ft downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 281, half a mile north of 

Westport, three-quarters of a mile upstream from Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and 

Pacific Railroad bridge, 9| miles downstream from Willow Creek, and 30|- miles upstream 

from mouth.

Drainage area. 1,680 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage Is 1,309.3 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Aug. 6, 1951, and Apr. 8 to Sept. 9, 1952, wire-weight gage and 

Aug. 6, 1951, to Apr. 7, 1952, water-stage recorder, at present site ard datum.

Average discharge. 11 years, 45.7 cfs (33,090 acre-ft per year); median cf yearly mean 

discharges, 30 cfs (21,700 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 111 cfs Apr. 15 (gage height, 5.56 ft); maximum gage height, 5.57 ft Mar. 22 (backwater from ice); minimum discharge, 0.1 cfs 

Oct. 3-5 (gage height, 4.05 ft).

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 7,520 cfs Apr. 8, 1952 (gage height, 2C.10 ft, from 

floodmark); no flow for many days most years.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are pcor. Plow regulated for Aberdeen municipal water supply by Elm Lake and other small reservoirs (combined capacity, about 16,000 acre-ft).

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gag?

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used June 22 to July 4J

1.0 

2.2 

4.2

4.5 

4.7 

5.0 

5.5

43

103

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.2

.2

3

*.l

.2

11

15

14

14

12

11

10

10

9

7

6

4.2

4.6

9

5

3.4

3.0

2.6

2.8

2.6

2.4

2.4

2.0

1.8 

1.8

167.5

5.40

332

NOV.

*2.1

1.8

2.0

2.1

2.2

1.5

1.7

1.8

2.0

3.1

7

9

10

10

12

1513'

10

8

7

6

5

4

3

2.5

1.5

1.1

.7

.5

*2.2

147.8

4.93

293

Dec.

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.3

2.3

2.3

*2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.3

2,0

2.0 

2.0

78.3

2.53

155

Jan.

!A°

2.0

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.0

.8

.5

.5

.8

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

40.8

1.32

81

Feb.

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.5

6

1

8

7

7

7

7

6

*4

3

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.6

1.6

95.6

3.30

190

Mar.

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.2

1.6

*2.2

2.5

2.8

3.0

5

6

7

9

*18

20

15

8

6

9

*20

13

12

12

12

198.7

6.41

394

Apr._

50

60

30

*23

25

35

20

32

33

36

*42

40

55

70

82

83

69

58

52

48

42

37

30

19

*20

21

20

16

13

12

1,173

39.1

2,330

May

12

14

14

12

12

12

12

12

17

16

16

14

12

11

11

*12

7

7

7

7

6

4.5

3.2

2.2

1.5

1.6

2.8

12

9

10

7

296.8

9.57

589

June

2.0

1.8

3.0

2.2

1.1

1.1 *j^6

3.8

3.6

3.2

2.1

1.0

.7

.6

.7

.9

1.1

.7

.3

jl

.8

.7

.3

.3

.8

2.4

*2.4

2.4

2.6

2.4

49.8

1.66

99

July

2.6

2.8

3.2

5

5

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

7

7

4.2

2.6

2.4

2.1

*2.2

2.2

2.2

2.4

2.4

2.2

2.2

4,8

3.8

3.2

6

7

132.5

4.27

2o3

Aug.

9

11

To

9

8

9

8

*8

8

8

8

9

8

3.8

3.2

3.2

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.4

5

5

4.8

4.5

4.5

4.2

*3.8

3.2

.3,0

3.0

181.2

5.85

359

Sept.

1.8

1.

1.

1.

2.

1.

1.

1,

1.

1.

Ifl'.

2.

1.

1.

1.0

1.7

*22

22

22

20

15

8

8

8

9

9

8

8

7

192.2

6.41

381

Calendar year 1955: Max 394 Min 0.1 Mean 19.5 Ac-ft 14,140

Water year 1955-56: Max 83 Mln 0.1 Mean 7.53 Ac-ft 5,470

Peak discharge (base, 100 cfs). Apr. 15 (7 p.m.) Ill cfs (5.56 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 15 to Apr. 12.
JAMES RIVER BASIN 369

James River near Stratford, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 45°14'30" ) long 98°23'30", In NEijNEijNEi sec. 3, T. 120 N., R. 63 W., on 

right bank 30 ft downstream from highway bridge, 6{ miles southwest of Straford, and 

8f miles upstream from Mud Creek.

Drainage area. 9,990 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--March 1950 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,254.29 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

T929. Prior to May 17, 1950, wire-weight gage at site 20-J miles upstream at different 

datum. May 17, 1950, to Aug. 5, 1951, wire-weight gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge. 6 years, 117 cfs (84,700 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 177 cfs July 6 (gage height, 9.55 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 5,580 cfs May 14 or 15, 1950, estimated on basis of 

records at site 20i miles upstream; maximum gage height, 18.13 ft Apr. 19, 21, 1952; no 

flow for many days each year.

Remarks. Records good above 50 cfs and fair below.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, and discharge,

In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Mar. 19 to May 1, June 1-7, 

Aug. 10 to Sept. 8)

3.9

4.1

4.2

4.3 

4.5

.5

1.1 

3.3

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

10.0

11

32

56

98

205

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

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

3O

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

(*)

(»)

(*)

0

0

0

Apr.

0

S

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

4.8

14

19

24

31

35

37

41

46

48

48

47

46

*45

45

44

574.8

19.2

1,140

May

43

45

48

55

61

64

65

65

63

63

65

67

72

80

»87

96

105

114

121

127

133

138

142

146

147

149

TTO

148

140

125

105

3,027

97.6

6,OOO

June

86

69

55

46

39

*35

31

28

25

23

20

17

15

13

Te

21

32

42

55

67

79

92

102

113

124

133

*142

152

162

167

2,001

66.7

3,970

July

170

172

172

172

172

172

176

Tf3

168

164

162

160

159

157

154

152

150

»146

142

137

128

118

108

97

86

76

69

63

58

53

*±O An

4,134

133

8,200

Ai'o;.

45

41

38

35

32

29

26

25

*23

22

20

19

18

17

15

14

12

11

11

10

9

7

6

4.6

3.3

2.6

2.0

 1.7

1.3

75- .9 

502.3

16.2

996

Sept.

"76 0.9

.6

.6

.3

.3

.2

.2

.1

.1

0

S

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3.9

0.13

7.7

Calendar year 1955: Max 185 Mln 0 Mean 30.4 Ac-ft 22,010

Water year 1955-56: Max 176 Min 0 Mean 28.0 Ac-ft 20,310

Discharge measurement or observation of no flow made on this day.
370 JAMES RIVER BASIN

James River at Ashton, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 44 0 59'55", long 98°28'50", in NW^NE^ sec. 36, T. 118 N., R. 64 W., near 

center of span on downstream side of highway bridge, half a mile east of Ashton, 

6 miles upstream from Snake Creek, and 14 miles upstream from Turtle Creek.

Drainage area.--11.QQQ sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Wire-weight gage read once daily. Datum of gage is 1,244.4 ft above mean sea 

level, datum of 1929. Prior to June 24, 1947, chain gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--11 years, 170 cfs (123,100 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 120 cfs (86,900 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 204 cfs July 7 (gage height, 5.57 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 5,170 cfs May 18, 19, 1950; maximum gage height, 19.59 

ft (corrected) Apr. 23, 24, 1952; maximum daily reverse flow, 1,500 cfs Apr. 10, 1952 

(backwater from Snake and Turtle Creeks).

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Occasional backwater and reverse flow caused by Snak? and Turtle 

Creeks during most years.

Revisions (water years1.--WSP 1209: 1947.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 21 to May 9, June 25-27)

1.2 

1.4 

1.6 

2.0 

2.4 

3.0

Oct. 1 to July 7

3.5

4.0 

4.5 

5.0 

5.6

July 8 to Sept. 3O

1.0

2.7

14

119

208

0.95

1.0

1.2

1.5

2.0

2.5

1.7 

4.1

16

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

4.5 

5.0 

5.6

130

208

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

1£

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

£0

21

ZZ

23

£4

£5

£6

£7

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(»)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

(*)

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Apr.

1

2

2.8

a2.6

2.4

 2.0

1.5

al.2

.9

1.1

1.1

*.9

.6

.7

al.£

1.7

1.4

.8

.4

174

1.4

a!6

24

27

*30

33

37

38

a39

40

320.7

10.7

636

May

41

42

42

42

42

a45

48

52

58

60

60

61

a61

*62

64

66

74

78

92

a!04

116

125

130

138

144

126

a!46

186

180

a!74

168

2,827

91.2

5,610

June

156

146

a!24

102

*85

62

48

40

34

a£8

23

21

18

15

16

15

a!5

15

17

20

29

42

56

a68

80

*86

100

119

125

140

1,845

61.5

3,660

July

a!55

169

180

a!96

193

188

204

a20?

199

193

190

186

180

186

alSO

174

*170

167

163

160

156

a 147

138

132

1£6

116

107

98

a91

84

76

4,906

158

9,730

Aug.

7O

67

62

51

a49

47

*40

45

39

35

30

a27

23

18

16

13

12

15

a!3

11

11

10

10

9

8

a7

6

*6

5

T7£- 4.0

763.2

24.6

1,510

Sept.

4.4

a376

a2.8

2.1

2.3

1.8

1.4

1.3

a. 6

0

0

.6

.5

.4

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

o

0

o

21.8

0.73

43

Calendar year 1955: Max 194 Min 0 Mean 33.4 Ac-ft 24,200

Water year 1955-56: Max £04 Mln 0 Mean £9.£ Ac-ft £1,190

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

a No gage-height record; discharge interpolated.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Mar. 17 to Apr. 2.
JAMES RIVER BASIN 371

West Branch Snake Creek near Athol, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 45°03'20", long 98°44'10", in SE^NEj sec. 11, T. 118 N., R. 66 W., on left

bank at upstream side of highway bridge, 3 miles downstream from confluence o^ Nixon

River and Perry Creek and 7^ miles northwest of Athol. 

Drainage area. 1,430 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--March 1950 to September 1956. 

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,325 ft (by barometer). Prior to

M"ay 1, 1951, wire-weight gage at site half a mile upstream at datum 4.78 ft higher. 

Average discharge.--6 years, 13.4 cfs (9,700 acre-ft per year). 

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 8 cfs June 17 (gage height, 7.44 ft); no flow

for many days.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, about 2,200 cfs Apr. 9, 1952 (gage height, 16.42 ft,

backwater from ice); no flow for many days each year. 

Remarks.--Records poor. 

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year 

October 1955 to September 1956

June 17................ 0.7

18................ .2

Note. Plow occurred only on days listed 

above. Observations of no flow made from 1 to 

3 times a month.

Month

Water year 1955-56. .......................

Cfs-days

-

Maximum

.7

Minimum

0

Mean

.002

Runoff In 

acre-feet

1.8

Peak discharge (base, 75 efs). No peak above base.

Snake Creek near Ashton, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 44°59'55", long 98°32'25", in NW^NE^ sec. 33, T. 118 N., R. 64 W., on 

right bank 25 ft downstream from highway bridge, 2 miles west of Ashton, 2 3/4 miles 

east of Athol, 7 miles downstream from West Branch Snake Creek, and 7^ miles upstream 

from mouth.

Drainage area. 2,650 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--October 1955 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,257.5 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

192 9.

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 16 cfs June 29 (gage height, 5.57 ft)- no flow 

for many days. '

Remarks. Records fair.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

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

.1

.2

.4

.6

1.3

2.6

0.08

5.2

Apr.

1.0

.2

2.6

6

5

*7

7

7

7

6

6

*5

4.6

3.6

2.7

2.0

1.5

1.3

1.0

.8

.5

.3

.2

*.3

.2

.2

.1

.2

.2

.2

79.7

2.66

158

May

0.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.2

.1

.1

.1

0

0

*.l

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1.5

0.05

3.0

June

0

0

0

0

*0

.3

2.4

3.2

3.0

2.8

2.3

1.5

.8

.8

1.4

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.8

2.0

2.4

2.8

2.5

3.2

7

*9

13

15

15

14

111.2

3.71

221

July

13

11

9

7

5

2.2

.8

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

**.!

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

49.9

1.61

99

Aug.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Sept.

(*)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac -ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 15 Mln 0 Mean 0.67 Ac-ft 486

Peak discharge (base, 75 efs). No peak above base.

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

** Field estimate made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Mar. 20-25.
372 JAMES RIVER BASIN

Turtle Creek near Tulare, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°44', long 98°35', In SE&SE^ sec. 25, T. 115 N., R. 65 W., near center 

of span on downstream side of highway bridge, 4 miles west of Tulare and 9 miles downstream from Wolf Creek.

Drainage area.--1.120 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. August 1953 to September 1956 (discontinued).

Gape. Wire-weight gage read once daily. Altitude of gage is 1,300 ft (by barometer).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 7 cfs Apr. 6; maximum gage height, 4.65 ft 

June 22; no flow for many days.

1953-56: Maximum discharge, 419 cfs Mar. 13, 1955 (gage height, 8.90 ft, from graph 

based on gage readings); no flow for many days each year.

Remarks. Records fair except those for period of ice effect, which are poor.

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

1Z

13

14

15

16

17

18

19 

20

21

ZZ

23

24

Z5

26

27

Z8

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

O

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.2

.3

73

.3 

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

».2

.2

4.3

0.14

6.5

Dec.

-TS 0.2

.Z

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

7T

.2

.Z

.Z

.2

.2

.Z

.2

.2

.2

*.Z 

.Z

.Z

.2

.2

.Z

.Z

.2

.2

.Z

.Z

.Z 

.2

6.3

0.20

1Z

Jan.

~

0.2

.2

.2

.Z

.Z

.2

.2

.2

.1!

.2

.3

.3

.3

.2

».2

.2

.Z

.2 

.Z

.2

.2

.Z

.2

.Z

.2

.Z

.Z

.Z

.Z

.Z

6.6

0.21

13

Feb.

0.2 %

.2

.Z

.Z

.2

.2

.2

.2

.Z

.Z

.Z

.1

»7T

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.Z

.2

4.3

0.15

8.5

Mar.

0.2 -72-

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

*.3

.Z

.3

.4

.7

.7

*.7

1.2

1.8

Z.I

Z.3

2.9

*4.2

4.6

4TT

3.7

Z.9

39.6

1.26

79

Apr.

3.7

3.4

3.3

3.2

5

*7

5

4.4

3.5

3.1

3.6

 3.4

3.1

3.0

3.6

4.Z

3.4

2.7

Z.5

Z.O

1.2

 1.0

79" .9

.9

.9

.9

1.0

1.1

85.4

Z.65

169

May

1.1

T7T

1.1

1.0

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.9

.6

.6

.6

*.9

.9

.9

.7

.5

.4

.6

.4

73- .3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.4

.4

21. 8

0.70

43

June

0.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

*.l

.1

0

(J

0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

.3

.9

1.6

2.6

3.6

4.2

376

3.1

Z.9

2.6

2.2

1.7

1.6

1.4

34.3

1.14

6B

July

1.2

T7T

1.0

;6

.6

.7

.6

.4

.4

.3

.3

.Z

.Z

.Z

.1

*0

0

.1

0 

0

.1

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

.2

.1

6.6

0.26

17

Aug.

0.2

.3

.4

.4

_ !

».6

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.4

.4

.4

.3

.3

.Z

.1

0 

(J

0

0

0

0

0

0

*o

0

0

0 

0

7.4

O.Z4

15

Sept.

C)

0

0

0

Calendar year 1955: Max 364 Min 0 Mean 6.66 Ac-ft 4,620

Water year 1955-56: Max 7 Min 0 Mean 0.60 Ac-ft 433
JAMES RIVER BASIN 373

Turtle Creek at Redfield, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°53 I 00", long 98 0 30'45", in SW^-SE^ sec. 3, T. 116 H., R. 64 W., on left 

bank 15 ft downstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 281, at north edge of Redfield, and 

6f miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 1,540 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,259.3 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to May 25, 1951, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 11 years, 27.3 cfs (19,760 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 7 cfs (5,100 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 51 cfs June 17 (gage height, 5.20 ft); minimum, 

0.1 cfs for several days.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 6,420 cfs Apr. 10, 1952 (gage height, 15.51 ft); no 

flow for many days during most years.

Remarks. Records good except those based on wire-weight-gage readings, which are poor. 

Some regulation at times by Lake Redfield l| miles upstream from station (canacity, 

1,570 acre-ft).

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, in feet,

and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 18 to May 31)

3.8

3.9

4.0

4.1

4.2

1.7 

3.0

4.3 

4.5 

4.8 

5.2

4.7

10

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 19f6

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.2

1

72

.2

*.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2 

.2

6.1

0.20

12

Nov.

~30.2

*.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

*.l

5.2

0.17

10

Dec.

~7T 0.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1

.1 *.i

.1

.1

j,2_

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

3.8

0.12

7.5

Jan.

0.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

73

.3

.3

».3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

8.1

0.26

16

Feb.

0.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

*.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

8.7

0.30

17

Mar.

0.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

*.3

.3

.3

.5

1.8

1.8

1.1

.9

.8

.6

.6

.4

.4

.4

*2.4

14

15

TT

8

64.2

2.07

127

Apr.

10

12

14

16

14

*15

8

7

*6

6

5

5

6

4.7

2.6

1.3

1.1

.8

.7

.7

.7

.6

*.6

.6

.8

.7

.7

.4

.3

75

141.8

4.73

281

May

.0

.7

.9

.4

.5

.3

.5

.6

.8

.0

.0

.7

.8

.5

* .6

.8

.8

.5

.3

.2

.2

.2

.1

71

.1

.1

.2

.7

1.3

3.2

2.8

36.9

1.19

73

June

1.1

.5

.3

172

4.4

*3.5

.8

1.2

.8

.7

.6

.6

.3

.4

13

42

23" 45

9

8

19

12

9

9

*4.9

8

8

5

4.9

3.2

239.4

7.98

475

July

0.6

.3

.2

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

.2

.2

.1

*.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

8

"T.2 10

.4

.2

.2

.2

.2

.6

.3

25.7

0.83

51

Aug.

~0.2

3.1

1.2

.6

*.4

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

.5

20

TT.S

.6

.4

.3

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

34.0

1.10

67

Sept.

-^0.2

.2

.3

.2

.2

.3

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

*.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.2

.3

2.8

8.9

0.30

18

Calendar year 1955: Max 310 Mln 0.1 Mean 7.12 Ac-ft 5,150

Water year 1955-56: Max 45 Mln o.l Mean 1.59 Ac-ft 1,150

Peak discharge (base, 50 efs).--June 17 (4 a.m.) 51 cfs (5.20 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Discharge computed from once-daily wire-weight-gage readings Nov. 4 to Mar. 15, June 6 t 

July 16 (doubtful or no gage-height record Nov. 26 to Mar. 12j discharge estimated on bEsis of 5 

discharge measurements and records for Turtle Creek near Tulare).
374 JAMES RIVER BASIN

James River near Redfield, S. Dak.

Location.--Lat 44°55'10", long 98°25'50", in SW£uw£ sec. 28, T. 117 N., R. 63 W., on 

right bank just downstream from highway bridge, 4? miles northeast of Redfield and 

Sir miles downstream from Turtle Creek.

Drainage area.--14,800 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--March 1950 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,236.3 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to July 26, 1951, wire-weight gage read once daily at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--6 years, 184 cfs (133,200 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 293 cfs May 27 (gage height, 5.53 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 6,100 cfs Apr. 11, 1952 (gage height, 22.12 ft); no 

flow at times during most years.

Remarks.--Records poor. Low-water flow affected by wind at times.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

*0

0

1

3

4

6

**8

6

2

.5

.5

1

**1

3

5

10

15

20

86.0

2.77

171

Apr.

32

38

39

37

44

*26

5

9

14

23

12

13

*13

1.2

2

2.4

.6

2T7

4.2

9

5

7

10

*25

23

40

45

44

45

M.

617.1

20.6

1,220

May

47

38

48

51

57

61

65

66

64

68

68

60

57

*64

59

58

61

68

83

91

92

96

107

122

137

133

172

T80~ 220

155

133

2,791

90.0

5,540

June

134

141

112

109

*77

68

48

45

38

33

30

26

23

*20

48

57

74

65

48

43

88

159

109

95

100

*91

101

125

144

149

2,400

80.0

4,760

July

158

166

176

182

180

186

194

184

179

176

175

169

163

169

166

156

*148

140

135

133

133

130

131

125

118

108

92

85

80

89

69

4,495

145

8,920

Aug.

64

75

~62 116

50

51

*46

41

36

31

27

25

19

17

17

14

11

7

7

10

12

7

5

8

10

6

*6

5

5

3.6

_._4

794.0

25.6

1,570

Sept.

1.8

1.8

0

0

0

O

.1

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

0

*o

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

3.7

0.12

7.3

Calendar year 1955: Max 500 Mln 0 Mean 50.8 Ac-ft 36,770

Water year 1955-56: Max 220 Mln 0 Mean 30.6 Ac-ft 22,190

* Discharge measurement or observation

** Field estimate made on this day.

of no flow made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Mar. 12-31. Discharge 

wire-weight-gage readings Oct. 12-27, Mar. 12 to May 12, Sept. 17-22.

mputei from once-daily
JAMES RIV^ BASIN 375

James River at Huron, S, Dak,

Location. Lat 44°S1 I 5S", long B8°11'4S", in SWfrSE&JEi sec, 6, T. 110 N., R. 61 W., on 

right bank 15 ft upstream from city dam at Huron, 135 ft downstream from Chicago and 

North Western Railway bridge, and 166 ft upstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 14,

Drainage area. 16,800 sq mi, approximately,

Records available. August 1928 to June 1932, August 1943 to September 1956, Gage-height 

records collected at site about 100 ft downstream for period of open water each year 

July 1902 to June 1914 and for period March to June of years 1915-23 are contained in 

reports of U, S. Weather Bureau.

Sage. Water-stage recorder and concrete dam. Datum of gage IB 1,223.44 ft atove mean 

sea level, datum of 1929. Aug. 29, 1928, to Mar. 15, 1189, staff gage 100 ft downstream at about same datum. Mar, 16, 1929, to Apr. 27, 1930, U. S. Weather Bureau 

staff gage and Apr. 28, 1930, to June 30, 1932, chain gage, on highway bridge at present datum. Aug. 3, 1943. to Oct. 17, 1951, staff gage at site 15 ft downstream at 

present datum (U, S. Weather Bureau staff or wire-weight gage on highway bridge used 

as supplementary high-water gage).

Average discharge, 14 years (1930-31, 1943-56), 249 cfs (180,300 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean discharges, 19Q cfs (138,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 984 cfs Aug. 4 (gage height, 8,76 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1928-32, 1943-56: Maximum discharge, 5,580 cfs Apr, 15, 1952 (gage height, 15.23 ft); 

no flow during long periods most years.

Maximum stage known, 19.8 ft between Apr. 11 and 13, 1881, from U. S. Weather Bureau 

publication. Flood of Mar, 22, 1982 reached a. stage of 16,5 ft.

Remarks.--Records fair above 100 cfs and poor below. Some small diversions above station 

for "water supplies. Stage and discharge affected by wind at times.

Revisions (water jrears^, WSP 1146: 1944, drainage area.

Rating table, water year 1955-56 (gage height, In feet, 

and discharge, In cubic feet pep second)

7.S8

7.6

7,65

7.7

7.7S

0

2.0

11

23

39

8.5 

9.0

60

111

335

650

1,310

Discharge, In cubic feet per ssoend, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

Z

3

4

5

6

7

B

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ao-ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

NOV.

( >

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

o

0

0

0

*0

0

0

o

0

0

0

*0

0

0

9

28

39

13.

