DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

WATER-SUPPLY 

AND 

IRRIGATION PAPERS 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

No·. 7 

SEEPAGE WATER OF -NORTHERN UTAH.-FORTIER 

WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1897 
IRRIGATION REPORTS. 

The following list contains the titles and brief descriptions of the principal reports 

relating to water supply and irrigation prepared by the United States Geological 

Survey since 1890: 

1890. 

First Annual Report of the United States Irrigation Survey, 1890, octavo, 123 pp. 

Printed as Part II, Irrigation, of the Tenth Annual Report of the United States Geolog- icall:lurvey, 18.'38--89. Contains a statement of the origin of the Irrigation Survey, a nre- liminary report on the organization and prosecution of the survey of tht> arid lands for 

purposes of irrigation, and report of work done during 1890. 

1891. 

Second Annual Report of the United States Irrigation Survey, 1891, octavo, 395 pp. 

Published as Part II. Irrigation, of tho Eleventh Annual Report of the United Stntes 

Geological Survey, 1889-90. Contains a description of the hydrography of the arid region and of the engineering operations carried on by the Irrigation Survey during 1800; nlso 

the statement of the Director of tho Survey to the House Committee on Irrigation, a.nd 

other papers, including a bibliography of irrigation literature. lllustrated by 2\Jplates and 

4 figures. 

Third Annual Report of the United States Irrigation Survey, 1891, octavo, 576 pp. 

Printed as Part II of the Twelfth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1890--91. Contains a report upon the location and survey of reservoir sites during the 

fiscal year ending ,June 30,1891, by A. H. Thompson; "Hydrography of the arid regions," by 1~. H. Newell; "Irrigation in India," by Herbert JI.I. Wilson. Illustrated by 93 plntes and 100 figures. 

Bulletins of the Eleventh Census of the United States upon irrigation, prepared 

by F. H. Newell, quarto. 

No. 35, Irrigation in Arizona; No. 60, Irrigation in New Mexico; No. 8'i, 

Irrigation in Utah; No. 107, Irrigation in Wyoming: No. 15::!, Irrigation in 

Montana; No. 157, Irrigation in Idaho; No. 163. Irrigation in Nevada; No. 

178, Irrigation in Oregon; No. 193, Artesian wells for irrigation; No. 198, 

Irrigation in Washington. Hil9~. 

Irrigation of western United States, by F. H. Newell; 

23, September 9, 1892, quarto, 22 pp. 

extra census bulletin No. 

Contains tabulations showing the total number, average size, etc., of irrigated holding•, the total nrea and average size of irrigated farms in the subhumid regions, the percentag-e of number of farms irrigated, character of crops, value of irrigated lnnds, the average cost of irrigation, the inveetment and profits, together with a resume of the water supply and 11 description of irrigation by artesian wells. Tilustrated by colored maps showmg tho 

location and relative extent of the irrigated areas. 

189:1. 

Thirteenth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1891-92, Part 

III, Irrigation, 1898, octavo, 48G pp. 

Consiets of three papers: "Water surply for irri~ation," by F. H- Newell· "American 

engineering and engineering results o the IrrigatiOn Survey," by H<'rber\ 1\1. Wilson; 

"Construction of topographic maps and selec.tion and survey of reservoir sites," by A. H. 

Thompson. Illustrated by 77 plates and 119 figures. 

A geological reconnoissance in central Washington, by Israel Cook Russell, 1893, 

octavo, 108 pp., 15 plates. Bulletin No. 108 of the United States Geological Survey; price, 15 cents. 

Contnins a description of the examination of the geologic structure in and acljacent to the drainage basin of Yakima River and tho great plains of the Columbia to the east of 

this area, with special reference to the occurrence of artesian waters. 

1894. 

Report on agriculture by irrigation in the western part of the United States at the 

Eleventh Census, 1890, by F. H. Newell, 1894, quarto, 283 pp. 

Consists of a general description of the condition of irrigation in the United StateA, the area irrigated, cost of works, their value and profits; also describes the water supply, the 

value of wnter, of artesian wells, reservoirs, and other details; then takes up each State 

and Territory in order, giving a general description of the condition of agriculture by irrigation, and discusses the physical condition nnd locnl peculiarities in ench county. 

Fourteenth Annnal Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1892-93, in two 

parts, Part II, Accompanying papers, 1894, octavo, 597 pp. 

Contains papers on "Potable waters of the eastern United States," by W J McGee; 

"Natural mineral waters of the United Rtcttes," by A. C. Peale; "Results of stream mea.surementB," by F. H. Newell. Illustrr.tcd by maps and diagrams. 

(Continued on third page of cover.) 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

WATER-SUPPLY 

AND 

IRRIG-ATION PAPERS 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

No.7 

WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMEN'f PRINTING- OFFICE 

1897 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR 

SEEPAfiE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH 

BY 

SAMUEL FORTIER 

W .A.SHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1897 

CONTENTS. 

Location and purpose of the investigation _______________________________ -_-

Origin of seepage water ______________________ . ________________________ . __ -

Precipitation____________ _ ___ . ______________ . ________________________ _ 

Evaporation _________________________________ . ___________ . ___ . ____ -_ .. 

Transpiration _______________________________________________________ -

Cache Valley and its water supply ___ .. ____ . ________________ ... __ .. _.- ____ -- Logan River _ . ____ .. ______________________________ . __________________ -

Blacksmith Fork River_ . ______________ . _____________________ , _______ -

Little Bear River _____________________ .. ___ . _________________________ • 

Cub River __________ . _________ . _ . _____________________________ . _. ___ • _ 

High Creek__________ . ______________________________ . ___ - _- _--- . ----- Summit Creek. ______________________________________________________ _ 

Results of miscellaneous measurements _____________ ------------------ Results of stream measurements _______________________ .. ___ . ________ .• 

Seepage waters in Ogden Valley . _____________ . _______________ . ____ . __ -. _-

!> 

Page. 

11 

13 

15 

17 

24 

27 

29 

33 

33 

35 

37 

38 

39 

41 

44 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page. 

PLATE I. Map of drainage basin of Bear River __________ . ______ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 12 

II. Bear River Canyon, Utah ________________________________ ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ 42 

III. Map of principal ditches from Ogden River.__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 46 

FIG. 1. Diagram showing mean monthly rainfalL___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 15 

2. Diagram showing ~ean annual rainfall ___________ . __ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 15 

3. Evaporating pan and scale ____________________________ ·--·______ 18 

4. Diagram showing appropriated and unappropriated waters of 

Logan River _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . ___ . _ _ _ 29 

5. Diagram showing appropriated and unappropriated waters of 

Blacksmith Fork River ________________________ . _________ . _ _ _ _ 33 

6. Diagram showing appropriated and unappropriated waters of 

South Forkof Little Bear River_______________________________ 34 

7. Diagram showing appropriated and unappropriated waters of 

East Fork of Little Bear River _______ . _______ . ___ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 34 

8. Diagram showing appropriated and unappropriated waters of 

Cub River _____ . _____ . ______________________________________ . _ 36 

9. Diagram of water supply of Cache Valley, exclusive of Bear River_ 41 

10. Diagram of water supply of Cache Valley, inclusive of Bear River_ 42 

11. Bear River at Collinston, Utah _______ . __________________ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 44 

12. Narrows of Ogden River ____ . ________________ . ___ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 45 

13. Diagram illustrating inflow and outflow of Ogden Valley________ 46 

7 

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 

DEP ~RTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 

UNITED. STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 

DIVISION OF HYDROGRAPHY, 

JVasht'ngton, April13, 1897. 

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a paper entitled Seepage 

Waters of Northern Utah, by Samuel Fortier, professor of irrigation 

eng·ineering at the Agricultural College at Logan, Utah. The facts 

herein presented are based upon field work carried on mainly during 

the summer of 1896, and have special value in illustrating conditions 

which prevail to a greater or less degree throughout all irrigated 

lands, especially within inclosed valleys or on long, narrow drainage 

systems. 

One of the matters which most complicate and embarrass the 

adjudication of water rights and the strict enforcement of priorities 

of appropriation arises from the fact that a considerable volume of 

water available for irrigation during the critical season of the year, 

when the crops are maturing, comes from the seepage from lands 

higher upstream to which water has been applied earlier in the year. 

In some cases these lands have been irrigated in defiance of a strict 

construction of the law regarding the priority of right to use water, 

but it has been claimed that such use, instead of being a detriment 

to the lands below, has been a benefit, and, in fact, that there has 

been more water available in consequence of this use than could otherwise be had. The determination of these matters requires careful 

measurement and study in each case, but the work of Professor Fortier serves to indicate what may be expected under similar conditions 

and illustrates methods applicable to this examination. 

Very respectfully, 

Ron. CHARLES D. WALCOTT, 

F. H. NEWELL, 

Hydrographe~· 'in Charge. 

Di,recto·r Un-ite(l States Geologz:cal Swr·l'ey. 

9 

SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. 

BY SAMUEL FORTIER. 

LOt)ATION AND PURPOSE OF THE INVESTIGATION. 

The term '' seepage water" is used by the irrigators of the West to 

designate the water which reaches the lowest grounds or the stream 

channels, swelling the latte·r by imperceptible degrees and keeping up 

the flow long after the rains have ceased and the snow has melted. 

The word "seepage" is applied particularly to the water which begins 

to appear in spots below irrigation ·canals and cultivated :fields, usually 

some months or even years after irrigation has been introduced, and 

which tends to convert the lowlands into marshes.. and gives rise to 

springs, which in turn may be employed in watering other fields. 

The importance of a thorough knowledge of the behavior of seepage water is obvious when consideration is given to the close relationship which exists between the available wttter supply and the material 

prosperity of the arid region where irrigation is practiced. This is 

particularly true of Utah, where every readily available source of 

supply has long since been utilized and where the rapidly increasing 

agricultural population necessitates the complete utilization of all 

fresh waters. 

The measurements and investigations of seepage water described in 

this paper have been cQn:fi.ned mainly to Cache Valley, being included 

within three counties in nort4ern Utah, Weber, Boxelder, and Cache, 

and one county, Oneida, in Idaho. The conditions may be taken as 

fairly typical of those in the entire State, and to a less extent of those 

of adjacent States. A full knowledge of the seepage water will be 

of inestimable value in the development of Cache Valley, owing to 

the conditions now existing. The towns and farming communities 

were settled for the most part from 30 to 40 years ago. The tributaries of Bear River have supplied all irrigating waters, and many of 

the ditches and canals have water rights extending over a period of 

30 yea1·s. These early ditches were the first built to divert water from 

Bear River and its tributaries, and according to the law of prior 

appropriation which prevails in Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho, the three 

States through which Bear River flows, the early canals of Cache 

Valley have water 1·ights prior to all others. Boxelder County has 

11 . 
12 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

at least a quarter of a milljon acres of fertile irrigable land, and with 

the exception of Boxelder Creek, Willard Creek, and other small 

streams whose aggregate summer flow does not exceed 40 second-feet, 

it is entirely dependent upon Bear Rive~ for the wat,er necessary to 

irrigate its extensive area. 

The time is not far distant when conflicts over water rights must 

arise between the irrigators of these counties, and it is therefore 

highly important to collect and record now all the physical data possible pertaining to the capacities of t,he irrigating ditches, the areas 

watered by each, and the general behavior of all sources of supply. 

To put off the collection of such facts until litigation has begun, and 

to attempt to render court decisions upon the conflicting testii;nony of 

interested witnesses only, is full of danger. Moreover, a study of the 

hydrography of Bear River and its tributaries is complicated, owing 

to the fact that three States obtain water .from this one source. During the next drought many of the irrigators of northern Utah are liable 

to suffer serious loss from a scarcity of water in Bear River, caused by 

its diversion through canals in Wyoming and Idaho. If the law of 

prior appropriation is to be accepted for interstate priorities, it is of 

the utmost importance that all existing water rights be clearly defined. 

There is still a"llother important question which such work may aid 

in solving. It may be stated thus: How much of the water diverted 

and utilized in the upper valleys returns to the river channel in time 

to be diverted by lower ~rrigators? On account of variations in 

climate, soil, and topography, the results obtained in one section may 

be worthless when applied to others, and the only way to determine 

the behavior of irrigating waters is to make the nece~sary measurements in each valley. Until this work is at least pa1·tially accomplished there can be neither a just nor a permanent apportionment 

of appropriated waters. 

The facts upon which this paper is based were, obtained during 

investigations made in the summer of 18£16. ·In this work the wHter 

was ably assisted by Messrs. J. L. Rhead, r.rhomas H. Humphreys, 

and John S. Baker. The expenses were borne jointly by the Utah 

Agricultural Experiment Station, the Division of Hydrography of the 

United States Geological Survey, and the board of county commissioners of Cache County, Utah. Owing to the large cost of transportation, it was necessary to confine the greater part of the work to Cache 

County, Utah. In Cache Valley, which comprises the cultivated portions of this county and the southeastern part of Oneida County, Idaho, 

the field operations consisted in the measurement of every stream 

flowing into the valley at three different times during the season; also 

the determination of the capacity of every ditch and canal in the same 

valley at least three times, and accurate current-meter measurements 

and daily records of the outflow of the valley through ''The Narrows" 

on Bear River. While this work was in progress an attempt was also 
U.S.GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. WATER - SUPPLY PAPER N9 "I PL. I. 

• 

.JU LIUS B t[M & CO. N. Y. 

DRAINAGE BASIN OF THE BEAR RI VE R 
FORTIEH.] ORIGIN OF SEEPAGE WATERS. 13 

made to locate the head gate and determine approximately the route 

of each ditch and canal. The results of such surveys are reproduced 

in the accompanying map (Pl. I). The progress of the field work 

throughout the season is fairly well shown by the number of streams 

and canals measured each month. From June 15 to 30, 1896, there 

were 58 measurements; in. July, 131; in August, 112; in September, 

106; and in October, 19; making a total of ±26. 

'The chief object which the writer had in mind in making a partial 

hydrographic survey of Cache Valley was to determine, if possible, 

by daily and semiweekly gagings, the ratio existing between the inflow 

(diminished by the volumes used in irrigation) and the outflow. This 

ratio being known for a continuous period of three months, an opportunity is afforded to compare the loss of water due to evaporation 

with the gain due to seepage. Other objects held in view, of minor 

importance to the student of hydrography but possessing great value 

to the irriga;tor, were the average flow of the various ditches and 

canals, the amount of the surplus waters of the larger streams, and 

the duty of the irrigating waters. 

There are several hundred natural and artificial water channels 

in Cache Valley if the main laterals are included. It is safe to 

assert. that prior to June 15, 1896, less than six measurements had 

been made of these canals and skeams. This record does not include 

the work done since 1889 by t,he United States Geological Survey, 

which perhaps comprises fifty stream measurements in Cache Valley 

alone. It was thought that if each canal and small stream were measured first in June, then during the latter part of July, and lastly 

about September 1, the results of the three measurements would represent, with some exceptions, the greatest, medium, and least flow during the season, and that the average of the three results might be 

taken as the average flow of ·such canal or creek. 

ORIGIN O:E, SEEPAGE WATERS. 

The water contained in the open spaces occurring in clay, sand, 

gravel, and other materials of which soils and subsoils are composed, 

is known by various names, such as soil moisture, ground water, 

ground storage, subsurface supply, and the like. When this ground 

water moves down an inclined stratum of porous materials, the term 

seepage water seems to be more appropriate than that of ground flow, 

which many writers have recently used. Seepage water conveys the 

idea of lateral motion, but when one uses the terms'· soil moisture," 

"ground water," or "underground water," this conception is usually 

not implied. 

The water content in dry soils may be so small as to admit of only 

a slight vertical movement due to the forces of capillarity and evaporation. On the other -hand, portions of soils and subsoils may be 

completely saturated, but so located that the water confined therein 
14 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

is stagnant. In such eases there ean he no lateral flow. Seepage 

waters as herein defined may be regarded as coming from three 

sources, which, however, are not always distinct: (1) from uncultivated hillsides and mountain slopes; (~) from irrigated land; (3) 

from the beds and side slopes of water channels. 

It will be readily understood that a complete determination of the 

quantity of water which comes from that which is stored in the ground, 

on any particular drainage basin, involves more than a knowledge of 

the results of the stream measurements made in such basin. It is possible, for example, to ascertain with considerable accuracy the amount 

of surface water which flows into a valley, the volume used in irrigation, and the outflow, but without knowledge of the losses occasioned 

by evaporation, the problem of seepage waters is indeterminable. 

For the want of much necessary information in relation to the precipitation and evaporation of northern Utah, there is herewith introduced in outline some of the more recent observations made elsewhere 

in connection with the quantities of water evaporated from water 

surfaces and from g1~ound surfaces or transpired from plant foliage. 

In examining the water supply of any section, such as Uache Valley, 

it is desirable to begin with a study of the rainfall. If the complete 

history of each raindrop or snowflake were known from the time it 

falls to the ground until it again returns, in the form of vapor, to the 

atmosphere, water problems could be readily solved. The total volume of water which falls as rain or snow on any particular watershed 

may be subdivided into four parts, which vary widely in accordance 

with local conditions. Of these, one portion runs off the surface and 

fills the streams, especially during the spring months; a second sinks 

into the soils and subsoils, enters the fissures of rocks, is absorbed 

by porous strata, such as sandstones, and is the chief source from 

which wells and springs derive their supplies and streams their late 

summer and autumn discharges; a third part of the annual precipitation is evaporated from ground .and water surfaces; and the 

fourth part develops plant growth. From the standpoint of the 

farmer, that portion utilized in developing plant growth is the most 

important. Cultivated plants are chiefly dependent on the water 

which sinks into the ground; hence the importance of the latter to 

the irrigator. 

Relatively too much attention has been given to the surplus flow 

in springtime and too little to that derived from ground storage. A 

reference to Logan River may serve to illustrate the difference between 

that portion of the rainfall which rushes off the surface of drainage 

basins, either when snow melts in spring or when cloud-bursts occur 

in summer, and that which sinks into the porous covering of the 

mountain slopes to issue later as the flow from the ground storage, 

maintaining the streams during the late summer and autumn months. 

During June, July, and August of 1893, thP, rainfall as measured at 
FORTIER.] PRECIPITATION. 15 

the Experiment Station on the basin of Logan River was only one3 

z ~------------1 

3 ,..__,,..._.------. 

[QGOE~ 

3r---------. 

' SALTLAKE 

0 

3r-=------... 

0 

HEBER 

zcriO::o:b-~~0[t-=>u I 

~~~~~~~~:x~::: FIG.l.-Diagramshowing 

mean monthly rainfall 

in inches at stations in 

Utah. 

fourth inch. ".rhe snow on ,-----~-"____, zo the mountain ranges had all 

melted before the end of July, 

yet on the 3d of September 

there was a flow in Logan 18 ~:-. ----------1 

River of 250 second-feet. 

Where did this supply come 

from? The slight rainfall 

need not be taken into ac- 16 1---t~+-...... ---t 

c;ount, for it is safe to assume 

that an amount many times 

greater than the rainfall was 

evaporated. It could not 14 t---+~~HI-...... ---I 

have come from ruelted snow, 

because the snow had disappeared as vapor, had run off, 

or had sunk into the ground JZ 1-1--+H_.+----1 

long before the expiration of 

the time named. The only 

available source was the flow 

from the ground storage; in 10 t+ti+H--Ir.---11-1 

other words, the seepage from 

the mountain slopes. 

PRECIPITATION. 

The records from a number 

of important localities where 

the observations are most reliable liave been tabulated by 

Mr. James Dryden, meteorologist of the Utah Experiment Station. These records 

extend over past periods vary- 4 

ing from three to thirty-three 

years, and represent quite 

accurately the precipitation 

on the Yalleys and table lands. 1. 

The diagrams and tables 

herein given are compiled 

principally from informatioll ol.&.llooal .... --.-...... 

obtained from :Mr. Dryden. I Z34567891011~) FIG.2.-Diagram showing Fig. 1 is a graphic represen- mean annual rainfall in 

tation of the precipitation for inches itt 12 stations in 

each month of the year at utah. 

each of five northern stations. At Cor~nne, Boxelder County, the 

month of greatest rainfall for twenty-five years has been December, 
16 SEEPAGE W .A.TER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

averaging 1.8 inches. January, February, March, April, and May 

have remained nearly constant at about 1.25 inches each, while the 

dry months have been June, July, August, and September, which have 

not averaged one-half inch each. This distribution of the annual 

precipitation is typical of nearly every section of Utah. A glance at 

the diagrams of fig. 1 is sufficient to show that June, July, August, 

and September are the dry mouths, and as these constitute the greater 

part of the period between seed time and harvest, the rain evidently 

falls at the wrong time. 

Salt Lake County, as represented by the rainfall of the city of Salt 

Lake, has avet·agecl during the past thirty years 16.53 inches, but 

during the four summer mouths, beginning June 1, the total average 

rainfall has been less than 3 inches. From 1870 to 1895, Weber 

County, as represented by the station at Ogden, has had an average 

annual precipitation of 14.02 inches, but the four summer months 

have not averaged one-half inch: The diagram at the bottom of fig. 1 

gives the mean monthly precipitation for the State as obtained by 

averaging the results "of the more important stations scattered in various parts and located at different altitudes. This exhibits the deficient 

I'ainfall during June and the gradual increase through July, August, 

and September. Fig. 2 gives the average annual precipitation at 

twelve important stations, these being arranged in a general geographic order from north to south, the most northerly being Logan, 

in Cache County, and the most southerly St. George, in Washington 

County, in the southwestern corner of the State. The numbers at the 

bottom of the figure refer to the stations named in the table below. 

The following table gives for the 12 selected stations the approximate elevation above .sea level, the length of the record in years, and 

the mean annual rainfall during this time: 

Mea.n annual rainfall at 1:2 staUons in Utah. 

..... ~s ~ Length of Mean an- Above sea 

~:~ Place. County. level. record in nual rainyears. fall. "0 

Feet. Incites. 

1 Logan ______________ Cache. ________ 4,500 5 13.81 

2 Corinne ___ . _______ ._ Boxelder ______ 4,232 26 11.73 

3 Ogden ______________ Weber ___ . ____ 4,340 26 14.02 

4 Salt Lake ________ . _ . Salt Lake _ . ___ 4,354 33 16.53 

5 Heber_ . _______ " ____ . Wasatch ___ -- 5,500 3 16.97 

6 Fort Duchesne ______ Uinta _________ 4,941 8 6.35 

7 Levan ____ . _________ Juab ___________ 5,100 7 18.45 \ 

8 Fillmore ____ . ~ ______ Millard ______ . 5,100 8 13.60 

9 Moab ____________ -- Grand ________ 3,900 7 6.95 

10 Lo~:~o------ ·--- -------- Wayne ______ .. 6,900 4 6.28 

~~~arov.an ____________ Iron __________ 5,970 5 

t. George _________ . yrashington ___ 2,880 15 

~ 1 

! --~~------- ------- ------------
FORTIER.] EVAPORATION. 17 

Below is given the mean monthly rainfall for the same period: 

Mean ·monthly precipitation at twelve stations in Utah. 

I Wg:l=--------

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. 

--------------------

1.55 1.52 2.05 1.12 2.06 . 78 .27 .21 1.60 .36 I Corinne •.••.•..... 1.27 1.26 1.29 1.12 1.12 .58 .44 .31 .63 .84 

Ogden _____ .... ____ 1.65 1.51 1.57 1.47 1.49 .58 • 2.1) .40 .68 1.42 

Salt Lake City ____ 1.46 1.31 2.01 224 1. 76 . 78 .55 . 75 .91 1.60 

Heber------··--·--- 2.89 2.16 2.15 1.01 .95 .35 .75 .61 1.08 .94 

Fort Duchesne ____ .38 .50 .71 . 77 .79 .25 .48 .63 .60 .24 

Levan _____________ 1.63 1.83 2.33 2.22 2.07 .69 .40 . 77 1.39 1.04 

Fillmore ------ ____ 1.47 1.68 1.65 2.25 1.11 .53 . 51 .83 .98 .45 

Moab ...... _____ ... .68 .73 .86 .32 .33 .08 .64 .51 . 72 .4-2 

Loa ...........•.... .57 . 74 .63 .15 .33 .08 .87 1.08 .49 .46 

Parowan---------- 1.27 1.56 2.03 1.35 .95 . 17 1.09 1.06 1.04 .71 

St; George .. __ .... _ 1.01 .91 .60 .27 .33 .03 .33 .29 .41 .31 

No ~ 

7~1~1 1. 

1. 

1 . 

07 1.80 

12 1.88 

48 1.68 

80 3.28 

~ .77 

76 3.32 

"'3 1.41 

59 1.07 

.. 45 

57 1.00 

44 1.38 

More than the usual amount of rain fell in Cache Valley during 

1896, as shown by the following table, which gives the precipitation 

for .June, July, August, and September of that year, and also the 

averages of all past records for the same months: 

Precipitation at Logan, Utah, for four rnonths. 

June'" . __ . _ . ____ - - - -- - - - - - -. --. - -. --- -

July _______________ . _______________ . _ 

1896. 

Inches. 

0.46 

1.40 

Prior to 1896. 

Inches. 

0.78 

0.27 

August------------ ..... _______ ------- 1.49 0.21 I September ....................... ,_ .. -~ _1.60 I 

Total _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . __________ ... _ . . . 4. 26 2. 86 

EVAPORATION. 

}'!any tests have been made in different parts of the world to ascertain the amount of water evaporated from water surfaces. The utilization of this information is, however, limited chiefly to hydraulic 

engineers who wish to determine the losses from reservoir and lake 

surfaces. A knowledge of the actual volumes of water evaporated 

from such surfaces is of little direct value to Western irrigators, for 

the reasons that the operating forces are entirely bey.ond their control 

and the evaporated water is borne away by the prevailing winds. It 

might be some satisfaction to know that the evaporation from the surface of Great Salt Lake was only 60 inches yearly instead of 80 inches, 

as some would have us believe; but that knowledge alone might not 

enable us to reclaim a,n additional acre of land in Utah, althougb the 

difference of 20 inches yearly over the entire surface of the lake would 

IRR-7--2 
18 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

comprise ·a volume of water sufficient to irrigate a million acres. 

There is good reason to believe that litt.le of the moisture withdrawn 

from the Utah lakes returns in the form of rain or snow within the 

confines of the State. 'rooele County borders on Great Salt Lake, 

but with a probable annual evaporation of 6 feet near its shore line, 

the parched soil receives yearly on an average only about 6 inches 

from rainfall. 

Comparatively few measurements of evaporation have been made 

in Utah. The most important were those carried on at the reservoir 

in the rear of Fort Douglas, immediately east of the city, of Salt Lake. 

FIG. 3.-Evaporating pan and scale. 

These observations are ~entioned in the Eleventh Annual Report of 

the U nitecl States Geological Survey, Part II, on pages 30 to 34, and the 

results are given briefly in the Fourteenth Annual Report, page 154. 

Similar measurements were made for a few months at Provo and 

Nephi. 

The apparatus used by the Geological Survey in making observations of evaporation consists of a galvanized-iron pan 3 feet squate 

and 10 inches deep, immersed in water and kept from sinking by means 

of floats of wood or hollow metal. Into this pan water is poured until 

the surface is within from 1 tog inches of the top, the attempt being 
FORTIER.] EVAPORATION. 19 

made to keep the pan as full as possible without spilling over the 

edge. The temperature of the water inside the pan has been found 

by experience to be practically uniform with that of the surrounding 

water in the ditch or pond in which the 'pan is placed, varying from 

it usually not more than 1 or 2 degrees. If tl}e pan is kept full, so 

that the edge or rim does not offer an obstruction to the wind, the 

evaporation from the surface inside the pan should be approximately 

the same as that from the surface of the water outside. 

The amount of water evaporated is determined by measuring the 

decrease in height of water, observations being usually taken once or 

sometimes twice a day. These are made by means of a ·brass scale 

hung in the middle of the pan and provided with diagonal bars upon 

which the reading is magnified about three times. By the use of this 

scale it is possible to read differences in vertical height of one one-hundredth of an inch. 'l,his method of observing the height of water is 

probably not so good as that by means of a hook gage, but is somewhat simpler and the apparatus is less expensive. · An improvement 1 

has been proposed, consisting of a rod fixed rigidly in the center of 

the pan and rising to within 1 or 2 inches of the top. Water is put into 

the pan until the point of this rod is about to be submerged, as shown 

by the meniscus. As the water evapo~·ates more is added by means of 

a tin cup made of such capaczity that one cupful is equivalent to a 

depth of one one-hundredth of an inch ou the surface of the pan. 

The observer has only to record the number of times the cup is filled 

and emptied into the pan. 