*31

31

35

216

7.0

428

Apr.

43

64

99

*83

88

123

88

83

73

60

*64

55

47

77

66

60

54

25

20

9

25

20

4.0

0

3.2

1.4

35

31

25

25

1,450.6

48.4

2,880

May

31

51

60

*55

60

60

43

12

66

62

60

88

88

73

83

80

73

64

43

51

60

73

*64

51

51

88

111

111

193

193

222

2,420

78.1

4,800

June

123

60

111

123

111

111

164

99

88

78

43

28

*64

78

51

43

136

123

111

88

68

78

78

111

111

99

99

68

78

99

2,722

90.7

5,400

July

178

150

150

150

178

*150

236

193

178

164

157

157

164

116

171

178

164

157

157

143

136

129

105

136

94

*117

123

99

83

9T

105

4,512

146

8,950

Aug.

88

126

*716

942

835

546

430

392

327

276

229

185

*171

143

117

105

94

83

73

60

51

55

47

31

17

35

25

23

*20

24~ 11 

6,277

202

12,450

Sept.

15

12

20

15

20

13

4.2

11

1.2

13

7

9

17

*4

4

7

OQ-

*0

0

0

0

0

O

O

o

0

0

0

0

172.4

5.75

342

Calendar yeap 1955s Max 809 Mln 0 Mean 65.6 Ac-ft 47,480

Water year 1955-56; Max 942 Mln - 0 Mean 48.6 Ac-ft 35,250

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

Note. Discharge computed from once-daily staff-gage readings May 23 to July 9.

459735 O -58 -25
376 JAMES RIVER BASIN

Sand Creek near Alpena, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°09'20", long 98°26'10", in NE^NEi sec. 19, T. 108 N., R. 63 W., on left 

bank 5 ft downstream from highway bridge, 4 miles southwest of Alpena. 7 miles upstream 

from Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad bridge, and 10f miles upstream 

from interlink with Cain Creek.

Drainage area. 240 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--March 1950 to September 1956.

Cage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,315 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Sept. 17, 1951, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 6 years, 12.4 cfs (8,980 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 145 cfs Aug. 3 (gage height, 9.78 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 1.130 cfs Apr. 3, 1952; maximum gage height, 14.1 ft 

Mar. 28, 1950 (backwater from ice), from graph based on gage readings; ro flow for many 

days each year.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of Ice effect (gage 

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Aug. 2-26)

6.6 

6.9

0

.2 

1.1 

2.4 

4.2

7.2 

7.6 

7.9 

8.Z 

8.5

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

ZZ

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

(*)

0

0

0

Nov.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

-

0

0

0

Mar.

O

0

O

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

O

0

0*o

0

0

0

1

3

5

10

5

*0

2

8

34

1.1

67

Apr.

15

*20

21

21

18

23

16

15

19

15

10

*8

6

5

4.Z

3.3

2.6

2.1

*1.7

1.5

1.3

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.3

1.4

Z38.7

7.96

473

May

1.6

2.0

2.4

*2.6

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.4

2.2

2.0

1.9

1.7

1.7

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

.9

.8

.7

.6

*.5

.4

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.1

0_

41.8

1.35

83

June

(*)

0

0

0

July

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Aug.

0

2.4

*61

12

6

3.3

*Z.3

2.4

3.0

3.0

2.7

3.6

*3.3

2.7

8

11

9

6

5

3.9

3.1

2.5

1.9

1.5

1.1

.9

.7

.6

.5

*.4

.3

164.1

5.29

325

Sept.

 0.2

.1

.1

.2

.Z

.2

.2

.1

.1

.1

0

.1

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1.8

0.06

3.6

Calendar year 1955: Max 679 Mln 0 Mean 7.51 Ac-ft 5,440

Water year 1955-56: Max 61 Mln 0 Mean 1.31 Ac-ft 952

Peak discharge (bas __ fs).--Aug. 3 (3 a.m.) 145 cfs (9.78 ft), 

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Mar. 19 to Apr. 2" Discharge computed on basis of 

once-daily wire-weight-gage readings Nov. 3 to Dec. 1, Dec. 22, Mar. 7, Mar. 19-26, and Mar. 30 to 

Apr. 10.
JAMES RIVER BASIN 377

James River near Forestburg, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°58'45", long 98"04'05", in SW£sw£NW£ sec. 20, T. 106 N., R. 60 W., on 

right bank 5 ft downstream from highway bridge, 3^ miles southeast of Forestburg, 

4i miles downstream from Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad bridge, and 

5-| miles downstream from Sand Creek.

Drainage area. 18,600 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. March 1950 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,205 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Sept. 5, 1951, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge.--6 years, 273 cfs (197,600 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 920 cfs Aug. 6 (gage height, 7.19 ft); minimum 

daily, 0.1 cfs Nov. 28, 29; minimum gage height, 2.31 ft Oct. 13.

1950-56: Maximum discharge, 6,290 cfs Apr. 15-17, 1952 (gage height, 15.46 ft); no 

flow Mar. 1-5, 1950; minimum gage height, 2.14 ft Sept. 20, 1955.

Floods in March 1920 and March 1922 reached a stage of about 18 ft, frcm information 

by local residents.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Oct. 3O to Nov. 4, Sept. 22-30)

Oct. 1 to May 15 May 16 to Sept. 3O

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

0.9 

2.6

2.7 

3.0 

4.0 

5.O

40

183

360

2.7 

3.0 

3.4

4.0 

5.0 

7.2

177

378

922

Note. Same as preceding 

table below 2.7 ft.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

2.4

2.4

*2.4

2.4

2.2

2.2

2.4

2.6

3.0

3.9

3.9

3.O

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.6

4.5

4.8

BT¥

3.6

3.6

2.8

2.6

2.8

2.4

2.2

2.8

3.6

3.3

2.8

2.2

88 . 7

2.86

176

Nov.

2.O

*270

1.8

1.2

1

1.5

1

1

1

1

1.5

1.5

1.5

1

1

1

.5

.5

.5

1

1

1

1

1

1

.5

,5

.1 *TT

.2

29.9

l.OO

59

Dec.

0.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

1

1

.5

.5

1

1.5

1.5

1.5

2

2

2

2

2

2.5

3

*3.5

3.5

4

4.5

4.5

5

5

5

5

4.5

71.5

2.31

142

Jan.

4

3.5

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

2.5

*2T^

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2.5

2 5

86.5

2.79

172

Feb.

2.5

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2.5

2.5

2.5

3

*3

3

3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

4

4

4

4

3.5

3

3

83.0

2.86

165

Mar.

2.5

2TF

2.5

2.5

3

4.5

*5

5

5

4.5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

10

10

*12

15

20

25

40

80

~75 110

50

60

65

649. 0

20.9

1,290

Apr.

94

165

185

*150

170

257

183

228

184

152

*138

124

110

100

92

90

92

82

70

55

44

35

28

25

24

23

22

19

18

18

2,977

99.2

5,900

May

27

33

*36

42

55

61

62

58

52

51

44

54

64

76

86

77

73

71

68

6O

53

*47

48

52

53

50

49

61

87

118

187

1,955

63.1

3,880

June

223

189

133

94

95

102

101

108

123

94

74

62

*49

39

32_

34

40

46

87

110

104

87

71

63

76

98

94

89

81

72

2,670

89.0

5,300

July

76

96

129

133

131

*141

175

196

205

199

180

167

165

160

157

14O

155

163

155

145

138

129

121

*115

106

107

101

100

106

102 

89

4,282

138

8,490

Aug.

85

108

186

*527

817

912

840

757

632

510

416

371

*329

294

253

221

192

172

150

131

113

96

83

76

68

61

53

46

*42

38

35

8,614

278

17,O9O

Sept.

32

2S

24

20

2O

20

20

20

2O

18

*15

11

8

8

8

7

6

6

7

7

6

6

4.8

3.0

2. .4

2.4

2.4

2.4

3.6

3.6

341.6

11.4

678

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,160 Min 0.1 Mean 80.0 Ac-ft 57,89O

Water year 1955-56: Max 912 Min 0.1 Mean 59.7 Ac-ft 43,340

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 5 to Mar. 31, Apr. 3-5 (wire-weight gage 

readings used Nov. 24 to Dec. 22; no gage-height record Nov. 25, Dec. 10-21).
378 JAMES RIVER BASIN

Flresteel Creek near Mount Yernon, S. Dak.

Location."-tat 43°46i, long 98°15', in SW-jjSW^ sec. 26, T. 104 N., R. 62 W., near center of 

span on downstream side of highway bridge, 4f miles north or Mount Vernon, 5j miles 

downstream from West Firssteel Creek, and 12 miles northwest of Mitchell.

Drainage .ai*ea.--540 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. September 1955 to September 1956.

Gage.--Wire-weight gage and crest-stage indicator; gage read once daily. Altitude of gage 

Ts 1,310 ft (from topographic map).

Extremes. 1955-56: Maximum discharge during water year, 174 cfs Aug. 6 (gage height, 

4.6 ft, from floodmark); no flow for many days.

Remarks. Reeords fair except 'those for periods of ice effect, which are poor. No flow 

during month of September 1955.

Rating table, Sept. 1, 1955, to Sept. 30, 1956, except periods of ice 

effect (gage height, in feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3 

2.5

.4

1.1

2.7

4.8

12

3.0 

3.5 

4.0 

4.3 

4.6

34

56

87

120

174

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0

0

0

0

a.

0

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.2

0.01

0.4

Nov.

*0~0

0

0

0

0

0

.1

0

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0.2

0.01

0.4

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

^

.8

1

1

.9

.9

.9

*.8

.6

.4

.2

.2

.3

.4

.5

.6

.8

.9

*1

1.5

2

3

4

4.3

4.8

*5

5

4

3

3.3

52.8

1.70

105

Apr.

6

*19

17

26

26

18

19

16

16

*16

14

13

9

9

7

4.8

3.1

2.9

*1.9

1.5

1.2

1.0

1.0

.8

.6

.7

.6

1.1

.6

1.7

254.5

8.48

505

May

1.7

*1.3

1.3

.9

1.7

1.7

1.4

1.1

1.2

1.2

.7

.9

.6

.6

.7

.5

.6

.4

.4

.2

*.2

.2

.1

.2

.1

.1

.1

.2

.1

.1

0

20.5

0.66

41

June

0

7T

.1

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

0.3

0.01

0.6

julv

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*1

0

0

0

0

0

0

_.2.

0.2

0.01

0.4

Aug.

0

.1

.1

0

.1

45

*154

172

*T54

156

152

107

82

*70

100

112

82

57

45

34

29

26

17

16

14

10

10

*9

8

6

2.9

1,670.2

53.9

3,310

Sept.

3.7

375

3.5

2.9

3.5

1.5

2.3

1.7

1.5

1.2

*1.5

.7

3.3

3.1

.8

.7

.6

.4

.2

.2

.2

.1

.1

~.l 0

0

0

0

.2

.2

37.7

1.26

75

Calendar year 1955: Max - Mln - Mean - Ac -ft -

Water year 1955-56: Max 172 Mln 0 Mean 5.56 Ac-ft 4,040

Peak discharge (base. 100 efs).--AuK. 6 (11 p.m.) 174 cfs (4.6 ft). 

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

Note. Record began Sept. 1, 1955j no flow during month. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice 

Nov. 13 to Mar. 24, Mar. 28-30.
JAMES RIVER BASIN 379

James River near Alexandria, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°38', long 97°53' , in NW&fW£ sec. 14, T. 102 H., R. 59 W., at downstream 

side of highway bridge, 1 mile upstream from Johnson Creek, 1 mile downstream from 

Enemy Creek, and 5 miles west of Alexandria.

Drainage area.--20,200 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. July 1953 to September 1956.

Gage.--Wire-weight gage read once daily. Altitude of gage is 1,200 ft (from topographic 

map).

Extremes. Maximum discharge, 770 cfs Aug. 8 (gage height, 8.20 ft); minimum daily, 2 cfs 

Jan. 16-24; minimum gage height, 4.15 ft Oct. 29.

1953-56: Maximum discharge, 2,300 cfs Mar. 12, 1955 (gage height, 12.40 ft, backwater from ice); minimum daily, that of Jan. 16-24, 1956; minimum gage height, that of 

Oct. 29, 1955.

Remarks. Records fair above 100 cfs and poor below.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 15 to May 15, 

June 5-15, Sept. 26-30)

4.1

4.2

4.3 

4.5 

4.7

Oct. 1 to June 21

1.5 5.0

2.5 5.5

4.0 6.0

8 7.0

June 22 to Sept. 30

136

316

2.5 

4.0

6

7.0 

8.2

41

87

157

375

770

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to1 September 1956

Day

1

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8 

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

2.4

2.4

*3.4

3.8

4.4

3.4

3.4

3.1 

3.6

3.6

3.4

3.1

2.8

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.3

2.4

2.6

2.6

3.1

3.4

3.0

3.0

3.6

3.7

3.7

3.1

2.8

3.4

3.4

95.7

3.09

190

Nov.

3.8

*4TO

4.4

4.8

5

5

5

5 

6

T

6

6

5

5

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

5

5

5

5

5

4.5

*4.5

4.5

157.5

5.25

312

Dec.

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

5

5

5 

5

5

5

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

7

7

7

*7

7

7

7

7

8

8

7

6

6

185.5

5.98

368

Jan.

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

5 

4

4

4

4

4

4

3

*2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

113

3.6

224

Feb.

3

3

3

3

3

3

4

4 

4

4

4

4

4.5

4.5

4.5

*4.5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

6

6

6

6

6

6

- -----

131.0

4.52

260

Mar.

7

7

7

a

10

12

*12

12 

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

13

14

15

16

18

*20

25

35

45

60

73

*80

85

94

99

105

956

30.8

1,900

Apr.

112

118

*170

193

198

204

202

206 

209

211

*195

172

161

142

121

105

97

94

83

84

80

73

66

61

54

49

43

41

38

57

3,619

121

7,180

May

34

*35

38

41

43

50

56

61 

64

68

68

64

67

67

69

70

71

72

73

75

*75

74

69

65

62

60

60

60

58

58

62

1,889

60.9

3,750

June

108

167

195

174

145

116

99

88 

82

86

*83

78

74

71

69

63

56

51

51

51

50

Tf

107

104

93

83

83

91

108

112

2,815

93.8

5,580

July

108

108

95

95

*111

84

143

196 

194

179

179

185

176

176

166

159

155

155

152

151

146

140

129

*123

115

111

106

103

102

118

119

4,279

138

8,490

Aug.

116

112

109

104

126

307

*616

760 

760

721

644

536

457

*400

368

312

264

232

192

164

143

129

115

100

92

78

70

*66

58

51

47

8,249

266

16,360

Sept.

44

41

36

34

31

28

26

24 

22

21

*21

18

16

14

12

11

9

8

7

6

5

4.4

4.2

3.8

3.6

3.4

3.4

3.2

3.1

5.0

466.1

15.5

924

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,170 Min 2.2 Mean 130 Ac-ft 94,030

Water year 1955-56: Max 760 Min 2 Mean 62.7 Ac-ft 45,540

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Mote. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nc 12 to Mar. 25.
380 JAMES RIVER BASIN

James River near Scotland, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°11'00" ) long 97°37'55", In SWijSWi sec. 30, T. 97 N., R. 57 W., on left 

bank 50 ft upstream from highway bridge, 500 ft upstream from Dawson Creek, and 

5 miles northeast of Scotland.

Drainage area. 21,550 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--September 1928 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Altitude of gage is 1,165 ft (by 

"barometer). Prior to Dec. 1, 1934, chain gage at highway bridge 50 ft downstream at 

same datum. Dec. 1, 1934, to Sept. 27, 1948, water-stage recorder at site 50 ft upstream at same datum.

Average discharge. 28 years, 342 cfs (247,600 acre-ft per year); median of yearly mean 

discharges, 240 cfs (174,000 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum discharge during year, 955 cfs Aug. 11 (gage height, 5.96 ft); minimum, 

5 cfs Oct. 13, Sept. 28; minimum gage height, 1.23 ft Oct. 2.

1928-56: Maximum discharge, 10,800 cfs May 15, 1942; maximum gage height, 16.23 ft 

Apr. 23, 1952; no flow for many days.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect or indefinite stagedischarge relation, which are poor.

Revisions (water years). WSP 786: Drainage area. WSP 956: 1937-38. WSP 1279: 1932, 

1948.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

12

10

13

14

13

13

13

11

10

9

8

7

6

7

6

6

*7

6

6

6

7

6

8

7

9

9

9

12

12

11

10

283

9.1

561

Nov.

11

12

13

12

11

11

11

*11

elO

e!2

e!3

14

14

12

13

11

11

11

11

12

12

12

11

12

11

10

9

8

*9

9

339

11.3

672

Dec.

9

11

11

11

10

10

11

12

13

14

15

15

16

16

16

16

16

16

17

19

20

19

20

20

20

21

Zl

*21

21

20

18

495

16.0

982

Jan.

18

19

20

19

19

19

20

21

2T

20

20

19

18

17

16

15

*15

15

15

15

14

14

14

13

13

13

14

14

14

14

15

513

16.5

1,020

Feb.

15

16

16

16

16

16

16

*16

16

17

17

18

18

19

20

20

20

21

21

21

21

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

22

552

19.0

1,090

Mar.

23

23

24

26

28

*34

33

27

24

22

22

21

21

24

28

30

38

55

60

*65

80

110

125

130

150

175

*200

218

203

*192

20O

2,411

77.8

4,780

Apr.

164

173

234

*316

555

314

312

297

279

*275

262

258

241

218

204

187

*170

152

152

*120

115

109

112

102

*90

85

88

90

92

90

5,614

187

11,140

May

76

72

82

87

80

75

78

73

65

73

86

98

97

"97 102

87

88

81

*84

85

80

88

94

87

75

67

67

68

64

64

76

2,496

80.5

4,950

June

75

66

60

82

122

150

160

160

140

121

112

102

94

96

89

85

81

82

84

84

84

*79

82

82

81

84

84

84

87

88

2,880

96.0

5,710

July

90

115

159

146

148

148

161

189

173

*144

148

154

164

172

167

166

167

*170

160

150

142

152

126

121

*114

106

99

1OO

98

94

96

4,299

139

8,530

Aug.

105

104

100

103

104

105

145

*359

579

674

904

874

712

*605

528

484

445

411

379

322

e270

e220

e200

181

161

137

126

116

109

96

82

9,736

314

19,510

Sept.

78

64

52

45

41

*40

56

50

26

25

24

25

24

22

21

20

19

18

*17

15

12

10

10

9

8

7

6

6

6

6

722

24.1

1,450

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,140 Mln 6 Mean 175 Ac-ft 126,900

Water year 1955-56: Max 904 Mln 6 Mean 82.9 Ac-ft 60,180

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

e Stage-discharge relation Indefinite; discharge estimated on basis of weather records and records 

for nearby stations.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 26 to Mar. 27, Mar. 31.
VERMILLION RIVER BASIN 

Vermillion River near Wakonda, S. Dak.

381

Location. Lat 42°59'20", long 96°57'50", in SWirNW^ sec. 2, T. 94 N., R. 52 W., on left 

bank 40 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 19, 3^ miles downstream from Frog 

Creek, ?£ miles southeast of Wakonda, and 16| miles downstream from Turkey Ridge Creek.

Drainage area.--1.680 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,150.9 ft above mean sea level (levels by 

Corps of Engineers). Prior to Sept. 2, 1954, wire-weight gage and crest-stage indicator at site 40 ft upstream at same datum. Since Dec. 27, 1951, supplementary staff 

gage on relief bridge.

Average discharge. 11 years, 129 cfs (93,390 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 156 cfs June 8; maximum gage height, 5.90 ft 

Apr. 6; no flow for many days.

1945-56: Maximum discharge, 3,790 cfs June 21, 1954 (includes 1,850 cfs bypass 

flow from levee breaks); maximum gage height, 16.63 ft June 13, 1947, from graph based 

on gage readings; no flow at times during 1951, 1956.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of backwater from temporary dam and/or 

roe, which are poor. During periods of high stage, part of flow leaves main channel 

through levee breaks arid bypasses gage through two relief openings on left bank.

Ratine table, water year 1955-56, except period of backwater from temporary dam

and/or Ice (gage height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Apr. 2-4, June 7-9, July 11-18)

3.1

3.2

3.3 

3.5 

3.7

4.0 

4.5 

5.0 

6.0

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

0.8

.8

.8

.8

1.0

.8

.4

.3

0

.1

.2

*.5

0

.1

.1

.3

.3

.3

*.6

.8

.9

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

1.8

1.7

25.2

0.81

50

Nov.

1.6 *1.6

1.5

1.4

1.3

.2

.1

.1

* .1

.5

.8

.8

.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.0

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

*2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.2

2.0

1.8

54.2

1.81

108

Dec.

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.5

2.0

2.2

2.0

1.5

1.0

1.0

.8

.8

1.0

1.2

_._6

*.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.8

1.0

1.4

1.8

2.0

*2.0

2.0

2.0

1.2

1.0

38.6

1.25

77

Jan.

1.2

1.8

2.0

2.2

2.5

3.0

^0

2.5

2.0

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

1.0

.8

.5

*.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.8

1.0

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.0

.5

.5

41.4

1.34

82

Feb.

0.

7

* . .

12.5

0.43

25

Mar.

1.0

T75

2.0

3.0

4.0

*4.5

4.5

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.0

*3.0

3.0

2.8

2.5

2.5

3.0

4.0

10

15

*40

35

30

206.8

6.67

410

Apr.

25

45

55

*67

*91

129

128

86

60

*55

46

40

34

30

28

24

20

20

*17

16

15

14

13

12

11

11

11

12

13

13

1,141

38.0

2,260

May

13

12

16

21

20

19

20

17

15

*13

14

13

12

88

66

46

*32

24

18

15

12

11

9

8

*6

5

5

5

5

6

4.5

570.3

18.4

1,130

June

4.3

3.8

3.7

3.7

5.2

3.5

*70

118

56

66

96

81

*57

53

62

50

40

34

28

24

19

17

16

12

10

9

*8

6

4.8

4.2

963.2

32.1

1,910

July

3.7

3.4

3.1

2.8

2.2

*1.7

2.6

2.8

3.1

3.1

3.7

3.7

*5

12

13

9

28

13

7

*4.3

4.0

3.5

2.1

1.7

1.4

1.0

.8

.8

.7

.4

.7

144.3

4.65

286

Aug.

0.8

1.1

1.0

.8

.7

.8

1.1

* . 7

.5

.3

.2

3.6

43

*43

46

80

50

33

22

17

13

10

7

5

3.2

2.9

1.9

1.4

*1.1

1.0

.7

392.8

12.7

779

Sept.

0.6

.4

.1

0

*o

.2

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

o

*0

0

o

*0

0

0

o

0

*0

0

0

0

o

1.5

0.05

3.0

Calendar year 1955 : Max 1,010 Mln 0 Mean 31.2 Ac-ft 22,610

Water year 1955-56 : Max 129 Mln 0 Mean 9.81 Ac-ft 7,120

Peak discharge (base. 1.000 cfs). No peak above base. 

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by backwater from temporary dam and/or ice Oct. 2O to 

Apr. 1 (discharge computed from once-daily wire-weight-gage readings Dec. 13-16, Jan. 7 to Feb. 12).
382 BIG SIOUX RIVER BASIN

Big Sioux River at Water-town, S. Dak.

Location. La t 44°56<30", long 97°08<50", in SW^SW^NWi sec. 13, T. 117 N. , R. 53 W. , near 

center of span on upstream side of highway bridge, 1 mile downstream from inlet-outlet 

to Lake Kampeska, 2^ miles northwest of Watertown, and 8| miles upstream from Willow 

Creek.