The following table gives the results of the measurements at Fort 

Douglas, the observations beginning on August 23, 1889, and ending 

in May, 1893. r.rhey were made by a soldier, Charles M. Lowry, 

detailed for the purpose. Owing to numerous disturbing influences, 

such as heavy wind splashing water into the pan or rainfall adding 

to the quantity, or, during winter, the freezing of the surface, it was 

rar~ly possible to continue observations consecutively for more than 

a few days at a time. The table gives, therefore, the number of days 

in each month during which fairly reliable results were obtained~ and 

also the average of these daily observations. This average is assumed 

to be that for all the days of the month, and is therefore multiplied 

by the number of these to obtain the approximate monthly total. 

1 Physical data and statistics of California, 1886, p 373. 
20 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

Evaporation at Fort Dou.glas, Utah, in inches. 

March ________ ---- ------ .............. ---- ------ ------ ---- ............ ------ 15 .067 2.1 ---- ------ ------

ApriL------· ---- ------ ------ ---- .123 3.7 19 .107 3.2 14 .075 2.3 3 .083 2.5 

May __________ ---- ------ ------ ........ .133 4..1 15· .153 4.8 .132 4.1 8 .169 5.2 

June--------- ---· ------ ------ ---- .170 5.1 22 .174 5.2 25 .177 5.3 ---- ------ ------ July __________ ·--- ------ ............ 16 .24.0 7.6 10 .246 7.6 26 .211 6.5 ---- ------ ·----- August _______ 11 .34.0 10.5 20 .210 6.5 20 .210 6.5 10 .235 7.3 ---- ------ ------

September_._ 18 .190 5. 7 23 .153 4.6 17 .174 5.2 25 .174 5.2 ---- -----· ------

October------ 7 .157 4.9 21 068 2.1 15 .081 2.5 15 .068 2.1 .......... ........... ------

November ___ 2 .035 1.0 18 on 1.2 15 .0±7 1.4 10 .055 1.6 ---- ------ ------ I 

Observations were conducted in a similar ml:!'nner at Provo during 

a portion of the month of October, 1889, giving an average daily evaporation of 0.10 inch, and at Nephi, at intervals during a part of the 

same year, giving a mean daily evaporation for J1.111e of 0.13 inch; for 

July, 0.16 inch; for August, 0.15 inch, and for September, 0.10 inch. 

Similar fragmentary results have been obtained for localities in other 

parts of theW est. 1 The longest series, however, is that begun in 1887 

by Prof. I ... G. Carpenter at the Expedment Station at Fort Collins, 

Colorado. The evaporating pan at this place is 3 feet square and 3 

feet deep, sunk into the ground, the height of water being measured 

by means of a hook gage. The results have been published only up 

to the end of 1891. 2 

~Monthly et1aporation at Fort Collins, Colorado, in inches. 

~ Year. Jan. Feb. Mar Apr. May.\June.(July. Aug.\Sept.l Oct. Nav. Dec. Total. 

1887----------- 2.46 323 4. 60 -;,-_-; 5 19 5. 75 I 5. 23 '"' I <.ill 1"·26 1.48 1.60 46.71 

1888 ___________ ------ ------ ±.45 7.70 7.00 4.06 3.9± 2.17 1.35 0.99 ---------1 1889 ___________ 1.09 1.03 2 75 4.06 3. 72 4.34 5.20 •. , ••. IJI I"·'~ 0.62 1.42 37.83 

1890 ___________ 0.86 2.36 3.48 3. 50 4.32 5. 71 5.4± 5. 76 3.69 2. 71 1.32 1.10 41:!.24 

189L ---------- 1.20 2. 79 2.23 2.24 5.03 4.97 5. 72 4.90 4.12 3.62 1.73 0. 75 39.12 

At the experiment station loeated at Laramie, Wyoming, Prof. J.D. 

Conley noted a total evaporation from A.pril17 to October 22, 1895, of 

37.02 inehes, distributed as follows:· April 17-30, 2.53; May, 7.33; 

June, 6.24; July, 7.29; August, 6.07; September, 4.94; October 1-22, 

2. 62 inches. In this test the evaporation was measured by means of 

a. hook gage within a tank lined with galvanized iron, and holding 

when full a cubic meter of water. 3 

Prof. T. Russell, in the Monthly Weather Review fo:r September, 

1 Eleventh Ann. Rept. U. S. Geol. Survey, Part II, p. 34. 2 Fourth Ann. Rept. State Agricultural Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1891, p. 53. 

~University of Wyoming Experiment Station Bulletin No. 27, March, 1896, Meteorology for 

1895, p.l5. 
FORTIER.] EV A.PORATION. 21 

1888, gives the results of one year's observations, from July 1, 1887, to 

. June 30, 1888, of the Piche evaporometer. 

From this article are obtained the following figures, which give the 

computed evaporation in inches at several points: 

Estimated depth of evaporation. in inches. 

Station. Jan. Feb. March. April. May. June. July. I ------

Salt Lake, Utah ________ 1.8 2. 7 3.6 7.2 6.9 8.9 9.2 

Boise City, Idaho _____ .. 1.6 2.5 3.8 6.1 6.5 6.6 10.0 

Winnemucca, N ev ___ .. 0.9 2.8 6.2 9.1 9.3 10.1 11.5 

Denver, Colo·-----·-··- 2.8 3. 7 3.5 7.6 5.8 10.5 8.3 

_Cheyenne, Wyo ________ 3.3 5. 7 4.0 8.2 5.2 10.4 8.0 

Helena, Mont ___________ 1.1 3.6 2.1 6.1 4.3 5.5 7.2 

SantaFe,N. Mex_. _____ 3.0 3.4 4.2 6.8 8.8 12.9 9.2 

Yuma, Ariz.·-- _____ ·--- 4.4 5.2 6.6 9.6 9.6 12.6 11.0 

12mos. Precipi- Station. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. evapo- tation 

ration. in 1888. -------------

Salt Lake, Utah ......... 10.7 9.6 6.5 5.0 2.3 74.4 13.62 

Boise City,Iilaho .•.... : 9.2 7.4 5.2 "0 l>oH 1.8 63.9 11.09 

Winnemucca, Nev ..... 12.0 9.9 6.6 3.7 1.8 83.9 4.89 

Denver, Colo.------ ____ 8.5 6.1 4.9 4.2 3.1 69.0 9.51 

Cheyenne, Wyo ________ 7.7 8.6 5.8 6.1 3.5 76.5 14.51 

Helena, Mont.-----_---- 7.7 6.4 4.3 3.0 2.1 53.4 10.14 

Santa Fe, N.Mex. ______ 9.8 6.6 6. 7 5.7 2. 7 79.8 12.00 

Yuma, Ariz _______ ------ 10.2 8.2 8.2 5.5 4.6 95.7 2.95 

An estimate of the total amount of yearly evaporation from water 

surfaces in this State, based on the foregoing facts, would vary from 

3 to 6 feet in depth, depending upon the temperature, frequency, and 

velocity of the winds, dryness of the atmosphere, and like conditions. 

From the same data we may conclude that, generally speaking, the 

evaporation during the four months of May; June, July, and August, 

or, in other words, the irrigation period of this section, is equal to 

that of the remaining eight months. 

The comparatively large loss by the yearly evaporation. from wet 

ground surfaces of the West,ern States is of far greater importance 

than the evaporation which takes place at water surfaces, for the reason that, in a measure, it can be controlled by man. Such conservation of the obtainable water supply results in having available a 

balance which can be utilized in reclaiming desert land and in increasing the productions of land now cultivated. 

One of the cheapest and most effective methods of checking excessive evaporation is cultivation. In this regard Utah irrigators have 

an important lesson yet to iearn. The custom of the majority is to 

apply large quantities of water to g1·owing crops, making a paste of 

the top soil. In less than twenty-four hours the water in this top 

layer is evaporated, leaving the ground hard and baked. Under such 
22 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [NO.7. 

conditions it is astonishing how rapidly the soil moisture is evaporated. If this top crust is left undisturbed for a few days, the soil 

becomes parched, the crops apparently suffer for lack 6f moisture, 

and the unskilled irrigator fancies the only remedy is to apply more 

water. 

With the most careful attention while irrigating, it is not possible 

always to prevent the formation of paste by the mixture of fine soil 

and water and the subsequent baking; but the robbing the soil of its 

moisture through excessive evaporation can be avoided by breaking 

up the surfaee crust as soon as it forms and by keeping the surface 

layer thoroughly pulverized, thus effectively checking evaporation in 

even the hottest weather. 

Recent experiments have shown that evaporation frmn the surface 

of soil ean be greatly decreased by mulching. The effect, for example, 

of a 3-inch layer of broken, compacted oat straw, spread evenly over 

the surface of a strawberry field in Minnesota, was to decrease the 

evaporation by 605 barrels per acre, and the gain in moisture to the 

soil of a vineyard by a similar treatment was 1,600 barrels per acre, 

sufficient to eover the entire surface to a depth of nearly 2 inehes. 1 

It has been repeatedly demonstrated that wind is a prime factor in 

increasing evaporation from both ground and water surfaces. While 

it is true that the frequen.ey, eourse, and velocity of the winds lie 

heyond the contt·ol of the agriculturist, yet by planting suitable trees 

to form wind-breaks within and around cultivated fields, much benefit may be gained. The foliage of the trees will decrease the temperature, increase the humidity of the air, and break the force of the 

wind. 

Perhaps the most complete test of the amount of water evaporated 

from soil and water surfaees was made in England by Charlf'S 

Greaves, 2 J\.L Inst. C:iv. Eng. His results are.snmmarized by Fanning 

as follows: 

The mean annual rainfall during the time (1860 to 1873) was 27.7 inches. The 

annual evaporations from soil were-minimum, 12.07 inches; maximum, 25.14 

inches, and mean, 19.53 inches; from sancl-minimnm, 1.43 inches; maximum, 9.10 

inches, and mean, 4.65 inches; from water-minimum, 17.33 inches; maximum, 

26.93 inches, and mean, 22.2 inches. 3 The climatic cond].tions of arid America are 

so unlike those of England that the above results do not in the least apply. They 

show, however, that, other conditions being equal, the amount of evaporation from 

ground surfaces is somewhat less than from water surfaces. 

Dr. E. Wollny of Munieh confirms this view when, in summarizing 

the work of three years on evaporation from land surfaces, he con.., 

cludes: 4 

(1) That the quantity of moisture evaporated from the soil into the atmosphere 

is considerably smaller than that evaporated from a free surface of water. 

1 Bulletin No. 32, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. 

2Trans. Inst. Civ. Eng., Vol. XLV, pp. 3-29. 3 A Treatise on Hydraulic and Water-Supply Engineering, by J. T. Fanning, 1889, p. 9J. 4 Pt·of. E. Wollny, Forschunge.n, Vol. XVIII, p. 4B6. ·Abstracted in the Monthly ·weather 

Review, Department of Agriculture, November, 1895,}J. 422. 
FORTIER.] EVAPORATION. 23 

(2) Tha"b the evaporation is smallest from naked sand, an~ largest from naked 

clay, whereas naked turf and humus or vegetable mold have a medium value. 

(3) That the evaporation is increased to a considerable extent by covering the 

ground with living plants. 

(4) Evaporation is a process that depends upon both the meteorological conditions and on the quantity of moisture contained by the substratum of soil. 

(5) Among the external circumstances, temperature is of the greatest importance, inasmuch as, in general, evaporation increases and diminishes with it; but 

this effect is modified according as the remaining factors come into play and in 

proportion to the quantity of water supplied by the substratum. 

(6) The influence of higher temperature is diminished more or less by higher 

relative humidity, greater cloudiness, feebler motion of the wind, and a diminished 

quantity of moisture within the soil, whereas its influence increases under opposite conditions. 

On the other hand, low temperatures can bring about greater effects than high 

temperatures, if the air is clry, or the cloudiness small, or the wind very strong, or 

if a greater quantity of water is present within the evaporating substance. 

(7) For the evaporation of a free surface of water, or for earth that is completely saturated with water, the important elements are, first, the temperature; 

next, the relative humidity of the air, and then the cloudiness and the direction 

and velocity of the wind; whereas, for the ordinary moist ea.rth, no matter whether 

the surface is naked or covered with living plants, it is the quantity of rain upon 

which the soil depends for its moisture that is the important additional consideration. The effects of the external elements on evaporation become less 

important, as explained in paragraph 5, in proportion as the precipitation is less 

and as the soil is more completely dried out by the previous favorable weather, 

and vice versa. For these reasons the rate of evaporation from a free surface of 

water not infrequently differs largely from that from the respective kinds of soil. 

(8) Free surfaces of water and soils that are continuously saturated evaporate 

into the atmosphere on the average more water under otherwise similar circumstances than soils whether naked or covered with plants and whether waterecl 

artificially or naturally. Only at special times, viz, when the influence of the· 

factors that favor evaporation is most intense, when the plants are in the most 

active period of growth, and when the soil contains a large percentage of water, 

can the land that is covered with plants show larger evaporating power than the 

free water surface. 

(9) When a soil that is not irrigated is covered with plants, it evaporates a far 

greater quantity of moisture than when the surface is bare. In the former case 

the evaporation can not exceed the quantity received by the soil from the atmosphere before or during the period of growth. Swampy lands and those that are 

well irrigated, as also free surfaces of water, can, under circumstances favorable 

to evaporation, sometimes give to the atmosphere a greater quantity of water than 

corresponds to the precipitation that occurs during the same time. 

(10) The evaporating power of the soil is, in itself, dependent upon its own 

physical properties; the less its permeability for water, or th~ larger its capacity 

for water and the easier it is able to restore by capillarity the moisture that has 

been lost, by so much the more intensive is the evaporation. For this reason the 

quantity evaporated increases with the percentage of clay and humus in the soil, 

whereas it diminishes in proportion as the soil is t·icher in sandy and coarse-grained 

materials. 

(11) Soil that is covered with plants loses by evaporation so much more water 

in proportion as the plants are better developed, or stand thicker together, or have 

a longer peripd of vegetation, and vice versa. ' · 
24 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

; In the above summary Dr. Wollny touches upon various phases of 

evaporation which have an important bearing on Western irrigation. 

At present there is little data to enable us to compare intelligently 

the results obtained in Germany with those in· this country. However, some of the Agricultural Experiment Stations are taking up this 

work, and in a few years we may hope to know much more of the 

behavior of soil moisture and ground waters and their relation to plant 

life. The main object to be attained in the artificial application of 

water to soil is to develop plant life, and as this can he accomplished 

only by creating a moist soil and subsoil, it is necessa.:·y that we 

endeavor to ascertain the greatest possible percentage of the total 

precipitation that can be used for this purpose. In this State evaporation from both water and land surfaces 1nust be regarded as one 

of the chief sources of waste, and as such deserving of careful study. 

TRANSPIRATION. 

In arid America agricultural products are almost entirely dependent upon the water supply. As a rule, the soil is fertile, containing 

in abundance the elements necessary for the development of plants; 

but if the water supply be either deficient or applied at the wrong 

time, a partial growth will result. The portions of a wheat field that 

are missed at the first irrigation seldom yield one-third of a crop. 

These dry places may be irrigated subsequently, hut the second watering can not restore the shrunken cellular tissues nor the lost vigor. 

The skilled horticulturist has learned by experience and observation 

how and when to irrigate his fruit trees. When the trees are young, 

water is conveyed in two furrows only, one on each side the row of 

trees and at some little distance beyond the farthest roots. As the 

tree grows, the roots thrust themselves farther into the soil, but chiefly 

in the direction of the water supply, and in the following season the 

two furrows may be increased to four, until finally, in well-matured 

trees, all the space of 20 feet or more between the rows is thoroughly 

watered. By such a met,hod water is not only provided for the soil, 

but is applied in such a way as to lead out the roots in quest of 

moisture and food. 

Much bas been written recently on subirrigation, and many agricultural experiment stations have gone so far as to pronounce this 

method superior.to all others. By it water is conveyed through pipes 

buried in the ground and is discharged through a large number of 

small holes located opposite each tree. This mode of irrigation 

has not been succesl-3ful. In the first place, it is an impossibility 

to cause water to discharge equally through so many orifices; and in 

the second place, the water is deposited at particular points in the 

soil, around which the roots of plants are sooner or later m~ssed. The 

few advantages to be gained by applying the water beneath the sur-
FORTIER.] TRANSPIRA '!'ION. 25 

face can not be compared to the disadvantages due to the difficulties 

in the way of its distribution and to the concentration ·of the roots at 

particular places. 

The injurious effects upon vegetation caused by either too little 

water or too much are clearly illustrated by the 1·esults of experiments 

made by Dr. E. Wollny 1 on summer rape, as given in the following 

table. In this, the first column gives the per cent of water i:q. the soil 

as compared to the total water-holding capacity. The second column 

gives the number of pods produced, and the following columns give 

the weight of the various parts: 

Effect of excess and deficiency of moisture. 

Weight of plants air-dried. 

Percent of Number of water in 

the soil. pods. Seed, in Straw, in I Chaff, in Total, in 

grl&:ns. gran~s. grams. grams. 

10 43 1.4 2.8 1.4 5.6 

20 61 2.4 4.4 2.6 9.7 

40 142 6.9 10.4 6.7 24.0 

'60 97 4.3 8.1 4.4 16.8 l_i 95 3.9 7.3 3.9 

0 19 0.3 2.0 0.6 

~ 9 

In growing plants in pots it is possible to apply ,just the right amount 

of moisture, but on the irrigated field it is somewhat different. At 

each watering the ground is for a time nearly saturated. Part of 

·this excess water is soon evaporated, either from the ground or indirectly through the foliage. Another part sinks into the subsoil, and 

the remainder keeps the soil moist. If this soil moisture can be 

maintained jn the right proportion, or, in other words, if the amount 

drawn from the subsoil by capillarity equals the loss by evaporation until the next watering, the crop will grow under the most 

favorable conditions as regards moisture. If too little water is 

applied t,o the surface and the subsoil water for some cause is inaccessible, the crop will suffer and become more or less dwarfed. On the 

other band, too much water may keep the soil near the extreme of 

complete saturation and produce upon vegetation as harmful effects 

as too dry a soil. A cubic foot of average soil when thoroughly saturated will contain from 25 to 30 pounds of water. According to 

Wollny's experiment, the best results were obtained on summer rape 

when about 40 per cent of the empty space in the soil was filled, which 

would be equivalent to from 10 to 12 pounds of water· in every cubic 

foot of soil. 

We may thus classify productive soils under three heads in relation 

I Experiment Station Record, Vol. IV, p. 532. 
26 SEEPAGE WATER. OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

to the percentage of moisture which each contains, viz, as dry soils, 

moist soils, an·d wet st>ils. It may also be said that in each of these 

classes the amount of water drawn up by the roots and transpired by 

the leaves differs. rrhe magnitude of this transpiration of vapor 

through the foliage of plants has been investigated by lVIessrs. King, 

Wollny, Hellriegel, and others, the results of whose}abors are briefly 

summarized in the following tables: 

Amount of wate1' required for a pomul of d1"Y matter in TY1:sconsin. 1 

' Water per Yield per Water per Crop. Year. pound of acre, acre, dt·y matter. pounds. inches. 

Barley ____________ . 1891 402 7,441 13 

Do ___________ -- 1892 375 14,196 23 I 

I 

Oats _______________ 1891 501 8,861 20 

Do ______ ----~ 1892 525 8,189 19 

I CoriL ______________ 1891 301 19,845 26 

Do _____________ 1892 316 19,184 25 

Clover _____________ 1892 564 12,486 

I 

30 

Pease ______________ 1892 4"'~ jj 8,017 t7 

Rat-io of water e-uapomted to -weight of crop har"uested, as shown by e.-tperiments 

of Hellriegel and lVollny. 2 

Crop tHellriegel l. Water Crop (Wollny). Water 

evaporated. evaporated. 

Horse beans ______ 262 Maize ____________ 233 

Pease ____________ 292 Millet_ ___________ 416 

Barley ___________ 310 Pease . __ . ______ .. 447 

Clover ___________ 

1 

330 Sunflower ________ 490 

Spring wheat _____ : 359 Buckwheat_ ______ 646 

Buckwheat _______ ! 371 Oats ___________ . _ 66i:i 

Lupine ____ . _____ -I 373 Barley ___________ 774 

Spring rye _ - __ --. , 377 Mustard _________ 843 

Oats _____________ II 402 Rape _____________ 912 

According to Hellriegel, as shown by the above table, 330 tons of 

water would be absorbed by the roots of clover, drawn up through 

the stems, and evaporated from the breathing pores of the leaves, for 

each ton of elover harvested. If the yield be estimated at 3 tons per 

acre, the quantity of water per acre is 9HO tons, or a volume sufficient 

to cover the surfaee to a depth of nearly 9 inches. So far as has been 

ascertained, no tests have been made in the Rocky Mountain region 

1 F._ H. King, Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Wisconsin, Ninth Annual Report,. 

189'Z. p. 94. 2 Department of Agriculture, Experiment Station Record, Vol. IV, p. 532. 
FORTIER.] TRANSPIRATION. 27 

of the amount of water actually consumed by the various agricultural 

crops between the time of germination and the harvest, but observed 

facts seem to indicate that this amount varies with the conditions of 

soil moisture. 

In sections of northern Utah, where water can not be readily or 

cheaply conveyed to irrigate the land, the fields are usually sown in 

wheat and cultivated "dry," the annual yield being from 12 to 25 

bushels per acre. During the period of geowth the rainfall is Qccasionally less than 1 inch, and the soil and subsoil apparently are very 

dry. If the quantity of water consumed by the wheat was even onethird of that given by Prof. F. H. King for barley and oats, which 

averaged a depth of nearly 19 inches over the entiresurface cultivated, it is difficult to conjecture where the supply could come from. 

On irrigated lands the case is quite different. The proper amount 

of moisture is maintained in the soil, the plant is kept in a healthy, 

vigorous condition, and the normal amount of water passes through 

its tissues, bearing the necessary mineral food furnished by the soil. 

It is not unusual to irrigate alfalfa every other week, and to spread 

an amount of water over the surface during its period of growth sufficient to cover the ground to a depth of 6 feet. A pa1·t of the water 

used in irrigating usually ~inks into the subsoil and flows off as seepage water, a second part is evaporated, and_ the third part, possibly 

one-third of the whole supply, passes through the tissues of the plant 

and is mostly transformed int,o vapor at the leaves. 

The sagebrush and grasses indigenous to the uncultivated lands 

of the Rocky Mountain 1·egion require but little moistqre to maintain 

their slow growth. In the vicinity of Corinne, Boxelder County, 

Utah, the average annual rainfall for the past twenty-five years has 

been less than 12 (11. 73) inches. Little snow remains for any length 

of time on the ground; the evaporation in summer is excessive on all 

moist ground and water surfaces; and yet sagebrush flourishes, gr~wing to a height of from 3 to 5 feet. If we deduct from the total yearly 

precipitation the probable amount of moisture evaporated, very little 

will remain for the use of the plants. It, is possible that the total 

quantity of water absorbed by the roots of the plapts that grow on 

uncultivated lands and transpired by their foliage does not exceed 

one-tenth of the annual precipitation, which in this State would be 

about 1-:l-inches over the surface of unreclaimed arable lands. On the 

preceding estimates, based on observed facts, we may therefore conelude that in this State the amount of water evaporated from the foliage of plants ranges from a surface depth of 1 inch for buffalo grass 

and sagebrush to a surface depth of 20 inehes for wen-irrigated alfalfa. 

CACHE VALLEY. 

This beautiful valley is nearly surrounded by mountains. A spur 

of the Wasatch Range forms the elevated divide between it and Bear 

Lake Valley, in Rich County, to the east, and another spur of the 
28 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. 

same 1·ange forms the lower divide between it and Great Salt Lake 

and Malad River valleys to the west. The average elevation of the 

cultivated portion of the valley is about 4,500 feet. Its length from 

north to south varies from 40 to 50 miles, and its width from east to 

west from 10 to 15 miles. 

The first white men who wintered in the valley were the Garr 

brothers. They were engaged by the authorities of the Mormon 

Church during the winter of 1855-56 to look after the range cattle owned 

by that, church, and they built a rude log hut in the vicinity of what 

is now t,he church farm. In the sun'lmer of 1858 several families 

from Brigham reached the valley through Boxelder Canyon and 

made a permanent settlement in what is now Wellsville. 

According to the latest report of the Utah statistician, the population of Cache County in March of 1895 was 18,286. The pdncipal 

towns and cities in the order of population are: Hyde Park, 647 

inhabitants; Providence, 944; Lewiston, 969; Richmond, 1,295; 

Wellsville, 1,390; Smithfield, 1,448; Logan, 5, 756; total, 14,249. 

Cache County contains an area of 697,600 acres, of which 30,923 1 

acres were irrigated in 1889, and 38,430 2 acres in 1894:. !1~rom information collected during the past season, supplemented by t,he records 

obtained by C. D. W. Fullmer, county statistician, the following table 

has been prepared, giving the approximate number of acres irrigated 

for each kind of crop in 1896. 

App1·o.-rhnate area irriga.ted ·in 1896. 

Acres. 

Cereals _____ . ______________ . __________________ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 20, 000 

Lncern, hay, etc ______ ._ .. ___________________________________________ . ___ 15,000 

Potatoes, beets, etc __ , . ________________ . ___________________ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1, 500 

Fruit trees __ . __________ . ___________ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _______________ .. _ _ _ _ _ . 1, 200 

Small fruits_ ... __________ . _____________ . _______ . ___ . _______ . ___ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 25 

Other products _______________ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____ . . _______ .. __ . _ 900 

Total ... ____________________________________ . __________ . ___________ . 38, 625 

The water utilized in irrigat,ing the southern end of the valley is 

diverted chiefly from New Canyon, I~ittle Bear, and Blacksmith Fm·k 

streams. Logan ·River; with Summit, High, and Clarkson creeks, furnish the supply for the middle portion. Cub and Weston creeks are 

the chief sources of supply for the northern portion. Surveys for irrigating canals have been made to divert water from Bear River, in 

Cache Valley, but owing to the lengths of the proposed canals and 

the cost of construction, none has yet been built. 

The soil in the cultivated portions of the southern end of the valley, 

and particularly in the vicinity of the towns of Paradise, Hyrum, and 

Millville, consists for the most part of a rich, black, clayey loam. In 

the western part clay, with occasional patches of alkali, predominates. 

1 Eleventh Census, Agriculture by Irrigation, F. H. Newell. 2 First Triennial Report of the Bureau of Statistics of Utah. 
FOHTIER.] LOGAN RIVER. 29 

The soil in the northern and northwestern portion of the valley varies 

from coarse gravel to fine sand and clay. On the whole, it maybe 

designated as a soil well adapted for the pro'duction of wheat. 

LOGAN RIVER. 

The greater part of the drainage basin of Logan River lies in the 

mountain 1·ange east of Cache Valley. The main source of the stream 

is quite small, and heads high on the range about 40 miles within the 

mountains; but as it flows down a steep channel toward the west its 

/ J~ne,l896. July,l896. Augnst,l896. !sept., 18961 

M ~ ~ 00 5 ID ~ ~ m 00 5 ID M 00 m 00 5 W 

1', r 

' 

, ' .·· ? f - ' \ 

I 

I 

' .I .. 

I 

- I - - I 

I 

'· ~ -- - -- \ 

\ '·. \ 

\ 

\ 

... .. ' ' ' 

' ... ... ... ... ...... .. ....... ... -· ~ 

... ... ~ 

... '·~ .. .. , ' - ' ~ 

UNAPP lfoP rlJAT .. o WAT ~RS ' .. 

r--' - APPR )Pffl ~TE 'J ... W ~TE ~s I 

FIG. 4.-Diagram showing appropriated and unappropriated waters of Logan River. 

1600 

1500 

1400 

1300 

1 200 

1100 

1000 <1 

0 

000~ Is: 

[lj 

sooz 00 

[lj 

700 8 

z 

1:! 

600~ 

~ 500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

waters mingle with t,hose from Temple Fork, Boss Canyon Creek, 

Spring Creek, Ricks Spring, and Right Hand Fork Creek, which, 

when united, fQrm one of the most important rivers in the State. 

From its head waters to where it. unites with Bear River is some 50 

miles, only 10 of which lie outside rugged canyons. 

About the 1st of J nne, 189f:i, a permanent gaging station was established on this river a short distance below the mouth of the canyon 
30 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. {No.7. 

and above all the canals save one, the Logan, Hyde Park and Smit,hfield. From daily river-height observations and several current meter 

measurements the flow has been accurately determined throughout 

the season. The waters used for beneficial purposes have also been 

determined by a series of measurements of each canal, and both 

results are represented graphically in fig. 4. The aggregate volume 

of all the canals is nearly 200 second-feet; and as the discharge of the 

river at the mouth of Logan Canyon during a dry season may be 

less than that amount, the apparent large surplus of last summer, 

which aver~ged during the month of August, 1896, :322 second-feet, 

is not to be depended upon. 