Drainage area . 1.800 sq mi, approximately, of which about 1,400 sq mi is probably noncontributing.

Records available. October 1945 to September 1956.

Gage . Wire -weight gage read once daily. Crest-stage indicator since Mar. 3, 1953. Altitude of gage is 1,710 ft (from river-profile map). Prior to Jan. 15, 1947, staff 

gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. --11 years, 38.1 cfs (27,580 acre-ft per year).

Extremes . Maximum discharge during year, 194 cfs June 22 (gage height, 5.80 ft); no 

flow for many days .

1945-56: Maximum discharge observed, 2,220 cfs Apr. 9, 1952; maximum gage height 

observed, 10.35 ft Apr. 4, 1952 (backwater from ice); no flow for many days each year.

Remarks . Records fair except those for periods of ice effect or no gage-height record, 

which are poor. Water is stored naturally off stream in Lake Kampeska (capacity, 

35,500 acre-ft) during periods when river is rising and then naturally released, in 

part, when river is falling.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

a

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Oct.

0.3

a. 3

.4

*.3

.5

.4

.2

72

a. 2

.2

.2

.2

.6

.3

.3

a. 4

.5

.3

a. 3

a. 3

a. 3

a. 3

a. 3

.3

.4

.3

.3

.4

a 2'.2

9.7

0.31

19

Nov.

0.3

*.5

.4

.4

.4

a. 4

.4

.6

.8

77

a. 6

.6

a. 6

.5

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.2

.2

.1

0

0

0

0

0

0 

0

9.6

0.32

19

Dec.

(*)

(*)

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

0

0

0

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

1

3

5

5

4 

3

5

26

0.8

52

Apr.

10

15

*20

3020"

16

12

8

4.8

*3.0

2.4

2.4

2.1

1.9

a2.0

2.1

2.1

2.1

2.1

1.7

1.3

al.2

1.1

.8

1.7

*1.5

a2.5

3.6

a2.0

. 6

176.0

5.87

349

May

0.3

1.3

1.9

1.7

1.5

al.3

1.1

1.3

6

2.7

12

6

a8

10

7

*12

7

7

3.3

al.5

.4

.3

.1

.3

.3

1.3

a5

14

78 

24

12

228.6

7.37

453

June

4.0

6

a8

10

15

26

18

*17

14

al6

18

15

9

4.8

23

31

a40

51

61

46

63

170

162

a!25

89

87

68

*56

53 

45

1,350.8

45.0

2,680

July

35

a34

32

28

35

a32

30

25

25

23

27

28

a24

20

18

15

15

15

14

*9

12

7

4.8

3.6

3.6

2/7

Q

17

628.7

20.3

1,250

Aug.

15

29

68

89

a87

85

83

103

*98

90

88

allO

132

128

108

98

93

80

a75

69

63

58

49

44

39

a38

35

32

*32

2Q

42

2,189

70.6

4,340

Sept.

19

aTg

a!2

8

12

12

10

6

as

6

7

6

7

6

6

a4

2.4

*3.0

2.1

3.0

1.1

1.1

a9

17

9

1.3

1.0

1.7

1.0

a195.5

5.52

388

Calendar year 1955: Max 170 Mln 0 Mean 5.68 Ac-ft 4,110

Water year 1955-56: Max 170 Min 0 Mean 13.2 Ac-ft 9,550

Peak discharge (base. 400 cfs). No peak above base.

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

a No gage-height record; discharge interpolated or estimated on basis of weather records and records for nearby stations.

Mote. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 14 to Apr. 8 (scattered days of no gageheight record).
BIG SIOUX RIVER BASIN 383

Big Sioux River near Brookings, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 44°11', long 96°45', in NW£NW£ sec. 8, T. 108 N., R. 49 W., nerr center of 

span at downstream side of highway bridge, l| miles downstream from Deer Cr^ek and 

9| miles southeast of Brookings.

Drainage area. 4.420 sq mi, approximately, of which about 1,970 sq mi is protably noncontributing.

Records available. August 1953 to September 1956.

Sage. Wire-weight gage and crest-stage indicator; gage read once daily. Altitude of 

gage is 1,545 ft (by barometer).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 287 cfs Aug. 8 (gage height. 4.0 ft, from graph 

 based on gage readings); maximum gage height, 4.42 ft Mar. 24, 25 (backwater from ice);

no flow for many days.

1953-56: .Maximum discharge, 1,970 cfs Mar. 22, 1954 (gage height, 9.79 ft); no

flow for many days during 1956.

Remarks. Records fair except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

1.5

1.6 

1.8 

2.0

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

87

140

202

287

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

6 

6

6

6

6

5

5

5

5

4.8

4.8

*5

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.8

5

5

*7

6

6

6

7

8

8

9

10

12

14

15

15

216.8

6.99

430

Nov.

14 

*13

14

14

14

12

10

10

12

16_

16

14

12

10

9

a

a

a

9

10

10

9

8

7

6

6

5

4

3

*3

294

9.8

583

Dec.

4

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

2

2

2

2

2

2

3

4

4

3

2

*2

2

2

2

2

86

2.8

171

Jan.

3 

3

3

3

4_

3

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

38

1.2

75

Feb.

(*)

0

0

0

Mar.

0 

*0

0

0

0

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

2

2

2

3

5

7

10

15

20

20

15

15

10

10

15

20

172

5.5

341

Apr.

25 

*35

50

70

*90

100

120

140

149

157

140

*136

113

110

105

89

84

69

a66

*63

63

57

55

54

*51

49

48

45

42

42

2,417

80.6

4,790

May

44 

46

*46

44

42

39

39

39

39

39

40

44

47

47

49

*47

50

51

33

33

a32

31

a30

a28

26

26

26

26

30

26

£5

1,164

37.5

2,310

June

23 

24

a24

*25

28

24

26

a35

41

38

33

a33

33

33

a32

32

32

a43

*54

64

76

72

64

52

44

54

61

69

~6T 81

1,317

43.9

2,610

July

48- 57 

40

32

32

a31

31

31

31

*28

31

32

32

32

32

31

a29

27

25

23

20

19

18

17

16

*15

15

15

13

IS

24

842

27.2

1,670

Jug.

a32- 26 

37

42

67

a70

124

243

*212

240

255

236

216

198

164

*149

140

124

115

100

91

81

a75

69

63

60

58

58

*55

a54

52

3,506

113

6,950

Sept.

49 

46

a46

46

a45

45

a45

45

45

43

a42

a42

41

*39

41

a38

35

a34

33

a32

32

29

28

a27

26

a25

a24

23

23

a23

1,092

36.4

2,170

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,100 Mln 1.6 Mean 45.7 Ac-ft 33,070

Water year 1955-56: Max 255 Mln 0 Mean 30.5 Ac-ft 22,100

Peak dischar-ge (base. 1.000 efs). No peak above base.

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

a No gage-height record; discharge Interpolated or estimated on basis of weather records and records for nearby stations.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 1, 3-8, Nov. 10 to Apr. 8 (no gage-height 

record Nov. 23-29, Dec. 1-9).
384 BIG SIOUX RIVER BASIN

Big Sioux River near Dell Rapids, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°47'25", long 96°44'45", in NW^NWt sec. 29, T. 104 N. , R. 49 W., on right 

bank at downstream side of highway bridge, a quarter of a mile downstream from confluence of divided channels, l£ miles upstream from nearest tributary, and 3 miles 

southwest of Dell Rapids.

Drainage area. 5.060 sq mi, approximately, of which about 1,970 sq mi is probably noncontributing,

Records available. May 1948 to September 1956,

Qage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,455 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Nov. 11, 1949, wire-weight gage at same site; prior to Oct. 1, 1951, at datum 0.04 ft 

lower.

Average discharge. ~8 years, 306 cfs (221,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,750 cfs July 14 (gage height, 8.65 ft); minimum daily, 2.2 cfs Jan. 31 to Feb. 3; minimum gage height, 1.69 ft Jan. 21-25.

1948-56: Maximum discharge, 15,400 cfs Apr. 5, 1952 (gage height, 14.85 ft); minimum daily, 2 cfs Jan. 25-27, Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, Feb. 11-13, 1950; miniirum gage height, 

that of Jan. . 21-25, , 1956..

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. Discharg 

easurements generally made every two weeks during winter and weekly during remainde

of year.

Rating tables, water year 1955-56, except period of loe effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting- control method used Oct. 17-2O, 26, Dec. 10 to Jan. 15)

Oct. 1 to Mar. 14 Mar. 15 to Sept. 30

1.6 

1.8

2.0

2.1

2.1 

2.7 

4.0

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.0

3.1 

3.3

3.6

20

33

70

144

4.0 

5.0 

6.0

256

546

836

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septemter 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

2.7

278

3.4

3.7

4.0

3.9

3.9

4.2

4.5

4.4

4.4

3.8

3.8

3.9

4.2

4.5

4.7

5

6

6

7

7

6

5

5

4.7

5

9

13

12

12

169.5

5.47

336

Nov.

12

12

12

14

16

14

13

15

16

16

15

15

15

14

13

12

11

11

11

12

12

13

12

12

12

12

12

11

10

10

385

12.8

764

Dec.

9

8

5

4.6

4.1

3.9

3.9

4.0

3.9

5.7

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.7

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

4.1

4.5

4.7

5

6

6

5

6 

6

142.4

4.59

282

Jan.

 g" 6

5

4.8

4.6

4.5

3.9

3.8

3.6

3.4

3.3

3.2

3.3

3.1

3.0

2.9

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.3

2.3

2.3 

2.2

101.4

3.27

201

Feb.

2.2

272

2.2

2.5

3.0

3.2

3.5

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.2

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

4.0

77o

94.2

3.25

187

Mar.

4.5

5

5

5

5

4.0

3.5

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

4.0

5

5

6

6

7

8

10

15

25

35

45

55

60

65

60

50

45 

55

6O8.0

19.6

1,210

Apr.

64

68

108

93

152

136

113

171

242

219

174

177

188

174

149

128

110

106

100

93

84

79

75

79

72

72

66

66

72

72

3,502

117

6,950

May

70

70

70

72

72

70

70

75

66

7O

72

93

77

79

77

72

66

60

54

52

47

45

43

43

43

38

38

38

35

33 

28

1,838

59.3

3,650

June

30

36

36

82

64

50

36

33

32

30

30

33

33

33

32

30

32

40

43

47

47

47

152

174

TI8

88

72

66

58

56

1,660

55.3

3,290

Julj66

70

48

52

50

43

54

45

42

40

40

42

66

778

2l6

98

72

62

50

45

42

38

35

32

32

29

25

23

24

38 

35

2,332

75.2

4,630

Aug.

33

38

38

38

43

43

47

227

398

442

358

331

346

320

279

270

247

202

174

149

136

121

110

110

100

91

86

84

82

77 

68

5,088

164

10,090

Sept.

66

62

58

54

54

52

54

52

50

45

47

45

43

43

43

42

40

42

40

42

40

35

35

35

33

33

33

29

29

32

1,308

43.6

2,590

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,200 Mln 2.7 Mean 64.8 Ac-ft 46,930

Water year 1955-56: Max 788 Mln 2.2 Mean 47.1 Ac-ft 34,180

Peak discharge (base. l.OOO cfs). July 14 (1:30 p.m.) 1,750 cfs (8.65 ft).

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Feb. 2 to Mar. 31 (no gage-height record 

Feb. 2-19, and only scattered wire-weight gage readings Feb. 20 to Mar. 26; discharge estimated on 

basis of 5 discharge measurements, weather records, and records for nearby stations).
BIG SIOUX RIVER BASIN 

Skunk Creek near Sioux Falls, S. Dak.

385

Location. Lat 43°32'35", long 96"48'30", in NWtjNW^ sec. 23, T. 101 N., R. 50 W., on left 

bank at downstream side of bridge on U. S. Highway 16, 600 ft upstream from nearest 

tributary, 2| miles upstream from mouth, and 4 miles west of Sioux Falls.

Drainage area. 520 sq mi, approximately. 

Records available.--May 1948 to September 1956.

Gage.--Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 1,418 ft (by barometer). Prior to 

Oct. 24, 1949, wire-weight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 8 years, 58.1 cfs (42,060 acre-ft per year).

Extremes.--Maximum'discharge during year, 781 cfs June 4 (gage height, 5.02 ft); minimum, 

0.3 cfs Oct. 15; minimum gage height, 2.21 ft July 1.

1948-56: Maximum discharge, 5,770 cfs Mar. 29, 1952 (gage height, 12.If ft); no 

flow at times during 1951, 1954-55; minimum gage height, 2.08 ft Sept. 16, 1955.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of ice effect (gage

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

(Shifting-control method used Nov. 6-14, May 22 to June 4,

June 10 to July 3, July 16 to Aug. 3, Aug. 15, 16)

2.2

2.3 

£.4

2.5

2.6

0.2

1.1 

3.5

2.8 

3.0 

3.4 

3.8 

4.3

118

226

431

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac-ft

Gale

Oct.

0.5

.7

.9

1.0

.8

.6

.5

.4

.5

.5

.4

*.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.5

.5

.7

.6

.6

*.5

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

16.7

0.54

33

Nov.

0.6

.6

.6

.7

.8

.6

.6

.6

* . 7

.7

.7

.8

.8

.7

.8

.7

.6

.6

.7

.8

.9

*1 1

TTo

.9

.9

.9

.8

.6

.6

.6

22.0

0.73

44

Dec.

0.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

.5

.5

*.5

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

.5

.6

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

17.6

0.57

35

Jan.

0.7

.7

.7

.7

.7

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8

.8 *.e

.8

.8

.8

.7

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.6

.5

 ^

20.9

0.67

41

Feb.

0.4

.4

.4

.4

.4

*. 

11.6

0.40

23

Mar.

0.6

.8

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.1 1.1

1.1

1.1 1.1

1.1 *1.1

1.1 1.1

1.5

2

3

*4

35

20

20

25

*55

35

*20

18

20

20

295.8

9.54

587

Apr.

23

*25

39

26

27

28

22

17

12

8

8

8

*6

6

6

6

6

5

4.0

*3.5

3.5

2.9

2.3

2.3

2.3

*2.3

 §70 2.0

3.5

4.5

313.1

10.4

621

May

6

6

8

8

8

6

6

*4.5

4.0

3.5

5

8

16

17

11

8

.O

.0

.7

.5

* .3

.7

.3

.2

.1

.1

.2

.1

1.0

j-2

153.1

4.94

304

June

0.9

.8

.8

*413

*366

91

46

24

16

10

8

*6

3.5

2.9

4.3

7

7

39

16

*6

2.6

1.7

1.1

1.0

.9

.9

*.8

.7

.8

.7

1,079.4

36.0

2,140

July

0.8

.8

.7

.7

.8

.7

2.6

12

13

*8

66

123

40

16

11

39

75

116

97

77

64

48

39

28

*21

17

16

14

9

10 

25

991.1

32.0

1,970

Aug.

26

23

*22

16

9

8

8

*21

81

123

188

341

359

183

*118

91

72

56

43

36

*27

22

19

14

12

10

8

8

8

6

1,964

63.4

3,900

Sept.

5

5

7

5

5

5

4.0

3.2

2.9

2.6

2.0

2.9

*1.7

4.0

4.0

2.9

1.5

1.7

1.3

1.1

1.2

.9

.7

.6

.7

.9

.7

.5

.5

-il

74.9

2.50

149

idar year 1955: Max 600 Mln 0 Mean 10.3 Ac-ft 7,430

Water year 1955-56: Max 413 Min 0.3 Mean 13.6 Ac-ft 9,850

Peak discharge (base, 5OO cfs). June 4 (8:30 D.m. ) 781 cfs (5.02 ft): Aug. 12 (6:30 D.m. ) 680 cfs

(4. 79 ft).

* Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Hov. 18 to Mar. 31. Discharge computsd from oncedaily wire-weight-gage readings Jan. 10 to Mar. 21, Apr. 3-7.
386 BIG SIOUX RIVER BASIN

Big Sioux River at Sioux Palls, S. Dak.

Location. Lat 43°30' , long 96°44> , in S? sec. 32, T. 101 N., R. 49 W., 01 left bank 5 ft 

downstream from highway bridge, 0.25 mile downstream from Great Northern Railway bridge, 

1 mile southwest of Sioux Palls, and 3 miles downstream from Skunk Cre?k.

Drainage area. 5,750 sq mi, approximately, of which about 1,970 sq mi is probably noncontributing.

Records available.--August 1943 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,392.83 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

^929 (levels by Corps of Engineers). Prior to Sept. 11, 1954, wire-weight gage and 

crest-stage indicator at same site and datum. Since Mar. 4, 1953, wire-weight gage on 

bypass canal.

Average discharge.--13 years, 412 cfs (298,300 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year. 895 cfs July 15 (gage height, 4.03 ft); minimum, 

 0.6 cfs Oct. 16 (gage height, 1.50 ft).

1943-56: Maximum combined discharge, 13,500 cfs Apr. 7, 1952; maximum for main 

channel only, 11,000 cfs Apr. 7, 1952 (gage height, 14.50 ft, from graph based on gage 

readings); maximum daily for bypass canal, 2,800 cfs Apr. 6, 1952; mirimum, 0.4 cfs 

Sept. 15, 1955 (gage height, 1.43 ft). 

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor. During

periods of high stage, part of flow leaves channel above gage and bypasses gage through 

a bypass canal which returns to main channel at a point about 8 miles bslow gage. 

There was no flow through the bypass canal during the water year 1956.

Revisions (water years).--WSP 1086: Drainage area. WSP 1146: 1948 (maximum gage heights 

only)

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of loe effect (gaje

height, In feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second) 

(Shifting-control method used June 4, 5, July 15, Aug. 1O-16)

1.0 

4.0

39

2.3

2.5 

3.0 

3.5 

4.0

107

252

467

738

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to Septenber 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Ac- ft

Oct.

1.3

1.0

9

3.7

2.8

1.9

1.0

2.2

2.5

3.1

1.9

*1.3

.8

.8

.8

.7

1.9

2.2

1.9

2.5

2.2

1.9

3.7

2.8

2.2

*3.7

2.5

.9

1.3

1.3

1.0

66.8

£.15

132

Nov.

1.0

.9

275

3.1

3.1

2.5

1.9

2.2

*4.9

14

12

10

9

6

4.5

5

5

6

7

8

7

*7

7

6

6

7

6

5

5

5

169.6

5.65

336

Dec.

5

5

4.5

4

3.5

3.5

3.5

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

*3

3

2.5

275

2.5

3

3.5

3.5

4

4

4

4

4

3.5

3.5

3.5

107.0

3.45

212

Jan.

3.5

3.5

3.5

4

5_

5

5

4.5

4

3.5

3

*3

3

3

3

2.5

2.5

2.5

Z

?

2

2

2.5

2.5

2.5

3

3

3

2.5

2

2

95.0

3.O6

188

Feb.

2

2

2

2

2.5

2.5

3

3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

*3.5

3.5

3.5

3

3

3

4

4

4

4

4.5

4.5

4

3

3

3

94.0

3.24

186

Mar.

5

7

9

9

9

8

7

6

4

3

2.5

F75

3

3.5

*4

4

5

5

6

6

*7

15

50

70

90

*100 ~95

*80

70

80

85

850.5

27.4

1,690

Apr.

92

*109

136

106

153

167

136

155

181

225

202

172

*168

175

170

153

136

126

117

*109

105

99

88

82

81

*79

77

77

77

!§_

3,828

128

7,590

May

73

72

79

72

70

68

63

*63

62

63

60

60

92

82

75

72

59

54

55

52

48

*42

44

42

39

36

24

27

23

30

27

1,728

55.7

3,430

June

27

25

24

290

*609

*218

144

82

65

58

48

*38

38

34

28

33

40

79

68

*54

38

49

47

77

126

103

*84

66

57

49

2,698

89.9

5,350

July

51

55

60

52

49

39

60

75

60

*51

53

184

99

82

690

267

175

181

170

126

124

103

74

62

*68

51

48

42

38

48

72

3,309

107

6,560

Aug.

72

65

*65

60

54

63

68

*68

216

400

606

615

716

535

*418

355

301

309

232

199

*167

153

131

117

114

112

96

79

88

82

66

6,622

214

13 , 130

Sept.

68

75

66

62

58

62

60

55

55

54

52

51

49

48

48

47

42

44

43

42

42

40

40

38

38

37

36

34

34

33

1,453

48.4

2,880

Calendar year 1955: Max 1,100 Min O.6 Mean 74.9 Ac-ft 54,210

Water year 1955-56: Max 716 Min O.7 Mean 57.4 Ac-ft 41.68O

Peak discharge (base. 2.6OO cfs). No peak above base. 

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by Ice Nov. 14 to Mar. 31. Discharge computed from oncedaily wire-weight-gage readings Dec. 19 to Feb. 13.
BIG SIOUX RIVER BASIN 387

Rock River near Rock Valley, Iowa

Location (revised) . Lat 43°12'05", long 96°20'15", In NE^NE^ sec. 25, T. 97 N., R. 47 W., 

on downstream side of bridge on U. S. Highway 18, 1.8 miles west of Rock Valley and 

16.4 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 1,600 sq mi (revised).

Records available. June 1948 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,216.00 ft above mean sea level (Iowa

Highway Commission benchmark). Prior to Aug. 13, 1952, wire-weight gage (June 4, 1949, 

to Aug. 12, 1952, supplementary water-stage recorder operating above 6.2 ft gage height) 

at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 8 years, 335 cfs (242,500 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1,160 cfs July 2 (gage height, 7.59 ft); minimum 

daily, 1.2 cfs Feb. 1-19.

1948-56: Maximum discharge, 19,200 cfs June 21, 1954; maximum recorded gage height, 

15.99 ft June 8, 1953; minimum daily discharge, 1 cfs Mar. 16-26, 1951.

Flood in 1897 reached a stage of 17.0 ft (discharge not determined), from information 

by Iowa Highway Commission.

Remarks.--Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are poor.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except periods of Ice effect (gage

height, In feet, and discharge, In cubic feet per second)

(ShiftIng-control method used Apr. 1-22)

4.3

4.4 

4.6 

4.8

2.8 

7.5

5.0 

5.5 

6.0 

7.0

108

250

425

840

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1?56

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

 total

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

"470" 3.2

*5.4

5.4

5.9

6.9

6.9

7.5

8.9

8.2

8.2

8.2

8.2

8.9

9.6

9.6

10

10

11

12

13

13

13

13

15

16

17

20

19

19 

20

336.0

10.8

0.0068

0.008

666

Nov.

21

21

*10

22

23

19

12

19

23

25

26

27

27

14

14

6.9

9.6

9.6

14

22

23

25

8.9

13

14

17

6.9

7.5

6.9

6.4

493.7

16.5

0.010

0.01

979

Dec.

5.4

574

4.4

3.6

3.6

3.8

*3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.7

3.6

3.4

3.4

3.4

3.2

3.2

3.2

1*2. 37S

3.2

3.2

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

109.5

3.53

0.0022

0.003

217

Jan.

3.0

3.0

3.0

*3.2

372

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.2

3.0

3.0

2.8

2.8

2.6

2.6

2.4

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.6

1.6

1.4

l!4

1.4

79.8

2.57

O.O016

0.002

158

Feb.

1.2

T72

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

*1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.4

1.4

1.6

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.0

2.5

2.5

3jO

42.6

1.47

0.00092

0.001

84

Mar.

3.5

670

8.0

10

12

*10

12

10

8.0

6.0

5.0

4.5

5.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

12

14

15

50

100

200

125

70

40

60

300 275"

185

220

1,792.0

57.8

0.036

0.04

3,550

Apr.