Irrigating canals dit,erting water from ~ogan River. 

l.ame of canal or ditch. 

June. 

Dis- . B chargein $ ~ sec. ft. ~ 

July. August. September.! 

Dis- . Dis- . Dischargein .$ chargein $ chargein sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. 

1-------------1--1------------------

Logan, Hyde Park, and Smithfield 

CanaL ..... -------------- ____ ---·-- 12 

Logan and Richmond Canal________ 12 

Providence Cf!"naL. _____ ------------ 12 

Logan, Hyde Park, and Thatcher 

34.5 21 

60.4 21 

5.4 21 

CanaL ......... ------------------ -- 1 12 a4S. 9 21 

Nursery CanaL·---------- ____ ------ __________ ---- 21 

Logan and Benson Ward CanaL. __ 12 a25.0 21 

WestField orLittleDitch .......... ____ ........... 21 

!7.5 31 

69.1 31 

30.1 ---- ----------

50.1 ---- ----------

8.2 ---- ---·------ 1 5.2 

*27.o al 

2.4 ---- ·----- ----

23.9 

11.6 1 7.5 

: ,~: I ~---·---------------~---------------~--

ct Estimated. 

The Logan, Hyde Park, and Smithfield Canal was completed in 

June, 1882. Us head gate is located about H- miles above the mouth 

of the canyon, and at, au elevation of 326 feet above the business center of Logan City. In July, 1892, the writer, as the consulting engineer of the city corporation, advised the abandonment of the old 

source of sui1ply, and recommended that the future source be the 

Logan, Hyde Park, and Smithfield Canal, until funds were available 

to extend the conduit to the river. Logan City now gets its domestic 

water supply from that canal, and owns 26} per cent of its paid-up 

capital stock. The canyon portion of the canal was never properly 

constructed, and the loss through leakage is very great. On August 

31, 1893, the discharge at the head gates, as measured by the writer, 

was 48 second-feet. At a point 7,000 feet lower down-the volume had 

been decreased, on account of waste, to 26.7 second-feet, a loss of 21.3 

second-feet, or 44 per cent of the volume diverted. rrhe area irrigated since 1892 has not varied to any appreciable extent,, and the 

following table gives the figures fQr the three preceding years: 
FORTIER.] LOGAN RIVER. 31 

At·ea irr1:gated by Logan, Hyde Par·k, and .SmUhji.eld Ca.nal. 

a, A city lot is equivalent to 2 acres of farm land. 

The Logan iaud Richmond Irrigating Company was organized in 

November, 1864, and the canal was built in 1865-1867. The records 

of the company show that the land irrigated by this canal in 1878 was 

1,400 acres of farm lands and 195 city lots, but the capacity of the 

canal was considerably increased in1881, and more la•d was reclaimed 

at its lower terminus in the vicinity of the town of Smithfield. The 

areas irrigated by this canal in 1895 are as given below: 

A.t·ea irrigated by Logan and Richmond Cfuzal. 

~ 

I 

Logan 

Hyde 

I Smith 

Precinct. Farmlands. City lots. Total. 

Acres. Numbet·. Acres. 

---------------- ... ---~ 897 214 1,325 I 

Park ___ . ___ . _________ 610 50 711 

field_ . _ .. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ 1,240 0 1,239 I ------- Total _ ... ___ .. ________ 2,747 264 3,275 

Providence Canal is the only irrigating system of any considerable 

size which diverts water from the south or left bank of Logan River. 

It was begun in 1866, but owing to the fact that the locating engineer 

set pegs on an ascending grade from the proposed place of diversion, 

and the water would not flow uphill, the enterprise was abandoned 

until 1883, when the necessary changes in the elevations were made 

and the canal completed. The cost of maintenance has always been 

high, owing to faulty location and steep hillsides, averaging about 

$250 per annum, and the area irrigated since 1883 has not varied far 

from 300 acres. 

Logan, Hyde Park, and Thatcher Canal was begun in the spring of 

1860. It is the oldest in Cache Valley, and was the first to divert 

water from Bear River or its tributaries. The primary object held in 

view by the original projectors was to irrigate wheat lands, but several· 

mill owners obtained permission to widen the canal sufficiently to 

furnish them with a supply for power purposes. A- portion of the 

flow has been so employed ever since, but the tail wate~ from the mills 
32 SEEPAGE WA'l'ER OF NORTHERN UTAH.- [No.7. 

is nearly all subsequently used in h'rigation. r_rhe canal branches at 

Sixth street, the upper branch extending to Hyde Park, the lower to 

a portion of Logan City. The acreage irrigated in 1860 was about 700 

acres, and there has been a nearly uniform increase from that time to 

the present. Of late years the total number of acres irrigated by both 

branches of the canal has averaged about 2,115, of which 1,'215 acres 

are located in Hyde Park and the remainder in Logan. 

Logan and Benson Ward Canal has its headgates near the business 

center of Logan. The date of its water appropriation extends back 

to 1861. The extent of land at present irrigated by this canal includes 

856 acres in Benson Ward and 2,150 acres in Logan precinct. 

West Field, or Little Ditch, takes its supply from the tailraces of 

the mills and from Logan River at t,he city park. The first branch 

was made in the spring of 1860. The ditch flows into Spring Creek 

pond and receives a portion of its supply from this last source. The 

area irrigated in late years is 1,100 acres. 

The average combined capacity of the 6 canals enumerated above 

was, for June, 1896, 188.8 second-feet; for July, 183.3 second-feet; for 

August, 157.6 second-feet; and for September, 131.5 second-feet. 

Comparing this with the aggregate area irrigated-12,920 acres-it 

appears that the duty of water per second-foot in June was 68.4 acres; 

in July, 70.4 acres; in August, Sl.fl acres; and in September, 98.3 

acres. 

BLACKSMITH FORK RIVER. 

This stream rises in a range of the Wasatch }'fountains which separates Cache Valley from Rich County, flows in a northwesterly direction, and empties into Logan River. Its total length is about 35 

miles. The average depth of compacted snow near the sources of this 

stream in February and March is about 4-! feet, and as the greater 

part of this snow melts during the month of May and the early part 

of June, t,he spring floods are excessive in proportion to the comparatively small area drained. 

The discharge of this stream at a point a short distance below the 

mouth of Blacksmith Fork Canyon from June 15 to September 15, 

1896, and the combined flow of all the irrigating canals diverting 

water therefrom are represented graphically in fig 5. The maximum 

volume of water appropriated and utilized is therein shown to be 180 

second-feet, while the discharge of the stream may be said, if we 

except a few days in September, not to fall below that amount during 

the irrigating period. 

As shown by the following table, six canals divert water from this 

source and vary in carrying capacity from 4 to 70 second-feet. The 

Hyrum Canal is the largest and is divided near its head gates, the 

upper branch supplying water to a portion of Hyrum City, and the 

lower being used on the fields adjacent to Millville. Solveson & Co.'s 
i 

i 

I 

I 

I 

I 

FORTIER.] LOGAN RIVER. 33 

ditch is one of small capacity, and waters the lands on the river bottoms. The remaining four canals extend to the town of JHillville and 

its vicinity, two being taken out on the east side of the river and two 

on the west. 

June,l896. Ju1y,l896. 

....... \ 

' \ 

\ 

' \ 

\. -- ' ' ' ' '~~· 

-·---r-- .... 

--- ...... _ 

......... 

" PRO r-......... - UNAP 

r-...... ['--..... 

A~PR ~RI ~TEl: WJ 

August,l896 . 

!--........ ' ' ... .......... --· --- ~RIA r-ED WA1 ERS 

r-..... 

K ' .......... ............. 

~Elf~ 

jsept., 18961 

--... ......... _,, 

""""-

~ .............. 

300 

275 

250< 0 

t' 

225~ t'OJ 

200z 00 

t'OJ 

175 ~ 

1::1 

150 ~ 

~ 125 

100 

75 

50 

0 

FIG. 5.-Diagt>am showing appt>opriated and unappropriated watet>s of Blacksmith Fork River. 

Irrigating canals dive1·ting water front Blacksm-ith .Fork Rl:t,er. 

I Augu,t. September. I 

<li charge in <li charge in $ charge in $ charge in ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. 

June. July. 

Dis- Dis- ·1 Dis- . Dis1-------------1----------------

Solverson & Co.'s ditch ____________ 18 3.9 9 0.8 5 2.2 15 Dry. 

No.1 canal __________________________ {~ 27.8 }10 17.4 4 22.8 15 4.8 32.9 

Hyrum canaL __ -----_----- __________ 18 48.7 10 63.6 4 65.9 15 22.8 lili: can&----·--.- -------- -- --·- 18 70.6 10 51.7 4 ~-1 15 lU canal-----------------------·-- 9 16.4 4 6.7 15 4 

canal-------------------------- 9 13.5 4 1.1 15 . 

LITTLE BEAR RIVER. 

Little Bear River, Little Muddy River, or Boxelder Creek, as it is 

variously termed, is a tributary of Logan River. It is formed by two 

main streams which unite near the town of Paradise, in the southern 

IRR7-3 
34 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. (N0.7. 

part of the valley. One of these tributaries is called the East Fork 

of LHtle Bear River, and has a total length from its head waters to its 

mouth in Logan River of 33 miles. The general trend of its course 

within the mountains is easterly, but. after joining the South Fork the 

June,1896. July,1896. August,1896. !sept., 18961 

~ m • oo 5 w M m • oo 5 w u oo m oo 5 w 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

' ' ' '~. UN ...... PIC PR~ ED ... WA" EA 

APPPre PRIA EOW.ol 

... _ --- ~ ... ........ ... ' ... r-= t=.:::.:.. ------ TER ·---r--- --- -r--

250 

200 

~ 

175 0 

~ 

150 ~ ~ 

z t• ~ c 

0 

100 ~ 

~ t9 

75 ~ 

50 

0 

FIG. 6.-Diagram showing appropriated and unappropriated waters of South Fork of Little 

Beat' River. 

combined waters flow in a northerly direction to Logan River. The 

South Fork is fed by numerous springs and rivulets which flow from 

the south side of the divide lying between Cache Valley and Ogden 

Valley, and its greatest length from its source to its confluence with 

the East Fork is 10 miles. The following table gives the names and 

\ June, 1896. July,l896. August, 1896. 

15 00 25 30 5 10 15 00 30 5 10 15 00 

1 

r-.;:- .. "1:::,. ...... 

~~ ~ ' ~ ' ' 7 ~<> ... 

~ --==--- - ._., r== --- ---- --- ---- --- ---- --- --- -- iAPPf 'OPRI ~TED WAiFr ........... 1'--.... 

FIG. 7.-Diagram showing appropriated and unappropriated waters of East Fork of Little 

Bear River. 

the capacities at stated periods of each ditch or canal diverting ·water 

from Little Bear River and its tributaries. A glance at figs. 6 and 7 

shows that the waters of both forks were nearly all utilized during 

the past season. 
FORTIER.] LOGAN RIVER. 35 

In this portion of the valley the gain due to seepage waters from 

irrigated areas and from the adjacent bench lands is of considerable 

value to the inhabitants of Wellsville. On July 15, 1896, the flow in 

the South Fork was 61 second -feet. On the same date Hyrum 

Canal was diverting 55 second-feet, and a surplus of 24 second-feet 

remained in the river. These figures show a gain from seepage and 

deep-seated springs of 43 second-feet. Subsequently the springs 

were measured and aggregated nearly 20 second-feet, thu~ leaving a 

balance of 23 second-feet of seepage waters. · 

Irrigating canals dive·rting water frmn Little Bear River. 

June. July. August. September. 

Name of canal or ditch. Dis- Dis- . Dis- . Dis- ~ charge in eli charge in .E charge in $ charge in 

0 sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. 

1-------------1--1-----------------

Fr01n East Fork. 

Jackson Surplus Ditch------------- 19 3 10 

Frank Law Ditch .....•.•........... 19 1.6 10 

Facer Ditch ..................... ____ 19 6.8 10 

Paradise Irrigation and Reservoir 

Company's Canal .................. 19 50.2 10 

JJ'rom South Fork. 

Nichols Ditch ....................... ____ .......... 11 

Davis & Co.'s Ditch .............•... ____ ---------- 11 

Hyrum CanaL ...................... ____ ---------- 11 

From main, strearn. 

South Field Ditch .................. ____ .......... 11 

Paradise Hollow Ditch ................. ------ .... 14 

Miller Ditch ..... --------............ .. .. .... •..... H 

Wellsvillt:> East Field Ditch ...................... 14 

CUB RIVER. 

2.3 

Dry. 

1.1 

6 Dry ..... ----------

6 Dry. 

47.2 6 35.1 15 22.5 

Dry. ___ .. ---· ................ ---- ................. ---- Dry. ............ ---------- ---- ... .............. ---- 57.4 6 40.1 15 12.8 

2. 7 6 Dry. ---- ---------- 2.5 7 2 15 Dry. 

2.8 7 1.4 15 .Dry. 

26.1 7 4.9 12 2.6 

Cub River, the main source of supply for the northern portion of 

Cache Valley, rises in Idaho, flows in a southwesterly direction for a 

distance of 28 miles, and empties into Bear River. The six ditches 

which head on this stream were each measured three times last summer, with results as stated in the following table. The highest is the 

Cub River and Worm Creek Irrigation Company's ca:r;:tal, which supplies with water the town of Preston, Idaho. It is taken out on the 

north side of the river, and conveyed through a pass in the ridge 

into Worm Creek channel, which is used to convey the canal water 

to a lower elevation, where it is again diverted into several ditches 

that distribute irrigating water to the various precincts of Preston. 

The next canal of any considerable importance is that of the Cub 

River and Middle Ditch Irrigation Company, which on June 25 

carried 50.7 second-feet. By far the largest canal on this stream 
36 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

was begun in 1860, for the purpose of watering bench lands located 

north of Franklin, on the right bank of Cub River. Owing, however, 

to a grave error in the grade, the project was temporarily abandoned, 

and it was not until after the settlement of Lewiston that a resurvey 

was made and the canal completed. It is now known as the Lewiston 

Ditch, or canal._ The lowest canal, but the first to divert water from 

Cub River, if one excepts the Perkins Ditch, which is now practically 

abandoned, is the Franklin City Ditch, which was built in 1864 by 

Messrs. Parkinson, Smart, 'Voodward, and others. 

The accompanying diagra1n (fig. 8) showing the appropriated and 

unappropriated waters of Cub River, indicates a large surplus during 

the months of J nne, but after July 10 the flow is nearly all utilized by 

the various canals. 

June,1896. July,1896. August, 1896. !sept., 18961 

ffi m ~ oo 5 ro M oo ~ oo 5 ro u ~ ~ oo 5 ro ... r-, 

' ' \ 

\ 

' I 

I 

\ 

UNAijPRO ~IATEOa, 

WATER \ 

' -........ \ 

. --~ 

APF ROP ~IAT ~D \ 

/ 

/ \ 

K ' \ 

'-... A ~ 1::-< ... 

VATI R ~ t----.. :---..: ~ 

- -=- --

500 

450 

400 

< 350g c::l 

300~ 

z 250~ 0 

0 

200§ ~ 

150 ~ ~ 

100 

50 

0 

FIG. 8.-Diagram showing appropriated and unappropriated waters of Cub River. 

Irrigating canals diverUng water from Cub Rive·r in Oneida. CO'unty, Idaho. 

Augu•t. S.ptember.l 

Dis- ·1 Dis- . Dis- . Dis- $ chargein $ chargein $ chargeiu $ chargein 

June. July. 

N arne of canal or ditch. 

~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. 

1-----------1------~------- ----

Cub River and Worm Creek lrrigation Company's canaL. ________ 25 

Morehead, Taylor, and Kent Ditch. 25 

Cub River an<l Middle Ditch Irrigation Company's canaL. ________ 25 

T~ylor ditch ____ -------------------- ~ 

Lewiston ditch.-----. ____ ..... ______ 25 

Franklin City ditch _________________ 26 

42.5 

4.8 

50.7 

Dry. 

122.1 

5.6 

27 31.8 

26 1.5 

27 15.9 

27 2.1 

27 51.0 

28 2.4 

~--- ---------- 7 8.4 

---- --------·- 7 Dry. 

---- ---------- I 7 12.0 

---- -----........... 7 

~ ·--- .................... 7 " ---- ----............ 7 . 
FORTIER.] LOGAN RIVER. 37 

HIGH CREEK. 

High Creek is a tributary of Cub River. It rises near the boundary line between Utah ancl Idaho and flows in a southwest course 

for a distance of about 9 miles~ Numerous ditches, as may be seen 

by the following table, take water from this comparatively small 

stream, but, with .the exception of the two Richmond canals, their 

discharges during July and August are small. The Richmond Irrigation Canal, increased by a portion of the flow from Cherry Creek, 

waters the sloping bench lands lying between High Creek and Richmond. This canal, when augmented by the flow ft om City Creek, 

also furnishes water for the upper portion of the town of Richmond. 

The lower portion of this town and the farm lands adjacent thereto 

are watered by the Richmond City Canal. 

Irrigat-ing canals diverting water from High Creek, in Cache County, Utah. 

June. 

a5 Dis-

-+> charge in oe sec. ft. A 

Name of canal or ditch. a) 

-+> ttl 

A 

July. August. Septem~ 

Dis- . Dis- . Discharge in $ charge in $ charge in sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. 

1-------------1------------------

Williams and Derney Ditch ........ 28 1.3 29 Dry. ·--- ---------- ........ ........................ 

Upper High Bair Ditch ______________ 28 2.9 29 Dry. ---- ...................... ---- ... .................... 

Upper Coveville Ditch ...... ________ 28 7.8 29 Dry. ---- ...................... ---- ---------- Richmond Irrigation Company's 

Canal ...... ------------.----- ______ 28 4iJ.2 29 2.5 ---- .................... 9 1.0 

Williams Bros., Eckelson and Day 

Ditch----------------------------·- 28 3.6 :39 Dry. ---- ---------- ----1·---------

Norman Day Ditch.---------------- 28 0. 7 29 Dry. ---- -----·---- ---- ---------- Richmond City or Irrigation CanaL 28 25.5 29 16.4 ---- ---------- 9 3.8 

Two Eleventh Ditch ________________ 28 8.7 29 0 9 ---- ---- ... ~ ---- 9 1.0 

Lower Cove ville Ditch _____________ 28 6.8 29 12 ---- ........................ 9 2.1 

J. Bright Ditch ...... ------ ____ ------ 28 8.9 29 2.8 ---- ---------- 9 0 6 
38 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

SUMMIT CREEK. 

Summit Creek has its source near the head waters of Logan River, 

ancl after flowing in a southwesterly course for a distance of 13 miles 

empties into Bear River. The summer flow of t,his creek is diverted 

through various canals, a list of which is given in the order of elevation in the following t,able, and is used to irrigate the town lots of 

Smithfield and the farm lands adjacent thereto. A portion of the 

flow is first used for mechanical purposes, but is subsequently diverted 

for irrigation purposes. 

Irr-tgatfng canals dit,erting 'Wate1· from Swmnit and Birch creeks in Caehe County, 

Utah. 

l.ame of oaual o• diteh. 

June. 

$ Discharge in $ <:\l sec. ft. <:\l 

A A 

July. 

Discharge in sec. ft. 

August. Sejrtembe•.! 

. Dis- . Dis- ~ charge jn ~ charge in ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. 

1-----------------------------

Roskelly Ditch .... ________ ---------- .... ---------- 3 Dry ..... ---------- ____ ----------

Peterson Ditch .... -------- ____ ------ ---- ---------- 3 Dry ..... ---------- ____ ----------

Surplus Ditch------------------------------------{ ~ 

Union Milling Company's Ditch ___ -------------{! ~ 

Mack's Old Mill Race Ditch ________ ---- ---------{! ~ 

1::~} ---- ---------- 10 2.8 

~:~}---- ---------- 10 0.8 

::~~~------------ 10 a1 

City Ditch ___________ ---------------- ---- ----- ----{ ~ ~:~} ---- ---------- 10 0.2 

Morehead Ditch ----------------- -- ---- -------- -{ ~ ~:~} ---- ---------- 10 0.1 

Levy Ditch ____________________________________ -{~ ~ 

Big Ditch.-----------_ ..... _-···- .... _____ ..... _. -{~ ~ 

1

!::} ---- ---------- 10 1.6 

"!:~l---- ---------- 10 _j 
FORTIER.] LOGAN RIVER. 39 

MISCELLANEOUS MEASUREMENTS. 

; The following table gives the results of measurements made of the 

flow of canals and ditches from other streams within Cache Valley , 

other than those before described : 

Results of rneasurernents of irrigation canals and ditches. 

June. July. August. September. 

N arne of canal or ditch. 

$ ch~:ein $ ch~:~in $ ch~:~in .Sich~{:~in ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. 

1---------------1------------------

F1·om Cla1·kston Ol·eek. 

Birch Creek ditch----------~------- ____ ---------- ____ ---------- 12 

Upper Dam ditch ______________________ ---------- ____ ---------- 12 

Lower Dam dit~h ------ ______________________________ ------- ___ 12 

From Sugctr Creek, Oneida County, 

Idaho. 

UpperWheelerditch ---··--------- ____ --------- 27 

Taylor and Perkins ditch ____ ------ ____ ------ ____ 27 

Lower Wheeler ditch------ ___ . ____________ ------ 27 

From Cherry Creek, in Cache 

County, Utah. 

Upper Cherry ditch __ .... ---------- 30 10.7 30 

Cherry Creek Water Section canaL 30 7.5 30 

Front Maple Creek and tributw·ies, 

Crooked Creek and Deep Canyon, 

in Oneida Com1ty, Idaho. 

Crooked Canyon Creek ditch ______ 27 0.3 28 

J. Chatterton and J. Lowe ditch. __ ..,~ ..,j 2. 7 28 

J. Lowe ditch----------------------- ..,~ 

..,j 0.4 28 

Silver Pofnt ditch ____ -------------- 26 2. 7 28 

Maple Creek or Franklin City 

ditch------------------ ________ ... _ 2ti 11.6 28 

Stalker and Woodward ditch----- ..,~ 

..,j 1.7 28 

Woodward ditch ...... ·-------------- 26 3.5 28 

Stalker and Flack ditch ........ ____ 26 4.6 28 

From Sp1·ing Creek, at Prot•ide?!Ce, 

in Ca,che County, Utah. 

Bullock ditch--------------- ________ ---- ---------- Bear ditch ------ --------.. ----------- ---- ---------- 8 

South Bench ditch __________________ ---- ---------- 8 

Upper ditch. ___________________ .---- ---- ----·----- 8 

Town ditch.------ .. -----. _______ .. __ ---- ---------- 8 

Accommodation ditch .............. ---- ---------- 8 

From Weston C1·eek, 'in Oneida 

County, Idaho. 

Lapray and Norton and Coburn 

ditches---------------------------- ---- .................... 18 

No.1 ditch-------------------------- ---- ---------- 18 

Georgson ditch_-----------· ________ ----~---------- 18 

Weston Town ditch----------------

--r-------

18 

East ditch. ____ .. ________ -··<·· ______ -------------- 17 

South Field ditch.------.------- ____ ------------- 17 

0.2 

0.9 

0.9 

6.2 

0.9 

0.4 

Dry. 

1.0 

Dry. 

5.0 

2.9 

Dry. 

1. 7 

0.7 

2.2 

10.6 

9.5 

6. 7 

0.9 

2.6 

3.6 

2.3 

2.4 

2.5 

4.3 

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

~---

--·-

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

11 

11 

11 

11 

11 

11 

3.6 3 

1.9 3 

1.5 3 

7 

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

------ ---.. 9 

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

---------- ----

·--------- 8 

---------· ----

---------- 8 

---------- 9 

---------- ----

---------- 8 

1.3 H 

3.9 14 

11.7 14 

3.5 14 

3.4 14 

Dry. 14 

1.4 4 

1.5 3 

1.8 3 

1. 4 3 

1.0 4 

3.9 4 

3.0 

1.4 

2.0 

Dry. 

0.4 

Dry. 

1.1 

1.0 

Dry. 

---- ............ 

Dry. 

----------

3.1 

0.6 

--·-.----- Dry. 

0.4 

Dry. 

4.2 

6.8 

2.9 

0.2 

0.8 

1.6 

1.4: 

2.1 

1.0 

3.0 
40 SEEPAGE WATER 0~' NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

Srnaller creeks ancl springs of Cache Valley frorn which water is cl'ivertecl for 

irrigating purposes. 

June. July. August. I September., . 6ci~ber. 

Name. Dis- $ ai charge in ~ sec. ft. "" Oil 

A A -----

City Creek (Richmond)_---. 

City Creek (Clarkston) .. -------------- 17 

Deep Canyon Creek 

(Mendon) .... __________ ---- ...... __ __ 16 

Dry Canyon Creek 

Dis- ai charge in "" sec. ft. ~ 

A ----- 2.6 

0.9 12 

1.4 12 

Discharge in sec. ft. 

----

Dry. 

0.8 

o5 

~ 

A 

-

3 

1-.5 11 

(Avon)------------------------------- ............... 5 0.8 15 

Dry Creek (Weston) ... __ ---- ...... ---- 18 0. 5 ______ .... ---- 15 

Discharge in sec. ft. 

----

0.7 

1.2 

Dry. 

Dry. 

Dis- ~ charge in ~ sec. ft. A 

- ----

Flat Canyon Creek ______ 27 0.9 28 Dry. ____ "--···---- ____ ---------- ____ ----------

Green Canyon Creek ____ 13 5. 9 31 Dry ..... ---------- __________________ ----------

Hyrum Dry Canyon 

Creek .... "-------------- .... ---------- ____ ---------- 6 

Millville Creek. __________ .... ---------- 9 3.9 4 

Myler Creek------------- ____ ---------- 17 0.3 12 

New Canyon Creek .......... ---------- 15 4.5 8 

NeboCreek -------------- ____ -----·--- 1 0.6 30 

0.4 15 

4.3 14 

0.4 3 

4.9 12 

Dry. 

Dry. 

4.5 

0.4: 

4.5 

OxKillerCreek .......... 27 0.4 l28 Dry. -------------------------------- ......... . PoleCanyonCreek ______ --·- ---------- ____ ---------- 6 1.5 ____________ .. ____ ----------

Spring Creek ( R i c h 

mond) ---- _ -·--- ___ . __ __ 30 1. 3 29 0. 3 ____ ---------- 9 Dry. ______ .. __ .... 

Three Mile Creek ________ .... ----...... __ .. _____ ..... 12 0.1 11 Dry. ____ .... _____ _ 

TwinCreek ______________ .............. 16 1.1 13 1.6 11 1.2 ---- -------·--

Worm Creek .... ____ .. __ _ 24 1. 7 26 Dry. .. .. __ ---- ........ __ .... --.. ---- ---- .. _ .. . 

Coburn Spring_ ...... ________ -----..... _________ ----- __ .. ____ ...... 4 0. 6 ____ .... __ ... . 

Clayton Spring---------- ____ ---------- 15 1.8 8 1.9 12 1.6 ---- ----------

Done etal. springs _______ .... ---------- ____ .... __________ ........... ____ ---------· 22 10.2 

GardnerSpring __________ --- ----------~15 5.0 8 4.3 12 3.5 .... ----------

Gibsonetal.springs ..... ----~---------- ____ ---------- ____ ---------- ____ ---------- 22 6.5 

GittenSpring ________________ ---------- 16 · 0.4 13 0.5 12 0.4, ____ ----------

Garr Spring __________________ ~ .. ____ ____ 9 3. 6 5 3. 2 14 3.1 ______ .. _____ _ 

Graveyard Spring _______ .... 1 .......... 16 0.6 13 0.5 11 0.4 ____ ----------

Hyrum Field Seepage 

springs----------------- ____ ---------- ____ ---------- 7 10.2 ____ ---------- ____ ----------

HalversonSpring ________ .... ---------- 30 0.5 ____ ---------- ____ ---------- ____ ----------

J. Stone and T. Lowe 

Spring ...... ___________ . 27 1.-5 0.2 

Millville C r e a m e r y Spring ____________ .. ______ .. __________________ ....... ___ .... . ..... 7 3. 6 _____________ _ 

Marks et al. springs ..... ____ ---------- ____ ---------- ____ ---------- ____ ---------- 2'~ 3.8 

~~:~-~:~~~~ ~i:;~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~: ~~~~ ~~~~~1~~~ :~~~ :~~~~~ ~~~~ :~~~: :~~~~ --~- -----~--~-- ·;z· -----5.-8'" ~~~~::~:~~~g ~~~~- ____ ----------~15 4.0 8 4.3 ___________________________ _ 

No.1 ...... ---------------------------- 15 7.0 8 7.5 ____ ---------- ____ ---------· North Field Dam Spring 

No.2 .. -.-........ ______ ! ____ .... ------ 15 4. 0 8 3. 6 ____ ---------- ________ -----· 

Pond Spring (Mendon) __ .... 1.... ...... 16 1. 1 12 0. 9 11 1.1 ________ .. ___ _ 

Pond Spring <Logan) ________ ---------- ____ ---------· ____ ---------- 11 7.5 ____ ----------

Rocky Point Spring ...... ____ ---------- 16 1.6 12 0.5 11 0.3 ____ ----------

:~~s~i~:~:~;~~:;;~- .... ---------- 15 3.0 ____ ---------- ____ ---·------ ____ -------·--

Spring .... , _____________ .... ---------- ____ ---------- ____ ---------- 12 0.15 ____ ----------

Wm. Hugh's Spring _____ 26 0.17 ____ ----------~---- ---------- ____ ---------- ____ ----------

Newton Reservoir _______________ ...... 17 8.6 12 4.9 2 1.9 .... ---------- opkins's Slough ________ .... _____________________ ---r--- ____ . _____ ____ ____ _ _____ 23 6~ 
FORTIER.) LOGAN RIVER. 41 

Som·ces of water supply in Cache ralley not used h~ 1~rrigaUon in Cache County. 