334

*342

393

373

345

328

274

232

208

184

178

160

147

134

121

108

99

93

86

82

75

71

62

60

58

58

58

52

4468"

4,827

161

0.101

0.11

9,570

May

*68

75

97

121

137

142

134

113

106

97

104

104

99

97

90

144

T44

118

97

96

77

66

62

58

52

48

48

42

40

36

3_i

2,736

88.3

0.055

0.06

5,430

June

46

42

38

*42

44

44

46

40

33

28

25

22

20

19

16

14

IS- 13

is

99

139

95

60

255

545

190

113

75

56

44

2,029

67.6

0.042

0.05

4,020

July

84

*838

357

217

*147

106

113

104

99

86

82

77

75

111

410

453

226

139

104

84

68

56

48

40

34

32

28

27

'25" 25

121

4,416

142

0.089

0.10

8,760

Aug.

73

*95

95

75

66

212

360

178

131

113

489

485

525

625 459"

268

196

150

124

104

90

82

73

64

54

52

46

44

38

'^a 36

JO

5,390

174

0.109

0.13

10,690

Sept.

137

~79 147

60

*50

42

34

28

27

23

21

19

19

15

14

13

13

12

12

12

11

13

16

16

15

15

13

13

14

15

918

30.6

0.019

0.02

1,820

Calendar year 1955: Max 2,000 Mln 2.2 Mean 81.0 Cfsm 0.051 In. 0.67 Ac-f-, 58,66O

Water year 1955-56: Max 838 Mln 1.2 Mean 63.3 Cfsm 0.040 In. 0.53 Ac-f 1-, 45,940

Peak discharge (base, 2.000 efs). Mo peak above base.

* Discharge measurement made on this day.

Note.--Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 3, 14-19, Nov. 23 to Mar. 31 (no gage-height 

record Dec. 8-17, 19-22, 24-29, 31, Jan. 1, 2, 6-11, 13-20, 22-26, 28-31, Feb. 1, 2, 4-6, 8, 9, 11- 

16, 18-23, 25-29, Mar. 1, 3-5, 9, 12, 13, 15-19, 21, 22, 24; discharge estimated on basis of 4 discharge measurements, weather records, engineers' and observer's notes and records for stations on 

nearby streams).
388 BIG SIOUX RIVER BASIN

Dry Creek at Hawarden, Iowa

Location (revised).--Lat 42°59'45", long 96°28'15", in NE^NEj sec. 2, T. 91 N., R. 48 W., 

on left bank 6 ft downstream from bridge on State Highway 10 at east edze of Hawarden 

and 1.7 miles upstream from mouth.

Drainage area. 48.4 sq mi (revised).

Records available. June 1948 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder and concrete control. Datum of gage is 1,170.42 ft above mean 

sea level, datum of 1929 (Corps of Engineers benchmark). Prior to Oct. 30, 1949, wireweight gage at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 8 years, 9.32 cfs (6,750 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 152 cfs July 31 (gage height, 8.09 ft); no flow 

for many days.

1948-56: Maximum discharge, 10,900 cfs June 7, 1953 (gage height, 17.57 ft), from 

rating curve extended above 860 cfs on basis of contracted-opening determination of 

peak flow; no flow at times.

Flood in September 1926 reached a stage of 18.0 ft (discharge not determined) and 

flood in 1934 reached a stage of 15.8 ft (discharge not determined), from information 

by Iowa Highway Commission.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are poor.

Rating table, water year 1955-56, except period of. Ice effect (gage 

height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second)

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

1.5 

2.7

5.6

5.7 

6.0 

6.3

4.4 

7.0

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Cfsra

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

0

0

*

~

O

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

_

2.

0.0

0.0014

0.002

4.2

Nov.

0.

*

f

0

O

0

0

O

0

0

0

0

0

O

O

0

0

0

1.7

0.06

0.0012

O.OO1

3.4

Dec.

(*)

0

0

0

0

0

Jan.

(*)

O

0

O

0

0

Feb.

0

0

0

O

0

0

*0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

O

0

O

0

.1

.5

0.4

0.01

O.OOO21

O.OO03

0.8

Mar.

0.4

.5

.5

.7

1.0

*1.1

.5

.2

.2

.2

.1

TT

.1

.1

.1

.2

.3

.4

.5

2.5

2.0

1.5

10 ~5.0

5.0

4.0

2.0

1.0

1.0 

1.0 1.1

43.3

1.40

O.O29

0.03

86

Apr.

2.0

*2.0

5.0

T^

l.l

l.l

1.0

.8

.6

.7

.6

.5

.3

.4

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.3

.4

.5

.5

.6 

. 8

23.6

0.79

0.016

0.02

47

May

*0.7

.7

1.2

T7T

1.0

.8

.6

.6

.5

.5

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

.3

.3

.2

.2

a

.1.1

.1.1

.1

.1

.2

.1

.1 

.5

.3

13.2

0.43

0.0089

0.01

26

June

0.2

.2

.1

.3

*.l

.9

.5

.3

.1

0

0

0

O

0

0

0

O

0

0

0

O

0

0

O

2.3

~8.7

.6

.3

.1

15.5

0.52

0.011

0.01

31

July

0

0

O

0

*0

0

.5

5^0

1.4

.6

.6

.8

2.6

1.1

.6

.3

.1

.1

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

O

0

0

0

0 

0

46

59.9

1.93

0.040

0.05

119

Aug.

28

*5.5

2.1

15

16

17

37

7.0

2.4

1.5

1.1

.9

1.5

1.5

1.1

.8

.6

.4

.3

.2

.1

.1

0

0

0

0

0

O

0

0

O

140.1

4.52

0.093

0.11

278

Sept.

(*)

0

0

O

0

O

Calendar year 1955: Max 74 Min O Mean 1.44 Cfsm O.030 In. 0.41 Ac-ft 1,040

Water year 1955-56: Max 37 Min 0 Mean 0.82 Cfsm O.O17 In. 0.23 Ac-ft 595

Peak discharge (base, 300 cfs). No peak above base.

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

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 14 to Mar. 3O (no gage-height record Dec. 5, 

, 8-16, 18-26, Dee. 28 to Jan. 2, Jan. 4, 6-11, 13-16, 18-25, Jan. 27 to Feb. 28, Mar. 1-4, 7-11, 

13-19, 25, 28, 30; discharge discharge estimated estima on basis of 1 discharge measurement, weather records, and

records for nearby stations).
BIG SIOUX RIVER BASIN 389

Big Sioux River at Akron, Iowa

Location. Lat 42"49'40", long 96"33'50" , in W| sec. 31. T. 93 N., R. 48 W., on left bank 

300 ft downstream from highway bridge in Akron and 2-jj miles upstream from Union Creek.

Drainage area. 9,030 sq mi, approximately, of which about 1,970 sq mi is probably noncontributing.

Records available.--October 1928 to September 1956.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,118.90 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Prior to Dec. 3, 1934, chain gage at bridge 300 ft upstream at same datum.

Average discharge. 28 years, 852 cfs (616,800 acre-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 1.840 cfs July 17 (gage height, 8.13 ft); minimum, 24 cfs Nov. 8 (gage height, 1.59 ft).

1928-56: Maximum discharge, 33,000 cfs Apr. 1, 1952, from rating curve extended 

above 20,000 cfs on basis of velocity-area study; maximum gage height, 19.95 ft June 22, 

1954; minimum daily discharge, 7 cfs Feb. 26-28, 1936.

Remarks. Records good except those for period of ice effect, which are fair. Discharge 

measurements generally made every two weeks during winter and weekly during remainder 

of year.

Revisions. WSP 1389: Drainage area. Figures of discharge in cubic feet pe- second per 

square mile and runoff in inches for the water year 1955 published in WSP 1389 were 

erroneously computed on basis of drainage area of 8,851 sq mi. Corrected figures based 

on revised drainage area of 7,060 sq mi (contributing area) are given below:

Month

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

Calendar year 1954 .........

January 1955 .................

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

Water year 1954-55. ........

Cubic feet per 

second 

per square mile

.025

.115

.023

.0058

.044

Runoff in 

inches

.03

2.11

.03

.006

.60

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

42

42

45

47

68

67

55

65

66

59

56

55

53

49

49

51

52

53

54

56

55

54

56

56

57

56

57

58

60

57

54

1,704

55.0

0.0078

0.009

3,380

Nov.

53

55

49

52

56

55

48

43

61

63

64

63

65

47

45

40

40

40

45

50

55

60

55

55

50

55

50

45

40

35

1,534

51.1

0.0072

0.008

3,040

Dec.

30

33

34

35

36

35

34

33

33

33

33

33

33

34

34

32

30

30

29

29

30

30

31

32

32

31

34

35

35

35

36

1,014

32.7

0.0046

0.005

2,010

Jan.

383~8

38

37

37

37

37

36

37

37

36

34

34

35

34

33

32

32

32

32

32

30

29

29

29

28

29

30

30

30

30

1,032

33.3

0.0047

0.005

2,050

Feb.

31

32

32

33

34

35

35

34

35

34

34

32

30

29

29

30

30

30

30

30

30

32

33

35

35

34

34

34

±2

946

32.6

0.0046

0.005

1,880

Mar.

55

70

65

60

55

55

50

50

55

60

60

55

60

65

65

65

70

70

75

75

80

90

95

120

150

230

326

345

459

670 

DO cm1

4,381

141

0.020

0.02

8,690

Apr.

503

558

604

604

601

598

569

526

484

448

413

403

405

400

372

350

343

324

306

293

280

264

254

246

244

236

236

224

234

232

11,554

385

0.055

0.06

22,920

May

230

236

260

272

282

295

293

266

264

256

254

246

256

256

266

338

387

343

280

248

222

197

179

165

157

150

146

140

143

140

133

7,300

235

0.033

0.04

14,480

June

122

121

120

116

303

756

658

596

435

311

236

191

160

148

135

122

120

120

112

195

182

236

230

186

165

821

493

306

291

258

8,245

275

0.039

0.04

16,350

July

222

193

444

543

421

331

297

313

333

306

260

246

226

197

252

692

1.740

1,220

784

552

467

413

362

322

278

256

228

213

195

184

188

12,678

409

0.058

0.07

25,150

Aug.

293

276

262

266

274

254

287

443

405

348

410

616

1,190

1,310

1,590

1,210

979

818

685

575

506

443

390

345

313

289

258

240

226

215

200

15,716

507

0.072

0.08

31,170

Sept.

195

195

254

209

190

175

168

157

146

145

138

135

135

129

115

109

106

108

104

97

97

98

97

95

95

90

84

81

81

86

3,914

130

0.018

0.02

7,760

Calendar year 1955 : Max 4,520 Min 29 Mean 260 Cfsm 0.037 In. 0.50 AT-ft 188,400

Water year 1955-56 : Max 1,740 Min 28 Mean 191 Cfsm 0.027 In. 0.36 AT-ft 138,900

Peak discharge (base, 5,500 cfs).--No peak above base.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 15 to Mar. 26.
390 MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM

Missouri River at Sioux City, Iowa

Location (revised) .--Lat 42°29'10", long 96°24'45", in NW£SE£ sec. 16, T. 2.7 N. , R. 9 E., 

sixth principal meridian, on right bank on upstream side of bridge on U. S. Highway 77 

at Sioux City, 2.0 miles downstream from Big Sioux River.

Drainage area. 314 ,600 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. October 1897 to September 1956 in reports of Geological Survey (October 1897 to September 1928 and October 1931 to September 1938, monthly discharge only, 

based on record for station at Williston, N. Dak., in Circular 108). January 1879 to 

December 1890 (monthly discharges only) in House Document 238, 73d Congr3SS, 2d session. 

Gage-height records collected in this vicinity September 1878 to Decembe- 1899 are contained in reports of Missouri River Commission and since July 1889 are contained in 

reports of U. S. Weather Bureau.

.--Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,076.96 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

929. Sept. 2, 1878, to Dec. 31, 1905, staff, cable, and chain gages at various locations within 1.7 miles of present site and at various daturas. Jan. 1, 1906, to Feb. 14, 

1935, chain gage at present site and datum.

Average discharge. 21 years (1928-31, 1938-56), 30,050 cfs (21,760,000 acr3-ft per year).

Extremes. Maximum discharge during year, 38,900 cfs Aug. 18 (gage height, 7.10 ft); minimum daily, 8,100 cfs Nov. 26, Jan. 31; minimum gage height, -1.44 ft Nov. 25.

1928-31, 1938-56: Maximum discharge, 441,000 cfs Apr. 14, 1952; maximum gage height, 

24.28 ft Apr. 14, 1952; minimum discharge, 2,500 cfs Dec. 29, 1941; minimum gage height 

observed, -3.34 ft Dec. 27, 1946.

Remarks. Records good except those for periods of ice effect, which are fair. Flow 

partly regulated by upstream main stem reservoirs. Discharge measurements generally 

made 6 times a month, 3 times a month during winter.

Revisions (water years).--WSF 716: 1929-30. WSP 876: Drainage area.

Discharge, In cubic feet per second, water year October 1955 to September 1956

Day

1 

2 

3 

4 

5

6 

7 

8 

9 

10

11 

12 

13 

14 

15

16 

17 

18 

19 

20

21 

22 

23 

24 

25

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31

Total 

Mean 

Ac-ft

Oct.

31,200 

31,200 

31,600 

32,000 

32,600

32,600 

32,600 

32,000 

31,200 

31,200

31,200 

30.900 

36,966 

31,200 

31,600

31,600 

31,600 

31,600 

31,600 

32,600

32,600 

32,600 

33.000 

33,000 

32,600

31,600 

32,600 

32,300 

32,000 

32,000 

31,600

988,900 

31,900 

tl,961

Nov.

29.800 

27,200 

24,200 

21,500 

18,000

15,700 

12,900 

10,900 

10,200 

10,000

10,000 

10,000 

9,900 

9,750 

9,900

9,000 

8,800 

8,800 

8,800 

10,000

11,000 

10,900 

9,900 

8,400 

8,250

8,100 

8,856 

8,500 

8,600 

8,800

366,650 

12,220 

727,200

Dec.

9,400 

10,500 

12.000 

11,300 

10,700

9,800 

9,800 

9,400 

8,800 

8,500

8,400 

8,300 

8,300 

8,300 

8.250

8,250 

8,500 

9,200 

9,600 

10,200

10,300 

10,400 

10,500 

10,400 

10,200

9,500 

9,250 

9,000 

8,800 

8,600 

8,800

293,250 

9,460

581,700

Jan.

8,800 

8,550 

9,300 

9,400 

9,500

9,500 

9,450 

9,300 

9,300 

9,300

9,300 

9,300 

9,200 

9,200 

9,000

8,800 

8,550 

8,500 

8,400 

8,400

8,400 

8,500 

8,700 

9,000 

9,200

9,400 

9,300 

9,300 

9,200 

9,000 

8,100

279,150 

9,005

553,700

Feb.

8,800 

8,800 

8,800 

8,800 

8,800

8,800 

8,800 

8,700 

8,700 

8.600

8,800 

9,000 

8,900 

8,800 

8,800

8,800 

8,900 

9,000 

9,100 

9,300

9,400 

9,600 

9,800 

10,200 

10,500

11,000 

11,300 

11,300 

11,300

271,400 

9,359 

538,300

Mar.

11,300 

11,300 

12,700 

11,900 

11, 500

11,300 

12,100 

13 , 500 

14,100 

16,300

18,500 

19,800 

21,000 

27,800 

33jJOO

32,600 

30,600 

30,900 

30,900 

32,000

31,200 

32,300 

31,600 

28,000 

29,500

29,500 

30,900 

31,200 

29,800 

28,900 

29,200

735,900 

23,740 

tl,460

Apr.

28 , 600 

28,600 

31,200 

30,900 

30,600

30,900 

29,500 

28,000 

28,300 

28,300

28,300 

28,600 

29,200 

29,500 

29,800

29,800 

29,500 

29,200 

29,200 

29,500

29,200 

29,500 

29,800 

30,200 

31,200

31,600 

31,600 

31,600 

31,200 

31,200

894,600 

29,820 

tl,774

May

30,900 

29,200 

28,900 

29,800 

29,500

29,200 

28,900 

29, 200 

29,200 

29,500

29,800 

29,500 

28,900 

29,200 

28,900

28,600 

28,600 

28,900 

29,200 

30,600

30,900 

30,600 

30,200 

31.600 

29,866

30,200 

29 , 500 

29,500 

29,800 

29,500 

28,900

917,000 

29,580 

tl,819

June

28 , 900 

28,900 

29,800 

29,800 

29,800

30,900 

30,600 

29,200 

28,600 

29,200

28,900 

28,900 

29,800 

31,200 

31.200

32,300 

32,300 

32,600 

32,600 

32,000

32,600 

54.000 

32,366 

29,200 

30,600

33,000 

29,800 

27.100 

27,700 

29,800

913,600 

30,450 

tl,812

July

30,20C 

30.90C 

30,90C 

28,30C 

27.40C

27,10C 

26.80C 

27.10C 

28,30C 

28.90C

31,OOC 

34,30C 

31,60C 

30,90C 

32,30C

31,200 

30,600 

30,900 

29,500 

28,300

27,700 

28,000 

28,300 

29,200 

30,600

33,000 

33,700 

34,000 

54.400 

34,400 

34,400

944, 200 

30,460 

tl,873

Aug.

33,400 

33,700 

32,300 

31,200 

31,200

31,600 

32,300 

32,600 

32,300 

33,700

33,000 

33,000 

33,700 

34,400 

34,800

35,100 

35,400 

36.500 

34^400 

33,000

34,000 

33,700 

33,000 

33,700 

33,400

32,600 

33,400 

33,400 

34,400 

34,800 

35,100

tt,039.1 

33,520 

*2,061

Sept.

34,000 

32,600 

32,600 

32,600 

32,300

32,000 

50.600 

30,900 

32,000 

33,000

33,000 

33,000 

34,000 

33,400 

55^400

35,400 

35,100 

35,400 

35,400 

35,100

34,800 

34,800 

33,700 

33,000 

33,700

33,400 

34,400 

34,400 

34,400 

35,100

tl,009.5 

33,650 

*2,002

Calendar year 1955: Max 36,500 Mln 6,200 Mean 22,230 Ac-ft 16,090,000 

Water year 1955-56: Max 36,500 Mln 8,100 Mean 23,640 Ac-ft 17,160,000

Peak discharge (base, 80.000 cfs). No peak above base.

t Expressed in thousands.

Note. Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Nov. 17-21, Nov. 28 to Mar. 2.
REVISIONS OF RECORDS FOR DISCONTINUED STATIONS 391

Yellowstone River near Canyon Hotel, Yellowstone National Park

Location. Lat 44°43', long 110 030', 0.5 mile upstream from Upper Falls and Canyon ranger 

station and It;- miles south of Canyon Hotel.

Drainage area. 1.160 sq mi, approximately.

Records available.--June 1913 to September 1951 (no winter records), discontinued.

Qage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 7,620 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

to Oct. 11, 1916, staff gages at site 900 ft upstream at different datums.

Extremes. 1913-51: Maximum discharge observed, 8,550 cfs (discharge measurement) June 27, 

1918 (gage height, 4.50 ft); minimum not determined.

Remarks. No diversion or artificial regulation above station.

Revisions. WSP 701: Drainage area. Revised figures of discharge, in cubic feet per

second, for the water year 1916, superseding those published in WSP 436, are given herewith:

Date

1916

Aug. 12

13

14

15

16

Discharge

3,800

3,700

3,600

3,500

3,400

Date

1916-Con.

Aug. 17

18

19

20

21

Discharge

3,300

3,200

3,100

3,000

2,900

Date

1916-Con.

Aug. 22

23

24

25

26

Discharge

2,800

2,700

2,600

2,500

2,500

Date

1916-Con.

Aug. 27

28

29

30

31

Tls charge

2,400

2,400

2,300

2,300

2,300

Month

August 1916. ............

Maximum

4,560

Minimum

2,300

Mean

3,410

Runoff In 

acre-feet

210.00C

26,

Tower Creek at Tower Falls, Yellowstone National Park

Location. Lat 44°54', long 110°23', just upstream from Tower Falls, a quarter of a mile

upstream from mouth and 2 miles southeast of Camp Roosevelt. 

Drainage area. 51 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. September 1922 to November 1943 (discontinued).

Gage. Staff gage. Altitude of gage is 6,400 ft (from topographic map). Prior to Sept. 

TT931, staff gage at site 25 ft downstream at datum 2.22 ft lower. Sept. 26, 1931, to

July 11, 1933, staff gage at site 75 ft downstream at different datum. July 12, 1933,

to Oct. 13, 1934, staff gage at described site at datum 0.50 ft higher. 

Average discharge.--20 years (1923-43), 47.2 cfs. 

Extremes. lij22-43: Maximum discharge observed, 642 cfs May 30, 1925, from rating curve

extended above 400 cfs; maximum gage height, 6.27 ft May 28, 1928, site and datum then

in use; minimum discharge observed, 5.6 cfs Mar. 17, 1934 (discharge measurement). 

Remarks. No regulation or diversion above station. 

Revisions.--Revised figures of discharge, in cubic feet per second, for the water years

1924, 1926-28, and 1931, superseding those published in WSP 586, 626, 646, 666, and 716,

are given herewith:

Date

1923

Nov. 12-26

Dec. 1-31

1924

Jan. 1-31

Feb. 1-29

Mar. 1-31

Apr. 1-30

1925

Nov . 8-3O

Discharge

tb!7

tb!5

tb!2

tb!2

tb!2

tb!2

tb25

t Average for perio

Date

1925-Con.

Dec . 1-31

1926

Jan. 1-15

Nov. 17-30

Dec. 1-31

1927

Dec. 5-21

27

28

Discharge

tb25

tb22

tb20

tb20

tb25

b25

b25

Date

1927-Con.

Dec . 29

30

31

1928

Jan. 1-31

Feb. 1-29

Mar. 1-18

19-27

1930

Nov. 2-13

Discharge

b25

b20

b20

tb20

tb20

tb20

tb25

tb27

Date

1931

July 9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Discharge

36

36

34

33

32

32

31

30

29

29

Indicated

b Stage -discharge relation affected by Ice.

Calendar year 1924 ..................

Calendar year 1925 ..................

Water year 1925-26 ..................

Water year 1926-27 ..................

Calendar year 1927 ..................

Calendar year 1928 ..................

Calendar year 1930 ..................

Calendar year 1931 . .................

27

_

_

_

_

369

30

642

272

_

272

583

583

_

_

250

250

19.2

15.0

12.0

12.0

12.0

12.0

34.4

35.1

25.8

25.0

75.6

22.0

47.2

20.7

20.0

45.8

72.7

25.2

76.0

20.0

20.0

22.1

70.4

67.7

25.9

38.3

32.6

33.8

32.0

Per

mile

0.376

.294

.235

.235

.235

.235

.674

.688

.506

.490

1.48

.431

.925

.406

.392

.898

1.43

.494

1.49

.392

.392

.433

1.38

1.33

.508

.751

.639

.663

.627

ft.

Inches

0.42

.34

.27

.25

.27

.26

9.17

9.34

.56

.57

20.13

.50

12.57

.45

.45

12.20

19.34

.57

20.20

.45

.42

.50

18.76

18.04

.57

10.20

.74

9.01

8.52

noff

Acre-feet

1,140

922

738

690

738

714

25,010

25,480

1,540

1,540

54,700

1,350

34,150

1,230

1,230

33,160

52,630

1,550

54,980

1,230

1,150

1,360

51,060

49,090

1,540

27,740

2,010

24,450

23,120

459735 O -58 -Zb
392 REVISIONS FOR RECORDS FOR DISCONTINUED STATIONS

Gardiner River at Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park

Location. Lat 44°59', long 110 0 41', on left bank a quarter of a mile downstream from footbridge on Mount Everts trail, half a mile upstream from Boiling River, 0.9 mile northeast of Mammoth, and 3ij- miles (revised) upstream from mouth.

Drainage area.--198 sq mi (revised).

Records available. September 1922 to October 1938 (discontinued). Published as "near 

Mammoth Hot Springs" prior to Oct. 1, 1923, and as "at Mammoth Hotel" Oct. 1, 1923, to 

Sept. 30, 1937.

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 5,680 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

fo June 10, 1927, staff gage at site a quarter of a mile upstream at different datum. 

June 10 to July 29, 1927, staff gage at described site and datum.

Average discharge.--13 years (1925-38), 158 cfs.

Extremes.--19S4:r2'5: Maximum daily discharge during water year, 1,500 cfs June 22; minimum not determined.

1922-38: Maximum discharge, 1,790 cfs May 28, 1928 (gage height, 3.59 ft); minimum 

recorded, 31 cfs Apr. 7, 1928; minimum gage height, 0.51 ft Apr. 3, 1931.

Remarks. No diversion or regulation above station. Records not equivalent to those for 

station near Mammoth, 1-J miles downstream.

Revisions.--Revised figures of discharge, in cubic feet per second, for water years 1924- 

25, and 1933, superseding those published in WSP 586, 606, and 746, are given herewith. 

Complete table of daily discharge is given for water year 1925, but only revised figures for other water years.

Date

1924

Sept . 12

13

14

15

16

17

Discharge

140

110

100

90

85

90

Date

1924-Con.

Sept. 18

19

20

21

22

23

Discharge

100

110

100

90

85

85

Date

1924-Con.

Sept. 24

25

26

27

28

29

Discharge

85

85

85

85

85

85

Date

1924-Con.

Sept .30

1933

Feb. 1-28

Mar. 1-31

Apr. 1-15

Discharge

80

tso

t60

t6O

t Average for period Indicated.

Note.--Doubtful or no gage-height record Sept. 12-30, 1924., Feb. 1 to Apr. 15, 1933; 

discharge estimated on basis of weather records and records for Yellowstone River at 

Corwln Springs.

Month

Calendar year 1924 ..............

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

April.. ...........................

Calendar year 1933 ..............

Maximum

200 

566 

566

998 

998

Minimum

80

-

Mean

102 

144

138

50.0 

60.0 

80.0 

149 

148

Per square 

mile

0.515 

.727 

.697

.253 

.303 

.404 

.741 

.747

Runoff

Inches

0.58 

9.86 

9.51

.26 

.35

.45 

10.21 

10.13

Acre-feet

6,090 

104,300 

100,400

2,780 

3,690 

4,760 

107,800 

107,000

Discharge, in cubic feet per second, water year October 1924 to September 1925

Day

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 

31

Total

Mean

Cfsm

In.

Ac-ft

Oct.

80

85

85

85

85

80

80

85

80

85

80

85

80

80

75

75

90

100

100

90

85

85

85

85

85

85

90

85

90

90 

90

2,640

85.2

0.430

0.50

5,240

Nov.

95

95

95

95

95

100

110

100

90

80

75

75

75

75

80

p. 90

..

I 80

)

2,655

88.5

0.447

0.50

5,270

Dec.

80

70

2,250

72.6

0.367

0.42

4,460

Jan.

70

2,170

70

0.354

0.41

4,300

Feb.

 70

70

75

80

75

65

70

75

75

75

70

70

-

1,990

71.1

0.359

0.37

3,950

Mar.

> 70

75

75

80

85

85

80

85

80 

80

85

85

90

95

85

90

85 

95

2,415

77.9

0.393

0.45

4,790

Apr.

85

85

85

90

90

95

90

95

100

105

120

125

150

200

200

240

290

220

190

170

160

150 

140

130

125

120

125

125

130

130

4,160

139

0.702

0.78

8,250

May

160

200

270

290

320

514

417

360

346

333

432

497

480

531

566

566

679

741

805

918

962

1,010 

940

1,010

1,030

985

985

962

1,060

1,100

1,010

20,479

661

3.34

3.85

40,600

June

1,010

918

828

679

584

548

514

497

497

531

566

602

621

640

660

679

700

720

828

1,010

*1,130

1,500 

850

694

664

635

606

635

606 

606

21,558

719

3.63

4.05

42,800

July

578

523

496

496

496

444

419

395

371

348

326

326

305

285

285

265

265

265

265

265

246

246 

246

246

228

211

211

211

211

211 

203

9,888

3 IF

1.61

1.86

19,600

Aug.

203

203

203

203

203

195

195

188

188

188

188

180

180

211

195

180

173

166

166

159

159

152 

146

146

139

146

159

159

146

139 

*155

5,391

174

0.879

1.01

10,700

Sept.

133

133

139

139

146

173

159

146

152

139

*139

133

139

139

133

133

127

T2T

159

127

133

133 

133

139

139

146

146

146

152 

146

4,228

141

0.712

0.79

8,390

Calendar year 1924: Max 566 Min - Mean 138 Cfsm 0.697 In. 9.51 Ac-ft 100,400

Water year 1924-25: Max 1,500 Mln - Mean 219 Cfsm 1.11 In. 14.99 Ac-ft 158,400

Discharge measurement made on this day. 

Note.--Doubtful or no gage-height record Oct. 1, to May 5, June 22, 23; discharge estimated on 

basis of weather records and records for Yellowstone River at Corwln Springs.
REVISIONS OP RECORDS FOR DISCONTINUED STATIONS 393

White River near Chadron, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°50', long 103°07', in sec. 18, T. 33 N., R. 49 W., 20 ft downstream from 

bridge on U. S. Highway 20, 2 miles downstream from Dead Horse Creek and 6 miles west 

of Chadron.

Drainage area. 750 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. October 1931 to September 1943 (discontinued) in reports of U. S. 

Geological Survey. April to September 1931 in reports of State engineer.

Gage. Chain gage on upstream side of bridge. Prior to Dec. 7, 1934, water-stage recorder at same site and datum.

Average discharge. 12 years, 26.4 cfs.

Extremes. --1H31^4"3: Maximum discharge, 3,690 cfs May 12, 1942 (gage height, 18.07 ft), 

from rating curve extended above 1,900 cfs; no flow for several days in many years.

Revisions. The figures of maximum discharge for some water years have been revised, 

as shown in the following table. They supersede figures published in the water-supply 

papers indicated:

WSP

761 

761 

896

Water 

year

1932 

1933 

1940

Date

Apr. 24, 1932 

Apr. 21, 1933 

Sept. 6, 1940

Discharge 

(cfsf

1,680 

1,680 

1,700

Gage height 

(feet)

16.8 

16.8 

16.82

Remarks.--Many diversions above station for irrigation.

Revisions. Revised figures of discharge, in cubic feet per second, for the water year 

1332, superseding those published in WSP 731 are given herewith:

Aug. 14, 1932.......... 204

15, 1932... ........ 209

Month

Water year 1931-32. ........

Cfs-days

-

Maximum

1,290

Minimum

0

Mean

26.2

Runoff in 

acre-feet

19,000

Niobrara River at Dunlap, Nebr.

Location. Lat 42°28', long 102°56', in sec. 27, T. 29 N., R. 48 W., a quarter of a mile 

upstream from highway bridge at Dunlap and three-quarters of a mile upstream from 

Cottonwood Creek.

Drainage area. 1,550 sq mi, approximately.

Records available. October 1930 to September 1942 (discontinued).

Gage. Water-stage recorder. Altitude of gage is 3,870 ft (from topographic map). Prior 

To Nov. 17, 1936, staff gage on downstream side of highway bridge, 1,270 ft downstream, 

at different datum.

Average discharge. 12 years, 41.0 cfs.

Extremes. 1930^2: Maximum discharge, 2,890 cfs Sept. 4, 1937 (gage height, 9.8 ft, from 

floodmarks), from rating curve extended above 150 cfs on basis of slope-erea determination of peak flow; maximum gage height, 10.04 ft May 13, 1942; minimum daily discharge, 0.6 cfs Aug. 2-4, 1936.

Revisions. Figures of maximum discharge for the water years 1931 and 1932 have been 

revised to 374 cfs Aug. 6, 1931 (gage height, 4.7 ft, observed) and 890 cfs May 6, 1932 

(gage height, 8.00 ft, observed), superseding those published in WSP 716 and 731, respectively.

Remarks. Many diversions above station for irrigation.

Revisio'ns. Revised figures of discharge, in cubic feet per second, for periods in the 

water years 1931 and 1932, superseding those published in WSP 716 and 731, are given 

herewith:

Water year

Water year

Month

1930-31. ............

1931-32. ............

Maximum

374

655

Minimum

1

Mean

38.4

50.1

35.1

Runoff in 

acre-feet

2,360

36,260

25,500
394 DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIONS

Measurements of streamflow in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, made at 

points other than regular gaging stations are given in the following table. Most of these 

measurements were made during periods of base flow when streamflow is primarily from 

ground-water storage. Measurements believed to have been made under base-flow conditions 

are identified by an asterisk (*) to the left of the discharge figure. These measurements when correlated with the simultaneous discharge of a nearby stream where continuous 

records are available will give a picture of the low-flow potentiality of st-eam. The 

column headed "Measured previously shows the water years in which measurements were made 

at the same, or practically the same, site.

Determinations of peak flow at points other than regular gaging stations are given in 

a separate table on page 405.

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations in the Missouri River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956

Boulder River basin, Mont.

Stream

Rock Creek. . .

Tributary to

Boulder River

Location

SE-fr sec. 20, T. 6 N., R. 7 W., 

j mile above mouth and 14 miles 

west of basin.

Drainage 

area 

(sq mi)

11.4

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years)

1946-55

Date

Oct. 3 

Apr. 19 

May 18 

June 12

Discharge 

(cfs)

aO.5 

7.6 

64.4 

13.5

Gallatin River basin, Mont.

South Cottonwood Creek.

East Gallatin

River.

Gallatin

River.

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

NE& sec. 34, T. 3 S., R. 5 E., at

Wortman Ranch, 6^ miles southeast of Gallatin Gateway, at

former gaging station.

SE£ sec. 24, T. 2 S., R. 6 E.,

just below bridge on U. S.

Highway 10, 6 miles east of

Boseman, at former gaging

station.

22.5

49.5

1951-53

1951-53

Ap-. 27

May 23

June 13

July 11

Ap-. 26

Mav 22

June 13

July 10

16.9

122

117

35.3

77.6

173

32.4

15.7

Yellowstone River basin

Bennie Pierre

Creek.

Charbonneau

Creek.

Yellowstone

River.

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

NE& sec. 15, T. 48 N., R. 105 W.,

3OO ft east of North DakotaMontana State line.

At bridge on county road on west

line of sec. 31, T. 151 N., R.

103 W., J mile south of Cartwright, N. Dak.

210

230

1954-55

1954-55

Oct. 19

Oct. 19

Ap-. 27

June 7

July 13

AU3. 8

Se^t . 13

*0.10

*.13

*.47

*.12

*.32

*.05

*.O4

Painted Woods Creek basin, H. Dak.

Unnamed creek

Painted Woods

Creek.

Unnamed creek

Painted Woods

Creek.

Missouri

River.

Painted Woods

Creek.

At culvert on county road on east

line of sec. 35, T. 155 N., R.

103 W., 4i miles north of U. S.

Highway 2 and 7j miles east of

State line.

At bridge on county road on north

line of sec. 1, T. 154 N., R. 1O3

W., 4 miles north of U. S.

Highway 2 and 8 miles east of

State line.

At culvert on county road on west

line of sec. 21, T. 155 N., R.

102 W., 6.2 miles north of

U. S. Highway 2 and 10£ miles

east of State line.

0.3

19

7.0

1955

1955

1955

Mar. 20

Ap-. 20

Jme 12

Juie 29

July 25

Au3. 22

Mar. 2O

Ap-. 26

June 12

June 29

July 25

Aug. 22

Mar. 20

Ap-. 26

June 12

June 29

July 25

Aus. 22

0.5

O

0

O

0

0

27.4

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

O

0

O

0

Sand Creek basin. H. Dak.

Sand Creek. . . Missouri 

River.

At bridge on U. S. Highway 2, in 

NW^SEj sec. 22, T. 154 N., R.

101 W., li miles west of post

office at Williston.

39 1955 Mar. 20 

APT-. 26

June 29

July 12

Aug. 22

14.1 

*.15

*.03

*.O1

0

Little Muddy Creek basin, N. Dak.

Little Muddy

Creek.

East Pork

Little

Muddy

Creek.

Missouri

River.

Little Muddy

Creek.

At bridge on county road on south

line of sec. 32, T. 159 N., R.

100 W., 2j miles southwest of

Appam.

At bridge on county road on east

line of sec. 33, T. 157 N.,

R. 99 W., 9 miles north of

Sprlngbrook.

239

81

1954-55

1953-55

Oct. 18

Oct. 20

Apr. 26

May 16

July 10

Aug. 7

Sept. 12

0.21

*.40

*.62

*.97

*.35

*.41

*.21

* Base flow.

a Estimated.
DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIONS 395

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations In the Missouri River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956 Continued

Little Muddy Creek basin, N. Dak. Continued

Stream

East Pork 

Little 

Muddy 

Creek.

Tributary to

Little Muddy 

Creek.

Location

At bridge on county road on west 

line of sec. 8, T. 156 N., R. 

100 W., 8j miles northwest of 

Springbrook.

Drainage 

area 

(sq ml)

149

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years)

1954-55

Date

Oct. 20 

Apr. 26 

May 16 

July 10 

Aug. 8 

Sept. 12

Discharge 

(cfs)

*0.69 

*1.95 

*1.99 

*.78 

*.64 

*.28

Little Missouri River basin, N. Dak

Unnamed creek;

Do. .......

Jules Creek. .

Sheep Creek. .

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

Little Missouri

River.

At culvert on U. S. Highway 10 In

NWiSEi sec. 29, T. 140 N., R.

101 tf., 3.6 miles east of

Medora.

At culvert on road In Theodore

Roosevelt National Park near

center of sec. 19, T. 140 H.,

R. 101 tf., 2$ miles east of

Medora.

At bridge on road In Theodore

Roosevelt National Park In

NWj- sec. 33, T. 141 N., R.

101 W., 5£ miles north of

Medora.

_

_

_

1955

1955

1955

Oct. 27

Mar. 19

Apr. 19

June 14

July 9

Aug. 17

Sept. 27

Oct. 28

Mar. 19

Apr. 19

June 14

July 9

July 26

Aug. 29

Sept. 27

Oct. 28

Mar. 19

Apr. 19

June 14

July 9

July 26

Aug. 29

Sept. 2 7

0

.55

0

0

0

0

0

0

.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.37

0

0

0

0

.005

0

Knife River. .

Crooked Creek

Knife River. .

Little Knife

River.

North Fork

Spring

Creek.

Spring Creek.

Do........

Otter Creek. .

Missouri

River.

Knife River. .

Missouri

River.

Knife River..

Spring Creek.

Knife River. .

do

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

Knife River basin, N. Dak.

At bridge on State Highway 22,

In NWf sec. 6, T. 143 N., R.

95 tf., 0.4 mile north of

Manning.

At bridge on State Highway 22 on

west line of sec. 31, T. 143

N., R. 95 W., 4.7 miles south

of Manning.

At bridge on State Highway 8 on

west line of sec. 10, T. 142

N., R. 92 W., at west edge of

Marshall.

At bridge In Hebron, 3 blocks

south of railroad depot, In

Stf£ sec. 33, T. 140 N., R.

90 tf.

At bridge on county road on west

line of sec. 13, T. 145 N., R.

95 tf., 1 mile northwest of

Kllldeer.

Stfi sec. 27, T. 145 N., R. 94 W.,

400 ft below Lake Ilo spillway

and 1 mile west of Dunn Center.

At bridge on State Highway 8 at

southwest corner of sec. 19,

T. 145 N., R. 91 tf., at northeast corner of Halllday.

At bridge on county road In NW£

sec. 34, T. 144 N., R. 87 tf.,

0.1 mile above mouth and

4 miles east of Beulah.

204

108

754

41

29

135

306

132

1953-55

1953-55

1953-55

1954-55

1953-55

1953-55

1953-55

1953-55

Oct. 12

Apr. 20

May 22

June 21

Aug. 2

Sept. 21

Oct. 12

Apr. 20

May 22

June 21

Aug. 2

Sept. 21

Oct. 12

Apr. 20

May 22

June 21

Aug. 2

Sept. 21

Oct. 14

May 4

May 31

July 18

Aug. 17

Sept. 20

Oct. 12

Oct. 12

Apr. 20

May 2?

June 21

Aug. 2

Sept. 21

Oct. 12

Apr. 20

May 22

June 21

Aug. 2

Sept. 21

May 4

May 22

June 26

July 19

Aug. 16

Sept. 20

*0.09

*1.53

*.86

*.05

15.4

*.005

*.41

*.71

*.44

*.37

4.32

*.44

*.98

*8.26

*4.14

*1.65

82.8

*3.45

*.01

*.21

*.12

*.04

0

0

*.05

*.04

*.06

*.ll

*.ll

*.ll

*.02

*2.Z5

*4.58

*2.27

*3.40

5.45

*.10

*6.01

*2.55

5.19

*1.72

*.44

*.55
396 DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIONS

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations In the Missouri River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956 Continued

Painted Woods Creek basin, H. Dak.

Stream

Painted Woods

Tributary to

Missouri 

River.

Location

At bridge on county road In SE£ 

sec. 27, T. 144 N., R. 81 W. , 

5^ miles southeast of Washburn.

Drainage 

area 

(sq ml)

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years )

1953-55

Date

Oct. 21 

May 3 

July 16 

Aug. 13 

Sept. 11

Discharge 

(cfs)

*0.20 

8.46 

*1.27 

*2.35 *.10

Square Butte Creek basin, N. Dak.

Square Butte

Creek.

Unnamed creek

Do. .......

Square Butte

Creek.

Unnamed creek

Square Butte

Creek.

Missouri

River.

Square Butte

Creek

Unnamed creek

Missouri

River.

Square Butte

Creek.

Missouri

River.

At bridge on State Highway 25 at

aec. corner 14, 15, 22, 23, T.

124 N., R. 84 W., In Center.

At culvert, on State Highway 25,

on south line of sec. 13, T.

142 N., R. 84 W., 2 miles east

of Center.

At culvert on State Highway 25

on south line of sec. 13, T,

142 N., R. 84 W., 1.7 miles

east of Center.

At bridge on county road on east

side of sec. 24, T. 142 N., R.

84 W., 2 miles southeast of

Center.

At culvert on State Highway 25,

on south line of sec. 15, T.

142 N., R. 83 W., 5f miles

east of Center.

At bridge on State Highway 25,

In NEt sec. 4, T. 140 N., R.

82 W., 4 miles northwest of

Harmon.

-

12.6

-

75

-

234

1955

1955

1955

1955

1953-55

Mar. 21

Mar. 27

Apr. 5

Apr. 10

May 5

Aug. 2

Aug. 15

Mar. 21

Mar. 27

Apr. - 2

Apr. 5

May 5

May 29

July 3

Aug. 2

Aug. 15

Aug. 30

Mar. 21

Mar. 24

Apr. 2

Apr. 5

Apr. 10

May 5

May 29

July 3

Aug. 2

Aug. 15

Aug. 30

Mar. 27

July 3

Aug. 15

Mar. 21

Mar. 22

Apr. 10

May 5

May 29

July 3

Aug. 2

Aug. 15

May 5

June 30

Aug. 2

Aug. 30

Sept. 11

70.0

7.22

40.3

20.3

*3

0

*2

40

5

1.5

4.75

0

0

5

0

0

0

.83

2.62

.5

.5

.5

.01

0

.5

0

0

.002

238

2

3

25

3.45

.5

0

0

.15

0

0

10.5

10.4

3.68

2.28

1.94

Burnt Creek basin, N. Dak.

Unnamed creek

Do. .......

Burnt Creek. .

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

At culvert on U. S. Highway 83,

0.2 mile south of sec. corner

14, 15, 22, 23, T. 141 N., R.

80 W. and 2 miles west of

Baldwin .

At culvert on U. S. Highway 83,

In SWirSWj sec. 35, T. 141 N.,

R. 80 W., 3j miles southwest

of Baldwin.

_

.

Mar. 16

Mar. 21

Mar. 25

May 26

June 7

July 2

July 9

Mar. 21

Mar. 25

Hay 29

June 7

June 30

July 9

0

15

25

0

0

0

0

5

10

0

0

.05

0

Heart River basin, N. Dak.

Unnamed creek

Green River, .

Heart River. .

do

At culvert on State Highway 22,

on west line of sec. 22, T.

139 N., R. 96 W., 3 miles

south of Dlcklnson.

At bridge on State Highway 22,

on west line of sec. 10, T.

140 N., R. 96 W., 6 miles

north of Dlcklnson.

-

264

1955

1953-55

Oct. 28

Mar. 2

June 5

July 26

Aug. 20

Sept. 27

Oct. 12

Apr. 20

May 22

June 21

Aug. 2

Sept. 21

0

.14

0

0

0

0

*.70

2.07

*1.43

*.70

12.5

*.64
DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIONS 39V

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations In the Missouri River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956 Continued

Heart River basin, H. Dak. Continued

Stream

Antelope

Creek.

Unnamed creek

Do... .....

Antelope

Creek.

Government

Creek.

Heart Elver. .

Tributary to

Heart River. .

Antelope

Creek.

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

Heart River. .

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

Missouri

River.

Location

At bridge on State Highway ZZ, on

west line of see. 34, T. 138

N., R. 96 W., 11 miles south of

Dlckinson.

At culvert on State Highway 22,

on west line of sec. 22, T. 137

N., R. 96 W., 14$ miles south

of Dickinson.

At culvert on State Highway 22,

on west line of sec. 10, T.

137 N., R. 96 W., 13 miles

south of Dickinson.

At bridge on county road in NE£

sec. 5, T. 138 N., R. 94 W.,

4 miles south of Gladstone.

At bridge on county road on north

line of sec. 5, T. 138 N., R.

92 W., 5.4 miles south of

Richard ton.

Si sec. 11, T. 137 N., R. 84 W.,

10 miles south of Judson.

Drainage 

area 

(sq mi)

72

14

23

228

31

_

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years)

1955

1955

1955

1953-55

1950,1955

Date

Oct. 28

Mar. 2

June 5

July 26

Aug. 1

Aug. 20

Sept .27

Oct. 26

Mar. 2

June 5

June 30

July 25

Aug. 20

Sept. 27

Oct. 27

Mar. 2

June 5

June 30

July 25

Aug. 20

Sept. 2 7

Oct. 13

Apr. 20

May 22

June 21

July 20

Aug. 17

Sept. 27

Oct. 26

Mar. 3

Mar. 22

May 31

June 14

July 17

Aug. 17

Sept. 18

Jan. 12

Discharge 

(cfs)

0

0

0

0

10/0

0

0

0

20.3

0

10.9

0

0

0

0

8.37

0

22.4

0

0

0

*.12

*2.93

*1.25

*.12

*.08

*.28

*.08

0

68.8

2.5

0

0

0

0

0

39.2

Apple Creek basIn, N. Dak.

West Branch

Long Lake

Creek.

Long Lake

Creek.

At culvert on State Highway 34,

in north line of sec. 30, T.

135 N., R. 75 W., 5.9 miles

east of Hazel ton.

17.4 1955 Mar. 16

Mar. 20

Apr. 23

May 21

une 6

« une 7

une 8

uly 3

uly 6

uly 24

Aug. 21

Sept. 6

0

0

0

0

314

10.0

.15

0

0

0

0

0

Little Heart

River.