Name of source. 

June. July. August. September. October. 

Dis- Dis- . I Dis- . Dis- . Dis- $ charge in ~ charge in .S charge in .S charge in .S charge in ~ sec. ft. A sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. ~ sec. ft. 

1-----------1-----------------------

Bear River at Battle 

Creek.------------------ 23 3,954.1 25 1,187.2 ____ ---------- 5 872.6 ____ ----------

Do .•.•.•..•• -------·---------···---- 25 1,198.8 ---- ····------ 28 820.7 .... ----------

Do ...•..........•.... c .••• --·-·----- 25 1,197.9 .... ---······ ---- .•......•..... ~---------

SpringCreek (Mendon). ____ --------- ____ .......... ____ .............. ---------- 20 66.4 

~::::~;::i:::~~)- ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~T~~~~~~~~~ ~:~~ ~~:~-~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ : :::· 

RESULTS OF STREAM MEASUREMENTS. 

June,1896. July,1896. August, 1896. 

3500 

FIG. 9.-Diagram of water supply o~ Cache Valley, exclusive of Bear River. 

For purposes of comparison some of the results of the stream and 

canal measurements made in Cache Valley during the summer of 1896 

are summarized in the diagrams ·of figs. 9 and 10. Fig. 9 shows the 

inflow, outflow, and irrigating waters of the valley exclusive of Bear 

River, while fig. 10 includes both the inflow and outflow of Bear River. 

As has been stated, no water is diverted frgm this river in Cache 

Valley, all the water now utilized being obtained from the various 
42 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

tributaries. The aggregate discharge of all these tributaries, including wells and springs, is shown by the curved line termed "intlow" in 

fig. 9. This diagram also shows the total amount of the inflow which 

was used for irrigation purposes and the surplus which was discharged 

into Bear River. · 

I~ will be seen that the volume used for irrigation on any one day 

does not represent the difference between the inflow and the outflow 

on the same day. On every day from June 15 to September 15,1896, 

June,1896. July, 1896. August, 1896. Jsept., 1896J 

15 20 25 30 5 10 15 20 25 30 5 10 15 20 25 30 5 10 

"· .. ' ·• '·. '·. \ ·. 

' ' •. , ... 

\ ·. ' . ' ~ 

\ 

\ 

' 

~\ ···~~. .. ,~-

' ., ,<::2._ ••••••• ... ~~ ................ . - .... ·..!'~ ••• •••• 

-... 

-------.......... 

-,oooo 

6000 

5000 

. 4000 

3000 

••• 2000 .. ...... ...... ... /A!~~~~ 

.. --- -~~~fi!f~~~ 

FIG. 1{l.-Diagram of water supply of Cache Valley, inclusive of Bear River. 

excepting a few days in August; there was a gain due to seepage 

waters. This gain during the latter half of June averaged a continuous flow of 500 second-feet, or 18 per cent of the inflow, but it 

decreased rapidly until the 20th of Angust, when it began to increase 

gradually to September 15. In the following table are given, in cubic 

feet.persecond, the volume flowing into the valley, Bear River excepted, 

<: 

0 

t" 

c:l 

a:: 

1:9 

;z 

rJ). 

1:9 

c 

0 

!2l 

1::1 

~ 1:9 

1:9 

t-3 
U. S. G~OLOGICAL SURV~Y WATER -SIIPPLY PAPER NO. 7 PL. 11 
FORTIER] LOGAN RIVER. 43 

the volume diverted for irrigation, and the outflow, besides thb average 

monthly gain, resulting from seepage waters. 1 

·water supply of Cache Valley, exclusi·ve of Bear River, in second-feet. 

Date. 

1896. 

June 15---- ---·-- ·----- ____ .... 

June 20 ---------·-- ____________ 

June 25 ------ _ .... -····· - ~. -... 

June 30------ ____ ------ ________ 

July5 .....• --------------------

July 10.------------------------

July 15 .••.•.• ------------------

July2Q _______ ------------------

July25. ------------.-----------

July30. ___ ... ---------- ____ ----

August5 .••.•.• ------------ ____ August 10 .• ____ .• _______ • ______ 

August15 ...... ____ ------------

August 20 ..•. ___ . _ ...... _. _. _ .. 

August25 ...• ___ . ----. __ .. -----

August30 .. ____ . -----.----- ____ 

September5 _____________ ------

September 10 ____________ • _____ 

September 15 .... _ -------------

Inflow. Irrigation. Outflow 

3,275.8 1,163.1 2,659 

3,006 1,162.9 2,029 

2,537.5 1,159 1 1,884 

2,107. 6 1,136 1, 739 

1,805. 9 1,081. 9 1,149 

1,511. 4, 1,020.2 849 

1,552.5 925.5 684, 

1, 341.3 860 674 

1,244. 2 755.6 5M 

1,224 4 731.9 554 

1, 1(8. 2 632.2 557 

1,006. 9 573.4 562 

998.6. 547 5 462 

997.7 512.3 417 

938.4 470.5 438 

905.2 442.8 553 

813.2 394.7 508 

938.9 352.7 508 

864.6 334.7 600 

Average 

monthly 

gain from 

seepage. 

l 500.4 

181.6 

J 61.5 

I 

The rainfall from June 15 to September 15 on the 450 square miles 

lying wit.bin the area bounded by the locations of the ~tream measurements in Cache Valley was 3.58 inches, or an equival~nt of ~5,9:20 

acre-feet of water. Assuming, for the present, that the amount of 

water evaporated from the surface of the irrigated area, together 

with that transpired by t.he leaves of cultivated plants, would aggregate a depth of 12 inches during the three months from June 15 to 

September 15, the loss due to evaporation over an irrigated area of 

38,625 acres would equal 38,625 acre-feet. Again, if we assume that 

the water evaporated from the surface of the uncultivated. portions 

of the valley was 4 inches during the same time, this loss over an 

area of 450 square miles, less 38,625 acres, or 249,375 acres, would 

equal 83,125 acre-feet. Comparing the losses due to evaporation with 

the gain from rainfall, the former is the greater by 35,830 acre-feet, 

which would maintain a stream of 200 second-feet for nearly three 

months. 

If we assume that the rainfall just balances the evaporation, then 

t.he gain due to seepage would be so given in the above table. In this 

case the amount evaporated from the surface of the uncultivated portion of the valley in three months would be less than 2i inches, an 

amount apparently too small. 
44 SEEPAGE WATER OF NI)RTHERN UTAH. 

ITn:gating dtdy of wate1· in Cache Valley in 1896. 

Month. 

1896. 

Duty o f 

water in ~ per sec. ft. 

June.. . ............ 52 

July ______ ----·----------· 67 

A ugust ---·-----------· .. .. 113 

September . ___ . __ ________ _ . 166 

Average ............ .. 99.5 

(N0. 7. 

The figures g iven above include all the waste arising from absorption, seepage, and evaporation .in th e conveyance of the water as well 

as all waste caused by imperfect methods of irrigating. 

:. 

'I. 

FIG. 11.- Bcar River at Collinston Utah . 

SEEPAGE WATERS IN OGDEN VALLEY. 

This valley comprises th e highest irrigated la ud in W eber County. 

It is separated from Great Salt Lake Valley by a narrow spur of the 

\VasaLch Mountains a nd is watered by t he South , Middle, and North 

foeks of Ogden River and several small c reeks. The three main tributaries meet near the lowe t· part of t he valley and form Ogden River, 
FORTIER.] LOGAN RIVER. 45 

which traverses the mountain range t hrough a canyon over 5 miles 

long, having an ayerage fall in t hat <listance of 80 feet to the mile. 

The torrential character of the river in this portion is illustrated in 

fig. 12. All of the water flowing from the uppe r valley must pass 

through t his n a rrow gorge. 

The irrigators of Ogden Valley supply annual1y 5,GOO acres with 

water diverted from Ogden River and its tributaries, as shown by the 

small map, Pl. III. This diYersion is, howe\·er, illegal during times 

Fro. 12 - Narrows of Ogden River. 

of scarcity, since all the summer flow belongs to prior appropriators 

whose canals are situated in the lower portions of the county, the 

relative location being shown on the left half of Pl. III. Many disputes have arisen bet"een the irrigators of the two sections, and to 

prevent eostly litigation, the writer sought to determine, if possible, 

whether water could be diverted and applied to the land h1 the upper 

valley without lessening materially the supply to the legal owners 

below. 
46 SEEPAGE WATER OF NORTHERN UTAH. [No.7. 

-The results of measurements made in 1894 are given in the following table: · 

175 

~ 150 

~ 

~125 0 

0 

~ 

00 100 z 

1-< 

~ 75 

~ 50 

25 

0 

Ogden Valle.IJ i1~tf,ow and outflow in 1894-. 

~Date. Volume Seepage Inflow, in used in irri- Outflow, in waters and 

second-feet. gation. second-feet. private 

springs. 

July 10 __________ 154.0 140.0 156 .. 5 142.5 

15 __________ 129.8 121.0 140.7 131.9 

20 ---- ----- 127.2 104.7 119.2 96.7 

25---------- 118.6 93.5 105.4 80.3 

30 ---- - --- -- 107.1 85.0 106.8 84.7 

Aug. 5_,. ________ 96.0 77.5 99.7 81.2 

10---------- 88.5 74.0 106.8 92.3 

15. _________ 81.2 71.4 100.5 90.7 

20---------- 76.5 66.0 106.8 96.3 

25 ---------- 7.5.0 56.5 110.4 91.9 

30---------- 73.1 44.0 113.0 83.9 L L ........ 80.2 31.0 121.2 72.0 

10 ·--------- 79.0 27.0 119.2 67.2 

July. August. !September! 

5 10 15 20 25 5 10 15 20 25 5 10 

~ ~~ ...... ;:- ~~~ ~ .. ~ ~ 

1'.. " ~ ~ Ou_tl l:>w _./ ... , ~ .....-~ L ~,,~ 

------ ""'>G ~;;;--- ----- r-----.. L":__ "'C'Cl in --- - ~;;a /rr. Jnrlow - .................... .. ... ........ [' ............ :---

FIG. 13.-Diagram illustrating inflow and outflow of Ogden Valley. 

A more detailed description of the measurements is to be found in 

a preliminary report on seepage water and the underflow of rivers, 1 

published in 1895. The general facts are illustrat~d by the accompanying diagram, fig. 13, illustrating the inflow and outflow of Ogden 

1 Utah Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin No. 38, by l::)amuel Fortier, hydraulic engi· 

neer, February, 1895. 
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

U.L.• UPPER LYNNE DITCH 

L.L.• LOWER LYNNE DITCH 

M.F • MOUND FORT DITCH 

WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 7 PL Ill 

MAP OF PRINCIPAL DITCHES FROM OGDEN RIVER. 
FORTIER.] LOGAN RIVER. 47 

Valley, and by the dotted line the amount used in irrigation. If no 

water returned by seepage or was added by percolation from the adjacent mountain lands, the outflow would be represented by the vertical 

distance between the dotted line representing the amount used in irrigation and the light line representing the inflow; but, as shown by the 

heavy line, the actual outflow is far greater than this, being larger at 

times than the inflow upon the corresponding dates. 1 

r:ro be more certain that the ratio existing between the inflow and 

outflow of this valley was correctly determined in 1894, the writer 

sent Messrs. Rhead and Humphreys with a different current meter to 

make a similar test during 1896. The results obtained by them, 

given below, corroborate the records of 1894: 

Results of measurements in Ogden Valley in 1896. 

~--· Inflow in Volume Outflow in Seepage 

second- used in ir- second- waters and 

feet. rigation. feet. priyate 

sprmgs. 

Aug. 20 ___ . ______ 91.6 106.5 101.1 116.0 

25---------- 86.0 99.2 99.5 112.7 

30 ---- ------ 78.7 89.4 97,4 108.1 

Sept. 5------ ·--- 70.0 79.2 95.0 104.2 

10---------- 62.8 70.2 93.0 100.4 

I 

15 .. -- ----.. - 55.3 60.7 90.0 95.4 

20 ------ ---- 50.4 51.6 89.1 90.7 

Some of the Ogden Valley canals, such as the Eden Canal, obtain a 

portion of their discharge from seepage waters, and this accounts for 

the fact that the aggregate volume used in _irrigation exceeds the 

inflow. · 

I The public lands and their water supply, by F. H. Newell: Sixteenth Ann. Rept. U.S. GeoL 

Survey, Part II, 1895, p. 529. 

INDEX. 

Page. 