Cannonball

River.

Thirty Mile

Creek.

Unnamed creek

Missouri

River.

Missouri

River.

Cannonball

River.

Louise Creek.

At bridge on U. S. Highway 6, in

SE-J- sec. 16, T. 137 N., R. 81

W., 4.3 miles north of St.

Anthony .

Cannonball River basin, N. D

At bridge on State Highway 22, in

SEj sec. 4, T. 135 N., R. 97 W.,

\ mile south of New England.

At bridge on State Highway 21, in

SEi sec. 36, T. 134 N. , R. 91

W., 3 miles north of Bentley.

At culvert on county road in SW£

see. 34, T. 134 N., R. 86 W.,

2 miles north of Brisbane.

189

ak.

284

249

_

1953-55

1953-55

1953-55

Apr. 25

May 25

June 30

July 26

Aug. 23

Sept . 11

Oct. 25

May 21

June 26

July 24

Aug. 20

Sept. 2 7

Oct. 21

Apr. 24

May 23

June 25

July 23

Aug. 21

Sept. 20

Mar. 24

Apr. 25

May " =

July 2

July 12

 1.64

*.77

3.52

*.43

*.20

*.22

*0.28

.25

.28

.16

.35

.11

*.45

*2.55

*2.10

*.29

2.28

*1.70

*1.09

.5

0

0

0

0
398 DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIorS

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations In the Missouri River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956 Continued

Cannonball River basin, N. Dak. Continued

Stream

Unnamed creek

Do........

Louise Creek.

Tributary to

Louise Creek.

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

Cannonball

River.

Location

At culvert on State Highway 21,

In NWi sec. 7, T. 134 N., R.

85 W., 1.3 miles southwest of

Lark.

At culvert on State Highway 21,

on section lines 2-11, T. 134 

N., R. 85 W., 3.4 miles east of

Lark.

At Northern Pacific Ry. bridge,

In SW-jNEj- sec. 4, T. 134 N., R.

84 W., 0.7 mile west of

Flasher.

Drainage 

area 

(sq ml)

-

-

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years )

1954-55

Date

Mar. 16

Mar. 17

Mar. 19

Apr. 25

May 25

July 2

July 12 

Mar. 16

Mar. 17 

Mar. 20

Apr. 25

May 25

July 2

July 12

Mar. 19

Mar. 20

Mar. 21

Mar. 22

Apr. 25

May 25

July 2

July 12

Sept. 13

Discharge 

(cfs)

1.5

5.41

.2

0

0

0

0 

0

63.4 

25

*.2

*.01

0

0

176

761

476

93.1

2.22

*.23

0

*.006

0

Beaver Creek basin, N. Dak.

Spring Creek.

Sand Creek. . .

Beaver Creek.

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

At bridge on county road on east

line of sec. 28, T. 133 N., R.

76 W., 2i miles north of

Llnton .

At bridge on county road on north

line of sec. 3, T. 133 N., R.

77 W., 4.2 miles west of

Temvlk.

31

19

1954-55

1955

Mar. £0

Mar. 21

Apr. 23

May 21

 une 6

une 7

une 22

uly 3

uly 6

uly 24

Aug. 21

Sept. 18

Mar. 16

Mar. 20

Mar. 21

Apr. 23

May 21

June 6

June 7

July 6

July 24

Aug. 21

Sept. 6

6.13

13.4

*1.67

*1.70

712

5

4

*2.33

5

1.32

1.31

1.41

.005

.5

19.2

0

0

10

1

0

0

0

0

Spring Creek basin, S. Dak.

Spring Creek. Missouri

River.

NWi sec. 17, T. 127 N., R. 76 W. ,

Just below dam, i mile south of

Herrled.

_ 1955 Oct. 10

Apr. 23

May 16

July 24

Aug. 7

Aug. 21

Sept. 6

Sept. 18

0

*2.72

*2.41

0

0

0

0

0

Grand River basin, S. Dak.

Crooked Creek

Wide Sandy

Creek.

Sand Creek

North Fork

Grand

River.

Sand Creek. . .

South Fork

Grand

River.

At bridge on U. S. Highway 85, at

west line of sec. 34, T. 23 N.,

R. 6 E., 5^ miles north of

Ludlow.

At bridge on U. S. Highway 85, at

east line of sec. 19, T. 18 N.,

R. 25 E., 4j- miles south of

Buffalo.

At bridge on State Highway 8, In

SWiNEj sec. 35, T. 19 N., R.

6 E., 9| miles east of Buffalo.

_

-

_

1951,1955 Oct. 18

Apr. 25

May 22

June 21

July 17

Aug. 9

Aug. 29

Sept. 25

Oct. 18

Mar. 6

Mar. 20

Apr. 25

May 22

June 22

July 12

Aug. 9

' Aug. 29

Sept. 25

July 25

0

.0005

0

0

0

2

.002

0

*.10

.2

5.04

*.13

*.01

0

0

0

*.008

*.005

*.38
DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIONS 399

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations In the Missouri River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956 Continued

Grand River basin, S. Dak. Continued

Stream

Bull Creek. . .

South Fork

Grand

River.

Do........

Grand River. .

Do. .......

Do.. ......

Stink Creek. .

Grand River. .

Snake Creek. .

Unnamed

tributary.

Unnamed creek

Claymore

Creek.

Tributary to

South Fork

Grand

River.

Grand River. .

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

Missouri

River.

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

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

Grand River. .

Missouri

River.

Grand River. .

Snake Creek. .

Unnamed

tributary.

Grand River. .

Location

At bridge on U. S. Highway 85, at

north line of sec. 31, T. 21

N., R. 6 E., 6^ miles southwest

of Ludlow.

NEi sec. 26, T. 20 N., R. 11 E.,

3 miles east and 10 miles

north of Prairie City.

NEi sec. 13, T. 19 N., R. 13 E.,

6 miles north of Bison.

On east line of sec. 8, T. 20

N., R. 18 E., 8 miles north of

Athboy.

SEi sec. 19, T. 20 N., R. 20 E.,

18 miles south of Morrestown.

SWi sec. 18, T. 20 N., R. 23 E.,

16 miles south of Mclntosh.

NWi sec. 23, T. 21 N., R. 24 E.,

l£ miles west of Bullhead.

At south line of sec. 28, T. 20

N., R. 27 E., 1 mile south of

Little Eagle.

At bridge on U. S. Highway 12,

In NW{ sec. 30, T. 19 N., R.

29 E., 5 miles southwest of

Wakpala.

At bridge on State Highway 8,

In HE} sec. 31, T. 18 N., R.

29 E., 8j miles southwest of

Mobrldge .

At bridge on State Highway 8, In

SWb Bee. 29, T. 18 N., R. 29

E., 8£ miles southwest of

Mobridge .

At bridge on State Highway 8, In

SEi sec. 28, T. 18 N., R. 29

E., 7 miles southwest of

Mobrldge .

Drainage 

area 

(sq ml)

_

-

-

-

_

-

-

-

-

0.15

_

2.18

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years)

1955

Date

Oct. 18

Apr. 25

May 22

June 21

July 17

July 25

Aug. 9

Aug. 29

Sept. 25

July 25

July 26

July 26

July 19

July 19

July 19

July 18

July 18

Mar. 17

Mar. 20

Mar. 24

Mar. 27

Apr. 24

May 22

June 12

July 24

Aug. 23

Mar. 17

Mar. 24

Mar. 27

Apr. 24

May 22

June 12

July 24

Aug. 23

Mar. 17

Mar. 20

Mar. 24

Mar. 27

Apr. 24

May 22

June 14

Aug. 23

Discharge 

(cfs)

*0.17

*.44

*.39

*.52

19.2

*.20

2

18

*.12

*6.04

*6.58

10.6

19.5

15.0

.20

18.3

2.54

.10

.20

.02

.02

0

0

0

0

0

1.0

.1

1.1

0

0

0

0

0

6.45

1.74

.40

.81

.002

0

0

0

Missouri River tributary, S. Dak.

Unnamed

tributary.

Missouri

River.

NWi sec. 1, T. 17 N., R. 29 E.,

6 miles south of Mobrldge.

0.28 Mar. 17

Mar. 20

Mar. 27

Apr. 24

May 22

June 12

July 24

Aug. 30

0.12

.5

.05

0

0

0

0

0

Moreau River basin, S. Dak.

Sand Creek. . .

Thunder Butte

Creek.

South Fork

Moreau

River.

Moreau River.

At bridge on U. S. Highway 85, on

east line of sec. 18, T. 15 N.,

R. 5 E., f mile south of Redig.

At bridge on State Highway 73, on

west line of sec. 4, T. 16 N.,

R. 16 E., 6 miles southeast of

Chance.

_

-

Apr. 25

May 22

June 22

July 17

Aug. 9

Aug. 29

Sept. 25

Oct. 18

Apr. 26

May 23

June 25

July 18

Aug. 7

Aug. 30

Sept. 26

0

*.06

*.04

0

.20

*.004

0

0

*.04

*.01

0

0

0

0

0
400 DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN QAQINQ STATIONS

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations in the Mlssou-i River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956 Continued

Cheyenne River basin, S. Dak.

Stream

Red Canyon

Creek.

Sand Creek. . .

Spring Creek.

Sunday Gulch.

Palmer Creek.

Pleasant

Valley

Creek.

Chicken Creek

Whitewood

Creek.

Spring Creek.

Unnamed

tributary.

Do........

Beaver Creek.

Tributary to

Cheyenne

River.

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

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

Spring Creek.

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

Morris Creek.

Redwater

Creek.

Belle Pourche

River.

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

Cherry Creek.

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

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

Location

SE^NWi sec. 32, T. 8 S., R. 3 E.,

at bridge on U. S. Highway 18,

about 500 ft above mouth and

2 miles northeast of Edgemont.

SEj-SWjr sec. 31, T. 8 S., R. 8 E.,

at highway bridge in Smithwick.

SWjSW-s- sec. 12, T. 2 S., R. 4 E.,

at bridge on U. S. Highway 16,

^ mile above Sunday Gulch and

3j miles south of Hill City.

NEjSW£ sec. 12, T. 2 S., R. 4 E.,

at culvert on U. S. Highway 16,

about 600 ft above mouth and

3 miles south of Hill City.

SEjNWi sec. 27, T. 1 S., R. 5 E.,

at culvert on U. S. Highway 16,

lj miles above mouth and 3f

miles east of Hill City.

SE£SW£ sec. 16, T. 4 N., R. 7 E.,

at highway bridge, 3 miles

above mouth and 8 miles east of

Tilford.

SEiSE^ sec. 22, T. 7 N., R. 1 E.,

3j miles above mouth and 11

miles southwest of Belle

Pourche .

SE^SWj sec. 22, T. 6 N., R. 4 E.,

at bridge on U. S. Highway 14,

about ^ mile below Chicago and

North Western Ry. bridge and

1 mile east of Whitewood.

SE£NE£ sec. 13, T. 6 N., R. 5 E.,

at bridge on State Highway 79,

5^ miles northeast of Sturgis.

SW£ sec. 21, T. 10 N., R. 17 E.,

at culvert on State Highway

73, ISj- miles south of Faith.

SWi sec. 3, T. 10 N., R. 17 E.,

at bridge on State Highway 73,

12i miles south of Paith.

SW£ sec. 3, T. 11 N., R. 17 E.,

at bridge on State Highway 73,

6 miles south of Paith.

Drainage 

area 

(sq. mi)

-

_

_

5.72

8.24

-

-

-

-

.60

4.58

-

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years )

1954,1955

Date

Apr. 9

May 21

July 25

Sept. 6

Oct. 18

Apr. 10

May 22

July 26

Sept. 5

Oct. 17

May 21

July 25

Sept. 7

Mar. 23

Mar. 23

Mar. 27

Apr. 24

Aug. 31

Dot. 18

June 29

Aug. 1

Oct. 18

Apr. 18

July 17

Sept. 18

Apr. 4

May 15

June 28

Aug. 30

Mar. 19

Mar. 21

May 14

Mar. 19

May 14

June 25

Mar. 19

Mar. 21

May 15

Discharge 

(ofs)

aO.2

a.l

0

0

*a.01

.14

a.l

0

0

*.04

2.80

0

0

.71

1.48

0

0

0

*.29

*a.l

0

*16.0

*20.0

*15.8

*12.5

1.73

*1.33

*.75

*.67

2.20

.73

0

11.1

0

7.96

53.5

33.8

a. 05

Bad River basin, S. Dak.

Buffalo Creek South Pork

Bad River.

SE£ sec. 7, T. 1 S., R. 20 E.,

at bridge on U. S. Highway 16,

1 mile above confluence with

Cottonwood Creek and 7 miles

east of Cottonwood.

- 1955 May 15

June 11

June 26

July 10

July 24

Aug. 7

Aug. 20

Sept . 10

16.5

0

0

*3.99

0

217

*a.02

0

Mush Creek basin, S. Dak.

Mush Creek. . . Missouri

River.

NE£ sec. 16, T. 110 N., R. 76 W.,

at bridge on State Highway 34, 

7j miles east of Pierre.

14.6 1955 Mar. 1

Mar. 5 

Mar. 17

Mar. 19

Mar. 21

Aug. 8

Aug. 11

aO.Ol

0

0

9.31

3.50

0

0

Missouri River tributaries, S. Dak.

Unnamed

tributary.

Do.. ......

Missouri

River.

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

NE£ sec. 15, T. 110 N., R. 78 W. ,

at culvert on State Highway 34,

8 miles east of Pierre.

NWi sec. 13, T. 110 N., R. 78 W.,

at culvert on State Highway 34,

9j miles east of Pierre.

0.42

.20

1955

1955

Mar. 1

Mar. 5

Mar. 17

Mar. 19

Mar. 21

Aug. 8

Mar. 1

Mar. 5

Mar. 17

Mar. 19

Mar. 21

Aug. 11

0

a.l

a. 5

a. 5

a.l

0

0

a. 5

.80

.93

.08

0

* Base flow.

a Estimated.
DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIONS 401

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations in the Missouri River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956 Continued

Missouri River tributaries, S. Dak. Continued

Stream

Unnamed 

tributary.

Tributary to

Missouri 

River.

Location

SW$ see. 28, T. 110 N., R. 76 W., 

at culvert on State Highway 34, 

19^ miles east of Pierre.

Drainage 

area 

(sq ml)

1.64

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years)

1955

Date

Mar. 5 

Mar. 17 

Mar. 19 

Mar. 21 

Aug. 8 

Aug. 15

Discharge 

(cfs)

0 

3.06 

9.01 

2.67

0 

0

Medicine Creek basin (lower), S. Dak.

North Fork

Medicine

Creek.

Unnamed

tributaryDo........

Medicine

Creek.

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

Unnamed

tributary.

SE£ see. 29, T. 106 N., R. 79 W.,

at bridge on U. S. Highway 83,

2f miles northwest of Vivian.

SE£ see. 5, T. 107 N., R. 79 W.,

at culvert on U. S. Highway 83,

12 J miles northwest of Vivian.

NW£ see. 33, T. 107 N., R. 79

W., at bridge on U. S. Highway

83, 8 miles northwest of

Vivian.

45.9

.30

8.62

Mar. 17

Mar. 19

Mar. 23

Mar. 26

May 29

Aug. 9

Aug. 15

Sept. 13

Mar. 17

Mar. 19

Mar. 26

May 29

Aug. 9

Aug. 15

Sept. 12

Mar. 17

Mar. 19

Mar. 23

Mar. 26

May 29

Aug. 9

Aug. 15

Sept. 12

0

15.9

19.7

11.2

0

0

0

0

0

1.19

1.08

0

0

0

0

0

45.8

3.58

3.30

0

0

0

0

Crow Creek basin, S. Dak.

Elm Creek. . . . Crow Creek. . . Between sees. 7 and 18, T. 107

N., R. 69 W., at bridge on

State Highway 34, 9 miles

northwest of Gann Valley.

_ 1955 May 23

June 13

July 6

July 27

Aug. 16

Aug. 30

Sept. 11

*0.53

0

0

0

1.37

*.28

*a.01

White River basin

Soldiers

Creek.

Chadron

Creek.

Unnamed

tributary .

Do........

Do....... .

Bear in the

Lodge

Creek.

White River. .

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

Cain Creek. . .

White River..

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

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

See. 3, T. 31 N., R. 53 W. , 0.4

mile upstream from boundary

fence of Fort Robinson Military Reservation and 6 miles

west of Crawford, Nebr.

Sec. 36, T. 32 N., R. 49 W., 100

ft south of entrance to

Chadron State Park, 200 ft from

State Highway 19, and 8 miles

south of Chadron, Nebr.

SE^NWi see. 12, T. 43., R. 14

E., at bridge on State Highway

40, 300 ft below Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific

RR. bridge and ? mile east of

Imlay, S. Dak.

Ni sec. 28, T. 2 S., R. 16 E. ,

at culvert on U. S. Highway

16A, 8-j- miles northwest of

Conata, S. Dak.

SE£ sec. 27, T. 3 S., R. 18 E.,

at culvert on U. S. Highway

16A, 2^ miles northeast of

Interior, S. Dak.

SWi sec. 12, T. 41 N., R. 38 W.,

at highway from Wanblee to

Headlee Ranch, 7 miles southwest of Wanblee, S. Dak.

b45

b!6

14.0

.17

.14

-

1955

1955

1955

1951,

1954-55

1955

June 25

1955

May 16

Apr. 14

July 10

Aug. 8

Aug. 10

Mar. 8

Apr. 14

July 10

Aug. 8

Mar. 8

Apr. 14

July 10

Aug. 8

Oet. 17

May 16

June 12

June 27

Julj- 10

Julj- 24

Aug. 8

Aug. 21

Sept. 11

t4.0

*50.0

0

0

35.2

0

a.l

0

0

a. 01

a.l

0

0

a. 03

*3.36

21.5

*6.77

*3.38

*2.74

*1.46

63.2

15.2

*7.51

* Base flow.

t Erroneously listed with determinations of peak discharge in WSP 1389.

* Erroneously listed as 500 cfs with determinations of peak discharge in WSP 1389.

a Estimated.

b Approximately.
402 DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIONS

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations In the Missouri River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956 Continued

White River basin Continued

Stream

Unnamed

tributary .

Horse Creek. .

Unnamed

' tributary.

Tributary to

South Pork

White

River.

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

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

Location

NWfc sec. 25, T. 39 N., R. 29 W.,

at culvert on U. S. Highway 83,

3j miles northwest of Mission,

S. Dak.

SWfc sec. 36, T. 40 N., R. 29 W.,

at culvert on U. S. Highway 83,

6f miles northwest of Mission,

S. Dak.

NEt sec. 26, T. 41 N., R. 29 W.,

at bridge on U. S. Highway 83,

5 miles south of White River,

S. Dak.

Drainage 

area 

(sq mi)

2.62

6.05

9.50

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years)

Date

Mar. 19

Mar. 20

Mar. 22

Apr. 25

May 29

Aug. 9

Aug. 21

Sept. 11

Mar. 19

Mar. 20

Mar. 22

Apr. 25

May 29

Aug. 9

Aug. 21

Sept. 11

Mar. 19

Mar. 21

Apr. 25

May 29

Aug. 9

Sept. 11

Discharge 

(cfs)

29.8

3.20

.59

a. 2

0

.06

0

0

7.77

1.32

.23

a.l

0

0

0

0

5.76

3.81

0

0

0

0

Niobrara River basin, Nebr.

Cottonwood 

Creek.

Niobrara 

River.

NEi sec. 16, T. 29 N., R. 48 W., 

at bridge on State Highway 19, 

2 miles northwest of Dunlap.

b83 1951,1953 July 5 12.4

James River basin

James River. .

Unnamed creek

Do. .......

Rocky Run

Creek.

Unnamed creek

Do........

Beaver Creek.

Missouri

River.

James River. .

....d6. ......

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

Minneapolis

Flats

Creek.

James River. .

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

At bridge on U. S. Highway 52, on

south line of sec. 10, T. 148

N., R. 72 W., 5 miles southwest

of Manfred, N. Dak.

At bridge on county road on west

line of sec. 7, T. 148 N., R.

72 W., 8 miles southwest of

Manfred, N. Dak.

At culvert on U. S. Highway 52,

on north line of sec. 18, T. 

148 N., R. 71 W., 3% miles

south of Manfred, N. Dak.

At bridge on county road on east

line of sec. 21, T. 148 N., R.

66 W. , 5 miles southeast of

New Rockford, N. Dak.

At culvert on county road on east

line of sec. 6, T. 139 N., R.

65 W., 3^ miles west of

Eldridge, N. Dak.

At culvert on U. S. Highway 281,

on west line of sec. 24, T.

139 N., R. 64 W., 3i miles

south of Jamestown, N. Dak.

At bridge on county road on west

line of sec. 20, T. 138 N. , R.

64 W., 2 miles northwest of

Sydney, N. Dak.

_

_

.

-

-

1955

1955

1955

1955

1955

1955

Apr. 13

Apr. 18

Apr. 28

May 11

June 6

Aug. 9

Aug. 20

Apr. 13

Apr. 18

June 6

June 25

Aug. 9

Aug. 20 

Apr. 13

Apr. 18 

May 11

June 6

Aug. 9

Aug. 20

Nov. 1

Dec. 28

Jan. 30

Apr. 18

Apr. 27

May 11

Mar. 20

Apr. 10

Apr. 20

May 11

June 1

June 4

June 6

June 7

June 29

July 13

Aug. 3

Aug. 28

June 7

Mar. 20

Apr. 10

Apr. 19

May 11

June 1

June 6

June 7

June 8

July 5

July 13

Aug. 3

Aug. 28

125

*5

*2

*2

*3

0

0

3

*2

*2.5

0

0

0 

12.2

4.54 

.2

0

0

0

0

0

0

41.9

3.66

0

0

1

0*.l

n*.05

27.2

6.16

*.2

*.05

0

0

131

1.83

1.5

*.94

2

10

436

308

121

1

4

*.2

0

* Base flow.

a Estimated.

b Approximately.
DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIONS 403

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations in the Missouri R'.ver basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956 Continued

James River basin Continued

Stream

Unnamed creek

Bear Creek. . .

Unnamed

tributary.

Maple River. .

Do........

Snake Creek. .

Rock Creek. . .

Enemy Creek. .

Unnamed

tributary .

Tributary to

Buffalo Creek

James River. .

Elm River. . . .

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

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

James River. .

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

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

Dry Creek. . . .

Location

At bridge on county road on west

line of sec. 1, T. 137 N., R.

65 W., 3i miles southwest of

Sydney, N. Dak.

At bridge on State Highway 1 on

east line of sec. 8, T. 121

N., R. 59 W., 3 miles north

of Oakes, N. Dak.

NEi sec. 3, T. 127 N., R. 66 W.,

at culvert on highway, 12i

miles northeast of Leola, S.

Dak.

At bridge on county road on

north line of sec. 22, T. 129 

N., R. 62 W., 4^ miles southeast

of Ellendale, N. Dak.

NEiSWiNWi sec. 11, T. 127 N., R.

64 W., at dam on Maple River 

in city park at west edge of

Frederick, S. Dak.

Between sec. 35, T. 120 N., R.

65 W., and sec. 2, T. 119 N.,

R. 65 W., at bridge on State

Highway 20, 2^ miles west of

Northville, S. Dak.

Between sees. 17 and 18, T. 103

N., R. 59 W., at highway bridge,

li miles above mouth and 3j

miles east of Mitchell, S. Dak.

SWi sec. 15, T. 102 N., R. 59 W., 

at highway bridge, i mile

above mouth and 6f miles west

of Alexandria, S. Dak.