Baker, JohnS., aid given by.............. 12 

Bear River, water for irrigation supplied 

by·----------------·------------------ 11 

view of ••.• ____ .-----.----·------------- 44 

Blacksmith Fork River, water for irrigation furnished bY-------------------- 28 

description of ••.... ---------·---------- 33 

discharge of--------------------------- 33 

irrigating canals diverting water 

from---------------------------·----- 33 

maximum volume of water appropriated and utilized from •..... -------- 33 

diagram showing appropriated and 

unappropriated waters of---------- '33 

BoxelderCounty,areaof irrigablelandin 12 

Cache County, investigation of seepage 

water in •••..• __ .-----------' __ ---- ..... 11,12 

aid furnished bytJoard of county commissioners of ......•. ----------------- 12 

approximate area irrigated in 1896 in. 28 

population of-------------------------- 28 

principal towns and cities of__________ 28 

Cache Valley, investigation of seepage 

water in ______ ------ .. ---------------- 11,12 

priority of water rights in------.----- 12 

object of hydrographic survey of____ 13 

description of.~---------- ________ ------ 27-28 

character of soil in----·-----.... _----- 28-29 

source of water supply for northern 

pQ.l"tion of .. -------------------------- 35-

results of measurements of various 

canals and ditches in .... -------~---- 39-40 

sources of water supply in____________ 41 

irrigation lluty of water in____________ 44 

diagram showing water supply of ...• 41,42 

gain from seepage water in ....••. ____ 42 

water supply of. ___________ ·----------- 43 

rainfall in ••..•• -----------------------· 43 

evaporation in.-----------------_-----_ 43 

Canals, Logan, Hyde Park, and Smithfield • _______________ ---· ____ ------ ____ 30 

Logrm and Richmond .• ____________ 30,31-82 

Providence. ----- _ ------· ------------ 30,31,32 

Logan, Hyde Park, and Thatcher. 30,31,32 

Nursery_----- ____ .----· _____ : ________ .. 30 

Logan and Benson Ward ..•.••. _______ 30,32 

West Field or Little Ditch ____________ 30,32 

average combined capacity of. _______ 3~ 

Carpenter, L. G., evaporation measured 

by---------------------------------------- 20 

Clover, amount of water absorbed by____ ~ 

Collinston, view of Bear River at_________ 44 

~BR-7-4 

Page. 

Conley, J.D., evaporation measured by.. 20 

Corinne, diagram showing mean monthly 

rainfall at .•...• ---·-------------·---- 15 

average annual rainfall at------------ 27 

Crops, amount of water required per 

pound of--------------------------------_ 26 

Cub River, water for irrigation furnished 

by------------------------------------ 28 

description of.-----.-----.---------____ 35 

irrigating canals diverting water 

from-------------·------------------- 35,36 

Cub River and Middle Ditch Irrigation 

Company,canal of.---------------------- 35 

Cub River and Work Creek Irrigation 

Company, water supplied to town of 

Preston bY------------------------------- 35 

Dutyofwater in Cache Valley___________ 44 

Evaporation, apparatus and methods for 

measurement of .•..... -------------- 17-19 

figure of pan and scales for measuring_ 18 

tables givitlg results of measurement 

of._-----.-------------------.--------- 20-21 

methods of checking------------------ 21 

estimateddepthof _____________ ·------- 21 

from soil, sand, and water surfaces, 

amount of·--------------------------- 22 

summary of results, Dr. Wollny's 

work on·-·--------------------------· 22-23 

ratio between weight of crop harvested and._-----_------------------- 26 

relation between rainfall and.________ 43 

Fort Collins, table showing monthly evaporation at ____ ------------ ... ___ ---------- 20 

Fort Douglas, evaporation measurements 

at reservoirnear ..... ____ ------------ 18 

table giving results of measurements 

of evaporation at----------------____ 20 

Fullmer, C. D. W.,cited___________________ 28 

Greaves, Charles, cited____________________ 22 

Heber, diagram showing mean monthly 

rainfall at·------------·-------·-------··- 15 

Hellriegel, cited_---·-- ____ ---·----........ 26 

High Creek, de~ription of ______ .... ------ 37 

irrigating canals diverting water 

from •..... _----------- ____ ------------ 37 

Humphreys, Thomas H., aid given by--·- 12 

cited--------···--·--··-·--····-···..... 47 

Hyrum, character of soil in vicinity of... 28 

Idaho, investigations of seepage water in. 11 

King, F. H., cited.------ ...... _ ............. 26,27 

Laramie, Wyoming, evaporation measurements at .•..•••••... ---·----····...... 20 

49 
50 INDEX. 

Page. 

Little Bear River, water for irrigation 

furnished hy -----------· ------------ _ 28 

description of ________ ------------------ 33-34 

diagram showing appropriated and 

unappropriated waters of South 

Fork of ___________ --------____________ 34 

diagram showing appropriated and 

unappropriated waters of East 

Fork of ___________ -------------------- 34 

irrigating canals diverting water 

from -----· -·---- ____ ------ ---·-- _____ 35 

Little Ditch (West Field Canal), area irrigated by--------------------------------- 32 

Logan, diagram showing mean monthly 

rainfall at ______ ---------------------- 15 

table of rainfall at ...... ------_________ 17 

water supply of ______ ------------------ 30 

Logan River, rainfall in basin of _________ 14--15 

flowof ______ ------------------------ ____ 15 

water for irrigation furnished by._ _ _ 28 

description of. ..... ----------------____ 29 

diagram showing appropriated and 

unappropriated waters of. _____ ----- 29 

establishment of gaging station on.__ 29 

irrigating canals diverting water from ______________ ----------------____ 30 

Logan and Benson Ward Canal, area irrigated by---------------------------------- 32 

Logan and Richmond Irrigating Company's canal, area irrigated by __________ 31--32 

Logan, Hyde Park, and Smithfield Canal, 

area irrigated by------.--------- ________ 30-31 

Logan, Hyde Park, and 'Thatcher Canal, 

area irrigated by_----------- __ ----______ 32 

Mill ville, character of soil in vil!ini ty of_ _ 28 

Moisture, effects of excess and deficiency 

of---------------·------------------------- 25 

Mulching, evaporation from soil surface 

checked by ______ ------------------------- 22 

New Canyon Creek, water for irrigation 

furnished by------------------------_____ 28 

Newell, F. H., letter of transmittal by___ 9 

Ogden, diagram showing mean monthly 

rainfall at ______ .-----. _____ ---- ____ ------ 15 

Ogden River, description of______________ 45 

view of narrows of ______ -------------- 45 

diversion of water from______________ 45 

Ogden Valley, seepage waters in _________ 44-47 

description of.-----.-----. ____ ._----- __ 44--45 

inflow and outflow of water in 1894... 46 

diagra.m. illustrating inflow and out- flow of __ ---- ______ . ___________ ---·--__ 46 

results of measurement in____________ 47 

Oneida County, Idaho, investigation of 

seepage water in ______ -----·. _____ ------ 11,12 

Paradise, character of soil in vicinity of. 2{1 

Page. 

Preston, distribution of irrigatinJr water to ______ ------ ______ ... _______ .-------_____ 35 

Provide:r;lCe Canal, area irrigated by----- • 32 

Provo, evaporation measurements at____ 2p 

Rainfall, diagrams showing monthly and 

annual means for st;ations in Utah.. 15 

tables of monthly and annual means. 16-17 

at Logan, table showing-----------·__ 17 

relation between evaporation and.... 43 

Rhead, J. L., aid given by---------------- 12 

cited ..... :------ ______ ------_ ... ________ 47 

Richmond City Canal, lands watered by_ 37 

Richmond Irrigation Canal, lands watered 

by---------------------------------------- 37 

Russell, T., evaporation observed by _____ 20-21 

Salt Lake, diagram showing me an 

monthly rainfall at.. ______ -------------- ).5 

Seepage water, definition of term________ 11 

method of investigating.-------- ______ 12-13 

origin of. ___________________ .. _________ 13-15 

in Ogden valley------ ____ ---------- ___ 44--47 

Smithfield, irrigation of town lots of and 

farm lands near.---·· ----.--------- _ ----- 38 

Soil, water-holding capacity of _____ ------ 25 

Stream measurements, results of --- ____ 41 

Subirrigation, value of __________ ------ ____ 24-25 

Summit Creek, irrigating canals diverting water from ____ .. _________ ... ________ 3H 

Transpiration thrQugh foliage of plants, 

magnitude of.-----------.---------.----- 26 

Utah, diagrams showing mean monthly 

rainfall in ...... __________ ------------ 15 

estimated annual evaporation from water surfaces in ____________ .. __ . _ __ 21 

Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, 

aid furnished by_________________________ 12 

Vegetation, injurious effects of excess or 

deficiency of moisture on ...... ----______ 25 

Water, source of supply of, for irriga-·· 

tion ___________________ ------ ------ __ __ 11 

method of investigating seepage of ___ 12-15 

proper application of. ..... ------------ 24 

capacity of soil for holding.----------- 25 

injurious effects of excess or d&ficiency of------------------------------ 25 

amount required per pound of dry 

matter------------------------------- 26 

ratio of weight of crop harvested to.. 26 

Wellsville, first permanent settlement in 

Cache Valley at ..... ----------------- 28 

value of seepage waters at ...... ______ 35 

West Field Canal (Little Ditch), area irrigated by_----------------------------____ 32 

Western Creek, water for-irrigation furnished by ________ .--- ____ -----... ----.... 28 

Wollny, E., cited_-----------·----------· 22,25,26 

0 

• 
lS91i. 

Sixteenth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1894-95, Part II, 

Papers of an economic character, 1895, octavo, 598 pp. 

Contains a paper on the public lands and thoir water supply, by F. H. Newell, illustrated 

by a large map showing the relative <'Xtent and location of the vacant public lands; also a report on the water resources of a portion of the Great Plains, by Robert Ha 

A geological reconnoissance of northwestern Wyoming, by George H. Eldridge, 

1894, octavo, 72 pp. Bulletin No. 119 of the United States Geological Survey; 

price, 10 cents. 

Contains a description of the geologic structure of portions of the Big Horn Range and 

Big Horn Basin, especially with reference to the coal fields, and remarks upon the warer supply and agricultural possibilities. 

Report of progress of the division of hydrography for the calendar year 1893-94, 

by F. H. Newell, 189:>, octavo, 176 pp. Bulletin No. 131 of the United States 

Geological Survey; price, 15 cents. 

Contains results of stream measurements at various points, mainly within the arid region~ 

and records of wells in a number of counties in western Nebraska, western Kanll>ls, ana eastern Colorado. 

1!!i96. 

Seventeenth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1895-96, Part 

II, Economic geology and hydrography, 1896, octavo, 864 pp. 

Contains papers by G. K. Gilbert on the underground water of the Arkansas Valley in eastern Colorado; by Frank Leverett on the water resources of Illinois; and by N.H. Dar- ton on a reconnoissance of the artesian areas of a portion of the Dakotas. 

Artesian-well prospects in the Atlantic Coastal Plain region, by N.H. Darton, 

1896, octavo, 2:30 pp .. 19 plates. Bulletin No. 138 of the United States Geolog- ical Survey; price, 20 cents. 

Gives a description of the geologic conditions of the coastal region from Long Island, 

N.Y., to Georg'ia, and contains data relating to many of the deep wells. 

Report of progress of the division of hydrography for the calendnr year 1895, by 

F. H. Newell, hydrographer in charge, 1896, octavo, 356 pp. Bulletin No. 140 

of the United States Geological Survey; price, 25 cents. 

Contains a description of the instruments and methods employed in measuring streams and tho results of hydrogmphic investigations in various parts of the United States. 

1S9'1. 

Eighteenth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1896-97, Part 

IV, Hydrography, 1897, octavo,- pp. (In preparation.) 

Contains a progress report of stream measurements for the year 1896, by Arthur P. Davig, and four other papers rebting to hydrography. The tir:;t of these is hy l<'rank Leverett, 

and relates to the water rosources of Ohio and Indiana, especially as obtained by wells; the next is by N.H. Darton, on the artcsir.n waters of South Dakota, being supplementary to his paper in the Seventeenth Annmtl; following this is a fully illustrated papAr, by James 

D. Schuyler, on water storage, mainly for irrigt>tion and the construction of dams; the last 

paper, by Robert '.r. Hill, describes the artosir.n conditions of a portion of Texas in the 

vicinity of San Antonio. 

Water Supply and Irrigation Papers. 

This series of fapers is designed to present in pamphlet form the results of stream mea"- urements and o special investigations. A list of these, with oth~rinformation, is given on the outside (or fourth) page of this cover. 

Survey bulletins can be obtained only by prepayment of cost as noted above. 

Postage stamps, checks, and drafts can not be accepted. Money should be transmitted by postal money order or express order, made payable to the Director of 

the United States Geological Survey. Correspondence relating to the publications 

of the Survey should be addressed to The Director, United States Geological 

Survey, Vlashington, D. C. 
WATER-SUPPLY AND IRRIGATION PAPERS. 

1. Pumping water for irrigation, by Herbert M. Wilson, 1896. 

2. Irrigation near Phamix, Arizona, by Arthur P. Davis, 1897. 

3. Sewage irrigation, by George \V. Rafter, 1897. 

4. A rcconnoissance in southeastern Washington, by Israel C. Russell, 1897. 

5. Irrigation practice on the Great Plains, by E. B. Cowgill, 1897. 

6. Underground waters of southwestern Kansas, by Erasmus Haworth, 1897. 

7. Seepage waters of northern Utah, by Samuel Fortier. 

8. Windmills for irrigation, by E. C. Murphy. 

9. Irrigation near Greeley, Colorado, by David Boyd. 

10. Irrigation in Mesilla Valley, New 1\:Iexico, by F. C. Barker. 

11. River heights for 1891J, by Arthur P. Davis. 

12. \Vater resources of southeastern Nebraska, by Nelson Horatio Darton. 

In addition to the above, there are in various stages of preparation other papers 

relating to the measurement of streams, the storage of water, the amount available 

from underground sources, the efficiency of windmills, the cost of pumping, and 

other details relating to the methods of utilizing the water resources of the country. Provision has been made for printing those by the following clause in the 

sundry civil act making appropriations for the year 1896-97: 

Provided, That hereafter the reports of the Geological Survey in relation to the 

gauging of streams and to the methods of utilizing the water resources may be 

printed in octavo form, not to exceed 100 pages in length and 5.000 copies in num- ber; 1,000 copies of whieh shall be for the official use of the Geological Survey, 

1,500 copies shall be delivered to the Senate, and 2,500 copies shall be delivered to 

the House of Representatives, for distribution. (Approved, June 11, 1896; Stat. L., 

vol. 29, p. 433.) 

The maximum number of copies available for the use of the Geological Survey 

is 1,000. This quantity falls far short of the demand, so that it is impossible to 

supply all requests. Attempts are made to send these pamphlets to persons who 

have rendered assistance in their preparation through replies to schedules or donation of data. Requests specifying a certain paper and stating a reason for asking 

for it are attended to whenever practicable, but it is impossible to comply with 

general demands, such as to have all of the series sent indiscriminately. 

Application for these papers should be made either to Members of Congress or to 

THE DIRECTOR, 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 

Washington, D. C.