NEi sec. 27, T. 99 N., R. 60 W. ,

at culvert on highway, 3{

miles southeast of Parkston,

S. Dak.

Drainage 

area 

(sq ml)

_

-

14.7

552

_

_

-

3.19

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years)

1955

1954-55

1954-55

1955

1955

1955

1955

D^te

Ap-. 10

Ap-. 19

Ma-'' 11

June 1

June 6

June 7

June 8

July 13

Auj. 3

A«. 28

Oct. 24

Mar. 14

Ma-. 21

Mar. 28

Ap-. 5

Ap-. 25

Ma-' 16

June 7

June 28

July 20

Sent. 18 

Oct. 24

Ap-. 26 

June 7

July 5

Aug. 2

Aug. 27 

Oct. 5

Mar. 14 

Mar. 21

Mar. 28

Apr. 5

Mav 16

June 7

June 28

July 19

Aug. 8

Aug. 29

Sent. 18

Oct. 5

May 15

June 6

July 18

Aug. 9

Aug. 28

Sent . 18

Oct. 3

Ma-" 21

June 11

July 5

July 24

Aug. 14

Aug. 28

Sept. 11

Nov. 2 

Dec. 22

Jan. 17

Mar. 7

Mar. 21

Mar. 27

Apr. 2

May 2

May 21

June 11

July 5

July 24

Aug. 28

Sept. 11

Feb. 27

Mar. 27

Apr. 4

July 25

Aug. 8

Discharge 

(cfs)

1

0

3

2

112

336

15.3

0

0

0

*.01

0

0

0

a. 2

0

.26

.09

0

0

0 

.08

5.17 

*1.34

*.17

1.18

0 

0

0 

0

0

23.8

5.26

2.15

*.10

0

0

0

0

0

.53

.15

.19

.05

0

0

0

.08

0

0

0

2.71

0

0

0 

a.l

0

a. 2

2.72

4.69

4.95

1.41

.72

.07

.24

.08

.22

.20

0

a. 02

.72

0

0

* Base flow. 

a Estimated.
404 DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIONS

Discharge measurements made at points other than gaging stations in the Missouri River basin 

above Sioux City, Iowa, during the water year 1956 Continued

James River basin Continued

Stream

Dry Creek. . . .

South Branch

Dry Creek.

Dry C reek ....

Tributary to

James River. .

Dry Creek. . . .

James River. .

Location

NEi sec. 23, T. 99 N., R. 59 W.,

at highway bridge, 7i miles

southeast of Parkston, S. Dak.

NWi sec. 33, T. 99 N., R. 59 W.,

at highway bridge, 8-5- miles

southeast of Parkston, S. Dak.

SE£ sec. 21, T. 99 N., R. 59 W.,

at highway bridge, 8j miles

southeast of Parkston, S. Dak.

Drainage 

area 

(sq ml)

37.0

17.1

76.8

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years)

Date

Feb. 27

Mar. 21

Mar. 27

Apr. 4

July 25

Aug. 8

Feb. 27

Mar. 21

Mar. 26

Apr. 4

July 25

Aug. 8

Feb. 27

Mar. 21

Mar. 27

Apr. 4

July 25

Aug. 8

Discharge 

(cfs)

0

3.06

2.53

8.88

0

0

0

0

.71

3.46

0

0

0

4.36

4.56

15.0

0

0

Vermlllion River basin, S. Dak.

Saddlerock

Creek.

Long Creek. . . SEi sec. 14, T. 97 N., R. 51 W.,

at highway bridge, 9f miles

northwest of Beresford.

26.3 1955 Mar. 2

Apr. 5

Apr. 13

June 5

July 25

Aug. 8

0

0

0

0

0

0

Big Sioux River basin, S. Dak.

Big Sioux

River.

Unnamed

tributary .

Do. .......

Pee Monkey

Run.

North Deer

Creek.

Missouri

River.

Big Sioux

River.

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

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

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

NW£ sec. 34, T. 121 N., R. 52

W., at highway bridge, 9i

miles southeast of Waubay.

NWi sec. 30, T. 121 N., R. 51

W., at culvert on U. S.

Highway 81, ll-J- miles southeast of Waubay.

SEj sec. 25, T. 121 N., R. 52

W., at culvert on highway,

llj miles southeast of

Waubay .

N? sec. 29, T. 113 N., R. 50

W., at bridge on State Highway

28, Z% miles east of Estelline.

SEi sec. 35, T. 112 N., R. 50 W.,

at bridge on U. S. Highway 77, 

9f miles southeast of

Estelline.

53.8

1.27

6.60

25.4

48.3

1955 Mar. 15

Mar. 22

Apr. 11

Apr. 26

May 16

June 8

June 28

July 22

Aug. 9

Aug. 29

Sept. 18

Mar. 15

Mar. 22

Apr. 3

Apr. 11

Apr. 26

May 16

June 8

June 28

July 22

Aug. 9

Aug. 29

Sept. 18

Mar. 15

Mar. 22

Apr. 3

Apr. 11

Apr. 26

May 16

June 8

June 28

July 22

Aug. 9

Aug. 29

Sept. 18

Mar. 2

Mar. 22

Apr. 2

Apr. 10

June 19

June 20

July 26

Aug. 4

Mar. 2

Mar. 22 

Apr. 3

Apr. 10

June 19

June 20

July 26

Aug. 4

0

0

21.8

3.71

9.50

4.34

*1.67

*.08

8.15

*.16

0

0

0

5.16

a. 2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

31.6

4.89

0

a. 04

0

0

0

.26

0

0

0

0

21.2

2.57

4.96

2.14

0

21.1

0

0 

9.23

2.21

31.2

11.0

0

91.2

* Base flow, 

a Estimated.
DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS AT POINTS OTHER THAN GAGING STATIONS 405

The following table contains determinations of peak discharge made at crest stage by 

Indirect methods or by current meter or computed from rating curve at points other than 

regular gaging stations.

Determlnationa of peak discharge during water year October 1955 to September 1956

Stream

Unnamed creek

Do. .......

West Branch

Long Lake

Creek.

Unnamed creek

Spring Creek.

Pine Creek. . .

Mush Creek. . .

Unnamed

tributary.

Do.. ......

Do. .......

Unnamed creek

Unnamed

tributary.

Do. .......

Do........

West Pork

Vermilllon

River.

Tributary to

Burnt Creek. .

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

Long Lake

Creek.

Missouri

River.

Beaver Creek.

Hat Creek. . ..

Missouri

River.

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

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

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

James River. .

West Fork

Vermilllon

River.

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

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

Vermilllon

River.

Location

At culvert on U. S. Highway 83,

0.2 mile south of section

corners 14,15, 22,23, T. 141

N., R. 80 W., 2 miles west of

Baldwin, N. Dak.

At culvert on U. S. Highway 83,

In SWiSWi sec. 35, T. 141 N.,

R. 80 W., s£ miles southwest

of Baldwin, N. Dak.

At culvert on State Highway 34,

on north line of sec. 30, T.

135 N., R. 75 W., 5.9 miles

east of Hazelton, N. Dak.

At county road In SEj sec. 31,

T. 137 N., R. 79 W., 2 miles

northwest of Huff, N. Dak.

At bridge on county road on east

line of sec. 28', T. 133 N., R.

76 W., 2i miles north of

Llnton .

NWi sec. 15, T. 10 S., R. 4 E.,

at bridge on State Highway 87,

11-J miles north of Ardmore,

S. Dak.

HEi sec. 16, T. 110 N., R. 78 W.,

at bridge on State Highway 34,

7i miles east of Plerre, S.

Dak.

NEi sec. 15, T. 110 N., R. 78 W.,

at culvert on State Highway 34,

8 miles east of Plerre, S. Dak.

NW£ sec. 13, T. 110 N., R. 78 W.,

at culvert on State Highway 34,

9i miles east of Plerre, S. Dak.

SWi sec. 28, T. 110 N., R. 76 W.,

at culvert on State Highway 34,

19i miles east of Plerre, S.

Dak.

At culvert on U. S. Highway 281

on west line of sec. 24, T.

139 N., R. 64 W., 3i miles

south of Jamestown, N. Dak.

SWi sec. 36, T. 109 N., R. 56 W.,

13j miles north of Howard,

S. Dak.

NWi sec. 12, T. 108 N., R. 56 W.,

at culvert on highway, 12 miles

north of Howard, S. Dak.

Between NEf sec. 10 and NWj sec.

11, T. 107 N., R. 56 W., at

culvert on highway, 5J miles

north of Howard, S. Dak.

SEi sec. 2, T. 106 N., R. 56 W.,

at bridge on State Highway 34

at Howard, S. Dak.

Drainage 

area 

(aq ml)

-

_

-

-

31

5.47

14.6

.42

.20

1.64

-

.87

2.56

28.9

85.6

Measured 

previously 

(water 

years)

1955

1955

1955

1955

Date

July 7

June 30

July 7

June 6

June 5

June 6

June 17

Aug. 10

Aug. 10

Aug. 10

Aug. 7-8

Junf 6

June 4

June 4

Jun3 4

Jum 5

Discharge 

(cfa)

73.4

380

247

798

1,890

2,790

1,110

3,620

705

172

976

360

817

780

380

420
INDEX

Page

Absarokee, Mont., Rosebud Creek near.. 139 

Stillwater River near............... 140

Accuracy of field data and computed

results......................... 7-8

Ackley Lake, Mont., contents of......238,239

Acme, Wyo., Tongue River near......... 208

Acre-foot, definition of.............. 2

Agencies other than Geological Survey,

records collected by............ 12

Akron, Iowa, Big Sioux River at.......13,389

Alder, Mont., Ruby River near......... 21,22

Alexandria, S. Dak., James River near. 379 

Almont, N. Dak., Muddy Creek near..... 264

Alpena, S. Dak., Sand Creek near...... 376

Alzada, Mont., Little Missouri River

near............................ 244

North Creek spreader division near.. 244 

American Fork below Lebo Creek, near

Harlowton, Mont................. 76

Anchor, Wyo., North Fork Owl Creek

near............................ 172

Angostura Dam, S. Dak., Cheyenne

River below..................... 294

Angostura Reservoir near Hot Springs,

S. Dak.......................... 293

Anoka, Nebr., Ponca Creek at.......... 341

Antelope Creek near Carson, N. Dak.... 263

Apple Creek near Menoken, N. Dak...... 268

Arvada, Wyo., Clear Creek near........ 233

Crazy Woman Creek near.............. 221

Powder River at..................... 222

Ashton, S. Dak., James River at....... 370

Snake Creek near.................... 371

Athol, S. Dak., West Branch Snake

Creek near....................... 371

Augusta, Mont., North Fork of North

Fork Sun River near............. 53

Bad River, near Fort Pierre, S. Dak... 329 

near Midland, S. Dak................ 328

Bad River basin, S. Dak., gagingstation records in.............328-329

Badger Creek near Browning, Mont...... 59

Badwater Creek, at Bonneville, Wyo.... 167

at Lybyer Ranch, near Lost Cabin,

Wyo............................. 166

Barratts, Mont., Beaverhead River at.. 18 

Basin, Mont., Boulder River above

Rock Creek near................. 28

Basin, Wyo., Greybull River near...... 182

Battle Creek (Cheyenne River basin)

at Hermosa, S. Dak.............. 297

Battle Creek (Milk River basin), above

Cypress Lake west inflow canal,

near West Plains, Saskatchewan., 

at international boundary........... 99

East Fork, near international

boundary........................ 101

Bazille Creek near Niobrara, Nebr..... 358

Bear Butte Creek near Sturgis, S. Dak. 322 

Beaver Creek (tributary to Cheyenne

River in South Dakota) near

Buffalo Gap, S. Dak............. 296

Beaver Creek (tributary to Cheyenne

River in Wyoming) near Newcastle, Wyo..................... 289

Beaver Creek (tributary to Little

Missouri River) at Wibaux,

Mont............................ 248

Beaver Creek (tributary to Missouri

River) at Linton, N. Dak........ 274

Beaverhead River, at Barratts, Mont... 18 

at Blaine, Mont,..................... 20

Belanger Creek diversion canal near

Vidora, Saskatchewan............ 105

Belle Fourche, S. Dak., Belle Fourche

Reservoir near.................. 319

Hay Creek at........................ 317

Inlet canal near......... ........... 318

Redwater Creek above................ 316

Belle Fourche Reservoir near Belle

Fourche, S. Dak................. 319

459735 O -58 -27

Page 

Belle Fourche River, at Wyoming-South

Dakota State line................ 312

below Keyhole Reservoir, Wyo......... 311

below Moorcroft, Wyo................. 309

near Elm Springs, S. Dak............. 323

near Fruitdale, S. Dak............... 320

near Sturgis, S. Dak................. 321

Belt Creek, near Monarch, Mont......... 56

Bentley, N. Dak., Cannonball River

below............................ 270

Big Elk Creek at Twodot, Mont.......... 74

Big Hole River near Melrose, Mont...... 25

Big Hole River basin, gaging-station

records in....................... 25-26

Big Horn, Wyo., Cross Creek near....... 203

East Goose Creek near................ 202

Little Goose Creek in canyon near.... 206

West Goose Creek near................ 204

Big Muddy Creek at Daleview, Mont...... 125

Big-Sioux River, at Akron, Iowa........13,389

at Sioux Falls, S. Dak............... 386

at Watertown, S. Dak................. 382

near Brookings, S. Dak............... 383

near Dell Rapids, S. Dak............. 384

Big Sioux River basin, lowa-S. Dak.,

gaging-station records in.......381-389

Big Spring Creek near Lewistown, font.. 69 

Big Timber, Mont., Boulder River at.... 137

Bighorn River, at Bighorn, Mont........ 196

at Kane, Wyo......................... 185

near Manderson, Wyo.................. 176

near St. Xavier, Mont................ 189

Billings, Mont., Yellowstone River at.. 150 

Birch Creek near Glen, Mont............ 26

Bismarck, N. Dak., Missouri River at... 255 

Bixby, S. Dak., Moreau River at........ 282

Blacktail Creek (tributary to Beaverhead River) near Dillon, Mort.... 19

Blacktail Creek (tributary to Little 

Muddy Creek) near Bonetrail, 

N. Dak........................... 241

Blaine, Mont., Beaverhead River at..... 20

Blunt, S. Dak., Medicine Creek nerr.... 330

Bonetrail, N. Dak., Blacktail Creek

near............................. 241

Bonneville, Wyo., Badwater Creek at.... 167

Boulder River (tributary to Jefferson 

River), above Rock Creek, near 

Basin, Mont...................... 28

near Boulder, Mont................... 29

Boulder River basin, gaging-station

records in....................... 28-29

Boulder River (tributary to Yellovstone

River), at Big Timber, Mont...... 137

near Contact, Mont................... 136

Box Butte Reservoir, Nebr., conter^s

of............................... 344

Niobrara River above................. 343

Niobrara River below.................4, 345

Boyd, Mont., Red Lodge Creek near.....147,149

Willow Creek near.................... 148

Boysen Reservoir, Wyo., contents of.... 237

Wind River below..................... 170

Bozeman, Mont., Bridger Creek near..... 40

East Gallatin River at............... 39

Hyalite Creek near................... 41

Brackett Creek near Clyde Park, Mcnt... 135 

Breien, N. Dak., Cannonball River at...13,273 

Bridger Creek near Bozeman, Mont....... 40

Brinkraan, Mont., Marias River near..... 64

Brookings, S. Dak., Big Sioux River

near............................. 383

Browning, Mont., Badger Creek near..... 59

North Fork Milk River near........... 87

Two Medicine River near.............. 58

Buchanan, N. Dak., Pipestem Creek near. 364 

Buffalo, Wyo., Clear Creek near........ 224

North Fork Clear Creek near.......... 223

North Fork Crazy Woman Creek near.... 218

Rock Creek near...................... 225

Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Wyo., contents

Of............................... 237

407
408 INDEX

Page 

Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Shoshone

River below..................... 186

Buffalo Gap, S. Dak., Beaver Creek

near............................ 296

Bull Lake, Wyo., contents of.......... 237

Bull Lake Creek near Lenore, Wyo...... 154

Surge, Nebr., Snake River near........ 349

Burris, Wyo., Dinwoody Creek near..... 153

Byron, Wyo., Shoshone River at........ 187

Cameron, Mont., Madison River near.... 35

Cannonball River, at Breien, N. Dak...13,273 

at Regent, N. Dak................... 269

below Bentley, N. Dak............... 270

Cannonball River basin, N. Dak.,

gaging-station records in......269-273

Canyon Perry Reservoir near Helena,

Mont............................ 44

Carson, N. Dak., Antelope Creek near.. 263 

Cash, S. Dak., South Fork Grand River

near............................ 277

Castle Creek, above Deerfield Reservoir, near Hill City, S. Dak.... 299

below Deerfield Dam, S. Dak......... 301

Cedar Creek, near Haynes, N. Dak...... 271

near Pretty Rock, N. Dak............ 272

Cfs-day, definition of................ 2

Chadron, Nebr., White River near...... 393

Chance, Mont., Clarks Fork at......... 143

Cherry Creek, near Plainview, S. Dak.. 325 

Chester, Mont., Marias River near..... 63

Tiber Reservoir near................ 62

Cheyenne River, at Edgemont, S. Dak... 290 

below Angostura Dam, S. Dak......... 294

near Eagle Butte, S. Dak............ 326

near Hot Springs, S. Dak............ 292

near Plainview, S. Dak.............. 324

near Spencer, Wyo................... 288

near Wasta, S. Dak.................. 307

Cheyenne River basin, Mont., gagingstation records in.............287-326

Chinook, Mont., Matheson Canal near... 103 

Circle, Mont., Redwater Creek at...... 121

Clancy, Mont., Prickly Pear Creek

near............................ 45

Clarks Fork, at Chance, Mont.......... 143

at Edgar, Mont...................... 144

below Crandall Creek, near Painter,

Wyo............................. 141

Clear Creek, near Arvada, Wyo.......... 233

near Buffalo, Wyo................... 224

North Fork, near Buffalo, Wyo....... 223

Clyde Park, Mont., Brackett Creek

near............................ 135

Shields River at.................... 134

Cody, Nebr., Niobrara River near...... 348

Columbia, S. Dak., James River at..... 367

Computations, accuracy of results of.. 7-8 

Contact, Mont., Boulder River near.... 136

Contents, definition of............... 3

Control, definition of................ 2

Cooney Reservoir, Mont., contents of.. 239 

Cooperation, record of................ 1

Corwin Springs, Mont., Yellowstone

River at........................ 130

Craig, Mont., Dearborn River near..... 49

Crawford, Nebr., White River at....... 332

Crazy Woman Creek, Middle Fork, near

Greub, Wyo...................... 220

near Arvada, Wyo.................... 221

North Fork, below Spring Draw, near

Buffalo, Wyo. ............. 218

near Greub, Wyo ................... 219

Cross Creek near Big Horn, Wyo........ 203

Crow Agency, Mont., Little Bighorn

River near...................... 194

Crowheart, Wyo., Wind River near...... 155

Cubic feet per second per square mile,

definition of................... 2

Cubic foot per second, definiton

Of.............................. 2

Cut Bank Creek at Cut Bank, Mont...... 60

Cypress Lake, Canada, contents of..... 114

Cypress Lake east outflow canal near

Vidora, Saskatchewan............ 106

Cypress Lake west inflow canal near

West Plains, Saskatchewan....... 97

Cypress Lake west outflow canal near

West Plains, Saskatchewan....... 98

Daleview, Mont., Big Muddy Creek at... 125

Data, accuracy of...................... 7-8

explanation of....................... 3-7

Dayton, Wyo., Little Tongue River near. 200 

North Fork Tongue River near......... 197

South Fork Tongue River near......... 198

Tongue River near.................... 199

Deadmans Basin Reservoir, Mont.,

contents of.........................238,239

Dearborn River near Craig, Mont........ 49

Decker, Mont., Tongue River near....... 209

Deerfield Dam, S. Dak., Castle Creek

below............................ 301

Deerfield Reservoir near Hill City,

S. Dak........................... 300

Dell, Mont., Red Rock River near....... 16

Dell Rapids, S. Dak., Big Sioux River

near............................. 384

Delpine, Mont., North Fork Kusselshell

River near....................... 72

Dickinson, N. Dak., Dickinscn Reservoir

near............................. 257

Heart River near..................... 258

Dickinson Reservoir near Dickinson,

N. Dak........................... 257

Dillon, Mont., Blacktail Creek near.... 19 

Grasshopper Creek near............... 17

Dinwoody Creek near Burris, Wyo........ 153

Discharge measurements:

Apple Creek basin.................... 397

Bad River basin...................... 400

Beaver Creek basin................... 398

Big Sioux River basin................ 404

Boulder River basin.................. 394

Burnt Creek basin.................... 396

Cannonball River basin..............397-398

Cheyenne River basin................. 400

Crow Creek basin..................... 401

Gallatin River basin................. 394

Grand River basin...................398-399

Heart River basin...................396-397

James River basin...................402-404

Knife River basin.................... 395

Little Heart River basin............. 397

Little Missouri River basin.......... 395

Little Muddy Creek basin............394-395

Medicine Creek basin (lower)......... 401

Missouri River tributaries,

unnamed.....................399,400-401

Moreau River basin................... 399

Mush Creek basin..................... 400

Niobrara River basin................. 402

Painted Woods Creek (tributary to 

Missouri River in McLean County) 

basin............................ 396

Painted Woods Creek (tributary to 

Missouri River in Williams 

County) basin.................... 394

Peak discharges...................... 405

Sand Creek basin..................... 394

Spring Creek basin................... 398

Square Butte Creek basin............. 396

Vermillion River basin............... 404

White River basin...................401-402

Yellowstone River basin.............. 394

Note. Streams for whlclr only discharge measurements are available are 

not entered by name in this index.

Discontinued stations, revisions of

records for..................... 391-393

Dodson, Mont., Peoples Creek near...... 103

Drainage area, definition of........... 3

Dry Creek (tributary to Big Sioux

River) at Hawarden, Iowa......... 388

Dry Creek (tributary to Bighorn River)

at Greybull, Wyo................. 183

Dry Creek (tributary to Missouri

River) near Van Norman, Mont..... 83

Dubois, Wyo , East Fork Wind River near 152 

Wind River near...................... 151

Dunlap, Nebr., Niobrara River at....... 393

Durand Reservoir, Mont., contents of..238,239

Dutton, Mont., Teton River near........ 65

Eagle Butte, S. Dak., Cheyenne River

near.............................

Moreau River near....................

East End, Saskatchewan, East End

Canal at.........................

Frenchman River near.................

East End Canal at East End, Saskatchewan .... .........................

326

284

108

109

108
INDEX 409

Page 

East End Reservoir, Canada, contents

of.............................. 114

East Gallatin River at Bozeman, Mont.. 3S 

East Goose Creek near Big Horn, Wyo... 202 

Eden, Mont., Smith River near......... 52

Edgar, Mont., darks Fork at.......... 144

Edgemont, S. Dak., Cheyenne River at.. 290

Hat Creek near...................... 291

Elk Creek near Elm Springs, S. Dak.... 308

Elm River at Westport, S. Dak......... 368

Elm Springs, S. Dak., Belle Fourche

River near...................... 323

Elk Creek .near...................... 308

Ennis Lake, Mont., contents of.......238,239

Faith, S. Dak., Moreau River near..... 283 

Fall River at Hot Springs, S. Dak..... 295 

Farmingdale, S. Dak., Rapid Creek

near............................ 306

Flfteenmile Creek near Worland, Wyo... 175 

Flresteel Creek near Mount Vernon,

S. Dak.......................... 378

Flvemile Creek, above Wyoming Canal

near Pavillion, Wyo............. 162

near Riverton, Wyo.................. 163

near Shoshoni, Wyo.................. 164

Flatwillow Creek near Flatwillow,

Mont............................ 81

Floods, special reports on............ 11

Forestburg, S. Dak., James River near. 377 

Fort Benton, Mont., Missouri River at. 57 

Fort Peck Dam, Mont., Missouri River

below........................... 85

Fort Peck Reservoir at Fort Peck,

Mont............................ 84

Fort Pierre, S. Dak., Bad River near.. 329 

Fort Randall Dam, S. Dak., Missouri

River below..................... 340

Fort Randall Reservoir at Pickstown,

S. Dak.......................... 339

Four Horns Lake, Mont., contents of..238,239 

Frenchman Canal near Saco, Mont....... 113

Frenchman River, above East End Reservoir, near Ravenscrag,

Saskatchewan.................... 107

at international boundary........... 112

below East End Reservoir, near East

End, Saskatchewan............... 109

Frenchman River basin, Saskatchewan,

reservoirs in................... 114

Fresno Reservoir, Mont., contents of.. 239 

Fruitdale, S. Dak., Belle Fourche

River near...................... 320

Gallatin Gateway, Mont., Gallatin

River near...................... 38

Gallatin River, at Logan, Mont........ 42

near Gallatin Gateway, Mont......... 38

Gallatin River basin, Mont., gagingstation records in.............. 37-42

Gardiner River, at Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park............. 392

near Mammoth, Yellowstone National

Park............................ 129

Garrison Dam, N. Dak., Missouri River

below........................... 251

Garrison Reservoir near Riverdale,

N. Dak.......................... 250

Gibson Reservoir, Mont., contents of.238,239 

Gladstone, N. Dak., Green River near.. 259 

Glasgow, Mont., Willow Creek near..... 118

Glen, Mont., Birch Creek near......... 26

Glen Ullin, N. Dak., Heart Butte

Reservoir near.................. 261

Heart River near.................... 262

Golden Valley, N. Dak., Knife River

near. ........................... 252

Goose Creek, below Sheridan, Wyo...... 207

near Sheridan, Wyo.................. 205

Gooseberry Creek near Grass Creek,

Wyo............................. 174

Gordon, Nebr., Niobrara River near.... 347

Grand River, at Shadehill, S. Dak..... 279

near Wakpala, S. Dak................ 280

North Fork, at Haley, N. Dak........ 275

near White Butte, S. Dak.......... 276

South Fork, near Cash, S. Dak....... 277

Grand River basin, N. Dak.-S. Dak.,

gaging-station records in......275-280

Grass Creek, Wyo., Goossberry Creek

near............................ 174

Grasshopper Creek near Dillon, Mort.... 17

Grayling, Mont., Madison River nesr.... 34

Taylor Creek near.................... 37

Green River near Gladstone, N. Dak..... 259

Greub, Wyo., Middle Fork Crazy Woiran

Creek near....................... 220

North Fork Crazy Woman Creek near.... 219

Greybull, Wyo., Dry Creek at........... 183

Greybull River, at Meeteetse, Wyo...... 181

near Basin, Wyo. ..................... 182

near Pitchfork, Wyo.................. 179

Haley, N. Dak., North Fork Grand Fiver

at............................... 275

Hardin, Mont., Little Bighorn River

near............................. 195

Harlowton, Mont., American Fork near... 76 

Musselshell River at................. 75

Harrison, Mont., Willow Creek near..... 31

Hat Creek near Edgemont, S. Dak........ 291

Hauser Lake, Mont., contents of.......238,239

Havre, Mont., Milk River at............ 93

North Chinook Canal near............. 95

Hawarden, Iowa, Dry Creek at........... 388

Hay Creek at Belle Fourche, S. Dak..... 317

Hay Springs, Nebr., Niobrara River

near............................. 346

Haynes, N. Dak., Cedar Creek near...... 271

Hazelton, Wyo., North Fork Powder

River near....................... 214

Hazen, N. Dak., Knife River at......... 254

Heart Butte Reservoir near Glen Ullin,

N. Dak........................... 261

Heart River, below Dickinson Dam, near

Dickinson, N. Dak................ 258

below Heart Butte Dam, near Gler

Ullin, N. Dak.................... 262

near Lark, N. Dak.................... 265

near Mandan, N. Dak...............'... 267

near Richardton, N. Dak.............. 260

near South Heart, N. Dak............. 256

Heart River basin, N. Dak., gaginfstation records in..............256-267

Hebgen Lake, Mont., contents of.......238,239

Helena, Mont., Canyon Ferry Reservoir

near............................. 44

Hermosa, S. Dak., Battle Creek at...... 297

Spring Creek near.................... 298

Hill City, S. Dak., Castle Creek rear.. 299 

Deerfield Reservoir near............. 300

Hobson, Mont., Ross Fork near.......... 68

Holter Lake, Mont., contents of.......238,239

Horse Creek at international boundary.. 116 

Hot Springs, S. Dak., Angostura Reservoir near........................ 293

Cheyenne River near.................. 292

Fall River at........................ 295

Huron, S. Dak., James River at......... 375

Hyalite Creek at Hyalite ranger

station, near Bozeman, Mont...... 41

Hyattville, Wyo., Medicine Lodge Creek

near............................. 178

Hydrologic conditions.................. 12

diagram of........................... 13

Inlet Canal near Belle Fourche, 

S. Dak.................... 318

James River, at Ashton, S. Dak......... 370

at Columbia, S. Dak.................. 367

at Huron, S. Dak...................... 375

at Jamestown, N. Dak................. 365

at La Moure, N. Dak.................. 366

at New Rockford, N. Dak.............. 361

near Alexandria, S. Dak.............. 379

near Forestburg, S. Dak.............. 377

near Pingree, N. Dak................. 362

near Redfield, S. Dak................ 374

near Scotland, S. Dak................ 380

near Stratford, S. Dak............... 369

James River basin, N. Dak.-S. Dak.,

gaging-station records in.......361-380

Jamestown, N. Dak., James River at..... 365 

Jamestown Reservoir near............. 363

Jamestown Reservoir near Jamestowr

N. Dak........................... 363

Jefferson River at Sappington, Mort.... 30

Judith River near Utica, Mont.......... 13,67

Judith River basin, Mont., gagingstation records in............... 67-70

Judson, N. Dak., Sweetbriar Creek near. 266
410 INDEX

Kadoka, S. Dak., White River near.....

Kane, Wyo., Bighorn River at.......... 185

Kayoee, Wyo., Middle Fork Powder

River above...................

Middle Pork Powder River near....... 216

South Pork Powder River near........ 212

Kearney, Wyo., Piney Creek at.......

Kennebec, S. Dak., Medicine Creek at.. 331 

Keyapaha River at Wewela, S. Dak...... 355

Keyhole Reservoir, Wyo., Belle Fourohe

River below..................... 311

near Moororoft, Wyo................. 310

Knife River, at Hazen, N. Dak......... 254

near Golden Valley, N. Dak.......... 252

Knife River basin, N. Dak., gagingstation records in............. 252-254

La Moure, N. Dak., James River at..... 366

Lake Frances, Mont., contents of.....238,239

Lake Helena, Mont., contents of......238,239

Lakeview, Mont., Red Rock River near.. 14 

Lamar River near Tower Falls ranger

station, Yellowstone National

Park............................ 128

Lance Creek at Spencer, Wyo........... 287

Lander, Wyo., Little Popo Agie River

near............................ 159

North Popo Agie River near.......... 4

Lark, N. Dak.,-Heart River near....... 265

Laurin, Mont., Ruby River at.......... 23

Lenore, Wyo., Bull Lake Creek near.... 154

Wyoming Canal near.................. 156

Lewis and Clark Lake near Yankton,

S. Dak.......................... 359

Lewistown, Mont., Big Spring Creek

near............................ 69

Lima Reservoir, Mont., contents of...238,239 

Linton, N. Dak., Beaver Creek at...... 274

Little Beaver Creek near Marmarth,

N. Dak.......................... 245

Little Bighorn River, at State line,

near Wyola, Mont................ 190

below Pass Creek, near Wyola, Mont.. 192 

near Crow Agency, Mont.............. 194

near Hardin, Mont................... 195

Little Goose Creek in canyon, near

Big Horn, Wyo................... 206

Little Missouri River, at Marmarth,

N. Dak.......................... 246

at Medora, N. Dak................... 247

near Alzada , Mont................... 244

near Watford City, N. Dak........... 249

Little Missouri River basin, Mont.-N.

Dak., gaging-station records

in.............................244-249

Little Muddy Creek below Cow Creek,

near Williston, N. Dak.......... 242

Little Muddy Creek basin, Mont.-N.

Dak., gaging-station records

in............................. 241-242

Little Popo Agie River near Lander,

Wyo............................. 159

Little Tongue River near Dayton, Wyo.. 200 

Livingston, Mont., Yellowstone River

near............................ 132

Locate, Mont., Powder River near...... 235

Lodge Creek below McRae Coulee, at

international boundary.......... 94

Lodgegrass Creek above Willow Creek

diversion, near Wyola, Mont..... 193

Logan, Mont., Gallatin River at....... 42

Long Pine Creek near Riverview, Nebr.. 354 

Lost Cabin, Wyo., Badwater Creek near. 166 

Lovell, Wyo., Sage Creek near......... 188

Lower Two Medicine Lake, Mont., contents of.......................238,239

Lyons Coulee at international

boundary........................ 102

McAllister, Mont., Madison River near. 36 

McDonald Creek at Winnett, Mont....... 80

McEachern Creek at international

boundary........................ 117

Madison River, below Ennis Lake, near

McAllister, Mont................ 36

below Hebgen Lake, near Grayling,

Mont............................ 34

near Cameron, Mont.................. 35

near West Yellowstone, Mont......... 33

Madison River basin, Mont., gagingstation records in.............. 33-36

335 Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park,

Gardiner River at................ 392

Gardiner River near.................. 129

213Mandan, N. Dak., Heart Rive" near...... 267

Manderson, Wyo., Bighorn River near.... 176

Map of the United States............... 9

229 Marias River, near Brinkman, Mont...... 64

near Chester, Mont................... 63

near Shelby, Mont.................... 61

Marias River basin, Mont., gagingstation records in............... 58-65

Marmarth, N. Dak., Little Beaver

Creek near....................... 245

Little Missouri River at............. 246

Martinsdale, Mont., South Fork Musselshell River above................ 73

Martinsdale Reservoir, Mont., contents

of..............................238,239

Matheson Canal near Chinook, Mont...... 103

Mayoworth, Wyo., North Pork Powder

River near....................... 215

Meadville, Nebr., Plum Creek near...... 353

Medicine Creek (tributary to Missouri

River) near Blunt, S. Dak........ 330

Medicine Creek (tributary to Missouri

River), at Kennebec, S. Dak...... 331

Medicine Lodge Creek near Hyattville,

Wyo.............................. 178

Medora, N. Dak., Little Missouri

River at......................... 247

Meeteetse, Wyo., Greybull River at..... 181

Melrose, Mont., Big Hole River near.... 25

Melville, Mont., Sweetgrass Creek

above...................'......... 138

Menoken, N. Dak., Apple Cre^k near..... 268

Middle Creek Reservoir, Mort., contents

of..............................238,239

Midland, S. Dak., Bad River near....... 328

Miles City, Mont., Tongue River at..... 210

Yellowstone River at................. 211

Milford, Wyo., North Popo .Agie River

near............................. 158

Milk River, at eastern crossing of

international boundary........... 90

at Havre, Mont....................... 93

at Milk River, Alberta............... 89

at Nashua, Mont...................... 119

North Pork, above St. Mary Canal,

near Browning, Mont.............. 87

near international boundary........ 88

South Pork, near international

boundary......................... 86

Milk River basin, Alberta-Font.- 

Saskatchewan gaging-station 

records in.......................86-119

Mill Creek near Pray, Mont............. 131

Minnechaduza Creek at Valertine, Nebr.. 350 

Missouri River, at Bismarck, N. Dak.... 255

at Fort Benton, Mont................. 57

at Pierre, S. Dak.................... 327

at powerplant ferry, near Zortman,

Mont............................. 71

at Sioux City, Iowa.................. 390

at Toston, Mont...................... 43

at Virgelle, Mont.................... 66

at Yankton, S. Dak................... 360

below Fort Peck Dam, Mont............ 85

below Fort Randall Dam, S. Dak....... 340

below Garrison Dam, N. Dak........... 251

below Holter Dam, near Wclf Creek,

Mont............................. 47-48

near Mobridge, S. Dak................ 281

near Williston, N. Dak............... 240

near Wolf Point, Mont................ 120

Mobridge, S. Dak., Missouri River near. 281 

Monarch, Mont., Belt Creek near........ 56

Monida, Mont., Red Rock River near..... 15

Montana, smaller reservoirs in........238-239

Moorcroft, Wyo., Belle Pourche River

below............................ 309

Keyhole Reservoir near............... 310

Moorhead, Mont., Powder River at....... 234

Moreau River, at Bixby, S. Dak......... 282

at Promise, S. Dak................... 286

near Eagle Butte, S. Dak............. 284

near Faith, S. Dak................... 283

near Whitehorse, S. Dak.............. 285

Moreau River basin, S. Dak., gagingstation records in..............282-286

Morony Reservoir, Mont., contents

of..............................238,239
INDEX 411

Page 

Mosby, Mont., Musselshell River at.... 82

Mount Vernon, S. Dak., Firesteel Creek

near............................ 378

Muddy Creek (Heart River basin) near

Almont, N. Dak.................. 264

Muddy Creek (Sun River basin) at

Vaughn, Mont.................... 54

Muddy Creek (Yellowstone River basin),

near Pavillion, Wyo............. 168

near Shoshoni, Wyo.................. 169

Murray ditch at Wyoming-South Dakota

State line...................... 313

Muskrat Creek near Shoshoni, Wyo...... 161

Musselshell River, at Harlowton,

Mont............................ 75

at Mosby, Mont...................... 82

at Musselshell, Mont................ 79

near Roundup, Mont.................. 78

near Ryegate, Mont.................. 77

North Fork, near Delpine, Mont...... 72

South Fork, above Martinsdale, Mont. 73 

Musselshell River basin, Mont.,

gaging-station records in....... 72-82

Mystic Lake, Mont., contents of....... 239

Nashua, Mont., Milk River at.......... 119

Nelson Reservoir, Mont., contents of.. 239 

New Rookford, N. Dak., James River

at.............................. 361

Newcastle, Wyo., Beaver. Creek near.... 289

Newland Creek near dam site, near

White Sulphur Springs, Mont..... 50

Nilan Reservoir, Mont., contents of..238, 239 Rapid

Niobrara, Nebr., Bazille Creek near... 358 

Niobrara River at................... 357

Niobrara River, above Box Butte

Reservoir, Nebr................. 343

at Dunlap, Nebr..................... 393

at Niobrara, Nebr................... 357

at Wyoming-Nebraska State line...... 342

below Box Butte Reservoir, Nebr.....4, 345

near Cody, Nebr..................... 348

near Gordon, Nebr................... 347

near Hay Springs Nebr............... 346

near Norden, Nebr................... 352

near Sparks, Nebr................... 351

near Spencer, Nebr.................. 356

Niobrara River basin, Nebr.-S. Dak.,

gaging-station records in......342-357

Norden, Nebr., Niobrara River near.... 352

North Chinook Canal near Havre, Mont.. 95 

North Creek spreader diversion near

Alzada, Mont.................... 244

North Piney Creek near Story, Wyo..... 228

North Popo Agie River, near Lander,

Wyo............................. 4

near Milford, Wyo................... 158

Oacoma, S. Dak., White River near..... 338 R

Oglala, S. Dak., White River near..... 334

Order, downstream, of listing gagingstations........................ 3

Owl Creek, near Thermopolis, Wyo...... 173

North Fork, near Anchor, Wyo........ 172

South Fork, above Curtis Ranch,

near Thermopolis, Wyo........... 171

Pactola Dam, S. Dak., Rapid Creek 

below.......................

Painter, Wyo., Clarks Fork near... 

Sunlight Creek near.

303

141 Riv

142 

Pass Creek near Wyola, Mont........... 191

Pavillion, Wyo., Fivemile Creek near.. 162 

Muddy Creek near.................... 168

Peak discharge, determinations of, at

points other than regular

gaging stations................. 405 RO'

Peoples Creek near Dodson, Mont....... 103

Picktown, S. Dak., Fort Randall

Reservoir at.................... 339 Ro

Pierre, S. Dak., Missouri River at.... 327 Ros

Piney Creek, at Kearney, Wyo.......... 229

at Ucross, Wyo..................... 230-232

Pingree, N. Dak., James River near.... 362

Pipestem Creek near Buohanan, N. Dak.. 364 Ro 

Pishkun Reservoir, Mont., contents

of.............................238,239 R

Pitchfork, Wyo., Greybull River

near. ........................... 179

Plainview, S. Dak., Cherry Creek near. 325 

Cheyenne River near................. 324

Page 

Plum Creek near Meadville, Nebr........ 353

Poison Creek near Shoshoni, Wyo........ 165

Ponca Creek at Anoka, Nebr............. 341

Poplar River, East Fork, at international boundary................ 123

Middle Fork, at international

boundary......................... 122

near Poplar, Mont.................... 124

Poplar River basin, Mont., gagingstation records in..............122-124

Popo Agie River near Riverton, Wyo..... 160

Powder River, at Arvada, Wyo........... 222

at Moorhead, Mont.................... 234

at Sussex, Wyo....................... 217

Middle Fork, above Kaycee, Wyo....... '213

near Kaycee, Wyo................... 216

near Locate, Mont.................... 235

North Fork, near Hazelton, Wyo....... 214

near Mayoworth, Wyo................ 215

South Fork, near Kaycee, Wyo......... 212

Pray, Mont., Mill Creek near........... 131

Pretty Rock, N. Dak., Cedar Creek near. 272 

Prickly Pear Creek near Clancy, Mont... 45 

Prickly Pear Creek basin, Mont.,

gaging-station records in........ 45-46

Promise, S. Dak., Moreau River at...... 286

Publications on streamflow by Geological Survey................... 8-11

by State agencies.................... 11

Rapid City, S. Dak., Rapid Creek at.... 305

Rapid Creek near..................... 304

Creek, above Canyon Lake, near

Rapid City, S. Dak............... 304

above Pactola Reservoir, at Silver

City, S. Dak....;................ 302

at Rapid City, S. Dak................ 305

below Pactola Dam, S. Dak............ 303

near Farmingdale, S. Dak............. 306

Ravenscrag, Saskatchewan, Frenchman

River near....................... 107

Red Lodge, Mont., Rock Creek near...... 145

West Fork Rock Creek near............ 146

Red Lodge Creek, above Cooney Reservoir, near Boyd, Mont............ 147

below Cooney Reservoir, near Boj-d,

Mont............................. 149

Red Rock River, at Kennedy Ranch, near

Lakeview, Mont................... 14

below Lima Reservoir, near Monida,

Mont............................. 15

near Dell, Mont...................... 16

Redfield, S. Dak., James River nesr.... 374

Turtle Creek at...................... 373

Redwater Creek (tributary to Belle 

Fourche River), above Belle 

Fourche, S. Dak.................. 316

at Wyoming-South Dakota State line... 314 

edwater Creek (tributary to Missouri

River) at Circle, Mont........... 121

Regent, N. Dak., Cannnonball River

at............................... 269

Riohardton, N. Dak., Heart River rear.. 260 

Rimini, Mont., Tenmile Creek near...... 46

Riverdale, N. Dak., Garrison Reservoir

near............................. 250

Riverton, Wyo., Fivemile Creek neer.... 163

Popo Agie River near................. 160

Wind River at........................ 157

/erview, Nebr., Long Pine Creek near. 354 

Rock Creek (tributary to Clarks Fcrk),

near Red Lodge, Mont............. 145

West Fork, below Basin Creek, near

Red Lodge, Mont.................. 146

Rock Creek (tributary to Clear Creek)

near Buffalo, Wyo................ 225

ick Creek (tributary to Milk River)

at international boundary........ 115

Rock River near Rock Valley, Iowa...... 387

ick Valley, Iowa, Rock River near..... 387,

.ebud, S. Dak., South Fork White

River near....................... 336

Rosebud Creek near Absarokee, Mont..... 139

Ross Fork near Hobson, Mont............ 68

undup, Mont., Musselshell River

near............................. 78

.uby River, above reservoir, near

Alder, Mont...................... 21

at Laurin, Mont...................... 23

near Alder, Mont..................... 22

near Twin Bridges, Mont.............. 24
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INDEX 413

Whitetail Creek near Whitehall, Mont., 

Whltewater Creek, Mont., near International boundary.

27

104 

Whitney, Nebr., White River near...... 333

Wibaux, Mont., Beaver Creek at........ 248

Wildhorse, Alberta, Sage Creek near... 91 

Williston, N. Dak., Little Muddy

Creek near...................... 242

Missouri River near................. 240

Willow Creek (tributary to Jefferson

River), near Harrison, Mont...... 31

near Willow Creek, Mont............. 32

Willow Creek basin, Mont., gagingstation records in...............31-32

Willow Creek (tributary to Milk

River) near Glasgow, Mont....... 118

Willow Creek (tributary to Red Lodge

Creek), near Boyd, Mont......... 148

Willow Creek Reservoir near Augusta,

Mont., contents of.............238,239

Willow Creek Reservoir near Harrison,

Mont., contents of.............238,239

Willow Park, Wyo., South PIney Creek

at.............................. 226

Wilsall, Mont., Shields River

near............................ 133

Wind River, at RIverton, Wyo.......... 157

below Boysen Reservoir, Wyo......... 170

East Pork, near Dubois, Wyo......... 152

near Crowheart, Wyo................. 155

near Dubois, Wyo.................... 151

Winnett, Mont., McDonald Creek

at.............................. 80

Wolf Creek,'Mont., Missouri River

near............................ 47-48

Wolf Creek (tributary to Judith River)

near Stanford, Mont............. 70

Wolf Creek (tributary to Tongue River)

at Wolf, Wyo.................... 201

Wolf Point, Mont., Missouri River

near............................ 120

Wood River at Sunshine, Wyo........... 180

Woodpile Coulee near international

boundary......................... 100

Work, division of...................... 2

scope of............................. 1

Worland, Wyo., Pifteenmile Creek

near............................. 175

Wyola, Mont., Little Bighorn River

near............................190,192

Lodgegrass Creek near................ 193

Pass Creek near...................... 191

Wyoming Canal near Lenore, Wyo......... 156

Yankton, S. Dak., Lewis and Clark Lake

near............................. 359

Missouri River at.................... 360

Yellowstone Lake at Lake Hotel,

Yellowstone National Park........ 126

Yellowstone National Park:

Gardiner River at Mammoth............ 392

near Mammoth....................... 129

Lamar River near Tower Palls ranger

station.......................... 128

Tower Creek at Tower Palls........... 391

Yellowstone Lake at Lake Hotel....... 126

Yellowstone River at Yellowstone

Lake Outlet...................... 127

near Canyon Hotel.................. 391

Yellowstone River, at Billings, Mont... 150 

near Canyon Hotel, Yellowstone

National Park.................... 391

at Corwin Springs, Mont.............. 130

at Miles City, Mont.................. 211

at Yellowstone Lake Outlet, Yellowstone National Park.............. 127

near Livingston, Mont................ 132

near Sidney, Mont.................... 236

Yellowstone River basin, Mont.-Wyo.,

gaging-station records in.......126-236

reservoirs in........................ 237

Zap, N. Dak., Spring Creek at. .........

Zortman, Mont., Missouri River near....

253

71

. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1958 O -459735